"Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite Mystic in the whole world." Adam began while perched on a large boulder as he watched Alex approach, having summoned him into Eden.
With a brilliant smile, he remarked. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Firstly, aren’t I the only Mystic you have and secondly, I’ve completed the trial."
Adam chuckled as he replied. "Well, let’s not be too quick to forget about Enoch."
"... That is correct," Alex muttered, trying and almost failing to push back the PTSD he suffered as a result of Enoch.
Taking a moment to calm himself, he inquired. "Can you keep tabs on him, same with me?"
"I try not to. It’s a rather difficult task I’d admit."
"Anyway, you say you have completed your Trial," Adam remarked as he effortlessly floated down from the boulder and approached Alex.
Placing his hand on his shoulder, Adam intoned. "You have got to be the luckiest Mystic that has ever walked this path. Even Enoch, with all his luck, does not match up to you. Almost makes me wonder if it’s natural or not."
Alex furrowed his brows. "It can’t be that big of a deal, right?"
"Hah, look at you," Adam remarked as he took his hand off Alex’s shoulder. "Do you really think it’s normal that for every Trial you have carried out, there has always been just the right environment for you to carry them out in?"
"That... does make sense," Alex muttered, realizing belatedly that Adam had a point.
Adam smirked. "Most other Mystics would be hard-pressed to discover the right conditions to carry out their Trials, and some would be forced to create those conditions by themselves."
"So what do you think?... Should I be worried?" Alex asked.
He never really considered it before now since it worked in his favor, but what if it wasn’t a good thing?
What if something or someone was grooming him for a reason, hence the reason for the excessive good luck.
If that were the case, then he needed to be wary, as it meant that he was a puppet following the path that had been laid out for him, and Alex was not about to accept that, especially if the path ended with him not returning home.
Suddenly, Adam burst into laughter, jolting Alex from his thoughts.
"You should see your face, you look extremely troubled."
"Hehe, my apologies. Now then, come along, let us unveil the Lock you have managed to unlock."
"I’ve got a question."
"Are there beings greater than you out there?... I mean, in the void." Alex asked.
This was for two reasons; the first was because of the entity that had revealed itself just before the Jester passed away, which made him recall the entity that had noticed him in BoneHaven.
The second was due to what Adam had said about his unnatural luck.
If it turned out that he was being controlled, he wished to know if there was a possibility of him fighting back.
Adam’s expression darkened significantly as he regarded Alex, taking the time to scrutinize him thoroughly before his expression lightened up again, causing Alex to wonder what he was thinking.
Finally, Adam intoned. "There is always a sky above a sky, Alexander. The space you refer to as the void is not just an empty space."
"So there are entities more powerful than you in the void?"
Adam managed a smile before turning away, making it clear he did not wish to answer the question.
And so, the two walked in silence, swiftly approaching Alex’s Gate in which four Locks had already been opened and now, the fifth was to be opened as well.
The Lock fell off revealing a title.
"Illuminating Darkness," Alex muttered as he understood the title despite not recognizing the language.
"Indeed, to those in the depths of despair, those stuck in the tunnel, you served as the light that allowed them to break free, to once again feel hope. For that reason, you deserve to be regarded as such." Adam explained.
Then, as he placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder, he remarked. "Stand proud, you are a good man."
Alex glanced at Adam, meeting the latter’s gaze before returning his attention to the floating title.
For a while, none said a word, and thus, silence reigned.
Nadia was terrified of the joy she felt as she plunged people deep into the depths of despair, ensuring that a hundred men would be left destitute and with nothing.
Death would be their only way out.
And instead of that notion to bring up a sense of guilt, she felt the urge to laugh out loud in amusement.
She dropped to her knees, covering her face with her hands while her body trembled, her skin changing color from dark brown to a sickly purplish hue.
Both Vessina and Lilith watched this in silence, neither moved in the slightest by the unnatural change occurring within Nadia’s body.
Ultimately, a scream escaped Nadia’s lips as she collapsed to the ground, barely managing to suppress the devilish desires taking root in her heart.
It is around this time that most Mystics lose their humanity. For you to retain it, you are quite the warrior, the chosen one. I am impressed.
Nadia twitched like she’d been electrocuted, struggling to register what was happening around her.
Her mind was drifting and her breathing slowed.
Until she felt a hand on her cheek, which allowed her to regain herself, once again registering the presence of Lilith, who was still seated on her throne, and Vessina, who now stood beside her, her hand cradling her cheek.
With a smile playing on her lips, Vessina asked.
Do you wish to give up, child?
Nadia shook her head before proceeding to shove her hand away, allowing herself to sit up. "Not yet. Not ."
From behind, Lilith spoke up.
By successfully completing the Trial I assigned to you, you have shown yourself worthy of the title Bringer of Ruin.
As she said that, Nadia’s Gate revealed itself with three Locks already gone and a fourth swiftly joining them, revealing the title, Bringer of Ruin.
Nadia stared at the title, her thoughts a mess as she realized belatedly the gravity of what she’d done.