BLEAK DAYS (2)

"Mm," Marshall mumbled in response, picking up the chopsticks. He poked at a piece of carrot while she went in depth discussing another rock, as expected of someone nicknamed Jewel Imp.

"As I said, today's topic is labradorite—my favorite feldspar mineral!" Gi Gaia's eyes brimmed with enthusiasm as she chewed on the duck, speaking with her mouth full.

"At first glance, it seems ordinary and grey, but if you turn the stone to look at it from different angles, you see glimmers of blue, green, orange, and brown! It's the epitome of iridescence!"

Pausing, she reached into her pocket and shook out a small object. "Here, I have one with me." Gi Gaia placed what looked like a pebble on the table next to Marshall. "That's labradorite. Though, this one only has the blue inside. No oranges and barely any greens."

He picked it up, twirling the stone between his fingers. Indeed, it seemed dark grey at one angle, but revealed a bright teal shade at another. It was as if the vivid color was hiding behind a bleak wall. Just as he was about to set it back on the table, Gi Gaia added a comment.

"If you look carefully, you can see tiny specks and scratches inside. They resemble bits of snow glittering in the sun."

Upon hearing the mention of snow, Marshall brought the stone closer to his face. Microscopic, sparkly bits were scattered inside, shimmering in the lantern light as he slowly rotated the pebble. The disciple was sure now—if Wyn was a rock, he would have been a labradorite. It would have been fun to show it to the snow deity to see his reaction.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Gi Gaia asked, a subtle elevation of pride in her voice.

"...It is," Marshall agreed, amusedly smiling at the rock.

"You can keep it."

He glanced up, raising a brow. "Why?"

"You seem to like this one. Previously you barely showed interest in any of the rocks I brought over. Take it." She shrugged with a playful chuckle. "Consider it a lucky stone. Maybe it'll protect you."

The disciple accepted the tiny gift with a murmured thanks, carefully observing every bit. The only reason he wanted to keep it, was to show it to Wyn. Although the thought of it made him feel foolish. 

"Hey, don't get depressed on me now. The stage two won't last forever. And keep your spirits up for the third stage! That'll be a challenge," Gi Gaia chided, stuffing a potato into her mouth. 

"Can you still sense my demonic energy?" Marshall questioned for the nth time.

Gi Gaia sat back, narrowing her eyes. "Yes. And it seems because you can't deal with melancholic feelings."

Marshall sighed, holding back an eyeroll. Who could be happy being trapped in a cavern for two months? With all his friends being somewhere outside, possibly considering him a criminal. Getting out of the cavern barely seemed to hold any meaning at that point.

He slowly bit into a piece of carrot he had been pushing around his plate. 

"Remember, no strong emotions," Gi Gaia reminded. "Control your fear, anger, and excitement. You can't pick and choose which emotions to keep and which to discard. You either have them all or none. So make sure you have none, yeah? Numb them all."

"Easy for you to say," Marshall muttered. He thought for a moment, then shifted in his seat.

The disciple took a deep breath, hoping this time she would answer. "Why does Lord Chioni want me locked up?"

"Boy, you just won't stop asking about it, huh? Sigh. Let's just say it's because of the prophecy," Gi Gaia said indifferently.

"A prophecy? What prophecy?"

"Augh, it's a long story!" she flipped her sleeve inside out.

"I think you owe me some answers after making me do all this," Marshall persisted, staring her dead in the eye.

Gi Gaia combed her hair lazily, thinking for a moment before standing up. "Right... Fine, then wait here for a bit. I'll bring you something that will explain it."

As she approached one of the walls, a stone door cracked open, and Gi Gaia disappeared into the room. A short while later, she emerged holding a sharp-edged crystal. The door flawlessly fell into place, restoring the wall as if nothing happened.

"Just read the memories from this thing," Gi Gaia threw it to him.

Marshall caught the crystal with a confused look. Wasn't she so eager to keep talking just a few moments ago? Or was it that she only wanted to talk about what was interesting to her? Now that he had asked about the prophecy, she looked bored to death.

Either way, he wasn't going to complain. Crystals couldn't lie, so he was guaranteed to find out the truth. Fortunately, he could still use his damaged spiritual flow for resonance with the crystal's energy.

While Gi Gaia munched away, Marshall closed his eyes and focused on aligning his energy with the crystal's flow. 

He heard voices from the crystal's memories, but couldn't see anything—it was all dark, dim purple. The crystal must have been inside someone's pocket. A wise voice spoke in poetry.

"Golden threads of spirit's light, entwined with shadows, full with might. Until the two are set to be free, the war shall rage, a relentless sea.

When flames of both within shall rise, a truth untold, a plan in disguise. Lay the key in impure child's grace, left will be no foul nor selfish trace.

Rise, fear not the dual might, above all envy within the grubber's sight. Half in shadow, half in light, unlock the truth to cease the fight."

Marshall's brows furrowed as he looked up at Gi Gaia, who was licking her fingers after finishing her duck. 

"What's this?"

"The prophecy. What else?" she retorted.

The disciple tilted his head, gaining no clarity. "It's a poem. How am I supposed to understand?"

"Interpret it and you'll understand the meaning. Or watch more memories of the crystal if you're lazy," Gi Gaia waved him off.