"Jax is alive..." A voice of a young man echoed through the vast chamber. Its tone was as serene as the sunset unfolding beyond the glass window, where a young man in crimson robes stood, his gaze lost in the fiery horizon.
A glass of wine rested in his hand, its crimson depths swirling gently as he shook it. He raised it to his lips and, after taking a sip, a smile curved his mouth.
It was Kally, and the news of his "bestfriend" being alive stirred a complex emotion within him, swirling like the wine in his glass.
"I told you, he won't easily die..." A soft chuckle responded, filling the room. A lady with a voluptuous figure and seductive aura sat playfully on the bed's edge, one foot raised on a small table, showcasing her smooth legs.
If Jax were just here, he would recognize this lady in an instant. His visceral response would be oscillating between incandescent rage and the treacherous thrill of rekindled desire.
After all, the lady, who was no other than Len Len, had only grown more stunning since Jax last laid eyes on her. The world's drastic shift seemed to have affected her body too, sculpting her beauty to perfection.
"Haha, I only announced his death to provoke him into coming out, since he had been gone for two months." Kally laughed, his amusement evident in his tone. His grin then faltered, replaced by genuine curiosity, "But he actually didn't appear? Just where in the world did he go to?"
''Haha, you're joking. You must have announced his death so you can openly get me.'' Len Len's laughter was a velvet whisper, her words dripping with sly sweetness.
''Haha,'' Kally's nonchalance was palpable as he laughed softly, taking another sip before settling back into bed. He settled beside Len Len, the glass clicking gently against the table as he set it down.
"So, what to do now? He's heading to this place. He must have heard the news you spread already." Len Len's eyes sparkled with mischief as she asked, her playful smile danced with anticipation, ''He must be really angry.''
A cruel smile twisted Kally's lips as he drawled, "Don't make me laugh, I am the current Lord of this place. What can he even do to me?"
A heavy silence settled for a moment before Kally's voice cut through, his tone was lipped with disdain, "And his Conquered Ability is just a sea monster. A Summoning Type Affinity is easy to deal with. My men are more than enough to give him torment."
''A sea monster, you say?'' Len Len chuckled softly, her fingers a delicate veil over her lips. Her voice shifted with subtle amusement as she added, "I know Jax. He's afraid of ghosts more than anything else. That sea monster they're talking about isn't his Conquered Ability."
"You're saying..." Kally's voice faded as his gaze drifted, locking onto a shadowy figure curled-up in the corner.
It was a feline creature sleeping soundly. A lithe, lavender cat-like creature with a crimson crystal embedded on its forehead. Its two slender tails swayed gently with each breath.
''Yes, it won't hurt to assume,'' Len Len replied, her lips turning into a playful smile, ''But I think, that's just his Pet. And his Conquered Ability is yet to be revealed.''
''But it won't hurt to assume it's connected to ghosts.''
"..." Kally pondered deep, his arms propped behind him as he tilted his head toward the ceiling.
Then a brutal smirk twisted his lips as he spoke, ''Still, I don't see a reason to worry. Even if he's gotten somewhat stronger after two months, and acquired a pet, and beat up our people... he's still way below my league.''
''I'm a Lord, and in this land, no one can kill me.'' A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, his tone turning icy. ''Still, playing with Jax could be fun. I'll wait for him.''
***
For quite a long while, Nerissa's ranting endured unabated. Jax, on the other hand, remained resolutely detached, tuning her out along the way.
And now, Nerissa seemed drained, trailing mutely behind Jax with arms folded tightly across her chest. Her posture radiated indignation.
''Oh? To think you also know how to shut up.'' Jax murmured, his smirk a whispered accompaniment to the words.
Well, Jax could have silenced her long ago. Yet he chose to refrain, his restraint rooted in the conviction that certain matters were better yielded, not wrenched.
''Bastard,'' Nerissa harrumphed indignantly, her tone icy with disdain. She was done talking to Jax. Who could have thought this guy was a tough bastard? How could he endure her barrage of verbal attacks?
''Tch, tch, really, your other self is much more kind. Even in her sleep, she looks more beautiful and kind.'' Jax muttered, a wistful sigh escaping him.
Of course, he was talking about the other part of Nerissa's soul, which he had absorbed. It was currently sleeping in the red cage situated within his Soul Space.
''What do you mean by that?'' Nerissa's voice turned serious, her tone dropping several degrees. She narrowed her eyes at Jax, her gaze piercing, making it clear she'd tolerate no evasion.
