A mere moment after initiating his [Spirit Walk], Emery was transported to a world bathed in the fiery hues of red and orange. Vast landscapes spread out before him; molten lava rivers flowed lazily through rocky terrains, and fiery plumes erupted sporadically from the ground. This blazing world was the dwelling place of the dark elves, born directly from their souls' deepest memories and emotions.
Emerging from the vivid landscape, Emery found himself atop a jagged cliff. The vista offered a panoramic view of the volcanic world below. High above, the ash-choked sky swirled ominously, while just ahead, a dense fog approached, enveloping everything in its path.
From the heart of this mist, a dark silhouette gradually took shape. As it neared, the form became clearer until, eventually, a dark elf with ashen skin, piercing crimson eyes, and a look of utter bewilderment emerged. He glared at Emery, his eyes filled with fury and confusion.
"You... human! Why have you brought me to this place? What is this?"
Emery met the elf's gaze squarely, his voice dripping with authority. "You are my prisoner, bound by the spirit realm. You will answer to me and do my bidding."
The dark elf's face contorted in rage. "You dare to command me, human? I bow to no one, especially not to your kind!"
Emery's lips curled into a sly smile, relishing the elf's defiance. "I was hoping you'd say that. Let's do this the hard way, then."
With a swift gesture, Emery summoned two gleaming swords from thin air. With deft precision, he hurled one directly at the dark elf, challenging him. "Let's see how long you can hold out compared to those who came before you."
Taken aback by the sudden aggression, the dark elf narrowly dodged the blade, his feet shifting into a defensive stance. Before he could react further, Emery lunged, launching into a flurry of swift strikes.
The surroundings blurred as the two clashed. Their encounter felt intensely real, yet ethereal at the same time. In this dreamscape borne from the melding of their spirit souls, reality was subjective. The only limitations were one's imagination and willpower. Emery, having ventured here multiple times, was adept at navigating and manipulating this realm. But he wasn't complacent. Whenever he encountered a spirit with strong mental fortitude, he'd call upon his innate [Emperor Focus], a shield that safeguarded his psyche from external threats.
Amidst the smoky backdrop of the spirit realm, their battle raged with relentless fury. Spells crackled and flared, and swords clashed in a dance of silvery streaks. The ground beneath them trembled with each powerful blow. But despite the dark elf's initial bravado and intricate maneuvers, Emery's seasoned combat prowess quickly overwhelmed him. After just a handful of minutes, and a whirlwind of weapon exchanges and arcane confrontations, the dark elf collapsed, defeated, his spirit energy waning.
Gasping for spectral breath, the dark elf looked up to find Emery's piercing gaze fixed upon him. "What do you know of the Demon's Pit?" Emery's voice was soft, but his tone left no room for defiance.
The dark elf remained obstinately silent, pride evident in his defiant eyes. Undeterred, Emery invoked a spell that reset their encounter. The surroundings shifted, the entire battle played out again, and once more, the dark elf found himself defeated.
Confusion flashed in the elf's eyes as realization hit him. The relentless repetition, the continuous defeat, was tearing at his spirit's resilience. Emery wasn't merely seeking information; he was waging psychological warfare.
This cycle of battle and defeat played out again and again. Each time the dark elf's resistance weakened, his spirit frayed a bit more at the edges. Though a proud race, the relentless mental and spiritual onslaught proved too much for many. Their souls, unable to endure the torment, disintegrated into nothingness.
Emery exhaled heavily, watching the vanishing remnants of the latest dark elf. "Six... Another one gone." A twinge of regret laced his words.
To the outside world, each dark elf soul was invaluable - worth a hefty sum and coveted points within the Magus Alliance. Destroying them was akin to burning money. But Emery had his reasons. Every time he engaged these spirits, his grasp on the enigmatic power of 'Katra' deepened.
