As torrents of information cascaded before him, Klaus's eyes flickered rapidly. His body was here, yet his consciousness floated in a realm far beyond physical boundaries.
Before him stood a behemoth, a titan of unfathomable magnitude. Cross-legged, its colossal form stretched out like a range of majestic mountains. Its weathered skin, thick and resilient, bore the scars of countless battles.
The titan's arms, sturdy as ancient tree trunks, exuded an aura of raw power, while its legs, thick and sinewy, were folded gracefully, emanating an air of serene balance.
Symbolic etchings and engravings adorned every inch of the titan's imposing frame, a language of strength and might that spoke volumes without uttering a single word.
Its sheer presence commanded both fear and respect, an authoritative force that stirred the depths of Klaus's soul.
The words escaped Klaus's lips almost involuntarily, a whisper in the silence, "Titan Sutra."
In response, the titan's eyes sprang open, twin orbs of profound depth and piercing intensity. Within their depths, a glimmer of ancient knowledge and timeless wisdom shone brightly, transcending the boundaries of mere mortal understanding.
The colossal titan loomed, its expression fixed and unchanging. Yet, as Klaus gazed up at the towering behemoth, he could have sworn he saw a hint of a smile play around the corners of the titan's mouth.
An eerie feeling of connection hung in the air, ensnaring him in a trance-like state.
"Klaus!"
The urgent cry snapped him out of his reverie. He turned to see Keira, her features etched with worry. He offered her a reassuring smile, an attempt to lighten the tension.
"Klaus, are you alright?" The concern in her voice was palpable. She had been hailing him for the past five minutes, her calls falling on his deaf ears. It took her several escalating shouts and frantic gestures to snap him out of his stupor.
With a slow nod, he offered her a word of solace. "Yes, I am."
Keira's face, however, creased into a frown. "If you're having second thoughts about the Titan sutra, Klaus, we can stop," she offered, her tone softening. "There are other paths we can take. They might not be as grand as the Titan sutra, but I have a few other body training techniques we can train in."
Klaus shook his head, a determined gleam in his eyes. "No, it's the Titan sutra I've set my heart on," he declared.
Keira held Klaus in a penetrating gaze, her eyes a blend of concern and respect. "The Titan sutra is known for its ruthlessness," she warned. "If there's even a shred of doubt in your mind, we should consider a different path. Once we embark on this journey, we must follow through."
Yet Klaus's resolve was unwavering. "I harbor no doubts. The Titan sutra is my choice."
Keira raised a questioning eyebrow, scrutinizing him as if seeing him anew. "Very well. You have the sutra's knowledge now. Let's advance to the next stage." She then gracefully settled herself down in the verdant garden.
With a gentle pat on the lush grass, she guided Klaus to sit opposite her. He complied, crossing his legs and turning his back towards her, maintaining an aura of tranquility.
Keira drew a deep breath before placing her hand lightly on Klaus's back. A shudder rippled through his frame, but before he could voice the surprise, Keira spoke.
"Relax, and trust me," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I may not practice the Titan Sutra, but it is a royal technique. I am not ignorant about it."
A pause hung in the air before she gently reinforced her grip on his back.
"Titans, before the cataclysm, were known to feast on the raw elemental powers of the universe - earth, fire, water, lightning, and air," Keira began, her voice resonating with the ancient lore. "Their might and vitality stemmed from absorbing and manipulating these forces. To master the Titan sutra, you must embody their essence."
Klaus tried to respond, but a sudden, violent surge of heat seared through his body, cutting off his words.
A grimace of pain contorted his face as it felt like he was being engulfed in flames. His skin paled, his hand clenched into a fist, and he bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. Veins bulged from his forehead, a testament to the inferno raging within him.
"Focus on the heat, Klaus! Keep your consciousness intact." Keira's voice cut through his agony.
Time seemed to morph into a twisted, distorted reality as Klaus wrestled with the infernal heat coursing through his veins. Each second was an epoch, a battle of survival against the searing blood in his system.
Sweat soaked his body, each passing moment brought him closer to the precipice of oblivion. The sound of his bones creaking under the pressure echoed in his ears, and his eyes began to flutter.
"Klaus!" Keira's voice rang out, sharp with alarm.
Gradually, Klaus's eyes began to dim, his eyelids heavy as if weighted with lead. His body convulsed in violent spasms, as if seized by an unseen force, his every muscle trembling as though stricken with some unseen malady.
The desperate cries of Keira were lost to him, her touch a distant echo, as he felt the relentless pull of unconsciousness.
His breaths grew shallow and ragged, each one a laborious effort. Pain radiated from every corner of his body, sapping his strength, until finally, his eyelids succumbed to the weight. Klaus crumpled to the ground, his body finding rest in the cool embrace of the garden soil.
Keira watched the scene unfold, her eyes wide orbs of terror. Fear etched itself into the lines of her face, a silent scream. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead, her heart pounding a frantic tempo against her ribcage. Panic wrapped itself around her like a shroud.
"Klaus," she managed to whisper through numb lips.
She reached out, her fingers finding no reassuring pulse under the skin. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. Regret surged within her like a tidal wave.
She had known the power of the Titan Sutra, had known its potency, yet she had underestimated its devastating might.
This regret deepened into a chasm of despair as a figure took shape behind her. Turning slowly, she allowed her gaze to meet the newcomer. The sight only served to unleash a fresh torrent of tears.
"Aunt," she choked out.
But Margaret seemed impervious to Keira's cries. Her eyes were fixed solely on Klaus, her mouth opening slightly as if to take in the scene before her. After a moment, her voice broke the silence.
"From the ashes of destruction rises the seed of restoration," she muttered.
...
AN- Kindly leave a review on the book. I would really appreciate it. Thank you