Pillars of Ita

Fang Plover slowly opened his eyes, and what he saw were familiar scenes - natural rock pillars forming arches, supporting the deep rock top, water droplets falling from the darkness, making a tinkling sound, and a high platform like a pyramid standing. In the darkness, there are piles of gold and silver jewelry all around, emitting a faint light in the darkness.

But he still sensed something amiss.

It's too quiet, where are the Nagas? What about the rest? Even though Narsuyu was imprisoned in the Sea Forest Crown, her daughter and heirs would not disappear out of thin air. He originally tensed his body, alerting himself to possible attacks, but he had nothing. Rodrigo's treasure house was empty. one person.

"Who's there?" Fang Yu suddenly looked in one direction, where a circle of ripples appeared in the darkness, and a figure walked out from between the ripples. The shadow dispersed from her body, forming the image of a young girl wearing a A knee-length skirt, with a leather apron on the outside, and a huge pocket on it, like a common hawker in the Yis area.

Her image is somewhat simple, only a pair of playful round-toed shoes are eye-catching. There is a scale emblem on the upper of the shoe, which is made of silver and shines in the dark. The girl folds her hands in front of her body, wearing a Wearing a pair of gloves that didn't match her slender arms, she looked at him with bright eyes and white teeth and smiled.

This image immediately resonated in Fang Yu's mind.

Because it is so famous, there is a statue exactly like it in the Gilded Temple in Port of Is, not to mention that they have only seen the sculpture of this girl in the unknown valley. She is Roman , Lady of the Scales, Goddess of the Avenue.

The protector of merchants, the companion of travelers, the companion of explorers, the hoper of contracts, transactions, money and curiosity. She holds a silver coin in her hand. The silver coin is shining with a silver ship sailing on one side. , one side is a scale symbolizing fairness.

Fang Yu was startled at first, but then he relaxed. It was impossible for the All Saints not to watch what was happening here. It was normal for this lady to come.

"Is this another space?" He looked around and asked, "Ms. Roman, are you summoning me alone?"

He vaguely felt that the lady of the balance had gone too deep. These were supposed to be secrets belonging to the gods, and might even be their weaknesses, but why should they be told to him?

It was actually an organization formed by the freedom knights of Marlan, Ori and Aisha. They jointly abide by an ancient protocol and act in accordance with the precepts of justice, fairness, courage and humility.

"When thousands of voices echo on the etheric sea, the kingdom comes. This is the boundary of the kingdom of God and the law, and it is also the boundary of our cognition. In a sense, gods and believers are people walking towards each other. "

Fang Yu shook his head: "We were originally going to come here. Even without you, we would have hit this storm. Even if it happened again, we would still make the same choice, so what's the difference?"

The girl simply commented: "But she did not choose to transcend fate, but chose fate itself. All of this was her own choice."

"The fate of Etalia is lost," Roman replied. "A god has fallen, just like Narsu."

The funny thing is that Narsuyu didn't even realize who she was playing against from beginning to end.

If it weren't for the power of Cang Zhihui and the maid's silver heart, he wouldn't know how to deal with a Naga god.

Of course, he can also choose to seal Narsuyu into the two fragments of emerald, but whether he chooses to sacrifice Odais, the maid, or anyone around him, that is not what he wants to see. .

But he suddenly remembered something else.

"The ancient warriors," Roman said, "They responded to the call and came here from a long way away. The time was almost right."

Ancient Knight Knight, Fang Plover immediately understood what the other party was talking about.

The girl looked at him: "When we are stripped of our own concepts, the existence of a god falls apart, and everything attached to him will fall apart."

But when Fang Yu looked at her, he knew in his heart that Narsuyu's choice was not the only one in this matter. She, as well as Alli, who had not yet appeared, all pushed her from behind. From the moment the silver coin of destiny appeared, they became pawns on the chessboard.

Fang Yu couldn't help but ask: "But Ms. Roman, what does all this have to do with Narsuyu..."

"There are still some differences," the girl shook her head: "But this is your destiny. It is determined by your character and your choices. However, Elaine prefers brave people. No wonder she gave the Hailin Crown to her. is you."

