Dungeon: Xander's Gift

"So you're still alive?" Devin asked.

"No, I've already used the forbidden spell of my people to contain the madness within. Every sacrifice comes with a heavy price. Remember, young one, to never make sacrifices without careful consideration and always be prepared for equal or greater exchange," the old priest advised.

Devin nodded as the priest continued, "I know you desire the seed. Your aura aligns with it, just as the books describe. Among the dwarves, there is a prophecy that a being will come to and aid them in their time of need, guiding them towards greater heights. This being will possess green hair, golden eyes, and radiate an aura of vitality with an illusory image of a majestic towering tree. I wish I could witness it with my own eyes," Xander said.

"I'm sorry, I can't control it at will. The previous times were due to my helplessness and anger," Devin admitted.

"You need more training. This takes time. Don't worry. Always remember that power is an extension of yourself. It belongs to you and it's up to you to use it as you see fit," Xander advised.

"Thank you, priest. I will remember," Devin replied respectfully.

"I don't know what will happen after you merge with the seed. I hope you can destroy my soul before it wreaks havoc," the priest said.

"I promise," Devin assured him. As he reached out to touch the seed, Devin's senses heightened, screaming danger. He didn't hesitate to activate his Origin Domain, protecting himself from the priest's attack.

"Tsk! It seems you never let your guard down," the priest sneered, exuding evil.

Devin didn't have time to respond, as the seed within his consciousness yearned for the seed outside. Unable to control the yearning, a large illusory tree appeared behind him, and a suction force merged the seed with Devin, just like the first one.

The illusory tree behind him started moving its branches, as if rejoicing.

"Give me back my seed! That seed belongs to me!" the priest yelled, launching attacks at Devin's domain.

Devin, however, was unaware of the priest's attacks as his sea of consciousness underwent a transformation. More roots grew from the tree, more branches sprouted, and the tree itself grew in size. But there was a problem. Devin's sea of consciousness was not sufficient for this growth. As a result, Devin felt a tingling pain, as if his sea of consciousness was drying out.

"You dare to merge with the seed without having enough spiritual power in your sea of consciousness. I don't have to do anything, you're dead!" the priest cackled wickedly.

Devin knew the priest was not lying. If he didn't do something, the tree would drain his spiritual power completely. Without wasting any time, Devin drank a high-level repair potion. This provided him with some relief, but he knew it wasn't enough. He quickly swallowed a lotus seed and entered into meditation, harnessing the medicinal properties of the red lotus seed to expand his sea of consciousness.

The priest noticed that Devin's situation appeared to be under control, realizing that he couldn't wait any longer. He began casting a large-scale spell.

Although Devin had not fully digested the medicinal properties of the lotus seed, his sea of consciousness was no longer in danger. He had time to deal with the priest now.

Devin noticed that his body had changed since merging with the new seed. His connection to the tree in his sea of consciousness had strengthened. He used his spiritual power to merge with the tree, tapping into the power within. Devin siphoned the power through his body, leading to a transformation that brimmed his body with newfound strength. Thanks to the gene potion, his body had transformed and adapted to contain these new powers.

The illusory tree did not grow in size, but it had become sturdier.

Devin's vision and reaction time became sharper, and he did not give the priest a chance to finish casting his spell. He attacked the priest head-on.

The priest faced a backlash from abruptly stopping his spell mid-activation.

Devin did not give him a chance to respond, immediately restraining the priest with branches.

"What are you doing?" asked the weak priest.

"I've been thinking. Since I am the nemesis of dark aura and I have a way to purify it, but I need a sacrifice. Someone told me that if I need to perform a sacrifice, I should be prepared for an equivalent exchange. So, what if I use you as the equivalent exchange? Not only will I purify you, but I will also give your soul peace. What do you think of my idea?" Devin asked, his golden eyes fixed on the priest. This sent a shudder down the priest's soul.

"You are the true devil!" the priest shouted, to which Devin responded with only a smile.

