Chapter 32 Chapter 4 Blink
Saryon struggled frantically to escape the abyss that bound him. Sheer stone walls flanked him, blocking his view of the sky.A white turbulent rushing from the stone cliffs roared, trying to engulf him in white foaming waves, thorns entangled his feet, and branches stretched out their claw-like fingers to drag him. back.Lost and alone, he wandered around, struggling to find a way out.
Suddenly, the way out is there!There is a teleportation corridor on the steep stone wall, through which a few rays of sunlight shine through, revealing a piece of blue sky.It looked easy to climb, so he scrambled towards it with all his might.
It was easy at first, and he left the floor of the abyss in one fell swoop, and unfortunately, never came close to that blue sky.Then he realized that the higher he climbed, the higher the cliff would rise.The stone wall became more and more difficult to climb, and a group of black bats rushed out of the hole and rushed at him, scaring him almost to stumble and fall back to the bottom of the abyss.But he persisted, and finally, he reached the top of the cliff, and then, with one last effort, he dragged himself to the edge of the cliff, and saw a huge, unblinking eye.
Saryon pressed his face against the rock, shivering, avoiding the eye.But he knew that he couldn't hide where he wouldn't let it see him.
"Arise, Catalyst Saints!" cried a voice.
Saryon looked up and saw a tree beside him.Wrapping himself in his robe, he climbed up the tree, and hid among the thick green leaves, he breathed a sigh of relief so that the eye could not see him.Just when he was relieved, the leaves all turned yellow and began to fall to the ground one by one, the eye found him again, and then one branch under his feet broke, and then the other branch also broke. up.
"Father!" A hand shook his shoulder. "Time to wake up!"
Saryon woke up suddenly, and he grabbed the hand with a jerk, as if the whole world was falling, the hand was gripping so hard and so firmly that he held on to it gratefully.However, the hand let go of him, and the Catalyst Saint sank back onto his pillow, feeling exhausted and bruised, as if he had — and it was — climbed a cliff all night.
Joram went to the window and drew back the shutters, and the cold, pale sun shone a cold light through the room, making Saryon flinch.
"What time is it?" he asked, blinking under the bright light.
"It's only an hour before noon. You've slept through the morning, Catalyst Saint, and you have a lot to do today."
"Really? I...I'm sorry." Saryon was very embarrassed and wanted to get up in a daze.He turned his face away from the sun.Is this the eye?looking at him?Really boring!It was just a dream.
Saryon got out of bed, washed his face in cold water, and dressed hastily, realizing that Joram was growing impatient.Joram was pacing the room now, his usually stern, composed face now showing a tense, eager expression, and he was dressed for going out, Saryon noticed uneasily.On top of his white robe was a gray-white cloak. Although Saryon couldn't see it, he knew that Joram was wearing the Dark Sword under the cloak, which was strapped to his back.
"Have you decided to go to the church?" Saryon asked in a low voice.Sitting on the edge of the bed, he began to put on his shoes.But as he bent over, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him, and he had to stop for a moment to wait for it to pass.
"There is never a decision to be made. It is a conclusion that must come first." Joram noticed that Saryon paused for a moment, and did nothing. "Hurry up, Catalyst Saint!" He pointed to the sunlight outside the window a little annoyed. "We have to get there by noon today, not noon tomorrow. You said you'd come with us. Are you serious? Or are you trying to keep me from going with these protracted priestly tricks?"
"I'll go with you," said Saryon slowly, looking up at him from his shoes. "You should know without asking, my child, what reason did I give you to make you doubt me so much?"
"You're a priest, isn't that a good reason!" Joram sneered, walking towards the door.
Saryon stood up and followed him. "Joran, what's the matter?" He lightly touched the sleeve of Joran's white robe. "You are different today."
