I hadn't thought about it before, probably because my mind was still in disarray. But now that I pondered harder, I remembered an unchanging truth about these so-called esoteric means.
"And that is the fact that no divination is all-powerful."
'Even those that came from humans or creatures of the transcender pathways.'
Though, this didn't mean that Livia's vision wasn't going to take place, nor did it change the fact that it was probably going to be horrifying to say the least. Rather, it was actually quite the opposite.
My expression darkened at the thought.
However, like all things in this world, the vision must have some sort of counterbalance. Especially if said vision was tied to a divine blessing or… fate.
So now…
All I had to do was find out what the loophole was?
That, however, raises the question of who the vision was more intricately linked to?
The frown on my face deepened. And, it was then that it dawned on me, my eyes widening at the chilling realization.
"Dark mass of shadows."
I muttered under my breath as a deep scowl marred my features.
Isn't that one of the traits of a... dark shadow?
My body tensed at the chilling realization, heart pounding in my chest as my throat went dry.
If so…
It was rather clear who the vision was tied to.
And…
I wasn't sure before, but now, I was more or less certain that the dark shadow was the Djinn I encountered a few days ago.
The one I'd... killed.
'Crap!'
My heart thundered at the sickening realization.
What sort of crappy luck is this?
Just a few moments ago, I was already considering leaving this cohort if said vision turned out to be linked to one of them. But, now that I realized that it was actually tied to me, I had no choice but to swallow my thoughts and tensely keep my observations to myself.
…Even if the lack of said information was going to put the cohort in an unfavorable situation.
I gritted my teeth, a cold darkness flickering within my eyes.
"For my own safety, I have no choice but to do this."
I muttered under my breath. Even if that did little to quench the dark emotions building up within me.
...It was then, having settled the thoughts churning within me, that I finally raised my head to glance at the crimson haired lady.
What is going on in that reckless mind of hers?
A grim expression marred my features as I spoke:
"Why north of all places?"
My expression paled. "Isn't north the same region teeming with a horde of nightmarish creatures?"
Mia was quiet for a while. The silence grew suffocating before she eventually turned to face Aezel.
"...!"
Aezel also stared at her, still shell-shocked by her decision to head north.
Why…
His expression paled.
Why north of all places?
It was then that Mia spoke, her golden-azure eyes filled with an absolute almost unnerving calmness.
"Do you remember what she said a few days ago?"
"...!"
A few days ago? W-What is she talking about?
Aezel mused under his breath, confusion written all over his face.
Mia glanced at him and shook her head.
"The insight Aezel. The insight."
It was then that Aezel's eyes lit up in understanding.
…It was just about a week ago. Probably a few days after they'd made it to the nightmarish shattered dimension.
***
The pale crimson constellation was still looming overhead. Within a dune structure surrounded by vast structures and ruined ancient buildings, three figures rose to their feet. Groggy eyes met each other as they offered minor greetings to themselves.
The three figures were none other than the blind girl, the crimson haired lady, and the charming young lad, Aezel.
"So, what's our next course of action?"
Aezel muttered as he took a bite out of the roasted meat in his hand.
"W-"
Mia was about to reply when…
"Kgha! Kgha!"
The blind girl fell to her knees. Shivering violently, she continued to cough out profusely, a red crimson liquid. With each cough, her face grew pale while she struggled to breathe.
"Huk… Huk…"
It felt as though an invisible hand had clamped around her throat.
"Livia! What's wrong?"
Mia said as she hurried to her feet, her voice tinged with a hint of fear and horror.
'Damn it!'
Aezel's expression turned solemn as he rose to his feet. In an instant, he was already beside Livia, bending to support her pale, ashen body.
"Are you okay Liv?"
The blind girl gritted her teeth. Suppressing the pain ripping through every fiber of her being, she forced a nod and said:
"Insight."
Aezel's expression turned somber at her words.
'...It is that damn blessing again!'
His hands tightened at his sides, fingers digging into palm.
Worry-stricken, Mia turned to face Aezel.
"What's wrong? Will she be okay?"
Aezel forced a nod.
"It's alright. She'll be fine."
With a dark expression, he summoned forth from his soul sea, a broad silver canvas and an almost illusory-like golden brush. Gritting his teeth, he moved, spreading the canvas in front of Livia as fast as his inhuman reflexes allowed.
…A loud growl escaped Mia's lips, her expression grew pale as her pair of eyes turned… white. One that seemed to reflect the numerous strings of fates surrounding her. In that moment, her hands trembled and gripped hold the golden brush, or rather, the brush was drawn into her hand.
Sccrch…! Sccrch…!
Her face grew pale as she drew onto the canvas, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth.
Drip! Drip!
The sound echoed through the tense silence, mirroring the frantic breaths of the cohort.
As she drew, flashes of images and scenes, both chaotic and divine, slammed into the walls of her mind. Her face turned ashen as an endless darkness crept in, filled with a dark intent to consume her.
However, the darkness was repelled by an unknown force. Yet, it was obvious that the divine force or whatever it was, wouldn't be able to do so… forever.
Livia, knowing this, bit on her lower lips, the metallic tang of blood filling her mouth.
'She had to be fast! Faster!'
However, the faster she drew, the more painful it became.
It was so… painful.
Scrrch…! Scrrch…!
It overwhelmed her mind. And she was only barely holding on.
Drip! Drip!
Tears streamed down the corner of her eerie white pupils as she drew on.
"..."
Mia's expression turned unsightly at the sight. She'd thought the flaw for her divine blessing was harrowing and cruel. But t-his-...
Her expression turned somber.
This was beyond cruel.
…As the blind girl drew, the painting became clearer. Before long, her pale skin began to glow with a bright golden light. Her life force previously on the verge of withering now blazed with an intense ferocity as though it was being filled to the brim. Soon, she was back to normal, even if the pain still lingered.
"Ah… hah…"
She gasped for breath as she clutched her hands, breath hitching.
With a grim expression, Aezel wrapped his hands around her.
"You okay?"
The blind girl forced a smile, even as the pain lingered.
"...Yes." She said,
However, somewhere deep within. She felt it. The pain. The trauma. Along with the endless darkness. They intensified with each breath that she took.
Yet, even as the pain and the fear that came with it rippled through every fiber of her being, she forced herself to maintain a radiant smile.
…She was already a burden to everyone. The least she could do was bare with this little pain.
Flick!
The least she could do was lie.
***
...A tense while later, the cohort gathered together. With a grim expression, they stared at the ominous painting, the result of the cruel divine blessing.
"..."
In the painting, a tall building wreathed and built with ancient stones could be seen standing in the middle of nowhere. The dark mist surrounded it from all sides, seething and rumbling violently as though to break the walls that had held the fate of those within for thousands of years, and perhaps, many more to come.
Etched into the painting was a word that read: North in the Arkanis language. The language most capable of drawing onto the world's power, most say. At the edge of the painting, Aelisyer- which means path in Arkanis language, was etched onto the canvas.
However…
Although it meant path, if interpreted differently, it could also be translated as:
…The path of doom.
The cohorts stared at the cryptic drawing with a tense expression. Although they didn't understand much, they realized that the vision was depicting a Human Acropolis.
As for where this particular Human Acropolis was located? That was what they had no idea of.
Not until a few moments ago.
And, of course, they also didn't know what Aelisyer meant.
…Not until I told them.