Demon Spirit System
Do you truly know your family, what they have done, what decisions they've made in the past, what sacrifices had to be made for you to get to this point not many do and better yet not many care still. What if they gave up everything they could to ensure one thing, Survival. In this world, it's a dog-eat-dog world and no one can ensure their survival without sacrifice. Ren, the heir to the Artemis clan, is waiting for the final exam to prove himself as the rightful heir for the Artemis clan. Training his whole life of twenty years in preparation for the role he has more training and resources put into him then most. He doesn't allow this to get to his head knowing full well that it was his people that got him this far and he needs to be able to return the favour when necessary. His clan, the Artemis clan, one of the reigning families in their country takes claim over the resource filled mountains filled with all sorts of treasure defending it tooth and nail with their archery prowess taking down people from miles away and with incredible force from their signature large warbows. In the last 100 years however the tides of power have begun to shift as people have learned to tame demon spirits integrating them into their very bodies for more power. Over the years these people have become known as demon practitioners striking not only awe but fear in the rest of the world slowly learning to accept this new form of power style. Others stay close to their traditional roots while some learn to harness the power of the spirits either by force or kindness. This is the age of demon spirits.
Meeting With The Phoenix
His blurred lifeless eyes stare deep into the engulfing flames devouring the sacred knowledge built up over the years utter defeat washes over his entire soul. The loss of his entire people seared into his very being with a mournful regret at his own uselessness.
"It's over all of it. It's all over. All I can do now is be consumed by the flames." Ren's consciousness calls out in sorrow and regret as it begins to fade from its connection to his body.
His dismembered hand across the room slowly starts to ignite a bright red fire in response to the slow fade into Ren's death. More and more of his dismembered body parts follow suit being ignited by the same bright red flame. The final part of his body starts be engulfed by the cleansing red fire as it scorches any remaining part of him to utter ash.
"Im sorry...…..Everyone." Ren says in his fading mind letting a tear of blood fall down his cheek as death finally claims him. Leaving only more scarlet fire to sprout up.
The final vestiges of his flesh are rapidly consumed by the marvelling red flame as it devours him to ash. A bright warm flame encompasses his eyes searing through the remains of his retinas, his eyes behold a sight beyond his comprehension, a warm milky inferno welcoming and embracing in nature. I call it heard through the soothing roar of the flames.
'I knew this day would come someday, I had to prepare for it. Our people are too important for me to just let it be decided by fate.' The old man from the vision calls out through the endless waves of fire.
'Oh brave descendant you have taken on a huge responsibility and burden for our clan's survival and for that I thank you. Once you meet the phoenix you will understand what will need to happen next.' He says as he lets his soul brush against his descendant.
'I applaud you for taking this responsibility.' He says with a respectful bow.
"Im dead huh, this must be the effect of the book then. Ancestor thank you for your sacrifice if it wasn't for you we would all be wiped out!" Ren says remembering the vision and piecing together an understanding for what is to come next.
"I'm grateful, what is your name, brave descendant of the artemis clan." The man asks again as his soul starts to flicker and blend into the roaring inferno.
"Ren, next in line to be the leader of the Artemis clan." Ren replies bittersweetly about the whole situation but grateful nonetheless. The guilt is written all over his soul.
"I see well thank you Ren may you court the Phoenix's favour i have high hopes in you Ren don't let the embers of the artemis clan fade into ash." The man says with a look of concern but hope behind it.
"Yes I promise you elder I won't let your sacrifice go in vain." Ren says bowing and putting his fist into his palm showing his utmost respect.
"You have my gratitude for fulfilling my final wish." The man says with a genuine smile before vanishing into the flames.
In a flash the inferno begins to grow brighter and louder as the voice of Rens ancestor gets swept away in the flurry of flames. Reds, oranges and yellows all taking over the scenery in a fierce blaze of destruction.
In the raging swell of flame a silhouette emerges brimming with unbridled power almost suffocating in nature as it dominates everything in its vast powerful presence.
"So this is the descendant that managed to find the book. Looks like the mortals fail safe wasn't a waste after all and here I thought I was wasting my energy." The phoenix in all its glory emerges amongst the domain of flames.
"You boy are in my presence so I demand that you follow in respect or I shall incinerate you to ash." The phoenix says, looming its slender neck of flames down to Ren peering its dark black eyes into his being.
