Strings Of Domination

'Huh?' Nash felt shocked once he heard the words in his mind and couldn't help but gasp before looking at Aruer.

"Haha, surprised?" Aruer laughed mildly and waved his hand as he quickly said, "I know what you think right now. How can that be that you were able to acquire a Special Bloodline and a Special Blessing despite not challenging the Ancient Path, right?"

Upon hearing the words of Aruer, Nash closed his mouth and nodded slightly.

Indeed, what Aruer just said was the truth. According to the words in his Character Status, the only way for him to obtain his Special Traits can be only through challenging the Ancient Path. Yet, through some miracle, he obtained two Special Traits even without challenging the Ancient Path, which left him confused and lost.

And it seems Aruer knew perfectly well that he tried to figure out the reason, hence when Nash heard the words Aruer was saying he remained silent and listened intently to learn the truth. However, the following words destroyed all of his hope in a single instant...

"Well, if you wish to learn the truth, go and find the Hidden Library on Planet Gaia. Every question you wish to know will be answered once you get there." Aruer said calmly and turned his gaze toward the sky and added with a rather serious face, "It seems you have gotten a few guests so go and take care of them. I am pretty sure you will be able to handle them."

"Guests? What do yo-, Hey! Wait!" Nash was about to ask a question when suddenly watched as Aruer's body turned into a green ball of flame, and just like previously vanished into his Soul Breaker completely.

And right as that happened, his vision turned white for a moment before getting it back, but this time he was standing not in the wast wasteland nor on top of the huge rock pillar, but before the Jade Door!

"Nash!"

Both Amy and Uncle Ben rushed up to Nash the moment they saw he finally appeared, looking at him from top to bottom and see if he had any injury if not.

"Where did you go? Also, what happened to you? Your clothes are dirty and ragged, there are even blood stains on you!" Uncle Ben asked with a somewhat worried tone of voice as he looked at Nash, trying to figure out the cause of Nash's current messy state.

Even Amy seemed surprised and if one looked close into her eye, one would notice a hint of concern in her eyes. It was, of course, hard to notice if one didn't try to see it, but it was definitely there.

Nash wished to answer their worry, but just before he could have spoken, the walls behind him began to move once again, getting closer and closer to each other by each second.

"Huh? The walls are closing?" Amy looked confused, but as for Uncle Ben, who seemed to realize something, he just looked at Nash and asked, "So you have succeeded in completing the trial, huh? No wonder you look so messed up."

Nash looked at his uncle and nodded, clearing his doubts without saying a word. Instead, he focused his consciousness and opened the description of his newly acquired ability.

In a flash, rows of texts appeared in his line of sight.

----------------------------------------

[Special Bloodline: Soul Flame]

• Description: An ancient bloodline dwelled in the veins of the Human Race since their existence. However, after consuming the Mind Soothing Flame, this bloodline had evolved into its current state, into the Soul Flame!

• Blessing Class: Unclassified

{Ability}

° Soul Flame: A power capable of soothing one's soul just by looking at it in exchange for a small amount of ancient energy once activated!

{Passive Abilities}

° Soul Barrier: An inactive ability that automatically helps to reinforce and protect your soul from collapsing under any type of soul attack!

<The limit of protection depends on the strength of the attack, but can be further strengthened in exchange for ancient energy!>

----------------------------------------

Nash read the descriptions in silence without talking. Uncle Ben and Amy obviously noticed this and remained silent as they didn't wish to disturb him; they waited patiently.

Only after a few minutes did Nash finally move, but instead of opening his mouth and talking, he raised his hand instead, and under Uncle Ben's and Amy's confused gaze he summoned a green orb of flame atop his palm!

Whoosh!

"Green flame?" Both Uncle Ben and Amy raised a brow upon noticing the small flame above Nash's palm, but soon, their gazes slowly turned unfocused and their bodies fell to the ground almost as if they have fallen asleep standing!

"This strong?" Nash felt pleasantly surprised when he saw the results of his Soul Flame, which only required him 50 essences to activate and use; the exact same amount he needed to sacrifice when he used his Soul Eye!

Nash gazed at the little orb of flame that danced gently atop his palm with a silent gaze, and before long he clenched his fingers into a fist, extinguishing the flame with a single motion and allowing his uncle and Amy to finally regain their senses.

"Wha... What happened with us? Huh? Where did that little flame go?" once on his feet and touching his head with a small painful grimace, Uncle Ben looked around as he asked.

Even Amy did the same, but her gaze gradually shifted at Nash, knowing that flame was his and there was no point in searching for it as Uncle Ben did.

"It is called Soul Flame. It can make your soul relax and create a situation akin to where you fall unconscious." Nash quickly explained, but before he could have said anything esólse, hurried footsteps were heard from the entrance, attracting Nash's and the other two's attention right away.

"David?" Nash immidieatly recognized the young man running toward them as if he was chased, having a pale face that was almost as white as a sheet of paper!

As for Amy and Uncle Ben, the two of them needed a few moments to recognize David as they only saw him once or twice during their time even though they were together more than a month already! However, once they noticed his unique appearance, they immediately realized who he was.

His wide blue eyes that were like two pools of water and his thick, curly, medium-length hair which was the color of fine gold and was worn in a bizarre, carefully-crafted style was just way too eye-catching to not remember. Also, his very short and overmuscled build together with his white skin was something only a few had among the current people in Emerald Palace, hence remembering who he was after a few glances was not a hard thing to do.

"What's the matter, David? You look freaked out." Nash asked with a slim frown.

One had to know that David was one of the three individuals that choose to join the Exploration Branch which, as its name suggested, made one explore and note down everything that can be found in the outer area.

Of course, Nash made sure to order one of his Souls to protect David and the other two from any kind of unknown danger while they were out in the wild, but still, as the black sun has already proved it, things could go awry rather easily.

Hence, seeing that David was freaked out could only mean a few things and none of them could hold good news.

'Strange, my essence hadn't been depleted, so I don't think they have met with a powerful creature. Then what could it be?' Nash wondered as he watched David trying to catch his breath, feeling this unease sensation in his heart especially after Aruer's warning.

This was especially true as he watched as David's Fear Level on his Indicator grew to ridiculous heights, just 7% away from reaching the Critical Level!

"Ha... Ha... Lord Nash... We have... a huge problem! A crisis!" David spoke with sweat oozing out of his forehead, his chest heaving up and down in a rapid manner as he tried to catch his breath.

"Okay, first and foremost, try to look here and calm down," Nash spoke calmly which at David raised his head slowly only to see a green flame atop Nash's palm that somehow made his mind grow more relaxed than before!

'So I can use my flames like this too, huh?' Nash thought in his heart as he watched David's Fear Level decrease rapidly, almost instantly falling below 10%!

"So? What happened?" Nash asked once he made his Soul Flame vanish, snapping David out of his daze and forcing him to reply right away.

"Y-Yes! Right away!" David nodded as he straightened his back and as he recalled what he wished to say, his face turned pale and a small amount of fear took over his mind once again.

"Lord Nash... We have been discovered! Soldiers from the Thousand Blood Race and the Sky Beasts are here! We are doomed!"

* * * * *

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chap! Make sure to vote for more, as I will upload an extra chap if we can reach 250 power stones and even more if we can reach more!

Stay safe <3