Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 402: Cursed Reis Users

Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 402: Cursed Reis Users

"A mistake?" Oscar saw the Elder, the picture of health for a middle-aged man, sit down, forlorn and visibly weary and older than before.

"It was my foolish hope that led to all of this," Sevon's voice grew weaker into a mumble, still audible but lacking vigor. "Long ago, when I was a young boy, I was brought in by a prominent family that favored the rather strong and sturdy physique I was born with. They were a clan of Reis users who sought to find ways to surpass the limitations and consequences of such power."

Sevon paused for a moment. A flicker of a smile appeared before quickly disappearing behind the sadness enveloping him. "One of the ways they found was to find good candidates who could wield Reis and marry them into the clan—an attempt to create a purebred of a purebred. Nearly everyone in the clan had the potential to endure Reis as a Marshal Exalt, as did I. They believed that one day, by crossing enough good talents and potentials, a Reis user who could endure the King Exalt realm would appear. Imagine that sort of power, a King Exalt with Reis."

"So, they brought me in and found my potential great. They regarded me as one of their own and even engaged me to one of their daughters, a genius of Reis." Sevon chuckled once and sighed.

"My master told me before that Reis users were rare because no one dared to take the risk. And most Reis users die out." Oscar said.

"A truth that everyone knows. The clan's long history began when fellow Reis users realized the fragility of their existence and wanted their techniques and research to endure through the ages. Ironically, the idea of spreading Reis to the world to try to have a bigger pool to draw from was shut down instantly. The Primal Council will never allow many potential Exalts to kill themselves out of recklessness. Thus, the clan only conducted their businesses privately, adopting people like myself and continuing through the generations."

"My grade was not the best, but my talent in Reis was greater. I trained for many years in the clan's teachings and proved myself to the clan members. I was an orphan beforehand, digging for scraps and trying to survive daily. The clan gave me a family, a wife, and a great friend." Sevon twitched when he mentioned his friend. His eagle eyes gleamed dangerously, and Oscar nearly retreated from the sudden chill surrounding Sevon.

Sevon spoke in a growl, "My friend....my friend!" The floor underneath Sevon cracked from the violent Ein spilling from him. Then, it suddenly vanished, leaving only an eerie silence in the room, and Sevon bled from his mouth. "The main method of the clan was to bear the Reis user who could endure in the King Exalt realm, but they attempted all other methods. Some clan members resembled what you mentioned about your master, going insane until they were subdued. I recall a few who tried to form a Blood Transmutation with a beast."

Oscar shifted his body to listen closer.VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)com for new novels

"They all failed. Forming a Soulbond is hard enough, as is attempting a Blood Transmutation. One who did manage to get his beast to agree to it failed, and they fused into a wild beast. I never imagined meeting someone like you here. Everything my clan worked towards, standing here, if only the master were alive to see this." Sevon wiped the blood from his hands. "Though I was to marry into the clan, I still acted as a butler to serve the master. The master's son, Kais Volten, was my brother, my best friend...."

Sevon spoke in a low, hushed voice. "Kais always did his best to catch up to me, but he had a lower grade and even lower talent in Reis. But still, we formed a strong bond as brothers. He had a quick mind and would often delve into theories and ideas of utilizing Reis in other ways. He carved his place in the clan as the prime researcher and theorist, developing several other ideas to produce the true Reis user."

"Our master, his father, me, and everyone grew to trust him, but we never saw the depravity and darkness within him. He hid it well." Sevon clenched his fists. "Sometime later, we discovered our clan members were slowly disappearing. It started with the Apprentice Exalts and then to Elite Exalts from the branch families. The alarms rang when a Marshal Exalt expert, dispatched to investigate the incidents, disappeared. I noticed around this time that Kais would recluse himself further. He was coming and going from some other place, the clan crypts. I followed him inside and discovered the horrible truth. In the catacombs were the missing clan members, strung up like hooked fish, missing parts of their bodies. Their blood collected, distilled in vials."

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"The organization bears the mark of an eye with two pupils. They call themselves the New Dawn." Adam stood up and stretched. "Elder, I believe that's enough for now. Let little brother take his time to reflect on what he learned and rest. It was a long day."

"Rightly so," Sevon got up and walked toward the door.

"Wait!" Oscar waited for them to turn to him. "Why tell me this now? Why did you keep it hidden?"

"Would you have believed me earlier?" Sevon smiled weakly. "To let you experience them yourself is the best proof I have. Now, take your rest, and you can tell this to Avril when she wakes up. Good job, Oscar."

They left the room, leaving Oscar and Erden with the sleeping Avril.

Oscar brooded over everything that had happened and the shocking truth of the New Dawn and Kais. The cool air in the palace, a respite from the heated wasteland of the Burning Valleys, didn't help lift his mood. All in one day, he dealt with war, losing his forces, fighting with his life on the line, calming Avril's outburst, and learning the sickening revelation of the true enemy.

The thought of the casualties lingered in his mind. The smell of blood stuck in his nose, the sight of Avril on the bed hurt his eyes, and the sounds of the cheering mixed with weeping outside made him sick.

Oscar chuckled and broke out into uncontrollable laughter. "I had to survive for fifteen years in Ashen Grove! I will be hunted now, meaning everyone around me is also a target! My home might be in the midst of war while I'm fighting a war here! I have no idea of how my friends are doing!"

"Why...can't I ever find a moment of peace?!" Oscar shouted.

Erden and Demon stayed silent, and Oscar pounded his foot on the ground. "Tell me! What more do I have to do?! Why are you all silent?!"

"Oscar?" Avril's soft voice called out to him. Oscar found her sitting up in her bed and sighed.

"Ah, you're up. Thank goodness." Oscar slumped in his chair and lost the will to stay up. He blacked out and hoped to wake up in his bed on the old farm with his family in Moniht Village. "Wouldn't it be great if all of this just be one long nightmare?"