The slowly burning flames gnawed away at my heart and body. Rendering me blind. The magical scenery of a city crafted from cuisine, all flashed by, dissipating into a mere memory.
The scents still lingered however, allowing me to commit it to memory, as well as the most splendorous visage of that Demigod, the divine existence that brought me to this colourful city.
The grand spectacle began to slowly melt away, like a frosty scoop of ice cream running down its sweet waffle cone; escaping its solid form as the heat began to wear it down.
The melting scenery streamed down and puddled into the ground in a discordant mess. Mixing into a bright hodgepodge of colours, intertwining and combining into a single murky hue.
The liquid colours then began to slowly harden, smoothing out like a pane of glass. Each intricate hue becomes sharp and shiny rhomboids. Scattering light across the mosaic surface.
From the edges of the horizon into the centre where I was, light then began to flash creeping in from the far ends until it enveloped me. Flame and all.
The blinding light shattered, akin to glass being hit by blunt force. Cracks cobwebbed across the gem-like ground, taking me with it.
A resonant shattering sound echoed in my mind, my lungs filling with a sharp crisp air all of a sudden. I could feel the still air being roused as the shattering sound continued. Sounds of creaks and cracks slowly emerged as my eyes grew accustomed to the golden-blue hues of moonlight still streaming in through the window.
I looked at my body and noticed that a thin light green dust shed off from my clothes, at my feet there were countless gemlike scales that were a vibrant forest green.
They were thin as butterfly wings, but as solid as stone and as shiny and smooth as glass. I don't know what it was, but I found that it was similar to shedding skin for snakes and other reptiles capable of shedding. Except if that scaled skin was made of gems. Far less disgusting, but as bizarre, however I look at it.
In my honest opinion, I think I've seen enough of anything supernatural for one day. I think I'd like to have a proper sleep this time. Once I have my sleep, I'll be better equipped to deal with all this with a fresh mind.
I looked around the room and then noticed something startling; the chalice was nowhere to be found. I panicked, that chalice was likely very important. Having lost it wasn't too bad for me, but also, it held secrets that I had not yet determined for myself. I'd rather know what it was for and what it could do first before giving it away to the appropriate authorities on supernatural matters.
Which.... By the way, who would that be? I guess technically the churches, Siren did indicate that Cerberus was part of the Church of the Sanctified Flame earlier.
Which reminds me, Ghost is part of the Killing Jokers. I wonder what that means? Oh, well. I'll figure this all out later.
For now, I should focus on myself. I looked around once more and then saw something strange catching my eye at the desk, I walked up slowly to the desk as I noticed that the thing that caught my eye was a piece of snow-white paper on top of the desk. Which was odd, considering that I wouldn't have had the time to write anything, nor did anyone come in here to place that piece of paper there.... Did they?
Feeling confused, I reluctantly picked the sheet up and saw that it was freshly inked. The scent of the ink strongly smelled of lavender.
Peculiar as the scent was, what was more strange was the writing. It resembled no language from this world, more rather.... It was a familiar language to me, a spoken tongue I knew far too well. English.
I let myself be absorbed into the writing, I knew this was likely an important thing. And so, I read.
"Greetings, Zach Albright. Or Nicholas Lei. Whichever you prefer, really. I have no time to speak to you in person, I'm a very busy vessel after all, so I shall address you in writing instead.
Make no mistake. This is not the same world you lived in for the entirety of your life. I place good faith in you that you will find a way to survive until we meet again.
For starters, I shall enlighten you on a few things. Firstly, this world is populated by magic and supernatural powers not unlike the stories you would read back on Earth. Secondly, anyone and anything can gain these powers, of course not without its risks unfortunately.
Thirdly, in my name, I have blessed you with my Lord's benediction and permission. So, you should be safe for the next few days. The remainder of your life afterwards, shall be fraught with danger and chaos.
Please use this time wisely to connect yourself to the world of Luminaries. Become a Gem- Or better yet, a Star. Ensure that your life is secure with your own power.
Lastly, the mystical gift conferred upon you can be accessed through the same incantation you used before. As the gifted of the conferment, you may also render the incantation to be however you please. So long as it points towards you. Do not worry, you shall learn all this in due time.
And as a final word of warning- If you wish to embark on this path, ensure that you understand that it will forever be part of your identity. Perform well, and you shall understand the meaning of the way laid out before you.
Signing out, Naised; Drinkkin of Roy."
I see.... So that chalice was actually the being that called to me back in that strange space.
That makes a whole lot more sense, but I wonder. Where did Naised even go? Why me? Why am I even here?
I have so many questions, but not enough answers. All I know is that I can't let his blessing go to waste. I have to become a Luminary as fast as I can!
I turned around and looked at the floor, the brilliant gemlike items that dropped off of me still lay on the floor. Feeling a strange compulsion to do so- I brushed them up with a broom and pan to scrape the jewels up and stored it away for safekeeping.
They might be useful later on after all.
After cleaning up the mess, for now, I think I should go back to sleep. That's enough being awake in the middle of the night for me. Tomorrow is a new day, and a day I'll get my shit together.