好像沒有盡頭的石階一直往下探去,我懷疑自己已經到了比地下海底部還更深的地方了。不知道如果通過地心,重力反轉是什麼感覺?只是穀神星的引力這麼弱,可能也不太能感覺出差異來。303Please respect copyright.PENANAOcp1EGNcq3
303Please respect copyright.PENANAx8witKs0N1
終於,石階停止下降,我抵達了一個巨大的空曠洞窟,這就是黯牙的巢穴。303Please respect copyright.PENANAPkLBTRPbNZ
303Please respect copyright.PENANAf4V33y1DkH
洞窟的岩壁上頭布滿了密密麻麻的凹槽,放置了各式各樣看不出來功能的東西,應該至少有幾千個,而其中有一些外觀奇異的,在紅外線視覺之下閃閃發光。303Please respect copyright.PENANAIW5JNL9Z9j
303Please respect copyright.PENANAjhO2iVZnl7
我有聽見水流的聲響,但判斷不出來出入水孔在哪裡。灌注進來的暗流形成了一片湖泊,中央看起來有一個平台。303Please respect copyright.PENANA4cql6KzQiC
303Please respect copyright.PENANAZIDfP6xQYY
「飛龍無翼,上前。」莊嚴的歌聲在洞窟中引起了共鳴,幾顆歐吉拉水晶因為特定的音調,閃爍了幾下白光,讓我看清楚了中央平台上的生物。303Please respect copyright.PENANAlAP8gnYX0D
303Please respect copyright.PENANAr5R6XV4s95
巨大的身軀和粗長的頸部覆滿靛紫色的鱗片,身體和翅膀末梢的羽毛也是相近的顏色,但更深。而那黃色眼睛,僅僅一瞬間的對視,就將我徹底看透。303Please respect copyright.PENANAOw9Eh28EH6
303Please respect copyright.PENANAf9hEy4yPqE
睿智.開拓者.黯牙,現存最年長的古龍,盤踞在如同王座的平台上,湖底有許多物件也因為那一瞬間的光亮而閃爍。303Please respect copyright.PENANAqjKOwG5Fo2
303Please respect copyright.PENANAhPnPfWzpMC
雖然有從一些畫像和書籍中知道古龍的樣子,但第一次親眼見到還是讓我被震懾到無法動彈──那些記錄根本沒有捕捉到這身姿千萬分之一的壯麗。303Please respect copyright.PENANAyMnppD9uFZ
303Please respect copyright.PENANAv3Zp6ZgBIL
「飛龍無翼,上前。」他再度唱道,帶著好奇旋律,洞窟這次閃過的是藍光。303Please respect copyright.PENANAXas2Aw8kWp
303Please respect copyright.PENANAs1lCfIh98v
很少有成年龍族決定進入飛昇長眠,除了這是擁有第三名者的特權,以及至少會耗費百年但又無法保證成功轉化的因素之外,由於身體結構將完全改變而不再能夠說話這點,對失去歌聲者來說是一個很大的問題。不過想到自己有獲得這種型態的可能性時,我突然有了股躍躍欲試的衝動。303Please respect copyright.PENANAgIsuLuTsdp
303Please respect copyright.PENANAZWCoRlFgEd
不過,一件事情一件事情來好了,黯牙顯然要我到他身前,我猜這應該是某種測驗。303Please respect copyright.PENANAQbcAJyqXn3
303Please respect copyright.PENANAvjWo4jAf3h
我環顧著洞窟,想找到有什麼幫助我渡過寬廣的湖面的載具,不過好像沒有類似的東西。直接游過去嗎,這樣會不會有點不得體?黯牙會在乎這種事情嗎?303Please respect copyright.PENANAba6PJ5Llpq
303Please respect copyright.PENANAhwlbdFLL4Q
我抓了抓頭,不太確定該怎麼做。303Please respect copyright.PENANArQSierooeQ
303Please respect copyright.PENANAj0Fs3VikLb
我聽見黯牙吸氣的細微聲響,推測這應該是他準備再次唱出旋律的準備動作。303Please respect copyright.PENANABcMmLEitBh
303Please respect copyright.PENANAyXl1xE95Hs
讓長老催促這麼多次,可就不禮貌了。303Please respect copyright.PENANAepItRulKgU
