The Inner Odyssey

Alden slowly came to.

His eyelids fluttered open, allowing light to stream into his pupils.

Alden discovered he was back inside the Keeper's Donjon, sitting on a chair.

A light mist encompassed his surroundings.

It was as if he had never left…

Which, in a sense, was true - only his mind had entered the Key, leaving his physical body behind. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't be haunted any less by what he saw. Alden sighed, sealing the dark and negative experiences away. The last thing he recalled in the Trial was light and darkness fusing in an enthralling display before his consciousness was forcefully ejected from the Key.

Based on the smile that had split the Reaper's face, Alden surmised he had passed.

That, and also the fact that he hadn't become a vegetable.

Something which was… a great relief.

There was another indicator of his success.

Alden sensed his mind had become stronger, firmer.

...More resolute.

He could now go through more harrowing experiences and remain unfazed, his tolerance for suffering at an abnormally high level.

The price he had to pay to achieve that, though…

'Ah, it's probably best I don't think about that.'

Alden shook his head.

As he did that, he suddenly noticed a notification from the System in the corner of his vision.

He frowned, anticipation and sudden wariness flowing through him.

'I haven't done anything noteworthy deserving of a notification. Unless…'

The System was aware of what had transpired within the Key.

Alden's gaze sharpened.

He instinctively straightened, leaning forward.

The gears in his mind spun.

How was the System capable of this?

Wasn't the inside of the Key outwith its jurisdiction?

Were the two somehow connected…?

Sensing his thoughts about to spiral, Alden shelved his questions and shook his head.

He tapped on the notification.

The young man blinked.

Then, a slow smile spread across his face.

Alden's status screen read:

Name: [Alden]

Race: [Human]

Title(s): [Preserver of Flame], [Reaper's Confidant]

Magic Class: [Abyssal Entropy]

Stage: [2/5]

Rank: [Adept]

Skill(s): [Shield], [Haste], [Dark Tentacles]

Sponsor: [???]

The latest addition to his status screen was the title: [Reaper's Confidant].

Upon closer inspection, it read:

[You have moved the Reaper with your heart and pure mind. Death is now your ally.]

Re-reading the description, Alden couldn't help but be annoyed at how vague it was.

At first, he was excited about receiving a new title. Perhaps he could have obtained another blessing, similar to [Preserver of Flame]. However, no matter how much he looked at it, [Reaper's Confidant] didn't seem to have any use whatsoever.

Alden frowned.

His smile disappeared, and his excitement dimmed.

Then, he rubbed his temple and sighed for a second time.

'It may have its uses later on. I shouldn't be too quick to judge.'

Finished, Alden closed his status screen.

He gazed quietly at the back of his hands. So far, they had not received any serious scars.

Would that remain the case in the future?

He hoped so.

Although…

Alden recognised with a hint of mild chagrin and amusement that he was a calamity magnet.

His lips twitched briefly.

Even if he attracted all the trouble in the world, Alden would do his utmost to realise his dream of settling down with Celeste, leading a simple life and raising a beautiful family of their own. Speaking of his precious love… the young man wondered how she was doing. He hoped she didn't have to wait too long for him to return - how long had the Trial gone on for?

Suddenly gripped with a surge of panic and anxiety, Alden desperately searched for Morrigan.

Where was she?

Just before he could call out into the mist, the thin fog slowly parted.

The Keeper's spry yet weary voice echoed a moment later.

"Congratulations on your passing."

She leaned on her cane, hobbling towards him.

Her eyes were bright and a small smile encompassed her wrinkled face.

Before Alden could rattle off his question, the Keeper beat him to it.

"Calm down. Only a week has passed. How was the Trial?"

The white-haired young man froze at her answer.

'Only a week???'

Alden's eyes widened at the nonchalance in the Keeper's tone.

Didn't she have any sense of time??

Wasn't that supposed to be more precious for people of her age?

Gritting his teeth, Alden bit back a sarcastic reply and let the anger and indignation flow out of his system. He slumped tiredly back into his chair - fatigue more mental than physical.

"The Trial was… something."

Perhaps sensing that Alden didn't want to talk more about the topic, the old lady didn't press him. Alden was silently grateful for that. He didn't know if he could handle digging into such a fresh wound.

It was better he left it be.

Time would heal it, as it did all things.

The only question was whether he had enough of that left, or if he'd just die a premature death. Alden sighed again, banishing the unhelpful thought. He sensed Morrigan draw near. The young man raised his head and found a cup of liquid in the old oracle's outstretched hand.

Alden silently received the drink, nodding his thanks to the Keeper.

Putting the cup to his mouth, Alden drank.

A moment later, some of his fatigue melted away.

He unconsciously relaxed, his lips curling into a soft smile.

Flicking his gaze, Alden discovered the old woman displaying a gentle expression.

He paused.

A sudden thought appeared in his mind.

Was this what it felt like to have a grandmother?

Alden didn't have any grandparents - all of them had died before he was born. Continue your adventure at empire

So, he didn't really get to experience their warmth… or love.

If he had to guess, it would probably be similar to the expression that Morrigan was showing.

That also begged the question…

Why did she stare at him with tenderness?

Was it because he was the 'son' of her first love?

Alden didn't really understand the enigmatic oracle. He guessed she was just that. Elusive.

'Comes with the power, I suppose.'

Shaking his head, Alden finished his drink. He closed his eyes with satisfaction, savouring the momentary clarity inside his mind. A short while later, he opened them again, steeling himself.

Morrigan now sat opposite him.

Alden slowly inhaled and donned a neutral and expressionless mask.

"Pardon my bluntness…"

He paused for a second, considering his words.

"...but what now?"