Chapter 810 Minnie's Gift
With the Asmodeus family's manipulative grip on him now severed, Lenny turned his attention to the next crucial phase of his plan. He needed to reclaim the abilities that had once been his, abilities that were essential for navigating the challenges that lay ahead in his quest for vengeance and mastery over his destiny.
Lenny's gaze settled on Minnie, her form frozen within the treacherous embrace of the red sands, a testament to the realm's unforgiving nature. Yet, for Steal, the serpent whose very essence was to defy and to take, the consuming nature of the sands posed no obstacle. At Lenny's command, "Get me that one!" Steal moved with purpose, its form shifting into an ethereal presence that neither the sands nor their cursed appetite could touch.
Circling Minnie with a predator's grace, Steal acted, phasing through her in a swift, decisive motion that belied the complexity of the act it was performing. Minnie was extracted from the sands' grasp as if she were no more substantial than a wisp of smoke, brought forth to stand before Lenny on the safer grounds of the black sands. The red sands, clinging to her like parasitic entities, recoiled and retreated back to their domain, leaving Minnie's form as Lenny remembered it—featureless yet familiar, a being of unique and unnatural nature.
The last time Lenny had interacted with Minnie before his journey through time, he had taken two significant things from her: her heart and her face. Her face later did not prove to be of any use to him, but her heart was different.
The removal of her heart, a source of her remarkable abilities, had granted Lenny the power of teleportation, an ability that had proven invaluable in his endeavors across dimensions. However, the intricate dance of time and fate had since stripped him of this power, necessitating a reclamation of what had once been his.
Lenny stood before Minnie, contemplating the implications of his next actions. To reacquire the teleportation ability, he would need to once again take from her, to merge her essence with his as he had done before. This was not a decision taken lightly, for it involved not just the transfer of power but a deeper, more profound connection with Minnie, whose abilities had once opened worlds to him.
As Lenny prepared to reconnect with Minnie's essence, he was acutely aware of the balance between taking and giving, the responsibility that came with wielding such power. The act of absorbing her ability was not merely a means to an end but a renewal of the bond that had previously empowered him, a bond that, while born of necessity, was underscored by a mutual recognition of their intertwined fates.
With a deep, steadying breath, Lenny extended his hand towards Minnie, ready to bridge their beings once more. The process would not just restore to him the coveted ability to teleport but would also reaffirm his commitment to the path he had chosen, a path that demanded not just strength and cunning, but a willingness to bear the weight of the powers he sought to wield. However, just before his fingers would touch her, she suddenly opened her mouth as if springing back to life, "Stop! Please don't do it! Please don't do it! Don't Consume my heart." As she said this, she bowed her head pleading.
Lenny, poised on the brink of reclaiming the power he had lost, found himself halted by Minnie's sudden plea. Her voice, clear and laden with fear, was a stark departure from the madness that had once consumed her the last time he had come for her heart, rendering her little more than a shell of her former self. The Minnie before him now was aware, desperately seeking to avoid the fate of having her heart—and with it, her abilities—taken from her once again. This unexpected display of consciousness suggested that her time in the red sands, though perilous, had not eroded her sanity as it had before, possibly due to a shorter exposure.
Lenny's initial reaction was one of surprise, followed quickly by skepticism. What could Minnie possibly offer that would equate to the value of the power he sought from her? Yet, her knowledge of his past actions, specifically his consumption of her heart, hinted at a deeper understanding of the events that had transpired, events that should have been beyond her awareness. This revelation raised questions about the nature of the red sands and the secrets they held, secrets that Minnie seemed to be privy to.
"How did you know that was what I was going to do?" Lenny's inquiry, driven by a mix of curiosity and caution, was met with Minnie's acknowledgment of his previous actions. This acknowledgment served as a reminder of the complex web of time and fate in which they were entangled, a web that Minnie, against all odds, seemed to have some insight into.
Lenny's gaze shifted momentarily towards the red sands, contemplating the myriad mysteries and trials they concealed. The sands were not just a physical barrier but a repository of knowledge, experiences, and, perhaps, consciousness. The realization that Minnie had retained her awareness, and possibly gained new understanding from her ordeal, suggested that the sands—and by extension, Minnie herself—held untapped potential and secrets yet to be discovered. After all, the red sands affected people differently.
Turning back to Minnie, Lenny's demeanor was one of cautious interest. "Prove to me your usefulness," he challenged, his voice carrying the weight of his demand. This was not just a test of Minnie's willingness to cooperate but an opportunity for her to demonstrate the depth of her knowledge and the potential benefits of her insights. Lenny's decision to reconsider his initial intention to take her heart was not driven by sentimentality but by strategic consideration. If Minnie could indeed offer something of equal or greater value, something that could aid him in his quest for power and vengeance, then Lenny was prepared to explore this alternative path.
"Maybe its because of my ability to be able to cross dimensions, but I have seen things in the red sands. Things that have happened, will never happen, and will definitely happen."
Lenny raised a brow at her words. "go on!"
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m