The Void Heart Devourer

Chapter 9: The Judgment of the High Council

The Sacred Hall had not yet returned to peace.

Cracks still marred the altar floor. Several pillars had collapsed, and guards were busy evacuating the wounded. No one spoke of the Awakening’s results anymore. Everyone’s thoughts were fixated on a single event.

The Awakening Crystal had shattered.

And Akseli had been at the very center of it all.

"All participants, stay where you are!"

The voice of the Altar Guardian echoed through the hall.

"No one is permitted to leave the Sacred Hall until the High Council reaches a decision."

The atmosphere turned chaotic instantly.

"What? We have to stay here?"

"I had nothing to do with what happened!"

"It’s that Vainio boy’s fault!"

A guard slammed the butt of his spear against the floor.

"Silence!"

The commotion died down immediately.

On the honor stand, the seven Patriarchs had gathered in a circle. Their expressions were far graver than when the ceremony began. Even the notoriously stern Patriarch Draven appeared deep in thought.

The Altar Guardian stepped into the center.

"I will now state the facts we have confirmed."

The entire hall fell silent again.

"First."

"The Awakening Crystal has completely lost all of its Aether energy."

Several people audibly gasped.

"That means..."

"...the artifact is unusable?"

The Altar Guardian nodded slowly.

"For now... yes."

This time, the hall erupted in an uproar.

"Impossible!"

"That is a sacred artifact!"

"What about the next generation then?"

Panicked voices began to rise.

The Altar Guardian raised a hand.

"Second."

"We found no signs that the artifact was destroyed by external force."

Everyone exchanged glances.

Patriarch Draven frowned.

"You mean..."

"...the crystal shattered from within?"

"That is our preliminary conclusion."

The statement left the entire hall in stunned silence.

Patriarch Laakso rose from his seat.

"Then the answer is clear."

His gaze locked onto Akseli.

"The incident began the moment that boy touched the Crystal."

"No one else was involved."

Some Patriarchs didn't nod immediately, but none contested the point.

Patriarch Kallio spoke up.

"The facts do indeed point in that direction."

"Even if we don't yet know the cause."

Patriarch Vainio finally stood.

"If it’s only based on conjecture..."

"...that is not proof."

Patriarch Laakso offered a thin smile.

"Proof?"

"The entire hall saw it."

"Your son touched the Crystal."

"The Crystal shattered."

"Is that not clear enough?"

The atmosphere grew heated again.

Akseli stood still, saying nothing.

He knew...

nothing he said now would change anyone's mind.

It was then that Edrik stepped forward.

"Honorable Patriarchs."

"I have testimony to provide."

All eyes turned to him.

Edrik bowed respectfully.

"Before the ceremony began, I said that Akseli’s presence would only bring trouble."

"It seems my prediction was correct."

He turned toward Akseli with a faint smirk.

"Someone who doesn't even possess an Aether Heart should never have touched a sacred artifact."

Several participants nodded in agreement.

"True."

"If he hadn't participated, none of this would have happened."

"It's all his fault."

Accusatory voices rose from every direction.

Soon, several noble families stood as well.

"We demand the Council pass judgment immediately."

"Otherwise, who can guarantee this won't happen again?"

"The Sacred City cannot harbor such a threat."

More and more people voiced the same demand.

Amidst the crowd, Patriarch Vainio clenched his fists.

He knew his son was being made a scapegoat.

But his position was too weak.

The Vainio Clan was no longer a respected house.

His opinion was slowly drowned out by the majority.

The Altar Guardian let out a long sigh.

"Decisions cannot be made based on emotion."

"We need an investigation."

"No!" interrupted Patriarch Laakso.

"If we wait too long, what if the boy loses control again?"

That remark immediately swayed the mood.

Several Patriarchs who had been hesitant began exchanging glances.

Patriarch Draven stared at Akseli for a long moment.

"Boy."

"Tell us the truth."

"What did you feel when you touched the Crystal?"

The entire hall went quiet again.

Everyone waited for Akseli's answer.

Akseli took a slow breath.

"I don't know."

"All I felt was..."

He paused for a moment.

"...a voice."

The Patriarchs’ brows furrowed.

"A voice?" asked the Altar Guardian.

Akseli nodded.

"Like someone speaking inside my head."

The statement made the atmosphere even more tense.

Patriarch Laakso sneered.

"Speaking to voices that aren't there?"

"Or are you just making excuses?"

"That is no excuse."

Akseli looked at him calmly.

"That is what happened."

Patriarch Draven continued to study Akseli’s face.

He found no signs of deceit.

But that was exactly what worried him even more.

If this boy wasn't lying...

then who was speaking to him?

Before anyone could ask further, the doors of the Sacred Hall burst open.

BANG!

A guard rushed in, gasping for air.

"Your Excellencies!"

"Emergency!"

Everyone turned.

The guard knelt immediately.

"The Sacred City’s protective formations haven't stopped activating."

"In fact..."

He swallowed hard.

"...more and more ancient formations are waking up on their own."

The hall was struck by silence once more.

The Altar Guardian slowly closed his eyes.

