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The watery atmosphere of the mortal’s surroundings would typically put them at ease, however having to put their body to a test just a minute prior while outrunning a weird looking gator did the exact opposite. Good thing they actually reached their destination just a moment earlier, leaning against a wall with their supplies dropping down onto the stone flooring of the Temple of Hearts. A young person, who seemed to not even come from Lumen, rather hailing from a distant realm unknown to those native to the world, could be seen heavily panting as they recovered their strengths with deep breaths.
They still weren’t sure of whether they should actually stay in Lumen for this, or just give up and return where they came from - maybe there was an easier way to get what they wanted at the jolly time of rejoice in their home realm? Besides, they felt that the idea of going to a Drowned God of a foreign to them realm for something as trivial as their request was… stupid at best.
But there was nothing to lose. At worst they’d just die and be proclaimed missing back home. It’d be… Relatively painless for them, but it felt wrong to leave everyone at home without a clue what happened. There was no turning back, however.
The mortal picked up their supplies from the ground and, ensuring no one was near, they started taking cautious steps towards the center of the sanctuary. They felt the shrines on the way, lining up the walls, almost observing him with a look that made them feel smaller than they’ve already felt in the face of a lost place, still sought out by many.
Every step filled them with even worse anxiety than the previous one did, until they stood at the base of the large shrine in a cylinder shaped room. Well, it was all or nothing, and they only had anything to lose in a place they weren’t sure if they would get to return to. And even if not, they wouldn’t have the time to regret their decision.
The moment they looked upwards at the shrine, an insidious voice began clawing at their head. And holy shit, did it actually hurt so bad, enough for them to recoil back in pain. Maybe a good idea would be getting it over with. Through the horrible sensation, they’ve pulled through, letting the voice fill their mind.
“A PITTABLE CHILD OF WANT WANDERS INTO THIS TEMPLE. SEEKING KNOWLEDGE, OR PERHAPS FAVORS, YET FOREIGN TO THE LANDS IN WHICH WE RESIDE.” Oh ohh owwww it hurt so bad, in the physical sense. The young mortal held up despite the pain, if only clinging to their own wish. “YOUR DEDICATION IS ADMIRABLE, CHILD. I SHALL MEET YOUR DESIRE.”
They thought about it for a moment. Was it really worth it to wish for that out of everything? Well, whatever. They had the keepsake they made to anchor themselves to their own reality, though they felt its anchor slipping away…
Here goes nothing.
“...Could you please refill my pen?” they started, holding the pen towards the shrine. “It’s one I hold dear, and right now there is no way for me to get a refill of the ink in it where I come from. Every place that could get me a refill is closed, and I use this pen for, well, everything. It’s quite comfortable, too, so I can’t just give it up.”
What. The hell.
The people often came to Yun’Shul for everything no one else could do, and there was this kid from who knows where, asking for an ink cartridge for their pen. Whatever. Might as well. Sounds simple enough. But the Drowned God probably just wanted to be sure.
“MANY OF YOUR CALIBER SEEK THE TEMPLE OUT FOR GLORY, PRESTIGE, OR OTHER BENEFITS TO THEM THEY COULD NOT ACHIEVE FROM ANY OTHER.” The voice kept being a pain to the mortal’s mind. “ARE YOU CERTAIN THAT IS ALL YOU DESIRE OF ME?”
They’ve swallowed that lump building up in their throat. It was going better than they thought it would. So far.
“...Yes. Not much else I can wish for, not right now at least.” Oh there was a lot, they just wanted to keep things humble. Something held their mind in its grip - something horrific and so awful they’d be deemed a lunatic for even bringing it up to a human being in their home world.
“THEN IT IS SO.” The scratching at their mind increased in frequency and strength. “YOUR SUPPLIES OF CREATION SHALL RETURN TO THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED GLORY,” a little add-on wouldn’t hurt due to the simplicity, “WHICH SHALL NOT DWINDLE ONE BIT REGARDLESS OF THE WEAR OF USE.”
As strong as the sensation was, it departed the young folk’s mind nearly immediately upon the words falling finished. Their mind was quiet once more, as quiet as it was before they even attempted reaching the shrine.
Not much time left here, though, the anchor could truly slip at any given second. They’ve nodded their head, keeping it low for a moment longer if just to show respect, before heading out of sight.
Once they were back at the entrance, they tightly shut their eyes and clutched whatever was keeping them bound where they came from, if only to return home. Well damn, they wouldn’t be able to talk about this to anyone without sounding crazy, but whatever, they got what they wanted so it was okay.