Chương 41: Seed

[You have received an Aspect Legacy.]

'What?'

'What the actual hell?'

Aldric's mind was frozen. He could not comprehend what he just heard. Surely it was not from his tangent about his attribute.

His intuition was not so easily fooled, though. He quickly went back into his soul sea.

Seeing the familiar sight, his eyes went up to where he last saw the mist. Except it was not there.

It was something that was completely alien to him. A small tear through space at the boundary of his soul. In that tear was something akin to another dimension. Red webs of pulsating light peaked through like an eldritch heart. He knew that it did not belong.

It was so alien to the dimly lit starry space beside it. Like a skyscraper built in the middle of a village, it was jarring. But the feeling that it emanated was the worst part.

Like an outer god spreading its influence in a realm beyond their reach, it emanated a feeling that he could not even bring himself to describe. It was utterly futile. Like trying to think of a new colour, Aldric simply did not know what he didn't know. What word could he even use to describe it? However, what he could feel was something extrinsic from his humanity. Something detached from the laws that govern life.

Aldric exited his soul sea in panic; he knew where he would find answers.

He envisioned his runes and focused on his aspect.

Aspect:[Made In Abyss]

Aspect Rank: Divine.

Aspect Abilities:[Dark Well]

Aspect Ability Description:[You can manifest the Darkness within.]

Aspect Legacy:[Path Of The Unbound].

Aspect Legacy Description:[Liberate what was shackled. Unveil the tethered. Unbind the chained, First-Class Singularity!]

Unbound:[1/7]

Chain of Nothingness:[Broken]. [Claim Remnant]

Chain of ???:[Bound]

Chain of ???:[Bound]...

The list of unknowns continued four more times for a total of 7 chains. One already broken.

The runes representing the broken status of the first chain were lifeless and shattered. Like a broken mosaic. Bright and bold were the words [Claim Remnant] right beside it.

Aldric was confused at the wording of his aspect legacy. The spell seemed as if it was cheering him on. Like a king ordering the hero to start his adventure.

The choice of words seemed like a literal spell or a poem. Full of hidden meaning that he couldn't quite understand. He knew that there was a lot left unsaid.

Without any more thoughts, he claimed his reward.

[You have claimed an Aspect Legacy Remnant.]

[You have received a Memory.]

The runes immediately changed from a brightly worded [Claim Remnant] to a lifeless grey.

Skimming through the list of his memories, he looked for the new addition and focused on it.

Memory:[Seed of Chaos.]

Memory Rank: [Unknown]

Memory Tier:[Unknown]

Memory Type:[Unknown]

Memory Description:[???]

Aldric walked to the edge of the group and returned to his soul sea to be safe. He summoned the memory while standing on a bed of black clouds.

In a shimmer of light, a blood-red orb the size of a metal bearing formed into existence. Aldric focused on the memory with rapt attention. On closer inspection, a myriad of infinitesimally small veins covered its surface. Aldric knew he could not count the numbers in a single lifespan.

Small whispers filled his mind as his gaze could not leave the orb. Drawn to it like a moth to flame, his peripheral vision began to blur.

'I wonder how it would taste. Otherworldly, I would imagine.'

A rune popped up in his sight.

[You have acquired a Seed of Chaos Do you wish to consume it?]

Without any thought or regard, Aldric was about to command the spell to fulfil his desires until a white pain entered his gut. Like a sword of flaming fury pierced through his internal organs and scorched his blood. It was the worst pain he had ever felt from his attribute.

The pain lasted the briefest of moments to warn its host of what it was doing.

'Attribute? [Insight]!'

Gaining his awareness and judgement, Aldric knew [Insight] was telling him to stop whatever he was doing.

He could deduce that he was not ready to consume whatever this seed was. Without a doubt he would die. After all, a warning like that could only spell immediate death.

Returning the memory back to his soul core, Aldric noticed that it floated past it and towards the tear. From the distance, he could make out a small dot hovering in the centre.

'So the [Seed of Chaos] chose to rest there and not near my soul core. Fascinating.'

More and more of what Aldric thought was law was being broken today.

