26 Moving out

"Well that settles it I suppose. Do me a favor and not rattle me out nonetheless. It is for the sake of both of us." Azazel nervously spoke, he so wished that his appearance into this world would not create a butterfly effect that will effectively change the morality of the main characters. That will be tragic if the change is considered negative.

"No need to remind me. My lips are tight on this matter. I will try to conceal my power as well. I thank you again." Jasmine responded difficulty, it was, after all, the first time she thanked anyone.. her strength and personality in the past forbid almost everyone from even attempting to talk to her, much less help her.

"ah, no problem, no problem."

Jasmine looked at the white-haired boy for the final time before being shrouded by a red light and flickering out of the hotel.

"quite the turn of events if I say so myself. Who knew that the needle of catastrophe is such a powerful tool. To even suck out god slaying poison, now that's what I'm talking about, isn't it?"

Chief did not even look at him, much less respond. His eyes were glued to the weird looking book from before, pondering about something.

"Now wasn't that rude, you can at least answer me. I was wondering though; if we look so similar that we can practically be twins, why do we have such different personalities?" Azazel asked curiously. The question was not completely unfounded. Chief could pass off as his twin, and generally speaking twins do not have vastly opposing personalities, or so he heard.

The question got his attention, which was very rare if you consider chief's indifference. "It's much deeper than you think." he began. "life is full of mysteries, but one thing is certain, and you can take this as a form of warning. One day, as a result of inheriting my powers, manifested as the needle of catastrophe, you will come to experience something so groundbreaking, so arduous, that it will change the way you process things forever."

"okay now you are scaring the hell out of me," Azazel muttered silently under his breath.

"you should be because your life would not be painless. I sort of pity you if I speak with honesty."

"what is this groundbreaking event anyways. If it is so bad then why don't we take the necessary steps to combat it?"

"that is not how it works. You can't stop it, unfortunately. It is only a matter of time at this point. On second thought, there is a way to stop it from happening."

" really? what is it?"

Chief went silent for a second, many thoughts and emotions flashing through his scarlet eyes..

"simple. Don't ever use the needle of catastrophe's ability again."

Azazel cocked his head to the side in confusion, one of the many traits he shared with chief. It was truly a wonder, a mystery, this so-called warning was. Granted, he could be naive at times, almost bordering stupidity in some occasions, but he is not an idiot. As a matter of fact, the encompassing answer has been there all along.

The needle of catastrophe is not to be used less it changes the way he processes things forever.. this thought echoed within Azazel's subconscious, reeling him into a never-ending loop of recounting his previous actions back at the banquet, and at the xiao sect manor. There it was. The answer.

After each use, or within the exact intervals of using the ability, he enters this state of being where all thoughts and emotions concerning morality, his identity, they just disappear as if they never existed... What remains, however, is an impeccable field of nothingness, of serene calmness that drives him to perform and think much more rationally, at the cost of his obviously jubilant personality.

What if, just what if, there existed this dreadful yet very much high probability that this so-called "calm" state does not come and go only during the activation of the power, but rather remains a permanent thing. Wouldn't this mean that his whole being, and indeed, the way he processes things would forever be changed?

Azazel looked up in shock, meeting Chief's equally scarlet but emotionless eyes.

" I see you have it all figured out. There it is. The answer to your own question. Get ready, we are leaving this city today." Chief nonchalantly said as he stood up, heading to the dressing room.

Azazel wiped the corners of his mouth, a helpless yet knowing smile plastered on his lips. Nothing in this world was free after all, this just happens to be a small price he has to pay in exchange for an insurmountable amount of power. Besides, it was not even that bad. To be frank, being much calmer is very much beneficial for his thinking anyways. Chief must have been scaring him. Yes, that was extremely likely. how could it be painful? it was but a small change in personality after all.

Oh, if he only knew. If he only knew. Unfortunately, knowledge truly hates the ignorant.

Approximately 30 minutes after storing all their belongings in Chief's storage, Azazel changed into much more casual clothes. Choosing to wear simple white ripped slim jeans, an equally white hoodie sweater, and high top sneakers.

" are you sure that these are clothes appropriate for battle? surely you must not have forgotten that we are on a mission to gain some divine bodies(Phoenix, dragon, golden crow, blah blah)" asked chief.

"What a very interesting question Chief. I would have paid it interest if you were not wearing a bathrobe." Azazel chuckled softly in reply.

" Don't you dare judge me. Let's get a move on."

Without stalling for time, the duo teleported out of the hotel and into the rooftops of new moon city, in places where they would not be spotted by the public eye.

"On second thought, chief. I don't remember the exact locations of the trials, I forgot with the passing of time." Azazel scratched his head in embarrassment.

Chief looked at him with a judging glare before gazing upon the beautiful scenery of new moon city. The lights, surprisingly, did not reflect in his eyes. "It's fine. I sense everything."

Seconds became minutes, and minutes became an hour. Standing at the same exact place, Azazel looked at chief but decided not to say anything, for the latter was clearly contemplating something important. He so wished to find out topic needed so much time but decided not to ask. Now that realized it, he seemed like a baby if truth be told. Almost all of his actions required chief's assistance. What if chief was not here? what would he do? he did not even want to think about it.

" Phoenix it is. We shall head to the forest where the trial takes place. Should not be too difficult I presume." chief said.

" Indeed " Azazel nodded in fake confidence.

In a flash of light, the duo disappeared for the nth time. Shocking the wind into dispersing around the area.