Abyssal Awakening - Chapter 684

Chapter 684: Zal-Ka’Rith’s Expectations
With control now not being an issue, the main question is usage. What can she possibly do with this power?

Thus far, the powers of Eldritch Energy have largely been similar to how divinity work.

Like the Icons that Alyss had fought before, the usage of Eldritch Energy was mostly seen in enforcing their laws, their authority, onto the world.

Direct usage of the energy seemed to be restricted to just the action of assimilation.

For Isolde, her usage of the energy was simplistic. It was fuel for her to unravel her body in a way and attack her enemies using the multiple limbs that she can control with lethal precision along with the poison she injects into them.

Paralysing them yet making sure they could feel everything.

On the other hand, Jin was more. . . Instinctual. Like Isolde, his Eldritch Energy is used to create darkened limbs behind him, helping him rip and tear away at whatever he wants to kill.

These were all simplistic in terms of mastery. Basic enhancements and manifestations of power, the level of which even one Sigil or two Sigil Hunters could muster.

Therefore, there must be something beyond.

‘There are levels to everything. Masteries and powers that are unlocked with higher proficiency. So what possible levels are there for Eldritch?’ Alice mused to herself.

Since Alyss was showing more compatibility with Eldritch Energy, it was clear that she was the one to use it between the two of them.

If Alice was responsible for Abyss, Holy and Void, then Alyss will be Eldritch.

‘Laws, authority. . . Merge?’ Alice folded her arms as she began to pace back and forth.

Seeing this, Jin wanted to say something but Suyin was faster. She held her finger over his lips.

“Shh, don’t disturb an inquisitive mind when they’re deep in thought. Allow them to have this moment.”

If she was in Alice’s place and someone disturbed her mid thought, causing her to forget what she was on the verge of discovering, let’s just say they might be her next test subject.

While Suyin was stopping Jin from interfering, Isolde stood off by the side.

‘What do you think?’ Zal-Ka’Rith asked with a light chuckle.

‘Of what my Lord?’

‘About the research and how they plan to control this source of energy. What is your perception of their efforts right now?’ He rephrased his question.

‘I’m. . . Unsure. Apologies but I don’t see how my perception of them is of use to you my Lord.’ Isolde tilted her head in confusion.

Ever since meeting Alice, her Lord had been more vocal than in the past. Of course, he still spoke to her but not as much as now nor did he borrow her body often.

‘Entertain me for now. Understanding your companions right now holds a degree of merit for you as well.’

Scratching her chin, Isolde contemplated her words.

‘I think it’s a waste of their focus. If I recall, Alice is looking to take revenge or rather, stop whatever the cult is planning yes? I feel like having her expend her efforts in making appropriate plans are better than using three days on these experiments. She is plenty strong already and the chains around her body are a good counter. Any more seems unnecessary.’ Isolde replied truthfully.

‘Huhu~ Indeed. To some people, this same seems like a waste. But I think of it as rather fascinating. You don’t know this but Alice was actually on the verge of killing an Apostle.’ Zal-Ka’Rith grinned, causing Isolde to paused in shock.

Apostles.

Beings beyond Abyss Lords, the right and left hand of God.

Beings chosen to inherit a portion of the Divine Throne’s authority.

Yet her Lord was saying that Alice was about to kill one?

‘She reduced the Apostle of War to a child begging for her life. Scrambling at every opportunity to escape. Even to the point of abandoning her mortal vessel. For beings of great power, our vessels hold a different kind of importance. With so many modifications done the soul, only our own body can withstand that kind of change.

‘But by abandoning the vessel, we experience something that’s no different from death. To push the Apostle to this level, it was clear that she had no other way of surviving.

‘No chance to fight back.’

‘But despite all that, she failed to kill the Apostle right?’ Isolde asked as Zal-Ka’Rith nodded his head.

‘An Outer God interfered. The fight was not a short one and by the end, most of Alice’s energy was tainted by Eldritch Energy. Without sufficient understanding of this power, she lost her chance at claiming the Apostle’s soul. Therefore, her current preparations are to avoid the interference of us Outer Gods in the future. Something that you should take note of.’ He chuckled.

