image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

"What now?" questioned Mila, coming to a stop before Ifrit, whose gaze was fixed on the door.

"To open the gates, one would have to drain all the mana from the obelisks. However, after the wisp detonation, I'm confident that the obelisks no longer hold any mana within them."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"The obelisks are magically protected and serve as both the keys and the locks to the final chamber. If we destroy the locks, the gates will open for us."

"Destroying the locks sounds risky... Isn't there another way?"

"Well, I haven't done it before, but based on my understanding, it should work. I can't guarantee that the gate will open, though. But at this point, I see no other option to move forward."

"If destroying the lock is our only path, maybe we should reconsider. If the bow is meant to be sealed within the chambers permanently, we might be doomed if we destroy it."

"We don't have time to hesitate, Mila. The obelisks must be destroyed."

"Please, just listen," urged Mila. "We cannot afford to lose the bow."

"Mila, I understand your concern, but there's something you need to know. This cave, the way it's constructed... It will self-destruct if we leave, regardless of the bow. If we leave now to gather our thoughts, we might as well lose the bow completely. Our only choice is to take this risk and hope for the best."

"The cave is going to self-destruct? How?"

"Well, the cave relies on magic, and the wisp damage has destabilized the very ground we stand on. It's only a matter of time before it collapses. So, it's either we retrieve the bow or leave empty-handed."

With reality and urgency sinking in, Mila looked at Ifrit, now inhabiting Graybeard's body.

"How do we destroy these obelisks?"

"It's simple... We smash them."

"Smash them? You mean using brute force?"

"Yes... A mighty blow from this powerful axe will bring down that obelisk without a problem..."

"They are quite large, though..."

"The obelisks have a core made of a rare material called Harmonic Crystals. They are the source of the magic that sustains this chamber even now. However, due to the wisp damage, they have become fragile. If we shatter them, the release of magical energy will disrupt the gate, causing it to malfunction. Moreover, while these crystals possess formidable magical defenses, they are susceptible to physical attacks."

Ifrit paused, sighing for a moment before continuing.

"It's a shame, though... Harmonic crystals are an incredibly rare occurrence. Breaking one in such a manner..."

"I've heard of them before, but I never imagined being in a room with four of them."

"Yes..."

With that, Ifrit firmly gripped his axe and proceeded towards the first obelisk, with Mila following closely behind.

"This might be painful... I suggest you stay back," Ifrit advised.

Confused, Mila gave him a blank stare.

"When Harmonic crystals shatter, the release of energy can cause harm to those nearby," Ifrit explained.

With a newfound understanding, Mila took a step back, giving Ifrit the space to work.

With a powerful swing of his axe, Ifrit struck the obelisk. Though his axe wasn't designed for cutting through stone, the force behind his swing was so immense that it nearly cleaved the stone in half. His first strike revealed the core of the obelisk, and with a second, precisely aimed swing, Ifrit shattered the Harmonic crystal within.

As the crystal shattered, an immense surge of magical energy was released, permeating the air in the form of swirling mana.

Quickly, Ifrit siphoned the dispersing mana, absorbing it to enhance his own magical capabilities while Mila watched from the sidelines, feeling uneasy and unsure. Despite her doubts, Graybeard insisted that she should trust Ifrit. Reluctantly following behind him, Mila continued to observe as Ifrit grew tremendously in power with each crystal shattered.

All four crystals were now broken, their stones split in half, and their magic absorbed into Ifrit.

With his newfound surge of power, an ominous aura surrounded Ifrit. Yet, the words he spoke rang true.

The gates opened, the enormous metallic doors creaking as they did so, seemingly defying the destruction caused by the wisps.

Beyond the gate lay a dark mist-like fog, reminiscent of the void itself.

"Is that...? Is that where the bow is?" Mila questioned, her voice filled with surprise and disbelief.

"I can go no further, Mila... Only you can enter from here," Ifrit replied.

"What? Why not?"

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"The chamber permits only elves to pass through. In other words, only you have the ability to enter."

Mila's eyes were fixed on the darkness within, her throat dry as she swallowed nervously, unsure of what awaited her.

As she took a step toward the opened gates, the darkness seemed to beckon her forward. Ifrit offered her a word of caution.

"No matter what happens inside, you must seek the truth. And be careful. May the Gods be with you."

Mila ascended the stairs, reaching the gate at the top. Darkness enveloped the chamber beyond, the void displaying itself in full view as her mind raced.

From this point onward, no one had ever witnessed what lay on the other side. However, with Graybeard's faith placed in her, the person she loved most, Mila embarked on her journey into the abyss.

image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]

"Where... am I?" Mila looked around, her voice echoing through the vast white expanse.

Placed within a white room, Mila took in her surroundings. There were no walls, only an endless stretch of white as far as the eye could see. A marbled pathway lay before her, the sole path forward. Beneath her feet, an abyss of white void seemed to stretch infinitely.

Mila squinted her eyes, trying to make out something in the distance. Wisps floated gracefully in the sky, their ethereal forms emitting soft glows. They seemed to dance and emit melodic sounds that Mila could only assume were their songs.

