Chapter 251: An incomprehensible soul
Damon gave a small nod.
"We can start right here if you please." Artimius pointed to the terrace in front of him.
"Just like that?"
"Yes. The water is calming, and I am in my best state at the moment. There is no reason to delay it. Just sit cross-legged right in front of me."
Damon didn’t hesitate. He walked a few steps forward and sat down on the cold stone, cross-legged, facing Artimius. The pain in his body flared as he moved, his soul reacting violently to even the smallest shift in mana. But he gritted his teeth and endured it. If there was even a chance to stop the splintering, he would take it.
Artimius knelt in front of him, placing his soul sword to the side. He extended both hands, palms facing Damon. "Close your eyes," he instructed. "Focus only on your breathing. Let the sound of the waves guide you."
Damon obeyed. The world faded around him as he concentrated on the rhythm of the sea. Inhale. Exhale. Over and over. Gradually, the buzz of mana began to hum more steadily in the background.
Soon, the temperature around them dropped slightly, and a pale silver light began to glow between the two of them, forming an intricate rune circle on the floor. Faint motes of light rose into the air like fireflies, spinning slowly, orbiting around them both.
"I’m going to reach into the cracks," Artimius said softly. "You’ll feel pressure. You’ll feel pain. Don’t resist it. Let it pass through you."
And then it began.