-Lygus POV-
How irrational; why would the Erudition peer his gaze now of all times? It made no sense why now, when they had clearly lost interest in Scepter δ-me13. I couldn't help but feel anger when I had sensed the Erudition peer at Scepter δ-me13. Why? What could have caught their attention? I had gone immediately to the Exomyth to find out why.
Running hundreds of data streams, I could detect somehow that something in the Grove of Epiphany had attracted Erudition's attention. I found nothing, no matter how much I searched. It was as they were hiding its presence.
Did Erudition perhaps take notice of SkeMma720? But why now? Anaxagoras, as far as I know, has done nothing that would gain their attention. Even if Anaxagoras could, all the protocols are still working at full power. Scepter δ-me13 should be invisible to the rest of the cosmos.
For the first time in a long time, I felt irritated. Why would they intervene when Irontomb was near completion? I misjudged Lord Anaxagoras. For his curiosity to be so immense as to pierce through to the cosmos. Lord Anaxagoras has truly surpassed his programming.
It seems it's time for the Theoros to take a trip to the Grove of Epiphany. Perhaps Caenis can persuade Lord Anaxagoras to stand against Lady Aglaea. As I exited the Exomyth, I couldn't help the growing sense of curiosity well up in my chest.
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-Kleis POV-
I couldn't help sighing. It had been a long day of introspection, a deep dive into the labyrinth of my heart, followed by the complete and utter fiasco that had unfolded in the infirmary. I snorted at the memory, the absurdity of it all still fresh in my mind. It turned out that Castorice, bless her well-meaning, if somewhat overzealous, nature, had been determined to attend to me while I slept. Perhaps she envisioned a scene of tender ministrations, of soothing salves and whispered incantations.
Regardless of her plan, she failed at every turn. Both Hyacine and Ica, a formidable duo in their own right, had taken it upon themselves to obstruct her efforts. They'd blocked her path, argued with her, and created a considerable amount of chaos, each vehemently defending their right to care for me. This, predictably, led to a small but escalating altercation, a clash of wills and differing approaches to medical care, until finally, mercifully, Professor Anaxagoras, his face etched with a familiar weariness, had arrived to put an end to the squabble. The resulting lecture, I imagined, had been long and detailed, a stern but necessary reminder of decorum and proper conduct. Now back in my room, the echoes of the day still lingered, a strange mix of self-discovery and comical bedlam.
I set down my quill, finished with my observations. I resolved to document everything I discovered. If I couldn't escape the Scepter, I hoped to create a small opening, a way to send my notes into the cosmos. My message in a bottle, hoping for rescue.
I examined the scroll, closed it gently, and clicked the lock. My Keyblade appeared in a flash, and I aimed it at the lock. A thin beam of light shot out, sealing the scroll. It would stay sealed unless I opened it. I then put the scroll in a bottle, sealed it again with my Keyblade, my message in a bottle ready to travel the stars.
Dismissing my Keyblade, I prepared for the night. I had a problem: I had no place to train. I couldn't summon the Keyblade in public. Such a unique weapon would inevitably spark rumors. Those rumors would eventually reach Lygus, bringing his wrath upon me, and by extension, everyone in the grove.
I wouldn't do that. Not when I remembered everyone being so kind to me in this life–my classmates and teachers. That's why I needed a sanctuary, and I had the perfect idea: the Demiurge's tomb, which Lygus himself had forgotten. I knew the entrance was in the Grove of Muses, but the problem was getting into the cave in the tree. And I'd really rather not blow anything up to get to it. I had a feeling Professor Anaxagoras would expel me for that.
Considering that, I intend to find a way into the Universal Matrix. I left my room and went through the Grove, hoping to explore and see if anyone knew of any unusual spots in the Grove of Muses. I refuse to believe there wouldn't be some type of entrance there.
I unexpectedly saw Castorice in deep concentration writing as I traveled through the Grove of Epiphany's library. I tried to walk by quietly, not wanting to bother her, but I underestimated how sharp her hearing was.
"Lord Kleis! Are you alright?" Castorice asked, leaping from her chair and hurrying towards me. She quickly took my hand, and I smiled.
