The Regressed NoBody

I deactivated both of my skills, as I heard Vetustima’s instruction, I took the dimensional artifact in my other hand and imbued it with a prickle of my mana. It gave the slightest of a cluster, as the glow from its surface subsided and soon I withdrew the item which was within the artifact.

My brows knitted, questioningly, as I laid eyes on a small palm sized pouch, which was made of a very fine and exquisite silk, just by touching it I could feel the quality and richness of the product, which had a string of gold attached to it.

Mordian beside me observed with curiosity.

“What is this suppose to be?” I asked, expectantly looking at Vetustima to clarify, as he stirred and clasped his hands behind his back, his face taking a more comfortable expression, much more compatible to his gentle and graceful appearance.

He gracefully carried himself, his face maintaining a certain type of familiarity, but his eyes still looking as sharp and sagacious as before.

“Oh that...” he said, as he caught attention of the item in my hand. With a slight pull of his lips, he answered, his voice coming out concise and gentle. “I believe this is something you have so very desperately been in search for, since biding farewell to the thalassalithions.”

“Ehh..” I made an odd sound, a combination of surprise and shock palpable over my face, but I composed myself as I saw a wry smile playing on the titan’s face.

My brows rose in surprise, I felt furrow lines forming on my forehead, as I slowly loosened the golden string of the pouch and saw something powder-like inside, but it gave off a pearly colour with the ocean-blue of the sea mixed together with a sparkling ambiance of the stars, giving it a mystifying colour which didn’t seem usual for normal powder.

‘Could this really be...?!’ My mind stirred by the revelation as I cradled the star-dust with absolute care to not drop the pouch accidentally and lose the ingredient.

“You’re thoughts exactly.” The remnant commented as if having read my thoughts. “This is the second ingredient, which is required to make the ‘Elixir of Life’. This star-dust you hold in your hand is something so precious that it cannot be found just anywhere or placed a price upon due to its rarity.”

“Then what’s so special about this star-dust?” I asked, intrigued over Vetustima’s words. When I'd first found the evernight petals, the very first ingredient, they were in quite an abundance so I'd retrieved a hand full amount of them, but what was so special about this powder like ingredient that made it so rare.

Vetustima smiled, a harmless smile, but one that made me feel foolish, as if I’d asked an obvious question. “Because this star-dust you hold in your hand is grinded from the scales of a leviathan, and not just scales of any leviathan, but the progenitor of the leviathan race.”

“What?!” Mordian said, his voice filled with shock and eyes wide enough that even I was left surprised by his change in demeanour suddenly, as if he’d heard something so odd that his usual composed face broke into a shocked frown.

“Why? Is it that rare to attain the scales of a leviathan?” I asked, placing emphasis over my words, as I shifted my gaze between Mordian and Vetustima.

“Yes, it very much is.” This time my bond replied to my question. His voice sounding coherent as he composed himself, his golden eyes deeply in thought, yet holding the glint of flabbergast. “It’s just as rare for them to give away their scales, as it is for us dragons only the feathers of our wings.”

My bond looked at me with an understanding expression, trying to convey the important information through our mental link, slowly explaining about the leviathans.

“Because we ash’ari have an abundance of mana packed in a single form, because as I previously told you, we need mana to just sustain our body, so our body is far stronger and more productive, which allows us to live longer lives than the minor races. So you could say, that our entire body is a bundle of rare and unobtainable ingredients and materials, which cannot be found anywhere in the world. That’s why its so rare, because of the mana fused into our body, making its sturdier than normal bodies."

I felt another window of understanding opening in my mind as I heard Mordian’s explanation over the mysterious ash’ari.

“But it is even rarer to feast eyes on something which was once connected to the leviathans.” Mordian said as he shifted his weight from his right foot to his left. “Because as I mentioned before, the leviathans are a race which are indeed a long ally among the ash’ari, but their interactions with the other ash’ari races has always been to the minimum and to the point, that’s why, even to us, they are mysterious creatures, whom we know not enough about. So looking at something, which once belonged to a leviathan, and no less than their progenitor, made me surprised, for him to willingly give away his scales, a precious part of his body.”

