Volcanic Island

A huge fiery ball of hot rock is going to hit us! He said to hold onto something but no! We should be dodging it!

The fireball explodes into pieces of hot pebbles that rain down on us. Some of them burn my skin but are not that fatal. They sizzle as they fall into the water. After the steam dies down, I see him putting his gun on his back. He continues moving the boat until we're far enough from the volcano. The fireballs cannot reach us here. And I think we won't run into something like that again because straight ahead is just pitch black darkness.

For hours and hours, we cross this dark ocean. A few ocean monsters resurface near us. They're so huge compared to the serpent he caught a while ago. Their spiked sail-like dorsal fins are taller than the buildings in the Rave Kingdom. Just how deep this ocean has to be to keep these monsters?

"Are they gonna eat us?" I ask in worry.

"No, we're not worth their time."

Although he said that, I'm still worried.

Finally, we reach the shore of some island. It's a volcanic island and lava rivers flow from inland to meet the salty sea. The steam covers the entire shore, dimly lit by the molten lava. It is almost as if we're entering a monster's mouth.

<Quest Started: Castle of Carmilla>

A new quest?

Then the description goes, <The Queen Carmilla—the Eater of Daemons has risen from her slumber. Find out who she is and what she is planning to do.>

This is interesting. . . At least this little sidetrack became a quest. That way, I won't waste time.

I follow him as he jumps off of the boat and hangs onto the cliff. The boat gets destroyed as it gets caught up in the violent waves crashing into the cliff. The splashes reach ten meters in the air. The boat is no more.

"Careful now," he says as he climbs up, checking every foothold. "Check for loose rocks. You don't want to end up like that boat."

*Gulp*

He doesn't have to worry about me. I have Shadowclutch. I can save myself with it. But this cliff looks fragile. If I'm careless, all of it will collapse.

Luckily, nothing bad happened and we climbed up safely. Then beyond, further inland, there is a colossal castle sitting on top of a stormy mountain. Thunder clouds cover the atmosphere above it. Flashes of light and thundering bellows spread throughout the island. Violet haloes are shining from the tips of the towers, making the atmosphere more eerily. It's as if the place is calling to me but warning me of its dangers. I don't like this place.

"Before we proceed," says Algron. "I need you to remember that you must never use your other Anthropa and Daemon Frames."

"You're saying that I should only use my Angelus Frame?"

"No, but do you have a Vampire Frame?"

"Of course, I don't."

"Then we'll get you one."

We sneak further into the island, using every bit of cover we can. The terrain is made up of volcanic rocks. Pillars of obsidian rock formation are doing us a favor. Then he turns around, putting his huge finger against his lips. He means I should stay quiet and stay here. He grabs his knife from his belt and moves quietly pillar to pillar. It's amazing to see how he manages to be silent for his size.

He's after that guy walking without a clue that he's being stalked. Then Algron pounces like a predator, pinning the guy and stabbing him in the skull. Ugh. . . that looks horrible.

"Boy!" he calls, wanting me to come near. He wipes his knife and puts it back in its sheath. "Hurry, we don't have much time."

"I'm confused," I say.

"Did you listen? Take him as your Frame."

"But I don't know how to do that."

He face-palms. "I shouldn't have brought you here."

"Oh, wait! I think I can figure it out."

I scan through the tutorial file, looking for directions on how to turn a dead body into a Frame. At last, I found it!

<To turn a dead body into a Frame, learn the skill "Seize Frame" in the Frame User Skill Tree>

"Hurry, boy," he whispers.

"I'm on it," I say, accessing my Frame User Skill Tree. I found it and did two upgrades before reaching that skill. Now, I have 2 skill points left. After that, I put my hands on the body of the dead guy and say, "Seize Frame."

From my palm, blue inscriptions spread and cover the dead body until it glows bright blue. All of a sudden, it shrinks and becomes a small Frame orb. I remove the Frame that Zaori gave me and replace it with the new Frame.

Then memories worth thousands of years flood my head. Emotions chaotically storm, hurting my chest as if they were mine. All of it came to an end after I get pinned down from behind and a thick knife pierced the back of my head.

Now, I'm trembling as my hands are against the ground. I check the back of my head and there is no hole or blood.

"What was that?" I mutter, checking the file.

<The first time a Frame is used, the user acquires the memories of the person it was made from.>

"Are you okay?" Algron asks as he helps me to stand.

"Yeah," I nod, transforming into my new Frame.

This person's body is thin but tall. It feels hungry. . . like Algron's blood that is running in his veins could satisfy it. I can hear and feel it flowing and being pumped in his heart.

"Don't even think about it," he says with his threatening deep voice as he glares at me.

I just noticed I was staring at him. My saliva wet the corners of my mouth. "Sorry," I apologize, wiping it.

"It's fine. Just don't give in. Be mindful of your actions because from now on, you'll be wearing that disguise."

"Got it."