The temple of darkness. True to its name it was spiraling tower that had dark powers running rampant over it. Ye Qiu's disciple, Jing Woo had made their appearance. An aged elderly man whose body could only be compared to an orc in terms of size and muscles. The grayed hair and neatly trimmed beard was a surprise to many. Perhaps when they hear about the Heavenly Blood Demon, they had expected him to look a lot more... Demonic? He had tattooed his face with certain markings of his clan. The Blood Demon's gaze, where it gave him the appearance of a stern figure. His eyes had a line from his eyes to his chin, adding to his fierce gaze.

"This is Jing Woo."

"Greetings, Chosen Ones and the Legendary Keeper. I have heard about the situation with the temple of darkness. It never occurred to me that its effects had been spiraling out to everyone else. This hasn't effected the demonic practitioners because of our affinity with darkness but it has affected everyone else." Jing Woo spoke with a deep and hoarse voice.

"Good to see you're doing fine Jing Woo."

"Master, it has been a while. If you need a blade to serve by your side. I would be happy to oblige."

"Save it for later Jing Woo. Now about the Temple of Darkness.." Ye Qiu spoke where Jing Woo raised his hand to stop his master from saying anything further.

"Guarded by many beasts. Give me a moment." Jing Woo went to the entrance of the tower that had darkness spiraling all over it. Hearing the sounds of a fight, seeing the trees that were around the forest that had been surrounded by the darkness was slowly being cleared out. Bulldozed down with full aggression. Soon the forest was gone, leaving nothing but the stumps that were formed in the base itself.

"Those trees... Aren't they Ebonire Wood?" Thessalia pointed out at the beautiful black trees with the white leaves.

"What kind of wood is that?" Albert asked.

"Think of it as wood that can match the strength of metal but still being light enough. They also have better grip, naturally textured so that it is not invasive to the hands. Smooth but grippy. Only problem is, those trees are difficult to break. How did he break it?" Thessalia asked as she looked at Jing Woo who came back with a smile and a thumbs up.

"Fanged Blood Technique. Imbueing ki or as most of you call it, mana into my fingertips." Jing Woo answered as he cracked his fingers to return to them. The trail of destruction he had left was a magnificent sight, the beasts of darkness that were left behind included hell hounds and Hell Raisers. With mere attacks from his fists? Such a feat was something that had piqued Albert's interest. If he could apply that with his gauntlets, and even more of these attacks. It would supplement his current list of techniques.

"Would it be possible for me to learn it?" Albert spoke his thoughts out loud, seeing Jing Woo pause before answering.

"Of course but it will require me to strike your entire being with these fists to transfer the techniques. I've nearly killed a number of my disciples with it."

"You won't have to worry Jing Woo. He's an Avatar." Jing Woo nodded as he struck Albert who coughed as he felt the blow. The Avatar of War, the War God's disciple's strength was not an exaggeration. Albert's resilience and stamina was something that made sure he didn't feel a lot of pain most of the time but now he's felt it. It felt like the bones within his body was being crushed by the immense force. Pain was the simplest way to describe it as he groaned with repeated strikes.

Joints being dislocated, Albert even felt his teeth shatter just from a gentle touch to the fore head. It was like his entire bone structure was being altered inside out. His entire nervous system felt like they were being rewired from the inside out. Was his skin peeling? Or was his body just feeling the intense pain that was going through his entire body. He felt like his body was being molded by Jing Woo's movements. The mana infused was liberating but the physical pain? That was another experience altogether, just feeling his entire body being grounded up to a pulp like a stone mortar crushing him to his finest parts.

Even his muscles weren't spared, just simple strikes that had mana imbued in them. It felt like something was being freed. Something that was enhancing his body. When it stopped, Albert caught his breath.

"Your willpower.. I suppose it comes from beating a God. Normally people would have died by now. I've reset your body so you can learn martial arts and I've transferred my Fanged Blood technique to you. The concepts at the very least and the rationale of the techniques. It is my a gift to one who my master has said to be an Avatar."

