《Seal of Light - Enlightened》 Chapter 1: Revelation of the Seal (Prologue) Chapter 1: Revtion of the Seal (Prologue) A loud crack of thunder roared across the misty grasnd. A young man raced through the tall-grass panting. It was a dark ce he never wanted to be. He reached for the light, but all that was left was darkness. The mist obscured almost everything, but he could tell that there were beings out there calling for him. He would help them if only there was anything he could do. He kept on running until one of these unknown being managed to catch the hem of his pants, causing him to crash onto the wet soil. A pale dry voice cried out, "Help us, please!" Time was running out. Before he knew it, he was up again storming through the grass. For a moment, he could not even feel the violent dripping of sweat on his forehead or the heaviness of his breathing. He just wanted to get out of there. Something hit him hard from behind. "Aw!" Still panting, he stopped and tried to remain calm while focusing all his senses to any sudden movement that would ur. He felt the cold breeze softly swirling behind him. Then he saw this light image symbol of a fish in his mind. In an instant, his left clenched fist slowly lit up and caught the lurking creature by its throat. He could not see it clearly but with the light that wasing from his own hand; he knew he saw a rat-faced humanoid creature. "Mat Adam," the creature said in a very spine-chilling voice. It struggled wildly and was able to escape from Mat''s grip. Mat was about to grab that creature again but he saw a light beaming from another direction. Mat slowly stepped back facing the unseen creature and then quickly bolted away to the opposite direction. "It is time, Mat Adam." This time, the words he heard came from a very familiar voice. He reached the edge of the cliff facing the door image made of light hanging three meters above the ground. A wrong move could send him to this eternal pit of darkness. Once again, he saw the fish symbol appeared on his mind, but this time, it appeared with four new C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. others symbols behind it; The cross-like shape with a head; a Japanese character for light; an ethnic drawn sun; andstly, the butterfly. Mat took several steps back and had this deep breath filling his lungs with air, hoping for a sessful exit. A sigh initialized his run and with a full thrust, he leaped and braced himself before entering this light portal. Chapter 2: I. Into the State of Nothingness Chapter 2: I. Into the State of Nothingness Mat woke up gasping for his breath. It took him a few seconds to realize that he was already in his true awakened state. Before, he had as many as three or moreyers of dream before waking up. dly, it was just a singleyered dream this time, but this nightmare appeared much oftentely, still trying to figure out the message, confused if it has something to do with a reconciliation of the past or warning of anying events in the future. Then he remembered the symbols in his dream and asked what could they be about? It was already 6 o''clock in the afternoon. The sound of his phone rm was all over the ce, his breathing slowed as he stared up at the white ceiling of this special guest room of the Good Eve''s Hotel. "It''s time alright," the young man said. Feeling very thirsty and exhausted, he quickly jumped out of bed and grasped a drink of water. His name is Mat Adam. A short-haired-neat-looking, not-so-bulky-not-so-skinny, regr guy you pass by every day. Not a wealthy person, just making enough for a living. He is a techie-guy, anything that has to do withputers and gadgets, he''s on it. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. He was referred by an old friend to do a special contract project here at the hotel. He recently finished installing and configuring the Security Cameras here at the Good Eve''s Mansion. That''s the reason why he was sent here. This old mansion residence was converted into a hotel and it is located on the upper ground of the far- end side of the beach. It was inherited and being maintained by Mat''s client, Mr. John Eve. Mat''s phone alerted for a new message. Meeting at the Dining Area, 6:30 pm --- After a quick shower, Mat pulled a fresh long sleeved chino shirt pairing a ck-pants and sandals. He packed-up his things and took out this bizarre looking box from his bag. Entering the mansion''s diner, Mat indulged the smell of the roasted food being served. He looked around hoping to see Mr. Eve somewhere. The open-ceiling, high-windows andrge door of the terrace gives everyone inside the diner a natural sea breeze feeling. Wandering around and then finally, he saw a tall, handsome mid-40s looking man with his eyesses on and wearing a clean pressed casual-formal attire attending and chatting to a group of guests. Clearly, He''s very much of a people-person. He interacted with and talked to the guests, giving them a very home-like atmosphere. "Hey Mat, there you are," Mr. Eve excused himself from the guests that he was talking to and approached Mat with a handshake. Mat reached back to Mr. Eve. The two greeted and went to a reserved table near the balcony area. "Dinner''s on me Mat." "Wow, thank you Mr. Eve." Mr. Eve asked his dining staff to bring them their House Specialty, then turned back to Mat''s direction and took out a tablet device. He started using it and essed the feed of the hotel''s security cameras. "Our Head Admin already gave a very good feedback on the final test of all the security cameras. Great job Mat." "Thank you sir," Mat nodded and smiled back. "Are you sure you don''t want to stay here for the night, you can travel back to the city tomorrow morning, and you don''t need to worry because your stay would be totally free." Mat returned a big smile and slightly scratched his head. Just before Mr. Eve utters another word, someone wrapped around him from behind and kissed him. "Hey Dad," the young woman said. "Dad? So this is the daughter of Mr. Eve." Mat thought as he gazed her. There was this instant admiration for the young woman. She was very simple, but her beautiful face was enough to make her look morous. "Oh, Summer,e join us here for dinner?" Mr. Eve asked. "But I thought you were in a meeting Dad?" "Yes we are honey, anyway, Summer, this is Mat Adam, the tech-specialist. Mat Adam, this is my daughter, Summer." Mat was caught off-guard looking at her. He quickly stood up and offered a hand shake. The young woman epted it. "Nice meeting you Ms. Summer Eve." They broke up as the waiter excused himself as he served therge tes full of their House Specialty on the table. Summer tucked her hair back to her ears, smiled back and sat beside her father. "So you''re the techie guy who installed these cameras all-over. Are you going to work here? I mean, like a full time employee?" Mat was not able to answer back but kept the amazed look on his face. Summer noticed it and felt the little awkward tension between them. She shook her head and thought, "Strange funny guy, he''s cute though." Mat cleared his throat andposed himself back. "Hmm, Oh no, I''m just here to install these security devices. By the way, Mrs. Autumn asked me to give this box to you," He said while pulling out a small box and ced it in front of Mr. Eve. "Mrs. Autumn? Like Lily Autumn?" Summer asked showing a full interest on the name she just mentioned. "Yes, Lily Autumn, she was the one who referred me to your father for the Security Cameras. Why? Do you know her?" Mat asked. "She is my aunt, my mother''s eldest sister." Summer replied. "Oh I see," Mat smiled back while nodding. "Did she, by any chance, mention anything about my cousin Willow?" Summer asked. "Hmm no, just this box that she asked me to give to your father." Mat replied. Summer looked at her father with this nk expression. Mr. Eve took the box and opened it. He pulled out a gold bracelet which has carved ancient symbols around it. "This was your mother''s..." Mr. Eve said with a slight crumbled voice. Mat looked at them with a bit of confusion. Summer took the bracelet and tried to inspect its details. "But I think I overheard her talking to her helper about this person who''s in aa state, I''m not really sure, maybe that was some other..." Mat recalled. "Yes Mat, she was referring to her daughter Willow, my wife suffered the same unexinable incident, but she died a year after she got into thatatose state. Doctors could not tell the cause of her death nor the reason why she suddenly went intoa state in the first ce," Mr. Eve exined. "I, I-I''m really sorry to hear that Mr. Eve." As their emotions started to weight in, a tear fell from Summer, she tried to look away and wipe it. Mr. Eve noticed a small note inside the box, he unfolded and read it. John, I believe he can help us. He is not from any ancestral decent or genealogy of carriers. He is a chosen Alpha. He also happened to be a pupil of Navi''Sai. Mr. Eve quickly folded the small note again and gave Mat a piercing look, and then took Summer''s hand and gave her aforting grip. Mr. Eve''s device was still ying the feed from the security cameras. He noticed something unusual on the scene. The video feed wasing from his office. There is someone trying to open his wall- mounted-vault. He quickly stood up and asked Summer to stay there, he bolted his way to his office. Mat took a quick glimpse on the video feed that was still ying and quickly followed him. "Be careful Dad!" Summer said. Summer was left holding the bracelet closer to her chest. She did not notice the small crystal sparks of light that was starting build up from it as she watched Mat ran after her father. Mat reached the office and saw Mr. Eve who was about to hit the burr with a wooden stick which he always kept near the door area. The burr stopped filling his bag with money, held his gun with two hands and looked back. He was half a secondte to react and got hit on the head. Mat moved closer just in case the guy gets back quickly to Mr. Eve. The thief moved back and pointed his gun in eye-level. Mat quickly sneaked in and gave the man a quick roundhouse kick to its face, the burr was stunned for a moment, he was so groggy that he dropped his gun and ced his hand to his head and the other hand to the wall. He saw Mating in again and he tried to fight back but Mat was able evade him. The thief threw a full winded punch, but Mat was able to dodge it. Mat grabbed his opponent''s hand and with a swift maneuver, a strong hit of an elbow pinned him down and Mat mounted his weight upon him while still holding his twisted arm. Mat kicked the gun towards Mr. Eve''s direction. "You know this wasing John," The burr said with this eerie voice that doesn''t seem to be his. His eyes turned all ck and his voice turned dark and heavy. Mat and Mr. Eve felt the dark aura that suddenly lurked into the room. Mat heard a ticking sound. It seems to being from, underneath the burr''s clothes. He knew it was an improvised explosive. Mat quickly checked with his other hand while still holding the guy down. He saw a small timer attached to an explosive device wrapped around the man''s body with 44 seconds left and it was continually ticking and counting down. All of a sudden, the man single-handedly lifted Mat from his mount position, choked him and slowly raised him up with his both feet freely swinging into the air. Mat tried to free himself but the guy suddenly just got this super strength and he could not even slip away from it. "You know I came for her John, too bad this pawn they sent could not even help." The burr spoke as he mmed Mat''s body hard on the wall. He finally let go of Mat and quickly ran out. "Oh no, Summer!" John worriedly said. He quickly followed the man who was going to the direction where Summer was. Mat stood up, shook his head and then followed Mr. Eve. "What was that all about?" He remembered the explosive that was counting down. "The man was about to go kamikaze, and I think he is bringing Summer with him." Mat hurriedly outran Mr. Eve reaching the terrace first. The burr stood on the other end of the table where Summer was, Mat knew it was a matter of seconds left before the explosive sets out. He quickly jumped over the man and tried to pull him near to the edge of the terrace. "Go Summer, move back to safety!" Mat said while holding and wrestling the other guy. The burr was able to hold onto Summer''s arm and tried to pull her but the bracelet she was holding lit up. The light was like a direct ray of the sun, covering the whole area of the balcony. Mat felt his body reacted to the light as if he just acquired this extra strength to do something to save Summer and his father from thising explosion. He wasted no time and easily pulled the man away from Summer and did not have a second thought of letting themselves fall from the edge of the terrace. The st came upon and sses from nearby window burst into pieces. Guests panicked away. Summer got knocked back by the wave of the explosion, and just before her body fall from the wrecked veranda, Mr. Eve was able to catch her and pulled her up. She had already lost her consciousness. Mr. Eve''s staff came to their aid and helped him carry Summer back to safety. Mr. Eve watched Mat''s lifeless body rolled down to therge and sharp boulders of rock beneath the hotel until it sshed down to the floor of the open sea. On the other hand, Mat was still able to see the figure of the wrecked veranda where he fell off. He felt his whole body submerged and was being pulled down by the water. "So is this what it feels like?" "Is this the warning I have dreamt about?" Everything slowly faded to white as Mat enters ...The State of Nothingness. Chapter 3: II. First Manifestation (Memories of the Dying) Chapter 3: II. First Manifestation (Memories of the Dying) Everything was white like a blinding light. So it was told, before one would reach hisst breath, he would be able to see his life sh back. All his best memories, all the important lessons he had learned, and all the people and ces that had be a part of his journey. Several images disyed on Mat''s thoughts: his family, his friends and the ces that he''s been to. Then there was this one special event that he recalled. Moving two years back at the old temple of Master Navi''Sai. Mat slightly pushed to open the temple''s old wooden gates. He looked around and recalled the times during his training here with his best friend Rigs. They were thest trainees here including a senior colleague named Ethan. At the age of 19, they were one of the youngest to reach a junior master rank. They are being trained by this master who was 2 years younger than them. He remembered hisst fight here against their young master. That was theirst test before finally leaving this temple. Mat and Rigs had to choose to leave because they need to focus on theirst year in college. Their senior colleague Ethan has already left a few months earlier than them with some personal reasons. They never got a word from him again since then. Mat continued to move in, slowly walking to the open ground. This ce was more than just a martial arts training ground to them, their mysterious young mentor taught them these special teaching that has something to do with their mental and spiritual state. Mat stopped and stood in front of the old temple room where they use to meditate and learn astral stuff and everything. He knocked on the door that was lightly covered with dust. The unlocked door slightly opened as he knocks. "Master Navi?" Mat slowly slipped his head in to take a quick look inside. The symbols that he saw on the wall gave him a great shback of feelings. He turned to each and every detail of the symbols that was embossed above head level and has a size of a half square-meter. He tried to recall each of their names and meaning. He stood in front of a giant Japanese symbol. It was read as Hikari, meaning light. Mat took another step moving on to the next symbol. It looks like a cross with an oval head. It was the ANKH or also known as the Crux Ansata. The symbol means life and death, energy and bnce. Next symbol was the Round spiral with S-shaped rays of the sun. It''s said to be the origin of all, the guide, the navigator. Then, here were these ethnic lines and sketches that formed the shape of a butterfly, it means reborn, regeneration, relive, and new life. Finally, Mat stood in front of thest symbol. He had seen this symbol many times before during their training days. But this was the first time that he felt something just by looking at it. The Fish, which is also known as the Ichthys, symbolizes the messiah, or the one who saves. ___________ Suddenly, Mat felt this vast unseen energy that just flown into the room. He looked back and saw an image of a young man standing by the door step. He was wearing a hooded long sleeved shirt paired with loose training pants. "Hello Mat, It''s been awhile?" "Master Navi''Sai? It is you, hello sir, yeah it''s been a long time since west met," Mat excitedly said. "How are you doing Mat? Yes, it''s been a year since thest time we saw each other. Are you ready for your special training?" "Been looking forward for this day, whoa, wait Master, why aren''t you wearing your training uniform? This is the first time that I saw you in casual attire. You look... young and cool." The young master walked towards Mat and gave him a pat on the back. He asked Mat to follow him outside the temple. "And why are you locking the gates? Are we going to train somewhere else, Master?" "Yes! Actually, we are going for a little outdoor training," the young master replied. Mat smiled and nodded in response. They both walked away from the temple while still catching up a conversion. "So how''s life after college? Are you working now?" Navi asked. "I started a small business, I install these security cameras andputerwork, or anything that has to do with techie-stuff," Mat said "That is really nice hear Mat, how about Rigs?" "Well, it has been a very long time since Ist saw or spoke to him, no updates even on his facebook." "Let''s just hope he''s doing well." Navi said. "Yeah, I hope he is alright." "Mat, can you see that old house?" Navi''Sai asked while pointing to the house located a few meters away from their temple. "Yes, what about it Master?" "They said that the house was haunted. But as far as I can remember, that story started when you and Rigs began to attend your training here." "What do you mean? You''re giving me creepy goose bumps here Master." "Someone has been closely watching after you here." "''What?" They walked closer to the said house as they continue to discuss about it. "This is the purpose of ourst special training, we are going to investigate that house and try to space clear it if necessary." Master Navi''Sai said while stopping in front of the gate of the said haunted house. "W-where did you get those keys?" "The old caretaker was an acquaintance. He just got sick recently and asked me to look over the house while he''s away." Navi''Sai and Mat entered the old house and looked around. The ce was too quiet and gloomy. The rooms were empty except for the kitchen that has a dusty table and chair. They both tried to feel any disturbances inside the room, they felt nothing. Mat started breathing heavier as he felt a bit nervous while getting closer to the master''s bedroom, thest ce that was left unchecked. Then there was this sudden flicker of movement in the air. They both felt the presence of something evil creeping and lurking before them. "This is a very disturbed room Mat. Now I am giving you this very opportunity to manifest your space clearing skills." "But everything you taught us about it is all just a theory to me. I have no clue on how or where to begin, I clearly knew the intention of it, but how can I perform it Master Navi''Sai?" "Well, that is correct. Begin with your intentions. Enter the room and state it loud out there. The ce will react on it and then that is the time you will know what to do next." Mat took a deep breath and shook his head as he ced his hand and gripped on the door knob of the master''s bedroom. "I''m not so sure about this Master, this is dealing with the unseen and the unknown." "You got this Mat, I will be assisting you from here." Mat turned the knob and slowly entered the room, he looked around, trying to get any physical evidence or whatever that could be the cause of disturbance, luckily, there isn''t any. He stood in the middle of the room and started to focus and meditate. He closed his eyes and started to picture the sun in his mind and then shining brightly until it cover his whole thought with only white light. Suddenly it turned into pitch ck. Mat opened his eyes quickly losing his focus into what he was doing. Goose bumps ran all over his skin as he felt this unseen energy lurking. "OK, that was weird, this is something else. Someone or something is trying to make its presence felt here. Maybe this is the real deal."