Chapter 13:Whispers of the Malevolent Presence

On the stroke of midnight, of Celestial city slumbered beneath a blanket of darkness. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the silent streets.

In the forgotten realm of an old underground tunnel, a malevolent presence stirred.

The air hung heavy with decay and the stench of forgotten secrets. Faint echoes of dripping water reverberated through the labyrinthine tunnels, creating an eerie symphony of darkness.

Amidst the silence, the sound of echoing footsteps cut through the stillness, growing louder with each passing moment.

The rhythmic cadence of the footsteps was chilling, a haunting melody that announced the arrival of a unknown force.

Every step seemed to send tremors through the very foundation of the sewer, as if the darkness itself quivered in fear.

As the figure responsible for these ominous footsteps drew nearer, the dimly lit corridor revealed glimpses of a shadowy silhouette.

Cloaked in tattered garments that seemed to absorb what little light dared to penetrate this abyss, the figure moved with purpose and stealth.

The footsteps echoed with a confident and deliberate tempo, each one a declaration of malevolence and wicked intent.

With each step, the villain's presence seemed to grow, like a dark cloud expanding to engulf all in its path.

The sound of the footsteps reverberated off the damp walls, bouncing back and forth as if the very darkness conspired to amplify the villain's impending arrival.

As the footsteps drew closer, the echoes seemed to resonate with a hollow emptiness, as if they were the only sound that dared to exist in this forsaken domain.

The figure continued to advance through the underground tunnels, the rhythmic footsteps echoing with an eerie resonance.

The oppressive darkness seemed to cling to the walls, as if it possessed a life of its own. Finally, the figure reached a burned body.

With a gloved hand, the figure reached out, unflinching, and carefully retrieved the small, blackened pendant from the grip of the burned body.

The charred skin felt like ash against his touch, but the figure remained composed, undeterred by the eerie sight before them.

Taking a deep breath, the figure pulled out a small communication device from his pocket. He dialed a number, his voice low and raspy as he spoke into the receiver.

Finally the figure pulled out a pendant up to the dim light,Examining the pendant, the figure's eyes narrowed with a mix of revulsion and apprehension.

Taking a deep breath, the figure pulled out a small communication device from his pocket. He dialed a number, his voice low and raspy as he spoke into the receiver.

"I Found it!" he whispered, his words carrying a sense of Desperation and dread. "He didn't use The pendant..."

On the other end of the line, a voice crackled with trepidation. "That's good. If he had used the pendant, it will be difficult for us to make another. Oh, and how is the Body?"

The figure's voice remained low and raspy as they responded to the voice on the other end of the line. "The Body is... in a state of decay. The body has been burned beyond recognition, but the pendant remains intact."

There was a momentary pause on the line, filled with a heavy silence. "Leave him there, He is a failed experiment it has no use for us."

"Understood!" While his voice remained low and raspy.

With a final glance at the burned body and the pendant clutched tightly in their hand, they proceeded further into the depths of darkness.

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Tuesday 11:35 a.m

"God Diago your one perverted basterd"

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"Hey guys, I'm just goona take a walk. I said, standing up from my seat. "So I'm gonna head out."

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"Do you need a ride or anything?"

"No, it's okay. I'm just gonna take a walk i wouldn't go that far besides these place is not for me."

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Tap, tap, tap...

After Lloyd walked out of the bar, Diago caught a glimpse of him without directly looking.

The moment Lloyd stepped out of the bar, Diago's flirtations with the waitress came to an abrupt halt. His expression turned serious, and he locked eyes with Oliver, conveying a sense of urgency and concern.

Oliver furrowed his brow, immediately noticing the shift in Diago's demeanor. "What's the matter, Diago? Why did you suddenly stop flirting?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Diago glanced back at Oliver, his eyes filled with worry. He leaned in closer, his voice lowered to a hushed tone. "There's something off about him," he whispered, his words carrying a hint of unease. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't feel right."

Oliver's brow furrowed deeper as he contemplated Diago's words. He leaned in closer, their conversation shrouded in secrecy. "Well the kid nearly escape death, isn't it?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

Diago nodded slowly, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and apprehension. "No that wasn't it," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's an underlying mystery, something lurking beneath the surface. What did you say to him when he was with you?"

Oliver's mind raced, retracing their recent conversations with Lloyd. "I distinctly recall informing him that he possesses no Lunar Ki," he murmured, his voice filled with a deep sense of concern.

A look of disbelief washed over Diago's face, his eyes widening in surprise. He struggled to comprehend the implications of Oliver's words. "No Lunar Ki?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity. "Are you sure about that?"

Oliver answer was."When i try attempting to imbue my mana into his 'Lunar ki,' there seemed to be no interaction whatsoever. Not the faintest spark of synergy."

Diago's eyes widened further as he absorbed Oliver's revelation. The gravity of the situation began to sink in. "No reaction at all?"

"No reaction at all," Oliver confirmed, his voice tinged with disappointment. "It seems that Lloyd lacks the natural affinity for Lunar Ki. It's as if his very essence rejects it."

Diago's expression turned grave as he absorbed the implications of Oliver's words. The absence of Lunar Ki in Lloyd meant that he was devoid of the celestial energy that could provide protection and guidance in their world. It was a rare and precious gift bestowed upon only a select few, and without it, Lloyd would be vulnerable to the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

"So, what do we do now?" Diago asked, his voice filled with concern. "Is there any way to grant someone Lunar Ki?

Oliver's took out a pack of cigarette and blowing it up. "No, Diago. Lunar Ki is not something that can be given or forced upon someone. it's not just a simple reservoir of magical energy,"

Oliver took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke that mingled with the air. "The Lunar Ki is a complex network that regulates the flow of mana, ensuring it is distributed in the most efficient manner. It's like a symphony of magic, each component working in harmony to enhance the capabilities of the user."

