Thalindra

Thalindra sat in the Mayor's office with her head in her hands, trying her best to suppress the oncoming headache. Even the City Admin, Henry, was seated with a deep frown right beside her. It hadn't even been a week since Lord Ashryn was appointed, and he had already created a political nightmare for them to deal with. Kidnapping a five-year-old soon after your appointment wasn't a great look. Moreover, it had been two whole days since the pair had been last seen leaving the city. And there hadn't been any communication from their mysterious leader since.

Neither Thalindra nor Henry suspected Lord Ashryn of anything nefarious; she had seen his soul after all, whereas Henry…well, he must have his reasons. They were worried about his public image though. The rumor mill was churning already, and neither of them could do anything about it.

The only saving grace was that the child's guardian, her grandmother, wasn't pressing charges. In fact, the old crone seemed to be out of it most of the time. Which was a blessing in disguise, since otherwise they would have to strip Lord Ashryn's of his position. An awkward thing to do since the city was divided in their support of the Mayor. Half of them believed in his message, while the other half wanted him to be gone. The nobles obviously were in the latter camp.

"You think we should put out a fake announcement?" Thalindra asked. "Declare that he is on an escort quest or something."

"I doubt that will appease the people," Henry shook his head. "Especially with the nobles stoking the fires from the shadows."

Thalindra clenched her fists in anger. She really hated the nobility. Opportunistic cockroaches: that is what they were in her eyes.

"I know, Henry," Thalindra cried out in frustration. "But we need to do something. The city morale is dropping like a brick. In a few more days, we might have a revolt on our hands."

But before the man could reply, the office door swung open, and the one responsible for this mess walked in casually. Thalindra was about to demand answers but froze when she saw who was next to him: yet another Awakened. And she knew this person intimately.

Jenny | Human | Warrior | Level 35

"Oh, hello Lady Sylvathorn. It's so nice to see you again," Jenny said in a cheerful voice with a wave of her hand.

But the girl looked completely different, and her demeanor was the opposite of the shy and timid person she had known. She stood tall in an impressive armor set, reminiscent of the adventurers from the Guild.

It didn't make sense to her. Ignar and his team Awakening was one thing; they were veteran fighters after all. But her…

Henry was the first to recover. He gave a formal bow before asking, "I hope your mission was successful, Lord Fenrast."

"Yes. I just set up the teleportation array between here and Reality's Edge," Lord Fenrast said as he sat down at his desk. "I need you to go and secure it. Access is to be restricted to only those I approve of. Here is the list of names. And oh, please send Miranda to fetch Mrs. Ashvein for me. Tell her I need to talk about her granddaughter, and that the girl is safe."

Both the administrators took a breath of relief at the news. Now that they knew the kid was fine, they could deal with the aftermath.

Henry gave a formal bow and left without a word. Thalindra was still reeling from the shock when Jenny addressed her.

"Is everything alright, Lady Sylvathorn?" Jenny asked with genuine worry.

"Ah… um… yes. Yes, I am alright," Thalindra said while shaking her head to refocus.

Lord Fenrast had pulled out some papers and was busy writing, so she turned to the red head who now had misty blue eyes instead of the regular brown from earlier. Another tell-tale sign of an Awakened. The eyes were windows to the soul after all.

"Oh good. You spaced out for a second," Jenny replied with a smile before proceeding to sit on one of the couches. "Aaah. Been so long since I sat on a genuine piece of furniture."

"You are free to use my room; it's got an adequate bath too. The other rooms might be unavailable. I will be busy for quite some time," Lord Fenrast said without raising his head from whatever document he was writing.

"What? Really? See you in a couple of hours," Jenny screamed with joy and ran out the room like a storm.

"Seeing that you are still in my office, you've got questions I assume?" Lord Fenrast asked her while continuing to do his work. But Thalindra didn't know where to start. She floundered to find the right words, but he didn't press further.

"The kid. Is she truly safe?" she finally asked the most important question from her list.

"She is at Reality's Edge, with Bane and the others," Lord Fenrast replied simply as he folded and sealed a letter before grabbing another piece of paper. "I'd like to see a force capable of getting past my pack."

"And her. She is level 35, and an Awakened. How is that even possible?" she said while pointing towards the door.

He didn't even blink as he continued writing without looking her way.

"She's been farming XP in a high leveled area by herself for quite some time. She in fact has two dungeon clears to her name. It would be weird if she wasn't that high leveled," he responded calmly, completely glossing over the Awakened part. "You can ask her the rest yourself. But do hang back for a bit. I need you for something."

Thalindra was about to ask further, when there was a sharp knock on the door. At Lord Fenrast's command, the door opened to reveal a maid leading a weak old woman. The Mayor stood and approached the two, before pointing at a couch for the frail old woman to sit in. The woman walked with a stick and was very slow. But Lord Ashryn waited patiently for her to be seated, before sitting opposite her.

