The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor as the red-haired Guardian carried me in her arms. Confused and dazed, I struggled to move my stiff body, finding it difficult to comprehend the current scenario.
"Can you speak?" The red-haired Guardian glanced down. "Oh dear, you have a hole in your throat."
As she mentioned it, I instinctively reached for my throat with a shaking hand, resisting the struggle to bring it closer. Glancing at my HUD, I noted my Mana numbered at 4 out of 70; barely enough. Even if I manage to shift my vision to my surroundings, I wouldn't be able to speak after, leaving me no choice but to assess the damage with my fingers.
Oh… I suddenly recalled Pheleppeides's words echoing in my ears, their warning about not draining the Mana Pool completely as much as possible. A sudden tension gripped inside my face, tightening my jaw and furrowing my brow for some unknown reason.
Regardless, I decided to assess my body, feeling the cold, metallic surface pressed against my fingertips, its hardness registering on my skin. A heavy weight of uncertainty settled over me as I discovered more missing patches of my skin. The damage appeared larger than anticipated, and my inability to properly see it caused unease to crawl through me as I wonder the true extent of the damage.
When I inserted my fingers deeper inside, a sense of discomfort washed over me, feeling like something foreign was invading my insides. Without warning, a cold, wet liquid spread across my fingers. I quickly withdrew my hands and lowered my gaze, observing my twisted and broken fingers, painted and spilling black liquid.
Is this… My own liquid? What is this liquid? This body is not some kind of biological flesh, so why does it appear as though I am bleeding? As confusion ensued, a sensation of cold wetness dripped from the base of my neck, flowing down to my chest and stomach before finally falling to the ground behind my back.
Am I bleeding? How is that possible? I never heard of Aeonian's body bleeding before. Panic grips me as I turn my gaze to the Guardian, trembling hands reaching out, silently signaling her with my eyes. Repeatedly, my mouth opens slightly, but now words emerge from my body. I couldn't help but wonder about the extent of damage the Guardian did.
In an instant, my hands felt weak and fell, swaying as the red-haired guardian carried me. An unusual sensation washed over me as I couldn't feel her touch against my skin. However, as the Guardian turned her gaze towards me, a glimmer of hope sparked within me, as if she was scanning my body.
If only Pheleppeides were here, I wouldn't be facing any problems. The realization that I had to continue without Pheleppeides made me nervous and found my body trembling uncontrollably. Pheleppeides had always been by my side, so their absence felt unsetting.
"Fear not, my fellow Aeonian. We mean you no harm," spoke the red-hair Guardian with a soft tone, and a reassuring smile. "I am Kreva'eh. You need not worry. I will take you to the Ports-swins to repair your body."
Hearing no urgency from her, I felt slightly at ease. Maybe there was no need to worry about my body too much after all.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, channeling my Mana.
"Why, you ask? You're an Aeoni—Oh, wait, hold on. You can speak?" The red-haired Kreva'eh raised brow before bringing her face close to mine. She fell silent as she stared closer, her red eyes glowing as if looking through my body—to my own form.
With widened eyes, she continued, "I see, you are using Mana to speak, clever. You, what's your name? I doubt you like being called just 'you' as 'you'."
"I haven't made a name," I replied, my tone unconsciously filled with uncertainty, "But they call me Nameless Ghost…"
Suddenly, a look of surprise crossed her face, as she muttered under her breath, "Ghost". Her expression then transformed into an unnaturally bright smile as she exclaimed, "I see. I See."
"What about it?"
"Nothing." She said, "At the very least, your safety is guaranteed."
Confused, I replied filled with doubt. "How so?"
"I am uncertain of the level of your intellect or how knowledgeable you are of Aeonian. However, I had heard you calling for your Des Arkus, so I assume you have encountered the Core at the highest level. Am I Mistaken?"