'I guess that's what it means when you are a living singularity.'

As he returned his full attention back to his body, he heard a shout.

"Oi, you Panda!" Stop spacing out!"

He heard Effie shout.

Looking at the cohort, he noticed everyone's eyes on him.

He seemed to have missed a lot by their reactions. Probably, they are paying respects to the First Lord.

"My bad, just looking at my runes."

He glanced at Kai, who was standing close to Sunny.

He heard a whisper.

"What the hell is a panda?"

Seeing Sunny ask that was funny to Aldric. How could one know so much but so little at the same time?

Everyone stopped talking when a golden shimmer coalesced around Nephis' head.

A radiant headband with a red ruby adorned her forehead.

"This is the Dawn Shard. It possesses a singular power. To enhance all memories of those around it."

Quickly, Sunny exploded in response.

"Wait, you don't mean 'all' memories, right? Wouldn't that just help Gunlaug with his already powerful memory?"

Nephis calmly retorted.

"That was if his armour was a memory. It is an echo."

Providing no other explanation.

Sunny was unsatisfied with the answer and so asked.

"How do you even know this?"

Nephis responded hesitantly.

"Our informant told us."

This back and forth continued until Kai interrupted their conversation.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but doesn't this mean that our job is finished? We have the shard."

It was here that Nephis laid down the rest of her cards.

She explained the true purpose of the journey. To collect the rest of the shard memories.

"Somewhere up ahead will be another statue. With a powerful creature guarding it. You can join me in this fight or wait for me to return."

She took a short breath.

"There is only one rule."

**********

Thank you for reading once more.

How did you like it? What did you think about the aspect legacy? any theories?

ryuk9PE Chapter 40 Comment Response: With the attribute description written the way it is. It is not that he is outside of fate but rather one step ahead.Imagine walking through cement that is quickly drying up one step behind you. You can chose where to go but once you have stepped forward there is no going back.

Do ask any questions, I will respond in this section rather than a comment response.

Anywho, take care. Till the next one.

bình luận bình luận của 7

Bình chọn

next chapter

Chương 42: Champion

"Do not deliver the final blow if you have not touched the surface of the statue first."

Nephis particularly looked at Caster, Sunny, and Aldric. With their combat skills, they were the ones most likely to deal the final blow to the nightmare champion.

Sunny seemed to want to continue the conversation but was interrupted.

"Of course, Lady Nephis."

Caster spoke in a measured tone of respect.

"Yeah. I understand. But I do need to say one thing."

Aldric responded.

Everyone looked towards him as he spoke.

"My aspect ability is down for the count during this fight. It should be back soon, but whatever that thing did to me in the sea left some damage. It doesn't change much, though. I'll fight all the same."

Aldric admitted to his temporary weakness.

Nephis was silent for a moment. Ruminating about what she just heard.

"Ok, that is good to know. Let's go."

And so they did.

----------

Carrying on their march, they came upon a large cavern. With an open-air space, the size was comparable to the Bright Castle itself.

'I guess they don't call it the Hollow Mountains for no reason.'

With black sand surrounding the floor, a large, unfinished black statue stood at the centre of the cavern. Reminding him of the Stone Mimic that he fought when he entered the dream realm. It looked as if it was stuck mid-transformation.

Knowing what they were here for, they continued onwards.

Meeting the cohort was a horrid creature. Something out of mythology. The kind that didn't have a happy ending.

A chimera dropped from the darkness of the cavern. An unnatural mix between a lion and a raven. With two powerful hind legs and six others protruding from its torso, each with a set of deadly, sharp claws.

Its face was predominantly fashioned like a raven. With a massive single beak ready to pluck its prey. Black feathers adorned its body, looking like a messenger of hell.

"MESSENGER!"

Sunny shouted.

The fight had begun.

Hearing the signal, Nephis adorned her [Dawn Shard] with its enchantment activated. Empowering the cohort's memories, Aldric was in particular need of this.

With his innate ability still faulty, he could not coat his [Malice of the Deep] in darkness. This is what gave his awakened blade the ability to pierce through the few Fallen-ranked creatures that he killed. Without it, he would have to rely on Nephis' [Dawn Shard].

