SACRAMENTIS: Astral Incarnation

"He was not a hero, not a saviour—just a man trapped in a fate he never asked for, fighting against the chains unseen."

I sat on the cold wooden bench outside the temple's medical ward, trying to steady my breath and calm my mind, which was still in turmoil after everything that had happened. Beside me, Aarav sat hunched over, his gaze fixed on the stone floor beneath his feet. His hands, wrapped in white bandages now stained with faint traces of pinkish-red blood, bore the wounds from the sharp crystals he had created earlier, cutting into his own palms.

The atmosphere around us was anything but peaceful. Cries of pain and muffled groans echoed from within the medical ward. At the same time, Acolytes and healers hurried back and forth with tense expressions, tending to the wounded and the destruction left in the wake of the chaos. Once a symbol of tranquillity, the temple had now become a portrait of devastation.

I glanced at Aarav, noting the tight clench of his jaw and the fists resting rigidly on his lap. He was still trapped in a whirlwind of anger and despair. I knew I had to say something to try and make him understand the situation better—even if the risk of triggering another emotional outburst was high.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered the courage to break the silence.

"Aarav, how is your wrist? Does it feel any better?" I asked gently, hoping to start a conversation without setting him off.

He lifted his head slightly, staring straight ahead as if seeing nothing. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold and flat.

"Not really. But that's nothing compared to what you people did to me."

I swallowed hard, pushing down the sharp sting of guilt pressing against my chest.

"I understand how you feel, and I'm sorry for everything that happened. No one wanted things to turn out this way."

"You understand? How could you possibly understand?" Aarav snapped, his voice sharp with bitterness. "I was ripped from my life, thrown into a world I don't even know, and now you're telling me I can't go back? How could you ever understand that?"

Suddenly, he turned to face me, his eyes blazing with suppressed fury.

"According to them—the Hierophants or, um… the temple elders," I began carefully, "Astral Travelers who arrive in Midgaria are those who have… already died in their own world."

"I refuse to accept that," he said, his voice filled with rejection. "I'm still alive… I know I am. I'm not dead."

I could feel the unbearable weight pressing down on him. My words felt light on my lips, but I knew their impact ran deep.

I chose to stay silent, careful not to say anything that might further unsettle him. The heavy silence stretched between us for several minutes.

Then, the oppressive stillness was shattered as Zura and Finnian suddenly appeared.

They had both entered the ritual chamber earlier when the chaos had settled. I knew Zura had tried to run toward me. Still, Finnian had held her back, prioritizing the evacuation of the wounded from the incident. Now, she was finally able to reach me.

Zura, as always, looked deeply worried, her bright eyes filled with unmasked concern. The silver-haired girl looked more like a mother fussing over her child than my fiancée.

"Elenio!" she called out, rushing toward me. "Did the healers check on you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Her slender hands moved over every inch of my body, her sky-blue eyes scanning me intently, searching for any sign of injury.

Meanwhile, Finnian stood a few steps behind, his gaze sharp as he watched Zura. He gave a small huff before turning away, clearly displeased by her actions.

"Stop it, Zura." I caught her hands as they continued to trace over my body. "You're making me look pathetic, and I'm fine."

"You are pathetic," Finnian muttered.

Zura let out a relieved breath before turning to glare at Finnian. "Enough, Finni. Don't start a fight."

"Whatever." Finnian shrugged, his gaze shifting to Aarav, who still looked uncertain about his surroundings. "You're the new Astral Traveler?"

Aarav stared at Zura and Finnian in silence, his face still tense. His heart was still filled with anger and confusion, but at least he seemed calmer now. I hoped that time would help him accept this reality, though I knew how difficult that would be.

"Me? The new Astral Traveler?" Aarav repeated Finnian's words with disbelief, his sharp gaze locked onto the man. "I'm no one. I don't even know why I'm here. So don't call me an Astral Traveler, a hero, or whatever else."

Finnian raised an eyebrow as if he couldn't understand why Aarav rejected the truth. "You were summoned here through an ancient ritual. Like it or not, you are an Astral Traveler."

