I gradually awoke to the sterile scent of a hospital room and a dull ache pulsating through my abdomen. The harsh glow of fluorescent lights above me indicated the stark reality of the situation. As my senses sharpened, I became acutely aware of the persistent pain emanating from my stomach.
Blinking against the harsh light, I attempted to piece together the events that led me to this unfamiliar setting. The last thing present in my memory was the betrayal.
ALEX! That bastard was the person who turned my life upside down.
I groaned, feeling the weight of the pain and confusion. The hospital room was eerily quiet, interrupted only by the distant hum of medical equipment. A sense of vulnerability and disorientation gripped me as I tried to move, and the dull throbbing intensified with every attempt.
With a cautious hand, I explored the source of the pain and found a bandage tightly wound around my stomach. It was a grim reminder of the dagger that had pierced me, an act of treachery that shattered the illusion of trust.
As my mind grappled with the betrayal, questions swirled in my head. How did I end up here? What happened to the others? And where is Alex now? The answers eluded me, buried beneath the fog of the unexpected turn of events.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I pushed myself into a sitting position. Suddenly, the door banged open. I saw a familiar figure coming inside. It was Alina.
When she saw me awake, she dashed towards me and hugged me tightly. I winced in pain but still felt a sigh of relief.
Alina's embrace was a mix of relief and concern, her eyes searching mine for signs of recovery. The warmth of her hug contrasted with the clinical chill of the hospital room, creating a momentary refuge from the lingering pain.
"Thank the stars, you're awake," Alina whispered, pulling back slightly to assess my condition. "We were worried there for a moment. That dagger got you good."
I managed a weak smile, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "Alex, he betrayed us. But why? What happened?"
Alina's expression shifted to a more serious demeanor. "We'll get to that, Magnus. Right now, you need to focus on healing. The others are safe, and we've got some answers to find."
As I settled back against the pillows, Alina filled me in on the events that transpired after the betrayal.
She said that when I fainted, Alex summoned some magicians, and they called themselves the 'True Rulers.' They planned to use this Eldorian shard to rule the world. She and Rowan tried to apprehend them, but they disappeared through a dark portal.
As Alina unveiled the unsettling truth, a surge of conflicting emotions washed over me. The revelation that Alex had aligned himself with the True Rulers, a malevolent faction with world-altering aspirations, left me grappling with a profound sense of betrayal and self-blame.
Frustration and anger welled up within me as I clenched my fists. "How could I have been so blind? How did I not see through his deceit?" The weight of my own perceived weakness pressed heavily on my conscience.
Suddenly, once again, I thought of what happened to me. Initially, I was deceived and backstabbed by Nyx. Second, I deceived the people in Eldoria. Finally, the truth behind the disappearance of my father and the betrayal of Alex.
I started to overthink everything, and only negative emotions were surrounding me. I thought, Why does this always happen to me!?
I felt a surge of panic engulf my senses. The room seemed to close in, and my breaths became shallow and rapid. Alina, perceptive to my distress, immediately leaned in, her voice calm and grounding as she hugged me. It was as if she had predicted this.
"Focus on your breathing, Magnus," she urged gently. "Inhale deeply, hold it, and exhale. You're safe now, and we're here for you."
As I followed her guidance, the rhythmic pattern of breaths began to steady the storm within. Alina maintained a reassuring presence, offering silent support in the face of the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me.
After a few moments, the panic began to subside, leaving behind a lingering vulnerability. I looked at Alina, gratitude and fragility reflected in my eyes. "Thank you," and I leaned against her shoulder while hugging her.
I muttered, "Alina, you won't betray me, right?"
Alina gently held me; her touch was a reassurance against the violent currents of doubt and fear. Her eyes softened, and she responded with sincerity, "Magnus, I've stood by you through thick and thin. Betrayal is not in my nature. You can trust me."
I gave a weak smile and said, "I know. But let me stay like this for some time." She responded to my smile and replied, "Of course. My shoulder only belongs to you."
We sat there for a few hours. The only thought running through my head was to get stronger and take revenge on those who thought that I was a pushover.
--------------------------------
A few days later, everyone was still trying to cheer me up, but it was of no use. I created a spatial realm to train more and increase my swordsmanship. I was determined to become stronger and defeat the bastards.
But I needed some help. I thought, Maybe I can call Alina.
Suddenly, in the solitude of the realm, a sudden presence disrupted the stillness. Elyon, the junior angel of Seraphiel, materialized before me. His expression carried a weight of sympathy as he acknowledged the recent hardships.
I raised my eyebrows, took a defensive stance, and said, "Who are you? And how did you get into my realm!?"
Elyon's form wavered for a moment before solidifying. He wore a serene smile, as if he expected my confusion. "Magnus, I am Elyon, the junior angel of Seraphiel. I have no ill intentions. I entered your realm with permission, seeking to offer guidance and aid in your quest for strength."
I relaxed slightly, realizing he was not a threat. "Alright, Elyon. What do you have to offer?"
He gestured towards the spacious surroundings of the spatial realm. "I've observed your dedication to honing your swordsmanship and astral magic. I bring an offer—an ancient technique that merges the two seamlessly. With this, you can channel the essence of your astral magic into your sword, creating a harmonious union of blade and ethereal energy."
"I see." This seemed suspicious.
The recent betrayal had left me cautious, questioning motives and potential hidden agendas. I voiced my concerns: "How can I be sure this won't lead to more complications? I trusted someone before, and it ended in betrayal."
Elyon acknowledged the skepticism with empathy in his gaze. "Magnus, trust is earned, and I am here to guide you. The choice to embrace this technique is yours. Consider it a tool for your journey, and I assure you, my intent is to aid, not deceive."
"Magnus," he continued with a gentle tone, "I've witnessed your struggles and the challenges you've faced. Seraphiel has granted me the opportunity to aid you in strengthening your astral abilities. Together, we can forge a new path of magic, one that transcends the trials you've endured."
I looked at Elyon, a glimmer of hope igniting within me. "Fine. No jokes. I still don't trust you. But still teach me what you have to offer," I said, determined to cut through the lingering shadows. Elyon nodded, ready to guide me on a journey of resilience and newfound power.
Though uncertainty still lingered, I found a glimmer of hope in Elyon's words.
My interest piqued, and I inquired, "Okay. How do I learn this technique? And what's the catch?"
Elyon's expression remained earnest. "The technique requires discipline and focus. I'll guide you through the process, but the choice to embrace it fully lies with you. The catch, if any, is the commitment to balance both aspects—the physical and the astral. Are you willing to embark on this journey?"
I nodded, determination flickering in my eyes. "Teach me, Elyon. I am ready to tread this path."
He said, "Now, I will be teaching you the Astral Blade Fusion."
As the teaching began, Elyon elaborated on the complexities of the technique.
Astral Blade Fusion indeed involved a unique aspect—temporarily dividing my soul into two parts. One part would remain within my physical body, maintaining its presence and protecting it from external threats. Meanwhile, the other part would manifest as a chosen weapon, primarily a blade, created from astral energy.
This innovative approach addressed the vulnerability I faced when transitioning to my astral form, leaving my physical body defenseless. With Astral Blade Fusion, I could maintain a dual existence, combining the advantages of astral projection with the protection and utilization of my physical form.
The division of the soul required precise control and synchronization, emphasizing the importance of mastering both aspects simultaneously. The training process involved refining my skills in wielding the astral weapon while ensuring a seamless connection between the divided soul fragments.
As I contemplated the potential applications of astral blade fusion, a sense of determination ignited within me. This technique held the promise of overcoming previous limitations and opening new lanes in my journey towards strength and mastery.