I sat alone in the bedroom after Florence had departed for a few moments before standing up, focusing my attention towards the incense candle infused with the Night Vanilla.
"What are you planning?" The Umbridge asked in an ethereal voice.
Their incomplete projection didn't manifest in the room when they spoke, which I found partially strange.
"Remember what that hooded figure told me in the tent a while back? I asked.
"You plan on using a mentally-based method to find out more?" The Umbridge prompted me further.
I nodded my head, grabbing the candle from the dresser and placing it in the center of the floor. Just then, I heard another question. "Do you even know how to do such a thing?"
"I was hoping you'd assist me," I said with a small smile.
The ethereal voice sighed softly at that moment, and the symbol on my forehead began to glow without bearing a burn," Using meditation, you can dive into the Astral Void to receive the corresponding knowledge."
"Astral Void? What about my mind?" The mention of a new realm of existence sent a shiver coursing down my spine. If information corresponding to this realm would lead to extreme corruption, the best I could do was practice the method in a safer space.
"No, child. We aren't venturing into the Astral Void we're—"
I plugged my ears. "Nope."
An abnormal chill suddenly surged through my arms, and I felt them moving on their own as they were lowered. Seeing this, I let out a low groan.
"If I'm telling you this, it won't damage you," The Umbridge calmly scolded.
The feelings in my arms gradually resurfaced as I was able to move them once again. Just then, the Night Vanilla candle ignited with purplish-blue flames from the tip unlike before. Previously, it had only shone with a purple hue.
"Huh?" I bent down to observe the candle, extending my arm to pick it up. At that moment, the surrounding room darkened, and I stood back as illusory, iron-black pillars surged upwards from the void, stretching to an infinite height into a dark fog that drifted above. The walls shot up along with them, protruding upwards into the fog as well.
The throne, carpet, and floor gradually materialized beneath my feet, and the circular window showcasing my mind all surfaced in a matter of moments.
My body remained still, and my grip on the candle remained akin to a vice. After everything had fallen silent, I opened my eyes and habitually scanned my surroundings. Everything was as it was the first time I had come here, including the throne on the far end of the room in front of the window.
A pair of illusory, wormhole-like eyes emerged from the darkness, boring down at me. "You ready?"
I flinched, almost dropping the candle as I gazed up at the eyes within the dark fog. "Give a warning next time, damn it."
My voice turned layered and ethereal, a deeper voice showing through on top of my regular one. Hearing this, I immediately covered my mouth, my face turning a ghastly pale color.
"What …was that?"
The Umbridge exhaled deeply, as if tired by my current demeanor. "Your spirit voice is one all Apocalypse Seekers are able to use here. If you try hard enough, it can resurface in the real world if your emotions get too out of control."
"Is that…the same situation with what happened with Bertram and my body?" I recalled the incident in the hallway near Wilfred's room, how a pair of illusory, crimson horns had manifested atop my head and the sigil produced an abnormal reaction.
The Umbridge nodded. "It's all related to your Spirit Body."
Just then, the Night Vanilla candle began to tremble in my grip, the blueish-purple flames quickly turning a crimson red as the surface of the wax turned a similar color. The casing of the candle turned an iron-black color, and the Apocalypse sigil manifested on the bottom of the item.
Seeing this, my eyes widened as I set down the item, taking a step back. "Huh…" I gazed down at the item that had transformed.
Looking back up at The Umbridge, I pointed at the candle. "Will it…look like that in the real world?"
"No," they replied in their ethereal tone.
"Why did it change though?"
"You can also corrupt spirit items, or simply, change an item that has a spiritual form through physical contact. To a small extent, its purpose might change to."
Gazing back down at the Night Vanilla candle, I bent down and picked it up again. "So, it might be easier to find out more about it?"
"We shall see."
I felt my body suddenly move on its own, sitting myself down with my legs crossed. "Now, I want you to close your eyes."
I slowly closed my eyes following the entity's instructions. As I began to slowly take deep breaths, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through my body. I felt my body leave the floor, slowly rising into the air before coming to a halt the moment I opened my eyes once again. With a sudden drop, I hit the floor once again.
"Was I just floating?" I asked, slowly standing back up whilst rubbing my lower back. I gazed up into the dark fog for an answer, but nothing could be heard. I only saw the illusory eyes gazing back down at me.
"Try again. Ignore the floating sensation."
