Chapter 3: The Mysterious Entity
Number 069's awe spiked to unbelievable levels as he started observing his surroundings. His heartbeat sped up, and his eyes widened with wonder and confusion. His limited view of the world couldn't allow him to comprehend how such a magical cave would exist so deep within the earth.
The interior of the cave was truly spectacular. It was a spacious cavernous space with walls artificially crafted to make a high concave ceiling. Their surface was unnaturally smooth up close, with mysterious symbols and designs etched upon them.
But the sight that immediately drew Number 069's eye was the unnaturally floating orbs of light scattered about the room. They were like a spectacle out of those fairytales Number 069 had often heard from his mother. They washed the room in lustrous colors that almost felt alive, and by just glancing at them, Number 069 could feel his spirits getting refreshed.
"This is truly magical."
As he continued glancing around, Number 69 astonishment increased. It was as if there was a mystical air to the cavern, and everything within seemed to fit the space perfectly. Whether it the paintings adorning the walls, the simple furniture, or the intricately arranged shelves full of books, they were all like priceless pieces of art that increased the cave's aesthetics to a great extent.
There was also that small grove of trees at the furthest end of the cavern with the little waterfall to the left that kept up that background hum of running water within the space. The water descended from the ceiling before pooling within some artfully arranged boulders at the base of the wall. From there on, the water would perhaps seep deeper into the earth or join an underground river. But surprisingly, it didn't cause the cave's interior to grow humid.
Taking another deep breath, Number 069 calmed himself down and slowly walked to the only table within the cavern. Haphazardly placed on the table was what seemed like an old diary, a brass ring with intricate patterns embellishing its surface, and lastly, a fist-sized silver ball with an exterior so smooth that it reflected the light.
The silver ball especially drew Number 69's attention. Its glossy surface seemed to pull the source of his entire existence to it, seemingly as if it wanted to swallow his soul and essence whole. Number 069 could also swear that he was hearing mysterious voices reverberating in his mind as he observed the silver ball.
"What is this?"
Evidently hypnotized by the silver ball's charm, Number 069 extended his hand and picked it up from the table. At first, it felt warm to the touch. But within moments, after his hands made contact with its smooth surface, it grew warm and shot an electric current into Number 069's body. His thought center turned into a jumbled mess, and his mind blacked out before he could let out a mournful scream.
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It might have been just an instant or countless years, but Number 069 finally regained his senses. He was no longer in the seemingly magical cave — but in a new bizarre space with glowing golden scrolls around him. Engraved on the surface of the scrolls were mysterious characters that Number 069 couldn't comprehend.
"Where is this?"
Number 069 swallowed hard after glancing at the scrolls. His heart pounded like a blacksmith's hammer hitting the anvil as panic surged through his entire being. His willpower was close to failing him after experiencing many bizarre occurrences in a short time window.
"Don't fear my child," a soothing voice sounded behind him. "Your luck is about to turn for the better. You're in a place that can change your destiny."
Number 069's heart skipped a beat on hearing the voice. Turning around to look, he noticed that a mysterious entity had, at some point, arrived behind him. It was a translucent phantom in the shape of a human with glowing purple eyes that were so deep and mysterious.
Number 069 felt totally naked, his entire being and every thought exposed, as those eyes glanced at him. Dread twisted in his gut.
"Who are you?" Number 069 asked, swallowing hard again.
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"Who I am is not important," the mysterious entity answered with the same soothing and gentle voice. "What is important is what you desire. Who you wish to be..."
"What I desire?"
"Yes, what you desire." The mysterious entity had no mouth, but its words still resounded naturally within the bizarre space.
"Ask yourself this," the mysterious entity continued, its purple eyes shining with an even brighter gleam. "Do you want to shatter all limits and transcend all mortal barriers? Do you wish to gain the power to overturn mountains and drain seas with a wave of your hand? Do you want to defy the heavens, smash the bindings of fate, and become the ruler of your own destiny?"
Number 069's heart skipped a beat, and he answered, "Of course I do." He didn't even think twice after recalling the misfortune that befell his family seven years ago and his time spent in the mines.
