Freywyn's academies weren't much of the forgiving sort, more on occasion of punishment and atonement for disobedience or any type of internal issue. It far common to be left, at wits end with no solution in sight being the process of one's worth their own ability to procure any resemblance of tangible knowledge, in essence value. Without unity, any structure only the strong and smartest had the slimmest chances. The grounds were their own natural selection, the entree almost always the determining fate. And still, secluded Freywyn had many to offer as of late being a brief respite, disregarding any resemblance of ethics, had become quite the jewel aspiring families for unbound power at any cost...

More for the endowed flock, Junas eyes drooped with shadow were his efforts important? The purpose of guarding and transporting any accepted to their destination. One that, very well held dangers unimaginably worse than a blind stroll unprotected inside these walls of white. Perished, lives cut short Junas had seen all on the road life threw... Mind racing Junas still kept his composure, "Do I truly save lives or just condemn most to an unfitting demise without return? ... Junas gave a meaningful look to the three he had just guarded, "Well, maybe all I can do is give those that journey a chance." In an exasperated chuckle, Junas visioned all he had taken on the path in his mind, numerous lives lost but... The feeling of unnerving dread escaped him, somehow. Something was different.

The carriage was dull, scarce only the necessity of its frame, and the barest of commodity sat beneath them. Thicket of fog still draped the surroundings an ominous ambiguity outside the carriage window, delving in the mirage of white thorny branches sparsely laid strewn about. Encompassed by mounds of mossy rock, painted eerie stillness. In-between the brush skeletal remains, poked out with pearly glimmer. The bones wore no flesh, as if they had been picked clean...

Truth coiled, around Junas tightening his heart. Truth be it a harsh mistress, this place wasn't solely for greenhorns to die. It being only a convenient cover for testing, as the whole process of selection was not needed. The astral plane, its true purpose one logical that shrouded behind spirits of the damned guarded, from influence and any spying eye. That would gladly and normally impose, those magical laws or pesky morality and tiny civil liberties enforced by southern hypocrites... Junas sat in silence only rumbling of the carriage, the footwork of summons came to ears reach. In almost a trance he gazed into barren oblivion, demise of any foolish to cross unaided beyond the gate.

The flowing of time seemed like illusion, indiscernible in the constant dull Junas couldn't see the stars, or the glowing sun. Becoming increasingly hungry, the knowings of before at his back Junas could roughly estimate as at least half a day if not more. With a vacant stare Beth, Travis and Asriel held in Junas's view. Time passing even more, a sudden twitch rose Junas from his complacency, Asriel jeered his neck... A stiff crack, popping and a relief of pressure, "What..Th...e." Barely audible and drowsy Ceron opened his eye lids, released from the darkness into the light of consciousness.

Up and down, the sensation of moving Ceron shot awake, the carriage filled his vision and his guide too staring back at him. "Welcome back amongst the waking world Asriel." Junas smirked to the worn face in front of him, slightly dirtied from the hard rock of outside. "W-were am I... What have you done?" ... Scratching his head Ceron let out a haggard gasp.``You're in a Carriage." Stopping, Ceron looked relieved. "Wait... You smart ass, that much is obvious, what happened?" "You and your friends collapsed, a normal happening after ones foundation is reformed and their core strengthened. Some just drop dead on the spot... But not you three!" Junas laughed, though in mixed company, Ceron huffed with a faint smile. "You bastard, if so I'd have possessed your body and shoved a pike up your ass."

Momentarily silent Ceron nodded, "Thanks for not fucking it up, been a pleasure of a time." Junas nodded back, held his tongue as Asriel turned to his satchel. Taking two silver cups accompanied by a long bottle from its embrace, "Rosemary wine, cheap as dirt... But it's taste probably quite refreshing after near death I wager." Ceron proudly said and handed a cup to Junas, "The pleasure is mine." And preceded to pour Junas, himself Rosemary. "How about a toast to not fucking it up?" Ceron said, with a clank Junas tapped his cup against Ceron's. With a rough cough, Junas quickly drank the wine refraining from showing his now saucer like eyes..

...

