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Soul.

“Soul [noun]

?sōl

1 . the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life

: the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe.

2 : a person’s total self.

3 : an active or essential part.

4 : a moving spirit: leader .

5 : the moral and emotional nature of human beings.

6 : the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment.

7 : spiritual or moral force: fervor .

Different religions and spiritual minorities have explored the concept of the soul for centuries. The human soul is the part of a person that is not physical. It is the part of every human being that lasts eternally after the body experiences death. But in recent years, we have come to realize we are not the only species in the universe to possess them. In fact, we have now proven that all living creatures possess a soul, to an extent. From the highest lifeforms on Earth, like dolphins and humans, to the smallest worm. What is the purpose of a soul? And where do they go once our hearts cease to beat? Those are the questions scientists are trying to answer, along with many others. With a better understanding of our souls, we might find a way to protect ourselves from demonic invasions. […]”

-Extract from the State Exorcist’s Manual , edition of 2047.

CALIFORNIAN HIGH-SPEED RAIL, 2047

I was dying. My legs were bloody pulps, my bones broken like glass. My torso was in a similarly critical condition, with a few ruptured organs. The force of the crash flung me through the bullet train like a rag doll. The fact that Lucifer had brought me back to life was a true marvel. It was damaged beyond a slit throat.

There were others in the gutted wagon, all of them dead. The mother and her kids. The young couple. People cried out in the rain. Other survivors or rescuers, I didn’t know.

It was a nightmare on earth.

“ Take more, Jon ,” said Lucifer. “I am not sure I can bring you back again if your heart stops once more.”

I reached tentatively for the furnace I felt deep in my chest. Lucifer’s soul, nestled in a bottomless well of power. It burned, but it was better than death and my haunting memories.

I took a sip, weakly, like the first painful gulp of fresh water after crossing the desert. It felt good, and yet I almost choked on it. But the power rushed through my blood, reconstructing capillaries, muscles, and organs cell by cell.

“ More ,” Lucifer ordered.

I took another sip. Lucifer’s power tasted like a crisp early morning in winter, the sun filtering through the trees. It tasted like the feel of a summer rain on my skin, or the smoke from a great bonfire. It was salty like grief, sweet like longing, bitter like revenge, and refreshing like hope. It was overwhelming, confusing, empowering. I couldn’t make sense of it all.

I closed my eyes, the afterlife beckoning, but Lucifer called my name again.

“ Jon. More. ”

“I can’t…” I sobbed. “I can’t…”

“ You have no choice. I am not letting you waste all that we have accomplished together. More .”

Blood ran down my chin, but I obeyed.

The next sip of power burned to my toes, reconstructing my bones.

I drank and drank until the outer shell of Lucifer’s power thinned enough for me to get a glimpse of his soul nestled inside. I had always been barred from gazing upon it, as it was too great and powerful. But for the first time, he was giving me access. I brushed my mind—my soul—against his. Emotions and memories that weren’t my own flashed before my eyes. I pulled back, spooked.

“ Enough ,” he said.

“Sorry…” I mumbled and closed my eyes again.

I must have died again, because Lucifer’s voice dragged me out of my worst memories one more time.

“ It is not enough ,” he said. “ Take more .”

“But…”

“ Jon. Take more .”

I obeyed and took my first bite out of his soul.