Crack— Crackle—
As the punishment intensified, the large monster writhed in pain, its golden eyes blazing with defiance. Yet, even through its torment, it managed a twisted grin.
"You won't get away with this!" it roared, its voice filled with malice and desperation. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this moment!"
Its gaze fixed on Arlon and Ace, burning with fury and intent. Ace's ears twitched, the words echoing in his mind. At first, he didn't fully grasp their meaning, but a cold realization began to creep in.
This creature might be more like him than he initially thought. But why did it harbor such deep resentment?
Ace glanced at Arlon, who stood silently, his expression unreadable. "Hey, noble Arlon," Ace spoke softly, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Do you know something I don't?"
Arlon flinched at the question, the sudden inquiry catching him off guard. He remained silent for a moment, his thoughts whirling.
Has Ace noticed that I can understand what's happening? It seems our bond is deepening, but this is bad timing. I can't tell him about the narrator screen yet—not when I'm still trying to trust him fully.
Arlon met Ace's questioning gaze, his mind racing for the right response. He decided to play it safe, offering a measured reply.
"I don't have any idea either…" His words were truthful in the sense that he truly didn't know the full scope of the situation.
The creature's laughter echoed through the clearing, a chilling sound that made the hairs on the back of Arlon's neck stand on end. The electricity coursing through its body weakened as it stopped struggling, its eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
"So, you're just an ordinary human who happened upon the Sky Dragon Soul, is that what you're saying?" it sneered, the mockery in its voice sharp and biting.
Arlon opened his mouth to respond, but Ace leapt down from his shoulder, stepping forward with a calm yet assertive demeanor.
"Soul Guardians have hidden for a long time," Ace said, his voice steady and filled with an edge of authority. "Those who find them are given a chance to change their lives. But some… some fools don't see it that way."
The large monster chuckled, its gaze shifting to Ace with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
"And do you think your current host will survive with such a weak vessel? What path lies ahead for him?" It shifted its gaze back to Arlon, its glare penetrating and unforgiving.
Arlon couldn't fully comprehend the creature's cryptic words, but they stirred a sense of unease within him. His curiosity grew as he watched the exchange unfold, the tension between Ace and the monster thick in the air.
Ace's eyes narrowed, processing the monster's taunts in silence. Then, with a quiet but firm resolve, he declared, "As a guardian, my duty is clear—I will protect my host, no matter the cost."
The monster erupted into laughter, its voice booming across the battlefield. "Don't act so naive! You know as well as I do that your host might end up like the others you've guided before. But… this one seems different, doesn't he?" Its golden eyes gleamed with a knowing look.
"You see a change in him—not just as a guardian, but something more… personal."
Personal? Arlon's mind reeled at the implication. He glanced at Ace, the idea unsettling him. No… Ace isn't like that.
Ace's eyes widened for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "You're wrong!" he retorted, his voice firm and unyielding.
Crack— Boom!—
In an instant, a crackling bolt of lightning surged from Ace, arcing toward the monster with unrelenting force. The energy struck true, engulfing the creature in a blinding flash of light and sending it staggering back.
The creature's snarl was abruptly silenced by the searing bolt of lightning, its mocking laughter cut short. As it staggered back, its gaze remained locked on Arlon, eyes burning with a promise of future reckoning.
"Ace!" Arlon called out, his voice sharp with urgency. But Ace didn't respond, his focus unwavering as he prepared to strike again.
The monster, though weakened, managed a twisted grin. "Do you think you can defeat me with only a fraction of the Sky Dragon Soul's power?" it taunted, its voice dripping with disdain. "Why not use your host's lifespan again to fuel it?"
"Shut up!" Ace snapped, his fury palpable. "I can defeat you without any help!" He unleashed another surge of lightning, the crackling energy slamming into the creature. It roared in pain, its massive form collapsing to the ground in a heap.
Thud—
"You insignificant pest!" it spat, its voice trembling with fury. "You have no idea the power you're up against!"
Arlon's eyes narrowed, disbelief etched into his features. This creature wasn't just mocking Ace—it was baiting him, trying to draw out his power.
Suddenly, the familiar golden screen flashed before Arlon, revealing a glimpse into Ace's inner turmoil.
Flutter—
["This creature… it actually believes it can challenge me? I'll show it who's truly in control."But beneath the bravado, another thought lingered, one tinged with guilt."]
