Chapter 625 The Spiral Descent Begins

Fitran, Rinoa, and Sheena shared a moment of silence. Before them lay not just a gap, but a spiral of living roots, twisting into the earth like a whirlwind of souls.

Rinoa sensed a faint flow of energy, as if someone were watching them from deep within the ground, carrying whispers that had never been spoken. She felt that the roots were guardians of memory, guiding them through forgotten histories and past sins. With every heartbeat, she felt the weight of unspoken burdens, challenging them to recognize and confront the darkness that resided within.

The door did not open through a spell, but rather because Sheena's name had been spoken once more.

The roots recognized their owner. And because of this, the world allowed them to descend. As they drew closer, Sheena analyzed the power contained within this space. She noted a strong pull, which seemed to indicate that they were being invited to delve deeper into their own selves. In this context, she acknowledged that these moments often signal a call for introspection regarding past mistakes, which could statistically influence an individual's psychological state. In the silence, she concluded that their soul mirrors trembled as a reflection of doubts and regrets—topics that might have seldom been discussed yet remained relevant in psychological analysis.

The first step felt light, yet each subsequent step revealed an increasing weight of perception, indicating that emotional components were gathering within their analytical systems.

The spiral did not descend entirely. It twisted inward and backward, like a time corridor shaped by unfinished will. The roots did not form a staircase, but rather veins, and along its walls were faded Proto-Speech symbols—indecipherable even by Fitran's Corpus.

With each step, shadows of the past seemed to emerge in their minds; the hollow voices of untamed souls gathered like fog around their feet. No matter how hard they tried, none could hide the sins that bound them to this place. Rinoa held her breath, feeling the weight of burdens they must bear; yet on the other side, there flickered a glimmer of hope for redemption that they could achieve.

"This is older than language," Rinoa whispered.

"This... is a language of wounds that has yet to be spoken."

Sheena closed her eyes. "Be careful. In this analysis, time cannot be seen as linear; rather, it exists as a complex dimension that can be predicted by considering relevant factors. The data indicates that we are currently in an environment where emotional resonance may trigger certain psychological reactions. Here, it is likely that there is a correlation between the unheard voices and the critical moments when the world demands answers."

Amidst their breaths, a blend of fear and hope unfolded, akin to a dance between darkness and light. Perhaps, on this journey, lies the power to transform sorrow into strength, much like roots breaking through the earth in search of the water essential for life. The attachment to the past signifies not an end, but the beginning of a profound journey of self-discovery.

After descending into the spiral for more than two hours of worldly time, they arrived at the first corridor. There was no door—only an opening of roots resembling a mouth.

They stepped inside... and were instantly greeted by absolute silence.

The sound of their footsteps vanished. Breath became inaudible. Even magic had no response. One thing was palpable: their existence felt as if it were being questioned.

In the suffocating silence, it felt as though the world around them was questioning their existence with a palpable curiosity. Analysis reveals that in nine out of ten situations where individuals interact with such conditions, they tend to face a reflection of dissatisfaction or regret, represented by the buried sins among the slowly vibrating root cells. Each step left ripples of memories, like echoes from the past continually influencing their path. Briefly, they sensed the emotional weight they had to bear—a helplessness intertwined with hope for redemption, which can be analyzed as a complex psychological response.

In the middle of that room hung a root mirror—not made of glass, but formed from smooth root walls creating a reflection. Research indicates that mirrors which do not convey a reflection can have profound psycho-emotional effects on individuals, generating feelings of uncertainty and dissatisfaction.

However, when they looked into it… there was no shadow.

In this situation, it becomes evident that there are no elements reflecting the individual's existence. The phenomenon occurring before them is not self-identity but rather a significant emptiness. This observation indicates that the mirror object functions as a purposeless entity, generating profound psychological effects related to identity and existence. A crucial question arises: what can be understood about existence for an individual who continuously overlooks the internalized wounds they perceive as symbols of pride? At this juncture, anxiety manifests—indicated by physiological changes—where repetitive questioning signifies an immeasurable emotional strain. The root of this issue highlights a fundamental need for acknowledgment of past mistakes, which can be analyzed in the context of the validity of individual experiences.

One important question emerges:

"Who are you without the wounds you consider your symbols of pride?"

