Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

Two strangers with good intentions.

- Negative Feeling is that the name of a group or something similar? - Sanctus said.

- That’s correct. I was sent along with my partner to monitor the end of this test. Apparently, many people are dying more than expect and that’s making everyone a little uneasy. - Desolation replied with a bit of concern.

- Who sent you?! What is the Soul Alive and why is it related to all this that is happening to us?! I know that you know much more than you appear to! - Sanctus said very excited with a worried and angry expression while he grabbed Desolation's coat very tightly.

- Sanctus, control yourself! - Aelum said as he flapped his pages.

- Really? What right do you have to say that? - Sanctus replied with a serious look on his face as he turned to look at Aelum.

- I ask you both to please calm down a little. Remember that making too much noise or losing emotional control in this place is very dangerous. - Desolation said quietly as he stared at Sanctus through his gas mask.

- You're right... - Sanctus answered as he let go of Desolation's coat.

- I’m not authorized to answer those kinds of questions or any others that are not related to the main objective of my mission. - Desolation said.

- You seem like a good person and I know you want to prevent others from dying, don't you? At least tell me something... - Sanctus said while staring at Desolation with a sad expression.

- None of the people who have come to help can say anything about it and we just follow orders. It's really impossible, because if we do that we will automatically die. I can only tell you that the organizers went a little overboard with this test and are always watching everything that happens in every single phase of the test. - Desolation replied.

- Those damn genocidal bastards...They've caused too many deaths and they still don't think it's enough. - Sanctus said with an angry expression.

- You can either stand there suffering and regretting everything that has happened so far or finish the test. Everyone will have only one chance, but if you fail, it's over. I hope you understand... - said Desolation.

A very cold and strong wind accompanied by a dense fog passed by where they were. The temperature was beginning to drop and it was noticeable in the grass around them, as well as in the different vegetation that surrounded the place. Everything was starting to freeze a little at a time.

-Find the tombs and get into an empty one to finish the test... There won't be room for everyone... - said a mysterious female voice echoing through the cold wind.

- Apparently Avarice is a little impatient to finish the test. - Desolation said as he watched the cold wind continue on its way.

- Avarice? Could she be his companion? - Sanctus thought.

- Well... Where did I leave off? Oh, that's right. Near here there are many tombs on the ground. I'll point you in the direction where you'll find them and you'll have to get into one of them to finish the test... Needless to say, any mistake means instant death. - Desolation said with a more serious tone of voice.

- I’m ready. - Sanctus answered with a serious expression.

- Well...Let's go then... - said Desolation as he started walking.

Sanctus was following Desolation in the company of Aelum towards the place where the graves were located. The path posed no danger to anyone, but the calm was mysterious due to the situation they were in.

-Here we are. We shouldn't get too close unless you want to start... See those graves that are dug on the other side? You must pick one. Now go and run...- said Desolation pointing to the spot with his fingers.

- There don't seem to be many...- Sanctus said quietly as he looked in the direction pointed out by Desolation.

- Around the site there are more. You can't fully see the whole place because of the mist around. I recommend you start running because I do not guarantee that there are still graves available for you and your talking book. - Desolation replied.

- I would like to thank you for the help you have given me, Desolation.  - Sanctus said shaking Desolation's hand.

- H-huh... It's okay. I'm not used to this kind of interactions with other people, but I'm going to allow this. - Desolation said quietly in a somewhat intimidated voice.

- Is he embarrassed? What a strange guy. - Aelum said with a chuckle

- Shut up and let's go at once, we have no more time to waste! - Sanctus said as he grabbed Aelum with one hand and ran at full speed towards the right place.

- Hey, you bastard! What do you think you're doing? - Said Aelum as he tried to get out of Sanctus' hand.

- Damn, I hope to be on time! - Sanctus said as he ran at full speed.

In the middle of the whole place was the hideous creature that Sanctus had previously seen when he was with Lucile and Smith. It was apparently stalking whoever was in its range of spiritual vision.  Certainly, you couldn’t expect good intentions from such a creature.

Sanctus was surprised to see the creature in the middle of the path where he was headed. It's a bit tricky to go further because that thing is completely obstructing the path to the other graves. There is not much time to react and it looks like it will be a direct confrontation where Sanctus has the odds stacked against him as he has no spiritual energy left.

- It was a trap? I have let myself be fooled so stupidly to be devoured by a creature without being able to resist it... - Sanctus thought as he stopped abruptly in front of the horrible creature who had already noticed his presence. - What's next? Maybe I should retreat, but my legs no longer have enough energy to keep running away. - He thought as he slowly backed away.

A person touches the shoulder of Sanctus.

-You only have one try; you know. Choose well the grave where you are going to get in. - Said the female voice behind Sanctus.

- She must be Avarice, Desolation's companion. But what is she going to do now? - Sanctus thought as he turned to look at Avarice. - I-Understood. - He answered quietly as he shook his head.

Avarice wore a gas mask that only covered her mouth and nose, black clothing similar to that of a gothic person and long green hair. Her eyes reflected confidence and a certain power in her actions. Apparently, it was safe to trust her.

- Field of mist! - Avarice said while extending her right hand to give way to a dense fog that surrounded the whole place completely.

Sanctus ran in a straight line quickly, although the haze was making it almost completely difficult for him to see.

-Damn it. I can't see what grave I can get into; I can't even find one. - Sanctus said as he tried to find a grave in the dense fog.

- Hey Sanctus! Over here, quick! - Aelum shouted as he was flying over a grave.

Sanctus upon hearing Aelum's voice nearby, as well as his flapping with his pages, didn’t hesitate twice to dive into the trave.

A scream similar to that of a humanoid monster was heard echoing throughout the place for a few seconds, as well as screams of some people, loud footsteps and the voice of Avarice shouting to all those who still remained outside that they should flee. After all that, the whole place was invaded by a mysterious calm.

Sanctus was still watching from inside the grave without saying a word.

Aelum was on Sanctus chest without saying anything.

A lot of earth began to fall on Sanctus face, as if someone was simply burying him. It only took a few seconds in which Sanctus closed his eyes to open them again and realize that he was now in the room of his home.

-I hope Lucile and Smith were able to survive this last phase...- Sanctus said quietly as he lay on his bed.

Hey, Sanctus. - Said Aelum floating above him.

- What's wrong Aelum? - Sanctus answered a little tired.

- Do you know what Soul Alive is? - Aelum asked without further ado.

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Mini Story:

Sanctus: Hello all our readers! Today I'll introduce you to Avarice.

Avarice: Uh...hello everyone, I guess.

Sanctus: Well, Avarice, your power has intrigued us all a bit. Can you control the mist? How do you do it?

Avarice: No, no... I have control over the gases in the environment. In general, I guess that's something you'll all know in more detail going forward.

Aelum: Can you control the gas? I can control my ass gases too. (Clearly, he's making fun)

Avarice savagely strikes Aelum and leaves.

Sanctus: Well... At least we know a little more about her. I wonder what power Desolation has?

Aelum: M-My pages hurt...I was just kidding a little bit. She's a little scary... (He's on the floor all dirty with broken pages).