Reflections of a 7-foot figure, in crimson skin, donning a sharp business suit and glasses, flickered across the surface of a large cauldron filled nearly to the brim with black liquid.
It was A.R.M., and he was encircled by six individuals exuding an aura of confidence. They engaged in conversation with A.R.M., their gestures directed toward a colossal arena where two cultivators squared off.
While the skeleton could discern A.R.M. through the rippling reflections, the dialogue between the machine and the 6 cultivators remained beyond his reach. Raising its bony hand, it instinctively reached out toward A.R.M., disturbing the dark waters and causing the reflection to dissipate.
A gravelly voice emanated from the skeletal figure's mouth. "Yes, a skin suit is what I need. Only then will I be able to whisper directly into his ear." It abruptly left its cave, calling for Lapaptzi. The green-eyed woman, who referred to the skeleton as master, promptly appeared. "You haven't managed to kill the Stubborn Will user yet, correct?"
Lapaptzi shook her head, before retrieving her brown bag. "Nope. I've kept him safe and bound in my pocket space after you confirmed that he might be worth quite a lot." The skinless skeleton, devoid of any facial expression, eerily brought its hands up to its mouth, imitating a smile.
Al had been returned to Lapaptzi's brown bag after his escape had been thwarted. Within that dark abyss, time lost all meaning. Only the ebb and flow of his thoughts offered a fleeting sense of its passage.
Though unable to cultivate, he could empty his mind and merge with the void, rendering time irrelevant. So, when he heard the voices of the Skeleton and Lapaptzi reach into the pocket space, he wasn't certain if it had been months, days, or even years that had passed.
Somewhere near the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest territories of Canada, inside the 19th Mortal Ring of the Evergreen Leaf, Jin raced at full tilt, narrowly evading a massive sand-formed palm that smashed down toward him.
The air crackled with static, and in a blink, Jin reappeared, skillfully sidestepping the descending palm. In a swift motion, he conjured a bolt of lightning, aiming it at a cultivator clutching a doll that bore an uncanny resemblance to the sand giant.
High above the arena, six figures observed the intense duel, the same individuals the skeleton had seen reflected in its cauldron earlier. Among them, a monkey-clad cultivator, adorned in blue and brown robes, spoke. "That boy is a member of the Takahashi Clan, if he manages to win one more match, he's qualifying to be a recognized disciple. However, because he cultivates Lightning Will he will likely join our Lightning-Stone Leaf."
"I see," A.R.M. responded thoughtfully. "So, your 'Gods' prefer cultivators who cultivate a similar Will as their own Will. In that case, I assume your God embodies both Lightning and Stone?"
The monkey grinned at A.R.M.'s astute observation. "Yes and no. It's accurate to say my teacher has two Wills, but that has nothing to do with his title of God. All immortals have two Wills; however, one has been formed into the Immortal's 'Immortal Spirit.' The title God exists because just as our cultivation is in the Immortal Chasm, theirs is in the God Chasm. If you ask me how their Wills manifest at that point, I haven't the slightest idea."
Meanwhile, in a labyrinth of tunnels deep underground, the skeleton and Lapaptzi found themselves in a strange land. Here, Dark acolytes roamed freely, each accompanied by a hybrid or two. Some of the Dark acolytes appeared more human than animal, and amidst them stood a towering 14ft Rakh-ahtan draped in ragged robes.
As the duo proceeded, they headed straight toward the Rakh-ahtan. The skeleton spoke to the red-eyed biomechanical demon, who loomed large over them. "I've heard tales of your people mastering the science of body modification long ago. I seek a skin that doesn't rely on magic or Will—a covering that would remain undetectable even to the most perceptive individuals." The skeleton said in a low voice.
YOU ARE READING
An Illusion of Will
ФэнтезиLeft or Right? Two choices are given, one decision is made. Up or down, we find ourselves in a box. We call the outcome our fate or destiny. Change is the burden born from the choices made along the way. What is down comes up, what goes up comes dow...
