As the eye, the "vessel", spoke of the name, "Ellios", the mysterious girl bowed her head, her eyes exhibiting both shame and anguish. However, this made this eye focus on her more so.
"Ellios… you already know that I have forsaken that name, Flamesprite of Absence*. Even though it also reminds me of that which haunts me deeply, calling me the "Maiden of the Twinbirds" is better." She told the eye.
Gradually, as she spoke, a faint purplish aura began to surround her body. This only occurred in front of this Vessel of Divinity, and it was like a portion of some "divine strength" was seeping out of her.
"However, for this moment, and this moment alone, I will ignore my grief, my pain and my sorrow. I won't hold onto any regrets."
"So, I beg of you, Vessel of Divinity, bestow upon me a fitting future. A rewritten Destiny for an "enigma" such as me!"
The Flamesprite of Absence remained silent for a moment.
"…To rewrite Destiny… that is the innate gift that the Gods gave that gift to you living beasts."
"Yet, since you know that, because of the peculiar turn of events your life has been through, you are no longer about to change the trajectory of your life."
She nodded. "I must be lent the strength of Absence's "Nothing Flames". I must change everything! I know that your divine strength has been supporting me all this while, so please, let me pay an equal price in exchange."
"No. The price would be too great for any mortal being to be burdened with, even with a soul held together by divine strength. The extent to what I can do to help you endeavour on your path is to tell you what is most probable to happen in the future. And, as someone who was bound to "Death" through the Rites of Immortality, you know the value that the future holds, correct?"
Meanwhile, as the eye and the mysterious girl talked, Scott caught the faint traces of a mysterious power emanating from her.
"…Death?"
The word instantly appeared in his mind, and although he had no comprehension of such a power, especially with close to no knowledge about this world, it was… eerily familiar to him for some reason, that power…
"It's like… a soul-consuming essence is always around her…" Scott muttered, "I now realise… I could always feel it, even when I first approached her. But now, it's getting stronger… alongside her emotions."
"It… it's a power that entrances me… but also makes me… afraid."
All three of them glanced at the Twinbirds that stood silently beside the mysterious girl, and it seemed odd. The Twinbirds were gradually beginning to shudder more and more.
And then suddenly, the eye talked to them.
"Intriguing. Your presence hasn't yet killed off the three young men with you. And it seems, one of them holds a truly unique soul." The eye spoke, staring directly at Scott.
Michael, taken aback, pointed at him, Scott and Felix and murmured:
"…Us three?"
"Yes. I wouldn't mind looking into your destinies as well."
They all looked flabbergasted at that instance, and Scott immediately asked:
"Why?"
"…This girl is a human who once sought her kind of redemption in an inescapable place, in a place where you are meant to be dead, and trialled for your sins and karma. Yet, all three of you can last this long in her presence without being "altered" in esoteric ways."
"So, I suppose that doing this is a reward for such. I will do it one at a time. Firstly..."
The eye of the Vessel of Divinity imbued its gaze with "divine water" from the River of Time*, and told the mysterious girl, the Maiden of the Twinbirds, Ellios, of her Destiny.
"…Twinbirds Maiden… you will die."
"…I expected that both the most and the least," She emitted, her thoughts unshaken, "But what else is there?"
"…But, upon this "death", you will also receive a "gift". A powerful gaze will land on you, and you shall be endowed with the true shadow of "Death". In the future, you will be "free."
Once the vessel finished the foretelling of destiny, the mysterious girl's aura began to fade, as her heart began to relax. Although she wouldn't be able to rewrite what is already set in stone by the events of her past, being free from her shackles was more than enough.
Then, the eye's gaze turned to Felix.
"Now, Felix, I shall reveal to you what is most probable to happen in your future."
"You will meet your "Destiny's End*" while fighting a Leviathan with a large group that you can fully trust. Since that will be the "turning point" of your entire life, I shall leave that there."
Felix, upon hearing the word, "Leviathan", seemed to have not even an inkling of a thought about what the eye referred to, but remained quiet and nodded fervently.
"Next to come, Michael."
"Your destiny is a simple one, compared to those around you. Though, you have the chance to strive on many different paths. Some are good, but some are extremely bad. However, because of this, there isn't a future that is "most probable", but instead, I shall tell you of one at random."
"You will receive the greatest gift and become an extraordinary sword warrior. Just like the legends in stories, you shall be called a "King of Blades."
"A King of Blades…?!" Michael exclaimed. Such a dream was a lifetime away for him, a transcendent title, reserved for those who wield the power of a Saint, with only a weapon.
Yet, to think, in his future, he could have a chance at that. He was bubbling with excitement!
"And finally, Scott. It seems, out of everyone, you are the most unique of all."
"Like the Twinbirds Maiden, you will also die, but not just once. You will alter everything, and cause the "scale" to tip."
"…And, with the power that is flowing inside you, you will find yourself responsible for the chaos that will sweep the lands soon enough. You will find a "truth"… and everything may end."
"However…. it is interesting… it seems… your journey continues beyond this world."
The mysterious girl's eyes widened, as she turned back to look at Scott. And, unsurprisingly, so did the others.
"…What… what do you mean, beyond this world?" Scott asked, his voice trembling from an unknown feeling. Little did he know, his question held an "invisible weight" on his back, a weight that only the most unanswerable of questions could hold.
"…Do not take my words as fully literal. When it comes to "Destiny", everything has a double meaning. Though, that isn't to say it's impossible to go beyond this world. Quite a few have done so once or twice. Including the Twinbirds Maiden."
"And, if I may advise, take her on your journey. The effect you two may have on each other's fates would be miraculous. Perhaps it would even cause "Finality" to tremble…"
Those were the last words spoken by the Vessel of Divinity, before the fissure closed shut, and the campfire returned to normal. It was as if nothing had happened at all, which was perhaps true with how the rays of magical light shrouded and shielded the area from prying eyes.
The mysterious girl's lips trembled in front of the normal campfire, and a tear streamed down her pale face. However, she shakily exhaled and slowly turned around.
Scott, Michael and Felix, meanwhile, gazed at her anxiously. She had a blank look on her face before, but that expressionlessness was turned into a faint, deathly look instead.
"…For the sake of our destinies, it seems it was intended for us to meet by the Gods," She told the three of them as she approached, "Regrettably, however, my sorrow has withered my soul to a great degree… perhaps I can resolve that with you three."
In response, Scott, Michael and Felix displayed their nervous semblances of understanding in various ways, but still, they managed to get it across to her.
"…Now, let me introduce myself properly."
"The "Maiden of the Twinbirds" is not my true title, so instead, you can just call me Ellios. And, If you would allow me to join you three, it would be best if you kept a small, safe distance of a few steps away."
"…Why?"
"…This is because, as you all have most likely guessed by now, I am but a "floating soul" on the boundary of the lifeless sea."