Kain is probably the only beast-tamer alive that can so easily identify the identity of the orb they chipped a piece off of. However, there was one crucial feature that made its identity clear to him.
On the seamless purple orb was a dark 'stain' that seemed to be naturally in the shape of the sigil for 'Earth,' or rather the name of the planet that Kain was currently on. Apparently, its true name is not Earth, the true pronunciation has been long lost and is quite difficult to pronounce for humans, and so it had always been called Earth by humans.
But the sigil symbolizing the planet still remains—after all, it is a necessary component for any teleportation arrays being layed down on this planet.
Therefore, Kain strongly believed that this was the core of the planet.
Now seeing an orb with the sigil of the planet 'stained' into it wouldn't allow anyone else to make that connection—even the most knowledgeable and experienced beast-tamers on the planet may not make that connection. After all, most people have probably never seen the core of the planet, and it is so large that it may not even be clear what the true appearance of the 'stain' was.
However, Kain was different…Kain was the sole omnipotent ruler of his own planet—Pangea. Naturally, he'd long been able to seen the appearance of Pangea's core when he was once interested.
Interestingly, he'd noted that when he'd first assigned a name and sigil to symbolize Pangea, that same sigil had spontaneously formed like a 'stain' or 'birthmark' on the light purple core of the planet.
The colour of Pangea's core was a much lighter violet—more white with only a slight tinge of colour—far less rich in colour than the core in the drawings on the walls. But as the concentration and upper limit of power on Pangea grew, so too did the concentration of the colour—albeit slightly.
Kain could imagine that in the future Pangea's core will more closely resemble those within the drawings.
Kain stood frozen, his eyes locked on the image of the massive purple orb etched into the wall. The implications of what he was seeing were staggering. The ancient civilization had not only discovered the planet's core but had somehow managed to extract a fragment of it—and likely used it to power much of their research in fighting against the Abyss.
But at what cost? The creature they had fought, the twisted amalgamation of flesh and machinery, was a testament to the dangers of their experiments but also the immense potential.
Kain also couldn't help thinking deeper on the more unique features of Pangea—specifically, its ability to fight off Abyssal energy.
This civilization was famous for its ability to effectively combat the abyss, hence why Kain and the others were sent here when there was news that some of their remains may be found here.
Did they obtain their ability to effectively combat the abyss from the core of this planet?
At one point, was this 'Earth' more effective at combatting the abyss and it lost its resistance due to some reason? Did the greed of this civilization compromise the entire planet? Or was the planet already in danger and they did this as a desperate last resort?
Kain had more questions than answers now, but as Kain stood there, lost in thought, a sudden noise broke the silence. It was faint at first, barely audible over the hum of energy in the chamber. But as Kain focused, the sound grew louder—a soft, tapping, like footsteps echoing through the ruins.
Kain's heart skipped a beat, his body tensing as he turned toward the source of the noise. The chamber was vast, its walls lined with glowing runes and intricate carvings. The sound seemed to be coming from one of the passageways that branched off from the main chamber, its entrance shrouded in shadow.
"Bea," Kain whispered, his voice low. "Do you sense anything?"
Suddenly thousands of barely visible threads extended into the distance, but after a long period, Kain received a negative response.
Kain's grip tightened on his spear, not at all relieved by her reply. If anything the lack of any creature being sensed alarmed him even more, especially since he'd definitely heard movement.
Even more alarming, his Threads of Destiny were not signalling the approach of any threat and the off-white thread was extremely faint, making Kain unable to obtain much information. Could this creature even have the ability to obscure its fate?!
Alarmed, Kain got even more alert, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The tapping grew louder, more clear and appeared to be approaching his location, and Kain could feel his pulse quickening. Whatever was making that noise, it was getting closer.
"Stay close," Kain said, his voice barely above a whisper. He moved cautiously toward the passageway, his footsteps silent on the icy floor. The Vespid guards buzzed softly around him, their movements sluggish in the cold but still alert.
As Kain approached the passageway, the tapping grew louder, more distinct. It was definitely footsteps, but they were unlike any he had ever heard—light and quick, almost delicate. And yet, there was something unsettling about the rhythm, they didn't have the normal sound characteristic of a creature running—the rhythm was too regular, the sound of each of its four limbs were perfectly balanced even after Kain enhanced his ears. It was almost mechanical how perfectly uniform and unchanging its movements were.
Kain directed one of the Vespid guards into the passageway, its wings buzzing softly as it disappeared into the shadows. The tapping continued, steady and unrelenting, growing louder with each passing second. Kain's heart pounded in his chest, his grip on his spear tightening as he waited for the guard to return or signal or…to sense its death.
The Vespid guard returned moments later, its movements quick but deliberate. It hovered in front of Kain, its antennae twitching as it relayed what it had seen. Kain's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. The guard had detected movement, but whatever was making the noise was still hidden, its form obscured by the shadows of the passageway. The guard's senses had picked up no heat signature, no spiritual energy—nothing that would indicate a living creature. And yet, the footsteps continued, growing louder and more distinct.
Kain's mind raced. If it wasn't alive, what was it? Another mechanical creation, like the creature they had fought earlier? Or something else entirely? The thought sent a chill down his spine, one that had nothing to do with the cold.
"We need to be careful," Kain muttered, his voice low. "Whatever this is, it's not natural."
He took a cautious step forward, his spear held at the ready, and now that they were in a more open chamber, he released Vauleth and more of the Vespid guards.
The tapping grew louder, the sound echoing off the walls, and Kain could feel his pulse quickening. His senses were on high alert, every nerve in his body screaming at him to be ready for anything.
As he rounded a corner, the passageway opened up into a smaller chamber, its walls lined with more of the glowing runes. The tapping was coming from the far end of the room, its source still hidden in the shadows. Kain's eyes scanned the area, his gaze darting from one corner to another, searching for any sign of movement. The air was thick with tension, the hum of energy growing louder with every step he took.
And then, he saw it.
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A figure emerged from the shadows, its movements slow and deliberate.
Its indistinguishable figure was pale and crystalline and its eyes glowed with a faint, eerie light. But what caught Kain's attention was its movements—they were too perfect, too mechanical. Its steps were precise, each one landing with the same force, the same rhythm. It was as if it were following a predetermined path, its actions guided by some unseen force.
Just as Kain was about to attack the creature, certain that it was another experimental product, its full figure came into the light produced in the chamber Kain was in.
"Huh?"
Before Kain was a small, rabbit-like creature that appeared to be made of translucent crystal, its body gave off a soft, calming glow as it reflected the lights hitting it. And its large, luminous eyes gave it an appearance of innocence.
The only unsettling aspect is that it seems to have no consciousness at all. If anything, it looked like an elaborate doll capable of walking…a very familiar 'doll'. One that cost Kain his very first chance at becoming the new sole rank 1 of their year.
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Not to mention the unsuccessful scouting techniques of his contracts also began to make sense. During the competition, Bea suffered several losses against the contract's illusions that seemed capable of fading in and out of reality whenever they wanted, leading to Bea's threads just going straight through them, and it could also explain why no heat or spiritual power was detected by the Vespids previously either.
"Prismarin…what are you doing here?" Kain mumbled not expecting an answer.
But surprisingly, upon hearing Kain's voice, its eyes blinked languidly once…twice…and then upon the third reopening the previously soulless eyes were now far more energetic.
It looked curiously left and right, and then the Prismarin's luminous eyes locked onto Kain. For a moment, it simply stared at him, its head tilting slightly as if trying to place him. Then, with a soft, melodic chirp, it hopped closer, its movements no longer mechanical but fluid and alive. The eerie precision of its earlier steps had vanished, replaced by the natural and lively grace of a living creature.
Kain hesitated, his spear still raised but his grip loosening slightly. He recognized that that creature had the ability to manipulate light and create illusions so convincing they could fool even the most skilled beast-tamers, so he knew that this was likely one of its illusions. But what was it doing here, deep within the ruins of this ancient relic? And why had it been moving like a mindless machine just moments ago?
"Prismarin," Kain said again, his voice steady but cautious. "Are you… okay?"
The creature chirped again, its crystalline ears twitching as it took another hop toward him. Its movements were deliberate now, its glowing eyes filled with a strange mixture of curiosity and urgency. It stopped just a few feet away from Kain, its translucent body reflecting the faint purple light of the runes on the walls.
Kain lowered his spear slightly, his mind racing. If this was indeed Serena's Prismarin, then Serena herself shouldn't be far behind. But why hadn't she come with it? And why had the Prismarin been acting so strangely? The questions swirled in his mind, but before he could voice any of them, the creature let out another chirp, this one more insistent.
It turned and began to hop away, its movements quick but deliberate. After a few steps, it paused and looked back at Kain, its luminous eyes locking onto his once more. It chirped again, as if urging him to follow.
