Wren worked up early, his eyes were drowsy from waking up early but what he can do, It was his job after all.
He used his one hand to slick his hair back, and left his bed, he used a water memory to wash himself. Then he summoned the Plotter's Cloak around his body, he sighed and walked out of the door of his makeshift shelter.
On his arrival, many voices greeted him but all of them contained few key words "Butler of Lady Changing Star".
This was his disguise in the dark city, this job had it's own pros and cons. Such as he had became a good cook, nobody bothered him much but the main disadvantage was...
'Why I have to wake up early everyday, gods this job will kill me from sleep deprivation.'
It turns out, that Wren was a sleepy head. Something that didn't match his personality he now understood why Sunny had said this might be not a good idea. Remembering Sunny, he was lost in his thoughts for a few moments...
'It's been months since he had disappeared from here, I wonder how much he had grown in strength'
Wren sighed and summoned his own runes, considering he hadn't been able to hunt much not that they killing or absorbing soul shards gave him much Void Fragments to fill his Void Heart.
Name: Wren.
True Name: Heir of Abyss.
Rank: Dreamer.
Void Heart: Dormant.
Void Fragments: [498/1000].
Attributes: [Blessing Of Void], [Wanderer's Eye], [Curse to Divinity], [Prince of Darkness], [Bounded], [Dark Lord Astaroth].
Aspect: [King Of Abyss].
Aspect Rank: [Divine].
There were many things to focus on such as new memories but what Wren mostly stared at was his Aspect Legacy that had made him disappear from the face of the Dream Realm.
Aspect Legacy: [Key of Abyss]
Aspect Legacy Description: [The God's who rebelled against their own birthplace, couldn't understand it's own nature neither they could become it's Heir. After the Void was sealed, It's God who had find his real Heir had tore his a piece of his soul to create this key, to ensure that his Heir gain the power he is destined for.]
Relic of Abyss gained: [1/8]
First Relic: Claimed
Second Relic: Unearned
Third Relic: Unearned
Fourth Relic: Unearned
Fifth Relic: Unearned
Sixth Relic: Unearned
Seventh Relic: Unearned
Eighth Relic: Unearned
The First Relic he gained was a memory, [The Grace of Cruelty], a black bracelet made of scales, most likely these scale belong to a reptilian creature, that was what Wren thought. Staring at the bracelet on his hand he sighed, he wanted to understand It's abilities more but now was not the time. He had to plan more things for the siege.
He walked to a nearby resident of outer settlement and asked politely maintaining his Butler persona:
"I hope I haven't disturbed you from doing your work, but can you please tell me where my Lady is? I haven't been able to find her since this morning."
The old man turned towards him and replied with respect and said:
"I have been informed that she was last seen to be moving toward the memory market."
Giving the old man a nod, Wren turned around and went straight to the headquarters.
In front of him was a table with several notes and names, also few places they had marked with the help of Cassie visions. Looking at them he frowned, and then cursed.
'I knew it! Gunlaug will not stay silent when we will leave this place, considering that there is this path and this, yeah we might have to go through this zone. Well this place is really shitty.'
Wren was thinking more scenarios that could happen and he was slowly getting the vague idea of what Gunlaug was planning and what his methods are going to be.
'I will discuss it with Cassie later, they are going to come here for the meeting anyway.'
***
On the way out of the castle, Kai was strangely silent. Sunny didn't mind, because he had a lot to think about.
Going back to that lodge... there were a lot of things there that he had hoped to never see, feel, or experience again. For a moment, he even thought about rushing straight back to his cathedral without making good on his promise.
But why should he? It's not like he asked to be invited back. Nephis was the one who wanted his help with something.
'Just pretend like you don't care. Also, demand to be compensated for whatever it is they want you to do. You're an outsider now, and your services won't be cheap.'
While Sunny was busy in his conflict, the beautiful archer was confused, to clear this confusion he asked:
"Sunny... why did you want me to come with you, really?"
Sunny sighed. Glancing at the charming archer, he hesitated, then said:
"I want you to tell me if I'm being lied to."
Kai frowned.
"I thought that Lady Nephis was your friend. Why are you so wary of her?"
Sunny chuckled.
