I had achieved another milestone in my 'ascent' to the peak, rather than it being an observable achievement, it was better described as gaining enlightenment.

Before separating my lifeblood, I read all sorts of documents that pertained to the soul itself. It was only now could I say I finally began to understand some of the metaphysical concepts behind it. It was a good foundation for learning the Art of Mortality, but I didn’t get sidetracked and veer off. I would choose a different time to explore my second art, my focus now was only the Art of Sanguina

By severing the link that bound my soul and body together, I had been granted a certain freedom. My consciousness could persist for an extended period of time, even if my body was destroyed, my firsthand experience with that came from when I was made to reconstruct my own body from the ground up.

The soul, like consciousness, did not have a physical presence. It was a simple observation, yes, but the soul itself appeared to exist on a different plane entirely. So, in that way, the tether connecting both soul and body bridged the gap between two planes.

I severed the aforementioned connection and essentially split myself into two separate existences. The physical me and the spiritual me. The reason I could use a puddle of blood to revive myself was that my soul was no longer tied to the fate of my body. It wasn’t wise to destroy my body and stroll around as a disembodied consciousness, but I had gained longevity that many could only dream about.

I now understood why the demon princes of hell were disgusted and appalled as well as why higher beings were drawn to me and would seek me out to test me. There was a price that had to be paid to enter the physical realm for spiritual existences and vice versa.

I was the exception, I freed myself from those notions and drew both envy and ire. If those entities were prisoners of an unshakeable system, how would they feel to see me freely enter and leave that same prison without suffering any consequences?

If I took my thinking a step further, I felt as if severing the tether of lifeblood was a stepping stone on the long road to immortality, not that I wanted it. If that’s where my path was meant to lead me, I wouldn’t shy away, but that wasn’t what motivated me until now.

‘Ah, this might have been what Penelope was describing when she said she was between life and death. However, her own state was likely heavily related to the pact she made with the entity she served under.’

I recalled her saying she envied my freedom…

‘Wait, Penelope!’ My mind suddenly was roused to attentiveness.

I stood up before viewing my surroundings. I was so immersed in my understanding I didn’t realize I was near the peak of the mountain already. It was so close and yet… it wasn't close at all. I knew that now.

‘I told Penelope I would summon her again, but I was so wrapped up in–’

I blinked slowly, my mind recounted my personal growth and understanding, and I could say for a fact that I was now more confident in using my abilities than I had ever been. As I looked toward the peak, I felt as if there was no longer a need to continue, not that pressing on would lead to an end.

Yes, this was a place that assisted growth and allowed for unparalleled inner reflection, but at the same time– There was no need to continue further down the rabbit hole, relying on an external source to provide the answers. My goal was fulfilled and I managed to get even more benefits in my time here. The final straw and biggest sign I should leave was taking a small step toward the Art of Mortality. If I chased the bread crumbs being left in front of me, I would be stuck here forever.

I was able to leave without any regrets.

As I turned to make my exit, I discovered Oliver standing before me.

“Is this where it ends for you?” He asked.

“...Yeah, it is.”

His sudden appearance aside, I no longer viewed him the same way.

“Then I wish you well in your–”

“Why are you still here?” I interrupted with a question.

“I have already told you, the peak may look as if it is nearby to you, but for me, it is still–”

“You’re lying,” I spat plainly.

I didn’t realize it at first, but the enlightenment toward my own existence left me cognizant of phenomena relating to the spiritual realm. Of course, at the moment, it was strictly in relation to how my own existence was affected.

I could say for certain that I hadn’t moved any closer to the peak than when I had started. It appeared close to me, in fact, it seemed to be only a short climb away, but that was this place. It created an illusion, given the size and distance of the peak, realistically, I would have arrived already. The billowing clouds of grey blocking each level as well as the extended periods of illusory practice disguised it, but the fact was I was being misled.

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“I meant to ask if going back to a previous level will cause you to leave, how is it that you can navigate freely?”

“I–” He paused.

I seized the silence, continuing.

“You aren’t Oliver Hallworth, are you? And if you are, you have been lying to me.”

“I assure you, you are misunderstanding things. If you want to leave, then just leave, your attempts to inspire self-doubt are nothing but troublesome.”

“I have a few things I want to say before I go, so could you just hear me out?”

Oliver crossed his arms with a deep frown on his face, until now, he had been rather welcoming so I found it weird for him to sudden show so much hostility. I took his silent gesture as approval and began speaking.

