Chapter 39

("Memories: the echoes of laughter, the whispers of tears, the footprints of moments that shape who we are.") — just found it somewhere.

First he decided to look at the Echo. In a snap, the world twisted on its own, delivering him onto an empty, bright island circled by a body of water that stretched out across the horizon with no end in sight. The water too, shone with a blinding radiance.

Ariel then laid his eyes on the humongous, picturesque Wheel of Dharma. It's yellow, wooden texture decrepit but ancient. The eight handles appearing as yellow balls of overwhelming power. Three in particular, were glowing with white energy that flowed in waves in the soul sea, emitting a warm, gentle breeze.

Under it, the equally giant, stationary figure of Mahoraga stood with its never breaking grin. Its eyes designed in the form of four small wings that fluttered rhythmically with the following breeze of the energy. The back of its head elongating into a long serpentine tail. It too waved in synch with the energy majestically. A black chain seemingly embedded in its chest dangled with six, smooth black rocks that were no different than jewellery.

It's been a while… Ariel thought with reminiscence. The image never once failed to amaze him and induce him with awe. The extraordinary wheel, the towering body of Mahoraga. Even the atmosphere was indescribable. As if thousands of hands were gently but strongly massaging his body to comfort him mentally and physically.

He didn't know whether to feel uncomfortable or just bask in the feeling.

I can just think of it as numerous beautiful women massaging me. Giggling and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Pressing their breasts against my back. Letting me have the glorious chance to feel the suppleness and softness. Ohhh yeah, that sounds nice. Why the fuck havent I thought of that before?

Ariel shook his head to focus on his task. His eyes looked around in search of his Echo. Then, He immediately noticed a strange silhouette standing upright in front of Mahoraga. It was non-other than the Awakened Monster. Its black form was a definite anomaly in the soul sea, he just didn't see it due to being fixated by the wheel and Mahoraga.

The Echoe's black exoskeleton fixed with hard, spikey rods stood out the most. Its eight legs ending in sharp tips, digging into the ashy soil beneath it. Its arms, striped with lines of dark-red, shaped into scythes. It even reflected the environment with how clean it was.

My very first Echo.

Ariel happily skipped over to the Echo, a wide smile on his face. He had another weapon he could make use of, increasing his chances of survival and assurance. It was an Awakened Monster too. Which made it fairly stronger compared to the normal ones.

When he arrived near it, runes shimmered before starting to form in the air. Creating a sheet of golden weaves that coalesced together into something he could read.

***

[Echo]: Carapace Scavenger.

[Echo type]: Monster.

[Echo core]: Awakened.

[Echo Attributes]: [Strong], [Armored].

[Echo description]: [A cursed soldier of the fallen legion.]

***

It was as he expected, the rank and class were no surprise. The attributes literally spoke for themselves. The description was something he didn't remember, so it was a bit interesting. Apparently the nightmare creature was a soldier for one of the fallen heroes. Which was not that much of a surprise.

I guess that means all the scavengers I've killed up to now were previously soldiers who had died fighting off the curse before eventually succumbing to it. How pitiful. The dream realm is truly a horrendous place.

Ariel sighed before his countenance Changed into an exciting grin. He brought his hand up and poked the body of the scavengers.

Then, he waited. His heart beating palpably.

[Transform Echo into a Protecter?]

I fucking knew it. I was anticipating this since I got situated in the academy. If Sunny could transform his Echoes into shadows, then why can't I? And it seems that my guesses were true. It's also uniquely related to my aspect. I wonder what will the transition change? Its body? Or an extra attribute? Or more strength? I am really looking forward to it!

Ariel looked on with bated breath as he mentally answered 'yes'

[Not sufficient adaptibility fragments to perform a transformation.]

[Required adaptability fragments — 331/500]

Oh… Right, I thought I had enough yet I was proven wrong.

Damn it!

Ariel uttered a curse under his breath, his face one of desire and longing. He was really looking forward to this. However, his face lightened up when a thought surfaced in his mind.

On the bright side. The transformation needing that amount of adaptability fragments is a sign that indicates it will turn out to be one powerful motherfucker. I remember Sunny only needed 100 fragments to begin the process. So there's a good chance that mine will be more useful and powerful. Hoooo! I can't fucking wait!

Sensing the situation wasn't as bad as he made it out to be. He turned his attention to the center of the wheel. There, Three intricate weaves of blinding golden were floating peacefully.

He focused on the third, new bundle of weaves as runes once again began the process. While it was ongoing, Ariel prayed that it would be something useful.

Please anything that can benefit me or the others, I don't mind handing out ones useless to me in order to strengthen the team. Because you can't survive alone in the dream realm. You can certainly try but it won't end happily for you.

A few seconds passed before the runes altered slightly. Becoming more visible and comprehensible.

***

[Necrotic Dagger]

[Memory Type]: Tool.

[Memory Rank]: Awakened.

