"And I won't say anything else unless you answer my questions or at least one of them," Tristan adds, a bit upset with the ethereal being.
"I am known by many names," the luminous being acknowledged, its calm tone resonating with an air of wisdom. "But what matters most is not who or what I am, but that you listen to the whispers of your heart and mind." Its words carried a profound significance.
Tristan's mind reeled as he absorbed his response. After a moment of contemplation, he mustered up the courage to articulate his realization.
"I think you are God!?" Tristan's voice tinged with a mix of awe and uncertainty. He anxiously awaited confirmation.
The radiant entity responded, evading a direct answer while acknowledging the weight of Tristan's concerns.
"Throughout time, I have been called by many names. Yet, it is not the name that matters to you. What matters is fulfilling your accepted duty and protecting the one whom you hold dearest," it declared, its words resonating with profound insight.
Tristan's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth in the being's words. A face materialized in his mind, Princess Valeria's countenance etched with concern.
"The Forbidden Gate holds great significance for you, Tristan," the being continued, undisturbed by the questions swirling in Tristan's mind. "It is the tether to your past, and should it fall into the clutches of evil, your homeland will face grave peril." Its words carried an unyielding gravity, impressing Tristan about the magnitude of his responsibility.
As the being's luminosity intensified, Tristan felt his consciousness being gently drawn away from the light back into his physical form. Desperate to seize the opportunity to seek further understanding, he resisted the pull with all his might. However, his efforts proved futile, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself awakened in his physical state.
"Did I really meet and talk to God?" Tristan said in disbelief. The enormity of the experience left him grappling with a newfound sense of empowerment. Even surpassing the excitement he felt when jumping from Lady Ayana's plane.
Eager to explore his newfound abilities, Tristan balled his hands into fists and concentrated his focus. Warmth emanated from his palms, illuminating the dark recesses of the cave.
A smile appeared on his face as he marveled at this incredible strength. He even sensed the potential to condense this energy into a concentrated form capable of unleashing powerful explosions. However, worried about the stability of the cave, he held back from testing his new ability.
Suddenly, a thought sprang forth in Tristan's mind, prompting him to ask Daggo, "How long have we been here, Daggo?"
Without hesitation, Daggo promptly responded, "You have been here for nearly an hour, Master."
Tristan was taken aback to hear that, as the encounter with the divine being had felt like a fleeting moment in his perception of time.
"We have to get out now, Daggo," Tristan confirmed, gathering his new strength and channeling it into his hands, emitting light to guide his way. "Create a radio channel for Lady Ayana and Valeria. Maybe the radio waves can penetrate the cave walls," he suggested, concluding his journey towards the cave entrance.
However, Tristan's progress was impeded by a solid barrier of icy snow and frozen soil before long. Undeterred, he focused his strength on the one hand, summoning a concentrated surge of heat to melt the obstructing ice.
A new idea sparked in Tristan's mind as the minutes ticked by. Determination gleaming in his eyes, he unsheathed his sword and channeled his newfound power into the sword.
Concentrating his power, he directed it toward the blade, causing it to emit a radiant, whitish-blue light. The luminosity grew in intensity with each passing moment, illuminating the cave with a brilliant glow and infusing the air with a comforting warmth.
Positioning himself strategically, Tristan thrust his sword into the icy snow, using its edge to carve a larger opening. As the concentrated heat coursed through the blade, the frozen obstruction yielded to its power, melting away at an accelerated pace.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tristan's free hand joined in the effort, continuously digging into the loose snow and soil to create a wider cavity that could accommodate his entire body.
For over ten minutes, Tristan labored tirelessly, his determination unyielding. Finally, he breached the mouth of the hole, emerging from the subterranean depths into the open air above. A frigid but invigorating gust greeted his lungs, signifying his triumphant escape from the depths below.
Meanwhile, Daggo successfully establishes contact with Lady Ayana and Valeria, relaying Tristan's location to them. Determined to reunite with their comrade, they swiftly set their course toward Tristan's whereabouts, their hearts filled with concern and relief.
"Tristan! Tristan! It must be Tristan," Valeria exclaimed cautiously as her eyes caught sight of a distant glimmer of light. Her heart raced with anticipation, urging her to press on despite the thigh-deep snow impeding her every step. In contrast, Lady Ayana maintained a steady pace, her focus unwavering as she continued to survey their surroundings through her vigilant AI radar.
When Valeria finally reached the source of the radiant light, she flung herself into Tristan's arms without uttering a single word. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with her joy and relief, as she held him tightly, seeking solace in their embrace.
"Valeria—" Tristan whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of delight, gratitude, and a hint of nervousness brought on by the overwhelming emotions coursing through him.
Their hug was filled not only with the rhythmic thud of their entwined hearts but also with the warmth that radiated between them. Time seemed to stand still as they clung to each other, their bodies pressed together. Only when Lady Ayana arrived at the scene did they reluctantly release their embrace!
"Tristan! Why in the world would you take such a reckless risk? Did you truly believe you could face a mythical beast on your own? You were fortunate to survive! I can't understand how you managed to escape from that encounter..." Lady Ayana's words were sharp and frosty, devoid of anger but laced with a curious undertone.