On the seventh floor of Klington Civil Hospital, a teenage boy was laying motionless in the corridor. David's physical form was shrouded in unconsciousness, yet his soul remained eerily aware of its surroundings. This peculiar lucidity was owed to the enigmatic presence within him, a Zarden who dwelled in David's body. David's voice echoed in his own head trying to communicate with the Zarden, he said
'Damn you, you shitbag, what's going on, huh? Answer me, damn it!!'
David's curses were met with a gentle, melodious chuckle that reverberated in David's mind. The voice's response was laced with a hypnotic harmony that could captivate and mesmerize anyone who heard it.
'Ah, if only you had taken my advice and transformed, say around the 2nd or 3rd floor, we wouldn't be in this situation but don't worry, my friend, I won't let your friends die.'
With a heavy sigh, David acknowledged his mistake and posed the inevitable question. 'Now, how do we get out of this?'
The voice responded immediately in a friendly tone 'Oh! I apologise for not responding since last 15 minutes. You see...I was doing my utmost best to help you. Actually I was focusing to pour my dark crimson energy into your body in order to get your body out of stupor.'
David's frustration wasn't receding since the last 15 minutes, feeling a sense of despair as he contemplated the consequences of his single mistake. The lives of his dear friends hung precariously in balance, and he felt crippling helplessness wash over him. His usual steadfast resolve now shattered, David was consumed by desperation, his options dwindling to one which was to place his trust in the enigmatic yet friendly Zarden, whose unexpected kindness earned him David's suspicion instead of trust but David also felt a calm and soothing sensation when he talked to the Zarden.
'Your name was Zverius, right?' David asked with a hint of curiousity in his echoing voice.
'Yeah.' Zverius replied without losing his focus.
'Can you explain again about the crimson energy and dark crimson energy which you speak of?' asked David in order to kill time.
A brief, weighted pause preceded before Zverius answered, his voice emerged with a somber intensity.
'Where to commence? Crimson energy, an energy that defies almost all of the principles of modern science, presents a multifaceted paradigm. This enigmatic energy facilitates the casting of crimson spells, while also enhancing physical, spiritual, and mental prowess. Its applications extend to various combat disciplines, martial arts, and healing methodologies, enabling the restoration of oneself and others. Furthermore, it serves as a medium for communication and sensory perception, allowing users to detect individuals or entities within variable ranges and patterns.
In certain instances, users of crimson energy develop distinctive abilities, influenced by their innate bodily affinities. These Unique Crimson techniques transcend conventional applications. Additionally, crimson energy can augment weapons and inanimate objects.
However, there are inherent limitations and risks. Zardens cannot directly transfer raw crimson energy to fellow Zardens, as this would invariably result in the recipient's demise. Humans, on the other hand, can transfer a predetermined amount of raw Crimson energy under stringent conditions. However, failure to adhere to these parameters may prove fatal for either the donor or recipient, or both.
Crimson energy is capable of both creation and destruction. Zardens inherently possess a crimson core since birth, whereas humans develop this core through rigorous training and the receipt of a suitable energy quantity from a crimson energy wielder. As for Dark crims—'
'Stop!' David interrupted Zverius's brief explanation by screaming loudly or rather by echoing his scream loudly in his head. After lingering for few moments David added feeling tired
'You explained all of this to me before!'
'You were the one who asked me to explain again.' Zverius replied nonchalantly with a shroud of friendliness.
'Yeah, it's just that I wasn't expecting such a tedious explanation.'
'It's still a lot better than your high school lectures.'
Hearing this David chuckled and
asked 'You're not done yet, huh?'
Zverius answered after a short pause 'Just wait a little bit longer.'
On the ground floor, a fierce battle was reaching its end. Klubius was taken aback by Henry's unexpected revelation, particularly the name that had escaped his lips with unwavering conviction. In an instant, Henry's physique underwent a profound metamorphosis.
His stature elongated, surpassing six and a half feet, as his dark blue hair gave way to a raven-black, abbreviated coiffure. His maroon hued eyes transformed into piercing lemon yellow one, while a neatly groomed goatee materialized on his countenance. His complexion paled, assuming a greyish hue, as his ears, facial features, and bodily contours underwent a resplendent transformation.
Throughout this majestic transformation, dark crimson thunder crackled around him, illuminating the surroundings. Finally, a fellow Zarden stood before Klubius, initially sporting a playful, mischievous grin. However, this fleeting expression soon yielded to a somber, grim countenance.
"Klubius! You have the audacity to harm my vessel, it seems that you've forgotten who I am." The raven haired Zarden spoke with authority. His lemon yellow Zarden eyes glaring Klubius in grim anger.
"I apologise Master Cerebius, I didn't know it was your ves-" however, before Klubius could complete his desperate apology Cerebius's brutal punch connected to his face which sent him flying straight towards the same stretcher on which he had landed when Henry had kicked him.
'Are you making fun of me?'
Henry's voice echoed in his head finding a hint of infuriation in it.
'No, I'm making fun of both of you' Cerebius answered in his usual playful and mischievous voice.