"No mortal can seal a god in any way," the lady in the balance became a little serious and shook her head, "but at least you are right in one sentence. It was she who entered a desperate situation. You lack understanding of the world of gods. ——When the seal took effect, her laws, kingdom and priesthood fell apart——"

"A knight of Orle?"

"Ah, because I'm afraid of trouble. I'm different from Ori and the others," the girl said with a smile. She didn't look like a god at all. "You don't have to worry about the outside. Ori's knights are here, and those little fish I can’t afford any waves.”

"She greedily knew her fate, made her choice, and finally got the result. The prophecy foretold that she would die at the hands of a mortal, but she still had no hesitation, believing that she could defeat her fate."

Because most of these noble characters are approved by the three gods, the knights of the three gods can live in peace together.

After all, the power of Cang Zhihui has been with him for such a long time. Although it caused him a lot of trouble, it also helped him a lot, whether it was when he faced the dark dragon or other dark creatures——

"She stepped into the trap she set, and her connection with the world was cut off by the radiance of the blue." Roman replied softly: "A imprisoned person is meaningful, but a imprisoned god has no meaning. The world would not support the notion that storms would always arise and the waves would never calm down, so the moment she was imprisoned, she was no longer the mistress of the storm.”

Roman held up her hand, and a crystal crown appeared in her hand. When Fang Plover saw the crown, he couldn't help but was even more shocked: "Hailin Crown...how could it be? Isn't it supposed to be...?"

Fang Yu's hands and feet felt a little cold after hearing this. He didn't feel the pleasure of killing a god. Does that mean that he became the enemy of the gods?

But Roman saw what he was thinking: "Mortals don't have the ability to kill gods. As I said, she walked into the trap she set. What she pursued was the never-ending storm, but she was obsessed with the emerald." The power of the star has become coveted."

In comparison, Hailin Crown is the lightest option.

This was the first time that he was clearly aware of this level of planning - and he also understood the meaning of the lady of the balance's words, 'There is still a difference'.

When he mentioned Hailin Crown, Fang Plover couldn't help but his expression dimmed.

He was shocked. The Hailin Crown should not be in the Emerald Star. They had gone to great lengths to seal Narsuyu in it, but why did it appear here? Doesn't that mean that the seal has been... …

He used the Hailin Crown to seal Narsuyu, which meant abandoning it forever - leaving the sacred object in the Emerald Star, because it was a god after all, and only the endless blue radiance could imprison her. of gnosis and divinity.

"Gods must pursue certain laws, implement their own ideas, and form echoes in the world of stars -" Roman said eloquently, "In comparison, believers are not that important to us. Of course, More people walking on the same path will help us consolidate our own laws——"

"We do not rely on believers for our existence, and believers do not rely on us for our existence, but the knowledge imposed on us by the outside world is the foundation for our existence. In addition to being a believer, a believer of Ori is first and foremost a believer. A human, an elf or a dwarf, and then he can be one's companion, neighbor, husband or wife, father or son."

But there is another meaning in the words of the lady of the scales. Ori gave the warning very early, otherwise the Knights of the Ancient Trainings would not be able to arrive at the Storm Islands at this time. From Rotao to the empire, they have to pass through Kaolin-Ixiu. Ryan, that's at least a few months of travel in between.

"You are indeed very smart," Roman looked at him and praised enthusiastically: "But would it make you unhappy to be used as a pawn by the gods?"

That thought flashed through his mind like lightning, making him realize that this might be the reason why the other party summoned him - Fang Plover raised his head and looked at the lady of the scale: "Ms. Roman, Goddess Elaine said... …”

"So she..."

"The gods can extend their own territory and increase the number of priests they hold, but if their ambitions are too great, they will face the same danger. Not only will they not gain, but they will lose more - the moment she crosses the storm, the storm will also Abandoned her - Narsuyu knew this in her heart, but she was too greedy. "

Fang Piao looked at her in confusion.

Suddenly losing the power that illuminated his soul, he couldn't help but feel a little empty. It was impossible to say that he had no regrets, but it was all to deal with Narsuyu, a dark saint.

"For unlike the gods, who truly exist in the physical world, we exist only in the echoes of the etheric world - if we were stripped of our titles and priesthoods - if I were no longer the Lady of the Scales, My existence has no meaning as the goddess of avenues or as the protector of commerce.”

