After losing Remi, Aether continued to walk aimlessly in the forest. The darkness that surrounded her seemed to reflect the emptiness she felt in her heart. Every step felt heavy, as if her body was being pulled down by guilt and sadness. However, amidst the fog of her thoughts, a gentle voice began to sound, a voice she recognized: Lady Marwen.
"Aether," Lady Marwen's voice whispered in her head, reminding her of the conversation they had before he entered this world, "You must find the city of R'lyeh. There, you will find the Necronomicon, an ancient book that has answers to questions that even the gods are afraid to ask."
Aether frowned, clearly remembering those words now. "R'lyeh..." She muttered, starting to feel a new urge in her heart. "That's the next goal. Maybe there, I can find answers... maybe there, I can get revenge."
He quickened his pace, trying to push away thoughts of Remi. The surrounding forest slowly began to thin out, giving way to a wider view. Before him, Aether saw a large and ancient building, far in the distance. The structure looked so strange and scary, like it had come out of a nightmare. The sharp towers and black stone walls looked distorted, as if the laws of geometry did not apply there.
"R'lyeh," Aether muttered, recognizing the legendary city said to lie at the bottom of the ocean. How she came to be here, on dry land, was a question she couldn't answer. However, there was no time for doubt. She had to continue.
As she approached the large city gates, Aether felt as if her steps were getting heavier. The air around the city felt thicker, heavier, and every breath she took felt like she was breaking through a thick fog. The huge stone gate opened by itself, as if welcoming a long-awaited guest.
"Okay," Aether thought, tightening her grip on the sword hanging from her waist. "I have to go in. I have to find the Necronomicon."
She entered the city of R'lyeh carefully, every step feeling as if she was entering another world. The surrounding buildings looked like they came from another time and space—their shapes were curved and absurd, with corners that shouldn't be there and doors leading to blank stone walls. Strange sounds came from the shadows, as if there were creatures hiding behind every corner, stalking her.
Aether continued her journey, her mind remaining focused on his goal. Lady Marwen had warned her that R'lyeh was not a city that could be easily traversed. "This city is full of traps and riddles," She said, "designed to thwart all who dare enter without true intent."
Soon, Aether arrived at an intersection. In front of it, there were three doors, each decorated with different ancient symbols—one with a closed eye, one with a skull carved on it, and another with a snake wrapped around a stick.
Aether studied the doors carefully. She knew that choosing the wrong door could mean death. Above each door were intricate carvings, with writing in a barely legible language. She remembered Lady Marwen saying, "The Necronomicon contains not only knowledge, but also tests. Each riddle is a step closer or further from the truth."
She stared at the door with closed eyes and read the carvings on it, trying to translate the hidden meaning. "The blind see with wisdom, not eyes," She said quietly. This door seems to imply wisdom or intuition.
The second door, with a skull, has an engraving that reads, "Death is the path to true enlightenment." It looked clearer, but also scarier. This door appears to offer knowledge through great sacrifice or risk.
The final door, with a snake coiled around a stick, has an engraving that reads, "Life and poison are one, depending on the use." The snake symbolizes life and poison, the duality of power.
Aether pondered for a moment. "The blind see with wisdom, not eyes..." She thought aloud. Maybe that meant using her intuition, something more than just physical sight.
Cautiously, she decided to open the door with her eyes closed, feeling it was the most unexpected yet wisest choice. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door slowly. The door opened with a resounding sound, revealing a long hallway filled with dim light.
Aether stepped in and the door closed behind him by itself. Now, he had no choice but to continue.
The passage was long and full of shadows. On the walls, there are ancient carvings and murals depicting stories lost in the mists of time. As he walked further into the passage, Aether felt the air around him getting colder, as if he was getting closer to something very old and full of power.
At the end of the hall, he found a large room surrounded by black stone pillars. In the center of the room, there was a large stone table with the Necronomicon lying on it. The book was large and thick, with an aged leather cover that seemed alive, pulsing with dark energy.
Aether approached the book cautiously, knowing that this was the moment he had prepared for. However, as she approached, the pillars around her started to move. From within the shadows, creatures appeared that looked like humans but with bodies that bent and changed shape, like melting wax. Their eyes glowed with the same yellow light as the yellow-robed figure she had encountered in the forest.
"They... they are the guards," Aether whispered to hemself, readying her sword. "This must be the final test."
One of the creatures stepped forward, his voice deep and trembling like the sound of distant thunder. "Brave warriors," he said, "the Necronomicon is ours to keep. Only those worthy can take it. Prove yourself or accept your fate."
Aether steeled her heart, ready to face whatever came. "Well, New Test Begins," She answered firmly. "I'm going to face this test, and take that Mysterious Necronomicon book."
The fight begins. The creatures attacked with fast and unnatural movements, attacking Aether from all directions. Aether swung her sword deftly, parrying the attacks while looking for an opening to strike back. Every time her sword hit one of the creatures, their bodies seemed to smolder for a moment before returning to their original shape.