"Yes i apologies oh great one, i have never basked in the presence of a being of your magnitude before. I am willing and loyal to you as my ancestor is." Ren remarks still in awe over such a powerful figure.
"Good. I want you to know that mortal sacrificed more then you can ever imagine for this opportunity so you better have more than just gratitude for what's to come." The phoenix responds satisfied to have established the hierarchy between them.
"I will grant you a second life in this era as promised. However you will have to go through far worse agony then you mortals can imagine. Are you willing to endure such a thing? It's up to you if you desire to go through with this." The phoenix caws out intrigued by what decision Ren will decide on.
"I want to survive, I want to live, I want to continue living for my people, I need to rebuild our clan. I'll endure the pain if I can restore my people. Please, oh great phoenix, I'm willing for such an opportunity." Ren says bowing as far down as he can pressing his being into the floor of flames.
"I swear you kin of the artemis are always the most surprising to encounter, always shattering what expectations I have for you mere mortals. Well if you're willing, so be it." The phoenix remarks amused over the will displayed by Ren.
A calm blue flame emerges from the centre of the phoenix, its heat far stronger then any of the other flames. Emanating out like a raging bonfire. Spiralling around its own burning magnificence with a searing intensity.
"Are you ready?" The phoenix asks.
"Yes Phoenix do with me as you will as long as my people can be restored i'll go through any agony." Ren says solemnly, finally sealing his fate.
In a flash the calm flame erupts into an aggressive rage seeking to devour the soul in front of it. Engulfing Ren's soul in its entirety with no remorse. It begins to ravenously incinerate every part of Ren's soul.
"AHHHHH IT HURTS, IT HURTS SO DAMN MUCH. I HAVE TO ENDURE I HAVE TO!" Ren screams out in guttural agony as the viscous flame consumes his soul. Feeling the most intense burns of his entire existence.
More and more of his very soul is consumed by the blue flame as it scorches and consumes more and more of Ren's essence.
"MY PEOPLE I HAVE TO ENDURE FOR MY PEOPLE I HAVE TO!" Ren tries to hone in as much as he can on what he's fighting for anything to try and ground himself through the immense suffering.
As the final part of Ren's soul is consumed by the roaring blue flame a deep darkness encroaches slowly consuming all light in the vicinity. Only to be shattered apart as the roaring blue flame slowly merges in the consumed places of Ren's soul, strengthening it far further then it ever could. In the last moments of his awareness one thing comes to mind above all
"I decided to include something else for such a respectful follower. To ensure your demise doesn't happen immediately I have provided a blessing. You mortals like games, I'm sure. So this should be plenty understandable for a small being such as yourself." The phoenix remarks before dissipating into the vast flames around Ren leaving him to be consumed by the rest of the flames.
*You have been blessed with the Soul Spirit System*
*You will now be reincarnated to the nearest available body.*
As the rest of his soul is consumed into the vast flames he begins to feel a fierce sensation of gravity as his pulled rapidly through the floor of fire down far below. Only to slam deep into the ground feeling like his whole being just kissed the earth on impact.
A weird sensation envelopes his awareness, a familiar one at that, flesh still but alive. An unknown feeling washes over him as he struggles to open his eyes. One of intense worry and concern for his new predicament.
Managing to open his eyes finally he scans around the area only seeing a quiet empty forest alone followed by a tuft of red hair falling into his vision. As he begins to rub his eyes Rens realises his hands are much smaller than they've ever been leading him to see the basket he's sat in.
'Don't tell me, when the Phoenix said reincarnation I didn't think I would be going all the way back to the beginning again.'
"WAAHHHHHHHHHH!" The panicked infant Ren screams out in the dark empty forest.
'If I don't get someone's attention I will die out here of hypothermia. If im in an infants body i have to get to some shelter i need to scream as long as i can.'
"WAHHHHH!" Ren forces his infant lungs to scream out once more, managing to pick up a decent pitch carrying his voice through the forest.
"Do you hear that i think we're getting closer, its a baby we have to move quick we dont know how long they have been out in the forest for. For all we know they could be on deaths door." An assertive woman with long dirty blonde hair combs her way through the brush of the usually quiet forest.