The Ashen Cave had become a prison.
Blake and Ella had been trapped inside it for far too long.
The Elite Creature stood before them like an immovable mountain.
Its enormous body blocked the only visible path forward, its presence alone enough to make the surrounding air tremble.
Ella lay against the cold ground.
Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth.
Both of her arms had been severed.
Even worse, the injuries had drained so much of her essence that her body was beginning to feel numb.
Beside her, Blake was barely moving.
His body had been battered beyond recognition.
The Creature had already killed him once.
Then again.
And again.
Yet each time, Blake returned.
But this time...
Even his ability to return was becoming uncertain.
Ella looked at him.
Her expression was unusually calm.
"Blake."
He slowly opened his eyes.
"What?"
Ella hesitated.
Then spoke quietly.
"I think you'll have to drink your essence and die."
Blake stared at her.
For a moment, he didn't understand.
Then his expression changed.
"You mean..."
"If it eats you..."
Ella swallowed.
"...maybe the process will allow you to return differently."
It was a terrible plan.
Perhaps the worst plan they had ever considered.
But they had already reached the point where terrible plans were the only ones left.
Blake stared at the Elite Crusher.
The creature was slowly approaching.
Every step shook the ground.
He gave a weak laugh.
"That's one hell of a way to die."
Ella smiled faintly.
"You're good at dying."
"Fair."
Blake closed his eyes.
Ella immediately summoned her God Body.
A powerful aura erupted around her.
Her physical form began changing.
Her body became translucent.
Then completely intangible.
The wounds covering her vanished.
Her severed arms reformed as though they had never been lost.
But the price was obvious.
She was no longer physical.
She had become a spirit.
The Elite Creature immediately noticed.
It swung its massive arm.
BOOM!
The attack passed directly through Ella.
She didn't even move.
Her translucent body flickered like smoke.
The creature attacked again.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
Ella stared at her own hands.
"...This is useful."
She turned and immediately fled.
The Elite Creature roared.
It chased after her.
Yet no matter how violently it attacked, none of its strikes could touch her.
Ella looked back.
Then her expression changed.
The mystic jade carried Blake ragged body and went deeper into the cave. She saw Ling.
The little shadow had followed her.
The Shadow had apparently decided that abandoning her wasn't an option.
Ella sighed.
"This wasn't the plan."
Ling tilted its head.
Ella pointed toward the direction where Blake had disappeared.
"Go after him."
Ling immediately understood.
It turned and vanished into the darkness.
Ella watched it disappear.
Then she looked at her translucent hands.
"I'll recover my essence."
Her eyes hardened.
"Then I'll come back for you."
****
While in the human world
One year without returning home.
For Aaron ...
It had finally ended.
The sleeping pod slowly opened.
Cold air brushed against his face.
Aaron remained inside for several seconds, simply staring at the ceiling.
His long, dark-raven hair fell around his shoulders.
His body felt heavier than it had when he entered.
Not weaker.
The opposite.
He had simply grown accustomed to carrying strength that hadn't existed before.
Eron finally stepped out.
He stretched his shoulders.
Then sighed.
"After one year of constant hunting..."
"...I'm finally back."
The Projection Residence was unusually quiet.
Most of the Initiates who had returned before him had already left.
Aaron walked through the corridor.
Every step felt strangely peaceful.
No monsters.
No killing intent.
No sudden ambushes.
Just ordinary people moving through their lives.
He almost missed the danger.
Almost.
When he finally reached his residence, he opened the door.
The familiar interior greeted him.
And there she was.
Sarah.
She was sitting calmly in the living room.
Her hair was coily, framing a face that looked noticeably more mature than the girl Aaron remembered from a year ago.
The moment she saw him, her eyes brightened.
"Brother."
She smiled.
"You're back."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"And so soon?"
Sarah laughed.
Aaron stared at her.
"I've been trapped in the Spiritual Realm for one year."
"And you're calling this early?"
Sarah shrugged.
"You survived."
She paused.
Then smiled innocently.
"I even had to buy a casket in case you didn't."
Eron stared at her.
"...You bought a casket?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Preparation."
Aaron rubbed his forehead.
"You're unbelievable."
Sarah laughed.
Then suddenly disappeared.
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
A moment later, she appeared directly in front of him.
Her face was only inches away.
She smiled.
It was the kind of smile that immediately made Aaron suspicious.
"So..."
Her eyes swept over him.
"How strong are you now?"
Aaron remained silent.
Inside his mind, a single thought appeared.
What on earth has my sister been doing while I was gone?
He stepped around her.
"I just came back from the Spiritual Realm."
He dropped onto the couch.
"I'm exhausted."
Sarah followed him with her eyes.
Aaron leaned his head against the backrest.
"So, if you don't mind..."
"I need a lot of rest."
Sarah smiled.
"Fine."
A short silence followed.
Then she added,
"When you're done resting, we can spar."
Aaron slowly opened one eye.
"You're serious?"
"Completely."
Sarah sat down nearby.
"I'm going to Planet Diamond tomorrow."
Eron's expression changed slightly.
"Planet Diamond?"
"Yes."
"I want to see Jade."
The name immediately caught his attention.
Sarah continued.
"I haven't seen him since we left the Trial."
Aaron smiled faintly.
"I know."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"But can't you wait a few more days?"
Sarah glanced at him.
"Why?"
"I'd like to come with you."
Sarah sighed.
"I don't think that's possible."
Aaron frowned.
"Why?"
Sarah raised one hand.
A strange pressure immediately appeared around her.
Not overwhelming.
But unmistakably powerful.
"I've already finished creating my gate."
Aaron's expression became serious.
"The gate?"
Sarah nodded.
"The pressure from carrying it is becoming difficult."
She paused.
"I can only maintain it for another two days before the strain becomes painful."
Aaron stared at her.
Then realization slowly appeared in his eyes.
"Wait."
"You..."
He sat upright.
"You formed your Gate?"
Sarah smiled.
"Yeah."
Aaron remained silent.
For several seconds, he simply stared at his sister.
Sarah looked pleased with herself.
"I managed it using my abilities..."
"And some valuable resources Mom and Dad left behind."
Aaron slowly leaned back.
"How long did it take?"
"Six months after my Trial."
Aaron's eyes widened.
Sarah smiled.
"You were still in the Spiritual Realm when I advanced."
She tilted her head.
"So..."
"How powerful did you become?"