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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdTixRnVQf
Abyss head his heart thumbing loudly and felt his lungs desperately expand and collapse in a desperate attempt to pull in air.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XWLTE6cZM
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6zjZFggX1
“Good job… congratulations. You’re free. Free from the ones who took your brother.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbOjhS5vvw
“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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4e5WfbalU
Instead, he focused on the bubbling anger. That was easier to process.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYjwnsC8Pt
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAU29q5LYH
“…You’ll get better,” Achlys said with a stern tone, but there was still an air of uncertainty in her voice.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3zKALNu06
“All I could hear back there were screams. I killed so many people, and the screaming only grew.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZX9qmocaZ
Achlys’ face hardened. “People fear for their own lives as if they are the only ones who matter in the world. It’s selfish.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsczBNCOtc
“They sounded terrified.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJnwA3dILG
“Were they screaming for the safety of their companions or themselves?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZqBzrp7UC
“I- I don’t know.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDElC3Rx03g
“Did they say to spare their friends, or did they beg for you not to kill them?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Hd3m5rAw
“They didn’t say anything… they just screamed.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbs8sUNdqk
“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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLDfC29Oiu
“I… I guess there was a lot of pushing,” Abyss answered.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA0sGQbme4
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyzZ7Lrrwd
“You.. you really thought this through, didn’t you?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6xYMNxIL
“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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegfzrTTQgK
“So we’re going to talk with them?” Abyss asked for clarification.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5qwhDI00
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofFhmcus4d
Abyssal’s eyes were wide at Achlys’ proposal, his tone defensive. “Kill them? But they were prisoners!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xfqKvlAu1
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11bJLCyk0k
After a moment, Abyss nodded in understanding. “Okay.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9bsPystcM
Achlys grinned. “Now for the fun part… The Hunt.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRvZ2O0oOY
The title brought back some of the unease in Abyssal’s mind, but he was ready.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxxtUnDIZc
* * *
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZ5unEJ93
“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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpuE9NBEtq
“Back off, boy-o or yeh’ll be a statue ‘fore you know what happened.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjAdpVaXyg
“You turned that into gold?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0YaNIndzf
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjOHphqe5I
“An’ whatever gave yeh that idea?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGOWCGIkSw
Abyssal’s face fell. He knew the man was trying to be uncooperative, but he wasn’t going to fall for these psychology tactics.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSjynZDY3y
“I know someone like you.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqLqMaSxdC
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFlDcBxasX
“No, no, I do! Or at least, I-I’ve heard of him.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h1H1FMpCW
“Ah, might you be referin’ to the great king Midas?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTxKg2p8cV
“Yeah! Yeah, I’ve heard all about him.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkzy0qOwnh
“Well, he is myth. I am far greater, because I am real.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhSFte99kx
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXmQPjxHhg
Finally, an idea formed. “Then... you know the risks,” Abyssal said in a cryptic voice.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4WKbN7f0f
Galloping was heard growing ever closer before a great elk stood proudly beside the old man. “Father!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO7U31UFDq
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmgWwbU2eH
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvNMnPfwY8
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqpkwJ3Ny5
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuavEH5umyZ
“Woah, where did you get those?” Abyss asked as he stared at them and made a point to not stare at the woman.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGcyCaBGBp
“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”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbU08qhETg
“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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpMPN5qLJp
“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!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo31GcjMY8j
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN4Vf1caIC
“What are you doing, boy-o?! Yeh have a death wish?!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZCwyOKB8A
The elk stopped at Merry’s order as the events took place. She watched in stunned silence and confusion which evolved into concern.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRONMjbJuk
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqQrL1qw3f
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb6FonuVme
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJFhoUnVQu
“Argh! What’re yeh doin’ boy-o?!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOo6G7ONIS