Was she a friend? Even he didn't know what exactly the two of them were to each other. Worse yet, he wasn't sure what they would become.
"She's the kind of friend you don't really want to lower your guard around."
He lingered for a moment, then added:
"There's also a guy called Caster. He's the one I especially don't trust."
The archer raised his eyebrows.
"I've heard only good things about Caster. Why him specifically?"
Sunny cast a sideways glance at him and scowled.
To be honest, Caster hadn't really done anything to deserve his hostility. But there just was something about the proud Legacy that gave Sunny a familiar feeling.
He was too perfect. In Sunny's experience, only people with bad intentions were capable of appearing so flawless. Perhaps he was wrong, but the policy of always assuming the worst had too clean of a track record to be abandoned now.
"He just gives me the creeps."
Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Kai shrugged and followed Sunny into the lodge.
The headquarters of Changing Star's hunting party had changed a lot since his last visit. It had already looked pretty presentable back when he was a member, but now, the lodge was much more impressive.
The first thing that caught the eye was that it had grown much bigger. During the months of his absence, additional structures were built to expand it both horizontally and vertically. Now, it was by far the largest building in the outer settlement, almost starting to resemble a small town hall.
It was heavily fortified, too, especially from the side that faced the white road. A couple of lookouts were visible on the roof, observing the ruins below. They were wearing armor-type Memories and holding bows in their hands.
It was a far cry from how things were before.
Inside, a lot of people were busy with various tasks. Sunny froze for a moment, disoriented by all the activity. He almost felt as though he had somehow mistakenly returned to the castle.
The reason for it was not the neat and tastefully decorated interior, with warm carpets covering the stone floor and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone walls. No, the main difference was in how the people here comported themselves
The rot of hopelessness was almost gone from their eyes, replaced with energy and vigor. Sunny frowned.
'Why hasn't Gunlaug put an end to all this yet?'
From everything that he saw, Nephis was almost asking to be destroyed. How was all of this possible?
His grim thoughts were disrupted by a young woman who greeted them with a smile.
"Welcome! Can I help you with something?"
Sunny stared at the smiling girl, trying to remember if he knew her. No one came to mind. Trying to remove the scowl from his face, he answered in a flat tone:
"Neph is expecting me."
The young woman blinked.
"Uh... sorry. Who is Neph?"
Sunny rolled his eyes.
"Sorry. Lady Nephis is expecting me. You know... Changing Star of the Immortal Flame Clan?"
The young woman's eyes widened.
"Oh! I see. Let me show you the way..."
Sunny wanted to return that he knew the way, but truth be told, he wasn't sure that he did. With all the changes that happened to the lodge, he had no idea where things were.
On their way, they passed the tiny room that used to belong to him. Just as they were walking by, Sunny glanced inside and saw that it was now home to someone else.
In fact, he recognized a couple of things that the new owner left on the narrow cot. They were Caster's. A corner of his mouth curled upward.
'Figures.'
It seemed as though he was thoroughly replaced by the scion of the Han Li clan. Well, whatever. The cot was not very comfortable anyway, unlike his luxurious wide bed in the hidden chamber of the cathedral.
Finally, the young woman led them to the area that used to be the central hall of the old lodge. Now, it was separated from the rest of it by a thick wall, with a sturdy wooden door barring the way inside.
Sunny took a deep breath, then walked in.
He had imagined that moment a lot of times in the past.
...Granted, he never thought that his reunion with the cohort would happen in the presence of an unreasonably attractive, washed-out pop star. But still.
Inside the room, a wide window opened onto an eerily breathtaking view of the Dark City. On the wall beside it, a map of the ruins was littered with various markings that contained valuable information. They seemed to be much denser than before.
There was a large wooden table beside the window, around which stood seven makeshift chairs. Currently, only two were occupied.
Effie was sitting on one, her feet unceremoniously resting on the table. As always, she looked extremely comfortable and relaxed. On the chair next to her, a beautiful blind girl was cradling a cup in her delicate hands. It was Cassie.
Nephis and Caster stood near the map, discussing something with each other. While Nephis's butler, Wren was standing behind them, Sunny noticed him, and Wren also matched his gaze and smiled, however his eyes appeared darker.
