CHAPTER 127: THE FIFTH RING OF DARKNESS AND THE LEGACY OF POISON

Only the purple door stood empty.

Alex ignored it and moved toward the black door, stepping into line behind three students.

As he approached, the students ahead of him scrunched their noses in distaste. One of them muttered something under his breath.

Alex didn’t flinch. He was used to it—the glares, the whispers, the quiet disgust from nobles who looked down on him.

They weren’t even worth the dust on his boots.

Hours passed.

Finally, it was his turn.

He scanned his bracelet against the panel beside the door, selecting a seven-hour block until evening. The screen glowed briefly, then the door clicked open.

Inside, he stepped into another high-ceilinged chamber—this one far colder, darker, and quiet.

The ceiling was domed inward, carved from smooth obsidian-like stone, with a dark crystal shimmering at its center like a reversed black sun. The walls were fitted with high-grade dark elemental stones, their glow dim and pulsing like a heartbeat. Shadows clung to every corner.

Even the floor felt unnatural—glassy, black, and reflective, like standing on frozen smoke.

Hati followed and yawned, circling a spot in the corner before curling up and closing his eyes. Back into his usual beauty nap.

Alex walked to the centre of the room and sat cross-legged.

He exhaled slowly... then inhaled again, deeper.

With each breath, the dark element flowed into him—from the air to his lungs, then heart, then body. It circulated back again, stored within the elemental rings like batteries charged for war.

But today wasn’t about energy.

It was about understanding.

Alex could feel the darkness—its touch familiar, even comforting. But its meaning still escaped him.

Then a thought struck him—

Like a door suddenly unlocked.

An unseen barrier shattered...

"Darkness is eternal... not the light."

"Wherever you go, you will find darkness. But the opposite is not true."

"You can walk into the brightest room, and still—there will be shadows. Corners untouched. Beneath the light, the dark waits patiently."

"In darkness, it’s certain you will find it. It needs no invitation. It simply is."

He paused, breathing in the thick, invisible silence.

"Darkness can be found even in humans... buried deep in the folds of their minds. In places light can never reach."

"It overwhelms. It stirs fear, even when you’re alone. Even when nothing moves, and nothing speaks—you feel it."

"It deprives you of your sight—but not of your hearing. Not of your skin. You feel the unknown pressing in. You hear it breathe. You smell it."

"But you can’t see it."

"And that’s what makes it so terrifying."

"Fear of the unknown. But it’s not just unknown."

His eyes slowly opened. He muttered:

"Darkness... is eternal."

A subtle pulse echoed in the training room.

Then, something shifted inside him.

Alex inhaled sharply. His heart stilled. His vision—though surrounded by blackness—suddenly sharpened.

There was no light. And yet—he could see.

Dark elemental energy flowed toward him—

swirling like smoke, like shadows called home.

It rushed into him,

like a camel drinking water after days lost in the desert.

Thrum!

A deep vibration pulsed through the training room.

Alex opened his eyes.

A faint, invisible ring shimmered inside his right heart—

the fifth dark elemental ring had formed.

He could feel it.

A deeper understanding, not just of energy...

but of darkness itself.

Not fully enlightened—

but a glimpse.

Like a candle in the void.

A whisper of the truth only pseudo-saints at the seventh circle could touch.

Alex stood up slowly,

his breath steady, his presence calm.

He looked over.

Hati was still curled up in the corner, snoring softly.

With a small smile, Alex walked over and gently nudged him awake.

Hati blinked, stretched, and tilted his head—

as if sensing something different in Alex.

Then he yawned, shook his fur, and turned toward the door.

They stepped out into the corridor.

Dimly lit.

Alex whispered,

"Let’s visit Aunt Serene. There’s something I need to ask."

Hati wagged his tail in agreement, his claws softly tapping against the stone.

They turned into another hallway—

even dimmer than before.

Only the faint glow of green stones embedded in the walls offered any light.

The eerie glow cast long, twitching shadows across the floor,

like the corridor itself was alive.

They stopped in front of a wooden door.

Just like any other dorm room.

But they knew better.

This door— was different.

Alex knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

With a click, a small hatch slid open.

An emerald green eye peeked out, scanned the corridor—

and widened in surprise.

Click. Clack.

The door unlocked.

A pale hand shot out, grabbed Alex by the wrist, and yanked him inside.

Hati slipped in through the narrow opening just before the door slammed shut behind them.

Alex stumbled forward, briefly off balance as the hand let go.

He steadied himself quickly.

A gentle scent floated in the air—

floral, tinged with almonds and vanilla.

Fresh. Like a spring breeze.

He looked around.

They were in a lounge, lit warmly by a crackling fireplace.

Soft shadows danced across the walls.

He turned his head.

Serene stood near the fire, wearing an emerald green frock over blue jeans.

She smiled at him.

Without a word, she stepped forward and settled into the cushioned chair by the hearth.

Hati padded over and curled up on the rug at her feet.

Serene lifted a porcelain kettle decorated with green flowers on a white background.

She poured tea into matching cups and glanced at Alex, who was still scanning the room.

Her voice was soft, almost teasing:

"Come on. Sit down first."

She leaned back, sipping from her cup, eyes watching him calmly.

Alex stepped forward and took the seat across from her.

He picked up his tea and took a careful sip.

Warm.

Milky.

Just a hint of sweetness—

soothing but not overwhelming.

Alex set the cup down on the wooden coffee table with a soft clank and asked,

"How are you, Aunt Serene?"

Serene placed her cup down as well and met his eyes with a faint smile. Her emerald gaze shimmered in the firelight.

"I’m doing okay. But why are you here? We agreed not to meet."

Alex nodded, interlacing his fingers as he leaned forward slightly.

"I have some questions. And you’re the only person I know who can answer them."

Serene leaned back in her chair, still smiling gently, and waited in silence.

Alex exhaled slowly.

"I want to know about the Poison Element. About its nature. What should I do? How can I properly control it? I can only manage it in the heat of battle—choosing when to use it or not. It’s merged with my dark element... but it also feels separate."

Serene smiled again, resting her chin on her palm.

"That’s a long list of questions," she said warmly. "Let’s break it down, piece by piece."

She paused. Then her voice softened, almost becoming a whisper. It seemed to echo off the stone walls, wrapping around Alex like a story from a dream.

"What is the Poison Element?

For the Seraph Clan—for us—it was a lifeline.

Poison comes from the Primordial Red Snake, the father of all serpents in the world.

He was the master of venom. With a single breath, he could destroy a continent.

We are his descendants.

Each of us carries a fragment of his power in our blood.

Every snake in the world is descended from him.

Some called him the Poison Elemental God.

And the Poison Element? It belongs to us alone.

No one else can handle it. Only our bodies can bear its burden."

She paused, her voice a shade more reverent now.

"My grandmother used to say...

’Poison is life, and poison is death. Poison is silent, and poison is loud.’"

Serene looked at Alex with a wistful smile.

His eyes had widened.

Those words struck him like thunder, echoing in his mind—

"Poison is life, and poison is death. Poison is silent, and poison is loud."