Shadows of Ascension

51. Echoes of Destiny

As Aiden emerged from the depths of the Well of Fate, his senses reeling from the tumultuous visions that had assailed him, Luca's resolute declaration pierced through the air like a beacon of determination.

"I'm going in too," Luca declared, turning to face Riona and Aiden with unwavering resolve. "We need to face whatever lies within together."

Aiden's breath caught in his throat, his mind still swirling with the haunting images he had just witnessed. His heart raced with a mixture of confusion and terror, unsure of what to make of the visions that had unfolded before him.

Sensing Aiden's distress, Riona stepped forward, her expression filled with concern. "What happened in there?" she asked softly, her voice a gentle echo in the cavernous chamber.

Aiden hesitated, his eyes flickering between Luca and Riona as he struggled to find the words to describe the horrors he had seen. "I... I'd rather not talk about it," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Riona's brow furrowed with worry, her gaze searching his for answers. "Did something happen at the Well of Fate?" she pressed gently, her voice filled with empathy.

Aiden swallowed hard, the weight of his revelations heavy upon him. "I saw something... something really bad," he admitted reluctantly. "But it's probably just... just a false vision."

Meanwhile, Luca emerged from the well, his spirits lifted by the sense of clarity he had found within. His expression brightened as he turned to face his companions, a grin spreading across his face.

"Well, that was enlightening," Luca remarked cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you both ready to share what you saw?"

Riona nodded solemnly, her resolve unwavering despite the uncertainty that lingered in the air. "Yes, I think it's important that we discuss our experiences," she agreed, her gaze shifting between Luca and Aiden.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping to the ground as he wrestled with his inner turmoil. But then, with a sigh, he finally met Luca and Riona's expectant stares.

"Alright," he conceded, his voice tinged with resignation. "I'll... I'll tell you what I saw."

As the weight of Aiden's revelations hung heavy in the air, Luca's keen perception picked up on his friend's hesitation. With a reassuring smile, Luca stepped forward, determined to break the silence and set the tone for their discussion.

"I'll go first," Luca announced, his voice steady and resolute. "I saw something that I believe is connected to our quest."

Curiosity sparked in Riona's eyes as she turned her attention to Luca, eager to hear what he had to say. "What did you see?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"I saw..." Luca paused, his expression thoughtful as he searched for the right words. "I saw Aiden and myself holding the Celestial Blades."

Riona's eyes widened in astonishment, her mind racing with the implications of Luca's vision. "The Celestial Blades?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Luca nodded, a sense of determination burning bright in his eyes. "Yes. Aiden and I have been searching for them for months, ever since we left the forest and entered the real world of hunters," he explained. "We have a map, and we're almost at the point where they're believed to be."

"Nobody has managed to control them both at the same time,though" Says Riona. "That's why I will take one and the other will belong to Aiden." Luca said with confidence.