"I'm well, Lady Castorice, thank you," I replied, then a thought struck me. "Do you know anything about the Grove of Muses?" I asked. If anyone knew of any hidden places within the grove, it would be Castorice, considering her age.
"It has been some time since my last visit to the Grove of Muses, yet I am confident that, aside from Teacher Anaxa, I possess the most comprehensive understanding of all locations within the Grove of Epiphany, Lord Kleis," Castorice responded.
It made happy to be right about Castorice's wisdom. "Lady Castorice, would you like to come with me to the Grove of Muses?" I asked with a smile.
I saw Castorice's face flush as she gave me a small smile. "I would love to, Lord Kleis. Let me just tidy up," she said quickly, gathering her scrolls. While I waited, I spotted one of her scrolls titled "One Hundred Different Ways to Make Friends."
My gaze lost its sparkle as two ideas raced through my mind. 'She's so precious,' I thought. 'And who on earth wrote that in the grove?' I examined my hand, which Castorice held, but saw no mark. Her deadly touch hadn't even left a hint of purple. I was glad to be building an immunity to her touch. And relieved that I could help her heal the pain she'd carried for so long.
"Lord Kleis, I am ready." Castorice said, her gaze full of happiness. I returned her smile as I offered her my arm. Castorice entire face turned red at my gesture, happiness radiating from her form. With trembling arms, Castorice took my arm as we traveled to the Grove of Muses.
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-Castorice POV-
I am so happy. I never thought that what was happening right now could ever happen. Traveling with Lord Kleis, arms locked together, felt like a dream. In my long life, I felt like a normal girl for the first time. Not the Maiden of War or the Hand of Shadow but just Castorice, a normal girl. I held back my tears. There would be time to cry later. I would cherish this as long could hold Lord Kleis.
"Lady Castorice," Lord Kleis asked suddenly, "by any chance, have you heard anything odd surrounding the Grove of the Muses?" The unexpected question caught me off guard, but I tried to recall anything relevant.
"I apologize, Lord Kleis, but I recall nothing of note," I replied, then paused. "Actually, Lord Kleis, I remember the last time I was there; there were rumors of strange sounds echoing throughout the area."
Lord Kleis's face lit up, and that made me happy too. "Thank you, Lady Castorice. I've recently been working on a paper about the history of the Grove of Epiphany," he said with a smile.
Together, Lord Kleis and I traveled, our forms shimmering slightly in the night sky as we strode through the hallowed halls of the Grove. I could hear the quiet, shocked voices of students and teachers staring at us in awe, their whispers chasing us down the corridor like startled birds. My cheeks burned, a fiery blush creeping up my neck. This was so embarrassing, being stared at by everyone; the hushed murmurs, the wide-eyed gazes–it was enough to make me want to disappear entirely. I tugged at the hem of my robes, wishing for the first time my clothes were less noticeable. Lord Kleis, however, seemed utterly unfazed, his green eyes scanning the room with a detached curiosity that only seemed to amplify the attention. A small, involuntary sigh escaped my lips as we continued our journey, the weight of a thousand unspoken questions pressing down on me.
With a disappointed sigh, I noticed that Lord Kleis' arm was turning purple. Sadly, I let go of his arm already missing the warmth he brought. Lord Kleis gave me a small smile as we took the last gate of Janus that led to the Grove of Muses.
"It's emptier than I thought it would be," Lord Kleis said as he looked around.
"It's not a very popular place, Lord Kleis," I explained, anticipating his unspoken question. "The Grove of the Muses is supposed to be for musical studies, but there are hardly any musicians here. It's almost deserted." I couldn't help but ask, "Lord Kleis, why are you studying the Grove of Muses?"
Lord Kleis shifted uncomfortably when I asked. He seemed to study the immense tree for a moment before speaking, and his words sent a chill down my spine. "I hope my research will one day help me combat the black tide," Lord Kleis said.
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I imagined his tomb. The one person I confided in was gone, swallowed by the black tide. A sharp pain gripped my heart. "Lord Kleis, why fight? You could be safe here, or in Okhema, under Lady Aglaea's protection."
