Part 2
Green energy latched on to the sides of the cavern to keep it steady. Inside the green transparent hexagon barrier was the flowy red and white energy. Eventually, his body just started to naturally produce white as well as green and red. He wasn't quite sure when this happened. The weird, flowy movements definitely reminded him of the third picture in the book. Although he didn't see any hexagons, he thought it was similar enough to the sphere.
Izeurik also noticed periodically one of the hexagons would open up, allowing white and blue energy to come inside, turning green or red, if not remaining white. It pushed out the excess to disperse back into his body. The extra blue energy always found its way back out of the body, as if just passing through. With everything looking good and just when Izeurik thought it all was over, dark and light blue strings of light suddenly flew into the right side of his chest, covering the cavern's walls.
Wrapping around everything and squishing you down. The black and light blue strings pushed and pulled all his work into one of the tunnels. The tunnel walls were stretching, all the interference of him trying to stop it failed immediately. The lights forced his hard work directly into his own heart. Like it was all over again, The pain he filled once before and never hoped to feel again returned. This time not just his head and chest, but his entire body. Red, green, black, white, and light blue strings of light swirled down every blood vein reaching every corner of his body inside.
The only saving grace is that after recently feeling the pain it was easier to handle this time around. It all happened too fast he couldn't fully follow what was forcefully being changed. Soon his attention was pulled, small tend rolls flash from his heart pouring back into the tunnel to the cavern he created. The flesh warped until it created a copy of his original heart. Connected to new blood veins that merge with all the others.
When examining the heart inside of the cavern, the outside looked exactly the same. When looking deeper into the heart, he found all his hard work recreated. The only difference was the black all over the inside walls of the heart and the light blue floating colors all around outside of the green hexagon barrier. When looking at his original heart, they were identical inside and out. Pumping blood w and filtering out all the excess with each beat.
After a long suspenseful moment, unsure if anything else will happen Izeurik continued looking and analyzing each heart. Letting the lingering pain fade slowly. Just as he felt everything was fine, he began to open his eyes. That's when he realized it was still dark with the moon shiny down on him. He was also no longer in his pajamas, just his underwear. He was also drenched in sweat with a wet cold towel on his head. His body felt lighter and exhausted. Sister Mary was cradling Izeurik in her arms with tears in her eyes with look of relief and pure joy
Before he could process any further, several thin blue transparent rectangular screens appeared before his eyes with a ding and words written on them.
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
You have successfully gained the ability to sense the World Mana and shown some control over it. With all the conditions now met, you gain the Rank level 1 Sentient, in the eyes of the gods, rising from Unawakened. This allows you to see the World Screen. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
For gaining the ability to sense world mana, you've unlocked your personal and public Identity Card. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
You have successfully gained a Mana Core resulting in your early awakening. Due to the lack of proper qualifications, your rank remains at Sentient in the eyes of the gods. This achievement without guidance and young age have gained you the attention of a few gods.]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
A god has taken notice and intervened, forcefully starting the process of your Mana Heart. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
Your Mana Heart has successfully been created. You are now officially classified as a Bender in the eyes of the gods. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
Your relationship with God has broken the silent barrier. You are now qualified to receive quests from them. You are one step closer to revealing their name. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
A God has forcefully become your patron. You are now qualified to receive boons and gifts from them. Additionally due to your species, mutation, and having a patron, the act of developing skills and improving them has dramatically been diminished. Your patron shall support and guide your growth. ]
[ Ding. You've received a notification:
Upon becoming Level 1, Your identity card will be forcefully open for you to observe. Due to this being your first time opening your identity card the full private information shall be provided. You can change this later in your settings from Full, to simplistic, standard, advance, or custom for private and public viewing. How to bring up the screen has been ingrained into you to do so with a single thought. ]
[ Ding. Identity Card: Full.
Type: Allied
Alignment: Neutral
Name: Izeurik L.(Love) BloodHart
True Name: Not Found.
Alias: Izeurik B.(Blood) Love
Transcendent Level: Peak Stage 1
Dynasty: Third Branch's Son of The Blood Dynasty
Species: Mutant Za'lantie Chimera
Appearance: Black Dominican
Age: 6
Height: 4'2
Class: None
Profession: None
Rank: Sentient
Physical: Awakened
Mental: Awakened
Title: None
DNA Seed: None
Bloodline: Eye of supremacy
Mutation: ZeroClimb
Bending: None
Grace: None
Boons: None
Affinity: Psionic, Electricity, Darkness, Moonlight, Earth & Water.
Traits: None
Skills: None
Personal level: 0
Strength: 2
Defense: 1
Vitality: 10
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 7
Perception: 4
Points available: 0.