Junas paused, making a tense face. "Count your blessings Asriel, and your appendages. And I'm not just talking about the dangling bits either, those companions seem rather attached to you... You don't see many that follow like that around here, same too you in quenching that naivety. If I wasn't such a upstanding guardian my pockets would be drenched in cheap wine." ... "I suppose so.. They both are indebted to me, so much that sometimes I feel as if their under a spell." Ceron laughed, though short lived interrupted by stopping motion. The cart's wheels had ceased to turn, "That wine may have been... Preemptive." Junas spoke in a sour tone, leaned to the carriage window.

A mass of carriages, each pulled by the strange horses. Nearly thirty or so were seen, with the inhabitants stepping out, those already outside piling into a clearing. Figures of all sizes, shapes pronounced themselves, disregarding race numerous new species to Junas, Ceron lined up. The clearing was a massive oval shape made from solid stone, showing little wear it had been upkept. Towers of what looked to be chiseled granite with tops of orange flame arranged evenly around the clearing keeping fog at bay. It looked strange, but still comforting as a deterrent from ghastly end.

Further in a long altar stood at the epicenter, as if the stone clearings focal point its inscriptions pointed towards it in hexagonal forms. An archway covered the altar like a roof, itself glowed with bustling fire at the sides. "The last stop for me is here... The next part is for you alone." Junas said as he held the door handle, twisted it open. "Of course now he tells me." Ceron thought, pulled a plain look, "Should I be worried about what happens next?" ... "No as-long as you don't die it should be fine." Junas said and pushed the door outward, but remained seated. "How encouraging..." Shaking his head Ceron nudged Beth, Travis.

"Hu-h...".."Whatt?.." In the momentary confusion not unlike Ceron had basked in, the duo wore wonky smiles. "Oh.. C--Asriel, its you." Beth whispered, attempted to greet with a heavy hug that was halted by Ceron's knee. And Travis too in a drowsy state, wandering to and from consciousness. "Snap out of it you two, we don't have all day." The intoxication only lasted moments for Travis and Beth... Brief a shimmer of light shot across the duo's eyes, immediately as Ceron issued his command the bubbling confusion faded from their faces. The potion still has effect.. Ceron inwardly patted himself on the back, sort of like a maniac and kept a smiling presence while motioning to the Carriages' exit.

Junas watched with lingering inquiry, and felt a little remorse from leaving the company. "An odd sense of devotion." Contemplating the strange behavior and rapid occurrences of the like Junas stood on the edge, wanting to ask but held his breath, as he had no place for such questioning to someone heading to unforeseen danger. Keeping stoic Junas nodded to Asriel, the rest as they past him to the exit... In quick strides three sets of feet had landed on dodgy soil, damp from the once present fog. A strong musk invaded Travis, swelling up his eyes he began to gag from the intensity. "What..A disgusting smell..." Beth announced as she curled her nose, looked to Ceron as he stood tall, rolled back his shoulders, "Disgusting... Bah! It's nearly welcoming." Ceron proclaimed, turned to Beth and Travis, "It's the stench of someone rotting. And most likely dead." Travis spoke with a ragged voice.

Ceron laughed, dropped his arm around Travis ``Why yes, that means we aren't does it not? And that's quite welcoming, someone has died before us!" Cocking a wryly smile Travis nodded, Beth held a confused look. Smelling the inviting origin, two husks entangled laid, both humanoid and with an acute flesh rot. Glancing over the pile in fleeting interest- Or so Ceron was going too, a jitter of motion caught his eye one of the wrangled sacks of bones moved, amassing themselves. Ceron stood waiting, not feeling any negative aura "An undead?" It had to be, but it wasn't releasing ill intent of the living, like the lot usually do.

Taking steps back, multiple behind her Master. Beth's face white as Travis in turn did, using Ceron as a shield. "Exceptional bodyguards..." Ceron deadpanned, the swirl of bones took shape assembling piece by piece, crackling more with each passing second till a skeleton figure stood. With a head in its right arm, the skeleton twisted it to his neck, with a pop two red eyes glowed from its sockets. "Ahem.." It cleared its throat? ... And pointed towards Ceron, specifically his shoes. A bone hand was trapped, raising his heel Ceron saw it scurry off crawling to the skeleton and running along its legs to its home being the left wrist, with another pop it wiggled its fingers.

...