His greatest fear...

had just begun.

The tension in the Sacred Hall remained thick. No one dared to make a decision yet. The Patriarchs exchanged glances while all eyes remained on Akseli.

It was then that Patriarch Laakso stood up.

"Since the investigation will take quite some time, there is one matter that must be settled today."

His gaze shifted to his daughter.

"Eveliina."

"Step forward."

Eveliina stepped out of the Laakso Clan's ranks. Her blue robes fluttered softly. Her face remained calm, as if the decision she was about to announce had been made long ago.

Akseli watched her without saying a word.

For some reason...

he could already guess what was about to happen.

Patriarch Laakso raised his voice.

"In the past, the Laakso Clan and the Vainio Clan made an engagement agreement."

"That was done when both families held equal standing."

"But times have changed."

The hall began to whisper.

They knew where this conversation was heading.

Patriarch Laakso looked at his daughter.

"State your decision."

Eveliina took a slow breath.

Then, she looked directly at Akseli.

"Akseli."

"I wish to end our engagement."

The hall fell silent.

No one was truly surprised.

Yet, everyone wanted to hear the reason from her own lips.

Akseli offered a faint smile.

"Because of today’s incident?"

Eveliina shook her head.

"No."

"This decision was made a long time ago."

Her words made Akseli’s smile fade.

"I was just waiting for the right time."

"And today..."

"...is the end of it all."

Some participants smiled in satisfaction.

Eveliina continued.

"Since I was a child, I always wondered."

"Why must I be betrothed to someone who doesn't have an Aether Heart?"

"I tried to accept that reality."

"I tried to respect my parents' wishes."

"But as I grew older..."

"...I became more convinced."

Her gaze turned cold.

"You are not worthy of being my companion."

Akseli clenched his fists.

But he remained silent.

Eveliina took a step closer.

"A man should protect his family."

"A husband should be a source of strength."

"And you?"

"What can you do?"

"You couldn't even awaken your Aether Heart."

Every sentence sounded calm.

But that was exactly what made it hurt the most.

"I don't want to spend my life..."

"...with a man destined from birth to be a burden."

Some participants laughed.

"That's right!"

"What woman would want to marry a cripple?"

"Hahaha!"

Edrik stepped forward, grinning.

"Lady Eveliina is too kind."

"If I were in your position, I would have broken off that engagement years ago."

Laughter filled the hall again.

Akseli kept his eyes on Eveliina.

"Is that your only reason?"

Eveliina paused for a moment.

Then, she shook her head slowly.

"No."

"Today I am more certain than ever."

"A man without an Aether Heart should never have been born."

The words struck Akseli harder than a slap.

His chest tightened.

But what hurt the most...

was the girl who said them.

The girl whose name had been linked to his for so many years.

Eveliina spoke again.

"You bring no hope."

"You only bring disaster."

"The Awakening Crystal shattered because it touched you."

"If I married you one day..."

"Who could guarantee my family wouldn't be destroyed too?"

The hall was filled with laughter once more.

"Tell him again!"

"That's the truth!"

"Bad luck charm!"

"Trash without an Aether Heart!"

Someone threw a participant’s badge at Akseli.

It struck his shoulder and fell to the floor.

Soon after...

a wooden cup.

A piece of cloth.

Even a shoe.

One by one, items were thrown at him.

No guards stopped them.

No elders scolded them.

Everyone just watched.

Edrik took the engagement ring from a servant and handed it to Eveliina.

"My Lady."

"It is time."

Eveliina held the ring for a few seconds.

Then, she placed it on the floor right in front of Akseli.

"With this..."

"...our engagement is officially over."

Akseli looked at the ring.

His memories drifted to his childhood.

When the two families were still close.

When their fathers laughed together.

When everyone said they would grow up to be the perfect couple.

Apparently...

it was all just a memory now.

Akseli slowly removed the ring he had worn for so long.

His hands trembled slightly.

Not from hesitation.

But from disappointment.

He placed his ring beside Eveliina’s.

"I accept your decision."

There was no shouting.

There was no anger.

That very calmness made some people lose their smiles.

Eveliina had expected Akseli to beg.

Or at least ask if there was still a chance.

But he didn't.

The young man just looked at her for a moment before saying quietly,

"From today..."

"...you are free."

The simple sentence made Eveliina’s chest tighten for a second.

For some reason...

she didn't feel like a winner.

All she saw was a change in Akseli’s gaze.

It was no longer filled with hope.

It was no longer filled with affection.

All that remained...

was a deep, profound disappointment.

Edrik laughed again.

"Look at that?"

"Even after being dumped, he still pretends to be strong."

"Someone like you should be grateful you were even betrothed to Lady Eveliina."

"No sane woman would choose a man like you."

Some participants chimed in.

"That's right!"

"He'll die alone!"

"Who would marry someone whom even the heavens reject?"

Every word cut like a knife.

Akseli closed his eyes for a moment.

He would not forget this day.

He would not forget the faces laughing at him.

And...

he would never forget Eveliina’s words.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

His gaze had truly changed.

Cold.

Calm.

And foreign.

He looked at Eveliina for the last time.

