God From The Abyss

Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Chaos Everywhere!

"Stand down, Valerian," the Duke repeated after he stood up.

He turned to Mikael, the shock and surprise in his mind barely visible to everyone in the now destroyed hall.

He was a Sage Rank magic knight, versed in both spells and sword art, but somehow a mere Master Rank lad had managed to best him in a bout, though he never went all out.

But still. It normally took up to three Grandmaster Ranks, experienced and well versed to be able to beat a Sage Rank!

So how Mikael kept up with him was a mystery to him and the rest, especially in close quarters combat.

Duke Alan, however, noticed that the aura around the lad had changed as soon as the scythe he called Ragnarok appeared. He wondered whether the weapon was a relic, from times of old, judging by its capabilities and it’s disturbing aura and terrifying look.

If so, he was very sure that Mikael would never for the life of him, sell it to anybody.

"It was just a sparring session," the Duke said to calm nerves. Looking at Mikael, he knew the lad was somewhat injured, from his breathing to his posture, probably the price of said boost in power from earlier, so capturing him wouldn’t be difficult.

Then again, he seriously considered against it, as he knew that the most dangerous beasts, were the ones who were wounded and felt cornered. There was no telling what he would do, just to escape.

’ But if I play my cards right, he just might be an asset,’ Alan mused.

The open night sky filled with stars spun and the table beneath his feet seemed to be curling inwards into nothing.

The next pain came from his heart that felt like it had been sliced in half and the blade still stuck there as the first vomit- of only red liquid left his mouth in great quantities, before coming in batches!

The liquid also seemed to have decided that the mouth was nowhere near enough to let it flow freely and so they fell in streams from the the nose and the ears, meanwhile the pounding in his head became deafening.

And in ten seconds, Mikael’s body couldn’t handle it all and fell from atop the table, from the overload and was shuddering as he slowly lost consciousness.

The pain at the moment was unlike getting stabbed earlier by the young lady’s knight, which was the most painful thing he’d experience since he arrived on the world of men. It was maddening, the pain, another novel experience he hadn’t calculated or prepared for!

And at the worst moment possible, the boy tall and proud, had fallen. Before his foes he fell, with no way to even will the flesh he wore to arise!

And thus began the delayed backlash.

* * * * *

"Ragnarok’s energy manifested in the mortal realm not long ago but it vanished as soon as it did and we cannot trace it to anywhere! What do you think it means, Seraphiel?"

"Whatever it means, it can’t be good. Do you think we should inform the Goddess?"

A new voice, grim as it was deep, entered the discussion. "Do you think the Goddess hasn’t found out? Since she’s doing nothing about it, it means it’s nothing to stress over. Leave this matter to us, and go your way."

"Very well."

+ + + + + +

The worn out, velvet curtains caught fire, causing panic and chaos on top floor of the brothel, with the girls and the boys of the trade, trying to rush down. No Awakened normally entered this kind of circle so the fire, albeit small and not that threatening, could not be put out that quickly. No one wanted a scar on their bodies, not even by a little hence, the running helter skelter.

Lily however, remained smiling and unfazed as the chaos around flared. She’d never witness an awakening of a Marked one so she knew not what to believe was right or what was going wrong.

They had been in sorrow just minutes ago when the Mark had appeared and they had been rejoicing when suddenly Nyx had collapsed, gasping and there was suddenly flames all around her, which meant her affinity was fire!

And the fire had spread to the curtains, leading to the ensuing panic.

It was general knowledge among the common folks that whoever awakened with a mark was regarded as geniuses as their ascension speed was faster and smoother compared to normal awakeners!

But one of the downsides was that the Empire usually swooped down to whisk said individuals away, into its private army and they were never to be seen.

Unfortunately for the Empire, but luckily for the people, the occurrence of a Marked Awakened was believed to be around just twelve per three hundred thousand newly awakened. Not a rarity, but still minority.

So based on that, Lily refused to call in the professional awakeners, the priests, not wanting for the child’s freedom to be taken as soon as it was just given her by the Goddess she’d loved and prayed to so much.

"That’s it, child. Feel your new life begin."

Lanterns continued to flicker and dim. Her once dead eyes finally had a ray of light and hope in them.She sat there, her red dress seeming to revel with the colours of the flames around her.

The matron rushed in a fit of rage and confusion.

"What the hell do you think you are doing, Nyx? Do you want to burn down my establishment!?"

"Madam, she’s awakening!" Lily said, happiness visibly etched on her face.

"Doesn’t mean she should burn the whole place down, does it?" The matron sighed in exasperation.

She stretched out, pouring mana towards Nyx.

"Madam, what are you doing?" Lily asked in surprise.

"Helping her stabilize her core. It’s trying to take in as much mana as it can to enable it to solidify, hence the fire. If she’s a mid or low ranker, I think my core should have enough mana to..."

The old lady spat out blood. The girl’s core was a high-ranking one and it was draining her of all her mana and fast! That was also when she saw the mark!

"Hurry, Lily. Knock her out!"

"What!?"

"I said... Knock! Her! Out! Before she drains my life force!"

"Yes, ma’am."

WHAM!

Nyx collapsed to the ground, unconscious, while the matron heaved.

"Are you alright, Madam!?" Lily hurried to her side but she was waved away.

"I’ll live," she hissed and spat out whatever blood that remained in her mouth.

" Go to Old Man Joe’s shop. Tell him I sent you. Procure low rank mana cores for when Nyx to absorb and stabilize her core when she wakes up."

She sighed. "And tell her to get ready to pay for tonight’s damages. And the expenses. All of them. I need a smoke." And with that, she left the room. By now, the slow, spreading fire had been put out. The matron allowed for no one to go near the origin room and decided to close early, cursing under her breath.

"Yes, Madam! I’ll do just that." Lily had replied out of habit, and after the madam had left, she picked up Nyx and gently placed her on the bed.

"Sweet dreams from now on, Nyx. They are already coming true."

She closed the door.