Wren was angry, of course why wouldn't he. The dream he wished to end early, had become interesting only for it to break by the sound of screams. Grunting, he opened his eyes and stared at the place from where the sounds was coming from, only to see a protesting Cassie against a pale and helpless Sunless. Amused he stared at the scene while lying on the wide branch, but his expression soon turned grim when Nephis had placed her silversword on Sunny's neck.
'Things were already frustrating and now this shit.'
Sighing, he stood up and moved covering the distance, instantly. He calmly put his hand on Nephis shoulder, while Sunny looked at him with confusion.
'Huh? Is there something on my face, Let's not think about it. '
"Move."
And Nephis did, but to make things were clear. Wren gave Nephis a direct warning:
"I hope you have realized whatever Sunny is saying..."
Wren stopped in middle and activated his Aspect to full power, stopping Ark from taking over was almost impossible but to intimidate Nephis just for few moment, so that the situation would relax a bit he had to take the risk. His grey eyes turned pitch black and he said:
"But if not... I will make you realize it in a painful way."
The whole place fell into silence, Wren sighed as he deactivated his Aspect. Nephis seemed to be in a state of trouble, even if Wren hadn't interrupted Nephis would still have left Sunny alive. Why wouldn't she, after all she told these words herself.
It seemed as though Sunny's question and Wren's warning touched something in Changing Star's mind, causing a chain reaction. A few seconds passed, each turning her frown deeper. Slowly, the familiar poised calmness returned to her eyes. It didn't seem as though she had remembered everything, but, just as Nephis had promised, it seemed enough to make her listen to what Sunny had to say.
Looking at Sunny with a strange expression, she then said:
"I really told you those words?"
Rubbing his slightly cut neck, he simply nodded. Blood Weave was already finished in repairing the damage to his skin.
Nephis looked down, then closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them again, they were full of resolve.
"What do I need to do?"
Sunny really wanted to ask her about the meaning of the three mysterious names, but decided against it. They had to hurry.
"Ask Cassie to summon her staff. Then get her into the boat."
Dismissing her sword, Changing Star glanced at him for the last time and walked toward her friend.
Wren smiled, he looked towards Sunny and said:
"Must be hard for you, buddy."
Sunny just stared at Wren for few moments.
"You should have woke up early."
Wren looked at Sunny and gave him a smile.
"Yeah, my bad."
"Anyway, why were you angry so much?"
Wren was startled by Sunny's question but still he was impressed by Sunny's level of observation, he then answered the question with his own question:
"Was it that much visible?"
Sunny just shake his head in no, and said:
"Your face didn't showed it, but your grey eyes sure did it's work. But still, why were you angry this much?"
"Ah... I see. You see I saw very odious, vile, nasty yet a good dream and it was broken due to Cassie's whinings."
Sunny was dumbfounded. He looked at Wren, with a look that showed he didn't believe in Wren reason. Wren coughed and said:
"Ahem, we should hurry up and leave this annoying place."
Sunny nodded. He smirked and said:
"But before leaving, I have to return the hospitality this tree gave us."
***
Somehow, Nephis had managed to talk Cassie into following her and boarding the ghastly vessel. She probably had to lie about a lot of things, but Sunny didn't want to ask, afraid that his Flaw would ruin everything. Wren was waiting for the girls to board on the makeshift boat.
Once the girls were inside the boat, Sunny started to wrap his body into the shadow. But Wren stopped him in middle.
"Don't push yourself too much Sunny, go inside the boat I will push it."
Sunny didn't argue as his whole body was battered, every part of his body seemed to hurt in its own unique way. After Sunny was inside, Wren started to push the boat with his hands and the Dark Sea also helped him in it's own way to push the boat.
With a bland face, he strained his muscles and pushed the boat toward the black water.
As the last light of dusk disappeared, submerging the world into absolute darkness, the boat built from the bones of a demon slipped from the ashen sand into the cold embrace of the dark sea.
