[Edanian Journey] Angavu Outpost

Chapter 5: Beyond the Doors of Alyaelli

To pass beyond the doors of Alyaelli, we first had to open them. According to the stone tablet, that required two keys: the <b>Key of the Apocalypse</b> and the <b>Key of the Void</b>.

I had already obtained the Key of the Apocalypse after a long and difficult journey through the Everfrost. But the Key of the Void... where could it be?

Alustin soon gave me the answer. The key we had used in the Cokro Chamber beneath Valencia, the <b>Black Spirit</b>, was itself the Key of the Void.

Then the Black Spirit suddenly changed form. It looked just as it had when it absorbed all those relics. This time, even the others could see it.

As though something had suddenly dawned on it, the Black Spirit snatched the Key of the Apocalypse from me and absorbed it. Then it threw open the doors of Alyaelli.

But the doors soon began to close again. Through the narrowing gap, a massive hand reached out and seized the Black Spirit.

"I can't... let the doors close again!"

I tried to help the Black Spirit break free, but the hand struck back and sent me flying. Monsters poured into the Sanctuary through the opening, throwing everything into chaos once more. Edan, Wariyana, and the other fighters fought desperately to hold them back.

Then <b>Illezra</b> appeared with an old man at her side. She looked over the Sanctuary in turmoil and spoke as though all of this had been expected.

"There was no need to rush... but what's done is done."

Illezra lightly tapped her staff against the ground. At once, strength returned to me. I got back to my feet and made my way toward the doors.

When I came to, I was lying beside a campfire in an unfamiliar camp. Nearby stood a fallen tree, with Illezra sitting upon it and watching me.

"Are you awake?"

The scene felt strangely familiar.