Before Eloda could say anything, Jolthar took a deep breath and stepped into the pool of essence. The liquid glimmered with an unearthly glow, swirling with faint patterns of silver and gold, as though the light of countless stars had been distilled into a liquid form.
The moment his foot touched the surface, the energy rippled outward, reacting to his presence. As soon as he immersed himself, the essence surged around him like a sentient force, wrapping his body in its embrace.
Jolthar's body tensed as he gasped. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt—an overwhelming mix of heat, pressure, and something indefinable, as though the very fabric of his being was being unravelled and rewoven.
The essence seeped into his skin, its glow pulsating in rhythm with his heartbeat. He tried to control his breathing, but it came in sharp, erratic bursts. A thick, gold-coloured liquid crawled on his skin, spreading all around his body, entering into his mouth too. His eyes turned silver, and then a beam of thick silver and grey-coloured light shot up.
"Eloda!" he choked, his voice hoarse. "What is this—"
Her voice interrupted him, calm yet urgent, echoing in the chamber like a guiding beacon. "Don't fight it! Let it in! Don't try to resist, and whatever you do, don't push it away. Calm your mind, or it will consume you."
Jolthar clenched his jaw, his entire body trembling as the heat intensified, rising to an almost unbearable level. He could feel the essence probing deeper, reaching into places he didn't even know existed. He gritted his teeth as the sensation grew more intense, his skin feeling as if it were being seared from the inside out. His breaths came in shallow gasps as the essence dragged him further into the pool.
With one final jolt, he sank beneath the surface, his body now fully submerged. The liquid glowed brighter, and Jolthar instinctively curled into a sitting position at the bottom of the pool. He crossed his legs, forcing his body into a meditative state, though his mind raced with panic.
The essence began its true work.
Within him, the power of Voidwrath stirred to life, a force he had carried for years but had never seen react so fiercely. From his navel, a strange silver liquid began to form, spinning in a slow, deliberate circle. It hummed with an otherworldly resonance, sending ripples of sound resonating in the chamber. The liquid started to rotate faster, emitting strange, almost melodic sounds as it merged with the essence around him.
He could feel the essence sinking deeper now, bypassing his skin and muscles, reaching his very bones. His body trembled violently as his bones began to absorb the energy.
A prickling sensation shot through him like a thousand needles piercing his marrow. Then, with each prick, came a blinding heat that burned its way into his core. The silver glow intensified, illuminating his skeletal structure from within as though his body was a lantern filled with divine fire.
The pain was excruciating, and yet, Jolthar endured. His hands clenched into fists, his nails biting into his palms. The heat was relentless, a torrent of molten energy coursing through him.
Inside his mind, he fought to maintain control. Don't fight it. Calm your mind. Eloda's words echoed again, and he latched onto them like a lifeline. Slowly, he began to let go of his resistance, surrendering to the overwhelming energy. His breathing steadied, and his mind quieted, though the heat continued to rage through his body.
The process felt like it lasted an eternity.
Jolthar had no concept of time as the essence worked its way into every fibre of his being, leaving no part untouched. Then, as abruptly as it began, the intensity started to subside. The heat waned, replaced by a soothing coolness that radiated outward from his core.
Finally, Jolthar opened his eyes. They glowed faintly, the same silver hue as the essence. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novęlfire.net
[Immortal physique basic obtained]
[Qalena's will in effect]
[Voidwrath Enchanced]
Without hesitation, he stood and emerged from the pool. His movements were steady and purposeful, as though he had been reborn.
Eloda, who had been sitting by the edge of the pool with a worried expression, was startled at the sight of him. She had been so still, watching the process, that she barely noticed her own exhaustion. Seeing him now, she exhaled in a mix of relief and disbelief. "I was starting to think you'd died in there," she muttered, though her voice carried an edge of awe.
Jolthar didn't respond immediately. He stood before her, his body exuding a presence that was far greater than before. Every muscle felt recharged, every nerve alight with newfound energy.
The Voidwrath within him felt more potent, more alive. Raising his hand, he summoned the energy instinctively.
Silver arcs of power coiled around his arm, dancing like lightning caught in a storm. The energy emitted a faint hum, pulsating with raw strength. His aura flared suddenly, filling the chamber with an overwhelming presence. It swirled around him like a tempest, the storm of energy almost tangible.
Eloda's breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, wide-eyed and frozen. She could feel the power radiating from him—it wasn't just the Voidwrath. There was something else, something divine. The essence had not only amplified his strength; it had unlocked something deeper. The power of the goddess Qalena pulsed within him, unmistakable and awe-inspiring.
"You..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Without my help... you absorbed it all. And your power... it's..." She trailed off, unable to find the words.
Jolthar's gaze shifted to her, his expression calm but intense. "What now?" he asked simply, his voice steady and resonant, as though the essence had transformed not just his body but his very soul.
Eloda swallowed hard, still unable to tear her eyes away from him. For the first time in centuries, she felt small—truly small—in the presence of someone who had just surpassed the boundaries of mortal potential. And in that moment, she understood why Qalena had chosen him.