Only a few minutes had passed since Kekeli and Zanetor rested in the shallow water and something kept bothering the shadow soul for a while now.

"Kekeli", he began. "Before now, this shrine was absorbing my spirit energy. And now for some strange reason, the energy I Lost before has been replaced by some other kind."

"Huh?", the flame soul sat up. "Ah, so that's how you managed to do that."

Kekeli turned to look at the rapidly rotting body of the beast that was mercilessly torn apart by Zanetor's spell.

"Yeah that's super scary if you ask me", he gulped. "Honestly, I don't know that much about shadow souls or this shrine in the first place."

Zanetor sighed inwardly, "I see."

The flame warrior kept silent for a while, "Uh, are you really okay with all this?"

"Hm?", Zanetor raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"This forced spirit evolution could have dire consequences. Plus, it's as if you're blindly going along with whatever Xoese has to say."

Zanetor sat up and a fierce look appeared in his eyes, "Of course, I don't trust her. I don't trust anyone actually. However, there's this feeling that pushes me to take the risk regardless. If it's the only way I can get my mother's soul back, I'll take it."

His gaze turned towards Kekeli as he continued, "And I'll make sure I succeed."

"Uhm, right… uhh", Kekeli tore away from Zanetor's line of sight, a slight smile forming on his lips. "So that's why you're so bent on getting stronger… Your mother's soul huh."

An expression of surprise displayed on Zanetor's face the moment he realised. That was probably the first time Kekeli had heard about his goal. Something about calm conversations always made him blurt out stuff he'd rather keep to himself.

It was quite irritating.

"In as much as I'm super curious as to how certain circumstances led you into this situation, I feel like you'd rather keep it to yourself", Kekeli stood on both feet.

Zanetor did same and with a hesitant tone, uttered;

"My… My mother's soul was stolen by some higher ranked opaque or something", he began. "Apparently, it gave me a limited time to find it else it was going to devour her soul."

"Huh?", Kekeli's brows furrowed. "Strange. Haven't heard of opaques acting in such a way."

There was a brief silence between the two. Zanetor felt that he had to recall something of great importance, but it proved to be far too elusive.

Both souls were cut out from their respective thoughts as a golden circle resembling a music sheet appeared right before them. It rotated slowly and gave a radiant glow as a voice gradually amplified from within it.

"I've finally pin-pointed your location."

"Edem", Zanetor mindlessly blurted.

"Zanetor! I detected a power surge for a brief moment. Where are you? Have the spirit beasts ceased their activities?"

"YUP!", Kekeli chimed in, startling Jackie, who rested on his head. "We dealt with them REAL good! Right? Zanetor?"

"Uh-", the shadow soul stood slightly stunned. "Y- Yeah, we did."

"Is that so? Well, good. Both of you need to get back here. The magic circle should teleport you both once you get close enough."

"Right", Zanetor took a step forward.

"Hey Zanetor", Kekeli suddenly held his arm. "Is it just me or did it feel as if those spirit beasts wanted us to get this far down on purpose?"

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Huh?", the shadow soul raised an eyebrow. "Not really. They only seemed like mindless beasts on a rampage to me."

Kekeli looked away, his eyes squinting.

"We don't have much time to worry about enemies we've already taken care of", Zanetor said as he got closer to the golden circle. "Let's get back to the others."

Kekeli was hesitant but finally nodded and followed suit. Both souls were absorbed by the magic circle as it transported them back to the familiar hall.

Dim light streamed through the opening high up in the ceiling, contrasting the darkness of the lower levels. Edem walked up to Kekeli and Zanetor the moment they arrived.

"We're all set", he smirked. "Are you ready?"

Zanetor nodded and then got closer, whispering to Edem;

"Something strange happened down there"

"Hm?", a curious expression drew up on the cloaked man's face.

"For some reason, this entire shrine absorbs my spirit energy except at the lowest level. There was this shallow body of water and even though my memory is hazy, I could've sworn my spirit energy was replenished once I somehow got into it."

"Body of water?", Edem's eyes lowered. "Ah, so that's what this is about."

