The Inner Odyssey

Alden's stomach fell.

He gripped his bedsheets tightly, his entire being radiating a flood of angst and worry.

'Ignia…'

He tried to call out through their shared bond. However, there was no response.

Alden's alarm deepened.

There was no way his precious familiar had died, right?

Heartbroken wouldn't even begin to describe what would happen to him if it was true.

There was also Alistair as well.

Did he fall in the battle against the three Dark Elves?

Alden gritted his teeth, refusing to assume the worst. He forced himself to take a deep breath and wait for Cece's explanation.

"Ignia isn't dead…"

Alden sensed a 'but' in her tone.

Sure enough, a moment later, Celeste's next words proved him right.

"She seems to be in a deep coma. She is still breathing. However, she doesn't respond to any stimulus. I think this may be her body's way of recovering the flame essence it expended."

She gave her report exactly like a medical professional would.

Alden's worry lessened slightly.

As long as there was no immediate danger of Ignia losing her life, he could find it within himself to be patient and wait for her to wake up. He didn't know long she would take, though.

What if his precious little bird took weeks to heal?

Months?

Maybe even years, if he wanted to go to the extreme.

Alden shook his head and sighed. Thoughts like these would do him no good.

All he could do was pray and hope his baby familiar didn't stay comatose for too long.

'I miss you already, little one.'

Placing a lid on his sadness for now, Alden waited for Celeste to continue. He saw a brief flicker of despondence flash across her face, and he realised that she probably felt guilty that Ignia had protected her.

"It's not your fault."

He spoke with a gentle voice.

Celeste snapped out of her reverie.

She shot him a grateful yet slightly embarrassed look before composing herself.

"Thank you. As for your question about Dad, he's fine. Just bruised up."

A surge of relief flowed through Alden at the good news. His body sagged back. He was very glad to hear that his adoptive father was fine.

Losing him and Ignia at the same time would have been an extremely bitter pill to swallow.

One… he wasn't sure he could handle.

In any case, the fact that the Guildmaster had survived was a testament to his strength. Fending off three Experts by himself was an impressive feat. And while Alden had done something similar in his battle against the three scouts, the two situations weren't comparable.

Firstly, because he had only fought two of the three sentries at the same time, while Alistair had most likely faced the full brunt of the corrupted trio.

And secondly, because a clash between Experts was much more dire and troubling. Not only were they stronger - as evidenced by Alistair causing cracks to run through the ground from a single stomp - but Alden was sure they also had a bigger and stronger magic arsenal as well.

He stared at the ceiling of his room for a moment. Then, he felt for his left eye and discovered an eyepatch covering it.

"About your eye…"

Alden slowly sat up to gaze at this precious love. She held a stern expression on her face.

It was as if she was about to scold him for being so reckless.

'I probably deserve it.'

He chuckled to himself.

Mixed in with her seriousness was an undertone of worry and vulnerability.

"The damage caused to your eye was quite severe. Since it's such a complicated organ, I couldn't fully heal it with my powers and knowledge. I debated whether to hire a better healer, but I thought I'd leave that decision up to you once you wake up. You should be able to use your eye again, but I couldn't restore all the damage, so your vision will never be the same."

"Would you like to hire someone better to heal your eye?"

She asked pensively.

Alden could see in her eyes that she was hopeful he would accept her offer.

He sighed.

"No need. I'll keep the eyepatch."

He saw her expression fall, silently wondering why he had refused to be healed.

"It'll be a reminder."

Alden allowed his lips to curl into a ghost of a smile.

"So that I don't act so recklessly again."

He left unsaid, that it would also serve as a reminder to remain calm and not panic like he had done back in the forest. Consequently, it was also a reminder of all the deaths he had caused.

He gritted his teeth, letting the storm of emotion inside him die out. Celeste accepted his answer with a defeated sigh and a shake of her head.

Alden could tell he had put her through a lot.

From the negotiation with Drakon a month ago, to his leaving the Sanctuary and the battle against the Dark Elves… they had experienced a lot.

Conversely, this was also the first real chance they had to talk with each other alone. Alden intended to make full use of that. He knew what he had in mind was a risky way to start the heart-to-heart, but Alden wanted to gauge her reaction.

"What do you think of the Asterons?"

***

Celeste blinked.

"I think they are mighty beings who have saved our race from utter doom."

She hedged.

"Why do you ask?"

The young lady found it very strange that Alden had asked such a question.

Was he having second doubts about making a pact with his Sponsor?

Alden thought for a moment.

He seemed to be putting in extra effort with how he phrased his next words. She wondered idly why that was the case.

Couldn't he just say what he wanted straightforwardly?

Why did he feel the need to dance around the topic?

"What would you say if someone told you that the Asterons weren't as benevolent as they first seemed?"

"I would say that the affairs of these divine beings are none of our concern as mortals."

She said without hesitation.

"You still haven't answered my earlier question, though."

Celeste frowned subtly.

"I'm just curious. You know me and my paranoia."

Alden replied smoothly.

Unconvinced, she was just about to press Alden for more. However, just then, a knock resounded from the door.

"Come in."

Alden called out.

Celeste turned around to see her mother and father entering the room. The latter had a myriad of bandages all over his figure.

"Dad! You shouldn't be moving around!"

She hurriedly stood up. Her frown deepened.

"This is important."

The Guildmaster replied with a wince.

He shared a brief but conflicted look with his wife, and Celeste's unease deepened.

Then, her father turned to face Al.

"Son… you have been summoned."

'By who?'

Judging from her love's facial expression, she and Alden had had the exact same thought.

Celeste saw Alistair take a deep breath.

His next words reaffirmed the gravity of the situation.

"The Keeper of the End has requested your presence."