After stepping inside, I instantly noticed five figures standing in the middle, each member of the Carian Royal Family. I approached them, stopping a step behind my Princess, kneeling in respect.
-"Princess, Queen, Princes, Mentor."-I greeted them.
-"Stand, my Knight."-Princess commanded me.-"To think someone would dare to disrespect us by weaving such an illusion."
-"At least we can all see each other as we used to before, Sister."-Radahn showed his usual optimism.-"But indeed I wouldn't expect such powers to exist."
-"It's quite an interesting combination of circumstances, a coincidence on quite an absurd scale."-Rykard analyzed the situation.-"The magic foundation is one thing, the Royal Scepter acted as a linchpin, having a strong connection with us, along with his crystal, carrying some of our auras and magic. Us being demigods was also indispensable, making our spirits strong enough to project here. But crucially, this world hasn't rejected us because of Eno's and that holy girl's blessings. One of those hadn't occurred, and we here would be simple illusory fakes."
-"No matter what, it's good to see you all safe and well."-Queen spoke between her cries.
Hearing their talk, I understood that it wasn't simply an illusion that wanted to show me something, but something closer to divine descent. Queen wasn't crying from grief this time, but due to the relief of such an unexpected meeting with them.
-"But to be caught in such a simple spell... Are you trying to shame me, Eno?"-Princess looked at me with admonishment.
-"Oh, don't be like that. It's not like it could harm him."-Radahn defended me.
-"I must agree with Ranni on this one. You let yourself go, Eno. Back then, your pursuit of magic and power was no less than mine."
-"He has his responsibilities, Rykard. Eno is still growing, give him more time, and he'll be no less than us, or even that man."-Queen spoke with a gentle tone.
-"Heh, responsibilities... No matter what, only strength matters. The weak have no excuse."
-"Strength is indeed a priority, but his vows and duties can't be neglected either."-My Mentor looked thoughtful.-"But now that we are here, can't we just help him?"
-"We are just projections. We have no power, no body, no way to stay."-Princess reminded.
-"But what he needs in guidance, not direct assistance, isn't it?"-Rykard smiled.-"We were supposed to break his will, but we can also correct it."
-"Just be careful, son. Eno is also part of our family, don't take it too far."
-"Mother..."-Princess looked at Queen with a stiff face.
In response, Queen only smiled.
-"Then allow me to go be first."-Rykard stepped forward and, with a wave of his hand, created tables and chairs for everyone to sit.-"Eno, you should know what we are representing in this illusion."
-"Some aspects of me that can be exploited."
-"Yes. So you should know what I'm supposed to symbolize and what part of you I would attack."
-"My drive for power, disregard for morals and rules. Pride and cruelty."
-"Indeed. While not as drastic as I, you are also someone who committed numerous taboos; take your arm as an example. Delving into the forbidden parts of Primeval Current and turning yourself into something between living and unliving. But you also portray yourself as a good person; a noble knight and a loyal retainer."-He looked at my armor and shook his head.-"You lost something I valued in you back then when I taught you."
As he spoke, the illusion responded to his words, changing the surroundings to a familiar plateau. It was land belonging to the Carians, known as Moonlight Altar. In the distance, I could see both Lunar Estate as well as Cathedral of Manus Celes above. In front of me stood the so-called Chelona's Rise, a Rise that served the Carian Royal Family for ages, long before they joined Raya Lucaria Academy, even from before the golden age.
Over my head, the night sky is full of bright stars dimmed only by the twin moons. Around me, I could see familiar faces, even Sellen, who was silently glaring at the Princess. And under my feet was a complicated array of runes and Glintstone, prepared long ago for a ceremony that changed my life.
-"You remember that day, don't you? The day when you turned curse into blessing."-Rykard continued.-"This was the moment when you turned from an interesting person to someone who deserved standing next to us. I recall that you consulted with me before then and shared your ideas with me. Do you still remember that?"
-"I do. I asked about usurping the power of the Stars."
-"You did that, but also more. You theorized about fusing miracles and sorcery, even creating a God of Magic. And what now? Have you realized any of it? Or even attempted to do so?"