Kain hesitated, his instincts warring with his curiosity. The Prismarin was an ally—technically—but its sudden appearance and strange behavior were deeply unsettling. Still, if it was leading him somewhere, it might be to Serena or to something important within the ruins. Neither one of those options was something Kain would turn down.
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"Alright," Kain muttered, then he joked. "But if we get in any kind of danger along the way, I'm holding you responsible."
The Prismarin chirped again, its tone almost playful, before turning and hopping down the passageway. Kain followed, his spear still at the ready, with Vauleth and the Vespid guards close behind.
As they moved, Kain couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to shift and twist, their movements too deliberate to be mere tricks of the light. The Prismarin, however, seemed unfazed, its crystalline body glowing faintly as it led them through the labyrinth like tunnels with a surprising amount of familiarity.
After what felt like an eternity, the passageway opened up into another chamber, this one even larger than the last. The walls were covered in more of the glowing runes, their purple light casting an eerie glow over the room. In the center of the chamber was another massive, circular platform, its surface etched with intricate patterns that pulsed with the same purple light. Kain wondered if the platforms present in each chamber were connected in some way? What was their purpose? Some kind of formation?
Unfortunately, without being able to activate them all, it'll be hard to deduce their purpose. Not to mention, even if he could use Aegis to take them back to the Order to examine, there is no guarantee that they would work once removed. Perhaps the location was important to their activation as well. So Kain decided to leave the platforms he had no solution to alone for now.
What caught Kain's attention next was what lay on the platform. Unlike the previous platform, this one had a series of strange, mechanical devices, their surfaces covered in glowing sigils and symbols. They were unlike anything Kain had ever seen, their designs a blend of ancient and futuristic technology.
The Prismarin hopped onto the inactivated platform. It turned to face Kain, its luminous eyes filled with a strange mixture of urgency and determination. It chirped again, its tone insistent, before hopping closer to the platform.
"Aren't you supposed to be directing me to Serena? Why'd you bring me here?"
In response, the Prismarin just used its front paw to point more insistently at the objects on the platform.
"You want me to take them?"
Nod.
'I would have taken it away anyways…' Kain thought, but still put it away.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!The illusion of Prismarin had probably travelled to more areas of these underground chambers than Kain had, but without a storage device would have been helpless to take away any of the objects found and bring them to Serena.
It looks like since it found Kain, it was planning to have him solve its predicament and taking him to the previous chambers it went to of interest, before bringing him to Serena.
Kain began to store the strange mechanical devices into his space ring, his mind still thinking about their potential purposes.
The Prismarin watched him intently, its crystalline body shimmering with an almost impatient energy. Once the last device was safely tucked away, the creature chirped again, its tone more urgent this time. It hopped off the platform and began moving toward another passageway, its movements swift and purposeful.
The Prismarin led him through a series of winding passages, each one more intricate than the last. At one point, they passed through a chamber filled with what appeared to be ancient machinery—massive gears and pistons frozen in time, their surfaces covered in a thick layer of frost. Kain paused for a moment, his curiosity piqued, but the Prismarin chirped insistently, urging him to keep moving.
"Alright, alright," Kain muttered, tearing his gaze away from the machinery. "I'm coming. I don't understand what the big rush is…"
Clearly there was nothing of interest to the Prismarin in this chamber and it seemed in a hurry. Or maybe it just didn't know that Kain had access to the System Laboratory for additional space, and so the Prismarin didn't want Kain using up the limited space in his space ring on these machines. But Kain made a mental note to come back to this chamber later and asked Bea, with her increased mental capacity, to memorize the routes they've travelled so that he can get back here.
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The next chamber they entered was smaller, more confined. Crystalline formations jutted from the walls and floor, shimmering faintly with the same purple glow as the sigils from the previous chambers. The air here was heavier, thick with something intangible but potent.
Kain's grip on his spear tightened as he surveyed the room. Unlike the previous chambers, this one felt… alive. The pulsing energy of the sigils within the formations almost mimicked a heartbeat, a rhythmic sensation that sent subtle vibrations through the ground beneath his feet.
The Prismarin, undeterred, hopped toward the largest cluster of crystals near the chamber's center. It chirped again, then pawed at the formation. Kain approached cautiously, eyes flickering across the room for any sign of danger. He reached out a hand, letting his fingers graze the surface of one of the jagged formations.
A sudden jolt ran up his arm and Kain pulled back instantly, his body tensing.
His eyes darted to the Prismarin, who merely blinked at him, its crystalline form reflecting the cascading light. It had known this would happen.
Kain exhaled sharply, focusing on the energy flow within the crystals. He didn't sense any threat using Threads of Destiny—at least, not yet. Instead, it felt… inquisitive, as if it were scanning him, gauging his presence. He pushed a small amount of his own energy forward, allowing it to mingle with the pulsating force within the crystal.
A memory—not his own—flashed through his mind. A vision.
A city of light, towering structures infused with the same glowing sigils that lined the walls of these ruins. People moved with purpose, their forms partially obscured by a hazy distortion, as though time itself had warped the clarity of their existence. A massive core, not unlike the one depicted on the chamber walls earlier, floated in the city's heart, its surface etched with runes far more complex than anything Kain had seen before. And at its base, a group of figures stood in formation, their hands raised in a ritual of some kind—an incantation, a desperate plea, or perhaps a command.
Then, darkness. A rupture in the vision, a jagged tear of nothingness swallowing the luminous city whole. And with it, a chilling sensation—the unmistakable presence of the Abyss.
Kain's breath came in short bursts as he snapped back to the present, the crystal's glow fading back into its previous, steady rhythm. He staggered slightly, head spinning as he processed what he had just witnessed.
The Prismarin chirped, tilting its head in an almost expectant manner.
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Kain exhaled, steadying himself. "You could have warned me about that."
The creature merely blinked, then turned and began hopping toward the next passage.
Kain took one last glance at the chamber, but decided against trying to pry the crystals away for now, and then followed the Prismarin.
He couldn't stop thinking about the horrifying vision. Whatever civilization had once thrived here had wielded incredible power. But something had destroyed them. Whether their own greed, an external force, or the Abyss itself, he wasn't sure.
But one thing was certain—there was a lot to uncover if he didn't wish to end up like them. And Serena was still waiting.
Finally, after what felt like hours of navigating the maze-like tunnels, the Prismarin led Kain into a large, circular chamber.
Unlike the others, this one was filled with a soft, golden light that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. The air was warmer here, the oppressive cold of the ruins replaced by a comforting warmth.
The second Kain stepped into this chamber, the bone deep sequelae he was hopeless to heal, except to wait for his body to recover naturally, began to reduce at a speed clearly felt by him.
'It looks like this chamber was used for healing…' Kain thought in wonder at the effectiveness of this chamber after all this time. But then his thoughts quickly shifted.
In the center of the chamber was a raised dais, and on it lay a figure.
Kain's heart skipped a beat as he recognized Serena. She was lying motionless on the dais, her silver hair fanned out around her like a halo. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, and her hands were clasped over her chest as if in prayer. The Prismarin hopped up onto the dais and nuzzled her hand, its luminous eyes filled with concern.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank youKain stepped into the chamber, the golden light washing away the bone-deep pain that had been lingering since the battle yesterday, replaced by a soothing sensation that seemed to seep into his very core. His eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in the sight of the raised dais at the center and the figure lying motionless upon it while 4 spiritual creatures surrounded her in concern.
Serena.
Her silver hair fanned out around her like a halo, and her hands were clasped over her chest as if in prayer. The sight of her so still, so vulnerable, sent an unfamiliar pang through his chest. But before he could even take a step forward, the illusionary Prismarin beside him shimmered and then vanished.
Kain blinked. "Huh?"
A soft rustling sound drew his attention to the center of the room. One of Serena's contracts—a much larger, more substantial Prismarin—the Prismarin's true body—had just opened its eyes. The creature stretched lazily before locking onto Kain, its expression unreadable.
For a long moment, they simply stared at each other.
Then Kain, ever tactful, tilted his head and muttered, "You're a lot fatter than I remember."
The Prismarin froze mid-stretch. Then, in a high-pitched voice tinged with offense it yelled, "EXCUSE me?!"
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Kain stiffened, his eyes widening. "…You can talk?"
The crystalline creature huffed, flipping its ears dramatically. "Of course, I can talk! Do you think I just hop around chirping like some simple-minded rabbit all day?"
Kain narrowed his eyes. "I mean… Yes."
The Prismarin made a sound somewhere between a snort and a chime, clearly offended. "First of all, I am not 'fat.' I am perfectly proportioned, and adorably plump! Second, if you must know, my consciousness in one of my illusions was simply limited while I've been multitasking, thank you very much."
Kain tilted his head. "Multitasking?"
The Prismarin lifted its head with exaggerated pride. "Monitoring my illusions. The one that brought you here was just one of many I sent out to search for help and information. Normally, they operate independently, like pre-programmed constructs, but when I heard your voice, I temporarily transferred some of my awareness into that one to confirm it was you and lead you back here."
