When Heka wanted to leave, Ansel tried hard to hold him. There were many things he really wanted to show him. Because he knew and understood very well that Heka didn't really believe in the Immortal realm.
He just wanted Heka to see firsthand all the wonders that existed in the human realm coming from the Immortal Realm. It could all happen if he fully believed that the Immortal realm would give you whatever you wanted.
However, how hard he kept Heka to stay, it made no difference at all. Heka was very sturdy to go. Yet he really wanted to help him.
Then, Ansel let him go. He watched intently as Heka took step after deliberate step, each one carrying him farther away until he finally faded from Ansel's sight. The distance between them grew, but in Ansel's heart, a storm of hope and doubt raged fiercely.
Ansel stood alone, torn between hope and despair, bound by the unyielding laws of the metaphysical realm and the fragile thread of human will.
He secretly wished. "Will he change his mind and accept my help? Because only Grandpa can help him. What pity of him?"
Amidst this turmoil, a fleeting dream flickered in Ansel's mind, forbidden hope. He had a glimpse of a dream to have permission to use Devil Breath. The power was legendary, whispered about in the darkest corners of metaphysical science.
"If Devil Breath is not prohibited, I can definitely control my heart and take over people's minds. I'm sure it's easy to persuade him effortlessly. But it's so unfair. Devil's Breath is really forbidden, whatever the reason, even for good deeds."
There was a science about Devil Breath. One of the sciences of metaphysics was absolutely forbidden. It was a sinister force that could turn humans into puppets, stripping them of free will and compelling them to obey commands without question or resistance.
Therefore, devil breath was prohibited. After all, a human's heart and mind had no right to be owned by others. Even people who loved him, did not have the full right to have it completely. There would always be limited privacy.
He understood well the prohibition on using the devil of breath was very trivial. It was just to be able to respect others and not to do what they wanted. Moreover, it entered and took over the lives of others.
When Mr McVeigh explained about the Devil's Breath to him, he didn't understand at all. But now he understood very well.
****
When he got home, he found his Grandpa was making some witchcraft. He approached him.
Ansel's Grandpa was a traditional paranormal expert. He often was asked for some help from exorcists and other spiritual activities. Beyond his work, he generously opened classes for those eager to learn about the occult, passing down knowledge that had been preserved through generations.
One quiet afternoon, as the sun filtered softly through the wooden windows of the old house, Mr McVeigh turned to Ansel with a curious gaze.
"What about your new friend?" Mr McVeigh asked. His voice was calm, but probing.
Ansel hesitated for a moment, then spoke earnestly. "He looks very miserable. I can see the tears behind his eyeballs. He has a disease that is difficult to cure. And it has been several years. But I told him that you could help him and heal him."
"What's wrong with him? Is he an ordinary human or just like you?" Mr McVeigh's eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of concern and intrigue crossing his face.
Ansel was born in Shenmorta. He had a descendant gift. All his family was Shenmorta, including his Grandpa. It was meant that they were pure descendants of American witches.
So, he had natural spiritual power. Although he was not as good as his Grandpa's. His ability was limited just for reading the hearts and minds of the others, as well as astral projection. It reminded him who he was. He was like the most lousy descendant. The great descendant was his late brother.
Ansel had an older brother. He was Hansel. Hansel had died. It was his fate, but he sacrificed for his life. Because he really loved him.
Ansel felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps, with Mr McVeigh's ancient knowledge and power, his friend's suffering could finally find relief.
"He's an ordinary human. He has insomnia, but it seemed very severe. He can't even sleep for a week." Ansel explained carefully.
"It is really bad," Mr McVeigh chuckled heartily, a deep, rumbling laugh that filled the room. Even though it wasn't odd to him, he didn't expect an ordinary human to be able to survive without sleeping for a whole week.
"Can you help him?" Ansel asked, his voice filled with hope and certainty that Mr McVeigh would come through for his friend.
But Mr McVeigh's expression turned serious, and he shook his head. "In this case, I can't."
Ansel's heart sank. He began to whine and plead, desperate to convince his grandfather. Because he had already promised to help Heka, "Grandpa... you must heal him. I told him that you can definitely cure him. After all, you are great and can do anything."
