⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 2 Months Prior: Gu World ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
In the depths of Xie Ling's mind, the echoes of Predator's laughter reverberated, his voice laced with amusement, "You need to stop treating Gu as if they're humans. They are a construct of materials to form something capable of creating or changing the principles of the world. If you want to increase the success rate of Gu refinement, then you need to have a deep understanding of the principles that guide them, however, their principles aren't something that can be taught like how emotions are something experienced, and experience is based upon the perspective of the event when it happened, as such it makes it unique to every individu..." - he paused as he looked at everyone in the room, before stopping on Scientist.
Abruptly, a dense and oppressive energy enveloped the trio, pressing down upon them. Xie Ling voiced his mounting frustration, "I brought you all together for results, yet despite the passing months, we are no closer to creating a Gu capable of handling the power of Awakening Serum!"
As they felt themselves being pushed down, the sound of approaching footsteps resonated, gradually drawing nearer to the table, as Xie Ling continued, his voice tinged with excitement, "To address this issue, I have enlisted a new member. Allow me to introduce Shang Yan Fei Clone."
From the depths of the void emerged a will, identical in demeanor and presence to the original Shang Yan Fei.
"To make things short his identity will be - Xue Jia - any questions?" stated Xie Ling with a large smile.
Scientist, seated at the opposite end of the table, promptly raised his hand, "Um, Xue Jia means scientist, why does he share the same title as me?"
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 3 Months Prior: Dream ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
After following the mysterious cloaked individual all the way to the well, John Hunter began to notice many strange nuances portrayed by the man, such as his robe carrying the symbol of a bull standing on two legs, while his staff sprouted knife-like branches that twisted upon themselves, enclosing a smooth, glassy sphere. Something about this whole situation felt eerie to him, so much so that he decided it best not to reveal himself as he followed along silently.
-
Within the confines of the well, Barvest was drawing a formation in the air for creating a barrier to help protect himself from the imminent storm. In a moment of reflection, he remarked, "Were it not for the chill that pervades this place during this time of year, I might have chosen it as my primary base of operations."
Just as he was about to finish the formation, his concentration was broken by the sound of tumbling rocks behind him. Swiftly turning, he calls out, "Who's there?"
Standing behind the entrance to the chamber stood John Hunter, cursing his poor vision in the dimly lit tunnel and even more so for his carelessness.
With a firm grip on one end of his staff, Barvest withdrew the orb, causing the knife-like protrusions to merge into a spear. Though the situation had caught him off guard, he had made ample preparations. Positioning himself cautiously at the entrance, he readied a spell in his off-hand. When suddenly, two objects hurtled toward his head.
he narrowly evaded one of them as it whizzed past him, landing next to the formation. While the other one landed in front of his feet, all the while keeping his eyes on the entrance for more possible attacks, but after a while nothing came.
Advancing cautiously, spear poised, he strained his senses. when suddenly a snapping sound echoed, followed by a crunch, accompanied by searing pain in his right foot. "AAARRGG!" he exclaimed, glancing down to discover a bear trap on the ground. A confused rage clouded his thoughts as he grumbled, "What the Fuc..." Yet, before he could finish, a looming shadow engulfed him. Reacting swiftly, he thrust his spear-tipped staff toward the source, but it encountered only empty air, before, a shadow, roughly the size of a boot, obstructed his view, forcefully sending him on his back.
Resisting the overwhelming concussion, he fought to keep his eyes open, just before witnessing a blade edging closer to his neck and, without hesitation, his off-hand unleashed a spell, throwing his assailant against the wall.
As John Hunter's body collided with the stone surface, blood sprayed from his mouth. As he tried to clear his mind a warm trickle dampened his abdomen. Looking down, he found the cloaked man gripping a spear, its tip piercing his side.
Pinning John Hunter to the wall, Barvest glimpsed a cross-shaped necklace dangling around the hunter's neck. A sadistic chuckle escaped him as he taunted his fallen adversary, "To think, after all this time, the church still remembers me. I am genuinely touched. Alas, they dispatched nothing more than a feebleling, a child cowering in fear of their own parents!" Mockery dripped from his words as he began slowly twisting the spear.
Anticipating a cry of agony, he instead received eyes full of determination staring back. This soured his mood. "Let's see if your composure holds after I kill everyone within that orphanage!"
Barvest ripped the spear out of John Hunter's chest, before slicing his head clean off.
Walking back to the center of the formation, He raises his hand and draws hexagrams in the air, while muttering to himself, "Reverence befold a new awakening, the times wane, the workers bend, when will it end?"
As he finished his chant the formation lit up.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
005 interrupted the Slug's tale as he interjected, "The demon lies."
A smirk graced Mother's lips as she inquired, "Is this true, 004?"
Hyperventilating, the Slug apologetically bows down before conceding, "I apologize; dreams are a veil of reality, as such it is often a mess. it won't happen again!" Yet, within his thoughts, he lamented, 'Damn it! Has 005 enhanced his senses? Merely three years ago, it would have been a breeze to deceive him.'
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
"Let us see if your composure holds after I exterminate everyone in that orphanage!"
Releasing his grip on the spear, Barvest strode toward the chamber's center, resolute in completing the final steps of his formation. "A'Nu A'Rok'Nok En'Ta'Ru Blas'Fa'Me Ken'Par'U." As the final incantation escaped his lips, the formation transformed into a pulsating, blood-red humanoid bull. "Now, I shall assume control..."
His words were abruptly cut short as the formation shifted, manifesting as a cerulean shield, adorned with the engraved words, "May the holy light of God guard this place against future curses and trespasses."
"What!?" Barvest exclaimed, bewildered. Before him, a phantom materialized, its presence defying belief. Wide-eyed, Barvest muttered in disbelief, "You're supposed to be dead."