Kain processed that information for a second before raising an eyebrow. "So, what, you just abandoned the others?"
"They'll be fine," the Prismarin said dismissively, waving a paw. "I don't have time to worry about disposable scouts when my Contractor is in this state." At the reminder of Serena's condition, its large floppy ears drooped down, and its large eyes sparkled as they grew misty. Although Kain wasn't a fan of the Prismarin who gave him so much trouble in previous spars, he did have to agree with its statement about its aesthetic appeal…even sad it was quite adorable.
Kain's gaze drifted back to Serena. "What happened?"
The Prismarin's expression softened as it explained, "When we first arrived in this relic, something attacked us— partly animal, and partly mechanical."
'They must have run into something similar to what I faced before…' Kain thought. But then he was surprised that such a creature could bring Serena to such a state. He listened as Prismarin explained further.
"However, it appears to have possessed an ability to disrupt or contaminate spiritual energy. Given the nature of Serena's gift, such an ability was particularly harmful for her. I suppose normally, the average person would have had their spiritual power exhausted by now and either died or, after the contaminated energy all ran out, started the process of recovery. But since Serena's spiritual power is without limit, she's been fighting off the contamination constantly, and ever since, she's been like this—unconscious, unresponsive. We've tried everything to wake her, but nothing has worked."
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Kain's gaze shifted to Balens, who stood silently at the foot of the dais. "Why hasn't Balens tried to heal her? Isn't that its whole thing? Equivalent exchanges for wishes? Just wish for her to wake up. Who cares what the consequences are, they likely won't fall on her anyways! And its not like you all care about the others that may be in the relic!" Kain couldn't help yelling at them, unable to fully understand why he felt so angry by their apparent lack of action.
Although Kain wouldn't have liked to be the sacrifice for the wish, he had to admit that from the perspective of Serena's contracts, whose sole loyalty lied with her, they shouldn't care about the potential consequences of their actions. So he couldn't comprehend why Balens simply didn't wish her awake.
Prismarin visibly flinched. "We tried."
Kain's stomach dropped. "And?"
"Nothing."
The word hung in the air heavily, and Kain felt almost as if he'd been sucker punched in the gut.
Balens, the contract with the power to make any wish come true through equivalent exchange—failed? That didn't make sense. Even if the cost had been outrageous, it should have at least worked. Kain's gaze flickered between the glowing contract and Serena's unmoving form, his mind racing with possibilities.
Something was very wrong.
Kain frowned, his mind racing. He glanced back at Serena, her pale form lying motionless on the dais. "So, what now? Is there anything in these ruins that can help her? You've been scouring the place, right? Did you find anything?"
The Prismarin nodded, its luminous eyes flickering with a glimmer of hope. "Yes, that's why I sent out my illusions. I've been searching for anything that might help Serena, and I did find a few things. But I needed someone to retrieve them—someone with a storage device. That's why I led you here."
Kain's heavy heart lightened softly at the knowledge that there was some hope in sight.
The Prismarin's ears perked up, and it turned to gesture toward the strange mechanical devices Kain had stored earlier. "Those devices you collected—one of them may possess the potential to withdraw the contamination in her spiritual power. If we can activate them, they might be able to purify Serena's spiritual energy and wake her up. But we'll need to figure out how to use them first."
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Kain stared at the strange devices he had collected, now laid out in front of him on the stone platform.
Each one was covered in intricate patterns of faintly glowing sigils, but what was likely once a brilliant purple light was now barely flickering.
The chamber itself remained bathed in the soft, golden glow of its mysterious healing energy, but Kain's mind was elsewhere. He had hoped that simply placing the devices on the platform would reactivate them, but it was clear now that whatever golden energy was powering this room was not compatible with them. What they needed was likely the violet energy derived from the planet's core, but had been almost completely drained from the ruins over time.
Prismarin, perched beside Serena, watched with an unusually serious expression. "These objects likely ran on energy drawn from the core of this world," Kain explained to it, upon seeing it glaring at his inaction.
Kain knew that using its clones it had explored far more of the relic than he had, but he wasn't sure if it yet knew that the main power source used by this civilization was a fragment of the planet's core. "But after countless centuries, that energy has been reduced to almost nothing. And based on the condition of the platform we found them on, which were likely meant to replenish them, it is unlikely we'd find a suitable source to recharge them in this relic."
The Prismarin hopped closer, its luminous eyes narrowing as it examined the device in Kain's hand. "So, if we can recharge them, they might still be useful. But where are we going to get that kind of energy? That core your talking about has likely been long depleted, and we don't have access to anything like it."
Kain frowned, fingers tapping absently against the pommel of his spear. If these devices held answers—if they could somehow help Serena—he needed them to function. But without their original energy source, there was no way to power them up.
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Unless…
His gaze flickered toward Serena. Her still, pale form lay undisturbed on the dais, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Even with the golden light of the chamber working to heal her, she had not stirred once since he arrived.
Kain clenched his jaw. There was one other source of energy that might work. Using the energy contained in the core from Pangea itself. That same energy had activated to resist abyssal energy in the past, so Kain knew that it could be released from the planet, and perhaps harnessed in these machines. Although, the energy may not be exact same, it was the closest Kain could find to a substitute. Under these circumstances.
The thought sent a sharp wave of unease through him. This plan was risky. Pangea's core was tied to the planet's stability. If he drained too much of its energy, it could have serious consequences which was why he'd wanted to limit the number of beast-tamers he created using Pangea as a medium.
But as he looked at Serena, motionless and fragile in a way he had never seen before, hesitation turned into something else. A quiet, burning resolve.
Their numerous interactions over the past year, from shared missions, to taking care of Gabriel together, have brought them closer together. At the very least, Serena had played an instrumental role in his being able to figure out how to create beast-tamers, he can just think of this as a long overdue repayment.
He placed his hand on one of the devices that looked like it may be related to healing—a cube shaped device that resembled a rapid healing technology the Order possessed. Taking a steady breath and closing his eyes, he focused on the connection he shared with Pangea. He could feel the planet's core, a faint pulse of energy that resonated deep within him. It was a lighter violet than the energy depicted in the carvings, and what was emitted by that half-mechanical abomination he fought previously, but it was similar enough. He reached out with his spiritual energy, allowing it to flow through him and into the device.
At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the carvings on the device began to glow brighter, the dim purple light intensifying. Kain could feel the energy flowing from Pangea, through him, and into the device. It was a strange sensation, like a river of power coursing through his veins. But as the device began to fill, he could also feel the strain—not just on himself, but on Pangea.
The connection between Kain and his planet was deep, and he could sense the changes almost immediately. Many of the lush forests of Pangea began to wither, their vibrant green fading to a sickly brown.
The rivers, once teeming with life, grew still and stagnant as many of the mid-grade and above spiritual creatures fell into a lethargic state due to the sudden depletion of spiritual power on the planet's surface, leaving the planet's inhabitants feeling weaker, more vulnerable.
Those strongest on the planet, including Aurem who had increased rapidly in strength since he first hatched, fell into a deep hibernation. In an instant only the weaker creatures remained awake.
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But that didn't mean those weaker creatures were well-off, earthquakes rumbled across the planet's surface, and tsunamis crashed against the shores, leaving destruction in their wake.
Kain's breath came in short bursts and the immense soul-deep pain he felt almost made him throw up on the spot, but he continued to channel the energy.
Every second took a toll on him, his body trembling with the effort. But he pushed through, determined to see this through. Finally, with a final surge of energy, the device was fully charged, its surface glowing with a bright, steady light.
Kain opened his eyes, his body trembling with exhaustion. He could feel the changes on Pangea, the planet's pain echoing through him. But strangely…he didn't regret his actions like he thought he would.
"It's done," Kain said, his voice hoarse. "The device is fully charged."
The Prismarin hopped closer, its luminous eyes wide with concern. Although it was curious how Kain had seemingly achieved the impossible, it didn't question his methods. "Kain… are you alright? You look… pale. And that was just one…"
Kain gritted his teeth. One device was powered, but it had come at a terrible cost. And he could only afford to do this maybe two more times before the damage became irreversible.
Prismarin, who had been watching him carefully, didn't need him to say anything to understand. "You can't do all of them, can you?"
"No," Kain admitted, his voice tight. "I can only power two more before things get too dangerous."
At the thought of doing this twice more, Kain almost felt as though he could feel Pangea cry out. Not in words, but in tremors beneath the surface, in the fading strength of the creatures that called it home. The cost was real, the damage irreversible.
Yet, when he looked at Serena, still motionless, he knew there had never been another choice.
Prismarin hopped closer, gaze fierce. "Then let's use it. Before it's too late."
Kain clenched his jaw, gripping the device. Before it's too late.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you soKain stared at the glowing cube-shaped device in his hand, its surface now pulsing with a steady, vibrant purple light. The energy from Pangea's core had brought it back to life, but the cost had been immense.