I started momentarily as I heard those words, furrowing my brow as I gazed at her… Kreva'eh… Guardians… Are all the Guardians and Sentient beings omniscient? Why do they all know this? And what is Des Arkus? I kept hearing it, but couldn't come up with an answer. Before I could question, Kreva'eh chuckled and turned her head forward.
"Wha–"
"You can only obtain Des Arkus at the Core level," she explained, her eyes scanning ahead, prompting me to do the same. "Do you know the temporary title or position you receive from the Core?"
Position… Pheleppeides voice echoed in my mind. If I tell them, they will be more receptive to me. I have read about it in books, but it never came to me that I should use it, I don't even know what ranks these Guardians are… No, perhaps I never truly understood how it works.
Suddenly, my focus shifted ahead… There, at the corner of the long hallway, stood the white-haired guardian, its head peeking out. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but wonder: what is this Guardian up to?
"I suggest you speak the truth." Kreva'eh voice commanded, pulling my attention back to her as she demanded, "What is it?"
Frightened by its sudden strong, bold voice, I hurriedly admitted, "Its… Head of the Chrono Writing department."
Her expression changed to something indescribable; a grim look fell over her face, and even the irises of her eyes seemed to be blurred. What? Did I make a mistake?
"Quite the high position you have…" Kreva'eh remarked, her gaze locking with mine. "My. Do you have any idea why you were given that position by the Core?"
"No… I don't really remember receiving it… Why do you ask me these questions."
Perhaps, they aren't as omniscient as I thought they would be.
She turned her gaze to the front and said, "Clarifications… I know you have no knowledge about me, or us Guardians in general. I am certain you have questions about why the Aeonian is…. currently offline, and the Core is currently out of reach, don't you?"
"Yes. But I know why the Core—"
"Anyway, we should continue later," Said Kreva'eh, interrupting my words. She fixed her gaze forward and came to a halt. "You have heard the conversation, Ca-pi-tan. How do you intend to take responsibility for your actions against a superior?"
Why didn't she let me finish my words? It feels a bit odd, almost deliberate, for her to continue without turning back to me. I never knew that Guardians behave this way; the books always praised them for their protection of Aeonian from external dangers. It's strange that I find myself slightly irritated towards them, considering how highly I held them in regard.
Maybe they are different kind of Guardians?
I had always imagined them to be like… Pheleppeides, calm and patient, always waiting for me to finish my words, even when I was slow.
Following Kreva'eh's gaze, I turned my head to see the white-haired Captain leaning against the wall, just before the corner of the four-way intersection hallway. It resembled the one I had seen when I first entered the third level but slightly smaller in comparison. The Captain then turned his head in our direction before he approached us.
He opened his mouth and said, "Her verdict will come later when we escort the Nameless Ghost to the Sanctum. I suggest you quicken your feet, another one is coming behind."
Coming behind?
Struggling to turn my head as Kreva'eh hurried forward, I caught a glimpse of a white, glowing figure floating unnaturally above the ground. What is that? Before I could process the figure in my head, my sight was blocked by a towering wall.
Immediately, Kreva'eh continued, "Where to?"
What was that? Was that… Someone like me?
"We will use the Denning Satura to reach the third floor, gather Beryan's squadron at the Gallaria, and then proceed to railways through the northern observatory."
"What about the squadrons? And the Train?"
"I've already handled it beforehand. After meeting with Selven earlier, the retreat has been initiated. Hopefully, most, if not all, the Guardians should have made their way to the Gallaria by now," He declared, turning around. "Make your way to the Gallaria first. I will take care of activating the train."
"I wish you luck, Captain. I better see you on that train," she replied, offering a slight smile.
"If you are wishing me luck, then it would be better you'd start praying for your own survival," he responded dismissively, before disappearing in a flash, reappearing in a hallway at a distance.
Before I knew it, Kreva'eh sprinted in the opposite direction, entering another hallway. Confusion clouded my mind. Why are they splitting up? What's happening? I tried to speak, but Kreva'eh was moving so fast that the walls became a blur. The rushing air filled my ears with deafening noise, overwhelming my senses. The rocking movements caused illusions to dance before my eyes, cluttering my vision.
