Right in this moment I felt both alive and possessed, a perverse sense of ecstasy filling within, as I allowed Ruler’s Authority to take control, a cold and numbness swept into my bones and made me feel unable to resist the alluring power of the skill, the sensation so pleasurable and full of euphoric relief.

As I stirred, intoxicated by the growing hunger of the alluring power, I composed myself and focused on recovering even a little bit of my mana I'd lost.

The bones in my body creaked as they set back into their previous position as my teared muscles stitched themselves, but I didn’t even flinch as the pain was numbed under the effects of my skill.

Somewhere in my mind I knew that I would come to regret letting the skill take control of me, but I was desperate to win now, not only my life, but both Mordian and Aurora’s life depended on this victory, so I needed to win at any cost.

With another breath, I drowned these thoughts and only concentrated on what was in front of me right now.

The first rays of the rising sun painted the horizon in hues of gold and crimson, casting a radiant glow over the battlefield. I saw the towering bulk of the Eldergrove from far away, currently engaged in combat with my bond who had taken the form of his true dragonic physique, his obsidian scales shimmered like polished black stone in the morning light. His massive onyx horns, curved and jagged, with his dagger sharp fangs tore and cleaved the Eldergrove’s body mercilessly.

But I stood in my position, Mordian was still trying to fight as a condensed beam to mana released from his mouth as it rained death down at the Eldergrove, his mighty wings flapped, causing the air around them to vibrate and shake as he soared through the sky.

My bond evaded and countered with swift, powerful movements, his claws raking through the air with lethal intent.

I frowned as I felt blood dripping from the corners of my mouth, my eyes trying to retain their clarity as I witnessed the battle between the two mighty beasts’ continue, neither one of them willing to back down.

The ground trembled under their immense power, the very air charged with the energy of their battle as I felt the shockwaves produced by the collision of their mana even from here.

Several sharp vines thrust into Mordian’s back as he roared in his demonic voice and released another beam of mana which thundered down and struck against the Eldergrove’s crowned head as it was obliterated entirely from one side as the beast stumbled backward and crashed.

My expression grew more uglier with each passing second as I witnessed my bond fighting alone, getting injured all whilst fighting back the urge of succumbing to the agonising and unimaginable fury of pain he felt due to the curse taking a hold of him. I bit my lips until they bled as I tried to force the mana into my body to recover sooner, the mana responded to my forceful play and converged in my direction at a higher pace as the relic armour assisted, glimmering with hues of white and the golden and crimson light refracted by the onyx scales.

“S-Shun...” I heard Aurora’s low, frightened voice reverberate from behind me.

I didn’t turn but kept watch over the faraway battle which was ensuing.

“Just a little more. I need to recover a little more of my mana and I'll be able to finish the beast.” I said, my voice confident and laced with indifference as Aurora turned silent and didn’t utter a single word.

“Mordian is strong. He wouldn’t be defeated easily by something like that. But...even he has his limitations.” I said as I read my bond’s panic and frustration, his thoughts revealed me to like an open book as he had started to struggle, as the rebound of suppressing the curse kicked in as his form began to turn more ethereal, as the light at the edges of his form started to disperse.

But despite the turn of events, my bond continued to fight his battle without backing down.

I needed a little more time.

‘Can you hold on for just one more minute? I hurriedly sent to my bond, his response came back almost immediately, and all we said was: “I can’t!”

My desperation reached its limit as I decided to take action now, I had recovered only a little bit of my mana and I only had one chance; one shot at this.

I only had enough mana to use leap one time and use a spell strong enough to end this battle once and for all.

Just in that moment I reached out to the paths, the web of interconnecting wormholes subservient to my command as they revealed themselves to me and eagerly awaited my next command.

Without any delay, I stepped into the web of energy as I allowed the paths to guide me to where I needed and wanted to go. The space opened itself to my will as arcs of lightning played around me as I ushered through the interconnecting highway as the information surged through my mind and I shifted several times to finally reach my destination.

Tendrils of lightning shook the air around me as I appeared right in front of the towering Eldergrove Sentinel, its attention now diverted toward me as Mordian’s true form flickered and he almost crashed as the curse took a hold of him and suppressed his mana.

I brought my attention back to the beast, but its bulk didn’t look as imposing as before, just big. It flinched upon my sight as my eyes met the beast’s and its scarlet eyes burning with a stark of malevolence wavered as the beast appeared struck.