ραndαsΝοvεl ƈοm His true goal, however, was more profound. Emery was tirelessly seeking a way to breach the seal of the soul imprint. Many of the spirit prisoners he interrogated proved fruitless, holding no knowledge of what he sought. Yet, each engagement brought a twofold benefit. Not only did he gain further insight into the mysterious Katra, but the intensive spirit battles also seemed to mend the fractures in his own spirit soul.
With every encounter, Emery felt himself inching closer to regaining his full magus potential. And once he achieved that pinnacle, the title of Khaos champion would be within reach, granting him access to the elusive gate and a means of escape from this confining palace.
When such an option opens for him, he would have no problem trying any other plan. Hence why he disagreed with Master Borin plan, he would not let such risky action endanger him.
The mental and spiritual toll of the continuous [Spirit Walks] weighed heavily on him. With each entry and exit, Emery could feel his energy ebbing, the weariness setting deep into his spirit. Recognizing his limits, he decided to retreat, seeking a respite in the more tangible realm.
Stumbling back into the primary chamber, he was greeted by the looming presence of Chutulu. The room, bathed in a surreal glow, seemed to pulsate with the creature's amusement.
"Just a little bit more," Emery whispered, both a promise and a plea. "You'll see"
The creature's laughter, like the deep rumble of underwater currents, resonated through the chamber. Emery braced himself, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.
<For your unwavering determination, I deem you worthy of a gift.>
Emery's heart raced. A gift from such a being could be immensely powerful. But as the runes on the massive stone door began to glow with a pulsating light, his anticipation turned to confusion. He had assumed the guardian would finally open the door for him. He was wrong.
<I will let you hear and see things from the other side>
Suddenly, the stone transformed into a translucent window, revealing a glimpse of the Khaos domain. Emery's surroundings melted away, replaced by a vision of what lay beyond the stone door. The scene unveiled an angry elf, Ezzekiel, his face contorted in a mix of frustration and rage. The elf's hands clawed at the stone, his curses echoing as he vented his fury over his inability to locate Emery.
The vision continued to unfold, cycling through a series of moments frozen in time. It made Emery realized that it was not a real time occurrence. Each scene was a snapshot, a fragment disconnected from its chronological place.
Each loop of the elf's ire brought a smirk to Emery's face. It was satisfying to see such a foe flustered. But, as is the nature of shifting sands, the scene soon changed, and Emery's amusement vanished.
The vision now presented a familiar face, one that tugged at his heartstrings. Morgana, her fiery red hair cascading like a waterfall, stood there. The stark contrast of her pale skin against the dark backdrop made her seem ethereal, almost otherworldly. She must have access her personal waypoint to enter the Khaos Domain trying to find clue of his whereabout.
Eyes filled with a mix of desperation and determination, she addressed the stone, her voice laden with emotion. "Where are you, Emery? We've been searching relentlessly. It's clear the Nephilim are behind this, but they've been avoiding us…. I tried many times but i can't seems to reach you"
As she spoke, a clear progression of emotions played across her face. Hope, fear, sadness, and then, a fiery resolve. "You better not be dead, Emery. Because if they've harmed you, I swear, every single Nephilim will pay."
The vision abruptly ended, replaced by Chutulu's omnipresent voice echoing in Emery's mind. <That is the extent of what I can reveal.>
Emery's heart raced. He had been so focused on his own predicament that he hadn't truly considered the ramifications of his absence. The thought of Morgana, fearing for him, drove a pang of guilt through him. He needed to communicate, to send a message out, to give her some semblance of hope.
He implored the Khaos guardian, "Please, let me send a message. She needs to know I'm alive."
But the creature remained adamant, its voice unyielding. <Only when you ascend to the stature of a Khaos Champion will you gain such privileges.>
A surge of frustration bubbled within Emery, his voice dripping with disdain. "You heartless beast!"
But his anger was short-lived, quickly replaced by a renewed determination. The visions had served to crystallize his priorities. The points, the rewards, they all paled in comparison to the safety and peace of mind of his loved ones. Without a second hesitation he was ready to eradicated all the dark elves souls to reach his goal
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