A Small Achievement

This is unedited, please point out any mistakes you see. I will fix them as I see them.

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As my eyes opened, I awoke to the familiar dim glow of the waters I rested within. It was the healing pool I had first awoken in.

The blue light of the crystals formed the halo of solace which I rested within.

Lifting up my hand, I stared at my palm. Imagining the green glow upon it, a small light lit from within, below the skin. Simply looking at it sent shivers down my spine as it began to glow.

A weak, and faint as it was, it was indeed there. However…

The light flickered and failed as I rolled my head back, exhaustion forcing my hand.

"Haaahhh"

My breath seemed to become steam as I released all the energy I had gathered within. It was strange how calm I was. I had been thrown through dimensions, left in isolation, kidnapped, and tortured.

And yet, I couldn't even muster the slightest response. The quiet drip of the overhanging stalactites onto the stone below was the only sound to be within the cave as I floated silently.

Then, I heard it. A clicking from deep within the caves. It echoed forth like a roaring tide, spilling through the empty tunnels of the labyrinthian cave system.

I slowly sat up, a sharp pain piercing my skull as dizziness assaulted my mind. Finally, after a fruitless struggle I fell back into the water. The likelihood that I am either prey or an enemy to whatever is crawling this way is very low.

I still doubt Tyvelia would allow anyone other than herself to end my life.

There is also a good chance that it's just Scola.

'although…'

"Isn't she sounding kind of heavy?"

It was then that the familiar grey centipede skidded into the room. Her warm dark eyes flick about the room before landing upon me and lighting up in pure joy.

I then noticed a large sack sitting upon her back which she promptly dropped with a resounding clang, before leaping straight into the pool!

*SPLASH!*

I raised my arms weakly in a vain attempt to block the overpowering wave of spray she sent flying into the air. However it was all for naught as her cold, towering figure slammed into me, wrapping me into a deep hard embrace.

Though her rough and bumpy carapace scratched against my wet skin, I did not attempt to fight it.

After a moment, I was released. I neither gasped for breath nor reprimanded her for her strength. I instead simply smiled.

"Hello Scola."

Her mouth parts shifted and parted as she chittered, forming an almost alien smile.

"Yes, I'm indeed glad to see you as well, however did you not come with a task?"

Scola tilted her head for a moment, chittering away as she put one of bladed arms to her chin.

If her eyes could have widened at that moment, they would have. She whipped her long armored body around, wildly looking around for something.

"You dropped the bag over there."

Scola stopped and perked up for a moment, before dropping ten of her shoulders. She then slowly crawled over to the bag, carefully picking it up by two black fabric straps with her smaller more dexterous appendages and placing it down on the edge of the pool.

Glimmering silver items spilled from the pouch, the dim blue glow of the crystals below the surface granting them a star silver sheen.

A chef's knife fell into the pool with a plop, sinking to the bottom in seconds. It was forged entirely of silver, from hilt to tip. The blade itself looked like a sea, with waves rolling across it's edge.

I reached down, grasping its hilt from the depths of the pool I picked it up.

Immediately I felt something was off. It was as though the blade was unusually heavy.

"Scola? Are these the cooking utensils I was asking Tyvelia about?"

Scola looked me in the eyes for a moment before I sighed.

"Alright, just give me a moment to get dressed. I'll check these out in a second."

…

Moments later, I sat fully dried and clothed in front of a large pile of silver utensils and tool, while the odd knife sat beside me. Lifting up and inspecting several items. There had been more than simple cooking items in the pouch, with several swords, armor pieces, and an anvil.

'I get why Scola was so heavy now.'

She had been carrying over a ton of items besides the anvil on her back. She had literally been carrying over a car in weight.

'But why…'

I picked up a pan, a simple silver pan, unembellished and a single piece all throughout. It had no real oddities to it besides a weird symbol beneath it.

Its design made me… angry? The very sight of it caused my lips to curl into a grimace.

It made me feel a deep rejection of its very existence and yet… I required it. Its handle fit perfectly in my hand. This was an objectively good pan and I hated it with all my heart.

So I placed it beside me.

And this was how I picked my items. Seeking out those that resounded with me.

Certain items made me feel different emotions, ranging from anger to fear, to even joy. Though that last one might have simply been because I could cook again.

I guess I might get one of my few hobbies back.

As I picked up a large roast pan and placed it along with the others, I reached back only to find that nothing was calling out to me. However looking at the pile beside me, I wasn't exactly sure how I would take all of this with me without having to just sort it again when we got back.

"I should've waited till I was back in the room. Classic lego syndrome. Build it wherever then complain when you have to move with it. Hey Scola, you got another bag?"

I turned to face Scola however she swayed side to side, signalling that there was no other bag.

She then raised one arm as though to say 'But!' before pulling out a small silver wire necklace. On the necklace was a strangely shaped locket of sorts, with slowly pulsing blue symbols that covered almost every single one of its faces.

Scola, using her smaller more nimble pincers, stretched the necklace out, and seeing that she wished to put it on for me I bowed my head. She placed it upon my shoulder and around my neck, the cold weight of what felt like die cast metal feeling cold to the touch as I rested it against my chest.

It was then that I felt something new. A strange connection between myself and this necklace. Not unlike the connections I have felt from the other items before. However this one simply felt… uncomfortable? Almost embarrassing?

[Have you chosen?]

A cold androgynous voice rang out within my mind, almost reminding me of Tyvelia. However this voice was harsh, yet utterly exhausted and done with whatever issues anyone may or may not have.

But this wasn't the first time something strange or creepy has happened. I pushed down the rising panic within me, lighting the green glow within my palm to drain away the fear that threatened to throw away any sense of calm I may have been able to muster recently.

Sucking in a trembling breath, I then exhaled.

"Who are you?"

[I am a gloom and your personal connection to Tyvelia, our master and matriarch. I am here to serve.]

The gloom spoke slowly with a slight drawl at the end of its sentences, almost given off a sarcastic undertone to every word it said.

Instead of even dwelling on this odd abrasive attitude, I decided to get some answers.

"Well then, why are you in this locket?"