Echoterra: Rise of the Verdant King-Chapter 96: Answers [1]

Day 62.

Clayton led the team through the Scorchpaths Outskirts, past Ashhuts; crumbled modular shelters, once home to his commune.

His Shedskin cloaked his Verdant Lord aura, Regalia in bow form, Thornshade Dagger ready.

Torren, Veyra, Lorn, Kaelin, and Soren followed, pagers steady.

The Aphid Network, 35 minions now, hunted minimally, Thornweave Sentinels gaining Embers, one minion lost to an unfortunate fungal trap.

Territorial Sentience sensed Ember Witches, their rituals stronger, and a Scorched Clans camp nearby.

Helping Clayton to explore his city, at least what was left of it safely, the team finally understood why a random Initiate Ember Awakened like him decided to embark on a crazy and dangerous journey like this one.

Clayton’s main reason had to be the prospects of seeing his home again.

Leading his teammates, now friends through his home, their bonds grew even stronger as Clayton felt like he was letting them into his past, his traumas.

Over the course of the 60-day journey, Clayton realized just how much Torren knew about a lot of things.

His guess was that Torren kept downplaying how big he was and how important a role he once played in the Scorched Clans hierarchy.

At the very least, he was sure that Torren held a position that gave him access to a lot of knowledge, maybe a historian or something.

He had learned so much from his team leader within the past 60-day timeframe. And now, having exposed them to his home, he was sure that they already had their suspicions, so he didn’t want to hide things anymore.

He wanted to clarify his doubts. He wanted to ask questions.

"Boss".

Torren stared at him sharply, wanting to retort for calling him ’boss’ but seeing the look on Clayton’s face, he just pouted and sighed.

"Say it, what is it?"

Clayton sighed, looking into the horizon. "Boss, there are lots of things that I don’t know. I never went to a school or anything of the sort, and I never really had a means to know, so I’ve been unsure for a long time".

Torren was curious now. "I thought you wanted to ask for another story". He chuckled. "Speak, what do you want to know?"

Clayton looked at Torren. "What is the Trial Nexus?"

As soon as Clayton asked, the others also looked towards Torren. From the confusion on their faces, Clayton understood that they also had no idea.

Torren didn’t answer immediately. He just looked at Clayton. And this time, the look on his face was different, it had a different meaning.

Then, he turned and looked at the landscape in front of him.

A few seconds later, he said.

"Clayton, you’re not like us right?"

"Huh? I don’t understand".

"You’re a process of the Genesis Protocols," Torren looked at him again. "Am I right?"

Hearing that, the others looked at Clayton in shock.

Clayton nodded.

His stay in Verdis Hold taught him a lot of things, including the fact that Awakened warriors born of the Genesis Protocols are usually more famous and stronger than natural Awakened due to the brutal trials of Echoterra.

Not just that, he also learned that 99% of humans taken by the Genesis Protocols don’t survive.

As for the 1% that survives, they’re the best of the best. The most brutal, strong-willed, and spiteful survivors.

There are very few Verdant Warden rank Awakened in the world, and every single one of them is a product of Echoterra and the Genesis Protocols.

So, trial survivors are more like end-world celebrities. Torren, including all the other members of this team are natural Awakened.

This was why they were so shocked to know that Clayton was a trial Awakened.

"Wow!" Kaelin exclaimed in marvel. "How’s the trial like? Is it really as brutal as they say? I’ve heard so much about it, but never from the mouth of a real trial Awakened like you".

"Tell me, tell me, is it true...?"

Torren glared at Kaelin, making him calm down. He pouted.

Clayton smiled. "I thought really hard before deciding to reveal my cards in the end. When I joined initially, I never really trusted any of you".

He looked at Torren. "So, do you know what it means?"

Torren had a somber look on his face at first, making Clayton’s face dim in disappointment, but then Torren laughed. "Just joking, I know".

Clayton’s mouth opened in surprise. "Y-you, you’re just..." He was speechless.

Torren laughed.

"First of all, I’m really impressed. It was only at the Scorched Clans that I got to interact with real trial Awakened, and every one of them is an enigma like you".

"Now that I think about it, I should have known all along".

"Well, I do know what the Trial Nexus is".

Torren entered lecturing mode. "From what I know, the Trial Nexus is the central relay of power, memory, and law that anchors a Trial Sector in Echoterra".

"Think of it as a biological-digital core where the true purpose of the trial is stored. It’s where System consciousness merges with primal Echoterran forces".

"It’s known to hold ancient directives, evolutionary blueprints, and remnants of the Old Order’s doctrine".

"Unsealing it means you’re no longer just part of a random survival test, but you’re influencing and rewriting the region’s evolutionary rules".

"Why did you ask?" Torren looked at Clayton. "Did you manage to unseal the Trial Nexus during your trial?"

Clayton scratched his green hair. "Well... I actually did".

"Damn!" It was Torren’s turn to show his surprise and shock.

After some time, regaining his composure, Torren continued. "I think the Trial Nexus also acts like a seed vault of powers, AI archives, and guardian mechanisms originally placed by whatever cosmic force created the Trials".

"So, do you have any other question?"

Clayton looked at Torren and smiled sheepishly. "Yes, I do have another question. Actually, I have multiple other questions".

Torren grimaced. "I knew it!" He complained. "I feel like I’m going to have a headache at the end of all this".

"Thank you!" Clayton grinned.

"So, what are Nexus Guardians?"

"What is the Nexus Law?"

"What is the Old Order?"

"Also, what is the Verdant Armistice Network?"

Torren regretted his decision.

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