The Inner Odyssey

As she sensed Alden's mind enter the key - evidenced by his body going completely still -, Morrigan sighed.

Her body sagged, clearly tired out from the long talk.

However, she couldn't rest.

There were things to be done.

…Restoring the Barrier was just one of her many tasks.

A hacking cough escaped her throat.

Morrigan winced and quickly brought a tissue to her lips. The napkin came back red, stained with her blood.

She sighed once again.

Idly, she pondered on where her lifespan had all gone. She should have been in peak physical condition as someone approaching her forties. Not the least because she was also a Transcendent.

Her high rank should have helped in increasing her lifespan.

Yet…

Here she was, her condition deteriorating day by day, week by week, and month by month.

Morrigan knew what had caused her to become so sickly. It was also the reason why her life was slowly dwindling.

…Her powers.

Or Magic Class, to be precise.

It put a terrible strain on her body.

Physical condition aside, there was also the psychological aspect. Often, what she saw was so terrible, so utterly dreadful…

That Morrigan began to lose hope.

…Hope for a future where kids could live an innocent and fulfilling life, free from danger and strife as they frolicked under a beautiful and sparkling azure sky.

Oh, how she longed for those times again. Back when she knew nothing of pain.

Of loss. Of strife. Of responsibility.

…Of Love.

And knowledge.

That cursed thing.

Morrigan's shoulders struggled to bear the crushing weight of that. Forced to keep most of her visions a secret… the life of an oracle was a very bitter one.

Yet it was a job that must be done. Better her than someone else. Morrigan sighed for a third time. Her thoughts continued to centre around youth.

Almost imperceptibly, they shifted towards Alden.

Alistair's son.

It seemed her former crush was still as kind as she remembered, taking in an orphaned youth when not many would. A pang struck the Keeper's heart. Her expression turned a little sorrowful.

Her vacant gaze turned a little wistful. Then, her melancholy was cut by another sharp sigh, and Morrigan knew she couldn't keep dallying. She thought of Alden and what awaited him in the Trials. She prayed he could succeed where she couldn't.

After all, Morrigan had only passed three out of four Trials. Gaining the Key's acceptance was a relatively easy thing - not all like she had implied. All that mattered was one's purity of heart.

Alden did not need to pass all four Trials to become the next Keeper. That was just an extra stipulation she had put in. Morrigan was sure the Key had already accepted him.

As for why she lied or omitted that part of the truth….

Well, that was relatively simple.

The ghost of a recurring vision flashed within her mind.

…One of dying stars and darkness swallowing the lands.

Alden had a role he had to fulfil. She was determined to make sure he did just that.

After all, the alternative…

Morrigan coughed once again, a trail of crimson escaping her lips. She clenched her bony hand on her cane, a silent show of determination.

'Go forth, Child of Prophecy.'

As for her, death would be a nice change.

Alas, just like Alden, she also had a role to fulfil.

…The forces hidden in the shadows were becoming more rampant.

With a groan, Morrigan shakily stood up.

To honour her dead master, she would keep struggling until the very end.

***

Celeste walked through the mundane part of the Sanctuary. An entourage of guards followed her every move. She had become accustomed to their presence, so they didn't bother her as much anymore. A couple of hours had passed after the Keeper of the End summoned her precious love.

She wondered what the Keeper wanted.

She also wondered what Alden was doing.

Surely he wasn't spending all this time talking with the Keeper?

Celeste suppressed her unease.

She gazed at her surroundings, remnants of chaos and destruction still apparent. Two days after the invasion, the restoration of the Sanctuary was well underway. Celeste spied a few Stonewardens from afar. Dressed in their signature earthy robes, they were responsible for helping reconstruct the wrecked homes, ensuring they sat on a steady foundation.

The Stonwardens also helped form the clay, while the members of the Ember Clan used the heat of their flames to speed up the hardening process. Everyone was working together at a steady pace. At this rate, the restoration process wouldn't take long at all.

Celeste was glad to see that.

In the far distance, she saw multiple Paladin Squads on the lookout, ready to stop any Defiled who wanted to capitalise on the opportunity when the Barrier was down and feast on some human flesh. The young healer also spied a few Guilds interspersed with the Paladin Squads - the most notable among them being the Noble's and the Shing's.

Celeste had heard a lot of people praise these two Guilds. Especially her father.

He only had good things to say about them.

It seemed they were the epitome of what all Guilds strived to be.

'I hope they keep up the good work.'

Celeste smiled softly.

She herself was also the epitome of something…

A peak the ordinary people of the Sanctuary dreamt of achieving.

With the weight of her position as a Chosen of the Divine Sovereign, Celeste masked her burden with a bright smile and checked up on the small batch of mundane who occupied these newly constructed homes. She knocked on their doors, radiating an air of positivity and joy.

She hoped her actions could serve as a breath of fresh air.

Celeste also wanted to rekindle the light in their eyes.

She desired to be an example for those with similar power/status to her.

...An example of how they should treat the mundane.

Celeste released a light sigh internally.

After she finished up here, she planned to volunteer in healing any of the displaced who couldn't afford their treatment. She would not spend all her time waiting for Alden. He would come to her when he was free.

So, in the meantime, she would carry out her duty.

And improve.

And grow…

Without him.