I grinned as I maintained my body mid-air. It was yet just another beast whom I needed to slay, a stepping stone in my path and journey.

As I squared off against the towering Eldergrove Sentinel, its malevolent red eyes glared down at me, as I summoned the crackling energy within me. My hands sparked with anticipation as I began to weave the intricate patterns of the lightning, as yellow arcs of energy danced between my fingers.

The air around me hummed with electricity, my fingertips crackling with raw power. I could feel the mana surging through my veins, a tempest of energy waiting to be unleashed. With a sharp, focused breath, I thrust my hands forward, the arcs of lightning dancing eagerly at my command.

"Lightning surge!" I said, my voice resonating with the thunderous power of the spell as it boomed across the forest.

Bolts of blinding lightning erupted from my hands, converging into a concentrated beam of electric fury. The Sentinel recoiled, its vine-covered helmet sizzling under the assault. The scent of ozone filled the air as the lightning tore through the thick, ancient vines, searing and charring them as I pushed, regardless of the onslaught of the spell and the damage I received.

Despite its formidable presence, the Eldergrove staggered, its rooted form quaking under the relentless barrage. I pushed harder, feeling the strain as the lightning intensified, a dazzling display of raw, crackling energy as my mana drained faster, blood gushing from my mouth as I tore forward, destroying every vine which came in my path, but I felt the arcs attracting the dissipating hollow tendrils which were very slowly diminishing, as if intermingling with them.

The Sentinel’s red eyes flickered, its malice faltering as Lightning Surge enveloped it in a storm of electric wrath, the beast struggling to take back its strength.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the clash of elemental forces creating a symphony of destruction as my anticipation grew into pure delight over the beast’s desperation.

I could sense the Sentinel's power waning, its ancient strength no match for the relentless fury of my lightning.

But my spell and mana waned, my body rejecting my command as the damage I'd sustained hadn’t been healed yet, as it slowed down considerably as I pushed more mana and used every ounce of my strength left to finish this battle, my body started to wheeze and cry under the pressure building as the arcs of lightning lurched out, flesh wounds growing over my skin as they split open and blood trickled from them.

But as a final attempt, the Eldergrove launched all the vines in my direction at once, I was able to evade some, as some struck me and some went past me.

Both of us struggled to land the decisive blow as I lurched forward, my breathing growing thin as more adrenaline rushed through my veins, as I felt my mind going numb and all my senses blank.

“Aaaa—....” I shouted, my battle cry surged through the air as a thick vine lunged at me from in front, it was moving at an unimaginable speed as I couldn’t concentrate.

If I avoided, it would hold me back and give the Eldergrove an edge over the battle, making it more disadvantageous for me to continue, so I used the static to rush inward as all my bones and muscles were struck by a surge of electric fury, as an unimaginable amount of pain enveloped me and warmth shrouded the entirety of my body as blood dripped from my mouth, eyes and nose, as I shifted my stance and pushed my body to the right.

The vine struck my arm as the spectacle of crimson appeared in my vision and I saw my arm crash and tumble down as blood dripped from the stump left behind, but I suppressed the pain, knowing that my body could regenerate itself given enough time.

I grunted as I lunged forward my arm thrust forward, but the arcs of lightning slightly dimmed around me, but my intent rushed out as I mustered out every last bit of energy left in my body.

I felt my head start to throb so painful, that I wish I should spilt my head open and ease the pain growing within. But my eyes remained fixated at the monstrosity ahead as the mana and demonic energy wheezed in the air, their presence subject to my hold over them as they made way for me, more mana coalesced around my spell as Ruler’s Authority added strength to my actions, and for some reason the crimson particles tried to intermingle with the stray arcs of lightning.

So much was happening at once that I couldn’t seem to focus my attention on one thing—even with the enhanced cognitive perception provided by Ruler’s Authority.

But suddenly every sound, presence and awareness dissipated around me as the edges of my eyes grew heavy and the light around the periphery of my vision dimmed.

I pushed at the mana desperately, and for some reason I felt like I was trying to tick at something smooth and strong, yet as hard as steel, like a veil, an awareness which was present all around me, seemingly dormant but actively making some change, which I was unaware.

It was something I lacked.

My eyes bled, as the stinging grew unbearable, as the system projected messages of warning due to my deteriorating health, but I continued and focused.

