Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

Is this a dream?

Everything is back to normal.

The book has fallen slightly on a table near Sanctus.

-I feel a strong energy running through me and a slight presence. – Sanctus thought, not knowing where to look. – Is some TV show playing a sick joke on me? – He continued thinking.

Memories suddenly came to Sanctus' mind.

- I... I feel the energy emanating from the aura of people as well as those souls wandering around. –  Said a small Sanctus while observing the surroundings.

- So that's your big secret? I could sense how special you were just by watching you the first time I saw you. –  Replied the gentleman as he looked at Sanctus.

- Should I go to a psychiatrist? – asked little Sanctus a bit sadly.

- No... Very few people have that gift and it is up to you to develop it or not. - Replied the homeless man with a smile. - What for many doesn’t exist, for you it is a way of life. Never deny your nature, especially if it is something you can consciously see and feel. That makes you so much more special, young Sanctus. –  Said the homeless stroking the head of little Sanctus.

- It's very strange and scary... – Sanctus said quietly.

-Those who are alive are even more dark and evil, don't you think so? – Replied the homeless.

-You are quite right, sir. – Said the little Sanctus while smiling.

Back to the present.

- Whatever it was, I want to end this. – Sanctus thought as he slowly approached the book, which was open on the table with a sentence on one of its pages.

- It says...Et Incipit Itinere. – He said in a low voice. – I wonder what language that is, I don't recognize it. I feel a very attractive and hypnotizing atmosphere from this book – He thought.

The letters of the sentence that Sanctus had just read in a low voice began to fade.

A new sentence was visualized.

Sanctus continues to look at the book with some seriousness, but at the same time he wishes this was all part of a bad joke. One of those that usually happen on television or social media.

- Et in tenebris obumbratio. In fine temporis et solitudo. Mentis et corporis coniunget. Accipio paciscor. – He said in a low voice. – There doesn't seem to be anything else written. – He thought as he flipped through the other pages of the book.

A text is brought into focus with the book in the foreground of a page.

-To you, my young successor, I dedicate these words. Soul Alive awaits you this book will guide you on the road to your survival. You must always trust your instincts and intelligence. Time has run out, good luck. – Sanctus read.

Everything suddenly went dark.

Sanctus slowly opens his eyes and sees that he is in his room.

- Oh, this is my room, was it a dream? – He thought as he looked at the ceiling of his room. – I don't remember how I got here; I feel a little weak. – He thought as he sat on his bed. - How late it is, it's 3:17 AM. – With a sleepy expression still.

Then Sanctus' brain suddenly reacted.

The light sleep he was still having was just gone.

- I don't remember having a clock in my room. – He thought with surprise.

Sanctus got up from his bed and went to the living room of the house. 

There was a table with a chair and on top of the table was a book with a small electronic clock on top of it.

Sanctus grabs the book and a paper note falls out without him noticing.

- This book...it's the same as the one in the library. So, it wasn't a dream? –  He thought with a panicked expression as he held the book.

Sanctus looks at the paper note

- You only have until 3:33AM to get something to eat and use the restrooms, good luck... – Sanctus said quietly as he read the paper note. What's going on, I’m still dreaming, how would I feel like eating in a situation like this? – Sanctus said aloud as he hurried to the bathroom.

In the bathroom there were 3 clocks ringing with the classic ticking.

- I shouldn't panic, I'm not like that. I should calm down. –  Sanctus thought as he washed his face with the water from the sink.

Back in the room there were several clocks around. Each of them was synchronized with the classic ticking sound.

- It is too real and lucid to be a dream, but if it is, I must keep my mind focused until it is over. – Sanctus thought as he looked around.

- Get out of the place right now...You won't get another chance. – Said a mysterious voice coming from somewhere.

A darkness in the form of a shadow began to slowly take over the whole place.

Sanctus decided to run in the opposite direction of the shadow that was trying to take over the place.

- s**t, that book! I must take it. It was the one that started it all. –  He said aloud as he grabbed the book quickly.

Sanctus runs quickly to the only door where the darkness had not yet reached.

He opens the door as hard and fast as if he wished to tear it from the place.

- This place... Where am I? –  Sanctus said quietly as he looked at where he was.

The place was a kind of dungeon with candles lighting a passageway.

Sanctus notices that there is a piece of paper nailed to the wall next to one of the candles, so he decides to tear it off to read if there is anything written on it.

Find the one who knows no sanity and balance will return to your mind. The note said.

- I'm not someone who loses my mind in complicated situations, but this is starting to border on my limits... – Sanctus thought as he continued on his way.

Now he is sweating, he knows his life may be at risk.

On the way there were closed doors. After several unsuccessful attempts to try to open a door, there was finally a door that could be opened. But there was only darkness inside.

There is no trace of people, yet.

A woman's scream is heard in the distance.

- A woman? Maybe I'm not the only one in this horrible place. – Sanctus thought as he ran towards the direction where the scream came from.

Suddenly Sanctus stopped running and his expression of concern changed to one of horror.

A humanoid-looking creature with a gigantic mouth that covered almost half of its head was finishing devouring the limbs of a girl. The one with the scream that had previously caught Sanctus' attention.

Sanctus' gaze is fixed on the floor where the dead girl lay surrounded by blood all over the place. There was hardly much left of her. Only the torso, head and one arm were still in place.

Sanctus without being able to do or say anything tries to go back the way he came by slowly backing away.

A stone moving sentences Sanctus' possible escape.

The noise caused by that stone makes the creature focus its attention on Sanctus.

- Oh, the next one has arrived very soon. Welcome and sorry for the mess... – Said the creature while staring at Sanctus.

- Huh? –  Sanctus said quietly not knowing what to do or say.

- Ready to solve your riddle? – Said the creature with a big, gruesome, blood-filled grin that covered most of its head.

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Mini story:

Sanctus: Hello to all readers! I’m Sanctus and I would like to explain the meaning of some words that may be difficult to understand even for me....

Author (Ren): Maybe I can give you a hand, Sanctus.

Sanctus: That would be very helpful, my second option was to ask that strange creature for help, but it doesn't look very friendly...

Creature: Are you talking to me? Are you ready for your riddle?

Sanctus: I leave it in your hands. (He runs away)

Author (Ren): Do you remember when Sanctus read some words and phrases that were in an unknown language? That language is Latin. Et Incipit Itinere'' means ''The journey begins'' and '' Et in tenebris obumbratio In fine temporis et solitudo. Mentis et corporis coniunget. Accipio paciscor’’ means "In the dark shadows. At the end of time and loneliness. Mind and body unite. I accept the deal.''

Sanctus: That I just accepted... What?!

Author (Ren): Don't worry Sanctus, you'll do fine. I hope so...

Sanctus: It's kind of disheartening for me to read that coming from my creator....