70th day
Lud wakes up like it's any other day. He heard yesterday that Rucksta has gone to civil war and things don't look so good. The only positive Lud can think is that at least the attacks on Elysium should lessen.
The white raven is sitting on a tree near Lud's office yet again. One of the soldiers tried for a couple of days to feed it with a piece of meat. So far it hasn't succeeded, but this day, the raven flew to them and ate it.
The soldiers were ecstatic about it and even tried to pet the raven, but the raven dodged their attempts.
When Lud was walking to his office, he noticed that he had a weird feeling. Like he was more aware of things that he hadn't noticed before. He could feel the wind blow, even though all the windows were closed. He could feel the children laughing at the streets, even though they were not near enough for him to hear.
Even the maids looked at him a little weirdly this morning, but he thought that it was just one of those days for him.
When he got to his office, he saw Altair lazing around like usual. She said "Morning" and didn't even look at Lud. Lud still replied "Morning" back and then commented "Did you sleep the whole night in my office again?" To which Altair replied "Is this your office? Must have been too tired last night to notice."
Lud sits down and sees that there is a lot of paperwork to do this day as well. He gave out a sigh and began working.
Soon after he started, Zenith came to Lud's office with tea in hand like usual. But this time, she asked Lud a weird question "When did you get a tattoo, my lord?" And Lud responded "What tattoo?"
This sparked Altair's curiosity as she rose up from the sofa and asked "A tattoo? Let me see."
When Altair saw Lud's face, she noticed that there were four lines beneath his eyes. Two below his left and two below his right. Then Altair noticed that both of Lud's eyes had three halos around his pupils.
Altair went to look closer and commented "It has finally happened. But two sets of tattoo eyes is more than I anticipated." Lud asked "What are you talking about?"
Altair asked "Do you remember those drinks I made you drink these past few weeks? This is the result that I was expecting, though not so high grade." Lud asks "What did you do to me exactly?"
Then Altair answers "I made you drink a mixture of certain liquid that affects homunculi during their making process and my blood. It is complicated, but my guess was since you were an entity made by Maumar himself, then if we make your body more sensitive to aether by making your body absorb my blood, then maybe we could create the abyssal version of the star points of star elves. We call it abyssal eyes."
Lud says "So what you did to me… you changed the makeup of my body?" To which Altair says "More or less, but the liquid that was supposed to alter the homunculus body during the making of homunculi was heavily altered by a trusted people to only make you absorb the aether sensibility of nine points like me. There shouldn't be any side effects so you have no need to worry.
Lud asks "Why though?" To which Altair says "More out of curiosity than anything else, but the benefit is that you should be more powerful than your average person now. Previously your only notable trait was your mane reserves, but now you may be able to use it in a different way."
Lud asks "In what way exactly?" To which Altair says "Honestly, no idea."
Lud gets concerned and asks "Are you serious? You experimented on me and didn't even know what it would end up doing?" And Altair answers "I knew what it most likely would do, but I don't know the specifics of what comes after. Only thing I know is that you should show your eyes or tattoo eyes to anyone outside of Elysium. Especially any star elf."
Lud asks "Why? Why would you do this if I can't even show my face anymore? And why would Li approve of this?" To which Altair answers "The ones with these sort of eyes are usually worshipers of the Maumar and they have some way of hiding it. I just personally don't know how it is done. You should find an expert."
Then Lud asks with a concern in his voice "And where could I find one?" To which Altair says "Honestly, the two most reliable ways aren't so ideal in my opinion." Lud is worried and says "Go on." And Altair says "Either you go public with your eyes and wait for someone to come to you or you go straight to the abyss. Those are the only two options that we have."
Lud looked Altair questioningly and Altair responded with "Don't worry about it. We'll figure something out eventually."
Zenith finally handed Lud his tea and Lud was about to say something, until they heard someone knocking on the window behind Lud. When they turned to look at the source of the sound, they saw that the white raven was knocking on the glass with its beak.
Altair said "Ignore it. I'm sure it is doing that just to get food." And Zenith said "So that is the white bird the guards have been talking about. It is quite famous."
Altair said "I'm going to shoo it away." and went to open the window and try to get the bird to leave. Instead, the raven flew inside and on top of the table in the middle of the office and began to speak with what is best described as an accent where they don't fully understand the way words are meant to be said and go saying what it is literally written. It said "Finally… I've been waiting for this to happen for two weeks now and finally we are at the appointed time."
Lud was surprised and said "It talked?" To which the raven said "Of course I can. I am a raven. A race that is known for their close connection with death and its god. Why wouldn't I be able to speak, you drüthak."
Altair says "Normally birds don't talk, but more importantly, were you sent here by Mors?" And the bird answered "You would be right to assume that I would be one of Mors' familiars, but I'm no longer connected to him in any other way than the past that I lived in. If you'd known a little more about the forces you are didling with, you'd know what is the implication of me being colored white. A raven that is more often than not black as the night sky."
Altair says "The abyss? Are you familiar of Maumar?" To which the bird says "Familiar isn't the best way to describe it, but yes, I do work under his guidance nowadays."
Lud asks "But why are you here though?" To which the raven says "Good question, but first…" the raven looks at Altair and says "Congratulations, nöktar älyrn vlïn, you single handedly fucked up so bad that Maumar had to send me back in time to create a new timeline because the other one got burned by that zälin'kû av zahra. Or Sarah, for those unaware."
This shocks everyone else in the room and Altair asks "You traveled back in time because… the world ended? Because of me?" And the raven answered "Yes, though while there were other parties accountable as well, you were the primary perpetrator."
Lud asks "What exactly happened?" And the raven answers "To sum it up, your thryv'nith transformation far exceeded your mind's capacity when you reached the 50th level. Causing you to turn dräk'nor, meaning you lost all vibrancy of life and your mind was consumed by the abyss. Leaving only the husk body behind with no person inside. Eventually, that zälin'kû av zahra lost it and decided to burn the world away with her flames. Causing the end of Lutah to come earlier than planned."
Lud and Altair were silent and Zenith asked "But why is my lord still like that? Couldn't you have just prevented the whole thing since you can travel back in time?" To this, the raven answered "Maumar explicitly made sure that I only prevent the abyss from consuming Ludwig's mind, not to prevent him to turn into thryv'nith. Of course I asked the same question from Maumar myself when I received my orders, but since talking takes great effort from him, he only answered "zärok", meaning "a lesson". What that lesson is and to whom, I do not know."
Lud says "What do you mean talking takes great effort for him? If we let him, he would talk our ears off without question." The raven answers "Is that so? Well, I can only surmise, but I believe that it gives Maumar a hint of happiness when he talks to certain people. What little I can recall from his interactions with Zolotifa, he seems to talk much more than he does to us thar'mar. Guides for those uninitiated."
Altair says "So your job title is a guide. What does that entail?" And the raven says "We who take our job as thar'mar make sure that hräth'lar, those that come outside of abyss, will find themselves back at a relevant time when they leave the abyss."
Lud asks "What do you mean? Why do you need a guide for that?" And the raven answers "Time moves differently in the abyss. Entering the abyss is as easy as learning a simple spell. Leaving however, requires an experienced person to make sure that you don't end up too far in the future or to the past. Those who try to leave the abyss carelessly might find themselves hundreds of years in the future or millenia in the past."
Altair says "So that explains all the reports of time travel. People have claimed to come from the past and some have claimed to come from the future. But those who come from the future often have their memories lacking for some reason." The raven responds by saying "That is indeed how it works. If you end up in the future, then you will only have the knowledge you have from when you left the abyss last time. This doesn't mean that you can't travel back to the time that you entered the abyss and the future you ended up in, but since there can't be two yous in the same time, the past version either dies or returns to the abyss. It highly depends on the person in question which way you end up in that situation."
Zenith asks "But what about if you travel to the past? Altair said that they have memories missing, so what is up with that?" And the raven answers "Yes, those who travel back in time rarely have the ability to influence the future with their future knowledge. Those well versed in history might find themselves losing all that knowledge if it could affect the future that is to come. This is to prevent the issue of changing the future. But there are cases when this does happen, though often it is because Maumar permits it to happen. I am one of such cases. And then there are the 54th level thryv'nith who can simply do as they like when traveling through time via the abyss. Thankfully there isn't no one like that at the moment."
Lud asks "What is with those levels and what is thryv'nith?" The raven sighs and says "Thryv'nith are the ones that have the "gift" of the abyss. Though it is technically a gift, it works more as a curse that binds the person to the abyss and makes sure they can't enter the afterlife like others. In terms of how it looks, it goes like this:
At the 1st level, the person "gains" the Stärryk av Thron, Eye of Ascendance. This appears as the eye of the person gaining two lines, representing the event horizon of the black hole. This signifies the event stage.
At the 2nd level, the person's eye turns to having the two lines on the sides, to a one line going down. This signifies the tear stage.
At the 3rd level, the person gains a ring or a halo going around their pupil, representing a zero or an continuous line. This signifies the ring stage.
At the 4th level, the person gains another two lines in their eyes while still having that circle from the 3rd level.
This continues up until the 9th level where they turn to have three circles around their pupil, similarly like how Ludwig's real eyes are right now. When the person is at the first nine levels, the person is known as a novice seeker in the church of Maumar.
At the 10th level, the person gains one set of tattoo-like eyes that once opened, shows the same kind of eyes that the thryv'nith had at the 1 level on the tattoo eyes. The person still has the three rings in their eyes as when they were in the 9th level. Once the thryv'nith gains a tattoo eye, the thryv'nith becomes a Thyn'hrä'thkra, Seeker of the Abyss, and is no longer a novice seeker.
The tattoo eyes go through the same process as the actual eyes in the first 9 levels, and once the thryv'nith is at the 19th level, they gain another set of tattoo eyes and become a Zül'hräthläm, Acolyte of Shadows.
This goes on to the 72nd level. And when they get to the 73rd level, they reach the final step that thryv'nith can take and the highest peak they can achieve.
So to summarize, it goes like this:
1st - 9th level: Stärryk av Thron, Eye of Ascendance.
10th - 18th level: Thyn'hrä'thkra, Seeker of the Abyss.
19th - 27th level: Zül'hräthläm, Acolyte of Shadows.
28th - 36th level: Hrä'thren av Züla, Warden of the Depths.
37th - 45th level: Hrä'thnytt, Abyssal Knight.
46th - 54th level: Hrä'thröth av Zylth, Herald of the Void.
55th - 63rd level: Hrätháryn, Lord of the Abyss.
64th - 72nd level: Hräthmästyr, Master of the Abyss.
73rd level: Hrätharkon, Archon of the Abyss.
These are the classifications that the church of Maumar has made to the level stages. That being said, the highest level that Maumar has ever witnessed was a level 53.
Are we now clear on the system?"
The people in the room take a moment to process all of this and eventually Lud says "So that means I'm at least level 19. Still, can you teach me how to hide these things?" To which the raven says "To be precise, you are level 21 at the moment. Any higher and your mind would have become absorbed by the abyss. And as for hiding those tattoo eyes and the things in your eyes, it is part of my mission to teach you those."
Lud says "Great, but what do I call you?" To which the raven says "Call me Mätuk."
Mätuk flies to the back of Lud's chair and Altair asks "Wait. Isn't the abyss supposed to only take and not give?" And Mätuk answers "Correct. Everything the abyss gives and makes is to quicken the process of the abyss consuming everything."
Then Lud asks "Why would people worship the abyss if they know it shouldn't give anything back to them?" And Mätuk answers "Abyss should be seen as the thing not to be worshiped and it is a thing that is meant to represent the bad guys of Lutah. Nevertheless, some people have become thryv'nith and have begun to worship the abyss because of this. This wasn't something Maumar could fully control, but he had to let it happen if he didn't want his will to break sooner."
