After their initial meeting, Cassia brought them back to her shrine. A building located right below the serpent statue. Even while basking in its shadow, Soren felt rather uncomfortable. Something about that statue gave him a strange feeling… as if he was being watched.

According to Cassia, she explained that this statue was in actuality, the first of many to be created in Statue Town. Made in the image of a serpent, the last remaining believers of the Serpent of Untruths rightfully began to claim it as their own. Though, no official academic reporting has actually concluded that its identity was related to one of the Old Gods…

Regardless of the truth, the people of the Nagashi tribe who relocated here have already adopted it into their culture. In Cassia's own words, 'Reality can shift based on perception. Deception is just another reality if enough people believe it."

And in a way, she wasn't wrong. This doctrine that was preached by the Serpent of Untruths was one that he himself personally resonated with. After all, was that not what defines him as a person? His shade of self… Mesmerism. Ironically, he was more of a deceiver than the so-called Holy Shrine Maiden.

Perhaps it was meant to be ambiguous, just like the one who slithers between words and phrases… A perfect place for His worshippers to reside.

Being one of the most popular sculptures in Statue Town, it was then no wonder that the Beast of Knowledge rested here sometime in the past. Long ago, during his pilgrimage… Leaving behind only a marker of his arrival—a symbol of his travels.

The Beacon of Guidance.

Staring into it brings an allure unlike any other… A craving for knowledge, for power… And yet, strangely, it was somewhat different from the one he had seen in Point Sylvia. There was a sinister feeling attached to this one… As if a mysterious presence was watching over him—waiting for the moment his instincts give up. He could almost taste its chuckles… its sweet whispers of anticipation.

The more he thought about it, the more it irritated him. And yet, there was nothing he could do. The pillar of light was placed at the shrine's center, its brilliance stretching up toward the heavens. Neither they nor Cassia could escape its relentless reach.

Perhaps that was why meeting the serpent statue's gaze was so dangerous—since the light passed through the python's head, the gemstones in its eyes would naturally reflect it in some mysterious way…

Those gemstones weren't regular either… They seem to resemble Philosopher Stones. Soren thought to himself as they entered the old building.

With them finally seated on the cold wooden floor of the shrine, illuminated by the brilliant light of the beacon, Soren decided to ask the first question:

"I'll keep it simple Cassia," he said in a rather serious tone. "Answer me this—why did you decide to leave the guild unannounced? You said you had no choice earlier… Why is that?"

The silence between them stretched. Myrin who sat next to him continued to frown in silence. He too was expecting a logical answer to this.

"It's because of the Vynasians."

"What?" The both of them said in unison.

Cassia nodded. "There is no other way to say it. The Vynasians are after me.

"No… More specifically—my Soul Weapon."

The confusion on their faces grew even more.

"Why would they be after something like that?"

Figments of the Serpent was the name of her Soul Weapon. It was a Tier 1 Augment Class that gave her two abilities—one that granted her superhuman regeneration, and another that allowed her to twist the representation of objects in the Beyond into lies of what they were…

As an Augment Class, it also gave her the added benefit of partial beast transformation—her scales would spread wide across her body, her wings would grow larger, and sharp claws would sprout across her arms and legs, which she would occasionally augment with dragonflame magecraft for even more damage.

Although these abilities were very unique, it wasn't a very odd case for Vagrant Phantasms. At least, that's what he had always assumed.

"My Soul Weapon, you see," She said in a rather somber tone, "It was not forged but given."

Soren's eyes widened. He had already heard of this before—she had told him that when she found herself in Celestine, she was already given her Soul Weapon… But the way she spoke the words this time was different. The Vinuan word for 'give' was much more certain this time… As if she was aware that it was granted to her, rather than forged by someone for her…

"You're a Holy Phantasm?"

She nodded in confirmation. The both of them couldn't help but remain silent.

"That… That's impossible. A Holy Phantasm pertaining to the Serpent of Untruths? Aren't the Old Gods dead? How can they provide such gifts?"

"No, you're wrong," Soren corrected Myrin. "The gods may be dead, but their authorities remain."

"Divine Authority?" The Elven Songster was finally understanding.

"Indeed…" Soren shook his head. "It's unbelievable, I know. But it is the truth."

Hearing their words, Cassia also nodded. "That is why they call me the Holy Shrine Maiden… I am the last remaining person to receive such a gift… from beyond the grave."

This awed Soren deeply. The mere fact that a God could still provide for his followers, despite them already being dead… And beyond that, his followers knew that He had perished, and yet, they remain subservient to His doctrine… Even after many millennia had passed since His death or disappearance.

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In a way, this was not so different from the Flower Maiden… She and the Slumbering One—worshipped by the H'aavast tribes in the Feylith Forest, were said to have already perished according to Hurion… And yet, their followers remain loyal. In fact, many are not even aware of their disappearance.

The Runic Acquisition Festival is still being held, even after a thousand years…

He looked at Myrin briefly then shook his head.

"Still," Soren looked back at Cassia, "That doesn't explain why the Vynasians want your Soul Weapon… And why would that make you leave with the Silver Valkyrie of all people…"

"Because she is aware of what really happened fifty years ago… Or at least, some of the details of the events that occurred… I was able to confirm it via divination.

