98 Wasn't the One or Was it?



"Looks like this kid is wrestling with his inner demons," Blaze sighed, his gaze fixed upon the serene surface of the Bloodwell. Two days had passed since Ren submerged himself into the depths of the obsidian pool.

"I'll go and pay her a visit," Blaze declared, turning away and venturing deeper into the darkness. As Ren's power grew stronger, Blaze found himself able to venture farther from Ren's physical body. However, he had to maintain a smaller form to avoid severing their connection and risking the loss of their bond.

Following the dried trails of blood, Blaze navigated his way to a magnificent coffin. The lid was already open, revealing nothing but a layer of dust inside. Nevertheless, Blaze spoke as if addressing a presence that no longer existed.

"Hey, Ignisara, how have you been?" Blaze's voice echoed softly in the empty chamber. It was a feeble attempt to reach out to his departed friend, a desperate hope that somehow their connection could transcend the boundaries of life and death.

Hovering over the coffin, Blaze lingered there for a long while, pouring out his thoughts and memories to the void. He spoke of random things, as if engaging in a one-sided conversation, believing that in some intangible way, Ignisara could still hear him.

"I'm sorry," Blaze's voice carried a genuine remorse. His words were filled with sincerity. "I couldn't reciprocate your feelings." A vivid image of a vibrant and powerful girl with a radiant smile flashed through Blaze's mind.

"But I made sure to fulfill a promise," Blaze continued, his voice filled with a mix of pride and regret. "I brought an heir to carry on your legacy." He paused, haunted by Ignisara's final words of regret that had seeped into his consciousness.

Blaze returned to the Bloodwell after apologizing for the last time.

...

The Bloodwell, a marvel not of natural origin but of arcane craftsmanship, had always been shrouded in secrecy, for it possessed the power to disrupt the very fabric of existence.

When the world was first birthed, alongside the celestial deities, their divine duty was to safeguard the delicate equilibrium of this nascent realm. Over time, mortal beings such as humans and elves came into existence, each carving their place in this intricate tapestry. Yet, dragons and other mythical creatures remained enigmatic anomalies, finding their own clandestine pathways into the world, creating their own legends.

But the Bloodwell... it was a creation unrivaled, forged by the ancient dragon Falkor, renowned as the second most powerful entity after the mighty Klashier. Blaze mused to himself, his voice a mere whisper amidst the stillness, "Although, with my absence, I suppose Falkor reigns as the true ruler now."

The Bloodwell stood as Falkor's magnum opus, an ethereal crucible capable of transmuting one's very bloodline from the ground up. It held the power to elevate a mere mortal to the lofty stature of a dragon, or inversely, to reduce a majestic dragon to the frailty of a human—or even a lowly goblin, if one so dared.

Within those inky depths, the eldritch waters worked their arcane symphony, meticulously reconstructing every sinew and fiber of the individual who immersed themselves. The essence of the offered blood intermingled, harmonizing with the dormant potential within.

For centuries, the Bloodwell served its purpose, an enigma known only to a chosen few. However, dissent soon arose within the hallowed halls of the Conclave, the governing council of dragons. Whispers of trepidation and unease circulated, and Falkor found himself confronted with a grave ultimatum—to dismantle his masterpiece or face the wrath of those who deemed its existence an affront to the natural order.

Yet, Falkor, resolute in his conviction, refused to acquiesce to the pressures of conformity. He sought solace in the council of Klashier, his unwavering ally, beseeching him for assistance. And in a clandestine alliance, the two dragons conspired to conceal this extraordinary creation, carving a chamber within the depths of the Nightshade Sanctum, a sanctuary perched high above the mortal world.

"May he emerge unscathed," Blaze murmured, his genuine concern evident in his voice. The Bloodwell was never meant to yield its secrets and transformative power so easily. It demanded a tremendous reservoir of strength or an indomitable will to survive its trials.

Throughout history, the Bloodwell had claimed countless lives, indiscriminate in its appetite. It devoured the courageous and the feeble alike, disregarding one's strength or status. From demigods to lowly mortals, none were spared from its insatiable hunger.

The Bloodwell was notorious for subjecting individuals to unimaginable tests, pushing them to the very limits of their existence. It delved into the depths of their being, unearthing their deepest fears, darkest secrets, and hidden vulnerabilities. It had the uncanny ability to drive one to the precipice of insanity, leaving them hollow and devoid of purpose.

