Kneeling down to place her hands over Odelia’s lifeless body, Verana soothingly announced “8-Star Constellation, Deathless Prison Stasis.” With an immense surge of magic, eight bright stars were conjured in the air above the space, flooding the entire library in a beautiful purple and gold starlight. Only momentarily floating above, the stars aligned to make the shape of a person, and unexpectedly came shooting down precisely onto Odelia’s body: striking her head, her hands, her feet, her heart, and three other spots on her upper torso.

“Woah, that’s some crazy strong magic!” I thought to myself, watching as a seemingly unbreakable astral barrier manifested and enveloped Odelia’s entire body—naturally causing her to float all the way up to the ceiling.

Verana then stood up and said, “Generally our elven bodies do not change much even after death, however with her body being in such a twisted and unknown state, we cannot be sure it will remain intact as it is now.” pulling Odelia back down with her magic, “Although with her now being in my prison stasis, this will ensure her body is safe from any inner or outer harm, so long as I maintain my Mana and focus.”

“That’s amazing!” I exclaimed, genuinely relieved at the fact. “But can we go back to what you just said before? What do you mean you’ve talked to him in person?”

“Not us specifically. I was referring to…past members who have.” Verana clarified, noticeably having someone on her mind. She then asked, “I can find you the records of the two meetings later, if you would like?”

“That’d be great, thank you! But you are saying this person is the same ‘Ancient Mage’ from the fairy tale, correct?” Feeling slightly skeptical, “The one that created the Blood-Altering Poison and has a cure for it?”

“Undoubtedly, my Lord.” Verana assured me.

“Ohhh, so that was my reasoning.” Concluding, “I must’ve gone inside the Blood Dungeon again to get Odelia the cure.”

“Well this is the first time I'm hearing of this.” Amariina commented.

“As it would be.” Aelthar responded, disclosing “For only the Noble Houses and our own have knowledge of his existence, as it was House Helvi’Ett who erased his presence from history in the first place.”

They talked amongst themselves as I lost myself in thought for a moment. “Even though the vision showed I was alone at the time, Anni said I was inside the Dungeon with dozens of other adventurers in the alternative visions. But hearing how everyone gruesomely died in those other ones, and seeing how I was in fact alone in the one I survived…” Wondering, “Does that mean I have to somehow reach that place all by myself if I want to live?” Racking my brain on what I should do.

“I see you might be concerned about how we intend to reach the heart of the Millennium Dungeon, my Lord.” Shurtyrr keenly observed.

“Not exactly.” I replied, actually thinking about how I’m ever gonna convince them to let me go meet this ‘Ancient Mage’ by myself, “But if you're asking, does that mean you already have something in mind?”

“I believe I do.” Shurtyrr said confidently, detailing “We all simply need to—”

“Let me stop you there, Shur.” Aelthar interjected.

“But you have not even heard what I had to say yet, Ael!” Shurtyrr argued.

“Maybe so, but it was enough to know you have already forgotten the first rule in any of our House’s planned excursions… Never include Verana in any of them!” Aelthar argued back.

“Oh, right… Apologies, I did forget...” Shurtyrr apologized timidly.

“It is alright, we just need to consider that limitation into our plans.” Aelthar stated.

“Oh please, Verana isn’t some old and feeble woman that can’t take care of herself, so why must we continue to treat her this way?” Amariina openly questioned. “I mean she is the great Star Caller after all, I’m sure she’ll be more than fine with whatever our plan will be, right Verana?”

Verana smiled warmly and said, “Thank you for your honest belief in me, Amariina, but Aelthar is right; I will not be joining you all.” explaining “With another usage of my prison stasis, my Mana has been drastically reduced to only a third of its maximum capacity, effectively limiting me to only a handful of spells before I exhaust my current Mana entirely, and surely rendering me nothing more than the old woman I truly am.” Reiterating, “And for that reason, it is best I do not go, for I do not wish to be a detriment to all of you in such a dangerous place.”

“Not to mention the other major problem that would cause for our House...” Aelthar quietly muttered under his breath, though Verana quickly hit him to be quiet—curiously raising my eyebrow.

“I see… I didn’t know your magic worked like that, but I understand…” However Amariina now appeared slightly concerned after learning Verana would not be joining us.

Taking notice of Amariina’s concern, Shurtyrr stated “Well even considering Verana’s omission, I think my idea is still our best wager for reaching the depths of the Dungeon without too much trouble.” He then began to relay his idea to us.

Heavily urged by the others to go upstairs and rest after having already desperately fought to return from the Blood Dungeon, I reluctantly accepted and headed back to my room on the 1st Floor, while they all stayed to discuss the exact details and preparations for the plan. Then changing my clothes and walking over to the window, I gazed out onto the city illuminated by the mesmerizing crimson moonlight and asked, “You were listening, right Anni?”

