74 Saint Mary's Orphanage - 1875.
Inside her office, Mother is reading reports, when an alert pops up on her screen, "The research for interdimensional travel is three months ahead of schedule." leaning back on her chair she remembers the tale told by the slug three months ago.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 3 Months Prior: Dream ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
Saint Mary's Orphanage - 1875.
"The Saffron Scourge has taken everything from me!" A mournful cry resonated through the dimly lit tavern, capturing the attention of those present.
Seated at the far end of the bar, a cloaked figure raises an inquisitive eyebrow and poses a question. "What aches that man?"
The barkeeper, engaged in cleaning a glass mug, leaned in closer as he responds, "Haven't you heard? The 'Saffron Scourge' is a newfound affliction, mercilessly killing people by the dozen. From the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the rural enclaves of Arkansas, from the vibrant streets of New Orleans to the bustling metropolis of New York, not even our humble coastal city nestled along the Gulf Coast of Texas has been spared from its clutches."
In that moment, a figure, drenched in sweat, burst into the tavern, his urgency palpable. His voice, a desperate plea, "Saint Mary's Orphanage is engulfed in flames! We require aid from every able-bodied soul!"
- Inside Saint Mary's Orphanage -
"Retrieve the children!" bellowed, Reverend John, a Harvard University graduate dispatched from Saint-Joseph Orphanage.
Fire danced along the walls, engulfing the chambers and pillars. John snatched a vase filled with water before dousing himself, and using a piece of fabric to shield his face, he surged through the corridors, shattering door after door, checking for any signs of life, while muttering, "I was sent to collect a young boy they found in the streets and return him with me to St. Joseph Orphanage. But the moment I arrived, flames erupted mysteriously. This is undoubtedly the work of demons, and once I evacuate the orphanage, I shall unearth the source."
Reaching the final door on the second floor, his consciousness began to wane. With a window to his right, he prepared to leap out when a faint cry for help reached his ears. Instantly, his instincts kicked in, turning to the door, he propelled his body forcefully against it, rending it from its hinges. His eyes swiftly scanning the room until stopping on a small hand peeking out from beneath a desk. He rushed to the child, throwing the desk aside, before scooping him up and rushing to the nearest window.
However, as he neared the window, a beam plummeted from above. With little choice, he propelled the child ahead, straight through the window, leaving himself entrapped within the burning orphanage.
As the child soared out of the window, a nun counting heads to ensure that none were left behind, caught a glimpse of the child flying from the one of orphanage's top windows and sprang into action, catching him before exhaling a sigh of relief.
Within the confines of the office, Reverend John began uttering a chant, "May the holy light of God shield this place from future curses and transgressions. These innocent ones have tasted the anguish of loss and borne the weight of abandonment. Lord, I ask you to be their shelter amidst life's storms, their guiding light in the darkest of nights..." As he continued to pray, his flesh peeled away from the searing heat, yet he persisted, unceasingly beseeching, not for himself, but for the children and nuns of the orphanage.
-
Underneath the very same orphanage was Cultist Barvest, swearing under his breath, "I know it was a long shot, but not a single death! None! Zero! Nothing! I meticulously laid countless lines around the orphanage, forming the 'Woman Soul Absorption Hexagram.' At first, I believed it to be an imprudent hexagram, for how could I gather so many women in one place? Yet, fate led me to this women-only orphanage, and still, not a single soul!" Suddenly, a flickering light emanated from his crystal orb, causing his eyes to widen in shock as he exclaims, "This is the worst possible outcome, the formation absorbed the soul of a holy man!"
This was not part of the plan; the killing of a holy man was the antithesis of success. The ritual was crafted for women, and women alone. Adding a man, especially one of divine nature, would yield catastrophic consequences.
Blood trickled from his clenched hands as he gradually composed himself, recalling the memory of the first person to best him. 'Impulsiveness leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to injuries, and injuries lead to death!'
After calming his nerves, he collects his thoughts, "It's fine this is only a setback, it might take a while, All the necessary arrangements are already in place. I need only to w...a...i... ****!"
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
Back in Awakening Center, Valk interrupts the dream with a rhetorical question, "Your ability is classified as Oneiromancy, a form of divination based upon dreams, and also uses dreams to predict the future, but for you, it comes at the cost of needing to sleep for 358 days." He then scrunched his eyebrows before continuing, "However, on what bases do we have that you're telling the truth?"
004's gaze turned upon Valk, disdain evident in his eyes. "Is that not why you brought him?" he mockingly retorted, casting a glance at 005, the indomitable one, before adding, "First off, I can only see up to three months in the future. And secondly, If this were an anime, the crowd would be clamoring, 'Fillers! Fillers!' So shut up and let me continue with the dream."
Veins protruded on Valk's forehead as his tablet creaked under the strain of his clenched fingers.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 2 Months Prior: Gu World ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
Inside Xie Ling's mind, Scientist pondered, "Considering the pivotal role of willpower in the awakening process, particularly the will to fight, what would happen if we were to fill the Gu with an abundance of fighting will prior to their refinement?"