Just as I tried to reach out to that awareness, something seem to unravel in front of me, like a veil ripping a very small piece making me see through to the beyond which was something subtle and intricate, like a piece I was always missing, as warmth spread through my body, the recovery of my wounds increased but it was minimal, but more than enough to give the final push I needed.

Suddenly, everything around me appeared monochrome through my perception as the fading arcs of lightning—a phenomenon created by the paths—which were attracted by my spell started to intermingle with the yellow tendrils as a sudden flash of blinding light spilled the entire battlefield, drowning even the light from the horizon.

Something was happening, something I was unaware of as I watched, stunned, a tempest of energy swirled around my arm as some otherworldly power rushed and grabbed at my spell, the muscles in my hand convulsed as my face twisted, making the deviant spell more complicated and stronger as the yellow tendrils began to change, their colour turning hollow for some reason but almost instantly changing to an egnamtic crimson which darkened rapidly.

The lightning crackled in my hand, as the tendrils turned stygian black and then finally taking a shimmering effect of amethyst and a more whiter and more iridescent quality as the spell zapped every vine around me and trapped them in a cage of static as they were rendered immobile.

I released the relic armour from my body as I felt like it was hampering my actions, as the spell howled like a rampant beast.

The space in front of me seemed spellbound by the otherworldly power intermingled with my spell, as the space warped and blanked.

I didn’t know what was going on, my mind was crumbling as my thoughts swayed by the growing fatigue and pain which gnawed away at my sanity, my intoxicated thoughts barely suppressed below the surface of my mind.

The iridescent lightning danced at my command—as if it was my right to wield this power all along, as if the power hailed my presence—ready to strike down my enemies as I felt like there was a fundamental change to the spell, not just the power, but the very essence of the spell had been altered, it had undergone an unbelievable change, but that didn’t matter right now.

Now, I had the power to put an end to this battle. To kill the Eldergrove.

I thrust my hand forward as I tore through the cage of vines, I was merely moving on instinct alone right now, as I evaded and struck down the vines as I finally reached the exposed area of the sternum which revealed a dim light.

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With a final, deafening roar, I summoned all of my remaining strength, launching myself at the Sentinel in a blitz. My arm getting charred and skin breaking down as blood swept from within, as I struck the core of the ancient guardian. The impact was devastating, a cataclysmic eruption of arcs of lightning which seem to darken and shoot asunder that shook the very foundations of the Eldergrove and destroyed the forest around me, as if a disaster at descended.

As the smoke and charred vines began to settle, the once-imposing figure of the Eldergrove Sentinel lay in ruins, the vines loosened and lifeless, no longer a threat, its ancient form reduced to smouldering remnants.

As the final arc of energy surged forward, my only intact hand finally reached the core. The battle was finally over, as the remnant effects of my lightning mana art remained, I had struck a decisive blow against the ancient guardian.

My body though battered and scorched, stood victorious in the air, as I clenched the spherical core in my hand, blood gushing from the stump of my left bicep as I surveyed the surrounding with my chin held high and eyes looking down at the lifeless vines which once encompassed the Eldergrove.

I spat a mouthful of blood, my mind squirmed from the pain finally enveloping my body as I felt each and every fibre of my being protest, Ruler’s Authority and Mind’s Eye feel dormant as the effects of the otherworldly power disappeared as I had exhausted all my mana and had reached the state of backlash as my entire body convulsed and writhed in pain.

It wasn’t long before my concentration faded and I felt myself crash, my body free falling as all my senses faded, as my consciousness drifted and eyes rolled back into my head as my breathing stopped.

***

I felt the sensation of warm hands over my chest and stomach as a comforting and gentle surge of energy shrouded my being as I felt my mana veins being stirred by strong and purified mana—such strong and concentrated mana which had a warm, yet robust sense of relief—entering my body, like a hot mark touching my skin gently, not enough to cause discomfort and supplicated my manaless body.

My breathing was shallow, each muscle and tendon in my body protested as an unimaginable agony shrouded my body.

I was getting a sense of déjà vu, as I tried to move but my body refused as I lay still and tried to manipulate mana rotation to recover my mana in the meantime.

But even concentrating my mind on a single thing in my current state was like experiencing hell, as every inch of my body cried in agony, my head squirmed as I felt mana; my own and a foreign one mix into my body, but my body didn’t reject that mana as it drank it like an abyss.

