Red Demon screamed in pain as the fourth element entered his body. Ending with the Gust element as he felt energy rush through his veins. He felt light and his mind flickered making the Mind Palace rumble sending a gust a wind that started to swirl together moving like two rings overlapping each other. Each element that was fused with his meridian would affect his mind each time. Then manifest itself by integrating with the surrounding area. Above his only landmass inside his palace was jagged metal floating above in a pattern. A ball of light passing past the red eclipsed sun. A formation of rocks that swirled around each other slowly. He could feel a connection to the very air around him like he only needed to reach out and control it after Gust stabilized. The forcing open his meridian and etch of his skin made him feel very weak. As the ink dimmed on the glowing markings creating permanent bond to his body. He now had four new elements inside him and felt power in him but also instability with his core. His senses were on fire as he felt the light outside the hut they were in. Or the ground moving deep under them as lava flowed like molasses. He could feel the strong heat. He could taste the iron on his tongue and could see all molecules in the brasses around his wrists. He could feel even a small amount of iron in his blood, but he could sense the metal. Feel the wind travelling across the fields. He could sense two people walking through a grain field from miles away.
He was covered in sweat as he was helped up by Smiling who had him lean upon him. "Go rest and we'll finish up. After that we will start your cultivation for all to stabilize it. Don't worry with this we will hit all elements at the same time so we make the process easier. Just focus on letting yourself pass out" Hastor exclaimed. Red Demon said nothing and nodded as he was led away. "Boy has a strong will to live. Most go through this process when they are on the path of Celestial Step. Can't imagine what he'll make of these elements by then once he finds his individuality with them" Hastor taking a seat. "No one in the history of this universe has there been a human to harness all elements before. I believe his will comes from being the first to do so. Could he be confident in harnessing all the energies of the universe?" she said, thinking her eyes staring off into space. "Was that your prediction or you saying it's a fact?" Hastor asked, leaning back in the chair with a metal hand upon his chest patting at it. "Well if the spell stabilizes and his body can handle it you will have your catastrophe you designed. Shouldn't you be thrilled right now" Sister Spinner sighed. "No. It's a curse opening yourself up to the Tapestry. Seeing all possibilities leading to deaths, destruction, stupid mistakes, and the list goes on.'
'I lost Ethan taking this path and knew I would. Sacrifices to make this a reality and none of it was easy. Happiness doesn't come down this path I'm walking. I'll be satisfied when it's all over and he hopefully succeeds" she then sat opposite him. "I'm sorry about Ethan. He was a good soul" Hastor rested his giant hand gently patting it. "Thank you. Luckily he won't be around to see the destruction that's coming. We will have another guest coming, in fact they are already here" she said looking out the window.
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Red Demon was in a deep sleep as his consciousness fell deeper into a deep blackness. He finally hit something solid and was then greeted by a large flame floating in front of him. A mist of darkness also appeared; these were the forms of his elements Shadow and Flame. "You brought guests?" Shadow said in a female voice. This dumbfounded Red Demon as he stared at them in shock. "What...is happening right now?" his jaw hung open. "You have brought us life bringing us all together like this. The others will want to test you like we did" a deep voice erupted from the large flame. Red Demon felt presence behind him turning to see floating rocks swirling around each other. A gale of wind moving continuously. Shards of jagged metal blades forming a solid shape and then splitting apart. Repeating this movement continuously. A ball of light next to it reflecting it shines upon its metal.
"Terra, Gust, Iron and Light I presume?" the elements said nothing at first. "You. Wish to wield us?" Terra said slowly. "You don't look like much?" a playful came from Gust giggling at their own joke. They sounded like a child speaking to him as they swirled around themselves turning into a ball to a ring. "To wield me requires grit? I can see you have that in abundance" the voice in Iron sounded like voices layered upon one another giving them an echo like voice. "I see you have some power over light already? What are those masks that produce the radiance I sense?" The Red Demon looked to the side and appeared as two masks. The Light King's Mirror Mask and the Moon King's Crescent Mask. "They are nicknamed Crowns worn by kings. I killed them and took their abilities. The bearer of the Crescent Mask used light forging. I never really tried using it really just cause I'm more familiar with my chi forging ability" the ball of light remained silent. "Well why not use your ability to make something. Let us see what abilities you possess using light to start out. You seem more familiar with the dark element Shadow?" Red Demon turned to Shadow. "We have been companions all my life. I do feel more a kinship to darkness for personal reasons" he looked back at the element light.