"Ahm... Not even an apology?" The skeleton pouted, trailing off with its words. "Excuse us, or well me for that matter." Ceron said, watching the skeletal figure slowly turn its head past him seemingly not listening.. A tickle crept onto Beth, causing her leg hairs to rise.. Screaming she looked down onto eyeballs looking up and between her... "AH, THE HELL." Beth further exclaimed as she kicked the eyes to their dismay, "Oi now, don't you go destroying another's property." Interrupting her shock the undead grabbed its eyes, rubbed them clean they gleamed and reflected. "These glass eyes are expensive if you had broke them I'd have taken yours!"

Beth gulped, then sighed in relief as she calmed herself. "Sorry that startled me... Those glass eyes. Fake I thought you may've been a fifthly trouser sniffer." "No. I'm after all a skeleton that would be preposterous, besides I don't have the right equipment.. Even if I wanted too." Coy the skeleton slightly bowed, popped its eyes into place.. They moved... Then blinked, "Ah the wind... Hernall by the way." Tightening her gaze Beth was about to bare her knuckles into the oddities forehead, but quickly dissipated as Ceron stood in front of her. "Names Asriel, the one behind me is Beth... And the other cowering behind that rock over there is our rabbit. He's easily spooked." Travis showed a perplexing expression as his description reached his ears.

Hernall Snorted with his nonexistent nose, staring at Ceron and company. A silence donned as the undead looked over them.. "Intriguing. I need him." Hernall continued inquiry, his posture radiated an icy aura filled with curiosity, sweat fell- Ceron tensed as the undead's figure seemed to grow, instantly to his coat Ceron held onto his last resort. "Damned undead, his intent is staggering... And no openings, none whatsoever." Hernalls skin decomposed barely hung, his figure was entirely undead a skeleton. Elrax can only give me hope, though it's a fifty fifty chance at best...

...

Without sound or the appearance of movement. Hernall's figure had vanished, as if his existence was mere illusion, but it wasn't so. Ceron's gaze grew wide, in his peripheral vision the undead towered at his side, peering at his neck. As if he had always been, standing there from the beginning of time- Twisting his body Ceron, went to swipe the undead's footing hoping to run for the fodder of people, in the brief confusion. Yet he couldn't, looking further Hernall had rested his hand on Ceron's shoulder, and plucked something. In Hernall's grasp a long squirming bug, riddled with spikes it looked like an armored caterpillar. The nerve racking aura settled, drifting off Ceron had loosed with its dissipation and deeply sighed. "I desperately need to improve myself..." Within a day I had seen the precipice of death more than once, its teeth, and claws closer than they had appeared. Dammed ego of mine, I should've done more research on this place, it isn't any normal school. Forgot how weak someone can be...

Hernall rubbed his chin as he devoured the strange bug, "That' was refreshing, a delight." Once the Undead finished, it turned walking to the clearing's center. Not giving Ceron, Beth or Travis any departing gesture or glance, overlooking them like they weren't there. Insignificant that's what they were. The Undead's previous exclamation of taking Beth's eyes if they had broken his, held merit and wasn't a measly joke but statement of fact... And just as the undead did before, it disappeared from sight in a blink.

Beth wobbled to her feet, "Are... You alright Asriel?" Asking hurriedly, her tone was rough, "I'm. Alright go look after Travis, I can see flies start to gather- .. UGH.." A sharp pain rushed through, tackling his nerve endings and dragging them behind a horse. Ceron gritted his teeth at its sudden occurrence and hunched over, his vision blurred the surroundings were like melting wax. Flashes of images shot in his mind, of coiling, and glowing eyes- Just then it fell, cold sweat ran down his back the tickles of memories came down in a pour, what had been rushed to the farthest crevice of his mind had surfaced once more. Body weak, Ceron felt a prickle in his hands, rising to a bubbling itch as if something was trying to gnaw its way out.

Then nothing..

...