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. Mat rxed himself again and started to focus harder, he closed his eyes and think of a much wider space of pure light. "I am here to clear this room from any form of evil entities and negative energies," Mat uttered but it was cut short by this sudden weird feeling he felt. This was the first time that he encountered something that tried to fight against his thought''s will. Then a shadow image appeared that looks like a giant rat running, jumping and doing distracting thing inside the picture. Mat felt cold all over his body and fear is already creeping up to him. Still with his eyes closed, He dared to control the shadow on his mind. The shadow grewrge and tried to cover the whole space with darkness. "This is not happening, how could you possibly..." "You have a great ability to bless things and you can do it the other way around, I can help you make it stronger if you allow me to." The shadow said in his thought. Mat still denying that the shadow just conversed with him. His fear grew and he is already losing his concentration, he can''t even move his sweaty body but he still won''t open his eyes, thinking that he still has the control over the situation. Outside the Master''s bedroom, Master Navi''Sai felt the disturbance that was happening, but instead of himing in and help, he sat down and meditated. "I knew it; Nezumi was here all this time." Going back inside Mat''s mind, the shadow moved around as Mat saw his self already in the picture as if he was already in a lucid dream. Darkness was still swallowing whatever light remains in the picture, Mat tried to make an image of the sun or any light source, but he could not do it. A string of light appeared around the creeping shadow image and wrapped around it. Mat was just watching and he knew this is not his doing. "Mat, it''s no use making bright images now, create a light within you, a lighting from you." Said by a very familiar voice, He knew it was his Master Navi talking in his thoughts. "Now I remember, one of the craziest ideas Master Navi taught to us, imagining my hands all lit up while holding a ming sword." Mat imagined a ming sword appearing on his hand, slowly, his hands started to lit up, but the image of the sword was not able to bepleted because it was being eaten by the darkness. "Maybe I am not giving it my all, this is all crazy, this is impossible, all of this, All I want is to clear this space, If Divine Intervention exist, please do happen now. May this ce be blessed with serenity and turn it into a peaceful and quiet ce." Mat clenched his fist harder. He knew he had to believe that he can do something here. While focusing on his core, a pointed spear like image was formed thru these small crystal lights merging with each other in front of his knuckles; it was made of pure light. It was like a full length sword without a hilt or handle, torching from Mat''s fist, with all his remaining strength, he swiftly swings his arm and cut the shadow image into halves. "This is not possible... how can someone like you acquire such light within?...." The voice was thinning as the rat image shadow disappeared slowly " I''m not yet done with you Mat Adaaamm...." The picture gradually regained its light back. Mat slowly opened his eyes but he felt so drained that he can''t move a muscle. Navi''Sai entered the room and caught Mat before he hits himself to the floor. "Are you all right, Mat? You did it!" "Master, I-I did it..." Mat said as hisst recollection was his master tending him before he finally lost his consciousness. Chapter 4: III : Stranger in Paradise Chapter 4: III : Stranger in Paradise Returning to the present state... Mat slightly opened his eyes as he felt the pressure of the water pulling him further to the bottom of the sea. He tried not to panic as he remains in a full body numb state. Must move these hands¡­ Must try harder¡­ or else I will helplessly die drowning¡­ Finally, a nerve from his right hand somehow responded to his will, his right hand twitched a little. Slowly, he was able to curl his fingers one after the other, and then he was able to control his full right arm. He then tried to move the rest of his body parts and tried to swim up, looking at the light that was being reflected from the far surface above. After a few strokes, he lost all his regained strength exhausting all the remaining air left in him. His body started to fall down again. With his eyes half closed, an image covered the light above him. Someone grabbed his hand, and veins of light traveled from the helper''s hand to his, like an instill energy. Mat was pulled up to the surface as he then grasped for air with a slight panic of keeping himself floating. Swimming and crawling up to the shore, grasping for more air, heid on his back for a while until he was able to sit up and pull himself back together. He lightly pats his head trying to bring out the water that came into his ear. He looked around and saw that it was an unfamiliar terrain. This was not the beach where Good Eve''s Mansion was. Realizing that he came from an explosion that threw him to the water, he checked his body for any wounds or injuries, surprisingly, there was none, not even a slight scratch. Mat stood up and looked around. He was amazed and stunned by this exhibit of paradise like view and atmosphere, but no one seems to be around. ¡°This is too good to be true. It¡¯s like paradise, what a beautiful ce this is?¡± He said from his point of view, he could see that this ce looks like a small ind, with its crescent shaped beach line andnd formation. He took off his shirt and pants and squeezed them to dry. Is this heaven? Am I dead? Wait... someone helped me a while ago, he could still be around here somewhere. Maybe I can ask him where I am. He wore back his pants and then kept waving his shirt in the air to have it dry quickly. He trekked the higher ground to look for help. ¡°Wow, look at the density of this forest, this ce is so green, and there is barely a path walk or path way to follow.¡± He said as he found his way deeper to the forest. After a few minutes of wandering around, he saw a huge pir of ck energy from afar beaming up to the sky, and it looks like it is located not far from where he is. He decided to trail the location of it, but before he even lifted his first step, he felt a slight rumble on the ground. Was that an earthquake? He holds still on his position, trying to feel if there will be another movement from the ground. He knelt down and ced his right hand on the ground where his palm can feel the moist and healthy soil. Then there was another series of shaking, and it was a bit stronger and a bit longer than the first one, but what took Mat''s attention was this unidentified creature slowly moving towards him as if it was sizing him or inspecting for any threat. "What is that creature supposed to be?" Mat thought as he looked back against the other creature. It looks like a giant shadow hound. Its body was like a flowing ck smoke and it has these red round eyes. ¡°This feeling¡­ by looking at this creature, and this ce¡­ it is like a familiar scene for me, like I''ve been here before, like I have encountered creatures like this before¡­ it is like a dejavu.¡± The beast growled and bended back as it prepared to make a run towards Mat. Mat slowly walked backward as he started to choose the direction where he should run if this creature starts to chase him. He shook his head, still in disbelief of what was happening. What is going on here? Where should I go now? The shadow creature slowly begins to move forward to Mat, gaining a slow increase in speed, it was able to close the gap quickly as Mat tries to run away from it. Mat knows this is now a life at risk situation and he must hurry before this creature catches him. Mat warded off the branches and leaves as he ran further deep into the woods. Mat stopped and bended as he held to his knees and caught some deep breath. He hid himself in this huge mass of shrub while still catching his breath. ¡°I think that creature is not going to stop following me. Maybe it is a territorial beast and I am stepping in his territory? Or maybe it is just as lost as me and turned on its survival instincts. Anyway, I don¡¯t want to end up as a meal for this beast. Got to keep moving¡­¡± A loud growl came from behind, and with a swift motion, sharp ws were about to tear his body apart but Mat was able to maneuver around and evaded the sneaky attack. ¡°Whew! That was really clo¡­¡± But before he got to finish his thought, Mat, once again, rolled forward and stood up quickly in a fighting stance facing the huge shadow hound creature that just attempted another attack on him. The shadow hound scrapes its ws to the ground. Preparing for the final attack, it took a mighty leap towards Mat, he knew he could not escape this time, he braised himself, and He picked-up a sharp wooden branch and kept it near his chest with its sharp point facing away from him. ¡°I don¡¯t fear you. You are not the first supernatural creature that I have encountered.¡± The sharp branch that Mat was holding pierced through the body of the shadow hound, but t doesn¡¯t seem to hurt the creature at all, Mat almost evaded but the tip of the creature¡¯s w ripped to the skin of his left arm. Mat cried in pain as he press his left arm to prevent blood loss. While trying to escape, he tripped and fell tumbling to the ground. He was still trying to crawl away from the direction of the shadow creature. And then an instant gush of wind came upon. A much younger man appeared in front of him, facing the same direction looking at the attacking shadow hound. In a split second, small crystal lights appeared around the neer''s clenched fist. It whirled and formed a big mass of light. And just before the Content held by N?velDrama.Org. shadow creature reached them, the new guy threw the whirling light and sted its target into ck vapors. It was like a sh bang grenade thrown at the enemy. Mat was left in awe with what just happened. His eyes tried to move a few times from the ck vapors in the air then back to the young man who hasn''t revealed his identity to him. "What was that?" Mat said with a shaky voice and his finger pointing up to the air as he watched the young mannd safely after the st. That monk-like suit looks familiar, and those hand and feet cover made of cloth wrap, is it possible? Is this¡­ Chapter 5: IV : Soul Drifter Chapter 5: IV : Soul Drifter The young man who just appeared just in time to save Mat looked back and broke a smile following a thumbs-up sign. "It''s you! I knew it, I knew it¡­" Mat said with a very surprised expression and then finally made a quick bow gesture. "Hello Mat, I''m d that you have finally arrived here.¡± the young master said. "Master Navi''Sai, it is really you. I am so confused right now I could use some answers. Where are we?, and what exactly are we doing here?, and how was I able to get here?¡± ¡°Whoa, one at a time Mat¡­wait let me see first that scratch from your arm¡± Navi¡¯Sai replied. Navi¡¯Sai ced both hands on top of the scratch of Mat Adam. A little chant and then a sh of light appeared, the wound closed but there is still a visible mark of a scar or might be a fresh skin. ¡°Wow oh my¡­ how did you do that Master Navi?¡± ¡°Took me a long time to learn that, but I haven¡¯t perfectly mastered it yet, it is supposed to leave no scar or mark at all.¡± ¡°But you were able to close the wound and¡­ and its just amazing¡­¡± ¡°You will learn it too Mat, don''t worry¡­¡± ¡°Looking forward to it. Anyway, going back to my question, what and where is this ce?" "They call this the Crescent Ind, an astral dimension that thinly resides on the human realm." Navi¡¯Sai said. "An astral ce, you mean to say, we are an out-of-body entity travelling here? and did you say ¡®they¡¯, you mean there are others out there?" "Yes we are in our astral form. Those who live here are the elves and dryads" Mat was shut in silence for a moment, still trying to absorb the reality of what was happening. "Listen Mat, the whole training that I gave to you back then, it was all preparation for this." "Preparation? A preparation for what?" "Come on follow me, I''ll tell you on our way." Mat jogged and followed Navi¡¯Sai while looking at the huge whirling dark pir that they were heading. "Casus''Lucem, a Demon lord, who is about to be released from its prison, is nning to form a new group of elite humans to be his pawns. He needs every ability and resources from these humans that carries the Seal of Light. They will be led by his demon-pawns, Nezumi and Orochi. A battle is about to take ce here on the ind and we don''t stand a chance against them." "Who are these carriers of the Seal that you are talking about Master Navi?" ¡°These carriers are called Soul Drifters, they have the ability to use the seal of light to defeat the demons.¡± ¡°Soul Drifters?¡± Mat repeated. They had reached the highpoint of the cliff where they could see the location of the huge ck pir on the topmost part of the mountain. "There are seven smaller ck pirs located around the big one; each pir contains a captive soul of a Soul Drifter. The central pir, which is thergest among them, is where Casus''Lucem is imprisoned." Mat is still in shock of what he is hearing, but he still keeps on listening from his young master Navi¡¯Sai. "Soul Drifters are extraordinary people. Each holds a special skill or ability that the demon-lord needs. Each carrier inherited their seal from their ancestors, either from their grandparents or from a much longer up-line in their family." "So, what are we going to do Master Navi?" "The two demon-pawns are guarding the north and south passage of the mountain, we have to split and face them in a one-to-one match. These demon-pawns are the servants of the demon-lord Casus¡¯Lucem." Navi''Sai instructed. "What? You mean I will fight a demon, seriously, at what chance do I have to win against it?" Navi''Sai pointed on Mat''s right arm. "What is it Master?" Mat asked while looking at where his master was pointing. Navi''Sai stretched his arm and pointed again on the symbol on Mat''s right arm. Mat saw a fish symbol on his right arm. "H-how did that...?" This was the same symbol that was seen on their training temple. Maybe Mat was right after all, that this symbol was meant to be his. ¡°Mat Adam, you are the carrier of the Fish Seal." "I have a Seal of Light, that means I am a Soul Drifter?" Mat asked in a very confused and doubtful sound. Navi¡¯Sai nodded in response. "Wait, if I am a Soul Drifter then why is it that I''m not inside one of those pirs?" Mat wittingly asked. His master frowned and shook his head, "Because you are different." "Oh, is that so, I''m different, is that different can defeat or even face a demon?" Mat said in a broken voice. "You are different because you did not inherit it, you are a Gen carrier of the Seal of Light.¡± "A chosen Gen carrier? I am so confused now..." "So listen to me Mat, several lives are on the line, and they need our help." "What are we going to do and what chance do I have to fight against a demon?" "Ok, I''ll tell you, at your current rate, you only have a very minimal chance to win." "Oh great, really great to know that.." Mat said in a very hopeless tone. "On the first pir on the north, rescue the captive soul in there and he will help you find the great weapon that is hidden inside the nearby cave, this weapon can defeat the guardian demon," Navi exined. "A weapon that can defeat a demon you say," Mat uttered. "Use your seal to save the first captive, then if you are lucky enough to escape the first guard¡­¡± ¡°lucky? Our lives depend on luck now?¡± Mat reacted violently ¡°...then you can hide in the cave and find this weapon. Your seal will light up when you need to release the captive from the ck pir. But remember that it will also consume part of your life force so use the power of the seal wisely." "You mean this will light up, like my body will produce the light for it?" Mat asked again in total confusion. "Yes Mat. By the way, there is a skill that I have taught you before that you can take advantage of this ce." "What is it Master Navi?" "Remember the quick leap?" "Yes, but what about it? It is just only jumping two meters away from its current location, how can that help?" "Using a very minimal amount of energy from your lightened seal, you can jump as far as five to seven meters in a second." Navi exined then suddenly demonstrated the quick leap in front of Mat, jumping several meters away from him in an instant then returned back even before Mat reacted to what he just did. "Whoa! That was amazing. I never thought it would even be possible..." Mat said in a jaw-dropping gesture. "Same principle applies to your attacking power, your seal will double the amount of strength and damage to whatever skill you will apply it to. Even you physical and spiritual barrier is increased by more than 50%. That is way far above normal human level. It will increase more as you learn to control your seal. But you still need to use it wisely because when it drains down to nothing, you will have to wait for a while to be able to use it again." Somehow, Mat is already ying with the idea of how he could use the seal to finish the mission, he C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. felt a boost of confidence after learning what he could benefit from his seal. He knew he could do this mission, and had a better chance of defeating an opponent using his seal. But then he wonders... What is this weapon that his master is talking about? "OK Master Navi''Sai, I''m ready. So who are we going to save again?¡± Chapter 6: V : Quest For The Seven Pillars Chapter 6: V : Quest For The Seven Pirs Navi¡¯Sai took a stick and in a squat position, he drew a pattern, like a track, and then exined the n to Mat. ¡°The ck whirling pir you saw from afar earlier, it contains a captive soul. This pir is made of enchanted force, no one can enter or escape it without using another enchanted energy.¡± Mat gave a nk reaction and a slight nod. Somehow agreeing to what his Master was exining. ¡°This is the location of the pirs, all seven of them, eight in total if we include the central pir, which is thergest of all, where the demon -lord resides.¡± Navi¡¯Sai exined. ¡°The small pirs are all spread out and surround the central one.¡± ¡°So eight pirs in total including the central one?¡± Mat asked ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct, OK so we are here¡­¡± Navi said while drawing an X mark on the ground. ¡°I will go ahead of you and clear the path here. All you have to do is extract the captive souls inside the pir. But still proceed with full precaution. Recheck the area, then perform the extraction. Once extracted, the seal will tell you if this captive is ready for returning home. The seal will light up again and as soon as you grab hold on the rescued captive, it will be returned to their home realm.¡± ¡°OK copy that Master Navi¡­ Check vicinity, perform extraction, return captive to their original realm, such an easy task, mark this missionplete already. OK how the extraction does works again? and the back to realm thing is there is such a thing, I don¡¯t have a clue on how to do that or whatsoever¡­ I don¡¯t have a clue, I have no idea, I just want to go home now.¡± ¡°Done with your tantrums Mat? This is so not you Mat, I understand that this all sound unreal, but as soon as that seal lights up, cross your arms tightly and you can return yourself home. You can save yourself to all this trouble. I can do that returning too, but not as quick as how you can do it, I make take almost an hour to extract and return a captive, while you can do it in a few minutes.¡± Mat look up, had a little scratch on the back of his head and released a heavy exhale. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Navi, it¡¯s just a crazy while, I was just inside the Good Eve Mansion, having dinner with sir John and his daughter Summer, a thief broke in, thenter the thief was like possessed and gave a threat to all us, then there was the explosion, woke up half drowning then someone helped me, then I¡¯m here at the unfamiliar ind with you, with this bizarre rescue mission.¡± Navi¡¯Sai stood up and dropped the stick used for drawing. ¡°I am sorry too, for dragging you on this without even asking for your full consent. You and your best friend Rigs were thest few to give the Content held by N?velDrama.Org. sign of a possible Soul Drifter, and I was right for choosing you. Next thing in my mind was that you guys won¡¯t be lead to the dark path, like what happened to your fellow trainee Ethan. It was a big lost or a big waste for us for every Soul Drifter to choose the opposite path or choose not to use the Seal for a good cause.¡± Mat sighed and gave this worried look to Navi. ¡°I was already lost when we met, this training, this learning about the seal, actually gave me a new point of view in life, I almost lost everything, I was in search for answers too, I saw that this spiritual learning could lead me to what I was asking for. Maybe I was still zoning in, and now I¡¯m ready for this, you alreadyid the n for the mission, now let us execute it.¡± Navi¡¯Sai nodded and answered Mat¡¯s fist bump. ¡°The first three pirs contains Soul Drifters, the fourth and fifth contains a different spiritual signature, it could be either an Elf or a Dryad. The sixth one is a Soul Drifter, who I will be extracting, hoping the it could help me, with the final guard before thest pir, if you ever get to the seventh pir first, do not engage yet, wait for me and we will face the guarding demon together.¡± ¡°First five pirs, extract then send home, meet at the seventh and will not engage yet, did I get it right?¡± Mat said. ¡°Perfect, that¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be, so follow my trail, stay close, I will clear the path and move forward to the next.¡± Navi said. ¡°By the way, there is still one thing I need to verify before sharing it to you.¡± ¡°What is it Master Navi?¡± ¡°Why did they take all this captives? They could have just killed them easily upon capture, but they didn¡¯t.¡± Mat gave this facial expression of agreement. ¡°Good point there¡­¡± ¡°So remember Mat, your top priority is to rescue them, My main role is to handle all that would stop you from doing it.¡± ¡°Got it Master Navi.¡± Mat stood up and cleared the dust from his pants, did a little stretching and hand shaking. ¡°I noticed that you are missing a shoe, and that sock is already soiled and ready to be torn to pieces. Here since I was expecting you, I brought you a new pair of palm and ankle wraps.¡± Navi said while picking the cloth then tossed it in front of Mat. ¡°Try these on for size¡­¡± ¡°Oh nice, training wraps¡­¡± Mat said. ¡°Not just your ordinary training wraps, these are battle quality materials¡­¡± Navi said ¡°They look tough, makes me look tough too¡­¡± Mat teased while doing a battle stance pose. ¡°You really brought these.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a boy scout remember, I alwayse prepared, here¡¯s another pair, mighte handy when you need it.¡± Navi said while tossing another small bundle of cloth to Mat. ¡°Aw! Another pair?¡± Mat catch and hid it to his side pocket. ¡°So, shall we, Mat Adam?¡± ¡°Off we go Master Navi, lead the way.¡± ------- The two had to trail a highly dense forest then cross a small water stream, then another forest, but was less trees and more spacious inside. ¡°The view here is quiet fantastic Master Navi, hope this was just a vacation trip, not a rescue mission.¡± Navi¡¯Sai nodded in response. It only took them less than a hour to reach the area of the first pir. ¡°Wait here and stay hidden, I¡¯ll check the perimeter¡­¡± Navi¡¯Sai said. ¡°Got it, Master Navi.¡± Mat replied. Navi¡¯Sai slowly walked towards the 1st pir. Three shadow hound appeared in-front of him, then Navi¡¯ Si noticed the fourth and biggest amongst them stayed behind, Navi thought it could be the pack leader. The three shadow hounds leaped andnded surrounding Navi¡¯Sai. Navi¡¯Sai saw that the fourth one was missing from where he saw it earlier, then he saw it running to the direction of Mat Adam. With a split second, Navi¡¯Sai, instantly casted an energy wave made of light from his both hands, destroying the three shadow creatures in a single whirling attack. Mat saw that and was very much amazed, then he noticed that there is a shadow hound approaching him. Mat was preparing to run when Navi¡¯Sai appeared in front of him and did this full winded burst attack, cutting the attacking creature into two, then it slowly dissolved into ashes. ¡°Area clear, you may now proceed the extraction Mat, but keep your senses up, always be on guard, I will move ahead now to check the next one, remember Mat, after extracting, return the captive home and proceed to the cave for the weapon.¡± ¡°Copy Master Navi¡­.¡± Mat replied. Mat was still in shock on how his young master finished all those shadow creatures quickly and effortlessly. ¡°Bye Mat, see youter on thest pir¡­¡± Chapter 7: VI : Unfriendly Friend Welcome Chapter 7: VI : Unfriendly Friend Wee Sneaking out of the woods, Mat dashed closer to the whirling ck pir of energy located at the north side cliff of the mountain, where he could see the silhouette of the human figure inside it. The pir stands three meters high with a diameter size enough to fit a single person. Mat wandered his sight around the area. It seems that no one is guarding the pir. He was expecting a horned creature or at least someone with sharp teeth and a huge pair of bat wings, but his anticipations failed him, at least to keep him safe from trouble for the moment. "Now, how can I get this person out of this thing?" Mat asked while running his hands around the ck pir. The person inside could have sensed Mat''s presence and started thumping the pir¡¯s wall. Mat felt a slight burning sensation as the fish symbol on his right arm slowly lit up. His left hand also lit up immediately after. Finally, a sign, OK Seal of Light, I hope what I''m thinking is possible. With his left hand now fully lit up, Mat tried to push it through the pir. He sessfully made it with ease. He felt the person inside grab hold of his hand. With a couple of deep breaths, Mat forcefully pulled the person out, withdrawing it from its captivity. The pir turned into a solid concrete as the person tumbled on the ground after letting go of Mat''s hand. "Thank you, whoever you are, thank you," the person said while trying to regain his poise. He was fixing his monk-like attire and made a huge stretch of his arms. "No way,¡± Mat said in a very surprised voice while patting his cheeks. "Rigs?" He yelled. He really could not believe he just saw his friend in this very unlikely ce. "Mat?" equally surprised Rigs replied. "Mat, it is you!" "How did you..." Mat was interrupted when he felt the presence of another person nearby, he quickly scanned around as he posed for a defensive stance. "We gotpany." Another person instantly appeared in front of them as if he was teleported there. He tripped Rigs and quickly swung a full winded punch to Mat. Mat was able to evade it and moved out of range. He quickly maneuvered and made a counterattack. His strike made a hit and followed quickly by another one. ¡°Another human being, I was expecting a humongous beast or a winged demon?¡± The newer caught Mat''s fist and strongly pressed it, pressuring Mat to his knees. "That was a very unfriendly-friend-wee Mat Adam." "E-Ethan?" "Ethan, you''re here too, but why are you attacking us?" Mat uttered in surprise. The young man didn''t answer. With a fast circr motion, hended a spinning kick, bringing Mat kissing dirt on the ground. He was still on hold of Mat''s fist. Rigs quickly moved closer and slipped his hands behind and through the arms of the opponent, giving him a locked position resting his palms to his head. Mat got freed while Rigs tried to wrestle down Ethan. "What are you doing Ethan? What is this fight about?" Rigs asked. Countless ck colored veins started to crawl on Ethan''s skin. His eyes turned all ck and his aura became heavy and dark. He pulled Rigs by the hair from behind and tossed him away like a weightless rag. Rigs rolled and reached the edge of the cliff. He almost fell. Ethan dashed forward with the full intention to push him. Mat rose to his feet and reached just in time to spear Ethan away. Rigs moved quickly to a much safer spot away from the cliff. "Well Mat, I hope your time spent training with Navi''Sai could save you now." Ethan said, but it seems like the scary and dark voiced tone was not his anymore. Both Mat and Rigs felt the sudden change of dark aura around Ethan. The evil presence somehow awakened Rigs'' seal to manifest. A symbol on his right arm started to emboss and glow. He took a deep breath as he felt a slight pain then turned to Mat, "The seal of the Crux Anzata." A cross drawn out of a thin line with an oval head, it is also known as the Ankh or the handled cross. It symbolizes life and great strength, both of them recalled. A strong force rippled out from Ethan. "Carriers of the seal, too bad the both of you won''t live long to benefit from it." "Wait. That''s it. Rigs, what is this great weapon that Master Navi''Sai told me about awhile ago, he said that you would tell me what it is?" "Master Navi''Sai is here too?" Ethan started moving andunched a flurry of jabs alternately to Mat and Rigs. Each jab could have knocked any of them if it only made a clear hit. The two danced away from the attack and thought of something to answer this action. "Yes, he is here, whatever weapon it is that you are carrying, I think this is the right time to use it," Mat yelled. "I-I don''t know what you are talking about, I just got out of the pir, I was inside of it the whole time since I woke up." Ethan''s continuous attack forced Mat and Rigs to move back to edge of the cliff. "Tsk. Oh great," Mat said while looking at the far bottom ground. A fall from this height would certainly kill them. "Mat, do you remember the first and only time we defeated Master Navi?" Rigs worriedly said while posing for a defensive stance. "Yes, why, don''t tell me..."but just before Mat finished talking, Rigs rolled forward and tied both his feet against Ethan''s. Mat quickly followed the action and caught Ethan on the face with a very strong round house kick. A follow up stomping kick was punctuated by Ethan''s yell as he fell on the ground in pain. "Whoa Mat, you still got the kicks!" Rigs said as he rose up and watched over Ethan cradling his face. "ytime is over kids," Ethan said as he made a quick motionnding three quick elbows to Mat and a forceful burst or dark energy from his extended palms to Rigs. Mat, with his quick reflexes, crawled at the edge of the cliff and just in time to catch Rigs by the hand, ruining a definite fall to his death. "H-hang in there Rigs!" Mat struggled to keep hold onto Rigs and tried his everyst strength to lift him up. Ethan slowly walked by and gazed down to Rigs then nted his foot to Mat''s right arm. Maybe Master Navi''Sai was just bluffing, what if Rigs really don''t know anything about this weapon? "Igh, must hold..." Mat was trying to ignore the pain and kept his hold tighter unto Rigs. Rigs was starting to lose grip. After a few pummeling, Ethan decided to push Mat off the cliff. In a split second, with Mat''s body suspended in mid air to his fall, he recalled what Master Navi''Sai told them during theirst training day. Neither de nor bullet can defeat the greatest weapon there is and will ever be¡­ Friendship. The word echoed all over his thought. His seal lit up and strands of electricity crawled down to his arm moving next to Rigs'' seal. Rigs'' eyes burst into light and so does his seal. A spiritual whip made of pure light energy extended four meters long from the tip of his clenched fist. Rigs did not wasted any moment and swung the whip up swirling around Ethan''s neck. He used that momentum to pull himself up with Mat, who is now hanging on the opposite end and threw him up going to Ethan''s direction. Rigs was able to lift himself up to the edge of the cliff. Mat''s left hand was now fully lit up at that time before he reached Ethan. As soon as he made contact, his upper body suddenly turned into light, as if he was a glowing ghost, he passed thru Ethan''s body and pushed out an illuminating human soul image leaving its physical body standing still. "What did you do to me Mat Adam?" the soul image said, this voice was of Ethan''s. Mat, who was also stunned with what just happened, stood before Ethan''s soul and his physical body. "I don''t know. It just happened." They were all rmed when Ethan''s physical body moved and turned around. "You took the soul of my host, now this body is mine." Mat ced his left glowing hand on the soul''s shoulder, and then suddenly, the soul slowly evaporated into thin air. Ethan''s physical body moved and gripped over Mat''s throat. "Could you be a chosen carrier?" "If Ethan was gone, then who are you?" Mat asked. A snake-like tongue hissed out and scales slowly appeared on to the body, and with a dark chilling voice, it replied, "I am Orochi, servant of Lord Casus¡¯Lucem." Just before it''s other lifted hand hits Mat, Rigs'' ki-whip wrapped around it and pulled it back away. Mat''s seal lit up once again. Small particles of light started to build up at the end of his closed fist, and then it transformed into a shape of a de. It extended half meter long. It looks like a sword without a hilt. It was radiating a white light energy. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. It was the ki-de. Even Mat was surprised and amazed to this weapon he just acquired. Mat quickly pierced the de to Orochi''s chest then forced it up shing the upper body into halves. "How did you¡­ No¡­ this can¡¯t be¡­¡± Mat took one step back but kept a defensive stance ¡°His release is inevitable. He will make you all suffer a painful death. Carriers of the Seal!" Rigs pulled the tied arm once again creating a further damage to Orochi''s body that ended turning its body into a ck smoke that was slowly blown away by the wind. Mat stood tall as he retracted his ki-de. His eyes turned down it''s lightly glow and so does his seal. He made a mocking smile pointing his index to Rigs. ¡°We did it Mat, You¡¯re amazing man! Wow, I just can¡¯t believe what we just did.¡± Rigs said "Ki-whip, Ki-de, the seal, soul-snatching, it''s all here, they all exist, in this Ind. We were even referred as Carriers of the Seal," Mat said while letting out a shortugh while running his hands all over his head. "I haven''t even move on, thinking that we just killed a demon. We got this Mat, this is what Master Navi''Sai trained us for. Wait, why are we here anyway?" Rigs said with a very na?ve face. In the middle of their conversation, a strong explosion was hearding from the southern side of the mountain. "Master Navi''Sai!" Chapter 8: VII : Homeland Strangers Chapter 8: VII : Homnd Strangers Mat and Rigs dashed forward to the location of the explosion. Mat recalled the quick leaping technique to Rigs, and they practiced it asionally on their way charging it with a bit of power from their half-lit seal, giving them a boost of distance in a matter of seconds. ¡°What¡¯s with the monk attire Rigs?¡± ¡°Oh this, I was covering a news report for an Anime Convention. Last thing I recalled, I saved a couple of kids from a falling Light Bast, and then, here I am, waking inside that ck pir, until you came to rescue me.¡± ¡°Look Rigs, another pir, I think we should make a brief stop and check if someone is in there.¡± ¡°Alright Mat, you lead, I¡¯ll follow.¡± Mat pressed his back against a giant boulder and slightly peeked to the ck pir that is being guarded by a pack of shadow hounds. Rigs sat next to Mat and sneaked a quick look on the opposite side. Rigs counted as he takes another look to the direction of the ck pir. ¡°Mat, there are two guarding ghost doggies out there.¡± ¡°I noticed it too Rigs, but I need to know how to activate this seal again. We can¡¯t fight against those shadow hounds with our bare hands?¡± ¡°They won¡¯t eat us Mat,I guess, we make crappy dog food.¡± ¡°Hahaha, I agree to you on that Rigs.¡± ¡°Mat, you said awhile ago that your seal lit up when you were about to rescue me from the pir, maybe it would automatically activate when you decided to do something, maybe there is a connection to our thoughts or feelings?¡± Rigs said while looking at his seal on his right arm. ¡°I really don¡¯t have a clue Rigs, I don¡¯t know when it will light up or does it even respond to my will?¡± Mat said while pressing his right arm where his seal is located. ¡°One thing is for sure, there is someone inside that pir that needs to be saved.¡± Rigs said as he took another look to the pir. ¡°So what¡¯s the n Mat?¡± Rigs said while making a crunching sound with his pressed knuckles. ¡°We have to move closer to the pir. We will jump in on both directions challenging the hounds, whoever lures both will have to buy time for the extraction from the ck pir. If the hounds separated then it would be a one on one battle.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Rigs quickly ran towards the ck pir rming the two guarding shadow hounds. He noticed his seal lit up, with a witty grin, a whip made of light extended four meters from his clenched fist. Rigs swung his ki-whip and entangled the rear legs of the shadow hound and threw it behind him. The shadow houndnded a bad fall in front of Mat. ¡°Seriously¡­?¡± The surprised Mat uttered as he moved back and posed a defensive stance. And just before Mat makes another move, another shadow houndnded badly in front of him but it recovered quickly and leapt to attack him. ¡°Rigs you idio¡­¡± Mat jumped backward once again andnded on his knees. The attacking shadow hound was about to reach Mat¡¯s face when a piercing arrow made of light struck it to its head. The hound breezed away like ashes from a burned paper. ¡°T-that was close¡­¡± Mat uttered while lowering his arms from a defensive pose and then wandered his sight around looking for whoever helped him. Surprised with a sudden burning feeling as he turned his head to his right, Mat widen his eyes as he looked at the pointed tip of an arrow aiming on his forehead. Mat slightly raised his both hands in gesture for surrender. ¡°State your business here human¡­¡± the female archer said. Mat tilted his head a bit to check the person who was asking him. She was wearing a tribal-like piece of clothes, she has pointed ears, her skin looks like a fine sanded wood, and her hair was dark green in color. ¡°She¡¯s a she-elf.¡± He whispered. The archer winded her bow further giving a serious threat to Mat, ¡°What are you doing on thisnd?¡± ¡°I was sent here for a mission, I was instructed to rescue the captives inside these ck pirs.¡± Mat exined with his both hands still raised up with palms facing the archer. ¡°Instructed, by whom? And how are you going to rescue those held inside the ck pirs?¡± On the other side, Rigs was pressing his both hands to the solid walls of the ck pir while figuring out how to activate his seal once again to extract the captive inside it. ¡°Darn it, Mat, how did you do it?¡± Mat saw something lumped mass crawling beneath the ground to Rigs¡¯ direction, it seems like it came from where the archer was standing. ¡°She did that? Was that a summoned thing?¡± Mat thought while thinking of how he can rm his friend from this nearing danger. A wood elemental sprouted up from the rambling ground, making an assault to Rigs. ¡°What is this, a swollen Groot?¡± Rigs said while avoiding the initial attack. Tendrils slithered out from the elemental¡¯s body and wrapped around Rigs¡¯ body. The other shadow hound that was thrown earlier by Rigs, recovered from his fall and ran towards Mat. ¡°Whoa, whoa nice doggy, nice doggy¡­¡± Mat worriedly said while anticipating the hound¡¯s attack. The archer quickly turned a few inch away and released her arrow hitting directly to approaching shadow hound. In a split second, Mat mocked the female archer by waving at her and then quick leaped away to where Rigs is. ¡°Just in time, my seal lit up a bit.