“Who said, he gave them away willingly?” Upon Vetustima’s statement, both me and Mordian looked at the titan with a frown, looking completely dumbfounded.

“Haa..” I made an awkward noise, feeling my mouth agape, same could be said for Mordian, but he composed himself quickly, so did I

“Heh, it's merely a joke. I guess my humour didn’t seem to reach you. Or...” he paused, sharing awkward glances with both of us, “is it because the era has changed quite a bit. Well, I do apologise for my sudden response.” Vetustima said with a cool demeanour, his face looking as gentle as a fond uncle as he looked at both of us.

Really, I guess, even among the ash’ari there is an entire spectrum of different people and personalities. And I guess, the ash’ari can’t read the atmosphere to crack jokes, is that why their humour is so bad. And is this really a situation to crack jokes? I thought inwardly, looking at the titan with an uncomfortable and awkward air. Well we were just at each others throats a moment ago and now we are sharing pleasantries with one another like old buds who haven’t seen each other in years.

Well, whatever some scholar on earth once said: Life truly is unpredictable. Dogs might start living peacefully with cats, or humans might grow more body parts, so be prepared for anything in life.

But I shrugged away these thoughts for the time being as I focused on the remnant spirit in front of me.

“I suppose we should get back to the main topic as we have strayed off, I hope we have exchanged enough pleasantries, which has made us more intimate to exchange our words more effectively and easily with each other.” Vetustima said, adding a mature smile to his final words to appear more intimate with us both.

I nodded over his statement as he began to explain the properties of the second ingredient.

“This star-dust is special because it supposedly holds the capacity of rejuvenation, but differently from the hamadryades, because the leviathans may be an existence which the present ash’ari races know little about, but one thing is for certain and that is, they have a good grasp of the aspect of life and their understanding is best right after the phoenixes, but knowing certain things which the phoenixes lack, and the other way around.” The titan’s white skin stretched and wrinkled as his face took a more serious tone. “So this star-dust is an item necessary for you to make that concoction to cure your sibling.”

I took a deep breath, the weight of Vetustima’s words once again reminded me of my responsibility to find a cure for Jihye’s condition.

And whenever I remembered about Jihye, I would always feel the pit of my stomach grow heavy with guilt, for being unable to help my sister. It always left me disdainful of my own powerlessness, that despite being her only family, I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me most.

Not even when she was at her weakest when suffering on daily basis from her body slowly dying from the cold slumber's afflictions. I couldn’t do anything despite being her only family, her brother, all I could do right now was try to find a cure for her, but who knows how long will it take.

“Now, don’t make such a face,” Vetustima gently said, his voice sounding so caring and filled with empathy, as it gripped at my heart’s strings. But the guilt in my heart still felt so fresh. “It wasn’t your fault what happened to your sister, so don’t blame yourself every chance you get.” Vetustima gazed at me with a serene and understanding look in his eyes, as if he saw my real self, directly gazing at Shun. “It’s alright to remember your past failures and mistakes, use them to build the foundation of what you hope to achieve in the future, but don’t make it a shackle which holds you back, and can’t allow you to move forward. You can’t hope to change the past, because it will always remain something that you have lived through, a period of time which cannot be reversed, but you can strive and fight to create a better future, for yourself and the people you love. Remember that.”

“Even if you have regressed back in time, the many scars which haunt you till today and are branded like an irreversible mark over your heart can’t be easily erased, but I won’t say something immature like I understand the pain that you went through, because everyone experiences loss in their own certain way which is hard to describe. But I do understand the loss of seeing your cherished perish in front of your eyes. It is a hard time, but,” Vetustima’s eyes softened, as if he had reminisced over some past memory, the guilt and disappointment palpable on his face.”

“But you can allow them to fade slowly, the scars, accept them and learn from them. That’s all we can do.”

Vetustima ended his words of advice with a carefully building care and wisdom which spoke highly of his knowledge and open-mind.

His words were right, but yet here I was still fixed on the past I’d decided to leave behind and start anew. There was so much I still regret not doing, or doing differently.

