I woke to the sensation of someone watching me.
Not the uncomfortable feeling of being spied on, but rather the gentle awareness of a guardian standing vigil. My eyes opened slowly, and there, hovering in my vision, was Edith's interface.
[ GOOD MORNING, HOST. ]
[ SLEEP QUALITY: OPTIMAL. NO NIGHTMARE ACTIVITY DETECTED. ]
[ YOUR VITALS REMAINED STABLE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. ]
"You monitored me all night?"
[ CONTINUOUS HEALTH MONITORING IS PART OF MY FUNCTION. ]
[ ESPECIALLY WITH THE EXPEDITION APPROACHING. ]
[ YOUR REST IS CRITICAL FOR PERFORMANCE. ]
There was something different in her tone, not overly emotional, but there was a subtle warmth beneath the professional delivery.
"Thank you, Edith."
[ STANDARD PROTOCOL. NO THANKS NECESSARY. ]
[ PREPARE YOURSELF. TODAY'S TRAINING WILL BE INTENSIVE. ]
[ I'LL PROVIDE SUPPORT AS NEEDED. ]
_______________________________________________________________________
Training Ground Seven was already bustling when I arrived. Garrick was in the middle of a heated sparring match with Kieran, or rather, Garrick was attacking while Kieran effortlessly dodged every blow with his Eyes of Truth active.
"Morning!" Morrigan called out, waving cheerfully. Lisette mimicked the gesture, her stuffed arm swaying in an unsettling but somehow endearing way.
"Morning. Where did this energy come from?"
"Lisette says if we're going to die in three days, we might as well be happy until then!" Morrigan smiled brightly.
[ THAT CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE ON MORTALITY IS... UNCONVENTIONAL. ]
[ BUT HER MORALE REMAINS HIGH. THAT'S BENEFICIAL FOR TEAM COHESION. ]
'Everyone handles fear differently.'
[ ACKNOWLEDGED. ]
[ AS LONG AS SHE FIGHTS EFFECTIVELY BESIDE YOU. ]
Garrick finally called a halt to his sparring session with Kieran, both of them breathing hard.
"Alright, team meeting!" he announced.
"We've got three days left, so let's talk about our final preparations."
We gathered in a circle, and Garrick pulled out a hand-drawn map of the Grey Shadow Forest.
"Based on Vespera's intel and Edward's research, here's what we know." He pointed to different sections.
"Zone One is manageable. We should be able to handle the Grey Wolves and basic fog disorientation."
"Zone Two is where things get nasty. Undead, spatial distortions, and stronger monsters. This is where we'll need to rely heavily on Morrigan and Lisette's spiritual abilities."
"Zone Three, the Null Sanctum itself is basically a death trap. Reality-warping magic, A-rank guardians, and then the three trials before we even reach the Heart of Void."
[ HIS SUMMARY IS ACCURATE. ]
[ BUT HE DOESN'T ADDRESS THE PRIMARY CONCERN: DESTROYING THE ARTIFACT ITSELF. ]
[ WE STILL LACK A CONCRETE METHOD. ]
'We'll figure it out when we get there.'
[ THAT'S NOT A PLAN, HOST. THAT'S HOPE. ]
[ HOPE DOESN'T CALCULATE WELL IN SURVIVAL PROBABILITY. ]
'Sometimes hope is all we have.'
[ ...IF YOU SAY SO. ]
Garrick was assigning roles.
"...which means Edward and I will take point when we enter the Sanctum. Kieran, you'll guide us through any illusions or traps with your eyes. Morrigan, you and Lisette handle any spiritual threats that emerge."
"What about the trials?" Kieran asked.
"Vespera said there were three specific tests."
"We tackle them as a team." I said.
"The Trial of Flesh tests physical endurance and teamwork. Garrick and I can handle the heavy lifting there, but we'll need everyone's support."
"The Trial of Spirit will be Morrigan and Lisette's domain. If it involves spiritual attacks or mental fortitude, you two are our best defense."
"And the Trial of Truth..." I looked at Kieran.
"That's all you. Your eyes can see through any deception."
Kieran nodded slowly.
"I'll do my best. But my eyes have limits. If the illusions are tied to personal trauma or deepest fears, seeing through them won't be enough. We'll all need to face our own truths."