303Please respect copyright.PENANASDMbHMnToM
我屏除所有沒幫助的雜念,向前跨出一步,踏上湖面。303Please respect copyright.PENANA0e00ohRnVj
303Please respect copyright.PENANA0BqdT9im43
在我意料之外的,某個硬物撐住了我的鞋底。湖面之下,有什麼透明的東西,提供像是踏墊的功能通往中央平台。303Please respect copyright.PENANAzMEGmub4if
303Please respect copyright.PENANAdcrz7jrKP0
黯牙發出某種轟鳴,讓空間震動,我想那應該是古龍笑出來的聲音。此時我在水晶閃爍的紅光中,看清楚了腳下晶柱的樣子。303Please respect copyright.PENANA7i1WgX4EaV
303Please respect copyright.PENANABFqjxkGAoQ
理解了黯牙從一開始便不斷給我提示,但我卻決定直接跳進湖裡游上平台,這種尷尬情緒讓我不由自主地抓了抓後腦。303Please respect copyright.PENANAbH3NN1e7rw
303Please respect copyright.PENANA3vID6EskDx
「無所畏懼,挑戰者不知踟躕。」黯牙在我抵達他身前時以愉悅旋律唱道,周遭的晶體開始發出穩定的白光。「勇往直前,無翼龍不曾墜落。」長老放低巨大的龍首,黃色的眼睛和我平視。「但三名的持有者應該要知道,謹慎是通向睿智的踏腳石。」303Please respect copyright.PENANAnkTFCqPDkp
303Please respect copyright.PENANAMuIYOtVlHc
我低下頭,表達謙遜的接收教誨。不過我注意到這句話中的另一個意義。303Please respect copyright.PENANA7VNmU7GqZs
303Please respect copyright.PENANAuKyFvH6sVN
我走回湖邊,將手伸進水中,將先前當作立足點的其中一塊透明晶體撈起來。和我的手掌差不多大,是長方體。在黯牙微笑的默許下,我將這別具深意的禮物收好。303Please respect copyright.PENANA6ft2DftOlb
303Please respect copyright.PENANAzXGHkhNwm2
「尊者自長眠中甦醒,給予我無價智慧。無翼該如何回報此等饋贈?」我向黯牙深深鞠躬,起身後以渴求旋律唱道。303Please respect copyright.PENANAFwatpwH5Nl
303Please respect copyright.PENANA03yE7iNmQy
「飛龍無翼,請聽我吟唱,垂垂老者的驕傲、盼望,和懊悔。」黯牙將頭仰起長嚎,完全展開的巨大羽翼上,鱗片和羽毛反射著四周水晶隨著共鳴閃耀的各種色彩。303Please respect copyright.PENANAZXkfY9hRrM
303Please respect copyright.PENANAfQ2M7KCvZS
「最終審判者已經甦醒,其心志綻放的璀璨光輝,照亮虛無一物的寰宇。303Please respect copyright.PENANAqxxNmF9K9L
303Please respect copyright.PENANAN53EZSUZrG
黯淡的藍點使他圓滿,消逝的湛藍將他破碎。303Please respect copyright.PENANAbmLjBMTGfp
303Please respect copyright.PENANAtkO2Vz63dU
鮮紅的雙眼看盡一切,空洞的心靈容納所有。303Please respect copyright.PENANAH6IfdBPcSA
303Please respect copyright.PENANAYKSWLZDU8a
回顧過往既定的錯誤,看見未來可能的願景。303Please respect copyright.PENANAJnT851buCv
303Please respect copyright.PENANAVNCOZxnMML
完成爾等必然的旅途,裁決汝等生靈的命運。303Please respect copyright.PENANAY3thYYSLb7
303Please respect copyright.PENANAVqetwmuKVP
審判者為何人,為何人要被審判?303Please respect copyright.PENANA3r5jHNhsjB
303Please respect copyright.PENANATYjtl1gtxU
此等大哉問,起源於千年以前,妄自試圖型塑未來的七人:303Please respect copyright.PENANA3Mbt1e5Uc1
