Chapter 59 -59-Abyssal Apostle
Link burst out laughing at Ryze’s complaints, his voice echoing into the wind. But Ryze, ever the sharp observer, caught something deeper beneath the surface of that laughter—a trace of bitterness quietly hidden in the young man’s smile.
And no wonder.
Ryze reflected silently—someone like Link, cursed with the cycle of death and rebirth, was never destined to experience emotions the way others did. Whether it was friendship, kinship, or love... these things would always be fleeting to him.
He would outlive them all.
With every loop, every death and return, Link would inevitably grow numb. Detached. Cold. Everyone around him would slowly become nothing more than tools, pawns to be used and discarded at will.
"Mentor?" Link turned to Ryze, puzzled by the prolonged silence and the penetrating stare.
"Ahem... it’s nothing," Ryze said, snapping out of his thoughts. He cleared his throat and shifted into a more serious tone. "I was just about to explain the three locations I’m taking you to. You should be mentally prepared."
He held up a finger. "The first is called Starshatter Mountains. Legend says countless stars fell from the heavens and crashed there, creating a strange, highly unstable energy field across the region. The moonfolk born in that zone... well, they aren’t quite the same as the ones you’ve encountered elsewhere."
"The second location," Ryze continued, "is known as the Skullsplitter Clan Highlands. I could try to describe it in words, but frankly, they wouldn’t do it justice. When you see it for yourself, you’ll understand."
"And lastly... the Thousand-Eyed Altar. This one’s a critical strategic zone for the moonfolk. Normally, I’d never recommend an esper approach it."
Link blinked. "Why not?"