[Memory Tier]: II

[Memory Description]: [Physically weakest in their cohort, she found and created a weapon- no, a tool. She decided to let it submerge in the blood of the once beautiful, radiant star. Its blood once pure and refined, now but a revolting pool of abomination liquid. Unholy in its creation. It managed to make a sharp, fragile dagger. A dagger beseeched for its beauty and deadlines. Only meant to be used as a tool. Nothing more, nothing less.]

[Memory Enchantments]: [Lethal Dose], [Brittle Body]

[Lethal Dose]: [Injects a dangerous dose of necrotic poison into the body of its recipient.]

[Brittle Body]: [A very terrifying tool but at the same time, it's pitifully fragile and Easily breakable.]

***

Not bad. Though its description is a bit intriguing. Its definitely meant to be used as a surprise attack or a last resort. But the fragile enchantment is concerning, I just have to be careful with how I use it.

Ariel continued studying the memory for a few minutes to get a better understanding of it. And no matter how many times his eyes brushed over the description, he would get a slight suspicion that grew stronger by the seconds. The words he would be entranced by was none other than…

[… She decided to let it submerge in the blood of the once beautiful, radiant star.]

[Radiant Star.]

[Radiant Star.]

[Radiant Star.]

Thwuk!

Ariel slapped himself harshly, his eyes that started to enter a daze regained their ambiance.

I have a guess, but I'm not too sure of it. So let's just put it aside for now.

He took a deep breath before exhaling, letting a grin manifest itself onto his features.

I've got an Awakend monster as an Echo along with a decent memory. Hell, my Echo is stronger than most of the normal sleepers. It thrash them around easily. It will be of immense help. I just have to not let it die until I collect 500 adaptibility fragments. After that… even I don't what will happen to it.

With that, the soul sea disappeared from his view. The comfortable massage rustled off. Filling him with a slight amount of emptiness. But what came into view was the harrowing storm of thunder and rain. The rain was still dropping with intensity. Not losing its vigor one bit.

Ariel blankly watched as the drops of fresh water, pushed of the grime, blood, flesh, and skin. His body was slowly wearing off the heated smell of piss.

He then looked at the bodies. His eyes trailing each of them carefully before shrugging.

I wanna rest, I don't have the energy to dig my hand into already rotting corpses. I'll put it of till tomorrow. I'm sure no one will protest.

Finished with his thoughts. Ariel bent his legs. Flexed his arms. Then jumped. His jump took him halfway up the steep fissure. His finger held on to a jagged piece of rock that was on the verge of tearing his skin. Done stabling himself, he once again prepared his body before jumping. This time barely catching on the edge of the fissure.

There we go, I'm up.

His feet landing on the solid terrain. Ariel whistled as he leisurely walked back towards his team. In a minute their outlines became viable through the darkness. Reaching them, he noticed Nephis tensing slightly. Her hands slowly moving for a weapon. To ignore any useless damage. He called out loudly.

"Don't attack me you crazy girl, it's me." Her body flinched at my voice. Becoming deflated a second later out of relief.

Finally arriving to their side, Ariel dropped heftily in front of them. He noted that Sunny was still resting, Cassie and Nephis were shoulder to shoulder, seeming relatively fine and relaxed.

"You took longer than expected… what was out there?" Nephis asked calmly once he sat down and made himself comfortable. But he could sense a hidden layer of anxiety behind her question.

"It was scavengers, forty of them. Fuckers thought of the same thing as us. No matter though, I killed all of them."

"As expected."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's better that we get used to your abnormal strength, you've already surprised me multiple times. So I'm somewhat immune to it as of now. By the way what's that strong smell?"

Nephis's nose scrunched up in visible distaste. He was a bit shocked that the smell still lingered through the unhinged storm. She couldn't really see him in the darkness, only an outline made by the shadow of his face was in sight. Him being covered with sticky blood obviously didn't seem clear for her.

"Sorry, sorry. One guy blew up and smeared all his juices on me."

Woah, phrasing Ariel. Phrasing.

Nephis tilted her curiously, getting a smile out of him in as he began narrating what went down. His eyes briefly glanced at Cassie. Which immediately softened at seeing her sleeping face. She blinded him with her beauty once again. How she was sleeping while sitting was a mystery for him.

For the reminder of the story. Nephis didn't show any outward reaction besides blinking and smiling slightly as she listened to him. The only time she reacted properly was when he mentioned that he had received an Echo. A Monster nonetheless.

"That will be very useful. Well done."

"No worries, this is what I'm best at, which is honestly all thanks to you. You taught me how to survive."

Nephis eyes became wispy as she remembered the times where it was just her and Ariel practising, training. Or sparring till their body could no longer move.

To be honest…

She loved those memories. She didn't want to get rid of them no matter what happens. That was a promise she made to herself, a promise she will cherish till the day she dies arrives and death takes her.

A bright smile formed on her lips. Confusing the swaying Ariel whose eyes were begging for sleep.

Good times indeed.

A/N: hope you like it. And tell me if the memory is good. Also send some stones.