I guess it was harder to do than I’d expected. How could I, all of a sudden forget about what I'd done, the pain and suffering I’d inflicted on the people I was most indebted to.

“It’s hard to let go of the kind of fear which grows within you when you’re at your lowest; weak and powerless. It grows along with you, despite how many times you tell yourself to forget about it or let go.” Mordian said, a sombre tone laced his words, as I felt the emotions of guilt and hopelessness shroud his mind, likely that he had experienced such loss himself, like a tremor running through our connection as I could feel understanding in his words, I was surprised to see his gaze conveying empathy, so his thoughts, which I’d thought the dragon lacked, because of his stern behaviour.

“True! But I guess, all we can do is move forward one step at a time and learn to do better; because it’s in our continual striving that we find growth and meaning.”

“Wise words.” Vetustima japed with a friendly smirk, I returned with my own and turned to look at Mordian who had once again enveloped his face by a veil of stoicism.

‘I know the atmosphere grew a little sombre, but you can ease up at little, you know.” I sent through our link, trying to lighten up, and get a response out of him.

‘If this entire situation can be said as such, then it's better than being held captive for several centuries in a dim cavern with only my thoughts to ponder over. It isn’t bad.’ Mordian sent back, humour tinged in his tone.

I cracked a smirk, as I gave a knowing look to my bond, but he maintained his usually composed demeanour now.

I guess, being isolated from others for a prolonged period of time can cause a person to became like this. A slightly grumpy, stoic, but compassionate dragon.

I laughed inwardly as I imagined him as such in my imagination.

But in an effort to change the subject and shift the awkward atmosphere, my bond lifted the dimensional artifact in his hand and asked.

“And what does mine have?”

“This artifact is slightly different, and special from the other one.” Vetustima replied solemnly.

“How so?” Mordian asked, observing the ring keenly.

Curious, he slid the artifact over his thumb and wore the ring as he empowered it with mana, but for some reason, Mordian frowned, pushing more mana as if the ring rejected and expelled his mana.

“Why can’t I use this dimensional artifact?” Mordian asked in exasperation.

“Because this one is slightly special than the other dimensional artifact I’ve created. The item inside is something that will reveal itself when the appointed time comes. Until then, it will have a spell placed over it, to not allow you to acquire the item inside.” The remnant explained.

An air of boastful arrogance grew around him as he spoke. “And I do tell you, the item inside it isn’t just some simple object, it’s a masterpiece which I’ve crafted and take great pride in after two other items. You could call them my greatest masterpiece.”

Curious, I decided to ask about the other two items but he only gave me an vague idea, the item which supposedly was the titan’s masterpiece was a morphing sentient weapon, which could take the form of any weapon the host desired or taking a form depending of the host’s talent and capacity for it. But he told me that it was supposedly lost during the ancient war.

“The last masterpiece I crafted in my life was this relic armour.” Vetustima said, pointing at the red-rimmed armour. “You have witnessed it’s durability and defences first hand and how much damage it can withstand despite its condition now, which is a shadow of it original condition. It's something that can’t be easily damaged, but it’s not indestructible, a strong concentrated attack of mana or demonic energy can still damage and pierce past its defences. But due to my deteriorating strength, I wasn’t able to repair the relic armour like I'd done with your sword. It was damaged and I fixed and made it more durable. But I didn’t have much mana left to repair my armour.”

I nodded in gratitude as I walked closer to razor’s edge, still standing where it did. I retrieved it and noticed the repairs that Vetustima had mentioned, then stored it inside the inventory.

I directed my attention back at Vetustima and spoke. “I hope you can provide me with some answers, unlike my short meeting with Indra Arudecarus which left me hanging with more questions than answers. Please tell me, just what did you remnants witness in the ancient war, to become these ghosts in order to help me? What does this war have to do with me, and how is it connected to me? What happened so long ago that made the daemon exciduim race to antagonise the ash’ari? Just who is this ‘he’ that made these keystones that can help me gain insight into these aspects of reality and what does he want from me?”