Following Sunny's instructions, Cassie aimed her staff and activated its enchantment, causing a strong gale to fill their modest sail.
At first, the boat moved slowly, the mast creaking under pressure. But Changing Star's craftsmanship was meticulous and reliable. The demon's spine held, and little by little, the small vessel began to gain speed. The Dark Sea also seemed to increase the pace of the boat.
Sunny sat at the stern, controlling the steering oar. In front of them, an endless expanse of black water stretched to the horizon, hiding indescribable horrors in its depths.
Behind them, the terrifying Soul Devouring Tree was slowly growing smaller.
Sunny stared at it, feeling a deep sense of regret grip his heart. He wished that he was powerful enough to destroy it. Leaving just like that, without exacting revenge on the ancient monster, filled him with anger.
Well... at least he left it a present.
Back at the Ashen Barrow, a candle was burning in a small alcove of stones that protected its flame from wind. Near the candle, a tall pile of dry, fallen leaves was towering over the alcove.
It had taken Sunny a long time to gather that pile. He had scoured most of the island, hoping to make it as tall as possible. He had also mixed dry seaweed and the remaining fat of the Carapace Demon into the leaves.
Some time later, the small candle was nearing the end of its life. Most of the wax had already melted, turning it even smaller. Just as the flame was about to go out, it ignited the leaves. After a few seconds, a massive, searing bonfire ignited in the middle of the island, illuminating the scarlet leaves of the evil tree. Almost instantly, the black waters surrounding the island surged with movement.
Sunny was already too far away to see any of it.
He didn't know if the creatures of the dark sea would be able to obliterate the Soul Devourer. He strongly doubted that the ancient fiend was that easy to destroy. However, with the Carapace Demon dead and the three humans meant to replace him gone, there was no one on the island to protect the gluttonous tree. Perhaps it would be seriously harmed, at least.
For now, it was the best he could do.
Looking back in the direction of the Ashen Barrow, Sunny gritted his teeth and thought:
'One day, I will become powerful enough to destroy that tree, these monsters, and anyone else who would dare to stand in my way. One day, I will become powerful enough to never be afraid again, of anyone or anything. Instead, all of them will fear me!'
He didn't notice that, just as he was thinking these words, Cassie suddenly raised her head and turned in his direction.
On her face, a dark expression appeared, soon erased by uncertainty and doubt.
Sunny might have not noticed but Wren did and he smirked:
'Looks like our little oracle, is back to her senses.'
***
In the absolute darkness, a small vessel was gliding on the black surface of a restless sea. Its mast, made of a demon's spine, was straining under the assault of the winds. In the eerie silence of this vast and lightless void, the swift boat cut through the waves like a blade.
No sounds could be heard except for the creaking of bones and the crashing of water against its polished metal hull.
Inside there were four humans, a young man with cold grey eyes and white hairs that were golden blonde at the tip was drowned in deep thoughts.
Wren recalled whatever he saw in his dream, he didn't understood why this was happening to him, there was one possibility he considered it was his relation to the Abyss and the God of Abyss.
What intrigued him was the Weaver, Wren was surprised that someone was able to enter the Void even Wren don't know it's relation. He didn't know who Weaver was and what was their purpose in the Abyssal Palace.
All he knew was that the God of Abyss is still alive unlike the other gods who were dead. After all Wren could feel his gaze in the dream which should not be possible, but then gods are not normal beings.
'This dream, the God of Abyss, Weaver how the hell I am related to these things. I couldn't even hear their conversation as if something was blocking me, then why the heck show me the dream. Who was this Weaver? How did he entered the Void? I don't know but that doesn't mean I can't find the answer. The Dream Realm must have some hidden clues.'
Then an unexpected thought appear in Wren's mind:
'The mask, it was so cool. Damnit, only if I could have something similar.'