I had not. I always thought there was enough time to take it slow. And he knew it, so I didn't know how to answer.
-"I thought so. Eno, don't forget how you become who you are."-He handed me a crystal knife.-"Remember the conviction that made you plunge this blade into your heart."
I examined the Primal Glintstone Blade he had given me. After a moment of silence, I clenched my fist and shattered it.
-"Thank you, Lord Rykard."
-"Good. I hope that next time I see you, you'll show some real progress."-He nodded.
-"So now it's my part."-Radahn walked to me and struck my back, sending me stumbling forward.-"Haha, you still need to work on that."
-"I guess that if Lord Rykard represents my values as a mage, then Lord Radahn is one who embodies my ideas of a knight."
-"Yes, I'm the duty and honor, the pursuit of self-perfection. I won't waste my words like my brother, I just want to show you something."-He smiled and looked forward, where the illusion started to change once again.
When I looked there, what greeted me was the other Caria Manor. But rather than buildings, the people who appeared were what was important. On the walls, by the gate, wherever I looked, I could see Carian Knights and Sloiders who served by my side. There were also other retainers of the Princess and Princes among them, and even giants. As I was looking around, Radahn put his hand on my shoulder and spoke his wisdom.
-"Just remember all those who follow you. Duty and honor are for and to your compatriots, not enemies."
With that, he walked back, leaving the stage to the next person. This time, it was my Mentor who walked forward.
-"Bring out your swords."-She commanded while assuming her dueling stance.
I nodded and created two crystal swords, also assuming a fighting stance some distance from her. Seconds later, both of us moved. Instantly, multiple crisp clashes of our weapons echoed around as my Mentor and I engaged in our blade dance.
-"Good, you didn't neglect your training."-She spoke while increasing pressure.-"But you also didn't move much forward."
I didn't respond to her words with speech, but by discarding the sword in my right hand in favour of a spear, also increasing my efforts.
-"That's better, but still too short."-She started to use sorcery as her swords bloomed with magic and fire.
I quickly matched her with sorcery and magic of my own, but with every second I lost more and more ground. Slowly but surely, she pushed me into a corner, finally delivering a winning blow after my mistake.
-"I'm no demigod, let alone Empyrean or god."-She began after taking her sword from my neck.-"And you will face even greater beings we barely comprehend how to call. You have talent in learning, but walking someone's path will only take you this far. What you need is to forge one of your own."
-"Yes."-I bowed to her after having a chance to catch my breath.
-"You have a strong foundation in all that you learned; now you need to combine it into something new."
With that, she left, leaving the stage for her sister, the Queen. Her Majesty didn't move from her seat, just looked at me and smiled softly.
-"Eno, my sons, and sister represented who you are. Your convictions and beliefs, doubts and wounds. I'm here to make you face your past, and to be more precise, what you fear and regret."-She spoke calmly with guilt and pain in her voice as if she was feeling responsible for everything that was about to happen.-"This illusion gave me knowledge of your hidden scars, and while I don't wish to unearth them to hurt you, I also believe that you should face them to finally move forward."
-"I understand, Your Majesty."
-"Then let's start at the very beginning."
And so, the whole environment changed once again, but this time, it didn't depict Lands Between, but a solemn city of white. Towering over it was a cathedral-like building, elevating the serious atmosphere even further. But in this whole image, there was no life, no disorder, not even the slightest blemish; everything was perfect. Too perfect.
-"Your homeland. The place that was both your birthright and a curse."-She continued while looking around.-"From your earliest memories, you were always put above others, but that glory came with responsibilities to match. As such, you grow to resent it, wishing for freedom. Your first act of rebellion was to find friends, to put yourself as an equal to someone who should serve you. And as luck would have it, you met people truly worth your trust."
Three silhouettes appeared nearby, each having signs and a halo typical of Sankta. Even with their appearance blurred, I instantly recognised them. Those blue, red, and pink hair, along with familiar postures that never disappeared from my memories.
