Both of them reappeared.
In a sphere that drifted through the cosmos-that carried the memories as paintings and guilts,pain,regrets as glowing spheres.The expanding walls and floor of nothingness.
The orb of memories.
Foxen recognised it.Mahnstin looked around trying to grasp the things-he was looking at.
Foxen: Ah,not this again.
Mahnstin: Do you know this place ?
Foxen: I wish I didn't.
A 16 ft tall glowing figure descended in front of them.Eyes shone like silver coins.The energy he carried said-he could peel out memories from your soul.
Achinos.
Foxen: Ah,here we go again.Glowing hump did you drag us here ?
Achinos: You impudent fool.Stop acting like you are pulling the strings here-
and trust me,I am not thrilled to see your face either.
Mahnstin: So...sir,are you the tentacle whose powers Foxen wields ?
Foxen: Yeah,he is the power daddy-with anger issues and no sense of humour.
Achinos: Oh,Mahnstin was it ? At least Darsana got a competent one.I am stuck with this blue meat.
From the abyss,another figure emerged-A calm glow but his eyes shimmered with strength that can make the void flinch.
Darsana.
Achinos: About time you showed up.
Darsana: I was intrigued by a book.Wanna read it ?
Achinos: I am not interested in books.
And why did that damn Spiracle choose this blue meat for me?
Darsana: Stop complaining.She does her job right.
Foxen: Wow glowing hump has a brother.
Darsana: At least he is funny.
Achinos: Funny ? cosmic ash.
Foxen: See your brother has a good taste.
Mahnstin didn't bother interrupting them.
Darsana: Mahnstin,don't you have anything to ask ?
Mahnstin bowed to Darsana.
Foxen was shocked at his gesture and whispered to him.
Foxen: There's no need to be formal.These aren't gods you know ?
Mahnstin: Showing respect doesn't mean submission.
Foxen: Ah yes,the philosopher with abs.
Mahnstin(to Darsana): So sir..did you bring us here ?
Darsana: Yes.
Mahnstin: Can I ask why ?
Darsana: Of course-
He was interrupted by Achinos.
Achinos: So Mr.Show off,did you keep that eye from the dome with you ?
Foxen: Yes.It complained about you.
Darsana's calm cracked.His energy pulsed shaking the orb itself.The walls and paintings trembled.
Darsana: Why don't you let me finish first ?
Achinos: Alright,alright. Don't break my orb.
Darsana: So wielders we have brought you here,to test you.
Foxen(whispered to Mahnstin): See the glowing hump just turned into a scaredy cat.
Mahnstin ignored him.
Mahnstin: Was this because I failed to research Arcanum ?
Foxen: He didn't fail.You dragged us here before he could do a thing.
Darsana: No,Mahnstin. I sent you there so you would meet Foxen who was sent by Achinos.We wanted to see how you two would interact.The past wielders weren't cooperative with each other.
Mahnstin: I see....thank you sir.
Foxen: All of this...for our bonding.What are you two,ancient cupids ?
Darsana: Okay,you can stop your non-sense.
Achinos: Enough with the chit-chat already.
Darsana: Yes. Let's begin.
The floor of the orb warped forming a miniature universe.At it's centre hovered a glowing figure.
Foxen and Mahnstin were amazed.
Darsana: Both of you weren't granted our powers for your own purposes.You are tools.Instruments to stabilise the being you see before you.
The miniature disappeared and three figures were formed in front of them.
Darsana: CE-Cosmic enthalpy,isn't just energy.It's emotions,crystallised into forces that run through your blood vessels.
It comes in four types-
Amplify- absorbs CE from others and even their experiences.That's you Foxen.
Sensory- Perceives CE far beyond the norm,can sense it and visualise it. Myself and Mahnstin posses it.
Healing- rare.Can heal without the need of any external physical body. Neither of you posses it but we have found one that does.
Manipulative- can surge CE into other objects,change their shape or project the memories. Achinos possess it.
Achinos: Both of you weren't 'paired' with us by fate. Our powers enhance your natural capabilites.Hence,making you the best stabilising tools.
Foxen and Mahnstin didn't respond.
They knew they were being used but-
neither had the place or power to object.
Mahnstin stayed still.Fear of his people being hurt raveled behind his mind.
Foxen was lost.He stood alone-no people to lose and no future to look forward.
Foxen: So..you found the healer.Where's he ?
Darsana: Yes.And not 'he'.
Mahnstin: Where is she ?
Achinos: You will meet her when the time comes.
Darsana: Now....time to check your emotional resilience.
The floor beneath them dissolved like stardust unraveling into void.
The orb began to rotate itself.
The murals along the surface twisted like a memory.
Constellations blinked in and out.
The glowing spheres floated up to the core like lanterns in the sky and-
Foxen,Mahnstin were swallowed by the floor.The spheres followed them.
It took a shape or shaped into a memory-
A house being burned,a girl crying for help from inside while a boy stood outside doing nothing.
Foxen: Not this...
Mahnstin: You know about this ?
Foxen didn't respond.
Another memory took shape-
An urmartian trapped under a rubble screaming-why are you blaming me ?
Mahnstin: No one was supposed to know about this...
Foxen: Everyone does now.Care to explain what that is ?
Mahnstin didn't respond either.
The sphere shaped into other memories-
A girl holding her little brother.A village being burnt with its people.A man trying to break a huge stone with his bare hands.
These memories weren't theirs but the pain was felt by them.
Foxen: Memories deepen like scars in our minds.
Mahnstin: You are right and they get worse with time.
They were pulled out.
Back into the orb where Darsana and Achinos awaited.
Darsana: Impressive you endured the pain-not just yours but others' too.
Achinos: Look at them,speechless.
Mahnstin: What's next ?
Darsana: You both passed.Now go back to your mission.
Achinos: What's wrong blue meat ? No witty comebacks ?
Foxen didn't answer he stood in silence.
Mahnstin looked at him-concerned.
He patted Foxen's shoulder.
Mahnstin: He is just preparing for the next mission.
Darsana: Good.Don't disappoint us.
Darsana raised his hand.The floor beneath them glowed and
A spark.
Both of them were sent back to Arcanum.
Not a second older but- carrying a pain deeper.
End of chapter 9.