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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