Chapter Thirteen: Dark Awakening
Dusken walked down the hall, the pain within his very being intensifying with every step.
He passed by statues he recognized but didn't bother to examine; there was no time for distractions.
The pain wasn't something to take lightly, especially now that it was five times what was normal. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his muscles protested each motion, yet his eyes burned with furious determination.
Though his bones felt like they would shatter under the weight of torment delivered by the hall, his will propelled him forward.
Along the way, Dusken passed several children. Their surprised expressions reflected their shock.
Some of them had witnessed the six who had surrounded him earlier, and they had assumed he wouldn't survive. But here he was, walking with them.
Their gazes shifted behind him, expecting to see pursuers. However, finding no one, their astonishment only deepened.
The implications were clear: Dusken had either defeated his opponents or forced them into retreat. Fear crept up their hearts as they hurriedly moved aside, unwilling to provoke someone so formidable.
Dusken paid no attention to their reactions, pressing on despite the relentless pain. The hallway seemed endless, a journey as daunting as the desert he had once crossed.
Yet, just as he had endured before, he would endure again. His mind couldn't help but wander at the situation of his clan in the real world.
Step by step.
Each movement sent waves of agony through his body with his teeth gritted so hard it felt like they might shatter.
His fists clenched tightly, veins visible beneath his pale skin. The flickering flames of wall-mounted torches cast shifting shadows on the ancient walls. He wondered if his clan was still standing under the betrayal of the sound clan.
Jessica's words played over and over again in his mind, as elder John's smiling face resurfaced in his memories.
He felt no attachment to the people of this world, yet, the thrill of having revenge on his enemies wouldn't be ignored by him either.
Step by step.
Dusken didn't know how long he'd walked or how far he'd come when he finally arrived at an open door. The heavy stone frame led into a vast chamber filled with statues.
Around him, only about thirty children remained - proof of their strength and resilience, having endured such torment at the tender age of ten.
Within the chamber, nine pedestals stood, though only five bore statues. Dusken's heart quickened as his eyes fell upon them. Relief flooded him when he recognised them.
'Finally.'
These statues represented the five strongest gods from the mythologies of his past life:
The Divine Goddess of the Void,
The Divine Goddess of Destiny,
The Divine Goddess of Nature,
The Divine God of Berserk,
And the Divine God of Darkness.
Their legendary feats were deeply ingrained in Dusken's memories. However, four pedestals stood empty, signaling that others had already claimed them.
Dusken didn't hesitate. He quickly resolved to bond with one of the gods and advanced toward his chosen statue. But the closer he got, the more the pain intensified, growing nearly unbearable. He suppressed a groan, his expression tightening.
'As expected, this won't be easy.'
All around him, children screamed with every step. A few, however, moved steadily, unfazed by the pain. These individuals immediately caught Dusken's attention.
Among them were three girls and one boy. The boy, in particular, stood out. His wine-red hair and deep crimson eyes gave him an imposing presence.
His angular face and unnaturally smooth, pale skin added to his striking appearance. Clad in a red robe, he walked with an unnerving calm, his steady pace suggesting no sign of struggle.
Dusken's thoughts churned.
'Is this boy really just ten years old?'
The girls showed occasional signs of strain but pressed forward with determination. Dusken noted each of them before focusing on his own goal. Step by step, he approached his chosen statue, ignoring the pain that seemed to crush his very soul.
His breath hitched as he neared his limit. Every ounce of willpower was channeled into taking one more step. His mind repeated a desperate chant within his head:
'One last step. One last step. One last step.'
At last, he reached his destination: the statue of the Divine God of Darkness.
This deity ruled over eternal darkness, shadows, and death. According to myth, he had once drowned the world in rivers of shadow, blotting out the sky.
His power was so great that he had fought and survived against five other divine gods, even pushing them back.
The divine goddess of the void had been powerless, the divine god of light had been devoured and life was but a fleeting fantasy.
Dusken's eyes sparkled with recognition. Below the pedestal, ancient words were inscribed: Divine God of Darkness.
But he wasn't alone. Eight other children had chosen the same statue, each glaring at the others with hostile intent. They clearly saw one another as competitors for the god's favor.
Despite the tension, curiosity gnawed at Dusken as he observed.
'What would happen if they all chose the same statue?'
Suddenly, an ancient voice, blurry and layered with the weight of eons, resonated in his mind.
'Do you choose my statue to bond with?'
Dusken froze, his eyes widening. He didn't need a second guess to know this was the voice of a deity.
However, he didn't feel reverence... why should he? Had the deities helped him when he needed it the most? No. Had they descended to give solace? No.
Had they saved all those he had loved the most? No. Then why should he feel reverence? After some silence, he replied in his mind.
'Yes.'
Glancing around, he saw the other children wearing similar expressions of shock and excitement. Clearly, they, too, had heard the voice and were even puffing out their chests with pride.
Dusken's mind raced.
'So the others heard it too. Such narrow minded people, they are far too shortsighted.'
The voice returned, commanding yet calm:
'Touch my statue.'
Without hesitation, Dusken stepped forward and placed his hand on the pedestal. The other children did the same.
A rush of power surged through him, and Dusken's pain vanished in an instant. Relief washed over him, but it wasn't just the absence of pain that brought him joy.
A series of messages appeared in his mind:
[Seeker, you have been granted a key by the god of darkness.]
[You have unlocked your talent: Abyssal Star.]
[You have received a main ability.]
[Valiant Seeker, you have ascended to Level One.]
[You now have access to magical energy and have received a spell card.]
[Great Awakened, your feat is outstanding. You have received an Innate Ability: Dark Flame.]
Dusken's lips curled into a satisfied smile as the true awakening began.