[TWS] Chapter 313 – The Origins of the Night

“You again!” Civienne abruptly stood up from her seat. “You seem to know exactly when to show yourself!”

“Indeed.” The dark-skinned woman nodded. “That tends to happen when your main talent lies in observation.”

“More like stalking,” Miria murmured under her nose.

“Sit down. There’s no need to be so rude.” Althea took hold of the queen’s wrist and gently pulled her down before turning to the newcomer. “I don’t believe we’ve personally met before. Though, I did hear that your assistance was crucial in saving the Tree and my life. My name is Althea, but I assume you already know that.”

“Abyss. At least for the group here.” The mysterious lady nodded softly.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Abyss. I wasn’t sure if I would get that chance with how fleeting your presence seems to be.” Althea graced her with a welcoming smile. “Would you perhaps like to join us? It sounds like you have more information that you could share with us. Let me bring you a chair.”

“I’m sure we would have chanced upon each other eventually if you planned to accompany Asterios,” Abyss replied calmly. “And there’s no need for an additional chair. I’ll manage.”

Everyone watched as she floated over the wooden floor atop the black cloud swirling at about the height of her ankles, leaving an ominous trail of dark purple droplets of some unrecognizable liquid that evaporated shortly after hitting the ground. She arrived at a free spot on Althea’s other side and sat down, confusing them greatly.

The thing was, just as Althea had implied, the table lacked a chair. Abyss completely ignored that fact and assumed a position closely resembling that of a sitting person, her knees bent at about perfect ninety degrees and her back straight, with her hands joined together over the table’s surface. It did not look like she was having any issues staying, or rather sitting, like that.

For a moment, literally everyone on Ast’s side tilted their heads to the side like one body and mind just enough to catch a peek of the area under the table. To their wonder and amusement, there was nothing upholding the woman’s figure, just as they partially expected. Not wanting to stare too long and act inappropriately, they quickly straightened up and focused on the puzzling lady in front of them.

“As for the information,” Abyss continued without paying any attention to their reactions, “I might be bringing something more than just that to the table this time.”

“Oh, joy. Do you have some kind of an interactive puzzle for us instead of super vague and cryptic riddles?” Grea snorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

If Abyss took any offense to the snappy quip, she definitely didn’t show it, turning her endlessly deep eyes filled with swirling, purplish shade to the demon woman for just a fraction of a moment.

“Unfortunately, I did not. I had not expected you to enjoy solving such trinkets but I will take note of that for the future,” she responded, and even though her voice lacked any specific emotion, everyone could tell that her words were meant as a tease. “The reason behind my visit is much simpler and less cryptic. I’m here to ask for a favor.”

“I knew you would one day come back expecting compensation for your aid, however enigmatic it was.” Civienne sent her a light side glare. “There is no such thing as free help without some hidden objective.”

“Perhaps you are halfway correct.” Abyss turned to her. “But if I was looking for compensation, I would have come to request you return the favor rather than ask for it, would I not?”

The queen had no reply to her counter and decided to remain silent. Especially since Althea was starting to give her the look again. The woman wasn’t exactly wrong. She hadn’t demanded anything. Yet, at least.

Finishing her staring contest with Civienne, Abyss turned her attention to Asterios. “Perhaps it would be best for me to start from the very beginning.”

“Go on.” Asterios gestured at her to share her story.

“At first, it began as nothing more than just a curious spike of contaminated energy that could potentially turn out to be a leak straight from the Void. Thankfully, I wasn’t in the middle of anything important, so I ventured out right away, aiming to arrive at the site of the incident and confirm it for myself. That kind of energy is very similar to one that I’m closely familiar with for the reason I’m about to disclose soon, so I couldn’t ignore this opportunity to study whatever was happening,” she began.

Ast’s group realized decently fast that she was talking about the contaminated summoning circle they had dealt with near Glimmervale. Due to John’s action, it had gone out of control and began spewing out weird void-touched beasts and monsters. Asterios had to face off with a quite scary-looking one before the girls closed the tear in the realm that was summoning the invaders.

“By some unlucky fate, I arrived too late, with the source of the energy already sealed shut,” Abyss continued. “But, thankfully, through that completely random encounter, I found something extremely unexpected. Which to say wasn’t a True Dragon with two opposing lineages and a torn-out Heart, but something that accompanied him. And still does. I know you are there, little shadow. You can’t hide from me.”

Everyone’s gazes transferred to Asterios too as Umbra’s raven form took shape atop his shoulder.

~Do I know you?~ he asked, tilting his head in various directions. ~I apologize, but after millennia, one tends to forget many of their encounters. Though, I do feel like this one would have been quite hard to miss.~

“Oh, trust me, I’m aware.” She showed the faintest hint of a little smirk at the corner of her mouth. “But alas, no, you most likely don’t. Neither do I know you, personally. Not in the way you would expect, at the very least. We’ll get there in a moment.”