''As you know, you're a fragmented soul. The other part of you was within me, sleeping so soundly.'' Jax responded calmly, his expression neutral. ''Ah, right, I'm still yet to pick a skill from her to be one of my arsenal. In your opinion, which skill should I pick?''
Nerissa's expression turned grim, her hands clenching into tight fists. If it were up to her, she wouldn't answer Jax. But...
''It depends on your needs,'' Nerissa answered noncommittally, her tone measured. Though she couldn't outright defy him, she could still control how she played along.
She didn't give Jax a chance to cut in as she added swiftly, her voice laced with suppressed anger, ''That other part of my soul... Can you take it out?''
''Hmm?'' Jax's interest shifted, a sudden realization dawning on him. A faint smile played on his lips as he replied, ''I don't know. Maybe if I try?''
Initially, Jax was fixated on picking a skill. But now that he thought more about it, he suddenly realized a way to tame the little mermaid. He could just leverage the other part of her soul to win her over. Play her like a fiddle, and she'd be serving him willingly.
''Give it back to me,'' Nerissa demanded, her tone regal and commanding. Used to being obeyed as a mermaid princess, she instinctively laid down the law with Jax.
As Jax anticipated, Nerissa's longing hung in the air. He smiled, a low, husky chuckle rumbling in his throat, ''Be a good girl from now on, and I'll return what's yours.''
"..." Nerissa's visage darkened, her features etched with a growing desperation. Never before had she felt the bitter sting of helplessness, and the realization left her reeling. The more she dwelled on it, the clearer it became.
Surrender was her only option.
Was becoming a human's Familiar her only path forward?
Well, practically, she was already his Familiar. He could command her whenever he wanted, and she had no choice but to obey.
Still, willing submission was a whole different story. The thought of a mermaid princess bowing to a human rankled her pride. It was like a pill too bitter she couldn't quite stomach.
Meanwhile, sensing Nerissa's hesitation, Jax sighed as he closed his eyes and focused. He reached for the place he called Soul Space, trying to tap into its depths.
There, he found the other part of Nerissa's soul hovering dormantly within the red cage. With a reflexive thought, he reached out to touch the cage's bars.
''Damn, I could have acquired one of your skills, but what else can I do?'' Jax's sigh shifted into a sly smile as he continued, ''You are more worthy if you can become my Pet.''
That had been his plan all along. It was King's suggestion to make her his Familiar instead of just absorbing her soul. That way, he could have a worthy companion, not just a pilfered skill.
"Open," Jax commanded, and a subtle connection seemed to throb from the red cage. Jax did the same thing just as he'd done with the souls he'd previously stored there when he made space and replaced them with Nerissa's soul.
He intended to free Nerissa's soul too.
Suddenly, the red cage swung open, Nerissa's soul still dormant within. Jax smiled, plucking her out, and willed her free.
Jax opened his eyes. He raised his palm, and a wisp materialized above his hand.
"This is your soul, right?" Jax asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. He spoke as if the fragile soul he held was something of no value.
"You..." Nerissa's eyes widened, her voice trailing off in disbelief. She'd had doubts when Jax told her, but with reality laid bare before her, she couldn't just deny it.
That was definitely her soul! The subtle connection she felt with it couldn't be a deception.
But the problem was...
How in the world could she get her soul back?
Given human nature, that bastard wouldn't exactly be handing it over on a silver platter.
"What should I do for you to give..." Nerissa stammered, her tone betraying reluctance. But her question was cut short when Jax tossed the soul in her direction.
"Take it," Jax said, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Nerissa caught it frantically, her hands closing around the soul like a lifeline. Jax's sudden move would've left her reeling with questions, but she knew time wasn't on her side.
Souls were too fragile to be left alone out in the open without a container.
That said, Nerissa hurriedly tucked the soul into her chest, eyes closed, and focused. The merge was seamless. The soul slipped into place like a key in a lock.
Nerissa breathed deep, eyes snapping open to lock onto Jax with a newfound intensity. A sense of wholeness washing over her as the soul merged back in.
It was like she'd been pieced back together.
Nerissa was sure of it. A flick of thought, and she'd be back in her mermaid form.
That said, Nerissa closed her eyes again, willing herself to turn back. With a soft whoosh, shimmering silver scales rippled down her body, her legs merging into a shimmering fishtail.
As the dark reddish silver scales melted away from her upper body, her skin glowed with a rich, brown sheen, revealing a radiant, ethereal beauty. Her dark purple locks faded into shining silver, flowing like liquid moonlight, swaying to the ocean's gentle rhythm.
Nerissa's silver eyes fluttered open, and she was back. Scales shimmering, tail swaying, fully mermaid again.