Chapter 377: Selia

Chapter 377: Selia

Lesson

Long ago, the first thing that Selia had believed in was that the purpose of a life was to grow powerful. It was a childish understanding, born out of watching those around her, seeing how they always sought to increase their power. She believed that there was no line that a person shouldnt cross in order to achieve what they wanted.

That belief wasnt long lived. She was fortunate, she had demonstrated enough talent that she was noticed. Her life changed on the day she caught the eye of the Sect Head of Zenshuen Sect. Quickly she learned a lesson that most of those that sought power didnt understand. Seeking power for powers sake was not enough. It could only help you climb so far. You needed more.

Seeing her adoptive grandfather lead the Sect, made her love him more than she thought possible. He was the father figure that she had never really had. Someone beyond powerful, but kind and caring, so unlike her birth family. From him, she learned to want power in order to protect the sect that had offered her so much.

She learned, she grew, she found love. And then she knew loss. When Terland died, Selia didnt mourn just his death, she mourned herself, her failure. She had let Terland convince himself that he wasnt enough for them, that if he wanted to stand next to Erdania and her, he needed to be just as powerful. That he needed to get that power on his own. And that led to him getting himself killed.

It was her failure. Her belief changed then, focused more on those who were close to her. The desire to protect her loved ones was born from that loss. She narrowed her focus, not wanting to feel that pain again. In doing so, she had neglected her duty toward her Sect. And perhaps in part contributed to its fall.

In the years since she had grown closer to Ryun she had discovered a new belief. One in herself. That she could be strong enough to do what she wanted, and still keep what was important to her.

It felt only natural then, at the end of the war, for her to pursue more power. To trigger her own immortality and seek the guidance of an ancient and powerful soul. Oh, she remembered that time when she arrived in the afterlife vividly. The scape that boggled the mind, that was beyond beautiful.

The towering peaks surrounded by white clouds, the peace in the land so rich with life that it made her soul relax in ways that she didnt know were possible. Each peak was a domain in itself, each different from another. Each peak, a home to a single soul. It was a reflection of the soul that called it home. Some were taller, grander than others, to reflect the deeds of their owners. Some were gentle slopes, while others filled with cliffs. Selia remembered stepping through that gate, and seeing them all, stretching into infinity, mountains without end.

The sight of it had taken her breath away. And then she was moved, the land passing by as she was deposited in front of the mountain that was her destination. It stood in stark contrast to all others. Where others seemed so breathtaking, filled with life and color and beauty. The one that she arrived in front of was dark. Black stone, long since scorched by fire, was the core of the mountain, a jutting shard that seemed to defy the heavens themselves. So unimaginably tall that it was impossible to see the tip from the bottom. It was no thing of beauty, it was covered in ash and soot, with massive waterfalls filled with water so dark green that it was almost black.

She saw no sign of the one she had come to meet, so she climbed the treacherous mountain. A climb that had taken what felt like years. The effort that had drained her both spiritually and physically.n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

How long had it been since she reached the top? She truly didnt know. The time since she had arrived on top had been filled with nothing but suffering. So much so that she had nearly gone mad. If it werent for the link inside her mind, if she couldnt feel Ryun there as a soothing presence, she wouldve faltered long ago.

Can a mountain teach the wind how to stand still?Laqruud asked every word making the world tremble. Only you can teach yourself. I am of flame and blood; my line has endured through the end of the universe itself. It was a grand legacy; you are but the whimper at the end of it.

It doesnt need to be, Selia whispered. I can pass it on, it can endure.

Laqruud rumbled in his throat, making the mountain shake. For what purpose? My line has endured for longer than my universe was alive. For countless years after my death. My line has ensured that the lindwrum people will endure. What is it to me that it endures in such a pathetic state as it is in you? I do not know this Infinite Realm of yours. My universe came and went, as ages always do. The time of Flame and Blood can end with the memory of glory. Why should I let you have it when you do not even understand the sacrifice that comes with it?

Selia grimaced. She didnt have an answer. What could she offer a being such as Laqruud. He had earned his place in the afterlife, earned this grim mountain that endured. It was no thing of beauty, but it was here.

Tell me how to then, Selia felt like she was reaching the limits of what she could endure. But failure would mean death, as real as it could be in this place. It would mean never returning to the Real Realm and life, staying in the afterlife for all time.

All lindwrum are born out of the blood of their parents, we know them and their lives. We take what they offer and use it to grow beyond. You who are born without wit, cannot understand.

Then help me understand, Selia pleaded with him.

Laqruud turned his head so that his giant eye could fix on her. Help I do not know how to help you in this, little one. You are not my kin, yet your blood sings to me, as faint as it is. I cannot teach you, not until you understand the nature of the blood that burns, the why of it. And that is a thing that all lindwrum of my line know intuitively. If you want to learn, that step is one that you need to find on your own.

Why? Selia asked.

Because I value the blood of all those that came after me, and if you are not worthy enough, then I will not pollute the memory of our line and have it continue through you.

Selia grimaced and closed her eyes again. She didnt understand, and that was their impasse. She had tried to give him what he wanted, but every time she came short. She had thought that perhaps his power was meant for conquest, seeing as how massive he was, how his mountain towered over countless others around them. But with every answer that she gave, the lindwrum grew more and more disappointed.

Selia couldnt fail here, even if it took her a lifetime, she would figure it out. She had people to return to.