The Title of Sage

Kan'na was full of question marks.

Her mentor hurried to explain, "Runes are mere instructions and connections for mana to follow. These these are laws!"

"I don't understand."

"When we create a spell we write runes for mana to follow. This instead forces the mana to follow its command, or in this case law."

"How is that any different?"

"Rune instructions have set rules to follow for the mana to flow properly. You can simply do whatever with this."

Kan'na raised an eyebrow, "So it's runes without rules?"

"No it is the rules."

. . .

Kan'na spent the next couple months testing the limits of these new runes. With extensive research she had figured out the limits and behavior of the runes.

She could do anything she wanted with them on a minor scale, like when she separated the mana types. However on a larger scale they followed a single rule. It has to be for all.

For instance if she wrote: Mana stops flowing, then mana would stop flowing for everyone in a certain area. She was unable to make mana stop flowing for a single person.

Both herself and her mentor was unsure of where this ability came from. So whilst Kan'na tested her limits her mentor researched the origins of it. Thus after the two months they shared their findings.

Her mentor was shocked at the near infinite possibilities for it. She hadn't expected it to be so versatile!

Her mentor then placed an old book on a table, "There is only one explanation for this. You have a War Sight."

Kan'na raised an eyebrow, she had heard of War Sights from Wrock and Akiol. Yet she wasn't sure what they truly were.

Her mentor continued, "War Sights are a strange hidden power very few can unlock. Their abilities are endless and strange, both invincible and useless. How to unlock one varied throughout time, but not a single way has been proven to be correct."

"So these runes I can make is due to my War Sight?"

"It most likely is your War Sight. Yet there is only one way to find out."

"How?"

"We must find a Seer. I had to contact a friend of mine to find one willing to check. So we leave tomorrow."

~ ~ ~

Jarvis looked up, a large volcano rumbled. Lava constantly spewed through the top.

Extreok had wind constantly blowing around her as she spoke, "It is best you call me back and have Neorvil assist. Her water magic would assist greatly. Besides she is more familiar with Guarton than I."

Extreok turned into a colorful page in the book. Jarvis flipped to Neorvil and played a tune. The picture began to flow off the page, in mere moments Neorvil stood majestically.

She ruffled her feathers, "It's hot!"

A ball of water began to flow around her. Upon looking at Jarvis she made another to float around him. Jarvis immediately felt the area around him cool quickly.

Neorvil looked to the top of the volcano, "We are here then. . . Ahem. . . HEY!!! YOU OVERHEATING LIZARD!!!"

Jarvis winced, not because Neorvil was loud, because he hadn't expected her to insult the remaining Sage.

The volcano erupted with a spew of lava. A voice called out, "That voice. . . You arrogant crane! Why have you visited my territory?"

From the lava a large alligator jumped out. It was so hot that it was making the ball next to Jarvis steam. It was far larger than an ordinary alligator. Alongside its massive size its scales were dark orange with a hint of black. As it walked over the ground underneath it melted from the heat it radiated, leaving a path of molten rock.

Neorvil scoffed, "Arrogant? I say otherwise!"

"You are the most arrogant out of all of us!"

"Lies! I haven't spoke arrogantly towards you guys at all!"

"Hmph! Yet the moment a stranger crosses into your territory you look down upon them? How many have you killed?"

"They refused to leave, so I had no choice. And I stopped counting after two hundred."

A wave of heat blasted into Jarvis, "We are the Sages! Meant to protect this world, not kill those who are on it!"

"Hah? I do believe these humans are destroying it as well. I am doing my job as a Sage!"

"You are well aware of when we are to take action. . . Wait. . . why are you under the control of a human?!"

"Oh, Whitelash and Extreok are under his control too. I thought it was interesting and wanted to tag along."

Another wave of heat, "What?! The mighty Sages fallen under the command of this human? How disgraceful!"

Jarvis book flipped uncontrollably. Whitelash jumped free from the pages, "Disgraceful?! You are not to say such things about my savior!"

Jarvis was stunned, what was happening?

The Sages were arguing amongst themselves. Whitelash summoned himself without Jarvis doing anything. Jarvis was feeling like he was about to have a heat stroke.

"Savior?! You are the savior! That is your duty!"

"Oh eat your pride lizard, I am sure it will feed you until you die.", Neorvil snorted.

"Not until you eat your arrogance crane, you could feed the world with it."

Hostility rose across the three Sages. Jarvis watched this all and burst into laughter. The three Sages were dumbfounded by this and looked at him questioningly.

Jarvis laughed for a bit more before calming himself, "Sorry, I just thought it was funny that the legendary Sages were bickering like siblings. It didn't fit the picture I had. I suppose even legendary beasts have a childish side."

"Childish?!"

"You are indeed childish lizard."

"Hmph!"

Guarton looked towards Jarvis, "So. . . human, who are you? To gather the Sages like this?"

Jarvis smiled, "I just like creatures, but I am gathering the Sages because I require power."

"Power? What for?"

"I am faced with a Trial by an Immortal. In order to fight with my friends and live past it, I need strength far beyond what I originally held. So Whitelash recommended that we find the rest of the Sages."

Guarton turned his head towards Whitelash. The two seemed to converse silently before Guarton snorted, steam blowing through his nostrils, "Foolish. I shall not partake in this. This is not what we are Sages for."

"The Crimson Immortals pose a threat to this world Guarton.", Neorvil said seriously.

"Then I will fight them with my full power, not hindered by a book and a human."

"Do you realize what book this is?"

"What does it matter?"

"It's the Book of Life, Guarton."

Guarton flinched, "That's not true. . . how can a human hold on to such a book?"