Aarav shook his head firmly, his expression growing even more tense. "I don't care what you think or what you call me. I just want to go back. I never asked for this, and I am not the saviour you expect me to be."

Zura glanced at me with a hint of concern, silently asking if she should intervene. I knew Aarav was still in the process of rejecting the reality forced upon him, and things wouldn't get any better if we kept pushing him.

Finnian rolled his eyes in exasperation. My heart pounded—I had seen how he had been acting lately, and I was sceptical that he would remain calm or speak reasonably.

Seeing him roll his eyes, I was certain that within moments, he would throw out some arrogant remark that would spark an argument with Aarav.

I knew Aarav was still rejecting the reality that had just been thrust upon him, and pushing him further wouldn't help the situation. 

"We can't force you to accept something you're not ready to face," I said, trying to ease the tension. "Remember, I made a promise, and you agreed to it. It may take time, but I will keep that promise."

Finnian raised an eyebrow as if trying to decipher the meaning behind the word promise I had just used.

No one should know about that promise—not when it might be a lie. After all, in the past 700 years, there had never been a single recorded case of an Astral Traveler returning to Earth.

I took a short breath, steadying myself so no one would notice the unease creeping into my chest.

Aarav didn't respond, but his gaze softened slightly. Though it was clear, he was still deeply shaken and unwilling to accept the truth, at least he no longer looked like he was about to explode.

Finnian seemed ready to say something else, but Zura gently cut in. "Finni, give him some space. Every Astral Traveler needs time to process what has happened. I think we should let him adjust first."

Finnian scoffed but eventually nodded in reluctant agreement. "Fine, but we can't wait forever," he muttered, half to himself.

I looked at Aarav, who was still lost in his thoughts.

"Try to adapt first. Maybe it will help," I said. "I will assign a

few people to assist you while you're here."

Aarav didn't look at me. He remained silent, turning his face away.

