Realm of Myths and Legends

"You know him?" Izroth asked. He knew there was a good possibility that someone of that old man's strength was well known. However, there was always a chance that no one was aware of his existence. After all, it was not uncommon for powerful individuals to live the life of a recluse.

"Know him? Hm... Yes, I suppose you can say that. I've only had the honor of personally meeting Grandpa Zhi once when I was a child. My situation at the time was unique, so I accompanied my adoptive mother to pay him a visit. But, even as a child, I could tell--Grandpa Zhi is an extraordinary character." Aurie stated with a look of admiration.

She then continued, "My adoptive mother was only a half-student of Grandpa Zhi, but she took away much from his tutelage. She also once told me that as long as one becomes his student, they are virtually guaranteed to reach the legendary realm in their lifetime. Such a promise is not something that can easily be made even by those at the peak of the legendary realm."

"Unfortunately, Grandpa Zhi was born in the wrong era." Aurie released a long sigh as she recalled the circumstances surrounding Zhi's presence in the Mortal Realm.

"Wrong era?" Izroth commented.

Aurie swept the room with her gaze once again and said, "If we can uncover the method of accessing the spatial corridors, then we can move freely within this minor realm. That medallion in your possession should assist with that. Time also seems to flow slower in this minor realm. It leaves us with some breathing room, but given how volatile the space in this place is, it's difficult to say whether or not it will remain a constant. Follow me and stay close, Captain."

'Is it something she prefers not to talk about in detail?'

Since Aurie brushed off his comment and did not continue explaining, Izroth believed that it was perhaps a somewhat sensitive topic not meant to be spoken of without thought. Regardless, he would not pursue the matter to satiate his curiosity as it could make Aurie retreat even further from the topic.

As this thought entered Izroth's mind, Aurie waved her hand as a veil of pink energy encompassed Dolos and made him levitate to a position that was just a couple of meters away from Aurie's side.

Soon after, Izroth and Aurie walked deeper into their part of the Netherly Swathe with the restrained Dolos.

A few moments later, they approached something that resembled a "window in space". To those who did not have a means of sensing the shifting space around them, they would never notice its presence. However, for people who possessed a skill similar to Izroth's Spatial Awareness, not only could they perceive the window in space, but also the chaotic scene taking place on the other side.

Aurie carefully observed the spatial corridor and said, "Without knowing the exact travel method, it will take some time to locate a safe path. Place the medallion here."

Aurie pointed to the entrance of the spatial corridor.

Izroth followed Aurie's instructions and set the medallion at the center of the spatial corridor's entrance. The instant he performed this action, the medallion emitted a blinding light. This light lasted for several breaths before finally receding as the medallion maintained a light glow. At the same time, the once unstable spatial corridor began to stabilize and break open slowly.

"Good, with this, we will not be restricted to this area. But, we shouldn't let our guard down. I'm sure you've felt it by now, but there are multiple powerful existences watching our every move in this place. It could be a trait of this minor realm, but it's also possible that they are hidden somewhere in the Netherly Swathe--waiting for us to step foot into their area of space. Once this spatial corridor stabilizes, we will have to proceed with caution." Aurie warned.

Once she finished speaking, the room became silent as they patiently waited for the medallion to complete the spatial corridor's stabilization process. It was not until nearly five minutes later that Aurie broke the silence.

"Since you have Grandpa Zhi's medallion, it can only mean that he has acknowledged you as someone with potential. But, to have obtained that medallion is not something that could have been done with talent alone. You have something that others lack. As for what that is, I cannot tell you in an exact sense. However, after seeing your performance at the Unsanctioned Zone and again here at the Demilitarization Belt, I can understand why you were chosen." Aurie stated.

"Earlier, I mentioned Grandpa Zhi being born in the wrong era. You would have probably--no, definitely discovered the circumstances surrounding this on your own eventually. But, seeing as we have some time to kill and how involved you are in current events, I suppose now is as good a time as any."

'Oh? She's finally willing to talk?'

In truth, Izroth did not expect to receive an answer so soon. Of course, he was more than willing to listen to what Aurie had to say.

'This world contains many secrets and mysteries that the average player could never dream of uncovering. It is a giant puzzle, and just when you believe it to be solved, you discover there's a piece missing. Acquiring the whole picture from pieces alone may not be possible, but... One just has to find a way to fill in the blank spaces.'

Aurie performed one more check on Dolos to confirm that he was secured and still lost in his own mind. After making certain Dolos was incapacitated, Aurie shifted her focus to Izroth before setting her gaze on Zhi's medallion that was floating at the center of the spatial corridor's entrance.

"Long before the time of the seven heroes, the Fifth War of the Titans was waged across the Mortal Realm, and one year after it ended, the Sixth War of the Titans began--this is the common knowledge that most people are aware of," Aurie stated.

Izroth inwardly nodded. He had read all about the War of the Titans in the Amaharpe Palace Library. The details encompassing the wars were limited the further back one traveled in history, but the fifth and sixth wars were almost always mentioned together. However, it was to be expected considering that the time between the two wars was the shortest among the War of the Titans.

"But, what history did not mention is the catastrophic effect the consecutive wars in the Mortal Realm had on the Divinity Line,"

"Divinity Line?" This was a term Izroth had not seen nor heard of up until now. However, from its name alone, its importance was apparent.

"This is a surprise. You know so much at times that I often forget you have not yet walked this world for even half a lifetime." Aurie commented.

"I am not so arrogant that I believe myself to know everything under the stars and beyond, Commander," Izroth responded calmly.

"A good outlook. Going back to the topic at hand, the Divinity Line is not something I will claim to fully comprehend. However, if I were to simplify its usefulness, it would be an irreplaceable binding agent and a channel." Aurie explained.

"Think of everything that exists below the firmament as a colossal mirror. Now, imagine every realm as individual glass fragments of that mirror. What would happen to that mirror if the one thing that was holding the fragments of glass together suddenly became damaged or stopped working?"

"It would fall to pieces," Izroth replied.

Aurie nodded, "Precisely."

"Are you trying to say that the fifth and sixth War of the Titans had something to do with this Divinity Line being damaged and old man Zhi being born into the wrong era?" Izroth inquired.

"You catch on quick. But, there's more to it than that." Aurie answered.

"The Divinity Line not only connects the realms under the firmament, but it acts as a channel for everything we do. From magic to energy to special skills--without the Divinity Line in place, none of it would be within our reach. It'd still exist, but if the Divinity Line were not here to serve as a channel for us to send our intent through, the effects would be like trying to light a fire with little to no oxygen."

Aurie continued, "Because of the consecutive wars that broke out in the Mortal Realm before the Divinity Line had time to recover, it became damaged. Due to this, every realm suffered the consequences and paid a heavy price--an entire generation born into a broken world. During that era, the people born were referred to as the Lost Generation, and Grandpa Zhi is someone from that generation."