* * *
Meanwhile, Nesa, Rhea, and Solome finally reached a small group of guards who were engaged in a heated discussion about something.
As the trio approached, Nesa suddenly halted in her tracks, spreading her arms wide to stop the other two.
"Wait, stop. Something's wrong," she said, her face paling as a sense of dread washed over her.
"What is it?" Rhea asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Solome stood beside her, equally perplexed by Nesa's sudden change in demeanor.
Just then, the guards, who had seemed so engrossed in their conversation, turned their heads simultaneously in an animated way – like some kind of dolls – toward the trio.
The sight sent a chill down their spines as they noticed the guards' eyes – which only the whites were currently visible, devoid of any color or consciousness.
Solome almost caught wetting his own pants there.
*
Meanwhile, Arion was currently sprinting back to the group as quickly as he could, while dragging the female spirit behind him like a sack of rice.
He occasionally also cast a Rune Magic, {Vigor}, which surged through him, replenishing his energy and shaking off the fatigue every time it had begun to weigh him down.
It was one of the few Rune Magics he had mastered, and although it felt a bit shaky whenever he cast it as the Rune Matrix wasn't something that he could learn in a week or two, the effect was enough nevertheless – to help him push through on the way.
What made him particularly proud of this was that – he had cast this magic without any assistance from Shera.
He had always prided himself on being independent; the thought of relying on someone else made him feel uncomfortable all over.
'I'm no mummy's boy,' Arion often reminded himself, a mantra that fueled his determination to learn it, even if it meant burning the night candles.
Shortly after, he finally arrived at the intended location, yet, what greeted him left him in shock.
A few students lay sprawled on the ground, and the sheer number of evil spirits surrounding them was appalling.
Some spirits perched on the students' backs, biting into their necks, while others had their arms piercing through the students' chests. Though there were no visible wounds, the students were convulsing, their lips turning blue as they suffered from the effects of the spirits' absorbing their Life Essence.
Without wasting another second, Arion released his grasp from the illusionary red ropes that had bound the female ghost and swiftly approached the malevolent spirits.
He punched one right in the face, and the ghost let out a ghastly scream that drew the attention of the others, causing them to stop their mid-sucking activity.
As they turned their faces toward Arion, they let out a high-pitched screech that reverberated through the air, sending a wave of chills coursing through him.
The spirits then took to the air in wild clusters, circling Arion like vultures in an action c*m slash fantasy horror movie, with their malicious intent clear as sparkling water – as they recognized him as a threat that needed to be eliminated.
Surrounded, Arion called out to Shera, "Now what? Should I use it?"
"I think this is the right time. Can you handle the pain this time? This will be different from inside the realm. You won't heal as quickly," she replied, her voice laced with concern.
"Well, aren't I trained for this kind of emergency? Let's do it," he said, steeling his resolve for whatever he would have to face.
"Okay. I'll try to heal you the best I can, but be careful. Don't push yourself too far, or you might get killed in an instant without even realizing it," Shera warned – while worrying about his decision that she knew he wouldn't take back.
"Don't worry. I haven't met my parents yet. I can't die here," Arion reassured her, though a slight flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
"Alright," Shera sighed, feeling defeated.
Subsequently, inside Arion's soul, adjacent to his heart, the white Soul Flame that served as the source of his magic suddenly flared up, bursting with an intensity that made him feel as though he were burning from the inside out.
The Soul Flame shifted to a beautiful emerald green hue, signaling the activation of a special Magic Art he had trained in over the past few weeks inside Shera's realm, preparing for this very moment.
This magic, known as Nature's Second Heart, was something Celestial Kyshera had never taught her followers.
It was a technique she had created for her avatars only – to use in life-and-death situations, a last resort when they were ready to sacrifice everything against the inevitable doom.
The principle behind Nature's Second Heart involved forcefully drawing upon nature's elements, whether the tamed or the untamed ones – basically, it was like trying to pet a wild bear and hoping it wouldn't eat you.
Unlike the Seeds of Insights Magic Art, which was all about being zen with Nature's Elements and incorporating them into one's being, this art was far more reckless.
It burned the Nature's Elements that the user forcefully absorbed with the Soul Flame, using them as fuel to strengthen his Soul Essence.
However, this art could only be wielded by those who possessed a Soul Flame – which access was granted only with authorization from a Celestial.
Though Shera had taught Arion a watered-down version of this art, it still carried significant risks.
If he used it recklessly, he could suffer long-lasting injuries that wouldn't heal easily, especially given Shera's current state.
But this was an emergency, and Arion felt he couldn't hold back any longer. He couldn't let people die in front of him when he had the capacity to help.
After all, he had always been that kind of person.
Brimming with Soul Essence in his Soul Flame, Arion's confidence soared.
He sensed the surrounding Nature's Elements that had not yet been absorbed into his Soul Flame, could also be harnessed and converted at will.
Yet, Shera's warning echoed in his mind, reminding him that if he absorbed more than he could handle, he would explode, leaving nothing but a gruesome mess of flesh behind.
"I'm ready, Shera. Let's do this," he declared.
Just as he spoke, the surrounding spirits stirred, sensing the shift in Arion's energy.
They found the supposed threat had become even more formidable – like a wild monkey suddenly off with its camouflage skin, now turned into a gigantic lion.
"Uh-oh," they thought, "this guy means business!"
They then hurriedly launched their chaotic attack against Arion in a wild frenzy.
*
(A/N: Feel free to skip this)
1. {Vigor}: This Rune is like a double shot of espresso for your soul! It revitalizes the target, restoring energy and stamina while giving their physical capabilities a temporary boost. Think of it as a magical energy drink that doesn't come with a side of jitters or a crash afterward.
Perfect for when you're feeling like a deflated balloon in the middle of a battle, {Vigor} injects vitality into the target, making them feel like they just chugged a gallon of pure motivation. Just be careful not to overdo it - too much {Vigor} and you might find yourself running laps around the battlefield while everyone else is still trying to catch their breath!
2. As for Nature's Second Heart, well, that explanation will be in the next chapter. Just know it's like trying to harness the power of a tornado while riding a unicycle – exciting, a little dangerous, and definitely not something you want to attempt without a safety net!
* * *