Essence of Life

Tommy's eyes grew listless...

Although that was for a while but, he forgot one crucial detail– and that is, to kill his emotions the moment, the darkness invaded his soul.

Tommy was struggling from being controlled and at the same time, devoured and consumed.

The thought of it alone sent Tommy's mind spiraling in fear.

Would he die?

What would become of him now?!

Did becoming a Once-return need these procedures? It really is insane.

Tommy calmed himself down.

There must be a reason for everything.

Tommy concentrated hard...

His mind struggling to contain with the power of the darkness... but suddenly Tommy's eyes widened.

"Lock your body, the darkness is invading... Lock your soul the darkness is devouring– kill your emotions the darkness is controlling... Is there a specific meaning for this?"

Tommy wondered.

His mind concentrated and for a moment, he focused on his body. And noticing some restraint that he put around him to prevent more darkness from invading... he inwardly gulped.

"I hope this is not wrong!"

He immediately loosened the barrier and more darkness invaded his body with abstract glee.

He could see the billowing darkness churn like a troubled sea and Tommy, not holding back, he opened his soul and all of the darkness entered.

Tommy could not describe how he felt.

His jaws dropped.

This...

How is this possible?

Earlier, he had been struggling to control himself to prevent the darkness from controlling him, however that was not the case for Tommy.

Instead, his mind suddenly became sharper– clearer and distraction-free.

Tommy did not expect this.

He had expected something else, due to what the silver haired man had spoken about the darkness. His description of the darkness was almost an unspoken doom that momentarily made Tommy shiver.

However, the darkness spoke... this time around it wasn't so overbearing as when Tommy had tried to lock himself from it's invasion.

Speak to me kid– what do you want, that I should do for you?

Did I really hallucinate?

No I did not! The darkness is really speaking to me...

Tommy smiled.

"I want to grasp the Non-return realm."

"I also want to grasp Unconsciousness..."

The darkness did not respond for what seem like a minute and Tommy was starting to doubt himself.

But once again...

I Want To See Your Essence Of Life!!!

Huh!!! Essence Of what?

The darkness had suddenly gone back to it's overbearing nature.

"Sorry, I don't get it?"

IS IT THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SIMPLE ENGLISH?????!!!!

The darkness had suddenly screamed and Tommy felt his blood run cold.

Your Essence Of Life Is What I Ask For—

Tommy had never been this afraid all his life for just been scolded or shouted at... today, this darkness made it seem as if he had done something very bad.

"I don't have an essence."

Tommy told him bluntly and the darkness was suddenly speechless.

What Are You Saying? I Can See Your Essence Of Life! I Just Want You To Demonstrate It!!!!

"Demonstrate it? Teach me!"

It was as if the darkness swirled forming a massive scythe ready to smash Tommy with it, this time– it wouldn't just be darkness invasion... It would definitely land true and the thought of it caused Tommy to involuntarily shiver.

The darkness suddenly went soft again.

When you allowed me free access Into your body, soul and spirit, I formed that essence for you. However, you are the one that is to, figure out what that is– I can give you a hint though...

Tommy was strangely relieved.

"I can take a hint!"

The darkness suddenly sounded overbearing again.

You Cultivated Time Reversal As Your Pulse Power, That's Hinting Enough!!!!!

Tommy shook his head.

And here I was thinking that he'd really be of help.

"Ok... here we go!"

Tommy activated his pulse power first. Immediately, a gray light surrounded him and Instantly spread...

Impressive but, you need to make sure it covers a wider range... Also, it mustn't be inanimate objects that should be Reversed– extend it to humans.

Suddenly, their surrounding changed within a blink of an eye. Tommy who was concentrated on making the range of his pulse power wider almost lost his concentration the moment he realized that he was in a strange city.

Let's make this monumental... Action packed! The man is going to attack you, so you must dodge and defend yourself.

Tommy immediately cursed when he saw a punch heading straight for his face...

Moreover, this punch locked the void and every path of retreat and Tommy sighed reversing time by one second.

And Tommy left his afterimage behind, appearing 60- yards away.

Curse it all...

Tommy's Time Reversal is a control type of pulse power.

Tommy can control how much he want something or someone to reverse in time. Although, the more he reversed time, the more taxing it was for his mental health.

Reversing inanimate objects is not as taxing as reversing a human. Tommy felt it, this single second reversal had taken most of his concentration.

A good start... Now, I want you to reverse this man for five complete seconds and we would call it done!

Tommy gulped.

This was going to be stressing.

Tommy saw a wall of shield pressing down upon him and he Instantly activated wind blade, forming a massive sword qi and casting oblivion around the tip of the sword.

The moment the sword reached halfway through the location, an invisible power split the sword in two halves. It was a clean cut from the tip to the hilt.

Tommy's eyes twitched.

Why on earth am I battling with a Once-return expert?

The darkness suddenly laughed.

That's because you are aiming for Once-return. I'm showing you this to tell you that, there's an increased power to whomever becomes Once-return... However, if one becomes Non-return, they become invincible.

Tommy suddenly remembered Jayson.

Is Jayson really invincible?

Tommy suddenly dreamed of becoming a Non-return. If he could become a Non-return, Quest for his aspect ability formation... he'd become unbeatable.

Tommy even remembered that Jayson had not even gone for that quest.

The moment he goes for it and returns, he'd become a step away from becoming an Ascended. The thought of it caused Tommy to shiver.

He immediately focused on the approaching man. A chilling power which denied all logic approached Tommy– however, before this chilling power could land, Tommy used his pulse power to the max.

This chilling power suddenly froze and then, went back.

The man Instantly saw many year flash before his eyes and in an instant, he was reduced to an eight years old child.

However, before Tommy could rejoice he saw billowing darkness once again.

Now, let's get to your Essence Of Life–