Trinnon's gaze turned towards the direction of the great hall. Within it, a golden scale of suffocatingly immense size radiated a soft yet majestic radiance.
The massive weighing scale on either side resembled altars awaiting offerings.
"You need not spill blood or fight to the death. You need only..."
"...place one thing each upon its Scales of Judgment."
Trinnon's voice continued, carrying an all-knowing, ethereal quality. "One thing... heavier than the fate of the entire world."
"...It sounds," Phainon, standing not far opposite Mydei and observing in silence until now, muttered quietly, "more like a test of our convictions."
"Hey, Kremnoan!" Phainon raised his head, his voice lifting with a challenging edge, carrying clearly towards Mydei. "Seems your most prized brute strength won't be of any use this time!"
"HKS... (Kremnoan expletive)" The corner of Mydei's mouth twitched as he cursed under his breath. He then turned sharply and strode with purpose towards the deeper shadows of the sanctuary.
His broad back exuded an undeniable resolve, his voice rumbling forth like thunder:
"It matters not! 'Deliverer'. One last chance for you—turn and leave! I, Mydei, swear upon the honor of Castrum Kremnos, I shall let you live!"
His footsteps did not falter in the slightest. "Otherwise—follow me! Face me! I shall grant you an end... worthy of the courage you show now!"
...
Meanwhile, in another winding corridor of the sanctuary.
"Whew... back here again, Janusopolis." Phaethon's voice broke the silence in the corridor. He walked carefully beside walls covered in ancient mural, with Cyrene shadowing him closely.
"Indeed," Cyrene said, squinting slightly, her steps light, a gentle nostalgia on her face. "I even ran into High Priest Vittorio and Priest Jacob earlier; they were evacuating the sanctuary."
"Thinking back now, so much has happened. And yet, Phainon, and you too, Phaethon, have made such wonderful friends. ♪"
"Speaking of which, though, Phaethon~" Cyrene suddenly tilted her head, a hint of playful doubt in her tone. "You've never been to the inner depths of the sanctuary before, so why are you so familiar with the route here? Will taking this path... really let us sneak up to Phainon? ♰"
"Of course, Cyrene," Phaethon tapped his temple confidently, a all smile on his lips. "You can question me, but you must never question my... 'abilities'."
"Alright, alright~" Cyrene chuckled. "I definitely trust you Phaethon. But how much further do we have to go?"
"Almost there. Right at the next corner. Okay, we're here." Phaethon lowered his voice, pressing against the wall like a prowling cat, cautiously peeking around the corner to look down the other side.
And then...
His smile instantly froze on his face.
"Ahem, ahem... W-what a coincidental, Teacher Trinnon. You're... taking a stroll here too?"
Phaethon and Cyrene, who followed close behind, wore expressions of utter "caught red-handed" embarassement. Trinnon stood quietly in the center of the passageway beyond the corner, as if she had been waiting for a long time.
"*We... anticipated your arrival long ago." Trinnon's voice was calm.
"Um... ahem, that... Teacher Trinnon, I'll just be going now, won't disturb you..." Phaethon offered an awkward smile, his feet subtly shifting backward.
Trinnon's voice, however, rang out just as he began to turn:
"Do you recall that Prophecy, Phaethon? 'All shall bid farewell to one, and that person alone will witness the miracle.' "
"We and Agy argued over its meaning for a long time, yet could not pierce its final meaning . So... we ultimately left the decision to you."
Phaethon's steps halted.
Trinnon's voice seemed to transcend time itself. "Had you not appeared during this duel concerning the 'one' between Mydei and Phainon, then the 'one' in the Prophecy would have referred solely to Phainon."
"But if you chose to participate in this duel that determines the fate of the flame chase journey..."
Trinnon's voice paused slightly, carrying a sense of resigned understanding. "...then this 'one' refers to the twins, connected by blood and bearing identical appearances.."
"The result... is already quite clear, Phaethon."
Phaethon: *What! I got played by Aglaea and the three little ones.*
Trinnon continued: "The meaning of this duel does not lie in victory or defeat.
Its core lies in the choices... you and Phainon each make. So go ahead, Phaethon.
No need to hide any longer. No need to hesitate. Listen to the voice from the deepest part of your heart. We... await your final answer."
Having said that, she gracefully stepped aside, revealing the path ahead, illuminated by soft light, leading to where Phainon was.
Cyrene, for once, did not interject. She simply watched Phaethon with a gentle, silent gaze, awaiting his choice.
Phaethon's gaze slowly swept over the dark and deep corridor behind him—representing escape and the path he came from.
Then, he looked ahead again—at the seemingly bright corridor where, for now at least, Phainon awaited him.
"Heh..." Phaethon let out a self-deprecating yet resolute laugh. "You chose this... Phaethon..."
...
In the core area of the Sanctuary of Fate, beneath the magnificent golden scale.
The enormous scale stood silently. Phainon stood alone before it, his figure appearing exceptionally small beneath the colossal instrument. He stared intently at the symbol of absolute justice, his brow furrowed tightly, seemingly lost in diffult thoughts.
"Hey, Phainon." A familiar, teasing voice suddenly sounded behind him, breaking the heavy silence.
Phaethon had quietly appeared at his side unknowingly, reaching out to pat Phainon's shoulder. "What's up? Can't figure out what treasure to place on this big guy to outweigh that Kremnoan Prince?"
Phainon whirled around. Seeing Phaethon and the gently smiling Cyrene behind him, immense surprise flashed through his eyes.
He instinctively shot a quick glance towards where Trinnon stood, but saw no sign of explanation or attempt to stop his.
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Phainon lowered his voice and asked urgently: "Phaethon? Cyrene? How... did you get in here?"
"I came to see," Phaethon shrugged, his eyes sweeping over the awe-inspiring scale, his tone relaxed. "To see what my foolish twin brother would pull out to face this wager."
"Phew—" Phainon let out a long exhale. He glanced in the direction where Mydei was and whispered,
"I managed to sound out what Mydei plans to place... It's the Castrum Kremnos Signet Ring, the supreme symbol of his clan. Seems in his heart, more important than the world are his people and their honor."
"But for me..." Phainon's face showed confusion and helplessness. "I truly don't know... what I possess that can compare..."
"To use Teacher Trinnon's words," Cyrene stepped forward and said softly. "Follow the guidance of your own heart... Phainon."