The beginning
- Do you know what this "Earth Blessing" is, Lyunil? If you do, please tell us!
I looked at Kaule and started to ponder the answer. He asked to keep it a secret, but commented that he would be waiting for me and my companions the next time we met. So I imagine that I can talk about it with just them ...
- Did something happen?
- Guys, listen to me ...
***
I explained to them all about my meeting with Kartaju, Athenim and Thyrus. Despite being quite confusing and sudden, they accepted it more easily than I thought.
- So this gift you got, is it really his guarantee?
- Yea…
- What does the description of this stone gem say?
I hadn't stopped to think about it until now, why was this stone so important to Athenim? When I looked at the description of the stone ...
| Earth's Sacri - Celestial Treasure |
| This stone contains the sealed Earth Titan's soul. It is impossible to remove the seal. Whoever controls it manages to use the Earth Blessing.|
- WHAT?!
I was shocked by what I read.
- Wow, what a gift, huh!
Raild was amazed, but Kaule and Adrick was silent.
- So it means that the Earth Titan really has the Earth Blessing, that makes things easier ...
Raild is right, but something is not right. Why go so far?
I thought it was an important stone gem for the family, as if it were someone's inheritance, but this is more than crazy! We met each other little tima ago! To entrust such a thing to me, without even being sure that I would do anything to it, is the same as wanting to die ... Was that his intention? ...
- Can you take us to him, Lyunil ?!
I looked at Kaule, who finally spoke.
- I can! But I think we better do it hidden, so that no one in the village will find out us …
They agree. I think they also have questions to ask Thyrus.
***
We managed to get into the forest too easy. There was no one in the city walking on the street that night. I don't think I can get used to these sequences of sudden and weird situations that happen, I feel that this kind of presumption can kill me someday. I need to consider these situations better, but now we don't have time, I will be straightforward and then I take the risks.
- Athenim! I returned to fulfill your father's promise! ...
As we are more in the middle of the forest, I think it is okay to call for her.
- Thank you for fulfilling your part of the agreement! My master is also grateful ...
It then appears, but the situation seems totally different from when I found it ...
She's wearing a tiara and a silver dress that sparkles in the moonlight, makes her look like a real fairy princess!
And she is no longer alone ... ten fairies with the same appearance in the dress are accompanying her. I believe she is being escorted by them.
- Follow me, I'll take you to him.
So we followed her in silence. The atmosphere was no longer the same as before, something is happening and it doesn't look good. A crowd of fairies then gradually appeared behind us, while their guards escorted us around us.
Kaule seemed calm about the situation, but Raild and Adrick were amazed to see so many fairies too.
We stopped in front of those trees with the seal marks. But something is not right ... She didn't ask us to look towards the seal, on the other hand, she started to utter some kind of enchantment in a language that I couldn't understand ...
Suddenly, the seal was broken and the barrier that hid the clearing was undone!
- Athenim?!?! What does that mean?!
- Just follow me, the master is waiting for you ...
I decided to be silent and just move on. The other three do not seem to have understood the situation. But breaking the barrier is the same as ... asking to be found ... Damn it, Thyrus! I don't want to believe this, but why do I feel like I know where you are going with these actions ?!
So we were finally in front of him, who was sitting waiting for my return. He had a calm and cheerful countenance, something totally contrary to the situation around us ...
The fairies, however, stayed at a distance watching and waiting for our conversation to end.
- Hello again, Lyunil! It's good to see you again! And nice to meet you, companions of Lyunil!
We greet him back.
- Let me formally introduce myself this time: I am the Primordial Imeruani of Earth's Nature, Guardian of all that is alive and not alive on Earth, Thyrus! People, however, usually call me Titan of the Earth. And now, I'm here to answer your questions, according to what I know, to fulfill my agreement with Lyunil, so, feel free ...
- Before they ask about the most important things, I would like to know if you know anything about the sapphire moon ritual?
Kaule asked the first question, it looks like he had something on his mind.
- Hm… you must be… I understand... you will need to return to your origin to get your answer!
- I see ... I'm sorry for the question ....
- Do not worry.
- Are you the one who owns the "Earth Blessing"?
Raild went straight to the point.
- Yes, myself.
- And could you give it to us? ...
- Raild!
- What's it? We'll just borrow it, then we'll give it back!
- Don't worry, Lyunil! That was my intention, but first I would like to fulfill my part of the agreement.
- You see!? He's a nice guy!
- Raild ... I think you still haven't realized what the Earth Blessing is ...
- Like this?!
- He'll understand soon! Does the dwarf have any questions?
Adrick had been silent since we left the Tower. He shook his head. He seems to be very serious about the situation now. He probably also realized that ...
- So, Lyunil! What are your doubts?
- My doubts?...
- Yes.
Although I have several questions, I will try to be as objective as possible…
- Please tell us what you know about the Tower ?! What about the Imeruanis ?!
- Why do you want to know about my race?