The messenger charged through the air with its wings spanned out.

Immediately Sunny met the charge like a bullet. Covered by his dark wings, he levitated in the air. With his [Midnight Shard] at the ready, he slashed at the messenger's wings. Crippling the beast, it fell down to the ground.

Continuing his momentum forward, he dashed to the statue.

The rest of them were not standing, still watching. Kai released a blood arrow at the beast the moment it landed. With disturbing accuracy, his mark hit true. Replenishing his blood, he pulled back his next arrow.

Effie and Saint now controlled its attention. With Caster and Aldric dealing significant damage as they took advantage of their numbers. Nephis stood in between. Dealing damage when she could and supporting Effie when needed. After all, the beast could only attack one person at a time with how spread out they were, giving ample enough time for a counter from somebody else. With Kai taking shots when he felt it was safe to do so, even Cassie's loyal echo was helping. Darting in the air, aiming for the beast's vulnerable eyes.

This was Aldric's job; utilising his basic battle style in perfect synergy with his [Insight] allowed him to react to the intervals of danger with pinpoint accuracy. Like a symphony, he was in step with the beast. After all, a battle was not just about trading attacks. It was the imbetween. The repositioning, setting distance, and pacing. His [Insight] gave him cues on when to attack and when to disengage. Like a conductor, his attribute was his guiding hand. He knew this rudimentary battle style would not pass moving forward as an awakened. Feints and speed were just some of his weaknesses. But he knew this was the start of his battle art.

But what made it as effective as it were was his [Tranquil Core] attribute. It allowed him to calm his racing nerves. Giving him the peace of mind to be able to put his complete focus on listening to the signals from his attribute. A single misstep could have him walking right into an attack after all.

'Dodge, duck, step back. Left claw, feint, attack.'

That's all his mind was filled with.

Aldric and Caster's attacks dealt significant damage to the beast. The beast was slower and more predictable. Bleeding profusely, it was now met with flames of the soul. Nephis pierced the left side of the beast's torso and injected a burning white flame through its insides.

"CROOOOAHHHHHH"

The beast screamed in pure agony. Stunned by the pain, it was ripe for the kill. But it was not time yet.

They were not unscathed either. Effie had taken the impact of a beak strike through her shield. Dislocating her shoulder. Caster as well caught a swipe from the beast's claws during an exchange. Four bloody lines were carved through his armour.

Aldric looked at Nephis, waiting for her next move. This was the perfect opportunity to kill it, but they had to wait.

It seemed that not everyone was comfortable waiting for Sunny to return. In a blitz of speed, Caster had left for the statue. This had increased the workload for Aldric twofold, but it was better than having done all of this for no reason. So he persevered.

Before he knew it, a small shadow darted below the messenger and gutted it like a pig. Blood and viscera dropped onto the floor in a gruesome display. But the shadow had a problem.

The beast was not dead yet.

In a final act of vindication, the chimera launched its powerful beak to break through its attacker. After all, a beast is most dangerous when it is near death.

Facing death in the face, Sunny did not have enough time to move. A white light stood in front of him just before impact.

Nephis redirected the blow with expert accuracy. Using all her strength, she was able to avoid being clipped by its beak.

A ghostly green Jian was positioned perfectly to behead the dying creature. But it was a second too late.

A small kunai attached to a thin wire exited the already destroyed eye. Pulling brain matter along with it.

"THUMP"

With that, the fight was over.

**********

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Writing fighting scenes is not a strong point of mine so I hope it came across well.

JubayerSiam&NYXLOGOS chapter 41 response: For real. I wanted something that was reasonable to act as Aldric's special thing. While Sunny had {Fated] to guide him and literally save his life many times, Aldric would not have that. Without giving him a crazy advantage like a system, two aspects, or like 10 attributes. I just chose an attribute duo with amazing synergy.

It is not all powerful, as you've seen with the scene in the dark sea. But yeah, It is his best ally in all of this.

Well, hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Till the next one.

bình luận bình luận của 3

Bình chọn