Unlike the pleasure of breathing in the pure mana form before, Adrian felt no pleasure from the rotten stagnant air that filled his lungs.
His mood was lifted a little by a sudden influx of messages.
[Survive completion rate increased to 80%]
[You have completed Mushroom Hills of Dreams and Nightmares & claimed a hidden reward from the Authoryian vault]
[You have entered the Soul's Divide]
[Update 1 of 7 members awakened]
Listening to each message, Adrian's mind was kicked into overdrive as he tried to figure out the theme of this zone.
So far each zone had a purpose and theme that Adrian could understand…
The beach, where he originally started, was there to show the denial and complacency of his past life.
The forest's theme lies in coming to terms with his past.
The wasteland's goal was to illustrate his inner demons and give him a goal.
As long as this basic assumption was right Adrian believed he could figure out the purpose of the "Soul's Divide" and use that to better understand himself.
And if the '1 of 7 Awakened' message is anything to go off of, this zone's theme should revolve around him and his personalities.
Adrian couldn't help but reminisce the memories of his past with them unconsciously mouthed each of their names, "Zero, Magus, Mora, Shu, Leon, Sin, Jeul… do they even want to wake up?"
Hearing Adrian's conflicted whispers, Sakura chimed in saying, ~Rain, you're thinking about this too much. This place…~
Just as Sakura tried to explain, her words had to be choked down when a crimson panel appeared.
[Restricted Information cannot be revealed without permission]
Scoffing Sakura murmured, ~Why do you even care… he already knows!~
Even though she was annoyed Sakura still put in a request to finish her sentence.
After 10 seconds a nothing panel appeared.
[Access updated… Outsider access granted]
Sakura yelped in surprise, not expecting to gain so much clearance.
Excitedly, Sakura gloated, ~Adrian! Did you hear that! Impressive, right!~
Hearing Sakura's excited voice Adrian encouraged and showered her with compliments feeling happy for her even if he had no idea if that access was all that good.
Sakura could vaguely hear the confusion in how Adrian's complement was too vague.
Feeling embarrassed by her actions, Sakura coughed, then with a coy voice, Sakura pretended nothing happened as she spoke, ~As I was saying. This place, your soul island, can not give missions that go against the will of any of the parties involved.~
Sakura paused to interject an exaggerated breath before continuing, ~If the mission says there are 7 to awaken, that means there were 7 that wanted to wake up! So you don't need to worry.~
Adrian couldn't help but laugh at Sakura's abrupt change of topic.
Feeling relaxed, Adrian bowed at a 90-degree angle as he jokingly mentioned, "Professor Sakura, your humble student begs you for a small portion of your knowledge."
Flustered by Adrian's sudden act, Sakura laughed as she played along, ~What can your magnanimous teacher answer for you?~
An uncharacteristically cheeky smile appeared on Adrian's grizzled face as his voice relaxed revealing its deep raspy sound as he sensually responded, "It's simple. What must we do to reconnect? If you catch my meaning."
Sakura dropped her act as her embarrassed voice squeaked, ~You could have asked normally… um give me a second…~
Sadly, like clockwork, a familiar ding sounded.
[Original System sponsored 100 faith value to warn against your actions.]
Hearing the message, both Sakura and Adrian scoffed, before completely ignoring the message.
Seconds later Adrian felt a slight tug on his mind as pink light rushed out from the cherry blossom on his hand.
As if in response his other hand released a turquoise mist stemming from the pair of rings that represent Hades and Persephone's Lover's bond.
Adrian's mind instantly lit up as he remembered what that mist was… it was the concentrated form of Hades' understanding of the unpunished path of Death.
Instantly, Adrian regretted picking up the bond, as visions of a mountain comprising thousands of corpses flashed in his mind.
This image was the fallout of the Titan's emperor's, Persephone's father, army sent to reclaim his daughter.
The ring on her hand, an artifact made from Hades, lit up instantly killing anyone who she had thought was a threat to her happiness with him.
Needless to say that even the activation of only Hades Lover's Bond was powerful, needless to say, the activation of both.
Luckily for him, only Hades had activated this time.
If Sakura were to come into contact with the energy Adrian feared that he would lose her forever.
Without the leisure of asking Sakura, Adrian shouted a vow, "This bond is taken between I and she. I vow that my path may never harm you, and vow your path will forever shape me. I, Adrian Walker, pledge this vow to Sakura. May our paths forever be intertwined."
At that moment Adrian was the only one present who knew the weight of his words. His words could never be broken or taken back as they weaved themselves into his causality and soul.
Following his vow both Sakura's pink light and Hades' turquoise mist retracted as information about Adrian's vow appeared in Sakura's mind along with his reason for making the vow so suddenly.
Deep in her soul, Sakura heard Persephone's voice whisper, "Will you accept his vows? If so, speak your vows now. If not, speak your peace."
Sakura's mind flashed through every moment she had shared with Adrian, all the way back into the void where she watched his antics from a universe's lifetime, as she made her choice.
Coming to terms with her feelings, Sakura made up her mind after only two seconds passed. Once she had decided an ancient vow entered her mind beckoning her to speak it.
Without resistance, Sakura quickly spoke the ancient vow, ~This bond between I and he has been heard. And in turn, I vow to take your path upon myself and swear my path will never harm you. I vow to always be there to forever guide and love you. I, Sakura, take your name as two become one.~
With her vow said all the information about the Lover's bond entered her mind.
Instantly the severity of Adrian and her vow became clear.
Adrian's vow in essence stated that she would be the only one he looks upon, loves, and craves. She would be the object of his obsession forever as his path would follow her every whim even if she refused.
Adrian's vow also stated that his entire being, including all seven other personalities, would never act against her happiness even at the cost of their own.
Sakura's vow stated the same and more as she vowed never-ending love, guidance, and passion. Without her knowing the full details the two of them had bound their souls, paths, and casualties together making their lives forever intertwined.
If one was to go against this vow the other would gain all the above from them, however, the vow itself made the two insatiable for the other, by amplifying all emotions towards the other, so that case was almost impossible.
For Sakura who was without a body, this presented itself by making her every thought focus on him and forming a new connection between the two that was without the influence of Nexus' agenda.
On the other hand, things were different for Adrian who had a body presented the same as Sakura mentally, however, his body was also filled with lust and desire for her 'companionship.'