Through this reflection process, the individual recalls their journey filled with moments of foolishness and regret. The surrounding environment seems to absorb these emotional recordings, acting as stimuli that provoke aspects of their subconscious. In this state of uncertainty, there are physical reactions—uncontrolled muscle movements around the lips—indicating a yearning for answers that may never materialize in reality.

Fitran gripped his sword tightly, aware that no visual representation of his shadow was apparent. He devised a strategic retreat in response to the unidentified threat looming before him. The cold sweat trickling down his temples revealed his body's instinctual reaction to stress, as every passing second in that environment compounded his psychological burden. The intertwining feelings of fear and vigilance acted as indicators of his emotional state, creating a haze that deepened the complexity of the uncertainty he faced. This situation presented a dilemma for the souls caught between options and their consequences, demanding a thorough analysis of rational decision-making amidst a landscape filled with questions.

Rinoa attempted to sing a short note from Aria Absolutia, but the melody was abruptly silenced. Perhaps within that lost note lay a deeper regret—something she wished to forget yet could not escape. In her mind, images of shattered hopes streamed by; the melody had now become an echo of dormant dreams. She felt as if she were trapped in a labyrinth without an exit, ensnared by the haunting resonance of her past.

Sheena simply stared and spoke in a calm, structured tone, "This place does not reflect forms. However, as we analyze this situation, we can identify the residual effects of decisions made. This creates the impression of invisible objects, which is more aptly referred to as the remnants of choices." Her voice clearly pierced the silence, with a data-driven approach providing context to the memories of the steps they had taken. "Each individual is the result of the choices they make, and the consequences that accompany them shape their identity. In this silence, we must systematically acknowledge every mistake and conduct an analysis to seek redemption, in order to minimize the impact of the shadows that haunt us."

The three of them exited, their bodies feeling slightly heavier. Outside, the roots slowly closed the door. None of them spoke, yet an unspoken agreement emerged among them. They knew that with each step they took, instead of moving further away, they were drawing closer to the truth that awaited in the distance. Let the past teach them; let the pain intertwine with the analysis of life and death, serving as a reminder of the importance of a life filled with meaning.

The corridor was dark, yet it was filled with echoes. Voices reverberated against the walls, but none could be identified as coming from them. Instead, there were sounds that resembled prayers. Waves of sound flooded the silence, carrying a sense of unfulfilled hope, like soft whispers from a distant world. Interestingly, the rhythm of their heartbeat might serve as an indicator of their alignment with the voices, demanding attention to the unfinished narratives that were trapped in the need for remembrance, even in a form that felt profoundly empty.

"Please... we are not dead yet..."

"Don't leave me…"

"Are we not worthy of being named?"

Sheena observed intently. Each word appeared as a representation of a neglected soul's cry, as if touching the deepest layers of her emotional logic. She realized that the entity trapped in that voice mirrored the fears and sorrows that also resided within her; the whispers, although sincere, bore frightening characteristics. Unavoidably, the disappearing faces, the muffled voices, and the revealed vulnerabilities exerted an impact on the analysis of the guilt burdened upon her. She systematically questioned: Had they done enough to give meaning to the lost?

"These are the voices that once called our names... yet we did not respond as needed."

The voice is not an illusion. It is an echo of a will that once sought to reach out to them, but was rejected. Each echo acts as a seed of roots that have never grown. The analysis reveals that they now need recognition… to be remembered. Within these echoes arises a deeper question, piercing through the silence: will they develop into thriving roots? Or will their existence merely disintegrate into dust, allowing regret to become the last legacy binding them in darkness? Each echo calls them to confront reality, forcing them to reevaluate their reflections on every buried sin through the lens of systematic analysis.

Rinoa clutched her cloak tightly. She heard a voice resembling her mother's—someone she didn't know… or perhaps didn't want to remember? In this state of confusion, she felt a chilling tension, as if shadows from the past were lurking in the dark corners of her memory. The painful aroma of nostalgia, a result of analyzing her memories, enveloped her heart, urging a recognition of long-buried mistakes. Each second felt excruciatingly slow, as though time itself hesitated to move forward, illustrating how time operates within emotional and psychological contexts.

