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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2UeLuwplQ
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSyIj1xLVY
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ScQ31FZkD
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Eg9kt0kIW
"It was a good fight," Madelyn said, walking slowly towards me. "But this is your limit."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiX9Iz44dB
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDAvEVIKcK
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m4gHxUEO5
I looked into her blue eyes, then noticed the torn sleeve revealing a bruise underneath. "I did that..." I whispered.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92IhSFCZ4d
As the realization sank in, my smile faded. I had raised my fist against someone I cared about. "Damn..." I muttered, feeling like trash.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuCvPJLQHL
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.
***
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpX8kVPU7E
"So, he's finally reached his limit, huh?" Mr. Adams remarked as he entered the broken field, observing the aftermath of the battle.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJFOKXrrY4
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9d02Bnspv
"What do you think?" he inquired, turning to his granddaughter, who cradled Ethan in her arms as if he were royalty.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB8wTI0l7X
"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."
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzGuMjVsJf
"Indeed," Mr. Adams agreed, his arms folded.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZslIN3wnVC
"Grandfather," Madelyn's voice trembled with shock and disbelief. "What is he?"
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJPoxkebc
"A mystery," Mr. Adams replied, his gaze lingering on the unconscious boy. "A mystery unlike any seen in the history of the order."
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWSu599WxM
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?"
***
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIiNyf5UED
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOu2nGeC6x
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ802FaUFZet
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIcjBAhkg9
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqWkMakkAD
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKDgW99I2I
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzZdVhHiPE
"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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUguJ2Tkg8
"Um, thanks," I said, realizing I didn't know his name.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6dgHMBAY1
"Arnold Bentley, sir," he said, slightly bowing his head.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xZCCMJZiC
"Nice to meet you," I replied, taking a sip of the refreshing water. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaomqlrmghp
"Mr. Brumfield, I've been instructed to escort you to the training grounds when you're ready," Arnold said, standing beside the couch.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOqVBT8H3V
"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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A6Th1BVQ6
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySDsrloagh
Arnold approached the closed latch and, with a small grunt, opened it. He stood back, silent, as he waited by the open hatch.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGgyld3leF
"Whenever you're ready, sir," he said calmly, his expression unwavering.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBbF3DAzip
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.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncsY0yN4dC
Looking back at Arnold, who wore a reassuring smile, I couldn't help but wonder if he realized how eerie it all seemed.
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrejRifeqN8
"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
ns216.73.216.234da2
and then Add to home screen.