Chapter 498: The Flame (1/2)

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Raven's consciousness left his body and arrived somewhere else.

When he opened his eyes, he saw himself standing in front if a massive pillar of flame. He had no idea where he's at, all he knew is that everything that his eyes can see is blanketed by fire varying in colors too.

The largest and tallest of them all were raging in front of him. It formed a massive pillar which seems to pierce the heavens itself. It color was a mixture of blue and jade swirling around each other. It gave off an impression of dominance, aggressiveness, nobility and purity all at the same time.

Raven had no idea what this flame is, all he could remember was trying to commune with the Cleansing Fire and suddenly, he arrived here.

”A visitor…how rare.”

A deep voice reverberated all of a sudden, jolting Raven out of his stupor. His eyes focused and realized that the voice seemed to be coming from the massive pillar of flame in front of him.

”Greetings…uh, whoever you are.” Raven said awkwardly, he honestly have no idea of what to do from here. Monica didn't say anything about arriving at this place.

”What is the purpose of your visit here?” The deep and aged voice asked him, not even bothering about introducing itself to him.

”Well…” Raven hesitated, but in the end he still decided to tell. ”From what I can remember, I was trying to commune with the Cleansing Fire, but I ended up arriving here. I honestly have no idea what's going on. Wait, are you the Cleansing Fire?”

There was a long period of silence after Raven asked this question. Despite the his strange surroundings - which seems to appear like the surface of the sun, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.

”Ha! Hahahahahaha!”

The deep and aged voice coming from the depths of the large flame pillar suddenly burst into an uproarious laughter. It obviously confused Raven but he can't really find anything to say. He could only wait until…whoever this is, calm down and stop laughing.

”Ah, so that's how it is…” the voice uttered, it would seem that its talking to itself. ”Indeed, how very strange and also…”

As the voice trailed off, Raven suddenly felt a gaze landing on his body, causing all of his hairs to stand up and alarm. His expression hardened and he assumed an offensive stance.

”…curious.” The voice continued. The feeling of being stared down by a large predator suddenly disappeared, causing Raven to visibly relax. Still, he didn't drop his guard down. He just stared at the massive pillar of flame, confused as to what's going on.

”You hold more potential than that…who is that again? Dio…Deo…Odor”

”Uh, you mean Theodore?” Raven interjected.

”Yeah, yeah. That guy.” The voice replied. Causing Raven's face to turn downcast. What the hell is this situation? Is this really the Cleansing Fire? If so, then why can it remember Theodore's name? Wasn't he the one who cultivated this flame to reach this level? What's going on.

'Wait…some things doesn't add up here…' Raven thought, but before he could think even further, his thoughts were interrupted since the voice talked again.

”Your body's potential and foundations are firmer and overall better compared to him. In fact, he couldn't even be compared to you.” The voice said, his words were flattering but Raven didn't appear to be excited or elated by this. He continued listening instead.

”You seek the Cleansing Fire to use against that nasty prisoner don't you?” The voice asked.

Raven's eyes gleamed as he managed to realize some things from this statement, he kept it to himself however and instead answered the question.

”Indeed.”

”Very well. I shall bestow you a Cleansing Fire Seed.” The voice stated. Its words managed to cause Raven's expression to finally change.

Out of nowhere, a hole appeared from the massive flame pillar. From that hole, a seed covered in white flames emerged and gently flew towards him.

Raven brought his palms up and the seed landed on them. Raven felt the kind warmth pulsing within this tiny seed and felt somewhat in awe.