Chapter 40: Soul Space (3)
Boom!
Astrael instinctively took a step back. The towering column of dark water began to churn violently, then collapsed inward like a vortex spiralling into nothingness.
A sudden pulse of invisible force swept through the space, pressing down on everything. Even the air itself seemed to tremble under its weight. But Astrael didn’t flinch. He narrowed his eyes, bracing against the pressure, and watched closely as the black sea gradually calmed down and left something behind.
A platform.
Smooth and circular, forged from obsidian-black stone that shimmered under the dim light. Along its edges, delicate silver runes glowed faintly, their intricate patterns softly humming with an otherworldly energy. And hovering just above the platform was a single crystal.
A gentle wave of mystic white light radiated from it, washing over the space, casting away shadows and brightening the dark, endless void.
"Ugh..." Astrael groaned, squinting his eyes against the sudden brilliance.
Instantly, Astrael’s vision shifted, and the ethereal vastness vanished. He found himself once again standing within the mana mist–covered stair hall. Normally, the mental space—his Soul Space—was like a separate dimension that one could influence from within. It could be shaped to reflect the will and mind of its owner. But, of course, there were boundaries. One couldn’t expand or shrink it at will, nor could one summon objects into existence without a proper medium or skill.
"You may return now."
The calm voice of the priest echoed gently, bringing him back to the present.
Without hesitation, Astrael turned and stepped away from the staircase, his mind already racing with curiosity; he couldn’t wait to check his status and see what had changed.
But the moment he stepped out, he noticed something strange.