The Inner Odyssey

'The Keeper of the End?'

Alden paled.

Why did such an existence want to meet him?

Why him specifically?

In the grand scheme of things, he was nothing special. He was just one among many youths in the Sanctuary who aspired to grow stronger.

So why… was he singled out?

Did it perhaps have something to do with his abyssal powers?

He locked eyes with his adoptive father.

"Can you stand?"

The older man asked.

Alden nodded.

From the corner of his eye, he sensed Celeste was about to protest that both of them should be resting. Alden felt fine, though. Whatever Celeste had used to heal him, it had done wonders, taking away pretty much all the pain.

…Of the physical kind, of course.

Emotionally, there was still some lingering torment, but that was another matter for another time.

"A Paladin is waiting outside for you. They will escort you to the Donjon."

The young man sent a grateful nod to the Guildmaster. He hurriedly ran to the bathroom, fixing his bed hair to the best of his ability. He also changed into his usual black compression shirt and sweatpants.

Once Alden ensured he looked presentable enough, he hurried down the stairs.

…It was time for him to make the acquaintance of one of the most important people in the Sanctuary.

***

As they travelled through the snow, Alden mulled over the limited information he knew about the Keeper of the End.

Which… was not much.

They were an existence who sat at the very highest echelon, just marginally above the Four Clans in terms of influence and power. Their gender was unknown, but it was a commonly agreed consensus that they were the de facto leader of the Sanctuary - after all, High Command was composed of both the Keeper and the Four Clans.

As for why they were called the Keeper of the End, Alden wasn't exactly sure. There were rumours out there that they held an item that would prove instrumental at the end of times. Others theorised they were guarding against a dire horror, stopping it from entering their world.

Whatever it was, it made the Keeper sufficiently busy. Enough that they rarely, if ever, interacted with the people of the Sanctuary. That was why it was such a shock for Alden to be summoned by such a reclusive individual.

He hadn't expected it all!

He sighed, his stomach fluttering with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Alden was a little regretful that he couldn't finish his heart-to-heart with Celeste. It seemed that they were destined to always be interrupted.

Honestly, it felt like the very world itself was trying to stop them from growing closer.

'Yeah, that's just a load of crap.'

He scoffed internally.

'I just need to work harder, I guess.'

…Are you sure?

Alden ignored the voice at the back of his mind. It was trying to make him doubt himself. He would not let it. Simply, because Celeste was the girl of his dreams and he was incredibly lucky to have had his feelings reciprocated.

That, and the fact that when you added doubt and hesitation into the equation of love, nothing good ever came out of it. Alden was determined not to let his relationship end up like that. He had seen and heard several couples quarrelling over the years.

It wasn't nice.

Alden shook his head softly to stop himself from going on a tangent. He had to prepare himself mentally to meet the Keeper of the End.

Who knew what he would find once he entered the Donjon?

Who knew what would happen during their discussion?

It was best to steel himself before it.

As they neared the Citadel of the Ember Clan, Alden discovered that some space was cleared for the mundane humans who had been displaced or affected greatly by the invasion of the Sanctuary. He spied a few Paladins and warriors from the Ember Clan guarding and looking after these common people.

One even took the time to comfort a grieving person.

It seemed the attack by the vast horde had rekindled some compassion back into the awakened populace. Alden was glad to see that. Even though the Sanctuary had suffered a catastrophic loss because of the invasion, the sense of unity, belonging, and empathy were at an all-time high.

Maybe this was a silver lining in the dreadful and extremely dire ordeal they had just faced.

With the mundane people better protected, the Sanctuary was taking a step in the right direction.

Alden didn't know how long it would take to repair the barrier.

For all he knew, High Command could just be putting the finishing touches, and the magical blockade would come back stronger and more durable than ever. Alternatively, it could also take a long while. Unfortunately, Alden had no way of knowing what was happening to the barrier - the range of his Mana Sense didn't extend that far.

He also wasn't privy to such high-level information as well. There would doubtless be manpower deployed to stall and slaughter any Defiled seeking entry, though.

Maybe, if he was feeling brave enough, he could enquire about the progress of the barrier's reconstruction from the Keeper.

'I'll see how things go first.'

Alden nodded to himself.

He gazed around some more, noticing a queue of mundane people standing before a stall.

Peering closer, the sign read:

"No-nonsense consultation! A free ear for those who seek."

It seemed that someone had taken it upon themselves to provide a space of free listening and counselling for the traumatised mundane. Alden marvelled at the kind act.

'Whoever they are, they are a great person. The Sanctuary is blessed with their presence.'

Alden smiled slightly and continued on his way.

Soon, they veered past the Citadel of the Ember Clan and onto the path that would take them into another Territory. Alden had briefly wondered where the Keeper's Donjon was located before he received his answer a short while later. Nestled in between a small opening inside the snow-capped hedge that travelled the whole length of the path, a stone wall jutted out slightly.

Sleet covered most of its expanse, making it very hard to notice if you weren't paying careful attention. The Paladin walked up to the wall and inserted his mana into a certain rock. In the next moment, the stone rumbled and moved.

Without hesitation, his escort stepped inside the gaping maw of darkness. Alden followed. They ascended a narrow stone stairwell.

"Be careful of the traps."

The Paladin spoke as they moved.

Alarmed, Alden instinctively formed a shield of thick, tangible and pure decay. A second later, he relaxed and paid attention to the way his guide ascended the steps.

Alden did the same, and soon, after what felt like endless climbing, they reached the top of the stairs.

A thick, sturdy wooden door greeted the duo.

The Paladin moved to the side and motioned for him to step forward.

Alden hesitated only for a split second.

He took a deep breath. Then he placed his palm on the door and pushed.

It creaked.

In the next moment, flowing mist engulfed his vision.