In the 3rd domain, Lucy was trying to snap Leo out of the illusion he was experiencing. It was already night time, and Leo had not awoken since he broke free from the fantasy with the beast and Lucy. Everything after that was a dream created by Mind Fire.
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"Mind Fire release the hold you have on the boy." The Guardian, Lankani, said to the lantern spirit.
"You have not right to interfere in my process Guardian. Back off." Mind Fire canceled the link Lankani created to speak with it.
Mahisha looked at Lankani long face. "Will the artifact release my soon to be, disciple?"
The Guardian didn't respond and just shook his head.
The three figures looked down upon the boy and worried for his life.
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Only a day had passed, but Leo was lost in his mind. Mind Fire had destroyed any sense of reality he could grab. Leo had lived out almost five entire lives before something started to happen.
Memories from the past lives started to make Leo question if his world was real. The strongest memories were burying his mother and every time he recalled it, Leo knew he was living a lie.
At the beginning of Leo's sixth life inside his mind, Leo knew right away it was a lie. Slowly it was becoming harder and harder for Mind Fire to attack Leo's soul.
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At this point, Lucy was wiping the sweat off Leo's body. His skin felt like it was on fire. She was continually giving Leo sips of water not to let him overheat.
"Lucy, how is he doing?" Aarav walked in with some water and a piece of fruit for Lucy.
"I don't know. Leo had never been unconscious this long. It's almost a full day now."
"It looks like he's no longer screaming and shaking. That is good." Aarav breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know what to do for his friend.
Lucy looked down and whispered to herself, "if I was just a bit faster and learning 'Maze Mind,' she could have saved him."
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In Leo's mind, he was staring at the fire humanoid that was Mind Fire. This time Leo didn't feel any animosity from him.
"Boy, do you wish for this to be over?"
Leo looked at him with his tired eyes. "I can keep going." Leo now had burned his reason for living to his soul.
The humanoid didn't have a face, but Leo felt like the flamed-man smiled at him.
"Good. You are worthy of me. I was created to strengthen my host and then become a part of him to protect him."
Leo's eyes went huge. This entire thing was a test to receive Mind Fire.
"As they say, I'm a double edge sword. If your will ever wavers, then I might destroy you, but as long as you stay the way you are now, I will block out all soul attacks."
Leo was in deep thought. This offer was truly absorbing a demon inside of him. For the rest of his life, Mind Fire would be a threat. Leo saw how powerful Mind Fire was and knew he needed his power.
Leo stretched out his hand to shake hands with Mind Fire when their two hands touched. Leo's body absorbed Mind Fire.
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Leo erupted with a mana induced fire. Lucy had to back away. As soon as the fire extinguished itself, Leo collapsed onto the floor. He was finally released from the never-ending nightmare.
Lucy and Aarav helped him into to bed and took turns watching over him.
About midday on the following day, Leo awoke. He looked over and saw Aarav reading while eating a piece of fruit. Noticing movement from Leo, Aarav looked over and opened his eyes real big.
"You're awake." Aarav responded so quickly fruit fell out his mouth. "Stay right there and don't move. I'm going to go grab Lucy." Aarav ran out the room and arrived minutes later.
Lucy ran over and hugged Leo. She teared up a bit and just buried her face into his blanket.
After settling down, they talked about what happened. Leo told them how each new life was more depressing than the last. Through each new memory, Leo kept pushing onwards and challenging the Mind Fire in whatever form he took.
While Leo talked, Lucy could tell he had a new demeanor. He was more confident and not as lost as he used to be. The boy in front her became a man before she knew it.
Even Aarav was impressed with how calm and collected Leo was about the whole thing. Also, he mentioned he almost gave up several times.
This experience refined his will and gave him an almost unbeatable soul defense.
Leo looked at them too and asked frankly, "are you two ready to take on the 3rd trial?"
This question caught the two of them off guard.
Lucy mastered creating a Self Maze Mind long time ago. She only continued studying to create one for others.
Aarav was even quicker. Aarav found a water defense art that he combined with One of One to create a powerful soul art of his own.
Both of them looked at each other and then looked at Leo and nodded.
Leo stood up and said, "let's go challenge the last trial."
"Leo, shouldn't you rest a bit longer, " Lucy said out of concern.
"Also, shouldn't you study the Earth arts more. It is hard to find them on the outside."
Leo shook his head. He decided to take on the trial now, and he would not change his mind. He waited for many lifetimes to complete this trial.
The three of them walked down the hall towards the 3rd trial. All three of them approached this pillar Leo saw many times in his dreams.
Everyone in the 3rd domain came to watch. Not very often did people challenge the trial. Today, three at once was challenging it.
In Leo's mind an attack was coming at him and before it could even get near a dark black flame burned around Leo, and he instantly awoke. This fiery aura was Mind Fire attack called Demon Heart Flames. He was also the first to wake of the three.
A few seconds later the other two awoke. A large tunnel appeared above the three and teleported them to the last domain.
Everyone on the 3rd domain was stunned. Not only did three people attempt the trial, but all three passed.
Chen Yu looked on and was amazed. The two who had been there the longest were him and Mei Ye. The three newcomers surpassed both of them.