Abyss couldn’t shake the feelings of anger, confusion, and stress that had built up further than before, but the adrenaline felt good, even as his muscles ached for him to stop running after half an hour of stumbling over tangled tree roots in a forest nature reserve. Abyss eventually collapsed on the ground when his energy reserves had been exhausted, and Achlys approached him from the side.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzxUyczzxO
Abyss head his heart thumbing loudly and felt his lungs desperately expand and collapse in a desperate attempt to pull in air.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYWBsuh6jl
Every muscle ached and he had a splitting migraine from all the screaming back at the rebel base, but a comforting hand was placed on his shoulder.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gz82qepFV
“Good job… congratulations. You’re free. Free from the ones who took your brother.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AlHIZZ22l
“I feel like crap,” Abyss said, squeezing his eyes shut, not letting himself cry in front of her, whether in grief, relief, or any kind of -ief.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GvGPBAZ2a
Instead, he focused on the bubbling anger. That was easier to process.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPnes3Ymc3
Abyss hated PISTOL, he hated the commander, and he hated himself for not knowing what to do with the commander. Abyss was frustrated that he never thought to just kill the man. But… he still didn’t understand why H saved Abyss when he left Volt die. He just wants to use me, Abyss told himself. Even still, that felt wrong. Abyss had seen genuine concern on H’s face, if only for a moment.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZj6Vz7jMD
“…You’ll get better,” Achlys said with a stern tone, but there was still an air of uncertainty in her voice.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxigXe0Rn0H
“All I could hear back there were screams. I killed so many people, and the screaming only grew.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z0fRoZHyg
Achlys’ face hardened. “People fear for their own lives as if they are the only ones who matter in the world. It’s selfish.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga4Ahey4L3
“They sounded terrified.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCssLXlKzC
“Were they screaming for the safety of their companions or themselves?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe0TUDKOBA
“I- I don’t know.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCpMIWBnR
“Did they say to spare their friends, or did they beg for you not to kill them?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoagNenzLwN
“They didn’t say anything… they just screamed.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52sztcVPVj
“Did they lift each other up, save those who were unable to evacuate as easily, or did they push and shove their way through the crowd, trampling over each other to escape your reach?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nUYjzQHsX
“I… I guess there was a lot of pushing,” Abyss answered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpAMIDJRuv
“Because people only care about themselves. Don’t let yourself be riddled with guilt. You did what you had to for your freedom and the freedom of the other imprisoned cartridge users. The next step is to track them down, anyone who seems to have an ability. Tell them you saved them and that you need their help to rally against Kronos because he only wants to use them for their power. To use them as tools and vessels while disguising the cartridges as gifts.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInvAwiyEZB
“You.. you really thought this through, didn’t you?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ9dRTGxEE
“We have two options. Turn Kronos’s army against him and win or destroy everyone and everything in this planet that could be used as energy,” Achlys explained.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktB5pdNimB
“So we’re going to talk with them?” Abyss asked for clarification.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljsl2pOVTJ
“Yes, but if they still ally themselves with Kronos or try to run away or avoid joining the cause, we will have to kill them and remove their cartridges.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPHt1ZPBWP
Abyssal’s eyes were wide at Achlys’ proposal, his tone defensive. “Kill them? But they were prisoners!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3yIfR0Lfx
“And for good reason, to slow or stop Kronos from forming his army. However, we need any help we can get, to not just willy-nilly remove replaceable pieces from the board. If they join our side before seeing death, then we can trust them for a time at least and we can spare them.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1WrdQnpIB
After a moment, Abyss nodded in understanding. “Okay.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiy5p3hsmt
Achlys grinned. “Now for the fun part… The Hunt.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVSsAffQ4x
The title brought back some of the unease in Abyssal’s mind, but he was ready.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRhxLLCFG4
* * *
Abyss found a grubby old man in his late 60s limping away from the direction of the base. The man wore a short-sleeved golden T-shirt and glistening gold sweatpants. He also used a large piece of broken rubble to support his weight, but the rubble was made of what seemed to be solid gold, matching his eyes.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiwosiUj3j
