Garden Of The Abyss

"The third?! You must've been incredibly powerful!"

Ren's mouth fell agape at that information, imagining the strength required to push past the first floor, let alone the second.

"Wait--then that means you defeated Asterius, right? Then how--"

"Of course, the guardians of this temple are under a similar pact as those who take the trial. Even if killed in battle, Asterius will rise again to protect the floor from the next challenger."

"I see…"

It was scary to think a powerful entity like that was almost a constant force in this world. Imagining the amount of blood on the beast's hands sent a shiver up Ren's spine.

"As I was saying, I did indeed make it to the third floor...but after countless deaths, I gave in. I had already accepted death, true death. However...a new pact was given to me. To serve as a new merchant within the temple. I don't think the cruel gods that spectate this land of horrors thought of it as a mercy for humans, but simply a new means of entertainment for them."

Galaggher continued to stroke his long, silver beard between his skeletal fingers as he spoke softly with his deep, wise voice.

"So...these items…"

Ren's gaze fell upon the display of trinkets, glistening with their value as they rested on a violet carpet between him and the merchant.

"Ah, yes, well, these can be bought with a special currency found within the temple, lad," Gallagher reached into the large brown bag sitting beside him, pulling out a scarlet shard, "A "Crimson Coin", they call it. You can find them stored in treasure scattered around the temple, mostly from the lairs of guardians. Not an easy thing to come by, but I assure you--these wares without a doubt will be a necessity to you."

After finishing his explanation, the pleading, puppy-dog look in Ren's hazel eyes asked, "How about for free?", earning a sigh from Galaggher as he placed the crimson coin back into the pouch.

"Sorry, lad, but I'm under a contract not to give away my items for free. All of these you see before you are what's left behind of those who have failed the trial, I have to collect these myself, and let me tell you--even if I'm an official part of this temple, the monsters don't seem to know that!"

Galaggher released another fit of rough laughter that rang through the chamber. Noticing the defeated look in the young man's eyes now, the merchant let out another sigh.

"You're welcome to use this place as a safe haven, though. I've also got a nice stock of food--neither of us have to eat, but it doesn't mean the pains of hunger go away!"

"Really? I can stay here?"

"Only for three days time. Any longer, and the Pact of Undying will recognize your sloth as a resignation from the trial. You don't want that."

The skeletal merchant stood up, straightening his robes as his joints cracked before he walked over to the corner of the room that inhabited a quilted blanket and pillow, "You can rest here. I'll fetch you a meal, lad."

"--Thank you, really."

As soon as Ren was in range of the bed, he dropped down onto it, letting out a breath that expelled the overflowing stress burdening his spirit.

"So, what brings you to the trial? It's not often one actually goes through with taking such an arduous challenge. I'd say I see one adventurer per year enter the temple."

Galaggher made his way to the other side of the tranquil chamber, grabbing a clay bowl before dipping it into a bag of rice.

"Strength. I want to become stronger."

"Well, this is certainly a place to garner strength, but I can't say it is very arthodox. Besides forcing yourself to adapt to the troubling monstrosities waiting within the trial, I'm sure what you really seek is the "Primordial Blessing", isn't it?"

Those last few words left Galaggher's hollow mouth with a certain suave, making his way over to the enormous cauldron sitting in the room. Ren sat up, watching the merchant conjure a source of water with magic, then lighting a fire beneath the pot with a tool.

"Primordial Blessing?"

"Huh? I doubt you entered the trial without knowing of that. It is the reward for completing the trial, a bestowment from the old gods."

"Oh, I think I heard of something like that."

The sizzling of boiling water meeting the dry grains of rice filled the still air, a cloud of steam rising from the black cauldron as Galaggher followed the rice with a random assortment of vegetables sitting near the cauldron.

"It's all rumor, really...I've only heard talk of the true nature of the blessing from those who have passed by, I can't say if any have passed or not. However, it seems the general consensus is--the blessing bestowed upon those who clear the trial, are chosen by them."

"So "Power" is within the realm of possibility then?"

"Likely."

Hearing some sort of confirmation, Ren felt a refreshing vigor flow through his veins as for the first time since entering this accursed temple--something good had come to him. Even so, it was hard to sit still with the looming issue still present in his head.

"I've just got one question."

"What is it, lad?"

Galaggher stirred the pot with a ladle, conjuring a pleasant aroma into the room as he responded to Ren without turning back.

"Have you seen a girl recently? Blue hair, same age as me, eyes that match her hair?"

Pausing for a moment, Galaggher raised a hand to his chin as if racking his brain--if he still had one, for an answer. After a few moments, he gently shook his head before resuming his work over the pot of stew.

"Can't say I have. After you've been here for as long as me, time melds together. All in the past runs through the present for me...so there's a chance I've seen someone like that, but I'll have to say no."

Hearing that, he slumped back down on the mattress as his brain seemed to tie itself back into knots worrying about her.

"If I might ask, who is this girl? Did you come here looking for her?"

"No, we came here together...Well, I got sucked into the trial first, but I'm sure she entered right after."

Ren detached the scabbard from his belt, setting his sword down next to him as he sat up against the wall.

"--I see. That is definitely something seldom seen here. If I were to bet, this is the workings of those who oversee the trial."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing Ren's further probing for answers, Galaggher hesitated for a moment, looking side to side to make sure nobody was eavesdropping.

"There are hard set rules of Purgatory, but there are also things that are...subject to whim by the old gods which spectate this trial. Likely, they didn't take kindly to two challengers attempting to take the trial together, so they split you two up."

"So Iris is somewhere on this floor then--?"

"Not necessarily."

Ren's spontaneous excitement was nullified within a moment by Galaggher's interruption, who returned to the cauldron to tend to the supper.

"There are three main floors that are required to be cleared to overcome this trial, however--that is not to say there aren't other floors besides those required. It is hard to say where this "Iris" may have wound up, it isn't impossible to assume they may have even brought her directly to the second floor. It is a feat of insanity to try and understand the way the old gods think."