Ansel's worry was rooted in the deepest, most painful memories of his life. He remembered Hansel, his older brother, stronger and braver than him.
Hansel had always been his shield, his protector in a world that often seemed cruel and unforgiving. But that protection came at a terrible cost. In the end, Hansel had sacrificed his very soul to save Ansel, ensuring that his younger brother could live on.
The only reason Ansel hesitated to let Rhea enter the Immortal realm was that he didn't want that history to repeat itself. He didn't want her to face the same fate as Hansel, to be consumed by the fight or lost to the darkness.
For him, it was merely bulshit. The strength, the brave, the power, and the skilled were nonsense. Because it didn't guaranted to survive. Yet it could be a disaster and the epilogue.
Andrew, sensing the depth of Ansel's turmoil, placed a steady hand on his friend's shoulder. He said softly. "I know you care about Rhea very much. But don't worry. She will definitely be fine."
His words were meant to soothe, to calm the storm of fear that raged within Ansel. Andrew's confidence was not empty. It was grounded in his understanding of Rhea's strength and the bond she shared with Ansel. He believed in her resilience and in the power of their connection.
As Andrew's hand rested reassuringly on his shoulder, Ansel took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. In his heavy silence with the weight of what lay ahead.
The vibe was palpable. The path ahead was fraught with danger. But he knew he could not let fear control him. For Rhea, for himself, and for the memory of Hansel, he had to be strong.
And Andrew, sensing the need to shift the mood, decided to divert the conversation. He spoke with a calm and steady voice. "Well, now what should I do with this sigil?"
Ansel's eyes flickered with a hint of relief as Andrew continued. "You just take care of it. Let me do everything. Sir, you can go back to the temple and don't have to wait here with Andrew."
Andrew's words were deliberate. It was designed to help Ansel focus on his role without being overwhelmed by the complexities of the ritual.
He wanted to ease his friend's burden, to give him a clear task amidst the chaos.
Ansel nodded slowly, his mind sharpening as he absorbed Andrew's instructions.
Andrew asked. His voice was steady, yet despite the cold knot of anticipation in his chest. "Can we start now?"
"Okay." Ansel replied. His tone was resolute.
Ansel pulled on a thick coat, the fabric heavy and insulating. The temperature in the Immortal realm was notoriously cold.
An otherworldly chill that could sap the strength from even the hardiest of souls. Without protection, his body would not endure the caustic vibe. The coat was more than just clothing. It was a shield against the biting cold that awaited him.
Standing before the sigil, Ansel took a deep breath. The sigil was carefully prepared, a complex symbol etched with ancient magic. It was drawn on white cloth.
At each corner of the sigil, a candle flickered, casting dancing shadows that seemed to pulse with energy. The soft glow illuminated the intricate lines and curves, making the sigil appear alive.
Ansel cut open his flesh. The blood dropped right on the sigil. The vibe around him seemed to hum, charged with the energy of the incantation.
Then, he raised his voice, shouting the spell with conviction. The words echoed through the stillness, resonating with power and purpose.
Ab Elementis Universalis Luminis
coniuro ad te, ut dones mihi virtutum Tuam
Aperi omnes portas spirit regni, et custodi me
confido in auxilio tuo, ut fiat
As the spell took hold, the candles flared brighter. Their flames twisted and bent as if caught in an unseen wind.
The sigil began to glow, a radiant light spreading from its center outward. The ground beneath Ansel's feet vibrated subtly, a sign that the portal to the Immortal realm was opening.
Ansel's heart was pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. This was the moment of crossing, the threshold between realms. Beyond lay the realm where Fayfiend awaited, a place of danger and mystery.
With the border before him, Ansel steeled himself for what was to come. The journey into the Immortal realm had begun.
A sudden light burst forth, piercing the dim surroundings like a beacon from another world. The portal to the Immortal realm had opened.
The candles' shimmering surface was rippling like liquid glass. The vibe around it crackled with raw, otherworldly energy, casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered with every pulse. The sky was getting dark suddenly. The air was getting frozen like a snow wind.
It meant the portal to the Immortal realm was open.
He held the Viorenving very tightly. The aura of the Immortal realm felt gripping and terrifying to him.
Ansel's fingers tightened around the hilt of the Viorenving. His grip was fierce and unyielding.
The sword was more than a weapon. It was a symbol of his resolve, a conduit of power that connected him to Rhea. And the strength he needed to face what awaited beyond. The cold metal pressed against his palm, grounding him amidst the swirling chaos.
Despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind, despite the doubt that whispered of dangers too great to face. Ansel knew he had no choice.
The path forward was clear, even if it was fraught with peril. He had to walk towards the portal, to step into the unknown and confront Fayfiend.
With a final deep breath, Ansel lifted his gaze to the border. The dim light beckoned him, a silent summons to courage and destiny. His steps were slow but resolute as he moved forward, crossing the ground between worlds.
The moment his foot touched the ground, the vibe around him shifted. The coldness of the Immortal realm wrapped around him like a shroud. The air hummed with ancient power. Ansel's journey had truly begun.