(Time-Stilled World, Beyond the Spectral Plateau, Leo's POV)
It wasn't until Leo crossed the Spectral Plateau that he opened the Codex yet again, to confirm his uncovering of the fifth aura color.
He had not been expecting to uncover two aura colors in such rapid succession, however, the test of wisdom had really turned out to be a surprise boon for him.
*Glow*
Golden ink glowed on the empty white pages of the codex as soon as he opened it, as the manual did indeed acknowledge his observation of the fifth aura color.
—-----------
> You have spotted 'Pink', the color of Love.
> Love is a force without shape, but not without weight, and its aura doesn't stain, but it lingers.
> Love grants the strength to carry burdens no man should carry, and endure storms no soul should endure.
> It sharpens resolve. It softens rage. It gives birth to sacrifice.
> To love truly is to give without measure, to protect without pride, to remain, when all reason demands you leave.
> But blind love is not sacred.
> Blind love is rot.
> It leads men to betray their morals, abandon their purpose, and lose themselves in the shadows of another's light.
> Discernment is the balance.
> To walk forward with love in your heart, without losing sight of your path, is the true test of life.
> For Love is as pure as it is dangerous.
—---------
The ink dried as quickly as it had appeared.
The page stilled.
And Leo, now staring at the soft golden glow of the completed script, let out a long, happy breath.
"That makes it five….. I have finally spotted five of the seven colors needed to complete the first level of the Codex!" Leo rejoiced, as he finally grasped yet another aspect of this manual.
Progress with this technique was slow and laborious when he had no breakthroughs, however, when enlightenment struck, he had managed to understand 2 colors within the span of 2 hours.
"No wonder the manual warned that Kaelith is the only one to ever master this technique….
If one is unlucky, they can be stuck at a stage for years.
However, if they have high comprehension and luck, they can complete a stage within a month…." Leo muttered, as he shook his head from side to side and set his sights on the broken castle, now visible about two mountain lengths away.
If there were truly no more obstacles in his path, just as the spectre had implied, then he could likely reach the entrance in a day, or at most, a day and a half.
However, knowing this was the most dangerous part of his mission… and that the soul of an ancient God awaited him within… Leo decided it would be wiser to approach only after he was fully rested and alert.
As there was no telling what kind of horrors might await him once he arrived.
*************
(Meanwhile, Back On Planet Twin-Fang, The Guildmasters office)
Dupravel's office was dead silent, save for the constant munching sound of someone chewing on wood, as Dupravel after losing bits of his sanity, snacked on the wooden pencils placed on his desk as if they were snacks.
Antonio stood by the doorway, his hands clasped behind his back, watching his old friend eat wood with pity and compassion in his eyes, as he spoke with a softness reserved for children and madmen.
"The Universal Government has begun their assault on Planet Juxta," he said gently, watching Dupravel with cautious eyes. "One of their key military objectives… is to retrieve Darnell. They've listed it in their War Agenda."
Dupravel didn't move.
He sat hunched forward in the reinforced chair Antonio had custom-ordered after his mind began to unravel, designed specifically to endure the pressure of his elongated nails and the deep scratch marks he left behind.
He looked like a caveman, with wild hair, a thick, unkempt beard, and shoulders draped in the ragged cloak of a creature that had long abandoned any trace of gentlemanly posture.
As only the slow, deliberate rise and fall of his chest signaled that he was still alive—and still listening.
*Inhale*
Antonio drew a careful breath and continued, mindful not to raise his voice.
"The Cult's latest gold-grade mission... it's spreading. Nearly all our Grandmaster-tier operatives have entered the Time-Stilled World chasing it." Antonio said with hesitation, as he adjusted his robes.
"The promise of a mega reward, 6.5 billion MP... it's made even the most disciplined among them reckless."
Dupravel's fingers twitched once.
Antonio pressed on.
"But because of this diversion, our white and green-grade missions have been suffering. Our completion rate is down nearly fifty percent this past week. Civilian clients are growing frustrated. Planetary contracts are lapsing. The forums are flooded with complaints."
He paused, letting the weight of the next words settle carefully.
"The galaxy is starting to call us a house in chaos, Guildmaster. I understand how important Darnell is—truly, I do—but there must be a better way. Sending wave after wave into that cursed realm which is unlikely to yield any positive result… it's turning into a wild goose chase and could damage the foundations of our guild in the medium to long term"
For a moment, the silence returned. Unbroken. Endless.
Then… Dupravel exhaled.
A long, guttural breath.
His head lifted slowly—eyes half-lidded and clouded with shadows.
The lines on his face were not just wrinkles. They were scars. Trophies from a world that had torn pieces of his mind and refused to return them.
He stared at Antonio like he was looking through smoke.
And then, in a voice cracked with rust, layered with something barely human, he growled—
"Do... not pull... mission."
His words dragged across the room like claws on metal.
"Darnell… my blood. My son. My son not stay... in them evil bastard hands."
Antonio clenched his jaw, unmoving.
"Even if guild burn," Dupravel muttered, his shoulders jerking with the strain of staying upright. "Even if universe spit. We get him back."
He slammed a hand down—not in rage, but as if anchoring himself to reality.
"No cancel. No pause. Send more. If need."
He leaned forward, voice dropping to a whisper that still shook the walls.
"Reputation... is name. Darnell... is blood."
And with that, his head sagged again—like the effort of speech had drained what little coherence remained.
Antonio said nothing.
He simply bowed his head, turned, and walked away.
There was no use arguing with a man who had survived four thousand days in the Time-Stilled World.
Because the truth was... not all of him had returned.
*Thud*
As the office door closed shut behind him, Antonio finally grit his teeth and stomped his foot in anger, as he couldn't believe that Dupravel, even in the pitiful state that he was currently in…. Refused to stop chasing after his son!
"Goodness Gracious Darnell….. that boy was a curse for this guild from the moment he was born.
And he will for sure be the undoing that dooms us all—" Antonio cursed as he walked down the hallway with his cloak swaying behind him like a dying banner, footsteps echoing in a house that no longer felt like it stood for anything but loss.
He didn't look back.
Because deep down, he already knew—
The Black Serpents wouldn't survive this crisis.
Not with a madman at the helm…
And a prisoner for a prince.