Prince of The Abyss

Ironic, he had been to the Withered more times than most Celestials, heck, even more than most Nobles, but not to get relics or anything like that, rather...

To hunt another Vessel.

Lilith chuckled, cracking his fingers, as he wandered through the Withered. It was a bit annoying that the King had made him do this alone, without any scouts to help him locate the boy. But still, he knew how to navigate the Withered; it wasn’t his first time, even if it was massive.

It was the second time now he had come to this district to pursue his kin.

First it was Aether, the Vessel of the Abyss. The mightiest evil of the world, the thing everyone feared the most. An unstoppable force in all of history, who had gone against all the Gods multiple times.

Reduced to nothing by him.

And while it was true that he had the Class advantage, and he knew Aether was stronger now as a Seeker, he still wouldn’t have beaten him.

And he was confident of that.

Aether... while he had to say, was someone good to have around, due to his many supporting qualities; he wasn’t the main person in a fight, the one supposed to stand in front of all and fight. He wasn’t that type of awakened; he lacked any ability that helped him fight, and while his chains helped, they could be broken.

He’s strong, but not in the sense that made him a fighter.

And he is never going to fit in that role.

Ever.

He wouldn’t be surprised that with time, even Sena will fit in that role; after all, while she too lacks any fighting-related abilities, if used correctly, powers can still act like them, in her own way. Plus, when you fight her, you aren’t fighting just one person.

The only Vessel Aether will be stronger than will remain Iris, but... Iris loses in a fight to any person her class...

...

But Cain was not Aether.

He had been called the strongest Vessel for a reason.

A Seeker, almost Bearer... standing his ground against a

...

Harbinger.

It was insanity; he remembered those days like it was yesterday. Cain was able to escape from being captured by someone who was classed higher than him, and not only that, the Vessel managed to kill anyone else who had tried to come to him, including him. The King had also dispatched him to go after Cain.

However, he had been brutally beaten in that fight; he had given it his all, but he wasn’t close to defeating him... in the end, the King had to come... just to capture a Seeker close to Enlightenment.

How did that ever make any sense? He didn’t know; no one knew.

That was why Cain was so feared inside the Blue Rose; people knew what he had done, they knew what he could do.

Unlike Aether, he is a powerhouse; his Affinity is designed to make him stronger, his powers make him stronger, he’s the manifestation of strength; if he was going to beat him, he can’t hold back, as he did with Aether.

Not only were they the same class, Cain still probably had more Sync than he did... the only thing making this battle even a bit possible was the fact that Cain was heavily injured and exhausted, but at the same time, he doubted that it would make it easy.

He was the Fallen for a reason; even with his energy depleted completely, he would still fight until his body gave out. It makes you wonder if he fights because he has to, or if he enjoys it.

...

But before he could even think about fighting him, he needed to find him first... and while he didn’t have any clue where he could be located, or scout to help him... he knew where his home was. The small, worn-down house he used to live in, he knew where it was.

And if there was a place where he expected him to be, that was it. After all, he had been far away from the Withered for so long... he didn’t doubt he missed his home... which also made him sure that was where he was right now.

Lilith chuckled.

’A single child, born in the world of the Withered by his lowly parents, who were killed by nobles before he could ever awaken. He must surely have a deep hatred for us; I wonder if that is what made him awaken as Chaos’s Vessel.’

And while he hated one district, he loved the other.

One of the many reasons convincing Cain to join the Blue Rose wasn’t his hate for them, but rather his love for the Withered. What was there to love about this district, he had no idea... There was only death, so what was so good about it? What about it can you devote yourself to?

’And yet he does...’ His smirk widened. ’Guess I will just have to ask him.’

Lilith stopped walking. As he stood face to face with a dark alleyway, there were many like this in the Withered, but what was special about this one was that at the end was a small place where the Fallen had created its home.

Freedom took its first step, darkness covering him, but his will didn’t stagger; he continued walking... until he stopped, as another set of footsteps appeared, as two red eyes shined through the darkness.

...

”It’s good to see you again, Cain-”

But before he could finish talking, Lilith noticed a knife flying toward his head. But... he wasn’t the same person he was when they had first fought, so dodging it hadn’t been that hard. Maybe because the knife never had the intention of killing him.

Lilith chuckled, a bit nervous. ”You don’t have to be so mean; I am not here to kill you... Well, I will do it if I have to, but I’m here to capture you. So be good and just let it happen; don’t make this hard for both of us.”

Deep inside... Lilith knew that was never going to happen... that was why he had already charged an attack, his marks shining in the darkness.

...

Nothing happened for a good amount of time.

...

But then the Fallen launched forward, Lilith seeing this, unleashed his punch, one filled with a wave of energy he had never unleashed before, but... Cain just dodged it, as if he knew exactly what he was going to do, and how he was going to do it. Pivoting on his right foot, Cain slashed Lilith back, its claws digging deep into him, as he fell to his knees,

’Damn it... I forgot his ability also damages the Core... I didn’t prepare.

Looking up, Freedom saw Chaos walking in front of him, leaning forward, and staring into his eyes.

”Your sense of Freedom... how evil it is... how much do you think it will last until it rots away? How much can you go until those around you stop believing in what you believe? Do you think your name will get you to the end?”

Cain pulled back. ”I’ll let you live in exchange for one question...”

...

His eyes shone brighter. ”Where is the Abyss?”

...

Lilith stared, confused, not understanding what Cain could ever want with Aether... after all, the Fallen and the Abyss were never really friends; well, the Abyss was never friends with anyone really. Did he want to kill him? Was that what he was after... then he couldn’t tell him; Aether had a part in the King’s plan... but at the same time, he needed to live. That way... he could come back, prepared this time.

”The Forgotten?” He smirked. ”He’s doing fine in the Academy; you will have to go back if you want to find him.”

Cain didn’t respond; instead, he just walked away...

Lilith sighed before falling on the ground...

’We’re going to have to keep him as far away from the Abyss... wonder where Aether is right now, probably in the Wonderland if I have to say... so we’re safe for now.’

...

...

...

When Aether awakened, he was hit by the need to sneeze almost instantly. ’Someone talking about me again? Do I have that many fans...’ He had wanted to giggle, but before he could, he noticed Sena standing on him, putting random pins in his hair.

Also using one to put his bangs to the side.

Aether stared at her, dumbfounded. ”Get off me...” He simply said.

”Fine.” Sena scoffed, slowly getting off before smiling. ”You look better with them; keep them on.” She said the last part seriously.

Aether sighed, not wanting to deal with it so early. ”Fine, fine, let’s just go; we have a lot of walking to do before we can get to another story.”

He was determined to find one, if not today, then tomorrow. Knowing how much it took to clear one story, he wanted as much time as possible.

After all. It was already the second day of summer.