"I'm sure I knew I couldn't be anyone else this morning, Catalyst!" Joram retorted, jerking his arm away from Saryon's grasp.Seeing the priest's worried expression, Joram hesitated, his grim face stretched out.Running his fingers through his thick black hair, he shook his head. "Forgive me, Father." He sighed. "I didn't get a good night's rest. And I don't think I'll get any sleep tonight, and maybe many nights to come. I just want to go to that place and find some relief for Gwendoline! Are you ready?" ?”
"Yes, ready. I understand how you feel, Joram," said Saryon. "but--"
Joram cut him off impatiently. "There's no time for discussion, Father! We have to go find Gwen and get out of here before Jarod or some other fool tries to stop us."
His face became stern.Saryon gazed at Joram, and thought the change strange, but why should it surprise me?he asked himself dejectedly.I saw it come, I saw the fire of the furnace burn in his eyes like the compassion that had taught him all these years, as torment and suffering were once again forgotten by him and his flesh turned to stone.
The abyss from which Saryon had escaped opened wide again before him, and every step brought him closer to its edge.Sure, there must be a way around it, let's turn around and find that way.
Suddenly, a hand firmly grasped his arm. "Where are you going? Catalyst saint? Time to go!"
"Please think again!" Saryon said hesitantly. "There must be another way, Joram!"
The fire in the furnace flared up and nearly scorched the priest. "You make your choice, Father." Joran said sharply. "Either come with me, or stay. Which one do you choose?"
choose!Saryon almost laughed.He could see a path that avoided that cliff, but it was blocked by a boulder that had fallen many years ago.He cannot turn back.
"I'll go with you!" The Catalyst Saint nodded and said.
White sunlight flooded Lord Samuels' house for the first time in days, refracting aimlessly off the melting snow in a light that was neither warm nor cheery.The little garden under the snow was charming, but it was an ominous enchantment.All the trees were frozen and covered with snow, and the snow and ice weighed heavily on them, breaking the branches of the big trees, and the huge trees were split in two. Uncomfortable as the bitterly cold weather was, the street outside Lord Samuels' gate was crowded with people.They walked up and down, hoping only to catch a glimpse of Joram, and kept begging those who came out to reveal something.Since dawn, there has been an endless stream of fire warriors, wingmen, government officials, Albanara, and others pouring in and out.Preparations for the war are in full swing. Inside, Lord Samuels, Garrod, Cardinal Radisovik, a few nobles, and the Warlord of Fire gathered in an upstairs ballroom that had been converted into a temporary war room. The map was spread out on the big table, and Prince Garrod began to explain his battle plan to the leaders present.Although he already felt that the air in the house was as cold as outside, he ignored it. "We'll go to war tonight and attack them while they're asleep. Then they'll be in disarray and disorganized. We should be like a series of nightmares to them, so first we'll use the Illusionist. Count Marat, you will lead your army here—" Jarod pointed to a group of geodesic yurts that suddenly appeared under his fingers. "And you're going to—" "Forgive me, Prince Jarod." Earl Mala said softly. "These plans of yours are very good, but the Emperor is our commander. I came here this morning to discuss it with him. Where is he?" Prince Jarod cast a quick glance at Dukexis who hung like a shadow in the corner, and his hood quivered slightly in reply.Prince Garrod frowned back at the earl, and it was not Marat alone who made the request, many of the other Albanaras of Merilon nodded in agreement with him. "The Emperor hasn't slept for two nights." Jarod replied coldly. "Since all I'm about to discuss with you are his plans, I don't think his presence is necessary. However, I've—" he added. "Send Mocia to find him, and the Emperor should be there—" At this moment, a knock on the door interrupted him. Jarod nodded, and a Dukexis removed the magical seal on the door.Everyone turned their heads and waited, the nobles were about to bow to their emperor, but all they saw was Mosiah... alone. "Where's Jo—the Emperor?" Jarod asked. "He...he gave me a message," Mosiah faltered, casting a quick glance