Chapter 150: The Throne of Endless Choices
A pure white expanse surrounded them on all sides. There was no sign of darkness, and there was no sign of anything existing in particular. The whole space was pure, blinding white. There wasn’t any sun, there wasn’t any moon; there was nothing visible except the two figures who had just appeared, floating seamlessly in the vast space.
Lyris and Alen looked around, desperately trying to decipher the secrets about this place. What was this empty space all about? What did they have to do now? Were they really on top of the Spire? Or was this just another twisted game the Ascension Realm was playing with them?
Just as they stood confused about what should be done while looking around the endless white void...
A heavy, booming sound of an unknown being echoed through the open space. It wasn’t loud, but it still made them feel a shiver run down their spines.
{Welcome, Awakeners. You have finally Ascended to the End of the Spire. You two have walked your two different paths to reach here. You deserve a heartfelt congratulations.}
Both Lyris and Alen looked toward the space where the sound was coming from, growing much louder. Just a short distance away from them, floating in the space, was a large white throne. It emitted a suffocating aura of power. They could feel the very essence of several ’Laws’ of the ’World’ emitting from the body of the throne.
Both of them looked toward each other for a brief second and then started walking closer to the throne, maintaining their cautious steps. Anything could happen on this final floor—things which they might not even be able to think of.
"Who are you?..."
The words slipped from Lyris’s lips as she looked at the empty throne. There wasn’t any visible person sitting there; the voice was echoing directly from the nothingness.
{I am ’The Throne of Endless Choices’. I am made of the combined power of several ’Laws’ of the ’World’. If anyone sits on me, they will instantly gain absolute authority over several ’Laws’ of the ’World’ and ultimately become the most powerful being, feared everywhere.}
They looked at the grand throne with surprised faces. As they heard the throne’s promising words, they felt a sudden thrill at hearing about the chance to become stronger. So much stronger that they wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore. They wouldn’t have to bow before anyone in power ever again.
{You two have been able to reach here. One was walking through the path of Darkness, while the other was walking through the path of Light. Both of you had walked through the contrasting paths you actually wanted to seek... But as it is said, life doesn’t work out how you want it to be. You have to constantly adapt yourself to live.}
Alen looked at the shining throne and asked a question, his voice filled with a mixture of quiet awe and curiosity.
"What do we actually need to do to pass through this floor and end this trial?..."
The throne remained silent for a few long seconds before continuing its booming speech.
{It is simple. One of you has to sit in the throne and wield my power. The single person sitting here will get unimaginable power and can leave this place...}
Lyris narrowed her eyes as she also stepped forward, looking at the empty throne with a piercing gaze.
"What about the other person who will not sit on the throne? What will happen to that person?..."
{...}
Silence was maintained again for a few heavy seconds. They waited, standing stiffly for the final answer that was going to decide their life and death.
{The other companion of yours will disappear. I can recognize only one person to be worthy to ascend the throne and rule over my power. Only that one person will get to leave this place safely... So decide right now who among you is going to Ascend the throne and leave this place... Only a few minutes are left before you two will lose the trial entirely, as the time around this place runs faster than the other floors of the spire...}
They stood in stunned silence at the finality of the throne standing in front of them.
Alen looked at the throne and asked in a slightly trembling voice.
"Is there no other method to pass this trial without requiring us to sacrifice one among us?..."
{...}
The throne remained silent, without saying another word. It didn’t have to; its silence alone answered the desperate question.
Behind him, Lyris stood stiffly while looking at the throne with a dazed gaze. Her shoulders slumped, and her face was expressionless. She was trying to decide what should be done now that they were only left with two choices. Either sacrifice one companion among them and gain unimaginable power with which they could live in luxury without any worries, while the other would remain trapped around this place forever and disappear into the Ascension Realm, along with their life, dreams, and paths.
’It seems it is really the moment to decide the choices we choose in life... If I have to live with peace, I may gain it by achieving this power. But I will do so knowing there will always remain deep guilt in me about the terrible decision I make here...’
