Kalm pondered Kalystra's words.
Her tone had shifted—tinged with sorrow for the first time. But it wasn't like the sorrow she showed when the city had fallen…
*"I won't like it… really…?"*
After giving the matter three seconds of thought, Kalm let out a bitter smirk, remembering his life.
*"Since when has life ever given me something I liked...?"*
He reached down and, with effort, gripped the black sword. His body felt unbearably heavy—drained by exhaustion and blood loss.
He returned the blade to its sheath and leaned back, exhaling.
Kalm reflected upon the sea of his soul—or what he *thought* was his soul: the wall, the mist, the Calm One...
Then he turned toward Kalystra. Though he couldn't see her, he assumed she was within his line of sight.
"Kalystra... you said the Calm One will inherit your power…
But you still haven't told me exactly *how* that's going to happen."
She didn't answer right away. For a moment, she simply remained silent.
Then she spoke gently:
"Kalm… after everything we've been through together, tell me—what's the one word you'd use to describe me?"
Kalm blinked twice.
*'What a question…'*
He didn't have to think long. The answer had been clear from the moment he met her in that black castle.
"Calm… and composed."
That was it. That was her.
Her wisdom, her unshakable grace in every situation, and her words—always layered with meaning.
In every moment, she remained collected. Her mind worked with flawless precision.
As he reviewed every detail in his thoughts, her voice gently echoed to him:
"That's correct. I am Kalystra—one of the Eight.
I bear the title of *Calm*, and the legacy of *Death*.
Once you complete this trial… when you kill me—or when your manifestation does—my legacy, the Shadow Aspect, will pass on to you.
It's really quite simple."
Kalm sighed and closed his eyes briefly.
*"If only it were that simple…"*
Everything that *seemed* simple to Kalm always ended in catastrophe.
He had learned to fear simplicity—it was often the fastest-acting poison.
He opened his eyes again, a new question burning within him.
"Wait a minute… You said you're one of Eight.
Who exactly are these Eight, Kalystra?
And… will I have to meet them too?"
As he rushed to ask, he coughed slightly, then turned his gaze back toward her.
He needed this answer.
Kalystra sighed softly.
"We come from a very distant past.
You don't need to know—for now, at least.
Things are far too complicated, too entangled for an easy explanation.
But yes… you will meet some of them.
Fate will guide you to them.
Don't overthink it.
Even if they're dead—like me—you *will* encounter them in one way or another."
Kalm sighed with a trace of sarcasm and covered his face with one hand.
Too many problems.
So many damn problems…
He didn't even want to be involved in anything dangerous.
*"How the hell did I end up in all this madness…?"*
He stared out into the dark and muttered bitterly.
"Kalystra… Are they all like you?"
He didn't hold much hope—but if the remaining seven were like Kalystra, it wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Unfortunately, little Kalm…
Each of us represents something different.
Just as I represent *Calm*, the others embody the remaining emotions."
Kalm narrowed his eyes, expression blank.
*"Of course they do…"*
Her voice returned.
"But if I had to say it…
The one who'll cause you the most trouble… is that *Immortal One of Apathy*.
She doesn't care about anything but fun… and things that pique her interest."
Kalm gulped.
The name alone was chilling.
"The Immortal One of Apathy…"
A dangerous question flared in his mind.
"Is it even possible… for someone to be immortal?"
Kalystra covered her face—or at least that's what he assumed, given the darkness—and he sensed a wave of exasperation emanate from her.
"That idiot once lit her flame on a *Sovereign* and a *Demon*
at the same time...
She destroyed an entire continent in the process—
And she laughed while doing it."
*"…Haaaaah… wait—*what*?"*
Kalm gasped, feeling cold spread through his chest, seeping into his veins.
"Is that… even *possible*?!
I mean… to ignite a Sovereign and a Demon ?
They're supreme beings!
Some people even *worship* them for their power.
How…? Why…?"