303Please respect copyright.PENANAMJyTUmKv8x
最富裕者,控制了天空、陸地,和海洋,宣稱所有道路皆為他所開。303Please respect copyright.PENANAHpodSZPeTh
303Please respect copyright.PENANAkM0vbUIv6O
最機敏者,掌握了文字、語言,和訊息,操縱所有事實皆為他所用。303Please respect copyright.PENANAninpUfUGC0
303Please respect copyright.PENANA1r6ev8Dkqk
最務實者,占有了田野、山巔,和居所,迫使所有形骸皆為他所役。303Please respect copyright.PENANAR3UvdlzSZT
303Please respect copyright.PENANA09mLzeWJ6K
最聰慧者,杜撰了知識、資訊,和資料,引導所有心智皆為他所使。303Please respect copyright.PENANAJssxgDO6Tx
303Please respect copyright.PENANAxkfBtiv6qg
最玲瓏者,施展了奇蹟、義舉,和聖戰,牧養所有屬靈皆為他所率。303Please respect copyright.PENANA22CAOGUOnz
303Please respect copyright.PENANAtgB7fs0r9A
最遠慮者,創造了毒藥、解藥,和食物,壟斷所有收穫皆為他所享。303Please respect copyright.PENANAsTEFCQqdNx
303Please respect copyright.PENANASYRt26Omd1
最愚蠢者,抬頭仰望星空,他只想要找到更寬廣的世界,足以容下所有人自由翱翔。303Please respect copyright.PENANAIJ9OS90klT
303Please respect copyright.PENANAzASKP2uxxg
七人皆相識,彼此結盟,於暗處控制世界的走向。303Please respect copyright.PENANAJtqErvvXy8
303Please respect copyright.PENANAmivac55ySm
以暗語作為鑰匙,在陰影中上演最精細的傀儡戲碼。303Please respect copyright.PENANAElzEgVe4rM
303Please respect copyright.PENANAkqXFeFBfUK
七人皆有罪,不分輕重,在最終結算到來時償付。303Please respect copyright.PENANAWPx3Uqgwli
303Please respect copyright.PENANA2dbXPv7nb0
以記憶作為基石,在審判中呈上最真誠的心思理念。303Please respect copyright.PENANAp6lWc7iTpM
303Please respect copyright.PENANA9tf3O9kUT0
潮汐起落、帝國興衰、文明消長,七名操偶師,忽略了自身綁著的絲線。303Please respect copyright.PENANAtfPPf5nqJ6
303Please respect copyright.PENANA6kfvIFXg4y
當瞭解自身處在更加宏大的布局中,其中六人變本加厲,擅自揣測侷限的猜想,意圖拼湊出滿足自身定義的結局。303Please respect copyright.PENANA3CE7kc7rOd
303Please respect copyright.PENANA5fiyvtmruG
最愚蠢者發誓要記取教訓,脫離六人,獨自守護秘密跨越無數世紀。但無奈漫長歲月,被遺忘的比被記住的多,最愚蠢者再次辜負了自己。」303Please respect copyright.PENANADKwl0zA03V
303Please respect copyright.PENANA7o7NAGyoKB
黯牙的身體垮了下來,神情看起來非常疲憊,洞窟中的晶體發出的光也逐漸黯淡。303Please respect copyright.PENANAiLMcLa3nRm
303Please respect copyright.PENANAju9Q1d5y2a
「在所有無用的知識、懊悔的記憶中,最愚蠢者只能依稀記得,第一幕將會在月球上演。」黯牙將龍首放到我面前,低聲繼續唱道。303Please respect copyright.PENANAZOIyEetBnl
303Please respect copyright.PENANAAEXxBwNhHl
「找到審判者,贈與我殘破的記憶,指出通往和解的道路,避免我們的毀滅;303Please respect copyright.PENANA1Qg9MysA4F
303Please respect copyright.PENANAbcHaGp7BD5