“Sir? Sir?” Abyss called out to the man. The man hurried faster. “Sir, I don’t want to hurt you, I just have a question or two.” Abyss hurried ahead and cut the man off.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniZLvY1aue
“Back off, boy-o or yeh’ll be a statue ‘fore you know what happened.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOLqJ6aWEx
“You turned that into gold?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4GcfRwBCX
Abyssal’s gaze was drawn to the great gold block and the clothes that prisoners had to wear while in the confines of the rebel holding cells that were glimmering the same color.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDBAfJazkr
“An’ whatever gave yeh that idea?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwlGrYkEX3
Abyssal’s face fell. He knew the man was trying to be uncooperative, but he wasn’t going to fall for these psychology tactics.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1YPB7HAzG
“I know someone like you.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAcC0Tgfof
“Preposterous,” the man said dismissively. “None are akin to the famed Mirio the Magician! And you know a magician never reveals his secrets. Move along, boy-o.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmjRiwvuYf
“No, no, I do! Or at least, I-I’ve heard of him.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkoBs7Dl2B
“Ah, might you be referin’ to the great king Midas?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdETUb5KZJZ
“Yeah! Yeah, I’ve heard all about him.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSRzVhnA2G
“Well, he is myth. I am far greater, because I am real.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHGA531UKX
Abyss though he was beginning to understand. He tried to thing of a way to win the old man over. He didn’t seem to want to get away from Abyss anymore.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv9dZGEqKK
Finally, an idea formed. “Then... you know the risks,” Abyssal said in a cryptic voice.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9901Tb8k6
Galloping was heard growing ever closer before a great elk stood proudly beside the old man. “Father!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf2sQTCDFx
Abyss was startled for a moment as the great beast called out with the voice of a woman and rushed in his direction, but once it stood still, he noticed a woman sitting atop the elk. Abyss wanted to hit himself.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmKsGdXpEI
“I am no fool. What happened to that man will never happen to me. My daughter will stay her beautiful living self. Flesh and blood as always.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkqd83xfP6
Abyss guessed this woman was the only one who decided to take time to change from the prison outfit to braided leaves, vines, and grasses. Even if they didn’t fully cover her, it still must have taken a long time. A strange preference that made her look like a living druid and made Abyss uncomfortable when looking anywhere near her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJZTy30tgw
The man pulled two bulky items from his pockets, and Abys discovered they were gauntlets made of gold. The man pulled them on and took his daughter’s hand as she pulled him up onto the elk.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51mN9MZ5nQ
“Woah, where did you get those?” Abyss asked as he stared at them and made a point to not stare at the woman.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHXQ8mAB6q
“Yeh like ‘em? I got them from a con man at a renaissance fair. Turns out they were a rather crappy type of metal and not iron or steal like knights wore. Well, who’s filthy rich and laughing now!” The old man cackled. “I can live my perfect life and not be hindered in any way s’ long as my skin dun’t touch anything I don’t want it to. Golden IVs give me sustenance which can be a pain sometimes, but I go through with it. An’ my wife died long before the gods blessed me with this power, so I’m not neglecting her desires”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjtszz6R76
“Um... okay,” Abyssal said. “So… want to… I don’t know... get revenge on the people that gave you this power and got you imprisoned and the people who tortured you?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvYNul4SsK
“I made plenty of statues in my wake, I assure you, boy, I’m satisfied. And why would I bite the hand that feeds? These powers are wonderful, and now I know to look out for people who want to take me down for it! Let us go, Merry! We will forge a new life in a mansion of gold!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ7yikPWrl
Mirio set his gloved hands on his daughter’s shoulders. She prodded the elk’s side, causing it to begin a hasty departure, but Abyss jumped toward the man to grab his arm.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g2bT89WnP
“What are you doing, boy-o?! Yeh have a death wish?!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU9ymOX3kM
The elk stopped at Merry’s order as the events took place. She watched in stunned silence and confusion which evolved into concern.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ654nrE9Imd
Abyss felt a strange sensation as his fingertips glittered and gold slowy crept up Abyssal’s hand. The boy panicked and instantly began to use his own power to try and absorb the old man’s.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqwGfLWWQo
It was far more tiring than normal, but Abyssal’s power was winning, likely due to him actively trying to use the ability as opposed to Mirio’s attempt to restrain his uncontrollable power.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7B5F2eZ4W