But this mana left familiar and pure, so pure that I felt like my body was recovery on a faster pace than even with my own mana and ability to regenerate injuries instantly, but there was a warm and gentle, yet robust and powerful essence to this mana.

Suddenly, my body felt like it was burning up as my left arm—the stump that still hadn’t healed—sizzle, convulsions growing around my body, before they settled after a few seconds.

My condition was severe and unstable and that lightning spell I had used at the last. Everything from my fight with the Eldergrove after manifesting that lightning felt blurry and vague, as my head split and I tried to clench my teeth but failed.

But somewhere in my head I already knew something like this was going to happen once I released Ruler’s Authority of its limiter. I guess I still have a long way to go in order to control the skill, and its terrifying effects.

I lampooned inwardly as I felt non-existent tears run down my eyes as I pitied myself. Seriously, why was I the only one getting hurt the worst?

Is it that I have much worse luck than others or am I just born this way? I pondered as I finally tried to open my eyes which felt like lead, as my stiff body stirred weakly and I saw the bright rays of the sun spilling the land, the air was humid and full of moisture as I felt a soft breeze blow past me.

‘You truly took your time getting up. If you were awake, you should have said something, instead of feigning to be asleep.’ Mordian said telepathically as I saw Aurora beside me,, her face wearing a worried frown as she drew closer to me and helped me sit up straight, her touch gentle and caring.

‘Can’t I rest for now? I just fought and won one hell of a tough battle. A little praise wouldn’t be too much to ask.’ I said in reply, sarcasm laced in my words as Mordian withdrew his hands and stood, as I saw sweat trickle his face.

‘And thanks for occupying the Eldergrove while I recovered.’ I added right after as I gave my bond a thin smile, a mutual understanding between us, not needing any words to be conveyed. He perfectly understood my intentions when I’d started to conjure ‘lightning surge’, and took those reckless actions to ensure victory.

“Rest if you want. You won’t be of any help in your current condition anyway.” Mordian scoffed outwardly this time, not conveying his words through our minds, as he turned and the intricate cloak swayed by his fast movements as he sat down on a boulder nearby, as he recovered his mana using mana rotation and recuperated, basking in the refreshing sunlight in the humid atmosphere.

My head bobbed sideways as I tried to make out of the scenery, and saw a big lake—perhaps the pervious one I’d fallen into—which caught the light of the sun and glimmered like a reflective mirror, making a breath-taking environment.

“How are you feeling now, Shun?” Aurora asked, worry laced in each word, as her teal eyes were heavy with questions and somehow looking sombre.

I focused on the stump of my left hand, which was covered with torn pieces of clothes—working as bandages—, as my right hand was the same, and so were several places on my body.

Due to reaching backlash—and no mana to support my body, while being unconscious for an extended period of time had hampered my ability to absorb and purify mana in order to heal myself.

I turned toward Aurora, my lips curving into a reassuring smile as I moved my good hand and spoke. “Well, I’m doing fine now.” But my face almost twisted from a frown as I lowered my hand and actively started to converge the ambient mana around me and purge it through my veins and purify it.

Aurora clenched her teeth as I took several minutes to relax and used mana rotation to recover a little of my mana—enough for my body to start healing itself again, as I let a small portion of my mind concentrate on manipulating the technique.

By now, I was able to move freely without making anymore painful grunts each time, even on the slightest flex of my muscles.

I leaned back against a tree, a cool breeze blowing past me, as I brought my legs up and rested my hand over my knee.

But I could see Aurora’s face taking a drastic turn, as her eyes seemed complicated every time she glanced at my battered condition.

“I’m really fine now. You don’t have to worry. I didn’t receive any life-threatening damage from the Eldergrove.” I said to her, putting on a thin smile as I moved into a more comfortable position. “And if you’re worried about my arm, or the other injuries, it’s going to be alright. If you still remember, I can instantly heal wounds like these, and now I can even regenerate lost limbs and parts of my body. I'm just lacking mana.”

I added with my chest puffed and chin held high, as a smirk played at my lips, finding amusement to lift the bleak atmosphere,, as I waited for some sarcastic remark from her, but it never came.

Her eyes looked saddened and confused, as I thought back on my actions, feeling guilt rise from within.

“Why?” She said, her face bent down, her voice breaking a little as if on the verge of tears. “Why are you always like this?”

My brows suddenly rose in surprise, unable to tell what kind of expression I was currently making.