At the end of the corridor, they discovered a root pillar shaped like an hourglass. Inside, instead of sand, words flowed—words that had never been spoken but should have been shared, revealing a buildup of unexpressed emotions. The pillar seemed to vibrate, as if provoked by their presence, emitting an odd resonance that affected their souls. Rinoa observed this phenomenon with a mix of fear and curiosity, questioning the possibility of redemption that could come from interacting with this pillar.

Every gust of wind carried whispers that had long been suppressed—voices from wounded souls waiting to be heard and accepted. In reflecting on the emotional burden she carried, Rinoa felt a significant pressure within herself due to the unspoken words. Her observation revealed her desire to express those feelings, yet her words remained trapped, manifesting only as faint whispers, more like the rustle of shadows than clear verbal expressions.

"I'm sorry."

"I was wrong."

"Please stay."

"I love you."

Fitran dropped his sword, his hands trembling. In the chilling silence, he felt the weight of all the sins he had carried. Each word that slipped from his lips felt like iron bars piercing his soul; they haunted every step he took. In the embrace of silence, he struggled to force himself to remember all the words left unspoken, now imprisoned within him. The more he tried, the deeper the wound seemed to grow.

"This place… does not accuse. However, an analysis of the situation reveals that we… have chosen not to communicate."

Sheena touched the pillar and said:

"If we want to move forward… we must stop being defensive. Based on the data available, listening to perspectives that have never been given space is the necessary analytical step. This approach may provide us with an alternative to understand the emotional variables that have been overlooked in our decision-making processes."

Sheena's words reverberated against the cold corridor walls, filling the silence with an echo of unspoken truths. Rinoa felt something stirring within her—a call, a strong desire to open her heart and embrace all the mistakes she had ever made. Behind that pillar, there lay a glimmer of hope for breaking the cycle of suffering that surrounded them. It was as if the world around them vibrated in an unseen rhythm, guiding them back to the truths that had long been overlooked.

Again, they descended the spiral. The roots began to change color—from bright green to a fiery orange, reminiscent of inflamed muscles. The walls tightened around them, and the sounds from above grew fainter. They were utterly alone, with only the echoes of their own thoughts left in the stillness.

With an analytical approach, Sheena noted that amidst the pressures of uncertainty, a logical fear emerged. These signs indicated patterns of behavior linked to the human experience. The darkness beckoned, whispering untold secrets—hidden truths buried deep within, waiting for the right moment to surface, like poison slowly seeping through. The data from their accelerating heartbeats increasingly suggested that their bodies were responding to some invisible call.

Rinoa murmured, "If the upper world is the sky… then this place is the foundation of wounds." Sheena observed the statement intently, noting that it reflects the duality between the physical and emotional aspects of human existence. The alignment between the two may be the key to understanding deeper wounds.

She took a deep breath, focusing her mind amidst the turmoil. There was an element in this environment detected as a type of energy, with data indicating a significant increase in frequency and intensity. Deep wounds not only manifest sadness measurable through emotional responses, but they also create gaps that allow for the process of identity recovery, albeit through complex and painful trauma mechanisms.

Fitran looked at her and replied:

"And perhaps… it is at the foundation of these wounds that the world first began to sing."

At the end of the first spiral stage, three root doors appeared, each marked with a different symbol:

A symbol of a closed eye.

A symbol of a mouth crossed out.

A symbol of a broken heart. One for each of them. One door… for a sin they have yet to comprehend.

They exchanged glances, and within that fleeting moment of silence lay a profound understanding. Each individual among them carried a complex background and distinct burdens, exhibiting varying characteristics and levels of tension. On the threshold of this portal, they faced a significant choice: to calculate the risks of their past that they must confront or to continue hiding behind the identities they had clung to for so long.

The intensity of tension enveloping the atmosphere indicated the uncertainty and potential for change, where the scent of damp earth and decaying roots mirrored their emotional state. Whispers resurfaced, almost compelling them to reflect on the decisions at hand. Only one option weighed as valid for them to choose; however, this path held truths that were perceived as bitter and challenging. Their sins, once concealed in uncertainty, now called for scrutiny and acknowledgment, like a burden that exceeded their individual capacity to bear, demanding collective interaction for transcendence towards healing.