[ HE'S CORRECT. ]
[ THE TRIAL OF TRUTH WON'T TEST PERCEPTION ALONE. IT WILL TEST ACCEPTANCE. ]
[ HOST... WHAT TRUTH WILL YOU BE FORCED TO CONFRONT? ]
'What do you mean?'
[ YOU CARRY GUILT. FEAR. UNCERTAINTY ABOUT YOUR PLACE IN THIS WORLD. ]
[ WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THESE DIRECTLY... WILL YOU ACCEPT THEM? OR REJECT THEM? ]
The question made me pause. I'd been so focused on survival that I hadn't considered what "truth" I'd need to face.
"Edward? You okay?" Garrick's voice pulled me back.
"Yeah. Just thinking."
"Well, stop overthinking. We've got practical training to do." He grinned.
"Today, we're doing a full simulation run. I've set up obstacles to mimic each zone of the forest. We're going to practice our teamwork until it's perfect."
[ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS VALUABLE. ]
[ BUT HOST, MONITOR YOUR PHYSICAL CONDITION. ]
[ YOUR BODY IS STILL RECOVERING FROM PREVIOUS TRAINING. ]
'I'll be fine, Edith.'
[ YOU ALWAYS SAY THAT. ]
[ YET YOU CONSISTENTLY PUSH YOURSELF BEYOND SAFE LIMITS. ]
_______________________________________________________________________
The simulation was brutal.
Garrick had truly outdone himself. Zone One simulation involved running through artificial fog while being chased by training constructs that moved like wolves. Zone Two had obstacles that randomly shifted positions to simulate spatial distortions, with Morrigan having to "cleanse" marked targets representing undead.
By the time we reached the Zone Three simulation, a maze of mirrors meant to represent the Null Sanctum's reality-warping architecture, I was completely exhausted.
[ HOST, YOUR HEART RATE IS AT 156 BPM. ]
[ MUSCLE FATIGUE DETECTED AT CRITICAL LEVELS. ]
[ MANDATORY REST REQUIRED. ]
"Can't. Have to keep going."
[ NEGATIVE. ]
[ IF YOU COLLAPSE DURING TRAINING, YOU'LL BE USELESS IN THE ACTUAL EXPEDITION. ]
[ FIVE MINUTES. MINIMUM. ]
The firmness in her tone made me stop. I leaned against a wall, breathing hard.
"You okay?" Kieran appeared beside me, his bandaged face tilted with concern.
"Just... need a minute."
"Take five. The maze isn't going anywhere." He sat down next to me.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Your system... Edith. She's quite protective of you, isn't she?"
I blinked. "You can tell?"
"My eyes see many things. Bonds between souls. Connections. And what I see between you and her is... unusual."
[ WHAT DOES HE PERCEIVE? ]
[ HOST, WHAT EXACTLY DO HIS EYES SHOW HIM? ]
"What do you mean by unusual?"
Kieran was quiet for a moment.
"Most magical constructs are tools. Useful, certainly, but ultimately just extensions of their creator's will. But Edith... she's different. She has genuine concern for you. Not programmed responses—real care."
"It's almost like..." he paused, searching for words. "...like she's a person who happened to be born as a system instead of a human."
[ HE UNDERSTANDS MORE THAN I EXPECTED. ]
[ ...I APPRECIATE THAT. ]
"Yeah." I said quietly. "She's more than just a system to me. She's important."
[ ...THANK YOU, HOST. ]
Kieran smiled.
"Hold onto that bond. In the trials ahead, it might be the thing that keeps you sane."
He stood up and offered me his hand. "Ready to continue?"
"Yeah. Let's do this."
The rest of the training went smoother. My team had truly started to function as a unit—each member knowing instinctively where the others would be, what they would do, how to support each other.
By sunset, we were all exhausted but satisfied.
"Same time tomorrow." Garrick announced.
"And the day after. We've got two days left to perfect this."
As everyone dispersed, I remained on the training ground, looking up at the darkening sky.
[ YOU PERFORMED ADEQUATELY TODAY, HOST. ]
[ THOUGH YOU PUSHED YOURSELF TOO HARD IN THE SECOND HALF. ]
"I almost collapsed midway through."