Drown in these thoughts, Wren wasn't aware of his surroundings except the Dark Sea that much. He didn't pay attention to any of the people around him, what they did or if someone was crying while hugging a skeleton like human. He was also not aware of the piecing stare of the Changing Star.
He dismissed his thoughts. Soon, he grew aware of the Changing Star stare.
"If you want to ask something, just blurt it out."
Nephis coughed, and said:
"I noticed that you weren't affected from Enthrallment like us."
Wren nodded, and answered:
"I didn't tell you about an attribute of mine, it gives me soul and mind protection while also augmenting my physique."
A bit shocked, Nephis asked:
"What it's name?"
Sighing, he replied:
"It is called the [Blessing of V-"
But before he could finish, he stopped. Wren had sensed something moving fast towards them, his eyes widen and then He shouted:
"Everyone, brace yourself!!"
***
The disaster came unexpected, violently throwing them into a void of confusion. This time, Sunny had not felt anything approaching the boat. The danger simply appeared out of nowhere, leaving him no time to react.
One second, the black waters were calm and clear. The next, they were boiling with movement, grotesque tentacles rising from them and wrapping themselves around the hull of the boat.
Sunny tried to jump to his feet, but at that moment, the whole vessel was violently jerked to the side. Falling, he heard the moans of metal being bent and torn apart. Then, salty water filled his mouth.
Rising, he caught a glimpse of Nephis standing at the bow of the boat, her silver sword lashing out at the approaching tentacle. However, blinded by darkness, she failed to notice a different threat. Another tentacle twisted and coiled around her body...
Then, without even a scream, she was gone, dragged into the dark depths, with no hope to return. All that remained was a long blade stuck helplessly in the bulbous flesh of the massive tentacle.
Sunny's eyes widened in disbelief.
Everything happened so fast, Wren's warning had made them alert but it wasn't helpful that much.
"Sunny!"
"Save yourself and Cassie."
Wren voice echoed but Sunny couldn't see him.
"What about you?"
"I am going to save Nephis."
With that Wren disappeared in the Dark Sea, and Sunny was left alone to fight his inner demons.
***
'Hmm, let's see where is she, oh found her.'
Wren was currently diving in the Dark Sea, moving at the direction where the fearsome battle was taking place. The white flames were furiously burning, swaying the tentacles away, cutting them in process. Strangely, the Dark Sea was also avoiding the white flames, mentally sighing Wren augmented his legs and moved towards Nephis.
As he was drawing closer and closer to Nephis, the heat was increasing to a point it become unbearable. Wren had no choice but to cover himself in the darkness, his figure was covered by a dark armor that absorbed the heat.
Grabbing Nephis by her shoulder, he dragged her back only to be attacked by the burning white flames. His hand was cut off, leaving him only with his left hand. Nephis grey eyes were burning with furious white flames, Wren didn't understood why Nephis purposely attacked him but he had more important things to do. Using the other hand he grabbed Nephis by her hand that was holding the silver sword and threw her upwards.
Nephis was momentarily stunned, her white flames died.
'He threw me up?'
Wren turned his head toward the raging tentacles, a sword of darkness appeared on his hand as one of his eye turn pitch black.
A tentacle lashed toward him with astonishing speed, he jumped and then used the tentacle to propel himself the source of the tentacles.
Another tentacle came in his way but once again Wren dodged and used it propel himself deeper, and soon he reached the source of the grotesque tentacles.
A gargantuan skull that looked almost like that of a human, but simultaneously vastly different. Apart from the size, the shape of it was all wrong. If Wren had to describe what exactly was different about it, he would have trouble putting it into words, everything about the skull screamed of wrongness, malignity, and evil. But that wasn't the case the skull felt nothing like that in fact Wren seemed to like it's presence.
The vile aura it radiated was almost palpable to the touch. Wren suddenly felt good and strong, as if just looking at the gargantuan skull was seeping the life into him.
