Thruumm.
Yunok sank.
Cold pressure, pulling him down.
He kicked.
Nothing.
He pushed harder, forcing his body upward.
Then—
A low rumble.
It came from below.
Yunok froze.
He turned.
Slowly.
At first, he saw nothing.
Then—
Two eyes.
Slitted. Far apart. Massive.
Watching.
A figure formed in the abyss. Rising slowly.
No.
Fast.
Too Fast.
Panic snapped through Yunok's body. He surged upward, kicking with everything he had.
Yunok's thoughts ran as he desperately tried to escape.
"Faster."
"Faster."
"Don't look back."
"Don't look—"
He turned.
Too close.
It was right in front of him.
His body locked.
He opened his mouth—
And tried to scream.
"Fuck!!!!"
Water filled his lungs.
"Is this the end?"
He didn't choke.
Nothing happened.
He inhaled again.
Clear.
Alive.
Rumble!!!
The creature drifted back.
Slowly.
Its eyes never left Yunok. Then it vanished into the abyss.
----
Yunok shot up. Coughing out water.
"Ah...",
Zeth rushed over, sitting him up.
"There. There."
She patted his back.
"Where am I?" Yunok asked, then coughed.
"You're in my... room." Zeth answered.
Yunok scanned around.
The room looked clean and spotless. Her tiny pets were locked in their cages.
Yunok laid on a mattress opposite Zeth's bed.
"The mansion is full, and Mother needed the lab." She said, "But since you were still in the middle of Awakening, she had me move you here."
Yunok smiled, faintly. "I was expecting lots of webs and tiny spider babies."
Zeth frowned. "Ehh..."
Yunok scratched his ribs.
"But you're pretty clean."
She chuckled. "Uhh, thank you?"
Yunok scratched more.
"Why am I so itchy?"
He took off the drenched cloth he had on.
Zeth froze.
"What?" Yunok asked.
Zeth pointed at his body.
Yunok looked down, following her gaze.
Gills had formed at his side, beside his ribs.
"What the actual fuck?"
He stood up, quickly.
"When did this happen?"
Zeth moved closer.
"Ok, Yunok. Calm down."
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Who was your Void Ruler?" She asked.
"Hmm…"
Yunok glanced around, trying to remember.
"Morthev— Yeah, Morvethis." He replied.
"Morvethis!?" Zeth snapped, taking a few steps backwards.
"What?" Yunok blinked.
"The real question you should be asking is, How are you still alive?"
She stepped forward, holding Yunok by the shoulder, shaking him.
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow." Yunok yelped silently.
"Oh... Sorry."
Zeth let go.
"Am I supposed to be dead?" He asked, trying to get his balance.
"To be very honest with you… Yes." She laughed. "But seriously, how are you still alive?"
"I…"
Yunok blanked.
"…don't know."
"Did you meet the Void Ruler?" She asked.
"Yeah... I think I did."
He said, slowly seating on the mattress.
Zeth sat beside him.
"How did it go?"
Yunok thought for a moment.
"I was in the abyss. Surrounded by nothing but water. Then I felt an overwhelming presence. And I saw him."
A pause.
"A serpent. A Titan. His head is probably as big as this mansion... If not bigger."
"The Void of Abyss." Zeth whispered.
"What was that?" Yunok asked.
"Oh it's nothing… please continue."
"O-Okay."
Yunok continued.
"I got so scared that I forgot I was supposed to hold my breath…"
"And I ended up trying to gasp for air…"
A pause.
"That's when I figured I could breathe under water." He said. "I guess that explains the gills..."
"And—"
Zeth ran her finger along Yunok's chest, cutting Yunok off.
"You also achieved mutuality with your cursed rune. I'm surprised."
"Mutuality?" Yunok blinked.
"I can feel two heartbeats." She said, "That means, Morvethis agreed to be an extension of…"
She placed her finger on his forehead.
"...you."
They locked eyes for a moment, then broke apart.
Silence.
She chuckled dryly, slightly turning away.. "I kinda envy you though."
"Why?"
She smiled.
"Most people struggle to accept a cursed rune of the Transcendence class. Even me. Yet you handled the rune of a Higher Authority..."
She continued.
"Mother told me. When I first got Archnia, my void ruler, I had too many complications that almost cost me my life. But I had to give up one thing..."
