Chapter 3: Anima

Aurora's big, amethyst eyes darted nervously between her brother and the empty space beside him.

"I wonder," she whispered, "Which Anima will you awaken, brother?"

It was clear beneath her excitement, bubbled nervousness for the upcoming Anima awakening.

"Who knows, little sis? But I'm much more curious to see what you manifest. It'll be something truly special, just like you." Asher said with a smile.

He leaned forward and ruffled her hair gently.

"Really? You think so?" His touch calmed her trembling hands, and a soft smile replaced her nervous expression.

"Of course," Asher cracked up, the sound warm and genuine. "It's going to be something amazing…" Not just amazing, but something far better, something… fascinating.

In their world, Kyros, children awaited their tenth birthday.

It was the day they formed their first connection with their Anima.

Animas are the core essence of every human being.

It is a unique manifestation of the individual soul reflecting their inner self, their emotions, and desires.

These Animas were as diverse as the children themselves, ranging from majestic creatures like griffins to seemingly mundane objects like a blacksmith's hammer.

It is said multiple times through the course of history, that the Anima were granted to Humanity to face off against the beings that would cause life to reach the blink of oblivion or fight against other powerful species that threaten humanity's existence.

Animas are the lifeline of humans, a 'Miracle for humanity'.

This shows the great importance of Animas, it can change their futures and determine their place in the world.

Despite saying, Animas reflect the soul.

Bloodlines have also played a crucial role in awakening.

Within the Kyrosian society, the Agenis family held a renowned position among Kyros' protectors, known for generations for their lineage of Sword-type Animas.

Throughout the history of their existence, they had earned the titles of Sword Saints and Sword Maidens, wielding their blades with unmatched skill.

Scarlett Agenis, Aurora and Asher's mother, currently holds the mantle of Sword Saint.

She is a force to be reckoned with when using her twin blades.

Asher had witnessed and experienced her prowess firsthand, after killing Elysia that is.

But unlike the Agenis lineage known for their Sword-type Animas, Asher felt uncertain about what he would awaken.

All because of his new and unique presence.

Asher was different from the very beginning.

Even In the game he remembered, Asher didn't awaken any Sword-type Anima, but a Tool-type Anima, the Orb of Darkness.

The Orb of Darkness was a High-class Anima, granting him control over darkness and the ability to bend darkness to his will.

But its true power lay in its dominion over demons and monsters.

This power, immense and Overpowered, came with a great price.

The stronger the demon he commanded, the deeper the corruption that would seep into his soul, changing him slowly from human to monster.

Would it be any different from him? only time could tell.

…

…

…

After eating breakfast, Asher pushed his chair back from the dining table.

He softly rose, his gaze lingering on the spot where his sister was seated.

"Get ready soon, Aurora," he said softly.

"Mmmm~" Aurora responded with a muffled, filling her mouth full of pastry. Excited to awaken her Anima.

"Well then, I'll be in my room, thank you for the food," he announced, his voice calm and collected.

He climbed the stairs to his room, his expression unreadable.

Reaching his room, he entered without a sound.

He didn't dwell on the upcoming Awakening ceremony, knowing the Anima could be anything and any speculation was futile, as it could be anything random.

'Once I get to know what my Anima would be, I will prepare a growth plan.' thinking of this, he entered the room to be prepared.

'There may be a chance I won't awaken anything.' A fleeting moment of doubt crossed his mind.

Could it be possible he wouldn't awaken an Anima at all? He was, after all, not native to this world. But Anima is the essence of the soul, so that may not be the case.

he shoved the thought aside.

Knock Knock

A weak knock at the door brought his attention back to the present.

"Young Master, it's time for your bath." a maid's voice announced, She wasn't Stella, but Elara, another of the maids who assisted with his daily care.

Nodding wordlessly, he followed her, the routine felt familiar, with many swirling thoughts within him.

The bathroom was luxurious, with marble countertops, beautiful tile work, and a large, ornate bathtub that could easily fit two people, with some soft towels stacked nearby.

Elara assisted him with the bath preparations, warm water filled the tub, creating a gentle steam that filled the air with a faint lavender fragrance.

As she slowly removed his clothes, Asher remained calm.

Being bathed by maids was a routine 'he' had grown accustomed to since birth.

She washed him slowly and carefully, applying shampoo to his head and quickly washing his small frame.

"You can enter the bath, Young Master," she said after rinsing off the shampoo and washing his body, before taking his clothes to be cleaned while he relaxed in the tub.

The warmth of the water embraced him as he stepped in, closing his eyes and enjoying the sensation.

Asher's mind wandered to thoughts of Elysia and why she seemed to hate him.

In the game, the reason was never explicitly stated, it was hidden beneath many layers of gameplay and different narratives, but Asher wondered if there was something 'he' had done to cause her animosity.

In his mind, 'Asher's' memories played.

He saw himself laughing with Aurora, indulging in their parents' endless affection – a picture-perfect childhood.

…

'So, it all comes down to him, doesn't it?' Asher let out a 'harmless' giggle as understanding dawned on him, a sigh escaped his lips, after understanding what changed everything.

'All because of a dead man huh!?' He saw, with horrifying clarity, the truth behind everything – the monster the world saw wasn't truly him. It had never been him.

Elysia had created the monster the world saw, not the Orb of Darkness.

A smile, sharp and devoid of warmth, appeared on his lips, which he quickly masked.

He stood up from the tub, and Elara patiently waited for Asher.

Despite the warmth of the room, a shiver ran down her spine, the source inexplicable. It vanished as quickly as it came, leaving her with a vague sense of unease.

'Was it my imagination.' she looked around the familiar bathroom, finding nothing out of the ordinary.

Elara brushed aside the unsettling feeling, focusing on her task. She moved with practiced efficiency, drying Asher quickly with the warm towel.

With a final pat, she folded it neatly and stepped back.

As she finished, a second maid, named Maya, stepped forward. She carried a garment bag.

"Young Master, These are your ceremonial robes given by Lady Scarlett for the Awakening Ceremony," she said respectfully,

The dress was specifically designed for this day.

After all of this, Elara helped him change his clothes into formal clothes.

***

Sorry for some useless scenario in this chapter Ó⁠╭⁠╮⁠Ò , But I don't like the summary of chapter, Like he happened to reach there, did this, he became stronger, blah blah blah~ some radiculous stuff.

There might be some moments like this, but I will keep trying to for those to be minimum, and focus more on story itself.

But I just made this to show, that Asher isn't some horny bastards.

He will keep himself check and doesn't get flustered by being naked in front of Maids.