Abyss pulled his hand away instantly in his own alarm as the gold continued to spread over Mirio’s body.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUofAuGyq4
“Pa?! What’s happinin’?!” Merry grabbed her father’s shoulders.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZA6gSefon
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuifnrZB4Rr
“Merry, I don’ think I’ll make it.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMbBREgyh1
“Don’ say that, Pa! Can’t yeh fight it?! It’s yer own power!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvWzAR7cKq
Mirio shook his head. “I don’t feel it in me anymore, lass.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ030yiXnAIc
“Why not?!” Tears streamed down Marry’s face. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyjiHzjI4I
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw51Wj6peFe
“Don’t say that, Pa! I’m not gonna sell yer corpse!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM5PTwA8P0
“Either way, I need yeh teh move on an be merry. I named yeh so, didn’t I?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMSzHuBTUy
“How can I move on?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGixDIuthpL
“Promise me.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTh5OWOXn
“Pa…”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJiuszBQmw
“Promise,” Mirio pressed again.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RqiXdAlGz
“… I promise, Pa.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAYdEgIbBG
“Now that’s a good lass.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PerScdPbv
The gold finally reached his head and fully overcame him leaving only a single golden tear that fell into the grass.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJkxjE7yTi
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauKUgdojNx
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyae7Da0UG
The daughter clutched her father’s statue, gripping his forearms tightly, burying her face into his hard chest where the magic reentered.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Hjde8hyg
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpjkr6U42S
“No,” Abyss breathed. He couldn’t move. The boy was frozen in place as the scene was forever frozen in time.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGa3x2M7Cs
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRscLqmdCnl
Merry’s eyes were squeezed shut as she mourned her father.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvomCCBdXG2
It was too much. Abyss, shaking finally blurted out a call of warning to Merry. “Your father’s power!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnVzsgxOo
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslSqmVfwcT
“No!” She cried in panic. “Father! Please!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqe25M4Nto
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoYOu8qCvQ
She fell to the ground in a crumpled form, the gold swallowing her completely. The vines that clothed her remained in their original forms.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXLvIPxngU
Abyss didn’t move from his place for a long while. This was his fault. One slip-up led to this horrible scene.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7yTjZe9s4
* * *
Achlys stepped out and looked over the statues and back to Abyss with a smirk.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs06pbIOAzh
“What have you been up to, Sol?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE8iKa5j8U
“I told you not to call me that,” Abyss muttered. “The curse of Midas.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucQheOEYWt
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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1la8rmHVjL
She waltzed over to the statue.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MhyhnuUkn
“Don’t touch him!” Abyss exclaimed in a panic.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnpnne3JBi
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5ir36uzPQ
“And his clothes?” she asked, carrying it over. “Heavier than it looks,” She muttered in annoyance.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz9oM0o2aB
“Fine.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZW9JYSOQX
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfLBmfOg4w
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMX1exHY3B
“I quite like it,” Achlys commented. “A real piece of work, is he?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIgJM2U6wM
Abyss didn’t know how to respond.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRn88AcI4V
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsffwnzIR
Abyss shook himself. “N-no. Sorry.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu8idPR9LX
“Good. Well, while you took your sweet time watching this go down, I got 5 followers and disposed of a couple dozen Kronos followers.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4NoMMzRIb
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxB3qwfzpz
Abyss faced at the traumatized-looking children with worry. “Did you do it in front of them?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgKLO5iCvu
“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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uUvuJHhMY
The little girl stepped forward. “Lucy, ma’am.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdvnaBqTzU
“Whatever, bury the cartridges around this statue, but don’t touch the guy.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrrX82WLuO
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLnMVidDAF
“With enough luck, the rosork will never be able to retrieve the cartridges,” Achlys said darkly.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCw7nxQp9O
As Lucy stood, the rest turned to leave.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK5sMMu0rj
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfpHCVUQ2N
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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrHrRJ7TtX
Abyss glanced at the strange exchange, but didn’t say anything.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgDzaus0rQ
“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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivGzVgS0ef
Abyss got the sense she was joking and let out a forced chuckle.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECFsXzMZiY
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.
ns216.73.216.154da2