"Huh?", Zanetor tilted his head. "Do you know something?"

"Nope! AHAHA!", Edem folded his arms. "I don't have a single clue bud. Why don't we talk about this after the process is complete, hmm?"

There was something about Edem's sudden change in behaviour that sent the chills running through Zanetor. It was a subtle feeling, but his senses were on incredibly high alert.

What exactly was he getting himself into?

"Let's go", Edem gestured for Zanetor to follow him.

In the centre of the hall, the ritual stage glowed even brighter. Leticia sat in the centre, her hair extending to touch the circumference of the stone stage. Particles of light slowly travelled up her hair.

She had her eyes closed and her breathing was slow and controlled.

Kekeli gazed upon his young mistress, a final gleam of light shining in his eyes.

The runic symbols on the stage got clearer as they neared it. There were three circles on the platform, all aligned in a straight line. Leticia sat at the location of the circle in the centre.

"You're to sit here", Xoese pointed to the circle right in front of the little girl. "Once you do that, try to clear your mind and the process will begin."

Zanetor paused for a while. He glared at the silver-haired girl and then turned his sights to the eerily glowing stage before taking his seat.

"Wait!"

A sudden voice interrupted, turning everyone's attention towards the source.

Kekeli walked up to the stage and nervously curled his hands into light fists. His breathing was mildly frantic and his heart pounded in his chest. The black cat on his head was confused. Why was her master suddenly nervous?

"Can I join him?", the flame warrior said slowly.

Xoese raised an eyebrow and studied him.

"Kid", Edem tapped him on the shoulder. "Honestly, this is no game."

A crazed twitch shook Kekeli's body as he stared at Edem with eyes full of void. Even Edem was taken aback by the sudden change in the usually bright boy's demeanour.

"I'm very well aware of that", he muttered and then turned to look at Leticia. "I too have things I'm willing to risk my existence for."

Xoese turned away, "Do whatever you want."

Edem didn't say anything and watched as Kekeli sat at the other circle behind Leticia.

Zanetor stared at him and couldn't help but feel something warm in his chest. Something about Kekeli's change in character sparked some kind of nostalgic feeling within him.

Kekeli smiled at the shadow soul, "Let's do this thing!"

"O- Okay", Zanetor nodded awkwardly.

Xoese slammed her palms onto the stage, "The annoying fire guy can connect naturally with the spirit energy within the hall. I may have to go the extra mile in the Shadow soul's case however."

A sarcastic grin cracked up on Kekeli's face, "Oi, what do you mean 'Annoying fire guy'?"

"Begin", Xoese muttered coldly.

Both souls closed their eyes and as the air within the hall grew cold. The lights moving along Leticia's hair grew harsh as they tried to connect with the spirit energy in the area.

Well, it was evident that Zanetor wasn't getting anywhere as the lights on Leticia's hair travelled towards Kekeli only.

Xoese sighed, "Of course."

She began to pour her spirit energy into the ritual stage with the intent of fooling the process into thinking it was Zanetor's. However, once she linked her spirit energy with Zanetor's, an expression of shock drew up on her face.

'What is this!?', she thought. 'H- He's…'

Edem smirked, "Intriguing."

The amount of energy that poured from within Xoese's soul core was more than she intended to give!

'He's draining everything!', she mustered the little strength she had left and managed to break free.

Zanetor's murky blue energy erupted all around him, igniting in a magnificent aura that surrounded him.

"Tch", Xoese took a few steps back. "The process was a success, but he literally tore off a huge amount of energy from me."

"You should understand now, Xoese", Edem suddenly said. "This particular shadow soul has an origin that is far beyond any of our understanding."

The silver-haired girl's eyes narrowed.

"Right now… We'll be getting busy as well", Edem muttered darkly.

.

.

.

"Ngh"

It was white

Pure white

The floating soul found himself floating towards a spot far brighter than the sea of white. It was warm, it held something of great importance.

Ah, for some reason he could remember… even with the absence of his cat…

He finally recognised the blazing light.

When was the last time he basked in the warmth of the white flame?

What he was going to experience all over again… Would it finally allow him to understand who he really was?

Who we really are?