Liam awoke, finding himself in an endless expanse of empty desert, with only a small pool of green mist at his feet that moved and flowed like ocean currents.

He looked around, confused, but in every direction his vision was filled by neverending sand. Seeing nothing else to do, he turned his gaze to the most in front of him and inspected it. [Analyze] returned nothing but when he peered closer he was able to see two small shadows being pushed about by the currents.

He crept right up to it and tried to see what they were. One moved closer and he managed to make out it's outline. It seemed to be the sillouette of someone sat down. Immediately, he got a theory and moved around the pool to get a better look at the other shadow. Sure enough, it had the outline of a skull and he was able to figure out where he was. Somehow, he had been transported to the Lifeforce Pool stored metaphysically in his body and these shadows were his bound Spirits.

Now knowing where he was, he tried to reach out to his Lifeforce like he would normally and it responded. Gently, he pushed the two charms towards him until one hit the edge of the pool. A message flashed before him and he read it.

[Would you like to unbind your Lesser Spirit of Calm (Corrupted)?]

[Yes/ No]

He quickly hit no and willed it away, leaving the two charms to float just inches away from him.

"What am I meant to do?"

He wondered aloud. He knew he had been sent here for a reason but he only had a vague idea of what it might be, as well as no clue on how to go about doing it. So, he called on the being that would have the best chance of knowing.

Seizing the mist with his Will, he concentrated it and began to press it into the skull charm. When he forced the contact, the energies of the pool began to seep into the Spirits causing it to take on an ethereal glow. He kept going, finding it easier than he had ever before, until he could no longer pull anymore of the fog.

The glow had grown to become blinding, and now started to change shape and become larger. It kept expanding until it returned to the familiar form of the Spirit of Death before he had defeated it. It floated there for a moment before taking a step out of the pool and turning to face him.

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"It seems you have entered this place rather early on your journey."

It spoke, the rattling whisper of its voice somehow harsher than the barren landscape.

"You don't have long, with my summoning your Lifeforce has run dry. Ask your questions."

It continued, urging him to respond.

"Why have I been brought here? Last thing I remember I chose a Class and now I'm here."

Liam asked.

"It should be caused by a Trait you received. Do you recall it's name?"

The question struck Liam off guard. Why would he need to remember it when he had it on his Status?

He was confused until he tried to summon the screen and failed, not getting any response from the System at all. Realizing that checking wasn't an option, he dug into his memories of the last few minutes and remembered it.

"Merged Spirit."

He said, to the Spirit's stunned silence. After a few moments, it began to speak again.

"What you did against that foul undead was a Merge recognized by the System? Most Shamans fail to properly integrate with the Spirit and only layer its form atop their own, it would take an absurd level of talent to manage it on the first try."

It said, staring at him.

"Wait. The growth weapon and diving solo in a Limited Dungeon. Are you, perhaps, a Progenitor?"

If the being had eyes, Liam was sure that they would be boring into him right about now.

"The Title? Sure it seems good but what's it got to do with this?"

He asked.

"The Progenitor Line of Titles massively increases the owner's talent in whatever area they got it in, to the point of being able to achieve the ludicrous with ease."

The Spirit explained. This time it was Liam's turn to be silent, considering the implications. At least until he realized how much time has passed.

"So what do I do?"

He asked, switching back to the topic at hand.

"Ah, yes, my apologies. You're here to use your Trait for the first time. Perform a merge once again with me and it shall activate, allowing my to dwell within your body instead of here with his fallen thing."

It explained before casting what Liam was sure was a scornful glance towards his other bound Spirit. He nodded and closed his eyes, attempting to replicate what he had done during his last battle. He remembered the feeling and was able to grasp onto that, using it as a reference to repeat his feat. In mere moments, he felt the power of the merge once again flood through his body and he opened his eyes back in the real world.

"You have succeeded."

He heard.

"Spirit?"

He asked. He could feel that the duration of his Power had run out yet he could still hear the being that it originated from.

"If you're wondering how I can still talk to you, it's because I now dwell in the realm through our connection. It is necessary for me to be here so that you can benefit from our merged form."

It whispered in his mind. Liam nodded at the logic before attempting to move. He was relieved to find that he now could, though he had still lost sensation in most of his body. He stood and stretched out, hearing the a pop but not feeling himself do the action. It was a tradeoff he could live with, however, as he was walking again. He could deal with any other problems later, for now this was enough.

"If you're going to be here constantly, I'm going to need something to call you. Do you have a name?"

He asked aloud.

"Hmm, my kind does not share their names, but in this instance I believe a nickname would be of use. You may call me... Nat."

It whispered.

"Well it's nice to be properly introduced to you Nat, I'm Liam. Sorry for not responding to you earlier, I was still mad about the whole trying to possess my body and use me as a puppet thing but saving my life kind of buys a lot back."

He said.

"And it's a pleasure to be bound to a Progenitor and warrior such as you, Liam. Now let us continue to remove these abominations from this plane."

It responded.

"Yes. Let's."