- Because I had a strange dream, that I was fighting an enemy that, in the dream, was called "Imeruani of Destruction" or something like that…
- I understand! Now my confidence has been strengthened in you and I thank my Father for allowing that moment to come.
- Huh? Like this? What you mean?
- To answer all your questions I would like first of all to extend your hand to me and accept this gift that I will give you, as a token of my gratitude for having fulfilled our agreement and for having met me.
Even though I don't understand what was happening or what is about to happen, I reached out my hand and he touched it with his index finger. I could then see a glow coming out of his heart, passing through his arm to my hand and the glow following from my hand to my heart!
- The Blessing of the Earth ...
- Exactly! Now I don't need to fear anything anymore, because I have fulfilled my vocation ...
- Does that mean that ...
- Yes, these are my last moments here in this world ...
- WHAT?! Like this? Wasn't it some kind of object that the Tower asked for? You mean he is going to die?
Raild was looking at the whole situation with a confused face.
- Calm down, no need to worry! It was the choice I made, you are not guilty of anything.
- But why reach that point?
- Don't worry, Lyunil, one question at a time ...
Then his face started to appear small cracks and some pieces of stone were falling ...
- First, let me remain in my human form!
Then that huge, stone body began to glow and shrink. Changing his form from a giant to one of a simple man ...
- Now yes ... / cof! cof! cof! /
He covered his cough with his hand, but he could see a kind of golden liquid running between his fingers, probably his blood ...
- I'll try to be brief!
He smiled!...
***
- The Tower came about with a real purpose to fulfill people's desires and its owner was a great man in whom he exuded kindness. But there was a time when he met a corrupted creature that made his head change… The Imeruani of Destruction, one of my older brothers… Since then, thousands of years have passed and the two have continued to manage the Tower by calling several types of people who seek to fulfill their deepest desires and dreams, especially the most desperate…
Then the three looked at each other with a sad look ...
- But unfortunately I was unable to discover his true plans by doing all this, but I am sure there is nothing good ... When I tried to stop my brother's wickedness it was too late. He manipulated the minds of the people, not only of the owner of the Tower or the inhabitants of the village, but also of those who challenge the floors. Of course, not all of them, but only those who have an unwavering determination are able to proceed. I heard that even people who reached the top of the Tower and fulfilled their wishes ended up falling into their temptations ...
Does it mean that not even finishing all the challenges means that the problems are over? ...
- As a result I was seen as their enemy and they tried to destroy me. But I couldn't hurt those I was sent to protect. So, with the help of my creations, it was possible for me to hide for a long time ... \ Cof! Cof! \
- Thyrus! ...
His appearance was as pale as a dead man, there is no more time. When I looked at the crowd of fairies and creatures that were behind us, everyone was gathered for the departure of their master… the funeral of their creator… of their father.
He then decided to lie down and I helped him to recline his head on the floor, when suddenly he grabbed my hand with the rest of the strength he had ...
- Lyunil ... I was hidden for a long time, but with a hope in my heart ... and I was to find you! ...
- Me? But I am nobody!
- But it will be someone! Someone very important ... my Father sang a song to me when I was still in the beginning of my life ... and I heard it as a prophecy, as a story of the future of the times, and it is about you that it spoke! ...
- About me?! What? What song ?!
- You always seem to be very insecure ... Try to smile when someone is speaking well of you ...
I started to water little by little, I no longer felt strength in his hand that was holding me… I no longer felt that warmth that his spirit emanated…
- Please, Lyunil! I want to ask you a favor ... the last favor ... as a friend ...
-… tell me, my friend… \ Sniff… \
- This gift that I gave you, means that I will be with you at all times ... when you are in some difficult moment, about to give up ... remember that I will be with you ... always! And what I ask of you is ... never give up on your mission ..., my dear friend! ...
He used the last strength he had ... in his last smile ...
A smile that never made me cry so much in my life ...
A smile that has never touched my soul so much ...
- ... at least ... hear me say "yes" ...
How can you trust someone you just met… your goon…
But yes…
- Yea! I promise I will do your favor, Thyrus!
And on the sadness orchestra of everyone who wept, under the witness of the moon that watched us from above and with the pain inflicted on the forest tonight, in front of my new friend who had just died, I made my promise, which changed me completely ... that created a purpose in me that took root deep in my heart ...
***
After we moved away from Thyrus' body, all the creatures of the forests approached to revere their recently deceased master. In the place where he lay down, the flowers grew, and abundantly, forming a bed of flowers. All plants, animals and creatures, and even us, are in mourning. But the only one who was still smiling was Thyrus. So I can't let sadness chase me for long, because even after dying Thyrus didn't let fear and pain hit you, and I'm sure he wouldn't want us to be like that either.
So I tried to compose myself as soon as possible.
Athenim seems to have done the same and came towards me.
- There are two more notices that he asked to give you and your team. If he was unable to speak in time, he asked him to pass on the message.
- Athenim, about that before ...
- Don't worry, it's okay, remember that he said that all of this was what he wanted. Thyrus is very selfish and always wants to do whatever he wants through himself, so he never really liked the idea of the Tower. But now you have a mission and that's where you need to focus.
