Path of Exile Talent Competition

Progression


I had to put a wire through.
I forgot to take pics of how I sculpted her :(

I couldn't smell the blood. Apparently, it is usual to become desensitised to a stimulus when it's perceived almmost permanently, and in Azala Vaal, blood was more common than dirt on the ground. Despite not smelling it, I could still feel its taste while it dripped from my mouth.

- Hahaha! Look at the madman's face, you almost punched out his teeth! - Ahutepa laughed.

I felt the sting of the insult that came after the injury, despite I could barely hear it above the constant whispers. The voices were louder than most days, and I thought they were excited for some reason.

- You're already 24 years old - Tolcapa said, using his clothes to clean my blood on his fists -. First Seer Doryani has deemed you mature already. This is just preparation for tomorrow's sacrifice.

- I don't intend to be sacrificed - I replied, spitting blood on the ground -. I will pledge a talent.

- A talent? Zilquapa the mad? - Tolcapa blurted after lughing again -. I have just demonstrated you don't have what it takes to be a soldier and... - He eyed me from head to toe - I don't think the Queen would accept you as one of her lovers either.

- I plan to be an investigator... for I believe the voices in my head come from beings hidden to everyone else - I added after hesitating.

- Ah, yes, the voices - Ahutepa said raising his eyebrows -. You think being called mad by everyone will save you from sacrifice?

- Sacrifice to the Queen is an honor, Ahutepa - I replied

- I know, Zilquapa, and that's why you won't find any of us faking madness as an excuse to escape the glorious end.

- You call me mad, yet you call my perceptions a lie? What do you want from me?

- The truth - Tolcapa said, grabbing my right arm tightly while Ahutepa took hold of my left one -. A confession if you will. We want to hear from you mouth that you simply fear the glorious end, that you are frightened by the thought of Queen Atziri ripping your heart out.

- That's not true! - I yelled.

- We'll see, Zilquapa, we'll see.

I struggled while they choked me until I passed out. I awoke in an underground chamber, tied to a chair, again in the company of the ones that harassed me daily. As if the voices in my head weren't enough. This time I caught a few words between the usual buzz: "It comes".

- Where are we? - I asked.

- Where we will finally see your confession - Ahutepa said -. We found and ancient relic, you see, took it right from Juatalotli's collection... I don't even think he knows what it is, but we do. This mirror belonged to Yugul, and it is an ancient artifact used to show one's fears. Here, we'll see you dying at the altar as your deepest fear, and thus exposing your desperate attempt to flee your fate. You cannot lie to a god's creation, Zilquapa.

I couldn't even hear his last words, as the voices were deafening now, a chorus of otherwordly voices. Tolcapa turned me around, and I faced the magnificent mirror, that didn't seem solid, but a fluid in constant movement. It flowed within its frame, a maw in the form of Yugul's, and started to take form.

When the movement ceased, the mirror showed a winged figure wielding an axe, its antlers dripping blood.

- That... that is not Atziri - said Ahutepa, with a hint of fear.

I had never seen that creature, but still knew it. It was one of the Others, the ones that spoke to me. I looked at It, and understood that I was contemplating a being so powerful that it could alter this world despite being just a projection of my fears. It lifted a hand, and shards bone raised from the ground, impaling both Ahutepa and Tolcapa instantly.

Frightened as I was, a felt a slight joy. "No glorious end for you", I thought. "Justice is served for years of pain and humiliation".

The figure lowered its hand, pointing at me

- It listens - It said, a voice even colder than our Queen's -. A gift for It That Listens! It should seek the Lords, and more will be given.

- Seek? - was the only word I managed to speak.

- Its Domain must join this one, and the Many will become the One.

I heard, finally understanding the cryptic words. I was in front of a god, offering judgement and unity. As I realized I did not longer fear what I saw, the mirror shattered, countless black splinters falling to the blood-soaked ground.


...

- The day has come for you to give your life for your Queen, young Zilquapa - Doryani said from behind the altar.

- I pledge talent! - I answered firmly, the voices that I now saw as guides humming with excitment inside me.

- Talent? What can you offer to the Vaal?

- I request a room in Atzoatl

- Nonsense! - Doryani shouted -. Why would we give such an honour to you?

I kneeled and showed a handful of black splinters. Doryani looked at them with a mixture of fear and curiosity, feeling the power in them.

- I intend to investigate and contain this potential threat to the world - I said.

I saw Doryani believing my lie. The world would soon know the judgement of the Others, my Lords, my gods. As Yugul intended, fear of judgement would expose our humanity, and the Lords would then free us from its burden, and grant us peace... the Many becoming the One.