Chapter 12: I hate this Life
"Master, what’s going on?"
"There are two ways to seal a chi core." she began. "The first, the most common: you simply block the proper distribution of chi in the body. The person can no longer use their chi, but they can still absorb it naturally from the environment. A Master can easily unblock this type of sealing."
"And the second?"
"The second is your case. Your mother used her own chi to completely obstruct your core. As a result, you cannot even absorb the ambient chi anymore."
"The ambient chi?"
"It is similar to oxygen. It is present in the environment, and everyone needs it to live. Even non-initiates absorb chi without knowing it, simply by breathing, through the skin." She paused. "But you, you can no longer absorb any."
Daemon widened his eyes. "So how..."
"You use the chi that your mother left in your body." Luna placed her hand on his sternum again. "This residual chi is your only source of energy. It is the cause of your chest pains when you do intense physical activities. Your heart pumps faster, it needs more energy, but your mother’s chi is not enough." She withdrew her hand.
Daemon digested the information in silence. His face was pale, but his eyes remained fixed.
"And when there is no more of her chi?" he asked finally.
Luna looked away. "You still have one chance. You will have to take control of her chi. If you succeed, you will then be able to unblock your own core."
"And if I don’t succeed?"
"Then your mother’s chi will run out. And without chi, your heart will stop."
Daemon lowered his head. He looked at his hands resting on the sheets. "How am I even supposed to control Persephone’s chi? It’s like asking a blind man from birth to explain a color." he murmured.
"That’s exactly it."
Silence settled in the room.
Daemon scratched his head. "I see... So, at any moment, I could die?"
Luna would have liked to tell him no. But there was no point in lying.
"I’m sorry." she said simply.
Daemon looked at her then smiled.
"No need, Master. You have already helped me a lot. More than anyone in seven years." He lowered his head. "But I think I need a moment to get used to the idea... To the idea that maybe I am living my last moments."
Luna nodded and headed toward the door. She placed her hand on the handle, then stopped.
"Daemon." she said without turning around.
"Yes?"
"As long as you have not mastered the first sense of the sword, I will still be your master."
Then she opened the door and left. Leaving Daemon alone in his room.
"I hate this life."
***
Beyond the borders of the Hundun clans stretch lands that no one claims and few dare to cross: the No Man’s Land. This hostile territory is called that because it is the domain of the Eaters.
The Eaters are creatures that closely resemble humans. Nevertheless, they are cannibals. Their survival depends on human flesh, according to rumors... They are recognized by two distinctive signs: eyes entirely black, with no discernible iris or pupil, and the Mark of Darkness, a unique seal engraved on their flesh, the source of all their power.
And strangely, one of these Eaters was in Hundun.
In the Twelfth District, in the heart of Chief Nikmar’s manor, a secret room had been set up.
Chief Raymon Nikmar was seated in an armchair. He was a stocky man, with a graying beard and piercing eyes. Next to him stood his son, Conrad Nikmar, a young athletic man in his twenties, with brown hair combed back.
In front of them, a mysterious man was installed casually. He had black skin, as were his long nails and his eyes, two bottomless pits.
He wore a simple white shirt, open on his muscular chest, and red pants. His locks were a vivid red like fresh blood.
On his left cheek, the Mark of Darkness was engraved: a complex pattern, of a blackness deeper than his skin. He called himself Vamp.
He held a crystal goblet in his right hand. The liquid inside was red, and he took a sip from time to time... Human blood, freshly drawn.
"So, you are telling me that Persephone’s son is living peacefully in his little district, as if nothing had happened?"
Lord Raymon Nikmar nodded. "Daemon Shaytan Dagon. He is the chief of the Thirteenth District. A useless person, ever since his mother sealed his core."
"Useless, useless..." Vamp rolled the blood in his goblet. "His mother is one of the most powerful women I have ever faced. And her son would be useless?" He smiled, revealing slightly pointed teeth. "That interests me a lot."
Conrad stepped forward. "Lord Vamp, we have an agreement, right? You give us the power to become a master, and we deliver Daemon to you."
Vamp looked at him. His black eyes were impossible to read. "I want him to lose what he possesses. You will have the power." He took another sip of blood. "But I want him to suffer. I want him to hit rock bottom before I come for him... I’m sure Persephone will come out of her rat hole..."
Nikmar and Conrad exchanged a glance.
"We can arrange that." said Nikmar in a calm voice.
"Do it." Vamp placed his goblet on the table.
Conrad immediately knelt, his forehead touching the floor. "Thank you, Lord Vamp. You will not regret it."
Vamp looked at him with a contemptuous smile, then turned and disappeared into the shadow of the wall.
***
The next morning, in the Thirteenth District, the sun was barely rising over the Dagon manor.
Luna knocked on Daemon’s door, then entered without waiting for an answer. He was still in bed.
"Get up." she said in a firm voice.
Daemon did not move. "No."
"What?"
"I said no." Daemon pulled his head out from under the blanket. His face was tired, his eyes circled. "I might die soon. I want to live these few seconds I have left without struggling for nothing."
"You’re giving up?"
"Just leave me alone, Luna."
Luna looked at him for a moment then left the room.