Chapter 924 — Another Conversation
Blade of Dawn · Page 3 of 4
The ancient alloy bulwark slowly opened, revealing the vast, chaotic earth and sky of the Shadow Realm before the two of them. Standing before the Defiance Fortress's final safety barrier, Virolai gazed into the distance at the deity crouched silently like a small mountain, and nodded to Gao Yan beside her: "I'll go over with you this time."
The last time Gao Yang conversed with Amorn, she had stood with the others within the safety barrier, never stepping forward herself.
"There may be some risk in this," Gao Yang said, having guessed Virolai would make such a request, but he offered a reminder nonetheless. "I don't doubt your protective measures, but this is, after all, a true 'close encounter.'"
"My consciousness once faced the God of Holy Light at an even closer distance," Virolai said with only a faint smile. "In fact, my protective techniques may be more effective than you imagine."
Gao Yang raised an eyebrow.
"In that case, I won't stop you," he said. "But you must monitor your own condition at all times—I imagine that shouldn't be difficult for an experienced Defiant."
Virolai said nothing, only gave a slight nod, then raised the platinum-white scepter in her hand and opened a small aperture in the ancient safety barrier.
The two stepped through the barrier onto the broken courtyard directly exposed to the Shadow Realm's environment, facing the visual pressure brought by the "God of Nature" (though no longer enthroned as a deity), crossing the shattered roads and ancient connecting bridges to arrive before the Great Stag Amorn, whose eyes were tightly shut.
The other had clearly been sensing the changes around them all along; as soon as Gao Yang and Virolai drew near, the stag—vast as a small mountain—slowly opened its eyes. Those eyes, like light-forged crystal, regarded the uninvited guests quietly, and a deep, melodious voice sounded directly in both their minds: "Welcome—today a new guest has come to my little courtyard."
"Last time I stood somewhat farther away," Virolai said calmly. "And you should also know a somewhat 'earlier' version of me—I held a different identity then."
"Then you must tell me your name and identity from that time," Amorn said. "Contrary to what many believers preach, deities are neither omniscient nor omnipotent. No matter how intense the faith, it cannot truly grant us those two abilities that violate the rules..."
Virolai revealed a faint smile: "I was once called Ophelia. Ophelia Norton."
"...Ah, I do have some impression now," Amorn said after a brief recollection, with sudden clarity. "Those mortal scholars busy drilling holes in me or building scaffolds once mentioned that name. In their idle talk... they also mentioned Herman Norton and Simmons Norton."
Virolai nodded: "Those were my father and my elder brother."
"How nostalgic—for you mortals, that is already quite a distant past. Then you, who ought to have been human, how have you lived until today? It seems... your body is merely human as well."
"Consider this my secret—since you are neither omniscient nor omnipotent, then let some secrets stay secrets," Virodai shook his head. "We did not come today to reminisce with a deity. We came because we have some questions to ask you."
"Ah, I guessed as much, and I even guessed what you wished to ask..." There seemed to be a hint of a smile in Amorn's tone. Then he paused, and only after that did he speak unhurriedly: "A certain 'god' passed through the Shadow Realm in a great hurry, and I happened to catch sight of her. She ought to be very far away by now."
Gao Yang had been piecing together his words, pondering how to open the conversation, when Amorn's intelligence struck him without warning. Every word he had prepared was swallowed back down, leaving only astonishment and bewilderment on his face—even Virodai at his side was momentarily dumbstruck.