I rose to my feet, the sensation of solid ground beneath me a strange contrast to the watery world around me. I followed Nyi Roro Kidul through the palace, my eyes wide with wonder. The walls were adorned with shimmering pearls and intricate coral formations, and strange, luminous fish darted through the water, leaving trails of light in their wake.
We passed through a series of grand archways, each guarded by silent figures clad in ornate armor. Their faces were pale and expressionless, their eyes fixed on some unseen point in the distance. I couldn't tell if they were statues or living beings, but their presence filled me with a sense of awe and trepidation.
As we walked, Nyi Roro Kidul's voice broke the silence. "You have come here to unleash your power, haven't you?" she asked, her voice a melodic echo in the vast chamber.
"Yes," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.
"Many have come before you, seeking the same… But most lack the true potential to wield such power. You, however, are different."
A chill ran down my spine as I followed Nyi Roro Kidul deeper into her underwater palace. The dimly lit corridors and the eerie silence added to the sense of mystery and unease. We entered a grand chamber, its walls adorned with shimmering pearls and illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent algae. At the center of the room stood a throne, carved from a massive piece of coral, its intricate details a testament to the craftsmanship of its creators.
Nyi Roro Kidul ascended the throne, her movements graceful and fluid, like a dancer swaying to an unseen rhythm. She gestured for me to approach, her eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
"You possess a rare gift, Xian Ying," she said, her voice echoing through the chamber. "A gift that has been dormant for far too long."
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I want to unleash my full potential," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want to understand my powers and use them for good."
Nyi Roro Kidul smiled, a warmth radiating from her that belied the chilling depths of her underwater kingdom. "Then you have come to the right place," she said. "For I am the keeper of ancient knowledge, the guardian of hidden truths."
She raised her hand, and a shimmering orb of light appeared above her palm. "This is the Eye of the Unseen," she explained, her voice echoing with power. "It is a sacred artifact, passed down through generations of the Unveiled. It is the key to unlocking your true potential."
I stared at the orb, mesmerized by its ethereal beauty. It pulsed with energy, its light seeming to dance and flicker with an intelligence of its own.
"Are you ready to receive it, Xian Ying?" Nyi Roro Kidul asked, her voice a gentle whisper.
I hesitated for a moment, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. But then I remembered the promise I had made to Hana, the vow to bring justice to her killer. I remembered the faces of my newfound family, their unwavering belief in me.
"Yes," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I am ready."
Nyi Roro Kidul smiled, a warmth radiating from her that seemed to dispel the chill of the underwater chamber. "But when you unleash your power, promise me one thing..."
I looked at her, my heart pounding with anticipation. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Promise me that you will vanquish the whale ghost," she said, her voice suddenly tinged with sadness. "It has been plaguing my kingdom for far too long."
I remembered the sight of the massive black-robed whale soaring through the sky above my grandmother's house.
I nodded solemnly. "I will kill the whale," I vowed.
A warm smile spread across Nyi Roro Kidul's face, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Xian Ying," she said. "I knew I could count on you."
She raised the Eye of the Unseen, its luminescence intensifying. "Now, close your eyes and open your heart," she instructed. "Let the power flow through you."
I obeyed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I could feel the energy emanating from the orb, a tingling warmth that spread through my body like a wave. I felt my senses sharpen, my awareness expanding beyond the confines of the physical world.
Suddenly, a blinding light filled my vision. I gasped, feeling a surge of power coursing through my veins. Images flashed before my eyes: swirling shadows, ancient symbols, and glimpses of a world I had never known existed.
Then, the light faded, and I opened my eyes. The world looked different now, sharper, more vibrant. I could see the subtle energies that flowed through everything, the interconnectedness of all living things.
I looked at my hands, then at Nyi Roro Kidul, who was watching me with a knowing smile.
"Your eyes are unsealed, Xian Ying," she said, her voice filled with pride.
I looked at Nyi Roro Kidul, a wave of uncertainty washing over me. "What now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
I don't feel any different, I thought to myself. It's like nothing has changed.
Nyi Roro Kidul smiled knowingly. "When you leave this place, call your Harbinger and see if there's any change," she suggested.
"I see..." A thought struck me. "Also, what is my Harbinger's name? It said I should call it by its name..."
"That's not quite accurate," she corrected me. "It's not their name, but their power. If you mispronounce it, you won't be able to summon them."
I nodded, absorbing this new information.
"Any more questions before you go?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
I hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been nagging at me since our first encounter. "Are you... one of my ancestors?"
Nyi Roro Kidul looked surprised for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Yes, but not directly," she replied. "What was your ancestor's name again?"
"Wali Ra Kian," I answered.
"Ah, he was my cousin, It's a distant connection, but we do share blood, as well as this magical power."
I nodded, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. "So you're real," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "And the stories... they're not just myths?"
She chuckled again. "Of course not," she replied. "The original story is written on a glyph, hidden away for centuries."
< Chapter 075 > Fin.