I could only hope that, in time, he would find a way to accept this reality—even if it meant fighting against the fate that had brought him into our world.

 ~~~

After hours hunched over the emperor's desk, I let out a long sigh, feeling the tension in my back. The pile of documents I had been reviewing was still scattered across the table, most detailing internal affairs following the summoning ritual incident.

It had been three days since that day. Grandfather and Uncle Arca were still unconscious in the temple's medical ward. They hadn't been moved to the imperial palace, as the temple offered more intensive care, with the best facilities and Hierophants and healers constantly on watch.

Meanwhile, Aarav… He was still shutting himself off. Since his arrival, the man had barely left the guest chamber assigned to him. Whenever someone tried to approach him, he would either respond with brief, curt answers or, more often, say nothing.

I glanced at the basket in my hands. Inside was freshly made Honeyflan and a pot of herbal tea specially prepared by Zura. I hoped this would help soften his heart, even just a little.

"Why am I doing a servant's job now?" Finnian's voice came from beside me, laced with laziness and irritation.

I lowered my head slightly, intimidated by the annoyance in his tone. "He hasn't been eating properly for three days, and we'll be in the same team for the expedition later. So… I think it's best if you come along too, Uncle Finnian."

Finnian grimaced slightly at the way I addressed him. "Stop that! Just call me Finni. I'm not old enough for you to call me 'uncle,'" he said, clear irritation still laced in his voice.

Zura smiled gently, cradling the cup in her hands. "At the very least, he spoke to me a little yesterday. Maybe we can try again tonight?"

Finnian let out a long sigh. "Let's just hope he doesn't throw something at us."

I swallowed hard, remembering how Aarav had nearly flipped the dining table this morning. Hesitantly, I raised my hand and knocked on his door. No response.

"That guy is seriously locking himself in," Finnian muttered before, without warning, pounding on the door loudly. "Oi, Astral Traveler! Open up, or I'll kick the door down!"

Zura and I stared at him in horror.

"Finni! Don't be rude!" I panicked, grabbing his arm.

Finnian gave me a nonchalant look. "What? This is more effective."

Sure enough, we soon heard footsteps from inside. A moment later, the door cracked open, revealing Aarav's dishevelled face, his tired eyes glaring at us. "What do you want?"

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "W-we brought food. And tea."

Aarav eyed us warily as if we were about to shove poisoned food down his throat. After a brief hesitation, he stepped aside, allowing us inside.

Zura placed the tray with the teapot and cups on the desk while I set the basket of pastries on the small table before him.

"What is this?" he asked, eyeing the basket suspiciously.

Before I could answer, Finnian had already snatched a Honeyflan from the basket and taken a bite. "Food. Don't worry, we're not planning to kill you—yet."

Zura shot him a sharp look. "Don't make him more suspicious."

Aarav let out a dry scoff, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm not afraid of being poisoned. I just… don't know if I can trust the taste of food in this world."

Zura smiled, sitting calmly across from him. "Don't worry, I made the tea myself. I'm sure you'll like it."

Finnian placed a Honeyflan from the basket onto a plate for Aarav. "If you don't want to eat, that's up to you. But it's better to have something rather than suddenly dying again from starvation."

Aarav narrowed his eyes. Before he could respond, Finnian added, "Well, if you want to starve yourself into becoming a wandering spirit, I won't stop you. But let me tell you, this world doesn't have many strong Astral Travelers. It'd be a waste if you just died for nothing."

Aarav stared at Finnian for a long moment, trying to determine whether he was joking. Then, with clear reluctance, he grabbed a Honeyflan and took a bite.

His eyes widened instantly.

"This… isn't bad," he muttered under his breath.

Finnian smirked. "Of course. Midgaria might be filled with monsters and war, but we still know how to make good food. You're lucky you didn't arrive during the famine wars. Back then, our food tasted like—"

"F-Finni," I quickly cut him off before he could ruin the mood.

Zura chuckled and poured tea into a cup. "Try the tea too. It'll help calm your mind."

Aarav hesitantly took the cup and sipped. The moment the liquid touched his tongue, his entire expression changed.

"THIS IS SO BITTER!" He nearly spat it out but forced himself to swallow, his face twisted in pure suffering. "Is this tea or some kind of torture potion?!"

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter while Finnian immediately burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I knew this would happen!"

Zura blinked in confusion. "But… this is the best herbal tea for relaxing both body and mind…"

Aarav stared at her in horror. "If this is what you call 'relaxing,' I'd rather stay stressed!"

Finnian nearly choked on his pastry from laughing too hard. "Come on, Astral Traveler! Drink more. Maybe this will help you accept your fate faster!"

I sighed long as Aarav glared at his teacup as if it were his greatest enemy.

But at the very least, this was progress. Aarav might still be angry and confused, but… he was starting to open up.

Even if it took forcing him to drink bitter tea first.

I cleared my throat softly, trying to get Aarav's attention as he glared at his cup in misery.