Fang Yu's eyes widened, and he was speechless after being shocked by the two bombshells. "Wait, Na'er... Su Yu?"

But he was not too surprised. From the moment he saw the fate coin in the valley, he knew that there was someone behind it. When they were fighting against Narsuyu, there was still a relationship between the business goddess. Made a move once.

But he still had some questions, why did the other party tell him this specifically?

"In a sense, gods are no different from mortals," the lady of the balance said softly: "Death always heralds new life, and the storm above Kukai will not calm down forever. Narsuyu died, but the storm The hostess won’t.”

"The death of an old god often means the birth of a new god. The Nagas must retreat because they have to welcome a new mother, but this time the Naga God may no longer be the mistress of the storm. ”

A flash of lightning flashed in Fang Yu's heart, and he suddenly understood the other party's plan: "Maybe the new Storm Goddess is no longer one of the dark saints?"

"This is just one of the possibilities. We can only promote the process, but we cannot predict its results, not even God. This is fate." The girl looked at him, smiled slightly and said, "But the new God must have a deep connection with you. Origin, that’s enough.”

Fang Yu was puzzled: "Why?"

"Because when a new god is born, he must be chosen by the gods."

Roman didn't answer the question directly, but told a riddle with a half-smile. She further explained: "You don't need to ask further. I've already told you that I've gone too far. Ori will blame me if I talk any more. He's an old man."

Although Fang Yu was a little disappointed, he had no choice but to shut up.

Although the other party seemed friendly, he was a god after all, not to mention that Ori was the master of the Peak of Light, which was not comparable to a secondary god like Narsuyu.

The reason why the Saints of Orin became the true gods, and the reason why the rest of the Saints of Darkness can only whisper in silence, is precisely because they were losers, defeated by the Gods of Orin from the front, and could only huddle in the abyss. Gods under the sea.

"You don't have to be disappointed," the girl laughed and looked at him, "We won't let you work in vain. Ori will leave the reward to you. As for Elaine, I will give you the Hailin Crown. And I gave it back to you.”

"As for my reward," Roman replied playfully: "I am the goddess of the avenue. Everyone knows that I am very stingy, so I will give you an answer. You can ask me a question you want to know the answer to. "

She spoke in an understatement, but Fang Plover became serious. This was a reward from a god, and this answer must be crucial.

Almost a lot of questions that he wanted to know the answers to came into his mind at once. They were about the origin of his passing through the star gate, the puzzles surrounding him, about his parents, about the gods, and even about the two worlds. everything.

But he suppressed the most obvious questions. He had a hunch that the death of his parents, everything about the star, and the past Dawn Star, were all related to the Abyssal Slate, and even the last divine war. In the final analysis, it points to the coming of a disaster——

Bad luck.

Behind the Shadow Man's imminent move, everything he saw in Elpaxin and the Empire, and the absurd things Istanya saw, there must be more than just the blind god Descartes, and not just the Narsuyu he sees right now, all of them. Events seem to be weaving into an airtight web.

The shadow of the past is resurrecting, and it seems to indicate another destiny for Aitaria, but what is really important is not that simple appearance——

Revenge is not what he seeks.

But the truth.

He took a breath and asked, "Ms. Roman, what does the misfortune star mean?"

Roman looked at him with admiration: "These are actually two questions, and I can only answer one of them. What is the origin of the Bane Star, and what does it mean to Aitalia and you?"

"I'm afraid you have guessed that the Numerin elves are not the natives of Aitaria. They are the chosen ones of the stars of the previous generation, which is you now. When they complete their mission and leave this world, "We have left civilization in the hands of mortals." "But the people of the Star are not the first generation of voters, and you will not be the last generation. The selection of the Star Gate comes from an expectation. When different worlds face the moment of destruction, everyone. The King of God will select the chosen ones from among the stars to undergo a test.”

"And this test, the choice of all the saints——"

"King of the Gods?"

"His name is Etta, and he is the father of us and all," Roman replied: "Have you seen the world of the shadow people, the other side of the green, what did you see, the shadow of death, darkness, and silence? What do you think it is? Is it their own fault that has led to the inevitable downfall of the world?”

Fang Yu looked at her, wasn't it?

