Chapter 221 – Floor 37: Part 2

  At Unyielding Declaration’s command, the massive crystal device hummed to life. Its intricate facets caught the light and reflected it in a dazzling array of blues that rippled like waves across the surroundings.

  The core of the crystal, filled with swirling Aether, pulsated with an otherworldly energy. It sent out tendrils of light that extended upwards, swaying as if they were alive. Mathew was reminded of a flower blooming, with the tendrils acting as petals with a crystal core at the center.

  As the crystal’s triggering reached its peak, a brilliant glow enveloped the device, bathing everything around Mathew in an ethereal blue light. The atmosphere of this paradise-like planet began to change; the air began to crackle with the resonance of this exotic power.

  The world around the device began to shift; the landscape morphed and bent at the edges of Mathew’s vision. The trees in the distance twisted into spirals, and the ground beneath his feet trembled. The sky darkened, and the indigo slowly turned to black.

  Mathew could feel the pulse of the Aether resonating with him, tugging at his very essence. The Crystal’s light intensified, and the hum grew louder.

  Then, Unyielding Declaration began to sing.

  Mathew couldn’t understand the words of the song; the Celestial Language being used was still far beyond his comprehension. But the tone was of longing, a calling out to the universe, beseeching for change and renewal.

  It was haunting and beautiful; it reverberated through Mathew’s very being, sending shivers down his spine. The melody wrapped around him, each noted infused with the emotions of hope, sorrow and a deep yearning.

  As Unyielding Declaration sang, the crystal glowed brighter, its light pulsating in rhythm with his words. While Mathew was caught up in what was happening, he failed to immediately notice that Unyielding Declaration was no longer alone.

  A shimmering figure emerged from the ethereal light surrounding the crystal. The Celestial appeared like a wisp of moonlight; her long, white hair cascaded down her back. It glowed softly in the blue haze of Aether.

  Her pale skin radiated an inner luminescence, accentuating her otherworldly appearance. With elongated limbs and delicate features, she glided across the ground. Her four-fingered hands weaved through the air as if conducting the Unyielding Declaration’s song.

  Mathew could see through the newly arrived Celestial’s body; her form wasn’t truly a part of their world. He had seen her before when Unyielding Declaration had made him an Apostle.

  Her presence added a new layer to the melody, and the air thickened with energy in response. The female Celestial’s voice was softer and slightly higher in pitch, intertwined seamlessly with Unyielding Declarations.

  As this new Celestial sang, the space around her shimmered, and from the depths of the crystal’s light, dozens more figures emerged. Each one bore their own unique brilliance. Their ethereal forms reflecting a kaleidoscope of colours and energies.

  Some had hair that flickered like embers from a fire, as red as flame, while others glimmered in hues of silver, gold, copper and bronze. They joined the song, their voices layering in a rich tapestry of sound. They were an orchestra of longing and hope, weaving through the fabric of this false world that had once been their home.

  Their numbers swelled to hundreds within moments, all contributing to the song. Their voices rose and fell, resonating with the pulsations from the crystal they surrounded. The air shimmered with their collective energy, a palpable force that sent ripples through the landscape and threatened to push Mathew backwards.

  Mathew stood transfixed, overwhelmed by the beauty of this gathering. When their numbers grew to tens of thousands, he knew that he was witnessing the rebirth of an entire species, the rise of an absent civilization.

  The Celestial choir sang in unison, their voices interlocking in a harmony that resonated with the fabric of reality. Mathew saw a remarkable transformation begin. The translucent figures of the Celestials slowly solidified, and their ethereal forms regained substance.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  The light that had once defined their ghostly bodies began to coalesce into distinct shapes. They were becoming physical beings once again.

  With each note of the song, the crystal’s vibrant Aether was gently siphoned away; its brilliant blue light dimmed as it fueled the transformation. The Celestials became more grounded, more real in a way that even Unyielding Declaration hadn’t been.

  As the last vestiges of Aether were drawn from the crystal, a sense of calm settled over the landscape. The song gradually quieted, fading away until there was complete silence.

  Mathew took a moment to wipe away the tears that had streaked down his cheeks. He hadn’t realized the song had been affecting him so much until it had stopped. Blinking his eyes rapidly to clear them, he found that the Celestials were gone once more, along with the empty crystal they had been standing around.

