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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uqizLJ5a8
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQLvLQaIt9
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsMdMhFGzh
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLxRM1pI6O
"It was a good fight," Madelyn said, walking slowly towards me. "But this is your limit."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX52iNZXDGW
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12OpoBjn0W
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtJ6X5I1cg
I looked into her blue eyes, then noticed the torn sleeve revealing a bruise underneath. "I did that..." I whispered.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vmcDPHmTp
As the realization sank in, my smile faded. I had raised my fist against someone I cared about. "Damn..." I muttered, feeling like trash.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwyDBHTTRD
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.
***
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv89DQhuUtz
"So, he's finally reached his limit, huh?" Mr. Adams remarked as he entered the broken field, observing the aftermath of the battle.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7od13juwM0
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf0gLcTW3K
"What do you think?" he inquired, turning to his granddaughter, who cradled Ethan in her arms as if he were royalty.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUH9ftNUR2
"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."
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq4k9hwzi4
"Indeed," Mr. Adams agreed, his arms folded.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsfx1D0JBp
"Grandfather," Madelyn's voice trembled with shock and disbelief. "What is he?"
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP1kXXMwM8
"A mystery," Mr. Adams replied, his gaze lingering on the unconscious boy. "A mystery unlike any seen in the history of the order."
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVaHlO5q7g
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?"
***
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ChcCzobqM
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAHtJh4txV
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBzzPkdsr5
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42VSxkvI26
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEROSbzHmRj
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5C2F2jFCj
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcrskKMsUk
"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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ8nnHEejv
"Um, thanks," I said, realizing I didn't know his name.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLTq8Wo2AU
"Arnold Bentley, sir," he said, slightly bowing his head.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9r9wUATJT
"Nice to meet you," I replied, taking a sip of the refreshing water. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY1YXgOPhS
"Mr. Brumfield, I've been instructed to escort you to the training grounds when you're ready," Arnold said, standing beside the couch.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYPMIsEzSd
"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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0DBKbHKtT
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWkTDDdoeo
Arnold approached the closed latch and, with a small grunt, opened it. He stood back, silent, as he waited by the open hatch.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZPhw4PgZt
"Whenever you're ready, sir," he said calmly, his expression unwavering.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOLpcXIYIZ
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.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxW8Ypxv0v
Looking back at Arnold, who wore a reassuring smile, I couldn't help but wonder if he realized how eerie it all seemed.
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xaG6v3zbA
"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
ns216.73.216.250da2