協助審判者,奉上我混濁的雙眸,洞悉眾獸真實的樣貌,看穿表象的虛幻;303Please respect copyright.PENANA8qtyJzD5hE
303Please respect copyright.PENANAYu0lCYk26K
轉告審判者,傾聽我最後的吟唱,記住最愚蠢者的失敗,理解暗語的真意。」303Please respect copyright.PENANAxAgB23W52b
303Please respect copyright.PENANA4frQORur1f
黯牙歪過了頭,向我展示了他那顆黑曜石般的突出獠牙。「適格者無翼,你是否願意承受此禮物,以及相對應的重擔?」303Please respect copyright.PENANAjOQ3poRhYd
303Please respect copyright.PENANANDW03uQwQE
仍然沉醉在那宏大到無法想像的歌聲中,我有點頭重腳輕的單膝跪下,低垂視線。「生而為此。」我能從歌聲中傳遞過來的影像看到更多東西,但太多、又太混亂了,我可能需要很多時間梳理。但是我能理解,這件事情有多重要,還有,我是適格者的原因。303Please respect copyright.PENANATA6fDFw3EX
303Please respect copyright.PENANAHM3neaDUSs
黯牙好像鬆了一口氣一樣,緩緩的眨了下眼睛,將黑曜石般的突出獠牙刺入我的肩膀。303Please respect copyright.PENANA8y8lRr0IxR
303Please respect copyright.PENANAMRQ3nrLTHT
剛開始,除了刺痛感之外沒有別的感覺。接著,像是流動的火焰在我的血管中亂竄一樣。所有臟器、肌肉、骨骼和神經,都在瘋狂的尖叫。我就像是被完全拆解開來,撒入太空中,然後,再一個分子一個分子的重新組裝。303Please respect copyright.PENANAHblOonPMT1
303Please respect copyright.PENANAO5fTtwhNql
重新意識到自己在呼吸時,已經不知道過去了多久。我搖搖晃晃的站了起來,看著將自己縮成一團的黯牙。長老似乎再次進入了長眠,他將尾巴上的羽毛蓋住頭部,身體以非常緩慢的固定節奏起伏著。303Please respect copyright.PENANAOZUEyeLtau
303Please respect copyright.PENANAbEwJtylcRZ
但是我能感覺到,好像……有什麼東西。303Please respect copyright.PENANASwCjrpQnzO
303Please respect copyright.PENANAPMT4y7exAp
「Dif-tor heh smusma。」303Please respect copyright.PENANAGVyKYv7VMK
303Please respect copyright.PENANAJbPsi9aIbX
突如其來在腦海中響起的語句讓我差點跳了起來,我能夠認出這是黯牙的聲音,和歌聲的音色差不多。我又看了一眼顯然已經進入沉睡的古龍,沒有甦醒的跡象。303Please respect copyright.PENANAUYy1KeYGjp
303Please respect copyright.PENANANU0bmxcPZC
「這是我的暗語,記好,最後會派上用場的。」黯牙的聲音再次傳來。303Please respect copyright.PENANAI0uBnSKswN
303Please respect copyright.PENANAvtS2Pz7Ymg
「謹遵指令,睿智.開拓者.黯牙。」我試著模仿,將思緒傳遞出去,得到的回應是一陣友善的笑聲,和表示他需要休息的疲憊感。303Please respect copyright.PENANAk6XWw3SpA1
303Please respect copyright.PENANA9WitYrGcFc
原路折返,我踩著石階,思索著,同時感覺到,有什麼東西……不,是很多東西,在我的……我的……感覺範圍之內。我不知道該怎麼描述,有點像是眼角餘光中有許多小點,想要單獨集中在其中一個上頭就會失焦,但能很清楚的知道,他們在那裡。303Please respect copyright.PENANAJcoVWBVU1Q
303Please respect copyright.PENANAq6o2tca6eI
我無法理解其中原理,但我能感覺到,上方隔離艙外多了一組人。我想,他們會和我解釋情況。303Please respect copyright.PENANA1bwrXOPdsn
303Please respect copyright.PENANAMGtKPXKL1V
在那扇通往隔離艙的門緩緩開啟時,我握了握收在胸前口袋的透明晶體,知道世界在這之後,將再也不同。