3 Breakthrough (2/2)

I was fading into detachment. But a wave of warmth brought me back.

It came from the centre; from the soul seed. I could sense it now, this flickering glow. I knew what I had to do. Instead of diving into it, I gently drew it towards me.

It resisted, shaking and retracting into my body. But I kept pulling, more forcefully this time. With a jump, it surged forwards and sent a blistering sensation through my body.

I was jolted out of my trance in surprise. My eyes shot open. My body felt like it was being shredded, like needles flowed instead of blood, and I shrieked in pain.

As the surge reached my fingertips, I felt an eruption of ecstasy from my core. It was all consuming, more pleasure than I had ever experienced. I melted into my cot, savouring this feeling.

My shriek had brought the attention of my mother. It was an unnatural noise unlike the typical cries of an infant. The door slammed open and she swept in, picking me up with vigour.

Frantic muttering reached my ears, but I was a puddle of euphoria. I rolled back, limp in her hands. She brought me to her chest, held me tight, and rushed out of the nursery room.

As she ran, the pleasure subsided. White and brown flashed in the corner of my eye and we burst into a room. Father took me, a frown splitting his brow.

He muttered some words of panicked confusion, then placed two thick fingers on my chest. Unnatural heat flowed into me, then subsided after a few seconds.

He passed me to mother with a few, calmer words, before reaching somewhere out of sight. With a click and a knock, he brought something over. As he drew it closer, I could see it more clearly.

In his white, gloved hands lay a glowing golden crystal. A brilliant sheen reflected off its irregular facets.

He placed it on my chest and cold spread through me. I wanted to look, but didn't have the strength to raise my neck. I could only peak down over my chubby cheeks.

From what little I could see, the glow grew more intense. My father recoiled in shock, bringing the now brilliantly glowing stone away from my chest and putting it away.

He spoke swiftly, almost nervously with mother, but I sensed a hint of excitement in his voice. I wanted to keep listening, but I was drained, and fell asleep.

I woke to an unfamiliar sight. A strange man leaned over me, tendrils of his black moustache and goatee dangling in front of my face. I couldn't resist, and playfully batted them away.

The man stood up and backed away with a chuckle. By now I could recognise mother and father standing next to him. He showed them a card that flashed in the light, then put it back in a box and chatted to them.

Their conversation was unfamiliar and the sets of syllables I recognised were few and far between. Instead, I shut my eyes and focused on my solar plexus. Incredibly, I immediately felt the seed without meditating.

The man guided my parents out of the room. I calmed myself and entered a meditative state. It was easier to guide myself this time, and the seed seemed calmer. It no longer pulsated, but I could feel it humming.

I had completed the first page of the Soul Becoming World Technique.

I looked in my mind and revisited the memory of the book. I was drawn back into a vision. The book flipped open on the second page.

”Soul Expansion, Low Tier Warrior Grade requirement.”