I took a deep breath as I looked at Aurora, she lifted her head and looked me straight in my eyes, the elven woman had an unwavering yet confused and frustrated expression over her face as she slowly stood to her feet.

“Why do you always do this to yourself? Why are you so eager to get hurt; just to win? Even at that time when we fought the millipede together, in order to protect me you had your entire back burned and melted by its acid.” Her voice spilled out in anger—she was angry, but for my own sake, as a friend, which I found genuine comfort in—, her face fuming with more frustration as she hoped to understand my actions, and why I took them.

Mordian nonchalantly opened his eyes, as he looked at me and then Aurora, deadpan. If only you were us as empathetic as her? I held from saying or projecting the thought to him. Knowing full well that my dragon bond would frown or simply ignore.

But I guess he understood me better than anyone, that’s why he showed his own understanding and consideration by not asking.

“Why are you so reckless when it comes to yourself? Why do you not cherish yourself, even if you can regenerate severed limbs or handle pain far better than others, is that a good reason to sacrifice your body just to win? Are these victories so much important than your own well-being that you would throw away your body in order to triumph these trials?”

Aurora’s voice raised, echoing in the deep forest. Her face growing more frustrated and full of anger as I bent my head this time, I couldn’t seem to look the elf in her eyes as I clenched my hand and pondered over her words carefully.

“What pushes you to such lengths?” She asked, her voice carrying an edge to it which seemed to pierce my heart and made me slightly vulnerable to her words.

I couldn’t rebut her words, neither could I come up with an excuse like all the other times to reassure her; in order to hide behind my fabricated lie. Even I knew that I'd been lying to myself, this armour of callousness that I'd draped over myself in order to expel the pain and vulnerability since the moment I’d left home, to do what I must in order to not fail in this life.

I didn’t care about what I had to do, because the physical pain and suffering I was going through couldn’t even be compared to what I had experienced in my past life.

I just didn’t want those tragedies to repeat themselves all over again. I didn’t want to experience that agony all over again.

I sighed, my face turning cool as my brows eased.

There was no reason for me to get angry at her just because she had asked me this question; why I took such extreme measures.

But ultimately, it was my own decision to take such extreme measures. I sighed again, unable to come up with a response, so I made up my mind.

I felt my throat constrict and grow heavy as the words I had chosen to speak never came. I didn’t know what kind of expression I wore currently, was I sad, angry, frustrated, flustered or was it something else.

I was tired. But it was a decision I’d made myself in order to safeguard the lives I couldn’t in the past, in order to right my wrong, to do better.

I took a breath as I unbent my head, all the energy in my body seem to disperse as I looked into Aurora’s teal eyes with conviction and determination.

“It's to come back strong enough to take care of the people I left behind.” I said, feeling discomfort growing in my chest as my expression went still. My voice projected so little yet so much emotion as I looked at Aurora, deadpan. “They are the reason why I still wish to live and strive for a better future even when I know a war with the demons could come anytime and end us.” My face growing impassive, as I tried to not show prominent emotion.

But with each word, I felt my voice fill with emotion as I felt Mordian’s gaze at me. “And my purpose has always been to grow strong enough, to acquire enough power to allow those I care about to lead a happy and safe life, to rid this nightmarish war and death which looms above us.”

My voice sounded weary, feeling an edge growing at the tip of my tongue. Aurora’s expression grew ugly as she clenched her hands.

“Then what you are trying to say is: that its fine if you get hurt and suffer as long as your loved ones are safe and protected. You don’t care about what happens to you, and just for that one reason you would lay your life on the line each time, just to grow stronger. That’s stupid. That’s just plain hypocrisy.”

“So be it!” I raised my voice this time, Aurora flinched away slightly, as I looked at her with a pained expression, my voice crumbling and unsteady as I tried to take steady breaths as the pain clawed at my insides.

She looked at my weakened state and brought a hand forward to help me, but I waved it away.

“Aurora, you don’t understand. You will never understand.” I said calmly as I circulated my mana and made an effort to keep the pain suppressed.

“Why do you think that?” She said, suddenly her voice turning soft and gentle as her eyes seemed to pity me. But I found genuine care and sympathy, a wish to understand my circumstances from her.

“Why do think that you getting hurt is the only option? What makes you think that your loved ones would like to live in a world made from your blood and suffering? Do you think they would accept that? Why do you make that decision for them all on your own, have you even thought just how miserable would it make the people who care about you, when you get hurt?”

“Have you even thought about it once?”

