'Fire only extinguishes once it's fully consumed its fuel'. It always has. Adei was naïve to think her injury was healing due to her own power. No, it hadn't healed. Not even slightly. It wouldn't. Through each of her steps, each breath, each wince, she tasted Vica's power. Consuming her. But unlike Nomu, hers had no limit. It was… different. It was painful. It tore apart body and soul alike, weakening her mind and composure. If they were attacked more than once, they would probably die. She had to keep walking. She had to. She had to! Yes, she had to. Surely, the next destination would offer some answers. They were going to Saok. Surely. All she had to do was seek and find, right? Seek and find.
Well, for now, seek.
The group strolled through the landscape. Adei stayed behind so they wouldn't see her face. They were walking through the red and green grass, almost nonchalant, but not quite. Maybe it was the setting. For people who only ever knew oceans of grey sands and waterfalls of blood until three days ago, it seemed that the environment was soothing. It was a whisper of safety at every nook and cranny.
"The map shows a travel of only a few hours," informed Nomu, "I'm glad they didn't go very far."
Adei took this time to check her belt. Her last one had been stolen by the Nerei guards and she was discretely given a new one by the queen. It was sturdy, it had a brown allure with silver edges. It sure stood out in her black and white trademark style, but she didn't mind, as with its numerous adjustable clasps for all types of weapons and its special pouch with an emergency Balan, it seemed perfect for combat, if not a little heavy.
But much to her dismay, the instant she looked up, streaks of white spots riddled the colourful plants. Like the outermost part of a bomb explosion, shrapnel of a discoloured bleaching infection had implanted itself into the soil and leaves. As the friends penetrated into the area, it almost felt like they were crossing a physical slimy wall. Something told Adei that monsters couldn't cross that barrier.
"Was this part attacked too? Why does it look so strange?" Asked Ocy.
"No way!" Answered Nomu, "The Nereians would have sighted the attack… as odd as it sounds, it must've always been like that."
The floor became slanted. They were entering some kind of valley, unnoticed until actively walking inside it, camouflaged by the single monochrome white colour which merged foreground and background into a deceptive illusion. At its centre, there was a single building. A white building.
"The architects were very creative with the choice of colours; it clearly stands out." Noticed Etafázo in his dead serious tone, which made Adei silently giggle. She hadn't found the joke particularly funny, she just needed something to laugh about.
The building was large, from a distance, we could already discern bulky marble pillars all around it.
They silently climbed down the slope as a sound intensified. It sounded like mumbling. Incessant, loud, coherent mumbling. They hastened their pace.
With their every step, the structure looked more and more like a temple. Between the marble pillars was a large entrance with no door, yet we couldn't see the inside. It was imbued in a light so blinding it appeared even when Adei closed her eyes. The cacophony of voices only intensified. Before they knew it, they had just climbed steps and entered the temple.
As their eyes adjusted, hundreds of translucent, small creatures bearing the slightly coloured shell of a Nereian and large black eyes, well large proportionally to their body. Saokians. Their globular eyes were all turned forwards, towards a single, old-looking leader with pale white clothes. They did not seem to even notice the group's footsteps. Suddenly, the mumbling ceased.
"I sing to Nopte my diety.
It made me strong when I was not.
It saved me when I was left to rot.
As my brothers, my very blood,
Were torn away, tossed in the mud,
You made sure I and my friends were alive,
In exchange, towards you we strive.
So, now that my tears are of blood,
And my soul goes to become mud,
Will you leave me? I think not,
Don't leave my body to rot
I sing to Nopte, the source of my youth."
I felt a fraction of my power leave my body.
A waterfall emerged from seemingly nowhere and bathed the Saokian in light. A second after, his white clothes were empty on the ground, and a baby crawled from under them before joining the crowd. Nobody else had moved, then one did. They walked to the clothes and put them on. They sat down. The mumbling resumed. Adei even recognised a familiar voice in it: Nomu's.
She turned around. He was already sitting down, she tugged on his arm, but he didn't respond. Her breathing got faster. She emitted high-frequency weeps as her tears dropped on Nomu's sturdy shell. She didn't want him to become like them.
"Adei, listen to him." Glowed Etafázo.
She listened to Nomu's mumbles.
"Kusu… Kusu… you have to listen, love, don't go there. You'll die. I can't help you there, Pasmathe is dangerous… trust me." The old warrior's expression took a much gloomier glow. "No! Kusu! No!... Come at me, you monsters! I'll kill you, mom and dad, don't think I won't! I'll kill you just like you killed the only man for me!"
Adei stumbled backwards. Her tail was visibly shaking.
"They're trapped in their worst regrets, but you were made to have no regrets… this place is imbued with your creator, I am sure you can find a way to contact him."
Adei took a deep breath. She had to chase away her fears. She was looking at her every thought and ignored each individual one, focusing on what her body told her. Her hand was flaring up; she could feel it stronger than usual. She was trying to get rid of it, but then she understood. She looked down at her left hand, it glowed a soothing white. She gave it full control. She did not dictate what the hand had to do, she rather let the fire rage, let it glow where it pleased. Following her hand, her feet lifted off the ground straight into the closest Saokian, which surprisingly did not fall. In fact, her hand had just passed straight through his body. It was as if he did not truly exist, as if he was in a plane between image and person. His head turned. He smiled, glistening tears falling from his empty eyes.
"Hello, servant. Welcome to this shrine. Come. I will show you."
He approached and plunged his hand into Adei's forehead. Her mind was instantly transported.
She found herself at a party full of emotion, Saokians danced everywhere as the soft stench of alcohol was almost palpable in the air. Purple lights hung from the ceiling, and in its light, she even recognised Nomu with a small spirit flying around him. All eyes turned toward her as if they expected her to make a speech.
"I-I don't understand!" She exclaimed, her voice wavering. "What is this?"
A voice answered.
"We have left our pain back in our bodies. Here we are free."
Adei's shadow rose from under her feet, it spoke.
"Worshippers, what will you do when Nopte dies?"
The Saokians paused.
"I ask you, Etafázo, persona, slayer, what is the meaning of life? Life only exists for joy, and anything done in life should be for joy. We would rather live a short, joyful life than a long, painful existence. We will evaporate with Nopte."
"No." Replied the shadow. "You do not have to live this way. Next to me is your salvation: the vessel, Adeiàzo. Accomplish Nopte's will: be her first meal."
Instantly, she exited the dream-like realm. She stumbled onto her feet. The hundreds of Saokians all rose and lumbered, slowly approaching, their eyes fixed on her torso. She called for Etafázo's help, but he didn't react. The first Saokian reached her. It grabbed onto her thigh and pulled itself up, before plunging its head deep into her chest. She let out a strident scream. As the semi-permeable body of the Saokian had reached her heart, his entire essence was absorbed. In a rainbow flash, the only trace of him remaining was a growing pain in Adei's chest. She fell to the ground. The creatures rushed in, all touched her heart, and in a deafening scream, disappeared. Ten minutes later, Adei was sobbing. She felt… used, violated. Her heart was now heavier by a few hundred souls, and she never gave consent. She struggled to her feet. Her head was full of whispers. For the first time in her lonely life, she felt less empty.
"Good job, Adei, you managed this well."
She wanted to keep screaming. She wanted to yell 'What do you mean? What sick monster lets such a violent act unfold before its very eyes?' But she stayed silent. She always had.
"Now test your new ability: Cheirismós, the control of lost souls. Let me guide you through this. I was made for it.
This place amplifies souls. You feel that weight inside your heart, pinpoint it, and picture it pouring out to the place you want the souls to go. Now, destroy this shrine."