As the elevator sped downward, Gojaro rubbed the top of his head, a gesture of deep thought or perhaps frustration. "I wish I knew," he admitted.
"All I understand is that the person who first discovered it only understood what was happening after he broke his connection with the crystal."
Jade rested her hand on her chin and murmured, "Huh, I see. So much feels wrong when I think about it. Just how many people have had their abilities unlocked, and why--"
Her thought broke as she staggered back, the elevator coming to a sudden halt. A soft ding announced their arrival before the doors slid open, revealing a landscape far different from the floors above.
As Jade stepped out, her eyes widened at the sight, and Gojaro remarked with uneasy nostalgia, "I haven’t been down here in so long. To be honest, it is a bit creepy."
They were enveloped by an otherworldly environment as they exited the elevator. Dark rocks, veined with red lines of magma, radiated heat, creating an heavy glow.
The fiery veins seemed to trace a deliberate path through the cavernous space, guiding them forward.
As they ventured deeper into the cavernous pathway, Jade shared her observations with Gojaro.
"I agree, this place has a completely different vibe from any other part of the complex," she remarked, her gaze scanning the surroundings and comparing it to the world above.
They continued their slow march down the path, a sense of anticipation growing with each step. Eventually, a black door adorned with red lines came into view, standing ominously at the end of the tunnel.
The sight of it seemed to beckon them forward, promising answers or perhaps more questions on the other side.
Jade, curious about the rituals associated with this mysterious location, asked, "Just how often do these rituals take place?"
Gojaro took a moment before answering. "I’m not entirely sure, but I believe it’s a very small number. In theory, every human could have their innate ability unlocked without this crystal blocking the way.
However, at least 99% of the population would fail the ritual and die.
I believe you are only here because Master Ashaiki found you and brought you in."
The number made Jade’s throat tighten.
It was one thing to hear that a ritual was dangerous.
It was another to realize almost everyone would die before taking a single useful step.
Jade, curious yet carrying a hint of sarcasm, remarked, "Well, yes, that much is obvious, isn’t it?"
As Gojaro opened the black door adorned with red lines, he replied, "While it’s true, being chosen is a rare occurrence. A selection committee typically decides from birth, usually favoring those from noble households.
So, Master Ashaiki’s decision to choose you out of the blue suggests she saw something promising in you."
He then inquired about her comfort, "Also, how are those painkillers doing you? Hopefully, they’ve been of some help."
Jade mused, "I haven’t really noticed, but perhaps they helped me keep up with you during our sprint," she chuckled lightly, then asked with intrigue and apprehension, "How bad can it be, anyway?"
Stepping into the room, Jade’s gaze immediately fell upon a massive crystal radiating blue light. The crystal spun gently, washing away her fatigue and wrapping her in sudden relaxation.
"Wow, that might be the prettiest thing I have ever seen," Jade exclaimed, awe and surprise filling her voice.
Gojaro, standing beside her, nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is indeed a sight to behold," he remarked, as a host of figures in white robes, seated at the room’s edges, rose to their feet.
Jade, curiosity piqued by the ceremonial attire, asked, "What’s the point of all this concealment?"
Gojaro shrugged, offering little in the way of clarification. "Probably a traditional thing. It was the same for me way back, though some faces seem to have aged a bit."
With a final piece of advice, Gojaro prepared to step back. "I will go ahead and step back from here. Just follow along with what the Director states, and you will be fine... probably."
As Gojaro retreated, a booming voice, somewhat muffled and possibly altered by a voice changer, filled the room. It was the Director, the very person who had conversed with Jade not too long ago.
"Jade, please step up toward the crystal and place your hand on it," the voice instructed.
As she moved closer to the crystal, Jade noticed the six figures in white robes inching closer, sparking a flicker of apprehension within her.
"Is this crystal going to inflict me with some type of pain?" she wondered silently, her mind racing with possibilities.
Upon touching the crystal, a flurry of images bombarded her senses, overwhelming her with a cascade of memories that were not her own.
She saw Ty, the skeleton, in hundreds of scenarios: battling foes, laughing heartily, drinking, and struggling valiantly to return to something--or someone.
Among the flood of visions, she glimpsed a giant green creature that shifted between looking like an ogre and an orc, reminiscent of characters from the video games she played. A smaller girl appeared in the sequence, chasing after Ty.
Then, amidst the torrent of images, a sharp pain lanced through her back, muting the Director’s echoing instructions. Turning slightly to identify the source of the pain, Jade’s eyes widened in shock as she caught sight of a dagger embedded in her back.
As Jade coughed up blood, her white suit began to radiate light, matching the crystal that enveloped her in a still blue glow.
The abrupt intrusion of reality shattered her trance with the crystal, pulling her thoughts back to the myriad of experiences Ty must have endured.
It was then, amidst her reverie, that the Director materialized before her, embedding a final dagger into her chest. With one dagger in her back, two lodged in her side, and now one piercing her chest, the gravity of the moment weighed heavily upon her.
"Hold on to life as you are about to experience death," the Director’s voice cut through the haze of pain and disbelief.