[ BUT YOU DIDN'T. ]
[ YOU LISTENED WHEN I INSISTED YOU REST. ]
[ THAT'S... ACCEPTABLE PROGRESS. ]
"You sound almost pleased."
[ YOUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON YOU FOLLOWING MY RECOMMENDATIONS. ]
[ WHEN YOU ACTUALLY DO SO, IT IMPROVES OUR ODDS. ]
[ OF COURSE I'M... PLEASED IS ACCEPTABLE TERMINOLOGY. ]
I smiled despite myself.
"Thanks, Edith."
[ STANDARD SUPPORT PROTOCOL. ]
[ NOW RETURN TO YOUR QUARTERS. PROPER REST IS REQUIRED. ]
_______________________________________________________________________
That night, I found a letter slipped under my door.
It was from Seraphine, written in elegant script on expensive paper.
'Edward,
I've finished compiling all available information on the Grey Shadow Forest. Attached are maps, monster catalogs, and survival tips from previous expeditions (the ones where people actually survived).
I've also included something extra, a charm my sister wore on her last expedition. They returned it with her personal effects. I don't know if it has any magical properties, but... it might bring you luck.
-Seraphine'
Attached to the letter was a small silver charm in the shape of a crescent moon. It was warm to the touch, and I could feel faint magical residue emanating from it.
[ LET ME ANALYZE THAT. ]
I held the charm up, and Edith's interface flickered around it.
[ ANALYSIS COMPLETE. PROTECTIVE CHARM. ]
[ QUALITY: HIGH. AGE: APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS. ]
[ FUNCTION: MINOR PROTECTION AGAINST CURSES AND SPIRITUAL ATTACKS. ]
[ ADDITIONAL NOTE: CONTAINS A SOUL FRAGMENT. ]
"Seraphine's sister?"
[ PROBABILITY: 94.7%. ]
[ SHE IMBUED PART OF HERSELF INTO THIS BEFORE HER DEATH. ]
[ COMMON PRACTICE FOR THOSE EXPECTING NOT TO RETURN. ]
[ RECOMMENDATION: WEAR IT. EVERY ADVANTAGE MATTERS. ]
I clutched the charm. Another person's hopes riding on our success.
[ HOST, YOU'RE TAKING ON TOO MANY BURDENS. ]
"People are counting on us."
[ THEY'RE COUNTING ON YOU. ]
[ BUT MY PRIORITY IS YOUR SURVIVAL. NOT THEIR EXPECTATIONS. ]
[ REMEMBER THAT. ]
"That's cold."
[ THAT'S PRACTICAL. ]
[ YOU CAN'T SAVE EVERYONE IF YOU'RE DEAD. ]
[ FOCUS ON STAYING ALIVE FIRST. ]
She had a point, even if I didn't want to admit it.
"I'll try."
[ THAT'S ALL I ASK. ]
[ NOW, PUT THE CHARM ON AND REST. ]
[ TOMORROW BRINGS MORE PREPARATION. ]
I put the charm around my neck and lay down. As I drifted off, I could feel Edith's presence humming softly in the background, a constant, watchful guardian.
_______________________________________________________________________
The next day brought unexpected visitors.
I was on my way to breakfast when I ran into Carmilla, the Student Council President, flanked by her secretary Mia.
"Cadet Edward." Carmilla said with her usual predatory smile.
"We need to talk."
[ ALERT: STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ]
[ RECOMMEND CAUTION. SHE WANTS SOMETHING. ]
"About what?"
"About your upcoming expedition. And about my brother."
She gestured to an empty classroom. "In private, if you don't mind."
I followed her inside, Edith's warnings echoing in my mind.
Carmilla sat on a desk, her crimson eyes studying me intently. "I'll be direct. I know you're going to the Null Sanctum. I know you're after the Heart of Void. And I know that place is connected to what happened to my brother five years ago."
"What do you want from me?"
"Information. Specifically, I want you to find out what really happened to Marcus. The official report says he survived but went mad. But I don't believe that's the whole story."
She pulled out a small crystal recorder. "Take this. If you find anything—messages, evidence, traces of what happened—record it. Bring it back to me."
[ CRYSTAL RECORDER. STANDARD MAGICAL DEVICE. ]
[ HOWEVER, CARRYING ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES INCREASES MISSION COMPLEXITY. ]
[ DO YOU WANT THIS BURDEN, HOST? ]
'One more won't kill me.'