Alarmed by the sudden collapse Beth froze for a moment, startled at what she saw, in her masters eyes. Fleeting, a vacant moment had passed, only a still blackness weighed in his eyes. "TRAVIS!" Running up from his knees, Travis had a look of shock too rooted, exchanging confused looks with Beth, "What happened!?"... "I.I.." Beth gulped as she overlooked Ceron's flat eyes, "I don't. Know.." Travis shook her, "Stop, we can't waste time, open your satchel we need to save him." .. A spark took back from her shock as Travis put his ear to Ceron's chest, "Hes alive.. But his heartbeat ..it's... growing weaker by the second." ... Staring at Beth for a moment she had nodded back in confirmation, "Quickly something to raise his heart rate and hopefully awake him." Worry lunged in her chest as she scoured the satchel, Nothing was there, Nothing to elevate his heart rate.. "You're not going to like this." She didn't either, there was nothing safe...

Beth grabbed a glass bottle, filled to the brim with a bluish gel. Travis eyes widened, "Are you sane?? That'll most definitely stop his heart rather than invoke it!" Beth gave a pained look, and sighed handing the satchel to Travis. "It's all we have, I..D-.. know it can't be controlled." Beth said as she crunched up, "Master Ceron had procured all these aliments, this is the only one I know of that produces a charge.." Stopping Travis looked at Ceron tightening his gaze, ... "Do it." he said softly, put the satchel to his side. "You after all.. Are more knowledgeable in healing, even if its from a brief conversation with Master or a tablecloth." Beth choked a little, it may have caused her to chuckle, but she couldn't. There was no joy in his words nor in the air.

"Okay.." She tried to calm herself, as Travis pulled down Ceron's coat so his bare skin was exposed. Carefully rubbing, into her fingers and to the palm. Blue gel covered Beth's hand leaving not a piece of it un-lathered. Sighing once more, Beth applied the substance onto Ceron's chest. The sheer coldness of his skin caused the lump in Beth's heart to grow, still biting down on her doubt she continued, "The voltage can't be monitored, I.." Travis put his hand on Beth's shoulder, "If we do nothing he dies, his life is in our hands we have to try." Trying to comfort her Travis helped wipe the gel clean from her hands, and smiled

"...But I was saying, can't determine how much of a shock it will be. Need you to hold my arm while I do it, to diffuse some of its potency.." Travis continued to smile though his eyes did not. Exchanging a last glance at each other, Beth slammed her palm down... Striking the gel sparks engulfed her hand, instantly morphing into a tide of electric current. Ceron's body jolted as the charge ran through him, so did Beth with an aching wince as it climbed her arm and parted into Travis. Far from a grin, the duo clenched teeth. In effort to start Ceron's still heart but... He laid motionless, his body stiff and cold, all presence of warmth had vanished.

Beth's eyes doubled, increasing anxiety crept through her. "It didn't work..."

...

It coiled. Moving without law or perception of reality, it defied any and all notion of understanding. Its gaze deepened, intruding upon the lone vessel, it saw through him to his core. Its existence... It had been there as it always has for eternity. Defined by what not understood, an abnormality for all of his waking moments. The circle diminished, its desire to envelop had no end, no brittle cage had chance. Especially a weak vessel such as his. Unaware and ignorant of its reality, it had been called for, reached and sought for time after time. Corrupting was its nature, all it had known and all it would do, succumb others too.

Stiff, motionless among the grime. Yet his mind hadn't resisting a sought after sleep. Eyelids weary and sore as if he had just woken from a sleepless night. Ceron's mind was in a haze, both his thoughts and surroundings murky fog cradled his feet and whisked to indiscernible surroundings. It was familiar and different, Ceron stood in cold waters, only knowing of the wetness of his feet and a slow and quiet buzz. ... "What is this? .. This feeling..." Ceron tightened his gaze, a sense of familiarity overcame him; he couldn't shake it. It's called, a longing. A whisper of voices tangled around, beckoning Ceron to wander. Halfway through his stride Ceron stopped, sighing deeply as he bit his lip. He could sense an increasing desire as he stood, with his movement a ferocity to something sinister.

Ceron scratched his mind, desperately trying to remember what had he done, ... "That undead and.. The Astral plane, how did I.. No I can't be." Ceron froze his conclusion, could it be near he dared not to see, not wanting the likely answer. But he had for what else was there but confirmation or the slimmest of mistake with lingering hope. Ceron looked down to his ankles, there it was; A sturdy chain and shackle, he wanted to deny it. But it was a fact Ceron couldn't escape. His journey had ended. He had fallen, and died his heart had pumped its last. Ceron fell to his knees, "No... No. NO NO NO THIS CAN'T BE IT... It mustn't be, I can't be dead I... have much to-" The shackles moved, stopping Ceron looked with solemn eyes.

