Invincible Blood Sorceror

Chapter 214: The Shaman Witch, Ekatarina

Kael’var looked at Jorghan with open contempt, his stance making it clear he was only present because Ekatarina had insisted.

"Jorghan Sol’vur," Ekatarina said, her voice carrying harmonics that suggested multiple speakers, her own voice layered with whispers from spirits only she could perceive.

"The heir who crosses the void. The warrior who kills armies alone. The bloodline that refuses to die despite the universe’s best efforts."

She looked different from the last time he saw her, and her voice was also different.

"Shaman Ekatarina," Jorghan replied respectfully. Whatever his feelings about her companions, shamans commanded respect in elven culture. Their connection to ancestral spirits and ability to perceive futures made them valuable beyond their physical capabilities.

"Sigora says you’ve been waiting to speak with me."

"Three days," Ekatarina confirmed.

"I could have left and returned later, but the spirits suggested your arrival was imminent. And here you are, right on schedule."

She rose from her meditation posture with effortless grace, her tall figure making Jorghan crane his neck to maintain eye contact.

"I need your help with something. But the conversation requires privacy. Too many ears, too many potential interruptions."

Sigora gestured toward an inner chamber.

"You can use my personal quarters. No one will disturb you there."

Ekatarina nodded thanks and walked toward the indicated room, clearly expecting Jorghan to follow.

He did, leaving Sigora, Aetheus, and Kael’var in the main chamber.

*

The inner chamber was Sigora’s actual living space, more personal than the public areas, with belongings that reflected her personality. Weapons she’d used in famous battles, gifts from clan members, and a few items that might have been from Jorghan’s childhood.

Ekatarina settled onto a chair with her characteristic grace, those white eyes fixed on Jorghan as he closed the door behind them.

"Tell me," she said without preamble, "have you heard of the White Seraphyne?"

Jorghan frowned.

"No. Should I have?"

"Most haven’t," Ekatarina replied.

"They operate in absolute secrecy, revealing themselves only when necessary to accomplish their objectives. They’re an organization that spans multiple realms, multiple species, united by goals that most beings can’t comprehend."

She leaned forward slightly.

"But you’ve encountered one of them. During the floating island incident, when you fought your uncle Hawkin. Do you remember seeing a figure in a white mask?"

Jorghan’s blood went cold.

He did remember, a brief glimpse during the chaos of that battle, a figure that had felt wrong somehow; they were strong and could have destroyed the entire floating islands.

"You saw them," he said, making it a statement rather than a question.

"I see many things," Ekatarina confirmed.

"The spirits show me fragments of past, present, and potential futures. They showed me that encounter and showed me the White Seraphyne’s interest in you specifically. And they showed me worse things, possibilities so dark I pray they never manifest."

Her white eyes seemed to bore into his soul.

"The White Seraphyne are older than the Empire. Older than the Thirteen Clans. Some say they’re older than the realms themselves, an organization that formed when the first sentient beings began manipulating essence and bending reality to their will."

"What do they want?" Jorghan asked.

"That’s complicated," Ekatarina replied.

"Their stated goal is maintaining balance across realms, preventing any one power from becoming dominant enough to destabilize fundamental reality. But their methods..."

She shook her head.

"They orchestrate wars. Manipulate bloodlines. Engineer catastrophes that kill millions to prevent greater catastrophes that would kill billions. They play games with civilizations the way children play with toys."

She stood and moved to the window, looking out over the settlement.

"The Empire you’ve been fighting? The Convergence that changed realms? The portal network that connects realms? All of it has White Seraphyne influence behind it. Not direct control; they’re too subtle for that. But guidance, manipulation, and gentle pushes that create outcomes they desire."

"Why are you telling me this?" Jorghan asked.

"Because they’re interested in you," Ekatarina replied, turning back to face him.

"Your bloodline, your abilities, your rapid rise to power—all of it has attracted their attention. The figure you saw watching you wasn’t just observing. They were assessing whether you’re a threat to their plans or a tool they can use to advance them."

Her expression became grave.

"The Empire is dangerous. Those terraspers are also dangerous. But the White Seraphyne are existential threats. They don’t conquer realms, they guide them toward specific outcomes, often without anyone realizing they’re being manipulated. And if they’ve decided you’re useful, they’ll begin creating circumstances that force you toward whatever role they’ve chosen for you."

Jorghan processed this information, his tactical mind working through implications.

"You’re saying there’s a shadow organization manipulating events across multiple realms, and they’ve taken interest in me specifically. What do you want me to do about it?"

"I want you to think about it," Ekatarina said.

"I’m not asking for immediate action."

She moved closer, and Jorghan noticed she carried an essence signature unlike any he’d encountered, not just her own power but whispers of countless spirits that clung to her like invisible attendants.

"I’ll return in one month," she continued.

"Think about what has happened till now, the battles you have been in."

"The White Seraphyne monitor anyone who becomes aware of their existence. Active investigation will draw their attention more completely than passive awareness."

She moved toward the door, preparing to leave.

"One more thing. The figure you saw during the floating island incident—I believe they intervened. Not directly, but I suspect the outcome of that battle was influenced by their presence. Your survival may have been because they wanted you alive for reasons of their own."

"That’s disturbing," Jorghan observed.

"It should be," Ekatarina agreed.

"The White Seraphyne don’t save people out of kindness. They preserve useful pieces on their game board. If they wanted you alive, it’s because they have plans for you that require your continued existence."

She opened the door, revealing the main chamber where Sigora, Aetheus, and Kael’var waited. "Think about what I’ve said.

And when I return in a month, we’ll discuss whether you’re willing to help oppose an enemy that most beings don’t even know exists."

Then she was gone, sweeping out of Sigora’s dwelling with Aetheus and Kael’var following behind her.

The Nor’vack elder gave Jorghan one last contemptuous look before departing, clearly unhappy about this entire visit but bound by whatever obligation had forced him to accompany the shaman.