Chapter 177: Ea’s Gift
‘Spectral Art, huh?’
Evidently, involving one’s trait in their magic resulted in yet another flavour of spell. In any case, Percy was glad Weaving had more to offer than just the long-term project he was working on.
‘What did you do? I can feel my body again!’ Enki suddenly exclaimed, bringing him out of his thoughts.
It was only now that Percy remembered he had yet to link himself to his host properly. Finding a few still-open cracks, he slid through as many of them as he could, the boy’s senses finally feeding into his mind.
The first thing he noticed was cold all around him, coupled with an oppressive pressure trying to squeeze him into a ball. Luckily, his host’s body seemed to have been perfectly designed to survive in this exact environment. Twitching his fingers, he explored the resistance some more, determining they were probably underwater. It wouldn’t be his first time possessing a sea-dweller, but it was his first sentient one.
Opening his eyes, he saw nothing but darkness. A few faint shapes settled in place a moment later, the exotic landscape beneath him softly illuminated by a dim red glow burning somewhere in the distance like a dark sun. To his left, Percy spotted a large, forest-like structure. Though there weren’t any trees inside it, but rather a series of huge, pale corals. Was this the “Marble Reef” the boy had mentioned?
Then came the pain. It mostly originated from his chest, an agonizing jolt branching outwards to his extremities with every thrum of his heart.
‘Enki, I’ve fixed your soul, but your body is still a mess. If they really have an antidote for whatever bit you in that orphanage of yours, I suggest you get a move on.’
Nodding grimly, the boy took control of his body, shooting towards a certain direction like an arrow. Percy was taken aback by the sheer elegance and speed of his host’s strokes, having never seen anybody swim like that before. He felt the water press against the membranes between his digits, as Enki wormed his way through the cold abyss. Even at Orange and with his boosting art active, Percy doubted he’d be able to keep up with the boy in his natural environment.