SNOOPING AROUND MEMORIES

After Gi Gaia left, Marshall spent a while trying to understand the poem before moving onto other memories of the crystal.

He listened to the crystal's memory again and again, trying to figure it out by verses. For one, the part "Lay the key in impure child's grace," stood out. Demons had called Marshall the impure child, which led him to wonder whether the poem was about him.

To support his guess, "Golden threads of spirit's light," could have been his spiritual arrows. However, "Entwined with shadows, full with might" might have meant demonic energy intertwining with his arrows. Was the prophecy saying that he was supposed to unite the two powers?

Marshall shook his head, feeling a headache coming on from all the thinking. With a sigh, he picked up the crystal and focused again, delving into other memories. This time, he saw a vivid scene.

Unexpectedly, it took place inside a grassy stronghold area that looked uncannily similar to the Tainia stronghold. No, it was the Tainia stronghold, just in a slightly better condition. The crystal sat on a table, among other colorful crystals and gems.

Next to it, stood two women. One was dressed in deep purple with multiple braids meticulously pinned up into a large bun, wisdom radiating from her eyes. The other woman was dressed in white from head to toe with gentle beauty—a spitting image of Wyn.

"Your eldest is at an incredible level of spiritual strength for his age," the woman in purple spoke.

"He is," the lady in white said, smiling softly. "However, I worry. Wyn is too independent at such an early age."

Marshall almost broke his focus, getting excited over this memory. It was Wyn's mother! What a treasure! He had to bring this crystal to the snow deity once he got out.

The woman in purple hummed in thought, "Well, the Chastity Tower is rigid. I recall the burden of being an heir to my family's legacy. If not for The Great Schism, I would have withered under pressure well before my age. The officials always expect more than one can give."

Wyn's mother shook her head. "I am afraid this is something beyond the pressure of the officials, Matriarch Lou. A few days ago my boys went outside on their own, and ran into a group of wild dogs."

Marshall smacked his forehead in his head. It was so obvious that the woman in purple was Matriarch Lou. She clearly resembled Lou Yumei, and Lou Sect wore purple. How did the realization hit him so late?

"Oh, dear," Matriarch Lou shot a hand in front of her mouth. "Did they get away safely?"

"Wyn got grazed. And of course, I find out about it yesterday, from my youngest." She sighed, resting her head in her hand. "It turned out that he picked up Muyang and stood still until the dogs left."

"That was some good thinking from him."

"Yes, I am beyond grateful he is able to do the right thing under pressure, but Wyn is a child, for heaven's sake! Why is he acting like an adult? When I went to ask him about it, he said he alerted the guards of the dogs and took care of the scratch—disinfected it and all."

"Was he entirely unemotional about the matter?" Matriarch Lou inquired, rubbing her chin contemplatively.

"No," Wyn's mother cast a thoughtful glance at the horizon, "of course not... Wyn still is a child. I spread my arms for a hug, and he accepted. Yet, what concerns me is that he never reaches out to me first if he needs reassurance. I am afraid to miss a moment when he needs me."

"Avoiding vulnerability is normal for kids his age, isn't it? He's entering his teens. You shouldn't overthink it."

Wyn's mother sighed, resting her forehead in her hand. "I wish to believe that, but I cannot shake the feeling that he is distancing himself on purpose. To prove that he would be able to deal with everything even when I will be gone."

"Why should you be gone? I'm telling you, take the Smaragdine Lily! You'll outlive everyone in the Chastity Tower!" Matriarch Lou insisted.

"Shush," Wyn's mother hissed. "You know how Lord Chioni is. If something as powerful as the that was within his reach, he would start talking about controlling demons again. After your prophecy of the dual sovereign, that is all he has been speaking of."

"Listen. Hide the crystal in a pouch and keep it with you at all times. If Lord Chioni happens to find out about it, stand your ground. The Smaragdine Lily will put you above everyone, so as long as you wish to keep it, no one would be able to snatch it away."

"Are you suggesting I fight my husband over a crystal?" Wyn's mother retorted, bristling up.

Matriarch Lou placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "I'm suggesting that you put yourself and your well-being first, Lydia."

Marshall broke away from the memory, scratching his head. What was Smaragdine Lily? Another crystal? A powerful one, that could put someone above everyone else? Then, did Wyn's mother have it?

He pondered for a while, then decided to snoop around some more. If there were other memories with Wyn's mother, he wanted to see them all. 

Another blind scene, only the sound coming through. It appeared that Matriarch Lou mainly carried the crystal around in her pocket. 

"Wyn's reserved nature can lead to isolation, as he finds it difficult to connect with others on an emotional level. His interactions are often formal and distant," Matriarch Lou stated in a monotone voice. 

Marshall made an awkward face to himself. It felt like he was intruding, listening to all this. Yet, he kept listening.

Matriarch Lou continued, "Detachment: Wyn's tendency to detach from his emotions and focus solely on logic can make him seem cold or aloof, hindering deeper connections with those around him. When stressed, he might retreat further into himself, becoming more reclusive and detached."

"All right," Wyn's mother's voice cut through, a hint of despair in her tone. "Matriarch Lou, I know that you can see the future and the whole truth, but the way you describe Wyn is miserable."

"Future is not set in stone. It all can change. There will be positive influences in his path. If he opens his heart and mind, he will live a happy life," Matriarch Lou stated knowingly.

Wyn's mother let out a heavy sigh. "I hope heavens will send someone good his way. Even one good person changes everything," there seemed to be a smile in her voice as she said it. She must have been referring to Matriarch Lou.

"Focus on recovery so you can witness the happiness in your sons' lives, yeah?" Matriarch Lou said caringly.