After they relocated to a secure position, Marcellus checked his stats and noticed some changes that had occurred after the assault, he had absorbed his assailant's Ether Core!
***
[Bip...Bip... Analyzing the host...]
Name: [Marcellus ???]
Rank: [Mundane]
Strength: [2.9]
Constitution: [3.0]
Stamina: [3.0]
Agility: [3.2]
Spirit Force: [0.01]
Ether Core: [42.5]
Attributes: [calm heart][sensitive]
***
Marcelus's strength had undergone a staggering transformation.
His physical abilities—strength, speed, and agility—had escalated to a level thrice that of the top echelons, a feat that seemed almost imaginary to him. Alongside these physical transformations, Marcellus experienced an unexpected surge in a wealth of Ether cores after dispatching his assailants.
It was as if fortune itself had favoured him, bestowing upon him riches that materialized seemingly out of thin air.
Yet, despite these dramatic changes in his physical and material circumstances, one aspect of Marcellus's development remained relatively unexplored: his spirituality. This facet of his being presented a new challenge, one that he grappled with as he sought to cultivate. In the midst of his introspection, Marcellus found himself engaged in the routine task of checking his stats, hoping it would magically change.
It was during this moment that Ayden placed an intriguing item into Marcellus's hand, blindfolded as he could not see, "What is this?" Marcellus inquired.
Ayden revealed that this was the loot from their recent encounters. "I found it on the guy you took down," she explained, still choosing her words carefully. "Their weapons vanished, but their bodies remained. I found the same type of loot on the one I killed. They must have looted the citadel."
Marcellus wrestled with a whirlwind of emotions as Ayden casually mentioned the word "killed". The reality that he had taken a life hit Marcellus with a mix of fear, pain, and shock. It was his first experience with such a direct and haunting confrontation with mortality.
No longer drunk on his survival, he began seeking solace in the justification of self-defence. His shock and fear awakened memories that, in his mother's religion, such an act was permissible. One of the tenets of Pugnalism was self-defence, and even nobles engaged in single combat if they felt the least bit slandered.
Marcellus tried to rationalize his actions. "God of Combat..." Marcellus muttered finding it a name strange to him. He convinced himself that what he had done was the reason for his survival, a response dictated by the primal instinct for self-preservation. The chaotic encounter had forced his hand, and he had reacted instinctively, fighting to ensure his survival.
In silence, fearing they would attract other assailants, he and Ayden continued their exploration of the citadel.
They traversed through dimly lit corridors, with Ayden demonstrating her proficiency in creating fire, through torchlights—a skill that swiftly illuminated their path and dispelled the shadows that clung to the ancient stone walls, it was a terrifying thought to be assaulted from the shadows, Ayden did it for her peace of mind as Marcellus was blindfolded, she wasn't scared of the dark...
As Marcellus grappled with these internal conflicts, he distracted his mind to focus to the item Ayden had placed in his hand. from his touch, Marcellus felt that it was a necklace, a simple yet intriguing piece adorned with ceramic beads.
The necklace exuded a warmth when illuminated by torchlight from Ayden's fire, its mundane appearance belying its potential significance.
He decided to view it through his medium like he had done with his sword.
The necklace bore a tag that read:
[Rank: Mundane Charm]
[Ebon Veil: A swift, shadowed reinterpretation—a deliberate corruption of the once tranquil "Veil of Tranquility," introduced and popularized by the revered Basilica Sanctus.]
[Enchantment: Shields against external malevolence, influencing the subconscious]
Marcellus's thoughts raced as he considered the implications of this discovery. "My mind's been playing tricks on me since I awoke," he mused as he wore the charm.
As they moved deeper into the citadel, they stumbled upon intricately etched doors and a grand watchtower that hinted at hidden treasures and untold stories, at least that is how Ayden describes it. The watchtower, in particular, captured her attention, its imposing presence suggesting a wealth of secrets waiting to be discovered. Their exploration led them to a room within the watchtower, where they found a meticulously crafted map of the citadel.
The map revealed an intricate layout, showcasing the citadel's division into three interconnected circles, forming a trinity-like design, Ayden verbally shared such details. This discovery piqued Marcellus's curiosity, prompting him to ponder the significance of the layout. "A careful equilibrium is evident in this arrangement," he observed.
Ayden shared Marcellus's fascination, eyes alight with excitement. "Yes, Marcellus. Each section seems to serve a distinct purpose, culminating in a formidable whole," they agreed.
