The ritual room remained quiet for days, with the faint glow of the mirror lighting the space. Ethan rested in his coffin, recovering from the task of helping Javier. He thought the silence might last forever. Suddenly, the Sorcerer's voice echoed through the room, breaking the stillness. "Soul 6, it is time," he said firmly.
The lid of Ethan's coffin was slowly opened by the Soul Navigator. He got to his feet and started toward the mirror, steady, but with a small knot of unease tucked just under the surface. The weight of the Sorcerer's words lingered in his mind, and he knew—another task awaited him. The Sorcerer stood tall and motionless near the Soul Story Mirror; his face concealed beneath the shadow of his hood. His presence was both commanding and foreboding.
Ethan hesitated. Lying in the coffin was supposed to give him a break, but instead, it brought everything back sharper—the memories, the regrets, the lives he'd stepped into. Rest only made the burden feel heavier. He took a deep breath. This time, Ethan wanted to be sure about his hunches—so he took the risk and asked, "Why do I have to keep doing this? Why am I the one being sent into these stories?" The Sorcerer's head turned slightly, as though surprised by the question. He said nothing at first, but the tension in the air became heavier, making the room feel smaller.
Ethan's gaze shifted to the other souls. "And why do they all look the same?" he continued, his voice firmer now. "Why is your face the only one that's hidden? What are you hiding from us?" The Sorcerer took a step forward, his presence more imposing than before. "My mercy is not an invitation to voice your questions." he said coldly, his voice carrying a warning. But Ethan didn't look away. He felt the warning hit, cold and clear—but stood firm. "I'm not doing this blind," he thought. "Not again." If he was going to play the game, he needed a piece of the board. So, he took another swing. A risk—but a necessary one. "I deserve to know," he said. "I have done everything you asked, without question, until now."
For a moment, the Sorcerer stood in silence. The glow of the mirror flickered slightly, as though reflecting the tension in the room. When he finally spoke, his voice was sharper. "You will obey my commands. Questions are beneath you. Keep challenging me, and you will regret it."
The room grew heavier with tension. Ethan stood his ground, his unanswered questions pressing against him.
Frustration built inside Ethan. "I need answers," he said firmly. "I can't keep doing this blindly."
The Sorcerer's tone turned harsher, he paused for a moment and said in a towering tone, "You dance upon a thread woven by my patience, Soul 6. Do you truly believe it will not fray. You have a wife… and an unborn child. Especially your child—I will prevent its soul from ever entering its body."
Ethan's eyes widened in shock, the Sorcerer's words landing like a crushing blow. "No," he whispered, his voice trembling. He realized pushing further would cost him dearly. "You can't… don't drag them into this." The Sorcerer tilted his head, his voice low and calculating. "Your loyalty is no longer asked for, Soul 6 — it is demanded." he said, each word dripping with menace. "If you truly care for them, you will obey. Disobedience... will be met with consequences you cannot fathom."
Fear gripped Ethan tightly, making it hard to think. The thought of harm coming to his wife and unborn child was unbearable. He felt trapped, unable to argue or resist.
Anger welled up in Ethan's eyes, but he held it back, refusing to lose control. He thought of his wife's smile and the future they had dreamed of. He couldn't afford to let anything happen to them. He realized that building a strategy based on the Sorcerer's answers was no longer an option—nearly impossible, in fact.
Finally, Ethan nodded slowly, his head bowed in defeat. "I will do as you ask," he said quietly, his voice tinged with both anger and sorrow. He knew he had no choice but to obey.
The Sorcerer nodded approvingly. "That's how it should be," he said. "Hear me well, Soul 6—walk my path, and you might earn the chance to save those you left to rot in the forest and the camp. Fail, and they stay dead by your hand."
The Sorcerer raised his hand. The Soul Navigator channeled its energy into the Soul Story Mirror, causing it to glow brightly as it began to display the new story. The atmosphere in the ritual room shifted as Ethan prepared to witness the story of Darren Cole (Soul 4).