Kane's expression hardened as he watched the anger contort Linia's face. "Do you know the meaning of those names?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
Linia's rage vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a weary sadness. "Not exactly," she admitted, turning away. "They just… remind me of a person I hate the most."
A cold indifference settled over Kane. He wouldn't pry. "Okay, then. Here's another question: how long have you been stuck here? And who are you?"
Linia straightened her shoulders, a spark of confidence returning to her eyes. "My name is Linia. I've been trapped in this maze for a year and a half. I couldn't move forward because I can't handle the swarms easily. I'm barely surviving these assaults, and I've been stuck in this shore for two and a half years."
Kane's eyes widened. Two and a half years? In this treacherous, soul-devouring world, that was an eternity. She wasn't just a survivor; she was a veteran.
Linia slumped back against the wall, the weariness returning. "So, tell me about you."
Kane introduced himself, detailing how long he had been in the Forgotten Shore and how he had ended up in the maze.
"An unlucky lad," Linia said, a faint smile touching her lips. "Anyway, no need to keep your distance. It was just a joke."
Kane blinked, bewildered. "Your sense of humor… is weird."
"So, what's your Aspect?" she asked, her tone shifting back to the pragmatic. "We need to understand each other better if we're going to fight together."
Kane sighed and explained the full extent of his dormant ability, including his transformation.
Linia's mouth curled up. "A transformation that can attack the mind and soul, huh? Interesting. Now it's my turn." She paused, taking a deep breath. "My dormant abilities can pull opponents into a sleep and manipulate their dreams, without them ever knowing."
Kane's mind reeled. 'That's an overpowered ability,' he thought.
"That's a nice ability," he said, and Linia nodded. He then lay down, closing his eyes, and began to relax, preparing for the next assault.
[Linia's POV]
Linia watched Kane lie down, his body a picture of calm confidence, and a new wave of questions washed over her. 'Who are his parents? Do they know about Amanises? Did that bitch come here, too? I need to ask him about his family. He clearly doesn't know the meaning of those names.'
She summoned her runes, a familiar sight she still found strange after so long.
Name: Philanias
True Name: Mother of the Sky
Rank: Dreamer
Soul Cores: [900/1000]
Memories: [Assassins Cloak] [Hellsword] [Healing Lamp] [Heavenly armor] [Flare stone]Echo: -
Attributes: [Uniqueness of Darkness] [Sleepless] [Weapon Specialist] [Lost Soul]
Aspect: [Darkness]
Aspect Description: [You are the very representation of Dreams, Darkness, Horror, Serenity, and Concealment. You are the Keeper of Secrets, and yet your secrets are the ones that keep you in the dark]
Aspect Rank: Divine
Aspect Abilities: [Dream Manipulation]
She then looked at her flaw, the one weakness that haunted her every day.
Flaw: [Sealed Artifact]
Flaw Description: Once a person recites your True Name, you will become their living tool.
Linia shuddered at the thought. 'It seems I might still get stuck under that predicament. Luckily, I made 'Linia' my false name, a clear misdirection.' She looked at the barren landscape. 'This world seems to be much better. Still, I need to survive.' Her gaze settled on Kane again. 'I need to know more about his parents.' She muttered curses under her breath, a name on her lips. Amanises.
[Outside the trials,Outer Settlement]
Seishan waited at their regular meeting place. She needed an explanation for Kane's disappearance, and she wanted to confirm what Shakti was proclaiming was true. The night Kane vanished had caused a ruckus in both the outer settlement and inside Bright Castle. Changing Star claimed he had gone on a specific mission under her command, a claim Seishan found absurd. As far as she knew, Kane's strength and mindset were enough to lead a people, making it impossible for him to simply follow her commands. Meanwhile, Shakti completely denied Nephis's claims, and a rumor was spreading that a massacre was coming, and more people would die.
Currently, there were two opposing groups in the outer settlement: one believed Nephis's claims, and the other denied them completely.
As Seishan waited, she saw Shakti arrive. She was in full battle armor, a bow in one hand and some shards in the other. Seishan immediately understood.
"So, how are you?" Seishan asked, her voice calm.
Shakti offered a weary smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Tell me what exactly happened to Kane," Seishan said, getting straight to the point.
Shakti's face went grim. "Okay, I'll tell you everything." She recounted everything she knew, from the prophecy to the vicious fight between Nephis and Kane.
Seishan's eyes widened, a mild amount of rage crossing her face as she listened. "He has a transformation aspect like me? No wonder I felt a sync between us." Her expression softened. "I understand why he made that decision. So, you're the one who spread this information, I presume?"
"Yeah, I did," Shakti replied, her voice firm. "People need to be aware of this, but I can't spread the information as it would create panic. Still, people are worried and thinking things through."
"So, did Nephis leave it as it is?" Seishan asked.
Shakti sighed. "Actually, after this, I need to meet her. She's clearly insisting on discussing this."
Shakti spoke,"Actually there is another thing that even Nephis might not know.",Seishan looked at her mouth curled up and spoke,"Do tell.",
Shakti spoke,"In the prophecy,There was a black guy who mentioned,Kane believes it was him.",Shakri continued,"I dont know,why but he believes it.",Then Seishan and Shakti understood his decision much better.
She looked around and whispered, "Your parents are on Nephis's kill list, right?"
Seishan nodded, a coldness settling in her eyes. "Do you object?"
"No," Shakti said in a caring tone. "But You need to be careful. You might not know it, but after Kane, you're a well-known person here. Be careful."
Seishan smiled. "I have a proposition for Kane, and I want your advice."
"Spill it," Shakti said calmly.
"I'm planning to recruit him to the Song Clan."
Shakti thought for a moment. "There's an equal possibility of acceptance and rejection."
"Enlighten me," Seishan said, leaning forward.
Shakti continued, "He's a person who questions authority itself, but he favors emotional bonds. I feel like he lost someone precious in his younger age."
Seishan thought for a moment and that makes sense,she spoke,"So,Do I need to send people to search him?",Shakti spoke,"No need,I want him some time to think and calm his mind,after all the person whom I think,he considered a friend and ally,stabbed him in the back."
Seishan considered her words. "Okay, then. Let's meet again sometime."
Shakti nodded and left. As Seishan walked back to the castle, she found Nephis, wearing her Starlight armor, and Cassie, wearing a blindfold, waiting for her.
Nephis looked at Shakti's arrival and spoke. "Shall we meet alone in my quarters? I need to discuss some things,alone."
Shakti's mouth curled into a defiant smirk. "Yeah, bitch."
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Those who dont know Philanias,Refer Lord of the Mysteries(LOTM).Personally,I find her character to have potential