"Let me start by apologizing for whisking away your granddaughter without permission," Lord Fenrast started in a polite tone. "I assure you she is safe, and that no one can track her. You can join her shortly. I just needed to ask you a few questions about her past."

The woman's partially blind eyes lit up for a moment at the mention of the word "track".

"Oh, it's alright young man. I was not worried in the slightest. These old eyes might be too weak to see the world, but they can see the real person behind any mask with ease," the shriveled crone replied with a motherly smile. "I am assuming you want to know about the child's past?"

Lord Ashryn said nothing, just nodding in acknowledgment.

But Thalindra was focused on something else entirely. It was the first time she had met the woman, but the response to her Identify was worrisome.

Human | Chef | Level ???

Mrs. Ashvein had a cooking Class and was obviously weaker despite her higher level. But something about her made Thalindra shrink back in fear. Like she was sitting before a hidden monster.

As though sensing her thoughts, the old lady turned to Thalindra and gave a warm smile. At least it was warm at first sight. Something about it made Thalindra recoil further.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"There is not much to tell really," the woman spoke while turning back to the Mayor. Lord Fenrast didn't have any outward reaction to the woman's oppressive presence. "My daughter and I came to this planet to start a new life after struggling to make ends meet. My son-in-law died last year, and my daughter was forced into selling their blacksmithing business by the nobles who ruled the land. Maybe that is why the headstrong kid is fascinated by blacksmithing. Unfortunately, we also lost my daughter during the Treant attack."

There was genuine sadness in those words. But Thalindra picked up faint undercurrents of deception from the lady. There was more to the story than she was letting on. But despite the vulnerability, there was a strength in Mrs. Ashvein's eyes that Thalindra couldn't explain.

"I am sorry for your loss. If you don't my asking, how did the girl's father die?" Lord Fenrast asked, probably picking on the same thing she did.

"It was natural causes," Mrs. Ashvein replied neutrally.

Thalindra was about to interrupt the conversation when Lord Fenrast beat her to it.

"Thank you for sharing this information. Please return to your room. You will be joining your granddaughter sometime today," he said with a subtle nod.

The woman had a calm introspective look as she regarded Lord Ashryn. The inquisitive stare unnerved Thalindra, yet Lord Ashryn sat comfortably.

"Is she truly safe? Can no one find her where she is now?" Mrs. Ashvein finally. But there was a brief crack in her demeanor. Her fists were clenched.

"You have my word Mrs. Ashvein. No harm will befall her as long as I live. All I ask in return is that you pack up and join your granddaughter. You will both be safe there," Lord Fenrast said with a bow, shocking Thalindra.

Nobles never bowed before those of a lower station. Mrs. Ashvein too picked up on the gesture, a complicated look in her eyes.

"Make sure she travels through the portal safely," Lord Fenrast commanded to the maid who was helping the old woman walk.

Thalindra saw everyone go, leaving her alone with their Mayor. Her mind was abuzz with countless questions based on the entire interaction. She was about to ask, but Lord Fenrast spoke first.

"The kid's soul is being tracked. I don't know by whom, and I don't know why. I had no choice but to drag her away and hide her the best I could. I don't know if it will be enough, but I had to do something," he said to her absolute shock. But his next words ramped up her horror to a whole new level. "Her soul also has stringent shackles on it which will limit her future growth."

Thalindra covered her mouth in horror. She knew what that was like—because she had done it. Shackling a child's soul for political survival, for duty, for power—whatever excuse she'd used, it haunted her still. The memories came unbidden, forcing her to recall the ever present burden. She was lost for words when Lord Fenrast spoke again.

"That is where I need you. My soul powers are not good for nurturing or healing. But I know yours are," he turned to her with resolute eyes. "So, I am requesting your help. But I need you to fully understand what you are getting involved with. The powers behind this are unknown, and getting involved with me will drag you through more trouble than you can comprehend. My list of enemies is growing by the day now, and none of them are anything to scoff at. The Solarian Dominion and Glendwyr are just two that some people are aware of. My biggest hurdle is Overseer Velcodirust. And we can add this unknown threat to the list too. That woman is of noble lineage for sure, probably running from someone."

That made Thalindra drop in her seat, her knees too weak to support her weight. Her mind blanked out, not registering the world around her. Even discounting all the mentioned names, that last one was associated with pure terror across the entire multiverse. And she had a personal connection to that monster.

She shook her head to focus on their Mayor. Even now, he was as calm and composed as ever.

"How… how are you so calm about it?" she asked weakly. He merely shrugged his shoulders in response.

"I know it is a lot to process. So, take your time. I will understand if you don't want to get involved. I will find another way," he said while heading over to his desk and continuing going over the documents he was working on, unofficially dismissing her to leave.

Thalindra walked towards the exit in a trance, only turning back as she stood with her hand on the door. She looked back at the unassuming man who looked busy doing some normal paperwork. Even now, his soul didn't reveal any fear, doubt, or regret. She finally began to see why those who knew him trusted him without question. How he managed to trigger so many people to Awaken, and why so many more were drawn to him.

