An old enemy

Sam couldn't believe his senses. Just now he stared death in the eye. His head already replayed scenes from his life. He thought back to his happy childhood when everything was still so beautiful. He remembered the day when his older sister reached the first stage of Body Refinement. His parents were overjoyed but everything changed for him. Their parents suddenly saw hope in their daughter. They pushed her to train as much as possible. His sister endured everything and still was so sweet to him. As it was obvious that he couldn't keep up with her, it was his sister who defended him against his parent's abuse. Finally, as his beloved sibling went to the academy, he couldn't withstand the pressure and ran away from home.

Once again, he realized who really mattered. His older sister, who shielded him from wind and rain. And his good brother, who faced life and death with him. A single tear ran down Sam's cheek as he promised himself to train harder than anyone else. One day he would be there to protect the people who were worth protecting. As this thought came to him, he finally embraced the mindset of a real cultivator. He quickly calmed himself down before looking at his good friend.

Bai Jingshen felt the world spinning around him. Using the Crown of Ordur cost him a lot of Qi and Spirit, almost exhausting him completely. He weakly leaned against the tree as he felt two arms supporting him. The former emperor smiled weakly at his friend. Together they slowly began to move back towards the lake.

Just as Bai Jingshen felt happy about gaining a lot of Qi from the dead beast, a sinister shadow separated from its carcass. The young men felt the danger but were to exhausted to dodge as the shadow shot at Bai Jingshen. He could only watch in shock as the shadow fused into his body. Fear threatened to overwhelm him. His body suddenly grew stiff as he lost control of his limbs.

It only took a split second before Bai Jingshen was almost derived of control over his own body. He felt a sinister intention in his mind, as he focused his attention inside his Sea Of Consciousness. A weird, cackling voice echoed through his mind originating from the form of a dark shadow:

"Hahaha. I was right! How could you be normal! So young and you already opened your mindworld! After this body is mine, I will become invincible! You are even hiding a treasure here!"

Bai Jingshen's illusionary core instantly turned completely white. He forcefully calmed his mind as he asked this shadow:

"Who are you? What the f*ck are you doing here?"

"Don't you recognize an old friend? Haha!"

With those words the shadow slowly took on the form of an old enemy. It turned into Spike Sr.

"Spike Sr.? So, you possessed him?"

"Hmpf. Where is the fun if you guess correctly like that! Well since you will be my minion for all eternity it is only right to introduce myself.

I am the terror of the dark. The unkillable demon. The plague everyone fears. Butcher…"

"Come to a point idiot!"

"Rude!"

Suddenly Sam watched as Bai Jingshen dropped to his knees and screamed in pain. He couldn't imagine what was going on with his friend. However, he just made up his mind to be stronger, so he was quickly thinking of ways to help his friend. With his newly gained calmness, Sam concentrated on his strongest asset right now, his constitution. He quickly had to figure out if it was of any help here.

In Bai Jingshen's mind the shadow was laughing sinisterly as it had its fun in torturing its victim. If it would understand the White Illusion Arts, it might not be so amused, as the Illusionary Core stayed overwhelmingly white with only a little red mixed in. The former emperor was still thinking about a solution. He was still able to activate the Crown of Ordur once, but this treasure sadly had no function of killing. However, another part of his body was still under his control. Since his Dantian was protected by his cultivation and Core Energy the shadow struggled to take it over.

While still lying on the ground, Bai Jingshen began to gather as much Core Energy as he could. Sadly his enemy didn't give much more time, as it advanced towards the Crown of Ordur. Bai Jingshen watched as a shadowy hand reached for the Crown, and a greedy voice sounded:

"Only I deserve this crown. For I am Grato-Nox, King of Plagues!"

At this point Bai Jingshen couldn't wait any longer. He didn't know if his enemy could really steal the crown, but he couldn't take the gamble. All his remaining Qi and Spirit shot into the crown as it activated. Bai Jingshen used its second ability to gain control over the shadowy figure. He couldn't accurately tell the shadow's strength, but he was relieved as the crown worked on it. Forcing the shadow to leaf his body wouldn't help much, as it could just return when the crown's effect ended. Therefor the experienced veteran had a better plan prepared.

Now it was the shadows turn to fell horror. It would have loved to scream, but it suddenly was derived of control. It rapidly left its victim's mind. It didn't understand what was going on, as it soon found itself in the center of this body's cultivation, which it had trouble to invade earlier.

Out of nowhere unbelievable terror gripped its mind. Some strange energy overwhelmed its entire body. It had never seen something comparable. This energy felt like it looked down on all living beings. The shadow felt as if it faced all laws of the world. It didn't understand how such power laid dormant in such a weak beings' body. It began to struggle violently against the power binding it, as the new energy slowly ate away at its body. Never had the King of Plagues felt something this horrifying. It could only associate this feeling whit the sight of its victims being devoured by one of its own rat plagues. Only it was multiple times more horrifying, as this shadow was a part of its soul.

Fortunately, after a few minutes it felt the binding power weaken. Its anger already reached the heavens after it had been half dissolved. It swore to take the worst revenge as soon as it was free.

Sam meanwhile concentrated on his body, exploring his constitution. He gradually felt a warm feeling in his heart. Sinking deeper, his whole being became more and more comfortable. A warm embrace enveloped him. Suddenly he opened his eyes again as the perception of the world around him changed. He noticed small, transparent flames dancing all around him. Instinctively he knew that those were the spirits of all living beings. He had never felt so close to nature as all those plants suddenly seemed lively and happy.

Observing his surroundings however, a deep sadness quickly hit him. He noticed all those lively spirits fighting against some black tendrils, which drilled into them. As he realized this, anger he never felt before overcame him. He turned his eyes towards Bai Jingshen and was shocked by the latter's situation. He was able to see his brothers spirit dwindling away, almost dying out. In Bai Jingshen's Dantian a black flame was surrounded by the young man's spirit. The flame was shrinking, but Sam could tell that his friend seemed to loose this battle.

The young man suddenly activated his constitution, allowing him to communicate with all living beings. He pleaded all the vegetation around him for help. He tired to make them understand, that Bai Jingshen needed support in order to defeat the black tendril's origin. Although Sam didn't really know what he was doing, he managed to convey his message. All the plants and trees around them rapidly turned darker, as Sam could see a stream of pure Spirit Energy rushing into Bai Jingshen's mind.

The former emperor had also realized his situation. Since the shadow didn't give him enough time earlier, he had a hard time dissolving it now. He was frantically thinking about what he could do, as suddenly a rush of spirit energy blew his exhaustion away. Bai Jingshen couldn't understand what happened, but he was thankful nevertheless. The shadow in his Dantian was still struggling just now, but it suddenly realized how its victim became stronger again. It wanted to let out an unwilling stream, but wasn't able to as Bai Jingshen's core energy cruelty dissolved it over the next few minutes.

Next to Bai Jingshen, Sam observed the situation anxiously. Only when his brother's spirit grew strong again, did relief overcome him. Suddenly Sam's world became dark as he fell flat on his face. He hadn't noticed how his spirit was necessary to build a bridge for his abilities. But even if he knew he wouldn't have changed a thing and continued to help his friend to the end. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to see the fruits of his labor. Still, a smile appeared on his face, as he felt the environment's grateful emotions shortly before his sleep.