With hearts sated, bellies full, bodies and minds exhausted after a day of tension and a night of horror, each was mercilessly overcome by sleep.
My companions ascended straight to the fifth heaven.
This time, even i partook of the sumptuous meal—prepared with the gourmet proficiency i honed in my dreams, and seasoned with an epiphanic catharsis.
Fortunately, despite my oneiric constitution denying me appetite—that is, forever depriving me of the finest seasoning: hunger—I can still savor a dish for the sensations that sometimes compel one to eat even when already full.
"Ahh~"
Just like this cup of black gold in my hands.
"Coffee~"
Savoring another swallow of the sweet, unsweetened brew, i felt ready to resume contending with Life.
Beginning with my rune page.
===
[Lyrical Soul Manifestation].
Ability Description: [Your soul manifests the form of your heart: ???]
===
Well… that's inconvenient.
'My 'soul frost' vanished along with the tears…'
Hmm… let's stay positive:
'Thus, i need not continue suffering…'
Now… what to do?
'Hm…'
First, let's be less timid?
'After all, i've earned some warrior's confidence over these weeks.'
I summoned half of my consciousness, which had been sent to meditate in the Sea of Soul, and then "awoke."
Opening my eyes, i looked upon my sleeping companions:
My demure friend—Cassia—lay close by, at peace. She smiled faintly in rest, her angelic beauty's subtle—breath-stealing—charm exalted;
My radiant friend—Nephis—stood a little farther off, slumped against the trunk of the Soul Devouring Tree. Her serene face spoke of beauty and vulnerability;
My shadowy friend—Sunless—lay slightly apart, a rare peace upon him. Perhaps he could die content after tasting his first demon-steak so exquisitely prepared.
I approached his shadow:
"Do not trouble to awaken your master when the birds arrive. They will not perch upon the Ashen Barrow."
A smile curved my lips.
"I shall scale Terror to settle some family matters, and return in a few hours."
In reply, he waved his hand, conveying:
"Okay, but take care. Leave the fool and his friends to me."
I inclined my head in gratitude and slipped away with silent discretion. Leaving the group behind, i began my pilgrim's ascent up the monumental trunk.
…
The first stretch proved the hardest, for i had nothing firm to grasp.
Simply reaching the tree's initial branches demanded considerable effort—and mindful caution that tempted me to suspend my split mind entirely, to focus solely on clutching every protrusion and crack in the smooth bark.
Yet i refused to halt the twisting of my mind toward ever-greater multitasking. For what i yearned of it could only be achieved by diligent, measured attention.
'In any case, i am growing accustomed.'
The first branches were as broad as roads. I drew a deep breath, letting the morning air fill my lungs with freshness.
'But, truly…'
To convert oneiric essence into oxygen and adenosine triphosphate—to nourish the body directly and become, in effect, tireless.
'… how convenient, this [Unreal] Innate Ability.'
The high wind moved through blood-red leaves, proclaiming a serene, welcoming melody.
And as sunbeams pierced the obsidian-black canopy, the panorama from above was simply breathtaking.
I exhaled in awe, enchanted by the grandeur of it all.
…
'There was something about "not looking down when perilously suspended where a fall would be simply fatal," right? Yes, there certainly was.'
I climbed ever higher… ever farther from the ashen-sand ground below…
'Tch… I feel i am wasting the chance to make some… "jest"…'
…
The sixth tier's awakened wood labyrinth formed of wide, sturdy branches sprawling chaotically in every direction.
Some twisted, others crossed, and amid it all, thick foliage blocked sight of "whatever it is you seek."
…
Encouraged, i pressed on in search of El Dorado.
…
Time crawled. I watched myself—outside my Sea of Soul—scale the glossy black wall with intuition and tireless persistence—miles from the safety of ground… ground that was, in truth, anything but safe.
…
After a long while, Ariandel finally suspected he had climbed high enough to resume his quest.
No one knew exactly how long he had ascended the monumental obsidian-wood wall, but the sight of branches—now far narrower—indicated the Artisan of Fantasy stood closer to the tree's summit than to anything else.
Stepping onto another branch in yet another attempt, he looked left and right with attention and patience.
Suddenly, his handsome face shifted subtly.
He had been struck by a certain oddness.
His smooth, determined features—accentuated by luminous brown skin and framed by wavy white hair—expressing—
"Why am i narrating in the third person?"
"And… what is with all this self-admiration!"
"I… how… Oh! I… how embarrassing…"
Twisting in mortification and fighting the warmth in my cheeks, i reclaimed my reason.
I moved away from the great tree's trunk and followed along another branch, which swayed gently underfoot.
Then i leaped to another—and another… Thus, i joined the melody sung by leaves and wind, adding my own rhythm to their rustle.
Along the way, several smooth, black fruits gleamed in my mirrored golden eyes, but i passed them without a second glance—after all, i felt no hunger.
Only when the branches beneath me were as thin and brittle as those of an ordinary tree did i finally glimpse the very oddity i had sought.
It lay just above, to the left: a blood-red thicket, thick and lit by a solemn glow—among twisted branches as if bearing something weighty.
I watched for seven minutes, letting the scene paint itself upon my heart—and so give form to the ineffable that dwelt within me.
My expression remained serene, yet i felt something precious burn softly in my gaze.
Leaning briefly, i pushed myself up and to the left.
Along branches rising and falling to my steps, i advanced with confident grace.
Then i vaulted across the fatal void and seized a higher branch.
Hoisting myself upward, i pressed on. I walked calmly to the leafy barrier and forced my way through.
My desire and will carried me to the obstruction's final layer.
I took the last step forward.
And thus, what i sought unveiled before me.
[Seventh Relic of the Tear of Fantasy: Terminus Est — conceptual image restored.]
[Manifest the Spirit of the Sword?]