Chapter 116: The test
Ceremus stared at the black waters, who have remained still since their descent, with a troubled look on his face.
He wasn't happy to hear he'd have to swim in its waters, but he had no choice.His expression was grim as he stripped away his outer garments, casting them aside. The frigid air stung his skin, but he hardly noticed. His gaze remained locked on the river, unblinking.
The cold swallowed him whole, seeping into his bones as he cut through the water. It was deathly silent beneath the surface, the pressure of the deep pushing against him like unseen hands.
He recalled Tiresias' words before he leapt: "The plant resembles a flower, yellow in colour and hard to miss."
His eyes scanned the murky depths, searching for the yellow flower.
That's when he saw it—a glimmer of gold nestled among the riverbed's shifting sands.
His heart pounded as he propelled himself forward, reaching for the flower that would decide Hael's fate. But before he could do so, a hand stopped him.
Ceremus looked down at his hand in alarm, wondering what had just touched him when an image materialized in front of him—the image was none other than his father. But this time, even as he faced him, Ceremus was no longer alarmed or afraid. He faced Peleus right on, ready to wrestle with any lingering regrets he might've had.
He knew he was going to have to face his father someday and explain to him all the things he had done, how he had wronged not only him, but his people as well. Believing himself unworthy of atonement, he delved deeper into a life of sin, losing himself to the world. He opted for a reckless life rather than a righteous one. Instead of putting his people first, he selfishly did what he wanted. Instead of caring, he ignored.