Power. 2.

Walking through the dark tunnel, only lit by dim fire touches situated by the walls of the tunnel. They were in rows, illuminating our path.

This old man is scary, what did he build such a spooky place for? I hope it's not for some experiments… wait! Why didn't I think of that all the while?!

He made me do hard labor, locked all his books, and even destroyed my hard work!

Please! Have mercy on my poor soul, I don't want any problem.

"This place was built way back," he said, breaking the eerie silence.

Walking closely behind him, so as not to get lost, I took a glance at the tunnel wall, intrigued by what he was driving at.

"It's a really fun place to be… here we feel whole," he said nostalgically, taking in deep breaths as he spoke, which echoed in the tunnel.

"We?!" I said out loud a thoughtful expression forming on my face.

"Yes, we… Big Mom, Cuckoo, Raymond, and of course… many others," he said, only giving out familiar names.

"Who are these others?" I inquired curiously, increasing my pace.

The tunnel was filled with that eerie silence again, I had just asked a simple question…

"You'll know them soon… if fate permits," he said in a gloomy tone, cutting into my thought process.

Why are they so mysterious about their identity? As an old man, he's supposed to know etiquette; when you interact with an individual for the first time, you reveal your name with a handshake… hmmph.

"Seems you are enjoying the tunnel?" He said, his voice sounding further away. He's supposed to be in front of me… 

Awakening from my trance state, I looked ahead, sighting him about nine ft(feet) ahead of me. Slowly turning my head backward, I caught sight of the dark passageway we just went through. It seemed as if all the fire torches had gone off immediately as we went through the region.

"Ahh!!!" Yelling, I rushed toward him, using a velocity that caught me by surprise… never knew I could run this fast.

"No need to be scared, it's just a natural phenomenon," he said calmly, turning to move forward.

Bastard! Why won't you say something like that… ahhh!!! I feel like… nothing.

I never thought I'll be this scared of a tunnel… no! It's normal, how can I not fear this place?

Feeling something strange, I halted my steps, almost falling to the ground due to the sudden stop.

Looking ahead; to the place that I was just inches from entering, I could see darkness… complete darkness.

Turning back, I caught sight of a similar scene... Darkness.

I was in between a dark region, a flickering fire-touch being the only source of light to illuminate the tunnel.

*Babump*

*Babump*

"Old man!" I yelled out, my heart beating loudly. "Are you there?"

*There!*

*There!*

Unfortunately, all I could hear was the echo of my childish voice in the tunnel. 

No! This can't be happening, where did he go?

"Just follow my steps, don't be a weak male," I could hear the old man's voice from below, simultaneously feeling a tight grip on my ankle.

Feeling a pulling force, dragging me into the dark region I dreaded.

"No!!!!"

I could feel my body falling under the force of gravity. 

No matter the effort I put to stabilize my disoriented falling body, it turned out fruitless.

*Bam*

"Ahh!!!"

Feeling my body colliding with a hard surface, I couldn't help but yell out in pain. 

It felt like all my bones were shattered into a million pieces, pricking at my skin for an exit.

"I'll advise you to stay in that position," said a frail voice.

"Ahh! T-the pain…?"

"It hurts?"

"Y-yes, I…"

"It's normal, be glad it happened."

"You see… this room can be given a lot of names, but… trust me, 'sacred' is something you don't want to miss," he said in an ecstatic tone, his voice trembling with joy.

"Haaa!!! It's so vibrant! The energy!" 

What is wrong with this old man, I'm feeling a lot of pain…

*Stomp*

I could hear an approaching footstep, which I guessed was him; we are the only ones present after all...

Feeling the cold hands, despite the clothing barrier.

Whispering into my ear. "Can you feel it?" 

"That power… though painful, makes you feel strong."

"Stronger… stronger than you could ever be," he continued.

"Tell me… do you want power?"

"Yes I do," I said with gritted teeth.

"Hahaha! If such resolve was enough, no one would be weak," he said mockingly, caressing my back with his frail hands.

"Yes! I do!" I yelled out, understanding his point.

"That's the spirit, but… you need to increase the power behind your voice," he said gently, our eyes locking. I could see my painful expression through his deep eyes, it was just like… in a different realm of existence.

"Are you willing?"

"Yes!!!! I am!!!!!"

_______________________

*Boom* *skree*

*Gush* *eek*

*Crack* *argh*

*Smash* *kree*

With the sound of screeching creatures… screeching out of pain in the region, a figure could be seen, smashing them into pieces, chasing even those who tried to leave the vicinity.

"Hahaha!"

"Killing is so much fun. She was right… whatever I'm looking for is surely there!" He said out loud, tormenting the terrified creatures.

"Hmmm? Guess I should leave some less damaged, they will serve as dinner," he said thoughtfully, dismantling all creatures he could get his hands on.

The creatures had the appearance of wolves, their size being on the smaller side.

'Wait for me, I'll be there very soon, no one… no one can stop me this time… I'll rather say 'nothing' can stop me,' he thought, a wild grin forming on his demonic face, sending chills down the spine of the still breathing creatures.

I don't know how to put these, but choosing the easier explanation would do.

I plan on introducing something about the cultivation methods of this world, which means... info dump!

Though I plan on making it interesting... to the best of my current ability. so I'll appreciate your patience.

Thanks!

{Hello guys.

My thanks message again.

I really appreciate you reading this chap, I know it might seem weird. 

Thanks anyway.}