"And what's that?"
"Hatred..."
"Hatred?" Yunok asked.
"I loathed my father..."
Zeth lowered her head.
"That bastard was a drunk that killed me mother and raped my sister…"
"…His own daughter."
She continued.
"He tried to do the same to me, but my sister kept offering herself to protect me. Till she can't... Anymore."
Silence.
Then, she spoke moments later.
"She died..."
Zeth wiped the tears rolling down her cheek.
"I remembered how hard I cried that day as I watched my mother and sister's corpse slowly rot and feed the maggots."
Yunok didn't say anything.
He just listened.
"I decided to kill that bastard. But when I drove the knife into his chest—"
A pause.
"The fool had already died."
She chuckled, dryly. "So I kept stabbing him… and stabbing… till I eventually lost strength in my arms."
"Mother found me the next day." She continued, "She called me weak when she first saw me. I kept following her the entire day until she just accepted me."
Zeth held out her hand.
A web shot out from it.
"She told me I had so much hatred for a body so young, rather than keep it in me, she gave me Archnia to house that hatred."
"Oh.. That's what you meant when you said you sacrificed your hate." Yunok muttered.
"Yeah, and that was what caused the complications. I didn't want to. But eventually I had to."
She turned to Yunok.
"So, anyone I hate is stored in Archnia till I let her out."
"So do you hate me?" Yunok asked.
She playfully turned to Yunok. She smiled, her eyes still red from the tears she just shed.
Then, she stood. And walked over to the corner of her room.
"Mother told me to hand you something."
"You didn't answer my question." Yunok said.
Zeth continued. "She said this materialised from the abyss."
"Zeth…" Yunok muttered. "...I don't want a giant spider on me..."
She brought out a longsword.
A straight narrow blade drawn to a fine, lethal point.
Ice was its steel.
The edge ran clean on both sides, tapering without mercy. No flare. No curve. But built to pierce and slash.
A serpent formed the handle. Its body curling into the space of the hand. At the guard, the serpent's head rose, jaws open, and fangs bared.
"Here, take it. It's cold."
Zeth handed it over.
Yunok took it with caution.
"Oh..."
Cold bled from the blade. A chill that settled into bone when gripped.
"Don't you feel the cold?" Zeth asked.
Yunok shook his head.
"Rather... It feels warm and... Alive."
"Mother said that. This was Morvethis' way of "fighting with you" without actually needing him." Zeth said.
"Oh really? How'd she know that?" Yunok asked.
"She's over six hundred years old, it'd be strange if she doesn't." Zeth blurts.
Yunok froze.
"Six hundred?"
Zeth covered her mouth. "You heard nothing from me"
Yunok laughed, then stood.
He held out the sword.
Then, slashed.
Whoosh.
The blade left a mist in its path.
"It's light."
Whoosh.
"It handles well also..."
Whoosh.
"But the grip might take some getting used to."
He smiled. "I wanna test it now."
Zeth placed her hands on his shoulder.
"No! It's night now. You should rest."
"Uhm... I just woke up you kno—"
The sword trembled.
Then, it flew off Yunok's hand. Sheathing itself, in a scabbard made of brown thick fur.
"What the—"
Zeth burst out in laughter.
"I think Morvethis agrees.", she said, "Remember. It's his body too."
Yunok shrugged. "Tsk. Fine."
"Take a seat. I'll go get you your dinner."
She left the room.
Yunok sat.
Alone.
He placed his hand on his chest.
Two heartbeats.
"Eimira... I'm finally strong enough for you."
"I am finally worthy of being the King everyone would respect and fear."
He laughed.
"I don't need the Primodial's blessings anymore."
"Now. I am an extension of Morvethis—"
----
Morning light spilled into the room.
Yunok laid on his bed, awake. Clearly fuming about something.
"So, you really aren't gonna come out of there uhn."
Yunok seemed to be talking to... someone, or maybe himself.
"Jeez." He sat up. "You know I can just use my own sword right?"
"..."
He stared at Morvethis, laying stationary at a corner.
"Don't go silent on me, Morvethis." He snapped.
"Can you shut it?"
"No." Yunok replied.
Zeth groaned. "Who are you talking to?"
"The one who owns the other heart." He answered.
