Alternate Liberation

Akira cautiously followed the hidden path he had discovered within the ice temple. The biting cold wind howled through the narrow corridor, seeping into his very bones. Even though he was wearing the warm clothing his mother had given him earlier that evening, it did little to shield him from the frigid air of this unfamiliar world.

The path descended deeper and deeper underground. The once-translucent ice walls gradually transformed into dark gray stone, etched with strange carvings that he had never seen before. Some resembled overlapping magical circles, while others appeared to be ancient symbols, telling forgotten stories. The light from the temple entrance faded, leaving only a faint glow reflected off the walls and floor, casting the path into an eerie and mysterious gloom.

"Why is it so deep…" Akira muttered as he pressed on, his heart pounding with both apprehension and curiosity.

The deeper he ventured, the louder his breathing seemed to echo in the silence. Each footstep reverberated, as if someone—or something—was following him. Though the corridor appeared empty, he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder every so often.

"It's too quiet…" he thought, the oppressive silence intensifying the tension in his chest. His heartbeat quickened, and every flicker of shadow from the dim light sent a chill down his spine.

At last, the narrow path opened into a vast chamber. Akira stopped at the entrance, frozen in awe as his eyes took in the sight before him.

The grand hall was unlike anything he had seen in the temple. A ceiling of crystalline stalactites hung high above, sparkling faintly like stars in the night sky. Parts of the crystal walls emitted a gentle blue glow, casting shifting shadows that resembled living entities moving in the corners of his vision. The soft light reflected off the smooth stone floor, creating an atmosphere of cold yet majestic serenity. It felt like a sacred place, untouched by human hands.

In the center of the hall stood a towering statue of an angel, radiating an aura of elegance and power. Her wings, intricately carved and appearing almost alive, seemed ready to unfurl at any moment. Her face bore an expression of both kindness and formidable strength.

"Where… is this place?" Akira whispered, as though afraid his voice might disturb the sanctity of the hall.

Drawn to the statue, he walked closer without realizing it. Around its base, ancient inscriptions were meticulously etched in a circular pattern. Though he had never seen this script before, the meaning of the words seemed to form in his mind as if whispered to him.

"To the Valkyrie of Light…" he murmured, the words escaping his lips almost involuntarily.

"How… how can I read this?" Akira muttered in confusion, staring at the inscriptions. It felt as though a buried memory had been stirred within him.

The faint whispers in his mind urged him to continue reading. Though hesitant at first, his curiosity and an inexplicable pull compelled him to speak the words aloud.

"To the Valkyrie of Light, protector of this land, we sing her praises, for her light shall guard us."

The moment he spoke the final word, a brilliant light burst forth from the statue. The whistling wind around him ceased instantly, and the atmosphere in the hall shifted completely.

Golden light enveloped the statue, gradually coalescing into the form of a tall, radiant woman. She wore gleaming golden armor that reflected the light like the sun, and her white wings, which once seemed carved in stone, now moved with grace and freedom. Her entire being exuded an aura of perfection and divinity.

"You are the one who has spoken the words of praise… the one I have awaited…" Her voice was calm yet filled with immense power.

Akira stared at her in stunned silence as she continued, "I know you better than you think… Akin"

Her words made him startle. Only his family and Mei ever called him by that name. "How do you know my nickname?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Akin," the Valkyrie said, her tone unwavering. "You possess what we need—the pure light of a steadfast heart, the light we have awaited for millennia."

"There is much for you to learn, but for now… step forward," she said, extending her hand.

Though hesitant, an unseen force drew Akira toward her. He stepped closer, as if under a spell.

"Bow your head… and close your eyes," she instructed.

He obeyed, and as she touched his forehead, a warm golden light spread throughout his body. When he opened his eyes again, the Valkyrie was gone, leaving behind a simple golden ring in his hand. Despite its unassuming appearance, the ring radiated a soothing warmth that seemed to pulse with life.

"What… is this?" he whispered, his voice unsteady.

The Valkyrie's voice echoed faintly in the air. "Follow the hidden path below. You will find those in need of your help, and there, your journey will begin…"

Her voice grew softer, leaving only her final words, filled with a bittersweet tone. "Akin, I wish you had more time to prepare, but our world can wait no longer. You are our final light."

Akira stared at the ring in his hand, the weight of responsibility bearing down on him like an unmovable force.

"If this is the beginning… then I must see it through to the end," he whispered, his resolve hardening as he stepped forward into the hidden path, guided by the faint glow of the ring.