The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 74 Role

As she sensed Alden's mind enter the key - evidenced by his body going completely still -, Morrigan sighed.

Her body sagged, clearly tired out from the long talk.

However, she couldn't rest.

There were things to be done.

...Restoring the Barrier was just one of her many tasks.

A hacking cough escaped her throat.

Morrigan winced and quickly brought a tissue to her lips. The napkin came back red, stained with her blood.

She sighed once again.

Idly, she pondered on where her lifespan had all gone. She should have been in peak physical condition as someone approaching her forties. Not the least because she was also a Transcendent.

Her high rank should have helped in increasing her lifespan.

Yet...

Here she was, her condition deteriorating day by day, week by week, and month by month.

Morrigan knew what had caused her to become so sickly. It was also the reason why her life was slowly dwindling.

...Her powers.

Or Magic Class, to be precise.

It put a terrible strain on her body.

Physical condition aside, there was also the psychological aspect. Often, what she saw was so terrible, so utterly dreadful...

That Morrigan began to lose hope.

...Hope for a future where kids could live an innocent and fulfilling life, free from danger and strife as they frolicked under a beautiful and sparkling azure sky.

Oh, how she longed for those times again. Back when she knew nothing of pain.

Of loss. Of strife. Of responsibility.

...Of Love.

And knowledge.

That cursed thing.

Surely he wasn't spending all this time talking with the Keeper?

Celeste suppressed her unease.

She gazed at her surroundings, remnants of chaos and destruction still apparent. Two days after the invasion, the restoration of the Sanctuary was well underway. Celeste spied a few Stonewardens from afar. Dressed in their signature earthy robes, they were responsible for helping reconstruct the wrecked homes, ensuring they sat on a steady foundation.

The Stonwardens also helped form the clay, while the members of the Ember Clan used the heat of their flames to speed up the hardening process. Everyone was working together at a steady pace. At this rate, the restoration process wouldn't take long at all.

Celeste was glad to see that.

In the far distance, she saw multiple Paladin Squads on the lookout, ready to stop any Defiled who wanted to capitalise on the opportunity when the Barrier was down and feast on some human flesh. The young healer also spied a few Guilds interspersed with the Paladin Squads - the most notable among them being the Noble's and the Shing's.

Celeste had heard a lot of people praise these two Guilds. Especially her father.

He only had good things to say about them.

It seemed they were the epitome of what all Guilds strived to be.

'I hope they keep up the good work.'

Celeste smiled softly.

She herself was also the epitome of something...

A peak the ordinary people of the Sanctuary dreamt of achieving.

With the weight of her position as a Chosen of the Divine Sovereign, Celeste masked her burden with a bright smile and checked up on the small batch of mundane who occupied these newly constructed homes. She knocked on their doors, radiating an air of positivity and joy.

She hoped her actions could serve as a breath of fresh air.

Celeste also wanted to rekindle the light in their eyes.

She desired to be an example for those with similar power/status to her.

...An example of how they should treat the mundane.

Celeste released a light sigh internally.

After she finished up here, she planned to volunteer in healing any of the displaced who couldn't afford their treatment. She would not spend all her time waiting for Alden. He would come to her when he was free.

So, in the meantime, she would carry out her duty.

And improve.

And grow...

Without him.