"So…" I began, my voice almost trembling. "There's something… quite important we need to discuss."

Aarav gave me a blank stare. "You told me I died and got thrown into a foreign world. I'd say everything is already pretty important."

Finnian chuckled. "Haha, fair enough. But don't worry, this one is even more important than that bitter tea."

I swallowed hard, feeling more nervous. My eyes darted toward Zura, silently asking for support. She smiled gently as if telling me,

"You can do this."

"H-hm…" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "For the past year, the Gehenna Gates have been opening erratically… without any clear pattern. Usually, they appear at rare intervals and can be predicted, but now… no one can anticipate when they'll appear."

Aarav raised an eyebrow. "And that's a problem?"

Finnian let out a dramatic sigh. "Of course, it's a problem! The Gehenna monsters we could usually prepare for can now appear anywhere, at any time. Once safe, cities are being attacked without warning. Some territories have already fallen completely."

I nodded quickly, ignoring the pounding in my chest from my growing anxiety. "T-that's why… we're planning an expedition to find the source of this issue. We need to figure out… why the gates keep opening."

Aarav narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious. "And I have to go?"

I stiffened immediately. "Y-yes…"

He crossed his arms. "Why?"

My words caught in my throat. "I-I… um…"

Zura gently patted my shoulder, stepping in before I completely lost my ability to speak. "We usually perform the Astral Traveler summoning ritual twice a year. However, because the situation has worsened and the Gehenna Gates keep opening without stopping, we were forced to perform an emergency ritual."

Aarav continued to stare blankly. "And that's important because?"

Zura carried on in a calm tone. "Every Astral Traveler summoned possesses great power and has always been a reliable force in times of crisis. That's why we took a huge risk in performing the summoning ritual now. The Hierophants at the temple believe that an Astral Traveler might be Midgaria's last hope."

I bit my lip, trying to suppress my nervousness before adding in a quiet voice, "And… w-we didn't just rely on an ordinary Mana Stone for this ritual… We also used the Mana sacrifice of the imperial family…"

I lowered my gaze slightly, avoiding his eyes. "M-my grandfather and Uncle Arca… They gave up almost all of their Mana to ensure the ritual succeeded."

Finnian leaned back in his chair and let out a low whistle. "Long story short, this ritual was far bigger than normal. We usually perform two rituals yearly since the Mana Stones naturally replenish every six months. But this time, we conducted three rituals—one of which was an emergency summoning that brought you here."

Aarav let out a long sigh, his expression unreadable. "So… I'm here because you ran out of other options?"

I swallowed hard before nodding slightly. "Y-yes… I-I mean, that's not what I meant! But… yes?"

Finnian scowled at my response. "Are you stuttering because of a speech defect or what? The way you talk makes me want to punch you."

My face burned with embarrassment while Aarav simply looked at me with a half-frustrated expression. "So, am I supposed to feel honoured? Or just like a last-minute tool you pulled out in desperation?"

Zura gave him a gentle smile. "You could see it from a more positive perspective. You're not a tool, Aarav. You are hope."

Aarav let out a quiet scoff, staring at his now-cold tea with a lazy expression. "Hope, huh?" he muttered as if tasting the word on his tongue. For a moment, he remained silent, letting the stillness settle between us. But eventually, he shrugged, narrowing his eyes at me. "Honestly, I want to refuse and curse all of you to hell… but I've already made a deal with this kid."

His index finger flicked in my direction before he leaned back in his chair again.

Zura and Finnian, quietly observing, both turned their gazes toward me simultaneously. I could feel their unspoken question—What deal?

They didn't say it aloud, but their stares were sharper than the imperial kitchen knives.

I quickly looked down, pretending to be busy arranging a few documents and a large map of Midgaria on the table.

That deal… was something even I knew was impossible to keep.

But if that was what it took to get Aarav to agree, then I had no problem being a liar. I would rather bear this deception alone than let anyone say something that might shatter the fragile trust we had just begun to build with him.

"S-speaking of the expedition," I cleared my throat and straightened my back. "Since Aarav has agreed, we should start discussing it now."

Finnian raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased that I avoided the topic, but he chose not to press further. He leaned back casually in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, and eyed me. "So, where are we headed? I hope it's not a place swarming with monsters. I just replaced my armour, and I'd rather not have it stink of disgusting creature blood so soon."

I bit my lip, my stomach twisting as I looked at the three of them. "U-uhm… we're going north. To the ruins of Seraphic."

Finnian, who had been lounging casually, immediately stopped smiling. Zura, who had seemed relaxed just moments ago, tensed up. Meanwhile, Aarav only furrowed his brows. "And where is that?"

I fidgeted with my fingers, lowering my head slightly. "It's… an ancient city on the border between Tirnaval, the land of the elves, and Borelis, the eternal ice region."

