The Group entered the worn house, instantly smelling the cooked food in the kitchen. The appetite formed after falling into an abyss for hours was no joke, as they all decided to eat before asking questions. The fish was tender and had a light salty taste; the older man served it with beans he harvests in the woods around the house. The meal was terrific, and it helped settle the anxious minds of the quartet.
"Thank you for the food," Jay said in a slightly relaxed tone. The atmosphere was better than before. " So, are you ready to explain?" Jay said, gathering the remaining three to listen in.
"First, allow me to open your seals in your heads. A lot has happened in this world; a lot of people have been killed. To attempt to understand, you need to allow me to reveal your past and why you are here now." As the older man said this, he revealed a long, slick slab with pulsing blood-red runes. Slowly, he approached us individually and allowed us to touch the runic slab. Oblivious, Rio grabbed the tablet, startling the other three. Rios's body slowly released a green aura that swirled around him like wind, and emotions flashed across his face, confusing the Group.
"What did you do to him?" Jay, in a defiant voice, as he started to back away from the man. "It is what needs to be done for you to understand." The older man said while removing the tablet from Rio's hands. Suddenly, an aura ripped through the air, forcing the Group into a standstill. Jay fought with all his might but couldn't escape the invisible force pressing down on him. Sarah was next as she shivered in place, unable to fight the space closing her in place. "Don't fight it; the harder you resist, the more it hurts." Soon, Sarah was holding the slab, her eyes showing with defined brilliance as she went through the seal. Indeed, this girl is the key. Slowly, the tablet was upon Jay, who was bleeding out of his lips from biting too hard.
The slab slowly descended onto his head, and runic writing appeared across his skin. The world around him flashed, and he felt snow glittering off his face. The world around him warped as images kept appearing in his head. "Young master, what's the matter?" a dignified gentleman approached his bedside. "Nothing, Herald. Could you fetch me some water? I feel burdened from today's training." The young boy was no more than six but held an air of regalness. "Right away, sir." The young boy glanced around the dark interior of the room. A small sigh escaped him as he felt the soreness from today's sword training—day in and day out but without progress on his mana.
Suddenly, a throbbing pain entered his head, forcing him in and out of control of his body. The only thing keeping him from fading was the constant pain marring his mind. Runic markings soon covered his body, and the pain slowly subsided, soothing his mind. His body possesses the curse of anti-mana, which doesn't allow the world's energy to flow in his body. It is a rare and undesirable physique, but he plans to use it as his greatest weapon. I can feel the little time I have left until my soul is sent to the other side. If my future self can receive a message from me, let him know that this physique can be the greatest gift or the worst curse. The young boy then slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. The world turned gray, and Jay was now viewing a new scene. Snow bellowed from the sky as a boy stood in the snow afront two grave markers. The graves read out;
Mark Conners, loving son, husband, and father
Tera Conners, loving daughter, wife, and mother
As Jay took in the names on the graves, his mind started to understand more and more about his life and what happened.
He sold his soul to reincarnate his parents into the other world. He found himself lost without them, so he decided they should live instead of him. Slowly, memories that weren't his filled his mind, and he started to understand his former self more. I'm glad I chose this fate; it feels fitting for us. A trial awaits us on the other side. Jay, who had now rekindled his past, slowly awoke among the other four, gathering his bearings. "I thank you for allowing me to remember, Herald." Herald, who lived up to his master's expectations, could finally sigh in relief as the young man in front of him felt like his prior self. "The Duke, is he?" "Yes, Herald. Mother and Father are living happily on the other side." Jay said with a serene tone, still confused about the significant parts of the trial. Jay currently remembers the truth about this world. The chosen souls were being chosen with great potential to rise to godhood. They must face challenges no human thought possible. Jay slowly eyed his sleeping companions, wondering what lives they lead before the convergence. Herald handed Jay a small tablet containing multiple magic runes. "I was chosen as the guide for this run. The heavenly beings decided that your group will be the final group to attempt godhood. They have advised a statistical plaque containing your strengths and weaknesses." Herald marked the edge of the tablet with his mana and a small screen blurred top life in front of Jay.
Str. 09
Sta. 11
Int. 01
Wis. 00
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Attr. (error) unable to designate a mana attribute
potential attr. void
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Swordplay lvl 6
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The screen read like a status screen from a game. void? The void attribute was what was plaguing the boys body currently. He could learn it? The potential of being able to cancel out any mana sounds promising but the double edge sword of using an unknown element was how far could he go with the knowledge he has.