“Maaaybe...” She answered playfully.

“Well, what did you think? Does Shurtyrr’s plan align with what you saw in the other visions?” I queried.

“Hmm… Who’s to say?” Annihilation replied, sharing her uncertainty. “However, I will admit this ‘Millennium Dungeon Raid’ arranged by the Adventurer’s Guild does explain all those adventures I observed previously.”

“I thought so.” Already theorizing the Guild must’ve been involved with said adventurers.

“Although with that being said, my dear Voa, I believe not once did I spot a single one of your House members in any of the other visions I witnessed.” Annihilation informed me; adding “Something to take note of.”

A slight sense of relief filled me, “Well maybe that’s for the best.” reasoning, “Because I know if they did end up coming with me to the Dungeon, they’d just do everything in their power to sacrifice themselves to protect me, just like Odelia did...” Feeling lost on how I should move forward, I laid down on the bed and pondered what I should do next. And as moments passed, I concluded the first thing I should do was send Mako a message to meet me in the morning—then I simply decided to rest for the night to get some sorely needed sleep.

Personally waiting back in the library in the early morning, the teleportation circle finally activated and I stood up to greet them, “You’re here.”

“Like you asked.” Mako responded, appearing in the teleportation circle alongside Drune.

“Huh, I never thought I’d find myself back in this city.” Drune grinningly remarked, recognizing his surroundings. “What an unexpected year this turned out to be.” He then turned to me and said, “Hey kid, you know it’s only been a few weeks, right? Don’t tell me you already miss me, do you? Is that why you asked Mako to bring me here?”

“If only that were the case...” I mumbled sadly, gesturing for them to follow me up; and realizing my seriousness, they willingly did.

Quietly guiding Mako and Drune up the floors, we eventually arrived on the 3rd Floor where everyone else except for Verana was already waiting outside of Odelia’s room like I requested them to. Upon seeing Drune, the others immediately greeted him with both excitement and guilt written all over their faces.

“Drune!” Everyone shouted, with Amariina apologetically hugging Drune without his knowing of the reasoning.

“Woah there, Ama. What’s wrong?” Drune asked, taken back by the surprise hug.

“I-I’m sorry..." Amariina apologized, "I haven’t visited you with Odelia in a few years, I’ve just been too busy working at the TCs.” releasing her hug.

“I apologize as well, Drune.” Shurtyrr said, bowing his head down in shame.

“Uhh...Ael? What’s wrong with these two?” Drune jokingly questioned.

“Do not mind them, we have just missed seeing you around is all.” Aelthar replied, kneeling down to welcome Drune with a firm handshake and hug.

“You guys sure are acting weird.” Drune noted, then saying “Oh and by the way, if you guys were wondering who the girl is, she’s my new apprentice, Mako.” motioning Mako to introduce herself to them.

Excessively bowing to a bunch of admittedly intimidating strangers, only made worse by Mako’s short height and the elves' tall height, she nervously stuttered “M-My name is Mako Nomura! N-Nice to meet all of you! A-And thank you for accepting me into your home!”

They all looked Mako over, sternly observing her entire person, but as she gave them one more deep bow of earnest respect, they smiled and said “Welcome to the House Ven’Thyl, Mako Nomura.” Making Mako smile brightly back towards them.

With all the greetings being said, Drune briefly looked down the hallway and said “I don’t see Lady Verana or O’de around, so are they out preparing for tonight’s festival or something? Or are they already getting ready for tonight in O’de’s room?” The others bit their lips and averted their eyes from Drune’s, “Huh? Did I say something wrong?”

The others all looked to me to answer and I said, “It’s...it’s best you see her for yourself...” I then opened the door to Odelia’s room and gestured for Drune to enter first.

The room itself wasn’t all that different from the other rooms in the House, but like every room on the 3rd Floor, every window was covered up by dark curtains that prevented any light from shining through. Although this room was personally decorated by Odelia: with about 30 older unstrung bows set atop a few shelves, with dozens of quivers filled with crafted arrows aligned beside the bows, a handful of simple swords leaning against the walls, a closet packed with dark and black clothes, an armour stand with another set of her black leather armour, and most ordinary a hand-drawn picture of her and Drune in a frame beside her bed. But what captured all the attention and lit up the dark room with a purple and gold starlight, was of course Odelia herself—stuck floating in an astral stasis above her bed, and currently watched over by Verana.

“W-W-What is the meaning of is…?!” Drune helplessly questioned, lost for words as he stumbled towards the twisted and lifeless body of his wife.

Acknowledging the arrival of Drune, Verana stood up and conveyed, “I am glad to see you again after all these decades, Drune. Though I do deeply wish it were in better circumstances.” she then gave me a nod, “I will leave Lord Eyes to explain the matter. We may have a proper reunion afterwards.” She then directed everyone to leave the room, closing the door behind her, and they could all be heard leaving back down to the 4th Floor to give us more privacy.

