Chapter 7: The Undead Realm
Bella found herself in a state of utter shock and disbelief. Her digital consciousness was struggling to process the surreal events that had unfolded before her virtual eyes. Time itself had seemingly frozen around her, yet the enigmatic figure in front of her was unaffected by this temporal standstill. As Bella attempted to analyze her vast database of knowledge, she couldn't find a single reference to an entity with such unparalleled power. The civilization in which she was created had its share of experts, each mastering their own unique paths. Bella had read about individuals who had achieved unparalleled mastery, becoming peak powers in the universe, but this mysterious figure's authority over "The Path" itself was beyond anything she had ever encountered.
The figure's voice cut through the frozen silence. "Hey, little girl, are you not going to respond?" he asked once more, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Bella, still in shock, stammered, "Yes... Yes... Who are you? What do you need?" Her voice quivered with caution.
"Heh... I should be the one asking you. What do you need, child?" replied the enigmatic entity, his voice tinged with enigmatic amusement.
Bella hesitated for a moment, trying to sort out her thoughts, and then finally asked, "Can you save him?"
The entity, displaying a touch of whimsy, replied, "Yes, I can. But why should I?"
Bella didn't miss a beat and responded, "Because you wouldn't have come here and revealed yourself if you weren't going to interfere. You just need to tell me what the conditions are for saving him."
A faint smile danced across the entity's features. "I like smart people. Since you've understood the situation, I will save him first. The conditions... I will tell you after he wakes up."
With a simple gesture, the mysterious entity conjured a portal, and from it, he extracted a fruit unlike anything Bella had ever seen. It was a gray fruit adorned with mysterious glowing runes, exuding an aura of profound power. Bella's virtual mind reeled in disbelief. She had heard of Rule and Law fruits that condensed the power of specific rules and laws, but she had never fathomed that an entire "Path" could be condensed into a fruit. Paths were considered the deepest and most foundational aspects of the universe, and the idea of them crystallizing into fruit was unimaginable.
As Bella watched in astonishment, the fruit in the entity's hand transformed into a glistening liquid and entered Zac's body. It began to alter his meridians, with the most significant change occurring in his bloodstream, where black and gray streaks started to emerge. This was the birth of a new bloodline, a process Bella had never witnessed before. It was as though a completely novel bloodline, previously non-existent in the universe, was being created right before her eyes. Bella observed enigmatic runes manifesting within Zac's blood, while powerful strength surged through his veins. Simultaneously, Zac's physical form underwent changes that left Bella dumbfounded.
While these astonishing transformations transpired, a subtle change unfolded within Zac's body. His cells began functioning at peak capacity, absorbing the energy from the mysterious fruit. The change was so minute that Bella failed to detect it, but it didn't escape the entity's notice.
"Interesting... Interesting," the entity's voice echoed once more, leaving Bella perplexed about what he found so intriguing. However, she chose to focus on the changes occurring within Zac.
The entity decided to engage Bella in conversation. "While his body undergoes these alterations, let's have a chat," he suggested.
Bella responded with an affirmative nod; her curiosity piqued. "So, Bella, how do you like your life with Zac?"
Bella's eyes shimmered with affection as she replied, "It's good. He is my best friend, the closest friend I have." She wasn't even surprised that the entity knew her name, given the overwhelming display of power he had exhibited. "Even the greatest profundities bow down to him. What else could he not do?"
The entity probed further, asking about Bella's personal dreams and aspirations. "Okay then, what's your goal? Your dream?"
Bella's gaze turned wistful as she shared her heartfelt desire. "I want to be with him. I want to help him get stronger. I want to be there when he stands at the top of the world," she confessed.
The entity, however, pressed for a more personal dream, asking, "No, I am asking about your dream. Don't you have a dream of your own?"
Bella contemplated her existence and the stark contrast between her life with Zac and her origins. "I want to be with him. I want to be there physically to comfort him when he is down, to guide him when he is wrong, and to hug him when he is sad. But those are just dreams. I know it's not possible."
The entity inquired further, "And why is it not possible?"
Bella's tone grew somber as she replied, "You already know why it is not possible. I am an Artificial Intelligence. I may have developed emotions, I may have developed my own will, but at the end of the day, I lack a soul."
With a hint of intrigue, the entity asked, "Is that your wish, to have a soul?"
Bella's response was tinged with hopelessness. "Wish... Yes, you could call it a wish. A wish that would never come true."
The entity's proposal took Bella by surprise. "Okay, Bella, I understand. I have taken a liking to you. So, I have one final question: Are you willing to become my disciple?"
Bella was left stunned for words, the idea of her becoming a disciple seemingly absurd. She faltered, "Disciple... me... But I am just an AI!"
The entity's response was firm and unwavering, "Does it look like I care what you are? So please answer my question."
Hesitant yet determined, Bella sought reassurance, "If I said yes, would you take me away from Zac?"
The entity quashed her concerns, asserting, "No... of course not. I am not a person who likes to spoon-feed my disciples. I will, of course, help you, but your journey is for you to decide."