A tense few seconds passed between the weird lady and Ast’s shadowy familiar before she once more addressed Asterios directly.

“After our brief introductions, I decided to keep an eye on your pair and the connection you two share. I must say, it’s been an entertaining time. A delightful show full of adventure, twists and turns, and long-awaited revelations which I have not experienced in ages. At the same time, I did learn more of what was my main purpose in following your group and found it equally fascinating. At that moment, it was still far off, much farther than I would have thought, but the first sparks of a plan began forming in my mind,” she added.

“You were there with us in my realm?” Bryn asked with a clearly surprised tone. “How did you make it there? Or through all the seals and barriers around the Spire?”

“The places I can’t get into are close to none,” Abyss replied confidently, but then her swirling eyes slowed their enchanting rotations a little bit. “With some of those also being the ones I desire to reach the most.”

“That’s crazy.” Grea huffed. “All this time, you could have helped us? Made it so much easier?”

“Perhaps,” was what she received in response. “But you were doing rather well on your own. And as I mentioned many times before, I do not intervene, I observe.”

“Which isn’t exactly what you are doing right now,” Ast’s crimson-skinned partner fired back.

“I’m getting there.” Abyss rotated her face to match hers. “I would have thought you possessed a little bit more patience as a fellow researcher.”

“Yeah? Then you clearly don’t know my family.” Grea smirked.

“Clearly,” the lady agreed. “I’ve mostly seen you frolicking with Asterios and your bond sisters, for which you certainly lack the patience, but I risked an assumption that your scientific endeavors were a bit more… less messy.”

“It might look like that, but she gets very professional when she finally gets to it,” Asterios commented as a rare shade of darker red tinged her cheeks. “Each genius to their own as they say.”

“Wise words.” She nodded at him.

“And your second appearance, was it part of that plan of yours?” Silvia addressed her for the first time during the conversation.

“Not at first. It was just another lucky development which sped up my little scheme as your feline friend might call it,” Abyss answered while Miria wrinkled her nose in her direction. “I listened in on your talk regarding your draconic abilities and one particular detail caught my eye. The curious thing you did with your claw. It was then that I cursed myself for not noticing earlier and not making an effort to earn a little more of your trust during our first meeting. Then, a chance to show my sincerity arrived just a moment later, where I attempted to aid you in return for the received information while not intervening much with your life.”

“Depending on how you look at it, you certainly had an influence on our direction,” Selene commented, somewhat amused by her unusual stance.

“It was just a little nudge. A hint. It was up to you to figure it out. You would have come to the same conclusion without it too. Your actions did not change. They only took place a little earlier,” the lady explained.

“Alright. Let’s agree that’s true.” Asterios smirked. “I’m fairly sure we’ve arrived at the end of your brief tale. And we know you are interested in my power to tear through the fabric of dimensions. What is that goal of yours, then?”

“It’s definitely much simpler than you think.” She twirled her fingers and positioned her hand palm-up. “Revenge.”

~Wha—~

Umbra’s shocked exclamation was abruptly cut off as his shadowy form lost most of its shape and flowed across the table, gathering above the weird lady’s hand as a misty ball of darkness. Everyone tensed up momentarily as Ast’s crimson eyes glinted ferociously, but she raised her other palm to placate them.

“You see, there was once a not-so-young entity that loved to study things and experiment with the knowledge and power she gathered. She traveled many words and met many people, expanding her horizons greatly over countless centuries. She usually worked alone, but one day, she met a very like-minded being that seemed to share her sentiments. After they collaborated together for quite a while, she decided to introduce him to her greatest creation, still in its infant state,” Abyss brought up another story, her fingers affectionately stroking the orb of darkness.

Asterios could tell that Umbra was alright so he held back, listening to her words attentively. They weren’t yet sure what exactly she wanted and if it involved their friend, but at least Umbra didn’t feel any pain or discomfort.

Quite the opposite, actually. He was… peaceful and relaxed.

“But, that proved to be one of her biggest mistakes,” she continued with a slightly firmer tone. “He was never interested in her side of research. On the contrary, he secretly despised it and everything connected to her affinity. He put on a mask to get closer to her and strike where it hurts, aiming to save the universe from her darkness once and for all.”

Grea’s expression softened, most likely even without her even realizing it. Perhaps she sympathized with Abyss, finding some kind of a connection between them. Asterios knew that she too had experienced her fair share of smaller or bigger betrayals related to her passion. Especially after the horrible incident.

