Child from the Dungeon-Chapter 201: Merchant’s Review

[ Black Merchant's Place. ]

" So, the 'Child of Shadow' had reclaimed the 'Phoenix'? " Black Merchant asks while having his meal.

He eats his meal, meals from wherever he gets it.

" Hmm... 'Shakshouka', a perfect mixture for ingredients... "

" How long I haven't eaten this meal? " Black Merchant says as he feeds it.

" I had feasted on every kind of meal, but none could savor the ones my loved ones made at home, like this one, for example... "

" Back then, had I not left them for my duty, my mission. "

" I... "

" Wait, why I'm reminiscing about this? " Black Merchant asks himself as he sighs.

" Not those memories again. "

" Huh! " ｂ𝚎𝚍𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎ｌ.ｎｅｔ

" Memories pre-Ragnarok, always saddens my mood to no end, for the things I've lost. "

" But during those times, there are things I've gained. "

" Just like my friend Donovan is having now. "

" ... "

" Now that he has the Phoenix, the flames would bring revelation to him, slowly but steadily. "

" For little that he knew, the Phoenix and the Shadow are ones related at times past. "

" Reminds of... " Black Merchant stops.

" Well, Phoenix is just the flame of the beginning, what's begin must have an end. "

" And soon, my Shadow friend... "

" Sooner, later, you will find the flame that ends everything. "

" I assure you. " Black Merchant promise as he finishes his meal.

" Donovan, I look forward to supporting you in the future. "

" Make better choices than we did, will you? " Black Merchant hopes for Donovan.

" Duncan... " Black Merchant hopes again.

" In order to move forward, you must finish the remnants of the past. "

" For its ashes have slowly returned to dirt on your path forward, my friend. "

" You must be open, only by that you could be free. "

" For that's is the way of the wind, the way of the release. "

" With that, you will wipe those ashes of the past, with you and your family beside you. "

" Only then, you could be free from your fear. "

" Only by the truth, your heart will find peace, thanks to acceptance. "

" I believe in you, Duncan. "

" For you and Donovan are the same as ever, you are both destined to meet in that Double Dungeon. "

" For what you both are? " Black Merchant walks around and sees the items he prepared to sell around the realms as he used to.

" Speaking of destiny... "

" It seems the Caliburs is adapting to the ways of the 'Aether'... "

" Arrogant bastards think they could master it while using their own alternatives to master that very power. "

" Fools. "

" Only fools dared to use the Aether without knowing true death and spirituality. "

" For the 'Aether' is the power that comes from one's empowered soul. "

" Those who did it with 'help' like the 'Aether Marks' should not dare state themselves as an Aether User.

" You're just a fraud. "

" Like that very House you all are always, Caliburs. "

" False Stars. " Black Merchant mocks them, he feels disgusted over the Calibur House for some reason.

" You're all just like that, Caliburs. "

" Reminds of 'that person' you seal within that Calibur Boy's body, the true face of your very House, one that you tried to hide in order to keep your House name clean. "

" Hope Donovan doesn't get attached to the Caliburs too close. "

" Or else, he will... "

" Dammit, I can't tell it anymore. "

" Well, at least Donovan still knows his bounds, the Shadows keep him covered from the false light and hide him invisible in the darkness that always lurks around him. "

" Tenebrae. "

" He still likes to do those shit around despite my warnings. "

" Sad that I couldn't just interfere, it wouldn't be fit for me to do it anyways. "

" But 'they' can... "

" One of 'them'... "

" Perhaps 'both' would've been better. "

" But still... "

" In this new world, one must choose their own path... "

" No matter the outcomes... "

" As long as they breathe... "

" The choice is theirs... "

" For it is what it is... "

" Nothing could change it, mortals like humans, Elves, and those who had sentient minds had to choose for their own. "

" For that, is absolute. "

" But sadly, despite that privilege. "

" They all are still unaware, even after Ragnarok... "

" They're still slaves by the ashes of the past, always have been. "

" For their spirits and power are strong but wasted due to their weak flesh and mind. "

" Despite not all of them, some still proven to be 'hopeful'. "

" But still, even with having their own power returned to them, many still depend on the 'other-beings', Divine Beasts, Dragons, those creatures... "

" How embarrassing? Do they not know what those dependencies will cost them? "

" *sigh* Humans... "

" Always love to choose risk with uncertain outcomes than choosing the path with a guaranteed one. "

" Guess it's always have been their nature, their 'will' born of the sin created during the Ragnarok Era. "

" For that what happens if the gods of old decided to spoil them with their powers, they became ungrateful brats who didn't know their place. "

" Not taken care of or properly instructed, the humans spoiled on the powers that could kill themselves. "

" But in vice versa, if the gods decided to deem them unworthy and take their right from their powers, 'unchoose' them... "

" 'Others' will choose them instead, making the mortals more heinous and dangerous than the old gods could ever think of, bringing guideless havoc, yet they still keep them. "

" Or even punish them by simple whims, without any care nor sympathy. "

" For those gods offer humans no choice under their rule. "

" An attitude, an example, followed by the humans who followed them, an etching trait passed on through generations to come, even after Ragnarok, even after those old gods are cleansed for this new world. "

" But still, with the humans can now choose, at least new possibilities are available, whatever the consequences. "

" There is still hope, for the humans, for the future. "

" I could see it and met those capable of choosing and forging that new path. "

" As a being that lives during that era. "

" I feel proud that this time, there are some who had the genuine will to fight for their loved ones, fighting the ashes of the past and the dangers of the future, without any forced will. "

" Bringing more hopeful victories over time, despite the odds and setbacks. "

" Restoring what's lost and revealing the path lies ahead. "

" This is Black Merchant, this is my 'Review', 'Random Review'. " Black Merchant as he writes this.

" Hope my words will be prayers of hope for the future. For those who will read this review. "

" P.S. 'Black Merchant R.' " Black Merchant finishes it and closes the book where he writes it and goes off for today.

" Well, better prepare my merchandise, then! "

" Hope Duncan or other customers are satisfied with the updated products. " Black Merchant says as he prepares after his free time.