He clutched his head, trying to calm the storm of pain building behind his eyes.
"When you meet her, you'll understand what I mean.
And when you reach the Mausoleum of Lies… and the Tomb of Truth…
You'll know everything.
From the beginning… to the end."
She fell silent for a moment.
"For now, let's keep going.
We're about to cross the river."
Kalm lowered his hand to his chest and prayed from the depths of his heart:
*"Please… please let me never meet her…"*
Who the hell sets a Sovereign and a Demon on fire at the same time…?
Was she completely out of her mind?
Was something *wrong* with her brain…?
And to destroy an *entire continent*—laughing while she did it?
*"Man… I'm doomed…"*
Then, in that moment, his eyes lit up.
"Kalystra… She set fire to a Sovereign and a Demon.
But *you*—what did *you* do?"
"Ah…"
Kalm blinked twice at that *ah* he heard.
It didn't bode well.
Kalystra blinked several times and cleared her throat.
"Kalm, I… I represent Calm.
I wasn't like the others.
I was rational… balanced..."
She fell silent, prompting Kalm to cough softly to nudge her to continue.
"...Fine, fine…
I, uh…
I sliced open a Sovereign's throat…
And tore off a Demon's leg."
At that moment, Kalm screamed in disbelief.
"You *what*?!"
But Kalystra said nothing more.
He stared into the darkness… utterly stunned.
He drew a long breath that filled his lungs, followed by a short exhale.
His mind was truly in disarray.
What he thought he knew… was nothing more than a drop in the ocean of what was truly happening.
Kalystra—the queen of this world—was the bearer of the legacy of the Sovereign of Shadows and Death.
That made sense. That, at least, could be understood… processed.
But the other part…
She held the title of *Calm*, and she was one of the Eight—beings who seemed utterly insane in the truest sense of the word.
How could that be…?
And if they were one group, that meant they were of equal power, from the same world…
But she had said they were all dead. Even that Immortal One of Apathy… had died.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead.
Inheriting the Lost One's legacy had plunged him into mysteries and darkness far beyond what he could grasp.
*"Forget it,"* he thought. *"I don't even want to deal with this…"*
Yes, why should he risk anything at all? Why get tangled in meeting them and being dragged into complex conspiracies?
The best thing he could do… was leave the trial, find a simple job as an Awakened, and live a peaceful life far from all this madness.
Kalm breathed in, his heart pounding at the thought of leaving the cruel outskirts behind.
A soft voice cut through his thoughts:
"That's a beautiful smile you have there, Kalm. What are you thinking about?"
He blinked twice.
Before he even realized, the corners of his lips had lifted into a small smile.
He coughed awkwardly, taking a moment to collect himself.
"Nothing in particular… just something about the future."
Kalystra laughed gently—melodically.
"You haven't told me yet, Kalm… What is your dream?"
His heart skipped a beat at the question. His eyes widened slightly.
Kalystra was the first person in this world to ask him that—other than the World Voice.
A strange, tangled feeling rose in his chest.
"I… I don't have any dreams. I don't have the luxury of dreaming where I come from."
She didn't reply right away.
"No… You *do* have one. It's there, deep in your heart. I really want to know what it is."
Her tone was soft and beautiful… like a gentle caress to his ears.
Kalm lowered his gaze toward the ground.
"A family.
My only dream… is to have a family."
He said it.
It felt so strange in his chest… but not unpleasant. It was a welcome feeling.
He waited for Kalystra to respond, but she said nothing at first.
Because of the darkness, Kalm couldn't see her expression… or her eyes.
But somehow… he felt she was smiling. Maybe.
After a few seconds, her voice came again:
"So… it's a story about a little Lost One… who just wants a family."
Kalm didn't understand her words. They were vague. Mysterious.
"Kalm…
I hope the shadows become a comfort to you on your journey.
I truly believe… you'll make your beautiful dream come true."