The Inner Odyssey-Chapter 185: Pioneer

Celeste never imagined life energy could be this flawless, this pure.

It was a far cry from her own. Usually, any individual who possessed powers similar to Celeste had somewhat turbid life energy, but the leader of this mysterious Shadow Organisation possessed stunningly clear and beautiful vitality.

It was as the sprightly woman was as close as one could get to the source; the source of all life energy.

As the woman’s potent energy roamed through Celeste’s body meticulously, the latter basked in the clear sensation. It was akin to a gentle, delicate hand caressing the most hidden, unseen parts of her being, areas Celeste did not even know existed.

Suddenly, she sensed the leader’s enchanting brow furrow.

Celeste froze.

Before the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign could ask what was wrong, the senescent woman abruptly removed her palm from Celeste’s back and started pacing. Her steps echoed within the relatively small room like the worn hands of a grandfather clock.

The younger healer suppressed her apprehension.

’I’ve done nothing wrong.’

Celeste tried to remind herself of that, but, even so... when a literal powerhouse paced as a result of examining your body, surely that wasn’t a great sign.

The Chosen of the Divine Sovereign’s mouth turned dry.

Eventually, the senescent yet vibrant woman ceased her pacing. Then, she returned to her seat. From there, the leader drummed her fingers on the oak desk for a few moments, her features neutral and the air around her contemplative.

Then, she asked, almost hesitantly:

"How did you come across the Seven-Leaf Lily?"

Seeing Celeste’s blank look, the enchanting figure clarified:

"It’s a priceless herb that’s been lost to the annals of time. It has white petals and shines gently like the moon."

Celeste flinched.

This description... it matched the flower that she had stumbled across in Nature’s Grove perfectly!

From the moment the sprightly woman had mentioned the Seven-Leaf Lily back in the cell, Celeste had an inkling the two could have been related, but the notion was just too preposterous!

Goosebumps erupted all over Celeste’s frame.

Why had the [Augur of Judgment] bestowed upon her such a precious herb?

The sense of frustration Celeste felt regarding the Keeper’s Sponsor only increased.

Eventually, after not receiving an answer for a while, the captivating leader shook her head and sighed, her tone filled with the same strange relief that Celeste had sensed earlier:

"Never mind that, I’m just glad it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. I am very curious, though..."

The senescent woman paused, her expression shifting to one of wonder.

"How were you able to absorb it? Someone of your Rank should not have been able to handle the formidable life energy it possessed. In fact, it’s a miracle you’re alive right now - your body should have already burst into pieces."

As Celeste absorbed the piece of stunning information, her mind riddled with shock, the leader continued, as if she had not just revealed a piece of extraordinary news.

"I’ll be frank. You have astonishing potential. Your body... it’s as if it was created for the sole purpose of handling an exceptional quantity of life energy. Add the Seven-Leaf Lily to that, and your vitality might soon be endless."

"In fact, it’s so remarkable that I almost wish you were born a little earlier. Maybe then you would have helped us survive that... dreadful event."

A bitter smile twisted the sprightly woman’s lips.

Then, she fell silent and shook her head, allowing Celeste to absorb all that she had revealed. The Chosen of the Divine Sovereign struggled to come to grips with the various revelations.

It would have been enough to learn of just one, but Celeste had learned of several in such a short span of time. Never mind the fact she could have died after so carelessly consuming the Seven-Leaf Lily... just knowing that she possessed starting potential enough to amaze a powerhouse caused the young lady’s mind to spin.

Was this the reason why her Sponsor had chosen her...?

The young healer’s temple throbbed.

This was all too much. She hid a wince.

Releasing a turbid breath, Celeste shifted, meeting the senescent woman’s amused gaze.

Embarrassed, Celeste suddenly averted her eyes.

The leader chuckled.

Very soon, however, her amusement faded, replaced by an expression of grim reluctance.

"I suppose it’s time for me to honour our deal."

She lingered, then sighed.

"You can call me... Oakia Bloom."

***

Celeste froze.

Her jaw turned slack.

Disbelief rippled across her pastel features like paint on an oil canvas.

"B-but, h-how? You’re supposed to be dead!"

Sensing the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign’s utter shock, Oakia just chuckled and leaned back.

"That would be nice."

Suddenly, Oakia’s gaze turned incredibly distant - as if she was peering into a by-gone era devoured by the merciless march of time.

Celeste felt like it was best to leave her be.

In the meantime, the young lady stood up, trying to calm her inner turmoil. She cast her gaze towards the plethora of blooms and fruit. Gravitating towards a succulent raspberry, the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign thought back to the time when she had perused through her master’s study.

Saint Helena had collected quite the number of tomes over the years. Celeste remembered one particular book making an obscure mention of a pioneer named Oakia Bloom.

Apparently, Oakia was single-handedly responsible for the development and proliferation of the Sanctuary’s entire repository regarding medicine, alchemy and herbology after the Great Collision. Back then, a multitude of plants had died out, their lines extinct as a result of the Defilement which had swept over Arkanis like a plague.

However, Oakia had been able to somehow decipher which herbs still remained and what their uses were, allowing physicians and potion-masters alike to greatly benefit.

Unfortunately, a few years after her rise to fame, Oakia had mysteriously disappeared. No one had heard from her - or seen her - since.

Thus, naturally, everyone assumed she was dead.

Celeste was no exception.

However, contrary to what everyone in the Sanctuary believed...

Oakia was still living and breathing!

Albeit strangely in hiding for some bizarre reason.

Suppressing an excited shudder, Celeste felt exhilaration course through her veins.

She had just conversed with a living legend.

A peerless figure with almost no equal!

Celeste’s heart raced, imagining all the things she could ask with regards to herbs and their many applications. Unfortunately for the young healer, though, at that moment, Gestella and Clara suddenly burst through the door.

The former seemed breathless, wearing an expression of immense guilt.

"L-leader! They’ve discovered our location! A... swarm of Defiled is heading our way."

Instantly, an icy tension swept through the room.