Chương 171: Enkanomiya
"Chht!" The clash of swords echoed through the shadows as two figures relentlessly exchanged blows.
"You're a real cheat with a sword, Allen," one of them taunted, quickening their pace. Allen barely had time to react, but his adaptability was almost instantaneous, matching the new speed and style.
"I'll devour you whole, Kagome," Allen snarled, curving his blade and charging at the opening in her defense.
Kagome dropped her sword, spinning out of Allen's reach, and leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "Who's really being devoured?"
"Tch!" Allen glanced at his hands, now fairer and smaller—more like a woman's than his own.
Kagome seized the moment, landing a blow to Allen's stomach and knocking him to the ground.
'Damn it! I almost lost myself,' Allen cursed inwardly as he withdrew from the fight, watching his hands return to normal.
"We're almost the same person, thanks to the Delusion. Training with me might be the fastest way to grow stronger, but it's also the fastest way to lose yourself," Kagome said, her voice steady. "The closer you get to devouring me, the closer I get to devouring you. Are you willing to take that risk?"
"Not now," Allen admitted, standing up. "That's why I stopped when I noticed the change. But my strength isn't enough yet. At this rate, I won't be able to defeat the Shogun."
"Allen, even if I did devour you, even at our peak as Columbina, we still wouldn't be able to defeat her. That's why I haven't taken over you. I believe in your potential. You have your whole life to realize it, and if not, the next Columbina will carry on."
"I don't need to beat her as she is now. Even with your strength, it might not be enough, but mine alone falls short. And I'm not ready to truly face you yet. These small spars are the best training for now. As for time? I can't waste this opportunity. But I'd rather live my own life, not yours."
"Living for oneself," Kagome murmured with a bittersweet smile. "Would Master have wanted that for me?" She suddenly stilled. "It's time to wake up—you've arrived."
The dream world began to crumble as Allen was pulled back to consciousness.
"Allen, one last thing," Kagome said, stepping forward. She reached out and plucked a single strand of hair from his head. The strand was pure white, more like Kagome's own than Allen's. "The most dangerous changes are the ones we don't notice."
…
Allen woke in his cabin aboard the ship.
"Brother, we've arrived," Endora said as she entered his room.
"Thanks, Endora." Allen stepped out, gazing at the sea where a small whirlpool spun ominously.
"The water isn't connected there," Endora noted, staring at the whirlpool. "It's like it just vanishes beneath."
"This is the passage to Inazuma, a way to avoid the lightning storms. It leads directly to Watatsumi Island, Enkanomiya."
Allen turned to face Endora, Fischl, Alina, and Collei. "This passage has been used for over four years to trade with the island, but communication was cut off a month ago. Our analysis suggests that while we can enter Enkanomiya, we can't leave. Our mission is to solve this problem and reach Inazuma. Let's move out."
With that, Allen leaped into the whirlpool, the others following close behind. After a brief plunge through water, they passed through a veil of sand, emerging in a vast, cavernous space filled with floating islands and a towering central pillar.
Allen frowned, sensing the strange atmosphere, and glanced at Fischl.
"Don't ask," she said coldly, reclining on a nearby rock. "I'm not helping you with this."
"Alina, Collei, you're free to act on your own from here. We'll split up and each try to uncover the cause. If you find anything, signal the others with your Fatui emblems."
"Perfect, I work better alone," Collei grinned before sprinting off, making a daring leap to the next island.
Alina simply nodded, disappearing into a whirlpool of petals.
"Now, what to do?" Allen mused, considering his options. 'I could try to find the source and solve the problem quickly, but...' "I think I'll let them handle it. It's not every day I get to explore ancient ruins—maybe I can learn something valuable."
"Let's go, Endora." She nodded, following Allen as they approached the central pillar.
As they walked, the remnants of ancient glory, now tainted by shadows, came into view.
After experimenting with elemental power and solving puzzles that guarded broken relics, Allen finally sensed something different—a sound in the otherwise silent world.
Following the sound, he found a man reading a book by a shelf. The man had chin-length blue hair and wore glasses, dressed in a traditional Inazuman kimono.
"Oh? What a surprise to find someone here," the man remarked, closing his book and smiling. "I'm Enjou. And who might you be, young man, and little lady?"
"I'm Allen, and this is my sister, Endora. How and why are you here? This isn't a place for civilians, and you're unarmed."
"Books can be the most powerful weapons, burning away the unknown with their wisdom," Enjou laughed, raising the book in his hand. "I'm a researcher of ancient languages from Inazuma. When I heard the doors to Enkanomiya had opened, I couldn't resist investigating. And you, young man, what brings you here?"
"Then you can understand this?" Allen pulled a book from the shelf, skimming its pages filled with an ancient script before returning it. "As for my reason, are you aware that the way back to Watatsumi Island has been sealed? We can enter, but we can't leave."
Enjou's expression shifted to surprise. "So we're trapped?" He frowned thoughtfully. "And you're here to reopen it? Someone so young."
"I'm more than capable," Allen said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "As a researcher and likely the most knowledgeable about these ruins, do you have any idea what's causing this?"
"Perhaps..." Enjou pondered, then walked through a nearby door into a large library. He began searching the shelves. "This might be it!" He pulled out a book and quickly skimmed its contents. "It's possible the issue is tied to the Dainichi Mikoshi, the pillar on the central island. It's supposed to illuminate the area and protect the ruins from the Vishaps, but it's not functioning. The lack of light or the Vishaps' activity might be to blame."
"How do we get it working again?" Allen asked.
"According to this book, the Dainichi Mikoshi is powered by three gears scattered across Enkanomiya. While it can function with just one, all three must be activated to restart it," Enjou explained, shaking his head. "Quite the complex setup. Activating the sealed gears should reactivate the Dainichi Mikoshi and light up Enkanomiya. The areas around the gears are infested with Vishaps, though, so it's dangerous for me. Could you handle this, capable young man? I'll make a map of their locations."
"Better make three, right? Collei? Alina?" Allen called as Alina appeared from thin air and Collei landed from above while clicking her tongue.
"So you have companions. Excellent, this will go much faster!" Enjou quickly prepared maps, handing one to Allen, Alina, and Collei each.
"Let's split up," Allen ordered, and the two girls left to activate their respective gears.
Once alone with Endora, Allen handed her his map. "Endora, take care of this one."
"Aren't we going together, brother?" Endora asked, puzzled.
"No," Allen replied, shaking his head as he eyed the library where Enjou was. "I have other plans." He grinned.
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