47 Chapter 19.4: The Essence (1/2)

Joining me on the way towards the strong felt essence. Shigure decided to stay close to me.

Soon we arrived at the mentioned crossroads with two separate sacred gates.

Both quite impressive yet opposites from each other as their size was just big enough to walk through. One bright as day as it reflected all light that shined upon it giving of its radiant white glow. Amidst the radiance black markings could be seen which spelled; for the one who follows this path, good karma will follow.

Looking inside the gate a portal could be seen spiraling clockwise as bright burning flames giving off a welcoming embrace with the radiating heat.

The pleasant feeling began drawing me in.

but something didn't feel completely right as this feeling began chipping away at my subconscious.

Suddenly murderous intent shot out of the other gate, this time completely black, void from any light passing through, giving off an eery cold this didn't feel welcome in the slightest.

The black gate had white carvings in it, warning those who closed in to stay away.

”Beware”

”Danger”

”Egotism”

”Bad Karma”

Looking at all the carvings warning about misfortune it became clear this shouldn't be the way to go. The murderous intent began drawing the both of us in as purple flames shot out of the gate, which in turn formed a portal like before. Only this time to be circling counterclockwise.

The murderous intent became unbearable as our legs began to give in under sheer pressure.

This was it... this was where we needed to go.

Something inside told me I needed to go through the black gate, even if it was wrong,

I knew I would find what was giving off this murderous intent there.

Shigure snapped out of the hypnotic trans before getting to close. Trying to stop me from entering alone she yelled at me.

”Stop Michael, don't go in alone!”

The yelling wasn't enough to pull me out of my trance, something felt like it was calling me. Void from what transpired around me I slowly walked closer to the gate. Still wanting to stop me, Shigure did everything she could. Holding my arm she tried to pull me back with all her might... which failed as the both of us got drawn into the portal of darkness.

Walking through the portal we instantly fell into a pit of pure darkness. Our fall got broken by shallow waters as we were still unable to see anything around us, Shigure gasped for air trying to find anything to grab on to. Unable to find each other in this darkness I became restless, worried about Shigure I called out to her.

”Shigure! Where are you?!”

I listened carefully only to hear the sound of waves breaking apart. Not giving up I tried looking around but was unable to see... When suddenly I heard Shigure calling desperately for help.

*splash*

”Help H-help me! I can't swim!!”

*splash*

Further away, I must have heard right, it's that way!

”Hold in Shigure, I'm coming to help you!”

Getting closer to the splashing I knew I had to be close, the panicking screams of my friend made that clear.

*Hyaaa help me!! I can't swim!!”

Standing next to Shigure I noticed something I should have noticed a long time ago.

”The water... It's shallow! Look! It doesn't even reach my knees.”

Relieved by finding this out and also disappointed for taking so long I got close to where I last heard Shigure, there I reached into the darkness hoping to find a familiar touch. Thankfully she wasn't that difficult to find, because of her never-ending screams.

Eventually, she started clinging onto me very desperately as it became apparent that she certainly couldn't swim, which in turn explained why she was dead scared of the water.

The darkness didn't help in this situation, making it only more difficult to venture forward.

Thankfully our eyes adjusted to the darkness over time allowing us to find shimmering lights in the distance. These lights seemed to be stationary at the edges of the room.

Unable to make heads or tails from where we were we kept on walking closer towards the shimmering lights. Exploring what we could on our way as we grasped into the nothingness of the darkness.

Not wanting to lose each other in this void Shigure turned back into her fox form. Gently she climbed on top of my head as there she lay down,

allowing me to move freely.

As we slowly got closer to the lights something felt off... it seemed like it did not matter how far we walked, the lights... stayed the same...

The only thing changing was the massive amount of killing intent pressuring us.

As we kept moving this pressure only increased...

”This pressure... it's almost... unbearable...”

Shigure couldn't handle the pressure only to lay down flat in her belly on top of my head.

Struggling to continue I desperately moved forward as if I knew the questions who were still unanswered would finally be revealed.

The pressure kept getting stronger, almost as if something was creeping slowly towards me trying to take over my mind. Quickly looking back I tried to face what was lurking in the shadows, only to feel the pressure diminish and rush towards me from the east.

Again I strengthened my resolve facing in the direction the murderous intent was coming from.

Only to vanish and resurface in the opposite direction. This continued several times when suddenly it completely vanished. We had come to a standstill.

The shimmering lights had vanished from sight, to find ourselves engulfed in darkness.

When I heard it… tremors…

The ground we were standing on trembled viciously again and again. Thinking it would never stop, suddenly it did. I tried finding the tiniest form of sounds to locate anything that would want to approach us.

*Absolute silence*

Seconds went by as nothing broke the silence, we both held in our breath knowing we were not alone. When subtle but ever so slightly a droplet of water hit the surface we were standing on.

*drip*

What was that? Did you hear?

Soon after, another.

*drop*

Again, silence fell. After a while, without feeling anything we began believing that the worst was over. When the room got instantly lid with glowing orbs of light. We froze not knowing what to expect. Anxious we waited as the orbs ignited into flames, revealing a large black area with a small layer of water. Taking in as much as possible the room began shaking once more.

pressuring us on the spot we were unable to move as we saw something surface from the water. Knowing the seal was broken the essence inside should be able to move freely.

Not knowing what to expect we stood there locked in place, froze, and immobilized by the pressure.