"All of us are unsure how he obtained such a book. However this is created by the very thing we swore to protect. By becoming part of it we are rewarded with our limits being removed. Can't you see? We all hold power of a low Fourth Stage. . . how can we protect the world from something that is stronger than all of us combined?"

"So you joined that book for your personal goals?"

"No, we have a better chance under this human. By assisting his growth our strength will increase as well. I have a feeling that when we are needed, he will be part of the fight."

"Hmph, I'll increase my strength alone. I refuse to be under the control of some human."

"Your pride will kill us all Guarton."

"My pride will keep me alive."

Guarton began to walk back to the volcano. Neorvil and Whitelash remained silent, unsure of how to progress.

Jarvis then spoke aloud, "How disappointing. . . Increase your strength by yourself? Is that how the Sages work?"

Guarton paused, but continued walking shortly after.

Jarvis continued, "To think that the legendary Sages are merely powerful animals with different personalities."

Guarton stopped again and warned, "Do not disrespect the title of Sage."

"Title of Sage? Is that really worth anything?"

"What do you know?! You are but a mere human who's lifespan rarely reaches a hundred years. We are far more wise than you, we know what this world is like."

"So that's why you think Sage is a title worth keeping? Is the Title of Sage merely a trophy for you to show off and gloat about? What gives you the right to act so prideful when all you do is lie in a pool of magma."

"The Title of Sage is granted by nature itself, you know nothing."

"You know what else is granted by nature? This book! This book came to me! How does that make me, a foolish mortal, any different from you?"

"We are protectors, a duty you cannot handle."

"Protectors? Protector of your foolish pride perhaps. All of you have a flaw that makes you feel high an mighty. Whitelash used the title to become ruler of the forest. Extreok ignored everything around her, focusing solely on her 'duty'. The only reason I got to talk to her was because of some favor she owed Whitelash. Neorvil is so full of herself she views anything, that is not equal to her, under her. If I didn't have Whitelash or Extreok with me I doubt she would even listen. Then there is you, someone who hangs onto the Title of Sage like it's their lifeline. Yet all you are is a lizard who hides under a volcano."

"I. Protect. The. World. I do not help with small quibbles between those who live on this world."

"Out there, there might be a small kid who is facing a terrible disaster. Something they could believe as the end of the world. Just maybe, the are hoping that the legendary Sages told in stories will come to their rescue. It's a shame that those same Sages hide in their homes."

"A small disaster does not spell doom to the world."

"A singular one doesn't, but the damage adds up. When you don't prevent the small disasters, more will occur. Nature heals slowly, and this world is full of miniature disasters. At one point this place will be beyond saving, especially with your meager power."

"And joining you is supposed to prevent this?"

"No. I am not someone who is capable of saving this world. I have my many flaws and issues. My weaknesses and strengths, and I am aware of most. There is only one man I know that could do so much more than I. Yet he chooses to depend on us."

"A singular man is incapable of saving the world. Even the legendary heroes were incapable of doing so alone."

"But he had done it before. He had the full capabilities to do so. Instead he willingly held himself back to rely on us. To help our growth. To the point where I fear the day when he stops holding back."

"What is the point of this? All of this so you can temporarily gain my power to defeat some Immortal."

"The point of this is to make you realize the overinflated worth of the Title of Sage. One you shine so brilliantly to where you forgot its original worth. The Sages have become mere fairy tale in this world. For they haven't been active in so long. If you truly wish to remind the world of the greatness that is the Sages, then show it. Do not demand the respect when you have done nothing to earn it."

No one spoke any words. Neorvil and Whitelash didn't move, both stunned by the boldness of Jarvis' words and anxiously waiting for Guarton's response.

"You have bold words for a human, I have done nothing to earn this Title? Laughable."

"The stories of your greatness? It's even more laughable you cling onto those. How many years has it been since then? Decades? Centuries? Yet you believe that you earned the Title of Sage by doing one thing?"

"That one thing saved this world!"

"That world you saved is being destroyed once again!"

"Enough! This world is being destroyed by the very ones birthed by it! I will not destroy the thing I swore to protect!"

"Yet by not destroying the things that need to, you are also failing that same duty."

"What am I to do?! If I take action, I destroy my oath! If I do not, then I destroy my oath! It all leads down the same path!"

"What do you believe to be right? To prevent the destruction of this world? Or to let it be destroyed by its own mistakes?"

"I. . . I do not know."

"The thing you swore to protect is this world, you must realize that the death and destruction of those who threaten it is a must. There is no peace without death. No safe area without the destruction of others. There will always be war, greed, jealously. You simply choose which side you pick, are you with them? Or will you fight against them? Will you correct the mistakes of the thing you swore to protect? Or will you let it fall?"

Jarvis had a flashback to his past world. It was his second time meeting Akiol. The silver haired hero sat on a tree above him and spoke, "In this world of a constant struggle between good and bad, light and dark. You will find yourself tossed to one side or another. There is no neutral choice, those who think that are naive. The question is, will you choose which side to help while you can? Or will you wait until one grabs you in its clutches?"

Jarvis remained silent for a moment, ". . . Did you choose?"

"No. That is why I try to let others find their choice between it's too late."

"Which side were you dragged into?"

"I suppose I am to say the good. However no matter which side you choose, you will always think that the chosen side is good. The demons find their side righteous and good. Whilst mine finds itself as the same."

"What side would you choose if given the chance?"

"I wouldn't know, for I never had the option."

Akiol jumped down and looked Jarvis in the eye, "So. . . will you choose your side?"

Jarvis snapped out of the flashback and held out a hand.

"So. . . will you choose your side?"