Chapter 12: Eris Info dump
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As I drifted back into consciousness, I found myself bodiless once again. A vast darkness stretched infinitely around me, pressing in like the weight of the unknown. Yet, I was not alone. I could feel them—hundreds of other presences, lingering like echoes in the void. Some were distant, barely noticeable whispers in the silence, while others pulsed with an undeniable presence.
There were more of us here than those who had awakened in the temple. And somehow, I knew—they were like me. Otherworlders.
How could I be so certain? The answer came before I could even question it.
A crack formed in the darkness. At first, it was a mere sliver, a fracture in the very fabric of existence. Then, with an almost deafening stillness, it tore open, unraveling space itself like frayed threads of a tapestry. A brilliant radiance spilled through, painting the void in shifting hues of silver and blue. And through the rift, she stepped forward.
Eris, the Goddess of Knowledge.
Her presence was overwhelming yet strangely serene, as if the air itself bowed in reverence to her existence. She carried no grand gestures, no divine theatrics—only an unwavering stillness, as if she had always been here, simply waiting for us to perceive her.
Before any of us could react, before our confusion could morph into words, she spoke. Her voice did not echo—it resonated, threading itself into the fabric of our very beings.
"Forgotten Souls, now that you have all awakened from the Womb of Nature, I have gathered you here."
A pause. Heavy, deliberate. The weight of her words pressed down upon us, grounding us in this unreal moment. She continued.
"The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with knowledge that will shape your journey. Listen well."
Her gaze swept over us, unreadable yet piercing, as if she could see into the very core of our souls. There was no room for uncertainty here. Only truth.
"The world of Ordnung is home to many races. Among them, countless languages are spoken, but the most common tongue is Aldova. Each of you will receive a book inscribed with its knowledge, written in the language most familiar to you."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered across her lips as she glanced at a few individuals, acknowledging them in ways the rest of us could not comprehend. But just as quickly, her expression returned to its neutral, composed state.
"For those who have yet to unlock magic, this is crucial information."
A ripple of anticipation coursed through me. Magic. Would I finally be able to wield it? To conjure fire and banish the cold that had tormented me night after night? The thought alone was intoxicating.
"Magic is unique to each individual," Eris explained, her tone patient yet absolute. "It originates from one's imagination, talent, and affinity. Over time, you will naturally gravitate toward certain elements."
She must have sensed our collective uncertainty, for she raised a hand, and in response, the void itself obeyed. Four glowing symbols manifested in the air before us, pulsating with quiet power.
"There are four primary elements: Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth. From their fusion and deeper understanding, many sub-elements emerge. There exist other elements beyond these, untouched by categorization, but their nature will reveal itself in time."
The symbols shimmered before slowly fading, leaving behind an imprint in our minds that we would not soon forget.
"The methods of casting spells vary," she continued. "Some rely on incantations, others on hand signs."
"Likewise, the strengthening of your Magic Core—some call it 'cultivation,' others a 'breakthrough.' Your Mana Pools size is set after the forming, while Circles let you use your Mana more efficiant and some Runes let you gather more mana. No single path is absolute, for each has its strengths and weaknesses."
For the first time, her expression darkened, if only slightly. The shift was subtle, yet unmistakable.
"And then, there is Sword Aura. Though some may claim otherwise, it too is magic. It allows one to channel raw mana into a weapon, enhancing its durability and bestowing it with the properties of one's own energy."
A pause. A hesitation. Something deeper lingered in the silence that followed.
"Remember this: a greater threat looms over this world. The Demon King's forces are rising, their influence spreading like a shadow over the land. The battles ahead will be unlike anything you have ever faced. You must be ready."
Her words settled upon us like a heavy snowfall, silent yet suffocating. A warning. A call to arms.
Her gaze, now filled with something resembling quiet hope, lingered upon us as she spoke her final words.
"I wish you strength on your journey. May you rise to meet the challenges ahead, for the fate of this world rests upon souls like yours."
She allowed herself one last, fleeting smile. Then—
The space around us shattered.
A soundless explosion. A sensation of weightlessness. The feeling of being flung through the fabric of existence itself.
I gasped as my eyes snapped open, the void dissolving into reality. My body, solid and present once more, trembled in the aftermath of the experience.
I was awake.