While Amiya and Sharp were inside the Silverash Mansion, Marth and Lappland found themselves standing outside. Finding herself resting along the cold ground, Marth simply looked out in the distance. Enjoying her last day in the country before she and the other headed back to the landship. Another sigh escaped her lips as she took in all of the natural beauty of the country, with how crazy things have been since she got here, having the time take in everything was something she took solace in.
"You are starting to look like him. That weirdo you always follow."
I shift her head to Ms. Lappland as she is just laying in the snow making snow angels. Ignoring any sense of cold she likely would have felt as there were faint traces of purple electricity appearing and disappearing just as fast in her hair. Pieces of snow could be seen along her exposed stomach and legs.
"How are you not cold?" I asked as she rose from the steps and approached Ms. Lappland, blocking out the sun in the process.
"Have you ever noticed how when you use your arts, you feel a little warm? That's how." She answered as she continued to make snow angels.
As Ms Lappland was enjoying herself like a child, her ears which were laying flat on her head suddenly spiked up like a deer in headlights. Rising just as fast she quickly moved her head to the source of the sound.
Dressed in an unbutton trench coat matching her hair color, wearing a suit, bandages seen along her hand and head. Alice makes her way closer to the duo, her navy blue hair shining in the sunlight as if she just had a makeover at a nearby salon. Her reliable sword attached to her hip, a partner she never wants to let go of as she rests her dominant hand on the hilt.
"Good to see you all in good shape and spirits, I assume the others are talking with Lord Silverash?" She asked me as Ms. Lappland seemed preoccupied in her own world.
"That's right, as for Mr. Apollo I can't tell you where he is right now, likely enjoying the food here for when we leave tomorrow." I replied.
Alice turned her eyes back on me as she rubbed her nose. "Are the two of you free today? There's something I wish to discuss with the two of you. It's about that masked man we fought."
While I felt my attention perk up at the topic, I also felt a familiar chill run up my spine as the faint smell of burning flesh crept into my nose. I tightened and relaxed my fists a few times before concentrating on Alice once again.
"I don't believe we have anything planned, is that right ?"
I didn't realize as Ms. Lappland was closely behind me.
"We don't and if it's information about that guy then I'll clear out my day to learn more about him." She said while she pushed whatever snow was on her head onto the ground. "So what's the information?"
"I wish to talk to the Old Man we found in the cabin, he mentioned that he was a follower of our attacker and welcomed us back for more information. So I plan to take him up on that offer, I already got permission from my lord to go." Alice explained as she pointed in the rough area of where the cabin holding everyone was. "I wanted to see if you wish to join-."
"I'm in." I said instantly, cutting her off. "I want to know more about him, he was similar to someone close to me."
Lappland couldn't help but look at me with confused eyes, before she turned her gaze back to Alice. "Also I'm in as well, I want to confirm something."
I could see clearly that under her somewhat calm gaze there was a crazed undertone, like she was hungry for something.
"Then shall we go, if we go now and depending how long we stay in the cabin we should be back by night time. Go inform your superiors, I've already dealt with enough trouble for a week."
Lappland and I went inside the building, it was surprisingly easy and quick to get permission to head out with Alice. Neither Amiya nor Sharp went against it. Gladly the walk towards the cabin didn't take long, the three of us talked a little bit but the trip was mostly in comfortable silence. All I did was mainly think of questions to ask the old man, it took me some time but I managed to pick up a few.
"Finally here, it only took us about 2 hours." Alice looked up at the sky as it shined at its peak in the sky. "We should have a lot of time before nightfall, hopefully you all thought of questions to ask." She said while moving towards the cabin door.
All I could do was look around as in some ways the place was unsettling. The only mark of a fight here wasn't in the snow, only the scorch marks from the tree where I shot my fireball. Even the mark was barely visible as it was likely from the embers of the spell. I looked at my hand as I imagined that feeling once more, trying to recreate that same sensation in my mind. To feel the surging energy from within to ahead in my hands, the best way I can describe it was like feeling all each blood cell move to one place. Chaotic order.
"Hey, Marth, stop daydreaming and get over here!" Lappland shouted as her and Alice just stood there.
I quickly made my way towards them before entering the cabin. I expected to see a normal sized cabin but I forgot that for whatever reason the inside was larger than realistically possible. Before us was a long hallway with tall walls engraved with detailed designs of something. As I looked at the wall the rhythmic sound of footsteps bounced on the walls.
"Ah, it's good to see you all again."
From the shadows an old man of tall stature drabbed in a long navy blue robe. Their face while still visible, all the fine details were lost to the darkness. It didn't really help as his skin is quite itself dark. The only bit of color coming from him was his gray beard.
"I assume you are here to ask about the Namekeeper?" He asked as he shifted his gaze slightly to look at each of us individually.
Alice takes half a step forward. "That's why we're here. I just hope you tell us the truth and nothing but the truth."
