"What did you say?"
"Erin intercepted them, he plans on using him for an experiment".
Anyone looking in would see a young man in a strange position; feet stretched open, toes touching the ground with the heels lifted, hands raised high above the head, his head tilted up, and faint wisps of spiritual energy circling his form.
A faintly lit spirit stone lantern revealed the deep scars on his face, casting the silhouette of a bulky figure looming behind him.
The faint wisps of spiritual energy forming a vortex leading to the man in the middle, a dim apparition glowing brighter under him.
"Erin has become more unbridled recently. Have you found out anything? ". Yang Yi wheezed, beads of sweat rolling down his face.
"Erin recently returned from a mission, ever since he has cooped up in his base performing experiments". The flat tone, devoid of any emotions would scare the average listener.
The silhouette's robe had a canine-species howling at a moon, but the signature golden threads were replaced with two silver threads running down its entire length. Outside this mountain cave, his appearance would cause a stir.
Death guard. An elite team trained to serve elite disciples and influential pack members, they could die for their master, and were loyal to a fault.
"Any news from Master?"
"No".
Yang Yi fought the instinct to clench his fist, things would be simple if he could kill Erin, but his identity made it impossible. The supervisory elder would surely step in, with that slut there, his plans would be derailed.
"Proceed on previous instructions". Maybe he had been exiled but each and every one of them would regret it. The dim apparition glows brightly in sync with its master's anger.
_______
Splash!!!
Rion jerks awake, his clothes clinging to his drenched body. Where am I?
For a minute, he harbors hope that everything had been a nightmare, until he sees his captor cradling a bucket. Obviously responsible for his first shower in weeks, looming over him, his captor smiles innocently.
"Good Morning". A singsong voice greeted him.
Looking around, Rion takes in the room he was in. The room was a gaudy display of excess, with red lacquered walls adorned in gold dragon carvings.At its center stood a grimy altar, surrounded by bloodied knives, jagged tools, and spiked devices hanging like grim ornaments. The flickering lanterns cast eerie shadows, making the room feel like a twisted blend of luxury and terror.
"Like it?" Erin asked,trying to hide the anticipation in his voice. Without the ominous background and situation, Rion felt Erin would be like any other teen, he doubts Erin is much older older than he is.
"Meh". Pissing off the person currently holding the reins of your life isn't smart, Rion has never claimed to be smart. The bucket made a loud clang as the waif walked gracefully through the room.
"What did I expect? You've lived in the mines for your whole life, they certainly don't teach taste down there. Erin, you should have the honor of knowing your master's name".
Erin relishes the despair in his victim's eyes, euphoric. His behavior didn't strike him as odd, fey-folk in general had such a disposition, sacrificing an insignificant life didn't mean anything to him. It wasn't worth risking his life, especially with Yang Yi's dogs poking around- clearly up to something.
His interaction with this human had clouded him- briefly made him weak. Humans were bottom-feeders—useful only when needed and otherwise nothing more than disposable furniture. To think anything else is foolish.
"Get over here or I'll do it myself".
Rion walks hesitantly towards the altar, for a minute he had harbored hope but it flickered out, the cheery tone had briefly camouflaged the psychopath within. Death has never felt so real; there is a possibility he would survive but would he still be the same?
Was he the same now? He hadn't fully merged with his body, sometimes facing resistance forming a dissonance. Wait! That might help- Erin isn't aware of his dual-soul constitution.
A book materializes in Erin's hands, the book is ancient and weathered, its cracked cover depicting a vine twisting out of hollow eye sockets. Faint, cryptic symbols are embossed in faded gold along the spine, their meaning lost to time. Erin pauses to read, lingering over several pages in confusion, before making a hand motion.
Aaaaaaaaaah!!!
He felt the sting of a blade, blood pouring out from the wound, this psychopathic bastard stabbed him. Erin mimed retching, weaving strange hand seals in the air. Rion didn't notice the strands of spiritual energy converging into his body, or the thorny tendril creeping out of the gaping hole in his abdomen.
Erin does notice it however, his hand seals become more erratic and faster. Now the climax, would it work?His haggard appearance didn't disguise the excitement in his eyes, his conjecture was right. A part of the technique had been damaged, making it hard for him to decipher it, relying on sheer luck and efforts of others, he finally figured it out.
Rion's mind flared, he felt his soul drawn into a dark void. An ominous, red spark floating in his subconscious. The spark snarled, lashing at his soul with a desperate fury, whatever is that is wrestling for control of his body, a cacophony of voices drowning out Erin's chants, Rion felt his grip slipping.
A faint image of his old world flickered—his peaceful days, the oppression and cruel fate of this body. Rage boiled within him. He wasn't going to let anyone or anything rob him of the chance to reclaim his life.
With a silent roar, his soul pulsed, a wave of energy tearing through the spark. It shrieked, splintering into shards before dissolving.
Rion gasped, feeling the weight lift from his soul. His body trembled as the oppressive force dissolved, leaving only silence in its wake.
The room was eerily still, the flickering lantern casting shadows on the walls.
Rion sits up, breath shaky and visibly shaking. His gaze fell on Erin, slumped over the altar, his lifeless eyes wide with defiance and confusion.
Erin is dead.