"And Lloyd doesn't have a little bit of it"

Diago's eyes narrowed in deep contemplation as he processed Oliver's words. He understood the significance of what Oliver had just revealed - without even a trace of a Lunar ki Lloyd's connection to the mystical energies of the world was severely limited.

"That changes things," Diago muttered, his voice filled with a mix of concern and determination. "Without a Lunar ki, Lloyd won't be able to tap into the powers of any other form of magic. He'll be defenseless against now i really fell bad the kid."

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As I and Maya entered the imposing entrance hall, a hushed reverence settled over us. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the mosaic floor, each tile a fragment of forgotten history.

Maya turned to me, her eyes shimmering like diamonds. "Hey, Lloyd, I'm heading to the research facility to work on my project. Let's catch up once I'm done."

I nodded, a smile on my lips. "Absolutely, Maya. Best of luck with your project.i wll look for what i came for.

As I watched Maya disappear towards the research facility, I made my way towards the librarian's desk, located at the far end of the grand hall.

The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, as if the ancient books lining the shelves held secrets waiting to be discovered.

Approaching the librarian, a stunning woman with spectacles perched on her nose, I greeted her with a friendly smile. "Hey there, hope you're having a good day. I was wondering if you could help me find something specific. It's about this guy they used to call the 'Godblade.'"

She smiled back, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. "Of course, hon. The 'Godblade,' you say? Let me see if we've got any info on that."

With practiced fingers, she tapped away at the keyboard, guiding the library's vast database to reveal its secrets. After a moment, she turned back to me. "I do have a record that talks about the 'Godblade,' but gotta warn ya, it's kinda old and delicate. It's the only copy we've got, and it's not exactly in mint condition."

I chuckled, feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia. "No worries, I'll treat it like a precious artifact."

She led me to a quieter corner of the library, where a worn book lay waiting. Its pages showed signs of age, the corners dog-eared and the spine well-worn. "Here ya go," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of reverence.

Taking the book in my hands, I felt a connection to the stories it held within its pages. As I opened it, the delicate paper whispered secrets of times long gone. The tale of the 'Godblade' unfolded, sharing stories of a man who had left his mark on the world.

But as I turned the pages, my excitement turned to surprise. The writing style shifted abruptly, becoming unfamiliar and perplexing. The characters danced across the pages in a language I couldn't understand, leaving me bewildered.

Frowning in confusion, I looked up at the librarian, a mix of astonishment and frustration in my expression. "Hey, um, do you happen to understand this writing? It's... different."

She shook her head apologetically, her smile sympathetic. "I'm sorry, dear, but that script isn't one I'm familiar with. It seems to be a language that's far from common."

I let out a sigh, a mix of realization and disappointment settling in. It seemed that my quest to uncover information about the 'Godblade' had hit an unexpected obstacle. "Well, I suppose that's okay," I said, my tone tinged with a hint of resignation. "Some things just like to keep their secrets hidden, I guess."

I turned to the librarian, a grateful smile on my lips. "Thank you so much for your help," I said, genuinely appreciative of her efforts.

She smiled back, her eyes kind and understanding. "You're welcome, sweetie. If you need a hand again, just give me a shout."

Feeling a mix of disappointment , I wandered back into the maze of shelves.

'Maybe the answers weren't in the books. but there had to be another way to find out about the Godblade.'

I walked further into the library, enveloped in the hushed chatter of ideas and the smell of aged paper. The well-worn creak of the wooden floor beneath my feet was a comforting companion as I pressed on, determined to uncover any hints that might lead me to an alternative source of information about the Godblade.

After what felt like an eternity of flipping through pages and scanning titles, I realized that more than two and a half hours had passed.

Despite my efforts,

'I still hadn't managed to find anything substantial about the Godblade or what had become of it.' Frustration was setting in, and a sigh escaped my lips.

I leaned against one of the bookshelves, rubbing my tired eyes.

' It was as if the answers were playing a game of hide-and-seek, just out of reach.'

I contemplated my next move, wondering if there was someone else I could talk to or another approach I could take.

The library remained quiet, the faint sound of rustling paper and the distant ticking of a clock marking the passage of time. The weight of my disappointment hung in the air as I took a moment to collect my thoughts.

With a prolonged exhale, a contemplative expression crossed my face., 'I might just head home.'I thought to myself, the words echoing silently in my mind.

I stepped out of the library, feeling a bit down after my search for information on the 'Godblade' didn't turn up much. Just as I was about to head home, Maya's familiar voice caught my attention.

"Hey, Lloyd! You were in there for quite a while. Everything alright?" Maya's concern was evident in her voice.

I managed a small smile despite my disappointment. "Yeah, hit a bit of a roadblock with my research. Couldn't find much."

Maya's brows furrowed sympathetically. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I shook my head, appreciating Maya's offer of assistance. "Thank you, Maya. I don't think there's much that can be done at the moment. It seems that the information I was searching for is quite elusive."

Maya's expression softened, her eyes filled with empathy. "I understand how frustrating that can be. Sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden deep within . But don't lose hope, Lloyd. Perhaps a fresh perspective or a different approach could lead you to the knowledge you're seeking."

I mustered a small smile, grateful for Maya's understanding and encouragement. "Thank you, Maya. I think you're right. Maybe I just need to approach this from a different angle. I'll keep searching and exploring, and who knows, the answers may reveal themselves in unexpected ways."

Maya nodded, her eyes reflecting unwavering support. "I believe in you, Lloyd. Trust your instincts and keep an open mind."

With those parting words, I bid Maya goodbye and headed back home. As I walked through the familiar streets, the weight of disappointment began to lift from my shoulders.