"The citadel's design hinted at a deeper meaning, a harmonious balance that intrigued them both. In truth, Marcellus had no formal training on how to read a map, yet he seemed to gain significant expertise in seconds to make such judgments."
Marcellus's smile broadened as he contemplated the dangers that lay within the citadel's walls. "The hidden secrets within these walls must be fascinating, alas walls have ears too," he remarked.
Ayden's enthusiasm was unbridled, picking up Marcellus' hint. "We shall unveil them," she declared, voice filled with conspiracy. The prospect of uncovering the citadel's secrets was a tantalizing one, and they were both eager to delve deeper into it, well especially Ayden.
Marcelus's heart quickened with anticipation at Ayden's remark, hinting that they are of the same mind.
"There might be more to uncover in this citadel," Ayden mused, gaze fixed on the structure before them.
Eager to explore further, Marcellus simply nodded.
The watchtower's interior was soon bathed in a warm, flickering torchlight. The glow of the flames revealed intricate patterns etched into the walls and doors, each detail a testament to the citadel's ancient history and the craftsmanship of its builders.
"Running water?" Ayden noted, her observation highlighting the historical significance of the structure. To Ayden, this was a huge inconsistency. Marcellus, unfamiliar with such a concept, listened as Ayden verbally shared all the details. The presence of such a feature suggested a level of sophistication and functionality that was notable.
"I agree," Marcellus added, his voice tinged with wonder. "My memory is foggy, but I don't think I have ever heard of such a concept."
As they delved deeper into the watchtower, Ayden explained running water, concepts she had read about in old books filled with make-believe and fantasy. She examined a tattered map she had discovered earlier. The map showcased the citadel's intricate layout, revealing the interconnected nature of its sections. Ayden marveled at the detailed design, fascinated by the hidden complexities it suggested.
A shiver danced down Ayden's spine as her gaze skimmed the map. The lines and symbols seemed to writhe, echoing in some forgotten corner of her mind. "Have I..." she whispered, "have I seen this before?"
Marcellus's mind raced with possibilities, musing maybe he was remembering something from before, like he remembered the smell of blood. He was partially sure that the recreation of strong emotions solicited dormant memories.
Ayden's voice carried a sense of lethargy as she replied, "Only by exploring each section shall we uncover more answers. The details are elusive, but I'm certain I find it familiar." Marcellus did not press the matter.
Ayden placed a reassuring hand on Marcellus's shoulder. "Let us proceed," she said, her voice firm and confident. "Together, we shall unravel the enigmas of this citadel and uncover the secrets hidden within its ancient walls. Birds often fly when clouds gather and soar above the nest."
"Of course," Marcellus responded, trying to piece together Ayden's intent, finding her behaviour slightly erratic and inconsistent.
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"I have a proposition," Ayden began with a thoughtful tone, her eyes fixed on Marcellus. "Our fates seem tangled in this bizarre land. Can such be a mere coincidence? I doubt it. An undeniable force draws me to you—I'll be your eyes in this place. Amidst these circumstances, we can grasp the grand design, the bigger picture that unfolds around us... Perhaps even uncover the mystery of why the rainwater tastes salty. Why not help one another in this bizarre realm?"
Ayden suddenly tried her best to sound very sophisticated and convincing with her mastery of language, yet there was no feedback as Marcellus was blindfolded.
Marcellus's interest deepened as he listened to Ayden's words. "Perhaps... perhaps we should, Ayden," he said, intrigued by her perspective. "I've often pondered such things. Share your insights with me, no matter how fragmented they may seem." His goal was to understand Ayden's intent.
Ayden's voice was filled with conviction. "Marcellus, there's an intricate tapestry at play here, guiding our roles and actions. We're more than just individuals—we're part of a greater purpose. Have you noticed how we're incentivized to eliminate each other? The hunts, the division—it's all interconnected, a conspiracy. I'm almost positive there's a limited number of survivors allowed in this citadel."
"I understand your meaning," Marcellus frowned. Why haven't I thought of this before?
"Additionally, I don't believe they can or intend to directly kill us in this place. There must be something for them to gain."
Marcellus wrestled with a mix of emotions. Ayden’s sudden revelation felt like a complete 180 in his thinking. Surely, with how manipulated he had been feeling, he would have such thoughts. Tilting his head, Marcellus had to seriously consider, Is Ayden just really smarter than me? Or am I just the idiot?