"I am you and you are me. Deal with it." Morvethis snapped back.
"Tsk..."
"Is this still about him not letting you use the sword?" Zeth asked.
Yunok didn't answer, he just turned away.
Zeth smiled. "Awwwn."
Yunok's eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare do that to me."
She laughed. "Sure. Sure."
Zeth stood from. "Just wait a bit more. Mother doesn't allow any form of training this early either."
"Why?" Yunok pressed.
"Cursed runes take a long time to be a part of you, so before then, you have to limit how much you use them." She answered.
"Exactly what I told yo—"
"Shut it." Yunok interrupted Morvethis.
Zeth giggled. "You two surely have gotten closer."
Yunok rose from his bed. "Well after spending the whole night talking to him. That's bound to happen."
He grabbed Morvethis and opened the door.
"And..." He turned, eyes fixed on Zeth. "She's a partner, not my mother. I'm gonna make that clear now."
His words came out sharp.
Zeth stayed silent.
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
The door opened again.
"..."
Zeth stared at Yunok.
"C-Can you point me to the training ground?"
Zeth laughed.
"I'm coming. Just wait outside a little bit longer."
----
The training ground. A small field at the rear of the mansion. Nearing the door to the Dark Forest.
Monsters from the dark forest roamed the area.
Yunok stood with Morvethis in his hand, Zeth standing behind him.
"Do monsters really just come here?" Yunok asked.
"Here." Zeth answered. "Low ranked runes are used to power the facilities in the mansion."
Yunok turned.
"Oh yeah, what are those... things in Seraveth's room?
"Technology?" She answered.
Yunok's eyes narrowed. "Tec... What?"
Zeth giggled.
"Don't stress about it. I don't know either."
She pointed ahead.
"Monsters approaching."
A Six-legged beast with black fur that swallowed what little light touched it.
The beasts slowly approached.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Four eyes on each side of its face with a protruding jaw, slightly opened, filled with jagged teeth, a slow flow of black drool.
Four of these beasts approached Yunok.
Slowly.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Then, they spread out.
Yunok stood his ground. Morvethis in hand, his other sword on his waist.
"Okay, Morvethis. Let's see how well we can work as one."
The monsters stopped, as if deciding who to attack first.
Then—
Their legs shifted.
Four legs shifted and repositioned backward on three of the beasts, while the last beast did the opposite.
They charged.
One charging straight at Yunok. Two flanking his sides.
Yunok unsheathed Morvethis, and he hissed free.
One of Yunok's eyes emitted a strange mist.
The first beast swung. Its massive paw, crashing down.
Yunok dodged the attack and went for a stab.
But then—
The monster moved backwards. Too fast for its size.
Yunok's face twisted. "What the—"
"Your side!" Zeth yelled.
Yunok turned sharply, launching himself backward to avoid another attack.
But the other one was already behind him.
"Focus on your back now!" Zeth shouted louder.
Yunok did just that.
Scales formed like an impenetrable armour.
The paw of the beast crashed hard on Yunok's back, hurting itself.
Yunok pulled out his other sword, using it to mark the beast's paw, then a follow up using Morvethis.
A clean slice.
The paw fell.
The beast roared.
"Don't think you can just corner the first captain and have your way." Yunok bragged.
Whoosh.
A soft hollow thud.
The head of the first beast fell.
Immediately. The other attacked.
"Shi—"
A clean hit that sent Yunok flying.
He landed on his feet.
"Do they conceal their footsteps?" Yunok thought.
Two attacked simultaneously.
Yunok dashed past them, slicing with Morvethis.
Yunok was just too nimble for them.
"Yunok!" Zeth yelled.
She was being chased by the last beast.
"Help!"
Yunok scoffed.
"The fuck do you mean help!" He yelled. "Why can't you fight it?"
"I-I'm…"
She dodged an attack.
"...I'm more of an ambush and trap fighter." She yelled.
"Tsk, she's too far." Yunok muttered.
The two beasts behind him attacked again.
He slid under one, tearing its belly open.
Thud!
It fell. It's black guts spilling all over the place.
Yunok turned to Zeth.
"Just run towards m—"
The beast lunged at Zeth.
"Relax your muscles..."
Boom!!
In an instant. Yunok appeared between the Zeth and the beast.
He sliced clean through the four frontal legs.
