There are more than hundreds of different primordial illnesses bestowing each ascender with unique power and flaws. It could be even said these primordial illnesses are what make ascenders the ascenders.
For example, Hildebrant himself belonged to the so-called sun virus category while Ivistar with Cecilie most likely belonged to the enlightened who wielded the power of mind and force or spirit.
It was hard to say with certainty because as person refine their powers, the nature of said powers can change. The use of said powers, the techniques, and legacies also play a big role in how the powers were able to affect the world but in general, they all had roots in twelve main categories named after the twelve children of first man.
As for Icarus Hildebrant was not sure.
There was the possibility of him belonging to the giant syndrome, but he was more inclined to believe Icarus was cursed blood that was able to manipulate flesh, blood, and bones of themselves and even other people.
But right now, nothing of it mattered while Hildebrand made his way on the white shore leaving no footprints behind. Nevertheless, the feeling of being watched and followed did not disappear and even became stronger with various ships letting out inhuman voices and tearing themselves apart.
Passing around another piece of wood debris, he did not even turn around when it exposed wriggling flesh connected with blood vessels staring at him with its unhuman and monstrous eyes.
"Waaaiit!"
"Please!"
"Just let me explain!"
The voice came from everywhere, hammering into his head with intense ferocity.
They called him closer; some begged him and some even kept reminding him of what happened in the room and things he could not even remember.
Not all memories came back, there were still missing pieces that did not recover and refused to return as if his mind tried to keep him safe. Hildebrant could not explain it with words, each time he tried to remember strong headache would hit his head until his own voice started to beg him to return.
But Hildebrant made his choice and with a shake of his head, he continued deeper until he researched a sharp wall made of rock.
It was a gigantic and naturally formed behemoth so big that when its shadow fell it cowered the entire rift it was situated in and with it submerging anything that came near into its shadowy realm.
What made it even more harrowing was edges of all the rocks on it were sharp and with just a slight mistake person would be cut or pierced never returning. The proof was numerous dead bodies stabbed on its surface, some belonging to monsters and some to humans who were brave enough to try to climb it.
Hildebrant didn't know if the wall was sentient, but he hoped it was not.
Ignoring the harrowing sight, he fell on his knees his hand began to examine the wall until he found a small gap for one person to crawl. It was an extremely tight space with no way to turn around once a person entered but Hildebrant didn't hesitate and with raged breath crawled inside.
Bending his small body, he used his hand to propel himself, not thinking about the dangers that could wait for him on the other side.
It was not because he was ignorant but because even if there was a danger it would surely be less dangerous than the obsessed and maddening monster with the name of Icarus.
Pushing himself through darkness Hildebrant pondered about Icarus and how was he able to find him and about Gabriel and his artifact. It looked like the reach of his influence did not go beyond the sanctuary, but it could also be a lie set up by him to make others think the same.
In some sense Icarus and Gabriel were similar. Both had their own goal, and both liked to spread like a plague, one through his infection and the other through the rumors. Talks about Gabriel were everywhere but what made Hildebrant ponder about him was today's meeting with Icarus.
Did Gabriel know he would try to find him? If Ivistar who was younger than him knew about Icarus how could not Gabriel who even though should be dead still reside in his great hall surrounded by his people?
It just didn't make sense why would he do something like that.
Didn't he understand how many people would die as a result of such a decision?
As he was dragging himself with his hand the sand began to be stuck on his exposed flesh and his skin was scratched by sand that out of nowhere became sharp as shattered glass. Blood began to escape his hands and flow out of his body.
Hildebrant didn't need to summon ember of his flames to know what was happening. Deep down he already knew it was white sand slowly drinking his blood, hungry for new sacrifice.
Grinding his teeth he pushed himself, inch after inch. With each move of his hand new wound would be created and from there blood would flow until it was stopped by his flames. It took Hildebrant all his might not to go mad from the periodical opening of his flesh, it wasn't easy to endure but when he finally saw a weak light, he could not help but smile as he pushed himself out.
Weak light then turned into an avalanche and when he looked up white moon welcomed him making Hildebrant smile as he spread his hands to welcome it.