The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 83 Ally

Alden slowly came to.

His eyelids fluttered open, allowing light to stream into his pupils.

Alden discovered he was back inside the Keeper's Donjon, sitting on a chair.

A light mist encompassed his surroundings.

It was as if he had never left...

Which, in a sense, was true - only his mind had entered the Key, leaving his physical body behind. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't be haunted any less by what he saw. Alden sighed, sealing the dark and negative experiences away. The last thing he recalled in the Trial was light and darkness fusing in an enthralling display before his consciousness was forcefully ejected from the Key.

Based on the smile that had split the Reaper's face, Alden surmised he had passed.

That, and also the fact that he hadn't become a vegetable.

Something which was... a great relief.

There was another indicator of his success.

Alden sensed his mind had become stronger, firmer.

...More resolute.

He could now go through more harrowing experiences and remain unfazed, his tolerance for suffering at an abnormally high level.

The price he had to pay to achieve that, though...

'Ah, it's probably best I don't think about that.'

Alden shook his head.

As he did that, he suddenly noticed a notification from the System in the corner of his vision.

He frowned, anticipation and sudden wariness flowing through him.

'I haven't done anything noteworthy deserving of a notification. Unless...'

The System was aware of what had transpired within the Key.

Alden's gaze sharpened.

He instinctively straightened, leaning forward.

The gears in his mind spun.

How was the System capable of this?

Wasn't the inside of the Key outwith its jurisdiction?

Were the two somehow connected...?

Sensing his thoughts about to spiral, Alden shelved his questions and shook his head.

He tapped on the notification.

The young man blinked.

Then, a slow smile spread across his face.

Alden's status screen read:

Name: [Alden]

The white-haired young man froze at her answer.

'Only a week???'

Alden's eyes widened at the nonchalance in the Keeper's tone.

Didn't she have any sense of time??

Wasn't that supposed to be more precious for people of her age?

Gritting his teeth, Alden bit back a sarcastic reply and let the anger and indignation flow out of his system. He slumped tiredly back into his chair - fatigue more mental than physical.

"The Trial was... something."

Perhaps sensing that Alden didn't want to talk more about the topic, the old lady didn't press him. Alden was silently grateful for that. He didn't know if he could handle digging into such a fresh wound.

It was better he left it be.

Time would heal it, as it did all things.

The only question was whether he had enough of that left, or if he'd just die a premature death. Alden sighed again, banishing the unhelpful thought. He sensed Morrigan draw near. The young man raised his head and found a cup of liquid in the old oracle's outstretched hand.

Alden silently received the drink, nodding his thanks to the Keeper.

Putting the cup to his mouth, Alden drank.

A moment later, some of his fatigue melted away.

He unconsciously relaxed, his lips curling into a soft smile.

Flicking his gaze, Alden discovered the old woman displaying a gentle expression.

He paused.

A sudden thought appeared in his mind.

Was this what it felt like to have a grandmother?

Alden didn't have any grandparents - all of them had died before he was born. Continue your adventure at empire

So, he didn't really get to experience their warmth... or love.

If he had to guess, it would probably be similar to the expression that Morrigan was showing.

That also begged the question...

Why did she stare at him with tenderness?

Was it because he was the 'son' of her first love?

Alden didn't really understand the enigmatic oracle. He guessed she was just that. Elusive.

'Comes with the power, I suppose.'

Shaking his head, Alden finished his drink. He closed his eyes with satisfaction, savouring the momentary clarity inside his mind. A short while later, he opened them again, steeling himself.

Morrigan now sat opposite him.

Alden slowly inhaled and donned a neutral and expressionless mask.

"Pardon my bluntness..."

He paused for a second, considering his words.

"...but what now?"