at Prince Jarod. "He gave me a message, Your Highness." Cardinal Radisovik accused, but Mosiah didn't hear him, still looking at Prince Jarod. "The message is... well... absolutely confidential, Your Highness." He gestured for them to go to the window. Prince Jarod, who had been bending over to look at the map, straightened up. "A message?" he repeated angrily. "Have you told him how much we've needed him for the last half hour? He's - oh, very well. Excuse me, gentlemen." Mosiah, ignoring the nobles who were muttering to each other in private, walked quickly to the large glass window, followed by Prince Garrod and Lord Samuels, Albanara watching their every movement suspiciously. "Your Highness!" Mosiah said softly. "It's almost noon!" "I don't need to know the time," Jarod snapped, but the facts were clear.He fell silent suddenly, and turned his eyes reluctantly to a magical time-table placed on the elegant mantelpiece in the ballroom, inside which a small sun was enclosed, almost at its highest point, and in its tiny world, had finished its journey Half the arc, no wonder it's blinking merrily. "Damn it!" the prince cursed softly, facing the bodies of the nobles and turning to the window, standing with his hands behind his back. "I thought I had persuaded him not to go!" "Perhaps he is walking in the garden," said Lord Samuels. "I've checked, he's not here! Father Saryon and Gwendelin are also not here!" Mosiah approached Prince Jarod, pretending to be looking at the garden with great interest. "There's bad news," he whispered. "Singin's gone too!" "Lord Samuels, ask the servant." Garald ordered quietly. "Ask them if any of them saw Joram or Father Saryon this morning. Be careful not to alarm anyone!" he added.But it was too late, and before he could stop him, the distraught lord was hastening across the ballroom, hurried to the entrance hall, and called to the servants.The nobles present looked at him in such a hurry, and their faces became more and more serious. "Prince Garrod." Earl Marat called out. "I must know what happened? Where is the emperor?" "Where is the emperor?" The crowd also boiled, the room was in chaos, everyone was talking, but no one could let others hear what they were saying. "Quiet!" Prince Jarod finally yelled, and the chaos ended. "You'll think I'm making a fuss!" he added gravely. "Mosiah told me just now that the Empress was very ill this morning, and the Emperor did not want to leave her. Lord Samuels has sent his servants to fetch Zeldalla. Lord Samuels also informed me that lunch is ready Well, I suggest that everyone use this time to go to dinner, the emperor will receive you after the banquet. Gentlemen, this way please, the servant will guide you. Thank you, please take a step first, I will be there in a while." The nobles and Merilon's Fire Warriors exchanged gloomy glances, muttered unceasingly, and walked away slowly.Those who wanted to stay were politely but firmly asked away by Jarod's wizards.As soon as everyone left, Garrod signaled Duke Xi to seal the gate. "Stay outside," Jarod ordered the wizard. "Only Samuels is allowed to come in, and no one else is allowed to come in." Duke Xisi disappeared, leaving only Prince Jarod, Cardinal Radisovic, and Mosiah in the room.Sunlight shone through the windows, onto the marble floor, and illuminated the map rolled up on the table.No one spoke, and Radisovic looked at Prince Jarod suspiciously. Prince Jarod, however, fiddled with the map absently, refusing to meet his priest's eyes.Mosiah tried to keep himself still, but was still nervously shifting from one foot to the other, wiping sweaty palms on his archer uniform.Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Lord Samuel reappeared in the house with a flustered maid. The maid stood awkwardly before the prince, and at first spoke incoherently.It took Jarod some time to calm her down with his gentle, polite demeanor so she could answer his question. Yes, she saw the emperor, and she was changing the sheets in the morning when she saw Joram, wearing a cloak he was going out, entering Saryon's room.After a while she saw them come out of the house again, went down to the hall, and overheard them talking of Lady Gwendoline. Yes, the emperor looked anxious and tense, but so did the rest of the family during this time, and she herself was panicked. It was a miracle she didn't pass out. Yes, now that she remembered, Father Saryon looked