Ayden gazed intently at Marcellus. "Marcellus, have you ever questioned the nature of our actuality here? The fabric of this world seems... malleable, almost like a...?"
Marcellus, puzzled by Ayden's sudden philosophical turn, held his jaw in contemplation. "What do you mean? Are you suggesting this is real? I actually... killed people who died."
Of course, at this point, almost everyone had considered that this might be merely a dream, or at least dreamlike. Marcellus and the other candidates did not have their memories, but they still had common sense, and common sense dictated that corpses don't disappear into the dust.
Ayden paused, choosing her words with deliberate care. "Not exactly. It's just that sometimes, things around us may not be as they appear. My senses and perceptions could be deceiving me."
Marcellus felt a shiver down his spine as he absorbed Ayden's words, a sense of familiarity creeping into his thoughts as if he had had this exact thought before. "So, you're saying we could be in some kind of illusion, or a fabricated...?"
Ayden nodded slowly. "Perhaps. Think about it, Marcellus. The surreal events, the seemingly impossible feats we've accomplished, the strange nature of the citadel. Doesn't it all feel a bit... unreal? Like fragments of a fantasy pieced together?"
Marcellus's mind churned as he tried to digest this notion, the idea that their reality might be a carefully constructed illusion unsettling him. However, almost as quickly as the conversation began, it faded away in a moment. The profound nature of their exchange became a fleeting memory, seemingly erased from their conscious thoughts. It was as if the conversation never happened.
For the past few months, ever since they woke up, it had been a torturous loop of recollection, repeating the same conversation about the nature of their reality, only to forget it shortly afterward. The conversations were detonations. Each time they discussed the nature of their reality, the ground beneath their feet trembled. Walls of perception cracked, revealing glimpses of an unsettling darkness. But then, just as swiftly as the cracks appeared, they would seal shut, leaving them reeling in the aftershocks.
The "loop" wasn't painful, as pain was also a form of memory, but it was terrifying.
However, this time, Marcellus stood in front of Ayden, who had, at some point, slipped on the charm Ebon Veil. He didn't forget the terror he felt, the shiver down his spine, and the mixed emotions from realizing Ayden might actually be smarter than him. The realization hit him—Ayden also wore the charm, and it was the Ebon Veil that allowed them to remember the emotions from their conversations, even though their memories were erased.
Unbeknownst to them, in the next iteration when they questioned the nature of their existence, triggering a detonation and loss of their memories, the emotions would remain due to the Ebon Veil.
*********
******
***
As the group convened at their predetermined meeting place—a tree that bore witness to their pact—Leon and the remaining members wore expressions mirroring the harrowing encounters that Marcellus and Ayden had weathered. Each countenance bore the traces of shared struggle, marked by ambush and confrontation.
Fewer people returned, reducing the number of the Maniple.
Leon's voice, laced with remorse, resonated as he addressed his comrades. "My fellow members, I take full responsibility for my leadership shortcomings. I apologize for the challenges we faced and the losses we've endured. I must ensure your safety, and I regret any pain or peril that has befallen you under my guidance."
Silence lingered, heavy with unspoken emotions—a shared acknowledgment of their collective trials and the need to regroup and endure.
Ayden's firm voice broke through. "Let's part ways here." A declaration, not a request.
Marcellus felt a mix of surprise and uncertainty at the sudden decision, but he remembered Ayden's proposition. Ayden's declaration reverberated, evoking reactions from the group. Their eyes turned to Leon, revealing a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Some yearned for unity, finding strength in numbers, while others reluctantly accepted the inevitable separation.
The announcement wasn't up for debate; Ayden had made up her mind. With a nod, Ayden and Marcellus turned away, leaving the tree and the group behind, embarking on a new path.
The silence that followed was pregnant.
The remaining members stood at a crossroads, their emotions a blend of yearning and uncertainty. It marked a pivotal moment—a test of their unity and resilience as they confronted the enigma of an unknown future. With a deep breath, Leon took the lead, rallying the group. "We may have lost two valuable members, but our mission remains steadfast. Let our unity guide us as we face the challenges ahead with unwavering determination."
In the years to come, this moment would mark the beginning of their struggle.
*********
******
***
Days merged into months within the citadel, each one a kaleidoscope of danger for Ayden and mostly Marcellus. Now, deep within the second circle, they found themselves embroiled in a stealthy pursuit of a rival team. The stakes had risen significantly; their adversaries were markedly more formidable than those they had faced in the outer circles.
