Th bracelet shined as if calling to me. Then I looked at Dante and I thought that he also see what I see. But to make sure…
"Hey Dante, that one shines for me." As I pointed to the bracelet.
"Interesting… My partner definitely gave you a help. But are you sure kid?"
Without hesitation I nodded.
He smiled and handed me the bracelet.
"Well then. That bracelet is yours kid. Also, hide that necklace for now. We don't want that to be taken away by the collectors of the organization."
"Before we start, do you know what spirit is inside of the artifacts?"
"No. As I said earlier, we just speculate what will be the spirit is. If you called upon it without trying the trial by them, they will try to kill you. Be mindful of that. Anyways, we start by calling out their name."
He then stands up on the floor and reached out on one of his pockets. He raised his hand and chanted.
"Come forth! Titan spirit: Verithra!"
Just like sofia, his artifact as well! Then the light transformed into a giant serpent creature. It's length is around 3 meters. Along the back has spikes that runs down on the center. Each end of the spikes emit light and dims, one after another. As if pulsating. The face shows that of a snake. 2 legs in front, and non on the back. The tail is covered in what looks like sparkling mist? Or something like that.
The chant was a success and the spirit coiled up and finally looked at me.
"This, kid, is my partner. Verithra. It is also the one who wanted to help you. I do not why, but it's eager to lend you a hand which is rare. Besides, I also choose which individuals will have been granted a guide by this fellow."
*Hisss
The creature, or rather, Verithra, hissed at me as if agreeing with dante.
"If you can use verithra's power of fate, then why won't you do this to everyone? I mean, if you have the power to choose which path is the best for someone, wouldn't it be better?" I said.
Then I realized that there is a catch here. In many novels and mangas, such broken abilities have a catch.
Dante sees my face that understood there will be a price.
"As you can guess, there is a price to pay. Verithra here is what you think as retainer of a great spirit known as the bringer of fate. This guy borrows it's strength to use it to others. There are 2 rules on using it's power. The first one, it cannot use that ability to itself. The second one is the payment for using the power of fate. Verithra has to pay the price itself for giving guidance to others."
I see. Verithra's ability is very useful but the cost is also very expensive as well.
"But why Verithra has to sacrifice itself for the better of the world? Can't it just be like unable to move for a whole month or something?"
Yes, why is it so costly? I mean, why would helping others be a curse to the user? I might as well just not use it then. And why is it helping me of all people?
"According to the scriptures, fate and destiny of humans are supposed to be for us to find. Not to be told by others. That is why using Verithra's ability is so harsh on itself. It basically gives you the best choice to make. It supposed to be longer and larger than this, but it became smaller and smaller as it uses its ability for me. And which is why I rarely let it be used."
I nodded. Seeing your partner dying is something I don't want to see myself.
"I apologize for making it use it's power to me. I do not know why you put faith on me but, I will not let you down."
"Good…. Enough of the sad part. I need you to make a bond with the spirit inside first. Then once you bonded, call it here."
Then dante started to guide me on how to connect with the astral artifacts. He gave pointers as to what I should expect, how the spirit will act and other kind of stuff.
Soon, I prepared myself.
I closed my eyes and did as what he said. Focus on the bracelet, and chanted.
( O spirit bound by star and stone, keeper of secrets, fate unknown, I seek thy trial fierce and true, through the shadows and stars, I come before you.)
Then I entered the inside of the bracelet. Before me is the spirit dwelling within. I can tell that this thing in front of me is the spirit. But something is wrong here. A giant rock stood. A 10 meter tall boulder.
"I have come here to seek your trial."
The rock rumbled. It soon had cracks as it turned to a 5 meter tall human with its body as a rock. It has the look of a knight. I can't see the behind but it has armor on? Or rather is it part of its body? Anyways, it started doing something.
Standing still, it nodded. It raised its hands and rocks started to come together and form a shield and lance on them.
What the hell am I supposed to do here?
But it also show signed of asking what weapon I should use. I get it now. I need to prove that I have enough strength to overcome it's trial. I am not sure, but that seems to be the case here.
I mean what trial it would be when it created a shield and lance? But I have an idea.
"A shield." I said.
It nodded and created a shield made of rocks. I grabbed it and I failed to held it in the air. The damn thing is heavy! I need to pull this out of ground.
Then it started to run. It ran fast and just in time, pulled the shield on to my front and prepared to take the damage. I anticipated the damage but nothing happened. Or rather, the footsteps is on my side now. It swayed to the side!
It ran around me as if checking out my body. Then I saw that it was a centaur like spirit! It has 4 legs! The upper torso is close to the center front.
Then it charged at me. I then waited for it to come very close. And the spirit with its lance and shield on front, charged faster towards me.
I waited with bathed breath. I close my eyes, praying my plan to work out.
Soon, I opened my eyes and just in time, I ducked and pushed my shield to the legs. It is very heavy. Like I am pushing a boulder here.
I failed. And it ran behind and charged again to me. I tried to dodge again but it attacked my shield. Or rather seperated it from me. I am scared now.
It charged, I dodge by rolling on the side. We repeated this several times until I am exhausted. But the spirit did not seem tired whatsoever.
It charged again, and I, who have no strength left, watched as the lance aim to my head hit me.