- Right!
- The first warning is: the stone he gave you represents the heart of an Imeruani and the Blessing its power. The same is true of everyone else, without exception. From now on you will be the object of unwanted looks and coveted by many. He asked to say that "I put a heavy weight on your shoulders from now on, but it is because I know that you are capable of carrying it". And don't forget what he told you too, you are not alone, so feel too heavy, you don't have to take it alone.
So that's why he ended up dying, not because he was sick or something, but because he literally gave his whole life to me ...
I stare at her with determination. I have no reason to hesitate from now on. For those who had nothing to lose, receiving a gift like this is even more reason not to give up.
- You seem to be well engaged now. That's nice. The second warning is that to pass the floor of the Tower it is possible to use an alternative method to what she asks for. You just spill a drop of your blood into the receptacle and the system will accept it as complete.
The other three who were nearby heard about it and understood how to proceed.
- But there is something that still bothers me ... he said that and that voice said that too ... I have to fulfill my mission ... but what mission is that?
- AHN ?!
- AHN ?!
- AHN ?!
Everyone looked shocked at me, except for Athenim who ended up laughing at the situation ...
- How come you don't know ?! You made that promise without even knowing what to keep.
Raild seems indignant at the situation.
- I think you will find out during your journey through the Tower! But don't worry about the time, just don't forget the promise. If you compare the time Thyrus waited with the time it will take you to do it, it will be just a blink of an eye!
Athenim tried to say words of encouragement, but she is right. No matter how long it takes, I will keep my promise!
- Okay, now you must go! The sun is about to dawn and you still have a long way to go.
So, me and the guys went towards the trail to the exit of the forest, but before leaving.
- Athenim!
- What, Lyunil? ..
- Thanks!
Then, she returned the thanks with a slight smile. And then he said:
- Take care on your journey! And whenever they want to visit us, the fairies will be here to welcome you!
After the goodbyes, I took a deep, confident breath and we headed towards the Tower.
***
The sun was already rising when we were approaching the Tower.
I was wondering if Athenim would be okay, although she looks strong, I know she has her weaknesses and she probably must have been very sad about her father's departure.
- Hey, dwarf! You are very quiet, what happened?
Raild asked Adrick. But he's right, Adrick is usually more excited than that.
- It's no big deal, I just want to show respect to the deceased and everyone who cared about him. At my house, we were helped by a great underground traveler and he had once commented that he had a master, who I now believe has left this world.
So Adrick already knew about Thyrus ... Apparently there are more people who know and not only about the Titan of the Earth, but several secrets.
- Well, well, could you tell us what happened in the forest that night? It was really noisy…
When we arrived in front of the Tower, the inevitable happened in the most unexpected way. Kartaju and all the villagers were in front of us, blocking the entrance. Except for Ryan that I couldn't see between them. What a delicate moment we are in now.
- Do you have anything to tell us? Lyunil? Kaule? Adrick? Raild? ...
- I will not lie to you, we went to fulfill our walk and went to the Titan of Earth, who is no longer alive ...
I spoke as calmly as I could, and tried to appear as impartial as possible. Although I said that I couldn't believe anyone else, I feel that I am indebted to Thyrus from now on.
- And you came to complete the floor?
- Yea…
- We will wait here until the floor is completed.
Luck!
Only me and the three entered. We went to the monolith and followed Athenim's advice.
The floor was really finished and everything went well with the system.
When we left the Tower again, this time we only found Kartaju waiting for us outside.
- Where is everyone?
- I told you to go back to your duties, because I would settle the rest between you and us in the village.
- And what do we need to solve?
- In fact, it has already been resolved.
He turned his back on us and walked off towards the village.
- You are still challengers of the Tower and our duty is to help you on your journey ...
- So it means that ...
- Exactly. We are still on your side ...
I sighed with relief.
- ... But it doesn't mean that we trust you or that we are your friends.
It seems that trust has been completely destroyed with the choice I made.
And so, the day dawned, but the night still remained. I can't say it was a complete victory.
This was our first floor and we still have many ahead of us. It is not known what awaits us or what fate has prepared for us. I still don't know anything about my skills, my past or my mission now.
I met new friends a short time ago, I was able to change my life completely, I was able to have moments from a sincere smile to crying for the death of someone, several new experiences that I never would have managed alone. But now I'm sure that regardless of the moment, I felt happy to be alive! And it is in this feeling that I will hold on to continue my journey.
.
.
.
***
PoV - ???
- My lord, I bring news of the one who asked me to observe!
One of my servants suddenly appeared in front of me.
- Proceed ...
- He became the bearer of the Earth Blessing!
…
…
…
- My Lord?
- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You never tired of surprising me, Lyunil! It really gets me out of my composure! HAHAHAHA!
Let's see how you'll proceed. I look forward to our reunion! I'm finally going to be able to finish what I didn't get many years ago!
Welcome to
[The Tower of Desires]
***