Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

Delphi was in a state of uproar immediately after the Shrine Descent. The successful Descent naturally made the front page of the paper, but Sorin's newly revealed God Seed Status came in a close second.

This was naturally accompanied by various opinion pieces disparaging Sorin and his upcoming inquiry at the Medical Association. The Medical Association was quick to capitalize on the situation and stated that even God Seeds were not beyond the association's jurisdiction.

Sorin naturally expected this all to happen, just as he expected the 'upside' to his status upgrade, social potential. Those who'd been keeping their distance from Sorin suddenly popped out of the woodwork and greeted him cheerfully, while others made a point of openly discussing their dissatisfaction with him and even began spreading rumors about the Medical Association's inquiry and his atrocious character and behavior.

This was to vindicate Sorin's reasoning for not revealing his status. Social and political forces were now in full force, with many trying to drag him underwater and drown him. He had no regrets about exposing his status to force Melinoë's hand and help his friends, but the situation was already starting to weigh on him.

The first thing the three elders did upon returning to the ancestral manor was drag Sorin into the council chamber and await the return of the other Presiding Elders. Ten minutes later, all six elders were back and inspecting him from head to toe.

"That's God Light, alright," said Elder Simon solemnly. "I have no idea how we missed it during our inspection, but now that I see it, it's impossible to refute."

"Is it?" countered Elder Samson in a rare display of disagreement. "We failed to sense the God Light because of Lord Hope's medallion. The only way to be sure of the matter is if he removes it and confirms his status without its interference.

This was the last thing Sorin wanted, as it would expose his corruption, but fortunately, it didn't come to that. "Are you really going to force someone under the Temple of Hope's protection to subject himself to an inspection?" Elder Nolan asked Elder Simon. "It's clear that Lord Hope intended for him to hide his status. Moreover, questioning Lord Hope's medallion is heresy. But if you want the inquisition to visit you in the next few days, you can pretend I didn't say anything.

"The fox-head medallion stays," confirmed Elder Simon. "A terrible fate awaits those who interfere with Lord Hope's gifts. Moreover, there's an easy way to confirm whether Sorin is a God Seed without having him remove the fox head medallion. Sorin, please launch an attack. Any one of us will do."

Sorin thought about it for a moment before sending a wave of poison to Elder Marik, the strongest among them. A barrier of concentrated sword energy intercepted it effortlessly—but not before showing signs of disintegration due to Sorin's manatoxins.

"He is able to ignore both my aura and realm suppression," confirmed Elder Marik. "There's no doubt about it—he's our clan's first God Seed in over a century."

"I, for one, applaud Elder Samson's caution, "added Elder Adrian. "Trust but verify, I always say. Moreover, I commend Sorin's choice of target. Elder Marik's honesty when it comes to security protocols and procedures is beyond reproach."

"That settles the argument over Sorin's God Seed status," said Elder Simon. "This leads us to the next item on the agenda: conferring an official clan status upon Sorin.

"I confirmed with the Grand Elder. Sorin is to be conferred violet-gold status in the Kepler Clan. His status now exceeds that of a normal elder but falls beneath that of a Presiding Elder. With this increase in status naturally comes an increase in obligations and benefits. These will be revealed to you in the following week as Elder Marik conducts an intensive security review of you and your companions."

Sorin, who'd been waiting patiently without saying anything, grew irate upon hearing about benefits and obligations. Who did they think they were to decide whom he associated with? Who were they to decide what he did or what benefits he received?

Though Violence and Madness were somewhat responsible for this urge, Sorin also realized that this wasn't an outburst—this was a deeper change that had worked his way into his personality. He loathed restrictions and hated structure. He was a God Seed, after all, and no one save maybe demigods should have any say in what he did.

He was about to interrupt the elders mid-discussion when suddenly, he overheard the elders whispering amongst each other. "No, you can't just volunteer to be his protector," said Elder Simon, cutting off Markus. "Everything will be done by the book, as per the Grand Elder's instructions."

"If it's because I'm a Presiding Elder, then I'll resign," said Elder Marik. "Also, shouldn't you be happy that I'd willingly step down? Things would be far easier if you installed one of your cronies after I left."

"Enough!" said Elder Simon, cutting off the discussion. "Sorin, I realize we've been keeping you out of the loop, and that's not consistent with your status. Do you have any questions or concerns? If so, please voice them."

Though Sorin very much wanted to know why Elder Marik wanted to resign and become his protector, now was not the time to ask. Instead, he thought over the situation and brought up the points he was most concerned about.

