章 57: Intervigilium

As Devin slept in his dark room, feeling emotionally tired from the event that transpired hours ago, a blackish-green snake slithered silently in the Soul Eater's room. As it slithered its way to Devin's bed, he stopped the moment it was near his neck.

Looking at the sleeping immortal, the serpent opened its mouth to reveal its sharp fangs.

Afterwards, the snake bit Devin's neck, leading him to meet the mysterious serpent in a dream-like realm.

'Huh, where am I?'

Devin instinctively held his neck as he felt an excruciating pain from the serpent's bite. He knew he was bitten but when he looked at his hand, there was no trace of blood—even a droplet of it. His eyebrows furrowed as he assessed the current location he was in.

It was completely black and dark, and only the Soul Eater was present.

Devin sauntered in the realm slowly as he looked left and right. He scoffed then stopped for a moment when he realized that there was nowhere to go and no way out. His powers seemed to have been limited as well.

He knew that he was asleep moments ago. He was bitten and he felt the pain, but why does it seem that he is in a dream, even fully knowing well that he is now wide awake?

Was this the serpent's doing?

Devin's purple eyes turned serious as he spoke, his voice echoing in the vast black emptiness.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

Soon after, an eerie laughter echoed in the room along with the hissing of the snake. Feeling alarmed, Devin looked at both of his sides, behind, above, and below... but no one or nothing seemed to show.

"You are weak, Soul Eater."

Upon hearing the mysterious man's voice, having the hiss of the snake as he spoke, Devin arched his brow, by the serpent's remark calling him weak.

Devin scoffed, showing his dominance and confidence.

"You dare call this immortal being powerless? How petty of you."

"Oh?" The serpent once more erupted in a laugh, mocking Devin's reply. "If you are so powerful then why can't you escape this empty realm of mine, 'Powerful Soul Eater' Devin?"

The moment Devin heard this, annoyance flashed in his eyes.

"How do you know my name and who I am?"

The Soul Eater never heard this mysterious voice ever before, making him all the more curious as to why he was known to this serpent.

Up until now, he hadn't revealed his true self—even in his snake form. Only his voice was heard, echoing, resounding in the vast space.

"I know who you are... your whereabouts, your title, your possible future, and your curse."

Devin's lips turned into a tight line after he clicked his tongue, slightly agitated. The only ones who knew about him being in the human world were the angels with him and her mother.

How could a lowly serpent know about him?

"Your curse was given to you by your mother. You are now branded as a fallen angel—no longer worthy of your rank, as you are given the title of a Soul Eater."

Hearing that the serpent knew this much, Devin turned his hands into tight fists as the snake continued speaking.

"Being a Soul Eater, you should assert your strength. How disappointing, being granted the power, having no idea how to utilize it! Well, I couldn't blame you... your mother made such a twist on your curse!"

Not bearing his mockery any longer, Devin's eyebrows twitched then he spoke, anger etched in his voice.

"What do you want?"

Such a simple question yet it made the serpent laugh maniacally. The Soul Eater remained silent, as he waited for the serpent's reply.

"Oh, it is for a good cause, actually. I want to help you regain your true strength!"

When Devin heard this, he scoffed, not understanding his ulterior motive. The Soul Eater felt doubt as he listened to the serpent's words incredulously.

"Help me?" Devin scoffed as his lips turn into a mocking smirk. "Appearing out of nowhere, stating to help after mocking me? Listen to yourself."

The serpent hissed then spoke, seriousness etched in the mysterious man's voice.

"Soon you will understand. All in due time... I have to keep watch on you secretly as you are the rightful heir to the throne."

Devin's eyes furrowed his brows when he heard this.

Rightful heir to the throne? The one residing in Kingdom Elysion's throne is their Almighty Seraphim, his mother, Heraleen.

How could Devin possibly be the rightful heir to the throne? He knew fully well that Kingdom Elysion would reign under the leadership of his mother for a long time.

"Stop spouting nonsense."

When the serpent heard his retort, he laughed for a few seconds then spoke again.

"When the right time comes, you will know everything. For now, allow me to help you with the curse. It won't, however, ease the punishment inflicted unto you by your mother."

Devin chuckled, a hint of mockery and doubt evident in his voice. He shook his head, finding the flow of their conversation amusing and implausible at the same time.

"Why should I believe a mere serpent who appeared in my home unannounced?"

The serpent scoffed then answered.

"All the more that you should place your trust in me for appearing in your abode out of the blue!"

Devin rolled his eyes as he shrugged nonchalantly. "Without showing your real identity?"

"Ah..."

'This immortal is wittier than I thought.'

The Soul Eater's smirk turned into a wide grin, showing his perfect white teeth.

"Just get this over with. What do you want?"

The serpent was silent for a few seconds. He remembered the main reason why he had visited Devin's home and that he should finish the task on hand before bringing him back to reality.

"Do know that as a Soul Eater, you need to create a 'nest.' The nest then takes on the appearance of the home it is in, albeit much darker. We call it 'Intervigilium' and I will place that in your home, concealed from the others except you and whoever you chose to enter with you."

The moment Devin heard this, his eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.

Intervigilium is a Latin term that means sleep. If he bestows this to him in his home, what does it do?

"Nest? For what?"

The serpent hissed then spoke, answering his question.

"Being between worlds, a Soul Eater is capable of mustering enough strength to snatch the souls of its victims and take them to its nest, where they feed the Soul Eater until the soul withers away. To keep the victim's soul vulnerable, the Intervigilium will mess with their heads, showing them images of things or people they love in distress."

Devin's eyes widened with the dark concept the nest entails. Seeing his reaction, the serpent laughed, finding his expression satisfying.

"I told you, Fallen Angel... I will help you."

The Soul Eater sighed as he shook his head, wanting to decline his offer.

"I don't want to. Scram."

The serpent scoffed then raised his voice, finding the Fallen Angel's reply idiotic.

"Oh, please," the mysterious voice said sarcastically. "I've been watching you for so long! You are weak and your curse is worsening to the point of it leading to your possible, unexpected demise! You let your thoughts and emotions consume you! Would you rather die!?"

When Devin heard this, he fell into silence.

He didn't want to eat souls of those depressed people. He didn't want to eat the souls of those dying souls. Drinking blood won't satisfy him for long, either. If he didn't eat souls for a long time, he would crave for it, making him insane and go on a rampage.

Should he give in to this serpent's 'gift'?

The Soul Eater sighed, then spoke.

"How can I trust you?"

The serpent laughed as if the Soul Eater said something stupid.

"I am giving you this nest, am I not? It is for you to regain your strength. I assure you, it won't worsen the curse given to you by your mother, but it doesn't mean it will remove your curse."

With the given answer, Devin's eyes turned serious.

"How will I know that you're not lying to me?"

"When you wake," the serpent started as he hissed. "You will be greeted by a woman named Ava. She is an immortal under my care and she will be your servant. She will be the one in charge of the nest, and you could ask her to do whatever you want."

When Devin heard this, his eyebrows twitched. He was given a servant who will work for him and he was given the power to give orders for her to do.

Knowing this, he still felt doubts... so Devin knew it would be best for her to work with Ivar.

Devin shook his head as he sighed, shaking him out of his thoughts

"With all that's said and done, who are you, what are you... and why help me?"

Hearing this question from the Soul Eater, the serpent erupted in a laughter. A snap of a finger was heard, making Devin look back. With the last words of the mysterious voice, Devin awoke from what seemed to be a dream.

"In due time... you will know everything, Master Devin."