Each one has their own stories and quite amazing at that. One is used for war, the second one was used to heal people, and the last one brought peace to what place it was in. But something else is bothering me.
"Hey dante, you said that the organization keeps these astral artifacts. How come you keep these ones?" I asked.
He looked at me and laughed. His face basically saying that he can't believe what I asked.
"Hahahahaha! Kid, just think of me as a hoarder okay? And besides, others also hide any astral artifacts that they deem powerful. Well, that's what I can only tell you for now." He said.
"Another question is, how do you guys know what spirit inhabits these artifacts?"
"Well, we based it off the stories and legends that relates to them and do some cross match to check any facts. If you ask if these artifacts were used by native tribes, then possibly they use them. Many tribes that were encountered do rituals and rites to summon the spirits. They offer variety offerings and left it inside the dungeons or ritual sites. They technically don't bond with the spirits, they only seek to ask for guidance on them."
"So you guys just steal them away?"
"We can if we clear their trials. And many of the tribes has astral artifacts with them. I do not know how they have a lot but, they are powerful even for some of us. Anyway kid, pick one."
I silently nodded. Now, I have to choose which one of them. Or even, atleast one of them.
Seeing me contemplating, he talked to me.
"If you are having a hard time choosing which one, let me help you. Give me both your hands."
He grabbed my hands and said something inaudible. Then my hands shined dimly blue.
"Be thankful for what I did. I lent you some power of my partner to you for easier choosing."
I have no idea what that is!
"Dante, what did you specifically mean by helping me?"
"Kid, my partner is close to a spirit of fate. What I did is basically give you the string of fate for which one of them is the best."
"But I only see blue shining in my hands."
"Hmmm… I guess you are not yet used to these kind of things. Well, it is hidden right now for you. But others can see these strings as well, once you achieve certain level, you will see it too. Also close your eyes. Let your heart choose which one."
"Got it." I just agreed. Without thinking much of it, I started to close and focused on my hands.
"Good. Now, empty your mind and let the fate decide for you."
I did as what were told. I emptied my thoughts. For a while, the sounds started to quiet down. The bustling city, cars passing, the wind started to disappear.
Then, before I knew it, I was in a foggy place. I looked around and all I saw is the fog. I started to feel like I am lost. All I know was that dante asked me to close my eyes and empty my thoughts. Once I recall what happened, I calmed myself down.
Then deja vu started to come over me for some reason. Like I have been here before. I started to walk straight.
I do not know how long I have been walking, but I started to get bored of seeing endless fogs.
'Is this something dad left me?' I said to myself.
Then without hesitation, I ran. I checked earlier when walking if I could get tired, but nope! I didn't.
For possibly countless hours, I ran. And I saw it. A huge tree. The word huge or enormous is an understatement to this! I saw a hope so I started to run faster as I get close to it. Then slowly stopped when I saw how huge it is!
Then I started to speculate what is this? Based on novels and mythology this is possibly a or the world tree. I don't even see the end of it!
While looking up, I checked how thick this tree is. I just walked around it which seemed forever! Like I can't even see the curve when upclose. But I continued.
For a while, I thought,
' is this what dante gave me?'
Then that was interrupted when I saw a huge hole on this tree's trunk. The hole was not created cleanly. The light only pass through only in certain distance. Then I thought that this is not proper. It's not like someone drilled through. It's more like, clawed ou-
Then I heard a loud growl from the hole!
(GRRRR!!!)
The thunderous roar shakes the very tree and everything around me. That roar gave me shivers. I can't move. I felt weak to this creature.
Then it started to walk. And the footsteps seems to get closer and closer. I know that the moment that thing shows up or can be seen, I am dead.
Then my knees gave up and I tried to pull myself up. I failed. Many things run through my mind. Is this really not reality? Did I not got teleported somewhere? If this were to be a dream of sorts, what would happen when I die here?
Then I remember that I still have mom waiting for me. As well as sofia who would scold me to death. Well, technically, I am dead by then but still!
I gritted my teeth and tried to get up. I still failed. Everytime I hear the footsteps, I gain more fear and strength. Yet I still could not stand up.
I tried for what seems to be forever until I got my left leg stood up. I am in a kneeling position. Then I realized that the fog crept up to me. On front of me, I heard it. The breath in front of me. I faced the white ground. In fear of it.
The creature that possibly made this huge tree it's home. The one where the sound came from. The grim reaper that will claim another life.
I gathered the courage to look up and saw 2 glistening eyes looking at me. But for some reason, I felt comfortable looking at the thing. As if all the suffering I had earlier were just my own thoughts.
The creature's eyes are red as ruby. The fog is so thick, I cannot see the outline of the body of this creature. Only it's eyes that pierces through this thick fog. Then I felt that it said something to me.
(Go back.) Is what it seems to tell me.
(I am still ##@&%*.)
(&*'_\¥ the b<4€\3t.)
(-i-— —- mine)
(B&* for now)
Each time it tells something, my head hurts. Then I saw it leaving.
The ground below me broke and there, I saw the darkness.
Then I opened my eyes and breathe. Gasping for air. Dante saw that as worried.
"Kid! Are you fine?! What happened?!" He said as he checked my body.
"I am fine. Just saw something." I said as I checked my surroundings.
I am really back to reality. Or is this just another dream? Either way, I feel like I am back to the real world.
"What did you saw?!" He said sternly.
"Well, I entered a white place filled with fog. Then I saw a huge tree. Like very huge, you cannot even see the end of it. Then I saw a spirit I presume? But I cannot see the body. Just the eyes. Then I fell when the ground broke and I came back here!"
Shocked by what I said, Dante checked something by holding my hand and deemed me fine and healthy.
"It's good to that you are safe. Besides, you probably think if that creature is one of these 3. No. That is your astral artifact. The one that your dad gave you."
I checked. My neck and saw that necklace. Still the same as before. Nothing unusual really. But still…
'Why did dad gave this to me as a gift? Because I asked for one like his? Or something else? I know dad wish no harm to me. But why?'
"The creature you saw is probably the same one I saw. Luckily, you got out unscathed. Besides, that probably woke up to deal with intruders or something." As he felt relieved from stress.
"Anyways, will you still choose kid? Or will you pick one later?"
He seems worried but really want me to pick one. But I remember the words it said. I don't know what it's trying to say. But I feel like choosing one now. Or rather, I feel like it has to be done now. With that in mind, I spoke to him.
"I choose this one!"