(Haru POV)
I watch as my master changes inside the cauldron. All of the internal damage and physical imperfections begin to fade away. It's like watching a caterpillar cocoon to become a butterfly.
I have been using my soul sense since the process began… My new master, while kind, is as brittle as glass. He has yet to find his footing as well as his center, simply going with the motions, accepting things as they appear.
Like a child in a man's body… However, that innocence is enticing. It's one of the reasons I agreed to stay in the first place. He was fundamentally different from the others.
Any other person put into that position would either be completely broken or so angry at the world that their very existence becomes worse than what they experienced… Instead, when he opened his eyes, he cradled something small and protected it for no reason… Funnily enough, the only reason I was even in egg form was mostly to test him, and he passed.
As he held me, I felt his concern, his fears, and a burgeoning hope… My closeness with the soul allows me to use excess emotions for my sustenance. It's why my kind is so rare. Many of us have been hunted to extinction across hundreds of worlds, as they view us as nothing more than leeches.
It angers me so, but I cannot give in. I now have the perfect protection… A realm that very few can access. A master that looks like he couldn't hurt a fly. And the perfect environment to increase my own strength.
I can't say that the deal didn't come with drawbacks, as my existence is now invariably intertwined with my new master, but it is a minor drawback… It also helps that the petting is sublime…
I slightly smile as I remember the warmth of his fingers on my body—a perfect blend between serene and comfortable… Although it would've been nice if he warned me that my new master was a hugger… I don't even think he realizes the things he gets up to when his eyes close.
But I really don't mind… However, before I could think on anything further, the door near the back of the lab opens, and an insect has now entered…
"Fu fu fu… I was wondering why he hasn't visited me yet. I never imagined the first time I would see my contractor he would be nearly naked in a cauldron." The insect then walks past the cauldron, and I see her for the first time.
My eyes slightly narrow as I make sure to watch this new interloper closely. The insect then looks towards me and smiles while her four eyes close. Not to mention the fact that she's spreading her strings around the area. It takes me barely a moment to cut the ones that are appearing near the cauldron.
"I do not appreciate you trying to put those disgusting threads near my master… I thought you would be staying in your cave, insect." The insect just laughs; however, I could see her brow beginning to slightly twitch.
"And I never imagined that my contractor would keep a furball like you around… It makes me wonder if he has a taste for fluffy things… No matter, once he awakens, I shall introduce myself to him, and I do believe he shall be enraptured with my form… I am perfect, after all." Even I can't stop my own stare from becoming entirely dead.
"Says the literal worm given a human form… What makes you think that he won't reject you as soon as he sees you?" I then crawl off the chair I was sitting on and stand on the edge of the cauldron.
"Fu fu fu. Now that is an impossibility. Besides, you and I both know that we cannot attack each other unless we directly harm the contractor… I truly look forward to working… with you." If that sentence took any longer to come out, I truly wouldn't think she despises my presence.
As I placed one of my paws into her armored hand, we shake for a moment—barely a nanosecond—before letting go. However, instead of leaving, the silkworm walks over to a nearby chair and sits down while beginning to thread a small shirt.
Her content smile annoys me, but seeing that she hasn't done anything too suspicious, I cannot act against her… For a few moments, we stare at one another, empty-smiling, while I observe her.
She isn't a normal silkworm. Similarly to me, she is a celestial being, but one of the silkworm variety. Her species are nearly as rare as mine, but for slightly different reasons.
Celestial silkworms are only born once every few million years, and it doesn't help that their population is almost entirely targeted by those desiring their silk, as it has the perfect properties for enchantment and defense.
Her just creating a small napkin would be considered a national treasure. I do admit I am slightly envious. However, a smile reaches my face, as I am the only one that can sit on master's shoulders.
"What even is your name, silkworm?" The silkworm, given humanoid form, then looks at me with that same closed-eyes smile.
"I am Velvet… That is all you need to know. Now, please inform the master of my presence, as I'm going to finish a little project I have been working on in my cave. Be a dear for me, will you?" I want to strangle this insect.
However, with complete confidence, Velvet returns to the entrance of her cave at the back of the alchemy lab. As she closes the door, I return my attention to the master… The process is almost complete.
(??? POV)
I feel an itching sensation on my nose. I wonder why?
As soon as I dumped my head into the alchemical solution, I found myself in that same temple. However, it seemed a bit more formed—a bit more solid.
And now, inside, there were items along the walls… Presumedly, they are the things I received from that chest. However, I can tell that a majority of their functions remain locked to me.
The Heaven Destroying Sword, for example—what was once a magnificent blade—has now become something a bit more average… The other items are less downgraded and more inaccessible. I can understand why, however…
I am simply not strong enough… The very thought brought a new line of thinking into the forefront of my mind.
What did I want now that I was free? Did I desire wealth or power? Whenever I was being experimented on, the devils around me would always lament how weak they felt in comparison to the stronger beings, as if just having more power made everything so much simpler.
I wondered if that was true… What would I be if I had ultimate power? The fact that I had consumed the Longevity Grass means that death has no hold on me anymore. I can still be defeated, even if I cannot die.
