Any relic of the dead is precious if they were valued living.
But what Zane had was the relic straight from the Golden Slab. Something that allotted unimaginable powers, Zane had a piece of that same monolith. Talk about luck.
As Horum said, Zabe might be too weak to do anything with it, but the relic wasn't the only thing he had that came from the slab. He had something else too.
And that thing could definitely use the relic.
The Conflux System.
Making Zane sure of his claims, the system manifested an interface in front of his eyes saying:
[ Does the Host want to merge the Relic? ]
If what Horum said was right then the thing Zane would be able to create with the coin would surely help him a lot. He already got a free merge as a reward for dropping the idol, and might as well use it with the coin.
But under the eagerness he was aware of one thing.
So he answered:
Not yet.
The system went silent and during this, Zane noticed that when he was thinking of merging, the system itself presented a window.
Can it hear my thoughts? Is it because of the synchronization?
Zane kept it in his mind along with the idea of merging the relic later.
He needed to show it to the guards outside the Citadel tomorrow for the entry. He couldn't make it vanish yet.
Also, he had to make sure if the relic really belonged to him.
He looked at Horum, who was finished answering the questions.
He had said he would speak only once and now Zane didn't know how to express his doubt without earning the annoyance or anger of the Priest.
He fidgeted with his fingers, his hand roaming over his pants pocket.
Horum saw the young man looking at him and rolled his eyes.
"What is it?" He asked.
Zane beamed, not showing it on his face as he bowed and wasted no time to ask:
"I remember you said I don't own this relic, father. But after showing it to the guards at the citadel, I can keep it, right? Someone like Emberlord Priest Coin wouldn't ask for it from a Gutterborn, I assume? He can just make another one."
Zane asked with respect as usual. He didn't know what an Emberlord was but he figured it was something prominent and important so he used it.
But the next second, Xavier's muscles tensed.
Horum was still in front of him and after Zane's questions, he saw Horum's face twitch.
Zane couldn't see it or felt any intentions as his head was bowed but he did got to know it when the priest spoke:
"Don't be ridiculous, you fool."
Zane's brows shot up.
He raised his head with a jolt and was ready to ask for forgiveness for his whole bloodline.
Did I cross the line?
He would have streamed countless apologies from his mouth if not for waiting for Horum's permission to speak. Also, he didn't really know what he did.
He wanted to ask about his mistake but he didn't have the courage for it.
However, he wasn't alone…
"What happened?" Xavier asked in Zane's place.
Horum ignored him and gawked at Zane.
"That relic is straight from the Amnesty cube which is a fragment of the Haloheart itself. And the Haloheart is the fragment of the First Flame. You think you can keep it with you? You should just be glad that you got to touch it.
Emberlord Coin would want it back. He will not just give it to you forever. Just after you get the entry in the Citadel, you have to submit it back to the Emberlord. No questions asked. No second guess needed. Don't even think about keeping it with yourself. Such relics are not to be made again. Once they have been made, that's the end of it. Just get the entry, and return it to the Emberlord. You don't need to know any further than that."
Zane swallowed.
"I understand. Spare me your anger, father."
Horum scoffed. "It's not your fault. Stealing is in your blood after all."
I am not a thief.
"Talking about stealing..." Horum looked at Xavier. "You should stop doing it. You are not that proficient in it yet. Also, we have set up a counter measure for stealing. You will find out soon. You weren't the first one to do it, kid."
Zane's eyes widened.
Xavier gulped.
He said nothing but he did touch the sun-drop candies inside his pockets.
That's all? I thought stealing was a crime worth accusing the whole bloodline instead of some counter measure. And he didn't even ask Xavier to return the stolen goods.
Zane scoffed inside his chest and Horum shook his head.
"Anything else? Once I turn around I won't speak to the two of you. And after this, I am going to Grey Bloom. The vines are spreading outside the forest. I won't be here for some days."
"Isn't that a Corrupted Zone?" Xavier asked.
Zane had heard about it as well. In fact, he knew all the corrupted zones in the Eldros continent. He liked to compare his slums with them to feel better.
"Yes. Many other Priests are going there to subdue the corruption."
Xavier nodded and slightly bowed.
"I have no further questions."
Zane did the same and he also circled around his heart, praising the Flame.
"I, as well, have no questions, father."
The circling around the heart was the gesture for the First Flame worshippers and Xavier didn't do it because only those who had something related to the First Flame on their body or hands, had to do it. Others could simply just use their mouth to praise God during the prayers or normal conversations.
Zane had the idol so he did the gesture. Offerings don't count.
The gesture meant that around the person's heart, only the First Flame resided. And if a God of hunger existed, Zane would have fractured his hand from circling it around his stomach all the time.
"You may leave then."
Zane turned around instantly, with the idol a hair's breadth away from his chest.
While Xavier calmly turned his feet around.
Not looking behind, Zane started walking away from the shop.
Horum also turned around and started distributing offerings again to the few gutterborns present in the line.
While distributing, he occasionally scratched his thigh.
He faced some looks from the onlookers and sighed.
"Mosquitoes are everywhere lately."
Meanwhile, Zane took long strides as if he had a booked carriage to catch.
"What's the hurry?"
A voice came from behind.
Zane didn't even look to know who it was.
Xavier Reivax.
"It's been seven hours since I left my home. I have eyes that witnessed too much for one day. I almost died two times today. I encountered two Enforcers. Someone blew up right in front of me and if you can't see, I am covered in blood!"
"... Fair enough. But our talk wasn't over. You wanted to know about me, right?"
"This isn't a good time to talk. I just want to go home."
Zane shook his head, clenched his fists and clicked his tongue as he felt a sense of loss.
All because he hoped for something today.
Zane had already merged the relic and created something for himself in his thoughts and couldn't wait to make it a reality. But Horum, with mockery and disgust in his voice, crumbled his thoughts.
His plan failed miserably before even starting.
"But why are you walking so fast?" Xavier asked, walking beside Zane with the same long strides.
Zane didn't stop his feet and looked over his shoulder.
The sun was setting down, Maaya and Riveth peeked their red and white heads in the sky, and the short hand of the flame tower was inches away from VIII.
Zane stared at the moving time and in a tired manner, answered Xavier.
"I don't want to attend another prayer."