Chapter 442: Against the Odds (2)

As the previously pale, lightless black crystal began to glimmer with the same illustrious golden luster of Aiden's [Soul Power], he slowly began to push it against Number 3's bare chest. 

As expected the resistance coming from the skin, flesh, and bones of the woman, resisted the outside intrusion at first, causing Aiden to show signs of worry once more.

Yet, in the next instant, as the golden shine finally completely engulfed the crystal, the unexpected, the impossible have happened.

Going against the odds, what should be possible the resistance Aiden felt slowly began to ease up and fade away. Though it was strange and went against what he expected, there was no time to ponder about it. 

Following Enya's instructions, he continued pushing against her chest, increasing the pressure he exerted slowly by small margins.

As the resistance vanished, the now glowing crystal core began to submerge into Number 3's chest, seeping into it as if it wasn't solid matter but an amorphous blob of gelatin. 

Still, Aiden's full focus was now on the crystal itself, or more precisely the growing seed of energy his injection has caused to appear. Aiden was fully concentrating, trying to guesstimate the amount of energy it would need.

As the crystal continued to submerge into Number 3's chest cavity, the golden seedling inside the core suddenly reacted. A thin pulse of its gathered source was released, spread around the feminine body. 

Like a sign of greeting, the crystal made its presence known as it continued slowly traversing towards its intended place, the most important organ, the heart.

Though there was no visible reaction to this gesture, Aiden could feel the faint buzz in the air, as if the particles, the lingering, floating essences in the air itself was keenly watching the events, following along like an eager, spectating crowd.

Eventually, Aiden pushed the core fully into Number 3's body, nothing could be seen from the crystalline object, it was fully inside and in its designated place inside the body. 

Yet, once again going against Aiden's expectations, there was no reaction at all. Growing increasingly more concerned and worried about the matter, he was unsure of what to do. His right arm was still plunged inside his Master's body, continuing the process of filling it with his own energy, unsure of what he should do now.

Should there be a reaction? Should he release the crystal and pull his hand out? Or should he, mayhaps continue transferring his own power, his own energy into her body?

'[You can let go of the core now, and pull back your arm. Give it some time, but keep monitoring the situation. Once the reactions begin, we need to make sure the crystal will be filled up.]' After a short silence, Enya's reassuring words resounded inside Aiden's head, easing his worries just a bit.

Following her words, Aiden released his hold on the core, slowly pulling his hand back, out from her body. When his hands were free, strangely, there were no wounds, or marks indicating that he had ever pierced his master's skin at all. Everything was clean, her skin was fair, healthy, unblemished.

A tense, strained silence ensued as he looked at the harmless, spotless body with helpless worry. There were no visible reactions, no signs of the [Soul Power] inside Number 3's body reacting to the newly present, artificial core in her system.

She lay in the emerald green grass just the same as before, lifeless, eerily silent, and calm. The concerns of the world no longer mattered to her, it was as if she was ready to cross over from the land of the living to someplace else. 

Even the grimace in her face now returned to a serene, calm disposition. The pain was lifted, leaving behind nothing but the void of emptiness.

It seemed that the eternal temptress of life was slowly, but surely were losing her grip over her, and allowed her soul to slowly traverse across the planes.

Still, there was one more rock to cross, one more hurdle to overcome. One that whilst at first seemed harmless, though alien, has finally made its presence known once more.

As Aiden slowly began to fall into endless despair, growing more and more concerned about her Master's chances, suddenly his eyes went wide, his body froze in place. 

*thump…*

A faint thud, a beat was heard coming from under his connecting hands. From Number 3. His Master. His…

*THUMP!*

Another beat, this time with much more force. It was unmistakable this time. The old fogie, death still couldn't claim this soul, she still had the fight of life inside her.

As Aiden's face eased up, and the tears of delight began to converge towards their gates of escape through his eyes, suddenly a faint golden light followed with a gentle warmth began to spread from Number 3. Like veins, a complex halo of her spiritual channels was glowing with bright golden light, initially by themselves, but in the next moment, from the heart, the familiar shape of the artificially-placed core also began to shine.

Like it was finally accepted into the fold, the core's light merged together with the seams, as the circulation was once again, restarted.

'[Quickly, inject more of your own energy Aiden! Focus on her core, and fill it up, making sure not to add more than what it could contain!]' Abruptly, breaking the silent moment, Enya's agitated voice resounded in Aiden's head, sending another set of instructions.

Immediately, Aiden's hand lit up once again, as he pooled his own reserves, sending a continuous thin stream of his [Soul Power] into Number 3's body through his connecting hand.

He focused on the path the energy took, following along with his sense as it traversed and, almost in an instant, was hungrily devoured by the core. 

An invisible whirlpool formed inside her, hungrily sucking up all the [Soul Power] that it could, along with the last strains of leftover Mana that were not yet destroyed. Meanwhile, Aiden kept up the connection, sending more and more of his power, and with it, metaphorically speaking, himself, over to the woman.

For almost a full minute the process kept on going. Like a beast awakening from a long slumber, the core's hunger seemed to be endless, as it sucked away a colossal amount of power, absorbing it into itself.

Regardless, Aiden didn't mind it at all, ignoring the display as his reserves dropped to half, then to 40%, and kept on being drained, dropping seemingly without end.

He gritted his teeth, as he felt the weariness grow, countering his tanked reserves.

Seconds passed, as he grew weaker and weaker under the constant, endless drainage.

Enya and even Ryg were now standing at attention inside his Soul Space, focusing not on if they should intervene or not, but rather on the when.

Then, just as his reserves dropped to the critical 10%, he felt the change. The suction stopped, the core was filled. 

Weak and dizzy, Aiden sighed with relief, as he slowly let go of her Master's chest, leaning back and plopping down on the ground to take a few and regain his breath.

'Wha… What... happens… now?' He asked mentally, finding it hard to even form thoughts under the sudden, overwhelming weariness.

Yet, before a response could be made…