At least a third of the forests of Pangea were withering, many of the rivers furthest from the oceans were drying up, and the planet's spiritual energy decreased to a level that was unsustainable for the strongest creatures.
The earthquakes and tsunamis had left destruction in their wake, and the strongest creatures on the planet had fallen into a deep hibernation. Even Aurem, who had grown so powerful since hatching, was now dormant. Meanwhile, the weaker creatures that remained were struggling to survive due to the changes in the environment, but unlike the high-level spiritual creatures, they do not possess the power to combat Mother Nature.
Kain knelt beside Serena, his fingers tightening around the newly charged device. The violet glow pulsed in his hands, steady and strong, but as he brought it closer to her, doubt flickered in his mind. Would this be enough? Had all that suffering, the strain on Pangea, been worth it?
Prismarin hovered nearby, its luminous eyes locked onto Serena with an intensity that Kain rarely saw. "Activate it," it urged. "Don't waste time."
Kain exhaled sharply. He placed the device against Serena's chest, pressing it lightly against the fabric of her uniform. The Order had a similar healing device, whose technology had supposedly been obtained from another relic in the past. If the Order's healing device came from a similar relic, this one might function the same way. But there was no certainty.
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The sigils on the cube flared to life, the soft violet glow bathing her in light. For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then, Serena stirred.
Her brows twitched, her lips parting ever so slightly as the golden light surrounding her flickered in response. The tension in her body seemed to ease, the rigid stillness giving way to something softer. Her breathing, once so shallow it was barely perceptible, grew steadier. Color returned to her face—not much, but enough that the change was noticeable.
The Prismarin's ears stood up. "She's—"
"Not awake," Kain finished, swallowing back frustration. Relief that they had seemingly chosen a suitable device and the attempt wasn't wasted, warred with bitter disappointment. She looked better, but she still hadn't opened her eyes. The healing had helped, but it wasn't enough.
Kain's mind raced. He couldn't afford to make another blind guess. He didn't have the luxury of time or resources to waste. The cost of failure wasn't just Serena's life—it was Pangea itself.
Pangea was an irreplaceable resource for Kain, and he suspected he'd only managed to uncover a fraction of its capabilities. Moreover, its existence was so intricately tied with him, who knew if its destruction won't have crippling or life-threatening consequences for him.
Kain really didn't want to attempt this a third time, he needed certainty with the next attempt. And there was only one way to get it.
His eyes flicked to Balens, who stood silently at the foot of the dais. The wish-granter had been unable to heal Serena directly, but perhaps it could help in another way. Kain will likely have to deal with the backlash from the wish, and had been hoping to avoid Balens' help, but now he saw no other choice.
"Balens," Kain said, his voice hoarse but firm. "I need you to make a wish. Identify the next device we should charge. Tell me which one will help Serena the most."
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Balens' scales trembled ever so slightly, the delicate chains that held them swaying as if burdened by an invisible weight. The face carved into its center, usually like an emotionless judge, now bore a subtle downturn at the corners of its mouth, its hollow gaze dimmed with something close to sorrow. A soft metallic creak echoed through the chamber—an unspoken lament for its own powerlessness.
It took a while for the dejected creature who resembled legal scales to respond to Kain. Clearly, its inability to heal Serena had taken a huge toll on it. This was likely the first time it had run into something it couldn't simply wish away. Moreover, as Serena's first contract, who had known her since she was quite young, it had an extremely close bond with her—beyond even her close relationship with her other contracts.
Balens' expression shifted slightly as it finally seemed to hear Kain. The air around it seemed to shimmer as it focused its power. A faint, silver light emanated from its body, and for a moment, the chamber was filled with a soft, melodic hum. Then, the light it emitted seemed to concentrate on a single object—an unassuming cylindrical object covered in glowing sigils.
Kain's eyes narrowed as he picked up the cylindrical device. It was heavier than he expected, its surface cold to the touch. The faint sigils etched into its surface were dull. This device, like the others, had been drained of its energy over time.
"Alright," Kain muttered, steeling himself. "Let's do this."
He held the cylindrical object in his hands and closed his eyes, focusing once more on the connection he shared with Pangea. The planet's core pulsed faintly within him, and once again allowed the energy to flow through him and into the device.
Kain's breath came in short bursts, his body trembling with the effort and black began to creep into the corners of his vision. He could feel the immense soul-deep pain, the weight of Pangea's suffering pressing down on him. But he pushed through, determined to see this through. Finally, with a final surge of energy, the device was fully charged, its surface glowing with a bright, steady light.
The Prismarin hopped closer, its luminous eyes filled with concern. "Kain… are you alright?" Although, it and this human had previously only met when fighting, and so their relationship was not the best, seeing Kain's current efforts made him warm up to him a lot. He had no idea how Kain was charging these devices, something that they had previously tried to have Balens attempt unsuccessfully, but it could be seen it took a huge toll on Kain.
Kain nodded, though he could feel the strain in every fiber of his being. "I'm fine. But that's it. I don't think I can even make the third attempt…" Kain explained after seeing the devastation to the planet that seemed even worse the second time. The entire planet was now practically devoid of any life, those stronger or lucky simply fell asleep or hid, while those unlucky weaker creatures had died. Kain himself wasn't even confident that he could stay conscious through a second attempt.
Kain placed the cylindrical device on the platform near Serena. The golden light of the chamber seemed to react to it, and even took on a violet hue.
However, in a gruesome sight, a viscous liquid resembling a black-purple blood began to drain out of her eyes, nose, and mouth. If anything, she looked even worse than before. All of her contracts began to frantically surround her as they tried to figure out what was going wrong.
Kain's heart sank. He had given everything he had, but it still wasn't enough. He slumped to the ground, his body trembling with exhaustion. The darkness that had been creeping along the edges of his vision, finally consumed him.
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Kain's consciousness returned slowly, like a ship emerging from a dense fog. His head felt heavy, as if it were filled with lead, and a sharp, throbbing pain pulsed behind his temples. He groaned softly, his eyelids refusing to open just yet. The migraine was unbearable, and he could feel every heartbeat reverberating through his skull like a blow from a hammer.
But as he lay there, he became aware of something else. His head was resting on something soft, something warm. The sensation was comforting, almost soothing, and it helped to dull the edge of his pain.
He inhaled deeply, and a sweet, floral scent filled his nostrils. It was faint but unmistakable, like the fragrance of blooming flowers after a spring rain. The smell was calming and familiar, but not something he could immediately place.
As the pounding in his head began to subside to a tolerable level, Kain finally mustered the strength to open his eyes. The golden light of the chamber still permeated the room, practically blinding him before his vision adjusted. His vision was still blurry, but as it cleared, he realized where he was—and more importantly, who he was with.
His head was resting in Serena's lap.
Kain's breath caught in his throat. Serena was sitting upright on the dais, her silver hair cascading around her like a halo. The golden light of the chamber illuminated her features, giving her an almost angelic quality. Her eyes were focused on something in her hands—one of the devices Kain had brought back. She was examining it carefully, her expression one of quiet concentration. Her lips were slightly parted, and her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks.
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'Beautiful…'
Kain almost flinched at the intrusive, absurd thought.
'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought, his cheeks flushing slightly. 'Since when do I think things like that about her?' He quickly dismissed the thought, chalking it up to the exhaustion and the migraine messing with his brain.
'Yeah, that's it. My brain's just fried. That's all…'
But even as he tried to rationalize it, he couldn't help but notice how serene she looked, how the golden light seemed to enhance her natural beauty. He quickly shook his head, trying to clear the strange thoughts from his mind. Focus, Kain. Focus.
Serena must have sensed his movement because her gaze shifted downward, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. A relieved smile spread across her face, and for a moment, Kain's heart skipped a beat. It was rare to see Serena smile, and when she did, it was like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm. Her smile was soft, genuine, and it made something in Kain's chest tighten.
"You're awake," she said, her voice gentle but filled with relief. "I was starting to worry."
Kain's throat felt dry, and he quickly sat up next to her, clearing his throat awkwardly as he moved away from her lap. "Yeah, I'm… I'm fine," he muttered, his voice rough. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ignore the pounding in his chest. His heart must be pounding from the earlier overexertion…
Serena's smile dropped into a frown as her brows furrowed in concern, before she raised a hand toward his forehead. "Your face is really red. Are you sure you're okay?"
Kain quickly moved his head away from her hand, "Yup. Perfectly fine."
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Serena dropped her hand back down awkwardly at his strange behaviour, but smiled again. "I don't know what you did, but thank you for saving me. Even Balens couldn't heal me, and I can only imagine how much of a toll it had on you."
Kain frowned, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together what had happened. "I… save you?" He glanced around the chamber, his eyes landing on the devices he had charged. The cube-shaped one and the cylindrical one were both glowing faintly, their sigils pulsing with a steady light. The black-purple liquid that had drained from Serena's eyes, nose, and mouth was gone, and she looked healthier than she had before. The golden light of the chamber seemed to have merged with the violet energy from the devices, creating a harmonious glow that filled the room.
