Chapter 06 | Pressure Pt. 3

Power.

So much power surged through my body, more than I had ever felt in my entire life.

My thoughts blurred into static.

My body was moving, but not by my will.

Then everything went blank.

Simon, glowing with Sovereign energy, launched himself at the nearest stone structure. His fist connected with its face, shattering its head like glass under divine pressure. The massive form crumbled backward, crashing to the ground with an earth-shaking thud.

The remaining four constructs stood motionless, their hollow eyes locked on him. Silent.

Waiting.

Then, without warning, a woman appeared in front of Simon. She wore a pointed witch's hat, dark robes embroidered with gold, and a sly grin that barely had time to form.

"Did you like my-"

She didn't finish.

In one fluid motion, Simon flicked his hand and flung her across the field, smashing her into a jagged rock face.

"HEY, YOU ASSHOLE!" she yelled from where she landed, but Simon didn't respond.

His attention was still locked onto the constructs.

One of them moved. A great sword came swinging down, but Simon leapt onto the blade, sprinted along its length, up its arm, and delivered a crushing kick to the back of its neck. The construct collapsed, and Simon flipped off midair, landing with the grace of a dancer and the force of a god.

The other three constructs flickered, then stilled. Their runes faded out, and they slumped lifeless.

The woman brushed herself off and approached, now much calmer.

"There. Now you have nothing else to focus on."

She reached out, placing a single hand gently on Simon's forehead.

"Go to sleep, sweetheart. It's not your time to fight me yet."

The runes across his body dimmed and vanished. His body collapsed.

She turned to Brianan, still unconscious beneath the tree, and laid a hand on his side. In an instant, his wounds vanished. Then, with a blink of light, both of them vanished, leaving behind scorched earth, shattered stone, and a slumped Simon.

"Where am I?"

I woke up in a long corridor. The walls pulsed faintly with an eerie glow, runes etched in a language I couldn't begin to understand.

"Brianan!?" My voice echoed into the shadows, but there was no reply.

I got to my feet, painlessly, and began walking. The corridor stretched endlessly, like a dream on repeat. No sound but my footsteps.

Eventually, I reached a tall door, covered in the same script. I pressed against it. Nothing. I pounded. Still nothing.

When I turned around, expecting to see more hallway, I was met with something else.

The black figure.

Vulxan.

The one from my dream.

"Hello again, Simon. And yes, before you ask, this is another dream."

I tried to speak, but as before, nothing came out. Just silence.

"Let me make this brief. That woman, don't chase her. She's leagues beyond your current strength. Not until you can tap deeper into me."He grinned like he was enjoying all of this.

My mind reeled. What woman? What happened? My arms... I looked down. Perfectly intact.

"Right. The form you were in? You can't control it yet. Hopefully that'll change as you grow stronger. Otherwise, well..." He chuckled."You'll have a rough ride."

What do you mean I can't control it? What happened to me?

"Enough for now. You're waking up."

Wait! Come back! I have more questions!

But it was too late. He vanished again into the dark.

I jolted upright, heart pounding.

Back.

I was finally back.

I shot to my feet and ran. Brianan, I had to find him.

I tore through the clearing, ignoring the crumbled constructs that littered the battlefield.

But when I reached the tree... he was gone.

I searched the area. Nothing. My gut twisted. Maybe he made it back to the village.

I sprinted back through the woods, praying I was right.

The village gates were packed with people. Every eye was on me.

"What happened out there?" the king asked, voice stern.

"Stone constructs," I said breathlessly. "Runes powered them, some kind of enchantment."

"Cultists," the king muttered. "Has to be."

"I don't think it was cultists," I said. "It was a woman."

His eyes narrowed. "Where's Brianan?"

My stomach dropped.

"I thought he was here."

The memories rushed back. The woman, her power.

She took him.

"We need to go after her, she has Brianan!"

Then, just behind me, a whisper only I could hear.

"Remember what I told you. You don't want to die, do you?"

I froze.

"…Actually, no. We shouldn't. She's too powerful right now."

The king looked puzzled. "If you're certain. I trust your judgment."

"I'll prepare the troops. We'll head out at first light."

"Tomorrow!?"

"Is that alright?"

I couldn't risk raising suspicion. I nodded.

"Tomorrow it is."

Present.

Endor stood calmly, watching the door.

It opened.

A short man stepped inside, his presence somehow heavier than his frame. He wore a crisp black suit, a sleek tie, and a black porcelain mask. His hair was jet black, his demeanor colder than the others in the room.

"Mizuki. Glad you made it," Arkais said with a nod.

Mizuki returned a stiff one in silence, his gaze already locked onto the glowing monitor.

He looked down at Simon.

"Weak," he said simply.

Lucia rolled her eyes. "What do you think, Arthur? Can he make it?"

"No. It's suicide."

Arkais turned to Vanilla. "Do you think Vulxan's spoken to him yet?"

"Only speaks to the ones he likes," she said, dreamy-eyed, still watching Simon.

Mizuki sat, pulled out his phone, and began scrolling.

"Bored already, Prodigy?" Arthur teased.

Mizuki didn't look up.

"Don't test me."