“Through his treachery, he sealed the pocket realm she created and blocked all the ways she could interact with it, locking it shut forever. He knew he could not catch up with her if she went running so he gloated over his victory over her before disappearing back to his homeworld,” Abyss said, letting Umbra’s raven shape reform atop her palm. “She tried everything to get it back, but it didn’t take long for her to realize that it was a lost cause because of their opposing affinities. So, she moved on, mourning the fate of the lives she’d created and would never be able to watch grow up and evolve.”

No one said anything for a good while, taking in the story each on their own. Umbra was the first one to break the silence.

~This is… impossible.~

“I thought so too, little shadow.” She gently patted his head with her delicate finger, causing his misty figure to shiver lightly all over. “But here we are. Perhaps fate was yet to smile at me again.”

~You… created me? Us?~ he asked in bewilderment.

“Do you think I would not recognize my children? Even if they are not exactly the same beings I nurtured at the very beginning? You are still part of me, even if the seal is trying its best to hide that connection. It looks like a specific combination of unique circumstances weakened it for this single, individual case and somehow allowed you to escape your prison for longer than a fleeting moment,” Abyss explained.

“Umbra did mention that some calls pierced through the seal now and then,” Miria commented, recalling their first encounter.

“But it has always been temporary,” Selene added.

“That is true,” Abyss confirmed. “What I lacked was a permanent solution. Temporary ones were plenty, but none could achieve the result I longed for. At least until now.”

“It’s so hard to believe,” Tina said, shaking her head gently. “You say you pretty much created Umbra’s world and his very existence? Wouldn’t that make you a god? Or rather, a goddess?”

“Gods are just entities more powerful than most that can influence more than just a continent or a realm,” the god-like lady replied casually.

“Then, from what I understand, you are seeking help to take down that other god, is that right?” Asterios rubbed his chin, still observing Umbra.

“And to break into the Nethernight Realm with the aim of destroying whatever he had set up in there that seals it away from the universe,” Abyss added. “I’m not exactly combat-oriented, as you can imagine after our few interactions. Additionally, our opposing elements put me at an even bigger disadvantage. But, a True Dragon of your caliber, with such a diverse entourage, could make a great difference.”

“No offense, but that sounds more like two requests,” Althea chimed in after her and Civienne’s long silence.

“It might look like that, but they are one in the truest sense.” The mocha-skinned lady turned to them. “The seal will definitely come undone when he is gone, but it certainly would be safer to have an army of darkness to clash against his light rather than risk it by going in alone and hoping it’s enough.”

“Are we really being recruited into a war between two gods?” Tina leaned into Ast’s ear and whispered.

“Don’t forget some of you have been continuously teasing me by calling me one.” He shrugged lightly with a wry smile and refocused on Abyss. “I have a question. After learning that my ability to tear through the fabric of dimensions could work, which Umbra and I can actually confirm does, why didn’t you look for an older, more mature True Dragon to cooperate with, one that has already mastered that skill, like Red for example?”

“And do you think they would listen to my request?” She barely raised a single brow at him.

“Fair enough.” Asterios chuckled.

“As you can imagine, they would have most likely demanded my subservience at least, attempted to enslave me at worst,” Abyss said what they all thought. “You are different. And while I like to experiment, I hate to take completely unnecessary and uncontrolled risks. I have time and patience. Lots of it. That’s why I would like to offer you my knowledge about traversing the universe and help you develop your ability in return for this favor of mine.”

“Looks like you might have just found a much better mentor than some sheltered Dragon who hasn’t seen the world in ages.” Althea smiled at him softly.

The shadowy woman turned to her. “Fear not. Your position is not in danger. I know a lot, but I don’t know everything. Also, I do not intend to stay around after my request is fulfilled. I do not want to intervene in your journeys and future.”

“How is it different right now?” Miria frowned adorably.

“I’m personally involved in this matter,” Abyss replied. “It has originated from me, and will end with me. Your involvement in my life is my own decision and a variable I’m willing to once more add to it. Past that, I don’t want to poison your personal progress. You won’t grow if I hold your hand throughout your life.”

“Going by that belief, there is a certain threshold at which we would have grown strong enough for you not to view our mutual interactions as detrimental interference, no?” Silvia pondered out loud.

“I guess there is.” Abyss nodded at her. “It’s a bit more complex than just that but it’s definitely part of a whole. There might be things and interactions that I wouldn’t deem harmful like our previous encounters. But to lend you all of my knowledge and abilities, yes.”

“It’s not like we are friends already either. It’s closer to working together over a problem with mutual benefits,” Selene pointed out.

“That’s right.” The peculiar woman refocused on Asterios. “That’s why, let me put this in simple words after that lengthy explanation. If you agree to help me get into my sealed realm, get rid of the seal, and take down the one who betrayed me, I’ll see that your ability to cross realms develops into its best form as quickly as possible.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Grea waved her hands in the air, capturing everyone’s attention. “That’s not really a fair deal, is it? You are teaching him the skill that helps you get what you want. We don’t exactly need this ability right now and Asterios will definitely figure it out on his own with some time. Especially with Althea’s help. He is getting nothing out of this.”

