As the intense light burst forth, an orb of silver radiance drifted out from Lynch's chest and hovered in front of him.
Through the light, the faint outline of a silver key could be seen. The massive key was larger than a human head, covered in dense, intricate patterns. The lines resembled sprawling vines, or perhaps some form of ancient script, yet Lynch had no way to decipher them. He could only vaguely sense that these patterns emanated a vast, profound expanse of knowledge and secrets.
The Silver Key possessed no physical form; in the mortal world, it was merely a conceptual existence. Only within the River of Time, when drawn by the Gate of the Silver Key, would it reveal a physical form.
Legend had it that the patterns upon it recorded all of history from antiquity to the present, hiding secrets buried deep within time. Yet, because those patterns remained forever indecipherable, those secrets could only settle eternally in the depths of the River of Time.
At this very moment, the sudden appearance of the Silver Key meant that the Gate of the Silver Key was right before his eyes.
No longer having time to mess with the hound, Lynch followed Skye Milt's instructions, stepping forward and thrusting his hand into the radiance like lightning, tightly gripping the massive key within.
The key remained completely motionless, as though firmly anchored inside the orb of light—a sign that the Silver Key had already fused with his soul.
Lynch gritted his teeth as his strength surged in an instant. Simultaneously, accompanied by a searing sensation, an excruciating, piercing pain exploded from his chest, as if the flesh and muscle there were being ripped apart alive.
The agony twisted Lynch's facial expression, but he kept his teeth clamped tightly together, enduring the pain as he squeezed out every ounce of strength in his body. As the orb of light trembled, the shimmering silver key began to move slowly, while the excruciating pain in his chest intensified, feeling as though even his soul was being sliced in two.
Yet, having been able to grit his teeth and stab himself twice back in Zur Baha Sahr, how could Lynch back down so easily? A low growl escaped his throat as the boost from Death Coil exploded within him. His strength climbed once more, forcing the key out of the radiance by sheer willpower.
The moment it left the orb of light, the key rapidly shrank down to a normal size, while the light orb dimmed quickly, retreating back into Lynch's chest.
As the light dissipated, the River of Time returned to its original hazy state. Amid the blue specks of light, only a thoroughly bewildered Lynch and the hound he had almost touched were left staring at each other.
Stared at by those two cold eyes, even with the mark, Lynch felt a bit timid. “Uh... if I said I didn't actually want to pet you, you probably wouldn't believe me, right?”
However, the hound also stared at him with an equally clueless expression, its large eyes filled with utter confusion. Suddenly, it whipped out its long tongue and slapped it across his face several times before turning around and running off—just like its master—leaving Lynch, his face covered in blue mist, staring dumbfounded at its retreating back.
What the hell is wrong with all you creatures from Tindalos anyway?
Lynch wiped his face, raised a friendly middle finger toward the hound's retreating form, and then opened his palm holding the Silver Key.
The moment he opened his hand, the Silver Key lying in his palm suddenly bounced up and flew back into midair, slowly rotating as it emitted a gentle silver glow. Under the illumination of the silver light, a double-doored silver gate slowly materialized within a curtain of light.
The silver gate was ancient and imposing, exuding an aura of immense age. Engraved upon the gate were vine-like patterns identical to those on the Silver Key.
Under the shine of the silver radiance, the illusory gate gradually solidified into physical form. With a creaking groan, the doors slowly opened inward. Soft murmurs and whispers drifted out from the gap, like midnight reveries, yet seeming to proclaim the twisted, bizarre truths of the world.
The Gate of the Silver Key—crafted by unknown hands. Legend said that behind the gate rested all the truths of the world and the secrets of the cosmos's origin.
Throughout history, countless seekers of knowledge and defenders of truth had given everything—even their lives—just to enter the Gate of the Silver Key and catch a glimpse of the mysteries at the end of time. Yet, the ancient and heavy Gate of the Silver Key had ruthlessly shut everyone out.
Now, the gate that those pioneering champions had yearned for—even in death—finally revealed itself before Lynch. Accompanied by low whispers, the two doors opened completely, revealing a deep, pitch-black space like a void universe.
“The Gate of the Silver Key has opened,” the Yithian's voice echoed near his ear. “Your luck is remarkably good. Entering the Gate of the Silver Key is a lifelong dream for countless people, yet it was obtained by someone like you, who had never even heard of it before.”
“Most of the time, a mortal's lifetime of effort can't compare to a single thought from a deity. It's cruel, but that's reality.” Lynch felt a strange wave of emotion and let out a gentle sigh. “Have you ever been inside? What's in there?”
“No. We Yithians are entirely rational beings and do not pursue such ethereal things.” The Yithian went silent for a moment before sighing. “Fine. In truth, finding the Silver Key is extremely difficult. Don't assume it's easy just because you inexplicably obtained it; in reality, over the countless years, those who could find the Silver Key were pitifully few. Without the Silver Key, one cannot even see the Gate of the Silver Key, let alone enter it. The reason you obtained the key so easily is because Yog-Sothoth owed you a favor. He personally found the key and passed it to the Milt siblings. Otherwise, relying solely on that brother and sister hiding at home waiting to die, it would have been impossible for them to find the key for you so quickly.”
“I see... So, want to go in together?”
“...” The Yithian fell silent once more, and only after a long pause did a scoff resonate: “Charging in without the Silver Key would only plunge one into a turbulent current of time, never to return. I appreciate the offer, so let me give you a piece of advice.”
“Hmm?”
“Restrain your curiosity, and do not peek at things you shouldn't see. Furthermore, while the truths of the world might truly be hidden inside, a mortal's willpower cannot withstand even a fraction of a billionth of the light of truth. Some people always feel that if they could just catch a glimpse of the light of truth, they would willingly die on the spot. I hope you are not that kind of person.”
“Yeah, I'm not.” Lynch chuckled. “I have no interest in dying just to glimpse truth. What I'm interested in is becoming truth.”
“...Then I wish you good luck.” The Yithian found that its speechless silences and sighs today exceeded those of an entire past year. “Also, you actually received Mulsith-ha's favor, didn't you? The hound's attitude toward you earlier explained everything.”
“Heh heh.”
“It seems we will be seeing each other often in the future. Don't worry, we Yithians still have plenty of things that can serve as rewards—enough that you won't bear to refuse.” The Yithian gave a low chuckle. “Well then, the Gate of the Silver Key is calling you. It was a pleasure collaborating with you on this trip. See you in the 'present'.”
Before the words had completely faded, Lynch felt a sensation of emptiness in his mind, and no further sound reached his ears.
Without lingering hesitation, he straightened his non-existent clothes and hat, composed his thoughts, assumed a solemn expression, and stepped into the deep void behind the Gate of the Silver Key.
Behind him came the sound of door hinges turning as the gate slowly closed. The moment it shut completely, it vanished into thin air, and Lynch realized that he was standing firm in the midst of a void.
There was no physical ground beneath his feet, yet he could tread upon it as if on flat earth; there was no light around him, yet he could see everything clearly.
At the far edge of his vision, a massive stone throne stood tall, and a gigantic humanoid figure floated quietly above it.
The avatar of the All-in-One, the Lord of a Billion Radiance—Yog-Sothoth.
The Ancient One.
Tawil at'Umr.
Rate on N.U.
