Liven said, "Mor Wenya, let's begin the Guardian Animal ritual."
Mor Wenya nodded: "Very well, follow me, Liven." She stepped through a door.
Liven turned to Elya and Darel: "You two stay here," he said.
"Liven, but…" Elya said, sounding anxious.
"Alright," Darel replied.
When Liven entered, the room was cold and windy, as if in an endless void. Time seemed to have stopped, and Liven's mind felt incredibly calm.
Mor Wenya sat in the center of the circle, lit the candles, and turned to Liven: "I will take your blood. A creature will come according to whatever you are thinking in your mind."
Liven let his blood drip into the circle. The circle turned red, and the candles emitted a bluish light.
"Freedom… pain… hatred… peace…" he murmured.
Suddenly, black smoke rose, and a raven appeared. Its eyes were blood-red, and its wings were jet black as it stared at Liven.
An ethereal golden voice whispered in Liven's ears: "Hey human, give me a name."
"Hmm, so this is your power. Your name will be Corven from now on," Liven said.
Corven nodded: "I accept this name. Human, I acknowledge you as my master."
Mor Wenya smiled: "You have a good spirit animal. It's sitting on your right shoulder. But look at its eyes… it seems like it could kill you."
Elya asked nervously: "Liven, are you okay?"
Darel observed: "No one can kill it. But what worries me… are its white eyes."
"White eyes?" Elya questioned.
"They're strange. Not normal," Darel replied.
Liven stepped further inside. Corven suddenly lunged at Darel, but Liven unleashed his Aura and shouted: "Corven!"
Corven stopped, locking his gaze on Liven: "What do you think you're doing? I am your guardian spirit—you cannot disobey me!"
Black tears streamed from Liven's eyes. He stood up, looked around, and said:
"Yes… right now, no one can defeat me."
A black-and-red Aura spread around him. Darel struggled to breathe: "What the hell is this? I can't…"
Elya shouted: "Liven, stop! Don't kill us!"
Corven smirked: "Master, look at your power."
Liven laughed and shouted: "You can't even handle this? You are powerless!" He expanded his Aura further.
Darel drew his sword: "Enough!" he yelled. He also drew the Zereth Sword and charged at Liven.
Elya had fainted. Liven glanced at Darel with a condescending look: "Who are you to yell at me?"
Darel could not speak. Elya anxiously asked: "Are you okay?"
Liven's power was undeniable; he was no longer the same. Elya immediately hugged him: "Please, come back to yourself. This isn't you."
Liven turned to Corven: "Do you know what you're going to do?"
Corven attacked, but Liven stopped time.
"No, I just wanted you to pull your hands back," Liven said.
Darel could no longer hold back: "You've crossed the line!" He swung his sword at Liven.
Corven revealed his true form: "Do not cross the line, Darel," he said, releasing his Aura.
Darel shouted in anger: "You damned bastard!"
Liven whispered to Corven: "If you're hiding anything else from me, you will die."
Elya was crying, but Liven was calm: "Enough. We're going to Arven now."
Darel was shocked: "I'm not going anywhere with you! How can I trust you?"
Liven smiled: "Do you remember Elira? I'll take her to Arven Village."
Darel relented: "Alright…"
Liven would use Darel to help establish a powerful new village. The agreements were made, and they set out. Corven telepathically informed Liven: "During the mission, I saw a man and took his blood."
"What will you do with it?" Liven asked.
"With my ability, I can show my memories," Corven replied.
Liven paused, then forgave him: "A useful power."
Together with Darel and Elya, Liven explored his memories under Corven's guidance. A black space… Ravens… Throne… Red and black colors…
Liven saw his memories through his own eyes, and Corven said in astonishment: "Those eyes… from Arven Village…"
Liven gave some of his blood to Corven, enhancing his power, and prepared a black-and-white robe for him.
Before reaching the village, the robe was ready. Liven and his companions continued their journey. Liven noticed a mouse along the way and smiled.
As they neared Arven Village, the village leader noticed someone with white-and-black eyes: "Prepare the troops immediately!"
Liven stopped and shouted: "We're being watched!"
Darel and Elya got ready. Liven stopped time and recorded everything.
Corven put on the black-and-white robe. Liven explained its meaning: black represents evil, white represents purity.
Guards were at the gate. Liven used his Aura Sword to disable one of them. The leader looked shocked: "You come to my village?"
Liven said: "Come on!" The Aura Sword flared, and the village atmosphere changed.
—