Vetustima carefully listened to each and every word, his brows knitted as I felt his face taking a serious and complex expression suddenly, as I saw his face turning slightly ethereal, leaving me confused. The body which I think had a physical sense to it, started to become more incorporeal as seconds ticked by.

“It looks like I’m finally reaching my limit after such a long time. But its true that it has been a very long time since I decided to bind my soul to this relic armour and wait for you. And I guess I overexerted myself during our battles, but it was true that I was caught off guard both times by your extraordinary abilities, Seo Jiwoo.” The titan remnant said, as his body fluxed between physicality and incorporeal. “But I suppose this old titan can hold on until the end of this one final conversation. I will provide you with some answers which I’m able to or allowed to.”

I braced myself as I felt a mixture of different emotions stir within my heart, anticipation, disappointment, surprise and many others. Mordian by my side, looking as attentive and serious as ever.

“We progenitor of the ancient ash’ari races, were at odd with each other at one point in time—our entire races to be exact—none of us were really allies back then and had different ideologies and perspectives which clashed with the ideologies of the other races.” Vetustima’s face took a more stern expression as be continued. “So we were always and entirely at odds all of the time. But I still remember the days when the young dragon lord from one of the subordinate clans among the dragons, your ancestor, Mordain Astrionyx preached the sonnets of peace and unity among the dragons and the other races. Others labelled him as a pacifist and some coward for trying to acknowledge the other races and trying to bring them together. It was a tough time, and to get past the fixated brains of those old-fashioned ash’ari before us was quite the ordeal your ancestor had to endure, Mordian.”

“But he was different, better in a sense, he was open-minded, understanding and respectful of the other ash’aris perceptives and opinions. He spoke for himself, and he spoke carefully. But at that time the storms of conflict were brewing amongst each race, making everyone on edge, Mordain sought each of us progenitors out in secrecy—well back then we weren’t the leaders of our respective races, but simply ash’ari with authority slightly higher than an elder.”

Vetustima thought carefully upon his next words. But I was already prepared, that the titan could only give me the information he was allowed to.

“And the conflicts brewed into an outright civil-war, which he had to fight due to his different opinions clashing against his dragon brethren, he wanted to unify the ash’ari once and for all, those battles we assisted him with, and afterwards, he finally ascended the throne and became the king of the dragons, and the progenitor of the Astrionyx clan.”

“Giving him absolute authority amongst the dragons. And afterwards, he'd done just as he'd promised us, the dragons were the first to extend the hand of peace and unity to the other races, and we stood firm with our brethren.”

I attentively listened to Vetustima, trying to piece the information together as I momentarily tore my gaze away from him and at Mordian, who had a look of puzzlement and incisive understanding, hearing about his peoples rich history.

Vetustima gave us a side glace and continued. His words were concise and easy to understand. I was finally getting some answers, but I still hoping inwardly that I could get the answer to that one question.

But suddenly, the atmosphere around Vetustima shifted, making both of us stand on guard as the air around us became stiffening.

“That is after the peace treaties between the ash’ari races were made that Mordain introduced us to ‘him’.”

I swallowed hard, as my mind flew back to my conversation with Indra, as I read the expression of anger visible over the remnant's face. A burning fury locked away for such a long time, as he tried to compose himself but failed.

“He was unlike any man or ash’ari I’d ever seen before. He was...” Vetustima took a breath, his face turned more see-through as the titan continued with a sigh, as if the pent-up anger was released through his exhale. “He had a godly presence, as if he was someone who had witnessed what we never could’ve. His mind far evolved and his knowledge was like the never-ending archives, holding the hidden truths of this universe which could never be grasped by us.”

“What?” I said, voice filled with confusion.

“In his presence, the world itself seemed subject to his will and ideas. He was able to bend reality itself, understand life and creation, as if he’d been the one who had completely grasped the aspect which governed the edict."

The more Vetustima spoke, the more I felt my frown deepen as I tried to make out of his words.

Just who was this man? And what did he wanted from me then?

“Who is he? Was he a real...god?” I asked, astound over the information I was able to receive from the titan remnant.

