Soren did not want to return to the integration chamber.
Not after last night.
Not after the emotional rollercoaster.
Not after feeling murdery intent that definitely did not belong to him.
But Master Thalen had sent for him.
Which meant Soren had no choice.
He dragged his feet across the academy grounds like a man walking toward his own execution.
Kael walked beside him, calm and steady.
Lira hovered close, frost‑wolf padding silently.
Aldric followed behind, looking like he was hoping Soren would faint again so he could say "pathetic."
The fox perched on Soren's shoulder, glowing faintly.
Soren whispered, "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
The Chamber Feels Worse Today
The integration chamber felt different.
Heavier.
Darker.
Like the air itself was waiting for him.
Soren froze at the doorway. "No. No no no. I'm not going in there. It feels evil today."
Kael nudged him. "It always feels like that."
"I KNOW. THAT'S WHY I DON'T WANT TO GO IN."
"You have to."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
Aldric muttered, "Both of you stop."
Lira squeezed Soren's hand. "We're right outside."
Soren whimpered. "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
Master Thalen Begins the Lecture of Doom
Master Thalen stood in the center of the room, cloak billowing like he had a personal wind machine.
Soren whispered, "Why does he always look like he's about to deliver a prophecy."
Kael whispered back, "He usually is."
Soren groaned. "I hate this place."
Thalen turned. "Vale. Sit."
Soren sat.
"Close your eyes."
Soren closed one eye.
"Both."
Soren closed both.
"Breathe."
"I CAN'T."
"Breathe."
"I'M TRYING."
"Breathe."
"I'M PANICKING."
Thalen sighed. "Your panic is louder than your spirit."
Soren opened one eye. "Is that bad."
"Yes."
Soren closed it again. "I hate this place."
The Warning Begins
Thalen circled him slowly, like a predator evaluating prey.
"Vale," he said, "you experienced emotional interference last night."
Soren nodded violently. "YES. AND I HATED IT. AND I NEVER WANT TO FEEL ANYONE ELSE'S FEELINGS EVER AGAIN."
Thalen continued, "This is the first sign of resonance bleed."
Soren screamed. "BLEED?! WHY IS THERE BLEEDING. WHY DOES EVERYTHING SOUND LIKE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY."
Kael frowned. "What does that mean."
Thalen explained:
"When an entity like Rhyxos shares space with a human soul, emotions can leak between them."
Soren clutched his chest. "I DON'T WANT LEAKAGE. I'M NOT A MAGICAL SIEVE."
Lira whispered, "Is it dangerous?"
Thalen nodded. "Extremely."
Soren screamed. "WHY IS EVERYTHING EXTREMELY."
Aldric shrugged. "Because you're cursed."
Soren threw a pebble at him. "STOP TALKING."
The Levels of Emotional Influence (Soren Panics)
Thalen raised a hand.
Three glowing symbols appeared in the air.
Soren screamed. "NO. NO SYMBOLS. SYMBOLS MEAN BAD NEWS."
Thalen ignored him.
Level One — Emotional Echo
"Minor influence. You feel what he feels."
Soren screamed. "I HATE THAT ONE."
Level Two — Emotional Override
"He feels something strongly enough that it replaces your own emotions."
Soren screamed louder. "I HATE THAT ONE MORE."
Level Three — Emotional Command
Thalen paused.
Soren froze. "No. No no no. Why did you pause. STOP PAUSING."
Thalen continued:
"He can make you feel what he wants you to feel."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. NO. I'M NOT A FEELINGS PUPPET."
Kael stiffened. "That's dangerous."
Lira whispered, "That's terrifying."
Aldric muttered, "That's entertaining."
Soren threw another pebble at him. "STOP TALKING."
The Real Danger
Thalen stepped closer.
"Vale. Emotional influence is not the end."
Soren blinked. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT THE END. WHAT ELSE IS THERE. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WORSE."
Thalen answered:
"If he can influence your emotions…
he can influence your actions."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. NO. I REFUSE. I'M NOT LETTING A COSMIC EYEBALL DRIVE MY BODY LIKE A RENTAL CART."
Kael grabbed his shoulders. "Soren. Breathe."
"I CAN'T. I'M HAVING A SPIRITUAL MELTDOWN."
Lira held his hand. "We're here."
Aldric muttered, "Again."
Soren threw a quill at him. "STOP TALKING."
The fox pressed its head to Soren's cheek.
The symbol pulsed.
Softly.
Like it was listening.
The Entity Interrupts (Because Of Course It Does)
The air thickened.
The runes brightened.
The projection flickered to life.
The eye opened.
Soren screamed. "NO. NO EYE. GO AWAY. I'M NOT HOME."
The voice echoed:
"You fear me."
Soren screamed, "YES. OBVIOUSLY."
"You feel me."
"I DON'T WANT TO."
"You are mine."
Soren screamed louder. "STOP SAYING THAT."
Thalen stepped forward. "Rhyxos. Release him."
The eye narrowed.
The voice deepened.
"No."
Soren screamed. "WHY DOES HE GET TO SAY NO."
Kael held him steady.
Lira held his hand.
Aldric looked way too interested.
The fox leapt onto Soren's chest, tails glowing fiercely.
The projection shattered.
The eye vanished.
The room dimmed.
Soren collapsed. "I hate this place."
The Final Blow
Thalen exhaled. "Vale. You must learn control quickly."
Soren whimpered. "Why."
Thalen answered:
"Because if Rhyxos reaches Level Three…
you will no longer know which emotions are yours."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. I LIKE MY EMOTIONS. THEY'RE TERRIBLE BUT THEY'RE MINE."
Kael squeezed his shoulder. "We'll help you."
Lira nodded. "Every step."
Aldric smirked. "This is going to be fun."
Soren threw a book at him. "STOP TALKING."
The fox curled up on Soren's chest.
The symbol pulsed.
Softly.
Like it was amused.
Soren groaned. "I hate this place."