Chapter 581 Core Fragment
[Eon's POV: ]
"Master..."
It was a humongous being, probably bigger than Rein's grandma's turtle. And it was made with one of the strongest metals on this planet, the Alcheum.
And, it was further fortified with ruins, enchantments, magic, and skills, and I didn't know how but, I could feel it...
{ "Oh? You could feel them as well. Looks like you succeed more than her knowledge." }
This thing was just like the Keepers I have read about. Sharp, smart, intelligent, and absolutely loyal to the task they were assigned to.
But still, I could also feel a unique thing from him. Something I had only felt from a few people I have met before.
"Yes. And I see you are blessed by multiple higher gods. Looks like the thing you were guarding is more important than I had previously thought.
But that aside, is there a reason they are like this?"
I looked the creature straight in the eye, or at least the thing that resembled an eye on that display-like screen.
It had a unique body, the way he was made was phenomenal, and I really wanted to examine and learn from him, but...
"Eon, ahem! This is uncomfortable!"
Everyone was fine until we stepped inside this chamber but, as soon as we were here, aside from me and Zoe, everyone else started feeling unwell and strangely suffocating.
It was almost as if they were having difficulty even breathing normally so, I knew we couldn't stay here for much longer. Or at least, we will have to deal with their symptoms as soon as we could.
{ "Oh, hahaha. It is because they aren't permitted to be here. They can just take a step back and get out of this chamber and they would not feel the restrictions anymore." }
It was as I thought. This place itself was a unique space where only those with this strange 'permission' could enter.
"Everyone, it's alright. Just watch from the back."
"I won't!"
I knew she wouldn't go out. She was stubborn, after all.
"Rein."
She would continue feeling this uneasy feeling, maybe it will get worse over time, maybe it will suddenly get far more severe than I can think. Or maybe worse...
I couldn't risk it here. Especially when this creature obviously only wanted the two of us here.
"I will not. Do what-"
She would remain stubborn till the end, I had known this bad habit of hers for quite a while now. And since there was a danger this colossal in front of us, her anxiety was obvious. But, I had faith that the creature that could call a name that only a few of her acquaintances knew, would not harm her own successors.
So, Rein had nothing to worry about. And just telling that to her wasn't going to be enough.
"I will have to use a coin then."
I took out a black coin from my white crack and held it before her. And, her eyes widened as soon as she saw it.
"No, you-...!"
"I can. But don't worry, I will be alright so, please. Just stay back. You would still be here, right?"
"Do I look-...!?"
"No, you are not dumb nor a child. But, I will be ok. Zoe is here, and Celes is too. Nothing's happening to me, alright?"
Stepping closer to her and handing her the coin, I gave her a kiss and pushed her back at Miss Moon and Queen Fio.
Both of them couldn't bare that uncomfortable sensation so they were already standing out.
"You bastard...!"
-Oooooooooong!
And, we both knew it was a possibility, so, as soon as she was out, a transparent barrier covered the entrance and sealed them all out.
{ "Alright then. Now that we are free of distractions..." }
The Keeper looked at us, smiling, and I knew there was something strange going on here, but I stood straight. Zoe was fearlessly looking at him as if she didn't like his actions so I couldn't just shrink out here.
I was prepared for anything right now, and even the worst thing if the situation asked for it.
However, different from my thoughts, the Keeper, the towering creature that was standing straight with his head held high, went on his knees and looked down as if a knight was greeting his master.
{ "I apologize for my behavior, however, it is my duty to only allow those permitted by my creators into this sacred chamber." }
This was getting confusing. I practically knew nothing about him or what he was talking about so things were even more confusing but... just when he was about to look up, Lucy spoke up.
[{ *Master, just now...* }]
'It's fine. Show it now.'
She didn't have to finish that sentence. I already had an idea what she was going to say so, when she was being hesitant about something, I just told her to show me one of the messages from my grandma that must have been unlocked just now.
And I believed it was related to this situation so, I had to see it first to have a grasp of the current situation.
"I'm sorry but, please stop for a moment,"
Looking at the Keeper and stopping him, I looked at Zoe and just a look was more than enough for her to understand what was happening.
And, for some strange reason, the Keeper was smiling too.
{ "You are having a vision, right? I will stop then." }
I didn't know what he meant by the 'vision' but I definitely knew he didn't mean the vision from my master. So, there was definitely some different story in place here, and perhaps, this message left behind by the master was the key to everything...
So, I closed my eyes and looked at the memory with Lucy and, what we saw in this message, was more difficult than all those messages I get at my birthdays or when I'm in certain scenarios.
'Lucy...'
[{ *Yes master... this is probably a fragment of her actual memory.* }]
Usually, I would see a blank white room with my master sitting on some chair but what I was seeing right now was far different from that. And far more amazing too if I said it myself.
'Fascinating...'
First, I saw the creation of something that I would say was the reason the island of magic's wealth was floating in the sky like this.
I saw the process, the materials, the techniques, and the reasons.
More interestingly, I also saw the true hearts and souls that the creators of that unbelievable piece possessed when making it, and their motivation for its creation.
I was seeing everything from a higher perspective as if someone from a higher place was seeing everything happening here, and this perspective that belonged to the being that occasionally also guided the creators of this place, was most probably my master. n0VeluSb.c0m
It was a new experience for me to see something she had actually experienced herself, which also meant that there were more of these memory fragments that contained the things she herself had experienced.
But that fact aside, what I saw in those mere moments, were scenes of how the Inner Core was created, the reason the floating island existed, the reason the 'Masters' didn't reside on this island anymore, a fraction of what the Divine beasts was actually capable of, and lastly... the reason why this [< Core fragment >] existed. And why a being like this was guarding it.
I didn't see how he was created though, but the new knowledge that I had just gained, this sudden surge of so many things that was almost making me feel dizzy, was something that definitely opened many doors before me.
'And also something that bound me in the shackles of the worldly restrictions even more.'
At the end of this memory fragment, I heard her voice, and she just said a few things that... were definitely something she would say.
'This was a long time ago. And it is past, history that is already far behind you.
Still, knowing it will be helpful to you in your current situation. Just do what you always do.
And, take care of yourself. Just say those certain words if there are any complications on that island. It will be alright.'
She was looking after us as always. And though this was the first time I had seen her memories, I... strangely felt like I had already lived them before.
It was, kind of ineffable. I can't put that strange feeling into words. It was unique, and maybe it was because of Lucy but, I didn't know it yet. And, I didn't have to know it either.
I know something important now. I know what he was doing, and why he was here.
'Though I still do not know how he was made. Haaa...'
Still...
"Alright, Codex Azmail. Speak."
Knowing about what you are dealing with in all kinds of situations makes things a lot easier. Especially in situations like this where the speaker is a mechanical creation mainly based on the same principles that grandma and I used in the creation of the perfect cores, the hearts that gave birth to Anna's Mr. Rice, mom's little Xzavier, and also my three commanders.
