Chapter 1992: Vashti |
’Wait, she is…’
Nux raised his eyebrow as he stared at the woman on the screen. She had no hair, but that didn’t take her beauty away.
Her face was nothing short of perfect. She had beautiful, clear skin, and pink, soft lips.
Her eyes were covered with a blindfold.
She wore extremely loose robes, almost as if she was trying to hide her sinful body, but the robes weren’t doing a very good job.
The moment Nux’s eyes fell on her, he frowned.
This woman…
She looked familiar, as if he had seen her before.
"Devil."
Her voice seemed familiar as well; Nux just couldn’t seem to recall where he had heard it. Which was strange in its own way, considering that this man had memories of literal worlds in his head, and he remembered it all.
For now, however, Nux decided to continue the conversation and nodded at the woman. Once again, the screen shifted back to Tenzin and the monk continued,
"Of course, considering how your focus shifted to the rest of my disciples after I brought Vashti under my protection, it is clear that you aren’t after her but something else instead."
Nux narrowed his eyes, but Tenzin didn’t stop.
"So let us have a direct conversation and solve the matter, Devil.
What is it that you want?"
"I wish to know more about the Temple of Time."
Nux answered.
Although reading their memories was much more convenient since he wouldn’t have to worry about them lying, for now, he didn’t have another choice.
They already had a counter against him; he was helpless.
"What do you wish to know?"
"About the Trials. I tried asking others, but their answers were vague."
"That is expected."
Tenzin nodded.
"Tenebris Leaders weren’t satisfied with the results. They thought of the Temple to be a sham, just like they were told, and didn’t bother investing time in keeping clear records."
The Monk spoke and Nux nodded; that was exactly what happened.
"This is why I came to you."
"It is a difficult question to answer."
Tenzin began.
"The Temple is… one of the few mysteries of the Universe that even the Supreme Worlds of Eternity failed to comprehend.
It is an Ancient Ground, a place that is believed to be older than even the Supreme Worlds.
It is said that the Temple existed even before our Universe did, but there are no records proving that.
The Trials inside the Temple change with each participant.
The Tower assesses the trial takers and creates custom trials for them, so even if I wish to tell you, I cannot.
I can, however, give you the records of the previous Trial Takers and the trials they faced.
Of course, almost every one of them failed at their first trial, while only the exceptional few managed to clear the first and enter the second trial. The trials they took still varied from person to person, but they still had some level of similarities.
I believe going through those records will give you the answers you are looking for."
Tenzin spoke.
Once again, Nux couldn’t help but notice how polite this man was. It was an extremely strange experience for a brute like him.
He also noticed another thing that made him raise his eyebrow.
"So some people did manage to clear the first trial?"
"Yes, by Time’s grace, I was one of them."
Tenzin smiled.
"What about the Second Trial? Did anyone manage to clear it?"
"Only one being.
Surprisingly, that being also managed to clear the third and fourth trials, only failing the fifth."
Tenzin answered, and although his face didn’t show much of an expression, his tone couldn’t hide his pride.
"Who is that?"
Nux couldn’t help but question, and this time, a big smile appeared on Tenzin’s face.
"Vashti."
Nux’s expression changed as once again, Tenzin pulled his disciple close to him with a proud look on his face. Vashti, on the other hand, seemed a little embarrassed by being in the spotlight.
"And how many trials are there?"
"Vashti says there are six."
"Hmm?"
Nux frowned at those words.
"You learn more things about the Tower as you continue to clear the Trials. This is why we have been trying to clear the Trials even when we know doing so wouldn’t change anything since we have already formed our Laws."
Soon, however, a self-deprecating smile appeared on Tenzin’s face as he shook his head,
"Not that it matters, since all of us have failed to clear the second trial even after devoting all our lives to it.
I always wonder how Vashti manages to clear trial after trial as she progresses."
Tenzin spoke, and Nux couldn’t help but feel impressed.
His eyes once again fell on the woman, and once again, the same thought appeared in his mind.
This woman…
She was too familiar.
He could swear he had seen her somewhere before.
’Will she think I am flirting with her if I say it out loud?’
Nux wondered in his head.
Seeing that the Devil was staring at his disciple, Tenzin smiled and continued,
"Do you want me to give you the records I mentioned? Those records also have detailed reports of every time Vashti entered the Temple, and since those reports were written by Vashti herself, they are quite well organized."
"Please."
Nux nodded.
It was an offer he couldn’t reject. Honestly, he found it strange.
He came here with the intention to abduct this man’s disciple and read their memories, yet he is still trying to help him instead of bashing him away.
’Are the monks that good…?’
He couldn’t help but wonder in his head.
He wasn’t much of a spiritual guy, not in this life, nor in his past one, so he didn’t know much.
Not to mention, because these people were so reclusive, none of the worlds or people whose memories he read had any information regarding them.
Nux was completely new to this.
And as if knowing what he was thinking, Tenzin continued,
"The Temple of Time is not ours.
We consider it to be a gift from the Universe to its children. It belongs to us all, so we never gatekeep from others.
You came here because you were curious about it, and I gave you everything you need. I hope this solves the matter between us peacefully.
If not…
I will not hesitate to go to the Supreme Worlds and report your existence to them, Anomaly."
"!!!"
…
*Tenzin* *Vashti*