God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.-Chapter 830: A Nameless Wonder (2).

"So, how was it?"

Cain pursed his lips,

"Familiar and not at the same time."

Melech nodded approvingly, "That sensation is right. You did infact come in contact with your Soul Sea. Well done, or rather, congratulations."

Cain grimaced, "It seems a bit... Odd."

He locked eyes with the old Devil, his own eyes narrowed,

"Did you set this up intentionally?"

Melech gave him an amused smile,

"I hate to break it to you, but even I am stunned at your potential. Wouldn't you agree, Sylvie?"

A tiny sound came from the side, almost like a nightingale's whistle.

Staring at the creature that made this sound, Cain couldn't help but feel even worse.

As it turned out, the true form of the {Frost Sylph} was not some monstrous abomination.

The {Frost Sylph} was indeed strange looking, and unlike anything he had ever seen before. However, it was small and oddly beautiful, mesmerizing even.

Not even bigger than his pa, the creature was like a fairy. But unlike the fairies in the stories, it had a few... eerie features.

Its eyes were big and black, devoid of any light. Instead of light, insect-like wings, the {Frost Sylph} had a pair of bat-like wings on its back. Its hair was white like snow, and its skin was a soft shade of turquoise. Coupled with the sharp claws and fangs, it truly did appear to be a cute menace.

However, Cain couldn't appreciate all these things when the strange, austere creature was staring right at him, obvious killing intent in its soulless eyes.

Cain uncomfortably glanced at Melech,

"This... Why's it staring at me like that?"

Melech chuckled,

"Well, you are the lunch that got away. How wouldn't she be a bit resentful?"

Melech, brimming with care, gently patted the little head of the {Frost Sylph}.

The creature stared at him blankly, then turned around.

Melech's expression turned a bit ugly,

"Eh? You're mad at me too?"

Whilst the Devil tried to console its palm length pet, Cain's head was bustling with thoughts. Thoughts particularly about what had happened before he had lost consciousness and after.

For some reason, he had been able to enter his Sea of Consciousness even without the second piece of the Astral Seeker runic set.

He had been of the opinion that once he did that, a whole new world would be opened to him, or something mysterious like that.

But that was not the case.

The only true change he could feel was...

Awareness.

He was more acutely aware of his soul in particular and soul essence in general.

With this awareness, he had come to several conclusions, but the most important one would be the realization of the procedures Azazel had told him about.

'Meditation, sensing and refining.'

'Meditation gives you access to your Sea of Consciousness. Sensing is recognizing Soul Essence. Refining is polishing the accumulated Soul Essence.'

Although he had no Soul Art, Cain had managed to complete two of the three steps.

He looked up.

The {Frost Sylph}, named Sylvie by the old Devil was busy munching on a mana core larger than it was whilst Melech pet it dotingly.

Cain's expression turned ugly.

Melech looked up and cleared his throat,

"Let's get down to business, shall we?"

Cain let out a sigh,

"Although it is quite unfortunate, it seems like I'll have to give up on obtaining the second rune for now. However, know this! I won't be giving up—"

Melech raised his hand, forcing him to stop.

"Although you did not best Sylvie, I can't say you lost the battle either."

A devious grin stretched out on the Devil's face,

"So I guess we both can compromise. What do you think?"

The island had been restored by Melech.

Seated at the table with the grainy sand making him uncomfortable, Cain didn't need to think too long,

"What do you have in mind?"

***

Nervously tapping his fingers on his arm, Calio stared at the nightmarish conglomeration of black veiny tentacles.

"What if he's dead already? There's no telling what's what right now!" He said anxiously.

Steve snorted, focusing on the words on the pages of the book he was currently invested in.

"If that's the case, then there's nothing much we can do, no?"

Calio yelled, "Then how about we burn this thing before it can cause any trouble?!"

Steve shook his head,

"Who knows what might happen if we try burning that thing now? I think we should just let nature run its course. Don't you?"

Calio groaned, "There's nothing natural about this thing. Hey, don't you agree with me?" Calio said, turning to Blaze.

Blaze shrugged without saying anything.

Calio looked around the room, already on the brink of going insane.

Since Cain had merged with the {Parasyte Soulfiend}, the amalgamation had continued to grow in size until it touched the ceiling.

Not only was in rather unpleasant to look at, it also brought about an immense sense of foreboding that sent tingles up his spine.

And yet, for some reason, the others didn't seem bothered anymore.

Steve chuckled, "What are you so worried about? What's the worst that can happen?"

"How optimistic!" Calio couldn't help but be impressed.

He turned to Susan,

"Hey, aren't you bothered at all?"

All this time, Susan had sat calmly on the ground, waiting patiently.

She shrugged, "There's nothing much we can do, is there? But knowing that it's Cain, I guess I can't be too worried anymore."

Calio raised a brow, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means he's always getting into incredibly terrible situations. But somehow, he always comes out alive. Well, most of the time, anyways..."

'It's not guaranteed?!' Calio felt defeated.

He let out a tired sigh,

"What does it feel like I'm the only one worried here?"

Steve chuckled, "We are all worried as well. All our fates have become entwined with his. If he dies, we will be affected greatly. But..."

"I have faith in him." Susan said, her eyes fixed on the monstrous abomination.

'Faith...' He was stumped.

To him, blind faith was one of the most dangerous things in the world, as it could make people do stupid things.

And yet...

Steve grinned, "Yeah, that. We all have faith he'll survive this. And the next set of horrors and nightmares the world throws at us."

Hunter nodded, "So there's no reason to be worried. Probably..."

Calio pulled at his hair.

Just then, something strange happened.

A shrill noise came from the mass of black tendrils.

Then a black ooze began to pour out, staining the ground like tar.

"Get away from it!" Steve yelled out as he summoned a barrier.

They all rushed away, afraid that some of the black liquid would reach them.

The twisted abomination trembled, its veins bulging as its muscles spasmed and released in a jerky, unnatural rhythm.

"What the hell is going on now?!" Calio exclaimed through gritted teeth.

They all watched as the spasms intensified

Until eventually...

BANG!

The entire thing exploded into a mess of black liquid and grotesque tentacles.

It splattered everywhere. The floor, the walls, even the ceiling wasn't spared.

Dismissing the barrier, Steve let out a sigh of relief,

"That was close."

His gaze immediately shifted to the center of the explosion.

There, someone sat, his eyes closed and his long black air floating like mist.

Slowly, his eyes opened.

Steve frowned and took a step forward,

"Cain? Is that you?"

Everyone waited with bated breath.

Silence...

Slowly scanning the room with his eyes, Cain frowned.

"Please, don't tell me I'm naked."

"You crazy bastard!" Steve muttered with a wry chuckle.

Cain wanted to laugh, but all the air was knocked out of his lungs as he felt something, or rather, someone collide with him.

A gentle fragrance assaulted his nose.

His eyes widened.

"Susan..."

"Shut up. Don't say anything."

Cain felt his heart speed up.

Just as he was about to say something, he felt wetness on his chest.

The words died in his throat.

Instead, he returned her embrace, wallowing in the warmth.

'Even if it's just for a moment, maybe I can indulge a little...'

Such warmth and tenderness felt almost sinful to have. Maybe that was why he craved, yet tried to avoid it so much.

He had just gone through a rather stressful experience, and now, he was being embraced by a beautiful girl.

He smiled to himself.

Maybe his life wasn't so unfortunate after all.

'Lucky bastard.' Steve wore an ugly smile, his eyes twitching.

Then he cleared his throat.

"Cain, what the hell happened?"