Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Descending the stairs to the Library of the Magi, Kaizen felt the familiar, comforting atmosphere of his personal haven.

The aisles between the bookshelves looked narrow from above, filled with dusty tomes and time-worn scrolls. The soft light of candles in the chandeliers created a mysterious and welcoming atmosphere. Upon entering the library, Kaizen found Alina absorbed in her studies near her mainly desk. She was surrounded by stacks of books, some open, revealing detailed illustrations and ancient texts.

The mage was also sitting in a tall, elegant chair, her eyes bright with curiosity as she carefully leafed through the scrolls.

"Kaizen! How nice that you are here!" exclaimed Alina, raising her gaze and smiling warmly at him. "I have some fascinating information to share with you about that third option of ours, the Tear Flower of Isara."

Kaizen approached the table, feeling the smell of old ink and aged paper filling the air. He admired the passion for knowledge in Alina's eyes.

Alina gestured invitingly for Kaizen to sit beside her. "Come, let me show you what I have discovered."

Kaizen settled into a nearby chair, his eyes fixed on Alina as she carefully unrolled a scroll, which contained some illustrations of Niflheim and its icy landscapes. The images depicted majestic snow-capped mountains, frozen rivers, and a dense forest of trees twisted by the relentless cold.

"The Tear Flower of Isara is an extremely rare and magical plant, found only in the depths of Niflheim..." explained Alina, her voice laden with fascination. "If you want to find it, you will have to venture into some frozen caves or worse. And if you find trolls, you should definitely go the other way, because they also eat those flowers to get stronger."

As Alina spoke, Kaizen admired the detailed illustrations, which captured the beauty and serenity of Niflheim, but also conveyed a sense of impending danger. He could feel the pulsating magic of the place through the pages of the scroll.

Then, when she finished speaking all the details, Kaizen raised his right hand like a behaved student and said:

"Actually, Alina, I have a surprise for you." said Kaizen, with excitement evident in his voice.

Alina arched an eyebrow, curious. "A surprise? What have you done, Kaizen?" She closed the book.

Kaizen then opened his inventory and withdrew an Isara Tear, delicate and radiant between his fingers.

Alina's eyes widened, unable to contain her surprise. "Kaizen! You did it! Isara's Tear Flower! How... where...?"

Kaizen laughed, pleased with Alina's reaction. "I went to Niflheim, faced the freezing cold, hostile creatures and two ice giants. Luckily, I was successful in finding and harvesting this gem on the back of one of the ice giants."

Alina stood up from her chair, approaching Kaizen with an expression of admiration as she stared at the flower.

"Kaizen, that is amazing! You are truly remarkable! Few would be able to accomplish such a dangerous and challenging task. "And how did you get to Niflheim? I mean, I warned you about our options a week ago at most and you've already gone? How...?"

Kaizen held Isara's Tear Flower carefully, appreciating its beauty and the magical power emanating from it, and then answered:

"It was not an easy task to be honest. However, I gathered some fellow Descragons who were owing me a favor, and they helped me defeat the Guardian of the Gates of Niflheim. When he was defeated, a door opened in his room and I used that key I already showed you."

"And the door took you to Niflheim?"

"I wish..." Kaizen replied and took a deep breath. "We went to Yggdrasil and were approached by that weird squirrel..."

"The Ratatosk?!!!"

"Exactly."

Alina put her hand on the left side of her chest and stood up, dragging the chair she was sitting in. "You're kidding me, aren't you? Is this some kind of joke?"

"Of course not, Alina. I would never joke about something like that. But sit down, I'll finish telling the story."

As Kaizen asked, she sat down, a little breathless from excitement.

"Ratatosk put us through some sort of provocation that could both get us killed, or something like that, and also get us where we wanted to go."

"That is, Niflheim... But wait a second, I've never heard about any kind of ordeal for traveling between worlds. In the books it's only mentioned that some living beings can reach such an immeasurable level of power that they can access the Bifrost if they are sponsored by a god." Alina explained.

"Those must be the people I know as Evolved." Kaizen stated, placing his left hand on his chin.

"You are an Evolved?" She inquired, looking anxiously at him.

"No, of course not. At least, not yet. Anyway, the rest doesn't matter now. Alina, this flower is only the first step. Now, with Isara's Tear Flower in hand, I will be able to create the power boost potion we seek."

"Yes, but..."

"What?"

Alina hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Kaizen, all of this is amazing, but I can't help but worry about the dangers you faced. You put your life at risk to obtain this Tear Flower from Isara. What if something had happened to you? What would I have done? You didn't even warn me that you were going to another world."

Kaizen looked into Alina's eyes, surprised for some. He had forgotten that, for these NPCs, he only had one life. With a smile on his face, he reached out a hand and held hers, conveying comfort and reassurance.

"Alina, I understand your concerns, and I worry about you too. But believe me, I took all the necessary precautions and was accompanied by powerful allies. I was determined to bring this Tear Flower of Isara to us, so that we could make this potion."

Alina took a deep breath, feeling calmer as she saw the determination in Kaizen's eyes.

…

Edited by: DrHitsuji

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