¡± Mat¡¯s ki-de drew out and with a quick maneuver. He was able to cut the tendrils that were stretched between Rigs and the wood elemental. Rigs pulled out the remaining vines that still wrapped around him. With his seal already lit once again, Rigs used his ki-whip and followed Mat who already engaged a fight with the wood elemental. Rigs started to swing his ki-ship in every direction attacking the wood elemental. Mat was thrown up above to mid air by one of the elemental¡¯srge tendrils, Rigs rolled forward closer and with a swift move, he was able to entangle the opponent with his whip. Mat positioned himself for an attack while falling. With the elemental unable to move from Rigs¡¯ whip, Mat was freely able to sh his ki-de down to the enemy¡¯s upper body cutting one of its arm in the process. The wood elemental fell to the ground, its body withered and disintegrated. Matnded on his knees with his ki-de still torching, ¡°Rigs, are you allri¡­.,¡± just before he finished asking, an arrownded on Rigs¡¯ left leg. Another arrow was shot and hit Mat on his chest. Mat¡¯s ki-de retracted and his seal¡¯s light faded. Gritting his teeth and with a shaking hands, he nervously pulled the arrow slowly from his chest. He noticed the female archer suddenly appeared behind Rigs. ¡°Who would send amateurs to a mission? If you engage to a battle, you never let your guard down.¡± The female archer said while preparing to shot another arrow, aiming on Rigs head. ¡°So I¡¯ve noticed that you are carriers of the seal of light, but yourck of experience to battle is very evident.¡± Pressing his hand against his wound, Mat tried to stand up to his feet. ¡°You could have easily killed us if you wanted to¡­¡± ¡°Careful with that tongue of yours human¡­¡± The archer said while aiming her arrow to Mat. ¡°You can¡¯t and you wouldn¡¯t¡­¡± Mat mocked. ¡°You are right. There is still something I need from you.¡± The archer said while quickly releasing her Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. arrow towards Rigs. ¡°Rigs¡­¡± Mat was in shock to see his friend drop to the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, that shot was not meant to kill him, but this 3rd shot will¡­¡± ¡°You couldn¡¯t afford to kill me¡­ yet, because you need something from me right?¡± Mat asked. ¡°Trying to be smart won¡¯t save you and your friend¡¯s life, now I want you to release the captive inside this pir.¡± ¡°And then you let us go and resume our mission?¡± ¡°You may resume after as you wish, that is if you both survive your wounds from my arrow. Don¡¯t try to y tricks on me human, there will be no more warning shots.¡± Mat smirked and faced the direction of the ck pir, walking forward and with a few more steps away from it, his seal lit up and his left hand started to glow from within. Mat made a quick frustrated look to the archer before cing his left hand to the wall of the pir. His hand turned to full glow as it slowly slips in to the solid wall. Another second has passed and his full arm is inside the pir, Mat facial reaction tells that he was able to pick the captive inside, he gently pulled it out and to his surprise, it was another elf-looking female, with the same skin texture, simr dress, but a bit older than the other who demanded him for help. She was asleep when Mat pulled her out from the pir. The younger female archer vanish her bow and arrow that was made of light, and quickly aided the person that Mat was carrying. The older female somehow regained her consciousness but was too weak to neither walk nor talk. ¡°Aea¡­¡± she uttered while trying to raise her index finger pointing to the young female archer. A rumbling sound was hearding from afar, the female archer stood straight while carrying the rescued captive on her arms, ¡°I will spare your lives human, a life for a life.¡± The older female casted a quick chant and with her open palm, light granules spread out floating over Mat and Rigs. Rigs, who was still lying unconscious to the ground, sneezed twice before trying to lift his head and pushed up to a sitting position. ¡°Rigs!, Rigs! Are you alright?¡± Mat asked while rushing to his friend. ¡°I thought you were¡­¡± ¡°¡­dead?¡±, ¡°Not yet, but with that new fellow maybe both of us will.¡± Rigs said while pointing the huge silhouette image that was approaching them. ¡°We should help them Princess Aea,¡± the older woman uttered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Priestess Akasha, this is not our war, and I should return you immediately to our safe haven.¡± Mat and Rigs watched as the two female slowly vanished into thin air. ¡°Leaving the party too soon, we are just warming up?¡± Rigs said. Mat noticed that the wounds he had from the arrow was gone, he checked on Rigs and was already healed too, ¡°The older woman healed us, the younger one called her priestess.¡± ¡°Yeah and the younger was called princess¡­¡± Rigs said while checking his healed wound. ¡°Ready Rigs for another round?¡± The two fist-bumped and made their offensive stance against the iing danger. Chapter 9: VIII : Rise and Lead, Young Navigator Chapter 9: VIII : Rise and Lead, Young Navigator Clouds of dust started to clear down. A fissured path created by an energy st was seen leading to this unharmed young man. Nezumi, the rat-demon walked slowly, circling around the young Master Navi''Sai. "You have grown Sai." "A great strength and spiritual barrier was needed to evade or block that level of st." "And you did it." Master Navi''Sai remained quiet as he stood calmly before this mocking rat-demon. Navi''Sai focused his sight on the pir behind Nezumi. The rat-demon noticed this and quickly posed a defensive stance. "Come on Sai, you are much wee to try," Nezumi said with a witty grin. "That would be much easier with your seal unleashed." A sun symbol slightly glowed on Navi''Sai''s right arm. A recollection of events, several years back on this very same location. A young monk watched as the Carriers of the Seal teamed up with the archangels as they fought against hundreds of out-casted demons. The demons nned and gathered in this ce to prepare for the human tribtion. Lucifer, the king of the Underworld, forbid them because the time has not yet arrived for this event as stated in the book of Revtions. The strongest demons gathered and said they have impatiently waited for their reign. They will bring gue and death to humans. All those who lead humanity will be deceived and be converted to worship the king of hell. But the king of hell himself told them that they should wait a little longer. Those who opposed the will of the king was tormented and removed from existence. Only a few of them survived, they fled away and hid at this nameless ind to regroup. To their surprise, their supposed to be safe hiding ce turned out to be filled with angels and chosen humans who carry the Seal of Light. As soon as theynded, white clouds whirled around the ind and a bright light was seen from above, it was a descending army of archangels. Angel scouts and messengers flew down and talked to their human allies and prepared to give them the signal to carriers of the Seal of Light were already called for battle. The out-casted demons created their own army by summoning their pawn demons. These pawn demons can only be killed by an angel or a human who carries the Seal of Light. There were only seven human carriers present. One of them was the monk pupil Sai who was only ten years old, the youngest among them. The war began. Carriers of the seal were outnumbered by demon-pawns with a ratio of 1:12. And for the demon lord, it needs 1 archangel or at least 2-3 carriers of the seal to defeat it. The battlested for four hours. The remaining archangels gathered together to finish the war. They fought side by side with their human counterpart. It was a big loss for the out-casted demons. The demons took theirst chance to turn the tides against the angels and the carriers. A giant barrier was created by the demons, no archangel could pass in from the outside nor anyone escape from the inside. They all knew that if they lost this battle, the time of mankind is finished. The carriers and the archangels wasted no time. They knew that sacrifices must be made for their greater goal. A gigantic st came from the inside of the barrier. Almost half of the ind was destroyed by the st, leaving a crescent shapend formation in the process. Everyone was killed... almost... Thest carrier of the seal standing was pupil Sai, he was left outside the barrier. He tried to pull his master who seemed to be catching hisst breath. A young female messenger appeared to them, to do at least whatever healing she can do to save the dying master. She survived because she was flying outside the barrier when it happened. The young angel''s name was Kei''See. "Don''t worry young carrier, I''m here to help you." Suddenly, someone rose from the ground. A demon-lord survived the st. He grab the angel by the wing and torn them apart. The angel cried in pain as she was thrown far away from them. The demon crawled forward to Sai. Sai opened his seal and his whole body turned into light. He knew that he can defeat this weakened demon. A giant pir shoots up from the ground. It was casted by angel Kei''See from afar then it was Sai''s Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. dying master who finished the casting of the pir, before the demon was totally swallowed by the pir, he was able to create his final summon. It was a rat-demon named Nezumi. "Let me kill them for you Master Casus''Lucem," the Rat-Demon said. Sai, without wasting any second, quickly pierced the rat-demon with his ki-de but it was able to escape away from them. Sai retracted his de and returned to his master. "Master, what should I do? Let me help you!" "No Sai, This is my fate, I have served my purpose. Now I am blessing you to be the new navigator of carriers. Sai''s tears fell while hearing this. "You are no longer a pupil but a master; from now on you will carry the name Navi''Sai." "Navi''Sai?" Sai said "Search those who carry the seal and train them. Lead them to the right path..." the master said as he died on Navi''Sai''s arms. "Master!" Sai cried. __________ Returning back to the ongoing battle between Navi''Sai and Nezumi at present time. After Navi''s recollection of memories, he felt his urge to win this battle. His spiritual energy grew stronger, far greater than Nezumi''s. "Let''s finish this," Navi''Sai said Nezumi growled and started to growrger in size. His dark force was felt all over the area. With a wide stretch, he prepared to attack Navi''Sai with all his force. Navi''Sai drew his ki-de and quick leap in front of Nezumi and shed him into halves. "You must have miscalcted yourparison to a Carrier?" Nezumi was surprised with the speed and power of Navi''s assault. "No, It can''t end like this..." Nezumi said as he vanished slowly like burnt ashes into thin air. Navi''Sainded on his knees and looked up to the opening ck pir. ''Your next Casus''Lucem!" Chapter 10: IX : The Calm before the Storm Chapter 10: IX : The Calm before the Storm Mat and Rigs was running for their lives inside this mysterious jungle. ¡°Mat, I never thought that thing would take my threat seriously, I would like to take it back now¡­¡± ¡°Shut up and run faster Rigs, we almost died from thest attack that he did¡­¡± Mat said gasping for air. Streaking toward them from behind was a huge log thrown to them by this unknown creature who was pursuing them right from where the two female dryads lefts them. "This is a silly way to die!" Rigs said while bursting his remaining energy to overrun Mat. ¡°Eventually, we will drain out and he will catch us, we must fight back Rigs!¡± ¡°Do you have a n in mind Mat?¡± ¡°Rigs, can you use your whip to hold him at least to buy me a few seconds to attack him?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try, get ready Mat¡­¡± Rigs said while parting away from Mat and extending his ki-whip from his fist. Mat¡¯s seal lit up as he watch his friend maneuvered to a rear position from the creature that was chasing them. Rigs swing his whip in full force to tangle the creature¡¯s feet, he tried to pull the whip to close the feet together but it didn¡¯t work, so he rolled sideward to entangle one of the creature¡¯s arm. Rigs was able to cord one arm but was caught in the process. Mat did not wasted any second and rushed forward spearing his ki-de towards the creature that was now lifting Rigs. With an additional burst from a quick leap, Mat pressed his de to the chest of the creature. The creature slowly turned his view to Mat who was still trying to press his de deeper. ¡°I admire your courage, young Mat Adam and Rigs Perez, but by now the both of you should have realized the difference of our strength and power, and that you do not have any slight chance of defeating me.¡± ¡°He knows our name Mat.¡± Rigs whispered. The creature released an evil wave of unseen energy from his body that made both Mat and Rig spin around, hit the ground and rolled away from him. ¡°Your young master should have thought of training you further before sending you both to this mission. But he had no choice because he could not fulfill this mission alone, so he took the risk of bringing all avable help there is, even his unprepared amateur students.¡± The creature stood tall as he gaze down on Mat and Rigs who was still on their back and tendering their aching bodies. ¡°Who are you?¡± Rigs asked. ¡°Enji Oni¡± The creature said as he prepares to stomp on Mat and Rigs. A huge beam of light struck from nowhere hitting and creating a giant hole on the creature¡¯s chest. ¡°What¡­¡± Mat and Rigs stood up and watch as the creature crawl back covering the hole on his chest with his hand. ¡°You have escaped death this time, but we will meet again Mat Adam and Rigs Perez.¡± The creature said while fading away to the dark side of the forest. ¡°That was our second win, but did we win by luck again? And where did that very powerful shot came from?¡± Rigs asked Mat was tracing the direction from where the shot could possibly originate.¡±Let¡¯s follow this path Rigs.¡± ¡°I hope we won¡¯t run into another battle anytime soon, we could slow down a bit to recover our strength Mat.¡± After more than a half mile walk, they saw a figure of another ck pir. They are not sure but they knew they saw a young boy standing in front of it.¡± They moved closer and took cover from a wide old tree. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a boy alright, but could he did that powerful shot awhile ago?¡± Rigs replied with a much exaggerated suspicious look. Mat paused for a second and gave this serious look at Rigs. Rigs was not sure how to respond so he made more funny faces instead. ¡°OK Rigs seriously, here¡¯s the n.¡± ---------- Rigs slowly sneaked to the next tree, moving closer to the mysterious boy who was standing before and facing the ck pir. ¡°OK, here goes¡­¡± To Rigs¡¯ surprise, just before he made his next move, the boy suddenly appeared standing in front of him. ¡°N-no, d- did he just performed a quick leap?¡± Rigs thought while standing frozen with his cheeks randomly palpitating. The young boy stood still in front of Rigs and gave him a nk stare. ¡°Is he waiting for my next move? Is he trying to read my mind at the moment? Is this another possessed person?¡± Rigs thought as he stood motionless and returned a ttened stare to the young boy. After several moments of silence, both of them felt the bullet speed movement urred near the pir. ¡°So you guys figured out how to free the captive soul huh?¡± the young boy ended the long absence of words between them and said in a very calm and soft toned manner. ¡°He talked to me! Did he saw that too? Did he know I hadpany?¡± Rigs thought as he raised his eyebrows, slowly looking back to the boy. ¡°He had the situation under control, I must not let my guard down,¡± Rigs thought as his seal slowly lit up in preparation of any sudden assault. Still with a searching nce, the young boy raised his hand and pointed his finger to Rigs¡¯ face. ¡°Oh no, herees the slow motion attack with a big st,e on seal, don¡¯t fail me now, and must pull up my spiritual barrier before¡­¡± Rigs¡¯ thought was interrupted, ¡°Sir, is that a bruise on your face?¡± The question was genuinely sincere, Rigs wanted cry, or faint rather. Rigs¡¯ cheeks were now palpitating violently.¡±What kind of demon are you? You are ying with human emotions.¡± The young boy felt Rigs¡¯ anxious response. He turned about and faced the recently emptied pir. ¡°I was trying to help the person inside the pir, but I don¡¯t know how, I was also trapped inside one of those but I was able to free myself, I can¡¯t even exin how I did it, but I did it.¡± ¡°You are not a demon, right?¡± Rigs asked, still with a raised brow. ¡°No, I am not, I am Jimmy Fang, I am looking for my elder brother, Sieg Fang.¡± ¡°Sieg? Jimmy? The Fang brothers,¡± Rigs thought. ¡°You know my brother?¡± ¡°You really can read minds do you, young Jimmy?¡± ¡°Uhm, Yes, well, not everything, especially when it is deep or long, it would be cloudy, but you with that short phrased thought, I definitely could.¡± Jimmy replied with a bit of a proud gesture and a crossed- arm. ¡°Um, OK, that¡¯s good enough, I¡¯m Rigs by the way, listen Jimmy, we need to help my friend Mat, to free the other captives, your brother might be in there too.¡± ¡°Alright sir, both you and your friend seems to be good fellows, I will do whatever I can to help.¡± ¡°I saw you did that quick leap a while ago, can you do that again?¡± Rigs asked with a grin. Jimmy showed a childish grin and nodded back. ----------- On the highest location of the mountain, somewhere nears the central ck pir. Matnded after performing several long quick leaps. He carefully ced down the person he was carrying and he exhaustedly fell to his knees with his face almost an inch away from the ground. He gave several deep breathes. ¡°Thank you for saving me back there, I hope you¡¯re alright kind sir?¡± It was a very familiar soft voice. It was a young woman¡¯s voice. How could Mat forget that sweet gentle tone, but could it be possible? That she¡¯s here too? Mat slowly tilted his head, and to his surprise. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± the both of them said at the same time. ¡°Summer Eve? How did you¡­¡± ¡°Mat Adam! I can¡¯t believe this is happening, but I am really d to see you here.¡± Summer gave a quick hug, and then settled back with a slight distance and an awkward look at each other. ¡°Oops, I-I just got carried away,¡± Summer blushed. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. Mat was still in shock, his feeling was a mix of excitement and fear, his heart was beating double time. Summer could not help but notice the seal that was half lit on Mat¡¯s right shoulder. ¡°That seal, I¡¯ve seen than symbol on my mom¡¯s bracelet, there were other seals besides that. ¡° ¡°The bracelet that I have brought to you,¡± Mat recalled. ¡°Yes, from my aunt Lily. So it is true, everything my mom said was true, these supernatural powers do exist, the carriers of the seal, and you seem to be one of them.¡± ¡°If I say yes, will you be afraid of me?¡± ¡°No, no, in fact I¡¯m a bit excited myself, my mom used to tell sto¡­¡± Mat interrupted and took Summer and then quick-leaped away from their location. A giant st of dark energy almost destroyed them. On a safer location, Mat scanned the area where the st could have been casted. ¡°Look Mat, another pir,¡± Summer said, pointing to a ck pir simr to where she was taken earlier. A silhouette of a person was seen behind it. ¡°Mat, I think there is someone inside it.¡± Summer said on a bit higher tone. ¡°OK Summer, wait I¡¯ll have to make a quick scan on the area, I can feel someone lurking around. Stay hidden behind the pir. ¡± Summer nodded and sat behind the ck pir. She slightly moved her head to peak on where Mat was. Mat was about to quick leap to a nearby spot when someone caught him on his face, it took a grip on it and mmed him hard on the ground. ¡°NO!¡± Summer screamed and then quickly covered her mouth and sat back to hide herself behind the pir. Chapter 11: X : Oh Fearless One Chapter 11: X : Oh Fearless One Somewhere on the other side of the mountain Navi¡¯Sai stood in front of the ck pir. With his seal and his left hand fully lit up, he slowly ced and slipped it into the pir. Navi¡¯Sai felt the sudden reaction of the person inside who took a strong grip on his hand. He quickly pulled it out and as the body finally came out of the pir, they bothnded on the ground ending up with the person mounted on top of him with a ki-de pointed at his throat. ¡°Who are you? What do you want from me?