A light chuckle escaped the man's lips. "I wouldn't have asked you to come back if I wasn't planning to, but understand some questions are beyond my grasp for various reasons."
"Fine by me, perhaps you have somewhere more comfortable? Or would you talk like this in the darkness like bandits?" Alice asked.
"I'm a man who likes to enjoy his talks." He turned around and waved his hand in a motion to follow him. "Come and we can enjoy however long this chat is going to take."
I let out a hum as I looked towards Lappland and Alice. "I say that went pretty we-" As I talked I noticed that both of them had their hands on their respective swords. Alice had a calm hand placed around the hilt as Lappland looked as if she was struggling to contain her excitement. Yet here I am feeling like nothing could go wrong, defenseless.
I zoned back in when I noticed that both Alice and Lappland started to walk forward. I quickly caught up.
"Hey oldie, what's up with the walls?" Lappland asked as her gaze was locked on the walls.
"They are the records of the Namekeeper to my people." He answered blankly.
Alice joined and looked at the wall with greater focus. "So was he a god or someone closely connected to one?"
"What do you define as a god?" The man responded back. "What we define as god are likely very different."
"What do you mean? I feel like anyone can tell when someone is a god?" Alice answered back.
"Then give me a definition, like why is Kjgander a goddess to you and your people? What makes her different then just an above average stronger human? "
"What do you mean?" Alice asked.
The Old Man released a deep sigh. "Is one's place in godhood decided by their power, wisdom, blood or perhaps it's the faith of the people? What makes them a god? That is what I mean by definition."
"Huh." That was the only thing Alice could say before going silent, likely going deep into thought about the question.
"I ask the other two to also think about this question, even if your questions are dissimilar to her. That question is a good thought experiment." The Old Man said as he quickened his pace.
It didn't take long before we entered a large open area. What caught my attention immediately wasn't the rows of seats, or the gray statue of some humanoid thing. Inside it was the massive stained glass depiction of someone, the myriad of colors painting its close surroundings in its colors. Just like the statue it portrayed someone, their face hidden by a robe with no clear figures beyond their closed mouth. Their clothes loseley grab its slender body.
"For a 'god', he looks rather boring. Nothing special." Lappland said as she quickly made her way towards the statue. "I'll admit this is well made."
"Of course it'll be, when offering prayers we wish to show the best sides the Namekeeper." The Old Man rubs his bread one more time.
With a clap of his hands the found beneath of feet cracked and creaked as it violently changed forms into a table, with enough seats for us to sit. It was interesting to observe as fragments of wood break off with jagged edges, one step forward and I can see myself getting something worse than a splinter stuck in my foot. Once it was done, none of that was present. The table looked smooth to the touch and even when I sat down there wasn't anything poking me. Similarly all the wood that broke and fell onto the ground slowly fused back into the wood floor, like soap melting into water.
The Old Man takes his seat and motioned for the other two to take theirs as well. Once everyone was seated, the man opened his mouth.
"Now that we are all here, let us begin this talk. So I'll ask something first, did you all come up with an answer for my question? What makes a god?" The Man asked as a slight smile appeared on his face.
"I say a god is someone who has the faith of the people, they are a being meant to believe in and help their followers. That's why Kjangander is our goddess." Alice said as her eyes shined with a spark in her eye.
The Old Man gave out a hearty laugh at the question.
"I like that answer, yes, yes you are right. Faith is a strong answer. That's one aspect of godhood. So then what about a being of similar strength to your goddess with no followers or maybe even a devil?" He switched his gaze to Lappland and I, his eyes showing a key interest. "What about you two, what are your answers?"
Lappland leaned back in her chair, breaking eye contact. "I'll be honest, I didn't really think about that question, after all I doubt I would meet a god besides today. Plus it changes nothing, I'll fight it."
"So you're a fighter, I can't say I understand that mentality fully. I'm very much an observer if nothing else, so I'll watch your journey with interest. However understand, all worlds have their gods. Yours is no different." The Man locked his eyes with mind. "So young one, what is your answer? What makes a god?"
Now that it was my turn to answer I realize I didn't give much thought to the question. I was walking mindlessly looking at the various carvings on the wall. Following the legend of a being that I recently fought yet still don't understand. As I walked I replayed that fight again and again.
I could feel the heat I felt during that fight. The heat from the fire, the heat my body gave off as I ran and dodged from certain death. Yet I remember how cold it was, the bloody snow cooling me. I remember the eyes of my attacker, his gaze trapping me in a way I've felt before. Then I see the end, their burnt body laying in the snow as I let my body rest from the spell I casted. Soon an answer came to mind.\
"I believe what makes a god is power." I answer, the answer I choose.
The Old Man strokes his beard as he likely pounders on my words. "Power, that is an answer indeed. Simple yet effective, however does that mean that the only thing that makes a god is power?" He asked.
