As the cold night went on its freezing parade, Samael found himself huddled in a tight corner in his hole.

It was no ordinary "cold." It was freezing. He has not experienced such temperatures even during his torture as a child.

Samael had to use the small bits of Essence he has saved up to coat himself in a thin veil just to protect himself from getting frostbite.

This is ridiculous! He thought as he shivered.

In order not to freeze to death, he had to portion his spending of essence, meaning his regeneration is slowed.

Samael could only grit his teeth and bear with the cold for now. Consoling himself that things will get better.

Each second felt like an eternity to him. It was torture. But eventually, the absurd cold started to subside, and a faint glow shot through the corners of his hole.

Is it morning already...? Samael wondered, his eyes drooping down. He barely got any sleep from last night's insane weather.

He wanted to close his eyes and drift to sleep, but he knew he couldn't waste precious sunlight. As much as possible, he wanted to close the distance between him and the tower.

Gathering his strength, Samael reluctantly left his corner. As he rose up, his bones cracked simultaneously from all the hours of inactivity.

Samael stretched his body a few times, loosening up the knots of muscle that had nearly stuck in place.

Before he left, he sneakily snuck a peek outside, making sure nothing was waiting for him in the ambush.

Noticing the same scenery as before, he stealthily crawled out, where he was greeted by the blaring sun.

However, Samael's brows furrowed.

Its this early in the morning yet its already this hot Samael thought, a sense of caution and dread welling in his heart.

If the night is that cold, is the morning no different? He wondered, a single bead of sweat trailing down his forehead.

Samael shook his head. Right now, he must move. Staying in one place in such unfamiliar terrain was not a trait he liked.

Without a further ado, Samael strode forward, leaving trails on the crimson earth as he speared a glance forward.

The distance to travel was vast. It will take him weeks, if not months, to travel. It worries him. Will everything be lost once he returns? Will all his efforts be in vain?

A soft sigh escaped his lips.

The path ahead was rough. But Samael knew he must be brave. After all, this was not something uncommon. To be alone and lost.

That being said, he has yet to encounter any living creature. He has been feeding on his rations and is fairly sure they will run out soon.

When that happens, what then? What will he consume, and what will he drink?

Samael's mind was filled with reluctance as he kept moving forward.

The land was truly barren. There were only the whispers of the wind in his ears and the dust stirring with it.

He has seen a few more ruined houses. Their architecture was different from his.

As the seconds passed by, Samael found himself resting in a destroyed house. Portions of its roof still stood, and he took advantage of this situation.

The heat had begun to sink into him. It was scorching hot outside, and this forced him to drink more water, further emptying his rations.

However, if he cannot move in the morning and at night, when will he go?

Samael's brows furrowed as he rose up from his seat, determination burning in his eyes.

I don't think I have a choice. Either I adapt or I die, he thought.

Slowly, he extended his hand forward, allowing the blistering heat to caress his skin.

Samael couldn't help but hiss as he retracted his hand. It was truly torturous, but he can do it.

No.

He must do it.

Samael sharply inhaled as he stepped foot outside, leaving his humble abode as he faced the might of the sun.

Samael clenched his jaw as he walked forward, each step as agonizing as the first.

Sweat streamed down his face, akin to a waterfall, hindering his vision and his sanity. But he carried on.

His skin roared in torture, and his breathing had become ragged. But Samael endured.

Unknowingly, he clasped his necklace as he fell to the earth, beads of sweat falling before him and drenching the dry ground.

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Samael's hand drew lines on the ground as he shakily rose up and charged forward.

How much longer will he face this heat?

Samael gulped as he felt his mouth crack, yet he could not even feel his own saliva.

Unfortunately, it was too much.

Samael's vision swirled as he fell down, stirring the dust as he lay there motionless, unable to even muster another bit of strength.

His consciousness dimmed, and his reasoning blurred. He wanted to go to sleep and allow the heat to consume him.

NO! Samael thought as he bit his lip, the familiar taste of iron quenching his thirst.

Little by little, Samael dragged himself forward, leaving disturbed marks in the earth as he kept moving.

He moved and moved and moved.

Never once did he stop.

Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes into hours. Each passing moment did not go unnoticed by Samael.

He kept counting, screaming loudly in his head as a way to keep himself awake.

Samael did not know where he was headed, as he did not have the power to even raise his head. He just kept going. Closing the distance as much as he could.

When the blistering hit subsided, he knew for a fact that night was soon to come. Samael felt himself loosen under the cold breeze, soothing his boiling blood and burning body.

But he did not give in to temptation.

Samael's grunts left trails of echoes as he pushed himself up, allowing the cold wind to ease him and give him strength.

But he knew not to be fooled by its facade. He already experienced the freezing night it brings. Another form of torture no better than the first.

Samael kept himself going a little bit further, but when the night had officially come and the cold assaulted him once more, he had to seek shelter and eat for the first time today.

He could not even enjoy his food or the rest he got. The cold had numbed his seared skin, and every little move made him shiver uncontrollably.