Zura lowered her gaze, her slender fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her robe. Her sky-coloured, usually bright and clear eyes now seemed clouded as if veiled by a thin mist.

I knew why she looked like that.

Borelis wasn't just a cold, desolate place. It was the beginning of memories she could never fully recall yet truly forget.

Years ago, at the foot of Mount Athelas, buried beneath eternal ice, a little girl had been found by bandits. No one knew how she had survived the raging blizzard without shelter or how long she had been there. But one thing was certain—when the bandits discovered her, she was nothing more than a frail child on the verge of freezing to death. No memories. No name.

And now, that little girl sat beside me, grown into a young woman—gentle, composed, and full of warmth. But even though time had passed, the shadows of her past still haunted her eyes.

I could see it in how she bit her lip and averted her gaze the moment she heard that name. Not out of fear. Not out of hatred. But she had no idea what she would find if she returned there.

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words.

"Zura…" I called her name carefully.

She lifted her face and gave me a small smile that never reached her eyes. "I'm fine," she said, her voice soft. But I could feel the unease hidden beneath it.

I wanted to believe her words, but I knew Zura better than anyone. She wasn't the type to outright refuse or express her rejection through anger. She would simply stay quiet, accept, and hide her feelings behind a smile.

And that was far more painful.

But I had no other choice.

The discussion about the expedition continued, though the longer it dragged on, the more it felt like an endless debate. Aarav kept criticizing the travel plans with his usual cynicism. Finni responded with sharp retorts, and Zura merely listened, stirring her tea slowly.

Me? I was trying to stay focused, even though my head was starting to ache from dealing with these three.

Before we could conclude, a sudden, forceful knock echoed through Aarav's door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" A firm voice from one of the palace guards called from outside. "Several nobles request an urgent meeting with you and the Astral Traveler! The situation is critical!" 

I choked on air.

Aarav glanced at the door with disinterest. "Hah? Why am I being called to?"

Finnian, who had been lounging casually, instantly straightened his back. "What?" His voice jumped an octave. "They 'requested' the Crown Prince to come? Shouldn't they be the ones waiting to be summoned?! Since when did lowly nobles dare to order the imperial family around?!"

I stared at Finnian, surprised.

After spending the past few days with him, I had assumed he would be the first to mock or laugh at me whenever I was in a difficult situation. But now… he was furious?

Thinking back, he had been the most adamant in the meeting about refusing to let me join this expedition. Yet now, he seemed far more accepting.

The guard outside hesitated before speaking again. "I'm only delivering the message, Prince Finnian. They said this matter cannot be delayed."

Finnian clenched his fists, his face dark with displeasure. "Those nobles are out of line."

I swallowed hard.

Honestly, I didn't like being ordered around like this, either. I might be a coward. I might not have the courage to openly defy them.

But that didn't mean I was someone they could treat however they pleased just because I wasn't my grandfather.

Still… seeing Finnian get angry over how I was treated was new.

Aarav let out a loud yawn. "I still don't get why I have to go. If this is your empire's business, what does it have to do with me?"

Finnian furrowed his brows and shot Aarav a look. "Are you stupid?"

Aarav raised an eyebrow, meeting Finnian's glare with a smirk. "I'm smart enough to know when not to care."

Finnian let out a long sigh before grinning mockingly. "You're an Astral Traveler. From now on, imperial affairs are your affairs, too. Get ready—those nobles will work you to the bone until you can't tell day from night."

Aarav crossed his arms. "Oh? I wonder… if I pretend to be an idiot, will they stop relying on me?"

Finnian chuckled. "They'll just turn you into a bargaining chip instead. Something like—" He suddenly changed his tone to something overly dramatic. "'Oh, great Astral Traveler, save our land! We shall grant you an honourable title, a luxurious mansion, and hundreds of servants to tend to your every need—so long as you defeat our enemies!'"

Zura, who had been silent the whole time, finally couldn't hide her laughter. "That sounds way too accurate."

I rubbed my temples. "Please don't scare Aarav."

Aarav clicked his tongue, still looking as disinterested as ever. "Great. I'll just start acting like a forgetful old man. 'What? An empire? A war? I just want to drink tea and retire!'"

Zura giggled again.

Finnian shrugged and added, "Our nobles are dumb enough to keep giving you work even if you act like that."

Before their jokes could go any further, the guard's voice called out again from outside. "Pardon me, Your Highness. Are you ready?"

I let out a long sigh. "Alright. Let's go."

Aarav groaned. "If this turns out to be a waste of time, I'm taking a nap in the middle of the meeting."

Finnian smirked. "Do that, and I'll stab your foot under the table."

Zura shook her head with an amused smile. "Come on, before we all get labelled as disrespectful."

With a heavy heart, I opened the door. I stepped outside, bracing myself to face a group of nobles who would probably give me an even bigger headache than Aarav and Finnian combined.