Abyss remained silent for a moment, clearly pondering over her words.

“What you say appears to be true,” she finally replied with the same, unbothered calmness. “Then, let me offer you my insight into that memory issue your group is still facing. I obviously haven’t seen the seal itself yet, but I know enough from your conversations that I should be able to aid your research. Maybe even completely take it down alongside you and your father.”

“Then do it first,” Grea fired back. “There’s a high chance it will make him stronger. Show some of that sincerity you mentioned before.”

“I’m afraid I could not ensure that you would show proper dedication to my cause after that’s done,” Abyss countered.

“Do you really consider my words and oaths this brittle?” Asterios asked, a little bit hurt. “I would have thought you learned otherwise over the course of your observation.”

“Not in the slightest.” She shook her head. “But, it could reveal something that might cause you to immediately reassess your priorities and force you to chase after whatever new information you might have chanced upon, possibly delaying the completion of my request indefinitely.”

“That’s fair,” he agreed.

“As I said before, I’m not in a hurry. You can take as much time as you need, continuing with your other plans and journeys in the meanwhile. I would just hate to lose sight of this rare opportunity and once more be shrouded by the unknown,” Abyss added.

“Are we going to need to wage a war with another nation when we come after that god?” Silvia asked.

“I think the concept of a god from your realm’s stories is putting a somewhat exaggerated image in front of your eyes,” the mocha-skinned lady answered. “He does not rule over some world or kingdom. My little experiment was quite unique, you see. He didn’t seem like the type to attract followers either. He is still most likely alone, possibly continuing to search for those dabbling with the powers of darkness, Void, and Abyss to trick them into some elaborate scheme.”

They all looked at each other in Ast’s group, sharing a quick thought about their current situation. More help with his origins, abilities, and the seal was welcome, but it also came at some risk. And he wasn’t exactly obliged to accept the request either.

“Well, whatever we do or do not, if we end up on a sightseeing trip in Umbra’s creepy realm of eternal darkness, I’m sitting that one out,” Grea finally said, rocking her chair back while joining her hands behind her head. “I’m just some weak-ass demon slut in comparison to y’all, and while the recent adventures were like the most fun months of my life, I’ve been away from my little hidey-hole for far too long.”

“Hidey-hole?” Asterios smirked at her.

“You see, every castle needs a Dragon and a Princess.” She grinned at him. “And you already have the first part covered so I’m gonna play the role of the fair maiden and shut myself down in my lab working on your seal with my papi. The chocolate chick here might not be willing to contribute, but you know that it won’t stop me from trying my best for you where I’m best at.”

“It might be a good idea for me to stay behind too,” Bryn joined in.

“How so?” He glanced at his winged lover.

“My main affinity is light. I can only imagine how much attention I would bring to us if I showed up there. It would be like a mighty beacon in the darkest night,” she explained her reasoning. “I also should spend a little more time in the environment I’m best at and take care of my people. I would like to see if I can’t maybe convince them to come under you, Master. If you succeed at developing that realm-tearing ability, it will be nothing short of salvation for us. I know you would kindly do the right thing and help us out for the sake of it, but I think it would be improper to accept that kindness with nothing in return. And as you might be aware, my people are getting slightly bored of being able to fight only the Scourge and each other.”

“I hope you are not planning on becoming the Sky Queen on your own and not taking us along on that adventure, Bryn.” Miria squinted at her accusatively.

The Valkyrie chuckled quietly. “I wouldn’t dream of that, Miria. I swear to take you all with me on the journey to gain the favor of all the Councils.”

“Good.” The panthergirl nodded to herself with a beaming smile. “We can make you the queen of your world and then bind the valkyrjas to Master together.”

Asterios rubbed his eyes at the thought of that but decided not to comment.

Instead, he sighed lightly and glanced up at Abyss. “In any way, we would like some time to think this request over. I hope you understand.”

“Of course.” She nodded. “I’m aware that I interrupted you at a quite important moment. I apologize for that. There’s no need to rush into a decision right away, or anytime soon. Let me know whenever you would like to talk and I’ll be with you in a flash. Please, take your well-earned rest and continue with your immediate plans for as long as you wish.”

He nodded back and the uninvited guest disappeared in a torrent of swirling black fog, this time, without a fleeting chuckle. Umbra’s raven form fell to the table and he skipped to the center while securing his landing, still clearly in shock.

~What in tarnation has just happened…?~ He tilted his head so hard his neck would have definitely snapped if he was a real bird.

They all could only feel sympathy for their shadowy friend.