The Rise of the Black Plain

When Minos picked up the item that looked like a necklace of precious stones, he felt a weight on his conscience, which immediately forced him to put his energy into it and protect himself.

He then fell into an extremely realistic illusion, which showed him in the middle of an unknown forest while he couldn't help but hear the sound of a heartbeat.

Following this sound, he was soon in front of a majestic tree. Given its large and thick trunk, it must have been millions of years old.

At the point where he stopped, he felt something inside the trunk pulsating like a beating heart and felt the urge to move toward it.

Amid this, something in one of his hands warmed up, quickly making Minos leave this illusion a few seconds after falling into it.

He opened his eyes and looked at that native of Zocarro, but that individual couldn't help but look at him with interest.

"What a surprise..." Said this level 110 being. "You were faster than I expected. But then? What did you see?"

"I thought you would know. It was something you showed me." Minos commented as he sensed the seraph's remaining consciousness was awake.

That level 110 Sovereign shook his head negatively. "That jewel is unique. It shows different things to each creature that touches it. In a way, to say that it can read someone's past, present, and future is not incorrect.

So I don't know what it showed you. I just didn't expect you to be so quick to use it when you're only on the Mortal Journey."

"Why did you give it to me? Does it seem too valuable?" Minos asked.

"Unfortunately, this jewel is for single use only. You can use it as a decorative item, but once the liquid inside its jewels is consumed to place its wearer in the illusion you were in, it loses its special power." That being said. "Anyway, that was a gift, as I told you."

"Why would someone from your group give me a gift like that? I did something that your people should hate me."

The being smiled and turned away from Minos. "If this helps you in any way, look me up in the future. You'll understand why then."

As that being walked away, the remaining consciousness of the seraph in Minos' wing tattoo said in his mind, 'Don't trust that being. If I hadn't acted, the one behind that artifact would have seen your past and destiny.'

'Oh?' Minos worried.

'He didn't lie in everything he said. It did present you with an opportunity, but if you'd been under the effect of that item for a minute, the one who sent you such a gift would have critical information about you and could even steal what you saw.'

'Why would someone give me something so that they could see my destiny or try to steal it from me?' Minos asked before that being disappeared.

'That's the way to the Upper Realm. Who wouldn't use other people to get closer to their goals?

You have a great talent, Minos. Some beings will try to use you directly without hiding it. Others will pretend to help you in order to benefit from you. There will be those who try to devour or even possess your body.

The one behind this action understands your talent and potential and has used a peculiar method to try to make you give them your destiny.

The elves of the Spiritual World can steal the destiny of their opponents and thus go further on their journeys. But the one behind this situation wanted your destiny to show him something so they could absorb the opportunity in your place.

They would pretend to be your friend just to steal from you.'

'I see.' Minos clenched his fists, not expecting that after so many months, someone from Silverdawn would finally look for trouble with him.

'What do you think I should do?

'Go ahead with the sensation you felt. It will lead you to a good opportunity. But be aware of the dangers.' The true seraph's consciousness said as he disappeared once again into the wing tattoo on one of Minos' hands.

Minos went back to his work, thinking about how he would get to that place.

His senses told him that he had to find that great tree. To do so, he would have to leave this place, find out where the tree was, and make his way there.

'I'll start preparing. If what I saw is my destiny, then some opportunity will arise and take me away from this headquarters.' He made up his mind before returning his focus to what he was doing.

...

Meanwhile, in the internal area of the Armhands headquarters city...

A level 108 being was sitting in front of a white sphere while steam covered the surroundings of what was supposed to be a training room.

This being's six eyes opened wide while he still had in mind the face of the brown-haired young man he had just turned his skill on.

'There are many secrets about this young man. He managed to get rid of me very quickly.' This being thought to himself as he felt the frustration of failing in his plans.

"Young master, are there any problems with your hunt?" a voice hidden in the steam around the room asked.

"Yes, my target managed to escape from me before I understood him better."

"That's unusual. What do you plan to do?"

"Keep an eye on him. Even though he escaped, I saw enough to know that he'd accomplished a good thing. When he moves off this island, report it to me immediately." Said this three-meter-tall, four-armed, two-legged being with insect antennae instead of hair.

"I will do my best, young master." The voice said before the one behind it moved, quickly disappearing from the place.

When he was alone there, the being clenched his fists before opening a box, and several hearts floated out of it towards him.

He moved his arms and hands strangely, converting those hearts of different sizes and shapes into a special form of energy.

This form of energy then entered the being's body through his mouth while the being's eyes turned intensely red.

His aura brutally rose until he felt the heart of a creature right there with him in that room and could no longer contain himself as he moved like a hungry animal toward his victim.

If Minos had been there, he would have known that this was the young master of Silverdawn, who had managed to find The Scroll of Hearts!

But unlike what many people thought, this was no simple book but an artifact teaching a macabre path of cultivation!