“You said that you see a dragon with one hundred heads on that peak, correct?”

“Do you think I am lying?”

“No, the complete opposite, in fact, I actually believe that part. I know someone who entered this place to learn to control their gift, one with a draconic nature just like your own.”

I was referring to Alexandra, but I knew that mentioning her name would get me nowhere with him, so I held back for now.

“When you entered this place, you were more than able to control your gift. So now I’m wondering, after you began to unlock a greater understanding of your own power, had it awakened more?”

“You ask as if you hadn’t experienced the benefits of this place. I learned how to draw out the potential in myself that I had no idea existed.”

“Exactly, and now I’m beginning to understand a little about draconic gifts. It seems like those sorts of gifts carry egos or a will of their own to an extent. Now, if there is a dragon with one-hundred heads, does each head host a different mind, or are they all a singular entity?”

“Just–”

“You aren’t Oliver Hallworth,” I repeated with certainty. “At least, you aren't at the moment.”

Oliver’s eyes narrowed threateningly, a vicious glare formed while the presence he exuded drastically changed into full of bloodthirst.

“I don’t know how it happened, but I think that once Oliver entered this place he unlocked parts of his gift that took away his initial control… At first, I thought you locked your own memories, but how would you have been able to seal a part of your own consciousness with a draconic gift? I could be wrong about that, but why would you willingly set aside the family you left waiting for you?”

“Quiet!” Oliver snarled, his amber eyes were filled with rage as he stared at me, but he couldn’t do anything in this place.

Smiling confidently, I took a step forward.

“Isn’t it time to see Alexandra?” I asked.

Oliver groaned as a shapeless aura took form around him, towering heads of translucent dragons rose up from the ground beneath his feet. If this was real, I’d be on edge, seeing the majestic aura of changing hues as well as the deafening and ancient roars that made the air tremble.

“Do not speak that name or we will–”

“Alexandra,” I interrupted, unamused by the threat.

He recoiled as if my words had stung him.

“It may hurt us, but it is futile, wretch. We will not be broken by something so simple!”

“Even if I can’t draw Oliver out, the first thing I’ll do when I leave is destroy the artifact keeping this place whole.”

“NO!” The entire illusory world seemed to scream at me.

“I get it now…” I said with a chuckle. “You said this place is made from the will of the so-called Lord of Dragons. Is it influencing you? Or do you want to consume it to bolster your power?”

The dragon heads began to growl at me but failed to shake me.

“I won’t break the arch, but in exchange, you have to release him.”

The dragon heads snapped toward me, letting out garbled hisses and they stopped a few centimeters from my face.

“We cannot trust your words, human. You seek to disband us, but we will not allow it!”

“Then I’ll absorb this place for myself, I have the means to do it.” I lifted my shirt, exposing the black ring encircling my navel, though I doubted they would understand its significance. “With this nifty little thing here, it may be… difficult, but if I cut the arch into pieces, I should be able to consume it all.”

The dragons slunk backward menacingly, their long necks coiling like the body of a snake.

“If you wish for us to release him you must give us your word that you will not destroy the Drachen Arch!”

“I promise,” I said, smiling.

Whether I destroyed it or not wasn’t something they could control and I didn’t care much about honoring a promise made while in a fake world. Especially to a group of parasitic beings that were produced from Oliver’s gift.

My only concern was that if I was forced to destroy the arch, it would harm Oliver. That and it would take some convincing for Alexandra to go along with it in the first place.

“Then he will be freed, but you must keep your word, human.”

“I understand.”

I nodded before turning to exit while feeling multiple gazes aimed at my back.

…

When I awoke, I took a deep breath as pain crept into my lungs. My body felt heavy and mind was sluggish as I adjusted to my return to the real world.

I blinked a few times, seeing two blurry figures come into shape right in front of me.

“Hey–” A quiet and raspy sound left my lips.

I really needed a drink of water.

“Casper–”

“I knew it!”

I heard Alexandra and Andreas speak at the same time, but my ears registered the noise as fuzzy. I cradled my head as I shakily took to my feet.

“Oliver is–” I turned to look over my shoulder.

“He’s what?” Alexandra spoke with clear panic, she took a step toward him but immediately froze.

Oliver had remained still as ever, but his eyelids began to flicker rapidly as his breathing grew hurried.

“He’s waking up,” I finished, pausing for a few moments as I took stock of my condition. “Hey, uh, do you have any food? Preferably something sweet.”

Alexandra looked at me dumbly, but the desperate growling of my stomach was my main concern.