Altair says "So what if the will of Maumar is broken. Wouldn't it be better if it was?" And Mätuk responds with "As expected of älyrn zanth av strâ, you know nothing of the sacrifice that Maumar is making each passing moment."
Altair gets a little annoyed and asks "Care to elaborate?" And Mätuk says "Since Maumar has granted me the authority, I will do so with pleasure. To make things clear, if it weren't for Maumar, the abyss would be absorbed by the abyss. If there is no one to keep the abyss at bay, then the abyss will simply take everything it can and nothing can stop it."
Altair then asks "Wasn't it Maumar who brought the abyss to this world in the first place?" To which Mätuk says "Correct. He brought it to being in order for life to be able to flourish outside of the abyss. He never predicted that the abyss would give birth to monsters of their own, but that is besides the point. If it weren't for the abyss, there wouldn't be life. Once Maumar's will disappears, then the true end of Lutah will soon come. That is what your god is keeping an eye out for. To prepare for the time when Maumar's will begins to wither to the point he can't control the abyss anymore. The end of Lutah is and always will be that it is absorbed by the abyss until there is nothing left to consume but the abyss itself, and once the abyss has consumed even itself, then, and only then, will the world of Lutah truly end."
Lud then says "So in summary, once Maumar disappears, we are all cooked." And Mätuk says "Precisely."
Then Lud inquires "So why are you white?" Mätuk gives a sigh and says "Abyss will consume anything and everything. While white is often seen as the object of purity, you have to also remember that it is the absence of anything as well. White is like a blank canvas where there is no color. When you spend long enough time inside the abyss, your color will be taken away from you. This will end in you turning into a blar'dür, white ghost. The final color of the person will be white as if you were once a vibrant painting that has been bleached back to the white canvas devoid of color. Once you become blar'dür, you will start to lose the white as well. Turning into something that can be seen through. It is the same principle that happened to your mind when you became thryv'nith, but this time, it is the physical that is taken away from you."
Lud then says "So you lose all the pigment when you are physically in the abyss. Just like how Maumar has." And Mätuk says "Correct. But you should also have to worry about your mind as well the deeper you venture to the abyss since it'll also affect your mind as well as your body."
Lud then asks "So… what are my powers now?" And Mätuk says "To summarize, you have some control over the space and time around you. But don't get too excited now. The best thing you can do now is be more aware of your surroundings, affect the gravity around you or an object and maybe even see what happened in the past or that will happen in the future if you master it. Now let's get training to hide those eyes of yours."
Lud nods, but Altair asks "Why do I get a feeling that you don't much like what I did to Lud here? I mean, I do feel bad that I caused a calamity to happen, but why do I feel hostility from you now?" And Mätuk answers "It is because you made Ludwig cursed by the abyss."
Altair says "What is the big deal? Sure, he will disappear a bit sooner, but if he is likely going to disappear the day after this, then what is the issue?" This makes Mätuk furious and says "On behalf of Maumar who is unable to do it, I feel absolutely furious about your actions! Sure, you represent the aspect of freedom, but at least feel ashamed about what you did! Zan nökor älyrn drüthak!"
Altair says "Calm down birdie. Calm down." And Mätuk shouts "How can I be calm, you vürthak?! If I had the authority, I would punish you like the vlïn you are! Maumar does everything he can so that you can exist, but you simply squander it like it is just some used up toy! Again, do you have any idea what Maumar has sacrificed for your existence?! Learn to treasure life as it is the only thing you have that the gods value!"
