Zac found himself taken aback by the unexpected revelation. The implications of Clarisse's name appearing on the Death Scripture eluded him, leaving him in a state of uncertainty. The only certainty lay in the undeniable connection between this revelation and the merging of his own blood essence with Clarisse's.
Seated on the bed, Clarisse, now fully awakened, fixed her gaze on Zac. A peculiar sense of attachment to him overcame her, compelling her to follow and obey him without reservation. Observing this interaction, Bella, who stood nearby, couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Inquiring about her sudden transformation, Clarisse turned to Elise with a measured tone.
"What transpired during the blood ritual?" she queried.
Elise, addressing Clarisse as "Big Sister," began recounting the events with a composed demeanor. "Upon your blood's contact with the awakening stone, an unprecedented reaction occurred. A tumultuous surge enveloped you in a blood cocoon, the specifics of which remain undisclosed to me. However, upon your emergence, notable changes were evident. Your ocular hue underwent a discernible shift, accompanied by the manifestation of an unfamiliar symbol between your brows," elucidated Elise.
Taking a brief pause, she continued with a measured cadence, "Subsequent to your transformation, you initiated hostilities. Both Bella and Zac engaged in a prolonged altercation with you before ultimately subduing your aggressive actions."
Clarisse's countenance betrayed her confusion as she endeavored to piece together the fragments of her recent experience. An abrupt inundation of memories flooded her consciousness, unveiling a sequence of events. Within the cocoon, she witnessed the convergence of three distinct blood drops, a perplexing addition that left her questioning their origin. Subsequently, she relived the intense confrontation with Bella and Zac, marveling at the newfound potency both had acquired in the interim.
The zenith of astonishment struck Clarisse when she revisited the memory of Bella's proficiency in suppressing her with resonating shock waves. The gravity of the encounter left her momentarily speechless. Combing through these vivid recollections, Clarisse took a deliberate breath, endeavoring to assimilate the extraordinary occurrences.
With a composed demeanor, she rose from the bed and approached a nearby mirror. Gazing at her reflection, she noted the juxtaposition of familiarity and novelty. The deep crimson and black pupils mirrored a complexity that hinted at the profound alterations within. Most enigmatic, however, was the symbol etched between her brows. As her fingers delicately traced its contours, a surge of dark energy coursed through her, akin to the resonant power she had sensed emanating from Zac.
"Elise, Carmen, and Seraphina, may I request a brief moment alone? There's a matter I need to discuss privately with Bella and Zac," Clarisse calmly articulated, her tone carrying a blend of authority and earnestness.
Elise, wearing a quizzical expression, complied with Clarisse's directive, leading Carmen and Seraphina out of the room, leaving an air of curiosity in their wake.
Having been apprised by Zac of the developments concerning the altered Death Scripture, Bella stood there in contemplation. Clarisse, now in relative seclusion, turned her attention squarely to him. "I presume, Zac, that you possess some insight into the symbol adorning my forehead," she inquired, her demeanor a subtle blend of curiosity and expectation.
Caught in the spotlight, Zac grappled with how to address the query. The resolute expression on Clarisse's face, however, left little room for evasion.
Bella, assuming a composed stance, initiated an explanation laden with gravity. "Recall the pivotal moment when your blood met the awakening stone," she prompted, seeking confirmation from Clarisse, who nodded in acknowledgment.
"In the realm of awakened abilities, your potential is shaped by a combination of talent, bloodline, and a measure of fortune. While we can't manipulate your inherent talent or alter the whims of luck, Zac, in a gesture of assistance, endeavored to augment your prospects. Unbeknownst to you, he discreetly introduced a drop from his distinctive bloodline into the blood essence you offered to the awakening stone," Bella revealed.
As she concluded, Bella paused, allowing the weight of the revelation to settle. The room hung in silence, pregnant with anticipation, as all eyes turned to Clarisse, awaiting her response to this revelation.
Inquisitive, Clarisse sought clarification with a direct inquiry. "What, precisely, does Zac's bloodline entail?" she questioned, her tone revealing a blend of curiosity and a hint of frustration.
Zac, now shouldering the responsibility of elucidating the intricacies, responded with a measured explanation. "My bloodline affords me dominion over the deceased. However, its impact on you remains elusive. At that juncture, my primary intent was to leverage the potency of my bloodline to enhance the awakening of a formidable ability through the stone. The unforeseen chaos that ensued was beyond my anticipation. What's undeniable is the connection between us," he admitted, concealing the intricate details regarding the Death Scripture.
Clarisse, after a thoughtful pause, exhaled audibly. "It appears there's no immediate remedy at hand. We'll navigate this terrain as it unfolds," she remarked with a pragmatic acceptance, infusing the moment with a sense of resolve.
Zac, visibly taken aback, voiced his concern, "Are you not harboring any resentment towards me for this unforeseen consequence?"
