This story is part of the Wanderer series.
Feeling the chamber rumble, Nozomi looked up and saw the dragon-like statue begin to move. Tiny pieces of debris fell down from its head, pattering the stone floor around her. Startled, she took a few steps back.
“Divine vessel…” a deep voice rumbled from within, echoing endlessly.
She did not respond, staying frozen in place. Her eyes were locked on the statue’s, which were now glowing pale white.
“What brings a such a creature deep into my domain?”
Faltering, Nozomi managed to move her lips, but could not utter a sound. The statue’s presence was immense. So much that it was a surprise she could not sense it before.
The statue kept its eyes fixated on her. Finally bringing herself to focus, she thought about the memory stone.
“I… I am here… I seek the memory stone… left behind by…”
She gulped, clearing her throat as her voice grew hoarse. Even she could not understand why the statue’s presence intimidated her so intensely, even though she has faced greater threats before. It was not a hostile presence. Just an overwhelming one.
“… the memory stone… left behind by someone… someone dear to me.”
“And how may I trust you…” its voice boomed again. “… vessel of the great banisher?”
“… Banish…?”
“The Grand Radiance.”
The words jolted her a little. She took one more step back, becoming defensive.
“The punishing light that sealed away my siblings.”
In that instant, Nozomi realized what the creature was talking about. The stories returned to her mind, the stories about the System of Sealing, and she knew she was now in the lesser position.
“I don’t know if I can right the wrongs of a past era… but know that I take my responsibility as a vessel seriously… We fought a war to keep everyone free.”
“You fought a war to keep my brethren sealed.”
She wavered, not expecting the statue to know her this deeply. “Initially, yes… I was fighting to survive… I was fighting for my friends… those dear to me.”
The statue did not speak.
“We fought that war to free everyone from a greater force of oppression!”
Taking a step forward, she forced herself to be brave.
“You can see my memories, right?” she pressed. “Listen to them! And you’ll see that my feelings are true!”
No response. Not a word or a single movement. Nozomi forced herself to stand still and stare back into its piercing pale eyes, letting its presence wash through her. It was not long, however, before it finally spoke again.
“You do not shirk away from the guilt bestowed upon you, at least.”
Her expression lightened, becoming hopeful.
“Neither with your words, or your spirit.”
Drawing her out-stretched foot to stand square again, she felt its presence seemingly lighten, as if its judgment had passed.
“The thousand-year child who left this stone under my protection… What do you intend to do with that knowledge?”