Chapter 23: Subjugating a Spirit

Chapter 23: Subjugating a Spirit

Chapter 23

Subjugating a Spirit

The masked figure was startled at Sylas' sudden proclamation, pausing its speech and looking at him strangely. Sylas, on the other hand, didn't know whether to pull his hairs out or salivate at his sheer, good luck. He reeled back in quickly, taking a deep breath. Come what may, his reaction notwithstanding, this was a win. A major win at thata massive win. A windfall, so to say, from the clear, blue sky. Hed be a fool not to try and take advantage of it.

Though the quest didnt say it explicitly, it very heavily implied that the masked figure in front of him was a Remnant Shadow, whatever that may be. Which meant that Sylas would need the figures help if he wanted to subjugate Farseew. As for how he could obtain that help well, there was really only one way to find out.

I I just realized I could use your help with something, Sylas said. But cursed myself out for wanting to ask of you a favor. Dont worry about me.

there is no need to curse, the masked figure seemed intrigued. What is it that you could use my assistance with? If its something minor, I may not be displeased to offer a hand.

"I I have discovered something," Sylas hushed his tone, as though he was speaking of the unspeakable. Such an action piqued the figure's curiosity further and caused them to even 'land' on the ground, erring closer to Sylas. "Hidden in the castle you you are not the only shadow."

Thats impossible, the figure refuted immediately, seeming even slightly offended at Sylas words. There is no one like me here.

No, no, not like youyou you are majestic, Sylas immediately began bootlicking to recover. Gracious, forgiving, patient. This other thing the reason I said youre not the only shadow, I misspokeits not a shadow its its a dark thing, a terrible thing. Its a corrupt thing. Nothing like you. Absolutely nothing like you.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

"" the figure seemed pleased at Sylas' unrepentant praise and didn't seem to find anything strange with it. "Oh? If it is an ill thing you speak of, then you must mean that loud, black cloud. I hear it, sometimes. Claiming it is unprecedented and unequal. Yet, beneath me, such a thing stands.

Yes, yes, precisely, Sylas nodded swiftly. Its an evil thingbut, but I have ways, means of making it good. Like you. Well, like a much worse version of you, truly, as there is no equal to you, but a better version of itself. And and I could use your help with that.

Oh? You have such means? Curious. Fantastically curious, the figure said, inspecting Sylas closely for a moment. Even I had never gleamed such means, in my many years of wandering. It is peculiar. Peculiar indeed. And you say that with my help you can make that thing better?

I can make it less loud? Sylas ventured a guess. And, if all goes according to plan, it would have to listen to meI mean to us unquestionably.

That would indeed be handy, the figure said. Though it pains to me admit so, that thing predates even that which made me who I am. Though weaker and more malleable and meekly wrong, it holds certain historical valuean artefact of the time long-since forgotten.

An array of smoke blurred forward and struck toward Farseew who, using the sword as a conduit, wrapped a thick alloy of darkness around it and swung back. Sylas lips widened into a slight smile as he believed he was about to watch the fight his lifetime, but the smile was short-lived.

A pillar of emerging darkness blew out from the epicenter of the twos collision, carving out a hole up toward the heavens and sending out large chunks of stone flying everywhere. The explosion shook the entire castle and even managed to destabilize its foundations, causing it to lean forward slightly. However, that slight slope caused everything to go to hellbooks began flying off the shelves, cutlery from the countertops, and who knows what else outside Sylas room.

He himself was yanked back violently and tossed into the wall, causing him to cry out in pain as he felt his spine snap. He could barely breathe, and couldnt move, watching the two figures emerge from the thick alloy of shadows within the pillar. The two didnt talk, and instead began exchanging blows immediatelyit wasnt a duel, not one Sylas could have imagined anyway. Instead, it was a proper fantasy fightbefore long, both of them flew out of the room and into the heavens as well as beyond Sylas view.

He was left stranded on his behind, slugged against the wall, his breathing slow and raspy. Screams and shouts emerged into his ears a moment later but were quickly drowned out by the ensuing explosions in the skies above. He could feel his life leaving him but it was slow. It was painful. It was agonizing. It reminded him of the time he slipped on the ladder and, similarly, broke his spine but somehow remained alive. Conscious, awake, and aware but immobile.

What did him in wasn't the passage of timeinstead, the greatest explosion yet shook the world itself and, for that briefest flash, Sylas saw the sky being consumed within the darkness, the very same darkness that then plummeted at the castle, swiftly drowning it in nothingness, dragging Sylas along toward the river of death.

You have died.

New Dawn save point initialized.

Your actions have made permanent changes to the current loop.

Sylas woke in the library, trembling. What he saw was beyond all of his understanding. Though he had slowly come to accept that magic was a very real concept here, he was still under the belief that it was the low-type of magic. That it was merely certain people invoking spirits or using tools for some magical explosions and whatnoteffectively substituting what Earths science did with magic. But he was wrong. No, he was beyond wrong.

The magical display of the twoFarseew and the masked figureproved to him that he had no place in this world. The two leveled an entire castle by just fighting with its vicinity, likely killing everyone there without even meaning to. If one of them, or even both, actually attacked the castle with the Ghouls, what would have happened? Even if Sylas had the infinity to figure out a way to save the castle, hed never, ever, ever save it. Not against them, he wouldnt.

Days passed in a strange haze, with him deliberating whether to go and seek the masked figure. For better or worse, he could still learn some things from not only it but also Farseew.

Walking down the corridors and toward the distant courtyard, he wondered whether waking those two devils up was even worth it. If he could bring both of them to his side and have them assist him with putting the Prince on the throne, then it would be perfect. But he had a keen suspicion that neither of those two would willingly listen to some young, lame welp yap on about anything, let alone his grand plans of conquering the Kingdom.

He hadnt noticed it before, but as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he realized something was amissunlike the last time, he didnt feel that discomfort, the sign that something other was there. Looking back, he pondered whether hed missed a day and came when it wasnt herebut he hadnt. Did he do something during the loop to toss the continuity into question? He didnt think so but, in all fairness, most of his memories regarding this specific loop were largely a blur.

He sat down on one of the decrepit stones, the ilk that used to be a part of something that might have even mattered at some point. The fact that he dared venture this deep and settle in the darknessone that was nowhere near as striking as the last time he was heretold him that the masked figure wasn't here. As for where it was, he had absolutely no idea.

Its for the better, he sighed, jumping off the stone. Its one thing to manipulate young pups and old duds. To try and manipulate that fucking thing? Jesus Christ man, I mustve obtained balls of fuckin adamantium when I crossed ove