Silence fell again, with only the gentle rising of steam to mark the passing of time.
The final words of Omnicent drifted through the air, sealing the room in a suffocating silence. It felt as if an unseen weight had settled over all of them. The Tome of Omnicent, a vessel of absolute knowledge, had suddenly lost something far more precious than information: the memory of its own origin.
"Its final purpose was to help those around Kaivan grow, and also to... I cannot remember..." The Tome's voice trembled. "I, Omnicent, who knows all things... why can I not recall this?"
Kaivan stiffened, a cold shiver crawling up his spine. His eyes narrowed on the Tome, searching for any sign that could explain this sudden change. But nothing answered him.
The Tome quivered, almost as if shaking in fear. In its current form, a worn ancient book with faint glowing engravings, its pages flickered dimly, as though something vital had been torn away.
"The seal...?" it whispered again, even softer. "My crystals...? Where are my crystals...? Why can't I remember?!"
Panic filled its voice, shaking the air around them. It felt as if the world Omnicent once understood was collapsing right before its eyes. A being once filled with wisdom now looked fragile, adrift in a void it could not comprehend.
Isabel, who had been sitting in deep thought, finally moved. Slowly, she crawled closer, her gaze fixed on the trembling Tome. Her movements were gentle, deliberate, like approaching a frightened child.
Without hesitation, she reached out and wrapped her arms around the book. Her fingers curved over its hard cover, pulling it firmly to her chest. Her slender body leaned against its cold surface. "There, there..." she whispered. "Don't force yourself."
The gesture felt natural, as if she were protecting something far more delicate than a mere object. In the quiet of the night, human warmth met a mystery beyond understanding.
Kaivan stepped closer, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "What we know is that our purpose is to grow. The rest, we'll find together." His tone was gentle yet steady. "You said you need your crystals, right? We'll find them."
Still cradling the Tome, Isabel blinked. "Eh...? Why..." Her brows knit slightly. For an instant, something invisible seemed to brush past her, but no one noticed.
The Tome began to settle, though confusion still hung in the air. Then a small voice rose, soft as a sigh of regret.
"Forgive me... I cannot remember my origin... I want to rest... Please, do not fight..."
Its voice faded, losing strength. "Kaivan can still use me as usual..." it murmured.
The faint glow within its pages slowly dimmed. Its awareness flickered out, like a tiny flame swallowed by the wind. Only the ancient book remained, silent and almost lifeless.
Isabel loosened her embrace, gazing down at it. Her expression was hard to read, quiet, distant, as though something had taken root inside her.
Kaivan looked at his companions, their faces frozen in confusion. His gaze returned to the worn pages.
They were far from finished. This mystery was far from over. And there was no turning back.
By the edge of the hot spring, beneath the quiet night sky, Kaivan leaned back against the stone rim. Warm steam curled around him, softening the chill of the air and wrapping the night in a strange calm. His fingers rested against the cover of the Tome Omnicent as he stared at the ripples on the water.
"We just need to gather ten people first, right?" he murmured, as if reminding himself. "Then live our lives as usual."
He closed the book gently and set it beside the pool. His long breath wavered. "That's all from the Tome Omnicent." The words were light, yet they carried weight.
Raphael, sitting with his hands on his knees, looked at Kaivan. "So that's it?" he muttered, a subtle disappointment in his tone. "That means other Tomes exist, doesn't it?"
Silence followed. The thought lingered in the air.
Ethan, standing near the pool's edge, spoke firmly. "We've only defeated one, Omnidream."
Isabel sat cross-legged, her voice gentle. "It's fine. Let's just… live for now." Her eyes softened, though doubt flickered beneath the surface. "That knowledge won't help us yet, right?"
A small smile touched her lips, though something hid behind it.
Zinnia rose from the water, moonlight shimmering across her skin. She ran her fingers through her deep violet hair. "In that case, I'll get some food ready, okay?" Her voice was light, soothing against the quiet sound of drifting water.
Kaivan, still half-submerged with his head resting on the pool's edge, lazily glanced her way. His eyes half-closed, breath heavy, reluctant to leave the warmth. "Let's just eat here. I'm too lazy to get out," he mumbled.
Zinnia lifted a brow, a small smile forming. She already knew Kaivan's love for comfort. With graceful steps, she walked to the table and picked up several plates of grilled fish. The aroma of spices filled the air, making the night feel a little more alive. Balancing the plates with practiced ease, she returned to the poolside.
But whether from haste or too much confidence, Zinnia slipped, falling directly onto Kaivan's head, landing on his face in a very un-elegant manner.
"Eh, ah! S-sorry!" she cried in a panic, looking utterly innocent despite the catastrophic position.