Volcanic Ruins V

Volcanic Ruins V (also known as Page 29: A Test of Courage and Page 30: Truth of the Undying Flame) is the fifth checkpoint in Volcanic Ruins.
==Dialogue==
===Start===
Faust
: Faust feels his fear mounting, but says nothing. Suddenly the phoenix rears up before him, and Faust realizes that he has triumphed over the phantom of fire and passed the test.
Immortal Bird
: "Brave traveler, you have proven that you are powerful. The time has come for your final test." The bird spreads its white-hot wings and its whole body becomes a blazing inferno, so hot that one touch would reduce any creature to a useless pile of ash. Uh oh. Looks like Faust's goose may be cooked.
Faust
: He steps back, shielding his eyes from radiating heat. This time the fire does not surround him, but the bird's charcoal eyes flash through the pyre, its voice once again inside his mind.
Immortal Bird
: "The power of eternal life and all its mysteries are hidden within my fires... but, intrepid traveler, are you bold enough to take that step?" These words vibrate inside Faust's mind. This is his true test, perhaps the most dangerous trial of all that he has faced.
Faust
: "I..." Dread settles on Faust like an iron vest, heavy on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He reflects on man's instinctive fear of fire, weighing it against the taste of success and the power of immortality.
: His terror is immeasurable, but should he really give up now? Letting go of all that he has achieved, and accepting failure to let the demon devour his soul after all this? Faust has made up his mind. His dream of a utopia is a goal that cannot be given up so easily. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath... And leaps straight into the flames!
===Against <Infernal Efreet> Zaahir===
===Finish===
Faust
: Faust opens his eyes. He is enveloped in darkness, still feeling the heat around him like glowing coals. He is unsure how he ended up here. Quickly, he gives himself a once-over. Much to his relief, he is unharmed, save for the cuts and bruises of his earlier battles. The phoenix sits off to his side and watches him intently.
Immortal Bird
: "It seems you were worthy after all, traveler. You have passed my final test. Now I will tell you the secret of eternal flame," the bird promises in a kinder tone than before.
Faust
: "Yes, of course, eternal flame... I survived... I passed your Trial of Fire and..." Faust stops short. "Oh gods... does this mean I'm going to live forever?"
Immortal Bird
: "Eternity... is but an instant."
Faust
: "Huh?" The old scholar cannot conceal his surprise.
Immortal Bird
: "The moment of death is eternal. Life begins with birth, and ends with death, and every moment of it is marked by change—ebb and flow, rise and fall. But in death... everything comes to a standstill. We shuffle off the mortal coil, shedding the skin of one life and moving on to an eternal realm..."
Faust
: "That means... there's no such thing as eternal life?" Faust is unsure whether he should be relieved or disappointed.
Immortal Bird
: "Perhaps that is a riddle you can solve for yourself, wise scholar." The immortal bird falls silent, then spreads its wings one last time and flies straight at Faust.
: Faust's eyes widen and he throws up his arms to shield himself... but nothing happens. After a beat, he lowers his arms and discovers that he's no longer in the cave—he's standing at the base of the mountain.
Faust
: "Wow..." Faust is left reeling, not knowing whether the immortal bird of the Volcanic Ruins was a dream or a memory. Perhaps all of this—the quest, the journey, the encounters—was nothing but one long dream.
==Navigation==
Category:Gaia Chronicle Checkpoints
Category:Volcanic Ruins