A brother's love. Into the dark

Freedom

"I never thought I would hear you say those words."

'Yeah well, I did. Now teach me.'

Given Max's demanding nature, Netami knew he had to. But why? How could this information benefit him?

"Well, it's difficult to describe. People learn how to use them as children, such as speaking and walking. But I will do my best."

He sighed

"Your powers originate from your soul, which is why you can see your drive manifesting within. You may also access your powers from outside sources. For example, a person with a water drive can utilize water from a lake or something related to that, However, this is really difficult to do, even I am unable to do so."

'Ok? I don't care. Just tell me how to use the first way.'

Netami pounded, he appeared touched by Max's words.

"How impolite, be nice to your teacher, but fine. It's not that difficult. You can do it like I do. Imagine a lake flowing from your soul to wherever you desire to use it."

Max went dumb. It couldn't be just that right? Since childhood, he imagined numerous ways it could work. They were all so difficult and complex. This was not at all what he had imagined.

'Y-You sure that's how it works?'

"Yeah, why wouldn't I? Can we go now?"

Max shook his head to break out of his trance. And followed Netami to and up the wet, old stairs. For some reason, they were calming to Max. It wasn't just this, old objects in general had this effect on him.

He looked down and sighed, leaving this topic alone for the hundredth time.

The third floor.

'Only one more after this one.'

Max slowly whispered.

But first, they had to get through this one, well mostly Netami, as Max was too worn down to fight and could only run.

However, Netami had shown himself when defending Max when he went to examine his soul. So Max wasn't worried at all.

When they opened the door, they found themselves in an empty room with only the stairs to the next story visible. At least they didn't have to navigate the narrow, maze like halls.

They attempted to open the windows, but they wouldn't budge, it wasn't like they expected them to, but it would have been a pleasant surprise.

But it was odd, why was this room so different? There wasn't even a monster here. Even the first floor had one.

But then Max heard a groan. Looking up his questions got answered as he saw a gigantic stack of flesh on the ceiling.

They had to climb up fast before it woke up. But as he was about to steep on the first step of the old and this time dry wood of the stairs he got thrown onto the wall.

He woke back seconds later.

'Can I not get tossed around for once?'

He looked at the awakened monster. It was as tall as the room and occupied most of its surface. Its flesh was darker, and the bones that protruded from it were cracked but appeared to be strong.

Looking to his right he saw Netami. Looks like he wasn't the only one that was ambushed by this atrocity.

The creature approached Max, opening one of his many jaws to display a set of frightening teeth.

'You should brush your teeth more, what if I were a girl? I would absolutely not date you.'

The creature frowned as if it understood the human language. How fortunate. It looked to want to stab Max with one of its numerous tentacles that extended from his torso.