"One day..."

"I hope you do not regret your decision."

Without waiting for a response, Akseli turned around.

But after only two steps, Patriarch Draven’s voice echoed again.

"Stop."

"The High Council has not finished passing your sentence."

Akseli stopped.

He knew...

the day was not over yet.

And his suffering...

had only just begun.

The Sacred Hall fell silent again. No one spoke. All eyes were on the seven Patriarchs, who were deliberating. Their decision would determine the fate of a young man who had just lost everything.

A few moments later, Patriarch Draven stood.

"The High Council has reached a decision."

The entire hall held its breath.

Patriarch Draven looked at Akseli without showing a shred of emotion.

"Akseli Vainio. You are not declared guilty."

The statement surprised many.

"But... you are also not declared innocent."

The crowd began to whisper.

Patriarch Draven continued, "Until the investigation is complete, you are considered a dangerous individual who potentially threatens the security of Elarion. From this day forward, you are forbidden from leaving the Sacred City. You must report to the High Council every seven days. You are not allowed to approach ancient artifacts or sacred sites. And your every move will be monitored."

Every sentence sounded like chains binding Akseli’s body. He stood still. No protest. No begging.

Patriarch Vainio clenched his fists.

"That sentence is too harsh. My son has not been proven to have done anything."

Patriarch Laakso turned coldly.

"It is precisely because it hasn't been proven that he is still alive. If the Awakening Crystal truly shattered because of him... even the death penalty would be too light."

The atmosphere grew heated again.

But the Altar Guardian raised his hand.

"The Council’s decision is final. No one may dispute it."

Patriarch Vainio lowered his head slowly. For the first time, he was unable to protect his son.

Akseli looked at his father for a moment. On the man’s face, he saw a weariness he had never noticed before. Perhaps... his father had been struggling alone for many years.

Without a word, Akseli bowed to the Patriarchs.

"I accept the Council’s decision."

His answer left some stunned. They had expected the young man to resist or at least protest. Instead, he simply accepted it.

Edrik clicked his tongue.

"At least you know your place."

Akseli didn't look back at all.

The Altar Guardian sighed deeply.

"The session is over. All participants are permitted to leave the Sacred Hall."

The crowd began to move. But as Akseli walked out, the whispers returned.

"That's him."

"The disasterbringer."

"Pity the Vainio Clan."

"I hear they'll fall even further after this."

Some people deliberately moved aside as Akseli passed, as if afraid of catching his bad luck. Others looked at him with fear.

No one called him a cripple anymore.

Now...

he had a new nickname.

The DisasterBringer.

The sky had begun to darken when Akseli left the Sacred Hall with his father. Neither of them spoke. The sound of their footsteps filled the silence along the road.

Usually, the main road of the Sacred City was bustling.

That day was different.

Everyone who saw Akseli immediately whispered to the person next to them.

"That's him."

"The boy who shattered the Crystal."

"Even Lady Eveliina dumped him."

"If I were him, I'd rather just disappear."

The remarks were clear. But Akseli kept walking until they arrived in front of the Vainio residence.

The old house seemed quieter than usual.

His father had just opened the door when he suddenly stopped.

"Akseli."

"Yes, Father?"

The man kept his back turned to his son.

"From tomorrow... do not leave the house for the time being."

Akseli gave a bitter smile.

"Is Father also afraid that I bring disaster?"

The man stood silent for a long time before slowly turning. His gaze was filled with guilt.

"No."

"Father believes in you."

The answer surprised Akseli slightly.

"But... the world does not."

The simple sentence struck Akseli’s heart harder than all the insults he had received that day.

He only nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Night fell.

Akseli sat alone in his room. On the table lay the engagement ring he had discarded.

He stared at the small object for a long time.

Finally, he gripped it tight.

"I really have lost everything..."

He gave a hollow smile.

But strangely, he didn't cry.

Perhaps because the pain was already too deep.

Or perhaps...

his heart had gone numb.

Just then, his right palm suddenly felt hot.

Akseli winced. Slowly, he opened his hand.

The black, circular mark that had appeared in the Sacred Hall was visible again. This time, its light was much clearer. The black lines moved slowly, forming a symbol he had never seen before.

Then...

the ancient voice resonated in his mind again.

"You have lost everything..."

Akseli froze.

He recognized the voice.

The voice that came from beneath the Sacred Hall.

"Good..."

"Because only those who have lost everything..."

"...dare to seek the truth."

Akseli clenched his fist.

"Who are you?"

There was no answer.

A few seconds later, the voice echoed again. Quieter. Clearer.

"If you want to know who you are..."

"...come to the Tombs of the Kings."

"I will be waiting for you..."

The voice faded away.

At the same time, the black light on Akseli’s palm slowly dimmed.

The room was silent again.

But now...

for the first time since birth...

Akseli had a purpose.

He slowly lifted his head.

His gaze was no longer filled with despair.

It was filled with resolve.

"I will find the answer."

"No matter the cost."

Outside the window, red lightning flashed across the sky of the Sacred City once again.

No one realized...

that the first step toward the greatest secret of Elarion...

had just begun.