"I'm glad I don't have to explain myself to you," the dark entity said with something close to satisfaction. "Now, first things first—you'll need to do something about your physical condition."
Elijah nodded. "Yeah… I figured. This body is…"
"Good," the entity replied. "Also—consider this a bonus—the body you're in has traces of angelic blood."
Elijah blinked. "Seriously? I thought humans were the only ones living on this world."
"You're not wrong," the entity said. "But just like I found my way here, others have too. Other races in the past."
"Like what? Who else came through?"
"I've personally confirmed dragons, angels, giants, beastfolk… and likely demons. Though if demons did arrive, I'm guessing they were wiped out almost immediately."
Elijah leaned forward. "So some of the myths… they're true?"
"More or less," the entity said. "Dragons so far back that their bloodlines are nearly erased. I haven't come across a single human with any trace of dragon in them but some animals take their form although their bloodline are totally degraded."
"And the others?"
"The angels, demons, and giants show up in your religious texts—obvious references, really," the entity said casually. "As for the beastfolk… your ancestors worshipped them as gods especially the Egyptians."
Elijah blinked. "Wait… the ones with animal heads? That wasn't just symbolism or costume?"
"Nope," the entity said. "Some of them were most likely real."
Elijah frowned, thinking it through. "But that doesn't add up. The powers those 'gods' supposedly had—they couldn't have been low-level. From the stories, they had to be Rank Three at least. And if that's true… beings of that level should've lived for thousands of years. Shouldn't they still be around?"
"Not exactly," the entity replied, its tone shifting. "This world—your world—is mana-deficient. A world like this slowly drains power from anything magical. Even if they followed every rule, even if they stayed hidden, eventually they either had to leave or the lack of mana would weaken them… and eventually kill them."
The entity paused.
"That's why I can't stay here too long either."
"So anything else?"
"Yes… your world will enter the Awakening Phase in a year and a half," the dark entity said. "Your continents will merge. The planet will expand several times over. The very shape of your world will change. It'll become something entirely different."
Elijah tensed, absorbing the weight of that.
"Will there be any side effects from mana that I should be aware of?" he asked.
The entity tilted its head. "Not much I can tell you there. But I will say this—mana will behave like a new element in your atmosphere. Think of it as something slightly denser than air or as you put it, oxygen. You're smart… you'll figure out the implications on your own."
It paused briefly, then added, "I'm not able to tell you more than that, unfortunately."
Before Elijah could press further, the entity continued, "But let me give you a piece of advice: form a faction. It won't be easy... it'll take time, effort, and a lot of planning... but the benefits are more than worth it."
Elijah gave a small nod. He didn't fully understand, but he'd remember.
"I suppose that's everything I have for you," the entity said, its form starting to flicker faintly. "It's time for me to leave."
"Wait—one last question," Elijah said quickly. "About the angelic blood in this body… how do I awaken it? I mean, in the game we only got bloodlines from the races, not from ourselves."
The entity gave a small amused smile. "It's already on the verge of awakening. Tell me—do you think those looks are artificial?" It laughed softly. "All I did was give him a beauty-enhancing potion. That kind of potion doesn't create beauty. It just brings out what's already there. No one can conjure something out of nothing."
Elijah nodded slowly, but another thought lingered.
"So… what do I owe you?" he asked.
"Damien debt was with you, not me. I've taken over his body, inherited his life—and the knowledge you've given me. That has to come at a cost."
"You've already paid," the entity said with a cryptic tone. "Or rather… you will."
"What do you want?" Elijah asked, more cautious now.
"Nothing," the dark entity replied. "You won't owe me anything. I won't come calling. You'll never have you do anything for me on this account."
Seeing the doubt on Elijah's face, it added, "Like I said—you're smart. One day, you'll understand exactly what I mean now."
"Then why not just tell me now?" Elijah asked.
"Because telling you will cancel the payment. And then… you'd be in real debt."
There was a short silence before the entity offered a parting smile.
"Farewell, Elijah Nor—no, I suppose I should say… Damien Morningstar. I hope we meet again."
"Damien Icarus Morningstar," Elijah corrected with a smile. "You always forget the Icarus."
The entity chuckled, already beginning to fade. "Oh, I really hope we meet again."
And just like that, it vanished.
Damien stood there, staring at the space it had just occupied, unease crawling up his spine.
'What exactly did I pay… or will I pay—for a new body, angelic blood, and all that knowledge?'
The question gnawed at him.
Sighing heavily, Damien walked to the bed and collapsed onto it. His limbs felt like lead.
"I'll think about it tomorrow," he muttered, closing his eyes. "Too much happened today… I just need to sleep."
*******
{1st December, 547 Days to Awakening}
"…key, wakey, Damien. It's already past six," a soft, beautiful voice pierced through his haze.
Damien groaned, half-conscious, his eyes fluttering open—only to be hit by a sharp ray of light streaming through the window. It was snowing outside, yet somehow the morning sun had found the one angle to shine directly into his face.
He winced, instinctively covering his eyes.
"Ugh…"
Dragging himself upright, Damien blinked a few times before turning toward the source of the voice.
Aria stood there. Blonde hair flowing over her shoulders, blue eyes was glinting, and an amused smirk was on her lips.
"Damn it, Aria. Couldn't you wait a little longer?" Damien mumbled, still half-asleep.
"You told me to wake you up early," she said, hands on her hips. "Something about wanting more time to indulge in your... hmm what did you call it... Ah yes special activities."
She raised an eyebrow and pointed at his blaring alarm. "Besides, that thing's been screaming for ten minutes and it's giving me a headache."
"Ah, right… the endless grind," Damien muttered, standing up with effort. As he walked past her on his way to the bathroom, he gave her a playful smack on the ass.
Aria giggled. "If my dad knew how often you grabbed my ass, he'd probably lose his mind."
"I thought he'd be happy we're getting married," Damien replied over his shoulder.
"Oh, he would. But not while you're acting like a man-whore and having orgies every week," she teased.
That made Damien chuckle. She kept pace with him for a few steps.
"Anyway, who do you feel like banging today?" she asked nonchalantly. "So I can call her or them or perhaps prep the car if you are driving over."
He stopped at the bathroom door, thinking for a moment. "No one today. Have the drivers prep the Pagani Zonda. I want to drive solo for today."
Aria gave a small nod, and Damien stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
As soon as the door clicked shut, the smirk on his face disappeared.
According to the memories he'd inherited from the original Damien, Aria and her father, Enzo, were more than just loyal companions—they were the closest people in his life.
Aria had once suffered from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a illness that had left her bedridden.
Stuck in bed for years, she had thrown herself into the digital world and become a self-taught computer genius.
Enzo, her father, had helped Damien back when he was still a broke street rat, so as a way to pay him back, Damien spent time with her, pushed her around in her wheelchair, kept her company.
When Damien made the deal, he returned the favour completely by funding her treatment.
Enzo had lost his wife to the same illness Aria battled. So for him, seeing his daughter recover... thanks to Damien's generosity... meant everything.