My breathing was ragged. My form was covered in sweat. Blood dripping down from several places. Thin, non-lethal cuts marked my arms. The attempts to block once I failed to dodge the attacks evident.
Still better than scarring my face even more. From how Sunless explained how I look, in his own words:
"You look like you jumped into a volcano, took an ice bath, then decided to iron your face."
I had to ask about the last part. Apparently, it was a tool to even out clothes. Using vaporized steam to heat up the area.
So, the image I got of myself in my mind wasn't quite nice. I probably looked quite creepy with my blank white eyes as well.
I sidestepped the flying sword, my now shortened hair swaying with the movement.
There was a whirling sound behind me, and I barely managed to move my left leg before the same sword flew right where it was a moment ago.
I huffed out a breath of steam, fixing my wet hair slightly.
It has been two weeks since the training started. And I learned pretty quickly. That Cassia sucked at teaching. Or rather, she went straight to the extreme. Which was effective, but dangerous.
She skipped all the steps of listening to sounds, feeling the wind pressure change. And went straight for the practical application of those things.
Which worked, only because I already knew how to do that, even if only slightly.
Then there was my blessing. This manifested as another attribute.
Honestly, I was just glad [Blasphemer] was gone.
The new attribute gave me something different, something I didn't quite know how to use yet.
Attribute name: [Spectral].
Atribute description: [See the souls of your victims, see their fears, manifest them].
It was a short and seemingly simple description.
There were two parts to it.
First I could now see people's fears before using [Fear]. This allowed me to reconsider.
I had already used it on a civilian. There were no side effects on the person subjected to it.
The second part was much more interesting. In a sense. It allowed me to see. But rather than everything, I can just see soul cores.
This was extremely useful for sneak-attacking enemies. As well as being fully aware of a creature's rank and class.
A very useful ability, even if it emphasized my current weakness.
It was also a passive ability, which is how I figured out Sunless. My employer and current "caretaker" had three cores. Or rather, some sort of dark cores.
He seemingly also has an Unholy aspect. Or perhaps there were more varieties of ranks than I thought.
My line of thinking was shattered as if glass, the flying blade cutting into my thigh.
I frowned, but didn't show any other emotion.
My thoughts stabilized, focusing on three things.
Sound, wind, and my own body.
***
[Several hours later].
I sat in the kitchen once more. A water bottle in my grasp.
Cassie sat in front of me, and I could almost see her focus on me.
Sunless also decided to grace us with his presence today. He was reclined in a chair, sipping black coffee.
Finally, someone broke the semi-comfortable silence. And of course, it was Cassia.
"I can not teach anything more in this area." She paused, sipping some water.
"You will need to continue this on your own."
I nodded. Sunless and I came to this conclusion a while back.
There was a small pause, the air filling with a tinge of tension.
I could hear Sunless sit up straighter, his coffee now placed on the table.
I could hear Cassia's clothes rustle slightly, her fingers gripping the fabric.
"As for compensation."
She started, then paused. Debating on what to request, or perhaps, just building up the moment for dramatic effect.
Finally, her head turned towards me. The action nearly sent a shiver down my back.
I've still not gotten used to her strange presence. It was as if a gaze pierced your very soul, as if combing through your life with a brush, only to discard everything it finds as useless. Expendable.
"Apex. I wish you, to join the fire keepers."
She started out, her tone not changing. Her presence not falling or rising. For anyone who didn't know her as well as Sunless, they might have thought the request was just that. But Sunless had already explained how Cassia usually played her "games".
She lured them in, either because of your reputation, or your interesting aspect and or attributes.
And she made sure, very thoroughly, that you would place your life below that of Nephis. That you would take a fatal blow for her if needed.
This time, a shiver did run down my back. My skin feeling as if thousands of spiders are crawling on it.
"No."
I stated, my voice firm.
There was a long tense moment, the air filling with something I couldn't quite place into words.
"Perhaps I could learn about your attributes and or aspect?"
She asked slowly, her voice somehow softer than usual. Her presence was diminishing to almost that of a sleeper.
I thought it over for a moment. From what I knew of her. She could see aspects and attributes. Why would she ask that of me?
Perhaps she wanted to gain a connection, to build trust?
Either way, I wouldn't reveal too much. Especially not of my awakened ability.
"I can teleport, and.." I paused, wondering if it was a good idea to say this.
"I can see soul cores."
This time, I could feel it. Sunless gaze drilled into me. There wasn't an emotion, it was more like curiosity. Perhaps interest.
But I could feel it, the slight increase in tension, the air growing slightly thicker.
Finally, Cassia broke the tension, her tone making it seem she didn't notice the tension or dark presence.
"I see. Well then Apex, I hope you will continue your training on your own. You may reach out to me personally at any time."
She stood up, her clothes rustling, the chair slightly screeching across the ground.
She paused.
"Goodbye Apex."
She then addressed Sunless.
"It was nice seeing you Sunny, until the next time."
I could only assume Sunless had nodded, just as I have. Because there were no other words after that.
After Cassia left, I remained with Sunless in the kitchen for a while. Neither of us is speaking.
"Can you see my core..?"
He finally asked silently, his tone not angry, nor annoyed.
I nodded, raising three fingers.
Sunless had taught me not to share important information out loud. "Such a thing will only bite you back further down the line." He had said.
And I didn't have a reason not to listen to him.
He had taken care of me, gotten me a teacher. Housed me. Fed me.
All for a single favour.
***
I sat in an office, a man with wrinkles sitting behind a desk, going over files. Despite him already being in his late fifties, his hair remained as dark as midnight.
This was, of course, none other than Saint Cor, the leader of the government. The Wake of Ruin.
A man from the first generation, too stubborn to die. Too useful to be killed.
A man who had lived through hell several times, and returned only stronger and wiser.
The man put down the file he was holding, his eyes turning to me.
A small smile formed on his face, eyes slightly squinting.
"Hello, Lady Morgan."
I nodded back at the man. Even if I didn't enjoy his presence. It would be rude of me not to be polite.
"Saint Cor."
I returned.
The greetings now done, the real talk began.
"I lost the boy."
I stated it blandly, ashamed even to admit that.
The Saint nodded, as if he already expected this.
He rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing in thought.
"Will you be continuing your search?"
He asked evenly, his tone not giving anything away.
I nodded, "I will be starting to search the new outskirts. Then either NSQC or the dream realm.
The Saint stood up. Slowly walked towards the giant glass wall behind him.
He looked over the city, his hands clasped behind his back.
"You may leave now."
And I did immediately.
There was no point in me staying, nor did I wish to.
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