Then.
A pierce that finally dropped the beast.
Zeth fell on her knees.
"Fucking bastard..." She breathed heavily. "The idiot came after me."
"What are they?" Yunok asked.
"Dreadmanes." She replied.
Zeth stopped to catch her breath.
"A greater rune beast..." She said "There are more types of this beast. Just different… species."
She stretched her hand.
"This one specifically is called, The Aethra Dreadmane."
Yunok helped her up. "And I assume their ability is—"
"Stealth... Yes." Zeth cut in. "They are annoying."
"Yeah....I can tell." He said. "I normally don't fight monsters, especially ones who can conceal their footste—"
Morvethis suddenly flew out of Yunok's hand. Spinning multiple times and going behind him.
KRRRSSSHHH
A low growl. Then a heavy thud.
Yunok and Zeth turned and saw the last dreadmane, dead.
Morvethis flew right back into Yunok's hand.
"I hate these fucking beasts!!!" Zeth snapped.
"Never let your guard down. Even after a battle."
"Thanks, Morvethis..."
Zeth tugged on Yunok's clothes.
"Let's go back inside." She said,
Yunok blinked. "Aren't we going to pick up the runes?"
Zeth shook her head.
"That low growl was a cry for help... More are probably coming." She said. "They travel in a large group."
"But I still need more trai—"
"Yunok!"
She snapped.
"Let's. Go."
Silence.
"O-Okay, fine."
Yunok walked slightly behind Zeth.
"So..." Yunok tapped her. "Where are we going?"
Zeth turned her head. "Uh nowhere special."
She continued.
"Since you recovered too fast thanks to your Void ruler. It means that you'd be leaving soon.."
"Oh." Yunok sighed. "Well, I have to. Since I'm still a captain afterall."
"The others have been wanting to meet you." She said.
"Others?" Yunok blinked.
"The numbered children."
"Oh.."
"The ones that were made the same time as I was..." She exhaled. "Well they don't really live here anymore."
"Why?" Yunok asked.
She didn't answer, then picked up her pace.
"Slow down Zeth..." Yunok rushed after her.
The path shrunk as they went deeper, completely disappearing and fully covered by dense bushes
Then.
Zeth pushed through, and it opened up into a lake view.
Silent. Peaceful.
Beautiful.
Yunok's mouth dropped.
"This is my favourite secret place in all of Terraka." Zeth said. "A little into the Dark forest, probably the most peaceful part of it."
She smiled. "Monsters barely come through here."
Yunok stepped forward.
"It's beautiful, but— why are you showing me this?"
Zeth sat on the sand.
"I don't know..."
She leaned back, resting on her hand.
"Maybe..."
A pause.
She giggled. "I don't know."
She laid on the ground. "Just relax here for a bit before your journey back to the palace."
"Well.. what a waste of time. Don't you think?" Yunok whined.
Zeth didn't answer.
"Tsk.."
Thud.
Yunok sat.
He took in a deep breath, then exhaled.
"It's... quiet." He said.
"Zeth..."
"Hmm?"
"Why exactly did you bring me here?" He asked.
Zeth smiled. "I told you that I don't know..."
Silence.
"Maybe... I just wanted a way for you to relax after your first training with your cursed rune."
"Is that so?"
----
It was now nearing evening. Yunok had gotten everything he needed from Seraveth and was now prepared to go back to the capital.
Duke had returned with a horse for him.
"If we leave now. We should get to the palace by night." He said. "We won't be seen by anyone."
"Ok..." Yunok replied.
He turned.
"I guess this is goodbye..."
"For now." Zeth replied.
Yunok smiled. "Yeah... I guess."
Yunok mounted the horse.
He waved. "Well... Goodbye."
Zeth didn't wave back, she just flashed him a smile, then turned and began taking her leave.
"At least say it back..." He whispered, a smile tugging at his lips.
He stared at her for a bit.
Only breaking off contact when Duke nudged him.
"You both seem close, after just a day." Duke said.
Yunok was caught off guard
"Uhh..."
Duke laughed. "You never really had friends. So maybe you feel a bit sad leaving the first friend you made."
"Tsk." Yunok laughed. "Hell no."
He turned his horse.
"Let's go...,"
"I have a bride to claim."
"Hiyaahh!!!"