313 Grimoire Making 4 (2/2)
Qilin sensed Merlin's grief and gave him a comforting pat. \”Better late than never,\” he told the magician who removed his glasses to wipe away the tears. Zero watched them silently from a few steps away and felt as if this was something he shouldn't be intruding upon. Whatever this place was, Zero felt as if he shouldn't be here to disturb the tranquillity.
Somehow, there was a pattern that Zero noticed. Wherever he went, he would always be the reason for people's suffering. The teen knew that it was because of his curious nature that caused a lot of inconveniences to others. His meddling nature and selfish desire to help everyone made him pry into their businesses more than he should. As a result, they would be forced to open up old wounds.
\”We're all here now,\” Feng Huang announced as she returned. Behind her, Zero saw a group of unfamiliar faces. Everyone looked human but Zero knew better. Even without appraising, he could tell that they were all mythical beasts of some kind. The aura and pressure that some of them gave off didn't seem normal for humans.
\”Thank you, Huang-er...\” the Qilin smiled and turned to Merlin. \”We're all here now, benefactor.\”
Then, he turned to the group of individuals gathered. \”Comrades, I've gathered everyone because the time has come. The Jade Emperor couldn't be found but today, Merlin brought the child that Buddha told us would one day appear before us.\”
There were murmurs once everyone heard that the child of Buddha's prophecy has appeared. All eyes were immediately on Zero who felt self-conscious all of a sudden.
The first to approach Zero was a man with tanned skin, black hair and an eye-patch. \”Hello, I'm Dog. What's your name?\”
Zero thought it was an odd name but he didn't question it. \”I'm Zero.\”
They shook hands and Zero wondered why everyone started lining up to greet him and shake his hands. At the other side of the hall, Qilin revealed a hidden room and with Merlin's help, started to shift the urns into that room.
On the floor of the hidden room is a magic circle drawn using blood. Merlin remembered doing this many years ago. Qilin had preserved the condition of the sacrificial circle very well. The urns were placed at the respective spots of the circle and Merlin turned to Qilin.
\”Don't you all want more time?\”
Qilin smiled. \”Not really. We've waited for far too long. That day when Earth was destroyed, we should have all perished as well. If it wasn't for you and Buddha, we wouldn't be here. At least now, we know that we did not live in vain. Waiting in this place where the scenery never changed was torture. It has to be at least a thousand years since then but the memories in my head still remain very clear. I'm glad that our deaths can become something meaningful and that this torture we suffered isn't for naught. The boy's name is Zero, it's a contradictory name for someone who wants to save the world.\”
Merlin laughed without humour. \”It's contradicting that the one born to destroy it is trying to save it in the first place while the one who created this world is trying to get rid of it.\”
Qilin raised his brow in surprise. \”Are they not one and the same?\”
Merlin sighed heavily this time. \”It's something I'm still trying to understand. The grimoire that we need to create must act as Zero's sword and shield against the creator. The Tree of Knowledge and Tree of Life are too powerful to be bound by simple beast leather. I couldn't think of anything else that could rival the power of plane guardians except for mythical beasts of the old world. If the Star guardians were still around, I would have asked them for their blessings but they've all fallen.\”
Qilin nodded. \”It is indeed a shame what happened to the Star guardians. However, after us, there wouldn't be many others left to remind you about the old world.\”
Merlin tried not to think about it. All the Sage Gods that existed were from the old world. They were already few in numbers. Losing the mythical creatures from the old world will reduce the number of survivors to something that can be counted on one hand. Coincidentally or not, all of them were acquainted with Zero at some level.
\”I won't forget any of you,\” Merlin told Qilin who smiled.
\”Thank you, benefactor. You truly are kind. I heard from Chang E that you still celebrate your old friend's birthday and drink on the day Camelot fell?\”
Merlin didn't answer. Qilin smiled. \”I think I can speak on behalf of the four guardians and the zodiacs that we enjoyed drinking the Jade Emperor's wine back in those days when the Monkey King was still stealing peaches and claiming to be the best.\”
\”I don't know the recipe to brew the wine that you drank back then.\”
Qilin laughed. \”Buddha and Hua Tuo know. Won't you talk to us occasionally after this? They say that the deceased cannot speak but they can listen.\”
Merlin closed his eyes and inhaled. \”Of course, I will. But none of you will understand the gibberish I speak. Maybe this time for real, I can start teaching all of you the true beauty of alchemy that all of you scoffed at.\”
The gentle Qilin smiled and stood in position as the rest of the zodiacs and guardians entered the room. One by one, they took their spots and Zero watched as his teacher chanted a long spell with his back faced towards him.
The young doctor didn't understand what was happening until he felt their life energy starting to fade. Panicked, he tried to stop his teacher but the ritual was already complete. Horrified, Zero watched the spirits of the guardians and zodiacs merge into one white orb in the middle of the sacrificial circle.
Item: Remnants of the Old Word
Description: An orb from the last few survivors of the old world that grants mysterious powers to control laws of any domain. Can only be used by those with powers that surpass the Great Gods.
Merlin looked at the white orb in his palm that was no bigger than an apple and slowly passed it to Zero.
\”Let's go back and complete that grimoire,\” he said.
Zero wanted to stop his teacher and ask about the mythical creatures and why he had to sacrifice them but after seeing the mourning look on Merlin's face, he decided to keep silent. The white orb in his hand felt heavier than it should be and the young doctor took one last glance at the secret room before running after his teacher. Whatever Qilin and Merlin spoke about while he was occupied by the others must have been private and important.
For once, Zero didn't want to pry into the matter and doused the fire of his curiosity out with a sense of guilt and gratitude. The white orb glowed warmly in his hand as if responding to his feelings and trying to tell him not to blame himself but Zero didn't realise it, too occupied with his thoughts.