"You did," Serena confirmed, her voice soft but firm. "Whatever you did, it worked."
Kain's chest tightened again, but this time it wasn't from exhaustion. He looked away, his cheeks burning. "I… I just did what I had to do," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You would've done the same for me."
Serena's smile softened, and she reached out, placing a hand on his arm. Her touch was warm, and it sent a jolt through him. "Thank you, Kain," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I mean it."
Kain's heart pounded in his chest, and he quickly stood up, brushing off her hand. "Yeah, well… don't mention it," he said, his tone gruff. He turned away, trying to hide the flush that was creeping up his neck.
'What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this?'
Serena spoke up. "Kain," she said, her voice serious now. "What did you do to charge these devices? I can feel the energy in them—it's powerful, but it's nothing I'd come across before. Where did it come from?"
Kain hesitated, his gaze shifting to the devices. He didn't want to tell her the truth—at least, not yet. The energy comes from a fragment of the planet's core. I'd found a small reservoir containing its energy before your Prismarin found me. I'd simply channeled its energy to the devices
At his explanation, the Prismarin tilted its head in confusion while staring at Kain. It didn't completely buy Kain's explanation. Serena had been unconscious, but he'd watched Kain's every move. While it did look like Kain was channeling energy from somewhere else into the device, if Kain had a reservoir containing energy, why go through all the pain that it'd seen him go through? Why not just wish for Balens to transfer the energy from the reservoir to the objects. Yeah, there'd be an equivalent exchange, but it can't be any worse than the pain he seemed to suffer.
It was also unclear if Serena bought his story. But she wasn't going to push him if he didn't want to explain.
She could tell that Kain had many secrets he was trying to hide, but given enough time she was confident in uncovering them.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank youSerena, still seated on the platform, watched him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She could tell there was more to his story about the energy source, but she didn't press him. Still, her sharp gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, as if silently telling him she wasn't fooled.
Not wanting to continue on this subject any longer, Kain quickly changed the subject.
"Serena," he said, shifting his gaze to her. "What happened after I fell into that quicksand? One second, I was with the group searching for an entrance, and the next, I was sinking. How did you get separated from the others?"
Serena's expression grew thoughtful as she leaned back slightly, folding her arms. "The moment you disappeared, the entire ground beneath us destabilized," she explained. "It was like the relic had been waiting for one of us to trigger it. Before any of us could react, we were all pulled under before we could even regroup together."
Kain frowned. That explained why she wasn't with the others, but it didn't tell him where they were now. "So, you all got dragged in and separated? Then what?"
Serena's gaze lowered slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant. "When I regained consciousness, I was alone. It was an entirely different location than this chamber—It was a cave on the surface that actually contained a tunnel underground to here." She hesitated, then added, "But once I entered the ruins underground I wasn't alone for long. The area I entered from was crawling with strange half-mechanical creatures. They manipulated a strange purple energy, and I think a couple even had something resembling abyssal energy. Although it was slightly different from true abyssal energy, it still seemed capable of corrupting others."
"And that's what ended up infecting you?" Kain interjected.
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She nodded. "It wasn't easy. For some reason Balens couldn't heal me. I had to rely on my other contracts to keep myself alive." She paused, tilting her head slightly. "But what about you? How did you end up here?"
Kain exhaled sharply. "Same as you—woke up alone on the surface, had to deal with whatever this place threw at me." He glanced toward the glowing devices. "And like you I ran into some… complications along the way."
Serena studied him carefully, her piercing blue eyes searching for the details he wasn't saying. "I'm guessing those 'complications' are why you look like you've been through hell?"
Kain let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Something like that."
There was a brief silence between them before Serena spoke again. "The others should have been brought in the same way, but I have no idea where they ended up."
Kain's expression darkened, the others were likely scattered and alone, possibly facing the same horrors he and Serena had encountered.
And if they faced the same creatures Serena did, then that was practically a death sentence for them. After all, Kain doubted that there were many of these special healing rooms. Not to mention, regular healing skills seemed ineffective against whatever was harming her.
"If the relic pulled everyone in," Kain said, his voice low, "then the others could be anywhere. We need to find them before they run into something they can't handle."
Serena nodded, her expression serious. "Agreed. But this place is massive, and we have no idea where they might be. We could spend days searching and still not find them. In all the time Prismarin's illusions went looking for help, the only person it found was you."
"Fortunately, it looks like all we've got is time…"
————-
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After they both felt better, they left the chamber that persistently emitted healing energy, and continued exploring the underground expanse of ruins.
Fortunately, in all of their travels, they did not come across any of the special experimental products like the one that Serena fought. Instead, at most they had to fight the 'generic' products that Kain had previously experienced.
Although they were incredibly powerful, once the two paired up, even multiple of them were not life threatening to them. The familiarity and synergy between their contracts made battles far more manageable.
However, Kain noted that strangely, like the first one he'd met, as long as he was also in the room, they would largely ignore everyone else and focus their attacks on him.
As a result, Kain needed to be continuously healed even more than many of their contracts, but it also made formulating combat strategies easier since they knew that they would persistently target Kain anyways and so used this behaviour to trap them.
But despite predicting their movements and inevitable targeting of Kain, as they ventured deeper into the ruins, the frequency of the half-mechanical abominations increased. The relentless assault was taking its toll, and even with Queen's healing abilities, he could feel the strain building in his body since they were mostly targeting him.
"Why do they keep targeting you?" Serena asked, her voice tight with frustration as her Starweaver sent a rain of arrows composed of starlight to repel another abomination. "It's like they're drawn to you."
Kain shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know."
Serena frowned, her piercing blue eyes narrowing as she considered his words. "We need to figure out why they're focusing on you. It was okay when there were fewer of them, but now it feels like you are slowly drawing everyone of those creatures that are in these ruins to you."
Kain nodded, but before he could respond, a sudden, dull throbbing sensation interrupted his thoughts. It started deep within him, almost like a hunger pain, but it wasn't coming from his stomach.
"Do you feel that?" Kain asked, his voice low as he pressed a hand to his lower chest.
Serena glanced at him, her brow furrowing in concern. "Feel what?"
Kain frowned, her confusion was answer enough. Only he could feel whatever this draw was, and with each passing second the sensation grew stronger, pulling at him, guiding him in a specific direction.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!The dull throbbing in Kain's chest grew stronger with every step, a relentless pull guiding him deeper into the ruins.
The sensation was impossible to ignore, like a compass needle pointing to the true north. It led him through winding corridors and vast chambers and got stronger as the distance between him and the source of the pull narrowed.
The glowing sigils on the walls pulsed faintly, their eerie light casting long shadows.
Serena followed close behind, her piercing blue eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. Prismarin's illusions scouted ahead, a welcome change from having to risk losing the Vespid guards acting as scouts.
The half-mechanical abominations had grown more frequent, twisted forms emerging from the shadows with relentless aggression. Each one was a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and metal, their glowing eyes locked onto Kain as their primary target. Though Kain and Serena gradually got familiar with targeting their weaknesses, the strain was beginning to show.
"They're getting worse," Kain muttered, driving his spear through the chest of a weakened abomination who had already had several of the its wires and purple 'veins' severed. The creature let out a guttural screech before collapsing into smoldering heap. "It's like they're coming from everywhere."
Serena nodded, her expression grim. "Likely whatever is drawing you, is also related to their increased numbers"
The pull in Kain's chest grew almost overwhelming, directing him down a narrow corridor lined with glowing sigils. At the end of the passage stood a massive door, its surface covered in intricate carvings and glowing sigils.
"There," Kain said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever's calling me, it's behind that door."
Serena turned to him, her expression wary. "Then let's—"
A deafening roar cut her off. The ground trembled beneath them, and the walls seemed to pulse with energy. Kain and Serena spun around, weapons at the ready, as a massive figure emerged from the shadows.
It was unlike any abomination they had faced on the way there. Towering over them, its body was a nightmarish blend of flesh and machinery, elongated limbs tipped with razor-sharp claws. Its glowing purple eyes burned with greater intelligence than the others, and its gaping jaw contained teeth as long as Kain's torso. But what truly set it apart from the others was the sheer aura of power surrounding it—a palpable energy that made the air crackle with tension.
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"That's one of the ones with that abyssal-like energy," Serena said, her voice tight. "The kind that nearly killed me."
Kain tightened his grip on his spear, heart pounding. The creature's gaze locked onto him, the weight of its attention almost suffocating. It let out another ear-splitting roar and charged.
"Get ready!" Kain shouted, bracing himself.
The battle erupted into chaos. The creature moved with terrifying speed, claws slicing through the air. Kain dodged and countered, his spear flashing as he struck at its limbs. Serena and his contracts unleashed a barrage of attacks, lighting up the corridor with bursts of energy.
