[Bonus chapter] Chapter 98: True Bloodline

He felt lost in the darkness, his body filled with intense pain as if chains were hooked into his muscles and flesh, tearing them apart before black flames were used to sear and char his organs, then black ice to freeze his burnt body, dousing the fire.

'It burns, as if my soul is being explored, my foolishness and cowardice exposed... So many times, I could have done this alone, yet fear dominated my heart and mind... What dumb shit... I can do better?'

'Pathetic...'

Zell's actions replayed before his eyes while the shards of ice slowly pierced through his body, the blood frozen before it could even drip, before the ice shattered, becoming brilliant flames that began to process once again.

Suddenly, his eyes were forced open.

Thousands of eyes peered from the void, all looking at him with judgmental and mocking gazes, before a rumble of noise, distorted and loud, rang inside his ears, slowly transforming into words.