After a long and exhausting day, the group—Morpheus, Izar, and Rozimar—sat around a crackling fire, the flames casting dancing shadows on their faces. The quiet night was a welcome reprieve from the chaos they had faced earlier.
Morpheus broke the silence, his voice calm but filled with curiosity:
"What exactly happened during the battle, Rozimar? That sudden surge of power… can you explain it to us?"
Rozimar sighed, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before replying:
"What I displayed is called the Divine Manifestation. It's a transformation that can only be used by those who have reached the Seventh Rank, also known as Quasi-Saints. This rank grants them the ability to temporarily summon this immense power."
Izar leaned forward, his eyes wide with intrigue:
"Wait, so what happens when someone reaches the Eighth Rank?"
Rozimar continued, her tone steady:
"At the Eighth Rank, the Divine Manifestation becomes a permanent part of their being, earning them the title of Saint. And as for the Ninth Rank… they are known as Exalted Saints. At that level, they no longer need the manifestation, as their very existence becomes divine."
Morpheus pondered her words for a moment before asking:
"But how were you able to achieve this power if you haven't reached the Seventh Rank yet?"
Rozimar met his gaze, her expression serious:
"It's because of the mark I received from the Mother of All Knowledge. The mark allows me to access a tiny fragment of her divine power."
Izar's jaw dropped as he blurted out:
"The Mother of All Knowledge? You mean the celestial being known for her unmatched wisdom?"
Rozimar nodded and continued:
"Yes. During my previous journey, I was blessed with her mark. It's incomplete, but it's enough to allow me to use the Divine Manifestation once per encounter."
She paused, her gaze dropping to the flames, as if recalling a painful memory. Then, in a quieter tone, she added:
"However, there's a cost. If I try to use the Divine Manifestation more than once within a short period… it will drain my soul entirely, and I will die."
A heavy silence fell over the group, her words painting a grim picture of the risks involved.
Morpheus stared at the fire, his mind racing:
"So that's why Rozimar has been given such special attention. Receiving a mark from an entity like the Mother of All Knowledge isn't just a blessing—it's a responsibility."
Breaking the silence, Izar spoke with his usual lighthearted tone, though it was tinged with nervousness:
"So, let me get this straight… if you use this power again, there's a chance we might all die, right?"
Rozimar shot him a cold glare and replied flatly:
"Exactly. So don't put me in a position where I have to use it again."
Morpheus chuckled softly and said:
"Izar, I think you've just found another reason to stay out of trouble."
Rozimar allowed herself a faint smile, but her expression quickly turned serious again as she added:
"Regardless, we need to be more cautious moving forward. The Divine Manifestation isn't a power I can rely on freely, and I can't guarantee I'll be able to activate it again in our next battle."
Morpheus looked at her with steady confidence and said:
"Don't worry, Rozimar. We won't let anything push you to your limit again. This journey is our responsibility, together."
A sense of calm and mutual trust settled over the group, even as the mysteries surrounding the mark and the Mother of All Knowledge lingered in their minds. They knew the challenges ahead would be even greater, but for now, they were ready to face them as one.
---
After two days of rest and relaxation at their camp, something had shifted among the group. Their bond had grown stronger, their camaraderie deeper. Morpheus couldn't help but notice the change—he felt a strange but welcome warmth, a sense of belonging.
Sitting by the fire Izar had lit, Morpheus quietly observed his companions. Izar was trying—and failing miserably—to roast meat without burning it, while Rozimar teased him with sharp-witted remarks. The laughter between them was infectious, a rare moment of levity in their otherwise perilous journey.
For the first time in a long while, Morpheus felt something he thought he had lost:
"I'm… not as alone as I used to think," he reflected. "These people aren't just allies in battle… maybe they're becoming my family."
Izar's loud exclamation interrupted his thoughts:
"Morpheus! Where's your head at? I almost burned my hand because of this meat, and you didn't even warn me!"
Morpheus smirked and replied dryly:
"Maybe I was too busy marveling at your incompetence."
Rozimar burst into laughter, clapping her hands:
"Finally! You're learning to give it back to him. I think our friendship is finally paying off."