Prince of The Abyss

...”What would my bounty be?” Aether gripped his chin. He was pretty strong... not one of the strongest by Sena’s standards, but strong, and he was a Vessel, so he had to at least be... ’One silver coin hopefully...’ He had no idea how people put bounties, but he at least knew he had to be worth at least a silver coin.

Even then, it was like he was worth five shovels, not a good thing.

But if honest, he was worth more; he just didn’t want to think so highly of himself, after all; having a bounty wasn’t a good thing.

But it did mention just who this Cain person was, and what on earth he had done.

”He must have really angered a certain Celestial family to the point they put that much money on him, after all; rich people loved their money above anything, they wouldn’t just give away that much without a reason.”

...’ He also did look awfully cool. He gives me Withered vibes for some reason... speaking of the Withered.’

Aether, who was lying down on top of the roof of the Library, got up, his feet dangling off the edge, as he stared once more at the Withered District. He was back again... he really did feel as if he was changing between too much; he should really just pick one thing and do that, not keep switching between.

But it was because he had gotten an idea, he was going to reveal to the Withered that the Abyss and their leader was back, and grab some to take them on a Reader book, he should be able to clear it easily, he was a Seeker after all, and at the same time, he could help them get strong, maybe make the first generation of Seekers in the Withered, he would train them so they could train the ones that were to come after hearing of the awakening of multiple people.

...

The only problem is that he was technically not allowed to enter a story... ’But... when you say story, you usually refer to the Wonderland and the stories inside... books are something else.’

They were the exact same thing, just that the world in one was a bit smaller. Nothing else; things still worked the same, and you had to do the same thing; he just wanted to use this loophole that wasn’t even one. It was more of him not considering books and Wonderland stories the same thing, and saying that they specifically said stories.

He was being entitled; that was what was happening.

Aether smirked. ”Alright.” He said, jumping off the roof of the Library and landing on his feet. ”Let’s see who I will choose to come with me.”

...

...

He smiled, watching as the people in the marketplace just walked past him... ignoring him completely. It was as if he didn’t even exist. And it wasn’t like he didn’t make himself known; he was wearing his mantle that everyone had known him for with the Rebellion, alongside his face obviously, but he had also screamed that he was back, and who he was. But people just passed him, giving him hateful stares.

The worst part wasn’t that they hated him for what he did with the Rebellion and that was why they were looking at him that way; they actually just didn’t recognize him.

’You’ve got to be kidding me... even back then, when no one knew who I was, they still approached me, but now, even though I shouted my identity, no one came... kinda hurts my pride... a lot.’

So he left... just like that, without trying again. Without putting any more effort, as if it wasn’t worth his time anymore... time which he had a lot of. ’No point in sticking inside the Withered anymore, plus, I’m hungry. I’ll have to go buy some food.’ He licked his lips, just thinking of it.

...

But as he did, a weird smell came, one that made him stop... he knew it, very well actually, the smell of death. His head followed it to a small alleyway, before his body moved, walking over to it.

It was dark inside, but with Eden, he was able to clearly see where the smell had come from

”You’ve got to be...” He paused, looking at the dead bodies of seven children, their bodies completely robbed and drenched in blood.

...’ This is what I mean by a normal alleyway I’m used to... but still... children, really?’

He clenched his fists. But as he was about to say something, he heard the Codex.

[Your relic has been destroyed.]

[You have gained a relic]

’Huh?’

...

Looking at his relics... the egg had hatched... he had waited quite a while for it to do so. He was excited...

...

He tilted his head, closing the Codex... ”But do you really expect me to focus on that right now... I’ve got better things to do.” He said, staring at the dead bodies

[Light of the Moon]- The night is known to hide many; it’s a place where people can hide and lurk without anyone knowing... outside the chosen. This ability allows you to faintly see the movements of others in the darkness in that very same night.

’Let’s test this toy... I’ll prove to that damn blade that I really do want to help.’

Activating the Ability, Aether saw footsteps leading towards the alleyway, and ones going out; they specifically looked more like a running motion... he had gotten lucky; if this hadn’t happened on the same night he had come, he wouldn’t have been able to use the ability.

Summoning Voidpiercer, Aether followed the footsteps all the way back to the marketplace and to a stand, where an oversized man was selling children’s clothes.

Walking over to his stand, he hid his blade.

Seeing him, the man’s eyes widened. ”Something you want? For a sister, or brother?” He was skeptical; after all, he was too old to be wearing those kinds of clothes, and way too young to have a child.

And most families didn’t have two children; they didn’t have the money to raise two, so that’s why he was so suspicious, even while there really was a chance he was here for a sibling.

Aether smiled. ”Yes, there is something I want to take.”

The man tilted his head. ”Take? You mean buy? What is it?”

Aether chuckled, his smile widening. ”How about your head?”