Altair says "Sure, he might sacrifice his happiness over the lives of this world, but why does he allow his monsters to run free like it is nothing?" Mätuk says in a bit calmer voice "I believe that Maumar has given you the answer to it already. And even if he didn't, the conversation we have been having should have explained to you that if it wasn't for him, then there wouldn't be life and the abyss would run free from the shackles he has made. But I'm getting off track. Maumar shouldn't be seen as this martyr who sacrificed everything for the betterment of the world. Instead, he should be remembered as the counter god that brings woes to all who come within his gaze. Thus is the will of the corpse father. Now then…"
Mätuk flies on top of Lud's head and sits down on it. Then he says "Now Ludwig, I need you to focus your mind a little and enter your mind palace." Lud just says "What is that?"
This makes Mätuk annoyed as he says "Just focus your mind and I'll guide you!" Lud does so and with Mätuk's guidance, he is able to find the source of his power.
Then Mätuk says "Now that you see that ring that connects you to the abyss, I need you to imagine you putting a cloth on top of that ring to cover the flow of the abyssal energy." Lud does as Mätuk asks, albeit with little difficulty.
Once the cover has been placed, Mätuk says to Lud "Good, now your tattoos should be gone and your eyes should be normal. What is the color of the cloth you put on it?" And Lud answers "golden yellow." Mätuk thinks for a moment and then says "That should suffice. It would be more efficient if it was pure black, but I take this as a victory. Do you see anything else around you?"
Lud answers "I don't think so. Should I?" And Mätuk answers "If there were things around the ring, then it would make you able to use your power more freely, though it isn't necessary by any means. Maybe you gain some objects as you train. Now then…"
Then Mätuk picks at Lud's head with his beak and Lud is surprised by this. Lud says "Ouch! What you did that for?" Mätuk answers with "While I would love to start the training as soon as possible, your duties as the king still need to be done in time. Now then, get to work."
Then Mätuk flies on top of Altair's head and Altair asks "What are you doing now?" And Mätuk answers "I don't trust you, so I'll be keeping a close eye on you from this day onwards."
Altair then asks "There is one more thing that I need to ask you. Do you know what will happen once the 72nd day ends?" To which Mätuk says "I do."
Altair asks "Can you tell us anything about it?" To which Mätuk says "The only thing I can say is that there is no stopping it and that it is a bottleneck in the flow of timelines. Will you be on the timeline where things end happily? Who knows."
Altair asks "Will the world end?" And Mätuk says "Maybe. Maybe not. It all depends on the actions people take."
Time passes on and the 72nd day is nearing its end. Everyone in the kingdom is anxiously waiting for what will happen.
Lud sits in his throne waiting for the clock to turn midnight. He is surrounded by his commanders and people who have made their home to Elysium these past few months. The area is also put under a barrier where no teleportation can pass through. Even Altair wouldn't be able to get past these defenses if she wanted to.
Once midnight arises in Elysium, a woman's laugh can be heard across the forest. The words "It's time. It's time." Can be heard by everyone.
Then a bronze haired woman with eyes that are dark as the night appears in front of Lud and everyone is allerted. Liz attacks the woman, but the woman says "No no no. You aren't necessary. Di. Sa. Pear." With those words, Liz is flung to the opposite end of the throne room. This broke some of her bones, but this didn't stop her from trying to protect her king.
Sarah comes next and before she can land a hit, the woman is able to somehow stop Sarah from moving. Then the strange woman says "I don't have time for your unneeded love for my darling. Why don't you also. Di. Sa. Pear."
With a sudden burst of gravity, Sarah is being crushed and her bones begin to break. She screamed and screamed to stop the woman from even touching Lud, but the woman just said "Who is the homewrecker here, hmmm?"
Then the woman gently touches Lud's left cheek and says with a smile "Now then, darling. You have brought color to my world yet again, but this time, I'm not going to let you go. Let's go to. Our. Paradise." Lud cannot help but feel safe around the woman for some odd reason. It is as if she has been there for him for the darkest days of his life, although he cannot remember her being there.
Then Lud manages to say "Tifa" as if that is something he used to say a lot. It was after those words that the two of them suddenly disappeared together. Without any traces left behind, just the emptiness of the throne that used to have someone to sit upon it.