As the adrenaline within me slowly ebbed away, I groaned in agonizing pain.
'Crap!'
I tried to rise to my feet, despite the world of pain that I was currently in, and it was then that I heard it.
"..."
The spell. It resounded in my mind.
[You have slain an awakened aemon, Demogorgon.]
[You have received an Arcane Relic: Forgotten Blade.]
[...Your darkness grows stronger.]
In that instant, a deep frown marred my features.
I wasn't quite sure before, but now, I was very much certain that this was an Arcane Ascension. But… doesn't that mean the cursed land was meant for my Arcane Trial.
"That would also explain the rewind by death ability."
But, that was very much unlike what one would and should expect from an Arcane Trial. After all, my Arcane Trial was probably a thousand times more difficult than it was supposed to be.
And the reason for that, I wasn't sure of. But, I had a feeling I would find out, sooner or later.
I exhaled deeply.
"I just hope I do."
But, if this is an Arcane Ascension, doesn't that mean-
"Hey, you okay kid?"
It was then that a voice interrupted my thoughts.
I raised my head, and upon seeing who it was, I shrugged.
"I can manage."
Aezel nodded before walking towards the blind girl, probably in an attempt to pacify her.
The blind girl shivered as though enclosed in a world of cold.
"Is it over?" she questioned
Aezel nodded.
"Yes, you don't have to be scared."
'Not anymore…'
Aezel smiled as he caressed her silk-like hair. A beaming smile crept up her face as she buried her face in his chest, her pupils now devoid of the intense fear and anguish they once held.
I shifted my gaze away, mostly because seeing them being so intimate in this wretched land of nightmares, rubbed me in the wrong way.
Or perhaps, it was because of something else entirely…
Step. Step.
A subtle sound echoed into my ears. I turned in an instant only to catch a glimpse of,
"Good job earlier."
Mia.
Seems like she's dismissed her armor back into her soul sea. I noted.
Despite the pain I was in, I grinned sheepishly.
"Just a few tricks. Nothing worth mentioning."
And that was indeed the case. Compared to the role that she'd played, mine wasn't that significant. But, nevertheless, it was still an important role.
…Though I also knew that without her, there was no way we could have survived.
Mia nodded and fell silent once again.
She sat on the floor and closed her eyes, as though in a meditative state. And before I knew what was going on, a bright incandescent flame erupted from within her, slowly covering her pores and every single part of her body.
In that moment, I froze, as if immobilized by invisible chains.
Staring at the crimson haired lady, I felt as though I was staring down my… counterpart, yet at the same time, my nemesis.
'Weird.'
I tilted my head to the left, my eyes squinting in amusement.
Despite the weird situation, I was still able to maintain my calm. However, as if to make matters worse, the chaotic blue flame was violently crashing against the walls of my mind.
It was seething furiously, as though to jump out of my body. But considering the fact that I had no idea of what would happen if it did so, I forced it to calm down. Although unwilling, it seemed to have no other choice than to listen to me.
'For now anyway…'
Eldritch beings, after all, weren't 'famous' for being loyal.
Seeing that the blue flame had calmed down, I let out a light breath.
"Huu..."
But, I was still confused, what could Mia possess that could agitate the all-powerful flame to such an extent?
I pondered hard on it, yet no matter how hard I pondered, I wasn't able to find an answer to it. And to make matters worse, it wasn't like I could go before her and ask her about such things.
"Not when we were still strangers."
I sighed deeply, deciding to shove the thoughts into the depths of my mind. What other choice did I have?
I shifted my gaze towards Mia, and right before my very own eyes, I saw her various wounds begin to heal up, her pale expression regaining its previous bright, charming lustre.
"...!"
I stared at her, mouth agape, eyes filled with incredulity and disbelief.
'H-how?'
I found it hard to believe that such an ability existed. More importantly however was, what was the flaw she paid in return for such an ability?
A frown marred my features.
"Just what more is she capable of?"
I couldn't help but wonder. In that moment though, the scowl on my face deepened.
...Here I am, incapable of handling a single nightmarish creature.
I exhaled in exasperation.
"What kind of crappy body is this?"
With a light exhalation, I decided not to think about it. After all, the more I thought about it, the more the seed of inferiority and jealousy burned within me.
"Aah…"
I closed my eyes, allowing my body to fall to the cold, dark floor. Though, upon realizing that I was a little bit too close to the window and therefore the… dark mist, I shifted a little bit farther away.
Creak!
Thinking about the dark mist, I couldn't help but shudder instinctively, especially after recounting my encounters with the endless horrors lying beneath it.
I closed my eyes, thoughts drifting, and before long, darkness came in its full glory, or so I made them think.
However, not to my surprise, they did nothing. And, before long, everyone was asleep. Everyone except… Mia.
The blind girl rested on Aezel's chest who leaned against the wall, fast asleep. Mia on the other hand, sat in a corner, her face unreadable as she stared at the vast expanse of darkness.
Though it was dark, I could still see everything around me with abysmal clarity, as though I were one with the darkness.
I did nothing but stare at her for a long time, my heart pounding in my chest, before I finally spoke:
"Can I ask you a question?"