[Ultimate skill, ----- Print has responded to the presence of the empty one and is revealing itself.]
It was his first night at Dead Men Academy, currently undergoing the required Mandatory Attunement Process.
"We meet again, old friend."
He was back in the void. White from end to end, two red tear-like streams from above and to close it off, two chairs on both ends of a table, black, charred and smoldering altogether. Hovering over the burnt pieces, a soot-stricken piece of paper scribbled with white-colored cursives from top to bottom with a signature gap left at the very end.
Although a bit of an odd sight, its mystique was alluring.
He tentatively approached his visitor, who donned the same face that before, rattled his tiny mind for days on end. But how on earth would it be here if there wasn't the respective vessel nearby? Anyway, hopefully it would end just as the first one did. Just a small checkup, right?
[The lamb wishes to absolve you; will you take its hand?]
[Y/N]
Held together by the cloudlike emerald energy surrounding it, the spirit, in full understanding, held out its beyond rotten hand in greeting to the "lamb" sitting across it.
"Maybe since I'm older it won't hurt as much."
[Absolution of the lost soul will now begin.]
"That's new."
[----- Print will now be initiated]
Exposing chipped rows of teeth from beneath the green veil, the spirit gladly introduced his savior to maddening levels of pain.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
It didn't spare him. It was as if magma was flowing within him or perhaps it could have just been a reaction to the many intrusive hands that were burrowing into him. Mixing up their rotten, matted flesh with his fresh, lively interiors.
[Exclusive Chapter, Soul Harvest will now begin disassembling the lost spirit's demonic nature.]
[1%...]
Wait DEMONIC?!?! Of all the things?!?! No wonder it burns!!
The metaphoric gift upon perhaps, listening in on Park's thoughts, realized the presence of the evil energy and started giving and boy was it generous with it.
But the well-mannered Park knew better than to just accept the gift and in goodwill reciprocated, becoming even with the current situation. He cursed at a similar degree to the indescribable pain. To the point that he didn't even notice as his visitor started appearing more humane with each passing second.
[25%...]
SHOULD BE ABOUT NOWW!!
[The First Milestone has been reached; Soul Harvest has halted.]
"HAAAHHHH!!!"
He cried out in relief, followed by heavy labored breaths. The first phase was finally complete. He could now even access most of his bodily functions even though it was a bit limited, from fighting back the pain and all.
"I can't believe that's the mouth you kissed me with."
"That Voice..."
[Melding the acquired energy to the user's soul.]
He couldn't see it clearly at first, since light flooded his vision but that smile that he evidently knew like the back of his head, reminded him of only one person even after an uneventful long while of absence.
"Mum?"
"Hiya Sport."
"H... how?"
He instinctively moved in, an overwhelming longing taking over, but light and darkness couldn't mix. Literally.
*Thud*
"Ow."
"You've got a little..."
The invisible barrier between them aided his mother in articulating her gesture better and reflected Park's face back to him.
"Ah. Forgot about that."
Similar to dried blood, dark marks stretched out from within his facial orifices, his eyes, now a great rival to the blackest existence ever known to exist.
"Greedy," she said, pointing at their hands still in contact with each other.
"Can't blame me really, can you?"
[Melding complete, Soul Harvest will now resume.]
"Will it still be painful?"
"No, you look much better now. It's only during the first phase does it hurt a lot."
"..."
"..."
"You know, the first time I was here, I was afraid to sit on that chair. Thought it would burn me..."
"I'm sorry chump."
He lightly stroked his index over the burnt wood.
"Eh, don't be..."
"I..."
"... And so that we don't stick around there, why don't you tell me how you ended up as this lost soul thingy..."
He actually, has it?
The amazed eyes peered in through the glass, the intruder's breath fogging up the view.
"I swear this school sometimes gives me the creeps..."
"See you soon."
The guard turned into the dark hallway, the only light illuminating the path, coming through the attunement rooms' windows. He took in one deep breath and walked through, briskly inspecting the state of the current occupants.
"At least their hourly pay offsets this whole vibe...," he was now down the hallway.
"... it's like working in a graveyard."
"..."
[90%]
"I know right, quite a reflecting journey I had."
Park was still digesting all this new information he had acquired.
"You had it rough and yet still..."
"That last part was my final dumb move..."
A tear fell from his cheek.
"... but I'm glad that it sure as hell went off in a bang."
[The Soul Harvest is almost finalizing.]
Brushing his sleeve against his cheek, he continued,
"It kind of sucks that you're going back there."
"I know, but my dumbass would do it for you over and over again... looks like my time is up."
He could feel tears welling up in his eyes once more.
"Hey, look at me."
He couldn't do it; he couldn't see her go for the second time.
"It's fine not to but please just do this for me, please?"
His mother's voice broke too, the current emotion-fueled moment getting the best of both. He heeded her plea and looked at her face. Either it was because of that moment or because a long-lost connection had been rekindled, but he could see her now.
The light didn't bother him in the slightest, he could make out every detail now, all her angelic features came out from hiding. She had a warm smile full of affection and longing.
"You've grown so much my dear..."
Wait, she said it will be here when...
He darted his eyes to the piece of paper in fear.
"NOO-!"
[Soul Harvest has been accomplished.]
A red hue seeped in through the white glow that encased her body.
"Head on the glass! Head on the glass!"
Park hurriedly placed his forehead against the invisible wall. Tears silently flowing she placed her lips and pulled back, uttering under her breath words that could break someone in such damned moments,
"I love you-AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
He watched on, still holding onto her as she turned to red glass and soon after, burst into a million pieces.
Park's body slumped on the floor. Body drained of strength by the horrific sight he had seen. He felt defeated.
<... and I get two for one? Incredible!>
"..."
Each shard of glass slowly rose from the floor, each humming his mother's death cry over and over again. They slowly moved in on Park, then suddenly,
<... TIME TO EAT!!>
a monstrous voice spoke over the crystals' hums clear as day snapping him out of his stupor as they moved in for the kill.
But he was too late. They had already made entry.
His mouth already pried open by supposedly the unseen entity, they forced themselves into him, scouring every part of him as they sunk deeper and deeper in him. Their sharp, jagged edges puncturing and scratching his insides. The pain was too much for one night, first his mother and now this? He had to take a rest as it was the only natural thing left to do.
And so... he dropped. Left to the embrace of dreams.