In this space where light elements were so abundant they were almost saturated, Midir effortlessly condensed a block of pure white light. It was nearly solid, floating silently before them and emitting a soft yet dazzling glow.
Satisfied, he reached out and patted the snowy white block before hopping onto it. He then extended a hand to Aila, gesturing for her to follow.
Once they were both standing securely, Midir made a slight adjustment with his hand. The block beneath their feet began to rise slowly, ascending into the heights above.
“Wow, I didn't know light elements could be used this way. You really are a jack-of-all-trades!” Aila whispered as she felt the platform move.
“It's actually not that difficult. Given the sheer density of light elements here, anyone with a high enough affinity could essentially do the same,” Midir explained modestly, showing no sign of pride at her praise.
“That’s still impressive. But based on what you’re saying, if someone without light affinity fell down here, wouldn't they be trapped until they died?”
“Yes, that’s likely true. We might be the only two living beings to have set foot here in ages. Perhaps it really is a twist of fate? It just so happened that I possessed the Power of Creation to open that portal and the ability to command light elements so freely.” Midir paused for a moment before responding to Aila’s question.
“The only two? But I get the feeling you’ve been here before. How else would you know so much? Don't blame me for being suspicious, but it all seems a bit too convenient. If you think about it, it doesn't quite add up. Do you know where these souls eventually go?”
Aila wasn't entirely convinced it was all a coincidence, and her voice was still laced with doubt.
“Where do they go? The end of the Pillar of Creation is... where...? I’m sorry, I can't remember.” As he considered the question, a look of confusion returned to Midir’s eyes, as if his flow of information had been abruptly cut off.
“The Pillar of Creation? Is that the name of this massive pillar?” This unfamiliar term piqued Aila’s curiosity once again.
Midir simply gave her a slight nod before falling into a deep silence, seemingly lost in thought as he tried to sift through his fragmented memories.
Their ascent was not fast. The souls swimming within the massive crystal pillar were the only things that changed. Midir watched them intently, his eyes filled with complex emotions as the souls drifted like schools of fish inside the crystal.
Aila tactfully remained silent, choosing not to disturb his contemplation. They continued their quiet climb through the stillness.
The height of the Pillar of Creation far exceeded their expectations. If not for the shifting movement of the souls and the fact that the ground had long since vanished from sight, Aila might have felt like they weren't moving at all, unable to reach the top.
“No wonder my aunt once told me the Valley of Ice was a resting place for souls. Looking at this, she was right,” Aila suddenly remarked, breaking the long silence.
“Your aunt? Are you talking about Moen?” Midir stopped his musing and turned to look at her.
“Yeah. Now that I think about it, that was a story I heard years ago. I didn't take it seriously when I was a kid... But looking at this, the person who left that mark in the small room at the bottom of the canyon might have been my aunt. Even that flower you took from the rock wall looks a lot like the Worry-free Orchid she used to cultivate... no wonder it looked so familiar.”
Aila spoke softly, piece by piece connecting the dots in her mind.
Midir looked thoughtful. “If that’s the case, then everything seems to make sense. But if your relative has been here, why didn't she tell you more about it?”
“I don't know... My dad and mom never mentioned anything about this place, so they probably haven't been here. My aunt only mentioned the resting place of souls to me once by chance. As for the 'why,' I’ll just have to ask her when we get back. It’s a shame my communication stone is broken; I’m dying of curiosity right now!”
While Aila was muttering to herself, Midir suddenly looked upward and said in a low voice, “Get ready. We’re almost there.”
Aila followed his gaze. Although she still couldn't see the top of the Pillar of Creation, the light above seemed to have grown somewhat dimmer.
Before long, they encountered a transparent barrier suspended silently in mid-air, blocking their path. Midir touched the thin film, feeling a soft but firm counterforce ripple through his fingertips.
“This thing looks very similar to the barrier covering the Valley of Ice. If I’m not mistaken, it should be a part of that same barrier.” After feeling the fluctuations from the barrier, Midir withdrew his hand and shared his thoughts.
“Then what? Do we force our way through? Let me try a simple barrier like this... Ow!” Aila struck the barrier above her head with force, only to be left trembling as the rebounding energy numbed her entire body.
“If I were alone, I might be able to try, but it’s not wise to do so now. After all, even a dragon would find it hard to withstand this power,” Midir said, shaking his head as he looked at Aila’s reddened fist.
“If it does that, you could have at least warned me! My arm is so sore! So how are we supposed to get past it?”
“If there is an entrance, there must be an exit. That is a law of nature.” Midir ignored Aila’s complaining and steered the magic platform to slowly circle to the other side of the Pillar of Creation, beginning a meticulous search.
After a period of patient searching, Midir’s gaze finally locked onto an inconspicuous corner.
“Just as I thought. This is it.” After a careful probe with his magic, Midir nodded and pointed to a slight protrusion on the wall.
To the naked eye, the protrusion was invisible, blending perfectly into the vast space. Even Aila couldn't see anything unusual. However, under Midir’s magical perception, a different scene unfolded.
In a space nearly saturated with light elements, there was a single void—like a drop of ink on a pure white canvas. It was exceptionally striking.
This black spot was filled with various other elements, appearing like countless disorganized lines twisting and turning within.
Rate on N.U.