"Alright." With a sigh, I sat back down and crossed my legs, assuming the same position from before. As I began to take slow, deep breaths, the unfamiliar sensation returned. Upon seeing my lack of response, The Umbridge spoke again.
"Now, mentally reach out and channel the Night Vanilla candle."
Hearing this, my brows furrowed. "Like telekinesis?"
"No, visualize in your head," The Umbridge continued.
The image of the candle surfaced in my mind, the clear image of the now red and black candle appearing crystal clear. Just then, more images flashed. I saw the demonic tyrant sitting atop his throne, smiling wickedly at me. I felt my body run cold, and I broke out into a sweat.
"I-I can't focus." I strained out, the unsettling image of the entity gradually taking shape over the candles' mental projection. The gray-skinned demon sat on his throne with a smile before he stood up, walking over to me. I remained floating in the air, the image playing out clearly in my mind.
"Trying to forget me again?" He asked, extending his hand and wrapping it around my chin.
I froze, my skin turning bitterly cold as I felt the sensation taking over in the real world. I tried to open my eyes to escape this scene, but my eyelids seemed to be rusted shut. The demonic tyrant grinned as if sensing my struggle, picking up his sword perched beside their throne like a trophy.
He slowly raised the weapon, running it along the edge of my cheek, the movements precise enough to cause a small amount of pain yet refuse to draw blood. I remained frozen, my heart racing in my chest as this towering creature resembling my father continued his ministrations upon my face.
"You know you can't escape me, that this destiny you've consumed in a bottle will always come to pass," His voice lowered, turning guttural and demonic.
His other hand wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me closer towards him. His eyes were a pitch black shade bearing crimson pupils that gave off no light, only embracing the surrounding darkness.
"You're like a rat caught in my grasp, in destiny's grasp. You were tired enough of being called a damn loser that you'd toss away the thought of sanity just to drink that bottle and become powerful."
He pulled me even closer, his mouth a hairsbreath from my ear. "If only you weren't meant to destroy the world and laugh upon it."
Just then, everything fell silent, and the image of the Night Vanilla candle resurfaced in my mind. Though, the image was slightly hazy. I was too preoccupied by my emotions. Tears began to slowly stream down my face. My heart continued to race, and as soon as it appeared, the image of the candle dissipated away.
My body then fell back to the floor with a bang. My eyes remained tightly clasped shut, and the tears kept freely falling. A strange aching pain surfaced within me as I let out a low sob, burying my head in my chest. I didn't want The Umbridge to see me crying, that'd be embarrassing. I didn't want to move, but at the same time, I wanted to find that thing and rip it limb from limb.
Did I drink that potion to not be powerless? Did I consume that bottle just so I could survive in this world? I've already become aware of the hidden dangers here, and the fact that merely mentioning them is a great danger. If I was only compatible with a pathway of destruction, was it a good job to drink that potion to prove his point?
"Calm down." I heard The Umbridge's illusory voice call from above me. This time, it was closer to me—they had descended in person to visit me.
My eyes slowly opened, the half lids catching sight of the ethereal cloaked entity standing before me. They looked down at me, their crimson pupils boring into me with an uncharacteristic pang of sympathy. Just then, they bent down before me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"That wasn't real, Isaac. That was merely a projection of your mind."
"T-that's what my father is, a demon demon!" I choked out, the words bitterly leaving my mouth. My voice was half-guttural like the first time my emotions got out of control in this place.
The Umbridge shook their head. "He's ruthless, yes. But that doesn't paint him as a demon."
They took a step forward towards me, placing a boney hand on my shoulder. "He's the only thing stopping you at this moment. If you want to learn more, you must remove the barriers preventing you from doing so."
I fell silent for a few moments, my voice a low, choked sob. "He's tormented me my whole life; I can't just forget him like that."
The Umbridge didn't say a word, instead, their form turned illusory as they disappeared. Gradually fading away, they spoke to me for a final time. "Then that's your fault."
The eyes in the fog didn't show up, nothing appeared to indicate their presence. "W-where are you going?"
There wasn't a reply at all. I was stunned, they just left me like that?!
Suddenly, an illusory piece of paper descended from an unknown location, transforming from a vortex of crimson and black energy. I slowly reached for the paper with a trembling hand.
"If you are to learn, the barriers must fall."
The paper read in neat handwriting. At the bottom of the paper was a signature: The Umbridge.