How did I do it (bonus)

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The blue screen shimmered and came to life, revealing a scene that sent a chill down Eckert's spine. He watched as Angel used her aura to take control of his unconscious body, guiding him as if he were a mere puppet. His body, completely covered in blood from the intense ordeal, moved with an eerie precision under her influence. His face was devoid of expression, a stark contrast to the usual lively features he possessed.

As the screen displayed these events, Eckert's unconscious form was made to walk with a semblance of normalcy, his movements graceful yet mechanical. Angel expertly manipulated his body, ensuring that no one could suspect anything was amiss. She made him speak in his usual tone, replying to the few who addressed him on his way to his chambers.

Once he reached his room, the screen showed how Angel stealthily guided him to avoid palace servants, smacking his way through the corridors with a quiet efficiency. Inside the bath, she had him clean off the blood that covered his skin, scrubbing away the evidence of the battle he had just endured. By morning, she had him dressed in perfect clothing—a golden ensemble that gleamed with the splendor befitting his royal status.

As the sun rose, Eckert's controlled body left his chambers, heading directly to the carriage that awaited him outside. The screen showed how he bypassed breakfast, avoiding the watchful eyes of his family to prevent any suspicion. Inside the carriage, his servant bowed deeply, greeting the young lord with reverence. Eckert, under Angel's control, simply nodded in acknowledgment before seating himself in the plush interior, the carriage rolling towards the Awakening Place.

The screen shifted to show the Awakening Place, a magnificent structure that mirrored the grandeur of the royal palace. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, each depicting the ancient rituals of awakening, and the ceiling soared high above, painted with celestial scenes that seemed to come alive in the morning light. The entire area was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, making it a place of reverence and awe. The awakening altar itself was a colossal, transparent crystal, towering over everything else with an aura that seemed to command the heavens and the earth.

As the carriage came to a halt, Eckert, still under Angel's control, descended, his movements slightly strange but thankfully unnoticed by the gathered crowd. The advantage of his royal status allowed him to move directly towards the awakening altar without delay. The crystal stood before him, emanating a powerful energy that was almost palpable. It looked down on all who approached, as if judging their worthiness to be awakened.

The ceremony began with a grand speech from the king, his words echoing through the sacred space. The Awakening Elder then took the stage, his voice carrying the weight of tradition and expectation as he began to call out the names of those who would step forward to awaken.

"Room 1, Prince Eckert Van Bilbord," the Elder announced, his voice reverberating through the hall.

As his name was called, Angel guided Eckert's body toward the designated room. The screen displayed the scene as he entered, the heavy door closing behind him with a resounding thud. The room was stark, devoid of decoration, with only a single hole in the floor that connected to the awakening crystal above. The oath, written in golden ink, glowed faintly in the dim light, its words a solemn reminder of the ritual's gravity.

Angel controlled Eckert's hand, guiding it towards the awakening altar. The screen showed her carefully positioning him, preparing to recite the oath that would complete the ritual. But just as she was about to begin, the screen abruptly flickered and went blank.

"Oh sh*t," Angel's voice muttered as the screen faded to darkness. Her connection had been severed, and she could no longer see or control what was happening next. The old puppet control technique she had employed had failed at a crucial moment, leaving her in the dark about what transpired afterward.

Eckert watched in silence as the screen remained blank, his mind racing with questions. What had happened during those lost moments? How had he managed to awaken despite being at the brink of death? The answers eluded him, hidden behind the blank screen that offered no further insight.