Experience multiplier: None
End of Identity Card…]
The obsessive ringing brought phantom pain to his head, chest and entire body. With a quick glance, realizing his blurry vision made it pointless to try to read, he just wanted it to go away. Just like that the screen suddenly disappeared. With heavy eyes glancing up at Sister Mary, seeing the look on her face, he couldn't help but want to comfort her.
His weak near boney hand slowly reached up to her face, gently brushing away a tear from her cheek. Trying to stay awake, feeling his body slowly drifting into slumber, he made a last attempt to keep his hand from falling by gently grabbing onto her hair. Izeurik tried to speak while looking up into Sister Mary's eyes, but as fast as a blink, he passed out.
As time passed Sister Mary was indulging in one of her favorite books after putting Izeurik to bed sometime later she felt something she never thought she would, so soon. She felt the flow of mana in the air starting to act abnormally. Using her mana senses, sending a pulse out of her body and following the abnormality to the source. Her heart sunk in her chest when her senses peered into Izeurik's room.
She nearly fell off the bed in her haste, rushing out of her room as quickly as she could and into his. Sister Mary focused more intensely at Isaac's collapsed body on his bed. She watched a small portion of the surrounding mana funneling into his body from all sides, travelling through his body towards the right side of his chest before out again. With her fears and assumptions confirmed, Sister Mary gently picked up Izeurik, cradling him in her arm, putting on a brave, worried face, all the while blaming herself for the situation at hand.
"I... This is all my fault. I didn't think you understood. I didn't think you would try such a thing. I should have paid more attention. Please be careful, my sweet Ize. "
The more she spoke, the harder it was to stop the tears from pouring down. Her eyes were glued onto his body, sitting down on a nearby chair. For the rest of the night, she barely blinked while watching over Izeurik, intensely staring at him with her mana sight to watch the progress of him creating his own Mana Core. Sister Mary knew without training it was dangerous, one she couldn't simply interrupt.
Interruption or failure to create a Mana Core can easily lead to dire consequences she had seen far too many times. She decided to wait for the very last moment before stopping him, a decision that weighed heavy on her heart and mind, but a decision she knew was the best. When morning time came, she had to convince herself to eat. That neglecting herself wouldn't help anyone. That morning was the first time Sister Mary didn't sing to herself when making breakfast, and the quietness did her no favors.
While eating, she decided to revert back to breastfeeding for Izeurik. She believed and hoped it would be a more natural feeling and instinct that wouldn't distract from his concentration. With all his teeth and sharp 12 canines it was still surprisingly not as gentle as she thought. Marking and slightly piercing her tough skin with his bones.
After breakfast was done, she gently covered Izeurik to block him from the sun, using her power to turn their wooden chair into a nice big wooden basket. Adding some pillow cushions, a handle and a little shade curtain to block the sun. She knew he never really liked the sun much. With a broken smile, she spoke as softly and sweetly as she could with a slight cracked voice.
"There you go, little guy. Don't you worry, I won't be going anywhere."
She carried him out to the morning air. She took a deep breath in while trying to remain positive, going about the daily routine of gardening that took far longer than usual. Sister Mary couldn't help but to stop numerous times to watch Izeurik's progress closely. Eventually, when the work was done, she returned inside to clean themselves off. Afterwards, carrying Izeurik to the storage, collecting what they need before heading to the church's kitchen.
When people noticed behind the counter that Sister Mary finally arrived, the chattering grew. One of the men approached the counter just to check in on her, his voice was filled with concern and worry.
"Hey, running a lot later than normal. Is everything…"
The man couldn't finish what he wanted to say before he noticed Izeurik. The man's voice dropped heartbrokenly.
"...Oh, how?... Oh, dear child."
Other adults slowly begin to realize the situation. Their chatter turned into murmuring as words spread amongst each other before turning completely silent.
"Don't worry Ralph, everything's fine. Sorry for running late."
Sister Mary reassured with a stutter and while doing her best to hold back tears and snot. She didn't anticipate others' emotions to make it so much harder to be strong. With one hand she tried to prepare the food. Without hesitation, Ralph walked around the counter and immediately stopped her from preparing their food with a gentle hand.
Alice peered around the corner with her ocean blue eyes. She did not like the change of atmosphere. The weird feeling she had inside While looking at Izeurik stilled body. She slowly stepped closer while trying to understand your feelings. Ralph's voice was more soothing, gently resting his hands on her shoulders, trying to offer comfort and support.
"Hey, don't you worry about this. We can handle it for you. Just head home, that's far more important. I promise you we won't burn down the kitchen."
Ralph let out a small chuckle, an attempt to help lighten the atmosphere. Others gathered around the counter offering their own comforting words, all the while agreeing with Ralph's declaration. Sister Mary wanted to protest, but Ralph was already guiding her to the back of the church.
"We will even take care of the buyers too. Just come back after closing and we'll give you a report of everything that happened."