‘Lumiria of the Moon. Goddess presiding over Immortality and Spirituality. To put bluntly, a pervert obsessed with longevity. She fears death more than anyone yet she toys with the souls of many. To kill her, you must understand souls on a deeper level. To understand how divinity functions. Like Alice, you must study the energy of your enemy and turn that knowledge into a blade that can pierce the veil of immortality.’ Zal-Ka’Rith explained as Isolde glanced down.

To understand divinity. . . the foundation of Gods. . .

Isolde didn’t know where she should start.

But if she had to guess. . .

Alice was probably the best shot.

Staying silent, Zal-Ka’Rith watched the minute changes within Isolde and a smile appeared on his face.

While she may not be as much of an anomaly as Alice, there were always things that he could do to change that.

Slight shifts in mentality, to understand the perspectives of the irregular and irrational.

Yes, to normal people, thinking of ways to master and manipulate Eldritch Energy is impossible. This corruptive source was something that should be isolated and erased.

But to the irregulars, this was potential. A chance, a seed waiting for its moment to sprout.

But the bridge from normal to irregular wasn’t something that many could walk.

If he had to describe Isolde, it would be that she was still in the process of walking this bridge.

There were parts of her that was still normal. Parts of her that can’t imagine herself beating the divine throne.

He wanted to change that.

Step by step, he’ll have her adjust her method of thinking.

That was the path of the Writhing Script, the path she started to walk down the moment she accepted his contract.

Observe, study, understand, absorb. Observe, study, understand, absorb.

‘I have high expectations of you Isolde. Observe your surroundings well.’

###

In the end, Alice didn’t stay by the battlefield for long as the group made their way back to what remained of the city.

Now that the three days were up and the soldiers had plenty of rest, it was time for the counterattack.

Suyin already had scouts track some of the cultist but they still couldn’t find where the main base was.

Instead, they were going to take their fortresses one by one. To put it bluntly, it was going to be a crusade against everything they have prepared.

“Brothers! Sisters! The time is now! You’ve been given time to rest, you’ve been given time to prepare. And now! It’s time to act!

“You’ve endured the cold nights! You’ve buried comrades who died for this life! That ends today!

“Look to your left, look to your right! Memorise the faces of those that will enter battle with you!

“These are the faces of those that will have your back! These are the souls that will pull you from a fire! The hand that will help you in your time of need! These are comrades that will bleed alongside you!

“Remember what you fight for! Through our sacrifice will safety be given! We will not cower! We will not falter! We are children of Sikha! Do not let these heretics take our homeland!

“Through steel, fire and unyielding will! We will show them our wrath!”

Watching Suyin give a rallying speech to the city, Alice leaned against the walls while looking towards the southern battlefield.

Three days.

For three days, the enemy didn’t attack.

They sent the occasional scouting beast flying through the sky but it was dealt with rather quickly.

Such. . . Silence. It was uncanny.

While these three days may have afforded them a moment of peace and time to prepare, inversely, it also felt like it was the time that the enemy needed.

To get the reinforcements they desire and adjust for the anomaly that is herself.

After all, when fighting against the hybrids, they said that the priority was retrieval of family assets.

Thinking of this, Alice couldn’t help but clench her fist.

Had the Hybrids shown compassion and distaste for the Zenia family, she would’ve been happy to help them like she did with Selen.

But if they stand against her, they will burn like the rest of the family.

###

Watching Suyin’s speech, a woman chuckled and gave it a small clap.

“I have to hand it to her, she sure knows how to rally her soldiers when they need. But sadly they should’ve taken this chance to attack us before we got our shipment.

“Kaine, Mira, have you given the collars to the Soldiers?”

“Everyone is ready Alana.” Kaine replied with a slight bow.

There was a hatred in her eyes as she glanced at the image of Alice.

“Good. Since the enemy is giving us such a warm welcome, it’ll be a shame not to reply in kind. Remember the main objective, retrieval of family assets.” Alana ordered as the twins bowed and left the room.

“I do hope you enjoy the sacrifices that are delivering themselves to your front doorstep.” She glanced back at the Outer God who was standing next to Kazira.

Without waiting for his reply, she left the room as well.

Kazira stared in silence. A vein bulging on the back of her hand.