Prismarin attempted to grant Kain some reprieve with its illusions, but it, like the previous creatures, seemed to be able to easily differentiate the real Kain from the fakes .
But the creature was relentless. Its movements were precise, its attacks devastating. It shrugged off their strikes as if they were nothing, its body regenerating almost instantly. Kain felt the strain building in his muscles, exhaustion creeping in.
"How the hell did you defeat this thing alone the last time!?" Kain shouted. "It's not going down!"
"By almost sacrificing my life." Serena replied with a deadpan expression while moving to intercept one of the weaker 'generic' abominations that was trying to circle around and attack Kain from behind.
Kain grit his teeth, eyes darting for a weakness. His grip on his spear tightened. The creature was too strong, too fast. Every injury they inflicted regenerated within moments, and their attacks were slowing.
Then—something stirred in the back of his mind. A gnawing hunger.
Aegis.
Kain hadn't summoned him yet. Normally, he'd be Kain's most reliable shield, but ever since Kain's previous mission he'd never gotten the chance to fully recover and got further damaged when they'd first entered the relic. Therefore, Aegis had not been released by Kain in recent battles.
But now, Aegis pulsed in his mind, a quiet, insistent demand. Hunger. A need to consume.
Kain's breath hitched as he realized what Aegis wanted.
This thing—it had the same abyssal energy Aegis had once absorbed in the Memory Relic.
He hesitated only a second before releasing Aegis.
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With a low rumble, the golem, only around Kain's height, emerged. Its burnt-orange eyes locking onto the massive abomination. Aegis trembled, not with exhaustion—but anticipation.
The monstrous abomination twisted its head toward Aegis just as a deep, guttural sound rumbled from within the golem—almost like a growl, that was uncharacteristic of his normally stoic demeanor. Then, Aegis lunged.
Faster than Kain had ever seen him move, Aegis slammed into the abomination who had its eyes fixed on Kain instead of the approaching threat. Aegis stone limbs gripped its figure as it ignored Aegis and continued trying to run at Kain.
However, it soon paid the price for ignoring the golem. Black-purple energy began seeping from the creature, coalescing into wisps of mist. The abomination screeched, its body thrashing violently as Aegis devoured the unique abyssal-like energy.
For the first time, the monster wasn't regenerating.
Kain's exhaustion dulled—just slightly—as he felt something rush back through his bond with Aegis. Strength. Aegis was feeding on the creature, and through him, Kain was receiving some positive feedback.
Moreover, a soul deep pain—that belonging to Pangea—was relieved. Albeit slightly.
A sharp glance at Aegis, then at Kain. She says nothing but slightly narrows her eyes, as if filing the information away for later.
The abomination convulsed, its movements growing sluggish as more and more of its energy was drained away. Aegis was relentless, his stone hands clamping down as he absorbed everything the creature had to give.
Kain wasn't about to waste the opportunity.
With a burst of adrenaline, he dashed forward. His spear pulsed with energy as he leapt, driving the weapon straight through the creature's head—and the monster collapsed.
Silence fell over the corridor.
Kain landed unsteadily, breath ragged. Aegis rumbled, his orange eyes gleaming with satisfaction as the last wisps of the mist were drawn into him and he began to use it to rapidly reconstruct his body. His height was still incomparable to his prime, but in less than a minute he had tripled in size.
Serena strode over, sparing Aegis a wary glance before turning to Kain. "You good?"
Kain nodded, flexing his fingers. The fatigue hadn't vanished entirely, but the bone-deep exhaustion had lessened.
With all of the surrounding enemies dead, Kain turned his gaze forward.
The pull in his chest was stronger than ever. And the cause of it was just beyond those doors.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!The massive door stood before them, its surface covered in intricate carvings and glowing sigils that pulsed faintly with residual energy. The pull in Kain's chest was almost unbearable now, a relentless tug that drew him forward like a moth to a flame.
He exchanged a glance with Serena, who nodded silently and together, they pushed the heavy door open. With a loud groan, its long-unused hinges protested the movement.
The chamber beyond was large, its walls lined with more of the glowing sigils that seemed to pulse in time with Kain the throbbing in Kain's chest. But what caught his attention was the object at the center of the room—a massive, crystalline structure that glowed faintly with a dull purple light.
It was unmistakably the fragment of the Earth's core depicted in the ancient carvings and the vision Kain had seen in the crystal previously. But unlike the vibrant, pulsating energy he had witnessed in those images, the fragment before him was dim, its light flickering weakly as if on the verge of fading entirely.
Kain's breath caught in his throat as he approached the fragment, his steps slow and deliberate. The pull in his chest grew stronger with every step, a gnawing hunger that seemed to emanate from deep within him. He could feel the energy radiating from the fragment, a raw, untamed power that called to him in a way he couldn't explain.
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"Kain," Serena said, her voice cautious. "Be careful. We don't know what that thing is capable of."
Kain barely heard her. His focus was entirely on the fragment, his hand reaching out almost instinctively. As his fingers brushed against the crystalline surface, a surge of energy shot through him, coursing through his veins like a tidal wave. The sigils on the walls flickered wildly, their light dimming as the energy from the fragment flowed into Kain.
For a moment, everything was still. Kain's vision blurred, and he felt as though he were floating, weightless, in a sea of light and sound. The energy filled him, revitalizing his body and mind, but, more importantly, it had a substantial beneficial effect on Pangea. As the majority of the energy automatically headed towards the desolate planet, many new plants began to spring up to replace the old decaying ones. And the ominously quiet planet began to sound with activity once again. Although most creatures above the equivalent of green-grade were still 'asleep.'
Back in the ruins, the ground beneath Kain and Serena began to shake violently, the walls groaning as if they could cave in at any time.
Kain stumbled back, his hand slipping from the fragment as the energy surge subsided. The sigils on the walls flickered erratically, their light fading in and out as the room was plunged into chaos.
"What did you do?" Serena shouted, her voice barely audible over the noise.
Before Kain could respond, a deafening roar echoed through the chamber. The ground shook with the force of it, and the air grew thick with tension. From the shadows emerged a massive figure—a towering humanoid creature, its body a familiar blend of flesh and machinery. The pressure it emitted was the strongest they'd come across so far—likely equivalent to a violet-grade spiritual creature at its peak. However, it appeared to be missing an arm as purple 'blood' and wires were exposed from its left shoulder and so its gait was a little unbalanced. Thankfully due to the passage of time and likely being unable to fully restore its energy reserves or heal itself, it didn't seem as powerful as even some of the peak indigo-grade spiritual creatures they've met since joining the Order.
Its glowing purple eyes burned with rage, and its voice boomed through the chamber like thunder.
"Extraterrestrial invader!" it roared, its words laced with fury. "You dare consume the planet's source energy? You shall pay the price for daring to leave the Abyss!"
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Kain's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about? I'm not—"
The creature didn't let him finish. It charged forward, its massive fists slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the stone beneath it. Kain and Serena barely had time to dodge, their movements frantic as they scrambled to avoid the creature's attacks.
"Invader?" Serena murmured; her voice filled with puzzlement. "Why is it comparing him to the Abyss?"
Kain's mind raced as he dodged another blow. The creature's words echoed in his head, and a chilling realization began to take shape. Perhaps the Abyss—wasn't just a mindless force of destruction. Perhaps it was an alien entity, with the goal of consuming the planet's energy to strengthen itself. And as the owner of Pangea, Kain was perceived as a threat, a rival invader.
'Well it might not be completely wrong to perceive me as a threat…' Kain thought while recalling the intoxicating feeling that came from absorbing the energy from the core fragment.
Unfortunately, Kain had no time to dwell on the similarities and differences between himself and the Abyss. The creature was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious with every passing second. Kain's contracts joined the fray, their attacks lighting up the chamber with bursts of energy, but the creature shrugged them off as if they were nothing. Unfortunately, although it clearly couldn't exert its full power due to a lack of energy, significantly reducing its threat-level, it still possessed an innate body equivalent to a violet-grade spiritual creature.
However, Kain noted that the creature had the same black-purple energy, a fusion of what Kain suspected to be Abyssal and the planet's core energy, that some of the previous attackers had. However, this one was so powerful that the weakened Aegis couldn't grip onto it for even a second without its regrown limb crumbling.
"Serena! Use Balens to restore Aegis to his peak condition." Kain hoped that restoring Aegis to his peak would be enough, and the backlash would be more manageable than directly asking for something as crazy as to increase Aegis' strength to that of a high-grade spiritual creature.
Fortunately, Balens seemed able to grant this request easily. Unfortunately, unlike the previous wish whose consequence still either hadn't been triggered or didn't land on them, the backlash for this wish was immediate.
'I can't move!' Kain tried to scream out but found that even his mouth wouldn't open to warn the others. Even worse, there was a massive creature barreling like a tank straight toward his frozen body.
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Kain closed his eyes tightly, the only body part he still retained control of, preparing for the bone-crushing impact.
