Chapter 19: Awakening Bliss

Elias blinked as his senses sharpened like never before. Colors seemed more vibrant, sounds clearer, and his thoughts flowed with an intensity he had never experienced. It was as though someone had lit a thousand bulbs in his mind, illuminating every corner of his consciousness. His body felt weightless, his movements precise, and his surroundings unusually vivid.

Arkhale observed him with a rare look of admiration, a ghostly smile flickering on his usually stern face. "This, Elias, is what we call the Awakening Bliss. It’s a state that follows your first awakening. The brain—the source of your magic—has fully awakened, and now it rewards you with a brief period of heightened capability."

Elias tilted his head, still processing the overwhelming surge of clarity and power. "A reward?"

"Indeed," Arkhale replied, clasping his hands behind his back. "During this period, which lasts only three to five minutes, your mind and body align perfectly. Magic flows effortlessly, like water through an unbroken stream. Your senses are heightened, and you’ll feel a sensation of invincibility. This is the world’s way of showing you a glimpse of your potential—a taste of what lies ahead if you continue on this path."

The butler’s voice turned serious. "But beware, Elias. The Bliss is not just a reward—it’s a temptation. It shows you what you could achieve, but it is fleeting. When it fades, the gap between this state and your normal self may feel insurmountable. This moment is both a blessing and a trial of its own."

Elias clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. A faint glow surrounded his body, evidence of the magic surging within him. For the first time in his life, he felt truly capable, like the world could no longer weigh him down.

"You must make the most of it," Arkhale continued, his ethereal form shimmering. "The sentient artifacts await. Their pride and wisdom run deep, and in your current state, choosing one should be smoother than usual. Focus your energy and call forth the element you’ve awakened. This will guide your choice."

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Elias nodded, determination igniting in his eyes. He closed them, taking a deep breath as he tried to connect with this newfound power. It felt wild and untamed, a storm roaring in his mind. Slowly, he delved deeper into his consciousness, searching for the source of his magic.

At first, there was only darkness, but then he felt it—a presence unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was chaotic yet captivating, spinning violently like a vortex of untamed energy. Its power was immense, raw, and boundless, resonating with a rhythm that matched the beat of his heart.

What are you?

The energy pulsed in response, as if acknowledging his question. Elias reached out, attempting to touch it, to communicate with it. He felt a connection forming, a thread linking him to this chaotic force. But just as quickly as it appeared, the orb of energy vanished, slipping through his grasp like smoke dissipating in the wind.

Startled, Elias’s eyes snapped open. He turned to Arkhale, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and confusion. "I...I saw something. An orb of energy, spinning like a storm. It felt alive, but before I could understand it, it disappeared!"

Arkhale’s expression darkened, his calm demeanor giving way to unease. "An orb of chaotic energy, you say? That is unusual...very unusual. Most awakeners see a clear representation of their element—fire, water, wind, or something tangible. Chaos, however..." He trailed off, his tone heavy with concern.

Before Elias could press him further, a searing pain shot through his body. His knees buckled, and he let out a strangled cry as his skin burned with an intense heat. Cracks began to appear on his arms, as if his body was tearing itself apart from within.

"Elias!" Arkhale’s voice was filled with urgency. He moved closer, his ethereal form flickering in distress.

Elias gritted his teeth, every nerve in his body screaming in agony. He clawed at the ground, his vision blurring as the pain intensified.

I can’t give up now...not after coming this far!

The cracks on his skin glowed faintly, as if something inside him was trying to break free. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his body trembling under the strain.

"This...this isn’t normal," Arkhale muttered, his voice laced with worry. "The Awakening Bliss should not cause such agony. Whatever is happening to you is beyond anything I’ve seen in all my years of service."

Elias’s mind raced, fragments of thoughts and memories flashing before him. He remembered the trials he had endured, the obstacles he had overcome, and the promise he had made to himself. I have to survive this. I have to see it through.

But the pain was unrelenting, a storm tearing through his very being. His vision darkened, and the last thing he heard was Arkhale’s voice, faint and filled with desperation.

"Stay strong, Elias. This isn’t the end—it’s only the beginning."

With those words echoing in his mind, Elias’s body went limp, and he succumbed to the darkness, his fate hanging in the balance.