"I'm under house arrest, aren't I?" said Sorin. "How long is that going to last?" He knew that it was impossible even for Presiding Elders to ignore security reviews, especially with Melinoë on the loose in Delphi.

"I'd imagine we could get everything done in ten days," said Elder Marik. "We could also fast-track certain members of your team if you require their support in the upcoming week."

"Astley, Daphne, and Gareth," said Sorin without hesitation. "It's becoming clear to me that a much deeper game is at play. I'll need to perform some research before the inquiry, and only these three have the skills to help me."

Elder Marik frowned. "Gareth is no problem, as the Night Hawks are a neutral organization. The Order of Phantasia is also loathe to meddle in political affairs, so that will probably not be a problem. It's Miss Chaser that will prove more difficult. Her ties to the White Tower Group make her quite the security risk."

"I'd also like to make one thing clear," said Sorin. "These are my companions. We've been through life and death together, and not just one time. I trust them unequivocally, and I would take great offense to any attempt at forcing me to cut ties with any of them."

"Now, Sorin, try to look at the bigger picture," urged Elder Nolan.

"No!" said Sorin. God Light involuntarily oozed from his body as he was no longer able to hold himself back. "I've had it with everyone deciding everything for me! This is non-negotiable. I admire the need for due diligence, but if you press me too far, I'll walk."

Elder Simon's flesh-sanctification aura flared out to try to suppress him, but Sorin pushed back. "I think you're failing to appreciate how much this family has done for you."

"And what's that?" Sorin countered. "Sent me to medical school when I could have easily passed on my own? Stabbed me in the back when my parents died?"

"Sorin—" urged Elder Nolan.

"Everything I have was given to me by my parents," said Sorin, ignoring Elder Nolan. "And they're dead. And I still don't know how they died and who is responsible. Had the clan supported me after their deaths and not tried to take everything away from me, I might have felt differently. Had the clan not stripped me of my status and shipped me off, I might have felt some sense of belonging."

"Much of your income is tied to the Kepler Clan," noted Elder Simon. "Without us, you'd have no recourse. No profession."

"I think we're all quite clear on why my profession was tripped," snapped Sorin. "Moreover, don't insinuate that you're not making up whatever I make ten-or-twenty-fold and even stockpiling for leaner days.

"My collaboration with the Apothecary Division is transactional. We give, and we take. And now that my status is clear, you should know that I have options. In fact, the Pollen Clan and the York Clan already have standing invitations; it's only out of respect for my parents and my ancestors that I've yet to seriously consider them."

There was no taking back words like these. Even Elder Nolan's expression turned slightly colder. "Are you threatening this assembly?" asked Elder Simon in a stern tone.

"I'm simply reporting communications between myself and my associates with the rest of the clan, as our policy dictates I should," said Sorin. "Perhaps I was a little irate and insinuated otherwise. This was a mistake, and I retract any words that might have seemed threatening or disrespectful." His words mirrored Elder Nolan's behavior at the Medical Association and even brought a smile to the elder's lips.

Elder Simon's eye twitched, but he maintained his composure. "Your words and behavior are excusable given the stressful situation, but you should take care in the future, as they reflect not just yourself but the Abberjay Branch and even the Kepler Clan as a whole.

"As for your request to expedite Astley, Daphne, and Gareth's reviews, I believe we can make something work. Though Daphne is affiliated with the White Tower Group, her branch is known to be at odds with the rest of the organization. At most, keeping her on your team would be seen as us meddling with their politics.

"I also support your desire to research matters related to the inquiry. Though we will do our best to defend you in the clan, it is best if you have a greater understanding of the bigger picture going into this unprecedented inquiry."

Minutes later, Sorin walked out of the meeting room, both pleased with himself for having stood up to the presiding elders and peeved at being on house arrest until the trial. He was also not fond of the three flesh-sanctification protectors assigned to him. Two of these cultivators were assigned by Elder Marik, who made sure to reveal their presence whenever anyone approached, while one was assigned by Elder Samson and kept the shadows.

Not wanting to remain out in the open where other clan members could approach him, Sorin retreated to his assigned chambers and allowed Lorimer out of his pockets; the rat, like himself, had yet to fully recover from his injuries.

Though it was extravagant to do so, Sorin took out the vial of Life Spring Elixir and fed the rat a single drop. "You did good, Lorimer," said Sorin as he guided the droplet throughout the rat's body and healed over his cracked bones. "I would have died down there if it wasn't for you."

He then dumped a pile of demon cores on the floor for Lorimer to eat before taking out a vial of poisons to sip on and heal his injuries. The cracks on his bones took two days to heal to 99%, at which point he called his condition good enough and made his way to the Kepler Clan's Ancestral Library.