Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

The Old Man and the Book

-Wait a minute, did you know that all along? - Sanctus said as he got up from his bed.

- I thought they had told you something about it or you were already aware of it before our first meeting in the library. - Aelum replied as he hovered.

- It is clear that I don’t know. Now I need you to tell me exactly what I need to know. Why is the Soul Alive so important for so many people to die because of that thing? - Sanctus asked very worried.

- I would say it is a complex thing to explain lightly, even for me at the moment, Sanctus. - Aelum said.

- Then you can try to summarize your explanation in a few words. What exactly is the Soul Alive?

- Hmm...If I had to summarize it directly, I could say that the Soul Alive is what is going to bring peace to this world. - Aelum answered slowly.

- Will it bring peace to our world? Nothing that brings peace to this world causes many people to lose their lives. From what you have mentioned and everything that is happening so far, I have a feeling that thing might be some sort of weapon or something similar. Until recently I had no idea that any of these existed things like spiritual, psychic or any kind of powers. Im very stressed at the moment to go through with this if I don't even know the reason why I and many people are risking our lives. - Sanctus said looking directly at Aelum.

- Well, it is clear that many things are happening that shouldn’t happen, but sometimes the inevitable comes sooner or later, Sanctus... - Aelum answered.

- Are you a poet now? I'm not a fortune teller to know what exactly you mean by that. Why am I the only one so far to own a guide book like you? According to my current logic where anything can happen, I'm sure there could be more books just like you. - Sanctus said somewhat angrily.

- I’m sure that there are no books like me. - Aelum replied.

- How can you be sure of that? Besides, it's not like I'm interested in that right now either. I'm sure that right now there are people out there who could destroy me without much trouble and about what you said before, do you really think that the purpose of the Soul Alive justifies the sacrifice of so many innocent lives? - Sanctus said.

- Unfortunately, I have lived long enough to know what the right thing to do is. I believe that one day you will understand it too. - Aelum replied in a somewhat sad and discouraging tone of voice.

Sanctus' cell phone starts to ring and vibrate.

-This is a message from Smith, I'm glad he was able to survive this ordeal, but I haven't heard from Lucile. I hope she was able to survive as well. This whole thing about Soul Alive, surviving tests and so on has me very stressed. I need some fresh air because I can't think with a cool head.

Sanctus decides to go for a walk in the places he always frequents when he tries to take a break from everything around him. Aelum accompanies him in his special pocket that Sanctus has on his waist.

The weather is a bit cold and there is humidity in the air, something quite typical of the city of Lima. This time there is no traffic and the few cabs that pass through the streets are full. After all it was a good day to go for a walk.

Unlike some people, Sanctus enjoys it more when there is cold and little noise in the streets.

-I quite like this weather and atmosphere. So... Who actually controls Soul Alive? - Sanctus asked as he walked.

- How would I know? I have lived for a long time, but I don’t know who currently possesses Soul Alive. All I currently know is because of things that are happening to you. - Aelum replied from Sanctus' waist.

- How did they create that weapon? - Sanctus asked.

- I consider calling the Soul Alive as a simple weapon it’s a bit ignorant on your part. - Aelum replied.

- You are a bit useless for a guidebook in such a catastrophic context. - Sanctus said.

- Hey, you! You want to fight?! - Aelum replied angrily as he moved from Sanctus' waist to try to get out of his pocket.

- It would be a bit strange for people to see me beating up a book in the middle of the street, don't you think? Then they will film me and I go viral on social networks as some kind of madman whose fetish is to mistreat books. We'll talk later about that topic, happily he it's here today too.  - Sanctus said as he looked at his friend, the homeless, who was standing a short distance away from them. - Just keep your non-existent mouth shut for a while. - He said as he punched Aelum

- Good morning, San. Good to see you here more often. - Said the homeless with a sweet look sitting on a public stone seat as he watched Sanctus approach.

- It's been a long few days, sir. - Sanctus replied.

- Apparently you already have something to distract yourself with. Although I must say it's a rather strange way to carry a book. - Said the homeless as he stared at the special pocket where Sanctus kept Aelum. - May I have a look at it? - he asked kindly.

- I'd like to tell him everything and feel supported in some way, but I can't. Maybe if I give Aelum there's no need to explain anything and so I don't break the rules. Although I asked him to say absolutely nothing beforehand. - Sanctus thought. - Yes of course, no problem, sir. - He answered while giving Aelum.

- It is a book that visually looks very interesting, although it looks quite old, to tell the truth. - Said the gentleman as he looked closely at Aelum. It's blank. Is it your diary or something similar? Maybe you should find yourself something better to write down your stuff in, this worn-out thing you should throw it away or burn it in that case. Maybe I can even make a small fire with its pages to warm me on cold Lima nights. - He said as he looked inside the book and laughed a little as he spoke. - Oh, wait there is something written on this page. - He said as he tried to read the contents.

''Today I feel more stupid as usual, although this book doesn't look as old as the homeless that i talk with from time to time'' - the page said.

- Yeah, I just really like its design and I think it gives it a certain personality, even if sometimes it makes me feel like I should set it on fire for New Year's! - Sanctus said exalted and laughing as he quickly took Aelum from the homeless hands.

- It’s not very usual to see you with gloves on even when it’s cold. They have a rather curious design. - Said the gentleman as his gaze lingered on Sanctus' special gloves.

- Oh, yes! They are from a series I like a lot, nothing special. One of these days I'll buy similar gloves for you too. - Sanctus replied somewhat nervously.

- That's nice of you, but it's not necessary. I feel too old to wear those kinds of gloves. How beautiful youth is, don't you think? I'm getting a little nostalgic all of a sudden. - Said the homeless as he smiled. - I'm glad to see you looking better and in better spirits. You should write down everything that happens to you in your book, it can become a good diary. Sometimes books tend to become companions as much as if they were human. - He said with a kind and paternal tone of voice.

- I always forget to take off my gloves and it seems that Aelum is about to hit the old man, I should go now. - Sanctus thought as he responded to the gentleman with a kind smile. - I'm feeling much better these days and I appreciate you taking an interest in my well-being. I just remembered I have an errand to run. See you later sir and I hope you have a good day.  - He said as he turned to run away quickly.

- Let me go, I'm going to beat that insolent man to death! - Said Aelum moving sharply in Sanctus' hands as he was running.

- On second thought, it's better not to involve anyone normal in this. - Sanctus thought as he ran.

- Hey, hey buddy. You shouldn't be running around with so many spiritual items at once. You might cause an accident. - Said a male voice.

Sanctus stops abruptly and turns his head in the direction where the voice came from.

- You're participating in Soul Alive, aren't you? I’m Abel, nice to meet you. - Said that person dressed as a priest.

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Mini Story:

Aelum: Well old man it's time to settle our differences in a 1vs1. (Throws him a pair of boxing gloves)

Homeless: Huh? Who said that? Was it that book?

Sanctus: Despite looking old and obsolete, this book its quite modern and runs on batteries. It has a talking option and is shock resistant. (Throwing Aelum against a wall)

Homeless: Oh, that's interesting. Technology has advanced quite a bit lately. I wonder though... where did you get those boxing gloves from?

Sanctus: They were glued to the inside of the pages and served to hit the book as an anti-stress. Watch closely. (While wildly beating Aelum with the boxing gloves on).

Aelum: I-I... I won't talk again, I swear... (In a low voice as he lies on the floor all beaten up with torn pages).