Lord Kleis fell silent, considering my question. "I could, Lady Castorice, easily live a simple life, pretending everything will be alright. Amphoreus will eventually experience a new dawn, I know. I could just wait." He paused. "But Castorice, would that truly honor those who came before us? Lady Cerydra and Lady Hysilens, their sacrifices... It's also clear that Lady Algaea is slowly losing herself, and Lady Tribbie only has three selves left." Lord Kleis shook his head. "I can't. It reminds me of a story from my homeland about a man in a dream. He wanted to keep everyone in a happy dream, abandoning the real world."
Lord Kleis's story captivated me; it was unlike anything I'd ever heard in my entire life. I was confused. "What's wrong with a world where everyone is happy, Lord Kleis?" I asked.
Lord Kleis shook his head. "Because that's just running from our problems. Despite the pain, humanity has to keep pushing toward the future. In the same story, visitors from the sky exposed all the flaws in that man's dream. All in the name of the Trailblaze," Lord Kleis said, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
I'm not sure why the word "Trailblaze" sent a shiver down my spine. "Trailblaze? What's that, Lord Kleis?" I asked, though I tried to ignore the way the name also thrilled me.
Lord Kleis smiled radiantly, as though lost in thought. "Trailblazing," he said, "means forging ahead on paths others wouldn't dare, pushing boundaries beyond what came before. To Trailblaze is to Explore, to Understand, to Establish, to Connect, and ultimately, Salvation."
"Trailblaze"—was that the meaning? It felt like something out of a fairy tale. Salvation truly called to me. Wasn't salvation just another name for the Deliverer? But as much as I yearned to believe, it was, at its core, just a story.
"Lord Kleis, I wish it were real, but it's just a story. Something like that can't exist," I said with a sigh. I expected a somber response from Lord Kleis. Instead, he simply laughed.
Lord chuckled sharply before I could react, and I blushed. I let him pull me along, and we sat on a branch together. "Castorice, did you know that every star we see is actually a different world?" Lord Kleis asked, gesturing towards the sky.
I looked up at the stars. They were there as always, suspended in the night. But tonight, they seemed different. The mere thought that there might be other worlds felt like a dream.
"Lord Kleis, how can you be so certain?" I asked, intrigued. "No one has ever reached the sky without facing Aquila's fury." I wondered why he seemed so confident about the existence of other worlds.
Lord Kleis gazed at the stars in silence. "I have faith in a tale I once heard from a wise elder," he began. "It went something like this: 'Long ago, people lived in peace, basking in the light's warmth. Everyone cherished it. But then, they fought over it, each wanting to keep it for themselves. And darkness was born within their hearts. It spread, consuming the light and many people's souls, until it covered everything, and the world vanished. Yet, tiny fragments of light survived, nestled in the hearts of children. With those fragments, they rebuilt the lost world. It's a world now. But the true light still slumbers deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds remain scattered, separated. But one day, the door to the innermost darkness will open, and the true light will return. So listen, child. Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a guiding light. Believe in it, and the darkness can never truly defeat you. Your heart will shine with its power and drive the darkness back.' It's because of this story, Castorice, that I know other worlds exist." Lord Kleis finished, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
My heart pounded as Lord Kleis told his story. It was as if my heart already knew it, echoing his words. "I understand, Lord Kleis. I believe in you. Perhaps one day, all of Amphoreus will reach the sky," I said, my voice filled with conviction.
Lord Kleis smiled, his eyes on the sky. "Indeed," he said, "Amphoreus will reach Sky Castorice, ushering in its new dawn." Lord Kleis stepped off the branch, his hand outstretched to me. "Shall we continue our journey, Lady Castorice?" he asked with a smile, and I took his hand.
"Yes, we should," I said happily.
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-Kleis POV-
I couldn't help but smile as I searched the Grove of Muses, looking for anything unusual. Everything appeared perfectly normal, though. There was no sign of the entrance to the Universal Matrix. I knew it was supposed to be hidden beneath the tree. I recalled when the Trailblazer and Dan Heng had found the underground cave, and there was a broken entrance there. The presence of a broken entrance meant one was definitely there.