  There was only Unyielding Declaration and the female Celestial from before that remained. They were speaking softly, their voices carrying only a short distance away from them, but Mathew heard their words.

  “It is finally over.” The Female Celestial stated, her black eyes sweeping over the landscape of their restored world. Her alien features showed a hint of satisfaction and joy, which was rare for Mathew to see on the face of a Celestial.

  He couldn’t recall a single time that any of them had shown emotions in the past.

  “Partially. I still must communicate with the gods of the Tower. They will take any delay or deferral as weakness. The thought that one can be content with what they have is a foreign concept to them.” Unyielding Declaration replied.

  “Avarice. No matter the time we live in, that Sin is paramount.” She replied she turned away from her companion to look at Mathew.

  “You have adequately completed your task. What reward was promised?” She asked Unyielding Declaration. If the deity was upset or disturbed by his companion talking to him in such a manner, he didn’t show it.

  Mathew wasn’t sure what the relationship was between the pair, but Unyielding Declaration always acted in a slightly subservient manner to the Female Celestial. He had even asked her to become a deity instead, but she had turned the role down.

  Unyielding Declaration turned his black eyes toward Mathew as if weighing his worth before replying.

  “I have offered to retain him as an Apostle. He has yet to make a decision.”

  “Inadequate. We would remain in his debt; the scales would be imbalanced. An Apostle may wear a collar of gold, but it is still a collar.” She responded, shaking her head slightly.

  “What would you suggest?” Unyielding Declaration asked, leaving the choice in her hands.

  The female Celestial began to move toward Mathew slowly, her movements so graceful that it seemed like she was floating. Her dress, made of a cloth so thin and light that it seemed like mist, was undisturbed by her passing.

  “We have taken from him, but some can be returned.” She said as she arrived in front of Mathew. She was so tall that he was forced to crane his head back to look at her. He felt like a child standing next to an adult, in both stature and demeanour.

  She had a way about her, a commanding presence that was just a part of her being.

  “As a reward, your ‘Attributes’ will be returned to you.” She stated before reaching down and placing a finger against his forehead. It was cold and hard, like ivory or pearl. The female Celestial then spoke in the Celestial Language.

  To Mathew’s surprise, it wasn’t a single word or a single phrase like the Celestial Magical Spell he had learned. It was much longer.

  “A Silent Call, A Fractured Dream,

  An Empty Road Where Whispers Gleam.

  A Hidden Truth, A lingering Spark,

  A Journey’s End, A Dawn from Dark.

  A Promise Kept, A Debt Now Clear,

  An Endless Climb, The Goal Draws Near.”

  A rush of power swept through Mathew's body, a reinvigorating energy that emanated from the Celestial’s touch. It coursed through his veins like liquid fire, igniting every nerve with a vivid intensity. He felt his senses sharpen, and the world around him came into focus.

  His muscles tensed, and his body strengthened. He could recall his memories with more clarity; his thoughts flowed more swiftly.

  All of his lost attributes had been returned to him. He felt stronger than ever! Better yet, his mana had been restored! Even though he didn’t have any of the Blessings he once had, he could now use the magical items in his inventory, like Midnight, the Wyvern and the Wrathful Blade.

  While Mathew was marvelling at his sudden transformation, the female Celestial turned away from him to look at Unyielding Declaration.

  “You are resolved to retain his service?” She asked.

  “He has been useful to us. You would not be standing here without him. The debt has been repaid, but a new bargain can be struck if he is amenable.” Unyielding Declaration replied. This time, the female Celestial clearly frowned, a crease appearing on her flawless face.

  “His understanding of our language is appalling, and he is an embarrassment as a Speaker. I would be ashamed to have him as our representative.” She proclaimed.

  “You know I’m still here, right? I can hear everything you are saying about me.” Mathew replied, only to be ignored by her.

  “He has been useful.” Unyielding Declaration repeated a slight hint of a smile on his face. The female Celestial paused and shook her head.

  “Leave him with me. I will teach him enough, so I do not feel shame at his bungling attempts at speech.” She replied, gesturing with her long and delicate four-fingered hand in dismissal. The deity nodded and disappeared in a flash of light.