Amphoreus Trailblaze log

Part II

... It's been a long while since Phainon entered the Vortex of Genesis for the Strife trial, leaving all Chrysos Heirs deeply concerned. When crisis struck during Phainon's Coreflame trial as we waited anxiously, we made the snap decision to join Castorice and Mydei in rescuing Phainon from possible peril. {NICKNAME} and I became separated in this illusion. {NICKNAME} told me that {F#she}{M#he} travelled with Mydei and had seen the man's deepest fear, which was the blood-soaked glory of the Kremnos. As for me... I saw some visages of past lives too. Who would have thought that the trial of Strife would be a battle against your inner demons? It seems that {RUBY_B#Strife Titan}Nikador{RUBY_E#} is not the mad and tactless god told in legends. We finally met up in the illusion of the trial after some fighting and found Phainon by following the sound of battle to the source of Strife. The man had almost lost control of himself due to the demons in his heart, and we saved him and extracted him from the trial. The failure of Phainon's Coreflame trial means the responsibility of bearing Nikador's divinity now falls to the lone crown prince of Kremnos — Mydei the Chrysos Heir. Yet, even as the orthodox heir to "Strife," Mydei seems to have an absurd extent of hesitation and objection to accepting the god's authority. After ensuring Phainon's safety, {NICKNAME} and I retreated to the bath chamber to rest. We also drew our own conclusions about the present situation in the world of Amphoreus: The development of this world is entirely too bizarre. Neither the Titans nor the black tide seem like characteristics that should be present in a culture that developed organically. However, various signs point to the Stellaron not being the mastermind behind it all. The puzzles in this world require more "trailblazing" to explore and reveal. ... Aglaea demonstrated genuine gratitude towards us for helping to defeat Nikador. She prepared a generous gift and invited {NICKNAME} and I to a discussion at the Hero's Bath, where she indicated she would like to ally with us. As we discussed the matter, we met Hyacine from the Twilight Courtyard, a healer who had concluded her work trip in Okhema. With Aglaea's suggestion, {NICKNAME} and Castorice decided to go back to the Grove together with this new friend and complete the diplomatic tasks given to them by Aglaea. I will, instead, stay at Okhema and tidy my notes. However, this trip to the Grove by {NICKNAME} is not as peaceful as we had imagined. As they were about to head out, Trianne found someone at Okhema's outskirts who was wounded by the black tide and in critical condition. Hyacine had to temporarily remain in Okhema to look after this patient while Trianne, Castorice, and {NICKNAME} went ahead to the Grove of Epiphany, an esteemed academic institution worshiping {RUBY_B#Reason Titan}Cerces{RUBY_E#}. However, when the three of them arrived at their destination, the Grove had long sunk into an eerie silence. {NICKNAME} and the others took some effort to enter the Grove only to discover that something was wrong in that place — The creatures of the black tide were wandering everywhere within the Grove. I fear that the Grove is unlikely to survive unscathed after this calamity. A man named Anaxa was among the Chrysos Heirs stationed at the Grove, and he had left clues via alchemy and guided {NICKNAME}'s group into the depths of the Grove to check on Cerces's Coreflame. While they explored the location, they encountered a mysterious individual calling themselves Calypso. That person claimed to be the head of the Grove of Epiphany's Seven Sages and had saved Anaxa. However, after careful observation, Castorice exposed Calypso's true identity as {RUBY_B#Reason Titan}Cerces{RUBY_E#}. Cerces admitted to this and asked {NICKNAME}'s group to help them reach Anaxa, so they could fuse the Coreflame again to catch the culprit behind the annihilation of the Grove — the nameless black-robed swordmaster. After an intense battle, {NICKNAME}'s group safely returned to Okhema with Anaxa, and I learned about what happened at the Grove from Phainon. In fact, Phainon seemed rather odd when he mentioned that black-robed swordmaster. It was as if he had some history with that individual. Perhaps he will explain that connection to everyone in the future. ... I can hardly believe it, but a Kremnoan named Krateros abducted Trinnon and tried to enter the Vortex of Genesis to accept Strife's trial. He failed and was apprehended on the spot by Aglaea. No wonder Mydei had been so hesitant on the subject of accepting the authority of Strife — Troubles remain within the Kremnoans as a people. Troubles that have not been solved. As to what those troubles are, I fear only Mydei would know. Meanwhile, despite being abducted, Trinnon expressed her understanding towards Krateros's anxiety. She decided to borrow Oronyx's power to restore Krateros' memories from ages past to soothe his unease. ... While at the Abyss, the three Tribbie ladies encountered the black-robed swordmaster who destroyed the Grove — the Flame Reaver. At the cost of exhausting her divine power, Trianne sent Tribbie and Trinnon away from the battlefield. The heroes in the city then met up, after which we decided to split up. Hyacine and I went to look for Trianne's whereabouts, while Aglaea and Castorice remained in the city to prepare for a political crisis. The others prepared their strategies and headed to Castrum Kremnos to stop the Flame Reaver together. The Chrysos Heirs must all give their all when facing this unknown foe. ... During this time, Mydei finally made up his mind and successfully passed the trial of the Coreflame, ascending into the demigod of Strife and making a lance throw that decided the battle's outcome at Castrum Kremnos, defeating the Flame Reaver completely. This campaign ended with the Chrysos Heirs' triumph. Mydei opted to return home alone and inherit the duty of fighting back the black tide from Nikador, becoming the shield for Okhema and all of Amphoreus. Though we won the fight against the Flame Reaver, we have lost Trianne forever. At Trianne's funeral, Phainon made a request to Tribbie, hoping to witness the moment she first embarked on her Flame-Chase Journey. With the power of {NICKNAME}, they journeyed to the past of the Abyss of Fate — to the sanctum of prophecy, Janusopolis. There, they witnessed how Tribios took the Coreflame of Passage, received Janus's divinity, and fled this Sanctum of Tripartite Prophecy that had held her captive for decades to pursue her destiny. I'm not sure whether they were influenced by the beliefs of the Chrysos Heirs, but {NICKNAME} and Mem have volunteered to accept the trial of {RUBY_B#Time Titan}Oronyx{RUBY_E#}. Though they are just passersby, they are willing to connect their destiny with that of the world they are travelling through. Perhaps this is trailblaze's inescapable fate... ...