A Million Beginnings, One Quiet Ending
Chapter 40: Another New Home

Chapter 40: Another New Home

The world seemed distorted and bent like rubber the next thing we knew, we were standing at what seemed like a border between two countries.

From what we saw no one was guarding it and so the both of us walked in.

We saw a somewhat mediaeval country, with horses, carriages, inns and a giant clocktower could be seen at what would be the centre of the city.

Asher looked around and saw Anna tap someone on the shoulder a few feet away from him.

"Um sir, where is this please?" She asked him in utmost politeness.

"What sort of question is that?" He asked, visibly frowning. "This is the Kingdom Of Chatteron."

Anna smiled awkwardly and then walked back to me. "It seems Radkiel sent us to quite a place."

"Hmm." Asher made no comment on that and instead walked forward.

"W-wait! Where are you going?!" Anna asked.

"The best place to get information," He kept on walking and then stopped in front of a building which had a large sign at the top which read "The Checkout".

"Is in a bar?" Anna asked visibly disgusted.

"Yes, a bar." Asher replied in a sarcastic tone and then walked in.

All eyes turned to the both of them. Asher could sense the scrutiny from the eyes that stared but he just kept his head down and walked towards the counter.

They both sat at the counter, someone who presumably would be the barkeeper had his back turned to them and was busy sorting out drinks.

He had black hair that was tied up in a knot. His body was average with well toned muscles and his movements were average.

"Hello." Anna beckoned.

He turned around revealing an extremely handsome face, one that would make beautiful ladies fall on their knees asking for his hand in marriage.

This is interesting. Asher could see Anna’s face the moment the barkeeper turned around and saw she had clearly become infatuated with him but he kept quiet and let her speak.

"You’re not from around here are ya?" The barkeeper asked, his eyes studying the both of them thoroughly.

"Yeah we aren’t." Anna replied. "How does one get work around here?"

Asher snapped his head towards her direction in shock as he wasn’t expecting such a question.

"Can you guys cook and clean?" He asked the both of them.

"Sure, I can clean while he cooks." She smiled then her face turned serious. "But what’s the pay like?"

The barkeeper smirked, the only reason a beautiful girl such as this and a fairly handsome man would even consider working in a bar such as this one was because they were low on funds.

He raised his head and then dipped his hands in his pocket. He withdrew it and threw two gold coins on the counter.

"One gold coin per week and there are rooms for employees as well." He offered.

Anna stroked her chin as she thought about it.

"We accept." She turns as Asher replied and takes both gold coins and dips them in his own pocket.

"That’s great, there are aprons over here. Cross the counter yourselves and take ’em." He smiled as he turned halfway then he snapped back and turned to face them again.

"I almost forgot to ask, what are your names?"

"I’m Anna." She replied delightfully as she walked towards the counter door.

The barkeeper looked toward Asher and noticed his gloomy presence. "What about you?"

"How about you tell me yours first?" Asher shot back in a low but firm time.

"Wilson, my name is Wilson."

"Asher Blackwood." He replied in turn and then turned around to see Anna hold the apron in front of him. He took it and put it on and then went to work.

They worked into the dead of the night, carrying out their duties perfectly.

Wilson flipped open his pocket watch and then raised his head. He stared at Asher and Anna for a little while and then smirked.

"Closing time!" He said loudly. Anna walked to the door and turned the sign.

She turned the key in the lock and then returned it to Wilson. Asher was busy cleaning every table in sight.

Anna then went to the back room and came out with a bucket of water and a mop. She mopped every part of the room clean.

"What’s this?" Anna and Wilson turned and saw that someone was still sitting in the room with a glass of beer in his hand.

"Um sir, the bar is closed. Please finish your drink and leave." Asher beckoned to the man but he got no response.

"Sir!" Asher snapped and put his hand on the man’s shoulder the person seated at the table took off his hat which revealed his golden hair he turned his head and looked up at Asher with his eyes which had an illusory glow to it.