¡± There was fear and anger as the newly saved captive spoke. Navi¡¯Sai realized that it was a young woman who was on top of him. A young pretty woman dressed with an all ck skin tight leather assassin suit with a red scarf. ¡°I am Navi¡¯Sai, I came here to rescue you.¡± The young woman fiercely looked at his eyes, with her ki-de still pointed at his throat. She acknowledged the sincere reply and retracted her weapon. The tension came down, both of them noticed the very awkward position they are into. The female bended back on a fancy manner and stood up and helped Navi¡¯Sai while he was dusting his clothes. ¡°I thought you were the one of those with the demon earlier, by the way, I am Willow.¡± Navi¡¯Sai took the handshake offer and replied. ¡°Wait¡­ I think¡­hmm¡­ Willow Autumn?¡± ¡°Yes, that is right. How did you know that?¡± ¡°Willow Autumn. Great! Your mother, Lily, is an acquaintance of mine. We were sent here to rescue you and the other captives taken by the rat-demon Nezumi.¡± Willow felt a bit of relief to what she just heard from Navi. ¡°Wait, did you say other captives? And there are others out there also doing this rescue operation?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, we have to go now. My friends are on the other side of this mountain. I hope they are not having much trouble.¡± ¡°No, wait,¡± Willow interrupted just before Navi¡¯Sai made his next move. ¡°Why would I trust you? This could be a trick. You will bring me as offering to your Demon lord.¡± Navi¡¯Sai responded with a ttened face. With a mocking face and a dirty look, he quickly took off his shirt. ¡°What is that? What are you doing? Don¡¯t you dare move an inch closer to me you pervert!¡± Willow threatened as she shy away from the half naked Navi¡¯Sai. Navi¡¯Sai turned about and showed a round spiral shape starting to draw itself on to his back. The object drawn added several curved lines outside the main circle. It was an ethnic drawn sun. ¡°I am the Navigator of the Carriers,¡± Navi¡¯Sai said with authority. A giant shadow passed through them as Navi¡¯Sai speaks. It was a drake, a ck one, with its red round burning eyes and a five meter length wing span. It flew up and then dived to their direction. ¡°Oh no, let¡¯s move Navi¡¯Sai.¡± Navi¡¯Sai unresponsively watched as the drake dives closer. Willow moved back to a safer distance. As the gap between Navi¡®Sai and the drake closed to less than four meters, Navi¡¯Sai¡¯s body suddenly lit up, and with a quick leap going up, he unleashed his ki-de and shed the drake from its throat going up to his belly and then finally cut out away andnded safely in front of Willow with his ki-de pointing back to the falling beast. ¡°W-what kind of warfare was that? I have never seen anything like that before. You effortless killed that giant beast with a single sh.¡± ¡°Nope, he¡¯s not dead, I just peeled out his temporary skin, there¡¯s a human soul in there.¡± On the middle of the drake¡¯s burning corpse, someone slowly stood up. His body was shaking and could not merely make a step forward. ¡°Even if you defeat me, I have already finished my purpose here. I have released Casus¡¯Lucem from his prison. He will be out from that giant ck pir any moment now!¡± The man hystericallyughed. ¡°No Sieg! What have you done? Have you lost your mind?¡± Navi¡¯Sai performed two quick leaps before reaching Sieg. Willow followed. Navi¡¯Sai caught Sieg before his body fainted to the ground. ¡°Y-you are the new leader of the carriers, please find my brother Jimmy. I was forced t-¡° ¡°I know Sieg, the angel Kei¡¯See told me so. This is our mission, to rescue each and every one of you. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. And if the Demon lord reached the ground, then we will make sure he¡¯s not going back to that pit or to his king in hell. We are going to destroy him here once and for all.¡± A strong statement said by the fearless leader. Chapter 12: XI : Enter Tribulation Chapter 12: XI : Enter Tribtion Returning to the ce where the central ck pir was located. ¡°So you think you can easily kill a demon with your puny little power. A novice like you stands no chance against me.¡± ¡°The snake demon who took Ethan¡¯s body awhile ago, ¡° Mat said while still lying on the ground and being held by this demon Orochi. Summer peaked again, she knew Mat¡¯s worn out body stands no chance against his opponent. Then she felt something different. Her knees shaken as she stood. She suddenly felt weakened and dropped on the ground, she tried to resist the feeling but it was too strong. She was already lying on the ground as she watches Mat prepare for the opponent¡¯s next attack. ¡°What is happening? I felt as if all my energy dropped down to zero in an instant.¡± Summer thought. Mat was waiting for the demon¡¯s next move but his opponent seems to be diforted by this strong gravitational pull. Orochi fell on his knee as he tried to fight back against this force that is pulling him down. Mat, on the same hand, felt it too. ¡°What is this very strong unseen force that even this demon is affected with?¡± A loud crumbling voice was heard that appeared to being from the central ck pir. ¡°Orochi, restore and proceed to the n on the next ne!¡± ¡°I understand my lord, it shall be done.¡± Orochi said while slowly fading away like a ck smoke in front of Mat. ¡°Lucky you Mat Adam.¡± Almost three seconds passed and nothing happened. Neither a movement nor a sound was heard. The ground started to shake, gradually increasing the intensity as the Demon lord Casus¡¯Lucem started to climb out slowly from the huge ck central pir. Mat and Summer wasn¡¯t able to do anything but to look at each other and fight back against this pulling force that was keeping them down on the ground. Arge arm made ofpressed ck smoke came out of therge pir and mmed its palm on the ground. The whole arm was as long as an average human adult. The ground rumbled some more as moltenva burst up from the crevasses nearby. Mat tried to crawl to Summer¡¯s direction. Casus¡¯Lucem finally reached and pulled himself out of the ck hole that was covered by this ck beaming pir. The Demon lord stands twice the size of an ordinary human. His body was fully built and well- tightened, he has four horns and his eyes were glowing red. His skin was red and ck and it was being radiated with ck shadows all over. His teeth were as sharp as those of a lion, and a pair of wings that expanded more than four meters to be exact, wings simr to that of a bat. Casus¡¯Lucem stretched his body from its years of prison and let out a loud yell. It was like seeing an embodiment of evil. It brought terror all throughout the area. Casus¡¯Lucem stretched his left arm with his palm facing Mat. A massive ball of dark energy started to build up like a sucking vortex throughout the entire ce. Casus was about to release it and send it to Mat when a quick sh hits him on his left hand. ¡°What? Thest Carrier of the Seal lives.¡± The distraction somehow interrupted the strong gravitation pull and allowed Mat to rush to Summer and then quick leaped away with her to a safer distance. ¡°Wait, Mat, I think someone¡¯s still inside that small pir.¡± ¡°Yes, I know, but we have to wait for a right timing. I wonder who made that attack on that demon?¡± Meanwhile, the Demon lord, tilted his head with a displeased face. ¡°You have grown Navigator Sai, you were even capable of easily defeating my pawn Nezumi,¡± Casus¡¯Lucem said with a creepy growling voice that echoed all over the ce. Master Navi Sai, who was on the opposite side where Mat and Summer was, wasted no second and turned his whole body into pure light. He retracted his ki-de and draws a new weapon. The Divine ming Sword. Its me was white and blue. It created waves of circle expanding out away from his body. Casus¡¯Lucem started moving and attacked Navi Sai with all his brute force. The attack was so fast that it could not be seen by any ordinary humans. Navi¡¯Sai quick leaped in and shed Casus¡¯ right arm, and with a quick motion he maneuvered away from Casus¡¯ left arm which tried to ripped him. Then Navi created five shes within two second then quick leaped away from the Demon lord. Casus¡¯Lucem¡¯s wings fell to the ground in pieces. ¡°Let¡¯s go Summer, Master Navi is buying us some time.¡± Mat said while moving with Summer back to the small ck pir. ¡°OK, here it goes.¡± Mat said as he lit up his seal. He tried to put in his glowing left hand thru the pir, and finally, he was able to pull out thest captive soul. ¡°A young swordsman¡­¡± Summer said while assisting thed while looking at his oversized sword. The young man was gasping for air, ¡°Thank you for helping me, whoever you are, my name is Zild by the way.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Summer Eve, and this is Mat Adam¡± Casus¡¯Lucem noticed the extraction of soul from thest pir. ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for this, humans.¡± Casus¡¯Lucem started to build up a new ball of dark energy. Master Navi¡¯Sai tried to interfere once more but this time, the Demon lord teleported away and appeared behind Mat Adam. ¡°No!¡± Navi shouted and tried to quick leap to their location. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t fail me now seal.¡± Mat anxiously said while trying to return the young swordsman back to the human realm. ¡°Stay close Summer, I¡¯ll try to make a spirit barrier after sending back this guy.¡± Casus¡¯Lucem released the st aiming to Summer instead of Mat who just sessfully returned the young swordsman back home. Master Navi¡¯Sai appeared toote behind Casus¡¯Lucem before stopping him from releasing the st. Mat knew that a quick leap could not save them and the st might just follow them to theirnding Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. location. He embraced Summer instead and let out a circr spiritual barrier that covered them and hoping that this will reduce the damage that will be dealt to them. In a split second, Master Navi knew that Mat still could not dodge nor save them from the fast approaching st so he quick leaped and appeared in front of Mat and Summer. Mat was readying himself for impact when he saw his master taking the hit from the huge st. ¡°Oh no, Master Navi¡¯Sai!¡± ¡°Mat¡­¡± Navi said as his body starts to fade slowly like a burning paper. ¡°NO!¡± Mat shouted and touched Navi¡¯s face and tried to counter the curse from the st before it totally consumed his master. Mat invoked his seal to return his master back home, but he was not sure if he was able to save him on time. ¡°You will pay for that demon!¡± Mat angrily shouted. Chapter 13: XII. Test of Faith Chapter 13: XII. Test of Faith ¡°Why are you here?¡± The Demon lord asked with his crumbling voice. Mat, who was a few meters away from the demon, stood motionless with his ki-de torching from the end of his fist. He was preparing for the enemy¡¯s next move. ¡°I am here to reim the captive souls taken by your pawns.¡± Casus¡¯Lucem noticed Mat¡¯s Seal of Light on his right arm that was now fully lit and ready for whatever its wielder decided to use its power with. ¡°That Seal of Light you carry¡­¡± "...that Fish Symbol..." ¡°¡­do you know who it represents?¡± ¡°If you can answer this then maybe¡­ maybe I will let you live¡­¡± ¡°The seal I carry belongs to the brightest morning star,¡± Mat replied. Mat started to feel the very strong gravitational pull again. But this time he could somehow withstand it because of his unleashed seal. But he needed to move. His knees began to shaken a bit as he fought for the force that was pulling him. Just as Mat prepared to quick leap away from his location, Casus¡¯Lucem grasped him on his throat and threw the weight of his body at him, forcing Mat back and down as though he meant to bury him right there in the ground. ¡°Did you know that our king from hell, Lucifer, is the bringer of light?¡± Mat¡¯s ki-de vanished as he lost control of his seal¡¯s power. He was trying to free himself from this choke that was slowly taking his consciousness. ¡°Yes I know, Luci means light, but he was also the great deceiver. He brings false light to those who follow him. This Seal that I carry, is the seal of the Messiah himself, the one that we call Christ, he is the brightest light that there is and will ever be, the fisher of men, he that brings hope and saved mankind,¡± Mat said in a much weakened voice. ¡°Well versed you are Mat Adam, so you already made your choice.¡± Casus said as he raised Mat above ground and tightened the grip some more on his throat. Mat¡¯s seal could not hold any longer to protect him. It began to fade its light down as Mat holds on to his dear life. ¡°Cough,¡± Mat was starting to feel total difort as he panicked to get some fresh air in. Mat gasped and lurched, staggering under the sickening feeling of weakness. If he did not do anything, this would be the end. The demon would finish him easily and proceed with the others. ¡°Master Navi¡¯Sai prepared us for this, we were not chosen for nothing, I will not end like this easily.¡± Mat¡¯s seal was trying to regain its light slowly. ¡°Come on, must try to escape this¡­¡± You are already making a good impression Mat Adam, you could have been better if you choose to fight for me.¡± Casus¡¯Lucem mocked. Mat tried to draw his ki-de again but Casus¡¯Lucem mmed him down hard to the ground. Several stomping was send to him followed by this huge st of dark energy that came from the demon¡¯s open palm. ¡°Maybe, maybe I was not that ready enough for this. I thought I had it, but the gap between our power and strength is immeasurable.¡± Mat thought as he felt the huge amount of pain that caught up with him. The demon staggered back, catching himself in midair with a powerful leap for his final blow to Mat with his charged and fully winded fist. Mat helplessly watched as he waited for the contact, but the attack was cut short by this whip of light that strangled on the Demon lord¡¯s arm and stopped him. Mat closed his eyes in surrender as he tried to focus on breathing. ¡°Thank you, must stay¡­ must live¡­¡± It was Rigs¡¯ who was pulling the Demon lord from further punishing Mat. Casus¡¯Lucem turned around while trying to untangle the whip when several shes of ki-de alternately pierced and stroked him from the opposite side. Summer took the chance and quickly sneaked back to pull Mat¡¯s lifeless body away to safety. Jimmy arrived just in time to help her. Casus¡¯Lucem made a full swing of his left arm to hit either of Sieg or Willow who was still trying to attack him from different angles. Sieg and Willownded in front of Summer and Jimmy who were carrying Mat¡¯s body. Sieg carried Mat off from Summer and quick leap away. Willow took Summer and Jimmy and followed where Siegnded. Casus¡¯Lucem forcefully pulled the ki-whip that was holding him, Rigs was violently thrown away by this action. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°This new batch of carriers is nothing but disappointment.¡± The Demon lord was about to make a follow up attack to Rigs when Sieg quick leap in between them to interrupt. - ¡°Willow¡­¡± Summer yelled in disbelief to see her cousin in this very unlikely situation. ¡°Plenty of hugster cousin dear, you¡¯re seal has unleashed, I think you can do something with that fallen hero,¡± Willow said while making a stop gesture sign. A butterfly shaped seal appeared on Summer¡¯s lower back. ¡°Oh, yes of course, w-wow I have unleashed my own seal,¡± Summer surprisingly said. ¡°Go try to fix him while I help the others,¡± Willow said before quick leaping away from Summer. Summer felt the energy that was flowing from her seal. It¡¯s like it was trying tomunicate with her, telling her what she can do with it. Summer knelt before Mat¡¯s body and pressed her hands softly to his chest. She knew what she had to do. Veins of light started to flow from her arm passing on to Mat¡¯s lifeless body. ¡°So mom¡¯s stories were all true, all this time, they were no fairy tale. It was all real, and I had the chance to experience it firsthand.Wait- wait I must focus on reviving Mat.¡± ¡°Come on Mat Adam,e back please, we still have to finish this. We still need you here. Please hear me.¡± ¡°Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.¡± (John 20:24-29) Chapter 14: XIII. Bellatorum de Lumine Chapter 14: XIII. Betorum de Lumine Sieg Fang was finally reunited with his younger brother Jimmy. Summer Eve was surprised to learn that she and her cousin Willow Autumn possess their own Seal of Light and are now part of this war. Rigs didn¡¯t know if Mat was able to save their Master Navi¡¯Sai from being annihted by the Demon lord Casus¡¯Lucem. With Mat unconscious, he is next to make the call for the group or someone else must do it. They were the chosen few to be the new generation who carries the Seal of Light, Betorum de Lumine, Warriors of the Light. ----------- With Mat out, the rest of the carriers tried to figure out how to defeat the Demon lord themselves. Sieg, dashed towards Casus¡¯Lucem, he tried to pull out the divine ming sword but failed. He used his ki-de instead and made several shes but it doesn¡¯t seem to inflict major damage. Sieg was caught by a huge swing of the demon¡¯s tail, sending him tumbling away from the battle scene Rigs and Jimmy was running on the opposite side. Rigs casted his ki-whip and wrapped around Casus¡¯Lucem¡¯s legs, disabling him from getting nearer to Mat and Summer. Casus stepped forward and forced to tear down the ki-whip. Rigs battled to keep his catch. Jimmy, who was standing next to Rigs, felt a slight burn from him right arm. A Japanese symbol slowly appeared on his left arm, it was his Seal of Light. Veins of light energy flowed around his arm moving next to the other. He made a posture of cing both palms facing together and building up a certain amount of condensed energy. It grew bigger by the second. A blue med wave burst out like a cannon from Jimmy¡¯s outstretched palms. It made a clear hit to the Demon lord. Rigs¡¯ ki-whips were loosening. Casus¡¯Lucem seems to be hurt and vanished from this thick smoke and dust caused by the impact of Jimmy¡¯s wave. There was a moment of silence. Everyone saw it, they were all hoping this could have stopped or somehow disabled the enemy. Buying them some time to recover and regroup. Everyone was looking around, readying themselves for whatever event that might suddenly ur. ¡°You little brat!¡± Casus yelled as he reappeared behind Rigs and Jimmy . ¡°Do that again! Do that again! That kame-hame-wave thing that you just did!¡± shouted Rigs ¡°I-I can¡¯t, I think I just drained my seal¡¯s power.¡± Jimmy said. Rigs decided to quick leap away with Jimmy, but when hended, he saw that he was not able to bring Jimmy with him. Jimmy was caught by Casus¡¯Lucem by the hand. Rigs ran back and casted again his ki-whip sending it to all direction trying to free Jimmy. Willow created some follow up attack, but both of them failed and caught themselves tumbling into midair. Casus decided to begin with the weakest among the group. Instead of killing, he wanted to possess its body. Casus started to turn into a massive ck smoke and tried to prate Jimmy thru his mouth. Casus already made contact when Sieg interrupted and took Jimmy¡¯s position instead. Sieg took most of the smoke who was trying to enter Jimmy¡¯s body. Sieg and Jimmy both fell on the ground with their body violently shaking. Casus¡¯Lucem sessfully took over Sieg¡¯s body. Circling dark clouds expanded out as Sieg stood up. He now possesses this very dark aura. His eyes turned pitch ck and had this heavy breathing while slowly floating up two feet above the ground. His seal turned ck and then additional ethnic tribal curves and lines appeared too. Sieg lifted his head. Rigs and Willow quick leaped in front of Summer who was still trying to recover Mat. ¡°If he moves away from that location, I will pickup Jimmy and try to relieve him. I can do healing stuff too, I¡¯ll get back as soon as I put the boy to safety.