Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 42: Reveal

The moment they walked under the ruined archway, a deep unsettled chill rolled over them. It was as if they had stepped into the breath of a forgotten god.

Everything felt wrong. The air was thick with rot and iron as the silence hung heavy, broken by the occasional drip of water from above.

The corridor stretched ahead, walls and stone jagged and gouged. Covered in the colour red as claw marks raked across.

As if something had tried to run in a desperate and futile attempt to escape.

Dried husks and skeletons lined the walls, twisted in unnatural positions. Some of them wore armour, others were stripped of their belongings.

But they all bore the unmistakable mark of ritual violence.

The place was no temple, but a graveyard built for torment.

Lisa clutched her staff, eyes widening at the sight. "How brutal, they weren’t killed by monsters."

"Maybe not monsters," Darin’s face paled. "But something human."

Eleanor walked behind Vergil, her steps enough to maintain a reasonable distance. "A punishment site. They were used a long time ago to punish the wicked."

Before long, they had reached the centre of the ruins as a chamber revealed itself. An altar stood at its centre beneath a broken dome.

Twisted roots wrapped around it as veins and a crimson jewel glowed. Pulsing like a heartbeat.

The colour reflected in Vergil’s eyes as he stepped closer. ’It’s not for decoration I suppose."

[I think everyone knows that dumbass]

’Analysis’

Blood Jade of the Crimson Womb

Rank: A

Type: Demonic Artefact

Origin: Forged from the crystallised essence of a fallen Demon King within the depths of the Abyss.

Description:

1. Gate of Blood Offering

By offering the blood of others—whether human, beast, or monster–into the Blood Jade, the user can temporarily open a Crimson Gate that connects to a pocket of the Demonic continent. The strength and duration of the gate depend entirely on the quality and quantity of the blood.

Demonic Seed of Rebirth (Blood Incubation)

Condition- The first option must be used in order to use this method.

A forgotten art that offers the user’s own blood over time. The Blood Jade begins to form a Blood Baby, also known as a Demonic Seed of Rebirth. This entity is an extension of the user’s soul, flesh.

The blood baby will grow along with the user.

Warning:

The formation process is extremely painful, requiring the user to sacrifice their vitality, blood essence, and part of their soul. Losing control can result in the Blood Baby becoming a demonic parasite, attempting to replace the original.

[It is not merely a jade. It is a womb of blood, a contract of rebirth, and the door through which demons crawl into the world. Feed it enough... and it will birth either your salvation—or your doom.]

’What an amazing item you’ve brought Morvax.’ The second option was worth the risk however the condition to activate was troublesome. But it was the reason why Morvax never moved. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

’You wanted to bring your friends along.’

His lips curved into a smile. ’Too bad Morvax.’ "Too bad," he whispered under his breath. Vergil now wanted it and he would get it.

Thorne, the quiet one hissed. "Is it alive?"

"At least we found where the people went," Eleanor replied, looking at the corpses surrounding the walls. "They were offered up to this."

Kael stood at the rear as he feigned discomfort. But inside, his heart stirred with joy. ’My altar, it yearns for more.’

The memories began flowing back — how they begged, screamed. Every corpse was a verse in the song he had written as the Jade drank its fill. The jewel only needed a few more lives.

His gaze slid toward Vergil.

’And he shall be the final piece.’

Lira’s voice was barely above a whisper. "I don’t like this. Let’s destroy it and get out of here."

Two people scorned but nobody realised.

Vergil looked around calmly. "Stay alert, and if something moves — don’t hesitate."

They all nodded, as a low creak echoed deeper within the ruins. The sound of wet flesh grinding against wet stone.

’Soon.’ Kael smiled as the air around them began to shift subtly, becoming more suffocating by the minute.

And then the sound grew closer, a wet dragging noise followed by the uneven sound of thuds.

And then it revealed itself.

Limped, malformed and stitched together like a failed mockery. A grotesque parody of Vergil. Its body was bloated and stiff in all the wrong places.

Vergil’s face contorted. ’Ew, I don’t even look like that — Morvax!’

[That’s what I see when I look at you.]

One of its eyes hung too low, the mouth was lopsided, stretched far too wide in a grotesque grin, and its limbs twitched as if unsure how to move in unison.

A flesh doll, stitched and sculpted from corrupted memories.

And it stared straight at its counterpart.

Thorne took a step back. "What the hell is that?"

Darin raised his shield. "It looks like our friend is here for some reason."

The thing let out a gurgled sound, like it was trying to speak. Its mouth opened and closed, strings of bloodied saliva clinging to its teeth as it mimicked a broken chuckle.

Vergil stared at the abomination with narrowed eyes, calm despite the way its head twitched and turned sideways like a confused animal.

’A flesh puppet... The same one as the one watching us."

The doll took another step forward, and a chunk of flesh peeled from its leg, splattering across the stone. Its arms opened in an imitation of an embrace.

Lisa stumbled behind Darin, whispering, "Why would anyone create something like that?"

Kael stood just behind them, barely containing the grin that threatened to split his false face.

’That’s right. Look at it. Look at your horror made real. I wanted to see your reaction, Vergil.’

But instead of fear, all he saw was cold amusement in Vergil’s eyes.

Eleanor tilted her head slightly. "Should we kill it?"

Vergil raised a single hand. "Not yet."

The doll jerked again, and then–without warning–it charged, screeching a gurgled, corrupted cry.

Vergil didn’t move.