In the chaotic aftermath of his fierce duel with Egnatius, Aurelius fell into unconsciousness. Time seemed to warp, and he found himself adrift in a strange and surreal realm that felt like a dream.
As his eyelids fluttered open in this ethereal plane, all he could see was whiteness. He was in a room devoid of any discernible features, its blank canvas creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Aurelius was not alone, however, for he lay upon a soft and inviting surface, nestled in the lap of a woman with glossy, flowing black hair.
Her beauty was otherworldly, her deep red eyes carrying an enigmatic allure. A faint, subtle smile graced her lips as she gazed down at him. But there was something unsettling about the scene — she wore nothing, her form as unclothed as the empty room around them.
Aurelius's heart raced, and he couldn't help but stammer, "Why... Who... what... who are you? Where are your clothes? Where am I?"
Startled by his own confusion and the bizarre circumstances, he scrambled to sit up. Weakness coursed through his body, and he lost his balance, tumbling to the floor. Just as he was about to fall, the woman gracefully leaped forward, catching him in her arms.
Aurelius was flustered beyond words. Her proximity, her touch, it all sent his senses into a whirlwind. He could feel her body pressing against his, and the sensation left him breathless.
Drawing closer, her voice was as gentle as a breeze. "Aurelius, you're not conscious," she said with a soft, lilting tone. "I am a part of you, separated from you for so many years. Please, let us merge again. I've been alone for so long. Let me be a part of you."
As her words hung in the air, the room began to change. Its sterile white hue bled away, replaced by a sinister, crimson glow. The beautiful woman's features twisted and distorted, her face contorting into a grotesque visage.
"I am your curse," she hissed, her voice dripping with malevolence. "Let us merge."
Aurelius's heart pounded in terror as she bared her jagged teeth, a nightmarish transformation unfolding before him. The room seemed to close in, suffocating him with its blood-red hue.
And then, like a bolt of lightning, he awoke.
His eyes snapped open, revealing a very different reality. No longer in that unsettling white room, he found himself lying on a bench, cold and drenched in sweat. The memories of his duel, his momentary unconsciousness, and that haunting dream flooded back to him.
As Aurelius gradually shook off the lingering haze of his unsettling dream, his senses were flooded with the sights and sounds of the waking world. To his surprise, he found Egnatius resting nearby, bearing the visible marks of their fierce duel. Aurelius couldn't help but marvel at the fact that he had been able to land a blow on someone as formidable as Egnatius. The weight of his newfound abilities, and the enigmatic dreams that had haunted him, hung heavy in his mind.
Aurelius couldn't shake the cryptic encounter with the woman in his dream. Her plea to merge with him had raised unsettling questions about his own identity. Was he truly a part of her, a manifestation of a curse that had dwelled within him for years? The realization that he might be a living curse unsettled him deeply.
Determined to seek answers, Aurelius rose from his makeshift resting place and made his way to find Nadeem. However, as he entered the training hall, a surprising sight greeted him. Nadeem, along with a lady he had never seen before, stood watching an intense battle between two individuals. Cordelia, who was also present, appeared to be part of this gathering.
Aurelius couldn't help but marvel at the incredible speed and agility displayed by the combatants. Their movements were so fluid and rapid that it was nearly impossible to follow their actions.
Breaking from his reverie, Aurelius approached Nadeem and greeted him. Nadeem, turning his attention away from the duel, welcomed him, asking, "Oh, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?"
Aurelius nodded, though the strange dreams still weighed heavily on his mind.
Cordelia, ever the spirited presence, leaped onto Aurelius, exclaiming, "Well done, my cutie! I'm so proud of you. You're good! Let's get married!"
Aurelius was taken aback by the sudden proposal but soon realized Cordelia was just teasing him. Her laughter filled the room as she reassured him.
Nadeem then introduced Aurelius to them, starting with Seraphina Everhart, the 5th Forsaken from the Everhart clan, who possessed the elusive Transpose magic technique. Seraphina's playful wink left Aurelius feeling a bit flustered.