Lyris looked at Alen’s back. He was wearing the exact same tense expression as her; his figure was tight as he also didn’t know what to do.
’Maybe he also seeks power, like any other person... That was the reason he was walking on his path... I don’t know what choice he is going to choose, but in this last moment of our meeting, I don’t want him to betray me at least. I want to die peacefully at the last moment of my life. If it means sacrificing myself and my own path, so be it... It is not like I had ever achieved my goals or gained the trust of anyone. I have never felt happy and satisfied with my life. It is not like anyone has ever achieved their true path... I can see that he has a burning spirit of achieving that...’
Lyris squeezed her fists as she made her final decision. She stepped closer to him, looking directly up into his face.
Alen looked toward Lyris. His face was tense as he wasn’t able to make up his decision. On one hand, he was going to gain the massive power which he desperately wanted. But on the other hand, he would lose a companion whom he had... unconsciously begun to trust. He couldn’t back down now, not after he had already died once living a pathetic life. This golden chance was given to him to step forward, not to be left back in the dust.
"Alen... I think you should sit on the throne..."
Alen’s expression turned completely blank at her sudden words. Her voice was firm, as if she had already made the final decision. Alen looked at her, meeting her eyes. There wasn’t any hint of greediness for power in them, nor the fear of losing her own life.
’Why?... Why is she willing to sacrifice herself just like that? Did she lose her mind? Why is she acting so kind toward me in this situation which will decide our life and death...’
Lyris noticed his shocked expression. She didn’t want to make him feel guilty about this decision. She forced a strained smile on her lips.
"You know what? I have always been hated by others my whole life. I always live in places where the people would just pretend to be kind to me.... I lose everyone who becomes precious to me... I am not living a life of happiness anyway. I am just living, for no one.... There is no real reason for my life without walking on my path. If walking on a path means sacrificing my companion who I have spent so much of my time with, then... I would rather choose to abandon it... Please, go..."
Alen looked at her while speaking with a chillingly cold voice.
"Are you sure you’re ready to sacrifice your life for a nobody like me?"
Lyris looked at him firmly and nodded without hesitation.
"You are not a nobody. You were the person who I spent a few weeks of genuine happiness with... You have been there for me when you didn’t even need to be... That is enough for me... Besides, you have your own path to walk on, so don’t worry about letting me go. I hope you live a better life... At least better than I have ever lived..."
Alen pursed his lips as he stepped closer. His eyes turned as cold as the dead. He leaned down toward her and whispered fiercely.
"So you have made your decision, haven’t you?... So, now hear mine..."
"I don’t give a damn about your so-called willingness to sacrifice yourself just for pushing me forward..."
"Yes, it is true that I did want to achieve my goals, walk on my path, and become the best version of myself that I ever could be. I want to become the most selfish person anyone could ever be... But I am not carrying your burden of sacrifice on my shoulders! Not when I will always remember that I am walking on my path only because of your generosity... I want to achieve my path freely, independently, and on my own terms!... So, stop giving me pathetic excuses and trying to throw away your life for me..."
Lyris’s eyes widened in shock at his sharp words. Her figure began to tremble a little at his rejection.
’Why isn’t he understanding that I am not just being generous, that I just wanted to die peacefully?!’
Alen pulled back a little, but he still stood close to her as he continued with a tone expressing his absolute finality.
"If we leave, then we both will leave together! And if we can’t, then we both stay here forever. The discussion ends here..."
Lyris stared at him. Her mouth opened to speak, then quickly closed. No words came from it, as she wasn’t able to speak. There was nothing left to speak about after hearing his resolve.
What could she even do now? It wasn’t like she was going to walk toward the throne and take a seat there herself. She wasn’t that kind of person who would want to sacrifice her companion to live; she would rather prefer dying.
She involuntarily nodded at his stubborn decision.
"Okay..."