“But that is a discussion for another day. What I meant to tell you is that it’s so rare to see a level zero. Because through our daily interactions, through our interaction with the environment—which in itself is considered an artifact from the Primordials—we get enough energy that we raise our levels instinctively. It’s almost like there are particles of energy, magical sources in the air. Even as we inhale and exhale, we interact with that environment. That is why it’s highly unusual for you to be level zero at your age.”
“Then what did you see when you checked my body?”
“A seal. There is a seal. I’m not sure who placed it on you. I’m certainly not able to do anything about it, since it uses some ancient ritualistic magic that even I don’t have access. But I can take a closer look if you’d let me?”
She’s been very respectful so far so I nod in approval. I lay back again in the reclining bed and wait for her check-up. This time, she focuses on the area around my belly, right over my belly button.
She frowns for a moment. “Let me try something.”
Rubbing her hands together, she produces a ball of energy that she presses into my abdomen. Pain erupts everywhere as the energy makes contact with my skin before being redirected and flying into the ceiling.
“I see now,” she mutters under her breath.
“What is it?”
“I’m pretty certain that is the reason you’re still at level zero. The seal within you inhibits you from transforming the particles around you into your own energy. It’s almost as if you were isolated from the entire world, living in a void.”
“Can anything be done about it?”
“Yes, but it’s beyond my knowledge. I can ask around, though. I promised Elysand that I would do anything in my power to help you. I know of your efforts in the last mission, andwe certainly appreciate your behavior and work ethic, and we want to help you as much as we can. But this is not something that I can immediately undo. You’ve probably had this seal for thousands of years, if not from around your birth.”
I purse my lips. What she’s saying makes sense, considering the way my mother regarded me as a harbinger of death, but I don’t say that. Instead, I keep quiet.
The lady, who I now know is called Kendra, continues.
“Because of that seal in your body, there are certain aspects that I must warn you about. You’ve already reached maturity. You’re over three thousand years old. Because of your lack of spiritual energy and because of that seal in your body, your genetics can only do so much.”
“What does that mean?”
“Genetically, we are a very long-lived form of life, but we’re not eternal. There is a limit to everything. And because you’re cut off from outside energy, because you cannot metabolize anything from your environment—not even artifacts or supplements—you will soon hit a plateau, and your body will start decaying by itself.”
“Now, I can’t tell you how much time you have left. I can’t give you a certain diagnosis or tell you that you’re going to die tomorrow, because I don’t know. I’ve never seen something like this. But I am certain that in the long run, this is going to affect you.”
She pauses. “You’ve heard about the plague affecting our people, no? This is similar but at the same time completely distinct.”
I stare at her, waiting to clarify. What plague?
“The plague also inhibits energy receptors in the body and prevents an individual from metabolizing it. But those affected by the plague do not make it to adulthood. Your care is different…” She trails off, raising a hand to stroke her chin. “Yes,seeing that you’ve made it to maturity, this is different, but I don’t understand exactly how.”
The shield of energy my father placed on me, the words immediately flash in my head. It allowed me to function until I reached maturity. Did he know? About the seal? About what my mother did to me? Did he approve of it when I was born? Was the shield his way of making it up to me?
So many thoughts cross my mind and yet I feel numb to all this information. For some reason, ever since I saw that true form, my feelings have been muted.
“So what you mean is that I must find a way to break this seal?” I ask carefully.
“Yes. As of now, unless you break the seal, your body will begin eating itself from the inside out.”
“I see,” I say. “Thank you for your words, and thank you for everything.”
I get off the bed and arrange my clothes.
“Please don’t despair. I’m going to look into this. It’s something I’ve never seen before, but that doesn’t mean that other people more experienced than me haven’t. There must be someone who knows about it and knows what to do to break the seal inside of you.”
“Thank you.” I nod solemnly.
She stammers, “Don’t—don’t be too sad, right? You should go see Elisande. I’m sure he has a good reward for you. In the meantime, I would ask you to come every fortnight for another checkup. I want to monitor the state of your body to make sure that nothing happens.”
“All right,” I say. “Thank you.”
