UNDEFEATABLE POWER OFFER (2)

"No, I'm not doing it," Marshall declared.

No matter how tempting the power may be, it was still demonic. Wyn had clearly stated that he wouldn't associate with anything demonic. Even if... the snow deity didn't consider him a friend... No, he couldn't afford to think about it now.

Gi Gaia shrugged casually, dusting her hands off. "Then it can't be helped. Go away. The exit is on your left."

The disciple murmured a "huh?" as he turned around. He could have sworn there were no exits. 

Yet, the moment his back was on Gi Gaia, she struck his back, slamming the palm of her hand between his shoulder blades hard. Marshall looked down and saw deep green energy swirling around his torso, followed by a feeling of something shattering inside him.

Immediately, a searing pain shot through his body. "What did you do?" he managed to ask through gritted teeth.

It felt as though his veins were being filled with molten lava. Marshall's muscles tightened, and he bit down hard, trying to stay in control.

"Stay awake now," Gi Gaia snapper her fingers in front of his face. "I merely removed the seal. The first stage has begun."

"I said I wasn't..." Marshall's legs buckled beneath him, but he forced himself to remain standing. Sweat dripped down his back and sideburns. His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, but the pain was closing in on him like a vice.

"How long... the pain...?" he managed to croak out.

"Just a day!" Gi Gaia's response was matter-of-fact, almost gleeful. "Don't worry, the pain will subside once your body adjusts."

His eyes widened as he doubled over, half from pain but more from disbelief. "A day?!"

He had braced himself for minutes, perhaps half an hour, not hours of suffering. The realization grinded a good chunk of his resolve to dust.

Gi Gaia gave him a derisive pat on the head. "Don't fret, any internal damage you receive will be healed by demonic energy once it settles in."

"Internal... damage?" Marshall muttered, staring up through his fringe.

Gi Gaia chuckled darkly, her smaragdine eyes gleaming with a predatory delight. "Oh, did I not mention that? Yes, the energy will break you down before it builds you up. Consider it a... purification process."

Marshall clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as he fought to remain upright. His vision blurred, and he struggled to focus on Gi Gaia's taunting figure.

"Don't give up now," she said, her tone almost sing-song, "this is just the beginning."

➳ ➳ ➳

Only as the night rolled around, the pain began to ebb. Marshall was lying balled up on a hoarse blanket that Gi Gaia had bestowed upon him before leaving the cavern with complaints about whimpering.

The stars shone down on him through the opening in the ceiling above the pond. His brow furrowed lightly as he felt a pang of guilt for leaving the snow deity on the other side of the wall.

Was Wyn concerned? Or was he relieved that he didn't have to hide a fugitive anymore?

As the disciple tried to shove the bleak thoughts out of his head, a stark white object crossed the sky. Its resemblance to a falling star was striking.

The white owl descended, landing next to him with a silent hop. He tried to push himself up to a seated position to play with the bird, but every muscle in his body was sore, forcing him back onto the uneven ground.

Wide, luminous eyes scanned him. The bird bounced closer to examine him, and bumped its sleek head against his with a reassuring nudge.

A soft hoot left its beak, as if asking "What's wrong?"

Marshall's heart warmed as he marveled at the intuitive empathy of the little being. People did say that animals could sense pain. Perhaps it was true.

"Aren't you cute?" he murmured, smiling at the owl.

The bird didn't look too happy about being called cute, its pupils tightening slightly as it turned the snowy head to the side.

"Pfft," Marshall huffed a laugh. "You know, you resemble your master. Are you perhaps Wyn in owl form?" he joked.

Forgetting about every struggle of the day, he carefully reached out a hand to play with the owl. "Can I pet you?"

After a brief pause, the bird tilted its head, hopping a little closer. The grin on Marshall face widened as he brushed his fingertips against the velvety feathers, observing the dense plumage in awe. It was so soft and warm, the surface of each feather unbelievably smooth.

He reached to tousle the snowy feathers on the owl's chest instead, moving his finger in circles, giggling to himself until the bird recoiled with a disgruntled hoot.

"Alright, alright, no chest ruffles, I got it," Marshall raised his hand in surrender, trying to pet the owl's head again, but it sidestepped.

"What, am I not allowed head pats anymore either?" he whined.

Resting his cheek on his palm, the disciple watched the feathery friend. "How comforting..."

The little ball of fluff blinked at him, then hopped closer and settled down beside the disciple. Marshall sighed in amusement, his gaze drifting back to the twinkling stars above.

A silly smile lingered on his lips as his fingers absentmindedly ran over the long feathers of the owl's wings.

"Since you're here, I take it that Wyn's trying to find a way to get me out. Though I'd understand if he decided to leave. I won't be mad or offended, sincerely. He has done more than enough."

The bird's wings fluttered sharply, sending a light breeze over him. The disciple didn't react, so the white wings flapped once more, this time smacking into his face.

"Ow," Marshall gently pushed the bird away. "Don't smack me. I'm not a threat, you... know..."

Tides of dread washed away all smiles as he realized the spiritual owl must have sensed his demonic energy. The moment it returned to Wyn's side, it was going to report Marshall as a threat.

He abruptly sat up, his eyes widening as he stared at the owl. The pain lagged behind a greater concern. Wyn had made it clear that he wouldn't tolerate demonic presence. If the snow deity was still out there, then after finding out that Marshall had unsealed his demonic energy, he would likely leave immediately.

The disciple's fingers tangled in his hair, tousling it wildly as he let out a deep, regretful sigh. He couldn't help but frown at himself. He had just said he wouldn't mind if Wyn left. So why was he worried about it now?

This sense of fear was confusing.