The hush in the Great Hall was suffocating. High Cardinal Velgrith held the Memory Core aloft, its crystal surface alive with flickering threads. Every eye—noble, cleric, and knight—fixed on Cedric.
Velgrith swallowed, voice trembling. "These… claims are unprecedented. The Seal's authority compels our attendance, but… the Church's teachings—"
Cedric stepped forward, gaze unwavering. "Teachings built on lies. You've used the Seal to crown puppet kings and fuel holy wars. Now the Seal itself unravels because of your recklessness."
A murmur rippled through the assembly. Elric, face pale behind his silver mask, advanced. "Cedric, you speak as though you understand the Seal's burden. You—" He hesitated, seeing the Weaver's Heart at Cedric's belt. "You wield its power, but you do not set its rules."
Lynne moved beside Cedric. "The rules were set by the Threadkeepers—long before your doctrine. The Genesis Memory reveals the Seal's true purpose: to contain the Infinite Maw. Your cycles have twisted it into a tool of fear."
Velgrith pressed a hand to his temple, as though warding off a headache. "Show us this 'Genesis Memory.' Decipher it, or face excommunication for treason."
Cedric inclined his head and activated the Memory Core. The room dimmed as threads of light wove through the air, projecting ancient images onto the stained-glass windows. The Threadkeepers' spire, the Primordial Forge, the sealing lattice, and the first Guardian's sacrifice unfolded before all.
Gasps and murmurs echoed as the audience watched history rewrite itself. When the vision faded, the stained glass glowed in ghostly hues, and a long silence followed.
Velgrith's voice, now hollow, broke it: "If this is true… then our entire order is built on heresy."
A ripple of shock spread. Elric's grip on his sword loosened, doubt flickering in his eyes. The other Six of the Seven exchanged glances—some lowering their heads, others clenching jaws.
Cedric addressed them: "You have two choices. Uphold the truth and begin repair of the Seal—or cling to your lies and condemn the world to oblivion."
Elric sheathed his sword with a sound that echoed like thunder. "My duty… has always been to protect humanity." He bowed his head briefly, then straightened. "If the Church fails, then I will answer to the old covenant of the Seal."
Velgrith sank to his knees, hands trembling as he reached toward the Memory Core. "I… I confess our sins. In the name of the Divine Light, I retract my claim to authority over the Seal. I pledge to restore it."
One by one, the remaining members of the council knelt. Penthesilea, last of the Seven, lowered her gaze. "May the Weaver's Heart guide us back." The hall's oppressive tension lifted, replaced by reverent silence.
Lynne exhaled. "The council is won. But the Seal is still fractured."
Cedric nodded. "Council Summons complete. We need to gather the remaining fragments and mend the lattice before the Infinite Maw can break through."
Elric stepped forward, armor gleaming in the regenerated light. "I will help you hunt down the Seven's strongholds. My life's work is tainted by this order. I must make amends."
Kerran, his armor newly refurbished, approached Cedric. "And I will testify across the realm. No ruler can silence the truth now."
As they departed the Great Hall, sunlight streamed through the stained glass—beams of refracted color dancing on the marble floor, a promise of unity and renewal.
Outside, the citizens of Lumengard gathered in the streets, many weeping or embracing loved ones. Banners once waving with Church sigils now hung torn or repainted with the Weaver's web motif.
Cedric stood atop the steps, the Saltwind breeze teasing his cloak. His ribs ached, his muscles burned, but his heart soared. The Seed of Rebellion had bloomed, and now a new quest awaited: to rebuild the Seal and face the true threat lurking beyond the lattice's fragile glow.
He turned to Lynne, Elric, and Kerran. "The real journey begins now. Let us pray no more false lords rise in the shades of our failures."
They nodded, resolve lighting their eyes, and together they vanished into the city—champions of truth in a world poised between salvation and oblivion.