The Inner Odyssey

Alden froze, stunned.

The sheer volume of that crack overwhelmed him, rooting him to the spot.

It felt like the very fabric of reality was being torn asunder.

That was the only thing Alden could imagine that befit the deafening sound.

Unless…

'No!'

A terrible premonition gripped his mind.

The young man's fear and apprehension immediately became palpable.

Snapping out of his daze, Alden threw an urgent glance at Alistair.

The older man had a grim look on his face.

Alden's fear deepened.

He felt like his heart was about to stop.

"Where's Celeste?"

He asked frantically.

"Outside. She said something about visiting a mundane clinic."

Alden immediately saw a worried expression surface on the Guildmaster's face.

He paled for the umpteenth time.

He took a shaky breath, realising his lover was now in grave danger.

'Move!'

Alden roared internally, willing his fatigued body to move.

Gritting his teeth, the young man turned around and dashed in search of Celeste.

Alistair's concerned shouts fell on deaf ears, fading away into the background as adrenaline flooded Alden's veins.

He would do everything in his power to find his precious Cece. Even if he was harmed.

For that…

That was the power of love.

***

Celeste stared at the patient sitting across from her, a mix of empathy and wonder in her eyes. He was an old man with numerous wrinkles on his skin and a hunched back. He was here to help get a persistent back issue treated.

Celeste's heart ached for the poor old man. He must have been under a lot of pain.

Her wonder, meanwhile, came from learning of her patient's age - not many lived for so long, especially in an Apocalypse. Although, in his late fifties, the old man seemed to be approaching his seventies or eighties instead.

'I guess that's what stress does to a person.'

Celeste sighed internally.

She was currently inside a mundane clinic, volunteering to use her powers for free.

The Doctor in charge of the medical centre was more than happy to receive the help of a mage, especially since it came at no extra cost.

That, and the fact that mundane people only had access to natural remedies, so they rarely ever got treated by one of her kind - healers were rare and in short supply, hence why the Paladins and other personnel responsible for safeguarding the Sanctuary were prioritised above the common people.

Celeste could see the logic in that, but her heart hurt for those individuals who either could not afford the services of an awakened healer, or were unlucky not to ascend and thus lacked the privilege to be healed using magical herbs and the like.

…Like the old man.

She smiled at her patient, hoping that one action could ease his pain and brighten his day.

The old man tried to hide a pained wince, the brightness in his eyes muted by the constant pain.

Seeing that, Celeste felt the compassion she had for her patient rise.

"You'll be as good as new very soon."

She spoke cheerfully, determined to be a source of light in this dreadful world.

The old man merely nodded, too worn out to reply.

Celeste took that as a cue for her to use her powers.

Her hands swiftly glowed.

Placing them on her patient's back, she closed her eyes and circulated her mana.

A stream of life energy flowed into the old man. He visibly relaxed and Celeste sighed with relief.

Very soon after that, the procedure was over.

The senior citizen's back was no longer as hunched, almost straight, and his features had immediately softened from the absence of the agonising pain. She saw her patient's eyes widen as he slowly stood up.

The old man tentatively straightened, finding that his posture was much better than before.

He took a small step forward and paused. Then, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

"T-Thank you, young lady."

His voice was thick with emotion and his eyes glistened, heralding the descent of a few happy tears.

Celeste beamed, her features sparkling with joy.

"A-An Angel."

The old man unconsciously muttered.

Celeste laughed lightly, accepting the praise.

Once her patient had left, swearing to the heavens that he would never forget her help for the rest of his life, she walked out into the foyer, ready to receive another person who wished to be healed. However, as soon as she stepped foot into the next room, a deafening crack entered her ears.

She flinched.

'W-What was that?'

Celeste instinctively paled, sensing that something had gone very wrong. She just didn't know what.

Her unease deepened.

Just then, she heard a salvo of terrified screams erupt outside the clinic.

Celeste frowned, rushing out to investigate.

As probably the only mage within this part of the Sanctuary, the responsibility fell on her to protect everyone. Even as an [Apprentice], she had to uphold this duty.

Exiting the mundane clinic, a flurry of chaos greeted Celeste. People were screaming and fleeing, their faces white with fear.

Just what had petrified them so much?

Her frown deepened.

The young healer rushed up to an old woman who was hobbling desperately to get away.

"Elder, what's wrong?"

The elderly woman gasped.

"R-Run! The Barrier is gone! THEY are coming!"

Celeste froze.

Goosebumps erupted all over her body.

The Barrier was gone…?

Impossible!

It had endured for so long against the Apocalypse's threats.

Why did it break now?!

Celeste had no more time to ponder on the inconceivable notion of the Barrier suddenly being gone. For just then, a litany of roars and snarls streamed into her ears. She snapped her neck in its direction and… shivered.

Cold sweat slid down her back.

'W-What?'

An immeasurable army marched forth, savage and menacing.

Creatures with a pale coat and dark stripes running across their body made up the vanguard, and Celeste belatedly realised she was looking at the ferocious Snow Tigers. She froze. Her breath turned rapid, kicking up a vaporous and misty cloud.

Furthermore…

As she sensed the aura of these abominations, her anxiety only increased.

One…

Two..

Three…

As Celeste counted, she realised with horror that a majority of the tigers were at least Devils.

As if that wasn't bad enough, she noticed strange beings with grey-blue skin interspersed between the abomination, some even sitting atop them.

With a hint of horror, Celeste realised she was looking at the notorious Dark Elves.

'What!?'

The young lady couldn't believe her eyes. The vast army inched forward like an omen of doom.

The mundane people screamed and fled.

Those unfortunate souls who weren't able to move quickly were swiftly devoured.

Celeste gritted her teeth.

It was pure anarchy.

Clenching her fist, she yelled internally, spurred into action by the death of her fellow humans. Then, she summoned a bow and a quiver, quickly shouldering the latter and nocking an arrow in the former.

Celeste's expression hardened, her gaze growing cold.

She would fight.

For those who couldn't fight. She would fight for those who were weak and helpless.

She would fight for those who needed her…

For that…

Was what it meant to be a Chosen of the Divine Sovereign.

Celeste would damn well make sure this army knew that.