'Yeah he is angry, that smile and his creepy eyes shows it.'
Sunny didn't showed it on his face, and put a brave face and grinned.
"Oh, so many familiar faces. Hi, everyone. No need to say how much you missed me. Anyway, this is Kai. Kai, say hi to everyone these are Wren, Cassie, Caster, and Effie. You already know Nephis."
Giving him a strange look, the charming archer smiled dazzlingly and said in his stupidly beautiful voice:
"Uh... hello. Lady Nephis, Wren, Cassie, Caster, huntress Athena... it's very nice to meet you."
Cassie giggled.
"Huh, you won't believe it guys, I thought I just heard Night from Nightingale say my name. Crazy, right?"
Kai blinked.
"Oh, sorry. I am Night from Nightingale, actually."
Effie leaned forward and extended one arm.
Cassie's face, meanwhile, grew deathly pale. An expression of utter terror appeared on it. Her hands trembled, and the cup she was holding fell from them.
Catching the cup just a moment before it hit the floor, Effie sighed and shook her head.
"Every time... this happens every time..."
Sunny furrowed his brow and glanced at the beautiful archer with disdain.
'Oh come on! Was that reaction really necessary?!'
***
'Hmm, is this Night some strong fellow?'
Wren who was isolated from the Waking World most times, was of course wasn't aware of the beautiful artist in front of him.
Wren was staring at the ceiling, thinking about the description of his Aspect Legacy.
'The God's originated from the Void, and they were the one who sealed it but didn't Weaver visited the Void, then does it mean it is not unsealed now and first of all why did they seal it? And what makes me special that the God of Abyss chose me as his heir when I am an mortal unlike those Gods although they died too. Astaroth told me few things about the Void, those creatures, and where will I find him but this origin of Gods no he didn't told me anything like that.'
He stared at his hand, [The Grace of Cruelty] it was supposed to be wear on both hands alas, Wren is single handed currently due to certain someone. He had read it's description and the enchantments although few require essence to be used. The runes read:
Memory: [The Grace of Cruelty] [Sealed].
Memory Rank: Divine.
Memory Tier: VII.
Memory Type: unknown.
Memory Description: [The one of -unknown- who was the most ancient one, even ancient then the Gods crafted this accessory for his heir using the scales of reptilian being residing in the Void, however to send it to his heir another hand helped him, it was none other than Weaver, the Demon of Fate.]
'All of this had shocked me three months ago but now it doesn't matter, although I am still surprise that this memory powers are sealed and who knew how Weaver helped the God of Abyss in creating this memory.'
He further studies the description and then moved towards the enchantments.
Memory enchantments: [Semi Sentient],[???],[???],[Keeper of Void].
Enchantment: [Semi Sentient].
Enchantment Description: [This memory possess partial sentience, thus is loyal to it's master and cannot be transferred neither it can be taken off.]
The second and third enchantment requires essence and thus cannot be used by Wren currently. The fourth one however, was a strange enchantment.
Enchantment: [Keeper of Void].
Enchantment Description: [It can store Void Fragments.]
Fragments Stored: [23/∞]
This enchantment was a strange one, Wren didn't clearly understand It's purpose.
'Storing the Void Fragments? Is this supposed to be some kind of backup for me? Well if it is, then this is good. I wonder if the other two enchantments are more good than these.'
Wren had these thoughts when he first read these enchantments, they were somewhat good. What mainly intrigued him was the memory type, it was written unknown and maybe it is considering the enchantment were different from each other.
'The [Semi Sentient] enchantment can be considered for a garment type memory and the [Keeper of Void] would be tool type memory then the other two might be an armor and charm or weapon type memory.'
Wren was satisfied with the theory and with Sunny being trapped with that glutinous woman Effie for a week.
'Serves that asshole right.'
Honestly, it felt refreshing.
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Author here, so I am back well not completely as I would be busy in my studies well mostly for 6-7 hours a day, so the chapters that will be uploaded are usually going to be around 1.5-2.5k not more than that and I will try to finish this arc as fast as I could, well if you have any question regarding the story or Wren please ask. Oh the next chapter will come tomorrow or a day after for sure and give a name for thi chapter please -_- .