A silence swept over all of us momentarily before The Man spoke again.
"Well, with that question out of the way, what would you all like to know about the Namekeeper, I'll decide what I want to answer.
At those words I saw Alice lean closer to the table.
"Who is the Namekeeper?" Alice asked the lingering question that all of us had in our heads. "A being, a god you claim from unknown origins, travels and attacks my home for seemingly no reason."
"Ah, the best way I can describe the Namekeeper is that they are the keeper of records of humans and their struggles. Of course because there are those who wish to destroy those records he had to be strong in response. That is who the Namekeeper was to my people." The Old Man spoke in such a tone, like he was reminiscing on the past.
Alice's eyes narrowed in response. "That doesn't explain why they attacked us, the way I see it. You're god is nothing short of insane, why do you follow them?" Alice asked in response as I noticed while her voice was soft, it was still full of heart.
"For a period of time, a rather short time, honestly they protected us. Kept us safe from monsters of supernatural origins. Along with training us, while in the grand scale of the world is nothing but a minor god known to small indigenous people. To us and them, they are our savior." He said as he pointed to the massive stained glass of the Namekeeper.
"I see, then we will agree to disagree then." Alice looks at Lappland and I. "Do either of you have questions?"
"Do you think I can beat him?"
It was Lappland who asked the question, while it felt like she was in her own world daydreaming. This time, she had her eyes firmly trained on The Old Man. The best way I can describe her stare was…wild.
"No, at least in the state you are now. They have fought many people like you in the past and while they took many under their wing. Not a single one was able to defeat them, although they have been one to believe in human potential." The Man answered as he shifted his eyes from Lappland to me. "Do you have any questions, little one?"
"Do you have any stories about the Namekeeper?" I asked as I pointed to the stained glass. "Since they're your god I imagine having stories about them, like where they came from."
"So you're interested in their legend." The Old Man rubbed his chin as he rolled his eyes multiple times. "Then would you like to hear the beginning of their tale?"
Without a second thought I violently nod my head. It appeared that I wasn't alone either as not just Alice but even Lappland leaned in. A small smile creeped onto The Old Man's face.
"Then let's start from the beginning." The Old Man said.
The Old Man stands up and walks a few steps away from us. Rubbing his neck as if to relax them, and from his mouth came a voice that resonated with the wooden walls. Smoke filled the room clouding all of our visions. The only thing I could hear was The Old Man's voice.
A land to the far, far east.
One who's gods have left the mortals to their own devices.
Within the sea of stars was neither the sun or the moon.
In the heavys stood a dark hole in the sky.
Mud of sin flowed from the hole, burning, devouring everything that it touches.
As the smoke cleared, I felt my body grow hot. Like I was surrounded by the fire. What I saw was something I couldn't believe.
"Where are we?"
I look to my sides to see Lappland and Alice with me, both of their weapons drawn ready to fight. I followed suit as I prepared the circuits in my body. As I shift my vision left and right I see that we are no longer in the temple. A room of prayers filled with stained glass and statues was replaced by a place I've never seen before. Beneath out feet is a city that is similar yet different .It was similar to Lungmen as various modern buildings could be seen, although not as tall as the skyscapes in Lungmen, there are a number of buildings consisting of 3 or more floors. Listening to the words of The Old Man, I looked up and what I saw was horrifying.
In the sky there was no sun, no moon. Like he said, all there was is a hole darker than darkness being where the moon would likely be. From it came a black, reddish sludge. With the bird's eye view given the three of us were able to see the effects of the mud. Almost everything that it touched was rotted, burned or consumed by the mud leaving little behind. It was no different than a catastrophe.
Among the bodies and blood, waiting for their arrival at the pearly gates is a child.
On the brink of death, vacant eyes staring not at the stars but they black hole in the sky
Like being guided by The Old Man, we got closer and closer to the ground yet it never felt like we were going to slam into the ground. It wasn't long before we found ourselves at a collapsed building, beneath the rumble was a long child. However no matter how hard I tried I couldn't see any of the finer details.
"I can't see shit." Lappland said as I saw her narrow her eyes staring at the child.
"I have to say the same, It's like everything about the child is blurred." Alice commented.
"It's almost like they don't want us to see their faces. Do you think that's part of the faith? To not know the face of their god. Like how the statue in the temple had their head covered with a robe." I said as I soon found myself thinking.
Within the fire and destruction an orb light appeared in front of them.
A light to pierce the darkness and despair
The light said nothing,
the light did nothing,
The light only stared
Ffom the light came a smaller orb of light
The orb entered the child's chest
Then came some mud, a small stream flowed through the rumble
Too weak to burn the earth, but strong enough to burn the flesh
A small stream that started to flow into the child's chest
The child felt pain, felt fear, their mind breaking, shattering and changing
From that suffering connections were born
Connections that would lay future
For their real name is lost to time
Only being known under one title
The Namekeeper