Chapter 10: Treading a New Path
After the darkness subsided, Eric stood in the middle of the room which now looked brighter. A light that slowly erased the shadows that surrounded him, but there was still something haunting behind the calm. The strength he had just received, the weight of the decision, was now welling up within him, but he knew this was only the beginning of a longer journey.
"What happened, Eric?" Celeste's voice broke the silence. She stood behind him, her eyes full of concern, but there was something different in her gaze—a deep curiosity as if she wanted to know more about the changes in Eric.
Eric turned his gaze to Celeste, who was now closer to him. "I feel… freer," he said hoarsely, "as if the weight that had been weighing on my soul had been lifted. But… I know this isn't over yet."
Celeste nodded slowly, realizing that even though Eric felt free from the shackles of the past, there was still much that lurked ahead of them. The world had never been so simple, and the choices Eric had made would shake the fates of many, including her own.
"The path you have chosen is not an easy one," Celeste said, her voice soft but meaningful. "You know that, don't you? Many people will be affected by your decision. We may not see all the consequences yet."
Eric lowered his head, contemplating. "I can't stay stuck in the past, Celeste. But I also know that there's a lot I have to deal with now."
Suddenly, a roar could be heard from a distance, attracting the attention of both of them. The ground beneath them shook again like something was approaching with incredible force.
"What's that...?" Celeste asked, her voice filled with anxiety.
Eric shook his head, feeling the tension creep back into him. The power felt familiar—a threat that came not just from the physical world, but from a darker force, untouched by most.
The mysterious figure that had appeared in the darkness earlier now began to shadow them, drawing Eric and Celeste into a new trial. With heavy steps, Eric readied his sword, ready for whatever was to come.
"Be prepared," Eric warned Celeste, "This isn't just about physical strength. It's about the choices we make and how we deal with them."
However, as they prepared to face the threat, a loud sound boomed, like a scream from a distance.
"Eric Valentinus Everia, do you think that by choosing a new path you can avoid your destiny? Everything that happened was part of a bigger game!"
Suddenly, a large shadow appeared in front of them, a shadow that resembled a human figure, but with an extremely threatening aura—perhaps even more so than any they had ever faced before.
Eric stared at the figure, realizing that this was a bigger test. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The figure laughed loudly, sending tremors shaking the ground beneath them. "I am part of your destiny, Eric. You can choose to change the past, but there is a price you must pay for it. This destiny, which has been outlined by a greater power, will not leave you to it."
Eric gripped his sword tighter, his eyes burning with unwavering determination. "I will not back down. Whatever comes, I will face it."
Celeste stood beside him, even though fear was starting to grip her, there was a sense of courage rising within her. "Eric… what are we facing this time?"
The mysterious figure smiled widely, and with a swift movement, he stepped forward, creating tremendous pressure in the air. "I am not just a threat to you. I am the final test. Your fates will be determined here, in this meeting."
In an instant, the figure disappeared, as if disappearing into its own shadow. However, even though it was no longer visible, Eric felt that the danger was not over.
"Eric, what should we do?" Celeste asked, her voice full of worry.
Eric lifted his head, staring into the darkness that was beginning to envelop them again. "We have to move forward. There is no other choice."
However, before they could go any further, the mysterious figure appeared again, this time with greater power—and in his hand, an ancient artifact that gave off a dark light.
"This is a power that is more than a test," the figure said, his voice deep and quivering. "A power you chose, Eric. A power that comes at a very high price."
Before them, the artifact began to glow with an even more intense light, emitting an incredible energy—something that ordinary minds could not comprehend. In an instant, the space around them twisted again, and everything began to disappear.
With a thunderous roar, the energy coming from the ancient artifact in the mysterious figure's hand grew stronger, creating a wave of pressure that pressed down in all directions. Celeste staggered back, as if under the weight of an invisible force. Eric, despite his tired body, stood firm, his eyes full of determination.
"What do you want?" Eric asked in a louder voice, trying to suppress the tremors shaking the ground beneath them. "Why should I fight this power? What will happen if I choose not to fight?"
The figure laughed, but it was no ordinary laugh. There was something deeper in his voice—an unspoken sadness. "You cannot choose not to fight, Eric. This power is part of your destiny, part of your journey. What you face now is a consequence of the choices you have made."
Eric frowned, sensing something was wrong. "Consequences? What do you mean?"
"When you chose to change the past," the voice flowed as if it knew Eric's every thought, "you chose to change more than just your destiny. You shook the balance that had existed for ages. What you see now is the result of your actions."
Eric gripped his sword tighter. He felt the presence of the figure grow more pressing, but he also knew that he could not back down now. "I will not regret it, even if it means I have to face everything."
"So firm in your choice, Eric Valentinus Everia?" the figure asked in a sharp tone. "Okay, if so, then face your test. Because it's not just about your past. It's about a bigger future, one you may never have imagined."
The figure raised the ancient artifact in his hand, and in an instant, the space around them twisted rapidly, creating a vortex of energy that seemed to want to destroy everything around it. Eric felt himself being pulled into the vortex, his body floating, swaying by the immense power.