"Great. I like your decisiveness, young fellow." The mysterious entity chuckled. "I can offer you an opportunity to rise above the masses. But what can you offer in return?"
"What can I offer in return?" Number 069 felt his mood sink deep into hopelessness and desperation.
"Yes," the mysterious entity emphasized. "Everything in the world comes at a price. What will you offer in return for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your fate and become a dragon among men?"
"I have nothing to my name," Number 069 said, his desperation growing. "I don't have even a penny in my pocket as I have been a slave for seven years. There's nothing I can offer…"
"You're wrong," the mysterious entity said. "You can choose to offer your soul... Or you can make me a promise."
"My soul or a promise..." For some reason, Number 069 felt his body going cold with trepidation as the mysterious entity asked him to offer his soul. He quickly took a deep breath before choosing the other option.
"What promise do I need to make?" He asked a bit hesitantly.
The mysterious entity's eyes glowed, and it moved closer to Number 069. "There's a mysterious ruin that will soon appear in your world. Promise me that you will go there and pick something for me. Then, I'll give you an opportunity that will change your fate forever."
"A mysterious ruin..." Number 069's confusion grew. "What exactly is that?"
"Don't worry about that," the mysterious entity said. "There are books about ruins on the shelves and within the spatial ring on the table. You will be able to read them after making your promise. I don't want to waste time. Do you accept or not?"
"Wait..." Number 069 hurriedly said. "What do you want me to pick from the ruin?"
"A statue," the mysterious entity said, its eyes flickering with enigmatic symbols. "You don't have to worry about your safety within the ruin. Only people below the age of eighteen can enter the ruin. With the opportunity I have promised, you will quickly gain the power to enter and leave the ruin without any incident. You'll even gain more opportunities within the ruin. So, what's your choice?"
Number 069's felt indecisive for perhaps the first time in his seventeen years of life. During his younger years, his mother often told him stories of evil spirits and demons tempting people, hoping to swallow their souls. Number 069 feared that he could be throwing himself into a more tormenting hell by making a promise to the mysterious entity with unknown intentions.
But at the same time, Number 069 thought about all the years he had suffered mining ores deep in the earth. He thought about how he'd been helpless even in the face of the 'smallest of disasters' that collapsed the mines. Finally, he thought about the tragedy that separated him from his parents seven years ago, and he immediately knew what he had to choose.
"I promise," he said solemnly. "I promise to collect the statue from the ruin when it appears."
"Great. It's a deal then."
The mysterious entity chuckled, and Number 069 felt an inexplicable wave of power descend upon him. But before he could catch what it was, the mysterious force disappeared, seemingly as if it had never appeared.
"So, young man?" The mysterious entity said after a short while. "Are you ready for your opportunity? Are you ready to soar above the masses and become a dragon above men?"
"Yes," Number 069 answered solemnly. "I'm ready."
"Great. Let's get this over with."
The mysterious entity's eyes shone with more splendor. It stepped forward, raised a finger, and tapped Number 069's forehead.
Before number 069 could comprehend what was happening, he felt a mysterious force drilling into his mind. His entire being shuddered involuntarily, and his head started spinning. The darkness swallowed his thoughts, and he blacked out again.
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Just as Number 069 lost consciousness, a stream of blinding light percolated out of the silver ball in his hand. The light covered Number 069 in seemingly divine majesty, and he slowly floated into the air. Then, in a matter of moments, Number 069's scars slowly disappeared, and his skin became more lustrous. A miraculous transformation was obviously taking place within his body.
Just then, the mysterious entity that had communicated with Number 069 appeared out of thin air within the cave. The entity was still translucent, with the only prominent features being its glowing purple eyes. They shone even brighter as they observed the changes happening to Number 069's body. It seemed that the entity was really in a good mood.
"A none-attribute cosmic stealer physique," it mumbled. "How can such a talent be left to rot in a mortal world? Truly a waste of heaven's precious resources!"
The mysterious entity chuckled and pointed to the silver ball in Number 069's hand. It mumbled a few inexplicable words, and the fist-sized silver ball shone with more magnificence before starting to melt. Soon enough, the ball quickly turned into a liquid that slowly seeped into Number 069's skin, thus causing even more transformations to occur to his body.
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