The journey to the Donjon was uneventful.
Alden weaved through throngs of people, mundane and awakened alike, his steps brisk and posture solemn. He attracted stares, mostly because of his eyepatch and the colour of his hair - at least, that was what he assumed.
He didn't think there was anything else on his person that could make him stand out. Idly, he wondered why Morrigan had summoned him again.
Wasn't it too soon to undergo another trial?
Perhaps it was another matter which didn't involve the Key.
Shaking his head, Alden slowed down once he neared the path with the snow-capped hedges, inserting his mana periodically into the wall, to feel for the entrance.
He found it a little odd how there weren't any Paladins guarding it. Then again, there wasn't any need, considering it was concealed in a rather obscure place.
'Maybe this is just a back entrance, and there's a much more official entryway somewhere else?'
Alden wasn't sure, and he wasn't going to waste what precious little energy he had left to find out. Soon, the stone wall reeled back to reveal a gaping maw of darkness, similar to his first visit after the invasion on the Sanctuary. Only, this time, he would have to brave the traps by himself.
Alden wasn't too worried though, since he had seen how Paladin had arranged his feet the last time. Hopefully, nothing bad would happen.
The white-haired young man erected a shield of decay, and circulated his mana, priming it to rush towards his feet at any moment. In the end, Alden's worries proved unfounded. He navigated the stairwell in a safe manner, and came to a halt in front of the thick wooden door which barred his path.
He took a deep breath, before slowly pushing against it. Familiar, flowing mist engulfed his vision.
It swirled closer, almost clinging to him - as if welcoming a long lost heir home.
Alden stepped into the Keeper's room…? Office…? Abode… He didn't quite know what to call it, so he settled for simply dubbing it as her base of operations.
Soon, the dense fog retreated, ushering him towards where Morrigan sat. The Keeper had a relaxed expression on her face, opening her milky-white eyes to stare at Alden as he approached.
She smiled, a spiderweb of cracks running all across her cheeks.
"Hello, dear. Thank you for accepting my summons."
Internally, however, he thought:
'Who in their right mind would reject you?'
Plastering a polite smile on his face, Alden obliged. Once he made himself comfortable, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. The Keeper's Apprentice thought through for a moment, deliberating how best to phrase his question, before he allowed a sliver of curiosity to leak into his tone.
"If I may… why have you summoned me?"
Morrigan's trademark enigmatic smile was her only response.
"Before we get to that, why don't you tell me what you've been up to? It looks like you haven't got any rest and gone against what I advised."
He went on to explain all that had happened during his time away. The young man narrated it in surprising detail - he wasn't sure why, all he knew was that the old oracle had an uncanny way of being able to lower his guard.
Alden felt like he could talk freely with Morrigan, even if, at times, he tried to keep a polite distance from her.
He recounted the events with Celeste, his expedition through the Glacial Belt - omitting the part which included his future self -, and what had just happened with Drakon and the Ember Clan after his return.
Morrigan showed no reaction to the former, her mask inscrutable.
…She did, however, perk up, when he mentioned the latter.
"Ah, so you've met Grimnar. What do you think?"
Alden gnashed his teeth at the memory of the old dwarf, particularly the insults.
"You think he dislikes you?"
A peal of frail laughter escaped Morrigan's mouth.
"Don't worry, that old coot doesn't hate you. It's just his way of letting off some steam. Beneath his tough exterior, he's surprisingly tender."
The old woman had piqued his curiousity.
"You speak as if you've spent a lot of time with him. Are you two friends?"
Morrigan chuckled, wincing as another particularly strong cough racked her aged frame.
"No, we're not friends. That old dwarf is too terrified of me for that to happen. Besides, Grimnar has long since closed his heart off to the world. Especially after… well, you know what happened. At most, we share a small connection with the suffering we've both experienced."
He imagined Elder Grimnar displaying a frightened expression in response to Morrigan's sudden arrival and grinned, feeling a sense of vindictive justice. He also imagined the old blacksmith muttering something about the terrifying nature of oracles, and felt his lips twitch, a barely restrained laugh dying in his throat.
"Would you like any refreshments? Tea? Water? A refreshing drink? I can also ask Kael to get us some food, if you're hungry?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I just ate before coming here."
The wrinkles on Morrigan's face deepened as the corner of her eyes crinkled with mirth.
"Yes, dear. My Personal Guard. He's Oath-bound to protect me with his life. He was away on a mission and only recently just returned."
As Alden reeled, the Keeper continued, seemingly talking to thin air.
"Kael, dear? Could you please come out? I'd like you to meet Alden, my successor."
Alden tensed. Suddenly, a new presence appeared in the uppermost floor of the Donjon.
The white-haired young man snapped his neck to the side, discovering an individual standing in place of what was once empty air. He had sharp features, and wore a full knight ensemble; the silver armour glinted, reflecting the light like a mirror, its polished sheen almost blinding him.
Kael immediately kneeled and bowed his head, a hand on his scabbard.
"I greet the Keeper's successor."
Alden's gaze narrowed.
How did Kael get here?
It would make sense if the Knight had a space-related ability. The young man had no doubt that Morrigan had safeguarded the Donjon from attempts to teleport into it from the outside.
Alden reasoned that either one had to possess an alarming level of strength to ignore these defenses, or insert something from their person into the mechanism so that it could recognise them as a friend and not a foe.
Alden scrutinised Kael carefully.
It felt like he was staring at an individual who could suck him into a different plane of existence at any moment, like a grand portal, its pull unavoidable and inescapable. The loyal Guard was strong, evidenced by his firm but effortless stance and perfect posture.
Kael was not quite at Morrigan's level, but still incredibly powerful nonetheless.
The white-haired young man looked towards the Keeper, who silently encouraged him.
Taking a deep breath, Alden steeled himself.
Kael obediently rose.
Silence stretched as neither side made any effort to break it.
"Could you please leave?"
Kael looked towards his liege.
With a thought, the Knight disappeared.
Alden clicked his tongue internally, marvelling at how nifty the ability to teleport was. He shifted, facing the blind oracle, and his father's former childhood friend once again.
This time, Morrigan did not wear an enigmatic smile. Instead, her demeanour had shifted, now fully serious.
"I would like you to represent me in the Inter-Sanctuary Tournament. That is why... I summoned you here today."