Sister Mary could only nod her head. feeling it becoming harder and harder to maintain her composure. She reluctantly put her trust and those who she cared for so often, entering back into her farmhouse. Alice slipped through right behind Sister Mary and closed the door behind her. Ralph and the others began talking amongst each other about the situation. From the homeless to the less fortunate and those struggling with their own businesses, they all knew the seriousness of the situation.
Before they did anything else, they all got on their knees and prayed to their goddess for good fortune for Sister Mary and Izeurik. They all agreed to not share this information to anyone outside of who's gathered here. They knew even harmless information could be distasteful in the wrong hands. Those who knew how to cook all stepped forward to help prepare food for all. When they were done they cleaned up far better than it was before after eating. When the buyers came, most of the people stayed mainly as witnesses, although a few were willing to step up if they decided to take advantage of Sister Mary's absence.
Ralph and a few others helped run the shop, marking down everything that was sold. There were a few questions about Sister Mary's absence, but they all just shrugged, saying Sister Mary needed a little vacation with the kid to enjoy mother and childhood. It was convincing enough to not resort to any other questioning. When the store shut down, Sister Mary returned for a moment, just to receive the update, and collected the money with little words exchanged.
They all gave their last condolences before going their separate ways once more. After returning, Sister Mary went back to her room, laying down on her back with Izeurik resting on her chest. She knew it would be another sleepless night, but she felt a little better that she wouldn't be alone. Alice lay down beside them, gently holding Izeurik's hand. Sister Mary did explain what was happening when she asked. She rarely spoke to anyone other than Izeurik, although she was open enough to her.
Sister Mary knew Alice's home life situation far too well. Always doing her best to help care for the poor girl. It brought warmth into her devastated and frightful heart to see them both create such a close bond. Unlike Sister Mary, Alice's body couldn't withstand the heaviness of sleep. Passing out but still holding his hands
On the second day, that was more of the same. She made breakfast, fed Izeurik and Alice, although she didn't tend to the garden. Sister Mary and Alice did drop off some prepared food early in the church's kitchen. Even for the brief moment outside, she didn't even hear bunny's singing this early, as if there is no joy in the world.
Sister Mary left a note for Ralph and the others to help themselves once again. Alice silently decided to remain by her side. Afterwards they both returned to her living room. cradling Izeurik in her arms. She thought she was doing well so far. That was before Izeurik's temperature started to rise, the whimpers of pain accompanied by the twitching and squirming started.
Her composure finally broke as tears were pouring out like rivers from her sore, tired eyes. Shortly followed by Alice, panting heavily and looking back and forth between them both. Sister Mary kept a good look on Izeurik. She knew what he was doing was far reckless, but she saw steady progress.
"Don't worry, Alice. It's going to be okay. He's just in a painful part of it. He is going to be okay. Don't worry… Everything's okay."
She repeated comforting words to Alice and also herself. She felt she probably wouldn't have to step in and everything would be okay. Yet none of that mattered when listening to the pains of her child, especially when knowing the same pain.
Sister Mary reminisced on when she had her own mana channels ripped, stretched, crushed and more. The pain that was labelled a war crime for being inhumane torture. Many people felt such pain before, rather it was from failed training exercises, ego or just a desperate situation when you use everything you got to the limit flooding the channels to the point your body could not handle it. The idea her child is suffering such a thing broke her heart 100 times over. Constantly feeling like a failure. Without even realizing it She felt Alice's hand on her shoulder as well. A silent desire to care and comfort despite Alice not knowing how.
"Thank you, Darlin…"
Sister Mary brokenly sobbed. A day she thought she could handle was being tested by the worst agony she ever felt. The sun wasn't even over the horizon and now she must listen and bear witness to his suffering. Given the progression, she knew it was going to be a long day. Alice made it all feel a little shorter with her silent help.
Sister Mary didn't do anything beyond the necessary. As his fever went up, she did the best she could to make it more comfortable, only keeping him in his underwear to help cool him down, just patiently waiting. Alice helped wring out the water and wiped him down.
Many times, she debated bringing out the TV, or a radio, or anything for other noise. Izeurik's whimpering and squirming gradually went up and down throughout the day. Eventually, Sister Mary did bring in the TV and encouraged Alice which she reluctantly accepted. Sister Mary noticed the sun went down and decided to go outside, taking a deep breath when greeting the night's fresh air, sitting on her porch in her rocking chair under the moonlight. Rocking slowly as she looked upon the moon in silence.
The longer her eyes lingered, the more she understood some of the fascination Izeurik sees in it. Even without realizing, Sister Mary began softly singing once more while steadily rocking. Her soft voice echoing through the silent air. A gentle smile appeared on her face, caressing Izeurik with a wet towel to help keep him cool. She could see how much energy he burned by the loss of so much weight. Continuously getting skinnier by the hour.