The Gamer's POV-Chapter 257: The Firstborn of the New Order
Cedric nodded after a few seconds, then took a few steps back to the statue of the High Elf. Raising his left hand, he placed it on her cheek, then focused his intention.
Not long after, the ring on his finger began to shine faintly. In the next instant, Cedric felt mana begin to leave his core in waves. Like a conduit, the mana flowed out from him, through the ring, and into the statue of the creature.
This continued until a small frown of discomfort creased Cedric’s brow, indicating that his mana core was almost empty. Yet, it didn’t stop, and more mana kept pouring out. Eventually, Cedric began to feel lightheaded, and a wave of nausea hit his gut. His skin had turned even paler, and it took a lot of effort just to stand.
’How long is this going to take?’ He swayed slightly and his vision blurred.
Then, just when it felt like he was about to empty out entirely, the draining finally stopped, and Cedric took a few heavy steps back, breathing heavily.
’Gosh... I feel like it was not just mana that left me.’
He felt incredibly weak at that moment. Then, all of a sudden, Cedric noticed something expected. His energy began to return and mana began to flow into his core at a really startling pace.
Of course, he was in his inner sanctuary... his natural domain, so that was not surprising to him.
The inner sanctum was silent, save for his heavy breathing which had begun to steady. Then, Cedric began to notice a change happening within the sanctum.
A gust of wind suddenly blew, brushing his hair back, and then cracks began to run through the statue.
Raising his head, he could see that the cracks had begun from the chest of the creature, spiderwebbing out toward her floral wings. Then, the stone began to dissolve from the creature, revealing her true form.
The elf was beautiful beyond words, and she was unlike anything Cedric had ever seen. She had pale skin and her golden, silken hair cascaded down her back in shimmering waves, making her look mature, yet untouched by time.
Her burnished golden armor, which made her look like a war goddess, transitioned into layered, flowing silken sashes at her waist. Cedric could also feel the metamorphosis happening within her. He could feel a new mana core developing within her chest. When it fully formed, it began to pump mana through her entire body, and then her heart began to beat.
Now that the stone had completely vanished, Cedric could see that the flowers behind her which served as wings were actually daffodils. Numerous daffodils were woven together in a breathtaking display.
But then, they began to disappear one by one, and when they all faded, the elf opened her eyes, revealing her shimmering emerald eyes.
***
The elf cast a glance at Cedric, studying him intensely from head to toe. She had a wary look on her face, and that look grew even more wary when she saw Aika.
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her blade, and she was just about to get defensive. However, when she saw the ring on Cedric’s finger, her expression began to change. It softened to curiosity, then shifted into a profound sense of realization.
At that moment, a heavy sense of familiarity washed over her. It was akin to the feeling a person felt when they were in the presence of a family member.
...or in the presence of their father.
She took a step toward Cedric, then another, while still keeping her eyes on his ring. And then, her gaze traveled to his face. She tilted her head quietly, her eyes locked onto his as the realization settled in that he was the reason she existed.
Slowly, she looked down at Cedric’s chest. No, not his chest, but rather his heart. And then, her eyes widened, for she had never seen a heart so beautiful, so good, and yet, so evil.
She quickly took a step back, then dropped on one knee and lowered her head. Her lips parted and it took a few seconds for her to find the words. When she did, she spoke in the strange language of this inner sanctuary:
"M-my Lord."
It was at that moment that Cedric moved.
He moved with a grace that felt absolute, and his presence seemed to fill the entire sanctum. His gaze bore down upon her, making her stiffen as she felt overwhelmed by his sheer authority. But at the same time, she felt a warmth unlike anything she could have imagined.
It was at that moment that she knew that his presence was a command that she was born to follow.
***
’I was wondering what she was thinking, looking at me like that,’ Cedric thought as he looked down at her.
’Hm... Well, it’s good to know that she already sees me as her lord. That makes things easier.’
He reached down with his left hand and held her cheek. Her skin was warm to the touch, and she seemed to flinch slightly at his contact.
Slowly, he raised her chin to study her for a moment.
’She really looks like a war goddess. Hm... Since you are a maiden of valor, I’ll just name you after the Greek goddess of war. Athena,’ he thought as he finally let go of her face.
After a few seconds, he spoke.
"As the protector of this inner sanctuary, I shall give you the name, Athena."
The High Elf quickly lowered her eyes, then declared:
"I am Athena. Blade of the Lord of the Karmic Manifests."
Cedric grinned.
And at that moment, new words formed on the tablet beside him:
Name: Athena
Species: [High Elf]
Nature: [Kushala]
Grade: [3]
Epithet: [The Firstborn of the New Order]
Insight: [A being without fear whose purpose is to protect, nurture and defend this inner sanctuary. As a maiden of valor, she is meant to lead the army of the Lord of the Karmic Manifests.]
Attributes: [Shraddha]
Powers: [Mantle of Valor], [Floral Rejuvenation], [Combat Intuition]