nervous too.He was very pale and walked as if he were being banished from the afterlife.These days are horrible, as she had been telling the chef this morning. No, she didn't remember seeing a young man dressed in fancy clothes. "Thank you, girl!" said Prince Jarod.The maid smiled politely but shyly at Mosiah and walked away.Duke Xisi sealed the door again. "Well, it seems clear enough." Prince Garrod sighed resignedly and continued. "Joran has already gone to the church, and brought Saryon and Gwen with him." "The church? What church, Your Highness?" Cardinal Radisovik asked in confusion. "The Temple of the Dead." "May Emin be with them!" the bishop said sincerely, making a gesture of resisting evil. "Forgive me, sir. I don't think it's enough for God to be with them," said Mosiah. "I think we should go there too. It's a trap, isn't it, Your Highness?" "I don't know!" Jarod snapped, pacing sullenly up and down the room. "Simkin's story about Nate or Nate is obviously a hoax, but there's enough truth in it to tempt Joram to believe him. And, besides that, I'd say there are other reasons." He glanced at the lord, who was not standing with them, but was alone looking at the garden dreamily. "If my daughter is indeed a necromancer, then this temple is the only place in the world where she may find help!" The Lord suddenly turned around, facing Garrod with an extremely painful face. "If we rush in rashly, Your Highness, we may ruin everything." "But we might be able to save them!" interrupted Mosiah. "We can use the portal, Your Highness, just to check that everything is in order. After all, Sim'jin was with our enemies!" "I know! I know! I know!" Jarod yelled impatiently, slamming his hand on the table. "I know Simkin! I know that he would gamble his soul, Joram's soul, and the the soul of anyone in the world!" "Since this is the case." Cardinal Radisovik said softly. "That Joram is really dangerous. Perhaps, Jarod, Mosiah is right..." A black figure appeared in the center of the combat command room, and suddenly a thunderbolt struck them.This Duke's hands were clasped in front of him as hard as ever—only he clasped so hard that his fingers twisted together with tension, and his voice was more tense as he spoke. "Your Highness, the enemy has moved!" "What?" Jarod asked in shock. "Are they leaving?" "No, Your Highness, they—" An intense blinding light exploded before their eyes, shattering the huge glass windows, shards of crystal glass flew in like a storm, paintings fell from the walls, several walls cracked and collapsed, and a huge ceiling beam Cracked, the walls, the ceiling, the foundations of the whole house shook and shook. A nearby explosion also ended the sorcerer's report that he was dead, his body riddled with shards of glass and impossible to remove. Mallillon is under attack. Lord Samuels' house shuddered for the last time, the glass clock, which withstood the first shock, was at last toppled from the mantelpiece, and the glass shattered into a thousand shining fragments, the The tiny sun escaped and rolled under the rug, and the little world bounced into the ashes of the hearth.
White sunlight flooded Lord Samuels' house for the first time in days, refracting aimlessly off the melting snow in a light that was neither warm nor cheery.The little garden under the snow was charming, but it was an ominous enchantment.All the trees were frozen and covered with snow, and the snow and ice weighed heavily on them, breaking the branches of the big trees, and the huge trees were split in two. Uncomfortable as the bitterly cold weather was, the street outside Lord Samuels' gate was crowded with people.They walked up and down, hoping only to catch a glimpse of Joram, and kept begging those who came out to reveal something.Since dawn, there has been an endless stream of fire warriors, wingmen, government officials, Albanara, and others pouring in and out.Preparations for the war are in full swing. Inside, Lord Samuels, Garrod, Cardinal Radisovik, a few nobles, and the Warlord of Fire gathered in an upstairs ballroom that had been converted into a temporary war room. The map was spread out on the big table, and Prince Garrod began to explain his battle plan to the leaders present.Although he already felt that the air in the house was as cold as outside, he ignored it. "We'll go to war tonight and attack them while they're asleep. Then they'll be in disarray and disorganized. We