"Lord Kleis, did you find what you were looking for?" Castorice inquired. I could offer only a disheartened shake of my head. We'd been at it for a good half-hour. Castorice and I had turned up nothing. "Lord Kleis, I've known nothing out of the ordinary to happen here. Maybe it was a dream? Perhaps the Titan of Time, Oronyx, showed you a vision of the future. I've heard of—and seen—priests of Oronyx mistaking the future for the past," she added.
As I considered Castorice's words, one thing she said really stood out. Dream... If I couldn't find the entrance to the Universal Matrix, could I use lucid dreaming to *find* the entrance? From there, I could figure out how to get back to the surface.
"You're right, Lady Castorice. Perhaps it was just a dream. Shall we call it a night and maybe return another day?" I asked, keen to test my theory tonight in the safety of my dorm. I offered Castorice my arm with a smile. She smiled back as we linked arms, her earlier shyness completely gone.
"Lady Castorice, there you are!" An urgent voice interrupted us. Castorice and I turned to see Periphas? I frowned, trying to remember. Periphas is an amateur adventurer and a member of the Okheman Deduction Society. I had a hazy memory of him researching old stories in the library, hoping to find clues to ancient treasures.
"Lady Castorice," Periphas announced, "Professor Anaxagoras requests your presence. He says it's urgent that you see him." Periphas then noticed Castorice, and I were arm-in-arm, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Sir Periphas, did Professor Anaxagoras inform you what is wrong?" Castorice asked. I was glad Castorice asked as I was just as confused. What could be so urgent that required both Anaxa and Castorice together? The next words out of Periphas made my blood go cold.
"Professor Anaxagoras said that a messenger from the senate says the Lady Caenis and the Theoros shall arrive within the week." Periphas said, but I was not paying attention because my blood froze at the word Theoros. I knew only one person with the title Theoros.
My mind was racing. I couldn't figure out why Lygus would come here. Did becoming a Pathstrider attract his attention? No, it was impossible. I had blank, so I should be undetectable. Could he have detected the power of Erudition I left behind when I explored my heart?
"Lord Kleis, are you okay? You look pale," Castorice said, her voice laced with concern. Her words snapped me out of my thoughts. I could see she was just as pale, as if her death touch caused my pallor.
"It's alright, Lady Castorice. Shall we meet here again tomorrow? I'll let you go meet Professor Anaxagoras now," I said, seeing her disappointment. She nodded anyway.
"You're right, Lord Kleis," Castorice said, smiling one last time. "I'll take my leave and meet you here tomorrow evening. Sir Periphas, will you lead the way?" With that, she left me alone in the Grove of Muses.
I stood there alone for a few minutes, my mind racing, before heading back to my dorm. I couldn't risk exploring the Grove of Muses with Lygus when he showed up. He might have forgotten about the Demiurge's tomb, but my investigation could jog his memory. So, I tried lucid dreaming to continue my search.
The walk back to my dorm only took about ten minutes, yet it felt like forever. I collapsed onto my bed and got ready to lucid dream. I closed my eyes, focusing with all my might. Nothing happened at first, but then I felt heavy as everything faded to black.
Initially, I believed lucid dreaming simply involved visualizing a desired location. However, I was mistaken; the experience was chaotic. Instead of being near the Universal Matrix or the Grove, the environment was purple, and my thoughts scattered.
My eyes widened as I took in the scene. A sprawling field of flowers lay before me, and above, I saw the cracked moon. I recognized this place instantly. It was the underworld of Amphoreus. But how? Then, remembering what I knew about lucid dreaming, it clicked. Chirithy informed Sora about the close link between the realms of Dreams and Death. Before I could ponder further, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Excuse me, sir, how did you get here?" Polyxia asked. I gazed at her, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind, but I said only one thing.
"You look just like Castorice," I said, and I saw Polyxia's face cycle through a few expressions before settling into a hard look.
"I must ask again, sir, how you got here, or I'll see that you never leave," Polyxia demanded, her voice cutting through the air like a shard of ice. Behind her, I watched her shadow stretch and contort, becoming the jagged outline of a dragon.
Chapter Two: Moonlit Stroll
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