Stepping out the door, he was met by the gazes of various villagers who were waiting for their turn to enter. Standing next to and or on top of the villagers, were various small spirits. Each one similarly as hideous as the next.
Euric's gaze passed by each one as he stepped down the stairs. Some of the dark spirits were perched upon people's shoulders, holding onto their ears or neck. Others were standing beside their villagers, holding onto their legs. Euric stole momentary glances, as to not catch the spirit's attention. But nevertheless, he was shocked at the number of villagers that were affected.
Walking through the streets, he saw various spirits of every kind. They were colorful, unlike the spirits he saw attached to the villagers. These spirits seemed less hostile, going about their day. Some of them lay down in the grass, while others chased the chicken across the road.
Although this sight stood before him, Euric was too busy in his thoughts to appreciate it. The image of that monstrous creature mocking him and his father couldn't escape his mind.
"Why couldn't father do anything?" He murmured under his breath. His steps slow, eyes glazed as he was lost in thoughts.
'Was the spirit too powerful? That shouldn't be the reason, can't father just increase the density of spiritual energy within the room?' Euric questioned, his mind trying to solve the issue. 'Wait... maybe the spiritual energy, even if denser is still not enough to stop that thing? It did seem different from the others...'
His mind whirled, losing himself in his thought he arrived quicker than he expected. Reaching the door, he found a small note left before it.
"Dear Euri, I went out to check and reinforce the altar tethers, if you find this note that means I have yet to return. I left you some sandwiches on the counter. The ones on the left are yours, don't touch the ones on the right there for your dad. Have a nice meal, and don't forget mommy loves you.
P.S. Go grab some eggs from the chicken coop and make yourself an omelet. "
Reading the note Euric couldn't help but smile, 'What's a better way to distract yourself than with a full stomach?' he thought, imagining a nice seasoned omelet.
Turning around with a spin, he walked towards the chicken coops. His eyes partially closed as his shoulders shimmied.
He turned the corner; the sound of chicken's clucking filled his ears. His mouth was already salivating, the moment that he would get to taste the egg soon drawing near.
Just as he reached to open the chicken pens, a shadow near the gate caught his eye, "Shadow is that you?" he spoke while turning to face the opening in the fence.
The moment Euric turned, his mouth grew dry with fear. Standing in front of him was a figure so unnerving it made a chill crawl down his spine. At first glance, it appeared to be a well-dressed man, its form unnaturally tall and thin, with impossibly long limbs that moved with an unnatural fluidity. Draped in a shadowy attire that seemed to ripple like smoke, the figure began to walk away from the village, its steps eerily silent.
Squinting his eyes, he realized its body wasn't solid—it shimmered and flickered. Its neck was unnervingly long, swaying side to side like a dancing serpent.
Hearing Euric's call, The creature froze mid-step, its head twisting in a grotesque motion until its face faced him fully. A wave of terror gripped Euric as he locked eyes with the being.
The creature's gaze bore into him, its obsidian-black eyes wide and featureless, glowing faintly against the pale, porcelain white of its face. Its expression shifted, and its brows knit together as if in disapproval or curiosity at Euric's reaction. Then, its neck stretched, slithering toward him with agonizing slowness, until it loomed just inches from his face.
Now, up close, Euric could make out every detail of its grotesque visage. The contrast between its void-like body and its gleaming, mask-like face of porcelain was stark—almost unreal, as though it didn't belong to this world. Slowly, fissures began to form where its lips should have been, the cracks splintering outward to create a jagged, crooked smile. Though no sound emerged from the fractured grin, Euric could clearly discern the deliberate, unnerving movement of its mouth.
"See me." It uttered, twisting its head slightly.
A shiver went down his spine, 'What should I do?'
'Play it cool, play it cool.' He slid his hands into his pockets, "I must have been mistaken." He spoke nonchalantly, turning towards the chicken pens. He slowly continued to reach out and grab the barn doors, but before he opened them the face appeared right in front of him.
'Crap, leave me alone you stinking spirit.' Euric protested, then he opened the doors. Stepping forward, phasing through the spirit and reaching for an egg to the chicken's protest.
Grabbing an egg, he quickly closes the door, and turns towards his house. He felt a piercing gaze on his back, doing an awkward stretch, he stole a quick glance at the gate. The spirit was standing there, its neck wriggling while its face stood completely still staring at him.
Quickly, without missing a step, Euric entered his home and closed the door behind him.
"What the hell is that?!" he quietly yelled. "That spirit was so weird. Right! It even spoke... it reminded me of the spirit I met at the altar." he shivered.
It didn't take him long to remember the egg that sat in his grasp. "Yum time." Quickly setting the coals and lighting the stove. He proceeded to fry the egg, not before properly seasoning it of course.
With the addition of the sandwiches his mother hand made for him. He had a quick lunch.
Grabbing the half empty bucket, he poured the water in a few containers before leaving the house to fetch some water. While passing the gate, he met the same spirit.
'Why is it still here,' He pondered, breaking into a nervous sweat. With a deep break, he continued forward not paying the spirit any heed, casually passing to the left of it.
Passing through the village, he held his head down not paying any heed to the villagers who looked at him with strange eyes. 'I should try not to catch the attention of any spirits.'
He quickly got to the well. His mind focused on fetching water, watching the bucket fill. While he pulled the bucket up, he could feel countless gazes on him.
'I must be trippin. Did I accidentally grab one of the psychedelic mushrooms when I was making the omelet.' He proceeded to pour the water into the bucket. While pouring, he decided to take a peek at the forest behind him, hoping to find a shadow standing there. But when he looked back the bucket in his hand shook, a large amount of water pouring onto the floor.
'Crap,' he quickly re-positioned the bucket. A cold sweat flowed down his back as he recalled the image he saw behind. Dark spirits, so many dark spirits were wandering the forest. Out of the many, a few seemed to be curiously watching him.
Not caring if the bucket was not completely full. Euric grabbed the bucket and began to bolt towards his house, the water sloshing fiercely with every step.
Crossing his fence, he was met by the odd neck spirit. But he marched through it uncaringly.
He entered his house, placing the bucket in the kitchen. Before going back outside, but this time he went left, turning to corners and arriving at the front of the house, which was much more spacious and greener than the backyard.
He tended to his chores, watering the plants, trying to not look up from the ground because just beyond the fence lay another part of the forest that surrounded the village.
"Damn this, I don't think I want to be able to see spirits anymore." he mumbled to himself, after catching a glimpse of something walking around in the shadows of the trees.
The day went on, Euric plagued with spirit sight couldn't help but get frightened every now and then.
"I thought this thing only lasted a couple of hours!!" He grumbled after catching the attention of some grotesque imp-like spirit. Just as the imp was about to start moving toward him it disappeared.
Looking around in shock, Euric found that he could no longer see the spirits. No longer could he notice the creatures walking around. He moved towards the back of the house to check the fence,
"Finally!!!" he yelled after not meeting the spirit.
"Finally, what?" a confused voice sounded from behind him. Startled, he turned around to find his mother staring at him.
She was a mess, mud decorating the folds of her clothes and branches sticking out of her fiery red hair. 'Where did mom come from?' Euric stared on with a puzzled expression.
"What happened to you mom?" Euric asked, trying to change the subject.
"Went for a little walk in the woods. Now tell me, what were you all happy about? " Selena responded, her gaze shifting from her son, up to the gap in the fence where Euric saw the spirit last, and then back to her son.
"Nothing, I was just happy to get my chores done." Euric answered calmly. 'Nice thinking,' he added mentally.
"Well alright, I am going to go wash up. It's already getting late, go clean the fish I brought." Saying this his mother turned around and went into the house.
'That was close, I need to learn how to keep a low profile.' he told himself as he watched his mother disappear into the house. During the evening Euric helped his mother prepare the fish and make supper.
By the time everything was ready, his father had already arrived.
"How was everything darling?" Euric's mother asked his father over dinner.
"Everything is alright," he answered with his usual charisma. "Euric today has started his journey to becoming a spiritualist. After today there is only a couple of days left until he awakens," he added.
The conversation continued. Euric shared his experience with spiritual energy. His parents nodded as they heard about how it was starting to feel much more comfortable.
Once dinner ended, Euric cleaned up the kitchen before heading into his room. Excitedly he showered, and jumped into bed falling into slumber.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in the familiar forest once more. Shadow was seated at the table with an open chair waiting for Euric.
"Welcome back little spirit," Shadow spoke with a smirk, his dark gaze steady. "I see you have quite the day."
Euric took his seat, 'Something seems different.' He thought while looking at Shadow, who looked more corporeal.
"You noticed? That means that your body has already started reacting to the training your father is putting you through," surprised, Shadow commented.
"What does this mean for me?" Euric inquired.
"It means that for some reason, your body seems to be in tune with spiritual energy. Far more than it should be... interesting." Shadow gripped his chin while eyeing Euric.
"Is that a good thing?"
"But of course, little spirit. That means you might even awaken earlier than first predicted."
Euric's eyes grew wide when he heard this. Excitement gripping every muscle fiber in his body.
"Will this mean I will be able to fight against dark spirits, like the one I saw today." Euric's hands balling into fists waiting for Shadow's response.
"Not quite, you will still only be at the essence stage of your spiritual journey." Shadow shook his head. "If you were to deal with that beast, you would at least have to be at the Ethereal awakening stage. Only with your spiritual attire, would you at least pose a threat to Asmel."
"Wait... Asmel?" Euric stood up, his hands slamming the table. "You know the name of the spirit?"
"Yes, I do, little spirit, not only do I know its name. I also know a way to defeat it as you are, even without awakening." Shadow leaned forward, giving Euric a little wink.
"How!?" Euric pushed forward, shaking the table.
Shadow chuckled, a wide grin stretching onto his face. "It's very simple actually, but I can't just tell you this important information for free. How about we strike a deal?"