anwhile...
Adam and Ignis suddenly found themselves standing in a completely different place.
The floor beneath their feet was made of smooth white stone, forming a large circular altar. At the very center of the altar floated a brilliant star, glowing with a soft, pure white light that pulsed gently like a heartbeat. The light was warm and comforting, completely different from the cold darkness they had just escaped.
Above them, the ceiling was no longer stone. Instead, it looked like an endless night sky filled with countless stars, slowly rotating in a beautiful, peaceful motion.
Ignis’s golden eyes widened as she looked up.
"...How beautiful..." she whispered in awe, her voice soft.
Adam, still holding her in his arms, slowly lowered her to the ground. His crimson eyes scanned the surroundings warily.
"...Where are we?" he muttered.
Before either of them could say anything else, a figure slowly materialized in front of the glowing star.
It was the Guide.
But unlike before, the Guide looked significantly weaker. Its form was faint and flickering, as if it was barely holding itself together. The usual calm and majestic aura it once carried was now thin and fragile.
The Guide looked at them and spoke in a tired but gentle voice.
"...Congratulations, Adam Smith. And to you as well, Ignis of the Blazeheart. You have successfully completed all the trials."
Adam and Ignis both tensed. Adam gently pushed Ignis slightly behind him, his crimson eyes narrowing in caution.
"...We succeeded?" he asked, still confused.
The Guide gave a small nod.
"You did. In fact, you have gone beyond what was required. By surviving the deepest layer of the eternal darkness on your own, and by overcoming the trials within the Path of Reflection, you have earned the right to stand here."
The Guide’s glowing form flickered slightly.
"The Goddess has also given her approval. As a reward for your efforts... she will grant you one Blessing. Whatever you desire, as long as it is within the power of the Loom, shall be granted."
Adam was silent for a mont. Then he spoke without hesitation.
"...Can it heal soone?"
The Guide was quiet for a few seconds before answering.
"...I’m afraid that is not possible. The one you wish to heal carries the blood of the Void Race. Their existence lacks a complete ’unity’ with this world’s laws. Healing them through the Loom’s blessing is beyond its authority."
Adam closed his eyes for a brief mont. He had already suspected this answer.
"...I figured as much," he muttered.
He then opened his eyes and looked directly at the Guide.
"In that case... repair this broken artifact."
He reached into his pouch and took out the Compass of Desire, placing it gently on the altar in front of the glowing star.
"Fix this."
The Compass of Desire floated gently above the altar, bathed in the light of the shining star.
The Guide looked at the artifact, then back at Adam.
"...Understood."
The Guide nodded at Adam’s request.
It raised one hand, and the glowing star in the center of the altar shone brighter. A stream of pure white light flowed from the star and wrapped around the Compass of Desire, lifting it gently into the air.
The ancient compass began to react. Cracks that had ford across its surface slowly started to nd. Faint runes that had long since faded began to glow once more with a soft golden light. The needle inside the compass, which had been completely still, started to spin slowly as if awakening from a long slumber.
The Guide spoke while the repair continued.
"...This Compass of Desire is extrely old. Even with the power of the Loom, I can only restore its core function. Because of its age, the compass will likely only be able to be used three tis before its energy runs out completely."
The star’s light grew even brighter for a mont. The Compass of Desire floated higher, spinning slowly as its internal chanisms realigned.
"I have repaired its function," the Guide continued. "However, its external shell has already deteriorated too much. It may not be able to withstand the energy flowing through it for long. Once the three uses are exhausted... the compass will likely break apart."
Adam watched the process quietly. His crimson eyes reflected the glowing light of the compass as it slowly descended back toward his hand.
When the repair was complete, the Compass of Desire landed gently in his palm. It looked almost the sa as before but now, a faint golden light pulsed from within it, and the needle moved with clear purpose.
Adam closed his fingers around it.
"...That’s already more than enough," he said calmly.
He looked up at the Guide.
"Thank you."
Ignis stood beside him, still staring at the compass with a mix of awe and relief. She gently placed her hand on Adam’s arm.
"...We can finally go find Abyssal Bloom for Alice, right?" she asked softly.
Adam nodded, gripping the Compass of Desire tightly.
"Yeah. With this... we finally have a real chance."
The Guide’s form flickered again, becoming even fainter than before.
"...Your trial is complete, Adam Smith. The Loom of Fate has acknowledged your strength. From this mont onward, the path ahead is yours to walk."
It looked at both Adam and Ignis one last ti.
"...May the stars guide your way."
With those final words, the Guide’s body slowly dissolved into particles of light, disappearing completely from the altar.
After the Guide completely disappeared, the altar in front of them began to glow. A swirling silver portal slowly opened in the air, pulsing with the sa light as the one Adam had used to enter the abyss earlier.
Ignis looked at the spot where the Guide had been standing just monts ago. Her golden eyes showed a hint of worry.
"...That Guide looked really weak just now," she said softly. "Like it was about to disappear at any mont."
Adam didn’t answer imdiately. His crimson eyes were fixed on the newly opened portal, but his expression had turned serious.
"...I have a bad feeling," he muttered. "Let’s go back to Lilith and Isolde. Sothing doesn’t feel right."
Ignis nodded without argunt. She could sense the shift in Adam’s mood.
Without wasting any more ti, the two of them stepped into the silver portal together.
A familiar pulling sensation wrapped around their bodies. In the blink of an eye, the peaceful starry chamber vanished, replaced by the cold, ancient stone of the Loom of Fate chamber.
As soon as they stepped out of the portal, both Adam and Ignis stopped in their tracks.
Their eyes widened slightly at the scene in front of them.
Lilith stood in the middle of the chamber with a small, sadistic smile on her beautiful face. Her crimson eyes glead with clear enjoynt as dozens of her threads tightly bound a silver-haired Dark Elf, suspending her slightly above the ground. The threads wrapped around the elf’s arms, legs, and torso, making it impossible for her to move.
Standing calmly beside Lilith was Isolde, her arms crossed as she watched the scene with a composed expression. She didn’t look like she was stopping Lilith, in fact, she seed to be quietly observing and even participating in the interrogation.
The Dark Elf looked exhausted and terrified, her yellow eyes filled with fear and anger as she glared at Lilith.
Adam blinked once.
Ignis’s mouth opened slightly in surprise.
"...What the hell happened while we were gone?" Adam muttered under his breath.
Ignis leaned closer to him and whispered, still staring at the scene.
"...Lilith looks like she’s having way too much fun..."
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