During their extended conversation, Sophia and Mike found themselves immersed in an intense exchange with Zaltheral. As the night progressed, the trio delved deeper into the history of the cult's past, the Shadow Orb, and the intricate ritual required for revival. Zaltheral left no detail unexplained when it came to how to use the Orb, elucidating the incantations and the precise rituals required, but the most disturbing revelation was the sacrifice involved. The Shadow Orb and its associated machine could be used for a demonic pact akin to Easton Von White's. This pact bore its own cost, and for what it had cost Sophia in her past life, it remained unknown – she suspected it might have been her sanity, much like Mike's. Despite dragons being immortal and the pinnacle of magical creatures, they were still susceptible to a demon's sway. Yet, Zaltheral refused to elaborate on Sophia's past life save for certain details, it seemed he was bound by his magical oath to never reveal certain information, such as her past name, to whom he had promised something like that they could only guess.
The more Zaltheral revealed about the demonic power she had wielded, the more agitated he became. He claimed to have tried to prevent Sophia from forming a pact in the past, but James pushed her deeper into their grasp as a means of power to defeat the Pillar of the North. The truth about James's lineage was the final straw before his exile, revealing Zaltheral's motives. He believed the only way to defeat the Gods and Demons truly was through the raw power of mortal races' magic. Even if it took every soul to achieve it, he urged Sophia to avoid using demonic magic at all costs. He suggested breaking Mike's pact immediately, sparking another round of violence with Mike lashing out, only to be halted by Sophia once again.
"Yeah, I'm sure you would love me powerless! Who did you make an oath to, huh? You only seem to answer shit when it's convenient," Mike grumbled as he poured another drink from their flask.
"You play with powers you do not understand, beast! The sooner the Master is rid of you, the better! So I implore you once again, Mistress! Cut this disease from your soul before the evil of his demonic oath spreads to you once again," Zaltheral pleaded with Sophia yet again.
"I would never abandon him! And it is extremely suspicious the only things you can tell me about my past life is leading up to the cult but not anything about who I was before we tried to conquer the world," Sophia defended Mike, a sense of frustration lingering in her voice.
Their conversation crackled with tension as they delved further into the murky history. Sophia's determination to shield Mike clashed with Zaltheral, the cult leader, who continued, "I will tell you what I can, Master."
Zaltheral dangled the promise of power that would be theirs and theirs alone, enough to challenge not just the Church but the Gods and Archdemons themselves. Despite Sophia and Mike's initial reluctance, Zaltheral's explanations were tantalizingly thorough. He even revealed to Sophia the method to regain her former magical prowess, a prospect that initially interested her until she learned the true horror it entailed.
However, his words took a darker turn as he painted a disturbing scenario - a chilling possibility that once the doors in the vault were unlocked and the fragmented pieces combined, Sophia could recreate the catastrophic events that unfolded on the northern continent. This time, however, it wouldn't be confined; it could extend across the entire world, obliterating life itself. Zaltheral brazenly suggested the potential to wield absolute power, even advocating for the conquest of the entire world, turning it into an undead hell.
"That's.... insane," Sophia recoiled in disgust at the suggestion of such horrific actions. The mere thought of causing widespread destruction and suffering sent a shiver down her spine. Her resolve hardened against such malevolent intentions, feeling repulsed by the very notion of wielding power at such a monstrous cost.
On the other hand, Mike found himself ensnared by Zaltheral's promises, despite harboring an intense hatred toward the man. The seductive lure of power intertwined with whispers from Anna Sha, coaxing him with the prospects of might and control. The conflicting emotions tore at him, waging war within his being. His hatred for Zaltheral collided with a dark fascination for the power being tantalizingly offered.
"Could.... me and Sophia return to Earth if we do this plan?" Mike asked, the gears in his head turning as the whispers suggested all the things he could do once free of his sister's soul. But deep down, he could never lose her, no matter the cost. The internal struggle mirrored the external tension in the room as the trio grappled with the weight of impending decisions and the consequences that loomed on the horizon.
In the charged silence, Zaltheral contemplated, "You would have power far beyond your last life, and that was enough to keep you there for millennia. I suppose you both could return, although we would hate to lose you again, Master."
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Sophia's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—uncertainty, resolve, and a glimmer of hope. The possibility of returning to Earth after everything held a potent allure. Yet, the act it’s self was unforgivable.
Mike struggled between the enticing prospect of freedom and the unyielding bond with his sister. Losing Sophia, even for freedom, sent a pang of anguish through him. Driving him closer to Zaltheral's plan.