-"This was your first taste of emotions. But this childhood dream quickly turned into a nightmare. Because who would expect that before you could fully understand love, it was already too late."
In response, the scene changed again, turning into muddy wasteland, dark clouds, and pouring rain that drowned cries of pain and anger. In front of me lay two figures, one bleeding heavily while being held by the other.
-"One bullet was all it took to topple you from the top of the world into the lowest caste. But deep down, you weren't angry, nor did you despair. You felt free, and that feeling made you disgusted with yourself."-The Queen finally stopped looking around and focused her gaze on me.-"From that day, the feeling of being the betrayer and not one betrayed arose. The seed that bloomed into shame and remorse for failing your friends and people."
The two figures on the ground changed. One now sat on what appeared to be a wheelchair, while the other lost her brilliance; her halo shattered into pieces, and a demonic tail appeared behind her.
-"Since then, you became an outsider. A rootless weed drifting with the current of life. Your creed became not to leave any attachment, live with deals and vows, not feelings and connections. But even that simple decision proved impossible for you to uphold."
The scene around shifted, changing into a moment that became a turning point in my life. In front of me, the figure of the Princess sitting on a horse appeared, her gaze looking at me, interest and pondering visible between her brows.
-"You were saved."-Queen turned to her daughter sitting nearby.-"And a person who did so was someone you didn't know how to repay. That debt turned into your only connection, and with every little act of help, it grew into something you couldn't sever. But at some point, you accepted it, and planned to repay life-saving grace with your whole life, even in the land that didn't know death."
Princess closed her eyes, noticing that the scene started to change again, knowing what would happen next.
-"But even that link was shattered. The person whom you gave your all discarded it. You once again experienced what most would think of as betrayal, but couldn't feel it as such. As a knight, no matter what order it was, it was your duty to complete it, even if it meant going against yourself."
The illusion now showed a Rise belonging to the Princes, the same as it was on the day of my departure.
-"You live in the shadow of what you consider your mistakes and weaknesses. Every promise you fail to keep makes you wish to close your heart, but your own power always makes you connect with others around. All those wounds make you keep your distance, but unable to fully leave. What you are afraid of is losing family and home again. What you regret is not being strong enough."
I looked at the Queen, my gaze unwavering despite knowing that what she spoke was truth laid bare.
-"But you are mistaken. You are not without roots and bounds. Your home is still waiting for your return. Caria will stand on your side. And in the future, many others will join your side and follow your lead. Because your greatest strength was never power or magic, but your ability to connect with others. Don't let your fear and regret make you give up on it."
The Queen finally stood up and approached me. She extended her hand and touched my halo with gentle care.
-"Every person who embarked on the road for power has a story. Pains and sorrows intervened with glory and bliss. Because of that, they rarely can understand others, their paths rarely crossing, let alone aligning. But you are different. You can walk next to them, guide them onto a road that leads to a better outcome for both of you."
She let go of it and started to leave.
-"Use your power to your advantage, but know that every heart that you open, every person you bind with, will also wish to open your heart. No matter how much you try to keep your distance using your knightly duty, one day even those walls will crumble."
With that, she was gone, now only the silent Princess remaining with me.
But what was unknown to me at that time, it wasn't me who was impacted by everything that happened in the illusion. The audience, consisting of Caster's Master and the witches that were watching me using our connection, was affected more than I.
While I never covered my past and origins, that doesn't mean I was open and talked about it in detail. Seeing people who could be considered my family, especially their power due to the anomaly that they created, made them understand what I will face in the future. But even that wasn't the biggest change that took place.
That honor could only be given to the shock that a certain rogue Ruler underwent seeing the city in heaven, and a holy son who stood against him. But surprisingly, he didn't feel disappointed; on the contrary, his whole demeanor burned with excitement. All that because he finally got what he wished the most, a response.
His actions reached heaven, at least in his eyes; it was what had happened. And now, he only needed one thing: to make the lost holy son see his way, to have him walk his path. Because my appearing here was the will of god, showing that he was correct. And no matter what, he will achieve it.