The chain ran, losing its slack swaying back and fourth. It soon escaped into the fog's obscurity, and kept its pace. Ceron stiffened, as he saw its speed and mainly the decreasing slack- It was too late as realized it became true, in a heavy pull his foot twisted as if it dislocated. Ceron's body whipped to the ground, was pulled through the wet and cold. Air escaping his lungs and gritting teeth, a surge of pain swelled and descended. Dozens of brief meters passed by, painfully each inch and pebble was felt like daggers. Ceron's view went a blur, his sheer speed had increased, mere seconds had seemed tens to hundreds of feet.

"Ah fu... MM..m-" ... Muffled Ceron had lacked thought, his mind had filled with pain and the rush of movement. If not the skin peeling ground, that seemed to have a grudge; The soiled water nearly drowned Ceron with each gurgle and desperate gasp for air. As eternity settled, the pressure stopped and yet, Ceron still slid across the mud by dozens of meters. ... Groaning came, non moving the chain had become dormant leaving a path of pain in its wake. All sensation nearly fled, escaping off somewhere without conscious thought. "....." ... Raspy and tired, Cerons breathing that resembled desperation was only heard as it reverberated in his ears.

A coldness crept in, with each exhale a display of its change pulled out in blotches of air

...

"The hel-l.. is this.." Pain.. I shouldn't feel this, I can't but. It seems somehow something- .. Again something has defied my expectation. Ceron winced as a sharp pain ran along his neck, trying to move though his body laid still; Much sensation had faded, that left soon to depart with it. Hgm-h.. Should be relieved that resurrection came, though this wasn't how I imagined it... Recalling thoughts a tingle felt up, on Ceron. The presence twisted, wrapped around sly it moved up- "..W-..A root." It' moving on his leg Ceron tensed, "Scrawny, little bastard.. YOU DARE." Almost hissing, and furious Ceron somehow moved. The coiling root had met teeth, as Ceron bit it in half, soon spit its squirming side to the ground; That it quickly wiggled into, causing Ceron to widen eyes.

Ripping the other tendril from his leg, Ceron wobbled to his feet. "ELRAX.." Pissed and vision red, alert but... Nothing came, the long roots had vanished, keeping his strained composure Ceron quickly glanced around himself; Only mud and water, not a single respite of stable footing or boulders... He needed to leave and now. Those dammed roots, that shouldn't be possible... The Elrax can't act on its own, not without.. No, "It didn't.." Loud thumping soon interrupted thoughts, Ceron strained his vision in the direction, quickly took a kneel. Something... What was that, I heard it... But did it hear me? Ceron gave a pained expression at the sure response, the bleak surroundings was but void.

Seemingly akin to a calling, the ominous sound grew louder with each passing moment. Resting in the chain's wake, it vibrated. Rattling with each thump the chain swayed, so did the pebbles near it; If there had been birds they'd be long silent. Ceron's skin went prickly, as it encroached, he reached for his satchel- Shit, ... My satchel and everything else is gone, "Why would they be here anyway ...?" Ceron woefully thought, what could be done? Wait like a rabbit cowering from mere sounds? No. That won't be my end.

The soul chain... That cursed root, it must've done this. No other explanation it must be the culprit, "I succumbed to its temptation." ... It's twisted desire, in my core, set loose by my awakening of magical talent. It waited for centuries, only a sliver of it. Lucky enough however dire this is; If I'm still conscious I must be alive, its control is limited in part by my weak body. Still advantage is also mine... It can't proceed to rapidly infect me without any of my mana, can't use little of what I have. Unless wanting to stoke the flame- ...

...

"Y..oU.. A..rE... MInE.... LItTlE LAmB..." ... The already cold air turned frigid... The ear-scraping voice shook with animosity. A distinct loathe, as it loomed ever closer pressure swelled. Causing weights to bear down, Ceron staggered though still stood.. "P..AThetic... On..e .. ReSistance...is futile...." The entity gave a deep shrill, thumping ceased- Discarding shadows, its presence became known. From ankle to creature, the chain bounded them. A vile visage, withered and decaying an embodiment of countless tendrils, extensions of arms, legs and heads; Not of its own, wailed and moaned portraying ghoulish faces of unceasing pain.