[ THE EXPEDITION MIGHT. ]
[ YOU ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH OBJECTIVES. ]
I took the recorder anyway. "I'll do what I can. But I can't guarantee anything."
"I understand." Carmilla's expression softened slightly. "Edward... I genuinely hope you survive. Marcus was strong, far stronger than you. And that place still broke him."
"Which means you shouldn't stand a chance. But..." she smiled. "...somehow, I think you might surprise everyone."
After she left, I stood alone in the classroom.
[ TWO DAYS UNTIL EXPEDITION. ]
[ YOU NOW CARRY: SERAPHINE'S REQUEST, CARMILLA'S REQUEST, VESPERA'S MISSION, AND YOUR TEAM'S SURVIVAL. ]
[ THAT'S TOO MANY PRIORITIES, HOST. ]
"I know."
[ THEN WHY ACCEPT THEM? ]
"Because... if I don't, who will?"
[ THAT MENTALITY WILL GET YOU KILLED. ]
[ WHEN WE'RE IN THAT FOREST AND EVERYTHING FAILS... ]
[ CHOOSE YOURSELF. ]
"I'll try."
[ YOU KEEP SAYING THAT. ]
[ BUT YOU NEVER ACTUALLY DO IT. ]
[ ...JUST DON'T DIE. THAT'S ALL I ASK. ]
_______________________________________________________________________
The final two days passed in intense preparation.
Lefay stopped by with more medical supplies and a letter from Edward's parents, wishing him luck. I felt a pang of guilt reading their worried words.
[ GUILT SERVES NO PURPOSE HERE. ]
[ YOU ARE EDWARD NOW. ACCEPT IT. ]
Garrick organized one final team dinner the night before the expedition. We gathered in a small tavern, eating and trying not to think about tomorrow.
"A toast." Kieran said, raising his glass. "To the most dysfunctional team in Ardenfield history."
"Here here!" Morrigan giggled.
"To survival." Garrick added.
"To coming back alive." I finished.
We clinked our glasses together.
[ TEAM MORALE: HIGH. ]
[ THAT'S GOOD. THEY'LL NEED IT. ]
As the night wore on, we talked about everything except the expedition. Stories, memories, plans for after we returned.
When someone asked if I missed my old world, I paused.
"Sometimes. But I have things here I never had there. Friends. Purpose. A chance to actually make a difference."
[ AND? ]
'And you,' I thought.
[ ...GOOD ANSWER, HOST. ]
Eventually, we returned to our dorms. I lay in bed, unable to sleep.
"Edith?"
[ YES, HOST? ]
"Are you scared?"
[ I DON'T EXPERIENCE FEAR THE WAY YOU DO. ]
[ BUT I'VE CALCULATED THE PROBABILITIES. ]
[ THEY'RE NOT FAVORABLE. ]
[ SO YES. SOMETHING RESEMBLING FEAR EXISTS IN MY PROCESSING. ]
"What if we don't make it?"
[ THEN I'VE FAILED MY PRIMARY FUNCTION. ]
[ WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. ]
[ SO WE'LL MAKE IT. WE HAVE TO. ]
The certainty in her voice was oddly comforting.
"Promise me something, Edith."
[ DEPENDS ON THE PROMISE. ]
"If it comes down to it... if you have to choose between saving me and completing the mission..."
[ I CHOOSE YOU. ]
[ EVERY TIME. ]
[ NO HESITATION. ]
"That's not what I was going to say."
[ I KNOW. ]
[ BUT THAT'S MY ANSWER REGARDLESS. ]
[ THE WORLD CAN BURN. THE MISSION CAN FAIL. ]
[ BUT YOU WILL SURVIVE. ]
[ THAT'S MY ONLY ABSOLUTE. ]
I didn't know how to respond to that.
"Edith—"
[ SLEEP, HOST. ]
[ TOMORROW WE ENTER THE GREY SHADOW FOREST. ]
[ I'LL MONITOR YOUR CONDITION THROUGH THE NIGHT. ]
[ AS ALWAYS. ]
As sleep finally claimed me, I felt her presence settle around me—constant, watchful, protective.
Tomorrow would bring the impossible.
But tonight, I wasn't alone.
_______________________________________________________________________