The young spirit didn't speak anything anymore, leaving Azekiel with his own thoughts to decide. Still, he was sure that Azekiel was going to agree to this demand. He had no option but to agree.
Azekiel didn't know if the spirit was telling the truth about no other Spirit taking his help or not, but there was a good chance that it was the truth since all spirits had gone silent with this one's arrival.
There really didn't seem to be any other option here except accepting the demand. Moreover, even he wanted to get to the Time Stone, which could help him a lot in the future as well. If the Temple really had the time stone, he couldn't leave this opportunity.
"Fine. If I can get the Time Stone, I will go back in time to help your family."
Azekiel bit his thumb just enough to let it bleed, letting a blood drop fall to the ground.
It was too complicated since he just had to prevent a conflict in the Empire of humans. With the kind of strength he possessed, he believed this was going to be child's play. Moreover, it was also going to help him clear this floor in record time.
As soon as his blood droplet touched the ground, a light electric current coursed through his body. He even felt a slight pain in his chest, which lasted only for a brief moment.
[Warning: You have made a blood and soul pact with a Spirit]
At the same time, even his system notified him of the pact being successful.
"The Blood and Soul Pact is complete." The young spirit stated. "You have finished your side of the deal. I will do mine."
[Congratulations: The Spirit accepted your help. You have cleared the Floor]
[Third Floor Cleared in record time]
[You have received a new Title: Ruler of Third Floor]
[Rewards received in inventory: Ring of Disguise]
"Hmm?"
Azekiel expected another Orb of escape for clearing the floor like before, but finally, there seemed to be a different reward.
He tapped on the reward, making a new screen appear before him.
******************************
_________________________________
Item: Ring of Disguise
Reward Category: Floor Title Reward
Description: An Artifact created by the Lord of Disguise. Can be used to transform into any person of your choice temporarily
Uses left: 1
Use Duration: 30 minutes
_______________________________________
'A ring for disguise. Pretty decent item but can only be used once, it seems. That's... I guess it's a one-time item. I can't complain too much. Better than an escape crystal.'
He closed the screen.
"Thank you for agreeing to help me. I will pray for your success. Please save my mother..."
Azekiel was brought out of his distraction by the young boy's pleading voice.
"Can I ask you something before I go? Why do you want me to save your mother? From what I saw in your memories, she sent you away. Even though she didn't have you killed, wasn't it the same as abandoning you?"
Azekiel understood that a son might want to save his mother, who cared for him and loved him, but the case was completely different here. Here the mother didn't love the boy, yet the boy's last wish was to save his mother. Why?
"Why do you want to save her?"
The boy didn't answer. It was unclear if the boy was even there anymore since Azekiel couldn't feel that scary cold. "Are you here?"
Once again, there came no response. Instead, something else happened. The darkness in this place started retreating, at least for him. His field of view increased, making him see the entire place. He couldn't see any spirits here but what he saw stunned him more than any spirits. He noticed Raphael sitting on the ground, holding his head as if he was in pain.
It wasn't even as if Raphael was too far from him, yet it was only now that Azekiel was able to hear Raphael's pain.
In another place, Lia was also visible, but she was in a much better condition than Raphael. It didn't appear as if she could see Raphael or him. It was as if the Blood Pact only made him able to see in this darkness and not the others.
Azekiel ran to Raphael, who was in pain.
"Raphael?"
"What happened to you? Did someone attack you?"
Azekiel tried his hand on Raphael's shoulder, yet his hands passed through.
Raphael didn't appear to be able to hear him. Moreover, since he wasn't in his physical form, he couldn't be touched even by Azekiel.
There was no way for Azekiel to get through.
"Raphael!" Azekiel roared at the top of his lungs yet there was nothing.
"You leave me no choice then."
"Raphael, I Summon you!" Azekiel used his Spiritual Energy reserves to Summon Raphael as that appeared to be the only option he could interact with Raphael.
Raphael wasn't in his senses, seemingly lost and in pain. Still, the summon was successful as a soft stream of Soul Energy poured into his body, bringing his body to the material realm.
"Raphael! Get out of it!" Azekiel grabbed Raphael by his shoulders, shaking his body.
Raphael's blank eyes raised as he noticed the young man before him. Even he was able to see through the darkness now as he was summoned by Azekiel through his connection.
Raphael's eyes were blank as if they were lifeless, yet tears could be seen in them, giving them some semblance of emotions.
"What happened to you?" Even Azekiel couldn't believe that he was seeing tears in Raphael's eyes.
For him, Raphael was the strongest person he had ever met. Despite being in the agony of persistent hunger, he never lost himself. He was always calm and composed, yet there were tears on that calm and composed face at the moment.
"Raphael, it's me, Azekiel! Talk to me! Tell me what happened! Did some Spirit hurt you?"
"Azekiel..." Raphael softly let out. His head was still thumping as if it was breaking apart, but that name seemed to bring him back to some extent, yet not completely.
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