"I guess I will have to stop lending my body to El?" Elian said as he understood that there was no other option. With what he just heard, he knew he had to do that, as it was the logic thing to do. But a second later, when he realized what he just said he almost cried on the spot.
He knew it was necessary for their safety but knowing that he would have to cage El, his heart hurts like never before. His father first and now his brother? Yes he might stay alive but at what cost? He knew El won't mind being stuck in their mind if it was necessary for Elian safety but could El do so? No, never. However he was helpless, useless and couldn't do a thing. He then tried to comfort himself thinking that at least El was still alive, he could find a solution later. He then thank his stars that he was overthinking earlier and that when Ark said that they had to deal with El, he only meant not allowing him to take over Elian's body.
"Do you really think I summoned you just to convey that? You're quite naive. I have better things to do than summon you for just a few words. The only thing the soul mutation did was force me to summon you earlier than planned," Ark said
Elian was taken aback. According to what Ark said, he should have noticed him only after El's birth. So why else would he summon him?
Ark immediately answered with an expression, "Your soul mutation really intrigued me, but that wasn't reason enough for me to hide El's existence. It's true that he is an anomaly, but anomalies happen every few billion years, so that wasn't that impressive."
* Elian listened intently, intrigued because he knew that a being of such high stature wouldn't help him without reason. Initially thinking that Ark's interest was sparked by El, he just realized he was mistaken.
Ark continued, "However, you, young man," raising his index finger in Elian's direction, "are a different breed altogether."
Elian pointed his finger at his face, asking, "Me?"
Ark then smiled and said, "Yes, you. Let's put it this way. How many people managed to create an anomaly as big as 'El'? Trillions, in fact, there is one every second. Now, how many of those did that with less than ten times your age? None or even how many did that with less than a hundred times your 'strength'? None."
Elian was now shocked as he understood where Ark was going. From their discussions, he already understood that there is life outside of earth, not that he didn't guessed before but guessing and getting confirmation was two different things. Let alone when the confirmation comes from someone like Ark.
If, in this ever-growing universe, he managed to pull off something never done before, it was genuinely outstanding. It was done subconsciously, but it remained that it was done by him, and he could now easily understand the interest Ark had in him. But he had yet to know,
"Why did you summon me then?" Elian asked, bothered, wanting to end the conversation quickly after learning of El's condition.
Ark noticed it so he got straight to the point "I summoned you to help you."
Elian raised his eyebrow in surprise, "Help me? Can you do something for El?"
Ark shook his head and said, "No, I can't," before adding, "but you can. In fact, you have more important things to worry about."
Elian regained a little hope, completely ignoring the other things Ark said, and asked, "What can I do?"
Ark just shook his head in exasperation when he realized two-thirds of his words were ignored but continued, "Let's talk about an important problem you have first. Your affinity."
Elian wanted to shout saying 'Tell me how to help El first' but he didn't dare do that in front of this starry eyes and instead calmly asked "My affinity?"
Ark then nodded and continued "Yes, your affinity. Your affinity is the main reason why you could create El. No one else can reproduce the same feat as your affinity is unique, meaning no one else can have it as long as you are alive."
Elian was shocked for a second. From what he knew, affinities could only be elemental (fire, water, wind, etc.), but could such an affinity help in El's creation? He strongly doubted it. Moreover, his affinity was apparently unique, something he had never heard of. But would this affinity enable him to help El?
Ark continued, "Yes, but before that, you will have to be able to use it, but it's impossible now. You have to know that for your affinity to create El, it has to be truly broken, and it indeed is. Unfortunately, it is so broken that your feeble human body can't use it. At least actively, it can be used passively in moments of emergency. If not for that, you would have awakened it at the same time El awakened lightning."
Elian nodded, understanding. But what truly mattered to him now was how to use it, and he guessed that Ark would probably mention it soon. And he was right, as Ark said, "I can change that," and snapped his fingers, making a black book appear on his left. He then said, "And for that, you only have to take this book with you."
"Just like that?" Elian asked, finding it way too easy. He might want to help El, but this was just too suspicious.
Ark nodded and affirmed, "Yes, just like that. I know what you're thinking. Yes, I am helping you without expecting anything in return, and, in fact, there's nothing you could offer me."
Elian, still suspicious, asked, "How will this book help?"
"You will understand when you wake up."
"How should I know it's not harmful then?"
"I have no way to prove that. Just know that I am doing my duty," Ark said before adding, "Oh, before I forget, keep in mind that I can't hide El forever, so please make sure to find another solution swiftly."
Elian gritted his teeth before giving in. What's the point of not trusting someone who has been shielding him for a few years? If Ark wanted him to die, he would have died long ago. So, he extended his right hand to take the floating book, and once he touched it, the book somehow entered his right arm and disappeared.
"I'm happy you made the right choice. I appreciated our discussion, even if you are still naive and impulsive. It's been a while since I enjoyed a good talk. As a thank you, I left a little present in the book. You will understand once—"
"Wait, can you lend me other books? Or can you give me some time to read?"
Before he could finish, he was abruptly interrupted by Elian, who felt that he would be chased out. He didn't want to leave so soon without reading anything from this infinite library. It would be a sin for a knowledge-hungry person like him to miss such an occasion.
"A child is a child," Ark thought. No matter how knowledgeable Elian is, he remains a child. And he just proved that by interrupting him just to read some books. It was as frustrating as it was amusing. With a small smile, Ark said, "No, you can't, and your time here is over."
"But can I come back?"
"No."
"Please."
"No!"
"Pleaaaaaaaaaaase."
"No."
"Pretty please."
"Listen, you can't. I could summon you here because of your almost-death state. By the way, you shouldn't use your eyes that way as it only worked because I intervened, so don't try it next time."
Ark wanted to meet Elian as soon as possible, so when Elian used runic eyes, Ark intervened to allow him to see runes at the quantum level right before he fainted. On any other day, it wouldn't have worked, as the quantum level is no joke. But at this moment, did Elian really care about that? Not even a little bit.
Instead, "So if I want to meet you, I only have to—" Elian said before being interrupted by a wave of Ark's hand that made him disappear. Ark didn't want any more of this.