But the goddess shook her head: "It's like a stone falling from the top of the mountain. If a traveler hadn't picked it up again by chance, it would have stayed there forever; the starlight would have been extinguished, but it takes effort to rekindle it." A greater price——"

"So the world is always heading towards death. The sea of ​​ether binds the starlight in a circulation, making the starlight circulate endlessly, but no matter how it circulates, it will also produce losses, and once the starlight dims, it will light up again. It takes more effort from the world itself.”

"Although the power of the world seems boundless, it will eventually be exhausted. But when the decline comes, the shadow of death will emerge from the deepest shadow and bring disaster to the entire world. That is 'disaster' star'."

Those were things that Fang Yu had never heard of, and even Su Changfeng had never told him about them—perhaps Stargate Port itself might not necessarily know the secrets between these gods.

He seemed to understand something: "So before the world falls, the Chosen One of the Saints will be born?"

Roman nodded.

"The world of shadow people...?"

She did not answer directly, but told Fang Plov a story:

Their world was originally a paradise, the earth was shining with golden light, civilization was endless, and a high tower ran through the center of the world, transmitting the will of the saints to every corner of the world. In different eras, the tower has been called the 'Pillar of Eta', the 'Holy White Tree' or the 'Mountain of the World' by different civilizations. "

But a turmoil that tore the world apart destroyed everything. Aitaria was born in that war. The spreading turmoil led to the overturning of the central tower in the world, and the largest fragment formed the main world today.

And because the world collapsed, the shadow of death was born from it. Destruction first found those fragmented worlds, and whenever destruction was imminent - the choice of saints must come, but Fang Yu saw more than just luck and luck. Survive.

and also--

He looked at the lady on the scale with some shudder.

The declining world sank under the abyss, and there was a silence of death outside the world. There was only boundless nothingness in the starry sky, and the fragments of death and silence were suspended in it.

The shadow people's world was once full of vitality, but they failed to defeat the death of the world. They were dragged into the abyss. The stars were extinguished and turned into void, leaving only a dim shadow.

"Death caught up with that world. The green land was originally the country of dragons, giants and naga," Roman replied quietly: "The people of light were the holy ones of that era, but they failed to defeat the decline of the world, and even together with My world was dragged into the abyss together.”

Later they got another name.

Descendants of Shadow.

Now they too have become part of the death of the world, and along with the rising seas, they have caught up with Etalia.

Under the dark sea is the endless realm of gray, the void outside the world, and the bottomless kingdom of death under the sea of ​​clouds - the abyss.

"The Abyssal Sea has never been a real ground, nor a real country. Beyond Aitalia is the world of death. When you pass through the wind element layer, you are not under the sea of ​​clouds, but you see the world. The scene outside.”

replied the Lady of the Scales.

Therefore, both Aitalia and the second world have the same abyss, because it is originally a part of the outside world, the other side of the originally fragmented world.

However, Fang Yu thought of a shuddering possibility, and the others didn't pursue it and asked: "What about the earth?"

"This is part of the test," Roman replied: "The test itself has two sides. Ita's promise will give you unimaginable benefits, but civilization itself will also be put at risk. Your people are actually more or less aware of it. This is something we have been prepared for.”

Fang Yu was silent. He couldn't help but think of what Su Changfeng said to him, as well as the preparations for Stargate Port itself. It seemed that just as Ms. Tian Ping said, all countries were already preparing for this.

In this way, the alliance's actions have become more reasonable. If all countries have made their own choices, then the alliance will no longer be able to maintain neutrality as in the past. It will eventually have to choose a position among several major powers.

It now appears that the Alliance has chosen the side of the Empire.

After thinking about this, he calmed down: "So, you actually agree with the empire's position and think that the alliance between the empire and the shadow people is a choice? So you just watched and didn't object?"

"Not entirely, Ed," Roman shook his head: "We are outside the world. Our duty is to protect rather than guide. We cannot easily interfere with the fate of mortals. I can't tell you more about the specific reasons. , but you just have to know that it all has to do with the source.”

Fang Yu fell silent.

He seemed to suddenly realize that he had stepped into the whirlpool, or that the huge whirlpool had swallowed him up, but he had never seen its entirety until now.