With more focus to his cause, Abyss, using his power absorption ability was able to ward off the transformation. When the gold had receded from Abyssal’s fingertips, it began to move across Mirio’s arm instead. The man let out a yelp of agony and alarm.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r7KxF9h15
“Argh! What’re yeh doin’ boy-o?!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwbJlvoV6U
Abyss pulled his hand away instantly in his own alarm as the gold continued to spread over Mirio’s body.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxPC3Sb9Jn
“Pa?! What’s happinin’?!” Merry grabbed her father’s shoulders.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzfqbgYRls
Abyss wanted to return the power, to let the man have a fighting chance, but he saw that Merry’s pinky was not resting on the sleeve of Mirio’s shirt, but on the skin of his upper arm. Releasing the power now would only end up killing Mirio’s daughter. Even if he could counteract the ability’s toll on himself, everyone who knows of King Midas would know he can’t undo the spell on anything else. Abyss assumed that old man would prefer his daughter have a happy life than himself.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEJwoG36CH
“Merry, I don’ think I’ll make it.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFmrPQeZuv
“Don’ say that, Pa! Can’t yeh fight it?! It’s yer own power!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8IcAn5s0e
Mirio shook his head. “I don’t feel it in me anymore, lass.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXWZvbPlrk
“Why not?!” Tears streamed down Marry’s face. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hcXgVE881
“No time for that now. I’ll tell yeh what I want yeh teh do. Take the piece of rubble over there and sell it. Yeh’ll need the money to rehabilitate yerself. I don’ care if yeh do the same the me or bury me, whatever you decide is best.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm8lQ1zKiT
“Don’t say that, Pa! I’m not gonna sell yer corpse!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsuRtYp3QP
“Either way, I need yeh teh move on an be merry. I named yeh so, didn’t I?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRJ6CJA7nc
“How can I move on?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP1RZ9ozdU
“Promise me.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJA2GZtj4x
“Pa…”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaH8Xdv0MV
“Promise,” Mirio pressed again.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNnpqoIGX9
“… I promise, Pa.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZxCDuDNgz
“Now that’s a good lass.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuWYzp24nD
The gold finally reached his head and fully overcame him leaving only a single golden tear that fell into the grass.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4oZbtYZLr
The guilt for Mirio’s death clutched Abyssal’s heart, even though he knew the circumstance was accidental, even though he’d killed so many others already. Mirio didn’t deserve it. Mirio wasn’t even close to the fault of Volt’s death. Mirio never did anything to hurt Abyss, not on purpose. Abyss let go the power, breathing heavily, unable to look away from the golden statue. The golden clothes draped over him, somehow looking sad despite the material they were made of. It must have been how loose and baggy the fit was.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv1DE7qnHE
As Abyss released the power, he could see the trail of magic flow from his body. Midas’s was not a power Abyss would want to hold. Most wouldn’t be able to see powers flow this way, Volt never could. Abyss clenched his fists as the daughter sobbed. The magic twisted around without a place, searching for its source. The glowing, gold energy circled twice around the statue of Mirio before entering back into his chest.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5HmcMngkx
The daughter clutched her father’s statue, gripping his forearms tightly, burying her face into his hard chest where the magic reentered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRnf4Gpgj1
Abyssal gasped as he saw it happen. He struggled to press down his own despair as Merry’s hands slowly turned gold where she touched her father’s transformed skin. She didn’t seem to notice the transformation happening.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVbfmTPfij
“No,” Abyss breathed. He couldn’t move. The boy was frozen in place as the scene was forever frozen in time.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AfoaIcmBS
The elk seemed to finally realize what was happening as well as its master turned to the sickening metal that corrupted every soul it touched.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPnioiDM2f
Merry’s eyes were squeezed shut as she mourned her father.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZTz6DKgyf
It was too much. Abyss, shaking finally blurted out a call of warning to Merry. “Your father’s power!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67oVzYE1aa
She pulled back with a gasp; fear spread beneath her tears as she looked down at her arms. The gold had overtaken most of her forearms. She couldn’t pull away, not that it would help.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QZVhZgynQ
“No!” She cried in panic. “Father! Please!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62kvOcWvFQ
Her pleading was useless. The gold only seemed to spread faster in her panic. She struggled to pull away to no avail. The elk threw her off and ran into the forest to escape.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQwO79WgEX
She fell to the ground in a crumpled form, the gold swallowing her completely. The vines that clothed her remained in their original forms.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar2NhyqDlC
