Chapter 55 - The Mental Realm’s Intervention

"Ancestor Marble, it is my oversight to allow such a blunder to transpire. I'm willing to face my punishments." Havita Bone kneeled on the ground, facing her back towards the Bone Family mansion's entrance. Alongside here was Jitu Bone, the oldest member of the family and the one with enough authority to plead alongside the Clan Head.

"Explain the full situation first." Psychic Ancestor Marble spoke curtly. Even though he was aware of everything thanks to what Jyorta had informed him, not to mention the probing done by Vaika and Rhachis Ancestor strongest, he still wished to see what explanation the Bone Family had to give.

After all, one of them had foolishly allowed a mere Skill to take control of their bodies to result in what would have become a major disaster. Even allowing one to lose control was a punishable offence. After all, not only would it mean their death, but once their Wisdom Parasite takes control, it would harm the surrounding people to gobble up their respective Wisdom Parasites too.

It was because, from the moment one lost control, they fell under the influence of Rhachis Ancestor Parasite. And, infiltration or the likes wasn't possible, not when there were Tier 6 Espers defending each city of humanity.

So, the direction it gave to every human that lost control in a city was to simply slaughter everyone around them. This way, it would weaken humanity's foundation. Maybe one of those victims was a genius with great potential.

His/her death would mean humanity would lose a future powerhouse. And, it had happened many times in the past. As a result, strict protocols had been erected to ensure people would take action the moment someone was on the verge of losing control.

Two protocols were introduced for this: Shifting Protocol and Control Protocol.

When one was on the verge of losing control while in public, they would announce this, causing any higher-tiered Espers in their surroundings to take care of them and bring them to the Limitless Tower immediately.

They would consume a Cleansement Fruit and be rid of the threat. Though, they'll have to pay a fine after this, for pushing away their consumption of a Cleansement Fruit until their condition reached such a dangerous stage.

Following it was the Control Protocol. This was announced when someone lost control in public abruptly. In this case, those on the same Tier as the person who had lost control would swarm him/her, killing them brutally. With that, they would destroy the threat before the Wisdom Parasite could get accustomed to controlling its respective body.

After all, once the human loses control, the Wisdom Parasite needs at least a couple of seconds to gain complete control of the human body. And Control Protocol was executed in this duration to finish them off.

Since even the act of losing control was strictly punished, the action taken by Hubert Bone's wife was a major blunder, one that put the blame on the entire Bone Family. After all, it had happened in their headquarters.

So, even if he acted calm, the air in the entire street was slowly turning hotter, a sign of his anger. Before the Bone Family's entrance was Havita Bone and Jitu Bone. Standing behind Rhachis Ancestor Strongest was Jyorta Bone, acting unconcerned with the situation.

And finally, kneeling on the ground floor of the Bone Family Mansion were the higher-ups of the Bone Family, those with enough power to enact either a Shifting Protocol or even a Control Protocol. After all, there were tens of Ground Controllers among them, those capable of killing a Shifter within a second when combining powers.

So, the blame on them was justified. Had Vaika not arrived on time, the aura personification would have continued to grow and would have pulled in even more people into it. And, if they were killed within it, the situation would only become worse, further fuelling the aura personification's growth.

"Ancestor Marble, everything started with the sudden mission that had been assigned to Hubert Bone and Jyovic Bone." Havita Bone began to speak, "Their disappearance placed our family under a state of unrest. And upon hearing the news that they might not be returning anytime soon, Hubert Bone's wife became angry and had attacked me."

"She attacked you?" Psychic Ancestor Marble frowned.

"Yes," Havita Bone nodded, "Though the attack was something that didn't even scratch me, I felt a foreboding sensation when she activated her Bone Devour. Usually, while using Bone Devour, when she uses Raging Momentum, there would be sparks of aura that take a variety of effects."

"We had been collecting data regarding that and transmitting it to Central Comment at the end of every month. But this time, the irregularity didn't occur outside but happened within her." Havita Bone bowed her head even lower, sweating profusely as she felt the gaze of two Ancestors on her, "Her aura suddenly became alive, and for a moment, I felt it clearly…"

"It was unknown how she had done it, but," Jitu Bone interjected, speaking with a solemn tone, "Parasite and Aura, I felt these two paths completely vanishing from her system. For an instant, there was only the sensation of the Mind Path emanating from her. And, I felt a stirrup from the Mental Realm."

"She was able to connect with the Mental Realm?" The two Ancestors made eye contact, understanding the seriousness of the issue.

"It wasn't her that had established this connection." Jitu Bone said with assurance, causing Havita Bone to look at him in shock. Ignoring her, he spoke, "It was the Mental Realm that had taken the initiative. And, it was what triggered something in her."

"For a moment, it was like we were all attempting a breakthrough." Jitu Bone said, expressing fear and annoyance, "We were unable to control our bodies as our minds began to enter the Mental Realm. And in this duration, the changes completed as her body erupted. At that moment, I could feel that her mind had been destroyed, and replacing it was something whose presence was no different to Earth."

After a moment's pause, he corrected himself, "It isn't that Lava Turtle.. The one I felt during that moment was the Earth's vast presence surging from within her."