The Alpha's Blind Fate
Chapter 72: The Eldermen

Chapter 72: The Eldermen

MOON (Somewhere At The Temple Of The Arctic North)

Elder Sybril read the letter the Theta left her over and over again with a sense of dread that kept on renewing with the pass of seconds. Clutched in her other hand was another letter, this one written by the Theta’s maidservant and delivered to her just that day.

’The Theta has been kidnapped by the rogue army. And despite the fact the army has been defeated, she is still nowhere to be found. I’ve journeyed to Ravgid to wait for her just in case, while Warrior Ablanch and the Temple Knights are searching for her.

It was the content of the maidservant’s letter that had prompted Sybril to open the letter the Theta explicitly left her under the orders that Sybril was only to open it if anything happened to her. Sybril had never expected that she would, at last, have a reason to read the letter.

’It is true that six years ago, I, Zina WolfKnight told a dangerous lie. But I now wish to atone for it. If you’re reading this letter Sybril, then you must know that something must have happened to me. Do not debate it anymore and push before the Eldermen the reinstatement of the Alpha Prince Daemon’s titles.

You know it the same way I do what Theta Amelia told us all those years ago. Greatness must come back and take its place. I have seen it too, that the wind of the North will change forever. Now, the wolf with five bloods shall replace the Arctic Wolf. And it will give me great pleasure if you aid his coming.

Syrbil sighed, carefully folding the letters. She had a lot of response to give them... for instance, she wished to tell the maidservant to beware of the Temple Knights whom she had sent to them personally. While it sounded comical, Sybril had come to discover a far deeper treachery within the Temple. The kind that sought the head of Zina WolfKnight.

The woman was resolved to see the Eldermen indeed, but for far more reasons than Zina WolfKnight had stated.

Sybril began to wade her way to the Groove Shrine, a luxurious dwelling place of the three Lords that served as the Eldermen of the Temple of the Arctic North. At the doors were two temple knights that blocked her from gaining entrance.

"Do you have an appointment with the Eldermen?" One of them asked Sybril gruffly.

"I am Elder Sybril of the Opaque Shrine. I have come to seek an impromptu meeting with the three Eldermen."

"I am afraid you must have an appointment, Elder Sybril."

"I am afraid not." Sybril responded equally as sternly, making it clear that she didn’t intend to move away from the entrance of the shrine anytime soon until she met with the Eldermen.

One of the Temple Knights enters inside the shrine, and exactly fifteen seconds later, he is out.

"The Eldermen will see you."

Sybril walked directly into the Temple that glowed an otherworldly blue light, paved by a long winding thin corridor that bore an overbearing aura.

Decorated with luxurious crystals that gave out a dim blue light, the Groove Shrine was otherwise empty save for its expensive decoration. At the far end of the shrine were three giant-like erected conclaves that glowed a much harsher blue, hiding what or who could be in it.

Each conclave-like structure was at least five feets away from each other. And each of the glass-like material was engraved with the carving of a wolf head with its jaw wide open as if aiming to snap off a neck.

If it were another person save for Sybril, the aloof shrine was enough to send fear running down their spines. Even the Theta had only been there once, and that went to show just how sacred —the Groove as it was mostly referred—to was seen.

Sybril stood directly before the three giant conclaves.

"Elder Sybril comes to see us." A deep timbre voice spoke as if making an introduction, the sound echoing off the never ending walls of the shrine. The voice seemed to have no origin, as if the room itself was speaking. But Sybril knew that the man who spoke was hidden in one of the conclaves.

"The Elder has come to see us indeed." A woman’s voice added with a tone that dripped of raw boredom.

"Why has she come to see us?" A different male voice added nonchalantly, bordering between sounding girlish almost.

Sybril bowed slightly. "I, Elder Sybril, greet the Eldermen."

"Sybril," The woman drawled boorishly, "you are a high ranked woman yourself. Bowing is uncalled for."

"I agree," the second man added with a loud yawn that echoed off the room. "Get on with your business and we might be done with this."

Sybril smiled to herself, their conceit stunning to say but the least. Not one to beat around the bush herself, she said, "I have come to inquire why the two Temple Knights sent to guard the Theta are meant to take her life instead."

A silence fell in the room, although the silence was hardly uncomfortable. Almost like the Eldermen—the highest authority of the Temple—were thinking on how best to answer the Elder Woman.

"Sybril," the woman drawled, "since you’re being so direct we shall answer you. The decision to kill the revered Theta is not one we made lightly. There were... careful considerations despite our many reluctances."

"Then why was I not consulted before such considerations were concluded?"

"This is a matter that has to do with the Five Great Evils," the first man spoke in a deep baritone voice, "they spoke of an ancient prophecy. Prophecies that actually hold water. Our hands were tied; we simply acted to assuage their concerns."

Sybril balled her fingers into a fist, their excuses greatly angered her despite the fact that she was not one to be angered easily. It didn’t exactly surprise her that the same people who vowed to protect the young woman’s life now purports to take it, but the fickleness of their decisions was still embarrassing to say but the least.

"Eldermen, I am afraid that I simply cannot accept your excuse."

"It is not for you to accept," the woman said in the same bored tone, "but believe us when we say we wish the Theta survives this ordeal. If she does, then we shall simply proclaim her before the Five Great Evils as the reincarnation of the Moon Goddess herself. That way, they won’t dare hold over our heads such a prophecy."

"You must have seen the White Monks then." Sybril said just as she remembered the bald men she had warned the Theta against. "Just what did they say to you that would warrant such an audacious move from yourselves of all people?"

"When the flake falls from the eyes of the woman who sees the world, she will destroy the man chanted as greatness." The first man recited.

Sybril chuckled, unable to help herself. She too, had heard the same variation of the so-called ancient prophecy, and she could bet her guts that the Five Great Evils were not entirely forthcoming with the whole of the prophecy. And it only told Sybril that their own self-interest was at stake.

"Have you all forgotten that Theta Amelia saw Theta Zina in her visions too? That Theta Zina will pave a way in shaping the greatness of the Northern Wind?"

This time, an uncomfortable silence fell in the room. Sybril stared hard at the three conclaves, as if willing them to shatter and expose the people cocooned and hidden away within them.

"We have not forgotten." The second man said in a complacent manner, "Theta Zina only needs to survive this. That way, our hold over the Five will remain steadfast, and they will not have the opportunity to make such unruly demands again."

"Yes." The woman echoed him, "we shall apologise when this will be over. The Theta has shown time and time again that she is wise as she is powerful, death will not meet her easily for after all she is the woman ordained by the gods."

Sybril scoffed. If it were herself alone, she would have given them a piece of her mind. But she remembered the Theta’s letter and the mission the young woman had entrusted her with.

"If you seek to recover the Theta’s goodwill, she has a request of the Eldermen."

"What does the Theta request of us?" The first man said.

"She asks that the Eldermen help the banished prince be rightfully restored as the Alpha Prince of the Arctic North."

There was a brief silence.

"Very well," the woman said, "the divine Theta’s wish is our command."