That day, Ansel returned to the shadowed depths of the Aokigahara forest. The place whispered about in legends and feared by many. The dense sky above filtered the sunlight into eerie patterns on the forest ground.
The vibe was thick with an unsettling silence. Yet Ansel moved with purpose, his mind fixed on a singular goal: to enter the Immortal realm and confront Fayfiend.
Ansel's chuckle was low and knowing as he prepared to follow Fayfiend into the Immortal realm. He understood the nature of Fayfiend better than most and his ability.
The immortal beings who transcended the mortal realm, were bound by a rule of reciprocity that was absolute and unyielding. They repaid all debts good or ill. Not with mere gestures, but with a force that could shake the very foundations of existence.
If an Immortal received kindness, their gratitude was profound and eternal. They would devote their entire being, their endless existence, to the one who showed them goodness.
Their loyalty was not just a promise. It was a sacred bond, a high-class devotion that few mortals could comprehend. Some Immortals would hesitate at nothing, even risking their own souls, to uphold this loyalty.
But the other side of this case was far more terrifying. If an Immortal was wronged, if a wound was inflicted upon them, their vengeance was merciless and absolute.
It was not half-hearted or petty. It was a retribution that could be more cruel and final than death itself.
Ansel knew this well. He had seen the scars left by such wrath, and he was determined not to be on the receiving end.
Fayfiend was injured, a rare vulnerability for an Immortal. Hence, Ansel recognized this as a critical opportunity. Before Fayfiend could recover and launch a devastating counterattack, Ansel planned to strike first.
He would use this moment of weakness to his advantage, to gain the upper hand in a battle that could decide much more than their fates.
Ansel moved swiftly to the point where Fayfiend had vanished. The place where the veil between the two realms was thin.
With practiced precision, he prepared the three sigils for his journey: the Sigil Sender, which he entrusted to Andrew for communication; the Sigil Receiver, and the Portal Gate, both of which he carried with him.
Before opening the portal, Ansel drew forth his Viorenving. Whispering, he summoned Rhea, a guardian spirit bound to the Viorenving. "Rhea come out…"
Ansel said firmly. His voice was steady despite the gravity of the mission. "I'm going to the Immortal realm. You wait here with Andrew and the monk."
Rhea responded not with words but with action. She stepped directly into the Viorenving, a clear sign that she refused to stay behind.
Her loyalty was unwavering. But Ansel knew the dangers that awaited him inside the Immortal realm. He could only hope that she would remain safe until his return.
"Rhea… it is very dangerous. You can't come. Rhea… Rhea…" Ansel's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and desperation. His eyes searched the ethereal form of Rhea, the
Guardian Spirit bound to his Viorenving, pleading silently for her to stay safe.
The weight of the impending battle pressed heavily on his heart. He did not want anything to happen to her, not now, not ever. Yet, he knew that without the power of Viorenving, and by extension Rhea, his chances against Fayfiend were slim to none.
He had resolved to try fighting Fayfiend without her aid, to protect her from the dangers of the Immortal realm. But deep down, Ansel understood the truth if he did alone.
Andrew, standing nearby, observed Ansel's anxious demeanor with a calm but knowing expression. He felt that Ansel's worry was excessive, almost overacted. Andrew said gently but firmly. "Ansel, Viorenving is her home. It's impossible if she gets out of the sword for long time. After all, she's the Guardian Spirit. And... her strength is greater than yours."
His words hung in the air, a quiet reminder of the bond between Ansel and Rhea. Andrew's voice carried not just reassurance. But a deep understanding of the mystical connection that defined their relationship.
Ansel fell silent, reflecting on Andrew's words. He knew, as well as anyone, that his power was not his own. It resided within Rhea. She was the source of his strength, the key to his victories. Without her, he was incomplete, vulnerable to the overwhelming might of Fayfiend.
Mr. McVeigh had also placed his faith in this bond. He believed that Rhea was the only key to Ansel's success. This belief was not misplaced. It was a truth forged through countless battles and trials.
Andrew continued, his tone gentle but encouraging. "Do you remember what Mr McVeigh said? I think he assures that you can beat Fayfiend. But not alone, there is Rhea who helps you."
Andrew's words were meant to awaken something within Ansel, to remind him of the strength that came from unity rather than solitude.
The roles were intertwined. Rhea was not just a weapon to be wielded but a protector who cared deeply for Ansel's well-being.
Andrew hoped that Ansel would understand this profound truth: the Guardian Spirit guarded her owner with unwavering loyalty and fierce
determination.
It was not Ansel's burden alone to protect Rhea. She was equally, if not more, committed to guarding him. This mutual bond was their greatest strength, a force that could turn the tide against even the most formidable foes.
"I just don't want her to get hurt." Ansel said quietly, his voice heavy with unspoken fears. It wasn't a matter of doubting Rhea's strength. He knew she was powerful beyond measure.
But strength alone could never guarantee safety. The Immortal realm was a place of unfathomable dangers. Where even the mightiest could be wounded or lost.
Ansel's heart ached at the thought of Rhea suffering harm. He would do anything to protect her from that fate, from his terrible past that he didn't want to recur.