Aaron's eyes found the floor as he listened to the words he had already known to be true somewhere within him.
Could he trust the ancient man's words about the God Slayer himself, even when he was an unknown and outside variable?
Was the blond boy's case different than all others since he seemed to have a different level of connection to the Old Man than everyone else?
He didn't know, nor did he seek out the answer immediately; instead, he took a deep breath, moving his eyes into the hooded gaze of the elder before him.
"You have one question that you may ask now."
Behind him, the endless pit seemed to grow colder and then release a massive burst of warm air that jolted the turquoise-eyed boy suddenly.
Hmm?
As the hooded man began his question, Aaron tilted his head slightly, confused by the oddity.
"Verily, since time doth flee swiftly and the solar disc hath but a brief span ere it dieth in the western sky, I shall hasten to conclude my words forthwith."
Nodding his head without paying much attention, Aaron focused on the odd bursts of heat emerging from the hole.
Detecting no evident signs of life or volcanic activity, he turned back towards Apollis, his ears picking up the question at last.
"Who hath charge of the God Slayer, wherein he is detained in his celestial captivity?"
As the last syllable left his mouth, there was a crackle of thunder from the empty atmosphere above.
Both men noticed it immediately and frowned, the question one that the boy could guess at, but there was no definitive answer.
I don't know why he wants this info, but I owe him at least for the Miasma question…
Instead of taking the easy way out, the blond boy attempted to speak to the best of his ability, trying to be as accurate as possible.
"In the very center of the Abyss, on the ocean floor, there is the altar where he is chained."
Even just those words made the Architect's eyes light up, the knowledge that he had waited centuries to hear now flowing in all at once.
"He is guarded by something inhuman… He calls it his 'friend' but hasn't said more. He has spoken of it, defending against the incoming disaster that is approaching, but other than that, there is nothing else I—"
He froze, a suppressed memory coming to the surface as if something wished for him to know of its existence.
Instinctively, he felt the words come out of his mouth like a stream, their meaning null to the boy yet given to him by something more.
"Let there be light, was it?"
A hand pressed into his shoulder faster than he could react, the face of the elder only centimeters from his own.
"Art thou entirely convinced of this matter, that thou dost not harbor any doubt within thy mind?"
His hands were shaky, his eyes flickering left and right as if he couldn't think straight from the information.
Gently removing the man's hands from his shoulders, Aaron spoke up in a confused manner, the air now unusually tense.
"I'm certain…"
There was a silence between the two before the hooded figure spoke up, his head tipping downward in a sign of respect.
"Verily, I perceive. Thus, it appeareth that mine hour hath come to take leave of this mortal realm."
Looking out into the distance, the setting sun was about to cross over the horizon, plunging the already dark world into darkness at its highest point.
"Will you remain as a spirit or will you pass on?"
Aaron didn't know why he asked that question; perhaps it was his experience with death or his encounter with those destined for such a fate.
The executioner thought for a moment before responding quietly, his eyes still locked onto the sunset.
"Hence, I shall tarry awhile, for in days to come, thou shalt require mine aid, and thus, I shall be at thy disposal, ready to lend thee my succor whensoever that hour arriveth."
The blond boy furrowed his brow deeply at the man's words, the sword in his hand vanishing as he brought his hands up in gestures.
"What do you mean? You've already given me more information than I could ever need. You've paid back your—"
He was cut off by the elder.
"Verily, thou art mistaken. The import of thy prior words hath greater value than the lives of countless multitudes. There existeth no sum I wouldst not pay to possess such knowledge, and now thou hast imparted it unto me in exchange for a humble query and response. 'Tis not meet, and thus, I shall accord thee my aid one final time ere I depart this mortal coil. My purpose herein is fulfilled, having conversed with thee and mine brethren and sisters in the—"
His form flickered, then vanished into dust, his sapphire ashes scattering across the mountain-top as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
Blinking once, then twice, Aaron took a step forward, reaching out to touch the disintegrating sparks with his right hand.
