Chapter 16 - Success?!
"yo" - Speech
'yo' - Thougths
*yo* - Sounds
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The vast expanse of existence where countless, if not infinite worlds stretched beyond the boundaries of imagination exist. There was the existence of — Altars.
The Gate of the Abyss, a gate that served as a portal, providing a means to access countless worlds that lay scattered across the cosmic tapestry. It was one of the reasons that led Kael, guided by his profound desires, chose to pick this world in his chance of reincarnation.
The allure and possibilities of traversing the boundaries between worlds, of witnessing unique landscapes and encountering diverse individuals, had always captivated Kael's heart. From the depths of his previous life, he carried an insatiable thirst for exploration and an unwavering love for all the fictional things he've consumed.
'I mean, who wouldn't?' He thought, the idea of venturing into different realms where imagination ran wild and adventures awaited was every man of culture's dream.
As he was about to land, nearing the magic formation. A black spot appeared on it without a warning. The black spot then quickly expanded, a gate appeared and afterwards, a large shadow appeared in the magic formation.
'Who?' He pondered.
However, before long, the answer unfolded before his eyes. The colossal shadow materialized, gradually taking the shape of a towering demon, standing an imposing seven meters tall. In its hands, a fearsome axe rested, serving as a testament to its formidable power.
"Seven! Already back? It's only been five days," he mused, his mind filled with intrigue. He couldn't help but wonder if Seven had faced some kind of mishap or gotten himself into trouble.
But in an instant, Seven fully materialized. With a resounding step, the ground beneath him quivered, causing the expansive clearing surrounding the altar to tremble in response.
Upon witnessing Seven's imposing return, Kael couldn't help but notice the unmistakable satisfaction etched across his face. As Seven stepped out of the magic formation, his piercing gaze locked onto Kael, creating an intense atmosphere that seemed to demand a standoff.
Breaking the silence that enveloped them, Kael finally spoke up, his words flowing effortlessly. "Must have had quite the successful venture, eh, big guy?"
Seven responded with an assessing stare, attentively examining Kael's wings and distinctive features. It didn't take long for him to pose a gruff question, his voice carrying a weighty tone. "What brings a demon of high-rank bloodline to this place?"
Rather than providing a direct answer, Kael chose to respond with a question of his own, maintaining the fluidity of their interaction. "What's your name?"
Silently, Seven continued to gaze at him, conveying a sense of fierce contemplation, before finally delivering his response in a deep, gruff voice. "Samus."
"And what is yo—" As Samus was about to ask, his question was abruptly cut off as the magic formation on his back started to emit a radiant glow and emit a faint buzzing sound.
A distinct scent of blood gradually wafted from the void, permeating the atmosphere of the altar and the surrounding clearing. The blood carried a certain smell, differing from the usual thing.
Curiously, none of the other demons seemed to react or be drawn to it. Though some small monsters were attracted, they scattered upon seeing him and Samus.
Samus paid no heed to the blood's scent, recognizing it as a mundane offering unworthy of attracting someone of his 'immense' power. Though curious about that unique scent, he wanted to rest and digest his gains. Besides, It held no allure even for the other demons lurking nearby.
However, Samus couldn't help but be taken aback when Kael landed with grace and fearlessly strode towards the core of the pulsating magic formation. Any curiosity that had briefly stirred within Samus dissipated, replaced by a condescending expression that settled upon his face as he turned to squarely face Kael. His piercing gaze lingered on him for a while, a blend of disdain and amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Azazel, remember that name and etch it into your heart," Kael's voice echoed with authority, as he seemed to dissolve into the enveloping black mist, leaving Samus momentarily frozen in place. However, the imposing demon soon shrugged off the encounter, dismissing the musings of this insignificant entity as unworthy of his attention. He resumed his advance, eager to return to his domain and bask in the spoils of his recent victories.
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"What a peculiar demon," he mused to himself. Initially, he had expected Seven, or now known as Samus, to bear signs of injury like the old demon in Roy's first summon.
He had anticipated the typical provocation that often ensued when encountering demons. However, to his surprise, Samus seemed unusually composed. Even as he walked towards the magic formation, his guard remained up, aware of the vulnerability of his exposed back. Yet, Samus made no move to attack. Perhaps it was the mockery he had displayed earlier, dismissing the notion that a demon with such bloodline would be enticed by mere offerings.
'Hmm... Were demon's prideful?' He pondered, trying to remember such demons in the story.
As he stood amidst the pulsating magic formation, he could feel the immense power emanating from the altar, intertwined with the enigmatic forces of the abyss. His gaze remained fixed, filled with curiosity, as the fabric of reality seemed to tear apart before him, shrouding him in an all-encompassing darkness.
Intrigued by the unfolding spectacle, he took a step forward, ready to embrace the unknown. But just before the ethereal mist fully enveloped him, Kael's voice cut through the air, his words carrying a hint of authority, "Azazel, remember that name and etch it into your heart." his remark made him cringe, realizing what he just said.
His thoughts were cut off as suddenly, the world around him transformed into an abyssal void, devoid of light or any discernible form. It was a bewildering and mysterious experience, as he found himself immersed in an infinite expanse of darkness. Yet, amidst the obscurity, a faint glimmer of light pierced through the shadows, casting a solitary beam upon Kael. It served as a guiding beacon, revealing an exit to another realm.
Without hesitation, his physical form began to fade, dissipating into ephemeral essence, leaving only his soul in its wake. Propelled by unseen forces, his essence surged upwards with remarkable speed, propelled towards the threshold of another world. In that moment, he understood that it was the very power of the abyss that allowed him to survive this ethereal phenomenon and reconstruct his corporeal being on the other side.
Just before his exit, he witnessed a fragment of the surrounding darkness break off and mark his soul— The mark of Ouroboros. It was the last line of defense for demons, allowing demons that have been vanquished by conventional means in other realms to be inexorably drawn back to the abyss, rather than having their souls claimed by external forces.
However, this 'extraordinary survival' came at a price. Both the body and the soul would be wounded in the process—a precarious state for any demo'zen within the treacherous realm of the abyss. Emerging in the altar with such vulnerabilities was akin to painting a target on his back, an invitation for other demons to exploit his weakened state and eviscerate him, ultimately claiming his soul. It was, undoubtedly, a grim and perilous fate in the unforgiving abyss.
As the dazzling light dissipated, Kael found himself in a dark strange place, and he heard noises yelling in his ears.
"Did it... actually work?!"
"The summoning was a success!"
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AN: Sup guys, hope you're having a great day! Take it easy and enjoy the chap while I kick back for a bit. Feeling a little lazy, so I'm gonna take a break from writing and just relax. Plus, we've got another class suspension thanks to the rainy weather. Time to embrace the chill vibes and make the most of it!
Alsooo don't forget them stonesss~ make it as rainy as here~-<