Cull, the competition...
It truly was an insidious objective. Had he not known any better, Zareil would have assumed that the situation was hopeless, but fortunately, it wasn't.
He could still get out in one piece, and that was all that mattered.
Survive. All I need to do is survive 24 hours, and then I'll be free.
It was easier said than done. Hell was going to descend upon the land in a few hours, and it was going to be anything but pretty. It was ironic, once he had wished for nothing more than to go back in time, but now that he was here, he truly wanted nothing more than to go back.
As much as Zareil wanted to wallow in the irony of the situation, he didn't have time. Now that he thought about it, knowing the exact amount of time left until the attack would help him tremendously in preparing.
Am I still connected to the Book?
Zareil sighed. It was exhausting how stupid people could sometimes be, of course, people other than him. But even he had to admit that his question was stupid, obviously, he was still connected, he was in a trial made by the damn thing!
Good thing I didn't say that out loud...
Exhaling once, Zareil closed his eyes and tugged at his connection. In an instant, the black void born from his lack of sight lit up like a firework.
Letters started floating in front of him, forming words and sentences, making the desolate landscape that was his phosphene space full of vibrant life.
They were white, emitting a pulsing light. Sometimes brighter than fire, sometimes duller than moonlight. A stark contrast against the black backdrop, but it only served to enhance the visuals.
Finally, after twisting and swirling, the words stopped moving. The screen in front of him was stationary and displayed info about...him.
————〔 PROFILE 〕————
Name: [Zareil Di Diavolo]
Age: [21]
Race: [Demon (65%) Dragon (35%)]
Awakening: [Second - Ongoing]
Phenotypic Trait(s):
[Demon Eyes - 23% Mastery] [Dragon Speech - 17% Mastery]
Transformation: [Demonic Dragon - Black]
Affinities:
Elemental: [Silver Lightning] Conceptual: —
Abilities: —
Authority: —
Blessings:
- Mind (Cognitive Potential): Incarnation (Stage 8)
- Body (Physical Potential): Incarnation (Stage 8)
- Spirit (Energy Potential): Incarnation (Stage 8)
. . . . . .
Dozens of more lines spread across his vision, but he paid them no heed. The only reason Zareil had opened his profile was to check the time.
As such, he shifted his gaze from the main part of the window to the very bottom, the place where what he desired lay.
————〔 FUNCTIONS 〕————
Journals: [Wayward Compass] [Pendant of Preservation] [Cloth] [Luxurious Chair] [Tríaina] [Ivlivs] [Blusher of a Nameless King] [Estranged Estoc]
Active Oaths: —
Trial: [Dominion - Active]
Time: [10:47 PM.]
Domain: —
Gift of Awakening: —
Transcendant Ability: —
Access: [phosphene space - Granted] [Soul Space - Locked]
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
10:47 PM. That was currently the time, and from what Zareil remembered, the attack took place somewhere around 11 30, give or take a dozen minutes. This meant that he had about an hour left before the battle for his life would start.
How truly annoying it was. Ah, how Zareil hated living. It was so exhausting, a new fight every day just to survive. He often questioned whether living like this was truly living. But alas, he had his goals to accomplish, and he would not stop until he succeeded or died trying.
Done with his task, Zareil exited his phosphene space and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw upon coming back to reality was a blue light... no, it wasn't light, it was his sister's eyes.
She was leaning so close infact that he could feel her hot breath on his features. Her eyes were bright, glowing with an oceanic hue, a clear sign she was happy about something.
"Did you just enter your phosphene space?" Her voice was chipper; it almost felt like she was about to squeal like an overly excited schoolgirl.
Astrid's question caught him off guard, but he responded with the truth nonetheless. "Yes, and I found out quite a bit. I am less confused now."
Zareil had indeed learned more about his situation. He already knew that he was taking a trial for dominion, but seeing his status window just confirmed it. He also came to know that his Journals were still accessible to him.
Summoning them would be a bit of a problem, but nothing he couldn't overcome.
For context Journals were items that were connected to the Book. Anything could form a connection as long as it fit the requirements of not being a living thing and the size restriction, which capped out at about the size of a horse drawn carraige.
Another thing Zareil had noticed was that his body still held insenium! How he did not know. Maybe the insenium saturating the air had somehow seeped into his body, but it was his win.
Alas, not all news was good news. Seeing as how he still hadn't gotten past his crazy sister, Zareil decided to tackle that mountain first.
Speaking of mountains...why are they so ?
Yes, his sister carried two enormous burdens, so ginormous that they made Zareil worry for her; mind you, she was the bane of his existence.
I got distracted again. Pure thoughts, Zareil, purge yourself of such corruption.
Zareil's eyes grew dimmer, the flame in them almost extinguished. His tone was flat yet not harsh. It was...indifferent.
He reminded himself that he no longer cared for the women who stood in front of him. Yes, he hated her with all his heart, but he would not let emotions get in the way of survival. Zareil was by no means an emotionless husk of a demon; in fact, he was brimming with them.
It was just that he knew when to let them out and when to control them.
"Astrid, I need to know how I'm going to get out of here. You yourself said that you wish nothing but the best for me, and if you really do, then prove it. Tell me."
The woman stared at him for a good few seconds before responding. Again her eyes changed in intensity, the luminous blue light dimming and then relighting again.
When she spoke, her voice was soft, barely hiding something else beneath the surface. "It is simple, brother, just find the exit and leave. That is all I will say, because if you can't even find the exit yourself, then frankly, you don't deserve my love. Prove yourself to be worthy of it."
Why is her answer so useless? How else does she think I would leave, jumping off a damn window!
Zareil cracked a laugh in his mind, but remained expressionless outside.
It wasn't entirely unexpected. In the first place, he hadn't even believed that she would answer at all. Eventually, though, a smile broke on his face. He realized that his former sister might not be in the right state of mind, seeing how she was in a daze.
All is fair in love and war...
"Alright, then I'm going to leave. I hope we meet again, sister."
With that, Zareil took his first step outside the cramped cell, breathing in the fresh dungeon air of blood and sweat.
How refreshing, now off we go.