"I think that's more than enough reward sessions for one day. Now it's time to discuss why you were really summoned here," Astral said, gently breaking their embrace.
"Oh, come on! Just a little longer—I was getting to the good part," Drake mumbled, trying to lean back into her arms.
"Stop that now, Drake. What a naughty boy you're turning out to be. I won't be the one to spoil you rotten," Astral said, firmly but playfully pushing his head back.
"Please, my lady! I need more!" Drake pleaded dramatically.
"Enough already, Lorenzo, or I'll think you're planning something inappropriate and have to punish you. And no more rewards," Astral said with a mischievous smile.
*Punish me... no more rewards...* The words echoed in Drake's mind as he processed them.
His face went pale and he straightened up with a small cough. "Okay, my lady. Let's get down to business."
"Good. Just give me a moment to regain my seat," Astral said, settling gracefully back onto her starlight throne. "Now then, let's begin."
Drake focused intently, waiting for whatever serious matter had prompted this divine meeting.
"Drake."
"Yes, my lady."
"When you were fighting Havoc, did anything unusual happen?" she asked, crossing her luminous legs elegantly.
Drake raised a finger to his chin thoughtfully. "Nothing I can specifically remember. Why do you ask?"
Astral rested her chin on her hand, and Drake found his gaze momentarily drawn to her graceful posture before catching himself.
"I'm asking because it relates to your true purpose in this world—the one you'll get to choose whether to follow or not."
"Purpose..." Drake repeated, then suddenly had a flashback to their first meeting:
*"Remember this divine revelation, Drake. When the critical moment arrives, I will call upon you again. And when that time comes, the fate of all four continents may rest in your hands."*
"Now do you remember?" Astral interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, my lady. So what's the problem? What danger threatens Elyndor?"
Astral's tone shifted, becoming grave and foreboding. "A terrible one. The Great Apocalypse approaches."
"Great Apocalypse?" Drake repeated, moving closer. "What exactly do you mean?"
"A catastrophic battle is coming to Elyndor, just like in the time of Arkazar and the Hero. Soul-wretches will overflow the world, and if nothing is done to stop it, it could mean the end of Elyndor as we know it."
Drake's expression darkened. "How will the world be overrun by soul-wretches?"
"Drake, you remember that voice in your head, don't you?" Astral leaned forward intently.
Drake recalled those golden eyes in the darkness. "Yes, what about it?"
"That person was the Hero I summoned from another world to save Elyndor from Arkazar," Astral said after a brief pause.
Drake's eyes widened in shock. "But how is that possible? If I'm not mistaken, you summoned him a thousand years ago. How is he still alive?"
Astral rubbed her forehead slowly. "It's... complicated. After defeating Arkazar, he took the demon lord's core—filled with Arkazar's dark essence. The core is called the Soul Crucible. Over the centuries, Kael has been using this artifact to transfer souls between vessels. Eventually, he learned how to manipulate souls and forcefully rip Echoforms from their hosts."
"I still don't understand how he survived all this time," Drake said, struggling to piece it together.
"Try to keep up, Lorenzo. Don't make me think it's only that handsome face you've got going for you," Astral smiled teasingly, though her underlying concern remained clear.
Drake looked away awkwardly, blushing. *She's a goddess—she can't have feelings for mortals, and neither should you. Don't get seduced by this thousand-year-old teenage goddess.*
"As I was saying, the Soul Crucible allows him to transfer his consciousness from one body to another. When his current body ages and nears death, he simply finds a new young host and switches souls. That's how he's survived for centuries."
Drake's eyes widened with realization. "So every time he gets old, he just switches bodies. No wonder he's still alive."
"Exactly. But you need to understand the bigger picture here," Astral said, her playful demeanor giving way to deadly seriousness. "Kael didn't stop at soul-switching. He used the Crucible's power for something far worse."
"What do you mean?" Drake asked, sensing the weight in her voice.
"He learned to forcefully rip Echoforms from their hosts and implant multiple ones into chosen vessels. Those who survive this process become his loyal servants—Hollow Saints. They possess tremendous power, but their souls are cracked and unstable."
Drake stiffened. "Wait, he can force Echoforms into people? That should be impossible!"
"Normally, yes. But the Soul Crucible bends the very laws that govern souls. And here's the truly terrifying part—when the Hollow Saints' fractured souls finally shatter completely, they transform into soul-wretches and join his ever-growing army."
Drake swallowed hard. "And this Kael... what does he want?"
