Chapter 253 - Maiden Versus Sage (1)

Willow’s POV

In the tumultuous expanse of the arena, Willow's attention gravitated toward a figure that stood as a beacon amidst the chaos — the Sage. Balanced like a sovereign sentinel upon a mound of prostate contenders, the Sage's posture carried an air of mastery that transcended the obvious.

It wasn't merely the elevated vantage point that fascinated Willow; it was the subtle phenomenon taking place beneath the Sage's feet. An almost imperceptible void separated him from the heap of vanquished foes. This minuscule fissure, a hair's breadth of space, spoke volumes of the Sage's communion with an esoteric force known as 'Sei'.

Willow didn’t like it. His entire being didn’t like it. He felt as if he was looking at some cheap knockoff of his favorite shoes strutting around as if it was the original. That’s because Sei was exactly that. 

In the game, Sei was described as an offshoot of chi, a more diluted version of the all-encompassing life-force but now that Willow was actually seeing, and feeling the diluted energy in front of his eyes, he was proud to say that he absolutely refused the cheap power before him. 

But, he controlled himself. Chi, the lifeblood of the world itself, was something that was intertwined with him from the amount of times he has used it. And, just like in the game, the Sage was deeply intertwined with Sei, and you could even say he was a master of it. 

In the game, this was how they described Sei.

The origins of 'Sei' traced back to a mystical nine-tailed entity from the enigmatic Southern Isles. This enchanter of energies had cracked the code of 'Chi', transmuting it into a more intimate and personal essence — 'Sei'. Akin to an intimate dance with one's soul, the mastery of 'Sei' allowed for an amplification of the self, a synthesis of individuality and energy.

And, to the Sage that was perched above the floor, it was as if he had embodied Sei, and nearly achieved one-ness with his power. A symbiotic equilibrium between his being and the arcane force pulsed through the air, a silent testimony to the profound connection he had woven.

The more adept one grew in manipulating 'Sei', the more profound their sense of self became. It was a mastery that seemed to reflect the Sage's perch above the throng, a testament to his attunement with the symphony of 'Sei'.

Willow's lips curved in a contemplative smile. Now what was he supposed to do?

 The unassuming nine-tailed architect of 'Sei' had gambled with the tides of cosmic energy, carving his own niche in the pantheon of power. Now, this very entity reigned as the godlet of the unclaimed domains — territories that had eluded conventional rule.

As his gaze lingered on the Sage, Willow felt a kinship that was more like an annoying cousin than one of a loving sibling. 

Look at that fake, prancing around as if his power isn’t derived from me - was the type of thoughts his ‘chi’ was having whenever he gazed upon the Sage.

The Sage's form seemed to shimmer against the backdrop of the grand spectacle, a focal point of enigma in the midst of the uproar. 

While the crowd's eyes were fixed on the tumultuous proceedings, Willow's attention remained riveted on the Sage. 

Willow's contemplation delved deeper into the intricate layers of 'Sei'. Unlike 'Chi', which once flowed through him like a river of life, 'Sei' unfurled with a structured complexity that seemed too mechanical for his liking. 

Mortals shouldn’t be playing with natural constructs.

Through the crafted energy, Willow could see through it’s six distinct classifications. 

He named them in his mind. 

'Do', the classification of Body, embodied the intimate connection between an individual and their physical form. 

'Re', representing the Mind, encapsulated the realms of thought, intellect, and cognition.

 'Mi', denoting Will, spoke to the heart of determination and intention. 

'Fa', resonating with Soul, touched upon the profound depths of identity and essence. '

So', Domain, encompassed the power to shape and manipulate one's surroundings.

 And then there was 'La', the shadowy enigma, an elusive classification that whispered of untold mysteries.

Classification, a pivotal compass guiding the seekers of 'Sei', illuminated their innate inclinations. To be born under the banner of 'Do' implied an inherent connection with the physical realm, while 'Re' heralded an affinity for the labyrinthine landscapes of the mind. 'Mi', the bearer of Will, seemed to encapsulate determination and volition. 'Fa', the realm of Soul, touched upon the ethereal chords that resonated within every sentient being. 'So', Domain, seemed to encompass the territories of control, a realm where the adept could influence and shape their surroundings. And 'La', the enigma among them, remained shrouded in obscurity, a domain untamed by comprehension.

There were six realms that one playing with Sei needed to go through, to achieve full mastery over the fake power. 

Realm One, a nascent step, seemed to signify the Awakening of 'Sei'. Realm Two, a stride further, denoted the Harmony of 'Sei'. Then emerged Realm Three, the Pursuit of 'Sei', followed by Realm Four, the Fusion of 'Sei'. Ascending still, the Adept would enter the realm of Domain Mastery in Realm Five. 

And at the pinnacle stood Realm Six — Enlightenment — a summit where the adept's communion with 'Sei' was crowned.

Another thing to note was that the Sage looked nothing like his in-game character design, no, more specifically, it was like he was looking through a time-scope of when the Sage was younger.

The game draped him as an elderly wanderer, bells that whispered secrets with each movement, and a golden bamboo blade that gleamed with cryptic intent — it all played a symphony of misdirection.

Willow sweated under his veil. Was this because of his tampering with the events? He wasn’t supposed to even be practicing ‘So’. 

So, Willow hesitated.

From his memories, the Sage's duel later with the Brutal King would be a spectacle of its own. Willow's mind flickered between the scene he remembered and the version now unfolding. Would his subtle manipulations have swayed the tide of this battle, or was destiny's course an unstoppable force?

Willow's thoughts danced between the past and the present, much like the conflicting currents of 'Sei'. The Sage's journey through 'Sei's' realms seemed to mimic the stages of his own transformation. His grasp of Realm Two, Harmony, appeared poised to transition to Realm Three — the Pursuit. Willow's trepidation intensified, mingling with the excitement of a hidden future yet to unfurl.

He wondered if the butterfly's fluttering had already sent ripples through the fabric of fate. Were the echoes of his interventions resonating in the Sage's path, or was this present reality an untouched stream flowing its natural course? 

Among the four intriguing figures, it was [The Sage] who posed the greatest threat if his strength was left to flourish unchecked. His mastery over [So], the power to manipulate the surroundings, was a potent weapon. But what really set [The Sage] apart was what he held not in his hands, but within his closed eyes.

Despite the chaos surrounding them, [The Sage]'s demeanor remained serene, his hat tipped upward to reveal an awareness of Willow's presence. It was a realization that struck Willow deeply, for it mirrored the dynamics they had encountered before, a memory that tied back to the core reason for his participation in this Tournament.

[The Sage] held an advantage that Willow couldn't easily overcome. Their abilities, like two rivers flowing in parallel, refused to merge. The Sage's calm demeanor, even when faced with the Maiden herself, was a testament to his understanding of this unspoken truth. Willow couldn't help but acknowledge that, given the circumstances, an all-out confrontation against [The Sage] would be a risky gambit, and not one he was willing to take lightly.

The thought of exposing his emblem skills in the presence of so many eyes weighed heavily on Willow's mind. The Maiden's abilities, her hidden strengths, were something he preferred to keep concealed for now, a secret strength to be unveiled at a more opportune moment.

He couldn’t reveal his secret this early on in the Tournament.