"Even as Avatars.. We aren't omnipotent. We are merely just those who've ascended through our strife." Albert said as they walked to the temple that had darkness spiraling around it. Albert knocked on the darkness was it scattered all around, flying to his fingers. Albert heard screams form within, the sounds of chains rattling. Somebody was crying. Something was being chained down there. The air was putrid, Albert's nose was much more sensitive than before and he knew why.

"Albert? What's wrong?"

"Jensen. You know what's in there don't you?"

"Yep. Sounds of a bunch of tormented souls. Fuck. Can't I go to a nice place for a change? A nice vacation island where I don't have to be bothered by anything? I'll go in alone. Whatever that's inside? It might damage the minds of the ones out here." Jensen stepped in where the first thing he could see was five people stitched together, moving on all fours... The legs were where the arms should be and the arms were below.

"Hello?" It spoke, opening its 5 mouths as tendrils appeared from within. Jensen let out a sigh as he opened a book, looking at the blades that stopped just before his face.

"So the horrors of man never cease." Jensen said as he looked at a tall woman with her gaping mouth and eyeballs missing from where they should be. A weeping girl holding a teddy bear. A pale skinned child whose clothes had water dripping. More of them came into view, a dog with a human face, a four legged beast that had 10 human heads. They looked at him, salivating and the sounds of stomachs grumbling. Some of them had eaten a person, fresh blood and chewing some bones out. A child gnawing on a beating heart. Some of these people had distorted faces, eyes and mouth that had a creepy expression. A headless figure wandering around the place, stumbling. Walls of flesh and eyes made themselves known before Jensen.

A figure that showed its face, naked and frail but its face was nothing more than a gaping maw with a eyes hiding within. A four legged beast with dozens of heads strapped into it. Letting its red flesh be seen as it opened its eyes and mouth to scream at Jensen. All of these lingering wills, their desires for vengeance upon the ones who did this? Just the thoughts and the things that they had. A knight who was driven to insanity, left nothing more than just a vengeful specter. His skeletal remains had turned to ash and his armor was just there. More of them came out to the open, some looked human. Some looked like horrors that one would be penned by those with evil on their minds.

Nothing could prepare Jensen for this. Despite his experiences as a Legendary Keeper. It still was a harrowing punch to the gut. He couldn't do anything for them. He could put them to rest but would it be enough?

"For all of your tears and all of your cries. It has been heard by the Legendary Keeper. I will keep you all alive in this book. Where you will be freed from this. To a world where you may be free. To live as people." His words had silenced them, as they closed their eyes. Trying to speak out their thoughts as they were slowly being taken by a faint blue light. Sobbing, as their bodies had slowly returned to their human forms. Jensen kept quiet as he watched the blue light guide them into his book.

Jensen clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. Choking on his own breath as he tried to swallow back his internal screaming. His heart yearned for these people to rest well but he had a duty as a Keeper. They may be able to live as people, but they would only live inside a book where they are their own population.Sharing their own tales as the pages slowly be filled with words. Just seeing their thoughts be written out, how they all felt ugly. How they felt worthless. How nothing in this world was fair.

It felt like his heart strings were being tugged, and despite all he has seen. It's always the ones with the horrofying appearances that tell the tales of despair at its rawest form. Reading how the ballerinas were merely dancers who had their bodies stitched together when the man who purchased them decided they were worthless. How a child was left to starve inside of a box by the bullies who had forgotten of the child's existence. How the four legged beast was nothing more than a child who was being baptized by the priests who had no idea what they were doing. Calling the child nothing short of a monster. How the knight fell into despair for failing to protect his town. Breaking down as he was stabbed in the back by another guard, who said that this was all for the betterment of the country.

Betrayal, sorrow, despair and many things came to Jensen's mind as he read through the pages. Pressing his eyebrows as he tried to think about his duty in this place. The Temple of Darkness was a fitting name but darkness that was vile and unnerving? It was not what the darkness has been about. To those who understand it, the darkness is a comforting sensation. Enjoying the silence within the confines of this place that lacked light. Yet, to many it is demonized as they believe that darkness is evil.