Her eyes turned gentle, yet determined, as she spoke. “I don’t know what kind of man you are Shun, and what life you have led, but as a friend, I wouldn’t want to see one of my friends to suffer silently, while I only just observed from the side-lines, unable to do anything.”

I looked at Aurora blankly, unable to come up with a good enough reply. But...no, she was right. I accepted in my defeat, as I sighed.

But ever since regressing, the only thing occupying my mind has been the fear of the inevitable war which would one day come. And for that, I always tried to do everything in my power to surpass my limits, even if it meant suffering to a certain extent.

I settled down, my face relaxed as I let my emotions and expression ease as I heaved a sigh and leaned against the tree.

“Aurora...I...I don’t know.” I admitted finally, feeling a lump past my throat as I felt a hollow sensation grow in the pit of my stomach. “I can’t do it twice. I am a weak man, Aurora. I-I can’t bear to lose my loved once again.”

My words filled the air, making the atmosphere appear sombre and heavy as the guilt of failing over and over again to protect my loved ones in my past life made me feel desperate and anxious in this life.

Ever since I’d spoke with Laurena—the only person beside Mordian whom knew about my past life—I'd grown wary of every step I took. I was afraid of the repercussions of what a certain action might bring. What if I took such action which resulted in an undesirable outcome which could’ve been prevented if I thought more carefully and thoroughly.

I was simply afraid and terrified of the things I’d learned since I left earth. The true scale of this war, my own existence, the real enemies working behind the scenes to create discord.

I was unsure if I could stop this war and win. I was simply a meagre man, unable to change anything despite how much I tried, but here I was still trying to make the effort; struggling.

Mordian had stopped mediating as he listened carefully, my bond didn’t speak, but I still felt his thoughts, his understanding.

Aurora seemed dumbfounded by my sudden exclamation. Her face looked full of confusion as her gaze softened considerably.

‘The heaviest thing to carry in this world is a shattered soul.’ I thought inwardly as I let my emotions roll out with a sigh. “And if I can’t become as strong as I want to be so I can protect the people I care about, then there is no reason for me to be alive.” I finally let out as my chest seem to relax as if some heavy weight had been lifted from it.

Aurora frowned, she wanted to say something in return but I cut her off and continued.

“The pain is simply a testament of my efforts, that I’m alive, that I have a duty and responsibility to fulfil.” I ended as I fell silent.

We let several painstaking seconds pass by, not saying another word to the point that the air between us grew awkward and stiff as I couldn’t seem to look at Aurora.

But suddenly, windows popped open in front of me, indicating my rewards, level up and the window which had the information for the continuation of the trials.

I rose to my feet, avoiding Aurora’s gaze as I walked closer to the lake.

“You should rest. Recuperate before we set out.” I said, trying to not look back at her as I walked away slowly.

With the level up of my passive skills, my body had grown more stronger and better at dealing with pain and fatigue. If it was in the past, then taking damage like this would’ve left me unable to move even an inch for several days, but with the pain nullification passive trait, my body was better able to adapt and suppress pain from before.

‘Once my arm is all grown back, and I recover my mana, let’s depart.’ I projected to my bond as I walked past him, giving him a passing glance as his nonchalant golden eyes silently opened and then closed.

‘And give the core to Aurora, it might be better for her to use the Eldergrove’s mana to recover and assimilate the strong nature-type mana stored in the beast’s core. She has an affinity for using nature-type mana arts, so she might be able to gain more advantages from it.’ I added right after. ‘If she’s going to travel with us, we need her to grow stronger and keep up with the growing difficulties of the trials.’

I walked away as I was halfway to the lake as I felt a tingle in my arm, which was grown back to the forearm, as I recovered my mana using rotation.

‘And if she finds complications assimilating with the beast’s remnant mana and will left in its core, please help her, Mordian,, so that she doesn’t succumb and suffer from the beast will’s affects.’

My feet touched the cool water of the lake, as I bent and took water in my hand and cleaned the blood stains creased across my face and neck, as I felt the cold touch of the water, making me relaxed and soothed.

I turned and looked at Aurora, leaning against the bark of a tree, as her eyes were closed and her breathing looked light. Her slumbering figure looked exactly like a porcelain doll.

There was still much needed to be explained and communicated between us before we decided to move forward as companions from now on.

I heaved a sigh as I covered my eyes with my hand, blocking the sunlight as I cleansed my body.