Illusion magic really is tricky…
Yawning quietly, he walked forward and away from the devilish pit that had taunted him throughout the conversation, the sight of Don Urude in front of him welling a knot of worry in his chest.
What if he was lying about putting him to sleep and he actually…
He stopped himself at the sound of Urude's incredibly loud snores that ripped through the peak of Evermore Mountain.
"Well… He's the first one to ever do that here, I guess…"
Rubbing the bridge of his nose slowly, Aaron removed the large sack from the man's back and placed it beside him.
Sitting down next to it, he placed his back against the soft surface, leaning on it and staring upward to take in the view of the stars above.
Their radiance was unmatched, their brilliant colors illuminating the sky like no other, and their majesty something inhuman.
Yet in the distance, far past his view, forces beyond human control were stirring atop a stellar mass.
The Architect had known of its predicament yet done nothing as he was restrained to the body of an illusion.
If only it were a little closer, then maybe I could just jump over to it…
Laughing lightly to himself, he tore through the large bag, pulling out a smaller container filled with chunks of dried meat.
Glancing over at the sleeping Urude, he smiled widely, disregarding the treacherous and dangerous location they were now dining in.
"Oh well… Somebody will have to eat it…"
…
This child isn't telling me anything at all.
Urude's mind was rough and wrought with holes; the memories he had of before his fainting were as fuzzy as a sheep.
To pass out due to a miasma overdose is nothing unusual, but I am tied in a subcontract with the God of Life… This couldn't possibly do enough to even scratch me.
He gazed upward and over towards the boy who sat quietly while chewing on the beef jerky they had brought for the journey.
It was their first food in nearly two days, their adventure finally reaching its conclusion at the top of the mountain.
Something's different about him now… He seems more content and calm. Not only that, but he even acted as if that hellish drop into the pit was nothing at all.
The elder closed his eyes slowly, taking a deep breath while wiping his sweat-covered face.
"Grimstall."
The blond boy's body flinched as he leaped upward, body ready for whatever the commander needed.
"It's time to descend. We've collected as much data as we can, and you have to return for your tournament."
Aaron's eyes widened as the last sentence was uttered, all thought about the Hunters' Guild having left his mind, now wandering back in a blast.
"If you are to fight that feisty cherry girl, then you'll need enough rest to do so. As it is almost sunrise, by the time we reach the ground, it'll be around seven in the morning."
Waiting for the child's reaction, Don Urude pulled out two large tunics from the backpack, tossing the smaller one towards the boy.
"Put this on. It'll allow a seamless descent through the clouds and back towards our landing spot near Chrone Castle."
As he spoke, he began to wrap the parachute system around his own body, strapping every notch and checking every connection twice.
The turquoise-eyed boy did the same, his intense focus almost impressive to the century-old man.
"What if we land out in the ocean?"
His voice was calm and collected, disregarding the gloomy outcome that he had just suggested.
"It's been enchanted with location magic that'll bring us within one kilometer of Chrone Castle. Once you land, simply burn the chute and then do whatever the hell you want. I trust your discretion regarding the climb, so it matters not if we meet again."
The silver-haired man paused, taking a moment to think before finishing his thought and walking towards the edge.
"Tell nobody of the pit at the top of this mountain. There is nothing good that can come of it. Otherwise…"
Turning back towards the child who watched him nervously, he smiled widely, his brow going upward.
"Good luck in your match."
After the words left his mouth, he leaped from the edge, his body becoming weightless and his form vanishing into the void.
Aaron simply watched with awe, his own boots feeling awfully heavy as he prepared to follow the man into the nothingness below.
"Well then…"
He turned his gaze backwards towards where the Architect had appeared before, the endless pit in the center of the mountain oozing with miasma.
"I'll await your promise, Sir Apollis. I won't make you wait a century for your rest, you'll see."
And then, with one final grin, he followed the lead given to him by Don Urude, jumping forward and feeling the ground beneath his feet vanish into endless air.