Deep Prison Part 9

While still on the floor, I lifted my face and focused on the figure slowly descending towards me, bathed in a luminous halo of light. As she drew closer, her features gradually became discernible- she was breathtakingly stunning. Her skin was as pale, and her features were delicate and refined. Yet, what truly captivated me were the resplendent white wings that gracefully extended from her back, both majestic and delicate. As she descended before me, those wings elegantly folded behind her.

Her straight silver hair slid down her shoulders. Her eyes were an intense shade of red that seemed to bore into my very soul. I couldn't look away from her gaze-it was like staring into the heart of a blazing fire. I knew without a doubt that this woman before me was no ordinary being. She radiated an aura of divine energy. The woman before me with this aura of divine power was undoubtedly the goddess [Imris].

"No need for trepidation. I've arrived to offer my aid," her voice reached my ears.

I watched in disbelief as her hand reached out gently, offering me assistance to stand up. My heart pounded as I stared at the deity before me. I could only nod, still in amazement at her divine presence. Trembling slightly, I took hold of her hand and allowed her to pull me up. As I rose to my feet, I couldn't help but notice how soft and warm her hand felt in mine. Once I was already standing, curiously, she didn't let go of my hand, instead, she held my hand tightly as she gazed at me with a gentle smile. Standing in her presence, I couldn't help but feel a wave of peace and tranquility wash over me. It was as if all my worries and fears were being slowly lifted away, leaving me with nothing but a sense of calm.

"I have waited for this meeting for a long time." She continued, her gaze seeming to pierce through my very soul.

"Y-You wanted to see me?" I managed to respond, feeling insignificant yet deeply honored by her presence.

"I did!" She said, her eyes locked on mine, "This meeting was destined to happen."

As I heard her words, my thoughts began to swirl, and my mind raced to comprehend the situation. I was just a mere C-Rank adventurer, a nobody in comparison to the legendary S-Rank adventurers who are revered throughout the land. So why would a goddess, a divine being of immense power, be interested in seeing me of all people? The very thought seemed absurd and impossible, yet here she was, standing before me with a glint in her eye and a smile on her lips. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to gather my wits and make sense of this unexpected encounter.

After the initial shock of seeing a goddess started to wear off, I frantically looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Syis. However, she was nowhere to be seen. My mind was in a state of confusion, and I couldn't help but wonder where she could have gone. Before all this, she and I were holding each other, trying not to get separated.

"Syvis? Where is Syvis?" I asked as I turned around, trying to find her.

"She's fine," the goddess answered me, "You'll meet her soon, but for now, I wanted to have this encounter between you and me alone."

"I-Is she really okay?" I timidly ask.

The goddess, with her serene and graceful demeanor, inclined her head. With a simple nod of her head, she calmed the anguish that I was feeling. For some reason, I felt that I could believe everything she said.

"My dear Darx, there are countless things that I wish to share with you, but alas, my time here is short. My purpose is to steer you towards the correct path and offer assistance in the challenges that lie ahead."

"I don't understand. I'm just a mid-ranked adventurer like many others. If it's to help in the upcoming war against the demons, I'm sure there are adventurers more qualified than me."

The goddess [Imris] smiled slightly tenderly, "You underestimate yourself, Darx," After saying those words, the goddess grabbed both of my hands with hers and brought them together, "You possess a unique power that will be vital for the impending conflicts. However, the shadowy **** you've been wielding is not one to rely upon. I'm here to guide you and set you free from that dark power that should not belong to this world."

I am so confused by so many things that I'm not understanding what she is telling me. Why would the goddess appear in front of me all of a sudden? I thought the goddesses could only appear during the ritual, and only a very few chosen ones who become S-Rank have been able to have a brief encounter with their respective goddesses for what is known. And more than that, what dark power is she referring to?

"That darkness you harbor is a **** that mustn't be used," the goddess continued, her tone gentle yet unwavering, "Your destiny lies in the realm of light, alongside me."

Confusion swirled within me. What did she mean by my destiny lying with her?

"Forgive me, but I struggle to grasp this situation. I'm merely a mid-tier adventurer, devoid of any dark power," I replied, endeavoring to fathom her words.

