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"My na is Eraldine, and she is Maria," Eraldine said, glancing at Maria. "We co from Yggdrasil, and we’ve been moving down from Floor 50 to the floors below, helping whoever we can while making our way to Floor 1."
"I see... how wonderful to be blessed by such kindhearted people," the Lady of the Lake said. "Thank you... I am sincerely in your eternal debt."
"There’s more to discuss..." Maria said. "I hope you’ll listen."
Maria explained what happened here and what needed to be done to protect the Realm. She also asked about the alliance and the possibility of destroying the tower to separate each world, freeing them from the constant threat of invasion.
"As you can see, my world is very small, a Spiritual Realm I created with all I had," the Lady explained. "I never thought it would be chosen by the tower as one of its floors, though the world I ca from was once part of the tower too, but was destroyed."
"Do you rember what floor it was?" Maria asked.
"It was a world made and governed by Spirits," she said. "It’s been so long that my mory is hazy, but it was a high floor. One day, it was invaded by Calamities beyond our power. Even the great Holy Spirits were defeated, and we fled to other worlds. I was among the few who created my own bubble, a world where I could live isolated with the survivors I brought along. But the tower is an inevitable constant. It always finds you..."
"That’s awful..." Celes sighed.
"So yes, I will beco your ally, Maria, even if my help is small compared to larger worlds. Destroying the tower while ensuring the safety of other worlds... though it sounds far-fetched, I want to believe in it," the Lady of the Lake said. "Let us seal our alliance. Touch my hand."
Maria gently touched her hand, as the Lady’s Spiritual Power and Maria’s Soul bound together in a special alliance contract.
"Thank you for trusting , despite my powers or true appearance... you didn’t discriminate or think I looked horrible," Maria said, smiling. The Elder felt a pang of guilt, looking at the water, realizing he and his people might have hurt their savior’s feelings with their earlier reactions.
"I did not," the Lady said. "Despite the nature of your powers, I know your heart is kind. That’s what truly matters. In my original world, my children here, the people, were once discriminated against, persecuted by other races. They were called hideous monsters. But I always knew they were innocent children I loved and protected... until our world ended."
"My lady..." The Elder, moved to tears, said, "Maria, my savior, I am sorry for how we reacted. We misjudged you... I hope you can forgive us one day."
"Hm? There’s nothing to forgive! It’s fine," Maria smiled. "Three lives of that make you immune to it. I know you didn’t an it."
"Still..." the Elder sighed. "Thank you for everything."
"Alright, we’re done here, I guess," Maria said. "Let’s leave. Oh, right, shall we leave so protection here?"
"Protection? The headless god is enough, no?" the Lady of the Lake asked.
"No," Maria said. "Olympus might seek revenge, so just in case, I’ll leave so strong Undead here and so of my Spawns too. They’ll alert imdiately, and you can send one as well. If soone invades this world again, I’ll co and take them down."
"...Thank you, Maria," the Lady said. "I owe you and everyone a great deal... All of you are rather special, to be honest. Celes, your Soul is that of a powerful Divine Spirit. It feels like she’s from my sa origin... sohow."
"Really?" Celes wondered. "Wow... Once we reach Atlantis, we might have to ask so questions about that."
"Alma, the power of Dreams you wield, and the Spirit born from it are not tied to my world, but they are beautiful in their own way," the Lady said. "Undine embodies the beauty of your dreams and your kind, pure heart."
"A-Ahahah... this is so embarrassing... but thank you," Alma giggled.
"And Eraldine, I recognize your kind from my original world," the Lady continued. "I’ve heard there’s another world in this tower that holds the true origins of your kind. Find it. I’m sure you’ll receive answers to the questions you’ve always had."
"We elves didn’t originate from Alfheim in Yggdrasil?" Eraldine asked, surprised.
"For all three of you, I have special blessings," the Lady said, touching their heads with her large finger.
Three taps, three spiritual blessings, greatly enhanced their spiritual power, especially for Celes and Alma, who were highly compatible with her powers.
"Amazing! I feel so strong now!" Celes cheered.
"Undine! You’ve changed a little!" Alma noticed Undine had beco even more majestic.
"A small Water Sprite?" Eraldine saw a little spirit, similar to her Light and Nature Spirits, floating beside her. It was a gift from the Lady.
"I trust you enough to entrust you with one of my children," the Lady said. "Protect her well, Eraldine."
"I will, thank you so much," Eraldine nodded, feeling truly happy.
Maria watched with growing excitent, hoping she’d receive a gift too.
"And for ? A blessing? A spirit? I’ll take anything," Maria said.
"For you... my powers aren’t compatible enough," the Lady sighed. "But I can do this. Co closer, my dear hero."
"Hm?" Maria floated closer. The Lady of the Lake leaned in, her beautiful face kissing Maria’s entire face. "Woah?!"
Maria gasped, blushing as the Lady smiled playfully.
"As fairy tales say, the hero earns the maiden’s kiss for rescuing her," she giggled. "Now, I must leave. Though I remain here, there’s much to do. This Realm needs healing. Thank you for everything."
She turned into water, dispersing into the lake.
Maria stood there, perplexed.
"Uh, well, that wasn’t too bad, I guess," Maria said.
Then she noticed Eraldine and Alma’s faces.
They looked at her with bored expressions.
"Wow, seriously..." Eraldine sighed.
"You’re very popular with girls, Maria," Alma said.
"Eh? Why are you mad at ?!" Maria cried. "I didn’t ask for any of this!"
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