"But at what cost, Mike?" Sophia asked, her voice tinged with apprehension and guilt.
"That's not our problem if we go home, Soph," Mike said coldly, drawn to the one plan that would let him regain his freedom and keep his sister.
Zaltheral's expression turned solemn. "Indeed, there is always a cost, Master. Such power comes with sacrifices—ones that could alter your existence…your very soul in unforeseen ways."
”And what about Altheack?” Sophia challenged, bringing even Mike to pause.
As they spoke long into the night, drowning their doubts with numerous drinks, the twins pondered the man's promises. He had been the very reason they had died and were forced from Earth in the first place. If his words held truth, Sophia would have returned to her original world upon her death anyway. Sophia cherished this world, despite all the trials, and she adored its magic despite the troubles it brought. However, she couldn't bear the thought of losing Mike, nor could she keep him imprisoned within her.
In their drunken revelry, they arrived at a decision—they would stay for a few weeks and train under Zaltheral. In return, he and his cult would join the alliance to fight the Pillar of the North. It was a pact struck in the haze of inebriation, a tentative agreement that seemed to offer a way forward.
Zaltheral proved to be an exceptional mentor, far surpassing their former instructor James. He deepened Sophia's understanding of Necromancy and the complexities of teleportation magic. Most importantly, he revealed the true power of the gauntlets they had acquired on the floating islands. These ancient relics, now fully integrated with their armor, acted as conduits for immense mana storage, drastically increasing their absorption and capacity. Reuniting the bracers with the armor unlocked their true potential, allowing them to constantly replenish mana from their surroundings and hold far more than ever before.
This synergy made teleportation magic, especially without a magic circle, much more accessible. The gauntlets had become indispensable, serving as reservoirs for the vast mana required for such powerful spells. With these enhancements, Valicar’s magical abilities had surged, making them a far more formidable force in battle and magic alike.
However, despite weeks of rigorous practice and intense magical exertion, mastering teleportation remained challenging. The absence of a magical circle on the central continent cast uncertainty on their teleportation accuracy. Their mastery ensured their arrival, albeit with some unpredictability.
The extensive use of magical power triggered another transformation in Sophia. She observed the budding growth of draconic wings from her back, necessitating alterations to their armor with the aid of a skilled blacksmith affiliated with the cult. Their fingers and toes underwent a dramatic shift, morphing into talon and claw-like structures. While Sophia found fascination in these changes, they posed a challenge for Mike, who struggled to wield a sword with the same ease as before, compelling him to adapt his techniques and grips.
Amidst these transformations, Zaltheral disclosed a crucial detail—a cryptic incantation capable of slowing down their metamorphosis. This revelation raised suspicions for the twins. Zaltheral's intense desire for the original Sophia's return, veiled by his refusal to divulge her past name, yet willing to help hinted at hidden depths to their shared history and the precarious balance of ancient powers lurking in the world.
The day of departure neared, and Zaltheral's remained convinced that significant changes would take years to manifest fully, with claws and wings remaining the anticipated final alterations for a while, regardless of their magical exertion.
On the final day, Sophia and Zaltheral, surrounded by the cult, gathered to cast the teleportation spell. Their destination: the southern coast of the central continent, where the rest of the alliance awaited. Amidst the intricate lines of the drawn magical circle, Sophia and Zaltheral channeled their powers, fueling the spell that would transport them across vast distances.
As the spell charged with power, Mike's impatience surfaced in an inquiry directed at Sophia. "So when can we finally put an end to this bastard?" he asked, his resentment palpable.
Sophia's response, a mix of calculated consideration and strategic reasoning, resonated in his mind. "When we've extracted every last piece of information we can from him. He's proven invaluable at every turn during our stay. Despite the risks he poses, he's a potent ally, and his cults could be a tremendous advantage when facing the church," she articulated.
"The moment the Pillar of the North is dead, Zaltheral is mine, Soph, whether we open the vault or not," Mike vowed, his determination unwavering, his mind set on the impending confrontation.
The magical circle pulsed with raw power as Sophia channeled her mana, the intricate lines gleaming with energy. Her wings unfurled in their full glory, a testament to her gradual transformation into a true dragon, the scales on her tail and wings a beautiful mix of crimson and sapphire, mirroring their hair and eyes. With the emergence of these extra appendages, her casting prowess ascended to greater heights, her magical abilities intensifying exponentially as she learned to cast spells faster and more powerfully.
In a blinding flash, the culmination of their efforts materialized in the teleportation spell. The magical energies surged, enveloping Sophia and the cult, transporting them across the vast expanse to the southern coast of the central continent.