["Arlon sees me as a guardian, someone he trusts. He's shown me a world beyond the mountain where I was trapped for so long—"]
Flutter—
["And yet... I can't shake the fear that my desire for freedom might lead to betraying him."The conflicting emotions swirled within Ace, his fierce determination clashing with a deep-seated guilt."]
Arlon's jaw clenched, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, the familiar frustration of dealing with Ace bubbling to the surface.
Ace really taking the bait. Arlon thought, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. I can't believe he's falling for such an obvious taunt.
He exhaled sharply, a mix of disbelief and irritation bubbling to the surface. "Ace," he called out, his tone sharp. "Don't let it get to you. You're playing right into its hands."
But Ace was already too deep, his crimson eyes blazing with fury, ready to unleash another attack.
Of course he won't listen, Arlon thought, frustration mounting. I have to stop this before everyone starts worrying.
Sigh—
Ace's fury burned hotter, and he moved to attack again. But before he could, Arlon stepped forward, his presence commanding.
Step— Step—
"Hey! What are you doing—?" Ace protested, his voice laced with frustration.
"If you keep wasting your energy on this loudmouthed beast, you'll drain me completely," Arlon replied, his tone cold and measured. His gaze fixed on the chained monster, a quiet intensity in his eyes.
You don't need to prove your loyalty to me, Ace, Arlon thought, his mind calm amidst the chaos. After all, I'm using you to survive, too.
Arlon stepped closer to the bound creature, his expression unreadable.
"Tell me… who imprisoned you here?"He spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"..."
"..."
The question hung in the air, taking both the monster and Ace by surprise. The creature's mocking facade faltered, and Ace's eyes widened in disbelief.
What is he implying? Ace wondered, his mind racing. Did Arlon uncover something in those ancient texts he's always buried in?
Arlon's gaze didn't waver. "The core… did the core's owner imprison you here?" he pressed, his voice steady.
The monster's eyes narrowed, a glint of reluctant acknowledgment flashing across its face. After a tense silence, it finally spoke. "Yes… the gods imprisoned me here."
A flicker of understanding crossed Arlon's face. I knew it, he thought, his suspicions confirmed. The conversations between the monster and the core had hinted at a deeper truth.
The core acted not as a master, but as a warden. This forest wasn't a sanctuary—it was a prison, and the monsters were its inmates.
Arlon's mind churned with the implications, each revelation pulling him deeper into the tangled web of power and punishment that bound the land. So, the creatures here aren't protectors… they're prisoners, just like this one.
The monster's eyes narrowed, glaring at Arlon with a sinister intensity. "And… I can see that you are similar to them," it growled. "I know since the four Soul Guardians were gifts from the gods." Its voice dripped with venom.
"And I despise the gods for what they did to us."
Arlon's brow furrowed, the weight of the monster's words sinking in. "Why did the gods do this to you?" he asked, his tone measured but curious. "I thought you were their royal servant?"
The creature's lips curled into a bitter sneer.
"Servants? More like disposable pawns," it spat bitterly. "How could we fight back against the very gods who made us?"
Created? Arlon's mind raced. Not bestowed like the Soul Guardians? That means the gods and the Soul Guardians are fundamentally different. But then… who created the divine vessels, the four Soul Guardians?
"We're all trapped here by the core," the monster growled, frustration lacing its words. "It punishes any attempt to defy it." It paused, then chuckled darkly.
"But you… the core senses something in you. It can't harm you, even if it wants to."
"We're all trapped here by the core," the monster growled, frustration lacing its words. "It punishes any attempt to defy it." It paused, then chuckled darkly.
"But you… the core senses something in you. It can't harm you, even if it wants to."
The monster's laughter echoed ominously, its eyes glinting with twisted amusement. Suddenly, another golden screen materialized before Arlon, the narrator's words flashing clearly.
Flutter—
["The core won't admit it, but you might be the key… the beacon of hope we've awaited," it mused, its tone laced with bitter amusement.]
["This human... he must be tied to this land in some way."]
"..."
Arlon stood in silence, his mind racing with the implications as he stared at the screen. Connected to the land? But how?
The monster leaned in suddenly, closing the distance between them. Its golden eyes burned with curiosity as they locked onto Arlon's.
"And now, I'm curious," it murmured, its voice low and menacing. The air grew heavy as it leaned in, its twisted face mere inches from Arlon's.
"Who are you?" it asked, the question laden with a dangerous curiosity.