I felt like I could bench press a mountain, like I could split the sea and break the very earth with just a single step. In that moment, I felt a little less than human.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wVafrpXso
With a smile on my face, I let loose my fist, allowing it to soar forward towards Madelyn's face. A loud explosion of air shot outward as my fist connected, sending us both back. I chuckled, feeling a strange thrill coursing through me.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02MiYbpwvy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmizoZ9VS5D
But as my breath became ragged and my vision blurry, I realized something was wrong. "W-what's happening?" I asked myself, shaking my head.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZF0dXiEZF
"It was a good fight," Madelyn said, walking slowly towards me. "But this is your limit."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyFvfzJWqT
I stood up straight, trying not to wobble. "This wasn't over," I declared, raising my fists. "Not until I win." My smile never left my face.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLwvwa6lFE
I was about to rush forward, ready to attack, but a small gust pushed against my body, forcing me to close my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, Madelyn was already standing in front of me. Instead of a punch, her hand rested gently on my shoulder, calming me down.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThWFjw1PNE
I looked into her blue eyes, then noticed the torn sleeve revealing a bruise underneath. "I did that..." I whispered.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lmjunFG4V
As the realization sank in, my smile faded. I had raised my fist against someone I cared about. "Damn..." I muttered, feeling like trash.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BjwmsFcqu
My energy drained away, replaced by aches and pains I didn't know were possible. I fell forward, expecting to faceplant, but Madelyn caught me. Her face was calm but sad. "You've done well," she said before everything went dark.
***
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8dDoReI1y
"So, he's finally reached his limit, huh?" Mr. Adams remarked as he entered the broken field, observing the aftermath of the battle.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MBC5uB0vN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKNXMBthON
"What do you think?" he inquired, turning to his granddaughter, who cradled Ethan in her arms as if he were royalty.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbUcEdv3MU
"Pillars usually start manifesting their powers around puberty," Madelyn explained, her gaze fixed on Ethan. "Our skin toughens, we get stronger, our senses sharpen. But what he just did..." She trailed off, her expression grave. "Harnessing a demon's aura like that? Even the best of us would need months of training to achieve that level."
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnSvbsosti
"Indeed," Mr. Adams agreed, his arms folded.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5oNbKzkAh
"Grandfather," Madelyn's voice trembled with shock and disbelief. "What is he?"
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK5pduTV4B
"A mystery," Mr. Adams replied, his gaze lingering on the unconscious boy. "A mystery unlike any seen in the history of the order."
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBOvnHVo6r
With that, Mr. Adams turned and walked back toward the mansion. "A pillar unaffiliated with the houses of Solomon," he mused inwardly. "A pillar without a sigil. What could this mean?"
***
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNyh71Hir3
As I slowly come to consciousness, the pain from the intense battle courses through my body, a constant reminder of my actions. My heart sinks as I recall the moment my fist collided with Madelyn's arm instead of her intended target – her face, her perfect face.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGofLqctSG
Self-reproach floods over me, the shame overwhelming. With a groan, I attempt to sit up, every movement sending waves of pain. I realize I'm not in my opulent bedroom, but rather another lavish room, resting on a plush dark red couch. Surrounding me are shelves of books on fashion, a wooden table adorned with a glass top, and a red-hued TV mounted on the wall.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IBZJ5bmP3
Rubbing my aching head, I grapple with a deep-seated feeling of fear. Despite the recent surge of power I experienced, fear now gnaws at me. Reflecting on the moment I learned of the demon inside me, I remember the subdued fear lurking beneath the surface, overshadowed by the allure of my new life.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iX98mNBwF
But now, I no longer feel like myself. The intoxicating power that once bolstered me now feels suffocating, a reminder of the darkness threatening to consume me. It's a realization that dawns upon me with a chilling certainty – I'm becoming her, the girl with black hair and crimson eyes. The smile I wear, the strength I wield – it's hers.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk9Jjf1ctU
In that moment, I comprehend the concern in Madelyn's eyes. It's a shared worry, a fear that I'll lose myself to the darkness that lurks within.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKumMihgQ5
My thoughts were interrupted as the door to the room slowly opened, revealing another young butler with short, neatly combed brown hair, holding a small glass of water.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F82B5xvqp
"Oh..." he said in surprise. "I'm glad to see you're awake, sir," he said with a smile as he walked over and placed the glass of water on the table.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSyLbW5PHk
"Um, thanks," I said, realizing I didn't know his name.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMYg5x5CD
"Arnold Bentley, sir," he said, slightly bowing his head.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlBeElUrDg
"Nice to meet you," I replied, taking a sip of the refreshing water. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXlLfDP5I2
"Mr. Brumfield, I've been instructed to escort you to the training grounds when you're ready," Arnold said, standing beside the couch.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub8gcS9rQO
"Oh..." I said, not thrilled to hear about training, especially when I was still sore. "Well then, lead the way." I stood up, offering Arnold a smirk.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO560ZTMre
I followed Arnold through the house, turning left and right until I lost track, feeling like I was navigating a maze. Eventually, we reached a small, dimly lit room that lacked the opulence of the rest of the mansion. The only notable feature was a wooden latch engraved into the floor.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJTwrIU7bQ
Arnold approached the closed latch and, with a small grunt, opened it. He stood back, silent, as he waited by the open hatch.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8mX64g3br
"Whenever you're ready, sir," he said calmly, his expression unwavering.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZegHmQkLr
I approached the latch slowly, feeling a sense of trepidation. Peering into the darkness below, all I could see was the shadowy outline of a ladder disappearing into the depths. The passage looked narrow and foreboding.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwfoF7UMhT
Looking back at Arnold, who wore a reassuring smile, I couldn't help but wonder if he realized how eerie it all seemed.
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi5HFL8Miz
"Okay," I said, mustering my courage. "Down the rabbit hole I go."
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.147.71.207da2