The colour of gold graced his pupils as he studied Asher and then he turned back to face his drink. He finished it in one fell swoop.

He picked up his hat and put it on, he dropped a gold coin on the table and then walked to the door.

"Could you please unlock it for me?" He asked looking from one person to the other.

Wilson crossed the counter and opened up the door for the man. He tipped his hat to Asher and then walked out.

"What was that?" Asher asked, clearly surprised. He was perspiring and Anna seeing that was shocked as well.

"You don’t know?" Wilson asked, his brows furrowed in question.

Pffff

Wilson sighed and then spoke. "He’s an Ascender."

"An Ascender?" Asher asked, still unable to relieve himself from the shock.

"Yes, someone who has chosen a pathway and is currently ascending through that specific pathway." Wilson explained.

"Choosing a pathway? What’s a pathway?" Anna asked as well, showing keen interest in the discussion.

Pffff

Wilson sighed again.

"There are 9 pathways in the world, each representing a distinct concept. That man just now, he was of the Omniscient Eye pathway and it seems like he is at the Red Stage." Wilson explained further.

"I know you’re going to ask what the Red Stage is so let me just explain it to you." He continued. "The Red Stage is one of the seven stages an essence crystal can go through."

"Essence crystal?" Asher snapped as he asked this question, the thoughts going through his head were unnerving but he wanted this question answered first.

"You don’t know what an essence crystal is?" Wilson asked. He shook his head and put his face in his palm.

He beckoned to a table with three chairs. "Let’s sit down."

"Now, the essence crystal exists in every living being from the day they were born although it doesn’t manifest until one chooses a pathway. Once one chooses a pathway it starts to manifest completely, taking on a black colour." Wilson started his explanation.

"Then when you ascend the stages from Black to Orange to Red to Yellow to Silver to White and then at the final stage, it shatters which we call the Shattered stage."

Both of them listened very carefully to every word he said.

"It is basically the ascension to godhood, at the Silver stage, one is said to become a demigod. At the White stage, one is said to become an Angel. At the Shattered stage, one is said to become a literal god."

The word demigod resonated with Asher and Anna that their entire demeanors changed. Wilson noticed that but paid it no heed.

"What do Ascenders do?" Anna asked, being the first to collect herself and bring her mind back to reality.

"Ascenders basically do whatever they want, but most of the time they investigate all things spiritual and supernatural."

"Why not tell the public of these supernatural threats so they would be more weary of them?" Anna asked.

"I don’t know, but only a select few are Ascenders in this Kingdom. About four percent of people are Ascenders and we have a population of over twenty-three million people and we are the third most populated Kingdom on this continent."

"I see." Anna stroked her chin thinking about all she had been told.

"You’re one of the Ascenders aren’t you?" Asher spoke up, his voice and his entire demeanor was as cold as ice.

"Impressive. How were you able to figure it out?" Wilson asked smiling.

"You basically just explained everything there is to know about Ascenders and what they do and you also said that normal humans don’t know about them so you knowing about them talk less of knowing how they function is suspicious." Asher explained his entire thought process to Wilson.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Wilson put his hands together for Asher’s explanation and then smiled.

"Impressive."

"Why are you here?" Asher asked. "I’m pretty sure Ascenders have organisations which they’re all part of." Asher stood up from his seat and then leaned on the counter.

"I’m here investigating a series of supernatural murders, that man who just walked out was my target." Wilson revealed.

"Then why didn’t you apprehend him." Asher asked.

"The both of you would have gotten in the way."

"I believe we can hold our own against someone like that." Asher snorted.

Wilson shot out from his chair like a bullet and was instantly standing in front of Asher.

"You couldn’t even see me coming, what makes you think you could take him on? And moreover, the both of you don’t even have pathways yet and can’t even use essence." He added.

"Are you sure about that?" Asher asked as he them closed his eyes, trying to build up the essence within himself. But no matter how much he concentrated nothing came out. He was shocked and perplexed at this development.

What happened?

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