I followed my summoner closely from behind, intending to have them bear the brunt of whatever dangers lie in this underground ruin. If they knew how to navigate this place that held that tri-obelisk altar, then they must also know how to leave.
We turned left and walked up some stairs that led from the altar before entering a long, narrow hall. Light from the doorway at the end illuminated the brick walls. The colors of the walls I had initially thought were grey with a hint of brown were actually this rustic, pale yellow color. The change in color reminded me of an old viral image on the internet involving a black and blue or white and gold dress.
I entered the doorway after my summoner examined the other side for a moment before turning to me, confirming it was safe to enter.
What I saw made my jaw drop in awe.
On the other side of the doorway was a room with a ceiling so high that I thought I had somehow shrunk. Looking around, the walls stretched higher than the room I was summoned in, and despite the lack of obvious lightning such as torches or whatever magical equivalent was available, the giant room was somehow fully lit.
Looking at how the giant walls were configured, I had suspected it was a maze. I looked at my summoner and he started walking in a direction, so I followed him, believing he knew the way out. And if he didn't, I would use my power to mark dead ends and sections we've been in.
As I followed my summoner, I continued to examine my surroundings. A ruin holding a special altar made me believe this place was somehow sacred, and so following the etiquette of being in sacred locations, I opted to not use my power to crack, chisel, or remove parts of the walls or floors, or do anything that would ruin- no, deface the underground ruin.
My summoner encountered a few dead ends trying to find the end, so behind him, I silently dropped a few dinner plate-sized rubber spot markers on areas we should avoid revisiting.
This continued until we finally encountered more stairs leading upward with a white beam of light shining from the top.
My salvation? Or a glorified omen of death? I mocked the scene with a self-deprecating laugh.
My summoner turned to me after I laughed. I quickly shut my mouth, not wanting to elaborate believing he'd scold me. I realized a second later he likely didn't understand a thing I said.
He started to ascend the stairs and I followed close behind, staying close enough to be able to catch him if he fell but also far enough in case he tumbles so that I can dodge in time and likely laugh at him after. Such things didn't happen, and we finally stepped onto the earth.
I had finally reached the surface of this world.
I scanned my surroundings seeing trees all around, but where we were wasn't my immediate worry.
It was nighttime!
The bright light I had seen underground betrayed my expectations. I thought it was a light that could only be produced by the sun.
I looked up, wondering what had produced a seemingly heavenly light.
It was the moon and it was terrifyingly close, as if it was kissing the stratosphere. I swear I felt my heart jump at the sight.
I heard my summoner shout something, grabbing my hand.
Huh?
That was when I realized I wasn't standing up straight. I was leaning back while falling against my summoner's pull.
He pulled hard on my arm, causing me to stumble forward a bit. I looked back and saw I was just a step away from falling down the stairs I had ascended from!
Oh, the irony. Guess it's karma for expecting him to fall down those stairs.
I recalled the God-like being responsible for my reincarnation. Perhaps this was their way of telling me to be careful of what I think. Or I just need to be more self-aware.
If I need a God to tell me that, perhaps I need to heavily focus on self-improvement and awareness.
"Oh, umm... thank you, for catching me." I turned to thank my summoner.
Even if he didn't understand a thing I said, I'd feel guilty for not thanking him for saving my life. It was the least I could do at the moment.
He simply stared at me before speaking more syllables, gesturing me to continue following him like he had done in that circular room with that tri-obelisk altar in the center.
I complied, glancing at the massive moon a few more times while watching my steps.
As we walked while I kept giving the moon glances, I thought I was hallucinating seeing the moon move slightly toward the horizon. I caught up toward my summoner, trying to convey I wanted to stay in place for a moment. He didn't sound too receptive to my suggestion, but stopped and watched me.
Taking that as confirmation of my request, I stood in place and stared at a single point at the moon's edge that was farthest from the horizon, making sure to stay as still as humanly possible, commanding my body to rein in even the tiniest of movements my body would naturally make.
Not even 10 seconds would pass as the massive moon slowly distanced itself from the point I was staring at!
Holy shit. You can actually see it move in real time!
My awe was quickly replaced with worry as my mind imagined horrifying possibilities about the intimidating satellite body that took up nearly half the sky.
I've heard of people going blind from a moon you can see through the gaps in your fingers. Imagine the severity of an eclipse using a moon this large!
I felt a hand gently push my shoulder. It was my summoner, saying something with a tone of concern.
I nodded toward the moon slowly moving under the horizon. He turned to it for a moment before facing me and saying more syllables nonchalantly.
Why are you not shocked?
I couldn't help but wonder what was considered "normal" in this world if my summoner treated the massive moon like an everyday occurrence.
Not wanting to attempt articulating the size of the moon you'd see on Earth, I waved it off and pointed in the direction my summoner was walking.
He seemingly understood and walked forward, not before grabbing my hand and pulling me along. His stride and pace told me he was unbothered by the action. Perhaps he was treating me like a lost child who had been separated from their parents and was hastily bringing that child to the parent like he knew who it was.
I didn't protest since he was likely taking me to some shelter. I doubt someone dressed like a bartender or tailor who lacked a bag or pack would sleep outside under the radiance of a giant moon.