Chapter
2: Hexis Of Flames
In
the solitude of an empty room, two people converse on heavy terms.
“
Davis Ardens, you say?” a girl's voice is heard as she speaks to
her male acquaintance.
“
Yes, I believe that he would be a valuable asset to us”
“
Though you know the risk it brings him”
“
I am fully aware, Cecilia”
A
short pause of silence fills the room.
“
The homunculi are getting out of hand, I slain one last night. Barely
saving its victim. Davis Ardens.”
“
Davis was attacked by a homunculus?” the man asked in shock.
“
A weak one, probably the work of a lower-class demon.”
“
Algol?”
“
No, Algol is far too weak. He is incapable of creating homunculi. It
must have been another demon.”
The
man moans in pain as a bright blue mark on his neck glows.
“
Its getting worse, Cecilia” he mumbles weakly as he collapses on
his knees, grasping his neck in pain.
“
The mark Algol placed on you, it isn't weakening, despite our
efforts.”
“
We'll need help. We can't find Algol on our own.”
The
woman glares at him coldly.
“
You must get Davis Ardens to join us. You understand, don't you?
Faustus”
~
Depraved
of sleep and extremely tired, Davis sits idly at his desk, yawning
every now and then. He had arrived early and was not so optimistic
about it.
“
Man.... why did I have to wake up so early.”
“
Because you didn't want to get expelled.” A friendly voice greets
him as he looks over and sees Faustus standing in front of him.
“
Oh. Hey, Faustus. How you've been?” he spoke in a weak,
uninterested voice.
“
Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about.” his tone
shifted. It was serious. This caught Davis' attention, he knew it was
something important.
“
Sure, what do you want to talk about.”
“
Let's talk about this somewhere else, with less people around”
~
They
continued their conversation on the rooftop of the academy.
“
What is it? Faustus.”
“
July 13th”
“
Hmm?”
“
Come to the academy on July 13th at midnight of July 12th”
“
What's this about, Faustus?”
“
I can't give you all the details yet. But please, Davis. As a friend,
please come.” Faustus sounded desperate.
“
Well, if you insist.”
Faustus
grabs his hand in haste.
“
Please, Davis. I need you to promise you'll come.”
Davis
had never seen him like this before. He didn't have his usual
optimistic, friendly demeanor. His friend was shaken, in complete
fear.
“
Alright, I promise.”
~
The
moon recedes into a pitch black eclipse, as the clock strikes twelve
on 12th July or rather 13th July. Faustus
awaits his friends arrival at the academy gates. Davis has indeed
kept his word, he arrives.
“
I'm here, Faustus. So, why did you bring me out here at this hour?”
Faustus
gulps as he tells his friend to follow him. He walks up to the gate
and pulls it aside. Davis was baffled, he could have sworn it was
locked. Could security have forgotten to lock up?
He
takes him to the 3rd year students' building, a restricted
area for 2nd year students like them. Were they
trespassing? Well, entering the school after hours was bad enough
anyway.
They
make their way down the halls, an eerie atmosphere surrounds them.
Their footsteps echoing in the silence. They come to an abrupt stop
at Class 3-S.
“
Here we are. She'll explain the rest.”
“
She?” Davis was confused. Faustus signaled him to go inside. He
hesitated, but with his trust in his friend, he stepped forward. The
room was empty, except for a lone girl. Davis stood still in shock,
it was the girl from that night.
“
Hello, Davis Ardens.”
~
She
was his upperclassmen. A student of Class 3-A, the leading class. Not
only that, she was the top student of her year. Cecilia Phantomwing.
She was of average height with long hair reaching her hips, with her
bangs tied in red ribbons.
“
I supposed you're wondering why I've called you here.”
“
There are a lot of question on my mind actually.”
“
Naturally. Well, I guess I've got some explaining to do.”
“
Some?”
“
That thing you saw the other night was a homunculus.”
“
Homunculus?”
“
Unnatural beings created by demons.”
“
Demons? Unnatural beings.” There was no doubt. Davis thought this
girl was completely nuts.
“
I don't blame you if you don't believe me. Faustus didn't at first
either?”
“
Faustus? What's he got to do with this?”
“
He's my apprentice.” Davis sat down, this was a lot to take in at
once.
“
I don't understand at all, just what the hell is going on?”
“
We, humans, live in the presence of demons. These demons leak out
from the other world.” She continued on. “ there are those who
seek peace and co-existence with humans. And there are those who seek
to destroy us.”
“
I think I get the gist of it.” Davis was struggling to grasp the
reality of this situation.
“
Yes. And to protect ourselves against these demons. We are granted
the Hexis.”
“
Hexis?”
“
Most are born with it. Hexis abilities come in many forms,
telekinesis, enhanced strength, rapid healing. The list goes on.”
“
Kinda like supernatural abilities?”
“
In a sense. Hexis are classed into four categories. Arbiter, Genesis,
Aberrant and Ultimus. The Genesis Hexis is known as the Creation
Hexis, granting the user the ability to create. The Arbiter Hexis is
known as the Manipulation Hexis, giving the user control, the power
to manipulate objects. The Aberrant Hexis are special ones that do
not class under the previous two groups, granting strange abilities
like transformation or physical oddities. And lastly, The Ultimus
Hexis. The rarest Hexis, the ability to give the user the gift of
creation and control, and also physical immunity to its Hexis
ability. However, not every human is capable of controlling the power
of a Hexis ability. If their mind and body cannot accept the Hexis,
it will destroy them.”
“
So why call me out here?”
“
Hexis can be unlocked through a ritual. A ritual that can only be
performed on this day, 13th July, the Dawn of Slayers.
Once you unlock your Hexis, you'll be one of us, a Demon Slayer.”
“
Wait a second here. I did not sign up for this. I'm out of here.”
Davis gets up and gets ready to leave. As he reaches the door, he
recalls Faustus' desperation. There must be a reason why Faustus
needed him here. Though reluctantly, Davis decides to stay.
“
Alright, I'll do it.”
~
He
upon an what seemed like an alchemy circle drawn in chalk.
“
This might hurt a little.” Cecilia said as a long broad-sword
slowly formed in her hand. She stepped slowly towards him. Faustus
was feeling uneasy. Cecilia then thrust her blade through his chest.
Davis cried out in pain as the sword pierced his skin and penetrated
through his body. His spilled blood staining the drawn circle.
Faustus could hardly look, it was painful for him to see his friend
in such pain.
The
alchemy circle begins to glow a bright orange.
“
It is done.” Cecilia utters as she withdraws her sword from his
body. “ Now, we wait and see.”
“
Davis, be strong.” Faustus was concerned, but he believed that
Davis would be able to control the Hexis. In a split moment, a rage
of flames engulf Davis in a fiery inferno.
“
DAVIS!” Faustus reached out, trying to help his friend, but was
halted by Cecilia.
“
Patience, Faustus. We yet not know if he will pass this trial.”
~
Davis....
Davis....
Davis...
A
faint voice calls out to him.
“
Mo-mother? Where am I?” Davis awakens to find himself in a peaceful
meadow. The cool summer breeze blowing as he relaxes on the soft
grass.
“
I'm home.”
~
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