The forest was silent, the night air cool against my skin. I was just about to step onto the path leading back to the estate when something unusual caught my eye.
A faint, sparkling light flickered through the trees. Then another. And another.
"Will'O'Wisps?" I murmured, narrowing my eyes at the glowing orbs of light that hovered just out of reach. They danced playfully, their movements erratic and unpredictable, as if beckoning me to follow.
I'd read about them in Father's library, in a dusty old tome that detailed the forest's many dangers. Will'O'Wisps were said to guide those they deemed worthy to treasures of untold value—or lead the unworthy to their doom.
For a moment, I hesitated. They could just as easily be a trap as a blessing. But the chance of treasure, of something that could help me grow stronger, was too tempting to ignore.
"Alright," I muttered, steeling myself. "Let's see where this goes."
The wisps flitted through the trees, their light growing dimmer the closer I got, always staying just out of reach. I followed cautiously, keeping my spells ready, my senses sharp.
+++
The path ended abruptly at the edge of a shimmering lake.
The water was impossibly still, its surface reflecting the night sky like a polished mirror. Moonlight danced across the ripples, creating an ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from the lake itself.
The Will'O'Wisps floated above the water, forming a ring of light. And then, as if sensing my presence, they scattered into the air, their glow fading into the night.
"What is this place?" I muttered, stepping closer.
The air grew heavier, thick with mana so dense it was almost suffocating. I could feel it pressing against my skin, seeping into my very bones. This wasn't just any lake.
A deep, resonant voice echoed from the water, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
"Who dares to disturb my slumber?"
The surface of the lake shimmered, and a figure began to rise from its depths. She was unlike anything I had ever seen—a being of pure mana, her form translucent and glowing with an inner light. Her features were regal, almost otherworldly, with long flowing hair that seemed to merge with the water itself.
A Great Spirit.
I froze, every instinct in my body screaming at me to bow, to kneel, to show deference to the being before me. Great Spirits were second only to the Ancient Spirits, who were akin to gods. To stand in the presence of one was to stand before a force of nature itself.
"You..." Her eyes, glowing like twin suns, locked onto me. "A mortal. And yet..."
She drifted closer, her gaze piercing as she studied me. I felt exposed, as if every secret, every thought I had ever had, was laid bare before her.
Her expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then to something I couldn't quite place—respect? Fear?
"You bear the Circle of Infinity," she said, her voice laced with awe. "Such a heaven-defying talent... and yet..."
Her form wavered slightly as she leaned in, her eyes narrowing. "You are not of this world, are you?"
I flinched, my heart racing. How could she know?
"No," she murmured, answering her own question. "You are something far more... dangerous."
"History must be told."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Before I could respond, she extended a hand, and the water around her began to swirl. Images formed within the ripples—visions of a world long past.
++
"In my era," she began, her voice tinged with melancholy, "this world was ruled not by gods, but by men and women who wielded power beyond comprehension. The gods you know were once mortals, their divinity forged through blood, ambition, and sacrifice. But their rise came at a cost."
The images shifted, showing a world consumed by chaos. Great cities crumbled beneath the weight of war. Shadows in the form of devils rampaged across the land, their monstrous forms leaving devastation in their wake.
"Without balance, the devils grew bold, their hunger insatiable. They tore through kingdoms, spreading despair and madness. It was an age of endless strife, where even the strongest fell to ruin."
The visions faded, leaving only the stillness of the lake.
"And now," she said, her gaze returning to me, "I see echoes of that era in you. Llyod Lionheart. You are a catalyst—a force that will change the fate of this world, for better or worse."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I see potential in you," she said simply. "A spark that, if nurtured, could burn brighter than any flame. And because of that, I will grant you a gift."
She raised her hand, and a glowing symbol appeared in the air—a complex, spiraling design that pulsed with raw energy.
"This is [Analyze]," she said. "The power that allowed me to grow into a Great Spirit. With it, you will see the truth of all things—their strengths, their weaknesses, their secrets. But beware: knowledge is a double-edged sword."
The symbol began to drift toward me, its light growing brighter as it neared. "Hold still," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The symbol sank into my eyes, and pain exploded through my skull. It was as if molten fire was being etched into my very soul.
I screamed, clutching my head as the world around me blurred and twisted.
"You will survive," she said, her voice distant. "You are far stronger than you realize."
Through the haze of pain, I heard her murmur one final thing, her tone laced with amusement and a hint of dread.
"This world will change greatly, thanks to a little monster like you."
And then, everything went black.