Chapter 8: The Awakened's Manifestation
"I am willing to grant you the Divine Water pond," Lucifer McKenzie spoke with a calculated calmness, his voice a steady undercurrent in the otherwise silent air. "But, of course, I seek something in return."
A flicker of surprise passed over their faces, the sudden shift in the air palpable as both lucia and Bernice each of them accustomed to negotiations that typically involved threats or offers of riches—found themselves briefly frozen in place.
Doubt and wariness crept into their eyes, tinged by the glint of a hope they dared not speak too soon.
Bernice, her mind turning with possibilities, was the first to speak.
"Are you sure? We can offer you as much gold and treasure as you desire—"
"Money holds no value in this matter," Lucifer interrupted, his voice cutting through the offer like a blade.
The Divine Water pond had already served its purpose. Its value was no longer measured by mere riches or coin.
"But..." He let the word hang in the air, heavy with an unspoken meaning. "The true treasures cannot be bought."
"I demand a Tremor-ranked Magic Spell," he continued, his voice now a soft, dangerous murmur that sent a ripple through the very air between them.
The air grew cold.
"What?" Bernice gasped, disbelief rising in her chest. "That spell is sacred! It is the royal inheritance of our family, passed down by our ancestors. We cannot—"
"Not just anyone can wield such power," Lucia voice interrupted Amelia's protest, though her words were heavy with reluctance. "A Tremor-ranked Magic Spell... That's something our people reserve only for the highest of our bloodline."
Bernice thoughts swirled in a tempest of conflict. Her body was frozen, torn between the overwhelming desire to claim the Divine Water and the terrifying price Lucifer was asking.
Tremor-ranked spells were more than powerful—they were legendary. They were said to embody the very essence of the ocean itself, bestowed by Poseidon in times long past, and only one such spell existed in the entire kingdom. The thought of giving it away seemed unfathomable.
But then Lucia firm hand settled upon her shoulder, a subtle reminder of their precarious situation. The weight of the world seemed to press upon Bernice chest as she took a steadying breath, her resolve breaking as she finally gave in to the inevitable.
She turned toward Lucifer, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of steely determination and cautious respect. "I cannot make such a decision alone, not without consulting the Queen... my mother."
A shadow of a smile passed across Lucifer's face, knowing full well the weight of her words. He had expected this. Still, he kept his expression neutral, betraying none of his own calculations.
Bernice continued, "But I believe she will... agree to your terms." She held her ground, despite the evident tension in her words.
The Queen of the Mermaid Country, known as the Tyrant Queen, was infamous for her uncompromising nature. She did not negotiate, she simply took what she wanted. It was said that she ruled with an iron fist, taking even the air from her enemies without a second thought.
Lucifer's lips twitched ever so slightly. His thoughts were not as concerned with the Queen herself but with the reality that even she would not be able to wrest the Divine Water from him by force. The mere mention of her name stirred a ripple of apprehension in the air, though Lucifer's faith in his own position was unwavering.
"I have no objections," Lucifer replied after a brief pause, his voice steady. "When may I meet the Queen?"
"Now," Bernice said, the gleam of hope rekindling in her eyes. "Right now."
Her words, though simple, carried a weight of significance. With that, a subtle yet genuine smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. The moment felt almost surreal.
As the three of them made their way out of the cavern, Lucifer donned the respirator once more, the eerie silence of the underwater realm pressing in around them. The fact that a being as powerful as Lucifer McKenzie had to rely on something as mundane as oxygen struck a strange note with both Bernice and Lucia. But neither questioned him; their minds were occupied with far more pressing matters.
Emerging from the depths of the water, they were greeted by a magnificent sight. An immense Azure Sea Dragon glided effortlessly through the ocean, its sleek, iridescent blue scales shimmering in the muted light. Its powerful, predatory eyes locked onto Lucifer as they approached, its aura a tangible force of nature that seemed to make the very water around them tremble. The fish in the area, sensing the dragon's overwhelming presence, scattered in all directions, vanishing into the depths.
Bernice, seeing Lucifer's gaze linger on the creature, spoke with a slight smile. "That is our transport. The Azure Sea Dragons are the only beings capable of navigating the treacherous waters of Alaspa. Only those with the Mermaid bloodline can converse with them freely."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed as he observed the beast, his mind already mapping its abilities and potential threats. The dragon's power was undeniable.
As they approached, a no-water zone formed around them, an invisible dome that kept the water at bay. The Azure Dragon's magical ability ensured that the three of them could stand on its back, dry and unaffected by the ocean's depths.
Lucifer stepped onto the dragon's back, feeling the odd sensation of standing in an air pocket amid the vast ocean. For a brief moment, it felt as though he were suspended between two worlds—one that was fluid and alive, the other solid and unmoving.
They began their journey.
As they traveled, Lucifer noted the silence that fell between him and the two women. Amelia cast him furtive glances from time to time, though she said nothing. Lucia, on the other hand, stared at him with a thoughtful, almost scrutinizing gaze, her brows furrowed with calculation. She was clearly waiting for something, though Lucifer had no idea what that might be.
His thoughts, however, were far removed from their silent tension. He focused inward, his mind running over the recent changes that had come with his new status as an Awakened.
In his mind, he spoke a single word: 'Status.'
A familiar screen materialized before him.
Lucifer McKenzie
Rank: Grade 5 Awakened
Primordial Energy Purity: Grade 1 Awakened
Stats
Strength: 18
Speed: 21
Dexterity: 17
Constitution: 12
Luck: 0
Affinity: Death, Shadow, Darkness, Void
Magic Spell: Necrotic Touch
Bloodline: Monarch of Death
Unique Skill: Death, Immortal
Quest: None
His status was as underwhelming as he had anticipated. His stats were on the lower end of the spectrum for an Awakened, likely due to the short time since his transformation. However, what caught his attention the most was his Luck stat.
A negative value. It was unheard of.
He also noticed his unusually high purity of Primordial Energy. It was likely a result of his recent absorption of the Divine Water.
He skimmed through his skillset, his gaze pausing at his most recent acquisition: Necrotic Touch.
Necrotic Touch
Rank: Tremor
Mastery: Apprentice
Effect: Applies the Death Mark to the target through touch. (Max Stack: 5)
It was, without a doubt, a spell of immense power. But there were other details that caught his eye—details he couldn't ignore.
His unique skill, Death, was fully mastered, and the strange Immortal skill was... curious.
Unique Skill: Immortal
Exp: 0/100
Effect: You gain an extra life every 24 hours. (Max Stack: 3)
Lucifer's expression soured as he read through the description. It wasn't the skill itself that bothered him—it was the sheer redundancy of it. What was he to do with multiple lives? What use was it when death itself meant so little to him now?
Sighing, he leaned back, letting the sea breeze wash over him as he continued to ponder.