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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAlUjKfkmgl3
Abyss head his heart thumbing loudly and felt his lungs desperately expand and collapse in a desperate attempt to pull in air.82Please respect copyright.PENANAUcXNGl1lJx
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAQrYv1CuQu2
“Good job… congratulations. You’re free. Free from the ones who took your brother.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAWocqiLhf4a
“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.82Please respect copyright.PENANADcoiUF0Bk0
Instead, he focused on the bubbling anger. That was easier to process.82Please respect copyright.PENANAUXtx4nWjDQ
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAkjjBylzDP9
“…You’ll get better,” Achlys said with a stern tone, but there was still an air of uncertainty in her voice.82Please respect copyright.PENANAJoXUacmPnh
“All I could hear back there were screams. I killed so many people, and the screaming only grew.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAeBmVqdOLXY
Achlys’ face hardened. “People fear for their own lives as if they are the only ones who matter in the world. It’s selfish.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAHsSvg52SgL
“They sounded terrified.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAONFCNsBd2x
“Were they screaming for the safety of their companions or themselves?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAHJvOPvujmh
“I- I don’t know.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAMpqXJQvRQo
“Did they say to spare their friends, or did they beg for you not to kill them?”82Please respect copyright.PENANA23eO8UWo7R
“They didn’t say anything… they just screamed.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAQn9tQ3q1XQ
“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?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAXRbmC0LO4o
“I… I guess there was a lot of pushing,” Abyss answered.82Please respect copyright.PENANASC1UlNX0gL
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANA61cW53uu8m
“You.. you really thought this through, didn’t you?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAeWjIHoqzSc
“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.82Please respect copyright.PENANApdHCMA9HDf
“So we’re going to talk with them?” Abyss asked for clarification.82Please respect copyright.PENANAYitehbv5p2
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAiZb3vib4he
Abyssal’s eyes were wide at Achlys’ proposal, his tone defensive. “Kill them? But they were prisoners!”82Please respect copyright.PENANApf9R4depDu
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAicpZipjayg
After a moment, Abyss nodded in understanding. “Okay.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAhuWUNO4JWa
Achlys grinned. “Now for the fun part… The Hunt.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAHdN3ULP0a1
The title brought back some of the unease in Abyssal’s mind, but he was ready.82Please respect copyright.PENANAvQbkfN2CpS
* * *
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANA8zQRqsFOjL
“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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAFCsQzUUuz4
“Back off, boy-o or yeh’ll be a statue ‘fore you know what happened.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAULWuRXaByb
“You turned that into gold?”82Please respect copyright.PENANA1kbxYYmU1M
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAk4QwEYJjFG
“An’ whatever gave yeh that idea?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAbwNg66fsoK
Abyssal’s face fell. He knew the man was trying to be uncooperative, but he wasn’t going to fall for these psychology tactics.82Please respect copyright.PENANA34NrAshOKR
“I know someone like you.”82Please respect copyright.PENANALDDggivNgN
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAsMxrS9jm5y
“No, no, I do! Or at least, I-I’ve heard of him.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAR4A420YHLd
“Ah, might you be referin’ to the great king Midas?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAFwE4sHUXAn
“Yeah! Yeah, I’ve heard all about him.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAQJqOSQLhmj
“Well, he is myth. I am far greater, because I am real.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAwFiGPBTkvw
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZAwk3YRtN
Finally, an idea formed. “Then... you know the risks,” Abyssal said in a cryptic voice.82Please respect copyright.PENANAfCZhzMfPPF
Galloping was heard growing ever closer before a great elk stood proudly beside the old man. “Father!”82Please respect copyright.PENANAfC46E0Yw99
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANA8j5Fvqyies
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAFSuhqbMOO2
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAVqafaoRHZF
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAWAVzOWwEKD
“Woah, where did you get those?” Abyss asked as he stared at them and made a point to not stare at the woman.82Please respect copyright.PENANAPp9xL9NU5f
“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”82Please respect copyright.PENANAkj44RkBjFe
“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?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAOIuODboWny
“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!”82Please respect copyright.PENANAu10PaeTxJs
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANADpYFpaorb3
“What are you doing, boy-o?! Yeh have a death wish?!”82Please respect copyright.PENANA7G9y6uBUxQ
The elk stopped at Merry’s order as the events took place. She watched in stunned silence and confusion which evolved into concern.82Please respect copyright.PENANAsI9LM7899f
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAdwwORDN7uS
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAaJo97CRbka
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAO1Ou9P7jIv
“Argh! What’re yeh doin’ boy-o?!”82Please respect copyright.PENANApnkCsYCoTN
