CHAPTER 309: BOONS WITH SHADOWS

"Second," I continued, "I need a treasure or artifact that can grant me light affinity, or if that’s impossible, something that can amplify or increase light affinity in others."

I met his gaze directly.

"You said light is the only effective weapon against corruption. While neither Zephyr nor I possess natural light affinity, we may encounter allies who do during our journey. Having the means to enhance their abilities could be crucial for our survival and success."

"Hmm..." Ossian silently listened, gesturing for me to continue. I could also feel Zephyr’s intense gaze.

"Third," I continued, my tone remaining measured and logical, "I need a lie detection relic or technique. Given what you’ve told us about the Architect of Discord and his methods of deception, we can’t afford to trust appearances alone."

I gestured meaningfully. "You mentioned he could disguise himself as wounded soldiers, messengers, or even trusted advisors. If we’re going to recruit allies during our journey, and we’ll need to, since it’s just the two of us against an entire corrupted realm, we need some way to verify their true intentions. We’ll likely encounter Mystics who claim they want to help us identify evil and protect us from illusions, but how do we know they’re not corrupted themselves?"

Ossian’s violet eyes flickered with what might have been approval. "Another astute observation. Trust, but verify."

"Exactly." I nodded. "Fourth, I need a powerful protective relic, something that can shield us from any attack, no matter how strong. It’s fine if it only works once. Sometimes, one moment of absolute defense is all you need to turn the tide of battle or escape certain death."

I spread my hands reasonably. "Think of it as insurance, Senior. If we encounter one of those Overseers you mentioned, or if we’re ambushed by forces beyond our capabilities, having one guaranteed survival option could save not just our lives, but the entire mission. The most perfectly planned expedition means nothing if the heroes don’t live to complete it."

Ossian was quiet for a moment, considering. "And your fifth request?"

"As for my fifth request..." I went silent, staring at him deeply, in order to make it more dramatic. "...I’ll tell after you fulfill the first four, Senior. I think I need a bit more time to think about it."

Ossian stared at me for a long moment, then let out what might have been a chuckle with grudging admiration.

"Your reasoning continues to impress me, young Lumin. You’re not just thinking about immediate survival, but about the entire scope of the mission. Planning for recruitment, contingencies, worst-case scenarios..." He shook his massive skull slowly. "Most warriors your age would have asked for the biggest sword or the flashiest technique. But you’re thinking like a true strategist."

He raised his skeletal claws, and the air began to shimmer around him with ancient power.

"Very well. Let me see what I can provide for such... thoughtful requests."

First, a small crystal pendant materialized in his palm, deep black with veins of silver running through it like captured lightning. The thing pulsed with a cold, alien energy that made my skin crawl just looking at it.

"The Voidwatch Pendant," Ossian intoned, his voice taking on the ceremonial weight of ancient ritual. "It will pulse with cold energy whenever Abyssal corruption is near. The stronger the pulse, the closer or more powerful the source. It can detect corruption from up to a mile away, and will even warn you of corrupted individuals who are attempting to hide their nature."

He extended it toward me, but his expression grew serious. "However, prolonged exposure to strong corruption will cause the pendant to gradually drain your own life force to maintain its sensitivity. The stronger the corruption it detects, the more it will cost you. Use it wisely, and never ignore its warnings."

I accepted the pendant, feeling its unnatural cold seep through my fingers. Despite the warning, relief flooded through me. This could save our lives dozens of times over.

...I’ll check them out more ’thoroughly’ after we reunite with Master.

Next came a ring that seemed to be carved from crystallized sunlight itself, warm to the touch and faintly luminous. It was beautiful in a way that made my eyes water slightly - too pure, too bright for this shadowed chamber.

"The Ring of Solar Resonance," Ossian continued. "It cannot grant you light affinity directly, as that would require fundamental changes to your very soul. But it will amplify the light affinity of anyone within its sphere of influence," Ossian finished. "Wear it, and any light-wielder near you will find their abilities significantly enhanced. Their healing will be more potent, their purifying flames brighter, their protective auras stronger. It draws upon ambient sunlight to function, so keep it exposed to light whenever possible."

He extended the ring, its warmth a stark contrast to the chilling pendant I now held. "But be warned: in places devoid of light, deep in the Abyss’s heart, it will begin to draw upon your own life force instead. Do not let it drain you completely."

"Ah, right, I forgot it can also store light aura during the day to be released as emergency illumination or healing."

I slipped the ring onto my finger, feeling immediate warmth spread up my arm. Even here in this underground chamber, it seemed to pulse faintly with stored energy.

"And, here’s the next one."

Third was a single, unsettling monocle that materialized in Ossian’s palm, its lens shimmering with a viscous, liquid light that seemed to move and flow like trapped mercury.

"The Heartstone Lens," Ossian said, his voice taking on a more cautionary tone than it had for the previous gifts. "Peer through it at a speaker, and you won’t only hear their words, but also see the emotional resonance behind them. Truth will glow with a steady, warm light. Deception will flicker with a sickly green energy. Fear will show as blue sparks, malice as deep crimson swirls."

He held the monocle up to the light, and I could see strange patterns dancing within its depths, colors that had no names, emotions given form.

"The danger," he warned, his violet eyes growing serious, "is interpretation. The lens does not give you words, only raw, unfiltered emotion. Is that flicker of fear a sign of guilt, or is the speaker simply afraid of you?"

"Is the crimson swirl malice, or merely anger at being questioned? It reveals everything and nothing. It requires a psychologist’s mind to decipher."