For they forgotten, that many crusades and atrocities committed in the name of Light. Jensen turned to see Albert walking in.

"Sorry, I got a little sentimental."

"I don't blame you. It makes you wonder doesn't it? Pursuit of power and abusing the authorities of the many Gods. Saying this is all for God and country." A slight nod by Jensen who was given a hug by his brother. Nothing else needed to be said, as Jensen and Albert felt the weight this place had. It was hidden with all of the remains of the lost lambs that had been brought here. The weight of the darkness had slowly lightened, leaving behind nothing but a numbing silence. The Chosen, Ye Qiu and Jing Woo joined them. Jing Woo and Ye Qiu understood but the others were not as sharp to pick up what had happened.

It would be better to spare them of the thought, they ventured deep into the temple. Finding places akin to a research lab, where they found human remains, along with animals. Some of them had their DNA spliced with these creatures to strengthen them.

"Humans... Why.."

"It's because we're powerless. We'd do anything to get stronger." Jing Woo answered as they headed downstairs. No corpses, there was nothing but a vast abyss. Stepping inside where they felt their sense of sight being robbed from them. Their ears had sharpened but that didn't help much considering they could only hear their own heartbeats. The air smelled like ash and whatever they touched? It felt like sand crossing through their fingers.

"Don't use any light magic. We might upset whatever that's lurking in the darkness." Jensen said as they heard a loud snarl from in front. None of them could figure out where they were.

"Ye Qiu, do you see anything?"

"Not a thing. This darkness is enough to mess with even Avatars. Jing Woo?"

"I apologize, Master but even my senses have been lost in this place. Despite being used to the darkness as an element... I have to say the snarl is coming from a Divine Beast at least and the Summon Spirit is lurking around. Or to be more precise it is the one that is giving this sensation."

Another loud snarl was heard.

"The snarl sounds like it's close but... It can be the Summon Spirit just throwing us off now right?" Ye Qiu's inquiry was something the others had to think about.

"How are you guys calm?!" Thessalia was the first to make her complaint.

"I killed a God."

"I was in the stomach of a planet eating snake." Ye Qiu said.

"Thousand times dying. One of it was being swallowed up by insanity. Goood times." Jensen joked where the others had no idea of how to react to the statements of the trio. Jing Woo merely let out a hearty laugh while the snarling turned into laughter.

"I wonder if that is a joke?" The snarl turned into a deep, mellow voice. A whisper to the ears, it was distracting and confusing because no matter where they turned their heads. The voice would be directly by their ears. It was like the darkness was speaking to them. Perhaps an attempt to reason?

"It isn't a joke. Doesn't seem like you're on a rampage at least." Ye Qiu remarked as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.

"I was busy handling the ones who trespassed my temple. Why are you here?" The voice snarled.

"Just here to check if you're on a rampage. Besides we're only at the basement level of your temple. We haven't gone any deeper." Jensen spoke casually.

"I was supposed to be on a rampage but I decided to torture a bit of that person who tried to cause this chaos, but as you can see..." The darkness cleared where they see the skinless figures in bizarre positions. They were still alive but.. They cannot say much at all at this point, The servants of the demigods were left as nothing but skinless figures. Their teeth chattered their fears as they became sculptures that was constantly letting blood ooze out of them.

The figure that was in the darkness was revealed to be a large being that was chained up in the center. It's top half was seen above with its arms crossed by its chest and hands clamping to the shoulders. It's face was covered by bandages with only one eye being seen.

"Where's the Summon Spirit?"

"The Summon Spirit's young. It is a young one. A very shy being. Prefers to stay down in the darkness. I believe the wolf would be a good match." The voice spoke to them in whispers, the snarls were gone. Replaced by a menacing voice.

