CHAPTER 15: SYSTEM UNLOCKED!

In a serene cave at the foot of a mountain, the silhouette of a teenage boy emerged chuckling darkly to himself.

"There's more of them up there it seems." The boy said as he stepped into the moonlight Ray's had a broad smile on his face.

"I'm still hungry..." He said as he made his way up the mountain.

_________

Up the mountain...

Jim stood to his feet, a satisfied smile on his face as he stretched.

"Ah, feels good to be out again." Ascore who had now taken over Jim's body said before his expression turned grim and he looked up the mountain.

'I sense Rolak. Could it really be?' Ascore thought before he started scaling the mountain.

After climbing for some time, he had neared the peak, so far any beast that saw him just turned the opposite direction before fleeing.

"Seems like they're smart enough to at least recognize death when they see it." He said to himself as he watched a dog-like beast run away with it's tail between his legs. Shaking his head, he resumed climbing.

He climbed for a few more minutes before coming to a stop in front of another cave. This one seemed to have been man-made as there were several inscriptions on the ground and walls.

"Ancient magic." Ascore mummured.

'Hey, what's this? I thought humans haven't really explored much of this place.' Jim asked Ascore as he watched what Ascore was doing with piqued curiosity.

'This, my boy, is where my power lies. After all these years, I finally found it. Could this be a coincidence?' he couldn't help but ask himself.

"Rolak. Come forth." He said in a calm and balanced tone. The next second, two fiery dots of crimson red ignited within the cave and a smile appeared on Ascore's face.

"Oh I've missed you." Ascore said as the figure moved closer.

Soon, the figure of a hulking black furred beast that stood at a height of almost three meters emerged. It had long black claws that could easily rip a person in two, its forearms and parts of its face running down towards its neck was covered in scales. A set of razor sharp teeth hidden behind it's snout. It had a domineering aura and its crimson eyes radiated a deep, dark feeling of dread and malevolence.

"Master, it's been too long." The hulking figure said in a deep guttural voice as it went on one knee before Ascore who nodded.

"It has indeed." Without saying anything else Ascore walked inside the cave and the markings on the walls lit up with a feint purple light.

The cave extended deep into the mountain and soon turned into a tunnel. The tunnel led downwards in a spiral. Ascore walked for about five minutes before a flight of stairs that led downwards came into view with the dim light that the numerous symbols emitted. The stairs led to a hallway and at the end of the hallway, there was a large, heavy, steel double door.

Ascore approached the door warily. The symbols here shone brighter and on the doors itself what seemed like an ancient magical array was glowing softly on the door.

Ascore observed the door in silence for a few moments before nodding.

He brought out one of the swords and made a small cut on his palm then placed the palm on the door.

Suddenly the door shone brighter before dying down.

RUMBLE!

The structure rumbled as the door started moving inwards kicking up a lot of dust making Ascore shield his eyes with his hand as he squinted to see what was inside.

A bright red light was seen through the dust. Ascore stood rooted to the spot. His thoughts running wild. His body shaking from excitement and his eyes watered.

"This is it. This is my power. The power of a god..." Ascore took a step forward and then another and another.

STEP...

STEP...

STEP...

The dust cleared. A glowing red orb was seen floating a few centimeters off the top of an elevated platform that had an altar at the top.

The orb radiated an aura of harrowing chaos and immense destructiveness and Ascore approached it with stars in his eyes.

'What will happen if he gets his power? Will he be able to subdue my consciousness forever? He doesn't seem like the type to share.' Jim thought Internally but knew there was nothing he could do but watch.

Ascore stood before the orb and stretched his hand to touch it.

The very second Ascore touched the orb, he felt his consciousness being violently forced out of control of the body and Jim who was only watching was now forced to take control. He instinctively tried to withdraw his hand from the orb only to realize it wasn't possible. He couldn't get his palm to leave the orb and before he knew it...

BAM!

Wild energy burst from the orb sending a shockwave in all directions. At that moment. Jim saw something.

[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE CELESTIAL SYSTEM!]

[BONDING...]

[BONDING COMPLETE!]

[CORE EXTRACTION WILL NOW BEGIN]

[BONDING CORE WITH HOST'S SOUL...]

[0%...]

[13%...]

[28%...]

[59%...]

[77%...]

[99%...]

[100%]

[CORE BONDING COMPLETE!]

The energy in the orb had completely diminished. There was literally nothing left.

"Huh?" Jim was confused. He had no idea what just happened as he stared at the screen that was currently in front of him.

"What is this?" Jim asked no one in particular. Ascore was silent. Too silent. Jim didn't give it much thought and instead focused on the floating digital screen that was currently in front of him.

'It's like a system screen but what am I supposed to do with this? And where did all that energy go?' Jim thought confused. Suddenly the screen changed.

[NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED]

[SKILL: BLESSED]

[SKILL: ASCORE'S DOMAIN.]

[SKILL: ACHEIVER.]

"Whoa, so I just got these skills for free or something?" Jim focused on the skill "BLESSED" and a screen popped up.

[SKILL DESCRIPTION:]

[YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY THE DIVINE CELESTIAL GUARDIANS.]

[ANY INJURY INFLICTED ON YOU WOULD BE HEALED.]

[ENERGY COST: ENERGY COST DEPENDS ON THE INJURY.]

[ANY LIMB LOST WOULD BE REGENERATED.]

[ENERGY COST: ENERGY COST DEPENDS ON THE INJURY.]

[YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED A DIVINE ELEMENT.]

[ELEMENT: FIRE]

"You've got to be kidding me..."