Where are we going? I thought, I can't even use my Mana… This is too much. I can't use it.
As I attempted to control my mana, concentrating on gathering them into a single point to speak, my efforts were repeatedly interrupted by Kreva'eh's rapid movements. Why is she so fast? I can't even run fast without Mana! Is this common among Guardians?
As Kreva'eh abruptly halted, my vision blurred into a chaotic mess of tripled images that my mind failed to recognize. I could barely discern the sight of the large staircase built alongside the walls, seemingly spiraling upwards.
Why did she stop? Why is she facing the stairs? No. No.
"Nh—,"
Accompanied by a loud booming sound trailing behind, Kreva'eh raced through the stairs. My body felt weightless yet jolted around violently. My eyes struggled to make sense of the swirling black and white images flashing before me.
Desperate to find some kind of stability, I closed my eyes to shield myself from the onslaught that disoriented my senses.
After a few moments, Kreva'eh finally halted and whispered, "Endure it a bit more; they are pursuing us, after all."
They? Who are they Kreva'eh mentioned about? Slightly opening my eyes, my vision remained blurred from the constant movement. I was so disoriented, I could feel my body leaning towards its distortion.
"Better to leave your eyes closed as they are," she suggested. "It is much better that way."
I already did. I followed her words, hastily shutting my eyes tight, and as if, because of that, I could feel my body quaking once more. While I was tempted to open my eyes to see what was going on, I rather keep my senses stable. Unless Pheleppeides was present to recalibrate them.
Upon the dark vision, I saw the HUD window displaying my recovered Mana count of 14. I focused on my senses, trying to channel my Mana to a single point to change my point of view.
If only Pheleppeides were here, I wouldn't be facing this issue. Lost in my thoughts, my vision suddenly changed, turning into an outer view following my body. Unlike the shaky view from being carried by the Guardian, this was much more stable compared. I watched Kreva'eh agile movements as she dashed through multiple doors with a single leap, covering vast distances effortlessly.
Fascinating. Quite fascinating. It's just like the Books said!
Huh? What is that?
Confused by what was in front, I promptly moved my vision forward to glimpse a familiar figure in the distance, draped in all white and surrounded by floating swords and weapons all directed towards a figure on the ground. Was that a Guardian, kneeling?
Suddenly, Kreva'eh came to a halt as she threw my body to the side, feeling the cold hard impact of the wall on my head. Yet, I continued to watch as Kreva'eh lunged towards the white form, her sword unsheathed. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, she landed across, and made the form crashing into the walls and vanishing completely.
So fast. Just like the books said—they are the protectors of Aeonian. Then, does that mean… That floating thing was an enemy?
She turned around towards the fallen Guardian, calling out, "Beryan!"
I shifted my gaze to the fallen guardian, already impaled with numerous swords, and strange letters seemed to emerge on their body. even the air, black letters would sporadically manifest out of thin air before approaching the Guardian and vanishing inside the body.
"BERYAN!" Kreva'eh shouted once more, her voice echoed through the environment, causing even the letters in the air to tremble.
What is going on? I don't understand what is happening. Why is this happening, and why are they not explaining anything to me. Should I force my voice through them? No. They harmed me, they tried to destroy my body. I even tried, but their Guardian never listened.
I have to escape. Now is the ideal moment to separate myself from them. They may claim to be Guardians, but they are not the same as the books said!
Wait… Since did they even mention being Guardians in the first place? Was this my misunderstanding? Since when did I call them Guardians?
I need to flee.
All at once, I felt presence behind me, causing me to instinctively turn and catch sight of a familiar figure—a translucent white, glowing being with a humanoid appearance that held an inexplicable clustering of inhuman essence. Several heads formed within the swirling mass of numerous hands and feet encircling its torso.
A ghost…?