Clarisse, with a pragmatism that belied the situation's complexity, responded, "What's the use of harboring anger? Furthermore, it appears this unexpected turn of events has conferred some advantages upon me. Let's consider the matter closed, and I prefer to keep this information confidential. Elise and others need not be informed." Both Zac and Bella acknowledged her wish with silent concurrence.
With the confidentiality pact established, Clarisse summoned Elise and the waiting companions. Eager to shift the focus toward future endeavors, she queried, "What plans do we have moving forward?"
Zac took the lead in outlining their strategy. "Our current armaments are proving inadequate against our adversaries. Acquiring new weapons should be a priority," he suggested.
Agreeing with the proposal, Clarisse directed Carmen to escort Zac and Bella to the armory for weapon selection. Simultaneously, she and Elise undertook preparations for their impending journey to the battlefield.
As Clarisse handed her token to Carmen, signifying authorization to access the armory, she articulated the next steps. "Upon completion of your preparations, rendezvous with us at the castle entrance at dawn. That's when we set forth."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Zac and Bella departed with Carmen, leaving Clarisse and Elise to finalize their arrangements.
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Stepping into the expansive armory, Zac and Bella were enveloped by an ambiance that bore an otherworldly presence, inducing a subtle chill down their spines. The grand chamber unfolded before them, characterized by towering shelves embellished with intricate carvings and patterns emanating an ethereal glow. Prior to entering, they observed that the armory stood as a distinct structure accessible both from within the castle and externally.
Within this vast expanse, they discerned delineated sections, each designated by a specific tier of weaponry. The names—Ethereal, Radiant, Obsidian, Prismal, Ecliptic, Nocturne, and Abyssal—hinted at a hierarchy of armaments within this realm.
The interior resembled a corridor, encompassing seven sections in total. The layout followed a symmetrical arrangement, with the initial two sections positioned opposite each other, succeeded by the subsequent two, and so forth. The ultimate section stood at the terminus, facing the entrance.
Of note, the Ethereal and Radiant Weapon sections were conspicuously accessible, guarded by a lone sentinel. In contrast, the remaining sections were under stringent protection.
Observing the varying degrees of security in each armory section, Zac's analytical mind prompted a question. "The disparity in guard strength is evident. The first two sections seem lightly guarded, while the fifth and sixth sections are heavily fortified. However, the last section has only one elderly guard. What's the rationale behind this distribution?"
Before Carmen could provide an explanation, Bella interjected with her own insights. "The guard strength appears to follow a pattern of increasing potency from the first to the sixth sections. I sense formidable energy emanating from the guards in the fifth and sixth sections, though precise assessments remain elusive. Surprisingly, the elderly guard at the final section registers as undetectable. This implies one of two possibilities: either he is an ordinary individual, an unlikely scenario given the importance of the armory, or, more intriguingly, he possesses strength so profound that our abilities fail to gauge it accurately."
Bella, after a composed inhalation, concluded with a discerning tone. "In essence, the latter scenario suggests a level of strength that surpasses our current ability to perceive."
Carmen, visibly impressed by Bella's astute deduction, found herself momentarily taken aback. Despite the prevalent secrecy surrounding the elderly guard's identity, it was a well-established fact within the castle that he stood among the Crimson Family's most formidable defenders. Bella's accurate inference served as a subtle reminder to Carmen that appearances could be deceiving, particularly when it came to these seemingly ordinary eight-year-olds.
Addressing the practical aspect of their mission, Carmen directed their attention to the arsenal. "For arming your undead, the Ethereal Stage weapons are at your disposal," she gestured toward a section adorned with an array of weapons.
"Clarisse has extended the liberty for you to select as many Ethereal Stage weapons as needed for your undead. As for both of you," Carmen continued, pointing towards a lower section containing weapons, "you have the privilege of choosing one weapon each for both defense and offense, restricted to the Level 7 Radiant Stage."
Zac and Bella accepted the invitation without hesitation, stepping into the Ethereal Section with its extensive array of weapons. Zac, with a discerning eye, surveyed the vast collection of Ethereal Stage weapons, methodically selecting various types across different levels. Bella, ever astute, interjected with occasional suggestions, contributing to the curated assortment.
After a considerable span of time dedicated to this meticulous process, Zac's choices numbered over sixty, a mere fraction within the vast expanse of Ethereal Stage weaponry.
Proceeding to the Radiant Section to select armor and weapons for themselves, Zac and Bella made their way through the hall. In a moment of contemplation, Zac cast a lingering glance back at the elderly guard resting at the end of the corridor.
As his eyes met the gaze of the old man, an unexpected intensity swept over Zac. It was as if a formidable beast had fixed its gaze upon him, rendering even the act of breathing a laborious task. Beads of sweat formed on Zac's forehead as an involuntary stillness seized him, immobilizing his ability to move.