Chapter 470: Primordial Core

Caelus’s eyes narrowed at Bertram’s question. He had avoided asking anything that might expose them, yet the fairy had discovered where they came from anyway.

"What makes you think that?"

"Your auras gave you away. Fairies here can sense that sort of thing, and yours don’t feel like the auras of people born in this world."

Caelus stared at him in surprise. He had worried about saying the wrong thing when simply standing in front of a fairy had been enough to expose him.

Beside him Sylvia stopped reaching for her cup. The Hollow King watched Bertram while Freya looked between the two men.

"So you’ve known all this time. Tell me, Bertram, what exactly do you want from us?"

Bertram quickly raised his hands.

"Nothing bad, I promise. I just want you to help me get out of here."

"Get out? You mean leave the Primordial World?"

"Yes. That barrier around the world won’t let us leave, no matter how much we want to."

Caelus’s lips parted as he recalled the silver barrier. Sylvia had failed to break it even with her Primordial strength, but he had assumed it existed to keep outsiders from entering.

But It was keeping the people inside from leaving?

Bertram noticed his expression and gave a bitter smile.

"I’ve dreamed about leaving ever since I was born. I like my life here, but knowing there are other worlds I’ll never get to see... it wears on you."

He glanced through the glass wall at the familiar plaza.

"Look at me. I have a hotel and more money than I know what to do with, but I still can’t do the one thing I’ve always wanted."

"Do many people here know about those other worlds?"

"Hardly anyone. Most people think this world is all there is."

Caelus frowned more deeply at that. Gods and Primordials walked through the streets below them, yet most didn’t know about the countless universes beyond their home.

"But why? What’s the point of keeping everyone here when most of them don’t even know there’s an outside world?"

"All I know is that the Akashic Records are behind it."

Bertram shook his head.

"I wish I could tell you more. I’ve wondered the same thing myself, but I still don’t have an answer."

Caelus thought about the Axiom Origin helping create the Akashic Records. He knew that connection existed, but nothing in the memories he understood explained this restriction.

He also had no reason to share that connection with Bertram.

The fairy leaned toward him with a hopeful expression.

"But you four got in. When I realized that, I thought you might be able to take someone out with you."

"Maybe, but I haven’t tried taking anyone out yet. I can’t promise it’ll be as easy as coming in."

"I know. I’m only asking you to give it a try."

Caelus could see why Bertram had been so eager to bring them here. Behind the meal and the tour was a chance to fulfill a wish he couldn’t buy with all his wealth.

Helping him pass through the barrier might be simple with Origin Lock. Still, Caelus hadn’t tested it from this side.

"Well, we might be able to work something out. You want our help getting out, and we could use some help while we’re here."

Bertram answered without hesitation.

"Then you’ve come to the right person. I’ll arrange somewhere for you to stay and help you get used to things here."

"We’ll need to know which factions to watch out for and how people grow stronger here. Can you help with that too?"

"Of course I can. I’ll explain those things and the local rules too, so you don’t have to learn them the hard way."

That was exactly what Caelus needed. Searching for everything themselves would take time and might expose them to people less friendly than Bertram.

"All right, that would help us a lot."

Bertram’s shoulders relaxed, though he still looked at Caelus with some concern.

"Would you mind making an oath through the Akashic Records? I don’t mean to offend you, but this is too important to me to leave it at a handshake."

Caelus had expected the fairy to want something firmer than a few friendly words. Considering what Bertram was offering, it was a reasonable request.

"That’s fair. Show me what I need to do."

Bertram called upon the Akashic Records and stated what he would provide. A system panel appeared before Caelus with the agreement written on it.

Bertram would provide lodging and help the four of them learn about the Primordial World. In return Caelus would help him leave when they departed, provided he could take him through the barrier.

Caelus read through it carefully. The agreement didn’t require him to leave immediately or claim that he had already tested something he hadn’t.

"Yes, that’s what we agreed on."

He accepted and Bertram did the same. The writing on the system panel changed before their eyes.

[Oath established.]

Bertram broke into a broad smile.

"Now leave the lodging to me. I’ll get you the finest mansion in Crossroads Plaza, with plenty of room for all four of you."

Caelus had expected rooms in the hotel.

"A mansion? And here I was thinking you’d give us a few rooms upstairs."

The food arrived soon afterward and Bertram finally let them eat. By the time they finished, he had arranged their new lodging and was eager to show it to them.

The mansion stood on a raised street overlooking the central plaza. White pillars supported broad balconies while a garden surrounded a pool behind the house.

Inside were spacious bedrooms and a dining hall larger than the private room they had just left. Freya went to inspect the balcony while Himmel chose a room facing the garden.

Sylvia opened their bedroom door and smiled at Caelus.

"I think I could get used to staying here, hubby."

Caelus looked back at Bertram giving instructions to the attendants. He honestly felt a little guilty about how much he was getting from the deal.

If Origin Lock worked as he expected, taking the fairy outside might require very little effort. He almost felt like he was scamming the man.

Still, Bertram looked happier than any of them.

Caelus would fulfill his promise. Giving the fairy something he had wanted his whole life wasn’t such a bad exchange for a place to sleep.

Once Bertram left, the four settled in and rested for the day. After months of travel Caelus was happy to lie beside Sylvia without another journey waiting for them that evening.

Bertram returned the following morning while they were gathered downstairs.

"I was so caught up in our agreement yesterday that I forgot to ask. You four don’t have Primordial Cores yet, do you?"

Caelus put down his cup.

"A Primordial Core? I’m afraid you’ll have to explain that one."