As soon as I uttered those words, my mind began to race with questions. The words "dark" and "power" echoed in my head. It was then that, for some reason, I thought of Ophelia and the owl I can summon, both of which are unique abilities I possess. And somehow, now that I think about it, I feel that they are linked to something different compared to what I can feel from the goddess in front of me. But why have I never questioned their origin? How is it that I can communicate with Ophelia in that place of darkness, where others cannot? And why did I possess the capacity to progress through the ranks, a feat far from ordinary?

Also, there have been times when I have felt a surge of power within me during difficult battles, a power that seems to be different from the one I normally use. And when I gaze into the eyes of the goddess, I can't help but feel a strange connection, as if her eyes are the same as mine. I always thought it was foolish all the times I've been questioned about my origins. After all, how special could a simple boy who comes from a small village be? Yet it wasn't until the goddess spoke to me that I began to realize just how unusual my abilities are.

"I understand that you must feel confused, but sometimes, the path we believe is right for us is not the one we are destined to follow," Imris spoke, "That power of darkness leads to ruin. You must choose the path of light and embrace the purpose I have for you."

"During the ritual, w-wasn't it you who gave me my awakening and granted me the ability to be an adventurer?" I inquired.

Curiously, the goddess's response was silence, her expression unyielding. After a few seconds, she finally spoke, "The power within you is not entirely mine. Our fated encounter within the sacred rite met an unforeseen obstruction. Only within this realm, beyond her grasp, can we finally unite."

Wasn't my awakening entirely hers? A place beyond her grasp?

"S-so, you're implying my abilities originate elsewhere?" I asked in disbelief.

"Your awakening during the ritual was not as it should have been," The goddess Imris continued replying, "Although, at that moment, our connection began, and you managed to unlock the abilities that I left to the chosen ones from among my people what should have happened was different."

As I reflect back, I realize that my ritual was quite distinct from any other. Most people could not summon any kind of response during the ritual and, as a result, failed to become adventurers. However, there were a lucky few who were able to awaken their inner adventuring abilities, while just a few had had the privilege of encountering the almighty goddess [Imris] herself, the S-Ranks.

But none of these outcomes came to pass for me. In fact, my experience was entirely different. For me, it was the first time I ever encountered Ophelia outside of my recurring nightmares, and moreover, it was the first time I was able to communicate with her.

"Is Ophelia related to my awekening?" I asked.

"Ophelia? Ah, yes... That's what you call her," The goddess said before taking a momentary pause to think before continuing, "The location where the sacred ceremony occurs is a special place that makes it easier for me to reach my people from the spiritual realm. However, little did I know that this place was not only a gateway for me to access the earthly world, but it also opened doors for unforeseen events. I am unsure if it was a deliberate act or simply fate, but the day of the ritual, which was supposed to be the day of our first encounter, was abruptly disrupted by her. I was eagerly anticipating our meeting. Yet, fate had other plans, and I was **** to keep waiting."

"By Ophelia? W-Who is she? Who is Ophelia? Before dying, Selgoth said that he could sense someone called Zaine from me. Was he referring to her?" I asked.

"Yes, her real name is Zaine."

The goddess Imris confirmed that Ophelia's real name is Zaine. However, as soon as she mentioned it, I couldn't help but notice a subtle hint of discomfort on her face. It was almost as if the goddess was hesitant to divulge this particular detail as if it was something she would rather keep to herself. I couldn't help but wonder why this was the case. Was there something significant about Ophelia's true name that Imris didn't want to reveal?

The goddess once again focused her gaze on me and continued, "I can sense that the link between you and her is strong, but in the little time we have, I don't want to spend talking about her. My goal here is the opposite. It is for you to trust my counsel and uncover your true calling. And to achieve that, you must distance yourself from her," The goddess responded.

"Eh? B-But I can't just do that. She needs me..." I reply.

"Believe me when I tell you that it doesn't give me any pleasure to tell you that the link binding you to her needs to disappear," Saying that, I noticed how the goddess's expression showed what I could call remorse. It was apparent that what she was asking of me was not something that gave her joy, "The guidance that she can offer you takes you away from me. Your allegiance should not be to her."

"D-Disappear? But she has helped me and supported me. I can't just abandon her. She is trapped somewhere and needs my help. Couldn't you help her? It looks like she has little time."