Fortunately, Aegis, now fully restored and towering over the battlefield, intercepted the charge. His stone fists slammed into the creature with enough force to make it break its forward charge at Kain, especially, since Aegis targeted its already damaged side.
The creature roared in anger, its glowing eyes narrowing as it looked at Aegis and then at Kain who was a mere few meters away.
By this point, Serena and Kain's contracts had also realized that something was wrong with Kain. One of the Vespid guards quickly whisked him away, while Serena's Starweaver hovered nearby to cover their escape.
Seeing his target get further away, the massive creature grew enraged.
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"You will not take what is not yours!" it bellowed, its voice filled with rage. "This planet's energy belongs to its people, not to invaders like you!"
The creature lunged at Aegis, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. Aegis countered with a powerful blow, his stone fists slamming into the creature's body with enough force to crack its mechanical armour. Black-purple energy began to seep from the creature's wounds, and Aegis wasted no time in absorbing it, his form growing stronger with every passing second.
But the creature wasn't like the others they had encountered before. It wasn't simply a mindless guardian running on dwindling reserves. It was intelligent. And furious.
As soon as it felt Aegis absorbing the leaking energy, it reacted violently. Its remaining arm surged with power, black-purple energy crackling to life around its jagged claws. With terrifying speed, it twisted its body and drove its fist into Aegis' chest, a deep crater forming where the blow landed. Cracks spread through Aegis' obsidian-like surface, and he staggered back, forced to momentarily stop absorbing the creature's energy.
Kain, still immobilized by the backlash from Balens' wish, could only watch as the battle unfolded. His mind raced, desperate to find a way to break free and join the fight. Serena, realizing the severity of the situation, barked orders to her contracts.
The Starweaver remained near the vulnerable Kain who was held by a Vespid guard unleashed a barrage of arrows at the enemy from a distance. Each arrow struck with pinpoint accuracy, exploding on impact and forcing the creature to stagger.
The Elemental Guardian still in its fire-attribute form, unleashed a torrent of fire that engulfed the creature's lower body. The flames licked at its mechanical armour, causing it to roar in pain.
Meanwhile, the Prismarin's illusions darted around the creature, their crystalline forms shimmering as they created multiple false images of Aegis, the Elemental Guardian, and other allies to disorient the enemy. The creature swung wildly, its claws slashing through the illusions, but each time it struck, another illusion took its place. The distraction bought Aegis precious seconds to recover and press the attack.
Aegis roared, his stone fists slamming into the creature's chest with enough force to crack its armour further. Black-purple energy continued to seep from the wounds, and Aegis absorbed it greedily, his form growing stronger with each passing moment. But the creature was far from defeated. With a furious roar, it retaliated, its claws slashing through Aegis' stone body and sending chunks of rock flying. Aegis stumbled backward, his form cracking under the relentless assault.
Aegis and the creature had reached a strange state of equilibrium where Aegis would absorb the opponent's energy to repair himself, while the opponent would damage him severely in turn—the first to be unable to persist would be the loser.
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'Bea, use Mind Chorus!' Kain mentally directed, thankful that his connection with his contracts was still there.
Honestly, Mind Chorus was a skill that Bea had realized during the Order's orientation but seldom used, and Kain almost forgot she even had it. But against enemies that Bea was helplessly unable to control and when momentarily disorienting an evenly matched enemy could make all the difference, it was the perfect solution.
A-Mind Chorus: This skill bombards the target's mind with a chaotic symphony of phantom voices, disrupting their concentration and decision-making. The mental assault causes confusion and paranoia, rendering the target's thoughts fragmented and actions clumsy for a short duration. It is extremely effective on spiritual creatures up to one grade higher, and its effectiveness decreases the larger the level gap.
Soon a chaotic symphony of phantom voices that only the creature could hear, bombarded its mind. The creature roared in confusion, its movements becoming clumsy and erratic for a brief moment as the mental assault disrupted its focus. It swung wildly, its attack just barely missing Aegis as it struggled to regain its bearings.
But even with the combined efforts of the team, the battle was far from over. The creature's resilience was monstrous. Even while under the effects of Mind Chorus, it lashed out wildly, its movements unpredictable. It knocked Vauleth away with a sickening crunch and caught one of the Vespid guards mid-dodge, crushing it with a sickening crunch before hurling the broken body aside. Queen shrieked in fury, her influence over the remaining guards intensifying as they retaliated with brutal efficiency.
The Vespid guards, strengthened by Queen, buzzed around the creature to make it even more disoriented. They targeted the creature's exposed wounds, their stingers siphoning off energy that further weakened its body. The creature roared in pain, its movements slowing as the dual draining effects of Aegis and the Vespids took effect.
The chamber trembled with the sheer force of the ongoing battle, dust and debris raining down from above. Kain, still locked in his immobile state, could do nothing but watch through narrowed eyes, frustration burning in his chest at his inability to do anything.
Finally, in a coordinated attack, Aegis delivered a crushing blow to the creature's torso, the impact sending cracks racing up its body. Serena's Elemental Guardian shifted into its air-attribute form, sending blades of wind slicing across the creature's weakened armour. Vauleth, recovered from the errant hit earlier, lunged once more, and aimed his claws at its exposed throat.
The creature let out a final, enraged roar, gathering what little remained of its power. The black-purple energy around it flared wildly, its body convulsing as it prepared one last devastating attack.
But this attack was not targeted at the approaching enemies. With enraged eyes, it threw its massive body in Kain's direction its body began to swell sickeningly before exploding in a flash of light and flesh.
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A deafening shockwave tore through the chamber.
The explosion of light and flesh sent a wave of force outward that the paralyzed Kain was helpless against. Kain, still paralyzed by the backlash from Balens' wish, could do nothing but brace himself mentally as the wave of destruction surged toward him.
Aegis reacted instantly, his massive stone form moving with surprising speed for his size. He raised his arms, shielding those behind him from the brunt of the explosion. The force of the blast slammed into him, his stone body groaning under the impact as cracks deepened across his surface. But he held firm, his orange eyes glowing with determination as he absorbed the brunt of the attack.
Further from Aegis, many of the Vespid guards were less fortunate. Caught mid-flight, many were flung in all directions like ragdolls. Some managed to stabilize, their wings barely damaged, and managed to regain control. Others weren't so lucky, their bodies slamming into the chamber walls with sickening thuds.
Queen, guarded by Aegis and the surviving Vespid guards, let out a mournful buzz. Half of her children had fallen, their broken bodies scattered across the chamber. The survivors regrouped around her, their movements tense and sluggish. Had the enemy not died, they likely would have gone berserk by now.
Kain, still frozen in place, could only watch as the chaos unfolded. Bits of flesh, shrapnel, and debris flew toward him, but the Vespid guard responsible for him acted without hesitation. It threw itself in front of Kain, its body absorbing the impact at the cost of its life.
However, even with its sacrifice and with the Starweaver's additional shield placed on him just in time, Kain wasn't spared entirely. The force of the explosion left him severely injured, with at least half the bones in his body broken and the majority of his skin covered in severe burns.
The pain was excruciating, but Kain couldn't even scream. His body remained locked in place, forcing him to endure the agony in silence. His vision blurred, his mind struggling to process the sheer intensity of the pain.
Then—silence.
A heavy, unnatural silence settled over the chamber, broken only by the sound of crumbling debris and the ragged breaths of the survivors. The air was thick with dust and the smell of burnt flesh and machinery. The glowing sigils on the walls flickered weakly, their light dimming and areas of the cavern began to crumble—perhaps from the force of the blast? But Kain's instincts were telling him it wasn't that simple.
Kain struggled against the immobilization, willing his body to move. He could feel the backlash from Balens' wish receding, what originally felt like heavy iron chains around his limbs were slowly loosening. But it wasn't fast enough. He needed to move. They all needed to move.
A strangled cough broke the silence.
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Serena, blood dripping from a gash along her forehead, forced herself to her feet. Her normally pristine attire was in tatters, one sleeve completely burned away, revealing blistered skin beneath. Her gaze swept across the battlefield, calculating the damage.
"Kain?" Her voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of urgency.
The Starweaver shifted slightly, revealing Kain's battered form. His body remained unnaturally stiff, his face twisted in silent agony. The burns were severe, and the unnatural angles of his limbs told her everything she needed to know. He needed immediate treatment.
Serena clenched her jaw, pressing down the unfamiliar panic that welled in her chest. She forced herself to remain calm, her mind racing as she assessed the situation.
The Elemental Guardian shifted into its water form, mist coalescing around Kain. A cooling sensation spread over his injuries, numbing the pain from the burns slightly, but it was nowhere near enough. Queen, still reeling from her losses, hovered closer to Kain. The few surviving Vespid guards buzzed weakly, their movements sluggish but unwilling to stray too far from her.
Without hesitation, Queen extended what little remained of her energy to Kain, transferring her strength into him. The healing was slow—agonizingly slow—and Kain felt every itching and unpleasant sensation as his blistered skin rapidly scabbed over and then healed. But it was effective.