The creature gave a low hum, as it watched with numerous pores and eyes in parting annoyance, lingering disdain... Ceron grimaced, it definitely did, the Elrax has manifested itself by part of my recklessness, "....Elrax, Those hollowed husks, weren't just for display. You sought consciousness, now dare feed on me that had brought you from that hallowed chamber, your previous master..." "..." "Release this charade, It is me, YOUR TRUE MASTER CERON..." Elrax grunted, as various of its heads spoke inaudibly and disarray. "...'' It's tendrils twitched- Ceron tensed, sensing the intimidate threat as he narrowly dodged its impact.

Ceron's prior spot was split, cracked and nearly his coffin. The tendril slowly retracted from the flooring- "...I...SERVE..NO..MA..STER..." A pain emerged, striking Cerons chest causing him to hunch over, ..."MASTER-" ..Beth? Cut short the pain subsided, with it Elrax coiled its tendrils... Ceron took breath in the brief calm, the voice and this bond... No denying, Elrax needs to absorb me before it kills me, after all I'm its host. "EnOU..GH...TAlK...IS...MEaNINg..LESS..." Increasingly agitated tendrils slithered outward, pulsating with each rush of blood.

...It still doesn't have full control, Ceron focused as blackness approached. Another pain, struck followed with indiscernible voices- In a flash scenery was covered. Pulsating wisps of white drew near, causing Elrax to retract and release shrills of agony. Ceron felt a surge, ... Light energy?... Angelic, angelic mana? Ceron huffed at the absurdity of such a thought, him angelic? Who hit that divinity with the retarded stick? ...Cerons pain grew stronger, as the voices intensified "MASTER!" Calling out, as the light energy dissipated.. "Nothing lasts forever..." Ceron grunted, and pained to move as his chest wanted to burst.

Gone the "Angelic" Light ceased, its scorching ray smoked its last tendril as Elrax rejuvenated. "B..ECOME..M..INE..." The bastard creature hummed, as what could only be described as amusement; As its prey laid still, and utter control of the vessel within reach of claws and snarl. Time seemed to slow, as each lethargic breath and it's gushing drool filled the flooring in numerous patter, it's figure shadowing. The voices increased, as Elrax peered over- Ceron head swelled, the rush of noise and impending snarls quaked him. Unable to move as chest pain encompassed and plowed to his legs.

The same pain surfaced, as Elrax stopped it's figure shook and pulsated. Releasing haggard cries, ... "Feel that you a-sshole?..." Ceron shouted, with a sneer at Elrax's dismay. "..hmhghm..h.." Taking knee, the pain surged. Yet still moving Elrax twisted and quickly released it's tendrils around Ceron's pelvis, Like a whip pulled closer.... A fragment of a moment and Ceron's life would be snuffed out, his conscious mind to be absorbed into a single entity.

...

Ceron thrashed as his body tightened, attempting to secure footing and still his efforts gained nothing but an ever increasing frustration. "..." Focus... Focus.. That surge in my chest. Ceron overcame with pain, and dreadful limpness that quickly climbed from his pelvis outward... Again pain agitated him, the same agonizing one that payalized his unwelcome guest- "..SUCCUMB.." Elrax roared as it wrapped around Ceron's unmoving body, its figure crackled with numerous pops and snaps; As if its chest had become sentient, perhaps it had. It rapidly moved apart, rimmed with suction and jagged teeth.

The pain grew tenfold as Ceron focused, his vision came haze at the intensity he felt, and it hadn't stopped a smirk from escaping his lips. "...How about.. This instead?" ... As the pain surfaced more, till borderline blackout Ceron saw it. Elrax froze, ... "..Yo..u-" Unable to utter its words, a surge of irritation ran through its entire being that quickly doubled down to torment. Yet resisting this, Elrax lunged to the point of seeing the white of its eyes, to pierce Cerons head... It struck, with woe Elrax furrowed its tendrils as they laid lax' they had struck nothing... It's preys manifestation had left but with a parting smirk...

Elrax leaned back as the world around it deepened, a circle outline started to crumble...

"..INEVITABLE...AND FUTILE... I AM END." ...