Abyss pulled his hand away instantly in his own alarm as the gold continued to spread over Mirio’s body.82Please respect copyright.PENANAbQzLJLdyPp
“Pa?! What’s happinin’?!” Merry grabbed her father’s shoulders.82Please respect copyright.PENANAqF18kD084M
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAQwVvxbztWT
“Merry, I don’ think I’ll make it.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAXi1sxJP5UK
“Don’ say that, Pa! Can’t yeh fight it?! It’s yer own power!”82Please respect copyright.PENANA5dlR51DBbq
Mirio shook his head. “I don’t feel it in me anymore, lass.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAy2wubYMPsd
“Why not?!” Tears streamed down Marry’s face. 82Please respect copyright.PENANAaGhB3L7FfI
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAXIUA1XDwH9
“Don’t say that, Pa! I’m not gonna sell yer corpse!”82Please respect copyright.PENANAu7ulFFFfr6
“Either way, I need yeh teh move on an be merry. I named yeh so, didn’t I?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAlY8pGnAzmb
“How can I move on?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAq4BUz0yLoi
“Promise me.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAkxFauCQt1k
“Pa…”82Please respect copyright.PENANAYWL7XFQhVy
“Promise,” Mirio pressed again.82Please respect copyright.PENANAnqZXnNjXVq
“… I promise, Pa.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAgF9cL3Ecjo
“Now that’s a good lass.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAUAo3SfSEHg
The gold finally reached his head and fully overcame him leaving only a single golden tear that fell into the grass.82Please respect copyright.PENANAQfmeDd43Pe
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAFHFXqJJLgS
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANA4y42GQTMpa
The daughter clutched her father’s statue, gripping his forearms tightly, burying her face into his hard chest where the magic reentered.82Please respect copyright.PENANAiL9CcsVV2v
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAyawwgOqqNN
“No,” Abyss breathed. He couldn’t move. The boy was frozen in place as the scene was forever frozen in time.82Please respect copyright.PENANAW7u9H6XP0W
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAJYR83oUUyC
Merry’s eyes were squeezed shut as she mourned her father.82Please respect copyright.PENANAUWEPIVG88b
It was too much. Abyss, shaking finally blurted out a call of warning to Merry. “Your father’s power!”82Please respect copyright.PENANATfpsPXDymo
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAMeeyzRSfPV
“No!” She cried in panic. “Father! Please!”82Please respect copyright.PENANAX12OsumUU8
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANA5u8uM7AYry
She fell to the ground in a crumpled form, the gold swallowing her completely. The vines that clothed her remained in their original forms.82Please respect copyright.PENANAMdEJveZHFn
Abyss didn’t move from his place for a long while. This was his fault. One slip-up led to this horrible scene.82Please respect copyright.PENANALiTA457zTv
* * *
Achlys stepped out and looked over the statues and back to Abyss with a smirk.82Please respect copyright.PENANAkQaPlK2tsv
“What have you been up to, Sol?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAz0rHP1RlpF
“I told you not to call me that,” Abyss muttered. “The curse of Midas.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAveqJeDhrht
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?”82Please respect copyright.PENANApkk5gxDuBx
She waltzed over to the statue.82Please respect copyright.PENANAKsnsEcbnvc
“Don’t touch him!” Abyss exclaimed in a panic.82Please respect copyright.PENANAp91HJPXfzl
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAEjFWGtHkr6
“And his clothes?” she asked, carrying it over. “Heavier than it looks,” She muttered in annoyance.82Please respect copyright.PENANAE4m9Y4VeVK
“Fine.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAD87esw5Y5v
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAJhurvz8ogy
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAfxT1jw84gv
“I quite like it,” Achlys commented. “A real piece of work, is he?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAsFvrNUgDls
Abyss didn’t know how to respond.82Please respect copyright.PENANAV9MUzXrfA8
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANArhRDvu2opC
Abyss shook himself. “N-no. Sorry.”82Please respect copyright.PENANA80bFULPOEP
“Good. Well, while you took your sweet time watching this go down, I got 5 followers and disposed of a couple dozen Kronos followers.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAVsWlddlk0C
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAg2OsJojfll
Abyss faced at the traumatized-looking children with worry. “Did you do it in front of them?”82Please respect copyright.PENANAqv2jA9AFHv
“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?”82Please respect copyright.PENANA62lAFLrYVU
The little girl stepped forward. “Lucy, ma’am.”82Please respect copyright.PENANA9etx2L1Nw4
“Whatever, bury the cartridges around this statue, but don’t touch the guy.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAfLAfV2fHCo
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAPDiZs2kclT
“With enough luck, the rosork will never be able to retrieve the cartridges,” Achlys said darkly.82Please respect copyright.PENANAzbA2wT9k2t
As Lucy stood, the rest turned to leave.82Please respect copyright.PENANAAC5ROHCK3h
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.82Please respect copyright.PENANAZaXZX17W7D
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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAkGkDDIu0wW
Abyss glanced at the strange exchange, but didn’t say anything.82Please respect copyright.PENANACEGZe1TtUh
“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.”82Please respect copyright.PENANAzfoqie63CF
Abyss got the sense she was joking and let out a forced chuckle.82Please respect copyright.PENANAK2uECOZae5
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.
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