539 Years of Plans, The Reasons Behind Their Sufferings (1/2)
Day 129 - 12:15 PM - Newton Lake, Veteran's Memorial Park, Oaklyn, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America
The atmosphere inside the area affected by the cursed tree suddenly became stagnant. Mark could not help but retreat because of the sudden change. It was better to be cautious than to get caught off guard.
Mark immediately flew back and hovered in front of Mei and Elise. He did not know what was happening, but for some reason, he was feeling some sort of danger.
He stared at Ellse, his appearance changed. His hair turned white along with his complexion, fangs grew on his teeth, and his ears became pointed. It was his original appearance as an Evil Spirit.
Aside from Ellse, the Cursed Tree behind him started to emit an evil aura that was different from the Miasma that already scattered around it. Along with its release, dead evolved fishes and insects that were hiding under the like started to float. It was as if the lake was alerting everyone of the ominous event that was about to come.
”Ellse!” Illia flew towards Ellse together with Jude. ”Why did you activate the curse?! It's not the proper time yet!”
”My Queen, do you really have to ask that?” Ellse replied. For some reason, his conduct was way different from when Mark revealed their plans.
”That demon there revealed our plans to Elise. Even the idiot Ellse's relationship with their family.”
It was strange. Ellse was referring to himself in third-person. No, it was like the Ellse earlier, and the Ellse now were two different people.
Hearing Ellse's reply, Illia understood.
The very reason they did not wipe out the Settlement in Audubon High School was for this very event. Slowly killing the survivors, pushing them into the corner, and harassing them in every way. It was all for the sake of feeding their despair and other negative emotions to the curse.
But the most crucial part of it was Elise.
Devils, Lesser Demons, and Evil Spirits feed off the negative energies that humans emit. It was the very reason that the weaker Evil Spirits tend to scare people to absorb their negative emotions.
And Elise was exceptional in that regard.
Mark also noticed the same thing, and that was why he knocked her unconcious. The more chaotic her mind was, the more negative energies were being released from her emotions.
In a sense, she was the complete opposite of Empaths that could absorb negative energies from the emotions of people around them.
That was the cause of her miseries since her birth. Because of the negative energies around her, evil spirits tend to gather near her. They would make her life even more miserable to feed off the energies she emits.
It was also the very same reason that made people subconsciously avoid her because they somehow felt uncomfortable when she was around.
She contributed a whole lot to make Elise's life miserable. That included Jude, who became her partner in crime since six years ago. It was when a beam of light fell from the destroyed meteorite and landed on his body, giving him the powers that he had now.
All of what happened to Felicia was included in their schemes.
When she became neglected and tried to suicide, Elise did not know that she caused the spirit of her brother that was sleeping inside her body to be sucked by the Cursed Tree.
That was when the current Ellse appeared and became another of her accomplices. Although he still had the fragments of the real Ellse that would come out from time to time, soon, the boy's spirit would be absorbed by the reborn Evil Spirit.
It would not be long before the curse was completed perfectly.
However, the sudden appearance of Mark and his group destroyed the plans they prepared for years.
Unfortunately, there was no going back. The curse had already been activated.
Illia just needed to compromise.
CRACK! CRACK!
The bark at the center of the trunk of the Cursed Tree started to peel on its own. For each bark that fell, a surge of red, sinister light would seep out of the gaps.
When the bark was peeled off in a circular shape, a demonic magic circle was revealed with Swastikas around it.
After seeing that magic circle appear, Illia's eyes lit up.
”My King, Ellse. Follow me.”
”What for?”
Jude complained. He was not feeling well as he stared at the magic circle.
”Ellse activated the curse prematurely! We need to supplement the remaining mana needed for the ritual.”
After saying that, Illia flew towards the Magic Circle. Ellse immediately followed without question, while Jude also flew with a bit of hesitation.
When they arrived in front of the Magic Circle, it only when Jude noticed that it was about three meters in diameter. It was huge.
”My King! Put your both hands in that circle, Ellse you on the opposite side.”
Illia said, pointing at smaller circles on the left and right side of the Magic Circle.
When the two did that, the magical energy in their bodies automatically circulated.
Illia smiled. The ritual was back on track.
***
On the other side, Roan was getting restless.
”Hey, aren't you supposed to be stopping them?”
Roan shouted at Mark in impatience.
It was the most reasonable action. However, Mark was only watching. If this continued, Elise would be subjected to more danger. That was what he could feel.
Mark frowned at Roan.
”Shut up! I want to see what will happen.”
Roan was taken aback. He started to think if Mark was an idiot or something. Roan became seethed in his emotions. He did not mind if Mark wanted to watch, but he should not make his sister face more danger.
Sensing Roan's emotions, Mark sighed.
”Give her to me.”
Mark took Elise from Mei.
Then...
”Here, catch!”
Roan's eyes turned wide as he saw Mark toss Elise towards the border.
If this continued, Elise would definitely turn to dust.
But then, Mark waved his hand. A surge of black mist touched the border first before Elise.
Then, that part of the border suddenly dissolved, allowing Elise to safely pass through.
Roan jumped and caught Elise by reflex. Even so, his heart was pounding hard.