Those fortunate enough to emerge from the clutches of the Bloodwell often bore the unmistakable mark of its ordeal. They resembled the walking dead, their life force drained, their will to live extinguished, and their desire for death equally absent. They merely existed, trapped in a perpetual state of numbness and apathy.

"It would be a tragic waste to lose such a remarkable individual," Blaze mused, a hint of amusement coloring his voice. He found it intriguing how he had developed a genuine concern for someone, a sentiment he had never experienced before. Throughout his existence, Blaze had encountered numerous masters who had wielded him once he was bound within the Silver Scaled Dagger. However, he had never formed any real attachment to them nor mourned their passing. To him, they were simply means to an end, utilizing his powers for their own purposes.

But Ren was different. From the moment they crossed paths, Blaze had never entertained the thought of discarding him or harbored any ill will towards him, even during times when Blaze's own usefulness waned and he relied heavily on Ren's mana. There was an unspoken bond between them, a connection that went beyond mere master and weapon. Ren saw value in Blaze beyond his powers, appreciating him for who he was, flaws and all. And in return, Blaze found himself invested in Ren's well-being, an unexpected sentiment that had caught him off guard.

"Haha, I've come to consider him as a friend," Blaze chuckled, acknowledging that despite his age and wisdom, he had developed a genuine connection with Ren. He understood the complexities of his own emotions and knew where they resided within him.

Throughout their months-long journey together, Blaze had guided Ren with a mix of misleading information and challenging trials. He had pushed the boy to his limits, testing his potential and unraveling his unpredictable nature. Ren possessed a curious blend of traits that set him apart from anyone else Blaze had encountered.

Ren had a penchant for violence, yet he never engaged in it solely for amusement. He displayed intelligence, yet often found himself clueless in certain situations. His attentiveness to his surroundings seemed inconsistent, as if his focus wavered at times. He possessed the ability to love deeply, yet could just as easily cast aside his emotions. He held his friends and family dear, yet maintained a certain distance, avoiding excessive attachment.

"Indeed, humans can be truly peculiar beings," Blaze mused, acknowledging the enigmatic nature of Ren's character. He found himself intrigued by Ren's uniqueness and the way he defied conventional understanding.

Blaze himself had experienced his fair share of challenges and upheavals throughout his existence. As an ancient entity, he had witnessed the world evolve and transform in ways that were sometimes difficult for him to grasp. The rapid pace of change often left him feeling disoriented and disconnected from the current state of affairs.

Blaze recalled the words of his Princess, who had warned him about the impending intensification of these changes. The world was on the cusp of further upheaval, and Blaze knew he would need to adapt and navigate through these uncertainties.

"Is mind still intact?" Blaze's voice quivered with concern as he observed Ren emerging from the depths of the Bloodwell. The surface of the water had shown signs of movement, signaling Ren's return, but Blaze's apprehension stemmed from the fear of Ren's sanity being compromised.

Ren coughed vigorously, struggling to regain his breath after the arduous journey. As he finally made it to the shore, Blaze approached him, his heart sinking at the sight of Ren's lifeless expression. It mirrored the countenance of those unfortunate souls who had lost their sanity within the confines of the Bloodwell.

Blaze's gaze searched Ren's eyes for any flicker of recognition or emotional connection, but they remained vacant, void of the spark that once defined Ren's vibrant spirit. The weight of the situation settled heavily upon Blaze, as he wondered if his efforts to rescue Ren had been in vain, leaving behind only a hollow shell of the person he had known.

Concern etched deep lines on Blaze's face as he contemplated the gravity of the situation. The true test lay not only in Ren's physical survival but also in the preservation of his sanity, a fragile essence that could be irreversibly shattered within the depths of the Bloodwell.

"Hey, you..." Blaze began to address Ren, but before he could utter another word, Ren raised his hand with the palm facing upward, a gesture that commanded attention.

In an instant, a fireball materialized above Ren's open palm. However, this was no ordinary manifestation of his power. It exuded a sense of divine elegance, radiating with a brilliance that seemed to transcend the realm of mortal abilities.

Ren's eyes fixated on the mesmerizing flames, and a smile curled upon his lips. The fire danced and flickered, casting a warm glow upon his face. Within the bright yellow ring encircling his iris, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirled, reflecting the newfound depth within Ren's being.

"Hey, parasite!" Ren called out to Blaze, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and wonder. "She's beautiful, isn't she? Ignisara." Ren chuckled, his gaze never wavering from the captivating fire.

Blaze couldn't help but be swept away by the enchantment of the moment. A soothing sensation washed over him, as if the essence of Ignisara's fiery spirit had ignited a calmness within his own existence.

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