Read Invade the Verse :: Ethos' Covenant, Part 1

Black is my least favourite colour. It's a shame that it's the colour of death. I will be stuck with this black landscape for my entire stay. Though I’m curious, how did my consciousness persist after death?

"Welcome to the Afterlife!" Ethos joked. "Seriously, you're dead."

"Ethos? How are you here?"

“Don’t be so surprised, brat,” Ethos said with a deep grin. “I’ve been here the entire time!”

“I suppose you won’t leave me alone even after death,” I noted. “Ain’t that great, at least I’ll have an afterlife buddy.”

“I am not your afterlife buddy”, Ethos said, lifting his chin patronizingly. “I am your afterlife boss.” He looked stern and disappointed. He wasn’t joking.

“W-what do you mean by that?” I asked, fear encroaching into my mind.

Ethos dodged the question. “This landscape is so bland. Is black your favourite colour or something?” he teased. The scenery suddenly changed to a familiar landscape. Ethos’ Domain of Reflection. My eyes opened wide. A truth about the afterlife unveiled itself before me. Even after death, the Virtual State still persists. In other words, the Virtual State is our soul. Ethos looked back at me with a smile. He knew I was correct.

“Is the Virtual State only found in Verse users?” I asked.

“No,” Ethos affirmed. “Everyone has it. Most people unintentionally access it when they dream. There are very few individuals that can access it at will.” He stared at the starry sky, its dim blue light reflected from his eyes.

“Your mom is about to find your shredded body in a few minutes,” Ethos informed. My heart sunk, I dreaded imagining my mother’s face when she finds my sundered corpse. I thought being the target of my parent’s anger is the scariest emotion to witness. I stand corrected. Visualizing my mother’s heartbreak burned deep inside my chest. My stomach churned, and I felt its acid corrode me from within. Ethos stood near me and comfortingly patted my head. “If you grant me permission, I can lessen your mother’s potential heartbreak.”

“How?” I asked. Ethos would know that making any jokes about my situation would be improper and unwise. Therefore, he had confidence that he can take action. Ethos hiding my corpse is the most plausible scenario I can think of. Ethos predictably read my thoughts and smiled.

He conjured a thick, red book above his right palm. A pen appeared between the thumb and index finger of his right hand. “If you want my help, sign this book,” he said. He put the pen on top of the book and gave both of them to me. The book weighed half a kilogram. A book this thick would be a nightmare to read. Thankfully, I just have to sign it. I carried the weight of the book with one hand and gripped the pen in my other hand. The title of the book was “Covenant of Resurrection”. On the bottom of the front cover was a blank field that said ‘Signee:_________’.

Most likely, he wanted me to write my name in here.

I wrote my name and handed the book back to him. He smiled, and the book vanished in his hands. The gravitational pressure around me intensified. My knees gave in and I dropped to the ground. I extended my arms and planted them on the smooth, glassy floor to keep me from falling down completely. Regardless, my resistance didn’t last long, and I face-planted onto ground. I struggled relentlessly to lift my head up. My neck burned in pain, but at least I got to witness what happened next.

A black haze wrapped around Ethos’ right hand in the shape of a sphere. I read about this from the book I read together with Yllsse. The Auraspheric Core. Black, without exceptions. However, this one was huge. Its radius went to his elbow. With an Auraspheric Core that large, he could easily register as a Mega-Core mage.

[Verse of Ethos: System Restore]

His aura vanished instantly. But a strange prickly sensation poked around my body. I wandered around dazzled, not understanding what he’s done.

“I restored your body back to normal,” Ethos said. “Now your mother won’t have to see her child reduced into a bloodied carcass.”

“You can do that?” I said, awestruck.

Ethos studied my shocked face in amusement. “It’s not a big deal. Any Mega-Core mage who studied a few medical disciplines could do what I did.” Ethos said, hiding his grin. “However, resurrection is a lot more difficult and in some ways, impossible.”

It’s fine if I can’t be resurrected. What he’s done for me is enough. I would probably die again if I revived. I’ve come to terms with my powerlessness after greeting death first-hand.

“It may be impossible, but not for me,” he added. His face brimmed with confidence. What is he up to? First, he told me resurrection is impossible and now he rescinds his words. He’s an enigma.

“Before you get lost in thought, I’d like to ask you something,” Ethos said. “What happens to you when you die?”

I listened in confusion. What happens when I die? Aren’t I already dead?

Ethos broke down in laughter, “Yes you are,” he stated, “But you’re different.”

“Is it because I’m a Verse user?” I asked.

“Correct, but not necessarily,” Ethos said. Could this old man stop contradicting himself already? “I said it’s usually impossible because once the soul left the body, it’s too late. Their soul already traversed to another dimension. That being said, what if the resurrection is done with their soul in tow? Here’s some more food for thought. How do you think I can still talk to you even after your death?

I thought for a moment then decided that there is no use pondering about it, “isn’t it because you’re my afterlife buddy?” I said thoughtlessly.

“I’ll say it again, I’m your afterlife boss,” Ethos declared. “According to the agreed Terms and Conditions, your soul is now in my possession.”

My arms jerked back, “Hold up!” I blurted aloud. “I never agreed to any terms with you! What do you mean my soul is now your possession?”

“Relax kid, this is good news. It means that I can resurrect you!” Ethos stated. He showed no signs of considering my feelings despite knowing everything that I’m thinking. He’s a full-blown psychopath with an unprecedented amount of power. What a terrible combination.

“I know you feel conflicted,” he addressed. “But you have agreed upon the terms prior and thus you can’t go back on your word.”

My eyes flared in anger, “I’ll say it again, I did NOT agree to any of your terms!” I shouted. “Even if I did, it’s the first time I’ve heard about any of this!”

“You agreed ever since you became my successor, no one reads the Terms and Conditions anyway,” Ethos said. “It’s like how you don’t sign any contracts in order to inherit your parent’s genes,” he casually remarked.

“Bullshit!” I snapped back. “You know that’s a fallacious comparison. Could it be that you’re a dumbass?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ethos dismissed. “The fact is, I lent you my powers and as payment, I now own your soul.” He turned around, his back facing me. “Regardless, you don’t read the Terms and Conditions either.” An ominous feeling rendered me completely still. He smirked and spoke the words of nightmares.

“That book was pretty big and heavy, wasn’t it?”