Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 950: Worthy and Unworthy

The room fell into a sepulchral silence. The energy that had once pulsed through the crystal sphere now seemed to be confined to Kaizen's own form, as if the object were examining his soul. His fingers still touched the cold, smooth surface, and the slight tingling that ran through his body made him feel as if time had stood still.

For a moment, Kaizen believed that the crystal had accepted him, that his sacrifice and determination were enough to awaken the power that resided within the ancient relic. But then the words appeared before his eyes, as if written in the air:

[You have received the Crystal of Creation].

A brief feeling of relief ran through his mind, but it was quickly replaced by overwhelming doubt as the second message appeared:

[You have failed to obtain it. You are not worthy].

Kaizen withdrew his hand abruptly, as if he had touched fire. The rejection hit him hard, and he staggered backward, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock. The words danced in his mind, repeating like an endless echo.

Thalion, who had watched in silence, stepped forward, his eyes still fixed on the orb, which now shone with a pale, almost sad light. He looked regretful, but at the same time there was a quiet acceptance in his expression, as if he had already expected this outcome.

"I told you so, Kaizen." Thalion's voice was soft, almost paternal. "This crystal is not for all. It carries the burden of the cosmos itself, and those who seek its power must be of a truly exceptional tribe. Neither you nor I, and perhaps not even Alaric, are worthy to possess it."

Kaizen opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. Humiliation burned like a living flame in his chest. He, who had faced demons, crossed hells, defied gods, now found himself humiliated by a mere inanimate object. A feeling of helplessness consumed him, but at the same time he knew that Thalion was right. There was no way to force the situation.

The crystal had spoken and his decision was irrevocable.

Alaric, who had remained silent until then, approached, his eyes shining with a mixture of sympathy and concern.

"Thalion..." he began, his voice hesitant. "If none of us is worthy, what are we to do with this thing? You said that this crystal is our only hope of understanding what is to come, but if it rejects us, how can we go on?"

Thalion took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the responsibility he carried. He looked older now, as if the centuries of life had finally begun to show their effects.

"I don't know, Alaric," he admitted with a sincerity that sounded as much like a confession as a warning. "My wisdom has its limits. All I know is that this crystal possesses a power beyond our comprehension, and that it will choose only those it deems worthy. Unfortunately, we are not among those chosen."

Kaizen clenched his fists, his frustration turning to restrained anger.

"Then why did you bring us here, Thalion? If you knew we would fail, why did you lead us into this trap?" Kaizen's voice was filled with a bitterness he couldn't control.

Thalion looked at him with a serene expression, but his eyes revealed a deep sadness.

"Because the truth is, Kaizen, I don't have all the answers. This crystal is a mystery to me as well. I brought it here because in my visions I saw a possibility, a chance that one of you might be worthy. Unfortunately, I was wrong."

The elf turned slowly, his eyes searching the room with a lost look. "But perhaps there is someone else," he continued, more to himself than to the others. "Someone who possesses the qualities necessary to awaken the crystal's true power. We must find him. And quickly."

Alaric frowned, trying to process Thalion's words. "Who could be worthy, Thalion? If not even you, the wisest of us, can carry this crystal, who else could?"

Kaizen was still fighting his own inner demons, but Thalion's words brought him back to reality. "Odin is one of the oldest gods who knows the secrets of the cosmos. If anyone can understand and control the power of this crystal, it is him."

Alaric slowly shook his head. "Odin already has his own burdens, and though he is powerful, his vision is limited by the very destiny he has chosen. No, I believe we should look for someone whose soul has not yet been corrupted by the responsibilities and powers of this world. Someone whose purity of spirit and courage of heart may be the key to awakening the Crystal.

Kaizen pondered, his thoughts running through everyone he knew.

"What if..." he began, but then stopped, as if the idea was too absurd to express.

Alaric encouraged him with a nod. "What? We have to consider all possibilities."

Kaizen sighed, obviously struggling with the uncertainty. "What if... we look for someone outside our immediate circle? Someone we may not know yet, but who has been prepared by fate for this moment?"

Alaric frowned as he considered the idea. "Are you saying that there is someone out there, unknown to us, who is the Chosen One?"

"Exactly," Kaizen replied, now more confident in his theory. "Think about it. The crystal has rejected all of us because we are already somehow marked by our choices, our battles, our alliances. But someone who hasn't been exposed to those influences, someone whose heart is still pure, could be what we need. And the crystal may be waiting for that person."

Thalion, who had been silent, finally spoke, his voice tinged with agreement. "There is wisdom in your words, Alaric. Perhaps the answer lies not between us, but out there, in the lands beyond our realms, in the people who have not yet been touched by the weight of fate. Someone who has not yet made the choices that define our paths."

Kaizen stepped forward, his resolve renewed. "Then we will find him. Whoever he is, wherever he is, we have no time to lose. The Nine Worlds depend on it, but how about we start with a test among those we know?"