Marcellus, versed in Valar and a smattering of street Nostratic, and Ayden, fluent in Valar and Gaul, faced a linguistic barrier. The loot they gathered from fallen foes—scrolls and texts—remained cryptic, their languages inaccessible and indecipherable. Marcellus tried to memorize them anyway.
The increasing strength of their opponents as they edged closer to the first circle indicated the growing intensity of the challenges that lay ahead. Despite their victories, the tangible rewards seemed meager, primarily consisting of these enigmatic texts they could not understand. Marcellus often found himself fretting over attracting undue attention. His suggestion to maintain a lower profile was met with a mix of jovial acceptance from Ayden as they took showers often to reduce their scent.
The breathing technique, the Harmonious Nexus, was a complex progression of six stages: Strength Mastery, Flesh Refinement, Viscera Sculpting, Muscle Ascendance, Bone Forging, and finally, Pulse Harmonization. Each stage, up to the fifth, could be pursued concurrently through a regimen of focused breathing and visualization. However, the final stage—Pulse Harmonization—was unique, requiring a state of Enlightenment, a plateau neither Marcellus nor Ayden had yet reached.
Aware of their shortcomings, they resolved to venture into the first circle only after achieving this elusive state of Enlightenment. It was a decision born of prudence and respect for the journey's profound nature, recognizing the need to prepare fully for the challenges that awaited them in the citadel's innermost sanctum.
*********
******
***
[Day 1096]
Three years later.
The duo were on the usual hunt.
Marcellus found himself standing before a door in a modest manor. If I make too much noise, we might attract unwanted attention, he thought. Without a trace of hesitation, he swung the door open, revealing a horde of people lurking within.
Immediately, like wild beasts released from confinement, they charged forth, summoning swords and trying to kill their target as quickly as possible. Their blood-stained shirts gave them an extremely horrid appearance.
Marcellus didn't even summon his sword. With a confident stride, he lunged forward, raising his right foot and delivering a devastating kick to the first assailant's throat. The sickening crunch of breaking bones echoed through the air, leaving an indescribable impact on all who heard it.
Gulp!
The assailant flew several meters away, hitting the people behind him in the process. When he hit the floor, he was no longer moving. The assailant was still alive since his head was intact. However, Marcellus's kick had destroyed the jaw and crushed the upper bones of the spine. Therefore, although his brain still functioned, he could no longer use his hands nor could he move his hands or feet; the person was no different from a dead man. The only difference lay in the absence of blood spraying like a fountain.
More than forty assailants filled the manor, but Marcellus's agility, with an astounding stat average, transformed him into a blur of motion. He weaved and dodged, bones snapping and bodies collapsing with each precise strike. A jab here, a jab there.
Clack! Thud!
The symphony of breaking bones and thudding bodies reverberated through the space, resounding with chilling clarity. Marcellus employed his fists, palms, hands, feet, knees, and elbows, turning his entire body into an arsenal of lethal precision, a formidable weapon capable of claiming the life of any enemy.
In less than a minute, the once-threatening adversaries lay sprawled on the ground—alive but utterly incapacitated. Limbs were shattered, jaws snapped, spines reduced to fragments, and heads twisted at grotesque angles, severing the connection between brain and body.
Marcellus's countenance remained stoic, unshaken by the horrifying spectacle. With his hand-to-hand combat skill coupled with the experience of taking down the strongest elites, his heart could no longer be shaken by such things. However, as the sound of bones breaking and bodies colliding reverberated, Marcellus couldn't help but worry about the attention they might attract. He silently wished that their presence went unnoticed by anyone nearby.
Ayden soon appeared outside the door. Ayden had come to see what was going on after hearing the commotion and was supposed to cover the back to prevent anyone from escaping. Their eyes widened as they beheld the gruesome scene, surveying the lifeless bodies strewn across the floor. Turning their gaze to Marcellus, Ayden couldn't help but whisper, "Is that all of them? I think you got them all."
Marcellus's expression remained unchanged as he nodded in confirmation. The duo proceeded to eliminate their foes methodically, ensuring no chance of healing. A trail of incapacitated adversaries was left in their wake.
Ayden quipped playfully, "Maybe you should try a new approach, like using my longsword with your eyes covered."
After a moment of contemplation, Marcellus made a sudden declaration, "I will remove my blindfold." This moment marked a pivotal shift for Marcellus's evolution in the citadel. He had adapted to the sword; he could fight without seeing.