Alchemy Of Abyss

Chapter Twenty-two (Rayan)~3

Azazel led Osir to his chamber, which had thousands of drawers covering the entire glass walls. Each drawer was separated by thin black lines. "We can be in the Human world without disturbing its balance; a simple trick can help us learn more about them."

He inserted his right hand into his left sleeve, he revealed a dark-brown leather-bound ancient book with unique symbols. Osir looked at him surprised.

"This is our gateway into the human world." He set the book down and raised both hands. Two drawers opened, and cloudy white threads flew from the open drawers to his raised hands.

One resting over the embedded inscription on his left palm. The other flew to Osir, who copied him. The threads were wrapped around their fingers before resting completely on their palms.

Tingles over their open hands, Azazel then placed his over his heart. When Osir did the same, the book quickly opened to page six hundred sixty-six. A blinding light struck them and swallowed them whole.

No one knows what book of magic he used to this day; some elders believe it was the book of shadows, but the book never left Duat's Grotto. Maat would never allow any creature, let alone a Divine, to see this one.

That part always puzzled me until a while ago, I was with one of our elders and he said that there was a rumor that swirled between the kingdoms back then that Azazel had this book which was owned by a human. No one knew who he was, yet the ancient ones kept his identity a secret for some reason.

Azazel was pure evil; he used human vessels to exist in human realms, consuming their soul essence. Targeting desperate people who simply let him take over. They sell their souls in exchange for wealth and power. What a waste.

Azazel bestowed upon Osir the soul of a time traveler. One who is both skilled and powerful.

Osir opened his eyes gradually, a sharp pain lancing through his head, and his entire body felt like it was being mercilessly beaten hard. He couldn't help but blink as the sun's rays hit his face.

He glanced down at his hand, which was no longer glowing. He ran his hand over his body. He shed his celestial form to take on this human body. His eyes, which had been cold and clear, now shimmered with a newfound warmth and tears. The pain in his head lanced once more.

Pain. Something he never knew.

He forced himself to stand. He looked out the window with a dizzy head and blurry vision. Happiness filled his now warm and human-beating heart as the bright sun hit him with its warmth and comfort. "It feels... so human right?" From behind, a deep voice said. He saw Azazel in his human form, a tall, bald man with an outstanding glow over his dark skin.

"Indeed."

Azazel imbued Osir with the soul essence of such a powerful time traveler. He possessed the ability to transport his entire essence across all human realities.

After giving Osir the name of a human who would guide him back to Kiya, Azazel left him to explore that human life. Osir opened the door just as another monk approached.

"Good morning, Eisai," Jien said, smiling broadly. The name of Eisai awoke all his memories in Osir's mind. He walked into the temple, his gaze fixed on everything and everyone.

He felt the wonder of human existence firsthand, experiencing the depth of human emotions and the complexities of mundane desires. What an amazing realm, he thought.

He shifted his weight and walked to the temple's main gate. Aiming for the human Azazel mentioned. As his feet touched the ground, he marveled at the sensations that enveloped him, his eyes fixed on the ground beneath his steady tall legs. The weight of his tall, muscled body, the cool breeze against his smooth skin—all were overwhelming and yet strangely captivating.

Noises grew louder around him. He shifted his gaze and found himself in the middle of the local market. People were talking, laughing, and arguing. He smiled as he looked around. He had never felt such strong emotions before. Is that happiness? He questioned himself.

He closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh garden scent, which warmed his heart. He blinked again and looked to the right. He found the person he was looking for. A small shop full of herbs and bright flowers.

The elderly woman stood at the front door, her skin glowing, her long silky silver hair laying on her back, and she was dressed in a fiery red kimono. His gaze moved from the bottom of her kimono to her face, where he found her smiling fondly at him.

"Welcome to the Human realm, Osir, isn't it?" The woman invited him in by moving her body slightly.

Osir nodded and followed her lead. The lady stood out from the rest of the market as if she didn't belong there. Her shop was colorful and filled with a unique smell that felt foreign yet soothing and comfortable. "Doesn't it feel strange?"

"Indeed, yet not so foreign, it... is more like a tide cloth wrapped around my soul, it feels wrapped around tightly yet perfectly fit," Osir replied as he sat on the ground cushion.

"A fine description, I agree with you, it feels odd at first but the more you interact with humans, the more you become one of them," the old lady laughed.

"What are you? I don't believe you're a mundane human."

"Something like you and humans, we don't like sharing our true identities because it confuses everyone, but you should know, we are creatures of peace and happiness, and we simply like to help."

The lady took a small wooden table with herbs and flowers and a large wooden bowl on it. She placed the table between them and began mixing herbs and flowers inside the bowl.

She finally poured the mixture into a hot cup of water and handed it to Osir. "Drink this; it will give you complete control over Eisai's body and memories."

Osir drank it whole. He would forever remember its taste. Inside his mouth, the sweetness of the flowers was competing with the sourness of the herbs. It made him shiver. Delicious, he thought. She told him to close his eyes and relax, allowing the memories of Eisai to come to him.