But before everything went dark, something inside Eric changed. A power began to emerge from within him—something more than just courage or physical strength. It was a deeper decision, a burning determination to change his destiny.
With all his might, Eric forced himself to hold on, to hold back the vortex of energy that kept trying to pull him in. In an instant, the force stopped. And before him, the mysterious figure stood with an unreadable expression.
"So you chose to stay," the figure said, his tone almost laced with surprise. "You are not just a warrior, Eric. You are someone who can change the course of destiny, even if the price is high."
Eric felt his breath coming out of his chest, his body exhausted, but there was a new strength flowing through him. He knew that even though this journey was not over, he had successfully passed the first major test of his journey. However, he was also aware that many challenges were waiting ahead.
"What happens now?" Celeste asked in a worried voice, her eyes watching Eric intently. "What do we do next?"
Eric stared at the mysterious figure, who now seemed more blurred as if he wasn't fully there. "We're moving forward. There's no turning back."
The mysterious figure raised his hand, and in an instant, a small movement changed the space around them. A dazzling light appeared, turning the dark atmosphere into light. "Remember, Eric Valentinus Everia, your choices will not only affect you. This world, the fate of everyone, is in your hands. You have just begun a journey far greater than you can imagine."
With that, the mysterious figure disappeared, leaving the two of them in deep silence. Eric felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, but he knew that he would not back down. The destiny he had chosen was now his to live.
"Now what should we do?" Celeste asked again, her eyes searching Eric's gaze for answers.
Eric stared ahead, staring at the path that opened up before him. "We'll learn more. We'll prepare ourselves for whatever comes next. I don't know what awaits us, but I'll face it. Together."
With steady steps, they began to walk forward, toward a world filled with uncertainty, but also with new hope. Their destiny was still not fully revealed, and their journey had only just begun.
But while the future is unpredictable, one thing is for sure: Eric will never let himself be trapped in the past again. Their journey to a new destiny, full of sacrifice and hope, has only just begun.
With every step they take, Eric and Celeste feel the world around them changing. The path ahead of them becomes clearer, though dark shadows from the past still lurk, reminding them that the journey is not over.
They stepped out of the dark room, into a vast meadow that stretched out before them. A gentle breeze hit their faces, bringing a fresh air that they had barely felt before. The sun rose slowly on the horizon, giving a warm nuance that enveloped the two of them.
But despite the apparent peace, Eric knows that this peace is only the surface of a much bigger challenge. The path they have chosen to take is full of uncertainty. There is much to face, and not everything will be smooth sailing.
"Are we ready for what's coming?" Celeste asked, her voice a little uncertain. She looked at Eric, whose eyes seemed distant as if contemplating something bigger than their physical journey.
Eric paused and stared up at the sky, contemplating everything they had just been through. "I don't know if we're ready," he replied in a determined voice, "but one thing I do know for sure is that we're not going to back down. Our destiny, our future—it's all in our hands."
Celeste nodded slowly, though there was still doubt in her eyes. "But... after what we've been through, can we change that fate?"
"Destiny is not something that is predetermined, Celeste," Eric said with strong conviction. "Destiny is the result of our choices, of what we choose to do and who we choose to be."
They continued their journey, walking on unknown roads. In the distance, a city began to appear clearly. It was Ferothar, the kingdom that had once been their home. However, this time, it felt different. Ferothar was no longer a place that welcomed them with pride, but a place filled with tension and struggle that they had to face.
As they approached the city gates, Eric felt a weight on his chest. Despite their dark pasts, there was something that tied them to this place—a history they could not forget. And though he knew that their fates were no longer tied to the power or titles they once held, there was much to be done.
"I think we should meet with the people who are still here," Eric said, his voice low but firm. "There is a lot to explain, a lot to do before we can move forward."
Celeste looked at him carefully. "Does that mean we're going to face them—Leon, your father, and whoever else is still involved in this game?"
Eric sighed, his eyes filled with feelings that were hard to describe. "I don't know. But I do know one thing: we can't run from our past. We have to face them and talk to them. And if necessary, we will act. We can't let our destiny be controlled by others."
As they passed through the city gates of Ferothar, the atmosphere that enveloped them was gloomy. There was no warm welcome like before. The streets of the city that were once filled with hustle and bustle now seemed deserted as if the entire kingdom had been frozen by unresolved fear and tension.
But Eric was not afraid. He felt a new strength flowing through him, a determination stronger than ever. Their journey ahead would be full of obstacles, but he was ready to face them all.
"The path we have chosen is not easy," Eric said, his voice firm but confident. "But we must keep going. Because only then can we change our destiny, and the destiny of this world."
Celeste views Eric differently this time—not just as a traveling companion, but as someone who now has a purpose greater than just survival.
"If that's what you choose, Eric, I'll follow you," he said, his voice full of conviction.
With determined steps, they continued their journey into the city of Ferothar, preparing to face the reality that had to be faced—be it facing the past or stepping into a future full of sacrifice and hope.
However, one thing is for sure: their journey has only just begun.
End of Chapter