Eryth."
"Yes, my glorious king."
"We are going to meet your original master. You may drop the flattering."
"I would never do that, my lord," Eryth replied. "I have decided to serve you for eternity, and I believe He will not oppose it."
"Very well."
"The time here is more faster than the outside world, but as we get closer the time outside will be more faster."
As the Sword Demon and his servant Eryth traversed the Dark Hell, a massive storm broke out, fueled by the overwhelming energy saturating the realm.
"So this is the Dark Hell," Eryth said quietly.
"Yes," the Sword Demon answered. "We are currently the only ancient beings capable of coming here. Other Divinities won't dare"
"You can see how your energy is getting drained."
"You are right, my lord. My energy is being drained by this massive storm," Eryth replied.
"This is only the beginning. Once we get close to the center, our energy will be depleted."
"But there is a technique I mastered as I moved through the other worlds," the Sword Demon continued. "It will allow me to take energy from this atmosphere and turn it into mine—similar to this, but far from it."
"As expected of you, my lord," Eryth said. "But my lord, can I master this technique? Because as we move closer, I'm not sure I will be able to follow you."
"Why did I tell you if I don't have any idea of teaching you?"
"But you will teach Lady Aris too, you know she is your disciple and incarnate."
"Don't worry," the Sword Demon said calmly. "She has already perfected it."
◆◇◆
I'm still weak, too weak, without soul energy, what is the use of Way of the wind?
As I was deep in thought, I heard footsteps, and the sound of hands clapping.
Clap, clap, clap…
"Greetings, Lady Aris."
"Master, I have disappointed you, punish me."
"Gray, why should I punish you? Besides, I have not taught you anything yet."
I could see Rhapel smiling. Why is the little beast smiling?
"And good job on your mission, Rhapel. I have a gift for you later, you are dismissed."
"Thank you Lady Aris," Rhapel happily said, while moving with joy.
"If I may ask, Master, why are you thanking Rhapel?"
"For giving you a good beating of course."
"A good beating? Master did you send Rhapel to spar with me?"
"You are smart, Gray, and I was watching all along, not only me but that bastard."
"And I can't help but say I'm impressed, not only did you stand your ground without soul energy, but also made Rhapel serious."
"Thank you, Master."
"I didn't know Master was watching. If I had known, maybe I would have used that."
"Now that I have seen your skill, it's time to learn how to use soul energy…"
The words I always wanted to hear.
"Do you still use that method I taught you, Gray?"
"Yes Master," I said in excitement. "I always do it every time I finish practicing how to use the staff you gave me."
"Good… if you are diligent, then the flow of your energy will be more swift and smooth compared to others."
"Do you still remember the types of essences?"
"Yes Master. There are the Enhancer, Emitter and the dual essence."
"Do you know the one you fall into?"
"Yes Master, according to you, I possess the dual essence."
"Good… as a dual essence user, your path is more longer and complicated than the others, because you are both an enhancer and an emitter, you will have to balance both to avoid energy overflow."
"…"
"But you don't have to worry. I am a dual essence user as well."
◆◇◆
Rhapel happily moved toward the Infirmary, going to greet his master as he had just woken up.
"Greetings, Miss Jasai'me."
"Be careful," she said sharply. "Don't forget that you can't use energy in the infirmary."
"Greetings, Master…"
"We are the only ones here,you don't have to call me master"
"Oh I forgot. Greetings, Senior Brother," Rhapel said with a big smile.
"What is making my little brother happy today? Is it because I have woken up?"
"Yes, Brother," Rhapel replied. "Not only that, I just sparred with Lady Aris' disciple, and she has promised me a gift…"
"Is that so… a gift from Aris is indeed special. So tell me, how was the sparring between you and the disciple of Aris?"
"…"
"It was terrifying, Master. He doesn't know how to use soul energy but he was able to go toe to toe with me."
"As a beasten my senses are sharper than that of a normal human, so I was able to see it. The energy although it was little is but I feel it is not of this world."