Kain's fingers twitched. The backlash was finally weakening. He sucked in a ragged breath, the first he had taken under his own power since the explosion.
"Stay still," Serena ordered. Her voice was firm, but a rare trace of something softer seeped through.
Kain tried to respond, but all that came out was a wheeze. His throat was too dry, and his lungs burned with every inhale. Instead, he let his head fall back, his vision swimming.
But even as he lay there, barely able to move, he could feel it.
Something was still wrong.
Serena moved toward him with a bottle of water she likely retrieved from her space ring, but the moment she stepped forward, the ground quivered. Large chunks of rock began to fall from the ceiling, the chamber groaning as the ruins began to collapse.
"The entire underground network is going to collapse!" Serena shouted, her voice filled with urgency. "We've got to move!"
The survivors sprang into action. Those who could still fight rapidly fled the cavern, carrying the two humans, those who were too injured or tired were retrieved by their respective masters. Majority of Kain's contracts were retrieved by him, except for Vauleth who remained relatively unharmed. He scooped up Kain while Serena's Elemental Guardian shifted into its air form, creating a protective barrier around them as they fled.
As they raced through the crumbling corridors, Kain noted that in every area where the faint purple light had completely faded from the sigils carved into the walls, it was as though an invisible support beam had disappeared. The structures in those areas collapsed almost instantly, the ground giving way beneath them.
It seems as though since Kain completely drained what little energy remained in the core fragment supporting the ruins, the entire structure was unable to continue supporting itself.
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The air was thick with dust and debris, the sound of collapsing stone echoing through the corridors like thunder and they tried to use the noises as a guide for what tunnels had likely already collapsed so as not to be closed in. But when they entered a fork in the road where both paths visibly looked as though they would collapse the next second and the path behind them was already crumbling, Kain was faced with the very real possibility that they may be buried alive.
Vauleth tightened his grip on Kain, his massive claws surprisingly gentle as he adjusted his hold.
The red dragon flicked his tail in irritation, his molten eyes narrowing as he scanned their crumbling surroundings. Dust and stone cascaded from above, filling the air with a suffocating haze. The underground ruins were collapsing, and time was running out.
With a low growl, Vauleth lowered Kain's still mostly paralyzed body to the ground. Despite his normally cold and callous demeanor with Kain, he was surprisingly considerate of Kain's current vulnerability.
"Stay down," Vauleth commanded, his deep voice reverberating through the enclosed space. "I will clear a path."
Before Serena could object, the beast launched himself upward, powerful wings propelling him toward the ceiling. With a mighty intake of breath, Vauleth gathered his strength, his chest glowing with intense heat. Then, with a deafening roar, he unleashed a torrent of searing energy at the ceiling above, aiming to blast an escape route to the surface.
The explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber, illuminating the darkening ruins in a burst of firey light. Stone and ice above shattered from the force of the blast, sending razor-sharp debris raining down which Serena's contracts protected them both from. For a moment, there was a sliver of hope as chunks of the ceiling gave way.
But then, the ruin groaned—an eerie, hollow sound that sent a shiver down Serena's spine.
Instead of an opening, the weight of centuries-old snow and ice, compressed into an impenetrable mass, laid beyond the stone ceiling of the ruins above them. The blast had disturbed a delicate balance, and the already unstable ruins began to crumble even faster.
A deep rumble filled the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of cracking stone.
"No—" Serena started, but it was too late.
The collapse accelerated. Entire sections of the ceiling buckled under the strain of tons of snow, sending avalanches of rock and ice cascading downward. The ruins, already on the brink of destruction, could not withstand any more.
Vauleth barely had time to twist mid-air, his wings snapping out in an attempt to shield those below. But even he could not hold back the inevitable. The weight of the collapse crashed down upon them, an unstoppable avalanche burying everything in its path.
The last thing Kain saw before darkness swallowed them was Serena's outstretched hand, reaching for him just as the world caved in.
Then—nothing.
The ruins had completely collapse, leaving no sign of life beneath the mountain of stone and snow.
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Malzahir wanted to die.
He had truly given up all hope in life.
He had given his entire life, his everything, to the tribe.
'And look how that turned out…' He mocked himself internally, wishing he could rewind time.
Malzahir's earliest memories were filled with the rough laughter of warriors and the scent of blood and sand. His parents, both warriors who awakened bloodline markings, had been his heroes—until they weren't.
His parents had died defending the tribe from the raid of an enemy tribe when he was just a toddler, and too young to even remember their faces.
Since then his grandmother became his whole world and his only family.
Unfortunately, despite the heroic sacrifice of his family, aside from a small pouch of gold thrown at his grandmother's feet in compensation, most of them showed no care for the child of the warriors who fought by their side.
The Obari tribe had no pity for the weak, and without bloodline markings, his grandmother and himself were considered little more than a burden.
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They lived in poverty, their hut on the outskirts of the village, far from the grand stone structures where the warriors and their families resided—where they'd once resided under the care and protection of his parents.
But despite the hardships, there was warmth in their home. His grandmother's laughter, her gentle hands braiding his hair, the way she would hum ancient songs as she cooked, his grandmother's wrinkled hands, weaving simple talismans to trade for scraps. Her voice, gentle and patient, teaching him old songs of their ancestors. Even as the other children mocked him for his family's disgrace, even as the children of warriors spat at his feet, Malzahir had never felt alone. Although their home was poor, it was warm.
But everything began to look up the day his bloodline awakened.
Three months before his eighteenth birthday, searing pain had shot through his body as an intricate tattoo-like marking was seemingly seared into his skin by an invisible being.
The entire settlement had been stunned. Most warriors awakened between ages eighteen and twenty-five—rarely before. And more shocking than the timing was the shape his marking took.
A 'tattoo' of a Tyrant Boa coiled around his upper right arm identified his affinity—an extremely powerful one.
The Tyrant Boa was a rare spiritual creature worshipped by some tribes, with a lineage that combined the strength of true dragons and the regenerative ability of hydras. A beast that was strong and greater in potential than all but the highest quality dragon bloodlines.
Overnight, Malzahir was no longer a disgrace. He was a prodigy, a rising star, the future of the tribe. Lord Sirakhim himself, one of the few Demigod-level warriors of the Obari tribe, took notice. With his support, Malzahir was able to obtain the rare young Tyrant Boa he needed allowing him to fully maximize his potential.
For the first time, his fellow tribesmen looked at him with something other than disdain. Their smiles, their cheers, their admiration—it was intoxicating. He was now among the upper echelons of the tribe. And with his newfound status, Malzahir used his influence to pull himself and his grandmother out of poverty. No longer did they live in a crumbling shack. No longer did his grandmother have to barter for scraps. Life had finally changed.
But now, all of that was gone.
"The old bitch is dead."
Those words were like a stab in Malzahir's heart, made even worse by the fact that they were uttered by one of the people Malzahir trusted the most—Himolker. Himolker was a trusted subordinate of Lord Sirakhim and had practically served as Malzahir's direct mentor when Lord Sirakhim was busy—which was the vast majority of the time.
But for some reason, he'd now been betrayed by him.
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'Why?'
Malzahir still couldn't come to terms with the sudden backstabbing and looked into the unfamiliar and cold expression on the otherwise familiar face.
'Why? Is he planning to betray Lord Sirakhim? Or…was this the order of Lord Sirakhim?'
'No! No way!'
Just the thought that one of the most important figures in his life may want him dead, was not something he could come to terms with. It was almost as heartbreaking as the knowledge that while he was away his grandmother had met her end.
But it was an undeniable fact that in the middle of a routine hunt, all of his allies had injured and then chased him down as he fled—at least until he could flee no more.
Malzahir cradled the cooling body of his Tyrant Boa, its once-lustrous black scales now dull, its golden eyes dimming as the life faded from them. Blood seeped between his fingers as he held its massive head close to his chest, his own body trembling with pain and grief.
As the sole contract that they could ever have, the bond Southerners had with their contracts via bloodline markings was deeper than those from the Celestial Empire. But now, that connection was irrevocably severed for him.
Moreover, the loss of his Tyrant Boa meant more than just losing his partner; it meant he was now a cripple. And in a tribe where the weak are barely tolerated, suddenly losing his power was worse than death for him.
His power, his status, his future—everything was gone. The warmth that had finally returned to his life had been ripped away once more, leaving only the bitter taste of betrayal.
Himolker stood above him, spear in hand, his eyes hard. And yet, for the briefest moment, a flicker of something else crossed his face—regret? Affection? Malzahir couldn't be sure. But whatever it was, it disappeared as quickly as it came. Without a word, Himolker turned and left.
He didn't even bother to deliver the final blow.
Malzahir was no longer a threat.
Perhaps weak at the last second and still retaining some lingering affection for his student, Himolker left Malzahir deep and isolated in the desert alone.
He was destined to die anyway.
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