A Distant Sanctuary

With everything she had told him, shouldn't that be impossible? A sanctuary that's immune altogether? And not only that, but a place where mortals live?

The concept of living within the Ark was already far-fetched, but living within a Trial seemed like a blatant lie.

"Yeah… trust me, I had a similar reaction as well. In the end, though, I was grateful to have found it. Both my brother and I were exalted, in fact. We didn't think there was anyone else, but we were surprised to find out there were thousands more. Anyway, our best bet is to head there… and then go from there, I'm sure that'd be in your best interest."

She finished, standing up with a faint groan.

She wasn't wrong. 

June wanted to complete the Trial Goal, but he couldn't do it alone. If, in fact, there were thousands of others who have been trapped within such a perilous Trial, then they'll undoubtedly want to escape alongside him.

Plus, his immunity would invite a newfound hope. It sure did for Gemm.

June eventually stood up as well, patting down the dirt that clung to his behind.

"So this sanctuary, what exactly is it?"

He asked, facing Gemm who stood across from him.

"Well, it's called the Sheltered Void, actually. And it's just that, a sheltered place outside of the Infinite Purgatory's control. It's also a place that was designed by an ancient civilization, their murals and Relics are still present to this day."

June still found it hard to believe that there were really people living within a Trial. Of course, they had no choice, but it was just surreal to think about nonetheless.

If they were to escape the Trial… everyone who lived for a year or longer inside would surely become famous within the Ascender world.

That also reminds him…

"Oh, I almost forgot. What did you mean when you referred to Clan Ashen being desperate?"

It was the only question she hadn't answered.

Gemm seemed to contemplate it for a moment, hesitating even.

"That's because they are desperate. You see, among the many who are stuck within the Trial, there is one — a girl by the name of Ava who is the daughter of Clan Ashen. I'm sure you can put the rest of it together yourself, right?"

Of course he could. It was rather obvious now, and Gemm's claim was solid as well.

June had heard the name Ava before from Winston. He said she was a myth, someone who had been lost within the Ark for a while now. She was also — like June — awakened from a Breach.

Now, he learned she was the daughter of Clan Ashen, which meant there was a completely different meaning behind why they were overseeing the Ascension.

"You see, last year, they tethered the same Rift. All so they could provide an opportunity for a direct Royal of Clan Ashen to jump through in order to aid Ava. This year, it was likely the same."

June clenched his jaw.

'Then, that mishap that cost many Challengers their lives was probably because they were prioritizing the single Royal of Clan Ashen rather than the rest.'

"How do you know all this?" June wondered.

"Because Ava herself explained it to me — to all of us. She had been there a year before I arrived, but a few days after I settled into the Sheltered Void, she addressed everything with no shame. To be fair, she had lost all hope among many others… and I guess she felt guilty, in a way."

Gemm sighed, shaking her head.

"... To be fair, regardless of why the Rift to this particular Trial had been opened, we all still chose to Ascend. No matter what Trial we ended up in, we still chose to challenge the Ark. But, for a while, we blamed her. All in order to cope. Now, everyone within the Sheltered Void has come to terms with it — even choosing to just abandon hopes of returning home altogether, living here instead."

Well, that was quite a bit to process. A bit tragic as well.

"What happened to that single Royal from Clan Ashen?"

June threw another question at Gemm, which she obligingly responded to right away.

"He just didn't make it. However, Ava knew they sent someone because that's how Clan Ashen operated. After she witnessed a new batch arrive a year after her, she was sure of it."

The situation was far more tricky than he had thought.

'Did Winston know?' June couldn't help but wonder.

What if that's what he had learned before June took off.

"Anyway, before we get into anything else, we need to connect a Personal Tether between you and I."

Gemm said, walking over to him.

A bit hesitant, June took a step back. He wasn't sure if he wanted them to have a Personal Tether. 

After all, he didn't want to allow her to peak into his own information — mainly his Heritage. He still didn't know what the consequences could be for him if someone figured out there was a fourth one. That, and his Critical Aspect forbade him from speaking on it, warning him it'd be an unpleasant outcome. 

'I mean, that's if I myself speak of it.'

The description prohibited June from exposing himself. However, what if someone else found the details behind his Critical Aspect on their own… what then?

Either way, he wasn't willing to take the risk.

Seeing his hesitation, Gemm suddenly asked:

"What is it?"

He returned her question with one of his own.

"Does a Personal Tether expose my personal information?"

Hearing him, she sighed and shook her head, simply answering with:

"No. Like I said, it only provides me with your status and location. That's it. No need to be so insecure."

He couldn't tell if she was lying or not, but she'd get nothing out of lying anyway so eventually June agreed to it. 

They both brought their forearms up and Gemm herself did the honors.

A moment later, the Entity announced:

[Personal Thread Connected!]

With that, June dove into his Runic Web, and immediately his gaze landed on a rune resembling a small snowflake. Testing it, he turned away from Gemm, watching as the rune shifted to place itself behind him and the Web that served as a mini-map of sorts.

'Neat…'

"Okay, thank god… it didn't get rid of my Personal Thread with Duke."

Gemm let out a breath of relief.

"Duke… is that your brother?"

June asked, turning back toward her.

"Yeah, it is. He's probably worried to death right now…"

She seemed heavy with emotion as she thought of her brother, gazing into the fire.

Gemm told him early on that she had failed to avoid the Shift, separating her from her brother and group. 

Hopefully now, they could get back to them.