I simply cannot bring myself to abandon Ophelia... oh, well, Zaine, not after all the times she has helped me. Only recently, I vividly remember the time when I was on the brink of being consumed by the darkness after my encounter with the demons. The horrible images that flashed before my eyes with my mom and Syvis... At that moment, I could feel how I was being consumed by the hate that held me captive. It was then that I heard her voice, like a beacon of hope in the midst of despair, calling out to me from the depths of the abyss. Her words cut through the darkness like a knife, and slowly but surely, I felt myself being pulled back.

"I know my words might appear unsettling and hard for you to understand. Nonetheless, I implore you to take heed, for my intent is your welfare. Believe me when I tell you that it is for your own good. Zaine is not someone you should follow. Have faith in my direction, and you will find your true purpose." The goddess assured me.

"B-But... why?" I asked, my voice wavering. "I can't abandon her."

"Darx, unfortunately, I can't give you all the answers you want in this short time. What you should know is that you are an indispensable person in the upcoming war against the demons," Imris said, her eyes locked onto mine, "You are the fruit of a wrong past and a future that needs you."

After saying those words, the goddess Imris suddenly began to shine, and her following words sounded louder and as if they had an echo.

"Darx, now I'll do what should have happened in the ritual! I will help you use the power you've always had, and that has been inherited since the beginning of time, by repressing that darkness inside you that keeps it sealed."

Without waiting for my answer, the goddess reached out and touched my forehead. I saw how everything began to shine, including me. A surge of power flowed through me. This power was pure, radiant and filled me with a sense of peace. But at the same time, I felt how my connection with Ophelia diminished considerably to the point that I couldn't feel her anymore.

Shortly after, the brightness gradually decreased until it disappeared, leaving me exhausted for some reason. Still, I felt my body differently. I felt like I had lost something important. But at the same time, without the goddess even telling me anything or explaining anything to me, I feel stronger, and I feel that I have acquired a skill that I did not have before.

"I have sealed that darkness, remaining dormant at your will," Imris said, her voice gentle, "In return, now you are who you were always meant to be."

At your will? Does that mean that the darkness that she speaks of can resurface if I so desire?

"What does that mean?"I asked, confused by all this, "Why me? I still don't understand what you expect from me. I have so many questions."

"I would like to answer all your questions, but my stay here has reached its limit. I can't extend my stay any longer. You can find more answers from my most faithful subjects. They shall heed your call."

"Do you mean the church?"

As my question hung in the air, the goddess started to diminish, as if her very essence was being drawn away. A soft, ethereal light emanated from her, casting a gentle white glow that illuminated the space around her.

"It is time," The goddess spoke.

After that, as I stood there, frozen in place, the goddess Imris gazed at me with a tenderness that I had never before experienced. I was taken aback as she took a step closer to me. Suddenly, she opened her arms and pulled me into a warm embrace, and for a moment, I was lost in the heat of her body and the softness of her touch. As she embraced me, I felt a sense of peace, but as I looked up at Imris, I saw that she was slowly fading away more and more, her form becoming more and more ethereal with each passing moment.

"Dear Darx, the fate that awaits you will be difficult and cruel. It will fall on your shoulders to solve the problems of many mistakes that were made in the past, a burden that is not fair for you to carry. However, I implore you to be strong for the sake of your loved ones and each descendant of us goddesses. I have faith in you, Darx. Your strength and determination will see you through this challenging journey," The goddess separated a little from me and put her hands on my cheeks before continuing, "Remember, you are not alone in this endeavor. We goddesses stand by your side. When the time for the next ritual arrives, come see me, and there we will be able to talk more."

The goddess separated from me and slowly began to rise. As she ascended higher and higher, the light emanating from her intensified, illuminating everything in its path. The brightness was so overwhelming that I had to shield my eyes with my hands, unable to bear the radiance once again.

"Stay strong, Darx!"

Those were the last words I heard from the goddess before the light intensified, making me close my eyes more forcefully. As the light subsided, I opened my eyes and found myself standing back on the familiar ground. I was in the cave in the precise place where the vortex that trapped us was.

I looked around for any signs of the goddess [Imris], but she was not here anymore. There wasn't a single trace of her divine presence.

On the other hand, while looking around, I saw an **** Syvis lying motionless on the ground. Without a moment's hesitation, I rushed over to her and assessed her condition. To my immense relief, I discovered that she was simply asleep and unharmed. The tension that had been building within me dissipated as I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that she was okay.

I accommodated Syvis's head on my thighs so that she could rest while I was still in disbelief at everything that happened.