Mordian stayed silent, his hand over his jaw, as if his mind was in some deep pondering, a wall between us, built by him, for him to focus.

Vetustima slowly shook his head, as if even he didn’t fully understand that being.

“No, but he was unlike any other. He used powers which were extraordinary and god-like, hard to understand, something we’d never witnessed. Unlike mana, he could very literally manipulate the force which governed the universe, as if he was a part of it.”

“Indra did mention something like this, but rather is an abstracted sense, saying that there could be another element, a power which could bend reality itself.” I said, word to word as Indra had told me, and Vetustima nodded.

“But so far its only an abstract theory given to me by the basilisk.” I added right after. “But I don’t seem to believe that it could be true. How am I able to understand something, which not even you ash’ari could with your centuries worth of accumulated wisdom?”

But Vetustima apologised as I frowned. He couldn’t give me that answer, feeling annoyed.

“But do you have a choice?” He added afterward, trying to sound gentle.

Vetustima read my expression and clarified over one necessary detail, previously not mentioned by Indra.

“The reason we are unable to provide you with more information than we can, is because it will only make you more confused. And the reason why we’re still able to stay in his disembodied state, is because of the binding vows we made with him.”

“A binding vow is more of a covenant which binds two individuals souls together, making them bonded under certain rules. And if not worked upon them, the person who doesn’t adhere to the rules set, would have to deal with the repercussions. And all of us made these binding vows with ‘him’.”

“Then does this individual have a name?” My bond suddenly asked, his eyes looking curious but there was some conflict going on within, which I barely able to feel through our link.

“Yes.” Vetustima answered. “That individual's name is ‘Primordial.”

“He is...someone we ash’ari are indebted to, even to this day.”

“How so?” Mordian asked, his brows knitted, face expressionless.

“Because the egnamtic abilities which the ash’ari reign over and are prideful about, root from our times, and Primordial was the one who helped us understand the aspects which each ash’ari race hold speciality over. Helping us better understand mana and the things around us."

Vetustima gazed at me, as he continued. “The dragons who reign over absolute knowledge, seemingly the masters of manipulating time—yes, your race held the insight, but it seems the younger generation lacks it or it was lost. The pantheons with their arts of war and death, Primordial helped them create the most deadliest form of martial arts, or even the basilisk whom perfected their decay-type mana arts.”

“Be it the phoenixes, leviathans or hamadryades, all of us ash’ari received something from Primordial, which allowed us to become what we are today. He was the change that instigated everything.”

“Then why is such a being not known in our old ash’ari texts, or even know through some myth or legend?” Mordian said, his voice a little hoarse, his tone raised and eyes confused.

“Because of what Primordial did. Or rather what he caused.” Vetustima said, his expression dark and tone grave.

“The price we had to pay in order to stop the calamity.”

My brows knitted as I felt at a standstill, unable to process the information which came down on me like an avalanche. What calamity was he talking about?

“When we ash’ari went to war—which is now referred to as the ancient war—against the strengthened and more powerful daemon exciduim race as a unified race, to tell the truth, we severely underestimated them for looking down on them for so long, but Primordial had warned us, and due to that mistake, we almost lost. But ultimately, we didn’t come out unscathed, the price we had to pay that day was the massacre of two entire races, with barely any survivors.”

His eyes grew sombre, in them I saw so much sorrow and guilt, as if I stared at a never-ending abyss of dread. “And one of that race was of the titans, with the other being the phoenixes. You must be aware of this fact Mordian. It is mentioned in the old ash’ari texts.”

His gaze swept away from my bond and at me, his bright eyes looked vengeful. “You as well, Jiwoo. You saw a vision which showed you what had happened that very exact day. That horror inducing battlefield and the deaths, the lives we lost in that single day. How many children, friends and families do you think I saw that day, taste death because of that calamity? Numerous!” His voice raised slightly a building edge to it. “That scene could no less be described as literal hell.” Vetustima's voice drowned more in sorrow with each word he spoke, as I recalled the alien battlefield and the bodies which filled the land.

It was truly something unfortunate.