should be like a series of nightmares to them, so first we'll use the Illusionist. Count Marat, you will lead your army here—" Jarod pointed to a group of geodesic yurts that suddenly appeared under his fingers. "And you're going to—" "Forgive me, Prince Jarod." Earl Mala said softly. "These plans of yours are very good, but the Emperor is our commander. I came here this morning to discuss it with him. Where is he?" Prince Jarod cast a quick glance at Dukexis who hung like a shadow in the corner, and his hood quivered slightly in reply.Prince Garrod frowned back at the earl, and it was not Marat alone who made the request, many of the other Albanaras of Merilon nodded in agreement with him. "The Emperor hasn't slept for two nights." Jarod replied coldly. "Since all I'm about to discuss with you are his plans, I don't think his presence is necessary. However, I've—" he added. "Send Mocia to find him, and the Emperor should be there—" At this moment, a knock on the door interrupted him. Jarod nodded, and a Dukexis removed the magical seal on the door.Everyone turned their heads and waited, the nobles were about to bow to their emperor, but all they saw was Mosiah... alone. "Where's Jo—the Emperor?" Jarod asked. "He...he gave me a message," Mosiah faltered, casting a quick glance at Prince Jarod. "He gave me a message, Your Highness." Cardinal Radisovik accused, but Mosiah didn't hear him, still looking at Prince Jarod. "The message is... well... absolutely confidential, Your Highness." He gestured for them to go to the window. Prince Jarod, who had been bending over to look at the map, straightened up. "A message?" he repeated angrily. "Have you told him how much we've needed him for the last half hour? He's - oh, very well. Excuse me, gentlemen." Mosiah, ignoring the nobles who were muttering to each other in private, walked quickly to the large glass window, followed by Prince Garrod and Lord Samuels, Albanara watching their every movement suspiciously. "Your Highness!" Mosiah said softly. "It's almost noon!" "I don't need to know the time," Jarod snapped, but the facts were clear.He fell silent suddenly, and turned his eyes reluctantly to a magical time-table placed on the elegant mantelpiece in the ballroom, inside which a small sun was enclosed, almost at its highest point, and in its tiny world, had finished its journey Half the arc, no wonder it's blinking merrily. "Damn it!" the prince cursed softly, facing the bodies of the nobles and turning to the window, standing with his hands behind his back. "I thought I had persuaded him not to go!" "Perhaps he is walking in the garden," said Lord Samuels. "I've checked, he's not here! Father Saryon and Gwendelin are also not here!" Mosiah approached Prince Jarod, pretending to be looking at the garden with great interest. "There's bad news," he whispered. "Singin's gone too!" "Lord Samuels, ask the servant." Garald ordered quietly. "Ask them if any of them saw Joram or Father Saryon this morning. Be careful not to alarm anyone!" he added.But it was too late, and before he could stop him, the distraught lord was hastening across the ballroom, hurried to the entrance hall, and called to the servants.The nobles present looked at him in such a hurry, and their faces became more and more serious. "Prince Garrod." Earl Marat called out. "I must know what happened? Where is the emperor?" "Where is the emperor?" The crowd also boiled, the room was in chaos, everyone was talking, but no one could let others hear what they were saying. "Quiet!" Prince Jarod finally yelled, and the chaos ended. "You'll think I'm making a fuss!" he added gravely. "Mosiah told me just now that the Empress was very ill this morning, and the Emperor did not want to leave her. Lord Samuels has sent his servants to fetch Zeldalla. Lord Samuels also informed me that lunch is ready Well, I suggest that everyone use this time to go to dinner, the emperor will receive you after the banquet. Gentlemen, this way please, the servant will guide you. Thank you, please take a step first, I will be there in a while." The nobles and Merilon's Fire Warriors exchanged gloomy glances, muttered unceasingly, and walked away slowly.Those who wanted to stay were politely but firmly asked away by Jarod's wizards.As soon as everyone left, Garrod signaled Duke Xi to seal the gate. "Stay outside," Jarod ordered the wizard. "Only Samuels is allowed to come in, and no one else is allowed to come in." Duke Xisi disappeared, leaving only Prince Jarod, Cardinal Radisovic, and Mosiah in the room.Sunlight shone through the windows, onto the marble floor, and illuminated the map rolled up on the table.No one spoke, and Radisovic looked at Prince Jarod suspiciously. Prince Jarod, however, fiddled with the map absently, refusing to meet his priest's eyes.Mosiah tried to keep himself still, but was still nervously shifting from one foot to the other, wiping sweaty palms on his archer uniform.Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Lord Samuel reappeared in the house with a flustered maid. The maid stood awkwardly before the prince, and at first spoke incoherently.It took Jarod some time to calm her down with his gentle, polite demeanor so she could answer his question. Yes, she saw the emperor, and she was changing the sheets in the morning when she saw Joram, wearing a cloak he was going out, entering Saryon's room.After a while she saw them come out of the house again, went down to the hall, and overheard them talking of Lady Gwendoline. Yes, the emperor looked anxious and tense, but so did the rest of the family during this time, and she herself was panicked. It was a miracle she didn't pass out. Yes, now that she remembered, Father Saryon looked nervous too.He was very pale and walked as if he were being banished from the afterlife.These days are horrible, as she had been telling the chef this morning. No, she didn't remember seeing a young man dressed in fancy clothes. "Thank you, girl!" said Prince Jarod.The maid smiled politely but shyly at Mosiah and walked away.Duke Xisi sealed the door again. "Well, it seems clear enough." Prince Garrod sighed resignedly and continued. "Joran has already gone to the church, and brought Saryon and Gwen with him." "The church? What church, Your Highness?" Cardinal Radisovik asked in confusion. "The Temple of the Dead." "May Emin be with them!" the bishop said sincerely, making a gesture of resisting evil. "Forgive me, sir. I don't think it's enough for God to be with them," said Mosiah. "I think we should go there too. It's a trap, isn't it, Your Highness?" "I don't know!" Jarod snapped, pacing sullenly up and down the room. "Simkin's story about Nate or Nate is obviously a hoax, but there's enough truth in it to tempt Joram to believe him. And, besides that, I'd say there are other reasons." He glanced at the lord, who was not standing with them, but was alone looking at the garden dreamily. "If my daughter is indeed a necromancer, then this temple is the only place in the world where she may find help!" The Lord suddenly turned around, facing Garrod with an extremely painful face. "If we rush in rashly, Your Highness, we may ruin everything." "But we might be able to save them!" interrupted Mosiah. "We can use the portal, Your Highness, just to check that everything is in order. After all, Sim'jin was with our enemies!" "I know! I know! I know!" Jarod yelled impatiently, slamming his hand on the table. "I know Simkin! I know that he would gamble his soul, Joram's soul, and the the soul of anyone in the world!" "Since this is the case." Cardinal Radisovik said softly. "That Joram is really dangerous. Perhaps, Jarod, Mosiah is right..." A black figure appeared in the center of the combat command room, and suddenly a thunderbolt struck them.This Duke's hands were clasped in front of him as hard as ever—only he clasped so hard that his fingers twisted together with tension, and his voice was more tense as he spoke. "Your Highness, the enemy has moved!" "What?" Jarod asked in shock. "Are they leaving?" "No, Your Highness, they—" An intense blinding light exploded before their eyes, shattering the huge glass windows, shards of crystal glass flew in like a storm, paintings fell from the walls, several walls cracked and collapsed, and a huge ceiling beam Cracked, the walls, the ceiling, the foundations of the whole house shook and shook. A nearby explosion also ended the sorcerer's report that he was dead, his body riddled with shards of glass and impossible to remove. Mallillon is under attack. Lord Samuels' house shuddered for the last time, the glass clock, which withstood the first shock, was at last toppled from the mantelpiece, and the glass shattered into a thousand shining fragments, the The tiny sun escaped and rolled under the rug, and the little world bounced into the ashes of the hearth.