But Mr McVeigh remained silent, unmoved by the please.
Ansel kept whining until Mr McVeigh agreed to help, "Grandpa, come on... Grandpa, please help him... Grandpa.... Grandpa..... Come on, you know you can do... come on help him..."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mr McVeigh sighed and relented. "Okay, I will help him."
Relieved, Ansel quickly asked. "Grandpa, then what will you do to heal him?"
Mr McVeigh finished his work, then he went inside. Ansel quickly followed him.
"Grandpa, how about Soul Delivery? Can it cure that disease?" Ansel asked eagerly.
Soul Delivery was indeed very effective in curing all diseases. But it was not that easy. Ordinary people were not able accept Soul Delivery. Only Shenmorta could accept Soul Delivery.
"You said that he's just an ordinary human, didn't you?" Mr McVeigh argued, his tone calm but firm. "You know that ordinary people will never receive Soul Delivery at all." Then Mr McVeigh took the tea pot and brewed the tea and the other ingredients.
"But I feel that he can accept Soul Delivery." He said quietly, waiting for his Grandpa's tea to be ready to drink.
Although Ansel was very poor in spiritual terms, he had very sharp instincts. His ability in recognition was sharp. and his ability to recognize subtle signs was high. Even so, the decision was on Mr McVeigh.
"Okay, at first make sure whether he can accept Soul Delivery or not." Mr McVeigh finally said.
It gave him pleasure because his Mr McVeigh was willing to help his friend. He grinned, his voice was exciting. "Grandpa, thank you very much. You are the best."
While sipping the tea, Mr McVeigh's expression grew serious, and he reminded Ansel of the dangers ahead. "But remember one thing. Because he's just an ordinary human, the risk is terrible. There is a high price he has to pay."
Only that word made him immediately gloomy. He forgot that there would always be a risk he had to accept to be able to accept soul delivery very quickly.
Lexus would not just come with soul delivery without any special calls and agreements. It happened to him five years ago, which made him lose his brother, Hansel.
Mr McVeigh continued, his voice steady but serious. "Anyway, you better tell him the risk he has to go through for Soul Delivery. Then, make sure he is able to accept and be able to take the risk."
He sighed deeply, inhaling the calming scent of the tea before taking a slow sip. "Okay, I'll tell him the risk of Soul Delivery."
In that moment, Ansel felt a pang of sorrow for having offered to help Heka. He wasn't entirely sure that Heka could bear the very high price that Soul Delivery demanded.
Yet, the promise had been made. Now, all that remained was to consider the next step carefully.
Because of this he was sure that he refused. Because he knew it would be very painful for Heka. After this, Heka would definitely suffer. Even his suffering would be much more painful than lamenting his insomnia that never ended.
His good intentions this time actually made the person he helped miserable. His heart weighed heavy regret. "Maybe I shouldn't help him. I was wrong to have told him that Grandpa could definitely help him. I forgot that Soul Delivery has high risk."
Mr McVeigh noticed his only pensive grandson. troubled by his thoughts. With a gentle voice, he assured him. "Don't blame yourself. Remember, you can't take back your words to help him. All you have to do next is just tell him the risk of Soul Delivery. If he is willing, he will have to pay for it. But if he is not willing to accept the risk, it means that God is protecting him and his family."
Ansel nodded slowly, the weight of the situation still heavy on his shoulders. "I hope that he's not willing to accept Soul Delivery. So I don't have to see him suffer and torment for a lifetime by mistake."
In his conscience, he hoped badly if Heka was not willing to accept Soul Delivery. He could only put his hope for it. Even though he knew that he felt that Heka would take a different decision than he expected.
Whatever Heka decided, he had to respect it. He knew he had absolutely no right to control Heka and didn't force him to change his mind if he was willing to accept Soul Delivery.
"Grandpa, should I tell him by phone or should I meet him?" Ansel asked, seeking guidance.
"It's better to meet him," Mr McVeigh replied firmly.
Grandpa was right, it was better to meet the person directly. Because if it was on the phone, it was no different for cowards.