"But you also use the Flame. Seems you are searching through darkness to find light? It may come naturally to you. We are not interchangeable tools you wield young men. We are power on a raw scale meant to be harnessed and respected. You have been chosen as a semi immortal being with divine bloodline to take us as partners. Forge something from light?" it commanded. Red Demon paused and then extended an arm taking the Crescent Mask. "Why do you need that mask to do so?" This caused him to pause and look at the element in confusion. "To activate the power stolen?" He confessed. "But your body heals and was that not from the Forest King? You are not wearing his crown?" He dropped his arm. "What are you saying?" The ball moved closer to him now five feet blinding his eyes. "Why are you squinting? This is your mind not reality. My light should not hurt you. It should only hurt your enemies and guide those lost" Red Demon stopped squinting realizing it was only a reflex not a need to shield them.
The light felt warm against his skin, "Terra is hard and rugged. But with that strength holds continents together, producing mountains reaching to the sky. Gust is playful and ever changing, but can topple mountains if angered. Iron strong and sharp but while used for death also used for life to build for protection. Light forever coating the world till Shadow has its time. Showing cycle of time and always present till a time shadow reigns king till life repeats itself. We are the great power of nature itself. All elements have a tie to creating our worlds. As does Flame, hot and destructive but used for warmth and to feed. Fire is essential as is Shadow. Although the darkness may hold fears and mystery. It gives way to sleep and dreams" the ball floated to his side. "Stretch out your chi to feel for the element that accesses those abilities you have taken, they are yours and are part of you. I can see your memories. True struggles since childhood would lead you into doing horrible things? Let them go and function at full power. Are you a worthy wielder of the elements?" Red Demon was lost in contemplation then he focused seeking inward to find that light element he inherited. The light inside ignited his meridian and his consciousness created a ball of light in his hand that he then shaped into a long spear that resembled a lance. He twirled it around and then slammed the head of the lance into the black. The ball of light came to inspect the weaving runes imprinted on the weapon from blade to end of the pole. "Seems you have the eye of an artist. I always liked artists most elements seeing creative ways to form us and use us. Some crafting elements into beautiful spells" it looked it up and down and then approached Red Demon passing through his chest disappearing inside. The other elements did the same along with Shadow and Flame. He felt a solid sphere of energy swirl inside his Soul Core gaining access to them permanently. The Elements so far have gained their support. When Red Demon awoke he rose up weakly and shook the events from his mind. "What a strange dream?" He said. But then got curious, scanning his body. Finding the elements circling inside his Soul Core. With wide eyes he felt immense confusion. "Elements could talk? I can understand they are alive? I don't know why I'm surprised by any of this. I need to finish the treatment and tame the last four" he got up off the bed and chugged water from a pitcher. "Now…" he then set the empty jug down and went to find Hastor. "How long have I been asleep? Didn't feel like eight hours. I still feel weak" he said, still sweating.
When he stumbled out he was met by a beaten Raijin who looked like he had fought someone powerful. Red Demon with wide eyes his body became coated with wind as he reflexively moved forward. Flames danced from his heels as he caught his master before he fell forward. "Well hi there Lad" he sank to one knee. He removed his mask and was led inside to a chair. He took a seat and sighed with relief, "I must have gotten soft over the years. Lost my edge it seems?" he said with a chuckle. "What did you face?" Red Demon asked, handing him a rag and bowl of water. "The World" he stated plainly. Red Demon was taken aback. To think the very Sword of the World would rebel was something know one would see coming. "Why?" he asked, sitting on his bed. "You my boy. You have been a topic of late and seemed to be a vital pawn to the World" he began to clean off his face with the rag. 'Of course nothing can be easy anymore from here on out. I didn't think they would take the oath being nullified lying down, but Sister Spinner seemed confident in this?' he was perplexed thinking Prometheus couldn't even make them see the path set. "I understand they are mad about my oath, but isn't there a bigger issue? We should focus on that?" Red Demon stared irritated, wincing in pain grabbing his side. "Seems you've been busy? Those new elemental meridians?" Raijin asked with glowing blue eyes.
"Yeah I'll need to for the coming war" Raijin nodded at this, "That's absolutely accurate. You're going to be the target for all of us now. Prometheus is locked up and the Guides, a powerful group of functioning Primordials, will be attacking the Void Realm" Red Demon looked away in anger. 'That complicates things. They may not win against Kira if she is awake' he then stood up. "Stay. Eat. Rest. I have somewhere to be. We'll talk further afterwards" he said walking out the door. "He's definitely changed," Raijin mumbled to himself. Red Demon weakly walked back to the hut where Hastor was.