Chapter 8

I opened my eyes and saw a wooden ceiling above me. I was lying on a bed. It seems I fainted after she told me I had passed. I sat up and saw Hina sitting in a chair beside the bed, asleep. It looked like she had stayed by my side, watching over me the whole time I was sleeping.

I climbed out of bed with deliberate care to avoid disturbing her slumber. Gently, I guided her from the chair and settled her onto the bed where she could rest more comfortably. Stepping into the sitting room, I discovered Grandmother Isobel seated in her rocking chair beside the fireplace.

"You're awake," she greeted me warmly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I've recovered completely," I replied, settling into one of the wooden chairs nearby.

"Is Hina still sleeping?" Isobel asked.

"She is. I moved her to the bed so she could rest properly."

"Then I’ll have to find some way to thank her," I said, glancing at Hina with a hint of affection.

"I’m sure she’ll appreciate it," Isobel said softly. "Hina hasn’t had many friends… she must be very happy to have your company."

We sat in silence for a moment, watching the flames dance in the hearth. Then I spoke, seizing the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity about this strange world I'd entered.

"It seems you want to ask me something," Isobel observed perceptively.

"I wanted to know more about your society—the structure of this world. Before, you mentioned your clan and the houses, but I was too exhausted to ask many questions. I'd like to understand this place better."

Isobel rose from her chair and retrieved a thick, leather-bound book from the shelf. She settled beside me at the table and opened it to reveal a map spanning the entirety of this world.

"This world is governed by nineteen great houses distributed across all continents," she explained. "Five in Europe, three in America, five in Asia, two in Oceania, three in Africa, and one in Antarctica. There used to be many more, but the wars that ravaged this world decimated their numbers. Only these nineteen survived, and they unified to establish control over each region."

I leaned forward, intrigued by this revelation. "If this side of the world has experienced such devastating conflicts, how have you managed to remain hidden from the scientific world—the mundane side?"

"The magical side chooses to maintain its secrecy from the scientific world," Isobel explained. "However, just as we have knowledge of their realm, they possess awareness of ours. During the greatest historical conflicts, the two sides converge, and the fates of both become intertwined. After all, we inhabit the same planet."

This raised another question that had troubled me since my arrival. "There's something that's bothered me since I came here. How can science and magic coexist in the same world?"

"That requires technical knowledge I lack," Isobel admitted with a slight smile. "Aedric would better explain such matters. But returning to the subject of the great houses—beyond their survival, these families carry centuries of history. They possess countless members, and the leading figures of each house wield considerable power. Each house follows its own political principles and governs its region according to its own judgment. They agreed to a pact: none shall interfere in the affairs of another."

"That seems rather archaic," I observed.

"Perhaps, but there's little alternative," Isobel replied. "These houses command enough force to dominate most of the world. And then there are the Judges—you must be particularly careful of them. Should the Judges arrive, they cannot be stopped."

I seized upon this new term. "Who exactly are the Judges?"

"They are the only organization permitted to cross into any house's territory without opposition. Each house contributes its most powerful mage to form the Judges, and they are charged with resolving disputes that individual houses cannot settle or hunting down anomalies. If they discover you, they will pursue you relentlessly and show no mercy. The Judges are the most terrifying mages in existence—they are the ones who confront great houses when they commit crimes. They hold dominion over this world."

A chill ran down my spine at her words. "If I don't draw attention to myself, I should be safe, shouldn't I?"

Isobel's expression grew serious. "Do not underestimate them. If they come for you, even Aedric cannot stand against them."

Before I could respond, Hina appeared in the doorway, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "What are you discussing?" she asked drowsily.

The warmth returned to Isobel's voice immediately. "Ah, you're awake. Come, Navnlos is fully recovered now."

"That's wonderful," Hina said, moving closer to us with a small smile.

"Now that you're both here, we can proceed with the ceremony," Isobel announced, rising to her feet. "The moment has come to grant you the clan insignia."

"There's a ceremony?" I asked, somewhat surprised.

"Of course. Follow me."

The two of us accompanied Isobel out of the house and toward the same forest I had traversed during my trial, though this time we skirted its edges rather than plunging through its depths.

"The test I put you through," Isobel explained as we walked, "was the initiation trial that the children of my clan have undertaken for generations to gain acceptance. You've earned the right to be recognized as a member of our clan."

It seemed that on this side they still carried out fairly harsh tests. From what Isobel had told me about the great houses and the judges, this world was governed much more by power and physical strength than by science. A powerful mage could dominate a weaker one, and there would be nothing they could do about it.

We arrived at the monolith surrounded by ancient graves. Isobel withdrew what appeared to be a wand and gestured for me to face her.

"Show me your shoulder," she commanded.

I removed my coat and rolled up the sleeve of my shirt, exposing the side of my shoulder. Isobel began moving the wand through the air, tracing symbols that burned with blue energy, suspended in the atmosphere. Suddenly, the tombs surrounding us ignited with light, brilliant radiance pouring forth in the same shade as the glowing runes. We stood enveloped in an ethereal glow, as though surrounded by countless fireflies.

The letters and light converged upon my shoulder, and searing pain shot through me. I gritted my teeth and endured it as a mark began to materialize on my skin—a symbol composed of several dark dogs that resembled the cu sith from the ancient tales.

"Welcome to the Clan of the Wild Dogs," Isobel declared solemnly.

"I must confess, I wasn't expecting that particular name," I said, my voice tinged with surprise.

"Drust used to live with Isobel" Hina interjected quietly, gesturing to the spectral hound now standing beside her.

"The cu sith and I formed a clan long ago," Isobel said. "I shared all my knowledge of them with Hina, and now I pass their name to you through this mark. Through you both, the clan will endure."

I met Isobel's gaze with determination. "I swear I won't bring dishonor to this name."

"I'm confident you won't," she replied, her eyes reflecting her trust in me. "Thank you."