The food he ate was tasteless. It was akin to eating dirt that had gone cold. His mouth was as dry as the morning sun, and even water could not satisfy his thirst.

But Samael ate regardless. He flushed everything down his throat, uncaring for the taste or texture.

Afterwards, he leaned back with a heavy sigh as his eyes closed themselves. Slowly, the dark cradled him once more.

Samael's sleep did not last for long. He soon awoke to the extreme cold seeping deep into his flesh.

His hair had frozen in place, and his every breath formed a mist. His lungs felt cold, and a thin layer of ice had settled on his clothes.

It was, yet again, unbearable.

How long did I sleep...? He wondered.

Judging by the position of the moon in the sky, Samael deduced that he had slept for roughly three hours.

It's not much, but I managed to gain some strength, he thought as he opened his cold hands.

Will he have to endure this every day?

With a sigh, Samael rose up, walking outside of his temporary shelter as he speared a glance at the skies above.

There were three moons.

They lay in the night sky, shining and giving light to this desolate world. It was truly a breathtaking sight.

image [https://i.ibb.co/8bsg0WD/three-moons-in-the-sky-beautiful-night-sky-full-of-stars-ethereal-highly-detailed-desolate-land-9177.jpg]

Their ethereal light served as the only thing keeping the shadows at bay. What an irony it was.

Samael closed his eyes as he allowed the freezing winds to embrace him, when his ears flinched.

Rustle...

Samael slowly opened his eyes as he shot a look over his shoulder.

There stood a creature with four legs and two pincer arms. Its body was dyed crimson and adorned with a hard shell with spikes protruding outward.

It had six eyes, all watching him. It was motionless, with only its fangs weaving back and forth.

Samael stood there for a while, observing the creature without a hint of fear. Just... Tired and done.

Little by little, the abomination approached Samael. Green liquid trickled off its fangs, trailing down the ground as it steamed.

With a sigh, Samael brandished Crimson Raven, its sharp, cracked edge reflecting the moonlight in the sky.

Samael shot a glance at the moon for the last time before the abomination lunged forward, its pincers bursting forward.

Clenching his jaw, Samael dove down, narrowly avoiding the attack. However, he staggered as a wave of pain hammered his body, dulling his senses greatly.

Samael had to step back as the beast prepared for another attack.

Does it think I am weak? He wondered.

Well, it was not wrong. He was barely hanging on. It must be the reason why the creature was not going for the kill.

It was playing with him. Toying with him.

The abomination clawed forward again, but Samael deflected it sideways, nearly stumbling down.

However, he felt something.

An emotion.

One he was familiar with.

Samael's body shook uncontrollably as he watched the abomination launch another attack, its trajectory heading straight for his face.

He knows this emotion well.

It was a mixture of...

Frustration.

Anger.

Sorrow.

And...

An unyielding hunger for

Revenge...

Samael swiftly slipped by the attack of the creature, ignoring all the sharp aches in his body screaming at him to stop.

Seizing the opportunity, he jumped on top of the creature, his arms tightly wrapping around its body as he squeezed.

Samael steadfastly took the blows of agonizing torture as the beast shook back and forth, attempting to throw him off.

It screamed nonstop, releasing venom all over the place, but to no avail.

Samael applied pressure with what little strength he had. Fueled by his rage, he found determination in its embrace.

"ARGHHH!!!" Samael roared as he gave one final squeeze.

A warm liquid trickled down his arm, trailing down his fingers and unto the ground as the abomination fell limp.

Then the familiar light of the codex greeted him.

Devoured Void Essence of "Kuru" [Metamorphosis I] +530

Samael struggled to rise up as he stared at the dead carcass of the Kuru, an idea brewing in his mind.

Without further ado, Samael dragged its corpse towards his camp as he butchered it to pieces using Crimson Raven.

The weapon hummed in delight as it fed on the blood of the beast, savoring every sip and droplet.

Once he's done, Samael stored the remaining meat in his dragon horde remnant.

The skin and shell of the beast was used to make a cloak. It was simple and not extravagant by any means, but it was honest work.

Without another thought, he wore it over his body, providing himself with a tad bit of heat in such trying times.

The smell was awful, but it was not enough to faze him.

He will make it through this challenge. He will survive, thrive, and be better.

They expect him to die here. To perish where no one sees. But he will prove them wrong.

Like he always does, he will live.

The ministry, the Liesco knights, and the imgrave wolves... They will get what they fucking deserve.

All the people they killed, the cultures they destroyed, and the futures they stole will not go unpunished.

He will adapt.

Samael rose up as he exited the ruined house, tanking the cold with a steady heart as he strode forward. Each step he took was stronger than the last.

Once he adapts, he will let them face his wrath. He will show them that he is not to be toyed with.

I kept thinking things will get better... Hah, what a fucking joke Samael thought.

Things will remain the same. It was time to accept that and make a change.

But until then, he must answer the call to him.