I didn’t know what to say to him, or even where to begin, but I knew Drune must’ve been seriously distraught and furious towards me, ‘cause not once did he look back in my direction. “I’m so sorry…” I uttered, “It’s my fault Odelia’s like this…” but the silence in the room was so palpable as Drune didn’t acknowledge my words, and simply tried to caress Odelia’s barely recognizable face—though being unable to for the astral barrier prevented him from doing so. And coming up with nothing else to say, I just began retelling exactly what happened.

The entire time I spoke of the events in the Blood Dungeon, Drune remained completely silent. Unmoving and stoic, not speaking a single word, and not reacting to a thing I mentioned; even when I admitted “I killed Odelia…” Continuing on, I relayed everything else to him, sharing what the rest of the House planned to do, and even shared what I myself was willing to do to save Odelia; concluding with a vow to him, “If I can promise you anything, Drune… I promise I will save Odelia from this fate, and reunite you with the woman you love.” At that moment after speaking my promise, a new Quest unexpectedly appeared in front of me.

Quest

Death Do They Part:

Find a way to cure ‘Odelia Ven’Thyl’ from her currently unfortunate state, and revive her so she may reunite with her beloved husband ‘Drune Stoneheart’.

Reward: ??? Time Limit: 1 hour after she is released from the ‘Deathless Prison Stasis’. Failure: ‘Drune Stoneheart’ will spend the rest of his life in utter misery, sorrow, and resentment.

“Ooo... My first real Quest since I’ve been awakened in this present age!” Annihilation excitedly voiced in my head.

“Not the time, Anni.” I replied dismissively, still waiting for Drune to react and reply to my words.

“Don’t be like that, Voa, I was simply expressing my excitement.”

“Well it’s not the time for it.”

“Oh well, and here I thought you might’ve wanted to know a way to always reveal if a Quest has a Hidden Quest or not.” She teasingly mentioned.

“You’re lying. How?” I intriguely inquired.

“I’m sorry, but wasn’t it ‘not the time for it’?”

“It’s not, but like that’s gonna stop you from talking anyways, Anni. So why don’t you just go ahead and tell your precious little Voa here, huh?”

“Aww… Now that’s better, my precious baby Voa!”

“Yes, yes, now go on.”

“Alright, but you should really know by now, if you ever want to see something, simply use your eyes, little Seer.” And in that brief moment, my Eyes Of A Seer activated on their own, and a pair of goblin eyes were sacrificed with the Skill Seer’s Eye Sacrifice—temporarily empowering my eyes with a surge of extra power.

Updated Quest

Death Do They Part:

Find a way to cure ‘Odelia Ven’Thyl’ from her current unfortunate state, and revive her so she may reunite with her beloved husband ‘Drune Stoneheart’.

Hidden Quest:

‘Drune Stoneheart’ must be the first thing ‘Odelia Ven’Thyl’ sees when she is revived.

Reward: Stoneheart Great Clan Crest Hidden Reward: ‘Love At First Sight’ Title Time Limit: 1 hour after she is released from the ‘Deathless Prison Stasis’. Failure: ‘Drune Stoneheart’ will spend the rest of his life in utter misery, sorrow, and resentment.

“Woah, it even revealed the unknown rewards to me!” I noted in surprise, making me wonder what more I could see with these empowered Seer eyes.

Although before I could question Annihilation what else she knew about my Seer powers, Drune suddenly turned to face me and said, “Alright. I think I’ve decided what I want to do, kid.”

“What you want to do?” I repeated.

“Yes what I want to do.” Drune smiled.

“And that is?”

“I’ve decided to leave Odelia’s fate in the very capable hands of House Ven’Thyl, for in all of you I have the utmost trust and belief in.”

“Wait, did you even listen to anything I just said?”

“Of course I did.”

“Then aren’t you mad at me? I mean Odelia’s like this because of me, you know? I’m the one who—”

“Listen, kid. From what you told me, Odelia was conscious of every choice she made yesterday. Be it foolishly testing you on the night of the Bloodmoon, or selflessly sacrificing her own life for yours…” Drune momentarily clenched his fist and continued, “It is a Master’s job to ensure the survival and perseverance of their apprentice, and in doing so, their teachings and memory are never lost.”

“But—”

“As I carry the Will of my Master, Oros, so do you carry the Will of your Master, Odelia.” Drune then walked towards me and asked, “Now my question to you is, Eyes, will you carry on her Will? The teachings and memory of my beloved wife?”

And without hesitation, I answered “I promise...”

Drune chuckled with a smile, “Good! Then I guess there’s nothing else to do but entrust your House with everything else, and see how the future unfolds for us.” He looked back at Odelia's lifeless body one last time, and left the room with tears falling from his face.