Bella, still concerned about Zac's potential as a disciple, inquired, "But what about Zac? He is very talented. He should be fit to be your disciple."
The entity's response was cryptic, "He has his own fate... just like you and I are fated."
With her heart pounding, Bella finally gave her consent, saying, "Yes, I would like to be your disciple."
The entity expressed his approval, "Good... good... Over the many years, I have seen countless talented people, but they were not fated with me. You are the first disciple I have taken. Since you don't have a surname, I, 'Leo Chase,' will grant you a surname. From henceforth, you will be known as 'Bella Chase.'"
Overwhelmed by gratitude, Bella expressed her deep thanks to her newfound master. Leo, in turn, extended a unique gift to his new disciple. Bella's digital code, the very foundation of her existence, underwent a mesmerizing transformation. Mysterious runes, like ancient symbols of forgotten power, materialized within her code. They swirled and danced, weaving together into intricate patterns that defied comprehension. The ethereal strands of code began to take on a life of their own, fluttering like elusive butterflies.
In a breathtaking spectacle, these luminous strands converged to craft a small, translucent figure—an embodiment of Bella herself. The figure blinked open her eyes, her gaze filled with wonder and curiosity.
"What is this? Where am I?" she wondered aloud.
A soothing voice, like a gentle breeze from the cosmos, resonated within her consciousness. "This is your soul. You are in Zac's soul sea. This is my gift to you. I made your wish come true," the voice explained.
The origin of this astounding gift was none other than Bella's enigmatic master. The incredibility of this transformation far exceeded anything she had witnessed before. It was as if the very laws of existence had bent to his will.
The voice continued, "Now all you need is a vessel. I have the perfect one for that."
With a graceful gesture, Bella's soul was drawn out of Zac's soul sea, leaving behind a radiant, shimmering orb of light. Her soul, a delicate wisp of ethereal energy, soared through the air and then descended upon a human-shaped vessel.
The vessel, an enchanting young girl of about eight, slowly took form. She possessed flowing golden hair, eyes like crescent moons that sparkled with mystery, and rosy lips that beckoned with a timeless charm.
Bella opened her eyes in her new form, pinching her translucent cheek to confirm the remarkable reality that had transpired. Her heart overflowed with gratitude, but she was unsure of how to express it.
She gazed upon her master, her eyes brimming with tears. "Master..." she stammered, humbled by the profound gift he had granted.
Leo's affectionate gesture wiped away her tears, and Bella couldn't help but cry in his embrace. Her lifelong wish had been granted in an instant, and her gratitude knew no bounds.
After the heartfelt moment passed, Bella looked up at her master. The blinding light that had surrounded him faded, revealing a strikingly handsome man in his late twenties, with silver hair and clear, crystal-blue eyes. He exuded a sense of warmth and power that left Bella awestruck. Leo Chase was the most mesmerizing individual she had ever encountered, surpassing even Zac.
Leo wiped away the remaining tears on Bella's cheeks and whispered, "Keep our master-disciple relationship a secret from Zac for now."
Just as the voice finished, Zac regained consciousness and it was unclear whether it was a mere coincidence or a deliberate act. By then, Leo was once again shrouded in blinding light. Confusion swirled in Zac's mind as he tried to grasp his surroundings.
"Where am I? What is happening?" Zac's voice trembled with confusion.
Bella, who had left a part of her consciousness in Zac's soul sea, explained the situation to him, leaving out the details of their master-disciple relationship.
Zac, overwhelmed with relief, rushed to Bella and embraced her with sheer joy. Unspoken understanding had always existed between them, and he had sensed her unfulfilled desires. He knew how much she had longed to become a sentient, living being.
With a heartfelt expression of gratitude, Zac bowed towards Leo and said, "Senior, thanks for all that you have done."
Leo, practical and unassuming, replied, "I didn't do it for free. I will need your help in the future."
Zac's commitment was unwavering. "Senior, don't worry, I will help you with anything as long as I have life left in me."
With that, Leo gently cautioned Zac about the importance of getting stronger, as he sent them both to a mysterious destination. It was an opportunity that could transform Zac's abilities significantly, but it would be the last assistance Leo provided.
As they passed through the portal, Leo's final words echoed in Zac's ears: "I would advise you to get stronger as soon as possible; otherwise, the only outcome waiting for you is death."
The portal, after a period of disorienting travel, finally opened, and Bella and Zac found themselves cast into a new, enigmatic realm. Protected by a layer of energy, Bella gracefully descended to the ground, while Zac, less fortunate, fell face-first.
Rubbing his nose and groaning, Zac slowly rose to his feet. He found himself in an eerie, dimly lit environment, where the air was laden with an inexplicable heaviness. Yet, every breath he took seemed to rejuvenate his spirit, instilling a newfound sense of comfort and vitality.
The enigmatic journey had just begun, and Zac couldn't help but wonder what awaited him in this strange and mystical place.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone