Traveling through the corridors that lingered with souls of the fallen, the pair dispatched undead skeletons relentlessly. A squire, molded from obsidian cut through the undead with ease like a curtain of death. His master gracefully cut down stragglers with precision, leaving Argo with nothing to do. Earlier, the task fell to him to clear the way with the excuse of it being a part of his training. Now, for whatever reason Faye decided to take the vanguard speeding up their progress incredibly.
They had been scouring the catacombs for almost an hour now, and Argo was slowly adjusting to the cold winds and putrid smells. He was slightly disappointed he didn't receive a drop yet. Watching the shadow squire clean its obsidian blade with a skeleton's rag, he couldn't help but voice a question.
"Is that summon your Inherent?" He was more then curious about the shadowy being. It displayed technique and strength far beyond what Argo believed a Rank 0 should be capable of. He definitely wasn't jealous, not at all.
From Captain Reid's behavior back when his crew had questioned him about his Inherent, Argo believed prying into someone's abilities was frowned upon. But if he was placing his life in her hands, a certain amount of trust should be formed. That's what he thought anyway. He wouldn't force Faye to say anything.
Faye's eyes remained focused on the darkness ahead seemingly in deliberation.
"It isn't," she responded blandly. He couldn't tell what she was thinking at the moment. Judging by her unwillingness to elaborate, he decided to leave it be.
Contrary to his expectations, she continued. "It's a power originating from a trait I possess, a result of my lineage. My Inherent is something different."
'Interesting, such a powerful summon isn't her Inherent?' Argo pondered, focusing on the latter half of her statement. He didn't really know much about the different lineages. He knew that the really powerful clans and organizations shared their blood with higher beings.
Traits were ambiguous in meaning, and elusive in obtaining. While some could be fairly straightforward, others left one with more questions then answers. As an example, his [Dichotomy] was something completely alien to him. He didn't know what the strange word meant in the first place, and its origin was something shrouded in his memories.
'If someone's Inherent were the roots of a tree, the mana core would be the trunk, and Traits would be the branches.'
"I won't pry," Argo declared trying to convince himself more then convince her. He would definitely be lying if he said he wasn't curious about her Inherent.
Brow raised, Faye dusted off a weathered stone before taking a seat. "We'll take a short break for now, we seem to be in the clear."
Examining the calluses on her hands, "I think its necessary to understand each other's capabilities. Especially considering what we may face."
She elaborated, "The squire over there is my summon, and his grade is parallel to my highest stat. At the moment, he has the power of an Grade F- creature. I'm capable of seeing through his eyes and giving him orders."
Listening to her explanation, Argo watched the squire kick the remains of the skeletons while sorting through their belongings. It was funny to watch it interact with its environment. It was more like a living entity then a crude construct.
Feeling the need to reciprocate, Argo pondered over revealing [The Miracle]. All of his other traits were passive ones, and he didn't see a need to reveal such sensitive information. She had already witnessed the power of his Inherent, but the details would leak his core power.
Argo decided to forgo his earlier words about prying. He noticed she seemed keen on conversing this time, which was a rarity in of itself. "What was your life like before all of this?" He coughed, trying to hide the abrupt change in conversation.
She had displayed strength befitting a heir to a major power. Flawless sword technique, and proficient mana manipulation skills. He also wanted to add her arrogance, and sense of aloofness in- but he couldn't tell if that was a part of her personality or not.
After adventuring with her for a decent amount of time, and learning through her teachings, he naturally grew curious about her origins. While he would be revealing his main trump card, he felt it wasn't in her nature to spread it. And as someone who didn't have any friends, he considered her his first real friend. Though he wasn't sure if she viewed him like that either.
Her lips twitched, and her eyes became a touch darker. "There isn't much to say." She seemed to sink herself in thought, "Just a disappointment that stained my family's legacy."
"Disappointment?" He unintentionally echoed, finding the word strange in his mouth. Even more so when describing Faye- he thought she was far from being referred to by such a word.
Argo's skin tingled as he felt the already cold temperature lower, the shadows deepening around him. He didn't expect to stumble on such a sensitive topic, and mentally berated himself.
Unbefitting her aloof personality, Faye smiled. Argo recognized it- he wore the same smile after the destruction of his village. In the eyes of those that pitied him, he wore a bitter smile. A shallow smile containing immeasurable torment. From the members of the Central Guild, to the people running orphanages he would be forced into.
'Yes, I'm sure you think I'm pitiful. You deeply sympathize with my circumstances, but that's all that your efforts will amount to. I'll be just another fleeting thought before you go about your daily life.'
Watching her wear such a similar look, he was left with unsettling emotions. Those that have suffered like him weren't very rare. The ravages of war and the destruction brought about by Abhorrents created many victims. He was only a drop of water in a vast ocean of people suffering the same fate. She was like him, most likely a victim of the world's cruelties and subject to fake sympathies.
Yet, it felt very wrong to see someone whom he regarded as a bastion of stability wear such an expression. "You know, I can't say I like that look on your face."
Faye's mouth twitched, highlighting the irritation making its way into her voice. "What do you mean by that? Do you want to die?" Her grip tightened on one of her curved blades, prompting Argo to back up.
"No! What I mean is, well, you see-." He stuttered over his words, trying to formulate his thoughts correctly. It would be insensitive of him to compare them, when he had no idea about what she had experienced.
"Forget it." She waved him away, seemingly losing interest in the topic. "What about you? What's your story?"
Argo was left a little bit shocked. She had usually avoided prolong conversations, much less small talk. Keeping their interactions to only bare necessity. Now she was actively trying to know more about him?
"Where did the regular Faye go?" He voiced uncertainty, convinced the catacomb air was getting to her. When he sensed the air slightly shift, he hurried started talking.
"I'm not so special, I come from a remote village on the coast of the Eastern Continent. I more or less came to Halcyon to get stronger." He avoided mentioning anything about how said village was now a pile of ash, or an Outer Deity had set it's gaze on him. But he did want to ask Faye if she knew anything about it. The authorities had neglected to provide him with any information about the being behind all of this.
All he had was his memory, ironically enough. A women with miniature suns for eyes. An orange-yellow flame tinged with violet edges- radiating an aura of madness. It's flames would reduce someone to dust, or disintegrate their mind into a raving lunatic.
"Remote village, huh." Faye muttered, it looked like she was having trouble understanding him. There were many inconsistencies about his existence. "You've never held a sword before, nor received mana training?"
With an affirming nod, she sighed. "How can someone from no major clan, or sufficient backing display such talent. You should've died at the hands of that Abhorrent, yet you continue to be full of surprises." She shook her head, "Truly an enigma. It even leaves me completely baffled."
Argo could only awkwardly nod along, like Faye, he was full of secrets. They haven't known each other for very long, but he was sure about her character. If he decided to divulge his status as a Tower-Blessed, or a person of interest by an Outer Deity, he knew she wouldn't hold it against him. But he couldn't be completely convinced, for all he knew she was wearing a mask.
"By the way, have you ever seen flames that could drive people mad?" Argo broached, hoping her knowledge of the world could help him. She didn't outright say it, but she must've possessed a noble upbringing. With that kind of status, she would be privy to much of the world's knowledge!
"Flames that make people go mad?" She echoed, finding his combination of words a little vague. "There are all kinds of things that could describe what you're thinking of." Faye's brows rose, "Why do you ask?"
Argo laughed awkwardly, avoiding making eye contact. "It's related to why I'm here in the first place." He decided to reveal more details, "Like fires that are yellow-orangish, with a violet hue."
Faye seemed to have understood his unspoken intent, not pushing any further. After a minute of thinking she spoke, "The only thing that fits that description is the Cult of Chaos." Her face darkened, "An evil organization devoted to worshipping an evil deity related to maddening flames. They're infamous for the wide-scale destruction they spread, and are one of the more dangerous followers of an Outer Deity."
Argo tried hard to maintain a neutral expression on his face. Dark undercurrents surged within his mind, betraying his outwardly calm demeanor. He felt a strange feeling of dark excitement. He had finally received a clue- a connection. The Cult of Chaos. Quite on the nose, easy to remember. He definitely wouldn't forget it for as long as he lived.
"In a manner of reciprocation, do you know anything about Shadow Covenant?"
There was a slight edge to her words, containing unbridled apathy. Argo tried to think about what would be the right answer to such a question, but he could only answer truthfully. He genuinely didn't know what she was talking about anyway.
"Shadow Covenant? You know I'm from the boonies, right?" He reiterated his less then satisfactory knowledge of the outside world. He was sure she had figured out he wasn't from any notable clan or lineage. "Is that some kind of guild or evil organization?"
"If you don't know anything, it's fine." She fidgeted with the hilt of her blade, "I would steer clear of them if you can in the future." Argo wasn't sure about the hidden intent in her words. Was that where she came from? Unfortunately he knew nothing about it, otherwise he would've been able to piece together a vague outline of her past.
They were both silently gauging each other. Argo decided to voice his confusion, "What's so dangerous about them? It sounds like they're powerful, wouldn't it be inevitable for our paths to cross?"
She scoffed, "I'll put it like this, if they find out your related to me in anyway- you'll be killed."
Argo froze, his following words stuck in his throat. "Huh?"
He'll be killed if they find out he's working with Faye? What the hell did she do?
"Are you a fugitive or something?! What the hell did I get into this time?!" He panicked, nearly stumbling over himself. He had a powerful urge to run out of the cave, and sever all ties with this women.
She laughed, which sounded strangely pleasant and melodic. It was like a soft breeze, unintentionally relaxing him. He had never heard her laugh before, but it was strangely soothing.
"Looks like we'll be stuck together for awhile, partner." She accentuated her last word with sarcasm, much to his dismay. Was this a result of [Hero of Finality]? Was he to be followed by calamity and dangerous people at every turn?
Following her words, a singular pair of red eyes appeared in the darkness. Unlike the previous ones, a terrible aura swept through the corridor causing Argo to freeze. It exceeded anything they had previously encountered, excluding the Deep Kraken. But it was strange, the approaching being didn't feel exactly like an Abhorrent.
Abhorrents radiated corruption, and beastly rage. By extension their aura would be unbridled, and repulsive in nature. It made distinguishing them with your eyes closed fairly easy, if your mana sense was capable enough. But the thing approaching them seemed much more intelligent; like it was riling in all of that corruption.
'What is this?!'
Activating the [Eye of Gleneus], his vision cleared. A skeleton floated a couple of meters from them, adorned in an indigo robe. The once beautiful fabric was now torn, riddled with holes and dried blood. Rotten flesh clung to the bones, emitting a repulsive aura of death. Under the hood, a white skull with crimson orbs emitted boundless bloodlust.
In one of his skeletal hands with strands of muscle and ligaments hanging, was a leather bound grimoire. A dense cloud of mana was swirling around the book- like a storm was brewing. The heat produced by the orange energy swirling around the book warmed the surroundings, and Argo could feel his heart beating faster.
Argo couldn't help but mutter, "What is that?"
"A former human." Faye said darkly, examining the corrupted mage. He was surprised she could tell at a glance. Upon closer examination he slowly understood. It's garments bore an uncanny resemblance to what adventurer mages wore.
Mana poured into Argo's core, while he unsheathed his sword. He had never witnessed such a grotesque sight. He had neglected to believe humans could befall the same corruption monsters carried. A painful ending marred with madness and suffering.
"We'll attack from opposing sides. Move!" Faye ordered, immediately moving into action. "Don't be careless!"
Shaking him out of his stupor, Faye shot forward like an arrow. The corridor was wide enough to fit five humans side by side, allowing ample space for her to move. A river of black light trailed behind her blurring figure.
Her loyal summon followed closely behind. Clanging a sword against its buckler, it attempted to provoke the human turned Abhorrent. Before Argo could find an opening, the book's energy had reached a limit- the mana in the air visibly shaking.
BOOM!
An explosion of light blanketed the room, a wave of scorching fire weaving itself from reality. Crimson light blinded the combatants, a scorching inferno absorbing the oxygen in the air to achieve maximum combustion.
The walls shook under the strain. The smell of ash and ozone rolled through the air. Cobwebs were incinerated, the remains of the undead bleached white from the onslaught of flames.
Argo rolled, bracing his arms in front of him hoping the magic resistance could take the brunt of the spell. The flames rolled over him, reddening his skin and singing his hair. When he was about to reach his limit, the fire died down.
"Faye!" He shouted, his vision clearing. Smoke covered the tunnel in a thick blanket, making it impossible for him to discern his companion's whereabouts.
His exposed skin suffered slight burns, but the magic resistance imbued into the fabric of his armor had mitigated most of the flames. The dirt and stones were burned, glowing red from the flames.
As the smoke cleared, he saw Faye crouched behind her squire, using him as a human- or summon shield?
The shadow and his buckler could only take so much stress as it collapsed in a pool of inky shadow. Wasting no time Argo moved, swiftly arriving before the insidious mage. He had secretly been charging [The Miracle] in his sword when the spell was unleashed, giving him a current build-up of twenty seconds.
Growing from his experience since the Deep Kraken, he had modified his usage of [The Miracle]. Combining mana reinforcement with a burst of mana, he struck at the mage with all of his strength, giving it no room to dodge.
Instead of shooting an unrestrained blast of energy, he funneled the chaotic mana into a funnel. A swift attack focused on enhancing the lethality of one strike.
The prismatic energy coalescing around his blade sang, erupting in a violent stream of multicolored light, coating his sword in a divine hue.
BANG!
Sparks flew in a torrent of light, a green hexagon materializing out of thin air. The agglomerated blast of energy Argo unleashed with his sword strike collided with the barrier, shattering it in the process. All of the momentum he had built was extinguished. His attack dispersing while experiencing the backlash of [The Miracle].
A shallow gash lacerated the mage's side. But it remained unbothered.
'How strong was that damn shield?!'
With his back hitting the floor, he attempted to move his body, before the fatigue could set in. He could feel mana reinforcement wavering, his burst of mana combined with [The Miracle] had disrupted the delicate balance.
The wizard turned toward him, energy coalescing into a crimson ball above the grimoire. Ignoring Argo who was hastily getting to his feet, it seemed to be looking for Faye. Suddenly, its figure froze as a figure emerged from the shadows beneath its feet.
Faye, brandishing twin white blades ascended from the shadows like a demon, her expression warping into a demented smile. Her obsidian eyes reflected the blazing ball of heat, and Argo couldn't help but think she wanted to face the spell head on.
The Faye he knew wouldn't jump straight at the enemy in a head-on collision. Her attack lacked the usual meticulous precision that characterized her sword style. She was fighting with reckless abandon, throwing her life away.
'Does she have a death wish?'
Despite the head-on confrontation, her speed was something the undead couldn't keep up with. Her blades crossed with a burst of black light, shearing through the insidious creature's core like paper.
Crimson dust burst out of the crimson core in a torrent, the floating skeleton falling to the floor in a heap.