Gabriel's body floated in the empty space. His eyes remained close and his breathing stable, as if he was completely unconscious. Even he didn't realize what happened, when he suddenly started feeling sleepy.
Fortunately, Ezekiel informed him that it was his doing, since he was about to start transplantation of the heart, for which Gabriel had to be unconscious.
Next to unconscious Gabriel was Ezekiel, looking at the young man before him. Everything was ready for him.
He raised his right hand, drawing forth the giant heart of the Abyssal Dragon.
The aura of the heart spread far and wide in the Outer Zone. Unfortunately, all the Abyssal Beings were weak in the outer zone. Just the aura of the heart alone was almost crushing them.
They didn't dare to get closer to where the aura was coming from, feeling as if they were going to be crushed by this aura if they even tried.
A dark energy came out of Ezekiel, which slowly surrounded the mountainous heart of the Dragon. Once the heart was completely covered, it started shrinking slowly. It was as if the space and time laws were beyond used to manipulate the size of the giant heart.
As Ezekiel channeled his power, the heart of the Abyssal Dragon began to undergo a mysterious transformation. The dark energy surrounding it intensified, pulsating with an otherworldly rhythm. As it shrank, the heart emitted a haunting hum, resonating with the very fabric of the Outer Zone of Abyss.
As the heart decreased in size, Gabriel's body reacted to the changes in the environment. He seemed to be attuned to the heart's essence, even in his unconscious state. His brow furrowed slightly, sensing the immense power converging around him.
Ezekiel watched over him, not relaxing even a little, knowing that the success of the transplant was crucial for both Gabriel and his future growth.
With every passing moment, the heart grew smaller, and its aura became more focused and potent. The dark energy that enveloped it shimmered with a myriad of colors, reflecting the diverse energies within the heart itself.
It was a mesmerizing sight, one that could captivate even the most seasoned beings in the Outer Zone, had they dared to come close.
As the heart reached an optimal size, Ezekiel carefully extended his hands, positioning the pulsating organ above Gabriel's chest.
The young man's body responded subconsciously to the heart's proximity, as if it recognized the presence of a long-lost kin. Though still unconscious, Gabriel's breathing became more synchronized with the heart's pulsations.
With utmost precision, Ezekiel began the transplantation process. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he aligned the heart's arteries with Gabriel's own, connecting them seamlessly.
The moment the heart made contact with Gabriel's chest, a surge of energy coursed through his body, and his heart rate increased, as if awakening from a deep slumber.
Ezekiel's eyes glowed with a soft ethereal light as he continued to guide the heart's integration into Gabriel's being. The heart, once belonging to the mighty Abyssal Dragon, now merged with the young man's essence, accepting him as its new host. It was a delicate balance, a dance between two souls becoming one, facilitated by Ezekiel's skill and the mysterious forces at play in the Outer Zone.
The aura surrounding them intensified even further as the transplantation progressed, causing tremors in the surrounding landscape.
The Abyssal Beings, initially wary of the heart's power, could now sense that the heart was bonding with someone, changing its rhythm. The aura of the heart also started subsiding. Their fear subsided, replaced by a mix of awe and curiosity as they wondered if they should check themselves.
Many Abyssal Beings instinctively flew in the direction now that the suppressing aura had weakened.
As Ezekiel completed the final stages of the transplantation, the heart settled securely within Gabriel's chest. A profound stillness spread through the Outer Zone, and the dark energy that had once surrounded the heart dissipated, as if it never really existed.
The heartbeat of the Abyssal Dragon now resided within Gabriel, and a new bond was forged between the young man and the enigmatic realm he had dared to explore.
With the procedure complete, Ezekiel leaned back, wiping the sweat from his brow. He observed Gabriel's peaceful countenance, reassured by the steady rise and fall of his chest.
The transplantation had been a success, but the true test lay ahead—how Gabriel's body and soul would adapt to the heart of an ancient and powerful being.
Sighing, Ezekiel looked toward a particular direction. "The promised time is drawing to an end..."
****
Time seemed to slow as Gabriel's consciousness started to awaken. His eyelids fluttered, and the young man's eyes opened to reveal a gaze that held a glimmer of something more profound—a connection to the Abyssal Dragon's memories and knowledge.
"Ezekiel," Gabriel whispered, his voice echoing with newfound depth.
"How are you feeling?" Ezekiel asked, a mixture of curiosity and realization.
"I can feel it—the heart, its memories, its power. It's overwhelming, but somehow... familiar. My body... It feels more close to the Abyss... It's like I can use the element without having to draw this power from the surroundings... I can feel everything around me..."
Ezekiel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's the effect of the Abyssal Dragon's heart within you. It has bonded with your essence, and now you carry a part of its ancient power and abilities. But be cautious. You must learn to control it, or it might consume you."
Gabriel took a deep breath, feeling the newfound connection to the Abyssal Dragon's memories. He saw flashes of its life—ancient battles, moments of solitude, and even glimpses of its wisdom. It was as if he had lived through those moments himself.
However, through those memories, he saw something that he never expected to see. There was the presence of a human in these memories... A human who looked awfully similar to the person in the Portrait at the Palace of Chaos.