He extended a hand and greeted her, saying, "So you're the 5th one?"
Seraphina replied with a warm smile, "Yes, I am. Would you like to have a duel with me?"
Nadeem then introduced Seraphina's students, Azura Everhart and Theron Everhart, both of whom also possessed Transpose magic. Aurelius approached Azura and conveyed his admiration for her strength. Then, he turned his attention to Theron, who responded with a show of strength, declaring himself as the 9th among them.
In this moment of introduction and connection, Aurelius began to realize the vast and intricate web of talents and abilities that surrounded him. As he embarked on this journey of self-discovery, the presence of these remarkable individuals promised both challenge and growth in the days to come.
As night descended, the group gathered around a dining table, each member finding their place amidst the warm glow of candlelight. Aurelius found himself seated next to Seraphina, and a burning curiosity ignited within him. He couldn't help but inquire about the enigmatic Transpose magic technique, which had piqued his interest ever since their introduction.
Nadeem, recognizing the complexity of the subject, urged Seraphina to share her knowledge with Aurelius. With a nod, she embarked on her explanation.
Clearing her throat, Seraphina began, "To understand Transpose magic, you need to know our history. After the devastating war between humans and Sakens, our numbers dwindled, leaving only 32 of us remaining. Those who had betrayed our kind to join the government in their quest to eliminate us were also ultimately dealt with. Among our dwindling numbers were three individuals, myself included, who possessed no inherent magical abilities to defend ourselves."
Aurelius listened intently as Seraphina unraveled the tale of their survival. She continued, "In a desperate bid to secure our survival, I made the decision to serve the devils. In return for our servitude, they granted us access to their dark magic. They shared their power, which became our lifeline. But serving the devils is a treacherous path. Many Saken before us attempted to do the same, but the devil contracts came with a time limit, ranging from as little as 10 years to a maximum of 100 years. Most who tried to flee when their time was up met a gruesome fate—turned into soulless monsters. Their power grew, but they lost their very essence. In our case, the devil we served was named Cifaro."
Aurelius's curiosity burned even brighter as Seraphina delved into the specifics of their magical prowess. She explained, "The reason we call it Transpose magic technique is because it effectively reverses the fundamental nature of Saken magic. Our magic is distinctly different from traditional Saken magic—it's infused with darkness and malevolence."
Aurelius, leaning in with rapt attention, couldn't help but inquire about the process of serving these enigmatic devils. Azura Everhart, one of Seraphina's students, chimed in, offering insights into their arduous journey.
Azura began, "Devils exist within complex societies, each of which harbors animosity towards the others. These societies are constantly at odds, and the different devil kinds despise one another. Our duty was to protect the frontline, even though our own magical abilities were not particularly potent. We were essentially sent on suicide missions."
As the conversation unfolded, Aurelius couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect and admiration for these individuals who had faced such unimaginable challenges. Their journey had led them down a path that diverged sharply from the traditional Saken way.
Seraphina's revelation about Transpose magic and their servitude to the devils had unveiled a new layer of complexity to their world. It was a testament to their resilience and determination, as they had forged a unique path to survival in the wake of a devastating conflict.
Around the dinner table, as the stories of survival and power unfolded, bonds among the group deepened. Aurelius felt a growing sense of belonging and unity with these individuals, each with their own remarkable abilities and experiences. The night was filled not only with revelations but also with the forging of new connections and friendships.
High above the Earth's surface, a sense of urgency weighed heavily on the Forsakens as they prepared to return to the spirit circle. Their absence from their home realm had been filled with training, revelations, and connections with new allies. Now, it was time to rejoin the ever-shrinking circle of their kind.
Meanwhile, deep within the heart of Crania, a malevolent energy simmered. Surprise, the relentless force of darkness that had plagued both the Sakens and humans, had not remained idle. His army, a formidable force born of malevolence and relentless ambition, was undergoing preparations of its own.
End~Fin
See you in the next Chapter~