“And because of what happened, Primordial was shunned by many, the ash’ari whom trusted him, began to despise him. And I was no different from them. The leader and friend that I once followed, I began to despise him with all my heart.”

“Then why do you still hold on? Why did you make the binding vow?” I asked, my own thoughts stuck, I came past a lump as I tried to ask more but stopped and only asked that.

“Because somethings ought be done than others. And you could say, the real reason behind my persistence is to not allow a tragedy like that to happen all over again. So I did what I could. I trusted you."

“But that was the last time I saw Primordial, before we made the binding vows, as he vanished to stop the calamity.” Vetustima emphasised over the ‘calamity’ again, as I felt something was amiss.

As if he had obscured some important information from us on purpose.

But suddenly, the light around Vetustima dimmed as his face turned more incorporeal as his body shrouded in the scaled armour wobbled.

I reached closer to him, Mordian by my side, but he waved our concern away as he slowly took a hold of his deteriorating spirit.

“But I must tell you this before...I disappear.” His voice sounded dull and tired, as he looked straight in my eyes.

“Primordial told us, that this world is suspended from a very delicate tether, a balance which is almost unstable.” His finger pointed at me as he spoke with a heavy voice, still trying to sound coherent even as his face turned almost translucent and see-through. “And something caused this balance to become like this, some interface or force of change," his eyes went to Mordian for a moment, as he stayed silent, looking at the dragon intently, then looked back and said. “You always seem to be in the middle of it all.”

“What do mean?” I asked, as I was once again reminded of Laurena's words which echoed in my mind.

“Unaffected by these changes, but still very much tangible associated to these changes and unpredictable events. Jiwoo, I want you to look at the bigger picture, not just what you see outwardly, don’t just believe whatever is told to you, you were obscured of these truths and information in your previous life, so I want you to doubt everything, and only after you eliminate what is true and what is false, only then can you hope to learn the hidden truth; the entire truth. And I hope you can one day do it.”

Just what was he trying to indicate toward? What truth was he talking about. And what about my past life? What did he mean by that?

“Don’t just believe that Primordial is a peacemaker from what I told you. Doubt him, do not allow yourself to be tricked again, as you were in your last life. Because he very much must’ve had some hidden motive in approaching the ash’ari, and for him to do what he did in order to stop the calamity.”

A confused frown creased past my face as I asked. “Just what is this calamity you’ve been talking about? And why do you keep referring to my past, as if what you’re trying to say, is something was supposed to happen but it didn’t?"

“Yes, you were deprived of your opportunities because of certain interferences which weren't coincidences and because of that your strength was stunned. Aren’t you curious just how you were able to reach the enlightenment stage in just the span of an year, considering it took you several years to do so in the past?” Vetustima pointed out, as if he had made a statement I couldn’t rebut.

“I-I...” I couldn’t seem to give any answer.

“Jiwoo, Mordian, remember to always question what you see and hear. Be discerning and separate truth from falsehood. Even consider the actions of the demon king with caution, his actions I witnessed long ago were peculiar and strange to a degree that made me think they were manipulated. I believe there is someone else who is pulling the strings from behind. Subtle shifts are taking place, and these changes might not work to your advantage. Keep your eyes open and wits sharp; not everything is as it seem in these times. Many things are hidden behind a veil of deceit.”

“But then how are we able to find out what is true and what's not?” I asked, slightly unnerved, as I looked at Vetustima with a growing scowl.

“You will, I can vouch on it, that these keystones and trials are truly made to assist you in order for you to grow stronger and gain insight into the aspects of reality, but, I have long lost my trust in Primordial, so be careful of whatever step you make.”

Vetustima made a shrill noise, as his body fought to stay in the physical realm, as it turned more incorporeal, the armour somehow helped him, but due to its damage it grew several more cracks and dends.

“I believe my time has come. I have bided more time than I should have. I needed to tell you this. As much as for myself as for the fallen warriors.”

Vetustima brought a hand forward, seemingly wanting me to take it. I relaxed my facail expression, my brows were still knitted.

I took his hand in mine, as I felt his entire body burst with a blinding light, as the relic armour he wore stirred and then to my absolute surprise, the scales began to lurch at me and attach themselves over my skin.