"Damn, they seem indestructible!" Aether thought, sweat dripping down his forehead. "What should I do?"
She recalled the words of the god statue in the temple earlier, about controlling power and using it wisely. "Maybe... maybe I should use this power of darkness," She thought. "But I have to be careful."
With a quick decision, Aether closed her eyes and focused her mind on the power of darkness within him. He felt the energy flowing, hot and boiling, ready to be released. She opened her eyes suddenly and pointed his sword at one of the creatures, releasing a powerful wave of dark energy.
The creature screamed and its body began to break apart, turning to dust, vanishing into the shadows where they came from. Before her, on a large stone table, lay the Necronomicon—a forbidden book that exuded a dark and ancient aura.
Aether approached the book carefully. The entire room felt heavy, filled with oppressive energy, as if this place itself was trying to keep him from approaching the book. However, she must read the Necronomicon to find the answers she seeks and to open a path back to his world.
The book was made of old leather that looked like it had once lived. When Aether touched him, she felt a strange pulse, like a heart beating slowly. The cover was hard and cold, decorated with ancient symbols she didn't recognize. The Pagan she was holding previously felt heavier in his hands, as if responding to the presence of the Necronomicon.
"This must be part of the test," Aether thought while swallowing hard. she opened the book slowly, and instantly, the pages inside began to glow with a pale green light that seemed alive. The writing inside seemed to move, like caterpillars crawling on paper.
The language written on the pages was not one that Aether was familiar with. It was a strange language, full of letters and symbols that seemed impossible for the human mind to comprehend. Yet, somehow, Aether could hear those words in her mind, whispered softly but clearly.
"Cthäät… Ugh'rhoth… Mglw'nafh…," the words sounded as if they came from the depths of a sea of darkness, calling from another dimension. Aether felt a chill coursing through her veins, but she remained calm. This is the language of Cthulhu, a language that has been mentioned by Lady Marwen and the Pagan Ancient Gods.
With trembling hands, Aether began to read the words on the first page, trying to follow the rhythm and intonation of the whispers in his head. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn…" she muttered, and as she continued reading, she felt the world around him begin to shake.
The ancient building of R'lyeh seemed to sway, and the shadows on the walls seemed to move, as if they had fallen out of place. The light in the room grew dimmer, only the strange green glow of the Necronomicon remaining. Aether felt like something was pulling at his soul, trying to pull it out of her body.
However, she continued reading, her voice growing louder and steadier. "He! He! Cthulhu fhtagn!" She exclaimed, and immediately, the pages of the Necronomicon opened by themselves, spinning around him. The green light became brighter and brighter, and Aether felt the ground beneath her begin to disappear.
She closed her eyes, feeling a strange sensation of floating between two worlds. The air around her grew colder, and she heard strange sounds echoing from all directions. Then, suddenly, she felt her body fall freely, like she was being pulled into a bottomless abyss.
When she opened her eyes again, Aether found herself standing on hard ground. The piercing cold was gone, replaced by warmer, fresher air. Around her, a familiar scene began to appear. Trees, blue skies, and the sound of birds chirping filled Aether's senses.
She looked around, feeling a little dizzy and confused. "Is this… the original world?" She asked herself, trying to understand what had just happened.
Her heavy steps took her down a more familiar path, and she saw several villagers in the distance, walking quietly. This place, this atmosphere—this was the place where she parted ways with Remi. She has returned.
Aether took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. "I'm back," She muttered, half in hope, half in disbelief. But her heart was also filled with pain remembering what had happened before.
She looked at her hand, and there, the Necronomicon she had been holding was gone. The book had vanished, perhaps returning to another dimension, to the place where it belonged. However, Pagan was still in her hands, feeling lighter than before. The pagan now had a different faint glow, as if she had been blessed or cursed with new powers.
While she stood there, trying to take it all in, the gentle and familiar voice sounded inside her head again—Lady Marwen.
"Welcome back, Aether," said the voice. "You have successfully passed the test given. But remember, the knowledge you gain from the Necronomicon is only the beginning. There are still many things you have to learn, many truths you have to uncover."
Aether closed his eyes, listening carefully. "Why do I have to go through all this, Lady Marwen?" She asked in a voice full of curiosity but also tired. "What's the purpose of all this?"
"Your goal is to bring balance," answered Lady Marwen in a gentle voice. "This world and many other worlds are in danger because of conflicting forces. You are a light in the darkness, a balance between those forces. Never underestimate your role, Aether. Your journey is long, and you still have much to do."
Aether nodded slowly, despite not fully understanding everything that had been said to him. "Okay," he said finally. "I will continue this journey. I will seek the truth, no matter how far or difficult it may be."
With steadier steps, Aether started walking, leaving that place behind him. In her heart, there was a newfound sense of confidence, a determination to face whatever came his way, be it light or darkness.
And although her journey back to her real world has ended, her adventure has only just begun. This world, and perhaps many other worlds, still await him, full of unsolved mysteries and challenges to be faced. With a steadfast heart and a brave spirit, Aether steps forward, towards a future full of limitless possibilities.