Garden Of The Abyss

Instantly the differences between this room and any before it were clear to Ren, as a pathway made of stone sat around a body of murky water, holding an unseen depth.

The bridge that stood above the harrowing depths was weathered and slippery, holding a translucent layer of the deathly, likely disease-holding water. In the center of the murky room, at the end of the somber path sat a circular flooring of stone, shaking subtly from the push of the flowing water.

"Of course there has to be a water level. I see these old gods really do have a bone to pick with mortals…"

"Doesn't matter what Asterius throws at me, I'll cut it all apart with my blades. I know he's watching, somewhere--probably pissing himself."

Entranced once more by the concept of bloodshed, this time, Goldheve opted to reach behind his back, pulling out two jagged blades that resembled a cross between shortswords and saws.

"How do you even know we're going to fight anything?"

"I can smell it in the air. Death is waiting around, he knows what is about to happen."

Ren was hesitant to draw his blade, knowing full well that the bloodthirsty man would have no problem taking care of whatever waited ahead.

A slight vibration ran across the soles of his boots, water splashing onto the stone pathway from the subtle rumbling. He didn't think anything of it, taking a few steps forward before the vibration returned--this time, with greater intensity.

--Huh?

It all felt as if it happened in slow motion, watching as a figure erupted from the lake of shadows, baring its rows of hungering blades that lined its gums. A gray, almost humanoid body with the head of a scarred great white shark, leaping from the watery habitat it hid in--aiming its ripe, crimson fangs towards the abrasive, unsuspecting warrior.

Before he could let even a single utterance escape his lips, he found himself with his blade drawn, with the distance between him and the aquatic creature cut away before he could process the exorbitant speed he unleashed.

"Dunkel: Shadowstep", is what he had planned to say, a spell specializing in rapid, almost instantaneous movement. Every cell in his body moved towards one action--bringing his blade forward and through the slimy body of the malicious creature, having no trouble parting its unnatural head from its shoulders. There was no thought required to complete these movements, not even realizing what had been done until the soles of his feet met with solid ground once more.

By the time the decapitated body of the man-shark had fallen to the ground, Goldheve had finally turned around, blades in hand--only to find the battle had already ended.

"What the hell happened?"

"...I...I don't know."

It felt as if he was but a passenger in his own body for that moment, looking at his hand which held Belus as it quivered from the now dissipating adrenaline.

--My head...

"So we're dealing with "Malwerks", sneaky bastards."

Goldheve nudged his stained black boots against the lifeless body of the fallen creature, watching as its webbed fingers and toes still twitched.

--I feel sick.

Just as the thought swept across his mind, his stomach turned, spewing out a cough backed with bile. All of the heat felt as if it evaporated from his pores, leaving his body with a quivering cold. A headache set in, throbbing directly behind his left eye as he covered it with his hand, wincing at the abrupt onset of pain.

"The hell is up with you?"

The first thought that came to mind was potentially being low on mana, but this feeling was completely different. The absence of mana tended to feel the same as extensive physical activity, but this felt to him more like a nauseating sickness.

"--I think using magic like that did something to me."

"Huh?"

Goldheve was clearly clueless as to Ren's situation, flipping his blades in his hands as he kept his distance as if the young man was a contagious patient zero.

--Darkness. It feels like a black fog is occupying my mind, an empty darkness sitting in my stomach...Taking away everything from within.

"--I'm fine."

Ren stood himself straight with a few deep breaths, wiping the residue liquid from the corner of his mouth before spitting the tainted saliva out.

"Didn't ask," Goldheve abrasively responded with his back already turned, "we've got some uglies coming our way."

As sick as he was, the complete and utter lack of empathy from his loose companion drove through Ren a burning resolve--a resolve to steal all of his fun from him by taking all of the action for himself.

--I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm some snot-nosed brat, I don't have much pride or self-esteem to speak of, so I'm inclined to prove him wrong.

A gang of the shark-men broke through the surface of the black water, landing on the stone flooring below with their damp, webbed feet. Now that he could actually see one clearly, they were around the height of a young adult human, with the build of a linebacker.

As usual, Goldheve took his time, scraping his blades together with a wicked smile as he slowly walked towards the incoming menaces.

This, however, was something Ren used to his advantage as he bolted past the man with his hand already around his blade.

Even in a situation like this, with his aching sickness—he felt like laughing from the thrill. Imagining the priceless look on Goldheve's face as he left him in the dust, drawing Belus as he cut apart the first malwerk before him.

Sometimes he forgot the strength he had accumulated throughout his time on Gaia—watching as he split the aquatic fiend into a tray of sushi. At the turn of his action, he could feel the immense presence of Goldheve approaching, aiming for the three malwerks to his right.

—Not happening!

"Dunkel: Shadowstep!"

In a speed that surpassed even the bloodlusted accomplice of his, Ren introduced the sharpness of his blade to the soft and rubbery exterior of the fishmen. It was a jarring spell to adjust to when first training it, but Shadowstep proved to be an invaluable tool in his repertoire--even if it was for a moment, it granted him speed unmatched in most areas.

Pivoting with a slight spin, Belus was brought down upon the next creature's head, splitting it down the middle as a fountain of cobalt blood spewed forth.

—One more from this batch! I can't wait to see the look on his face, he'll have to stop calling me "kid".

Gripping the handle of his trusty blade once more he whispered the incantation for his Shadowstep, propelling his body through space—sinking the tip of Belus into its soft abdomen.

A flick of his wrist incurred a ravine through its belly, disemboweling it with force deemed to be excessive.

"—The hell are you getting at here?"

Goldheve watched the slaughter of the malwerks, his bloodlust replaced by confusion. While the man was left perplexed by the sudden enthusiasm displayed by the young man, Ren wasted no time moving onto the approaching malwerks.

Their feet splashed against the stone below their step, baring their pit of fangs as their glazed-over eyes looked as if they were already in the world of the dead. Swiping his blade across the air from a distance impossible for Belus to reach--Ren unleashed a "Dunkel: Slicer" from his lips, sending forth a blade of darkness through two of the approaching aquatic monsters.

--These are small fry, I'm not really partial to believe this is it for this room.

Finishing the last of these helpless creatures was finished off by a swift strike, disconnecting its head from its shoulders before Ren swiped the unnaturally colored blood from the steel of his weapon.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Slaying my enemies, just as you did."

"Don't get it twisted, I'm only letting you tag along because I felt sorry just looking at you. If you're set on becoming a fucking nuisance, trying to become a real competitor--then I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

As he expected, Goldheve wasn't exactly thrilled with having all of the "fun" taken away from him. His hands trailed down, behind his cape as he reached for something--stopping as a massive splash erupted from the once still waters. A downpour of the unclear, sewage-like waters rained down upon the two as they looked on towards what had made itself known.

"--I think I jinxed it. The boss is here."

"Stay the fuck out of this one, brat."

Even as he smiled from the prospect of battle, the look in Goldheve's eyes were anything but joy--reeking of absolute bloodlust that needed an outlet, gripping his drawn blades as if he was planning on shattering the handles.

"Sure, sure."