I wiggled in surprise, but Lord Vivagrandus held my hand firmly, as all the scales from his almost incorporeal body transferred over to mine, as I felt a surge of warmth bloom on my body, followed which a tingle as I felt a push from my mana, which swept into the cracks and broken areas of the relic armour, whose rimmed red colour had taken a more iridescent colour mixed with a shade of amethyst, with the black onyx scales encompassing my entire body, from my toes to my chin, as the armour fixed itself, and all the damage had been rid from it.

It looked completely new and didn’t bring me any form of discomfort, as if I was only wearing another layer of clothes. The armour had taken a more smaller form, to adjust to my physique and size as the iridescent-rimmed armour, gave off a slight glow and then settled entirely over my skin.

“I give you one of my most important creations.” He said, as he now appeared in simple robes comprised of a long military based tunic and trousers.

“It can heal and regenerate itself using your mana, and as you’ve witnessed its durability yourself earlier, I hope it can protect you and provide assistance in your future battles.” Lord Vivagrandus said, his figure fluxed as the light around his eyes dimmed.

“How do I take it off? Like is it possible to...ahh...” I asked, trying to project gratitude through my tone, confusion was more prominent.

“Oh yes, just search for the tether which connects you to this relic through your mana, and using that you make it vanish.” Vetustima instructed. “This is one of the abilities of the relic armour, an equipment which is now bonded to you.”

Just as he had instructed, I worked my mana as I tested the relic armour myself, my mana swept and shrouded the black scales as it strengthened the armour and I could feel the pulse released by it, and made it even more sturdier, as I felt the convergence of the ambient mana around me faster than ever before. Then as I withdrew my mana back and just as I did, I felt the tether which Vetustima had told me about, as I pulled on it with my mana.

Just as I did, the armour reacted and vanished inward, as if absorbed into my body, but despite it physical absence, I could still fell the armour draped over my body and clothes even if it'd turned invisible.

It was still there, in a dormant state, but ready to be called out and used at any moment.

“Impressive.” Mordian said with a hint of envy, as he walked closer to me and held my forearm and squeezed it, his arm reinforced by mana as his grip tightened.

But there was no physical pain, all I felt was just a tingle which made me aware of the touch, and warmth of Mordian's hand as naturally as it should have conveyed, despite me wearing the armour now.

“Impressive indeed.” I returned with awe and I summoned the armour once again and then made it vanish later, getting used it.

“It looks like you have taken a liking to the relic armour.” Vetustima said with a curve of his lips.

“Yes, thank you so much for this. And everything you told us. I will keep your advice in mind as I approach new challenges.”

“That I’ll be happy over.” He said, his voice turning more ethereal as I felt a distortion in the space around us and soon enough a portal conjured, releasing its energy around the platform.

“Now go, you must continue on your journey. My purpose has ended and I’ve done what I needed to. I hope your journey bring you to the conclusion you wish for, Seo Jiwoo.”

He ushered us both closer to the portal as I felt the warmth of its energy spilling over me like the hue of a sun rise in mid-spring.

“There may come times when it will become hard for both of you to make decisions which might seem difficult, but I hope you two can trust each other and continue to support one another.” Lord Vivagrandus advised, his final words kind and gentle as his body slowly started to vanish like star-dust brushed away by the wind, as he bade us farewell with a warm smile, but there was still the same guilt and sorrow palpable over his face, I'd seen before me.

I looked at my bond, his face relaxed and expressionless, but I could tell there was some deep contemplation going on in his mind.

And there was still the matter left of the vision which Mordian had find out about.

But pushing these thoughts to the back of my head for now I took a refreshing breath, trying to appease my mind and calm myself. With how things were, and what we’d just learned, I think we both need time to come to terms with the things that were revealed to us. I was still very much confused from the conclusion of our conversation.

There were still several things which I didn’t know about, but I had learned a few new things which might help me piece the puzzle together.

“Let’s go, Mordian.” That’s all I said, my bond returned with affirmation in my mind, before we both silently entered the portal and left the platform.