"Most likely to finish what Arkazar started—complete domination of all four continents. But unlike Arkazar's brute force approach, Kael plans to corrupt the world from within using his soul-wretch army." Despite the grave topic, a hint of Astral's playful nature crept back in. "Though honestly, after a thousand years, he might just be really, really bored."
"But this is too much for someone like me! I couldn't even handle a single soul-wretch by myself. How can I possibly stop Kael alone?"
"Who said you'd be alone?" Astral smiled knowingly, her mood lightening slightly.
Drake looked up hopefully. "What do you mean?"
"Silly boy, you have something no one else possesses."
"My system?" Drake asked. "Because if that's what you're talking about, sorry to say she's broken or has abandoned me. I haven't gotten any response when I call her."
"Hahaha! I see, so that's what Sarah decided to do," Astral laughed melodiously.
"What's so funny about what I said? And who's Sarah?" Drake pouted.
"The Shadow Arsenal System, silly. So she didn't even tell you her name?" Astral said with amusement.
Drake was shocked. "So that sassy system even had a name?"
"You didn't know? It makes me wonder how exactly you called her."
"I just said 'System,'" Drake replied.
"Are you sure that's all?" Astral asked with knowing suspicion.
Sweat beaded on Drake's brow. "Yeah! But why are you being suspicious?"
"Well, I think you left out 'slut'..." Astral said with deceptive sweetness.
*WHOOSH!* An invisible dagger shot past Drake's head.
"'Bitch'..." THUNK! Another struck his chest as he flinched.
"Should I go on, Drake, or do you understand my point?" Astral asked sweetly.
"No thank you, I get what you mean," Drake said, thoroughly ashamed.
"Good," Astral smiled brightly, her playful nature fully restored despite the world-ending context.
*How can she keep smiling after shooting invisible daggers at me?* Drake thought.
"I heard that," Astral said.
"Oh right, sorry ma'am!" Drake jolted. *Crap, I forgot she can hear my thoughts.*
"You humans are such gullible creatures," Astral giggled.
"Right, right," Drake laughed awkwardly.
"But back to the point—I can't defeat Kael in my current state," Drake said seriously.
"Have faith in yourself like I do, and like Sarah does too—even though we both know she'll never come out and say it," Astral said warmly.
"You keep mentioning Sarah, but she's gone, as I said before."
"Come on, Drake. The System chose you—it can't just up and abandon you."
"But she did," Drake insisted.
Astral sighed deeply. "You know what? I'll let her explain things to you herself, because I can see that everything I'm saying isn't getting through to you."
"What are you talking about? I'm so confused."
"Sarah, you see what you've done? You've left the poor boy completely lost. Why don't you come out and explain yourself? I think you've had your fun and enough time to witness what he's capable of," Astral said with lazy authority.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Drake wondered aloud.
"Sarah, come out already. Don't make me force you out," Astral warned.
Silence.
"Fine. By force it is." Astral's hand began glowing with divine energy, her sapphire eyes blazing with power.
Before she could lift a finger, a voice rang out through the void:
"Fine, fine! I'm coming! Why must you always spoil my fun, Astral?"
Drake looked around frantically. "Where did that voice come from? I can't see anyone!"
WHOOOM!
In the space between Drake and Astral, a burst of dark mist erupted, creating spiraling winds that whipped through both their hair.
FLASH!
The mist blazed with brilliant light, forcing Drake to shield his eyes. When the radiance faded, a figure stood before them.
"Astral, when will you ever learn to stop meddling in my affairs with this moron?" the newcomer said with obvious irritation.
Drake's sight cleared, and his eyes widened as he saw his so-called system arguing with Goddess Astral.
She had long, raven-black hair that pooled on the cosmic floor around her bare feet. Violet eyes sparkled with mischief in a petite face that bore a striking resemblance to Astral—like a rebellious little sister. She wore a form-fitting dark outfit adorned with star sigils, and a crescent moon symbol glowed softly on her forehead.
"I'll stop getting involved when you start acting responsibly and properly take care of your host," Astral replied firmly.
"Oh please! Drake's an idiot—he needed a dose of his own medicine," Sarah said, pointing accusingly at him.
"Don't say such rude things," Astral chided gently.
"What do you mean? He always talks to me like that! How can you take his side?" Sarah protested.
Astral sighed wearily.
"System?" Drake said, interrupting their argument.
Sarah slowly turned to face him.
"It's Sarah, idiot. Good to see you're alive and in one piece." She flashed a brilliant smile. "So tell me—how has life been treating you?"
—TO BE CONTINUED—