¡± Willow said to Rigs. Rigs nodded in response. Sieg started to move forward while still floating in the air. He first attacked Willow using a twin ck ki-de but Rigs stepped in and caught Sieg with his ki-whip and used his momentum to overthrow him. Sieg maneuvered and regain his stance after he was thrown. Sieg, once again, sets his attention to Mat who was still unconscious. On his way, Rigs pulled back Sieg using his ki-whip and tried to pull him away from Mat. Sieg took the ki-whip and throw Rigs instead. ¡°You and your pesky whip are really annoying me, youngling. I think I should finish you first.¡± Rigs was thrown away. Willow took the chance to get Jimmy. Sieg slowlynded his feet on ground level, he moved facing Mat¡¯s direction. Summer continued to instill life energy to Mat hoping that he would be revived soon. Sieg started to build up this huge mass of dark energy on the tip of his index finger, creating a wide circling vortex around him. He aimed it to Mat and was about to release it when three arrows made of light made a direct hit on his shoulder, causing him to miss the shot and had it sted on a nearby ground. ¡° Who dared¡­¡± Sieg focused his sight to where the arrows came from. It was a half kilometer away where this umon looking female elf-dryad stood still and was still aiming for him. The new set of arrows was released but Sieg quickly made a fast consecutive quick leaps and reached the elf-dryad instantly. This bought everyone another time to regroup and cope up with any n to stop this demon. An image of an angel appeared behind the elf-dryad, she was guiding and charging light energy to the archer¡¯s arrows. ¡°Keep firing those arrows Princess Aea,¡± The angel said on the elf-dryad¡¯s thought. Sieg reached the location of the archer in no time, he battled out with the elf-dryad, it was a mismatch but just before Sieg pierced his ki-de to the neer¡¯s chest, a bright light covered the archer and made her disappear into thin air. ¡°You have no power against me Kei¡¯See, have you ran out of allies, using the young she-elf-dryad was a waste. I could not waste any more time talking with you, it¡¯s time to say goodbye now messenger.¡± Sieg charged the angel Kei¡¯See with his twin ck ki-des ready for its finishing sh. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. A huge explosion happened as the angel and Sieg collided. Chapter 15: XIV. Even Heroes Fall Sometimes Chapter 15: XIV. Even Heroes Fall Sometimes Everybody waited for the aftermath of the sh. The fog of war revealed the silhouette of an angel with a pair of broken wings, motionlessly standing. As the dust finally settled down, a ck ki-de was seen torching in front of the angel¡¯s chest. Another one just came out of her belly, both pierce came from behind. Kei¡¯See was lifted up by this emotionless foe using the des that were struck to her body. ¡°I-I am sorry Mat Adam, really I am, I have failed our cause,¡± the angel said on a much weakened voice. A strong ck whirlwind like force spurred from Sieg¡¯s body, trying to burn the lifted angel. Kei¡¯See squeezed her eyes shut, exhaling a roaring cry of surrender. ----------- Everyone sighed in their grief. Something inside Summer stirred. She stood, breathing heavily, a white sh lit her eyes followed by the sudden bright glow of her seal. ¡°You have rested enough Mat Adam, if you are the chosen one, live and finish the mission.¡± Like a charge of electricity, Summer glowed as she touched the hands of Mat, doubling the amount of instilling life force being transferred to him. Sieg dropped Kei¡¯See and left her for dead as he performed several consecutive quick leaps rushing to Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Mat¡¯s direction. Rigs stood in between and prepared with a defensive stance. Willow quickly followed and left Jimmy, who was somehow relieved by her minimal knowledge of healing and regeneration skills. Rigs used his ki-whip to maneuver to his advantage. He intercepted Sieg and initiated their brawl. ¡°This has to end now, I have to stand up for the team,¡± Rigs said as he controlled his ki-whip and strangled it to Sieg. Rigsnded a quick elbow followed by a roundhouse. Each attack¡¯s strength and power is tripled by his seal, powerful enough to deal damage to a demon opponent. Every chance of a meter long space clearance allowed Rigs to cast his ki-whip and sh it hard to his opponent. Rigs finally unleashed his core strengthbined with his seal¡¯s power. Sieg was able to dodge some of the ki-whip¡¯s sh but more of it came and hit him hard as Rigs took full control of their fight. The whip cracked more than several times in an instant, punishing the opponent and sending him on to his knees. Rigs tried to perform a space clearing ritual on Sieg¡¯s body to cast out Casus¡¯Lucem. ¡°Be gone demon, let this body receive the blessing of freedom and healing!¡± Sieg, who was still on his knees, made a hardugh mocking Rigs. ¡°You have no right or authority to do such thing, because you are weak, right Rigs?¡± Sieg mockingly said with the Demon lord¡¯s eerie voice. Rigs erupted in anger and almost turned his whole body into light form. He made a high jump then spins his body to fully wind his ki-whip sh to Sieg. Sieg almost lost his arms as he parry and block Rigs¡¯ rapid simultaneous assault to him. But Casus¡¯Lucem is a no low-level, ordinary demon. He is a Demon lord. It would take more than Rigs¡¯ effort to stop him. Sieg was hit by this very strong attack but he survived. He stood up and made his counter attack against Rigs. After another several exchange of quick blows, Sieg dashed forward leaving Rigs lying unconscious on the ground. Rigs failed to stop him and now he suffered the consequence of his attempt to stop the Demon lord. Summer turned about, standing side by side with her younger cousin Willow. They readied themselves for the anticipated attack. ¡°Cover me Summer, I will do offense, try to heal me as I engage so I can stay long in battle.¡± Willow said Summer nodded. Sieg disappeared after performing another consecutive quick leaps. Both Summer and Willow moved back closer to Mat¡¯s body. The youngdies braced their selves. With a blink of an eye. Both Sieg¡¯ski-de pierced Willow and Summer¡¯s bodies, extending the half meter long tip on their back. ¡°Sorry Summer, I did my¡­¡± Willow said, but was not able to continue due to the pain she was having from the de that was struck to her. Summer tried to extend her hand, still wanted to give a final try on reviving Mat. "Mat, please wake up..." Dark clouds started to circle above them. Like those who carry a heavy storm in it. Sieg grinned as he prepares to lower the bodies of his new victims. ¡°It is over. I just had to prolong this to allow me to awaken and flex my sore limbs. But it is still a mismatch, even with all your powersbined. You all stand no chance against me. Now, I shall use this young man¡¯s body to bring myself to the human realm. This is my key out of this pris..¡± Just before Sieg finished his thought, A huge mass of light beam passed thru, entering his chest and exiting on his back. It happened within half of a second. ¡°No, how could this hap¡­¡± A growling sound was heard as Sieg¡¯s body fell almost lifeless on the ground. Chapter 16: XV. Astral Phantom Traveller Chapter 16: XV. Astral Phantom Traveller Mat''s POV Am I dead? So I was left helplessly alone in the middle of nowhere. Last thing I remembered, I was in a middle of a battlefield, caught in a death match, roughly fighting against a Demon lord named Casus¡¯Lucem. But now, I appear fresh and lively, there was no evidence of bruises or wounds on my body. But where am I? What is this ce? This ce looks like an endless void. Massive fog lies low on the floor. The only light I see is the one that ising from this broken silver cord that was attached to my body. I started running again, from a direction I could not tell, I did this just to see if things would change if I do so. But nothing changes. It¡¯s just the same nk space I have been running since I got here awhile ago. Suddenly, a stream of living energy enveloped me. It was made of pure light. It flowed like water, but I can breathe into it. It was magical. It was fantastic. I felt so much peace as the energy ran circle through my skin. It was a feeling I never wanted to leave, for it gave me serenity, a feel of enlightenment. It wrapped around me and supported my body¡¯s weight. I wanted to stay like this, connected to the light, forever. The energy started to disentangle slowly from me, returning my weight back to my feet. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Then, a very striking light appeared in front of me. I could not see it directly. I was covering my face from the excessive light with my hands. Then it spoke. ¡°Hello my faithful carrier.¡± The voice sounded so majestic, but each word he said came out like an authority. Like it would never be broken by anyone. ¡°W-who are you?¡± ¡°I am the owner of that seal you carry, young Mat Adam.¡± "The fish seal belongs to the Messiah, the fisher of men. The one we also know as our Christ," Mat uttered ¡°Ow, you are..¡± ¡°Finish the mission, young Mat Adam, your task as a carrier just began. There is a much bigger threat waiting after this, and you will be part of that Great War. Find your strength. The fish seal will help you. I couldn¡¯t say a word back. Like I was given a great task by¡­ The Messiah I was entrusted with this power. I have the fish seal, because¡­ I am Mat Adam. ----- Then, all of a sudden, everything flushed away like a spinning vortex, I had to shut my eyes close from the pulling force, all the pain catches up on my body, but I feel, relieved somehow, I can even feel my seal glowing on its full power. I tried to regain sight as I slowly opened my eyes. It was a horrible sight. A person, with this dark energy flowing out from his body. He is an embodiment of pure evil. I saw Summer lifted up with a ck ki-de pierced on her chest. Another female was on the other side having the same fate. They seem to be already¡­ dead. Then there was this sudden rage of emotion in me, I did not realized I have turned myself, my whole body into light. Excessive energy flows out from my eyes and then thru my palm. But I feel so in control with this vast and enormous power. With a blink of an eye, I have passed thru the body of their executioner. He did not saw meing. It was the least he could expect that could happen. Chapter 17: XVI. The Illumination of Mat Adam Chapter 17: XVI. The Illumination of Mat Adam Mat¡¯s skin was reced with this light form energy, even the clothes he wore turned into this. There were no traces of flesh left on him. This is the illumination of Mat Adam. Mat leap in great speed, a normal person nor a carrier would have a hard time catching and following this level of speed. He passed thru Sieg¡¯s body and soul-snatched Casus¡¯Lucem out, pulling him in his massive dark cloud form. Sieg, exhaustedly dropped the lifeless bodies of Summer and Willow. He unconsciously fell to his knees beforending face first on the ground. ¡°Oh no, am I toote, I can¡¯t feel any amount of life force from them,¡± Mat thought while looking back to Sieg, Summer and Willow. ¡°I can¡¯t feel Rigs¡¯ or Jimmy¡¯s presence too, have I gone too long?¡± ¡°Wait, there is still¡­, I could still sense her, Summer is still alive, and so is that Sieg guy, they are still there, but the other girl, I think she¡¯s really gone.¡± --- ¡°Impossible! You are supposed to be dead?¡± Casus¡¯Lucem roared as he slowly takes a much enormous and terrifying form. The ck massive cloud faded away revealing his new fully build and tightened red body, glowing with red and ck mes all over. He is now trice the length of an ordinary human. He still has this sharp teeth and a pair of horns on his forehead, his eyes were all ck with a red dot pupil. Mat was still dragging Casus¡¯Lucem away from where they left, even after the demon regained back his physical form. Casus¡¯Lucem tried to wrestle against the much smaller body of Mat while still being dragged away. He noticed someone running from a different direction. It was Jimmy, and it seems like he his heading to his brother¡¯s location. Casus extended his right arm and started to build up a ck mass of energy, this is strong enough to kill Jimmy. Mat saw this and made a strong grip against the extended arm of Casus. This is the first time after a very long time, that the Demon lord felt pain as if all the bones in his arm where broken by Mat¡¯s feisty grip. The energy build up on the Demon¡¯s hand was dissolved. ¡°Impossible, how could you be this strong? I am a Demon lord, and you are just a mere human, how could you possibly do such thing?¡± Casus¡¯Lucem yelled as his right arm swing back in numbness from Mat¡¯s grip. Mat maneuvered and ended pounding Casus¡¯Lucems¡¯ face to the ground, creating arge crater in the process. ¡°How dare you Mat Adam, you will pay for this, I will¡­¡± Mat quickly drew and shed his ki-de, dismembering Casus¡¯Lucem¡¯s right hand leaving the Demon lord agonizing in pain. ¡°You will do nothing,¡± Mat mocked while standing still in his illuminated form with his ki-de still torching out from his fist. ¡°He cut my arm without using the Divine ming Sword, he just used his own ki-de to do this, who is this Mat Adam?¡± Casus¡¯Lucem thought Mat faced his right side and focused on where he left his fallenrades. He was a bit surprised to see what Jimmy was doing to them at the moment. ¡°That young boy Jimmy, what is he doing there? I feel a different reading on his powers. Quite interesting, but I hope it is not what I think it is.¡± Mat watched further as Jimmy tried to revive Sieg and Summer with his own style of instilling energy and regeneration. The next action gave Mat the real surprise. He saw how Jimmy revived the other girl, Willow, and then helping her stands back to her feet. It was like reviving her with no effort at all. ¡°Is it necromancy?¡± Mat asked. Suddenly, demon wings came up and walloped Mat, enclosing him nearer to Casus¡¯ body. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you got this strong, Mat Adam, but you cannot simply defeat me with this.¡± A concentrated ck spirit ball build up once again thru Casus¡¯ horn while pointing it to Mat who was still strangled to the demon¡¯s wings. ¡°You should have stayed dead Mat. I will make sure you will note back again after this!¡± Casus screamed as the mass of energy grewrger, evenrger that his body. Summer, Sieg, Jimmy, and the newly revived Willow saw the giant mass of ck energy from afar, they knew Mat was there and he is in deep trouble again. ¡°Oh no, take cover everyone!¡± Sieg yelled Everyone was able to produce their own spiritual barrier as this nuclear like explosion came upon them, the impact was so strong, their barriers broke from the pressure and it dissolved quickly. But it somehow reduced the damage that was dealt to them. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡­ that was a very strong st, we could have died instantly if we didn¡¯t pull out our spiritual barriers,¡± Sieg anxiously said while looking at the fissure trace of the st on the ground. ¡°Mat was there, let¡¯s go help him,¡± Summer said while tending her arms. --- Casus¡¯Lucem walks out from therge crater that was created by his st. He saw Mat Adam panting and breathing heavily on his knees, blood rushed down to from his face, his light form faded and returned to his normal form. ¡°Of course you will survive that in your illuminated form, let¡¯s see how you deal with it again in that normal form of yours,¡± Casus¡¯Lucem said while charging up a new st pointing to Mat. ¡°What? He could create that very strong st again instantly?¡± Sieg said while quick leaping consecutively going to Mat¡¯s direction. ¡°It seems like Mr. Mat was drained from thatst st and he has no power left to quick leap away from there, I¡¯ll take him away from there, you cover for me Mr. Sieg,¡± Willow asked ¡°OK, copy that. Jimmy, stay on a safe distance with her,¡± Sieg said while pointing to Summer. Casus¡¯Lucem released the st, and it created another nuclear like explosion to where Mat was. ¡°Oh no, the st was too fast, I was just about to quick leap to get that Mat Adam out of there,¡± Willow said while covering herself from the second st¡¯s wave. ¡°Oh no, Mat!¡± Summer screamed while holding up her hands that was controlling a newly created spiritual barrier that was covering her and Jimmy. ¡°Change of n, follow me and proceed will an assault to the enemy,¡± Sieg yelled while preparing for an attack. Willow acknowledged and she had a hint of what just happened to Mat Adam. ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Sieg and Willow, with their seals fully lit up, drew their ki-des andunched their burst assault. --- Casus¡¯Lucem was still facing the direction where his st erupted. No one could have survived that unless they could protect themselves with a high level spiritual barrier. Mat Adam appeared behind the Demon lord. ¡°Igh.. How could y..¡± Casus said while swinging his tail wildly and tried to hit the person behind him. The Demon lord performed a movement simr to quick leap andnded behind Mat. But Mat followed with a maneuvering quick leap and outsmarted Casus¡¯nding location. Mat, once again,nded behind Casus and pierced his ki-de to the enemy, the tip of the ki-de made its way out on the Demon lord¡¯s chest. A second, third and fourth ki-de finally made its way to the Demon¡¯Lord¡¯s body. It was from Sieg and Willow¡¯s. ¡°Is that really Mat?, he survived the st, and how did he be so much powerful?¡± Summer asked. Summer saw Jimmy build up a charge of light on his palm. A giant ray of light was released from Jimmy¡¯s outstretched palm having a direct hit to Casus¡¯Lucem. A circling wave of light expanded out from where the Demon lord was. Casus¡¯Lucem was finally overpowered by four carriers of the seal, his body once again turned into a massive ck smoke. Everyone regrouped andnded to where Summer and Jimmy was. Everyone¡¯s seal finally faded out. ¡°Is it really over?¡± Summer asked Mat had a failednding and ended up with his body having several turn over on the ground before ending up lying t on his back. ¡°Mat! Mat! Are you alright?¡± Summer worriedly asked Mat epted Summer¡¯s offer to help him stand up, they had this quick hug and pat on the back. Sieg ran to his brother Jimmy ¡°You did it littler brother, that was an awesome move you did back there,¡± he said while embracing his younger brother. ¡°No brother, we all did it, Mat led us all to win this!¡± Jimmy said. The ck smoke that was left of Casus¡¯Lucem grew bigger and floated up a few meters above the ground. ¡°Wait a minute, has anyone seen Rigs?¡± Mat asked Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads as they look back to Mat. ¡°Aww I just thought he m..¡± Mat said but was interrupted by this unexpected scene. Chapter 18: XVII. Unleashed Seal of Light Chapter 18: XVII. Unleashed Seal of Light A nket of whirling dark clouds surrounded the whole battle ground and turned it into almostplete darkness. The only light clearly visible at the moment was the lighting from each and everyone¡¯s seal. An earthquake came upon them and ruptured regions of rock and soil. The ground rumbled and molten Everyone ran out for safety to the middle part of the mountain, the group paused and catch up their breath. ¡°Mat, look, there is someone out there,¡± Summer said while pulling Mat to that direction. ¡°It must be Rigs¡¯ body,e on let¡¯s take a quick look!¡± Mat said ¡°We don¡¯t have time for that, we have to move quickly!¡± Willow said as she kept on running. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s the angel that Casus killed awhile ago, is she still alive?¡± Summer asked while checking the vital signs from the remains of the angel. Mat felt a little disappointed hoping that it was his old friend¡¯s body. It has two big visible holes on its chest, with burned wings and on its other parts as well. ¡°It¡¯s Kei¡¯See, oh no, she¡¯s been totally annihted,¡± Mat said ¡°You know her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s an ally of the carriers. She was with Master Navi¡¯Sai during thest war.¡± ¡°Hmm, maybe I can do something, may I?