This terrified the priest, as he was not envisioning a beautiful picture, but rather his darkest fears.

"Don't use me as a sacrifice! I know a secret, spare me and I will tell you," pleaded the priest.

"What a cliché thing for a villain to say. How about I tell you a secret? You are not Priest Xander. With the help of the dark aura and parasite, you have been able to corrupt his soul. But what you didn't know is that the wise priest had set up a trap within his soul," replied Devin.

"What's wise about that bastard? I still won in the end. I am still alive, he's dead. I am the one who is supposed to be the priest, the honor belongs to me. That cunning bastard stole it from me!" the priest seethed with anger.

Devin chuckled mockingly, "Did you though? I mean, you're stuck in this strange limbo where you are sealed and unable to do anything. Even your body is destroyed. Your soul remains in the form of resentment. If you ask me, I think Priest Xander is the wise one, and you're the foolish one. Not only were you used by the secret Order of Shadows, but you were also abandoned," Devin taunted the priest intentionally.

"I am not a resentful spirit! I am the wise Priest Soro of the dwarves!" the spirit yelled in anger.

"Got you," Devin said, as he used his sword to split the priest's soul into two halves. Origin weave allows him to see the lines where vitality and soul of things are. He purposely angered the priest so his heightened emotions can show where the two souls are joined and make it more visible.

The priest cried out as Devin watched one of the tree roots swallow the dark soul of Priest Soro.

"Why do you have to eat anything? Aren't you scared of indigestion?" Devin asked. The branches of the tree danced joyfully, as if they had just enjoyed a delicious delicacy. One branch gently caressed Devin's cheek.

Devin felt pure energy flow back into his soul, and all the problems within his sea of consciousness disappeared, leaving it refreshed and new.

Devin laughed with joy. "It seems the dark aura is a delicacy for you," he communicated with the tree.

Devin caught sight of a faint figure looking at him in amazement, with illusory tears welling in his eyes.

"The voice didn't lie to me," said the real Priest Xander.

"I didn't seal Soro alone. A voice helped me with the method and also advised me to stay in this mini realm, where six adventurers will come to pass a test. But only one would have the power to save me, and I might gain the ability to fulfill my dream and wish," explained Xander.

Devin frowned at this. He didn't like the feeling of being in the dark and someone pulling the strings. He didn't like being controlled.

"Young one, don't think too much. Your fate is your own, as long as you have enough power and strength, you will be able to face whatever comes your way. Just don't give up," Xander reassured him.

Devin took heed of Xander's advice. As long as he retained his will, he shouldn't dwell on these thoughts too much. He gained enlightenment from the priest and bowed to him in gratitude, realizing he was about to succumb to his own demons.

The tree struck Devin with its branch, and Devin understood the message it was trying to convey.

"I am fine," Devin said, assuring both the tree and himself.

"Young one, the prophecy written in the history of the dwarves is true. I am glad to see it come true in my lifetime," the priest said, smiling warmly.

"Priest, the main reason I came here is to find a way to enter the secret realm of Valendor," Devin stated.

"Why do you want to enter the secret realm?" Xander inquired.

"I have a friend stuck in the secret realm, and the Valendors are known for their skills in forging. I hope to obtain valuable inventions and weapons from them," Devin explained.

The priest fell into deep thought. "Do you promise to provide a better place for my people to thrive and a land they can call home?" he asked.

Devin didn't hesitate. The addition of the dwarves was a plus. "I promise to treat the dwarves like my own people and provide a place for them to thrive," he answered.

"I am relieved, young one. On behalf of my people, thank you," the priest said, bowing to Devin.

He marked Devin's right hand with magic. "Once you are ready to pour your aura into the magic circle, it will teleport you to the secret realm."

Devin was surprised. At what level was Priest Xander to be able to draw a teleportation circle on his hand?

The priest smiled at Devin's astonishment. "Don't worry, you will reach my level one day, as long as you continue to train hard. And remember, don't be like a frog in a well who thinks the world is only as big as what he can see," the priest said cryptically.