Eodem: A Rifle and Sword Adventure (Complete)

Chapter 56: Agenda of Many Faces

"Greetings Samantha. You have taken a long time to get here." The Sacred Crystal Heart spoke to the Captain.

A cold wind brushed along Stryder as they turned their gaze upon the shining stone elevated reverently at the far end of the room. It was adorned in an altar of abandoned incense burners, still pristine murals of myth, and melted candle wax. If it was a person, the Heart was of a King that speaks forth its will upon all subjects present in the room.

"The Heart! It... is speaking to us." Aliathra bowed humbly before the holy artifact. The Elf was also followed by Karliah who lay prostrate with her.

"You are it aren't you?" Samantha treaded softly closer to the Heart. "You are the one responsible for this mark on my hand." Samantha took off her gloves and showed her Branding amidst all of the cybernetic augmentations that now dotted her hand into an amalgamation of the human flesh, the metal augmentations, and the mysteries of the arcane.

"Rhannu-Prietar, The Share Holder, Samantha Rose, the one not of the Blessed... now becometh one with the Aetherium." The Heart responded. "Having achieved many great accomplishments and gain the fellowship of fascinating companions during your travels so far Miss Rose. Your achievements in the Ostalrocs, the conquest of Brynbach, and the defeat of the Black Elves in Neuogonia."

"How did you know of all that?" Samantha asked.

"The brandings that I have shared among you, Doutor Mahelona, and boy Faithleann are a part of my functioning collective intelligence Samantha. I see what you see and feel what you feel. I saw your pain, your doubts but also your triumphs and that I am well pleased that my calculations of your character were within acceptable parameters... with a few deviations." The Heart answered.

"Hold on, 'Collective Intelligence'? 'Calculations'? 'Parameters'? Are you some sort of Computer or A.I.?" Kayin raised. Such terminologies were unexpected to be spoken of a sentient relic of Gliesia's allegedly primitive origin.

"That depends on who is asking." The Heart cryptically replied. "But within the context, you may call me 'Abacus'." It spoke formally.

Stryder Group were left aghast but stood eruditely as they continued to hear of what this sentient object has more to say.

"I shall be direct with you now for I cannot stay silent no longer." The Heart announced. "I thank you greatly for upon driving off the 'Alliance of the Light', with them on the run it will not be long before the truest in the most subjective sense of the next age may begin. I had selected the Branded carefully for their specific role to act in this Grand Design."

"You speak in riddles Heart." Karliah shook disbelievingly. "Why create the Chosen One's if you intend to have two of the Branded belong to the Otherworlders and the one to the Empire?"

"From what all happened so far, both sides wish to kill each other." Crocker added, folding his arms.

"It is with great assurance to all of you present that the worst aspects of the war are far past you now that you have driven those so-called 'Alliance' away from here. Those poor fools rely too much on past glories and 'Heroes' for their own good." The Heart commentates. "Unlike you, Samantha." Saying her name ominously.

"Why so?" the Captain questioned. "I was told you create Chosen Ones to help save this world from dangers."

"My purpose is always the wellbeing of this world Samantha." The Hear defended itself. "Gliesia does not revolve around just the Empire, the Elves, and the Dynasts! Your purpose in the grand design of the Coming Age is of an ideological and philosophical alteration of the course of this world's impending fate rather than a grievous Existential threat... but then again... is there a difference? That the old ways must die so that in its ashes, fertilize the seed of the new order ascension?" Abacus lectured. "In essence, you are all merely educational instruments for a grander equalization, not 'Heroes'."