¡± Mat and Summer looked back as they heard Jimmy spoke and took a step forward near the corpse of the angel. Jimmy¡¯s seal lit up, he ced his hands on top of the dried lifeless cadaver. Everyone was stunned with what Jimmy did. He was able to restore a very minimal amount of life to Kei¡¯See. But Summer took over as Jimmy lost the light of his seal. Summer continued the life instilling technique to fully revive the angel. Willow supported the action of her cousin and did the same. Summer and Willow drained their seals as they totally went off. The angel cough out a bit and started to stand up by herself. A massive st was about to hit them when Kei¡¯See lift her hands and deflected it with a huge spiritual barrier covering everyone. It all happened within a fraction of a second. ¡°Whoa, almost,¡± Sieg uttered Veins of light flowed out from Kei¡¯See¡¯s body reaching each and every one of them. Everyone was revitalized and their seals where fully lit up again and ready to be used. ¡°I have to go now carriers of the seal, may the blessing of the light rest upon you all!¡± Kei¡¯See said as thest strand of light left her body. ¡°There is still one thing I have to do before I leave¡­¡± then she vanished into thin air, they knew she made a movement simr to a quick leap, but it could have been much faster because she pped her wings before she finally disappeared. --------- I have finally fully regained my original form, I never thought I would still need this on this battle. But these new and young breed of carriers are different from their ancestral batch, they have much more raw power, but they don¡¯t know how to utilize it yet. They could have been my perfect squad of pawn. That young boy Jimmy Fang, really interest me. And so does that Mat Adam. It should have been an easy choice for them, join or die, but they choose theter, so be it. Now that I have deployed Orochi and my new pawn ¡®Karasu¡¯. It would be easier now for me to conquer and destroy two different worlds. Casus¡¯Lucem roared with hystericalughter. I have determined each and everyone¡¯s strength and weaknesses, even with their seal fully lit, they don¡¯t stand another chance against me. I will just have to let them consume it until they have fully drained it, and there will be no more rescue left. I will just regenerate back again if ever they get to defeat me again. What if I choose to kill them all together at the same time with my rain of chaos? Then feast on what would be left of them after. So be it. -------- ¡°Look brother, what is that?¡± Jimmy asked Sieg while pointing up to the sky. Everyone watched as Casus¡¯Lucem flew up with a trail of ck cloud pir before him. Casus¡¯Lucem stopped to the height where he can see each of the carriers. He slowly raised his clenching fist that caused a sudden shake on the ground. Random eruption of boilingva burst up from the ground leaving the carriers a very minimal space to move into. It was like an entrapment. ¡°Everyone, get ready, Healers stay behind, Sieg and I will initiate while Willow will follow up and cover for the rest.¡± Mat said as he transformed himself again into his illuminated form. Every one nodded and acknowledged to his n. Casus¡¯Lucem raised his hands and created a massive ck sun. It was made of pure dark energy that will surely destroy everything on its path. He finally released it to the carrier¡¯s direction. ¡°Braise yourself Sieg!¡± Mat shouted They both leaped up in a quick leap manner, giving them an instant few meters elevation above the ground. They had their ki-des drawn and intercepted the massive ck sun as they pierced it upon contact and exited on the opposite side that somehow neutralized the st. It could have been luck for anyone to enter such thing ande out alive, but somehow Mat and Sieg made it thru. Large remnants of the st were dissolved by Jimmy¡¯s light wave, he was supposed to conserve it but he thought it would be no use if they die from the fragments of the initial st casted to them. Mat and Sieg was surprised to see another ck suning, it was created and casted faster that the first one. Theynded on the ground and made another charged leap. Once again, Mat made it out while doing the same thing they did to the first one, but Sieg was trapped inside and was not able to pushed Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. himself out of the massive dark energy. Mat, who was suspended in mid air for a second, made a diving posture to get back in to the ck sun and rescue Sieg. Willow braises herself as the st get closer to them. Willow followed how Mat and Sieg did to pierce in to the huge ball of dark energy while Mat gets back in to help Sieg. Mat reached Sieg who was like drowning into ck substance, It leaves Mat no choice but to touch Sieg and return him to the human realm. Sieg evaporated like small crystal lights. Mat¡¯s excessive amount of energy used to return Sieg burst out and destroyed the giant mass he was into. Willow suddenly passed Mat and entered the third iing ck sun not realizing that there was a forth one released as soon after the third. Willow made it out of the third and sessfully destroyed it but she was eaten by the fast approaching fourth st. ¡°No!¡± Summer shouted as she watched her cousin lost her way inside the fourth st. Mat made some deep breath and quick leap up again to save Willow, it was almost toote for him so he decided to return Willow back to the human realm. As expected, Mat knew there would be another follow up st after the fourth as he destroyed it once again with the contained energy used to return Willow. A full winded punch approached Mat instead, but it was parried by the spiritual barrier summoned by Summer to Mat, just in time to save him from the sudden assault. Jimmy¡¯s upper body has already turned into its illuminated form, simr to Mat¡¯s, and he was already charging his both palms with this light energy. Casus¡¯Lucem was able to make a follow up attack on Mat and was able to hit him and send him crashing to the ground. Summer came rushing to Mat¡¯s aid while Jimmy finally released his fully charged st. It was able to hit the Demon lord¡¯s wing and made enough damage to prevent him from flying further. Summer started healing Mat, while Jimmy made another charge. Casus was back on the ground level, his wings where broke but this did not stop him from moving on a great speed, he quick leap behind Jimmy who just slowly diminish the charge from his both palms and was lifted powerless above the ground. Mat saw this while Summer was still on to life instilling and restoring him, he softly touched Summer hand and said, ¡°Save some after I get back.¡± Mat quick leap in front of Jimmy who was lifted up from the ground. Casus¡¯Lucem made a fast full swing back fist to Mat but he just quick leaped a few steps on the opposite side and touched Jimmy face and returned him to the human realm. He was about to quick leap back to Summer when Casus¡¯Lucem caught him. Mat felt the pressure as the Demon lord squeezed his hand that wasrge enough to contain Mat¡¯s whole body. Casus¡¯Lucem made augh at Summer who was still trying to save Mat with her healing technique. The Demon lord made a tighter grip and raised his other hand and created another ck sun. Summer dashed closer to keep healing Mat. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you two can survive this,¡± Casus¡¯Lucem said as he casted the st to the ground where he was standing. It was a sight of destruction, mushroom clouds was formed just like a nuclear bomb exploding to its target. Chapter 19: XVIII. Space Clearing Chapter 19: XVIII. Space Clearing A huge crater was formed from the st. Casus¡¯Lucem was left floating at the center of the crater with a disappointed look. ¡°Still got some cards remaining under your sleeves,¡± he mocked. Summernded from a quick leap with Mat¡¯s arm anchored on her shoulders. She ced him slowly on the ground while she kept her sight on Casus¡¯Lumen. Summer was on her illuminated form, she didn¡¯t waste any second and started healing and life instilling on Mat. Summer increased the speed of the movement of the veins of light that was crawling from her arms going to Mat¡¯s body. ¡°Even if this is thest thing that I will do,¡± Summer uttered Summer lost some of her illumination and started to return back to her normal form, but her seal remains lit and both her arms kept its illuminated form. Mat regained enough strength to sit up while watching Summer nurse back his health. They were both rmed to see Casus¡¯Lucem dashing towards their direction with both hands filled with a smaller version of the ck sun. Casus¡¯Lucem threw the charged st one after the other while continuing to dash at high speed, preparing himself to engage to another physical sh. Summer deflected the first ck sun while Mat countered the second using his ki-de. Mat, once again, turned into his illuminated form as he braises himself for Casus¡¯Lucem¡¯s impact. Casus¡¯Lucem winded back his arm that was about to hit Mat, then suddenly, just before he threw it, A chain of golden links burst up from the ground and shackled his attacking arm. Casus¡¯Lucem lost his momentum as his body swings forwards while his arm pulled back from the fully extended chain made of light. Mat took the chance and quick leap forward and created several shes that were like a thousand worth pain-inflicting blow. Casus¡¯Lucem¡¯s other free hand caught Mat again but another chain link shackled it and pulled it down and allowed Mat to escaped and leaped few meters on an upward direction. Casus¡¯Lucem fought back wildly to free himself from the binding light. He started to charge up a new ck sun above his head while looking up to Mat who was suspended a few meters up above him. Mat saw Rigs in his illuminated form, who was only a few meters away from Summer. ¡°Summer, move next to Rigs, keep up a barrier for protection!¡± Mat yelled at Summer while pointing to Rigs¡¯ direction. Summer acknowledged and dashed towards the direction where Rigs was. Then once again, golden chains made of light started shooting again from the ground. One strapped to the Demon lord¡¯s neck, the other to his legs and another one to his torso. Mat started to free fall with his body aligning to a straight figure with his head first facing downward breaking the air. Mat¡¯s eyes where burning white like the sky, his whole body became an embodiment of light. He retracted his ki-de and drew a new weapon, it appears a bit longer than a ki-de and it looks like a divine golden me from the sun. A whirling charge of light energy grewrger as Mat reached closer to his target. ¡°Never was I so sure in my life about my purpose, now, its all clear. With this seal I bear, I will be a humble servant of the fisher of men.¡± Casus¡¯Lucem growled as Mat pierced him with the golden me, Mat, who was still in his light form, passed thru the enemy¡¯s upper shoulder part and exited to the side of the lower body. Matnded safely on his knees as the Demon lord fell lifeless before him. Massive ck cloud started to form again in a circling formation. It now covered a muchrger area that the previous time the Demon lord regenerated himself. Mat knew what was about to happen next, he stood still in the eye of the dark cloud formation in a prayer position. ¡°Wh-what is he doing?¡± Summer asked while keeping a spiritual barrier up against the strong force radiating out from the Demon lord¡¯s cloud. ¡°I think¡­ I think he is going to perform a space clearing act, an ind scale space clearing¡± Rigs replied "From the brightest star, whose seal I bear... allow me to clear this ce from all form of darkness..." Mat chanted in his prayer. Angel wings spread out behind Mat, It was Kei¡¯See, she started to chant with him and served as multiplier to the effect of what Mat is doing. They spoke thest line as if it came from a single voice. ¡°ept the Blessing of Serenity!¡± A giant halo like burst out from where Mat was standing, spreading out evenly increasing its size as it moves out further. Everything on its path was cleared from all sorts of evilness and dark energies. It was the battle¡¯s conclusion. Mat Adam finally defeated the Demon-lord Casus¡¯Lucem. A giant white pir enclosed Kei¡¯See, beaming up far to the sky. It was radiating excessive light that Mat, Summer and Rigs had to lift their hands for cover. ¡°You have fulfilled your mission, Betorum de Lumine, new Carriers of the Seal. Now this sacred ce This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. has been restored and cleared from all forms of evil.¡± Mat, Summer and Rigs still covered partly the excessive light as the angel spoke to them, but the light grew much brighter that they could not see anymore. Everything turned to white, all energies flowed at the same time as if everything was connected as one. Thank you Summer Eve for staying and keeping your faith to Mat Adam. Your healing did not just restored life and energy but kept everyone¡¯s hope alive. Thank you Rigs Prez for your courage and will to keep up until the very end. You were one of the key who holds the greatest weapon there is and will ever be, which is Friendship. Thank you Mat Adam, for every time you fall, you rise up back again, stronger and more persevered to win. Your judgment as a leader was extra ordinary. You get to see first who¡¯s in deep danger, and aid them even if it will put your own life or the mission at risk. That is why you were chosen to be an Alpha Carrier. Chapter 20: XIX. Party just started Chapter 20: XIX. Party just started ¡°I dreamt of an ind, a crescent shaped one. It was like paradise there. There wasplete peace and serenity.¡± Then came this long beeping sound¡­. Beeeeeeeeeeep¡­.. ¡°Finally, it stopped, but it resumed again, but this time, it was shorter, it paused twice or trice.¡± Beeeeeep¡­ Beeep¡­ ¡°Then came this continuous short beeps.¡± Beeep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Someone inside the room yelled "Call the doctor please!" Mat tried to open his eyes slowly but the light from the ceiling was too strong that he could not see anything. His motor is still numb but at least he could open his eyes and somehow tilt his head. He looked on the side and saw a worried Mr. John Eve ''Sir..." Mat said on a very weak voice... Mat saw machines and tubes that were connected to his body. He knew then that he was inside a hospital. Then he saw Summer crying and looking at him from the other side of the bed. "H-hey Ms. Summer Eve... ¡°Mat said smiling. "Hey there Mr. Mat Adam..." Summer replied. Their short moment of silence was broke as the two new guests who came rushing in and went directly to Mat¡¯s side, opposite to Summer. The other guy identally tripped and pull out one of the small hose that was connected to the dextrose. ¡°Oops, my bad, sorry!¡± ¡°Who the¡­?¡± Mat said anxiously ¡°Good evening sleeping beauty, that¡¯s a long sleep you had buddy!¡± ¡®Rigs!¡± ¡°Hey,d to see you again, you made it Mat, you really did it!¡± ¡°M-Master Navi¡¯Sai? You¡¯re here too?¡± Mat surprisingly said. ¡°You rocked back there bro, and so does your girl friend?¡± Rigs teased with a mocking face ¡°Hey cut it, she not my girlf¡­ wait a sec, what did you just said Rigs? What do you mean ¡®Back there?¡¯ S-so it was not a dream after all, it all really happened.¡± ¡°Yes, it all happened, too bad I had to be sent back home early, leaving all the action to you guys.¡± Navi¡¯Sai said with a timid smile. ¡°Wait, Mr. Eve, you knew this¡­¡± John Eve just raised his brows and nodded with a smile. ¡°My aunt just informed me that my cousin Willow finally woke up from her month longa.¡± Summer said ¡°Willow!¡± Mat and Master Navi¡¯Sai said at the same time. ¡°Did you just blush Master Navi?¡± Rigs mocked ¡°This calls for a celebration everyone!¡± Mr. Eve said. Everyone cheered and continued with their chat about their (mis)adventure on the Crescent Ind. The Good Eve Mansion diner was closed for a private event that night. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. The celebration party begins as Willow and the Fang brothers, Sieg and Jimmy, arrived and entered the hall. Every one greeted each other. More stories were shared from different point of views as they dine. ¡°I propose a toast for our victory!¡± Master Navi¡¯Sai said while raising a ss of wine ¡°Cheers!¡± Everyone raised and drink to that. ¡°For Master Navi, who finally found love on a hopeless ce.¡± Rigs shouted while winking to Willow ¡°cut it Rigs¡± Master Navi said while pulling Rigs left ear down. It was a suddenugh for everyone. ¡°Ehem¡­ There is something that I need to tell you guys¡­¡± Jimmy said as he stood up in the middle of everyone¡¯s conversation. Everyone paused and ced their attention to Jimmy. ¡°i-I think something or someone came back with us here. It has something to do with the Kimera.¡± Mat suddenly experienced seizure and he crashed to the ground, everyone tried not to panic. Summer quickly applied first aid to Mat, checking his pulse and breathing. Rigs stayed close to Mat and Summer. "Did he just said Kimera?" Navi''Sai asked. Then everyone looked at Mat, who is still unconscious, and Jimmy who just surprised everyone with what he just revealed. Chapter 21: XX. Chronicles Chapter 21: XX. Chronicles Author''s Note: The next few chapters is a mini arc of events before the time of Mat Adam. Going back 19 years ago... --------------------- The festive season is on its peak, it is Christmas Eve, and within a few days, it would be the celebration for New Year. Not just any New Year but the start of the new millennium. Some people interpreted this day as the apocalypse. Some would say cataclysmic events would ur. But this is the least of John Eve''s concern at the moment. He was having the best time of his life with his special someone, Lily Winterfrost. Tonight, he was nning to propose to her, on Christmas Eve. Little did he know that this would be thest day that he would be with his beloved girl. Lily Winterfrost, on the other hand, was nning to say goodbye to John, she could notmit her whole self to him because of this life mission she was destined to do. Lily, along with her younger sister Rain, ys a big role as Soul Drifters, a secret society that would protect humanity from anying threat. It was revealed to them that on the night of Dec 31, 1999, demons would gather and createrge portals for the passage of the Demonlords. This is the beginning of the prophesized Armageddon. --------- Soul Drifters are chosen human who are able to travel the astral world and use the power of light to battle against evil. They can use partial amount of their powers on a very limited time on the Human Realm. Most carriers dedicate themselves to some personal mission as they explore the secrets of the astral ne. Often, they discover the depths of their own souls in the process. Soul Drifters have a seal on their body as a sign of their alliance to the light(this is also known as the Seal of Light), Soul Drifters are divided into two faction, the Keepers of the Portal and the Carriers of the Seal. ---------- This book covers the chronological events 18 years back from the original timeline of Book 1 up to the present state where Mat will discover the rise of a new threat to all Carriers of the Seal. The story begins with the young John Eve discovering that his bestfriend Lily Winterfrost is a demonyer. Lily told John about her mission as a Carrier of the Seal of Light. This mission forced This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. them to end their friendship. Lily left the disheartened John, clueless of where she would go and what would happen to them. Lily, with the help of her younger sister Rain, and another carrier named Seth defeated the demon Karasu from setting up a portal that will connect to the underworld to the human realm. The failed portal blew up and destroyed the warehouse. John, who was lurking from the outside, rushed in to help Lily but he identally had Lily''s younger sister Rain instead. The backstory continues tapping some events on the first war on an Astral Isle, John Eve and Rain Winterfrost having a child, the young Summer Eve, the new generation of Carriers of the Seal. The parallel events on the human realm during the Crescent Ind War(book1), The post event after the war, and the revtion of Jimmy Fang that will lead to the fall of Mat Adam and the rest of the Carriers. --------- Carriers of the Seal are chosen human who are able to travel the astral world and use the power of light to battle against evil. Most carriers dedicate themselves to some personal mission as they explore the secrets of the astral ne. Often, they discover the depths of their own souls in the process. Chapter 22: XXI. Please not on Christmas Eve Chapter 22: XXI. Please not on Christmas Eve Dec 24, 1999, Christmas Eve. The festive cool breeze can be felt everywhere. Different light decorations can be spotted even to the simplest structure. A red sports car pulled over in front of the Winterfrost Mansion. The young man on his early 20''s steered the steering wheel to its center and pulled the hand brake. John Eve turned off the headlight but kept the car engine running. He released a deep sigh and shook his head. "It''s been a year now since we first met Lily. I was really hoping we could be more than friends..." The girl on the passenger seat made no reply. She was looking away from him. She wanted to tell him everything, but she decided not to. She shared the same feelings with him, they were young and in love, but there is something that must be done before she couldmit herself to John. It would be totally unfair to receive all this love and never return it back. "I''m sorry John, I never nned to end it this way, but there are other things that I need to do before this." "Why wouldn''t you tell me, I know we can make this work Lily," John said with a broken voice. "Trust me, this will never work, you are a good man John, you deserve someone better than me, this is thest time that you will see me." Lily reached and unlock the car door and left without looking back. "Goodbye John... Merry Christmas." John watched her as she walks away from the car, he knew he saw her paused at the foot of thest flight of stairs for a while before entering the mansion. John was left clueless, thinking what just happened. - John moved and parked his car a few meter away from the Winterfrost Mansion. He stepped out of his car and decided to take a walk on this open park area nearby. He sat on second riser of this threeyered bench facing the field of grass and trees. It took him a few seconds before realizing there was someone already sitting on the far opposite end of the bench. An old man. But his face was a bit familiar to John. "Of course, how could I forget, the old beggar I often see here whenever I visits the mansion. But it''s Christmas Eve, doesn''t he have a family to go home and celebrate with?" John moved next to the old man, he was a bit surprised when the old man spoke. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. "i have seen it, many times, the end is near,few days from now, an entire nation will die, genocide..." John tried to hand a bottle of water to the old man and replied, "If it is end of days you say, then why spend it alone, why not go home, to your kids, to your family?" "The time of human kind will yet to be tested twelve years from now, the shortlying end of days is destined to another civilization not of ours." John wrinkled his forehead in confusion. "I''m sorry but I have it all mixed up... end of days but not ours?" "Another race, another civilization, sharing the same world, but on a different ne." The confused John looks away on a different direction, almost forgetting the heartache he was having a few while ago. "And why do I even bother listening to him, me with aplete stranger on a Christmas Eve..."John thought. - Inside the Winterfrost Mansion. Lily hurriedly packed up her things while having a conversation on the phone. "Rain, you know he is a high valued target, are you sure the infant is safe?" "Yes sister, this baby named Sai is with his mother. They are already ced in a much secured hiding, I have also received news of the where about of the grandmaster''s son. His name is Sieg, 2 years of age, he is being held by the demon Karasu. He is in this old warehouse at the north hill where this new portal was beginning to open up. " "Okay good, I''m leaving now Rain, I''ll see you at the old warehouse at the north hill, be ready for anything. Be very careful alright." "OK Sis, I will, you too..." Lily suit up her jacket, picked up her backpack and slung it on her back, she quickly ran down the stairs and locked the door as she left the mansion riding an old Chinese bicycle. John, who was already walking back to his car, saw Lily rushing with her bike on the opposite way. She didn''t notice him because he was on a shaded area on the other side of the street. "You really are one mysterious girl Lily, I hope you are not heading to some trouble." John said as he rushed to his car and nned to follow her. Chapter 23: XXII No Good in Goodbye Chapter 23: XXII No Good in Goodbye It was a deafening silence in the dead of night. Lily came striding down the path as she approaches the This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. entrance of the old warehouse. It took her less than fifteen minutes to reach the location. She unmounted her bike and left it somewhere nears the warehouse''s fence. Lily took a few steps in a squat position while checking the vicinity for any suspected danger. Lily pushed the wire-meshed gate as she prepares herself to get inside the warehousepound. Someone cautiously sneaked behind and tried to grab her, but Lily maneuvered and had the person on an arm locked position. She was surprised to see it was John. "What are you doing here? You are not supposed to be here?" Lily whispered. "I would love to ask the same question, sneaking on the old warehouse on a Christmas Eve, what is your business here Lily?" "You should leave immediately John, please," Lily insisted. "Are some kind of a secret agent?" John interrogated. :... A spy?" "...Undercover cop?" "... Investigator?" Both John and Lily were startled from the strong st that came from the inside of the warehouse. "Do me a favor John, run away from here as fast as you can, stay on a safe distance, and if Ie out alive, I will go with you." John gave Lily a hesitated look while pointing a finger on her. He agreed with the deal and ran away. Lily was rmed on the second st which destroyed the building''s main door. The st was followed by a young woman rolling out of the destroyed door. She was clinching a toddler on her arms. "Oh no, Rain!" Lily shouted as she bolted towards her younger sister. "Are you alright?" Lily knelt in front of Rain as she tries to assist her to stand back to her feet. Lily checked the pulse of the young boy her sister was carrying. She released a deep sigh when she finds out that the boy was safe. "Go get the boy to safety, find a safe ce to rest and hide. I will cover you from here," Lily instructed. Rain nodded and moved quickly away from the warehouse. Someonended in front of Rain, it seems that this person came from a huge leap from the roof of the warehouse. He had this blood scattered all throughout his body. He had this terrifying look. His sharp nails scratched Rain''s arm and tried to get the young boy from her. Rain took a tighter grip to the child and tried to cover him using her body. Just before another strike hits Rain, Lily was able to slip between them and caught the man''s striking arm. They wrestled down as Rain tried to make an escape. Lily was buying Rain some time to escape. "Run Rain, run!" Rain rushed as she passed the warehouse gate. She slightly slipped almost losing her bnce as she exits the danger zone. Tired and gasping for her breath, Rain finally fell on the second time she slip. She covered the young boy''s head as her body touches the ground. A sound of a screeching vehicle was heard, a car suddenly stopped in front of Lily. The passenger side door opened and Rain saw someone inviting her to take the ride. Everything was in deaf motion as Rain looks up to the stranger who was offering her help. The next thing she knew, she was already leaning on the car window from the inside, the young boy was safe sleeping on the backseat. Strong shes of light were seen from where her elder sister Lily was left. "Lily..." Chapter 24: XXXIII Hello Strangers Chapter 24: XXXIII Hello Strangers Lily smiled as she heard the fading sound of a vehicle that was moving away from her location. The man who was trying to stop Lily''s sister awhile ago started to run to the same path where the car went. He has no n on stopping or confronting the girl in front of him, his objective was to get back the young boy taken by the other girl earlier. The man bumped Lily on her shoulder as he move pass her, but he suddenly halted without him noticing that Lily took a strong grip on his arm. Lily''s ne suddenly lit up to a wild glow. A japanese character (read as Hikari) appeared and glowed on her nape. She seems to be not surprised to what happened. Her eyes glowed from within, and so does her hands, illuminating her iris and every vein in her palm, the light grew intensely. Lily made a stronger grip on the man''s arm. The man fell to his knees in pain, he was screaming violently. He nced over her and spoke on a very eerie voice, "So you finally learned how to use your seal on the human realm, but are you aware that it is only limited to half of it''s power, and it can be used on a very limited time..." Just before the man finish talking, Lily pressed harder on the man''s arm, causing his body to fall on the ground, shrieking in pain. "Human bodies are really weak, same would be said for the soul. But I don''t have a choice but to fit in here until our physical demon bodies can step on the human realm." A huge mass of ck smoke came out of the man''s mouth. His body was shivering until the veryst part of the smoke was out. "I remembered, I don''t need a physical body to get the boy''s soul." The voice wasing from the ck smoke that was now floating above Lily. The ck smoke suddenly flew to the direction where the car went. "On no!" Lily said as she released the arm of the unconscious man and rushed to follow the ck smoke. Lily made a quick leap, giving her an instant seven meter leap in an instant, she resumed running and waiting for her next charge for another quick leap, she was not too far from the tail of the ck smoke. A few seconds more and the ck smoke was able to close the gap from the rushing car that was boarded by Rain and the young boy. The distance between them closed rapidly as Lily made another next quick leap. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Lily caught the ck smoke with her glowing hand, and before the smoke could escape, Lily had grabbed hold of it with two hands so that they were hurtling through the air. The smoke tried to shake Lily off, but Lily, with her whole body almost lit with this light that wasing from within her, just wrapped her whole body around the smoke. John, who was driving the car, already noticed what was happening behind them, He couldn''t believe what he just saw. "Just keep driving sir, we need to lose them," Rain worriedly said. John pressed harder on the eleration, giving the car an extra boost of speed. But he couldn''t keep himself from looking what was happening behind. He knew it was Lily who was battling that smoke thing that was flying and following them." A spear shape object was formed from the smoke and suddenly it pierced thru Lily''s left shoulder. Lily kept hold, but the second piercing slightly cut her right hand, and left her tumbling behind. The ck smoke doubled it speed as it reached the speeding car. A hand-like shape extended from the end of the smoke reaching for the rear of the car. Suddenly, someone mmed hard against the ck smoke, giving the car an easy get away as it makes a sharp turn to the next crossing. The chase was cut short. The ck smoke made a human like figure, beneath it was a smaller version of ck smoke whirling around the new form figure. The stranger who helped Lily was still unrevealed. He was standing a few feet away from the smoke that just turned into a human figure. He unleashed a ki-de from his clenched fist. It extended half meter long torching from his knuckles. The humanoid made a move, but the new guy quick leap in front of it and created several shes within two seconds. "This is just the beginning Seth, you cannot stop what is destined to happen to the new carriers..." The humanoid whispered as it turned back to smoke while fading slowly into thin air. Lily appeared far behind as soon as the smokepletely vanished. She was walking slowly with her other hand pressing to her wound on her shoulder. The stranger who was named Seth rushed to her aid. Lily fell unconscious on the ground as Seth approached her. Chapter 25: XXIV Then came Summer Chapter 25: XXIV Then came Summer Three months have passed. John and Rain decided to help each other to find Lily. They went to each and every possible ce where Lily could be. They had these long rides using John''s car. They have been discussing about the Seal of Light, the Carriers of the Seal, the astral world and other unearthly things that she her sister encountered. It was already ate afternoon that day. They have been on the road for almost 3 hours straight. John checked the map of their next destination. It seems that they have arrived earlier than expected. John tapped Rain''s shoulder that was been asleep for almost an hour now. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "Rain, we are here." Rain made several quick blinks and rubbed her eyes. Looking out at the car window, she noticed the very provincial atmosphere they are at the moment. John parked his car in front of an old house. "Are you sure about this ce?" John asked. "No," Rain replied. Rain stepped out of the car and lifted up her dark coated eye sses above her forehead. John followed and stayed behind her. Rain stood in front of the old house''s door and made a soft knock trice. John tilted his head and checked both opposite end of the house. "This is a well restored house. It looks like this was made in thete 80''s." John said. "You seem to be very knowledgeable about houses." Rain said. "It reminds me so much of the old Eve Mansion, my dad wants me to restore it, I was nning to restructure it and turn it into a hotel, with an in-house diner." "Some dream huh! Well it doesn''t seem to be impossible with you John. I know you can achieve that someday." Johnughed lightly, then gave Rain a straight eye stare. The door slightly opened as the olddy checks her visitor, "Whose there?" "Hello Mrs. Cirrus, It''s me Rain." "Oh Rain, it''s you,e in,e in." The olddy noticed the young man smiling and giving a quick hand wave behind Rain. "You didn''t tell me, you brought your boyfriend along, this a first." The olddy said. "Oh no, no, he is not my boyfriend. His name is John Eve, he''s a good friend of my sister Lily." The olddy could have missed what Rain said. She asked them toe in, "You two makes a good lovely couple." Rain blushed while John made a witty smile while scratching the back of his head. "Mrs. Cirrus, we love to stay for a quick chat but we are in a bit hurry, I would just like to ask if my sister Lily ever went this way?" "I''m afraid I haven''t seen her for awhile. Why, is everything alright dear?" "Well, Lily has been missing for almost 3 months now. I tried all the possible ces that she could be, but she is nowhere to be found." A sound of a baby crying was heard in between their conversation. Mrs. Cirrus stood up and took the baby from the room next to them. The baby stopped crying while looking at his mother''s visitors. John made funny gestures when the baby stared at him. The babyughed back as if he was asking for more of this funny faces. "Hey there baby Sai, you are growing so fast." Rain said while doing a tickle gesture to the baby. "Yes, he is getting heavier every day I believe," Mrs. Cirrus added. Rain stood up and told Mrs. Cirrus that they have to be on their way for their next destination. They had their goodbyes and well wishes. John and Rain was back on the road. "Is she a Carrier too?" John asked "Mrs. Cirrus, no, she''s not. But her son Sai is." Rain replied. "That baby is a Seal Carrier? Interesting," John said in surprise. "My sister said that Sai would be ying a very important role someday, I don''t have a clue about it but I believe it would be for the good of everyone." "So, where are we going next Rain?" "Our next destination would require us a ne ride." ---- Their next trip was yet another failure, but it started the spark between John and Rain. The whole time they were seeking led them to found each other. Moving one year forward. Rain epted John''s marriage proposal, they got married and eventually, Rain gave birth to their daughter Summer. Chapter 26: XXV Untimely Reunion Chapter 26: XXV Untimely Reunion Year: 2008 Young Summer Eve was ying and building sand castles on the nearby shore where the Good Eve''s Mansion Hotel was located. The kids she was ying with were already called by their parents. These are usually their guests'' children. It was already past 8pm, Summer knew that any moment now, her mom would being to call her. Summer stood up and walks away from the sand castle and went to the shoreline to wash her hands and feet. She noticed a woman walking and stopped a few feet away from her. Without even looking behind, she knew that this was not her mother who came. Still on the shore with her feet soaked on the water, she made a slight glimpse on the woman behind her. The woman was wearing a casual wear, obviously, she was not there for a swim. The woman was looking directly at her. She gave Summer a smile and a quick wave of her hand. Summer, who was naturally polite, smiled back and turned to thedy''s direction. She kept her distance while this silence gives no clue of the intentions of the woman standing in front of her. Suddenly, Summer''s mother arrived at the scene and covered arge towel around her while facing the unknown woman. "Hello little sister," the strange woman said in a soft voice. Rain''s heart suddenly pounded hard after hearing those words. It is possible? But why didn''t she felt her presence. Carriers of the Seal has the ability to feel the presence of their fellow Carrier, most specially if this is your family member. Carriers of the Seal are strong empaths* and irsentience*. Rain got all these questions running to her head, she couldn''t utter a word, she don''t know where to begin with. "Lily? Is... is that really you?" Rain asked The woman nodded and smiled back at Rain. Summer was looking at her mother and then looked back at the other woman whom her mother called Lily. "We went searching for you, we thought... we thought you were...." Rain''s voice was shaking, she was holding her tears. "...dead." Lily added. "I know Rain, you and John did everything you could to find me." Rain''s tears burst down, it was a total confusion of emotions. Would her elder sister be mad because she married John, or maybe because they stopped looking for her. "Mommy?" Summer said while holding Rain''s hand. "It''s OK sweetie, this is your aunt Lily," Rain said. "Lily, meet my daughter, Summer Eve." Rain added. "How old is she?" Lily asked. "She''s 10 years old." Rain replied. Lily gave a big smile and ced her hand on Summer''s head. "Bless you Summer Eve." "So you are now Mrs. John Eve, huh Rain?" Lily giggled. Lily moved closer and gave Rain a big hug. They both shed into tears. "I''m so sorry Lily, I really am." Lily held Rain''s shoulders. "There is nothing you should be sorry about little sister. I believe that all these are destined to happen. John and I are never really meant for each other." Content held by N?velDrama.Org. "Where have you been all this time Lily? Why did you waited this long to reveal yourself?" "Rain, I have something important to tell you, can we have a ce to sit and talk." Rain looked at the direction of the Good Eve''s Mansion. ----------- Empaths - (1)the ability to feel or sense what others are feeling and take on that emotion in your own body. (2)(chiefly in science fiction) a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual. irsentient - (1)the ability to sense what others are feeling, take that emotion in your own body, and receive instinctual information about the event or situation. (2) irsentience, loosely tranted, means "clear-feeling". It is perhaps the most basic of all the intuitive skills. This idea that knowledge of things invisible to our physical senses (including other people''s feelings) can be felt with our higher faculties has been around for a long time. irsentience, "clear sensing" or "clear feeling" is an extremely heightened form of empathy (3) irsentience is the ability to feel and experience the energy in an intuitive way. This energy stream includes other people''s feelings, inanimate objects, spiritual insights, and premonitions of the future. Basically, you are aware of all types of energetic vibrations through your own body and emotions. Empathy is irsentience which is focused on other people. An reads and feels emotions that are