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"Go now, Pilgrims. Unto the breach of the new world. Your new selves. Embark upon the Pilgrimage unseen, discover the paths for yourselves. Prepare thyselves for Ascension."
ACCORD SPEAKER <:: DAMOCLES ::>
STAGE 4:
Achieve total Mechanical and Spiritual balance. Your final trial awaits.
I had awoken peacefully. The first time in quite a while, perhaps ever.
Today, my Pilgrimage was to begin.
I have decided to embark upon this alone, and not with a group. I am ready. I fear if I wait too long, it will no longer be so.
Another Transhuman, 'Thinker' was his name I think, came back from his Pilgrimage just last week despite joining the Accord a month after myself.
He wasn't in service to the Malefactor as long as I, though.
The Accord is patient. Our Speakers are patient. Everyone is.
They understand our plight as they too underwent it themselves.
Ascension waits for everyone.
Even Pushkin, eventually.
Reaching the front of the Monastery was no issue.
Equipped with just enough food and equipment to keep me going for two weeks.
I stand in a small courtyard. Ancient, yet well-kept.
I'm awaiting a Speaker to come and see me off. Give me the Pilgrim's Rites to use. To guide me.
Out from the main doors, I spot a familiar figure.
Marked One.
Yet he's dressed in true Speaker regalia. I'm surprised, but at the same time, I saw this coming.
"Fulmar. It is very good to see you. I have been keeping a close eye on your journey to seek thyself. It is applaudable."
I nod. Feeling he has more to say.
"I never gave you my name, did I? Well, it was intentional. I didn't wish for my role in The Accord to impact our relationship. With how some of our Brothers and Sisters revere us so, I was afraid you would treat me differently. I suppose you wouldn't. My name is Pausanias. A Speaker for The Accord."
It is good to formally meet you, Speaker Pausanias. Thank you for all you have done for me over the year. It's almost absurd to think there was a time I wandered and killed aimlessly for the Malefactors. I cannot thank you enough for bringing me here.
"Your growth is remarkable for such a veteran of the Malefactors' rank and file. I expected you to take another year to reach this point, I admit."
He shakes his head.
"No matter. Lets not keep you any longer. Ascension awaits, after all."
I nod again.
'O Blessed Pilgrim. Take with you these words.
Think of them. Use them. Keep them close.
The gifts bestowed upon us are a blight no longer, but a tool to rid the Chained Mind.
We shan't fall upon the Malefactor no more. Our reliance has ended.
To be Transhuman is to be more,
To be Transhuman is to be Individual,
To be Transhuman is to be Free-Thinking,
To be Transhuman is to spite the Malefactors.
To be a Pilgrim,
Is to be more than what was once ordained,
Explore. Discover. Challenge.
Ascension awaits those who achieve balance,
Unto the new world you go.
The sun is ready to set.
It's been only one day since I embarked upon my Pilgrimage.
I have culled many creatures already. The unnatural barrier around our Monastery to keep those with malicious intentions away.
Yet as I stand atop this mountain, I spot an unlikely creature below...
A Vortigaunt. Cloaked in a tattered sheet and wielding a thick branch as a walking stick.
It tends to a caged headcrab. I faintly recall a time I was told they might have once practiced animal husbandry.
Unfortunately, it was in the way of my path. My path to Ascension. I'll deal with it one way or another.
A cautious walk down a path brought me closer to its downtrodden abode. A small hovel that must have once belonged to a farmer of sorts.
It spots me. I spot it.
It does naught but stare at me.
I almost raise my Carbine and then recall my rites.
To be Transhuman is to be Free-Thinking.
To be Transhuman is to spite the Malefactors.
I would be doing nothing but serving them were I to kill this Vortigaunt unprovoked.
I walk over to it, slowly vaulting a cobble wall at the perimeter of its yard.
"We are surprised to see one of your ilk alone, and non-hostile to this one."
I'm not one of the Malefactor's "ilk" anymore, Vort. I am on a Pilgrimage, and you were in the way.
It tilts its weird head and blinks its eyes all at once. Creepy.
"Fascinating... A Pilgrimage. To whom do you belong to?"
I debated telling it the truth. I wasn't sure how these things ticked with all of their Vortal powers.
An... Accord. There are many like me, but some who also aren't. To an extent... The uninitiated might even compare it to... your culture.
That certainly spiked its interest.
"Would'st you like to discuss it more? We could exchange knowledge. Lets."
I mulled it over for a moment, before agreeing. Following the creature into the hovel.
We spend the rest of the day talking. Some of its babble I don't pick up on with their weird manner of speech.
I told it about the Accord and its goals. How it safeguards Transhumans and other Malefactor slaves such as I.
Guiding them towards a purpose greater than what the Malefactors intended.
It seemed deeply fascinated, if not concerned for some reason or another.
It tried to ask where we are located, but I firmly shot down that question.
The sun had fully set, and I was eager to be off once more.
I bid my farewell to the Vortigaunt and carried on.
I kept the Rites close to my chest, and that conversation was burned into memory.
I shall reach the end of this Pilgrimage alive.
We shall reach the Stars without the Malefactors.
Part 1 - Acknowledgement: https://nebulous.cloud/threads/pilgrims-path-acknowledgement.61545/
Part 2 - Reclamation: https://nebulous.cloud/threads/pilgrims-path-reclamation.61570/
Part 3 - Foundation: https://nebulous.cloud/threads/pilgrims-path-foundation.61574/
Part 4 - Pilgrimage: https://nebulous.cloud/threads/pilgrims-path-pilgrimage.61593/
Part 5 - Ascension: https://nebulous.cloud/threads/pilgrims-path-ascension.61596/
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