He was but a single man against a storm. Yet he stood like an unyielding wall.

* * *

System Nurse

The draugr dressed in scrubs stood in the hall before the obsidian throne. She had been standing here for hours, not daring to interrupt her superior—the blonde-haired System Administrator. Both women stared at the single screen amongst the trillions. It showed Aenon sitting in a quaint office while writing down some instructions. The screen clearly showed what was being written, which made the Nurse raise an eyebrow in appreciation.

"He is meticulous when it comes to planning, isn't he?" she finally spoke up.

Yet her superior said nothing, her gaze fixed solely on the boy—even as an adjacent screen displayed a war of unimaginable scale. The armies of the Solarian Dominion clashed with a patchwork of lesser factions, puppeteered from the shadows by Overseer Velcodirust. Billions perished in the stalemate, their deaths unnoticed and unmourned by either side. Still, none of it drew her attention away from the child.

"He is," the System Admin replied emotionlessly. "But he has a long way to go. He's got powerful subordinates at his disposal now. And yet, the fool insists on doing things alone. His stubbornness will cost him dearly."

"True," the Nurse responded. "Which is why I must insist on your help…"

The Nurse shut her mouth when the Admin turned towards her. The eerie gaze from those hollow eye sockets was enough to unravel the strongest souls within the Multiverse. The only reason the Nurse still managed to exist was because she was a System construct, and had no soul.

"Apologies, my lady," the Nurse said with a deep bow.

Despite knowing the risks, the Nurse had no choice but to keep trying to gain the Admin's assistance. Helping Aenon was hard coded into her programming, and the powers he was up against weren't something the fledgling soul mage could handle. Just the knowledge of his existence would halt the pointless war in its tracks, making them focus all that firepower to eradicate him.

The Admin turned back towards the previous screen and continued her impassionate vigil. But she did respond, "In his own words, I will only grant him opportunities. What he does with them is up to him. I will not coddle the boy. Let him learn from his mistakes. Or die in consequence to his foolishness."

"But my liege," the Nurse responded restlessly. "He is too valuable. Being a void element user is enough for him to be hunted. But he has become so much more now. His unique Title and its abilities are downright obscene. He has caused five Awakenings so far. Once word of his innate affinity and unique abilities gets out, the entire Multiverse will join hands in trying to eliminate him. No one will allow someone who can bypass System safeguards to live in peace."

There was a deep unease in her voice, for the Nurse knew of the odds. It was beyond unwinnable at this point. No man could stand up against the whole world. Even if Aenon went unnoticed for the entire duration till level 700—a statistical impossibility—he still wouldn't be able to make it out alive.

For the first time, the Admin showed some emotion. A brief look of sadness flashed across her face, before she controlled herself. But the Nurse did notice it, unsure on what it meant.

"He is everything I had hoped for, and like you said, so much more," the Admin finally said. "Which is why I know he will absolutely hate my interference. I have already meddled enough by using the backdoor key to allow his Title upgrade. And I know he is going to absolutely wreck the balance of power."

"But if you talked to him…" the Nurse trailed off as the Admin cut in.

"Do you know what he is?"

"I… I am not sure I know what you mean," the Nurse replied with confusion.

The Admin didn't respond for a full minute, just staring at Aenon's screen with a longing expression. She finally dismissed all the screens and stood up. Without a word she started walking, and so the Nurse followed.

They walked in silence for quite some time, passing through the empty hallways of the castle. The Nurse wasn't sure what was going on, but she held her tongue. This was the first time the Admin had deemed it necessary to explain things, and she didn't want to interrupt.

As a System construct, the Nurse had a lot of information embedded from birth, but there were gaps in her knowledge. She hoped the Admin would address some of them. As they approached a part of the castle that the Nurse had no recollection of, the Admin started speaking.

"The boy is not the first void user to have existed since the Purge five millennia ago," the Admin said as they stopped before a large double door.

As it was pushed open, the Nurse was flabbergasted at the scene. This was a graveyard. One with incomprehensible number of headstones.

"These are all the potential candidates that I have personally buried," the Admin stated without remorse. "And do you know the cause of death for more than sixty percent of them?"

The Nurse didn't have the words to reply, so she weakly shook her head. The Admin's answer chilled her to the bone.

"They lost their way within the abyss. And so, I had to kill them myself to prevent a far greater calamity," the Admin said while solemnly looking on. "The boy's firm resolve, and his karmic connections have rekindled a hope I had long forgotten. But any interference from me, might jeopardize everything."

The Admin turned and looked directly at her, making her very existence shudder as reality twisted.

"His greatest threat is not the Multiverse," the Admin whispered. "It is himself. If he loses his way—if the abyss consumes him—he will be laid to rest here, like the others."

She let the words sink in.

"There can only be one Void Sovereign," the Primordials's gaze sharpened. "And I will not allow a weakling to bear that mantle."

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