Staring at herself was a surreal experience for someone who didn’t often stare in mirrors. Luna's lips then curved up into a mischievous grin as she immediately understood what was going on.

  This wasn’t some illusion but a version of herself conjured up by this place. Also, this wasn’t a dream but a space similar to the one Oblivion had pulled her into when in the Siege Tower. Luna was sure of this because she had felt like this before--there was always a way her body reacted to these things. However, this specific space was limited and looked like a pocket dimension rather than what Oblivion had conjured the last time.

  “You’re right. This is not a dream.”

  Her other version spoke, seeing that Luna had now grasped the context behind the situation.

  “Then what are you?” Luna asked her twisted reflection. It was standing still, her arms in a cross as she wore a wicked smirk.

  “Well, in theory, I am the gift Oblivion left you. The last piece of his First Domain, Imagination. Ha ha, you might as well consider me a figment of your imagination but that figment can talk and stuff. And no, I am not corrupted at all.” She explained with a foxy tone. From her mannerisms alone, Luna could tell that this thing had succeeded in creating a version of herself. It mirrored her personality so well that it disgusted her. “As you can see, this is similar to the space you had your final exchange from. That was his Mental Space, a pocket space he created using Imagination. It's where a piece of his consciousness survived until you found him.”

  ‘Imagination? That’s what she is?’

  Luna studied the talking thing with only her eyes. This…this was the manifestation of an Aura left behind by a deity. It was ancient and powerful enough to be sentient, just like Snow’s Aura.

  “What are you?” Luna asked again, this time more serious. She took a few steps forward and stared directly into its obsidian eyes.

  It shook its head as if it had expected Luna to ask again. This time, it chose to respond differently. “I am the gift Oblivion has given to you, Lunaris. The gift that will protect your mind from the madness of knowledge and whoever wishes to invade your mind. I will hide your secrets because I am born from Imagination.” It spoke while maintaining its questionable smile.

  This thing was a gift from Oblivion, meaning that it was in her mind this entire time. Were the changes Luna was experiencing responsible for awakening this thing?

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  Probably...

  It claimed it was born to protect her mind from the madness of knowledge as well as her mind. Luna understood the knowledge part because she already knew too much about the deities at this point. Knowledge was something she needed to be wary of especially since there was a curse bestowed on those who knew too much like the Storm Rider. To make things worse, Luna was also pursuing the true path of ascension, something that was erased from human history.

  Oblivion knew this would happen so gifted her this before passing on. “Oblivion is trying to keep me hidden.” She muttered to herself.

  Remember, she was already considered a threat if she made it to the tower and came out of it alive. Luna didn’t have the slightest idea who Corruption was or what their general goal was. She didn’t know if they were human like her, or divine like everything else from the divine realm. But If someone could control something as evil and powerful as black ether, then it was safe to assume there existed a being capable of twisting mortal minds at will—just as Lord Astrid could with her Aura.

  Oblivion had seen all this and created this thing to protect her. ‘I’m sure this is why Everlight didn’t even know that a piece of his consciousness was still in there.’

  After thinking everything through, Luna had no choice but to accept all this. It was the only shield she had against other deities.

  'It could also be nice to be completely immune to mind attacks.'

  “Sigh, I guess you can be useful after all.” She said to the reflection which was looking at Luna with a bored expression. There was nothing trust about this thing but Luna had no choice in this matter.

  'How funny it is to have no control over my own mind.'

  The reflection smiled and slowly lowered her head into a bow. “I will serve you then.”

  Looking at her twisted reflection, Luna wondered if she would also be able to pull people into this space when she was stronger. This wasn’t her Aura, of course. The chances of this Mind Space growing were very slim unless she inherited the aura of imagination when she opened her second gate in a few years.

  ‘If I am alive in a few years.’

  After that thought, Luna opened her eyes to the light of the golden flame dancing in front of her.

  She sat up and leaned against the soft wall of roots Storm Rider had made. Luna expected her mind to feel fatigued after that interaction but she was perfectly fine and full of energy. Her mind felt intact and nothing different had changed since she closed her eyes.

  “I should go and tell her it's time for my watch…”

  Luna was about to stand when she noticed that there was a significant change in the flow of life essence after getting some rest. Before, the flow of life essence was like that of a river that only slowed down when she tried to concentrate. Now, however, the flow was more stable and calm since her mind had fully relaxed.

  ‘I had forgotten how essential the human body is when it comes to cultivating energy. Maybe because I never got to know how to cultivate energy in the first place.’

  Cultivation only happened for those with zenshi. That’s what Luna had been taught her whole life.

  Yet, here she was, also following the path of ascension as a mundane human. From what she had observed, sensing life energy was the key to all this. If a person could sense qi to her level, he or she would have a high chance of learning how to manipulate it.

  ‘However, if they do not understand the concepts of qi and how it flows, they can never learn how to manipulate it. I now see why I needed a teacher in the first place. You need a Qi user to show you how to harness it. Storm Rider also needed a teacher to learn the basics.’

  Just then, Storm Rider walked in and ended her deep thinking. The tall woman was covered in monster blood but wore the same calm expression.

  She gave Luna a strange look. She rubbed her temples and cleared her to say something that made Luna almost jump.

  "Your sister is heading towards us."

  Thank you for reading 100 chapters of Witch of the End. Of course, I do plan on finishing the Story. Luna's Journey is Just beginning and I can't wait to share more of it!