Abyss didn’t move from his place for a long while. This was his fault. One slip-up led to this horrible scene.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFYfKnfkFR
* * *
Achlys stepped out and looked over the statues and back to Abyss with a smirk.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlD9Jtaiiz
“What have you been up to, Sol?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5z9KkHYJ6
“I told you not to call me that,” Abyss muttered. “The curse of Midas.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvsrzonUSf
Achlys’ face hardened as she walked around to meet Abyss face to face. “Is that what this was?” She glanced back to the statues. “Well, history just repeats itself, now, doesn’t it?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Zoj4aByV
She waltzed over to the statue.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu6UHQyDvC
“Don’t touch him!” Abyss exclaimed in a panic.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2hxMo3zk7
She looked back to Abyss and pointed a thumb to Mirio, raising an eyebrow. Abyss gave a small and nervous nod. Achlys returned a thoughtful nod. “Hm.” She walked around to grab the girl and turned them upright. The statues were off-balance as the girl stood on one toe and Mirio sat tilted backwards. She looked around and spotted the golden debree.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcCZMtn6s
“And his clothes?” she asked, carrying it over. “Heavier than it looks,” She muttered in annoyance.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVDRjRR5XD
“Fine.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiMvTKS8Hp
She carefully grabbed Mirio around the waist, avoiding his arms and such, sitting him down on the golden block. She stepped back and looked at the work.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PLi82jat0
Merry seemed to look down at Mirio in pained terror, the vines seemed to grow over her like an ancient statue. Meanwhile, Mirio was frozen, his eyes seemed to gaze lovingly ahead, up ever so slightly as if gazing at her breast.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrPaq7YX3n
“I quite like it,” Achlys commented. “A real piece of work, is he?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPo9Luirgq
Abyss didn’t know how to respond.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu5pOd3Uvv
She looked back at him in slight annoyance and walked over. Achlys waved a hand in front of Abyssal’s face. “Not catatonic, are we?” She questioned.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJcU0VKIn2
Abyss shook himself. “N-no. Sorry.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFjZRJPrWy
“Good. Well, while you took your sweet time watching this go down, I got 5 followers and disposed of a couple dozen Kronos followers.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4Qwy5FODw
One young boy of about 13 stumbled through the bushes in the grubby white clothes Abyss remembered from the prison. He was carrying 5 bloody cartridges in his arms. A terrified 8-year-old girl followed carefully holding a couple of her own. The little girl was followed by a large man gripping about 6 in his hands, and a tall, skinny woman who led 7 bubbled cartridges that floated in the air after her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8NlW2R0PG
Abyss faced at the traumatized-looking children with worry. “Did you do it in front of them?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHEE577fP3
“War is coming. Child innocence is the least of our worries. Besides, they have eyelids,” Achlys answered. “Time to burry these so Kronos can’t reclaim their powers. Demeter?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacZem23Hd7
The little girl stepped forward. “Lucy, ma’am.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWm1GsizHZ
“Whatever, bury the cartridges around this statue, but don’t touch the guy.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsDovvqg9i
Lucy swallowed hard but nodded. She came forward and gently pressed the cartridges into the ground one at a time. The earth seemed to absorb the cartridges as if they were snow melting into the grass. Red was left behind as blood stained the blazes of grass.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbei9mn4S5R
“With enough luck, the rosork will never be able to retrieve the cartridges,” Achlys said darkly.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxkQ7O1H2n
As Lucy stood, the rest turned to leave.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCQ4j38803
As the little girl ran after the others, nobody but the girl knew of the sprouts already coming up from the ground in a ring around Mirio and Merry.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnblHshQ1m2
When Lucy caught up, Achlys set a hand on the little girl’s head. Lucy flinched from the touch as Achlys spoke. “Good work, Demeter.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFbjQGJSO3
Abyss glanced at the strange exchange, but didn’t say anything.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YIlveISTm
“As for you,” Achlys spoke up, and Abyss’s back stiffened involuntarily. “I wasn’t sure you’d have the guts to take anyone out, still, I held onto my faith. I doubt the Rosork would have an easy time retrieving his cartridge or the power within it encased in a hidden gold statue.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdGrO2R9D9
Abyss got the sense she was joking and let out a forced chuckle.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvInn4phEIi
In truth, he still regretted what he did to Mirio, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He could only tell himself it was necessary and a victory in the long run the way Achlys saw it.
ns216.73.216.176da2