"There's no record of this in the Temple of Darkness." Vogril stated, where the Divine Beast merely wheezed its thoughts out. Painting a tale that the existence was not recorded for the reason, that nobody has had the aptitude to do so nor were they worthy of its attention. Its words were like poetry, smooth delivery and there was a gentle cadence in its voice. Despite the menacing voice. Words that had the darkness illustrate with a mix of dark blue flames illuminating the silhouettes. Casting a shadow beneath their feet.

Revealing the Divine Beast of Darkness's pact with the Summon Spirit.

"My duty is to always slumber.

For it is when things go asunder.

Then will I awaken.

For there must be hell to reckon.

It is my duty to spread darkness.

For it is the only way to halt the fleeting light.

From being stolen by those who seek to abuse it

The name that I was blessed with is Srinxall.

Pronounced as Rinse All.

For I am the one who bears the sins of all.

I am also the one who rinses the sinners of all.

Tormenting them in my keep.

For their secrets are mine to keep." Srinxall spoke with a somber tone, a delivery that was ominous but such was true after all.

"Why have you cut your link from the World Tree?" Vogril asked.

"It was the only way to keep the World Tree safe. If the World Tree was compromised, this world would end in a flash." Srinxall spoke with a gentle voice.

"If the World Tree was damaged in any way by these people. It will cause the world to break apart. Unless there is another World Tree, such a risk would be dangerous. Avatar and Keeper. I suppose that you will request me to aid your sibling in due time?" Srinxall spoke where Jensen and Albert gave a nod.

"Your younger sibling.. The boy... Though he may be young, and despite the darkness that holds his heart from the pain he suffered in life. The anguish and ridicule for being not an Awakened or even having any strength. i can see that the darkness of that heart... It is not one of hate to the world but rather to themselves. Yet, it is guided by a light of purity that shields it from the darkness's corruption. A fine balance. The Divine Beast and Summon Spirit of Light... They are fine. The others are in a rampage because their mind was clouded. The Summon Spirit's of darkness's name is Faye. A young one who I must protect, but when your sibling needs Faye, Faye will appear before them. MY young disciple of darkness who shall be your sibling's shield. Lord of Thorns, Legendary Keeper and the War God. I Srinxall shall swear an oath to be your aid and summon during times of need. This is part of my duty to my Supreme One, Etana's partner. Death's Governor." The revelation had Albert seeing a pop up menu.

The darkness in your younger sibling's heart.

Isn't all wrath.

But it's being chained by a pure light that will not allow it to be corrupted.

The light is given by the figure known as the Protective Faith.

Srinxall's power is known among the Divine Beasts.

-Death's Governor.

"Vogril of the Demons. I shall form a pact with you. Faye will join me. As you are the Chosen of Darkness. There is no need to worry about any long term damage..." To which Srinxall was glowing, then seeing Faye who was just a child wearing a black suit. Bowing to them with a pistol tucked to his thigh.

"It seems that your siblings have a need of us. We will go on ahead."

"Wait!" Jensen said as they faded away, seeing Vogril's palm show the mark of the Chosen of Darkness.

"Think they'll be alright?" Jensen asked Albert.

"If it's them it should be okay. Seijuro."

"Of course. Ferno and myself are by their side. It seems that during your stay here, the school where your siblings are had been swallowed up by a Dungeon Convergence." Seijuro informed.

"Srinxall and Faye will go to their side first." Hearing those words brought some form of comfort, yet it was an ominous feeling. Alex and Bigby, despite their woes of fear in the hearts of their siblings. They both knew that the pair of Darkness from this world would be able to turn the tide at a given notice.

"Worried?" Ye Qiu asked.

"Of course. It's my siblings.."

"Then I'll go and help them out. You have a covenant with me. Jing Woo, accompany my brother." Ye Qiu said.

"Thanks Ye Qiu."

"In our times when we met, brother. Your family's always been important. You watched them die more than once. Won't let it happen again." Ye Qiu vanished as Jing Woo heeded his master's wishes.