The dawn rose over the Spiritual Zone, painting the sky in hues of gold and violet as Spencer walked along the road. He stopped abruptly before Midoki, his gaze sharp and unwavering, as though each word he was about to speak had been forged in the heat of reason itself.
- Spencer: "Midoki, your carelessness is beginning to exceed what can be tolerated." His voice was low, but it carried a cutting weight that sliced through the silence like a blade. "Protecting Gaia, preventing Chaos from rising again and consuming everything—that is the purpose of the Templars. And your negligence does nothing to help."
Midoki lowered his eyes, visibly shaken, yet something in his expression went beyond guilt. Beneath the surface, a deep unrest pulsed faintly.
- Midoki: "I… I'm sorry, Spencer," he began, his voice heavy with a burden he couldn't quite define. "I've always known there was something dark tied to my power… but it's hard to describe. It's not just chaos. It's something deeper. It's like there's a hunger inside me—a will to devour everything, an insatiable devastation."
Spencer studied him silently, his rigid stance softening just slightly. With a sigh, he turned and began walking slowly down the marble hall, motioning for Midoki to follow.
- Spencer: "That feeling you describe isn't mere intuition, Midoki," he said as they walked. "As I mentioned before, the oldest scriptures speak of a primordial power—the Shinrei of Eminence—that was divided. One of those parts became the Source of Chaos."
Midoki stopped for a moment, taking in the words. His brow furrowed, understanding the implication, but Spencer didn't give him time to dwell.
- Spencer: "There's another part mentioned." - he continued. - "The Source of Order. But it was lost ages ago… thanks to the actions of an ancient witch—Morgana Le Fay."
- Midoki: "Morgana?" - he murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly.
- Spencer: "Yes. But that's not our concern now." Spencer turned sharply to face him, his tone hardening once more. "Tell me something—have you ever wondered where Lucifer obtained the powers of the Ten Decrees?"
Midoki crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly.
- Midoki: "I've thought about it, especially after Helheim," he said in a low tone. "When I ended up in that place—beyond the Abyssal Rift—it was only thanks to the Twin Emissary's ability that I could sense that dimension's energy. It was terrifying, Spencer. No one could cross it alone."
Spencer nodded, his eyes glinting thoughtfully.
- Spencer: "That confirms my suspicions. I believe Lucifer isn't acting alone. He may have forged a pact with an entity from the Abyss itself."
Midoki fell silent, his thoughts swirling like fragments of a shattered puzzle.
- Midoki: "And your All-Seeing Eye?" - he asked, trying to regain his focus. - "Can't it help you track Lucifer?"
Spencer shook his head, frustrated.
- Spencer: "Unfortunately, no. My ability isn't infallible. Lucifer isn't in Gaia right now—and I can't track anyone beyond certain dimensional boundaries."
They walked on until they reached a winding path leading to an isolated altar. The structure appeared ancient, carved from weathered marble, radiating an aura of serenity and mystery. Spencer stopped before it and turned to Midoki, his expression dark.
- Spencer: "This is your training ground. Here, you will face truths about yourself that you do not yet understand."
Midoki hesitated, but Spencer gestured for him to lie down upon the altar.
- Spencer: "Lie down. Place your hands over your heart."
- Midoki: "And what's going to happen?" he asked, his tone wary.
Spencer didn't answer right away. He withdrew a small vial of crystalline water, shimmering like starlight.
- Spencer: "Trust me." - he said simply, before pouring the water over Midoki.
As the liquid touched his skin, an unfamiliar calm washed over him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he sank into a deep slumber—as though being drawn into the depths of his own essence.
The chapter closes with the whisper of the wind through the trees and the lone figure of Spencer, standing before the altar, lost in thought.