'You better not make fun of me!' Henry snarled spitefully.
Cerebius ignored Henry, his gaze drifting into the darkness as he focused on unraveling the tricks Klubius had played. As a fellow Zarden, and one formidable than Klubius, Cerebius could discern the subtle stratagems his student had employed.
The hospital was enveloped in a crimson field, generated by Klubius himself. This carefully crafted field possessed specific properties, tailored according to Klubius's desire. It blocked all forms of waves, rendering communication and detection impossible, while allowing sound waves to pass through unimpeded. Anyone entering this field would involuntarily reveal their location to Klubius.
Within this field, Klubius wielded absolute control over inanimate objects, manipulating them to serve his purposes. His awareness extended to every human or Zarden, within the field's boundaries. He could also influence visibility, shrouding himself in darkness or revealing his presence at will.
Cerebius noted that Klubius had refrained from using crimson energy during his confrontation with Henry, until the brutal kick had left him crippled. The necessity of healing, a skill Klubius hadn't utilized in last 5,000 years which had momentarily left him vulnerable. As he recuperated, Klubius had deftly employed telekinesis, animating rusty pieces of iron debris to safeguard his perimeter.
Though Klubius could detect Henry's presence within the field, his compromised state rendered him vulnerable to attack. In his prime, Klubius would have effortlessly defended himself while healing, but now... Cerebius's thoughts were tinged with disappointment. Both he and Klubius had waned significantly due to the process of reincarnation.
'We've seen better days, huh Klubius?' Cerebius mused wistfully, approaching the stretcher.
As he walked, Cerebius reflected on the events that had unfolded since the highschooler trio's arrival. Dylan and Henry's complaints of headaches, a known side effect of the crimson field on mundane humans, and the malfunctioning torch, were merely signs of the field's influence.
However, Cerebius realized that his understanding of the field's properties was limited to what his vessel had experienced directly or read and saw through media and stuff. It was likely that Klubius had embedded additional, unseen properties within this crimson field.
As Cerebius approached the stretcher, his gaze swept across the hospital hall, taking in the telltale signs of chaos. The pockmarked walls, the scarred surfaces, and the faint scent of gunpowder lingering in the air.
Upon reaching the stretcher, Cerebius was met with the sight of Klubius, his face a gruesome canvas of bruises and lacerations, as he struggled to accelerate his healing process. Despite Cerebius's restraint, Klubius's visage had still suffered considerable damage.
As Klubius's gaze locked onto Cerebius, standing silently beside him, he asked in a voice strained by suppressed agony.
"You still like tormenting your students, huh master Cerebius?"
"It's your fault for letting your guard down! Also, did you expect that I would hug you because of the fact that we had a reunion after five thousand years?" Cerebius asked with a faint smile on his face.
Klubius's gaze lingered on Cerebius for a moment, before he responded in a tone tinged with humility. "No, but I surely didn't expect you to punch me so hard that I couldn't heal it..." His words trailed off, and for an instant, his expression remained subdued.
However, in the next breath, Klubius's demeanor changed. His voice rose to a petulant whine, and his words dripped with childish resentment. "...you old geezer!"
Cerebius burst out laughing after hearing this and said "You sure haven't changed, also how many times do I have to tell you that according to human standards I'm still in my late twenties!"
"You just look like you are in your late twenties if we are talking about human standards otherwise you are just a 9,346 years old geezer!" Klubius whined further.
"Hah! you are just jealous of me because I'm more handsome than you." Cerebius bragged playfully.
"Huh? Anyways master Cerebius could you please heal my face?" asked Klubius with a stern expression.
"Fine." Cerebius drawled, his voice laced with a hint of languor. With a deliberate slowness, he extended his right hand towards Klubius's ravaged face. Closing his eyes, he seemed to retreat into a state of sheer concentration.
Within the span of a minute, Klubius's distorted visage began to transform, his Zarden features slowly reassembling into their natural features. As the last vestiges of his injuries dissipated, Klubius tentatively touched his face, seeking reassurance that the pain had indeed vanished. His fingers made contact with smooth, unblemished skin, and a look of relief flickered across his face.
Cerebius observed Klubius for a few moments, his expression a mask of quiet introspection. Then, his brow furrowing ever so slightly, he spoke.
"Lady Anna would have healed your distorted face in less than a second, I wonder if she has also reincarnated."
"Yeah, I concur. Elder sister's healing skills are unparalleled but I'm sure if she has reincarnated then she must have been exponentially weakened too." Klubius said dejectedly.
As Cerebius's gaze continued to scan their surroundings, an inexplicable sense of trepidation began to insidiously seep into his consciousness. It was as if the very air was heavy with the weight of unblinking scrutiny, the unsettling feeling that they were being surreptitiously observed by someone.
Cerebius's burgeoning unease was abruptly validated by the low, mirthless tone of a voice that seemed to emanate from the darkness itself. The words dripped with malevolent intent, sending a familiar shiver coursing through Cerebius's Zarden veins as he strained to discern the speaker's location.
"It's been so long, Cerebius and Klubius. What a heartwarming reunion!"
To be continued....