He repeated the process a couple of times, and changes had begun to take place in his body. His phantom-like figure had now become pitch black.
"Hmmm... Haaaaaa, I must say it does feel like I can breathe now, those colors, though, could use some work," Arius said as he continued to lie sprawled on the black sands. Only now, he looked more comfortable lying on it.
"Alright, what's next?"
Jacob closed his eyes and dug deep into his memories. If one could look into Jacob's mind, what they'd see is a thick book that held all these new 'memories.' One would almost think Jacob was a genius at organizing, but that'd be a wrong assumption considering Jacob's gobsmacked expression.
"H..how? It's a book now? Wait, that's not the issue, I can see it."
Like Jacob said, the memories weren't just memories anymore; they had seemingly morphed themselves into what resembled a big old fantasy tome from medieval times. However, this was spectacular on its own. The fact that Jacob could see it and even read it in his mind was even more shocking.
After taking a while to digest his new abilities, he moved on to his original plans and began to read the next section of the tome.
PARTICLE EXCHANGE
It read, "Becoming one with the abyss is not the end and can barely be counted as the beginning. If you've succeeded in that, you've merely attained the same status as a grain of sand from the abyss. To elevate yourself further and keep climbing, it is essential an equal exchange must be made, hence the name. This process can be classified under the tempering category, as that is the effective result. During breath, before expelling the particles, allow them into your very being. Make an equal exchange between it and the universal particles that hold you back. Let it break the chains that limit your freedom in the abyss. But remember, great things are born from a series of small things.
"So basically another near-death experience, alright, let's get this done quick."
Jacob wasn't wrong in his thoughts; he had come to learn firsthand how dangerous the matters of the soul were, so his worry was warranted. However, he still began the breathing process with a grin on his face. However, when he executed particle exchange, he felt no resistance; rather, the black particles were getting absorbed. He felt no exchange take place and thought he had messed up, but the familiar headache wasn't there.
Earlier, when Jacob was going through soul-rending torture, the universal particles that should have been exchanged for were already torn out. It was part of the reason the session took so long and also why the fragment within him could influence him so much now.
Confused on what was happening, Jacob tried again, but the result wasn't different; then again and again. However, he got the same result every time.
Frustrated with his supposed roadblock, he raised his arm, folded his fingers into a fist, and drove it down to the ground.
"..."
Jacob couldn't stop staring at his fist against the point of impact; the very action that seemed impossible and probably life-threatening to him was now not so much anymore. Although there was still a little resistance and drag in his actions, the very fact he could force an action was proof of great progress.
"What miserable existence, that's enough for now if you still value your life."
"Hoh, you're still here...umm..what should I call you?"
"That's irrelevant; it's time for you to return if you still want to, that is." The voice responded.
"Oh alright then, guess this is enough progress for now. Say, so what cool powers are you going to give me? You know Lucifer gave me some cool shit so you're going to have to give me something better since you claim you're superior."
"Insolent! Hmph...You shall receive nothing more from me; free passage to the abyss is already more than enough liberty for you. It's left to you now whether you make diligent use of it."
"Bla bla bla...you're boring."
"Fragment, the abyss is corrupting; do your best to resist...hahahaHAHAHA."
Before Jacob could get a chance at a rebuttal, his figure imploded into black ash.
"It's been a while since I've had this much fun; what an interesting mortal...haha fine I'll play with you for now, let's see how much you can resist hahahaHAHAHAHA."
Back in the wrecked-down city, Jacob awoke to find his body in a mess, sprawled out amidst caked blood and debris. He pushed up a slab of concrete that was laying on his body; he supported his body with his hands as he stood to his full height.
The tattoo at the side of his hips had disappeared, conveying his detachment from Lucifer. Unfortunately, all the distinguishing features he got from Lucifer had disappeared before he even had a chance to test his charm. He was back to his unremarkable appearance; his tanned skin returned back to its lackluster brown, his facial contours that could give models a run for their money were now back to their ordinary form. The only thing that remained was his long black hair tinted with violet at the ends, but hair could only do so much to elevate a person's appearance.
"Well, that's disappointing...alright gotta be careful now that I'm back to being weak."
Jacob could feel his looks weren't the only thing that changed; he also lost all the power-ups Lucifer gave him. He was essentially back to how he was before; however, things were different this time. This time he was resolved to seek out strength and see his goals to the end. But at the same time, the journey to the capital became so much more dangerous for him.
"Better quietly leave here and find a path or something."
"Put your hands where I can see them!" A loud gruff voice sounded behind Jacob; he hadn't even taken his first steps, and he was already encountering his first roadblock.
"State your name and affiliation!" The voice asked commandingly.
"My name is Jacob; I'm not affiliated with any organization. I'm just trying to make my way to the capital," Jacob responded.
"..."
However, when he didn't hear anything in response, he attempted to look back, but he suddenly felt his vision go dark when his eyes caught a glimpse of a black khaki uniform.
"You think he was telling the truth?" A different voice from the one talking to Jacob asked; it was a man with black hair and Asian features dressed in the same uniform as his colleague, only with fewer badges.
"Irrespective of whether he was telling the truth, we have to interrogate him properly. We'll bring him along with us to the capital and see what we can find out from there. It's strange to find a human in these parts...call the rest, let's keep moving."
"Alright, cap," the Asian man responded walked away until he disappeared into the distance.
"Strange, what happened here; it looks like a fight took place here not long ago. The whole place is littered with blood and flesh. Really strange," the man now recognized as captain spoke to himself.
Jacob woke up to find himself being held up by the collar of his shirt against the edge of a very tall skyscraper, the sudden change in scenery created a strong dissonance within him that left him confused and thinking he was in a dream.
However, when he saw the face of the person holding up his collar, he suddenly came through and remembered the scenario that led up to this situation. Unfortunately, he wasn't invincible anymore, so he knew if he fell, he'd definitely die.
"I'll ask again, who are you, and what were you doing here? What's your mission?" The face behind the gruff voice before was now revealed, however only up to the bridge of his nose, so it was only possible to make out his black-purple heterochromia eyes.
"T..this is ridiculous; I already told you my name is Jacob. I'm not affiliated with anyone or anything. My camp was attacked, so I ran away hoping I could reach the capital and maybe start a new life there or something. I really don't have any hidden agendas."
"So you won't talk even with your life on the line huh-"
"Hey hey hey...what are you doing, don't let go man, hey brother brother...don't let go goddammit!" Jacob exclaimed as he felt the grip on his collar progressively loosening, and unfortunately, he couldn't grab the man's hand as his hands were bound behind him.
"Fucking bastard, let go then, LET GO THEN! And you better hope this kills me because if not, I will find you, I will find your family, your friends, and I will butcher them one by one and send you a package of their entrails until you've completely lost all reason to live for. Then I'd-"
"ENOUGH." The man shouted and loosened his grip completely; Jacob suddenly felt the world slow down as his thoughts struggled to process what was about to happen, but it eventually settled on one word.
"AGAIN..."