Role

Chapter 6

This seed of uncertainty sprouted amidst his observations of his colleague,
Radus. Once a figure of stoic justice, Radus had succumbed to the
intoxicating influence of his shapeshifting abilities. The transformation was
not just of flesh but of spirit, Radus had become a creature of volatility,
his essence seemingly corrupted by an insatiable hunger for the souls he
hunted. The cait-sidhe, feline spirits of caprice and malice, were known to
meddle with the minds of the unwary. Could it be that Oroas, too, was under
their subtle siege?

The thought was a splinter in Oroas's mind, a sliver of dread that he could
not easily extract. It was a possibility that sowed the seeds of unease, the
fear that he might be walking a path parallel to Raduss descent. Yet,
there was little time for introspection, the relentless tide of Tribunal
duties left scant moments for reflection, the cascade of obligations a
bulwark against the creeping vines of paranoia.

Amidst these turbulent undercurrents, the Provost extended an offer that was
both an honor and a harbinger of inner conflict. The title of Vindicator was
a mantle of great distinction, yet it bore with it implications that
unsettled Oroas. Vindicators were the epitome of the Tribunal's might, the
hunters in the darkness who pursued justice with a zeal that bordered on the
ferocious. Oroas, while unflinching in his commitment to duty, did not relish
the hunt with the bloodlust that seemed to animate some of his peers.

The honor of the position weighed heavily upon him, a gilded chain that was
both a privilege and a ponderous load. Would accepting the role of Vindicator
amplify the violent whispers that already threaded through his thoughts? Or
would it grant him the clarity of purpose, a singular focus that might drown
out the cacophony of his doubts?

In the crucible of his decision, Oroas knew that he would embrace his duty
with the same vigor that had propelled him to his state now. Yet, beneath the
veneer of confidence, the quiet tremor of concern remained, a vigilant
sentinel against the potential erosion of his very soul.

Uncertainty was his silent consort, yet the recommendation of the Provost
resounded like a clarion call. It was not merely an offer, it was
affirmation, a clarion acknowledgment of his unwavering service, and a
testament to the potential seen within him by the highest echelons of the
Tribunal. To decline was unthinkable, it would be to turn his back on the
very essence of his being, the very principles he had enshrined within his
heart.

He would notcould notshirk from the call. The mantle of the Vindicator,
with all its daunting expectations and illustrious shadows, beckoned. Oroas
stepped forward, not with the brashness of youth, but with the measured tread
of one who understands the road ahead will test the very fibers of his
spirit.