Chapter 13.
Somewhere deep in Felix's mind, darkness took form. In that darkness he was bound by a moving black centipede and completely drenched in demonic energy. He struggled, but he wasn't even aware he was about to be swallowed.
In that moment he heard chants — teachings he couldn't understand. The voices gave him a strange peace.
What are they? he questioned as he squirmed, slowly letting go.
Should I follow?
The heart is troubled by sin and the soul carries the burden. I am not like any other. I shall eat my sins and strengthen my soul. This is my path.
Slowly, his bound body held onto the centipede's loose form. With a large, desperate bite he chomped down on the creature's flesh. Almost immediately it turned into a flash of light and bent into his body.
In a second, a portion of the darkness was covered by a humanoid figure wrapped in black carapace, its eyes enticing to the soul. It was still Felix… but different. This Felix carried the air of a sinner, yet he wore a bright, welcoming smile that could make anyone shiver.
Felix's spirit body hovered, hands stretched toward the being before him. But before anything could be done, he was violently returned to reality, hands still raised high.
The air in the crystal cavern grew heavy. The surrounding purple crystals trembled faintly, as if reacting to the shift inside him.
"This is my blessing to you, Felix. You have done well, child."
"Where are you, Master?" Felix turned in search, but saw nothing except the corpse. With haste he ran to the spot where the bone figure had once sat. He bowed deeply to the pile of dust.
The remaining demonic energy in the area pulsed once, and the crystals dimmed slightly under the weight of the lingering presence.
"Stupid child… it was my fate to meet you. You don't need to acknowledge me. But I will not allow my successor to die in this hell."
"Thank you, Master." Felix's eyes brightened at the words.
"Wear my garments. They will protect you from the demonic influence that bothers you. And if you check my robe properly, you will see a broken mirror called the Soul Absorbing Mirror. That is the key to escaping this place."
"Kill your way out, my boy. Hahaha…"
The voice of Lord Valentine lingered in the air before slowly fading away. As it disappeared, the oppressive pressure in the cavern lightened, and the crystals returned to their soft glow.
"How do you expect me to do that, huh? Kill my way through hell? Ahh… I see. I'm still going to die then… What's the point of all of this?"
"You still doubt yourself, child. I've given you all you need."
Felix felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. The air around him stirred for a moment.
"Be strong, boy. You will not die. I, your master, believe in you. I've seen your struggle…"
The voice faded completely into the emptiness of the crystal palace, leaving Felix utterly alone. The cavern suddenly felt larger and colder, the silence heavier than before.
What is this I'm feeling?
Felix clenched his chest, feeling a sharp level of hurt.
"I should pay my respects. I kneel for the kindness you've shown me, Master. I am grateful to you. Even if I die… my benefactor, farewell. May your soul find peace in the after. I pray for my master."
Tears dropped one by one from his eyes.
This is not the life I envisioned for myself… but as atonement for the life I lost in hell, I shall become something they fear.
Felix picked up the fine white robe of his master. He gently wore it, careful not to rip it, but the fabric was firm — not something easily mangled. Then he reached into the robe and was pricked. As if nothing had happened, he held onto the shard.
"So this is the Soul Absorbing Mirror…"
His blood stained the mirror, forcing it to spiral for a moment before going dead.
"How strange? I'll keep this for now… If what he says is true, then there is hope. Instead of letting my emotions get the best of me, I need to see this power."
I remember my childhood friends telling me about this bloodline of a thing. Maybe this works on the same bloodline principles.
I should be around the first layer of body forging, so I shouldn't expect much.
He sat cross-legged.
I need to recognize the flow and follow it if I remember well.
Gently, from his outstretched palms, demonic energy flowed in.
"Something is wrong."
Felix's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't pinpoint the issue. The surrounding crystals flickered slightly in response to the unstable energy.
Instead he refused to be interrupted.
"Seven gates block the cycle of power. I do not have the energy to break through the gate. Definitely if I follow this path with what I have, I will be different. This hasn't been heard of."
Worry filled his heart.
"But it will do."
He guided demonic energy into his first gate. The demonic energy around him trembled, and several nearby crystals hummed in response — but instantly the energy dispersed.
"What happened… arrrgh!"
He spat blood.
"Again! You will open today!"
He gathered the demonic energy and rammed it through once more. Nothing happened. Instead he was blasted meters away, coughing a mouthful of blood. The impact made the ground crack faintly beneath him.
"Arrg!"
He punched the floor in anger. The crystals nearby shuddered from the force of his frustration.
"What am I doing wrong? Think, Felix, think."
He picked up a fragment of bone and began drawing on the floor — the human body and the seven gates.
Felix, be logical. If you smash through the gates like that, let's say it works… if the second gate isn't ready it could be devastating. So what is the best way?
He asked himself.
Since that didn't work, I'll just try channelling all I can gather to that point. I'll nourish that point till it opens. Maybe… just maybe it will work.
He closed his eyes once again, ready.