LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13: Am I...
That day, Aiden felt underwhelmed by the fleeting power he had received. Disappointed by its temporary nature, he decided it wasn't worth revisiting the chapel. If the whispers came again, he resolved to ignore them or leave quickly. Letting the day pass, he went to bed.
That time, he experienced intense aches throughout his body, as though something was holding him down, preventing him from waking. When he finally rose the next morning, the pain was gone, replaced by an inexplicable sense of vitality. Curious, he inspected himself in the mirror and was stunned by what he saw.
The soft, sedentary body he had developed from days of reading and inactivity was gone, replaced by a lean, muscular physique that fit his 17-year-old frame. His vision, once imperfect, now felt razor-sharp, and his dark brown eyes had transformed into a striking golden hue. His reflection radiated health and strength, a stark contrast to the person he was before.
If this transformation was the result of that agonizing night, Aiden thought, then perhaps it had been worth it.
As I pored over the ancient tome in the dimly lit library, the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the pages. The musty scent of aged parchment filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of burning wax. My eyes scanned the intricate script, each word revealing more about the enigmatic mark etched into my forearm.
The book spoke of Demonic Runes, symbols of immense power that could either curse or strengthen their bearers. These runes were not mere decorations; they were potent emblems bestowed upon demons by higher-ranking entities during solemn ceremonies. In human societies, medals honor veterans for their service; in Hell, demonic runes served a similar purpose, marking those who had proven their worth.
I learned that only Archdemons or beings of even greater stature had the authority to grant such runes. Among these exalted figures were the Voices of Hell, intermediaries who conveyed Hell's will and bestowed its blessings upon chosen individuals. The text suggested that Hell itself was a sentient entity, rewarding those who lived and died for its cause. Hell was the very God that all Demons worship, this dimension is their deity.
This revelation was both intriguing and unsettling. According to the hierarchy detailed in the book, the voice of Hell can only be heard by those who had reached Greater Demon—a level far beyond my current standing. Moreover, the runes were typically granted to sentient demons, and I was undeniably human.
The possibility that the rune could be applied to artifacts and objects offered a sliver of explanation, yet it did little to quell my unease. Why had I, a mere mortal, been marked with a symbol of such rune? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily upon me.
Despite the fear gnawing at the edges of my consciousness, I couldn't deny the newfound strength the rune had granted me. It was as if a hidden power had been unlocked within me, its depths both exhilarating and terrifying.
Terrifying because I know that if there is one thing that I learned from Demon culture is that if it is too good to be true, then deny it. This miserable world has it's tricks in playing with you I can feel it. The things that I do as of now are merely short term goals that would satisfy me only at this moment but I believe in the long term that I will be the one that will suffer from this decision. There is always a price for everything, and as far as I know I haven't contributed to the glorious expansion of Hell itself so which means this runes are merely investment on what I am going to be in the future... So I just hope that the future me will somehow manage.
Yes I could technically ignore the power that is in the terrifying altar or the whispers that call me but that would be foolish as I don't know when will be the next time I will gain power. By the time I leave this mansion, an world will be awaiting for me to enter and it will be much more terrifying than mere whispers I have today, without a doubt that will be the time I will come to regret not taking this power for me.
Closing the tome, I resolved to delve deeper into the mysteries of demonic runes. Perhaps understanding their origins and purposes would shed light on my predicament. For now, I would remain vigilant, wary of the unknown forces at play and the path that lay ahead.
Yet again before I get myself immersed in the book that I'm about to read, that same whispers I heard before is calling me. While this whisper would make me surprised and terrified, I am looking forward to whatever blessing that I will receive. "Well duty calls".
As I entered the dimly lit chapel, the air felt thick with anticipation. The demonic rune on the altar had transformed, its intricate patterns now different from the mark etched into my forearm. The mark on my forearm matches the patterns on the Demonic Runes in the Alter I touched yesterday. The ever-present whispers seemed to guide me forward "touch and receive the blessings that you have been given too"
I reached out and touched the altered rune. A surge of power coursed through me, more potent and enduring than before. My senses sharpened; I could feel my muscles tightening, my vision becoming clearer, and an unfamiliar energy pulsating within. Despite my wariness, I couldn't deny the exhilaration that accompanied this newfound strength. As I am satisfied yet again for giving me something that I think I didn't work for.
This however is something different, black smokes are pouring out of the arms until they reach the floor. It is dense and thick yet harmless. Whatever this is, it is filling the entire floor of the chapel. I quickly remembered that there exist a term called miasma. Miasma are demonic energy that fueled the entire Demon Race. Miasma are the foundations of power which Demons so revered as it is the same energy that helped them adapt to the gruel environment of Hell. Yet, here I was, embracing it, allowing it to strengthen me. I felt a tangible flow of demonic energy within, a sensation both intoxicating and alarming. Determined to comprehend this phenomenon, I searched the library for answers.
Returning to the library, I was astonished to discover that the ancient texts, once impossible to read without the aid of the monocle, now lay open before me in complete clarity. I devoured book after book, each one revealing secrets and knowledge I had previously overlooked. I immersed myself in their knowledge, devouring page after page with an insatiable hunger for understanding.
I pondered the implications. The miasma was a force of corruption, yet it had become a source of strength for me. Was I becoming something else? Something more? According to the books I've read this past few days, The term Demons are no longer associated at a single race. There had been many sentient races that the Gods threw here in these dimension and had adapted to the environment by receiving the blessings of Hell, the original demons no longer exist as their bloods have diluted because they mingled with different races and crossbreed, so anyone wielding a miasma in their bodies nowadays are considered as demons. But how about me? A human able to harness miasma? does that consider me as a Demon? Through a series of The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. I had always been human, but now, with the miasma coursing through me, I felt different. Stronger. More attuned to the dark energies of Hell.
Determined to understand this transformation, I delved deeper into the library's archives. I sought out texts on demonic runes, on the nature of miasma, on the rituals that bound them. The more I read, the more I uncovered about the delicate balance between power and corruption. The miasma could empower me, but it could also consume me if I wasn't careful.
Days passed, and each morning I returned to the chapel, seeking the rune's blessing. Each time, the surge of power was more pronounced. I could feel the miasma—the dark energy of Hell—coursing through me, its presence both intoxicating and unsettling. I felt the miasma's influence grow stronger. I could feel it in my bones, in my blood, in my very soul. It was a part of me now, inseparable and undeniable. I had embraced it, and in return, it had granted me power beyond my wildest dreams.
I searched for answers on how to control and harness the demonic power coursing through me. In many books by different Demon noble authors all of them point out that managing such energies requires a combination of knowledge, discipline, and ritual.
Engage in rituals designed to cleanse spaces of negative energies. For instance, setting up concentric circles of filtering centered on areas where my spend the most time can act as a protective barrier. Visualize the demonic energy as a tangible force. Imagine it as a flame or a current, and practice directing it through your body and out through your hands or other focal points. There is a lot more instructions that I want to dwell more but with so little time I doubt I could finish all of this.