"But beyond that… She enacted an Accord with the Mother of Silver as witness."

"What?!" Myrin leaned forward in surprise. Soren couldn't blame him—for a Silver Valkyrie to put her very honor at stake just to prove to Cassia that she was telling the truth was no easy task… And, she did so for a supposed tribe that still holds a grudge against them.

Ilythia of House Azrathiel… Soren made sure to remember her name.

"After that, I had no choice but to believe her." Cassia sighed. "Although she didn't know why the Vynasians were so hellbent on obtaining my Soul Weapon, she did tell me more about what happened during that tragic day fifty years ago. According to her, the SIlver Moon Church wasn't the ones who truly attacked the tribe—it was the Vynasians. Though, my own memory on the subject somewhat goes against this claim…"

Myrin leaned back for a moment, his frown was rather obvious. "Do you really believe this Miss Ilythia? Can't she somehow fake the Accord she took?"

Cassia shook her head. "Impossible. Silver Valkyries are highly attuned to the divine. Her status reflects that. Faking something like that would be impossible, if not outright foolish."

"So then where is this Ilythia now? I don't see her in the tribe?" Soren asked.

"She left with her knights a week prior. She had to report back to the Dioceses at the capital. But she did promise to return soon… With the airship, I don't doubt that claim at all."

Silence returned to the holy shrine as both sides began to think about their futures. What Cassia had explained to them did make sense—if the Silver Moon Church wasn't as involved in that incident fifty years ago as they had initially thought, then trying to clear up that misunderstanding wouldn't be that far-fetched. Though, it did confuse him as to why it took them fifty years to attempt it… Did they just not have a way to locate Cassia sooner?

Such an eerie coincidence… The more he thought about it, the more it made him uncomfortable. What were the odds of him and Myrin just so happening to land so close to Cassia's tribe and reuniting with her? And the involvement of the Vynasians also made it more suspicious. After all, were they not also after him? The person who could disrupt their plans the most?

With Soren somehow being tied to the fate of this era, there was no other target more dangerous to the Vynasians than him. After all, their intended goal was the destruction of this world by the powers of the Rift. And to do so, the promises of that Divine Accord must be broken one by one… That was the goal of the Whispering Dream.

However, he and Myrin pursued the same goal but in a different way. They were being led toward Mount Tolarion by fate. They of course theorized that the intended goal of the edict keeping the Divine Accord in place had to do with reaching the Estuary of the Stars… By doing so, they might be able to unravel the freezing of this world's Celestial Fate in its intended way.

So how does Cassia play into this then? The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. He remembered Sienna's prophecy… She mentioned how Cassia's journey was also tied to fate in some way.

But how? What is the connection?...

Seeing the three of them continue to ponder over it, Cassia sighed. "All of this thinking is making me hungry. I heard from the guard that you guys have been journeying for a while now, right? You haven't had a proper meal in a while."

With that said, she clapped her hands twice, signalling for the servants outside to come in. Soren watched as two women holding plates walked in and placed them before them.

"Dig in!" Cassia said with a smile. "We can discuss everything else later."

The pair quickly obliged. After eating nothing but rations for the past month, having a proper meal again felt like a true blessing. At least, for Myrin. He on the other hand didn't really care… The nutrients from a ration or a piece of meat were the same, regardless.

Taking a bite from a chicken drumstick, Myrin flinched slightly. "This?!.."

Cassia chuckled. "Spicy, right? We've been growing a lot lately. All our foods are like this now."

He rushed for the cup of water, "You should have told me!"

Soren on the other hand continued to eat casually, oblivious to the spice. Cassia and Myrin noticed and began to stare at him curiously.

"What?" He frowned while chewing his food.

"Aren't you bothered by the heat?"

Soren tilted his neck slightly. "Heat? What heat?" He glanced down at the food and noticed its aroma. "Ah…"

"Strange, I don't remember you being this fond of spicy meals…"

Hearing this, Soren couldn't help but shake his head. "Its not that its not spicy. Its just that I can't taste it."

"What?" It was now their turn to be confused.

Soren sighed. "I lost my sense of taste."

"Wh-what?" Myrin was shocked. "How? When?" He started to think back to the aftermath of their battle against Rodrick.

Did I forget to heal one of his injuries? He glanced at Soren—worry written all over his face.

Soren shook his head again, "I know what you are thinking but no—it's not related to that. My overuse of Tazzith's anima hurts my sanity. This is probably one of the aftereffects… I am sure it will go away soon."

"Tazzith? After effects?" Cassia looked at them with both confusion and worry. Seeing this, Soren leaned back and smiled.

"I guess we should explain our journey as well."

They told Cassia about everything. From their arrival at Camp Sebastian which got interrupted by a Dungeon Break, to what they witnessed at the Hall of Death… Even their battle against Rodrick… Eventually getting to how they arrived here, at the northern border of Staterra.

"How absurd…" She glanced down as she said those words. Shock written over her face. "To think all of that could happen in such a short period of time. Fate really works in mysterious ways."

"Centuries pass for some in minutes, while minutes pass in centuries for others."

Myrin ate another portion of rice with his hands as he said that. Soren didn't disagree. A regular person wouldn't experience even a fraction of what he had to endure in their entire lives… He had the Orbits of Fate to thank for that.

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