Gently securing the silver-glow mouse in his grasp, Aidan recognized the significance of its luminance—a Level 2 Essence Conduit, a rare find indeed. Focused, he attempted to channel his energy into the small creature, hoping to establish a deeper bond. However, as a Novice Tier Ascendant, his energy, marked by the distinct Champagne Bronze hue, struggled to influence the conduit significantly. His power, though earnest, was akin to a mere trickle entering the vastness of an ocean, leaving no discernible impact on the Essence Conduit.
Undeterred, Aidan drew upon a method from his extensive reservoir of knowledge, a technique not widely known until some 300 years into the future from his original time—a Blood Sacrifice Ritual. This ancient and somewhat controversial practice allowed an Ascendant to utilize Essence Conduits of a higher level by offering a part of their essence as a sacrifice. The ritual, though potent, came with significant drawbacks. It was a dangerous gamble, risking one's very life force to wield powers beyond their natural reach.
Aware of the risks, Aidan hesitated for only a moment. The path he had chosen was one of peril and ambition, and if history had taught him anything, it was that greatness required sacrifice.Aidan's determination crystallized as he embarked on the Blood Sacrifice Ritual, a dark rite veiled in secrecy and forbidden knowledge. The atmosphere within the cavern became dense, almost palpable with a foreboding energy, as Aidan steeled himself for a deed that treaded the fine line between power and peril. With a resolved breath, he made a decisive incision across his palm, far deeper than necessity dictated, allowing his blood—a vivid testament to his resolve—to cascade freely. This sanguine flow, rich with his essence and the muted glow of his Champagne Bronze power, descended upon the mouse, eliciting a tremor from the creature as if it sensed the gravity of the ritual about to unfold.
The cavern, a silent observer to this grim sacrament, seemed to contract around them, its very essence echoing with the silent screams of those who had dared such dark arts before. As Aidan's blood mingled with the mouse, the silver light that once signified its status as a Level 2 Essence Conduit began to throb with a darker luminescence, casting ominous shadows that writhed against the cavern walls like specters dancing in a macabre celebration.
In the midst of the blood sacrifice, the mouse began to resist with unexpected ferocity, launching an assault on Aidan's soul with its will. This rare occurrence, though seldom spoken of, was known to carry grave risks. Without the intervention of a more powerful Ascendant to offer protection, such an invasion could prove fatal, especially during a blood sacrifice, which only amplified the potential for dire consequences. "Just my luck," Aidan thought grimly, as he braced himself for the worst, considering a drastic measure to sever his arm and end the ritual to save his life.
However, before Aidan could act on his desperate plan, a sudden burst of divine golden light emanated from his chest, halting him in his tracks. Stunned, Aidan looked down at his heart, where, to his astonishment, a golden hourglass, glowing with a holy radiance, had seemingly replaced his heart. The Time Hourglass! A relic of immense power, it had, against all odds, traveled back in time with him, 500 years into the past. This incredible discovery left Aidan both bewildered and exhilarated, as he realized the extent of the artifact's capabilities and its implications for his journey. The hourglass, a beacon of hope in the midst of despair, suggested that his fate was intertwined with forces beyond his understanding, opening new avenues for his quest and the mastery of his Ascendant powers.
At the ritual's climax, a profound connection surged between Aidan and the mouse, a link forged in the depths of arcane darkness. The creature, irrevocably altered, let out a chilling sound that resonated not just in the cavern but deep within Aidan's soul—a cry that spoke of eternal bondage to this shadowed sanctuary.
What had once been an innocent conduit was now a being of darkness, its eyes alight with an otherworldly glow. Bound to the cavern's confines, the Essence Conduit's fate was sealed, its freedom forfeited for power, mirroring Aidan's own sacrifice.
Recoiling from the ritual's culmination, Aidan was met with the stark realization of the price exacted—not merely the physical toll but the spiritual as well. He had not only relinquished a piece of his own essence but had ensnared the Essence Conduit in a perpetual prison of stone and shadow. The air, thick with the metallic tang of blood and the weight of despair, served as a stark reminder of the pact sealed in darkness.
As Aidan departed the cavern, leaving behind the now-enshrouded Essence Conduit, the burden of his choice weighed heavily upon him. His stride back to the realm of light was shadowed by the knowledge of the lengths to which he had gone, a testament to his relentless pursuit of ascendancy. The ritual had indeed imbued him with newfound knowledge and power, yet it had also unveiled a deeper darkness within, a reminder of the indelible mark such deeds would leave upon his soul.
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As Aidan made his way back to the castle, the newly acquired power from the Essence Conduit began to manifest within him, revealing its unique ability centered around "theft." This newfound ability granted him the capacity to siphon energy from his adversaries during combat, pilfering not just their power but potentially their Essence Conduits and other possessions as well. It was a sinister yet intriguing power that promised a significant advantage in any confrontation.
The lore surrounding Malagor and the third-generation Archbishop—both of whom had reached the Pinnacle Tier of Ascendants—suggested that the Essence Conduit in Malagor's possession might have once been of a higher level. However, as centuries passed without proper sustenance, the conduit's level had gradually diminished. Aidan understood that without the necessary nourishment, the Essence Conduit's strength would continue to wane, possibly degrading to a Level 1 or even perishing altogether. Intriguingly, the conduit's preferred sustenance was alcohol, a detail that aligned serendipitously with Aidan's discovery and subsequent ritual.
This revelation about the Essence Conduit's unique preference for alcohol as its "food" provided Aidan with a critical insight into its care and potential vulnerabilities. The "theft" ability, while powerful, also underscored the importance of maintaining the conduit's strength through regular nourishment, lest he risk its degradation or loss.
Aidan's contemplation of these newfound responsibilities and capabilities was tinged with a sense of urgency. He realized that to fully harness the power of "theft" and ensure the longevity of his Essence Conduit, he would need to strategize not only its use in battle but also its maintenance. The delicate balance between utilizing the conduit's abilities and providing it with the alcohol it required presented a unique challenge, one that Aidan was determined to navigate.
Yet, above all, stood the Time Hourglass, a legendary artifact of the true gods, which had, astonishingly, traveled back in time with Aidan following his self-destruction. The presence of such a divine weapon in Aidan's past life was nothing short of miraculous. However, the cost of employing the Time Hourglass was exorbitant, and its reliability for future use in similar circumstances remained uncertain. Unless absolutely necessary, Aidan knew he could not depend on this artifact again.
Reflecting on his previous life's hardships—spanning over 500 years of exile and struggle, where perseverance, relentless effort, and countless brushes with death were his constant companions—Aidan had finally achieved a breakthrough. He had ascended beyond the Pinnacle Tier, reaching the Transcendent Tier. This monumental leap signified a complete liberation from mortal constraints and marked the beginning of a journey into the realm of legends, a domain beyond the reach of most Ascendants confined to the Pinnacle Tier or lower.
This realization of his previous life's achievements brought a profound sense of perspective to Aidan. Understanding the heights he had once achieved, Aidan now found himself back at the beginning, albeit with the knowledge and wisdom of his Transcendent Tier experience. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Aidan felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. With the Time Hourglass as a testament to his past sacrifices and a reminder of the power he once wielded, Aidan was ready to navigate the trials that lay ahead.
His experience had taught him that true strength lay not just in the power one wielded but in the journey and the struggles overcome along the way. As Aidan resumed his path towards the castle, the weight of his past and the promise of his future melded into a resolve to reclaim his place among the Ascendants, to forge a new destiny from the lessons of his past, and to explore the limits of his regained powers in this second chance at life.