Abyssal Awakening - Chapter 712

Chapter 712: Kazira’s End
“Ah. . . The sky is so. . . very beautiful.” Kazira whispered, her voice a fading echo in the wind.

She lay on her back, her eyes dulled but still open, stared towards the sky.

The firmament above her was like an endless painting, layered with hues of crimson, gold, purple and blues. Twilight streaks merging together to form bands of light, the clouds that drifted slowly like waves on a quiet sea.

She could feel it, the warmth of her life seeping out of her body, soaking the soil beneath her.

The numbness creeping in from the limbs, starting from her fingertips.

This. . . cold sensation.

This was finality.

Her heartbeat, once thunderous was now slowing down.

Each beat softer than the last, a final farewell.

During their first fight, Kazira found herself afraid of death. She ran from it, betrayed her beliefs, abandoned her body like a wretched being.

But now, she reflected in silence.

Perhaps this liberation, this sensation. . . This was what Enris was chasing after this entire time.

After a life of adrenaline and one final moment of bliss, came the moment of peace.

A moment of silence.

A liberation from duty, of burden.

“You should be careful…” Kazira muttered, her voice strained.

But towards the one who bested her, towards the one who gave her clarity in her mind, she had to say one last thing.

Alice stood next to Kazira, listening.

“The Outer Gods. . . I don’t know. . . what you did to strike a bargain. But do not trust them. Even if it seems logical to us. . . the same does not apply to them.” Kazira took a deep breath.

She needed to warn Alice about Voruth’Zal, about Zal-Ka’Rith.

She needed to warn her about their nature.

“As. . . As we speak. Perhaps Voruth’Zal and Zal-Ka’Rith have already. . . come to an agreement. They are only. . . loyal to one thing and one thing alone. Ignore. . . ignore everything else they say.” Kazira’s words began to slur.

“Their titles. It. . . it is both a blessing and a curse to them. It tells you. . . what they truly desire. Their heart’s secret that they. . . cannot conceal. For that. . . they will do anything. . .

“And everything.”

Glancing down, Alice was silent as her eyelashes trembled for a moment.

###

Raising her hand, a woman glanced at the flickering mote of light dancing above her palm.

A small smile appeared on her face.

“Kazzie, my dear Kazira. May your next journey be one of joy and fulfilment. Your soul will not be mine to claim nor will it be consumed by the Abyss.” Enris muttered softly.

Unlike her usual self, her voice was now filled with a sense of tenderness.

She gently caressed the edges of the soul as markings of the Eclipse manifested around it.

Little by little, she extracted the power that Kazira held until her soul was pure and untainted. Raising her hand, she allowed it to drift into the air, scattering into countless particles.

Enris spent this moment in silence before looking down at the power she extracted.

Had Kazira refused to change, had she continued to present this vile version of herself, Enris would’ve claimed her soul as they had originally agreed upon.

But seeing that kind of ending, the satisfaction she felt as she finally died, Enris couldn’t bring herself to do so. Instead, she relinquished her hold over Kazira’s soul.

“Thank you for giving me a moment to grieve.” She smiled, glancing back ever so slightly.

She could see a faceless silhouette standing not far from her, watching silently.

“Of course. It’s a show of respect towards the holder of a Divine Throne.” The Will of the Abyss chuckled with his hands behind his back.

“Take it and leave me be.” Enris threw the condensed orb at the Will who caught it with ease.

Looking at the orb, he smiled before glancing back at Enris.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

Enris’s eye twitched in annoyance for a reason as she looked back coldly.

“That wasn’t an invitation for you to strike up a conversation.”

“Oh I’m aware. But when the spectator becomes a player in the game, don’t you think it’ll raise a few questions?” The Will curved his lips up to a twisted grin.

Enris narrowed her gaze.

Just when she thought the Will was going to provoke her further, he turned around.

“Keep playing your game dear actress. Let’s hope your end is as beautiful as you envisioned it.” The Will waved his hand twice before stepping through the portal.

Left alone, Enris glanced up at the sky.

###

With Kazira now dead, Alice could sense the fulfilment of the bounty. She could sense the sudden urge of drowsiness.

However, she couldn’t fall yet.

Kazira’s final warning. . .

She knew that Kazira didn’t say it to form a rift between her and Zal-Ka’Rith.

In fact, there were plenty of grounds to be suspicious of Zal-Ka’Rith. The best lies are those mixed with the truth.

