23 Deity Ishmael's Blessing

-Charm's POV-

At this time, I'm right in front of a guardian animal Cerberus and a talking chimpanzee. I am really confused right now as to why there are two guardian animals here at the same time?

It seems that this talking chimpanzee can sense my confusion, thus he started to speak once again.

"Let me introduce ourselves to you, Deity Charm. I am Mambo, guardian animal of Deity Roku." he said while pointing to himself. Then I saw his hand now pointed at the Cerberus. "And this is Kirin, Deity Ishmael's guardian animal."

"Perhaps you've already gone to my master's temple, and I do apologize if I was not there to guide you. That is actually because my master has sent me here to relay the message of your upcoming visit to my friend over here. His master can't relay the message himself since his spring has not been revived yet, thus making contact here an impossible thing to do."

Mambo thoroughly explained the situation which lightened up my mind. I haven't even realized his absence in Deity Roku's temple until now honestly.

Later on, they both decided to guide me towards the location of the sacred room. As I took my time to scrutinize my surroundings, I can say that this temple has a touch of modernization compared to other temples I've visited.

Upon entering inside the temple's premises, the very first thing that caught my attention is a large old fashioned chandelier hung from the dark wooden beam that ran down the center of the ceiling. Twelve branches stretched out from the central base, each one's formerly silver colour now tarnished with a brown hue. At the ends of each arm was a small space, just the right size for a thin candle to slot into which illuminated the entrance.

As we walked forward, a grand staircase soon met us halfway to which they said would lead us to the sacred room. It was like twisted in a perfect spiral, like a child's slinky toy pulled from each end. Each stair was likely a deep walnut, but with the thick layer of undisturbed dust it was hard to tell and the inner edge was painted in antique cream.

After we finally reached the second floor of the temple, I also couldn't help but to notice several lamps displayed on every corner of the walls. The moment we pass by a lamp, it automatically illuminates our way in its bluish light. Soon enough, the whole alley was bathed in blue.

When we've reached the sacred room, which is at the far end corner of this alley, we immediately halted in front of a grande door made of metal and had the face of Deity Ishmael engraved on it.

When Kirin, Deity Ishmael's guardian animal, touched the part of the door where the face of his master was engraved on it, both of its eyes emitted a soft white light before we heard a loud thud along with it.

Soon enough, we all saw this enormous door slowly opened for me to enter.

"My master is already waiting for you inside." Kirin said, now in his low tone unlike before during our first encounter earlier.

I nodded at him before deciding to face this door right in front of me and took several anxious steps inside.

As soon as I finally made my way inside the room, I heard another thud which made me quickly turn my head to know what's going on. Surely, the door automatically closed as usual.

From a distance, I can already see the spring emitting an enormous white light, and eventually danced to the rhythm along with Deity Ishmael's voice.

"Welcome to my temple, Deity Charm." I heard a gentle voice of a lady speaking for the very first time.

"Deity Ishmael, i-is that you?" I asked as I step forward towards the spring.

"Yes, it is I speaking. I'm glad you've made it here safe and sound and I notice your improvements, especially on this mission that you've been working out."

When I was finally near the spring's mouth, I immediately bowed my head slightly as a sign of my respect to the supreme deity.

"I was able to move forward on my mission because of my friends. However, I still cannot guarantee my success if I can still witness some beings, may it be a mortal or a deity, that's currently suffering because of the on-going Witch Hunt."

I looked down as I said those words, feeling the heavy burden that was put on my shoulders for the first time now.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Charm. You already have a good start, so we all believe in your capacity to put an end to this war and to Witch Hunt as well." the supreme deity said in her still gentle voice.

Even though I can't visibly see Deity Ishmael's presence here, I somehow can still feel it and can tell that she is currently smiling at me right now for a job well done she thinks I've started.

Feeling relieved by her words, I tilted my head upwards and looked up at the spring once again.

"Thank you, Deity Ishmael." I sincerely thanked Deity Ishmael.

There was a moment of silence before the supreme deity chose to break it.

"You are our chosen vessel, Charm. You will be the carrier of all the powers that we possess, so that makes you powerful enough to withstand any obstacle that may come your way.... Just remember to stay safe, and always that we are always here to guide you, wherever you are."

"From this day onward, I will now grant you my blessing. I hope that it will help you on your journey towards ending this war."

After Deity Ishmael said those words, I immediately felt the effect of the blessing she has bestowed upon me right this instance.

I shut my eyes tight as I felt that surging power which seeps in my entire body, but is also causing a havoc inside me that wants to come out as soon as possible.

This is also what I felt when Deity Morrel and Deity Roku gave their blessings unto me in the past few days.

When I felt this new incredible power that has been entirely absorbed by my body, I hurriedly raised my right hand, and a tangible wand instantly formed against my palm.

With a swing of my wand, an incredible surge of wind soon came out from it. After doing so, my free hand unconsciously flew right over my mouth. I can't believe it...

I think this is it... the power of the third element: wind.

***

After that remarkable moment, I immediately bowed my head and thanked again the supreme deity with all of my heart for the power that she bestowed upon me. As soon as I went outside the sacred room, Kirin and Mambo hurriedly went towards me and with curious looks plastered on their faces.

"Thanks for patiently waiting for me. I need to go back to my friends so that we can move to the next temple as soon as possible." I said in a somewhat panicking tone.

I'm already feeling the weight of the burden from this mission on my shoulders, and now that I have revived the third spring, it's just a matter of time before I can revive the last one.

"I see. Then let us guide you outside this temple." said Mambo.

After a few walks, we are able to reach the temple grounds in no time. Before leaving, I first turned towards these guardian animals who helped and guided me in reaching the sacred room and walked with me outside of the temple.

As I bid my farewell to both of them, I then turned my back and was about to take a step forward.

However...

The moment I turned around, my eyes shot wide open upon seeing the personas that I haven't imagined I would still be seeing again in my life... who are currently standing not far from where I am right now.

But my gaze was focused more on the familiar figure standing on the right.

I felt that I was instantly rooted on the ground as soon as I saw his familiar golden hair, and his almond hazel brown eyes that were also looking back at me intently.

Even if we haven't seen each other for quite some time now, his handsome face was, somehow, forever glued in my memory.

I unconsciously opened my mouth, and his name was the first thing that came out from it.

"Lance..."