"Shift? That is a rather unimpressive name for a Power capable of besting trained soldiers and monsters at a numerical disadvantage." Elder Taria mused to herself. She continued to regard me, all while rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "What rank is your Power? Elite? Unique? What about its rarity?"
The fae bombarded me with questions I couldn't answer even if I'd wanted to. My lips parted and closed, resembling a trout gasping for air more than anything.
"You don't know?" She shook her head, the disappointment in her face stinging more than the pressure weighing on me. "Let me ask you a simple question instead. The Order's branch in the empire is known for using an Orb of Awakening to help humans awaken safely. You remember that? Good. Then tell me: What color is your Power? It could be Blue, but I doubt it. You seem more like a Chosen with a Violet or Red Power, yet that doesn't quite fit either."
"..." I felt like I had to answer, but my mind told me to keep it down. To stay silent. After all, she may want to cut me down if I told her that Shift was a Black Power.
I remained silent for too long. Elder Taria sighed deeply and retracted some of the pressure weighing down on me. "Look, Xavier, if you want even an inkling of a chance at surviving in the Eserian Grove, you need to trust us. We don't need to know about your past or how you ended up here, but you need to give us something to justify giving you some of our trust as well. You do want us to trust you, don't you?"
I did. Of course, I wanted them to trust me. The last two weeks had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and the only place I truly felt at ease was by Fern's side. But even if it wasn't for Fern, I wanted to have a place to belong. And my gut told me that wasn't the Zetrian Empire. As to why? Maybe Elder Taria could help me find out.
"Black." The first word was the hardest. The rest flowed out smoothly. "The Orb of Power turned Black when the Choosing ended. It was pitch-black."
Elder Taria's eyebrow rose ever so slightly, and I was certain I could see a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, but it vanished almost immediately.
"You are not lying, are you?" She asked sharply, though there was no pressure or anything to accompany the question.
"No?"
The corner of her lip curled upward for a moment. "And the Order let you live? That is surprising."
Something had been wrong with the Order's Wizard. I could feel it, but it had never been more than a strong suspicion.
"The Order loathes Black Powers. So much that they consider them Cursed. Cursed Power is what they're called in the Zetrian Empire. Not only by humans but other races in other lands as well." Elder Taria explained, her voice losing its edge the more she spoke. "Many fear Cursed Powers. The gods of your people are apprehensive of Black Powers as well. So much that they created the awakening ceremony to kill all those with Cursed Powers."
"To prevent another 'catastrophe,' as the Destroyers like to call it. Like they're any better." She actually chuckled at that bit. "All those foolish human gods want is to monopolize their power. They're nothing like our protectors."
Cursed Power. Was that why my father had been so shocked? Because he… Because he knew what the Orb of Power's color really meant. That I had to be killed. That I would be hunted by the empire even if I somehow survived?
Even if I wanted to return to my family, the empire was not safe for me anymore. As far as I could tell, nobody from the earl's ship knew that I'd survived the fall, but what if doubts arose? Returning to my hometown was dangerous for myself and even more so for my family. One wrong word to the wrong person, and we would all be killed.
"You didn't know?" Elder Taria asked. "You can consider yourself fortunate to be alive. Alas, some would curse a fate such as yours. Your life will be riddled with chaos, for Cursed Powers bring death and destruction."
Her eyes turned cold once more. "And that is exactly why you can stay here. I will allow you to join the Eserian Grove. If you show yourself worthy, I shall vouch for you and help you turn this place into your home."
That sounded too good to be true. If Cursed Powers were really the source of death and destruction, Elder Taria should have gotten rid of me right this instant. Yet, she didn't. She offered me a home instead. Why?
"In return?" I asked, expecting the worst.
"In return, you will fight for us." Elder Taria said matter-of-factly. "We do not wish to ransack the empire's villages or hunt the innocent like they do, but you will fight the empire's invading forces alongside the Grove Guards. To sow death and destruction in their ranks rather than ours."
"That–"
"That sounds simple, does it not? Because it is. It is a simple request. It is also a gamble I am willing to take. Cursed Powers are feared for a reason. They're powerful." As straightforward as Elder Taria was, her words rang genuine in my ears. "According to the archaic records, a single man pushed our kind to the brink of extinction. A human, born a farmer, only to ascend the throne of a kingdom he built himself. With his Power – a Power that is now considered Cursed, just like yours and a number of other Powers"
"The farmer boy changed the Hierarchy of Races and transformed a place filled with human slaves into one of the strongest kingdoms, which only expanded to turn into an empire. The Zetrian Empire." She added, her expression stoic. "He is the very reason Powers like yours are feared by many. After all, his kingdom was built with the foundation of millions of deaths – innocent and guilty alike. Rulers as well as the bones of entire races he extinguished to grow his power."
"They fear that yet another Chosen with the strength to change everything would appear. But you know what?" Taria smiled grimly. "We need someone like that. The fae are losing. Our land is being taken, our people are mistreated."
They needed someone to make a change. And Elder Taria thought I would bring such a change.
"I will let you live. You can stay here, but you shall not tell others about your Power's origin." She said, her voice once again as sharp as a blade. "And if you make a mistake or betray my trust in you, I will kill you."
"You have one chance. Mess it up, and you won't live to tell the tale."