Null gazed at the blade in his hand, his blue eyes reflecting the dark, ethereal glow of the weapon. Shadows seemed to dance along its edge, flickering in sync with the pulsing aura of the sword. His grip tightened on the hilt as he lifted it slightly, feeling a strange surge of energy that resonated with something deep within him. As he held it, dark line strips began to appear along his arm, winding up like tendrils, casting an otherworldly aura around him.
Selene stood a few paces away, her mouth slightly open as she stared, spellbound. She struggled to find words, yet all that escaped was a breathless whisper. "Just… what kind of Awakening did you undergo, Null?"
Null lowered his hand, noticing that the blade felt surprisingly light—much lighter than he had expected for its size. He glanced down its length, realizing it was quite long, extending well beyond the reach of his arm. The sword seemed to have a perfect balance, almost as if it had been made specifically for him.
Null closed his eyes and whispered," Disappear". The blade disappeared from the Null arm without being noticeable, Null looked at his hand and it was gone.
The first thing that came to his mind after seeing the blade was,"I don't know how to use it though, but right now this doesn't matter."
Null looked at selene standing still speechless. Null stared at her eyes filled with surprise.
Null broke the silence and asked her, " Selene, Isn't it time for you to tell me everything about this world and how it functions."
For Null, knowledge was the one weapon that never dulled. It was his armor, his shield, and his blade. He knows better than anyone that to survive in this world the information and knowledge is the most important.
Selene listened to Null carefully, her hand crossed and with a smile she replied, "Of course, you deserve to know it. But, be patience for now."
She turned herself and started walking, Null also didn't further ask any questions and followed her quietly.
"Hmm...It will take quite a long time to walk", Selene whispered to herself. She immediately came near to Null held him by his waist and she levitated in the air.
"Again...she lifted me without even informing me. Am I some kind of toy to her?"
After a while, they were above a huge building surrounded by many awakeners and guards. Selene lifted down Null slowly and looking at him she said," Null, your patience is over." Before Null could ask her any further, she gently picked his right hand and touched the black strips.
The black line strips slowly disappeared from his hand. It was like the line strips didn't exist anymore. Null knew what selene was trying to do so, he didn't want to create unnecessary tension. He kept quiet and let selene complete it.
A few moments later, Selene and Null reached near the huge building. Null looking at the huge mansion and wondered, "Is this some kind of king's palace? How big is it?" In front of him there was a huge gate guarded with many people, Null was trying to ask something but suddenly the gate opened itself and many people came rushing in front of selene bowing and calling, "Welcome Ascendant Selene, Sir is waiting for your arrival."
Selene didn't respond, her gaze fixed at the gate something troubling inside of her. She quitely responded, "Come Null!".
Following Selene, they entered the gate every guards payed respect to Selene. Null knew Selene had a high position even as an awakener, but every time he gets astounded seeing it.
Null ponders, "Are Ascendant very rare?".
Selene stopped by a door, Null following her closely behind her gaze fixed at the door she said, "Be ready.. Null."
Null couldn't even respond to her, she opened the door letting and walked inside, Null followed her closely behind. Inside the room just in front of there was a table and a chair in which a huge guy with a beard sitting there. Null ask himself, "Is he a veteran?".
Selene moved a little nearer the table her voice filled with respect, "I have arrived".
Null looking at Selene showing respect to this old huge guy, he wondered "For Selene an Ascendant to show respect to this guy....Is he a Transcendent rank or a Sovereign?"
Null stared at the old guy, Suddenly the old guy gazed shifts upon Null, making Null feel uncomfortable. His gaze as sharp as a sword hilt which is piercing through Null's skin.
Null taking swallow breadth asking himself, "What's happening to me...why it is getting harder to breath. Is this that old guy trick."
Null closes his eyes for a second and slowly opens it. The discomfort he felt was slowly fading. Looking at this the old guy seemed to be surprised. He asked, "Is this the young man you were talking about?"
Selene simply nodded.
The old guy gazes at Null, he stands up and starts walking, he slowly approaches Null and raises his hand, he gently puts his hand onto Null's arm and with a voice filled with comfort he asks, "Join us".
Null blinked in surprise. "What?" he replied, caught off guard by the old man's unexpected question. Without warning, the old man began acting erratically, tugging at Null's arm and nudging him insistently.
"Join us!" the man repeated, his voice rising in intensity.
Null pulled back slightly, baffled by the sudden shift. He stared at the man, who had gone from serious to almost frantic in an instant, "Is this guy crazy? he thought. What on earth is he talking about? And where did all that seriousness go?"
"This old man has gone mad again." Selene said her face annoyed.
She grabs Null's hand and rushes outside the door of the room, "I have done as you asked for. Now, don't disturb us."