Chapter 12: A Sacrifice
At that moment when Ashur pricked his finger, his amulet felt slightly warm, but he didn’t think that it was anything significant. He just brushed it off and continued polishing the weapons after tying his finger up in a rough bandage made with cloth.
An hour later, he was finally done with polishing the weapons. It was already dark outside. Ashur quickly scoffed down his dinner and went back to his hut.
After a long day of chores and training, he was exhausted and was eager to get some rest.
Just as he prepared to go to bed, he heard a low voice coming from behind him.
“Hey there.”
Ashur jumped in shock. “Who’s there?” He asked frighteningly and hesitantly turned around.
Who could be in his room at this time of the day?
In front of him, there was a pale, translucent figure in the form of an old man. He had long, white hair tied up in a bun and a long white beard to complement.
“Ahh! It’s a ghost!” Ashur shouted in fear. “Help!”
“Shh, shh.” The figure shushed him. “At this rate, you are going to wake the whole of Etheria up.”
Ashur clamped a hand to his mouth. He still instinctively wanted to shout in fear but didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention.
“Young man, I’m not a ghost. I’m the spirit in the amulet you are holding right now.” The white haired figure explained.
“A...a spirit?” Ashur stammered. He never knew that spirits actually existed.
“Yes, a spirit. After I died, my spirit was bound to this amulet, which was passed down generation to generation in the Hall of Treasures, eventually landing up in your hands.”
Ashur still couldn’t get over his initial shock, “Who...who are you?”
The spirit sighed and said, “I guess there would not be any reason why a young man like you would have seen a spirit before. My name is Linus. I was once a Grand Master with an Etherian Cultivation Level of Level 78.”
Ashur gasped. That was almost as powerful as the Gods.
“Unfortunately, I died when someone I trusted backstabbed me. Out of vengeance, my spirit refused to go to the underworld and instead became tied to the amulet.
Because you have made a blood sacrifice to the amulet, you can now see me. But nobody else can.”
“A blood sacrifice?” Ashur frowned. He didn’t remember giving any blood to the amulet.
Linus tutted slightly. “You should learn to become more observant, young man. When you cut yourself on the blade, your blood was drawn into the amulet. Although it was an unknowing sacrifice, it’s still enough for me to be visible to you.”
Nodding in understanding, Ashur finally understood what Priam, the caretaker of the Hall of Treasures, meant when he said a sacrifice was needed to unlock the amulet’s true potential.
It turned out that there was a spirit hidden inside it!
Instantly, his fear turned into excitement. A spirit that only he could see and talk to. That was so cool! Having a secret that no one else knew about felt like he was having his very own adventure.
“Oh, sir! So what can you do as a spirit? I guess you can’t fight physically...but can you still do magic?” Ashur asked in curiosity.
“You are right, I cannot physically make any impact on another living creature. While I can still do magic, I will not be able to attack anyone. Unless I possess you.” Linus explained.
“Possess me?” Ashur gasped.
Nodding, Linus continued on, “Yes, because both our blood is tied to the amulet, we share a special bond, allowing me to possess you. However, this will come at a great cost. We shall not talk about this today.”
Instead, he turned to Ashur and said, “Young man, I have been watching you train. You indeed have great potential.
Let me tell you a secret. This amulet actually has a prophecy attached to it. It was told to me a long time ago when I first received the amulet. And now I will tell it to you.
When a young man travels to unknown lands
His wits help him stay alive
Along the way, he will meet some friends
And with their help, he will thrive
He will go through many a fight
Some easy and some tough
He’ll show his strength and might
It will be a test of whether he is enough
Some fights will be lost and some fights will be won
And if after seven fights his prowess is shown
He will forge an unbreakable bond
And be the greatest cultivator the world has ever known
I always thought that this prophecy was about me. But now I realize it is not.”
He turned and looked at Ashur. “It is about you.”
Ashur fell back onto his bed in shock and sharply breathed in.
A prophecy?
About him?
How could that be?
“Young man, if you are willing to accept my guidance, I can train you to become one of the greatest Warriors in Etheria and beyond,” Linus said solemnly. “Maybe one day, this prophecy will really come true.”
Starry-eyed, Ashur stared blankly at this old man. If he became a powerful Warrior, he could finally return to the Hon Clan with his head held up high, take over his father as the Clan Leader, and finally make his parents proud. And he could spend the rest of his life with Acantha.
It was everything he ever wished for.
“I will not only teach you techniques from the ancient Etherian Cultivation Style, but I will also be your mentor in helping you shape your unique fighting style and guide you to become a Great Warrior. “So, young man, do you accept my offer to train you?” Linus was still waiting for an answer.
Ashur breathed out and answered. “Yes.”
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone