The Soul Keeper

I woke up to a beautiful dawn. The entire forest was a see of red and golden leaves. The grass was dyed in every colour of autumn. Even the previously jade lake looked like a golden pool. The transformation the forests in this world went through in the span of mere hours was incredible.

"He's awake." A dry voice sounded. Delthur was sitting on a fallen tree by the firepit. As my sight focused on him, he cleared his throat and with a bitter expression, put a small, crimson cloth away.

"I told you he'd make it." Vixia said with a playful tone. "You need to learn to trust me more, Delthur."

He grumbled, but I couldn't quite make out the words. "What happened?" I asked. I motioned to get up, but a sharp pain shot up my back.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She said with a serious expression. "You're changing."

I shot her a confused glance. What did that even mean? Delthur coughed, got up and headed towards the lake. Vixia let out a sigh. "Just stay put. Though, I doubt you'd be able to walk with that pain." She also stood up and rushed after her companion. Was it worry that I saw in her eyes?

Since she'd been as enigmatic as always, I decided my best course of action was to check my interface. Thankfully, that seemed to be working properly.

'Kai Friseal – Level 43 Soul Keeper | Exp: 6750/22000 - - Souls 100/100 + 87 - - Mana: 510

Fallen Grace Lv. 5 | Death's Scythe Lv. 5 | Dark Bolt Lv. 5 | Soul's Respite Lv. 2 | Explorer | Crystal Sage'

Everything seemed fine. I'd levelled up three times, but I guess that was to be expected thanks to the phoenix. I looked at the other panels, hoping to find a reason for this pain on my back but there was nothing. As I was about to give up, I remembered about the choice the game forced onto me after I'd killed the horned lion.

"What was that?" I whispered to myself as I searched for that panel.

'Path Chosen. Please note that this process will take time. Do not attempt any strenuous activities until the process is completed.' The pale blue text was the same as before but there was more to the panel than before.

'Sacrifices taken.' Beneath these two simple words, it listed a number of creatures. "Terror of Stonepatch Village?" I mumbled to myself. Did it mean the oversized eagle? Beneath that, there was another piece of text: 'Core: Ember'

"What?" There was no explanation, nothing. I scoured the panel for some more information, but my efforts weren't rewarded.

Since the interface was as useless as always, the next logical step would be to try and figure out what was going on with my body. I carefully lifted my arm to my head and reached to my back. My fingers touched the skin on my back. I flinched as just touching the skin hurt.

Aside from the unusual sensitivity, I couldn't feel anything wrong. I wondered for a moment if I had somehow broken a bone or something, but then realised how stupid that thought was. If that were the case, Soul's Respite would have fixed the issue. Something else was causing this.

I forced myself to remember when the pain first began. Wasn't it right after I killed the horned lion? At the time, I had thought it was because I forced this avatar past its limits. That the mild ache would eventually disappear – just like a normal muscle pain. Clearly, it wasn't something as simple and insignificant as that.

"You need to be more careful," Vixia's voice sounded. With my heart racing, I quickly closed the interface. I had no idea how much of this they knew about, but I wasn't about to give them such valuable information.

The footsteps slowly approached, along with Delthur's disgruntled voice. "You shouldn't waste time worrying about me." He grumbled as they finally entered my field of view. He glanced at me, then sighed and shook his head. "He's the one who's in danger." He pointed at me with one of his massive black wings. Before me or Vixia could react, he leapt into the air and flew north.

Vixia sighed and collapsed on the nearest log. "Damn it." She whispered. Then, with a deep breath looked at me. "How are you feeling?" Her voice was as calm as always.

I hesitated. "Fine, I think." I wanted to ask her what was going on, but it seemed like a bad time to do so.

She nodded. "Good. Don't move around. You've pushed your body beyond its limits way too often, so the process was constantly delayed. In the end, it was for the best, but it won't make it any less painful."

"What process are you talking about?" I really wanted to know the answer. Was it the same process the interface mentioned or was it something different?

She smiled but gave no answer. Instead, she glanced at the sky. I followed her gaze to see Delthur return. He was carrying something wrapped in a piece of cloth. Moments later, he landed before us and gave what he was carrying to Vixia.

"Beautiful," She said as she unwrapped the cloth. It was a small, crimson crystal the size of my fist. She raised it high up in the air. I held my breath as the sunlight seemingly danced within it. "Did she give it willingly?" She asked as she glanced at Delthur. He nodded.

Vixia seemed to lose herself in the crystal for a moment before finally shaking her head and turning towards me. An uneasy feeling came over me. "What's that?" I asked with a worried expression.

"There are things called primal cores." She said absentmindedly. "Cores that hold the most primal elemental powers." She smiled. "They're not useful on their own. No one can control a primal power." She glanced at me. "But power isn't everything. This is the primal core of fire. It's an offering to the soul of the phoenix that resides within you. It will merge your souls."

"I don't understand." That uneasy feeling only grew stronger as she approached me. "What does that mean?" I wanted to back off but moving hurt and even if I were able to run away, the chain was still locked around my wrist.

"It means you'll survive the next hour." She gestured to the east. The sun still hadn't shown itself, but the sky was already dyed in crimson. "The phoenix revives at dawn if its body is destroyed. This will allow it to accept your body as its own." She smiled. "Don't worry, you won't become a primal creature. You'll remain as the person you are."

I hesitated; how could I accept that? How could I trust her?

"Choose quickly," Delthur said with a dry, cracked voice. "It will start reviving soon." He coughed and turned his back to me. I noticed him wipe his mouth with the crimson cloth.

I glanced at the sky. The coldness in my chest disappeared as the first rays of sunlight touched my body. Instead, it felt as if someone had put cinders in my chest. I cried out in pain as it felt like something was burning a hole through my chest.

"You have to decide – now!" Vixia shouted. "Life, or a painful, empty death!" She held the crystal – the primal core of fire – before my eyes. Flames danced in the crystal. It was beautiful. "Decide now, Kai Friseal." She shouted again.

Of course I didn't want to die. I didn't hate myself, and despite its difficulties and challenges, I loved my life. I loved my family, even when they were harsh or borderline hostile. I still needed to get Rina, Alex, Erik, and the others out of here. I wanted to live. I wanted to see the bright smile of my sister again.

I reached out towards the crystal. I was not going to die here.

Vixia smiled as my fingers touched the warm surface of the blazing crystal. I felt her magic envelop me and the primal core. The sunlight burnt my eyes as whatever spell she cast took effect.

I cried out in pain as the souls created a vortex of shadows around me. One of them, as bright as the sun, lingered on my body. Vixia shouted something, but her voice was supressed by the wailing souls around us.

The sun dawned. The forest turned green and the sky blue.

With a pained cry, I burst into flames.