Chapter 233 - Eleventh Gate: Spring Of Flora (Part 1)

[Music Recommendation: "Dewdrops at Dawn" by Yoko Shimura (Final Fantasy XV OST) - available in Spotify or Youtube] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this scene ~

Rania and Luna continued deeper into the temple until they reached the door to the innermost place where the crystal was. They encountered no darkness, or miasma, or any sorts of monsters inside. Instead, when they opened the door to the innermost place, hundreds of wisps welcomed them! They were like small, circular fireballs of varying colors, hovering in the air. A trail of embers scattered when they move, making it look like sparkles—as if the Temple of Grace wasn't scintillating enough. A soft chuckle could be heard from them as they played around amongst themselves.

As soon as Rania stepped inside, the wisps stopped their movements and turned to her. Their chuckles turned louder as if they were expecting her. And before Rania took another step, they already gathered towards her, circling around her from head to foot. Their childlike voices kept on saying various words but unfortunately, Rania couldn't comprehend them.

"Why are they suddenly being like this?" Rania asked Luna.

"Hmm… I don't know. That's the first time they're doing that. Wisps are usually timid and hide themselves from people—not gather towards one," Luna replied, holding her chin. "They seem happy though."

"Really? What are they saying?" Rania asked as she gently moved her hand closer to one of the wisps. They may look like a ball of flames but they weren't hot to touch, much to her surprise. She expected them to be warm but instead, it was just like passing through air.

Luna then waved her hand and from it, a translucent light sprung forth covering the entire area. Afterwards, the foreign words were no longer foreign to them. Finally, they could understand what they had been saying from the very start.

And the wisps said:

"Blessed is the maiden!"

"Beloved is she!"

They all talked in chorus, repeating every word with their delight so apparent in their voices. But there was one of them that spoke the loudest and the longest. It was the biggest wisp burning in white flames. Amongst the crowd of colorful wisps, she alone was pure white. And this wisp said in a voice more mature than others:

"Blessed is the maiden that comes in the name of the Most High,

Beloved is the vessel that denies herself to follow His Will.

Her sacrifice is a sweet incense, a fragrance that will not be forgotten,

Reaching the highest heavens, pleasing to the Supreme.

What is it that should stop her?

Should fear of life and selfishness block her way?

Surely they don't dare, for she is selfless and compassionate!

Hence the darkness trembles, for they know their time is near!"

Rania and Luna gasped upon hearing those words. With widened eyes, they looked at each other, at a loss of what to say. Until Luna's eyes sparkled, remembering something that seemed so far away from her memories.

"Oh! Of course!" she shouted. "The Will of the Wisps!"

"The Will?"

"Yes! Wisps has that power! They are the old souls that can reveal the deepest secrets of the world, or even prophesize what's to come. They're like Oracles but Oracles dreams and an Interpreter interprets the dream. Wisps don't need dreams and interpretations. They already KNOW the wisdoms that are hidden. And that's what makes them really mysterious, and also why they hide. Like a Verus Amor, they only reveal themselves to the right people."

"I see. Then, why are they saying those words to me?"

"I'm not sure. Most times, it's to guide a person. Even I, don't fully understand the way they think. But it should make sense to the one whom the words are spoken to which is—" Luna continued to ramble on until she turned her head to Rania and noticed the tears in her eyes as she gently held on the white wisp. She was crying, but also smiling.

"Thank you," Rania said to the wisps. "You're trying to console me, and assure me, right?"

The wisps turned silent. Their chuckles were no more and instead, they moved closer to her, as if wanting to embrace her.

Truly, the road ahead of Rania was no easy task. Indeed, she had decided to take that road in order to save many, not caring if she would lose her life. Afterall, death never scared her. What she feared though, was the thought of leaving her friends and loved ones behind. The thought of being unable to be with them anymore was what weighed the most in her heart. Yes, it was one thing to know the right thing to do, but a whole other to actually do what's right. That alone made her heart waver sometimes. But then again, if she didn't do it, if she became selfish and only thought about herself, then there wouldn't be any future for the rest of the Magi.

Sometimes, Rania would imagine, if she was her old self—the one after the tragedy when she thought Zeid died—she would never have thought of saving the Magi race. Why would she want to save the race that killed many humans? Many of her loved ones? But then, she met Elliot, Luna and the sprites, Ducis, the other Guardians, and most of all, the Supreme. She understood that there was a bigger battle, a deeper meaning as to why things happened the way they did. In addition, the trials from the Gates gave her more wisdom and understanding about the Will of the Supreme. Now, she no longer hated them for she knew that the Magi weren't the real root of all the darkness that befell them.

Still, Rania would waver and ask herself if what she was doing was right. Or if there was another way, without sacrificing herself. But then she knew it was wrong of her to think that way so she would cast it aside. Her will and her way was not the right path. And so, she remained faithful to the Supreme's guidance. Greater and greater, her surrender became. Still, the doubt remained. Would she be able to do it right? Would her sacrifice not be in vain? Would she really be enough? A mere human like her, saving the world of humans and Magi?

And so when the wisps spoke those words, a great warmth enveloped her heart—a great comfort and assurance. It washed away the doubts she had about herself, and gave her confidence. What was it that she should be worried about? Yes, she just needed to be still. For the battle is not hers, it was the Supreme's! The Most High was pleased! What greater joy could she wish for? The darkness trembled! Surely, she would never be forsaken. And surely, the time is near! Yes, the time of the Supreme's judgement towards the darkness!

"Rania…" Luna worried for her dear friend.

"You're right, Luna," Rania said, "I understand it now." She then wiped her tears and smiled the brightest. "It's time. Let's call Elliot and Ducis."