What do I wish to be?… Who do I wish to be? So many questions and no one to give me answers… But maybe that is the key. Maybe I need to find my own answers.
[I do believe that this is a logical course of action. Fulfillment through understanding is the essence of living.]
{It's nice to hear your voice again, Eve. Is there anything wrong?} I said amongst the artifacts and enjoyed the quiet.
[Physically, your body is improving at a rapid rate… Mentally… That is up to you… While I can advise you on actions to take in the future, I cannot tell you how to live. My consciousness was only born a few hours ago, at least in your time. However, feel free to ask questions.] The same clinical tone, but I could always hear that undertone of emotion.
Keeping the Heaven Destroying Sword on my lap, I ask her a rather obvious question. {Is there any way I may be able to use these artifacts?}
[At your current level… You would only be able to use the basics of the Heaven Destroying Sword. The other artifacts will be locked for you. The only other artifact that may be used is the Eternal Sky Bead. I would recommend drinking a solution from the Sky Bead, as it would help in the tempering process.] Looking over towards the glowing green orb, I mentally asked it to float into my hand.
As it shot forward, it floated in front of my face. I placed my hands below it, and as it began to give off a glowing green liquid, I partook and felt liquid life enter my veins. As it flowed through my body, my physical veins glowed green as I saw more black sludge and smoke exit my body.
I took a breath, feeling so utterly weightless, that it felt similar to flying… I closed my eyes and felt as if I could feel the sun on my face.
[Well done, master. The essence from the Sky Bead has increased your recovery period by over 50%… Your spiritual veins have also been cleared… I shall now download the information I have gathered from the Scroll of Power and the Book of Life.] In that moment, I felt information enter my mind slowly, as not to overwhelm me, which I appreciated.
In that moment, I realized what I was—at least what I could be. I was now a cultivator, someone whose very existence went against the heavens… To me, however, that seemed like a rather depressing description… Shouldn't one seek to live in harmony with the universe instead of seeking conflict?
[That line of thinking is idealistic, master… Many universes sadly follow the mantra of might makes right. It is barbaric, to say the least… It would be much more logical for the sharing of resources and the betterment of life. I apologize if my words are too blunt.] I simply smiled; however, I was slightly saddened by the small amount of hesitation.
{Never feel afraid to voice your opinion, Eve. I'm about as blind as a bat when it comes to most things. I'm going to be counting on you for a very long time now… With our connection, we are as close as we could be, and I would like our future relationship to reflect as such.} Eve didn't respond, but I felt a small amount of giddiness in the back of my mind.
As the body-tempering solution and the essence from the Eternal Sky Bead rested within my body, I felt something physical yet not physical fall away. I felt lighter, yet paradoxically, I felt stronger.
The information given by the Book of Life and the Scroll of Power exemplified a conflicting existence. One was created purely out of the desire to heal. The other was created to increase the strength of the user so that they may do the opposite.
Within my body, I could feel a new set of organs—veins of purely spiritual energy—being created quite rapidly. These veins began to overlap my own, and I felt ease within my mind, knowing that my new mental partner is helping to guide the process.
[Thanks is not required, master. I am simply fulfilling my duty.] Well, I'm going to give you thanks anyway, Eve…
[…Your thanks are noted… Would you like to listen to anything? This process will not be very long, but I imagine you may be a bit bored? Do you wish for me to play something? It is called music… Have you…?]
{No… I have not… Could you show me?}
[Of course… I believe this should be nice…]
(Destiny 2 Original Soundtrack - Track 11 - Journey - By Michael Salvatore and Skye Lewin)
And so I listened, and I found something so wonderful… I listened, and I could hear the arrangement of sounds… The rising and falling timing of the music.
I stared up into the sky of the temple and found the roof rearranging itself into an endless amount of stars with a large white orb in the center… I saw conflict amongst the stars… I saw the struggle of humanity.
Humming along with the tune, I sent a small mental thanks to Eve, and while I heard—or in this case, felt—a sense of giddiness in a way, she remained silent as I continued to listen.
Eventually, my surroundings began to change. They began to become more surreal and began to fade away.
{Maybe we do this again, Eve?} The question was met by an immediate answer.
[Anytime you wish, master. As I have been given an archive of thousands of books and musical tracks… You have all the time in the world, master. Remember that.]
[It's time to wake up… By the way, master, have you thought of a name for yourself?] My mouth remains slightly opened as I thought over that answer.
But then I looked again towards the fading stars, and one word came to mind…
"Sol… My name is Sol…" In that moment, I felt a part of myself simply click into place. A burst of energy exited my body and intertwined itself with the temple. I felt my surroundings become more real, and my vision was seen across the endless landscape of my mind.
I looked out across the expanding world and smiled… It was time to wake up now.
I stood up and walked towards the exit and towards the rising sun.
(Well another chapter for this little snippet this is pretty much the last set up chapter before he heads to a new world in the next one feel free to recommend where he should go. I understand that you guys may not enjoy all of these random snippets, but I enjoy reading them. And depending on when you guys are reading this, I wish you all a good morning, good afternoon, and good night.)