The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 68 Summoned

Alden's stomach fell.

He gripped his bedsheets tightly, his entire being radiating a flood of angst and worry.

'Ignia...'

He tried to call out through their shared bond. However, there was no response.

Alden's alarm deepened.

There was no way his precious familiar had died, right?

Heartbroken wouldn't even begin to describe what would happen to him if it was true.

There was also Alistair as well.

Did he fall in the battle against the three Dark Elves?

Alden gritted his teeth, refusing to assume the worst. He forced himself to take a deep breath and wait for Cece's explanation.

"Ignia isn't dead..."

Alden sensed a 'but' in her tone.

Sure enough, a moment later, Celeste's next words proved him right.

"She seems to be in a deep coma. She is still breathing. However, she doesn't respond to any stimulus. I think this may be her body's way of recovering the flame essence it expended."

She gave her report exactly like a medical professional would.

Alden's worry lessened slightly.

As long as there was no immediate danger of Ignia losing her life, he could find it within himself to be patient and wait for her to wake up. He didn't know long she would take, though.

What if his precious little bird took weeks to heal?

Months?

Maybe even years, if he wanted to go to the extreme.

Alden shook his head and sighed. Thoughts like these would do him no good.

All he could do was pray and hope his baby familiar didn't stay comatose for too long.

'I miss you already, little one.'

Placing a lid on his sadness for now, Alden waited for Celeste to continue. He saw a brief flicker of despondence flash across her face, and he realised that she probably felt guilty that Ignia had protected her.

"It's not your fault."

He spoke with a gentle voice.

Celeste snapped out of her reverie.

She shot him a grateful yet slightly embarrassed look before composing herself.

"Thank you. As for your question about Dad, he's fine. Just bruised up."

A surge of relief flowed through Alden at the good news. His body sagged back. He was very glad to hear that his adoptive father was fine.

Losing him and Ignia at the same time would have been an extremely bitter pill to swallow.

She hedged.

"Why do you ask?"

The young lady found it very strange that Alden had asked such a question.

Was he having second doubts about making a pact with his Sponsor?

Alden thought for a moment.

He seemed to be putting in extra effort with how he phrased his next words. She wondered idly why that was the case.

Couldn't he just say what he wanted straightforwardly?

Why did he feel the need to dance around the topic?

"What would you say if someone told you that the Asterons weren't as benevolent as they first seemed?"

"I would say that the affairs of these divine beings are none of our concern as mortals."

She said without hesitation.

"You still haven't answered my earlier question, though."

Celeste frowned subtly.

"I'm just curious. You know me and my paranoia."

Alden replied smoothly.

Unconvinced, she was just about to press Alden for more. However, just then, a knock resounded from the door.

"Come in."

Alden called out.

Celeste turned around to see her mother and father entering the room. The latter had a myriad of bandages all over his figure.

"Dad! You shouldn't be moving around!"

She hurriedly stood up. Her frown deepened.

"This is important."

The Guildmaster replied with a wince.

He shared a brief but conflicted look with his wife, and Celeste's unease deepened.

Then, her father turned to face Al.

"Son... you have been summoned."

'By who?'

Judging from her love's facial expression, she and Alden had had the exact same thought.

Celeste saw Alistair take a deep breath.

His next words reaffirmed the gravity of the situation.

"The Keeper of the End has requested your presence."