Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Ground of Communion.

“You must be rejoicing in your heart right now, Sister Bassbion,” Yagrina said while laying within the hollow of the statue upright. “I don’t think that man withstood the temptation.”

“Quit it, Yagrina! Isn’t it more important to inquire what that powerful force was? I did not like the sensation that power gave me from within. What if it was that man?” the figure of Bassbion with her cap-like helmet on and chain covered armour leaned against the wall while addressing Yagrina’s statement.

“Perhaps, though I wanted to believe that it was the host who is yet to come back releasing such power but it’s unlikely. Anyway, what is the use in trying to inquire what it is. We cannot investigate it and even if we could, we can’t unlock the full force of our powers through sheer will alone to defend against something like that. At least I can’t. Not until the host comes,” Yagrina said, her stone figure not moving at all.

“Well it certainly won’t be that vile filth. It can’t be.” Bassbion murmured with a scoff. “It’s been 157 years since the host attained the legacy, the temple’s many arrays flashed with green as my master said they would when someone finally succeeded, so what is taking so long?”

A sigh was heard as even the ever patient and optimistic Yagrina couldn’t help but feel like the wait was taking way too long.

“Perhaps the test left behind by our masters was too.. difficult for the host? Your master did particularly stress that she wanted a quality host in body and mind,” she said.

“How hard can it be to harness the unique power you are given without any cost to awaken three of the twelve eyes and gain enough strength to shatter the binding array on your own?” Bassbion grumbled while folding her arms, speaking of the solution to what Yuyui failed to do as if it was too simple.

“You wouldn’t know since you were in slumber then, but… the host isn’t exactly a… fighter. I wondered how it was possible for someone like her to be the one but… I suppose the rules are absolute and so is luck.”

“Is that so? What exactly happened during th-“

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

A large chunk of the wall beside Bassbion was sent flying while a turbulent thrum caused the floor and ceiling far above to rumble with a tremendous intensity!

Dust from the hard wall material flew while the object to fly off, as well as baby chunks of the dry wall followed, crashed fifty meters away gracelessly!

This chunk was the same spot where Bassbion had given Skullius passage, the Spirit retreating a split second later while doing her best to hide her surprise.

She held her sword and looked to the wreckage while waiting for whoever was coming with caution.

Hope gushed within her, as well as in Yagrina whose stone body actually moved, the head turning to the opening which had been violently created, with hints of expectation.

‘Yes!’

She could sense it.

Semblances of their masters!

The host..!

She was finally here!

Bassbion threw a quick glance at the cover to the wall that blocked the passageway, her eyes discerning the imprint of a fist on its surface imbedded deep, with a depression that then turned to cracks as it reached the edges of the structure!

‘Remarkable! But…’

She too sensed the presence of the host, but her presence was much weaker.

It was overshadowed by a flaring presence that demanded everyone’s attention, tearing away their programmed minds from the connection they naturally shared with the host and forcing them to acknowledge it!

Tap! Tap!

This vibrant, heavy presence grew closer with the sound of resounding steps, a figure appearing beyond the dust that made Bassbion’s mood sink and descend to the Under!

She clutched her sword as rage brimmed within her eyes along with utter disbelief!

A man appeared!

THE man!

He wore not an armour, but a casual jacket in a dark blue colour with black leather braces on the arms, a hood at the back, as well as laces to promote a snug fit on his slightly bulky, athletic figure.

He was also adorned in fitting pants that had a dull black gleam, being not entirely leather but more like a mix of it and a thin hide.

Thick dark chains wrapped around his waist, completing the edgy gothic look he gave off while his short-ish light auburn hair was slicked back to eliminate any bangs, complementing this new theme.

Bassbion almost couldn’t recognise Skullius as upon seeing him, she had grown angry before taking a perfect look.

And as far as looks went…

Skullius turned his white eyes to Bassbion and…

…!!!

Reflectively, the Spirit held her sword firmly and slashed at full power at the air, generating a sharp gust of wind that hurtled towards Skullius!

This was purely based on instinct!

Just from Skullius’ gaze, Bassbion had detected a threat so great that her body automatically launched a counter for whatever it was!

Skullius’ hand blazed with concentrated mana and with a sharp and precise movement, he hacked away at the incoming attack with his fingers which formed the shape of a blade!

GWAAA!

The visible but impeccably fast burst of sharp wind, bland and empty as Bassbion had not coated it with mana or refinement because of the urgency, disappearing right after!

“Ahhhhh! What’s going on?!” Yuyui’s voice was heard as from the dust behind Skullius, she appeared, casually sitting on Ferex’s arm, her face showing a brief respite to display shock, different from the happy gleeful visage she wore while stuffing her face with a chunk of greasy meat just now.

At the moment, the long-haired girl was wearing a shirt and pair of pants clearly too big for her thin state but it was better than having her move around naked.

She curiously looked around to see the familiar room behind the wall her master had just punched through and felt sentiment rising up her throat like vomit!

Memories started to flood her mind about a time that had passed.

That time with her ‘friends’ as she challenged this place but…

“What….?!” Bassbion exclaimed.

Many questions and thoughts raced through her own mind as a result of the current situation.

Was this really the same man who had come in a few hours ago?!

What was this pressure he exuded?!

How did he just brush away her attack with ease?!

What was he doing with the host?!

‘Don’t tell me…!’

Yagrina had the same thoughts as Bassbion, only she digested them quickly, discerning the situation from what she was currently seeing.

The comfort she saw from Yuyui as she was moving behind Skullius while hitching a ride on Ferex…

Her one eye which was blue. ..

How she did not exude an air befitting of the legacy holder of her masters’ power…

‘Was she aided in getting around her test by this man?!’ Yagrina thought in horror.

But.. that was cheating!

Bassbion pointed her sword at Skullius who merely raised a brow.

“What did you do?! Why are you with the host?!” Bassbion spewed question after question even though she had come to the same conclusion that Yagrina had.

Yuyui who had seized stuffing her face felt the tension rise along with a strange feeling that crept in her body, driving her towards Bassbion and Yagrina.

Suddenly, her blue eye with a golden slit as the pupil shone with a sky blue luminescence, her body which was relaxing on Ferex’s arm (leg) dropping to the floor.

She landed on her feet and with a semi-brave demeanour, she walked forward with strong but shaky steps. The air around her grew thick, a pressure that made even gazing at her feel more like a chore engulfing her figure.

Yuyui stood before the tall frame of Bassbion with a slight temble from her weak legs, the crumbs and grease staining her mouth distracting the Spirit she aimed to address, even as she began to speak.

“I’m.. I’m the one you’ve been waiting for!.. I’ve been chosen to carry the Diverse Oculus! You must uhm… obey me!” Yuyui said while nervously licking her lips of the meaty oil.

….

Silence prevailed as everyone here couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed, a single word crossing through their minds but for different reasons.

‘Seriously?’