Jaeden's mind drifted off as the knowledge ever so slowly poured in; it was an amalgamation of information out of his comprehension amplitude. Nevertheless, he found himself magically grasping the hidden concept flowing behind those words, backed up by detailed illustrations that added their minimal yet significant support to aid his study.

The first few pages mostly covered a cursory introduction about Spirit Power in general, not delving too much in the issue. It was fairly informative, he mused. But how much of it was actually true, if any at all? The question begot a more practical observation, which prompted him to devour the content and leaf forward to the true treasure the book's title asseverated.

"Spirit Power is the source of every living being..." Jaeden read aloud, "... tapped only when the soul forsakes the shell and start anew in the incorporeal spectrum of the world. Every soul is different, but variations may occur from the cause of the death, or their pre-mortem stay in the land of the living." he continued in a slightly more subdued tone, "Some of these variations are evil in nature... and in no way are to be allowed existing amongst the other souls..."

He stopped, driving back the urge shut off the book and hurl it down. It was an odd feeling, instinctual if he had to word it up, uncomfortable and striking, as if he didn't sit well with the idea the book proposed, something that conceived a clear contrast inside his mind. Evil. The connotation seemed distorted, despite his knowledge of the actions people carried on under that label.

But can those Evil souls be liable for the way they died? It was obvious most people would try to ward off their incoming death, or to at least drag it out as much as the modern medicine could allow, whereas others would ardently seek it. Others might be indifferent, likely to neither welcome or deny it.

That was the cycle of life; everyone was supposed to kick the bucket when they reached their last lap.

Jaeden opened the book and resumed his reading, "The birth of Evil Souls might be due to an overwhelming amount of: Hatred, Resentment, Grief, Regret and - in the most common case - Love. Each of those alone can be the trigger, however, if the soul reawakens under most - if not all - of those emotions being the sparking end of the bomb, he or she, will eventually fall into deep despair. The process will be gradual and tormenting, fanning even more the flames of their malevolence, and they will latch onto whatever is left of their former humanity to linger in the mortal plane."

Taking a short pause to elaborate, he continued till the last line, "The more negative a soul becomes, the faster will be their growth, molding them into terrifying existences. If you're reading this, do remember that under no circumstance, you have to feel pity for them. They must be purged, and it is in my hopes that the content of this tome will aid you in this endeavor. May the Soul God be with you."

Jaeden cackled in humor. This book wasn't supposed to be in his ectoplasmic clutches, was it? He was murdered by someone who wished to hurt his mother for material benefits. Hatred and Resentment. And he sacrificed himself to save his mother, refusing to decamp himself from the same place he had been killed in, hopeful that one day he'd be able to mend back the gush on his mother and sister's hearts his demise had caused. Love.

Was there more to it? He could certainly scribble Regret on his growing list, he was sure he hadn't added 'Die in the evening' in his daily schedule. Grief? It was there, he hadn't been endorsed a particularly peaceful death either, and the bitter aftermath that ensued wasn't what you'd call a quiet adieu to a departing soul, nor the fact he was left behind with painful memories that seemed to echo wherever his vision laid on.

"This doesn't look good..." Jaeden muttered, all of the telltale hints he was treading off a grim direction were playing out inside of him from the moment he woke back up. The tome just confirmed it, and now he had to deal with a transformation that was supposed to be harrowing, "Damn!" he growled out, anger showing itself anew.

He skidded towards the door, trying to flutter through the wooden obstacle yet the seamless barrier ricocheted him backward, "Fuck!" sadness weighted him down as the desperation he's been stifling back broke through his shields, but there were no tears to shed, "NO! FUCK!" he dove once again for the door, wounding up being pushed away, "..." and then the cold grip of fear clawed him as the realization he was stranded there slapped him like a bitch.

"Oh hell no! You don't!" Jaeden shouted at the screens, "Get the fuck away!!" his tone was brimming with so much malice that a small wave of energy spanned out of him into his surroundings, managing to shift some of the furnishings close to him a few inches away.

Pain. Like a shower of arrows riddling his body from every corner, yet with it followed a mild sensation of power, it was there, somewhere dancing around him in that cluster of discomfort, but he could faintly feel it draping about the air.

His wispy body started turning a deeper shade of purple with some blackish smoke-like linings within. Jaeden slowly calmed himself down as the images of those he deeply cherished lulled his mind into clarity.

The warning screens automatically popped themselves out, as did his pain.

He sluggishly moved, the book still floating at his side, awaiting his command. Jaeden stared at the source of his dilemmas and willed it to flip through the next page.

"Spiritual Enhancement..." he demurred, trepidation cloaking his tone, "... is to draw and stock, stealing if you want, from your surroundings or from other beings into yourself, and make that stolen energy yours..." he went on reading, words rolling out of the pages into him, and he felt his understanding broaden and expand as he welcomed the information.

It was only when the sun rays filtering through the gaps of the windows were replaced by dim lamppost's lights that he tore himself out of his musings, closed the book and stilled himself, putting his newfound knowledge to use.