Killian's mana went wild, against his control.
The fire shot out sharply across his shoulders, using an intense amount of mana that he couldn't control.
He felt his HEART beat quickly as if excited to supply him with mana in the very moment when he didn't need more.
"Killian, stop, this place is—"
Before the words left Jenovan, the crystals on the walls reacted. Every single one of them glowing and growing edges. Then they moved straight at him.
Shit. Killian couldn't dodge because his flames covered his vision and only the haunting sounds of crystal rubbing crystal alerted him of their movement.
They closed in fast, and surrounded him, locking him in place as the tips pressed lightly against his skin. It didn't pierce but held him in place, leaving room for leg space.
Killian exhaled slowly, his body still tensed from the fire numbing his body. The sensation was familiar. It was as if his fire nourished the Void wrestling inside of him.
Is this because he has been silent? Is he returning? Feeding?
The tendrils were also restless under his legs but they remained obedient and didn't expose themselves.
"I'm sorry, Jenovan. I think my mana isn't stable enough—"
"It's fine." Jenovan touched the crystal walls that caged him. "I shouldn't have taken a sick person out of the hospital. That's on me."
Killian said nothing, but lowered his head. The fire numbing his body didn't affect the crystals that trapped him. Getting out wouldn't be so easy.
Jenovan sighed. "These are high-level crystals that react to high mana output. I have to manually break them. Wait."
Killian stayed still for a second, till he was sure Jenovan left. Then he looked down.
The tendrils were already moving from their own will, slithering carefully towards the crystal.
Do they want to eat it?
Somehow he felt the answer to that question. He bent as low as he could within the enclosed space. "Why can I feel their hunger?"
He touched their shadowy lengths. It was cold, but not as cold as he remembered.
I am not sure what's happening but if the Void is returning, then I don't mind.
He stood straight again. Eat it if you want.
They touched the crystal, rubbing their surface against. The crystal walls darkened from the point of contact, and cracks stretched to its sides.
A hollow formed in the middle of the crystal walls. Only a small part had been eaten but the damage was evident.
A feeling of pride welled up in Kilian's stomach, even if he should be worried about the tendrils being discovered. The fire on his skin slowly died out.
That's enough. Any more and it will give way, that will be too suspicious.
The tendrils shrunk away from the crystals encircling his legs, like scolded children. Killian bent low again. It was odd, but he felt sad to stop them from eating.
What is wrong with me?
Feeling their hunger is one thing but have the tendrils also gained sentience that I can feel?
He stayed quiet. Jenovan wasn't coming.
One more bite. That's it.
The tendrils rushed forward, confirming they could understand his thoughts like the Void did. They ate out a small chunk, then froze.
Killian's eyes widened when he heard a ding.
[Void Capacity → 35%]
He paused. "What?"
He looked down at the tendrils, and his own greed came to the surface. "Eat a couple more."
The tendrils ate more.
[Void Capacity → 40%]
Are you kidding me? High-level crystals could have increased my capacity all the while and I went through hell with those simulations?
But then he remembered high-level crystals were really expensive to get, and high-level mages like Jenovan were the only ones who could create them.
And they expended a lot of mana.
In other words, he was basically stealing by letting the Void eat them. I should stop.
But the tendrils kept eating more, and Killian didn't stop them.
[Void Capacity → 50%]
There was only a thin layer left at the bottom perimeter of the crystal cage. One bite more and it would break.
[Do You Want To Store?]
[Yes? Or No?]
Killian stared at it for seconds.
Store meant to be kept for later? Does it mean what I think it means?
He quickly tapped [Yes] and the few seconds it took to load were the longest he had ever experienced.
[New Skill Unlocked! (Combo)(Void)]
His lips curved slightly.
[Skill: Void Womb] [Skill: Void Reborn]
[Void Womb 1: Crystal] [Unlock Void Reborn: 0%]
[Get To 50% To Unlock Void Reborn]
Killian smiled widely. 50% was a long way to go, and he knew how hard gaining anything with the Void was. But it thrilled him thinking about it.
What do I do to unlock? Does it work like the Void capacity? If I eat more, do I unlock…?
His thoughts trailed off when he realized there was no one living rent free in his head. The Void didn't answer. It felt too quiet and he didn't like it.
Did he really leave? How do I go from here?
The percentage started at zero so he'd have to try all sorts of big things to make it work.
I will try everything then.
He heard Jenovan's footsteps in the room. He returned the tendrils under his legs with a thought.
"Stand back, Killian."
"There's not much room to move."
"Don't blame me for scratching your handsome face then."
Killian rolled his eyes. "Just hit it."
Slam! Slam! SLAM!
On the third hit, the crystals gave way to release its prisoner. Killian inhaled sharply before walking out. The crystals had robbed him of clear breath while he was in there.
"I don't think I will continue today." He massaged his wrist. "Maybe when you have time again—"
"Killian," Jenovan's voice dropped. He picked up a shard of crystals, and held it under the window. It was transparent, having only the last layer.
"Did you do something to the crystals?"
Killian's breathing hitched. He stepped back, despite himself. "I didn't." His voice wasn't as confident as it should be because he clearly didn't think that far.
The last thing he wanted was to be suspected or hunted by a retired Warden but working psychopath.
His voice was stronger as he walked. "Is something wrong with it—"
"It is a high-level crystal so you couldn't have broken it or even burnt it with your fire." Jenovan interrupted, turning to him
His neck tilted.
"So what exactly did you do to my crystal, Killian?"