Rael and The Art of Creation

[A Day Later…]

"Ughhhh~"

'Is she finally awake?'

I gained control of my body about 12 hours ago, so instead of just wasting time, I cultivated. I cultivated like crazy! The red orb floating in my body or soul—the specifics didn't matter—was the brightest red I'd ever laid my eyes on. To me, this meant I was about to reach the Red Stage, which was perfect! The prospect of reaching the next level had fueled my determination, and I'd poured every ounce of my focus into it.

Anyway, Selene slowly got up, catching my attention. She looked groggy, her movements sluggish, but it was a relief to see her stir. I walked toward her, reaching out my hand to help her off the ground and ensure she was okay.

"T-Thanks," she said, her usual energy noticeably absent—which made sense, given everything we'd been through.

"No problem, Sele~," I replied, trying to inject some levity into my voice.

Hearing my words, she paused, and I couldn't tell if it was a good or bad sign. 'I was just trying to lighten the mood… I hoped it worked.'

My thoughts spiraled with worry that she might not like the idea of me calling her that when, as far as I knew, only her best friend did. From what I'd seen, it was only Kyoko who called her that, but I realized I didn't know much about her yet. That thought stung a little. We'd been through so much together already, and yet, there was still so much about her life that felt like a mystery to me.

"I like that!" she said enthusiastically, pulling me forward by the hand she was holding and hugging me.

'What the? How the hell did we get here?!' My face heated up instantly. I could feel the blood rushing to it! I wasn't expecting this at all!

"Now, I need to think of a name for you. Hmm… Aha! Ra! What do you think?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Ra?"

'Wasn't that the sun god in Egyptian mythology? Would he like that? I mean, Izanami did say there was an Egyptian Pantheon.' I thought about it, but surely a god as famous as Ra wouldn't be so petty. Besides, it was just a nickname; not like I was taking his whole identity!

I wrapped my arms around her. I didn't want her to feel awkward, and she was showing a great deal of trust by being this close to me. The holding hands were forced due to the situation, but this was a genuine hug!

"I spoke with the wyvern." I started explaining what happened when she passed out.

"T-That thing could speak?!"

"Yeah. Scared the shit out of me!"

"Pfft~, I bet it did! From someone who was in such a sheltered family."

"Hidden family!"

"Yeah, yeah~! What did it say?"

"It said that the next trial is the last and hardest one."

"Really? H-How come?" She sounded quite nervous but failed to remember one thing.

"I don't think you should be so nervous. Unlike with the wyvern, we're both nearly fully recovered except for slight physical injuries."

"Yeah, but I'm sure it took that into account, right?" she offered a valid counterpoint.

I paused. I didn't really have anything to counter her words, but that didn't make me any more nervous. If I got nervous here, it would only make hers worse, and then our performance would drop!

"Who cares either way! We just need to survive and go reunite with the other two!" Confidence oozed out of me. I don't know why, but it was just coming to me naturally.

'Maybe having a better understanding of my abilities has helped more then I thought?' I didn't think it was ridiculous, but I didn't have any evidence to truly prove anything.

"Hey, Ra."

"Yeah?"

She looked at me while retreating from the hug.

"Shouldn't we be going to the last trial by now?"

"..."

The world flickered. A single heartbeat, and the landscape around us transformed. The sky, now painted in hues of gold and cerulean, seemed at odds with the heavy foreboding in the air. The obelisk loomed larger than before, its smooth surface catching the sunlight yet casting an unnaturally dark shadow beneath it. My skin prickled as a soft breeze carried the scent of dew and something faintly metallic. 

In the convergence of light and shadow, where reflections distort and truths emerge, they must walk separate paths yet reach the same destination. What was bonded must now face division. Will the union withstand the void?

"What?" Confusion escaped me.

Sele turned toward me, just as tense as I was feeling; It was written all over her face even if her voice sounded nonchalant.

"What's wrong?"

I glanced at her. "The dragon said we must defeat the Dragon in Blue and the army it commands." I pointed at the obelisk and continued, "However, this says something opposite unless you know something I don't?"

"Um? Maybe it isn't really a blue dragon but something else!"

She had my attention.

"Perhaps, it's a kind of force or energy."

I nodded, but that explanation still felt strange. 'Why would the wyvern mention a blue dragon if there wasn't really one? It didn't make sense!'

"Does it matter though, Ra? We just need to stick toget-?!"

"Sele!"

She vanished from my sight! For no apparent reason, she was gone.

'What the hell happened?!' I turned back to the obelisk and re-read the riddle.

"Fuck!"

'What the hell am I supposed to do?! I had confidence in us working together, but if we had to be alone, then shit!'

My thoughts were hectic. I nervously scratched my head, unable to move an inch. I wasn't nearly ready enough to face such a challenge by myself, and I knew it. However, I also couldn't cry and whine like a baby, that just wasn't me. I could only go forward and try my best!

'I'm sure she'll do the same, and I can't let her down! Not after all the stuff we've been through in such a short amount of time!'

I thought back through everything. It wasn't like there was much of a time gap. She's helped me understand this world quicker than I would've alone. She didn't know that, but she didn't need to; I owed her a huge favor for everything she's done!

I clenched my fists, determination surging through me as I stared at the obelisk before me. Wherever she was teleported to, I had to believe she felt the same.