Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

Gateway to freedom?

- Did you hear what that thing said in its horrible voice? We've been spotted apparently. - Smith said in hiding as he tried to observe what was going on.

- You're going to choke me, you damn book. - Sanctus said as Aelum was choking him with its pages so he wouldn't make noise.

- Wait... We must not rush out yet. I detect a presence approaching," said Lucile as her glasses glowed like a lamplight.

It was a young woman who was running in the direction of the monsters without knowing it.

- what a pleasure to see you, miss. - Said Brian Harper with a wicked grin.

- Fresh food...We're in luck today. - Tom Harper said as he dribbled drool from his mouth.

The young woman with a terrified expression began to run and scream in the opposite direction to where she was heading to try to flee from the Harper brothers.

Now the Harper brothers' target was that young woman, so they began to pursue her in order to devour her.

- Now is the time, guys. The presence of all of them has been removed. - Lucile said quietly as she looked out of the room where they were all hiding.

- It's time to run! And you don't activate your ability in such a flashy way again. - Aelum said in annoyance as he covered Lucile's face.

They all run to get as far away from the Harper brothers as possible.

- Damn, poor guy. We could have done something. - Sanctus said with a sad expression as he left behind the dead body of the man who was devoured by the Harper brothers.

- It's not that simple, San. Unfortunately, we won't be able to save everyone who crosses our path or we'll meet the same end. - Smith said as he ran.

- I'm sorry to say it, but it's true... When I started the test, I was with another woman. That woman is the one you just heard while running away from those monsters. She left me behind because I was so weak, slow and useless at fighting. She didn't care in the least about my ability or working together as a team. - Lucile said as she was running.

Memories of Lucile come to her mind.

- What are you supposed to do now, distract yourself with stupid things in a situation like this? - Said the woman who accompanied Lucile at the beginning of the test.

- N-No... This booklet says what this place is called. I-I think it may also be important to look at what we have around us to understand where we are... - Lucile replied embarrassed.

- Are you stupid? We were almost killed recently because your stupid glasses lit up like headlights. You just have the power to attract those beasts, besides being weak you are easy prey. for anyone who wants to assassinate you. I've had enough of you. - Said the woman as she pushed Lucile.

- T-That's not how my ability works...That hurt me a lot. - Lucile replied quietly as tears were falling and she was embarrassed.

- Enough. Weak people always want a shield and that's why they look for stronger people like me. I'm sure that if I kill you right now I would do you a huge favor. - Said the woman kicking Lucile in the back while she was on the floor.

- P-Please...That hurts a lot stop it... - Lucile said loudly as she covered her face with her hands.

- I won't keep wasting my time with you. You're more useful leaving you as bait for the beasts so don't follow me or I'm really going to have to kill you. - Said the woman as she ran off and left Lucile on the floor.

Back to the present.

Lucile's glasses began to light up as everyone continued to run. Sanctus seeing this quickly made a backward movement because he sensed that something was heading in their direction to hurt them.

- Obice! - Sanctus shouted while doing the corresponding hand position and thus avoiding a direct hit from Brian Harper.

The Obice position used by Sanctus just created a kind of spiritual barrier whose size was only twice as big as his hand.

- What the hell do you think you are doing human? You dare to challenge the mighty Brian Harper? - Brian Harper said as his arm and fist went back in place.

- Did that thing just stretch its whole arm out just to reach us? - Smith said in surprise.

- That thing? You should have a little more respect for the owner of your life. I knew there might be more rats hiding around here somewhere. - Brian Harper said with a big, mischievous grin.

- Illuminate! Everyone runs now! - Lucile shouted as she threw flashes of light from her glasses in Brian Harper's direction.

- What the hell are you doing, you damn human? - Brian Harper said as he covered his face from the powerful light Lucile's glasses were emanating.

They all began to run quickly without stopping for a second to turn back and without falling on the way.

A large door could be seen in the distance.

- There's the door, guys! We have to open it right now! - Smith shouted as he pointed to the door, which was getting closer and closer to them.

- Are they heading somewhere? - Tom Harper said, blocking the path while holding the rest of a human hand in his mouth.

- Psychic rock! - Smith shouted as he hurled some small stones and debris lying on the ground at high speed directly at Tom Harper.

- Huh? What the f**k was that? Did you really think a few rocks with some dirt on them could hurt me? The great Tom Harper! What a deluded man. - Tom Harper said mockingly and then began to laugh at the situation.

- Then try this! Impetus! - Sanctus shouted as he struck directly at the face of the massive Tom Harper, who was almost twice the size of the others.

The attack position, Impetus, consisted of channeling spiritual energy into his hand and while holding the hand position, the energy was concentrated into a kind of dagger around the hand. The tip of this dagger in the form of spiritual energy didn’t protrude so far from where Sanctus' hand ended, but it allowed him to strike his enemy directly without causing harm to himself.

Sanctus' unexpected blow was very effective against Tom Harper who, upon receiving the blow, spat out the remains of the human hand in his mouth and fell to the floor with a crash.

- Illuminate! - Lucile shouted as she blinded Tom Harper's vision while lying on the floor.

Lucile's light was very powerful, so the lenses of her glasses began to c***k a little.

- You bastards! They made me spit out my food and now I can't see. - Tom Harper said as he tried to stand up again.

- I'm going to get them all! - Brian Harper shouted from afar as he stretched out his arms to catch whoever he could grab.

They all ran to the big door, which was very close.

- Will it give us time to open it? - Sanctus thought as he ran.

The door opened on its own for everyone's benefit and they were able to get through in time.

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Mini Story:

Sanctus: Hello to all readers! As you already know, I am Peruvian and today I would like to explain to you what a tapada limeña is. (She has a long blanket on his head).

Aelum: Well, it's about time you explained something about the country where you were born. Besides, the author doesn't want readers to think he is ignorant.

Sanctus: Ignoring what this disrespectful old book says, I’m going to explain. The "tapada limeña" was a term used to designate those women from Lima who covered their heads and faces with beautiful and fine silk shawls, leaving only one eye uncovered. The use of this fashion began in the XVI century and extended until the XIX century in Peru, during the time of the viceroyalty. This unique, elegant and mysterious fashion was brought from the ports of Seville, Spain, mainly due to the merchants' wives who visited the territories conquered by the Hispanic kingdom.

Aelum: I just have a small question.

Sanctus: What question?

Aelum: Why am I using a blanket, too! (He has a blanket covering him almost entirely).

Sanctus: The author thought it was kind of cute and funny that you also had your own version of the tapada limeña. (Try to hold laughter).