…The most prominent and obvious difference, though, was that the gargantuan skull had three eye sockets instead of two, the third one situated above the other ones, right in the middle of its forehead. Its canines were also more prominent and heavy than that of a human.
The lower jaw of the skull was missing, and it was from there that the seven gigantic tentacles protruded. Surprisingly, looking at the tentacles themselves did not have the same effect on Wren. To him, they look disgusting, making the skull look ugly.
"I hope you have collected enough power, Ark."
Wren other eye also turn pitch black, as Ark took control of the body. He raised his sword above, the black sword appear more dark, as if what in Ark's hand was not a sword of darkness but the Abyss itself had become the sword.
Ark slashed the sword vertically downward, following the attack was an black arc made up of darkness, the attack come in contact with the skull, cutting it clean along with the creature residing in it. A shriek full of pain echoed in the Dark Sea, following it was the melodious sound of the Spell.
[You have slain a fallen tyrant, Cursed Kraken.]
[Your Darkness spreads deeper.]
"My work is done."
With that Wren deactivated his Aspect, and let the Dark Sea help him to move upward. Going with the flow of the Dark Sea, he reached a stone hand.
***
Sunny was on guard, after the Changing Star sudden appearance on the stone hand. But Wren was nowhere to see, he asked Nephis who had suffered many injuries, they were not life threatening, but it was hard to see them and not vomit.
"Where is Wren?"
Changing Star looked at him, with one of her eyes and said, her voice shaky and hoarse:
"He.. he is down there... fighting the monster."
Sunny eyes widened in shock, he remembered his first conversation with Wren after he had returned. Wren said he will protect them and he is.
'Why to go such lengths?'
They waited and waited, Changing Star's wounds had already healed, revealing her skin. Soon a loud shriek full of pain and agony was echoed from the Dark Sea, all of them were shocked as they heard the sound.
Sunny hesitated for a moment, then said:
"It was the Nightmare Creature, right?"
He looked toward Cassie and Nephis, who simply gave him a nod.
'Damnation'
After the loud sound, there was no other sound only silence. Which was broken by a subtle sound coming from the dark waves, that attracted the attention of everyone. Nephis raised her silver sword, but Sunny stopped her.
"What is it?"
Sunny didn't answered, instead another voice did.
"Hey!! can you help me, I don't have one of my arms."
Sunny climbed down, from the base of index finger.
"How do you feel?"
Wren smirked.
"I feel like shit."
Sunny give his hand to support Wren, taking Sunny's hand Wren stood up.
"Why didn't you heal your wounds?"
"Well, two reasons. One is that I can't, it will take time to for my Aspect to heal it. Second, I have to show it to my attacker."
Sunny was visibly confused, he understood that Wren was mentally strained to use his Aspect but he didn't understood his second reason.
"An attacker?"
"Yeah, our little Changing Star attacked me when I tried to save her and it was purposely."
Sunny stopped in middle.
"What?"
Wren shrugged.
"Don't look at me like that, even I don't know why she did it."
Sighing, Sunny and Wren started to climb, with Sunny supporting Wren to climb easily. Soon, they reached the base of the index finger. Standing there were Nephis and Cassie.
***
Nephis had many thoughts about Wren, there were emotions too. Fear, jealously and now... Regret though it was only a little bit. The latter had saved her, while she made his chances of survival less. Still, she knew he will survive and he did. He was standing in front of her, using Sunny as a support.
Wren smirked at her.
"It seems your Aspect has healed you."
Nephis stared at him, then sighed.
"Come here, let me heal your hand."
But Wren didn't, he just stared at her.
"There is no need for feeling sorry, but I hope you do tell me your reasons. Also don't burn your "Pristine Soul" to heal my wound."
Nephis was stunned. Wren moved away to rest while whistling.
'How? How did he knew my Flaw?'
Sitting comfortably, Wren said:
"I think it is the right time, to tell my story and about my First Nightmare."
"I was an orphan...