If so, his goal using Kazira’s body might not match what he said.

“What a shame. Seems like Kazira’s vessel couldn’t handle it after all. But more importantly, it seems like you’ve developed something rather. . . interesting.” A voice echoed out with Alice feeling a chill down her spine.

Widening her eyes, she wanted to fight back but collapsed on her knee.

Unlike the other times, the reaction towards a completed bounty was far stronger.

Was it because Cayla became fully unsealed? Or was it because her bounty target was a Lord.

Alice didn’t know but this was no time to pass out.

If Voruth’Zal was here then. . .

“Where did the parchment go? Don’t tell me you two struck a bargain?” Alice forced a smile as she looked up and glared at Voruth’Zal standing in front of Kazira’s crumbling vessel.

Now that Cayla was fully unsealed, Alice could see the dark twisted strands of energy around him, tainting the ambient energy.

Leaving behind corruption with every step he took.

“A bargain? Hmm somewhat. But he’s what I call an opportunistic fellow. His alliances don’t last, he simply does what’s in his best interest. And if a better situation comes along, he’ll take it.” Voruth’Zal smiled.

“So now, he’s no longer here to keep me busy. Shall we talk about how we should deal with you?” He narrowed his gaze.

Kazira’s body crumbled apart with the power that he bestowed upon her returning to him.

Through the Eye of the Abyss, Alice could see his movements slowing down ever so slightly.

Enough so that she could respond in time!

Void Fang!

*KRK!!!!

The weapon in her hands disassembled itself before reconstructing into a shield of sorts, pushing Voruth’Zal back.

Pausing momentarily in surprise, he was stunned by the weapon in her hands.

However. . .

He did promise Zal-Ka’Rith that he’d give him an ‘entertaining tale’ in return for his favour.

Therefore, he’ll naturally follow through!

From within his body, human parts began to appear as his form started to shift.

Next to him, a single page appeared.

“Let’s see. . . For this vessel, I bestow the name Lilith. And here is the tale I shall write.” Lilith grinned as the shadows around her burst apart, revealing her form.

It was a prototype that he designed for Kazira but ultimately, one that didn’t match her fighting style or desires.

It’s a vessel that had low compatibility but arguably better performance!

Lilith had long black hair flowing past her waist. She stood amidst the shadows, pale like moonlight, ominous like the shifting shadows cast by withering trees.

She had eyes of blood red fire, emotionless yet filled to the brim with power. Around the edges of her eyes, the skin was slightly uneven, revealing the withering flesh beneath the porcelain cover.

Twisted demonic horns curled around her head and around her throat, pulsed a crimson stitch line. It pulsed with a malevolent power and each rhythmic beat would cause the writhing mass of corruption to extend further from this demonic collar.

Chains that dug into her flesh, ritualistic carvings across her chest and the living mass of shadow that acted as a dress.

Since Zal-Ka’Rith derived power from tales that he witnessed, he will do so through this ‘living vessel’. At least then, he can still gain power from his true name of Voruth’Zal.

Alice scanned Lilith. Immediately she could tell that she was a casting type due to the energy flowing around her rather than in her body.

Physical types usually have energy reinforcing their bodies more than the air around them.

While casting types were the opposite!

Taking a step forward, Lilith curved her lips up into an ominous smile despite the eyes not showing emotion.

Plunging her finger into her neck, she pulled and the collar activated!

Seeing this, Alice understood that Voruth’Zal must’ve stolen Zenia technology as well!

Clicking her tongue, Alice shifted back to create some distance between the two of them. Alyss was already knocked out while Cayla wasn’t any better. She was trying to stay away but couldn’t utter a single word.

Alice’s mind scrambled for answers when she noticed a certain presence.

“Just you wait Voruth’Zal. Your time will come. Retribution for interrupting my first fight with Kazira and even now.” Alice gave her the middle finger before collapsing forward.

Right before face planting into the ground, a single parasol supported her weight.

“Make it quick. That puppet has power but the durability isn’t worth sh*t. Think of this as a last minute test for you two dipshits.” Rosalyn scoffed in disdain towards Lilith as a pool of blood began to expand beneath her feet.

From the blood, crackles of lightning flickered as a chessboard expanded, encompassing all of them.

Dashing out of the lightning, Ria was already in her Resoannce form as her blade was inches away from Lilith’s head!

Two fold lightning!