Chapter 58: Maelstrom
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Charlize had never witnessed a tornado, but she firmly believed that, no matter how ferocious a tornado could be, it could never surpass the storm that currently enveloped her.
"This is a superstorm capable of tearing the entire world apart"
The young girl found herself engulfed in the tempest, akin to a lost leaf in a tumultuous sea. Despite her best efforts to widen her eyes, she couldn't see beyond the boundless fury of the tempest. Even her own hands remained obscured.
"Don't release my hand, or you won't find your way back", Charlize remembered Christian's earlier warning.
"Is there no way back?" she had wondered.
For young Charlize, life resembled a bitter concoction. While she remained occupied day by day, it made her ponder what truly merited nostalgia—a notion she couldn't express.
Career?
Initially a model, Charlize had transitioned to acting for the allure of financial stability. Although she had grown fond of her acting work, especially the cameras' gaze, she was still a newcomer struggling in Hollywood. Despite a successful film role, career success felt distant.
Family?
Her family was scarce, with a problematic relationship with her father and painful memories of her mother. Their co-dependent yet antagonistic bond left her contemplating if it was time to set each other free.
Friends?
Charlize had few friends, with Petunia being one of them. But she couldn't help feeling that she had hurt Penny in her moments of distress.
"At least those four geeks will stay with her," Charlize pondered.
And then there was Christian.
Charlize couldn't discern the nature of her bond with Christian—were they just friends, close friends, or something more?
Lovers?
Physical intimacy mattered as Christian had told her. Charlize understood that their initial connection might have been a fleeting attraction, but she hoped they could now build a more transparent and lasting connection.
This was Charlize's resolve, her pride, as she saw countless mysteries hidden within Christian.
"Should I trust you, Christian?" Charlize wondered.
Trapped in the storm, time was elusive, and her senses faded, but she clung to Christian's hand in her consciousness.
"If you can't trust others, trust yourself," Christian's words resurfaced, acting as a guide to her soul.
"This person may not be an exorcist or a director, but his words alone serve as a spiritual mentor," Charlize thought with a hint of a smile, deciding not to let go of Christian's hand.
Life might be painful, but there was a future, akin to the hope within Pandora's box.
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"This is akin to the chaos unleashed when Pandora's Box is opened," Christian mused as he gazed upon the endless storm.
He had foreseen this, as he had played a part in creating this storm. It wasn't a storm but rather the end and the beginning of a world. In fantastical terms, it was the act of "shaping the world, forging earth, water, fire, and wind." Scientifically, it was akin to the Big Bang.
This was pure chaos, where nobody could see, hear, or touch anything. It was a realm of consciousness devoid of tangible form.
Christian had intentionally plunged the world created by his painting magic into chaos, the only way to truly defeat Wei Changhui.
Of course, he hadn't lied to Alexis before.
Alexis possesses a potent tool to weaken Wei Changhui, harnessing the ever-changing landscape of inner fears within the audience. This stands as her most substantial advantage in winning this battle. However, it doesn't mean she should face Wei Changhui head-on.
Unlike Wei Changhui, a centuries-old mandrill well-versed in his power, Alexis struggles to control the monsters' abilities. Even if she has absorbed much of Wei Changhui's power, she can't be relied upon for a confrontation.
But Christian has a different plan.
His secret weapon is the chaos itself. The wall-painting magic was specifically crafted to seal various monsters, who, over time, might break free. By consuming sufficient mana, he can prematurely release the seal, ensnaring all consciousness in boundless chaos, with the repeated injunction, "Don't go back."
This state is both an instant and an eternity.
In this timeless moment, anyone, human or monster, would slumber indefinitely, provided they lack the motivation or reason to return to reality. Even if they awaken in the future, they would be little more than soulless automatons.
Christian isn't sure if Wei Changhui can penetrate this barrier. Having deceived Alexis into a contract, he could exert control to a certain extent. With the power Alexis stole from Wei Changhui, Christian has created this overwhelming storm and chaos.
It's a spear attacking a shield. Christian believes Wei Changhui will be disoriented by the chaotic power he unleashes. And if not, Christian has one last trick up his sleeve.
He hopes it never comes to that.
Christian's concern extends to the blonde girl accompanying Wei Changhui, named Sally. In a world of pure consciousness, "don't let go" serves as a lifeline, a sign of hope for return, and a tether to the real world. Christian prays for Charlize's safe return.
"After all, if something happens, I can only use that trick to wake you up. I will be beaten by then!!"
"When I escape this chaos, I will make that foreigner pay"
Wei Changhui's frustration surpasses Christian's. Trapped in the maelstrom, he struggles desperately, his anger on the brink of eruption.
He comprehends the situation now:
The adversary employed the Mountain God's Seal to lure him into the wall painting, then used a female ghost to siphon his powers. Finally, they harnessed that stolen energy to create this chaos, hoping to imprison him forever.
"You can dance the dance of the spear and shield, but I, Wei Changhui will never be ensnared by your power"
As a centenarian mandrill, he knows not the trifles of worldly woes. There's no wellspring of passion in his heart; he merely yearns to continue living.
Existence itself is everything to him.
And then, a glimmer of light beckons. It's the real world, and he senses the ghost's presence. He knows it's his way out.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Dark_Symphony
Dark_Symphony Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone