Charon knelt down on the floor, making sure there was plenty of room between himself, the bed, and the walls.
’If I’m really summoning a creature, I don’t want it to destroy the furniture or something.’
Putting his holo-pad down in front of him, he turned it on and navigated to his ability, Soul Summon.
[Ability Name: Soul Summon]
[Ability Element: Soul]
[Ability Description: Using the most precious item to all living things, reach beyond this world and cross the River Acheron. Upon its cursed banks lie creatures banished from all other realms, waiting for a new purpose. The greater the offering, the further back you may go, unleashing powers long thought destroyed. Heed the warning of Death himself: The chains that bind are not made without purpose.]
Nothing seemed to indicate how to use the ability.
’What kind of help is this? It shows me that I have the ability, but won’t give me a button to use it?’
His forehead knitted in confusion until understanding dawned on his face.
’The ability isn’t from the holo-pad, I have it! This is just telling me what it is!’
It was so obvious he almost face-palmed, disappointed in his own stupidity.
Having a better idea of what to do, he closed his eyes and sat back on his ankles, focusing inward on the center of his chest. He had never used an ability before, but he had read enough about heroes unlocking their inner power to have a vague understanding of what to do.
’I need to coax the mana out and make it listen to me.’
As if on cue, he felt a strange energy in his core. It moved lethargically, without meaning or purpose. Charon reached out to grab it, feeling a strange chill as he did, but it slipped away.
Sucking his teeth in annoyance, he tried again, this time managing a slightly firmer grip. Moving quickly to command it into action, he mentally ordered the activation of his ability. Once more, the mana escaped, yet this time Charon felt that something was lacking.
’Do I need to be clearer?’
He attempted it again, grabbing the energy and commanding it to activate the ability, but this time adding on that he wanted to use the Archmage soul.
Unlike before, he felt a far larger response. The energy ballooned in size, taking up a large amount of space in his chest before spinning rapidly, refining itself into what was needed.
As if it had gained a mind of its own, the mana shot in two directions. One stream went to his hand, flowing through his arm and coalescing in his palm. The second streaked upwards, connecting with his brain.
Charon smiled widely as he found success, but it did not last long. A moment after he triggered Soul Summon, he found his vision vanishing.
For less than a second, he was in a strange, dark space, before the landscape changed to an open ocean.
An orange sunset covered the sky, bathing the sands he stood on in an ethereal glow. Waves slowly lapped up onto the shore, ending just short of his feet.
Spinning in confusion, Charon saw the sand spread out infinitely behind him, just as the ocean did in front of him.
’What in the name of the gods is going on?’
No clouds loomed above him, only the endless expanse of the sky.
The clinking of chains echoed in the distance, slowly growing louder as they approached. Charon’s eyes shifted as he struggled to pinpoint the exact direction they came from, only able to do so when he finally saw a shadow looming on the horizon.
He blinked, and the shadow vanished, leaving just more sky.
’That’s odd, did I imagine it?’
A strange part of his mind shuddered, causing his entire body to shake. He squeezed his eyes shut, grimacing as an odd premonition came over him.
’Something’s... wrong here.’
Just as he realized that, the chains clanged behind him, the sound waves so strong Charon fell to the sand. He screamed out in pain, blood spilled from his ears even as he rushed to cover them.
Rolling over to look at what had caused them, his mouth opened in a silent cry.
A hooded being floated above the sand, black robes drifting off its body. Chains wrapped around its waist, coiling up its body and down its arms like a snake. Skeletal hands hung from its sleeves, dozens of rings decorating the fingers.
Beneath the hood, Charon saw the edges of a skull, two glowing purple orbs where the eyes should’ve been. Inlaid into the center of his chest was the image of two crossed scythes, sewn with what looked to be golden thread.
Raised behind the terrifying creature were a pair of black feathered wings, stretching towards the sky.
It hovered in front of him, silent and unmoving.
Charon scrambled to his feet, growing sick of being faced with new horrors almost daily. He met the beast’s gaze with a glare, gritting his teeth and staring back.
Its body just rotated, looking out at the ocean. Frowning, he mimicked the action, keeping the creature in the corner of his eye. He rubbed the drying blood off his neck, disgusted with how easily he had been injured.
’This thing is creepy as hell! It has to be the one I summoned with the Archmage soul, but what is it doing? Shouldn’t it listen to my commands or something?’
Nothing changed as they looked out at the waves, the wind causing the chains to clink slowly. They never echoed as loudly as they did when it first arrived.
Growing impatient with waiting, he turned and spoke to the creature, trying his best to appear strong.
"I summoned you with my ability, didn’t I? You’re mine, aren’t you! And if you aren’t, get out of here and send the one I’m here for!"
His voice came out loud and commanding, but unmistakably tinged with fear. Still, it was more controlled than when he was facing the Elf, or when he gained his aspect. His body was learning to adapt to these situations, even with their close proximity.
No response came. The disturbing creature just sat there, floating without any reaction.
Growing more unnerved by the minute, Charon took a half step back. His fists balled, but his eyes kept glancing away.
’I can’t keep doing this! Being brave gave me the chance to come to this school, and being brave is how I’ll survive it! No more running, heroes don’t run!’
With a start, the creature’s body rotated to face Charon once more, the movement quick and unnatural. The chains clanged once more, not as loudly as when he had hurt Charon, but loud enough to make him flinch.
Digging his heels in, he craned his head up and stared into the creature’s eyes. The eerie orbs peered back, unflinching.
"What is this? Some kind of test? Well, I’ll pass it! I’ve passed all the other ones, even for my stupid element trial! Do your worst!"
Although the creature didn’t respond, Charon thought he detected a hint of approval in the orbs it had for eyes. Thinking that over, he realized it was more likely just him trying to find some hope to latch onto.
Minutes passed without either moving.
Then, with slow movements, the creature bowed its head. One of its bony hands raised and extended a finger towards Charon.
Somehow knowing what to do, Charon stepped forward and lowered the collar of his shirt, exposing the marking beneath.
The swirling vortex of purple and black appeared, the strange creature inside still hidden. The finger approached, stopping only when it lightly tapped the image.
Charon hissed as he felt the area burn, his skin peeling away as a new symbol was added just above the vortex. Two crossed scythes, chains winding up their shafts, were revealed.
Without any more warning, the chains unwrapped from the creature and shot toward Charon.
He gasped as cold metal met his flesh, twisting up his body and snaring him on the spot. He turned to the robed creature with disbelief, his hands and legs bound.
"What are you doing? I thought you were my summon!"
Still saying nothing, it drifted towards Charon, its purple eyes growing more malevolent with every inch. Both its hands reached out and landed on his shoulders. The skin beneath his shirt instantly felt cold, his muscles growing taut and weak.
With a shuddering breath, Charon watched as the rest of the creature pulled itself onto him. The robes crept up his legs and arms before covering his torso, bringing him face to face with the skull.
It drew closer, pausing only for a second, less than an inch away from his face. With one last gasp, it snapped forward, causing his sight to disappear.