Chapter 158: The Path to Number One

Chapter 158: The Path to Number One Eren stepped out of the chamber, the heavy stone door closing behind him with a resounding thud that seemed to echo through his very bones. The cool corridor air hit his face like a slap, and he welcomed it. His hands were steady as he adjusted his tunic, but his mind was anything but calm. The same two guards from before stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the torchlight. They straightened immediately upon seeing him, their expressions filled with the same reverence as before, though perhaps even more pronounced now. "Veilwalker," the taller guard said, bowing deeply. "The Master awaits your return. She is most eager to hear of your... accomplishments." The shorter guard nodded enthusiastically. "Your reputation grows with each passing hour, sir. The entire fortress speaks of nothing but your incredible abilities." Eren said nothing, simply nodding for them to lead the way. His thoughts were consumed with one thing: his family. Were they still safe? Were they still being treated well? The uncertainty gnawed at him as they began their familiar journey through the winding corridors. "If I may say so, Veilwalker," the taller guard continued as they walked, "you carry yourself differently now. There’s a... presence about you. The power of the TUNA rituals, it changes a person, doesn’t it?" "The Master will be most pleased," added the shorter guard. "She has such plans for you, such important work ahead." They passed through the same ornate hallways as before, but Eren barely noticed the tapestries and carvings this time. His focus was singular, his determination hardening with each step. Whatever came next, he would endure it. For his family. For Naia. For his people. The guards maintained their respectful chatter as they descended the familiar stairs, their voices echoing off the stone walls. But Eren’s attention was drawn to something else – sounds coming from ahead. Voices. Familiar voices. As they approached the massive double doors of the main hall, Eren could hear conversation from within. His heart quickened as he recognized his mother’s voice, then Lyra’s, then Naia’s. They were still here. They were still alive. The guards pushed open the great doors with their usual ceremonial flourish, and Eren stepped inside to find a scene remarkably similar to before. His family and companions were seated in the same arrangement, looking comfortable and well-cared for. Relief flooded through him, though he kept his expression carefully neutral. "Ah, there he is!" Kiada’s voice rang out from her throne, warm and genuinely delighted. "Our magnificent Veilwalker returns! Come, come, let your family see the hero you’ve become." Eren’s eyes swept over his loved ones. His mother sat with her usual regal bearing, though he noticed she looked slightly more at ease than before. Commander Lyra appeared alert and unharmed. And Naia... Naia met his gaze with a small smile that seemed to say everything he needed to know. "Eren," Queen Elysia said, rising from her chair with genuine warmth in her voice. "We’ve been having the most fascinating conversations while you were... attending to your duties. Kiada has been sharing remarkable insights about the work you’re doing here." "Indeed," Lyra added, her tone respectful but measured. "The significance of what you’re accomplishing – it’s quite extraordinary, from what we’ve learned." Kiada descended from her throne with graceful steps, her expression radiating pride and satisfaction. "My dear Veilwalker, I can see it in your bearing, in your very presence – the ritual was a complete success, wasn’t it? The power flows through you now more strongly than ever." Eren inclined his head slightly. "It is finished." "Excellent! Absolutely excellent!" Kiada clapped her hands together, her delight genuine and infectious. "I knew you would exceed all expectations. The TUNA ritual with Sushi – I can sense its completion in your very aura. You’ve grown stronger, more attuned to the ancient powers we’re working to harness." She began to pace around the hall, her movements animated with excitement. "You see, everyone," she addressed the room at large, "this is what true mastery looks like. The Veilwalker doesn’t simply perform these rituals – he transcends through them. Each completion brings him closer to his ultimate potential." "Your son is remarkable," Kiada continued, turning to address Queen Elysia directly. "The way he’s embraced his destiny here, the grace with which he’s accepted his role in our greater purpose – it speaks to the exceptional upbringing you’ve provided." Eren watched the exchange carefully, noting the subtle dynamics at play. His family seemed genuinely comfortable, but there was something beneath the surface – a careful politeness that suggested they understood the true nature of their situation even if it wasn’t openly acknowledged. "Now then," Kiada said, her tone becoming more businesslike while maintaining its warmth, "we must discuss what comes next. The work we’re doing here is far from complete, and your abilities, Veilwalker, are needed more than ever." She moved to stand before him, her eyes bright with anticipation. "I had originally planned for your next ritual to be with my Number Two. She’s quite accomplished, quite eager to experience what you have to offer. However," Kiada paused, a slight frown crossing her features, "she’s currently occupied with some urgent matters that require her immediate attention. Matters of strategy and planning that simply cannot wait." The hall seemed to hold its breath as Kiada’s