Chapter 232: Water

Chapter 232: Water

You are in the halls of destiny.

Defeat your hidden fears and shape your destiny.

Yeah, yeah. Dallion shattered the rectangle as he entered the room.

Unlike before, he didnt seem particularly worried. If anything, he was impatient to get this over with so he could focus on his real worries, namely the copyette in the city. While there was no evidence, his gut told him that there was a connection between it and the Star. What that connection was, he could only speculate. Having a talk with the mirror pool would be nice although he knew quite a few people would disapprove. Their opinions on the matter had a lot of weight, but at the end of the day, they werent living his life.

Thats really not the best idea, Gen said. They almost killed you twice.

True, but the second time doesnt count, Dallion smiled. Besides, that means they owe me.

The corridor seemed to widen the further Dallion went. A few hundred feet in, the torches on the walls were so far that they were like flickering lights in the distance. Looking up, Dallion could see more of them on the ceiling, forming a dimly lit dome.

Any idea what this is, Nil? Or is that an area you arent familiar with as well?

Hmph! The old echo grumbled. Just because I dont burden my mind with useless information doesnt mean Im as ignorant as you. And to answer your question, no, there is nothing specific that matches that shape. Must be something relating to you. You dont happen to fear domes, do you?

Dallion didnt bother answering. So far, he had held enough battles in dome-shaped arenas to be fairly certain that he had no dark secret relating to domes. Still, it would have been nice if the room gave him a hint so he could somewhat prepare. Thinking logically, the first challenge had been against himself, the second, against the mental image of his grandfather, and the third Well, the third was a bit too fresh in his mind to forget. Maybe he was going to face his mother after all? She was skilled in music, so it was going to be a difficult fight. Or maybe it was going to be something completely different?

Focusing, Dallion formed an echo of himself a few steps away. The effort was slightly greater than combat splitting, but in this instance, this seemed to be more useful.

Well need a few more to explore the entire place, the echo said. Even if you he paused, then crossed his arms. Great. Youre sending me forward. Why am I not surprised?

Dallion smirked. He could see the echo had taken his snarkiness to the extreme. Still, there were no hard feelings as he said that. And to be perfectly honest, it was a bit nasty, making an echo just to check the way forward. From what Dallion remembered, scouts used this method while in the realms to explore vast territories in the least amount of time. There were several scrolls in the ring library dealing with that. Dallion had tried reading a few in order to prepare for his world expedition, but the slow, boring pace of the scroll had made him stop after half.

See anything? Dallion thought.

Just the tunnel going on and on, the echo shouted from ahead. I think its starting to shrink again.

That was interesting, although not as interesting as the complete lack of enemies. Normally, something should have happened about now.

Lux, be ready, Dallion thought.

The firebird chirped, then appeared next to him moments later.

Lux Dallion sighed. When I said that, I didnt mean for you to come here. You were supposed to

The firebird looked at him, confused, tilting its head to the side. Even with his music skills, Dallion couldnt be certain if the familiar wasnt doing that on purpose. For some reason familiar emotions were difficult to see, especially Noxs lately.

Just stay there and be ready, okay?

The firebird chirped, moving slightly higher in the air.

Yep, the tunnel is definitely getting smaller, the echo shouted. I think I can see the end.

Whats there?

Nothing. Just an empty wall.

An empty wall. Maybe that was the test? Dallion remembered that when he had unsealed the awakened powers of his mother, he had to rely on Nox to make cracks within a wall. It was very likely the same to be in effect here.

The wall looks pretty solid, the echo shouted. Want me to come back?

Nil, I drowned in a pool of water

Not something Id advertise, thats for sure, but at least you know not to do so in future, correct?

That was definitely one way of looking at it. Maybe that was a hint not to get involved with the mirror pool? If everything in the awakened realm was metaphor, maybe the body of water was the representation of the organization and Dallion falling to the bottom meant he was in too deep? Or maybe he was overthinking things.

Still, I would suggest a bit of real-life practice before your next attempt? the echo said, arching his brows. Just a suggestion.

You know what, I might do that, Dallion walked right past him and gen. Give me just a minute, I need to check something.

Without explanation, he went out of the room and into the corridor. The door was still there, only this time, there was a large padlock on it. It wasnt the place Dallion wanted to go, though. Turning to his right, he continued along the other side of the corridor, until he reached the harpsiswords domain.

The sun had already set, replaced by the seven moons. The clean skies for a moment made Dallion feel as if he were in space. A cool breeze passed through him, washing all his troubles away, making him wonder why he didnt spend more time here.

Harp? Dallion said, looking at the top of the nymphs tower.

A blue light appeared, inviting him to go up. Just as Dallion was about to, a familiar chirp came from the air beside him.

Not now, Lux, Dallion said as he petted the firebird. I want to have a few words alone.

The familiar was visibly sad at the response, but even so flapped its wings, disappearing from the realm in a flash. Waiting a few more seconds, Dallion then made his way to the top of the tower. The nymph was there, as always, only this time her harp was gone, replaced by a fireplace made of water. Blue flames let out a pleasant glow, though without creating any heat.

The sea is breaking up tonight, the flame vibrated, conveying the nymphs words.

Ill take your work for it. Dallion didnt even look.

You shouldnt.

Because I must be ready to deal with things on my own. I know. I have just one question, though. You could have helped me pass the trial. Same as you did during the sanitation job.

The nymph said nothing.

Im not here to ask why you didnt help me level up. Im here to learn why you let me win last time. I could never defeat you in a normal fight, even with Lux and Nox. You and Nil were quite convincing, but I think there was more to that test than what you said.

Possibly. Its not for you to know, though. Not yet.

Is that everyones answer for everything?

There was another long pause. The guardian looked at Dallion.

The skill was a gift left there for you, she replied through the water flames. I was just a way for you to find it.

So the trial was fake?

No. The trial was real, but the skill you acquired had nothing to do with it. The flaw you held was that you were starting to rely on me too much. I had to put a stop to that early on.

That made some sense in a strangely weird way.

Who left the gift for me? Dallion asked.

I cant tell you.

Why not?

Because the Moons wont allow it.