Chapter 8

"Could you please lower your weapon?"

The middle-aged man requested of the woman, gently touching the blade she aimed at Kyle with his finger.

"You shouldn't be here, Sphen,"

the woman responded icily.

"Actually, I have a right to be here; this land is mine and I prefer not to have bloodshed on my property,"

the man answered in a soothing tone.

Upon hearing this, the woman lowered her weapon and turned to walk away.

"Always so conceited,"

he muttered to himself as he observed her departure.

Feeling somewhat relieved by the arrival of assistance, Kyle pressed his hand against the cut on his neck to conceal the wound.

"Take this,"

the man offered Kyle, extending a small white cloth toward him.

"Thank you,"

Kyle replied, accepting the cloth and using it to clean the blood from his neck.

"So, who are you?"

Kyle inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.

"I'm Sphen, and the difficult woman who just left is Nova,"

the man introduced himself.

Kyle was taken aback by the man's calm and soothing tone; it was so refined and pleasant that he found himself wishing to hear the man sing, as his voice was as exquisite as his appearance—clear and radiant.

It was the first time he had ever encountered someone speaking to him so serenely.

"What is this place, and why am I here?"

Kyle asked Sphen.

With a smile, Sphen placed his hand on Kyle's shoulder.

"Come walk with me, boy,"

he urged as they began descending the mountain.

"You are in a place known as Veilwatch, a realm that exists between heaven and earth, and now you are part of it,"

Sphen explained to Kyle.

"I don't comprehend any of what you're saying,"

Kyle admitted as they walked down together.

"Forgive me, but do you recall that night when those creatures attacked you?"

Sphen asked.

"Yes, I remember,"

Kyle answered, overwhelmed by memories flooding back. He couldn't deny his eagerness to understand what was happening in his life.

"Those creatures are demons, emerged straight from the abyss of hell. They prey on the weak and have devised a plan to bring about humanity's downfall,"

Sphen said, his voice remaining gentle.

"Demons? So you're telling me that demons and hell actually exist?"

Kyle exclaimed in disbelief, stepping back as he stared at Sphen.

"I'm afraid it's true; what you've experienced so far is enough to validate my claims,"

Sphen responded softly.

"Then how am I connected to all of this? Why was I targeted in the first place?"

Kyle pressed on.

"You were targeted because they seek your soul, the very essence of life that encompasses both you and me," Sphen spoke to Kyle in a serene manner.

"You've become part of this because you've ingested a demonic artifact that is designed to destroy you; you ingested a monolith," Sphen continued.

Upon hearing Sphen's explanation, Kyle reflected on that fateful night—the vision of a white, energy-like substance emanating from his fellow orphans just before their demise, and the moment when it was his turn to be extracted, though he slipped into unconsciousness within moments, only to regain awareness shortly after.

"Child, the relic you have absorbed possesses immense power and is only meant to be wielded by demons. Even beings of our kind would likely perish if we attempted to consume one," Sphen explained to Kyle.

"Yet, you have somehow managed to contain such potent energy within a human body. That, my friend, is truly unprecedented," Sphen remarked, pausing briefly with his arms crossed behind him.

"So, this entity now resides within me?" Kyle replied with incredulity, gazing down at his hands, struggling to grasp how such a phenomenon was even feasible.

"How can I remove it?" he inquired, lifting his gaze to meet Sphen's eyes.

"I'm afraid that is not possible at the moment. We currently lack the knowledge to reverse what has occurred, and even if we did, the procedure might well result in your death," Sphen responded.

Kyle found it difficult to accept Sphen's revelation, struggling with the disbelief that a demonic object had infiltrated him, and that there seemed to be no path to escape.

"No, surely there must be a way to expel it. There has to be!" Kyle insisted, raising his voice at Sphen.

"Veilwatch was created by celestial forces with the singular aim of combating darkness and safeguarding humanity from hellish influences. If a solution is ever to be found, it will be right here," Sphen said, maintaining a still posture with his arms behind his back, casting his gaze upwards toward the heavens.

"For now, however, the only course of action determined by the high council is that you remain here in Veilwatch for observation, while learning to harness the powers you now possess," Sphen added.

"Huh?" Kyle replied, visibly perplexed.

"I cannot remain here and become part of your bizarre reality—I have my own life to lead. Take me back now!" Kyle shouted vehemently at Sphen.

"And what kind of life do you think you lead?" Sphen countered, turning his head slowly to regard Kyle with a smile.

The impact of Sphen's words shattered something inside him; they echoed the harsh reality of his existence—a relentless journey filled with hardship and sorrow, devoid of companionship or family. Each day was marked by hatred and violence, leading to a life that brought him no joy.

"You've ingested a demonic artifact, which means you're no longer truly human. Under normal circumstances, you would be executed immediately, but she sees potential in you and has advocated for your freedom," Sphen explained to Kyle.

"If you go back, I can assure you that Hell will pursue you relentlessly; they'll come for the monolith. What you've faced so far pales in comparison to the nightmare that awaits you," Sphen continued.

Overcome with emotion, Kyle collapsed onto his knees, tears flowing freely.

"Once again, life has knocked me down. Why must I be so unlucky?" Kyle lamented, his sobs echoing in the silence.

Sphen chose to remain silent as he observed Kyle in his despair. He understood that offering consolation wouldn't change anything for him; instead, it was crucial for Kyle to accept the harsh truth before him.

"So, you're saying that if I return, those demons will keep pursuing me?" Kyle asked Sphen, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Yes, capturing you has become their top priority, and let's not even begin to contemplate the devastation to humanity if they succeed," Sphen responded gently.

This revelation struck Kyle hard; it was unfathomable for him to think he would be embroiled in something so otherworldly, all because he had consumed a seemingly cursed relic and managed to survive. Now, returning to his previous life was no longer an option.

Realizing he needed to reassure Kyle, Sphen approached him and rested his hand on his shoulder.

"This journey may be harsh and unforgiving, but consider it an opportunity for redemption," Sphen said, offering comfort to Kyle, who remained kneeling and weeping.

"Keep in mind, you are not traversing this path alone. We're all in this together, and your ability to endure and manage a demonic artifact signifies that you are unique," Sphen added.

"Now, you must grow, not just to protect yourself, but for the well-being of humanity as a whole," he emphasized once more, gazing up at the sky while still keeping his hand on Kyle's shoulder as he cried.