Realizing that the wisps posed no immediate danger, Mila steeled herself for the unknown that lay ahead and took her first step onto the marbled bridge.

The moment her foot touched the bridge, everything behind her collapsed, tumbling into the endless void, disappearing forever. The wisps continued their circling motion above her, seemingly unaffected by the disappearance.

A sense of terror washed over Mila as she witnessed the ground crumbling away behind her. The bridge now floated in the sky, suspended by nothing but air, with no way back.

"Okay..."

Mila was uncertain of what lay ahead, but she knew she had no choice but to continue forward. One path remained before her, but she couldn't comprehend the purpose behind this surreal experience.

With each step, the bridge disintegrated behind her, dissolving into the void. The wisps in the sky formed mesmerizing patterns, almost magically conveying imagery to Mila through their formations.

Among the images she saw, there was a young woman, close to Mila's current age, joyfully running through a vibrant forest with her husband and child. It was a heartwarming sight, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity to Mila. Lost in the imagery, she continued down the path, oblivious to the crumbling ground behind her.

The imagery of pure joy enveloped Mila, showcasing a loving family—a concept she had never experienced. A smile graced her face as she continued to peer into the magical display.

Unexpectedly, one of the wisps posed a question to her.

"Do you wish to have a family? To be loved?" it inquired.

The question startled Mila, yet a soothing sensation washed over her, allowing her to respond without hesitation.

"Yes, I do..."

"In this world, it can become your reality... We can give you a family, a home, just like the one you desire," the wisp offered.

"You... you can?" Mila's voice was filled with hope and curiosity.

"Of course..."

As she continued down her path, Mila contemplated the wisp's proposal. However, a lingering worry nagged at her, a remembrance of Ifrit's warning not to make a choice, to seek the truth.

Yet, she couldn't resist looking deeper into the magic. She witnessed the image of a child, cherished and cared for by loving parents. A warm family home, filled with the fragrant breeze of spring. Mila became fully immersed in the scene, feeling as though she were walking through the grassy fields with each step on the bridge, observing every detail.

Tall spruce trees encircled their humble abode, secluded atop a serene hill.

Inside the home, a fireplace crackled, casting a comforting glow as the family gathered around it, setting the table for a delightful lunch.

"Mila!! COME DOWNSTAIRS!" the woman's voice resonated, reaching Mila's ears from the lower level of the house.

Shifting her attention to the staircase, a young girl, filled with hope and joy, descended, tightly gripping her father's hand. Her eyes widened in excitement as she caught sight of the table before her—it held her favorite dessert, chocolate pudding.

"I knew you'd enjoy something from the human world," the mother remarked, turning away from the kitchen to face her daughter and husband.

The little girl's face lit up with delight as she beheld the treat. She eagerly took her seat at the table, grabbing her plate, while her mother brought more food to complete the meal.

"Isn't it perfect to live in a world without worry of starvation or death?" the wisp questioned.

Mila remained silent, observing the scene before her.

"How many times have I told you not to wander too far into the human realm, my dear?" the husband chuckled, planting a loving kiss on his wife's cheek as he settled into his seat at the table.

The mother smiled and sat down, joining her family in sharing the food.

"Why are you showing me this?" Mila's voice quivered with emotion, tears forming in her eyes as she continued to delve into the magic.

"This... This is who you are, Mila," the wisp whispered softly. "And this is what your life could have been... A peaceful existence."

"A peaceful existence, huh..."

Mila wiped away her tears, her gaze fixed on the imagery that unfolded before her.

The young girl delighted in her meal, savoring each bite as she eagerly finished her food to make way for the dessert—the chocolate pudding, her favorite. Even within this vision, her taste hadn't changed. However, she had kept her love for pudding a secret from Graybeard, knowing it was a luxury beyond their means in their adventurous and nomadic lifestyle.

And yet, amidst all she saw, Mila couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that she had witnessed this before. Her mind raced, filled with confusion and concern. Was this real? Did she actually live that life? She knew deep down that it wasn't her own past, so what was the meaning behind this experience? Why did it feel so familiar?

Pressing forward on her path, Mila continued to immerse herself in the magic, eager to uncover the truth as the wisps conjured new images before her.

The child, accompanied by her loving family, continued to reside atop the solitary hill. Her father diligently chopped wood to keep their fireplace ablaze, while her mother tended to the bountiful garden, ensuring an abundance of fresh food for their meals.

Days blended together, passing peacefully in a repetitive cycle. Each day brought new joys and experiences to look forward to. The child, the embodiment of Mila, engaged in hunting and gathering with her father, honing her skills under his guidance. Her mother taught her the art of cooking, passing down treasured family recipes.

This idyllic life, filled with love and contentment, was everything Mila had always yearned for, a life she had only dreamed of.

"This is what you desire... isn't it?" questioned the wisp, its voice filled with understanding.

Mila nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes... It's all I've ever wanted..."

With each step she took on her path, the wisps continued to weave their enchanting images. Mila found herself completely immersed, completely captivated. In this moment, she no longer felt the looming danger of falling or the weight of fear, anger, or resentment. All negative emotions seemed to fade away, replaced by a serene sense of tranquility and contentment.