Chapter 513 - The Water Empyrean
Chapter 513 – The Water Empyrean
After making sure Xiao Su activated the chalice holding the white gemstone, we regrouped at the main, bigger chalice in front of the waterfall hiding the massive stone double doors. There, Mei Gui and An Xue rendezvoused with us as well, having done the same things we had.
"So… there's only one gem left to go, huh?" I muttered, inspecting the doors behind the waterfall.
"Yes, Master," Mei Gui replied. "It is a white one."
"But… where could it be?" Lan Xiao Su wondered aloud. "Both sides were perfectly symmetrical, each containing two chalices, and plus this one in the center makes five. Did we miss one, by any chance…?"
"Hm… I don't think so," I said in reply, trying my best to recall our journey down here. "These things aren't exactly easy to hide, and if we saw something as grand as one of these chalices, I'm sure it would stick in our heads."
"Well… the last one is a white gemstone one, correct?" Lan Xiao Su snapped her fingers. "Perhaps it is hidden behind a water mechanism that needs to be disabled?"
"No… look."
All of us turned to see where Yu An Xue was pointing, and all at once, our eyes widened.
"… You've got to be kidding me."
"How are we supposed to reach that?"
"Hm… Master, perhaps I can blast it down."
"No, you will not. If just brute forcing things was possible here, I would've shot open this door a long time ago."
In any case, our surprise was justified. High above us, a massive chalice was being held within the hands of the stone statue pouring water out from it, and it was also what was creating the waterfall blockading the double doors.
"Of course the final chalice would be the one to deactivate the waterfall mechanism…" I muttered, racking my head. "Why didn't I think of this sooner…?"
It was like a gate that opened after defeating the final boss—it should've been obvious. And yet, we had all been so concerned with what was before our eyes that we didn't even bother truly observing from a distance.
The only problem was… now that they've found where they need to go, how do they actually get up there?
Then, recalling the elevators from earlier, I smiled.
"… I think I may know the way up."
*****
"You want to climb up… from here?" Lan Xiao Su arched an eyebrow, glancing up and down dubiously.
"Yeah. Is there a problem? Can't reach?"
"Er, no, but… should we really be walking on top of a statue of a goddess?" Lan Xiao Su murmured. "I mean, isn't that kind of disrespectful?"
"It'll be fine, it'll be fine," Aerim said, waving her words off. "Aquira doesn't hold grudges like this. You'll have to try a lot harder than that to get on her bad side."
"Alright then… here I go."
With a smirk, I climbed onto the massive statue's arm—right beside the chalice on top of the elevator on the left side. Then, I continued onto its shoulder, to its neck, and finally, up on top of its head.
"Sorry, passing by…" I muttered under my breath as I squeezed past, my back against the wall, and dropped down onto its other shoulder. And like a waterslide, I slid down onto its massive stone hand, and grabbed onto the chalice's edge. From where I was, I couldn't quite touch the gemstone, so I had to circle around while grabbing onto the chalice's edge. With my physical strength, that was easy—but the waterfall certainly was not.
The gemstone was only mere inches away, but I couldn't reach it because of the stupid waterfall pouring out of the chalice. If I tried getting closer, I would get sent crushed into the ground from the weight of the water.
Oh wait… if my hand can't reach, then…
"Hngh…"
Reaching as far as I could with my foot, I felt desperately around for the gemstone—until at last, a harmonious sound could be heard, and the waterfall flowing out of the chalice ceased.
Yes! Got it!
Immediately, I let go, and landed back on the ground below with no issue at all despite the fall of about 30 meters, before dusting my clothes off and letting out a breath of relief.
"Wow… it really worked," Lan Xiao Su murmured, coming up behind me.
"What, did you doubt me?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Not particularly. It's just… well, I thought Aquira would be mad…?"
"Don't… jinx… it," Yu An Xue said sharply.
"R-Right…"
"It'll be fine," I reassured. "Don't stress it."
Approaching the stone double doors, now cleared of the obstacle in the way, I gently attempted to push them open. The six jewels on it, three blue and tear-shaped, three white and rhombus-shaped, shone even brighter momentarily, and the millennium-old doors opened up slowly.
On the other end was a tight bridge that led to an empty circular platform in the middle. Beyond the platform was another tight bridge of the same length, and another set of doors. Surrounding the platform and bridge segments was—of course—deep blue water, but other than that, there seemed to be nothing worth mentioning in the room.
"What is this place…?" Lan Xiao Su murmured as we walked across the bridge. It felt amazingly stable compared to the water bridge from before, and I was grateful for that.
As soon as we stepped foot on the circular platform, however, we had our answer.
"Welcome, O Seekers of Immortality."
Immediately, the four of us froze, wondering where the gentle yet divine female voice was coming from.
"… It's her… the Empyrean of Water, Aquira…" Xiao Su whispered.
"I understand what you have come here searching for. I also sense my brother and sister, Terrarim and Aerim, within you. However, if you want my approval, you will first have to pass my test."
"Pass your test?" I raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't that puzzle out there it?"
"You have already passed the first segment. I applaud you for that. However, now comes the second and final segment. It is a simple question, but not an easy one. I ask that you answer it—nothing more, nothing less."
Just answering a question…?
"… Hmph. Bring it on," I said confidently, even though I was sure there was a hidden string attached of some sort.
"Very well," Aquira replied, and suddenly, the platform we were on began… descending.
"W-Whoa-!" I stabilized my balance quickly, and the girls did the same. At this rate, we were going to all fall into this water, and who knew how deep it was?
Meanwhile, however, Aquira continued speaking in a calm manner as if what was happening had nothing to do with her at all.
"I ask you this, O Seeker of Immortality: Immortality, or a day spent with your loved ones. Which shall you choose?"
"Heh," I chuckled. "Is that even a question? Of course I choose… immortality."
"Wha-?!" The girls all looked at me, shocked that I would make this choice, but the platform descending did indeed stop.
Then, slowly, it began rising, back to its original altitude.
"… I see," Aquira said. "A wise decision. You are keen with words, young man."
"Not really," I replied with a snicker. "I just pay attention to detail, that's all."
"What…" Yu An Xue was still confused, so Mei Gui laid it out for her.
"She never specified that Master's loved ones would die if he chose immortality," she explained. "We just all assumed that would be the case. Even if Master did choose immortality, he could still spend a different day with his loved ones."
"I see… I really fell for that," Lan Xiao Su murmured.
"Relax," I said. "I'd never choose anything over you guys, no matter how good that something is."
"Master…"
"Xuan Kai…"
As the girls looked at me with flushed expressions and gentle smiles, Aquira interrupted our moment of romance with her divine words.
"Proceed, O Seeker of Immortality. I shall meet you in the next room."
As the doors ahead of us opened up on their own, I sighed.
"… Well then. Let's not keep her waiting, shall we?"
*****
Within the next room, paradise lay.
That was not an exaggeration. With the sheer beauty of this place, you could call it an underwater heaven and no one would argue.
All around us, there was water. It was like we were deep inside the ocean, but in a perfectly transparent glass cage that let us still have oxygen and whatnot. It was like one of those tunnels in aquariums that attempted to create an underwater vibe with fish and plants all around, except this was far more realistic and didn't have any borders.
Ahead of us, a woman wearing white robes stood, back turned against us. She had long, navy blue hair, and remained barefoot so we could see her light skin.
As we got closer, she turned around, revealing her electrifying blue eyes that matched the color of the sea, and we all came to a stop as she opened her mouth to speak.
"… Welcome, O Seekers of Immortality.. My name is Aquira—and I, am the Empyrean of Water."