The reason why he came to this world, the death of his parents, the war between Ithulian and the Empire thirteen years ago, and everything is just the tip of the iceberg under the huge shadow. In the face of the life and death of the two worlds, in Faced with the choices made by countless individuals and forces at that moment——

Ordinary people facing such a whirlpool may indeed be shattered upon impact.

But he was not discouraged.

At least he was indeed one step closer to the truth. This was the answer from a god. He felt that he might be close to the mastermind behind the scenes, no matter how big the vortex was or how hard the iceberg was.

He will definitely find out the truth.

Ever since Xing told him everything about his parents, ever since Su Changfeng reminded him of the doubts about his coming to this world, he has always wanted to know about the Dawn Star of the previous generation where his parents lived before he was born.

What exactly happened.

Seeing that he was silent, Roman said: "Okay, since you already know the answer, I will send you out, otherwise your friends may be worried."

"Wait a minute," Fang Yu stopped her: "I have a personal question, Ms. Roman."

The girl looked at him and nodded: "I appreciate you very much and can answer this question for you."

"I just don't quite understand," Fang Plover asked, "Why were we chosen?"

"So that's the problem."

The lady in the balance smiled sweetly: "Have you forgotten that trial?"

Fang Yu was startled for a moment, and suddenly realized that at that time, the three gods had focused their attention on these people.

But why?

He originally thought that for gods, wouldn't people like Minmir and Issa be more powerful?

Roman seemed to see what it was thinking: "Neither Ori nor Anguina value ability. After all, no one is more powerful than the gods, but ideas are a very important thing. Didn't I say that before?" Well, gods and believers are just people walking towards each other.”

"We don't need mortals to worship us fanatically, but if they walk on the same path as us, they are the best preachers of our ideas and the most determined representatives of us on earth."

She looked at him: "The person chosen by God does not need loyalty or approval."

"But faith——"

……

The Hill of Giant Trees is a dark and deep underground place.

Accompanied by the sound of gravel rolling down, a stone door that had been sealed in dust for an unknown length of time was slowly opening. A hand reached out from behind the stone door, grabbed the edge of the boulder, and pushed it to one side with difficulty.

But the giant door was completely opened, and the owner of the hands walked out of the smoke and dust - but before that, a timid voice came from behind him: "Teacher, have we found the exit?"

Another voice immediately interrupted the first one, with a hint of disdain in that voice: "There can only be this passage in the tomb of Tamas. It is the King of Riddles. In his test What matters most is wisdom and tenacity. As long as you are recognized by it, you will be able to leave this place easily. "

The young man holding the magic wand patted the dust on his body and looked back, just in time to see a pair of golden-red eyes lighting up from the smoke and dust behind him. The owner of the giant beast flapped his wings and closed it. , and strode out.

She stayed beside the boy, raised her head, and turned the mechanical neck, so that her ruby-like eyes stared at the surrounding darkness - and the golden-red light was transmitted from the pair of video crystals.

"Ms. Alessa," the young man asked: "The passage of this mausoleum leads to the Valley of Wisdom, and the Gate of Sighs to the outside world is under that pyramid. As long as we complete the journey of the last Wizard King, Can we leave this place after passing the test? Only through this dead ocean can we send messages to the outside world? "

"of course."

The Dragon Queen turned back to look at him: "But I didn't expect that you could pass the test of the six Witch Kings. Originally, I was prepared to stay here for another thousand years, until some unlucky guy opened this place. until the seal."

"But I'm curious," the boy asked, "I've never heard of these names before."

"Because they are saints from the Broken Star Era," Alessa said eloquently: "It was the era when the Sinsas Dynasty fell, all seven thrones disappeared one by one, and the lizards rose. In that era, they A grand council was established.”

"And the seven wizard kings," she paused, "are the founders of the Great Council, the first generation of lizard sages."

The timid girl behind them was a little stunned. These magnificent stories recorded in history used to be legends that were beyond her reach, but now they were surrounded by these myths.

She was so fascinated by what she heard that when the two people in front of her turned a corner, they bumped their foreheads and let out an "ah yo" sound, and quickly held up their glasses with their hands.

The young man then turned back to look at her and asked:

"Are you okay, Leila?"

"I-I'm fine," the girl quickly shook her head: "Teacher."

...(End of chapter)