Chapter 5 : Confronting fear

Ruffling his short curly brown hair Ethan smiled as he leaned in closer, his red as gleaming with concern as he spoke.
"The others might not realize it, but I know you've been staying real close to Damon since his eleventh birthday, I'm sure mother and the attendants know too." Pointing to his own right eye Ethan continued, "I also possess the mystic eye skill, so I know you had to have seen something that day to be acting so strange but whatever you saw can't be that serious if Moth-."

"You don't understand!" Vincent replied interrupting Ethan, lowering his gaze, becoming noticeable agitated as his shoulder begun to shake as he was reminded of what he had seen that night.
That Night Vincent had travelled to the Damon's room on the thirteen floor intending to checkup on him after the small pizza party they had. Upon reaching the floor, he sensed something about it felt eerie. As he approached Damon's door he noticed a pool of blood suddenly seeped out from beneath.

Thick, Bright red. The stench of iron was suffocating.

One look told him. It was no ordinary blood, the blood oozed to the center of the hallway before stopping as the door began creaking open slightly. Activating his mystic eyes skill, Vincent moved closer.
Peeking through the open space in the doorway, Vincent's breath caught in his throat as he saw the visage of what seemed to be a tall slender figure.

A woman, dressed in a dark night gown, blood at her feet, The skin exposed was visible rotting and festered with maggots. The most terrifying part of all, The woman only had half a head with her hands digging in to the exposed brain matter and rubbing it on the sleeping Damon's forehead.

The sight nearly made his soul leave his body as he was overcome with fear, completely forgetting about Damon, Vincent's instincts told him to run.

Despite recently acquiring skills he knew this wasn't an entity he could fight. In fact, he wasn't even sure mother would be its match either.
Swiftly turning to make an escape despair set in, as he realized the entity was now right in front of him.

Reaching out to him, it caressed his face with is rotting elongated fingers as it made incomprehensible sounds

#@?-@gd#5djak@#

Crack!

Not able to comprehend what was said excruciating pain shot through Vincent's entire being as he heard a crack.

"AAAHHHHHHH!"

Releasing a bone chilling howl, Vincent collapsed, convulsing and clutching his head until he blacked out.

Recalling that memory, Vincent felt a throbbing as if his head was being split out.
Blood begun to runs from his eyes as his face paled.

Noticing the situations escalating, Ethan reacted quickly. Activating his technique and healing skill simultaneously, his energy surged forward enveloping Vincent.

Immediately Vincent's eyes went blank, staring into Ethan's eyes, he felt like he was looking at a calm beach shore.

"Viny! Look at me, alright? You're safe. I'm here, just focus on my voice. Nothing's going to happen to you, Damon or anyone else. I promise."

Gasp.....gasp....gas

Feeling himself being pulled into Ethan's embrace, Vincent's breathing began to steady. His shoulders slowly relaxed as he sunk further into his brother arms.

"I know your trying to be strong and fearless for the younger ones, but you don't need to bear that mask, were still just kids after all. It's normal to be scared of the unknown, but we can't let that fear overwhelm us." Wiping away the blood on Vincent's face with his white shirt sleeve Ethan continued, "Its fine if you can't tell me what happened but when you feel strong enough we can go to mother together."

Noticing the commotion, Cassie approached them wearing her usually black shirt trousers combo and black choker, her straight black hair reaching to her back swayed slightly as her round face was overcome with confusion. Studying them with her deep black eyes she spoke, her mouth nearly turning into a "O" shape.

"Boy's love!? Oh! My Goddess!, with your own brother no less, Ethan! How could you?!"

"Huh?"

"What are yapping about?"

Mutually confused both brothers just stared at Cassie, "Oh lighten up you two, not so fun when you're the ones being messed with right?" she said shrugging with a light laugh.

Ignoring her, Ethan released Vincent and pointed at Cassie.
" See Viny ? No point pretending to be fearless for the others when there's psycho liker her around."

"I'm honored you feel that way about me dear brother."

"It wasn't a complement!"

watching there banter Vincent couldn't resist laughing.

"Hahahahahah!"

Hearing his laughter Cassie put on a sorrowful expression, "To think his dear younger brother Josh is currently suffering due to pain enhancer serum, and he's here laughing, Oh how I sweep for Josh's soul."

"Eh"

"Eh"

Once again both brothers were left too stunned to speak.

******

Waking up in a giant hall, Josh began observing his surroundings.
Recalling Vincent's explanation on the test, He knew he was currently a clone body in the dimension linked to his test. Clenching is fists, he was immensely surprised by the realistic sensation that spread through his fingers.

'It really does feel like my real hand.'

Reaching for his trouser pocket, he shook a set of six pills a couple of times. Worrying about his safety Henry had told him about the pain enhancer serum and gave him these pills he'd 'stolen' from Cassie. They're meant to push spiritual energy towards the pain receptors in the brain, making them more resistant for Ten Minutes.

Airing on the side of caution, Josh decided to take one now. Returning his gaze to the surrounding he noticed something. The hall he was standing in was the most imposing he'd ever seen, just the sheer size of the place was shocking, but the walls adorned with the giant skulls of rams filled him with terror.

Josh suspected the hall was over a kilometer's wide !

The place was covered in black and red, evoking a feeling of Ancient evil with lanterns on the walls seemingly made from human skulls.

Planning to take a look around Josh took a step forward.

SHING

Thump!

Josh fell forward in surprise, barely catching himself with his hands.

Looking back he noticed there was bleeding stump where his right leg ankle was supposed to be.

'What? Where's my right foot ?!' Josh Thought in Panic as pain tore through his mind.

"Aaarrgghhhh!"

Josh's hand clutched his right leg as his entire body became in gulped in pain, and it became near impossible to breath as his vision started becoming blurry. Grimacing he resisted the pain as he tore his shirt sleeve, rapping it around his leg to stop the bleeding.

'How..... did this happening!? What... attacked me!?'

Huff.... Huff... Huff!

Trying to steady his breath his thoughts scrambled on what to do next.
He knew he would fail if he passed out now, he was sure whatever attacked him was lurking nearby just waiting for the moment he did.

With no weapon Josh did the only thing he could think of, smashing his fist into the ground below using his enhanced strength. Hoping to escape the enemies line of sight.

-Bang -Bang -Bang

despite the cracks spreading on the flood beneath him Josh was unable to break through. Realizing this his face drained of color as he began sweating profusely. Panic had set in.

Suddenly his instinct flared as Josh rolled to the side narrowly avoiding an incoming attack.

Thump!

A loud thump

echoed through the air as something heavy landed behind him denting the marble floor and causing a shockwave that slammed Josh into a wall.

"Oh? You were able to dodge this time, that's a surprise! It seems I misunderstood you due to your visage."

As the smoke cleared, what stood before him was a muscular man with red skin, four arms with talons, covered from head to toe in white tattoos and wearing a mask made from a ram's skull. His body seemed sculpted for war with no visible weaknesses.

His voice was sounded deep, arrogant and slow" State thy name young one. The great I will permit thee to speak"

Hesitating for a moment, Josh replied "My name is Josh, Josh Redhill."

"Ah! A fine name it is indeed, Thy will may need to be tempered but thou art worthy enough. Rejoice Josh for you shall be baptized in the sacred ways of my people"

Slowly he approached Josh with a leisurely step without sound" I see thine eyes are drawn to my skill, 'tis no surprise, given thy inexperience. I'm merely circulating spiritual energy around my feet, that they touch not the earth in truth. To thine eyes it may appear I stand upon the ground, yet in truth ..... I do not."

coming to a halt a few centimeters from him, Josh felt his breath leave his body as the seven-foot tall being stood over him.

Crouching down to his height the being spoke once again.

"..... There is yet another guest I must attend. Thus, I shall make this swift and merciful, and see thee safely upon thy way home"

Jamming a talon into Josh's temple, waves of information began surging into Josh's mind.

The world turned black shortly after.

******

"Huaaaa....!"

Josh's eyes flared open, as his body hunched over.

Sweat poured down from all over his body as he took a deep and unsteady breaths.

"I'm-m... Haaa... back?"

He struggled to grasp his situation as his mind flooded with question.

'Who was he...? Did I pass?'

"How are you feeling Josh?

"Uh?"

Hearing Ethan's voice Josh blinked and looked up meeting his gaze.
"Ah, I'm fine, I guess" despite what he said Ethan's eyes could see the slight trembling of his shoulders. Before he could say anything Vincent approached with an apology.

"I'm really sorry Josh, I slipped you some pain enhancer serum because I thought you'd need the extra strength to pass the test. I didn't realize how much danger I was actually putting you in"

"Um.... Well it did work out in the end, if not for the serum I wound have been crushed into paste, but I'd be happy to forgive you for your dinner tonight"

Rolling his eyes Vincent responded" its always food with you, fine you've got a deal but if you hate tonight's meal there no second chances"

"So what did you get?" Interrupting the banter, Ethan spoke as Cassie also leaned in for Josh's response.

" I think the Technique is called 'Dismember', it allows the user to remove qualities from a target via silent omnidirectional slashes, its seems to be an advance version of the basic skill Extraction." Josh said frowning in confusion.

"That makes sense" said Ethan. "That's usually how techniques are made, when a specter learns a skill they can increase the spiritual energy output needed for the skill to create a technique that possess the base of the skill but has different expressions based on user."

" Maybe you can use it to remove some body weight." said Cassie, Nudging Josh's right shoulder.

Glaring at her, he retorted "I'm not fat!, I'm just a growing boy"

"I wonder how Damon's doing?" Said Ethan

"Ha! I'm sure he's doing just fine if chubby here could pass so quickly"
Cassie let out an amused laugh as she spoke.

"I said I'm not fat, Tell her Vincent!"

"HAHAHAH!"

"Oi"