The crystal was right in front of me, so close that my hand trembled as it reached toward it. I knew that once I touched it, there would be no turning back. Every fiber of my being understood that, but I couldn’t stop myself. This was my destiny—I knew it, even though I didn’t fully grasp what it implied.
My fingers finally brushed the surface of the crystal.
The world disappeared around me.
A flash of light erupted from the crystal, enveloping me completely. It wasn’t a warm or comforting light. It was cold, ruthless, as if it were exposing every dark corner of my soul.
The colors inside the crystal began to change frenetically, blending and clashing with each other. The pure white fused with a deep black, creating shapes and patterns I didn’t understand.
I felt an energy surge through my body, as if an electric current were passing through every muscle. A sharp pain hit my head, bringing with it images of my life, but also… memories of moments I didn’t recognize, flashing before me. And in the middle of all that chaos, I could see it. I could feel it.
The battle between light and dark continued, as if the crystal were deciding which part of me would prevail. My hands shook as the power flowed through me, and I realized this wasn’t just a reflection of my nature—it was a warning of what I could become.
The crystal didn’t just reflect chaos. It reflected something deeper—a duality. Power and fragility, light and darkness. My gaze sank deeper into those chaotic patterns, and for the first time, I wondered if my actions so far had led me to the brink of destruction, or if there was still a chance for redemption.
The mage who had been watching me from a corner stepped forward, as if he could read my thoughts.
"The nature of chaos is an unstoppable force, and it could even become destructive to the one who wields it. But what you do with it, and how you use it, will determine your path. Not everyone who sees what you’ve seen survives the truth."
Fear slipped into my chest, but so did a strange sense of defiance. "And what if I don’t want to accept that fate?"
The mage watched me in silence for a long moment, then gave a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "That… you’ll only know if you choose to face it."
I knew what I had to do. But I still didn’t move.
The crystal continued to vibrate, its colors flashing.
As I clung to the crystal, I felt something deeper starting to crumble within me. The goal that had guided me from the beginning, the reason I accepted the deal, seemed to fade into the shadows of these new revelations.
Could I really find her? The thought hit me hard, and for the first time, I doubted.
My voice came out weak, almost broken.
"My beloved... I... come from another world, where she passed away." The words hung in the air, as the weight of that truth crushed me once more. "When I lost Selene... I didn't know how to go on. And just at that moment of despair, someone, something, appeared to me. It offered me the chance to come to this world... and reunite with her."
The crystal trembled slightly in my hands, as if it could also feel my confusion and pain. Finally, I looked up at the mage, the desperation clear in my voice. "Do you know where she is? Where I can find her?"
The mage, maintaining his serene expression, responded in a gentle yet firm tone. "That answer, unfortunately, I cannot give you, as it could negatively influence your destiny. Your path is not in what was, but in what you do here, now. What you have gained, in skill and knowledge, will guide you, but you must be present in the moment."
He paused, observing me with a calmness that unsettled me. "However, what I can tell you with certainty is that the answers you seek will not evade you forever. As you move forward, your destiny will find you, and in time, it will guide you to what you need to know. Trust in the path ahead, Darius."
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The weight of his words settled over me. I knew he was right, but it was hard to accept that my focus had been misplaced. The anguish of not knowing if I would truly be able to see her again consumed me.
The mage maintained his usual calm and, without being harsh, told me that it was time for me to continue on my way. "You have already seen everything you needed to see. The crystal must remain here, along with the others," he said, his tone tranquil.
Filled with uncertainty, I clenched my fists and responded desperately, "I still have so many questions!"
The old man, still serene, looked at me and said, "I’ve done everything I can for you, for now."
Frustration consumed me, and I asked, "Does that mean I’ll see you again?"
The old man smiled serenely. "That will depend on you, but I believe so," was his enigmatic response, leaving me deep in thought.
With a heavy heart, I placed the crystal alongside the others, realizing that I couldn’t take it with me. Before leaving, I turned on my heels and looked at him one last time, a mix of pleading and gratitude in my eyes. The old man gave me a sympathetic smile, as if he knew exactly how I felt.
Outside the cave, I retraced my steps along the path I had taken. I hadn’t spent much time inside, but the revelations I had experienced overwhelmed me. A wave of nausea hit me, and unable to hold it back, I vomited onto the ground, as if my body were ridding itself of an invisible weight. With sweat beading on my forehead, I wiped my mouth and continued on my way, more determined than ever.
I descended the path, but this time it was much easier. There were no visions, no pain, no disturbing images. That old man… if I were a more suspicious person, I’d say he probably enjoyed causing me all that trouble just to reach his hideaway.
When I arrived at the cart, Loran and the lizard were waiting in silence, watching my every move. Without a word, I climbed into the carriage, ready for what was to come next, but knowing they would question me about my adventure.
Once in the cart, Loran and the lizard settled next to me. Loran’s tension was obvious. He looked at me with caution and curiosity, unable to resist asking:
"How did it go in there?" he asked, noticing my condition.
I had no strength or desire to explain. My eyelids were heavy, and all I could murmur was, "I spoke with an old man… but I need to sleep. I’ll tell you later."
Loran nodded, but realizing what I had just said, his expression changed, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Wait, what do you mean you spoke with an old man?! You mean he let you see him?"
His shouting and excitement didn’t affect me; I was too tired.
"Please, tell me now. I don’t have the patience… Come on, don’t fall asleep right now, it’s hours of travel, and I won’t be able to contain myself…"
I slumped in the seat, closing my eyes. As the cart began to move, I drifted into the memories of what I had experienced in the cave. The images of the crystal and the old man’s words echoed in my mind, like a constant warning of what was to come. I wondered if I was truly ready to face what lay ahead.
Fatigue overtook me, and as Loran kept pleading and shouting, my mind drifted into its own thoughts. Without realizing it, sleep finally claimed me.
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When I opened my eyes again, they felt unbearably heavy. My body felt more exhausted than before I had fallen asleep, as if the sleep had done nothing for me. The cart jolted slightly as it rolled over the uneven terrain, and looking around, I realized that most of the journey back to the town of Nethria had passed without me noticing.
Loran and the lizard were sitting in silence, watching the road. The sky, which had been clear when we left, was now darkening with gray clouds that promised an approaching storm.
My mind was still trapped in the memories of what had happened in the cave. The mage’s words continued to echo in my head, along with the images of the crystal.
I sat up slowly, noticing the tension in my back and neck. I couldn’t help but let out a small groan, which caught Loran’s attention.
"Finally awake," he said with a smile that tried to be friendly, but his eyes showed a hint of concern. "You slept almost the entire way. Now, will you tell me what happened?"
My lips moved as I tried to respond, but all that came out was a sigh. The truth was, I didn’t have the right words to explain what I had experienced. The lights, the chaos, the battle between light and darkness within me… Everything still felt so fresh, yet at the same time, as if it had happened in another plane of existence.
"I spoke with an old man… and I saw things I’m not sure I would have preferred to see," I murmured, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to process what I felt.
Loran nodded, his face clearly showing excitement, waiting for me to tell him more. The lizard, for his part, kept watching the horizon without showing any visible reaction, as if my state didn’t interest him at all.
The cart moved slowly, and soon a worn welcome sign appeared, reading: Nethria. A few meters ahead, the town’s entrances came into view, with scattered houses lining the road.
The cart rolled through the dusty streets of Nethria, passing by some houses that looked abandoned and others that barely stood. It didn’t take long for me to recognize the bar where Grimmor usually met with his henchmen. The old wooden structure stood at a corner, with dirty windows and barely visible lights inside.
Great, I really didn’t want to go in there—I knew it wouldn’t be easy.