expression shifted, becoming more serious, more intense. "Which brings us to a rather... significant development," she continued, her voice taking on a tone of reverence that hadn’t been there before. "Given the importance of maintaining momentum in your training, given the incredible progress you’ve already shown, I believe it’s time to advance to the next level entirely." She paused, turning to face the assembled group with theatrical precision. "Your next ritual, my dear Veilwalker, will be with my Number One." The words fell into the hall like stones into still water. The very air seemed to thicken, and even the torches appeared to flicker more dimly. Eren felt a chill run down his spine that had nothing to do with the temperature of the chamber. His mother’s expression remained composed, but he caught the slightest tightening around her eyes. Lyra’s posture became more rigid, more alert. Even Naia, who had been maintaining her calm demeanor, seemed to draw in a sharp breath. The guards flanking the entrance straightened even further, if such a thing were possible, their respect tinged now with something that looked almost like awe – or perhaps fear. "Number One," Kiada repeated, her voice soft but carrying clearly through the suddenly oppressive silence. "Yuki." The name hung in the air like an omen. Eren had heard whispers about Kiada’s ranking system, but Number One was spoken of only in hushed tones, when she was spoken of at all. The atmosphere in the room had shifted dramatically, as if the very mention of the name had summoned something dark and powerful. Kiada’s expression remained pleasant, but there was a new intensity in her eyes, a depth that suggested layers of meaning Eren couldn’t yet fathom. "She’s been looking forward to meeting you, Veilwalker," Kiada continued, her voice returning to its usual warmth, though the undercurrent of gravity remained. "Your reputation has reached even her, and that is... quite remarkable. Yuki doesn’t often take interest in new additions to our little family here." Eren found his voice, though it came out steadier than he felt. "When?" "Now, of course," Kiada replied with a smile that was both kind and implacable. "There’s no sense in delaying what promises to be such a... significant encounter. Your family will remain here, comfortable and well-cared for, naturally. They’ll be eager to hear about your experiences when you return." She gestured toward the guards, who immediately stepped forward with their familiar respectful bearing, though Eren noticed they moved with more purpose now, more urgency. "Guards, please escort our esteemed Veilwalker to Number One’s chambers. And remember – this is a most important occasion. Treat it with all the reverence it deserves." The taller guard bowed deeply. "Of course, Master. It would be our honor to escort the Veilwalker to such a momentous meeting." As Eren prepared to leave, he caught his mother’s eye. She gave him the smallest of nods – a gesture of encouragement and love that somehow conveyed her faith in his strength, even in circumstances neither of them fully understood. Naia’s eyes met his as well, and in them he saw the same quiet strength that had always drawn him to her. She mouthed something he couldn’t quite catch, but the meaning was clear: Be careful. The walk through the corridors felt different this time. The guards maintained their respectful demeanor, but their conversation was more subdued, more reverent. They spoke in lower tones about the honor of escorting someone to meet Number One, about the significance of such an encounter. "Few are granted an audience with Yuki," the shorter guard murmured as they navigated a section of the fortress Eren hadn’t seen before. "Fewer still for purposes such as this. You must be truly exceptional, Veilwalker." They descended deeper into the fortress than Eren had been before, past levels of ornate stonework and into sections where the architecture became more ancient, more primal. The very walls seemed to pulse with an energy that made his skin prickle. Finally, they arrived at a corridor that felt different from all the others. The air was thicker here, charged with an energy that made every breath feel significant. At the end of the hallway stood a single door, unmarked but somehow more imposing than any of the ornate entrances he’d encountered before. The guards stopped several paces away from the door, their reverence now mixed with what was unmistakably apprehension. "This is as far as we go, Veilwalker," the taller guard said quietly. "Number One’s chambers are... sacred. Only those summoned may enter." Eren approached the door slowly, each step feeling weighted with consequence. The stone beneath his feet seemed to vibrate with an energy he couldn’t identify, and the very air around the entrance shimmered slightly, as if reality itself was somehow more malleable here. He stopped before the door, his hand hovering over the handle. The silence was absolute, broken only by the sound of his own breathing. He could feel the eyes of the guards on him, could sense their mixture of respect and fear. Taking a deep breath, Eren closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself. When he opened them again, his resolve was firm. Whatever lay beyond this door, whatever Number One – Yuki – represented, he would face it as he had everything else: with determination, with courage, and with the knowledge that his family’s safety depended on his strength. He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the suddenly colder air. "Here I go again," he murmured to himself, and reached for the door.