CHAPTER 72: THE HOLOGRAM

We have just two weeks until we leave for the Orcan war.

The night is young. The cleaved moon is showering its tender light down on the world— casting a looming shadow of K’s house on the courtyard.

I’m outside, in the courtyard. I just finished downing a whole roasted Pirantroph.

It’s funny. Hunger doesn’t drive me insane anymore.

And it’s not like I don’t feel the hunger. But, it’s more like I can control it, like I can live with it now, and I can ignore it until when I feel like attending to it.

K was right. Hunger can be tamed. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.

The fire from the firewood which I used to roast the Pirantroph is still burning, and I’m sitting near it, feeling the warmth.

K’s not at home right now. He left home early this morning to discuss the war stuff with Gislow, the Mercenary Guildmaster. He hasn’t returned since then.

The tender breeze blows over my face. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I open my eyes, and tuck my hand inside my pocket, and I bring it out.

I took advantage of K’s absence today to search for my robe and mask. To know where the hell he actually kept them. But, I couldn’t find them at all. Instead, I found the bag where my two artifacts; the Chakram and that ominous spiky ring were kept. Only the ring was remaining in the bag as I was with the Chakram.

So I took the ring.

Now, I’m holding it.

I’ve never put this ring on my finger before. Because, stuffs like this always trigger metaphysical reactions.

That’s what I told myself, and I just threw it aside.

A small grin plays on my lips.

Man, how much of a coward was I?

But still, the mana that this grey spiked ring emits.. It’s still that same ominous mana I felt four years ago.. the one that’s neither elemental, nor pure. It’s like pure mana, but not pure mana.

This is exactly why I threw this stuff aside before.

"Well, whatever." I whisper, "I’ll attend to this ring.. later. Maybe."

I put it on my right index finger. And it fits perfectly.

"Hmm, I swear it looked bigger than my finger, how is it suddenly the right si–"

Vwoooooooooooooooooom!

All the fire mana in my circle moves against my will— through my pathway toward the ring on my finger.

"What the.. what the hell?!!"

The rings emits a brilliant red hue of light that ascends toward the sky!

I stand up immediately, trying to take the ring off. Struggling, but I can’t.

My mana.. it’s sucking it.

"Argggh!!! Get off!!" I yell, dragging the ring off, but to no avail.

All of a sudden, the light disappears.

But my mana is still being drained.

Huff Huff

[You have grown, Edward.]

A voice.. no, multiple voices ring out. They echo throughout the entire courtyard— speaking in unison. Stern, with grace and tenderness.

"What? How? No, you’ve got to be kidding me."

My breath hitches, as I immediately pick up my Chakram lying on the he floor next to me with my left hand.

I raise it up.

That voice that’s coming from everywhere, like multiple people are speaking at the same time in unison. I recognize it.

[Calm your heart, Edward. For I do not come with hostility, but I come with peace, and a message. From THEM.]

"Then show yourself Reliana!" I yell, flicking my head left and right frantically, trying to locate the Phoenix.

This is exactly what it did the last time. Speaking without appea–

Shwaa

[Look at your ring, Edward.]

Huh.

My gaze rests on the ring on my finger.

A small image of the Phoenix is hovering just above it, like a hologram.

"Wha–?"

[This form is my visage.

The ring chose you, according to the will of THEM. It is an artifact created by the ancient men of old, wielded by the founder of the Flameworths, the first wielder of the Flame of Eternity. This ring connects the physical realm with the spiritual realm. Thus, making communication with me easier.]

It speaks again. I don’t move, talk or react. I do not know what it’s talking about.

I just watch the Phoenix calmly.

THEM again.

[The ring uses the user’s mana as a medium to connect to the spirit realm.]

"..."

"What is this spirit realm you speak of?" I ask gently.

[Edward. Why have you not created your second circle? It is about time.]

Honestly, I’m wondering the same myself.

"I haven’t found enlightenment yet." I reply calmly.

[Enlightenment? The wielder of the Flame of Eternity searching for Enlightenment? The Flame of Eternity in your soul is enough Enlightenment.]

As It speaks, it points its feather of flames toward my chest.

Huh? I don’t understand..

"But–"

[You are different from the others, Edward. What others struggle for years to get, you get it in months. Do you think this doesn’t apply to Enlightenment too? Search deep within you, Edward.]

Why..

"Why do you always speak in riddles? Your manner of speech makes it hard for me to properly digest your words." I ask.

[Eloquence is expected of the Phoenix of Eternity who guards the flames capable of destroying both the physical and spiritual realms. I speak not in riddles or parables, but in truth.]

I see. But why does it refuse to tell me what this spirit realm is?

[I have come to tell you, Edward. To form your second circle. The second circle is the bare minimum required to wield the Flame of Eternity.]

I nod, "I see." I clear my throat. "But there’s something I want to ask." I speak.

[Go ahead.]

My voice drops low, "Do you know about the being named Lucifer?"

[... Where did you hear of that forbidden name?]

"It.. it’s a name I heard.. somewhere." I speak slowly.

The Phoenix nods. [I understand. But, details of the fallen one cannot be shared to you. Not now at least.]

My heart beats, going off rhythm and a wrinkle forms on my forehead as I grip the handle of my Chakram tightly with my left hand.

"Then when?" I ask. The wrath dripping from my words.

Whoever that Lucifer is. The one that told me that it’s watching me. The one that dared to manipulate my wife in my dreams. When I catch it.. when I catch it. I will..

I will destroy it. Piece by piece. Fragment by fragment. I will tear off its core, I will.. I will..

[So you possess killing intent now. That’s good.

My message is complete, Edward. Create your second circle and master the Flame of Eternity. Now I have to go, because your mana is slowly diminishing. You can summon me again in two months with this ring. Until you reach the fifth circle, then you can summon me anytime.]

I see.

It’s right. There’s nothing in my circle anymore. It’s empty.

Shit, it’ll be a pain to gather mana to fill it up again.

[Until next time, Edward.]

The hologram disappears.

Huff Huff

I collapse.