An explosion of energies detonated inside the small, dimly lit room, its walls seeming to pulsate with a spectral glow the instant he touched the gleaming gold ring. For a fleeting, heart-stopping moment, it felt as though a cataclysmic shower of power was pouring from the ring itself, threatening to obliterate him from existence. His eyes grew as wide as saucers, reflecting the shimmering chaos that enveloped him, and he opened his mouth to join Aria in her piercing screams, but his voice was drowned by the overwhelming surge of energy.
But then, as abruptly as it had begun, the explosion's momentum seized, leaving him suspended midair. His connection with Aria dropped like a severed lifeline, and her horrified screams vanished, leaving his mind trapped in an eerie, suffocating silence.
The writhing bundle of energies continued to swell, growing into a more terrifying size with each passing second, lashing out like searing whips in a frenzied hunt for the one who had dared awaken them. Amidst the chaotic maelstrom, he began to notice the four elements, death, life, dark, and light, taking a predominant place amidst the bewildering mix of energies. Yet, there were still other elements he couldn't recognize, and their mere presence infused him with bone-chilling fear, as if his very existence teetered on the brink of annihilation.
The all-encompassing pressure finally relented, dissipating in an instant, just as his core responded. Amid the tempest of energy, he heard a rhythmic, otherworldly beat resounding inside his body, as if his very essence were tasting these foreign forces. And then, his void magic stirred, finally making its presence known, a counterbalance to the chaotic dance of elements and unknown powers that threatened to consume him.
His core rattled with an insatiable hunger, the essence of his void magic resonating like a feral beast eager to devour the energies that surrounded him. A primal hum coursed through his entire body, as if the void had sampled the array of powers and found them to its liking. Talax attempted to command and subdue the unruly magic, something he thought he had mastered, but for the first time, it eluded his control, like an untamed creature rearing its head.
Lately, he had become adept at containing the unpredictable nature of his void magic, but at this moment, it surged with a voracious appetite, defying his attempts to control it. The very essence that he thought he was beginning to understand now felt like a treacherous companion, a force that had lured him into a false sense of security. It was as though his magic had been toying with him, pretending to be tamed, while in reality, it was an untamed, capricious entity with a will of its own.
As the divine energies lashed out, they encountered an astonishing transformation. The mysterious energy of his void magic solidified, encasing his body in a shimmering second skin, an impenetrable armor that thwarted the wild onslaught of divine power. The attacks clawed and probed, desperately searching for his core, only to be met by the impenetrable shield of his void magic, causing them to retreat like a frightened animal.
In a moment that was both miraculous and deeply unsettling, his void magic seemed to take on a will of its own, biding its time like a patient predator, waiting for the divine energies to strike once more so it could ensnare them. Talax remained suspended in midair, his heart pounding with a mixture of terror and fascination, as he witnessed the mesmerizing clash of energies and magics.
And then it came, an onslaught from the magic guarding the divine relic, a furious assault that eclipsed all prior clashes. This time, something astonishing occurred: his void magic did not retaliate, nor did it repel the divine energies. Instead, it seemed to welcome them with open, voracious arms. In an instant, a searing, excruciating pain engulfed his body, as if he were being cooked from the inside out. The avaricious void greedily absorbed the divine energy, saturating his body and core until it felt as though his very pathways were bursting with incandescent energy.
The pain was unbearable, driving him to unleash a heart-rending scream that echoed through the room. Blood vessels ruptured one by one, and in a blaze of multicolored lights, his entire being became a swirling canvas of mixed magics, each element dancing and intertwining within his core as they were siphoned away by the insatiable maw of his void magic.
As the agony coursed through him, he felt himself on the precipice of existence, teetering between the rupturing agony of his body and the ecstasy of overwhelming power. His void magic, for its part, seemed to hum in dark pleasure, an entity insatiable and exultant as it devoured the clashing energies, their interplay creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and power.
Talax's vision blurred, his consciousness teetering on the edge of oblivion. He could feel the pulsating energies coursing through him, like wild stallions running rampant through a cosmic wilderness. Powers beyond comprehension collided and coalesced; it was as though his body had become the playground for the very essence of creation and destruction.
As his body continued to struggle in a kaleidoscope of shifting lights, his mind was awash with a chaotic mix of emotions. Fear and wonder overtook his mind, attempting in vain to comprehend what he was experiencing. He couldn't help but marvel at the audacious beauty of the forces that writhed within him, even as they threatened to tear him apart.
With each passing moment, the void magic continued its relentless feast, absorbing the divine energies as though they were mere morsels. The once-cataclysmic struggle now seemed orchestrated, a performance that defied logic.
And then, as suddenly as it had all begun, the clash of energies subsided, leaving Talax suspended in an eerie calm. His body was no longer a canvas of lights, but a vessel teeming with newfound energy. The void magic pulsed with renewed strength, sated and content, having absorbed the divine energies in a way that defied comprehension.
Gradually, Talax became aware of his surroundings once more. The small room, previously overwhelmed by the explosion of powers, had returned to its previous state of stillness. His void magic, now sated and full, retreated back to the small, purple planet inside his core.
Talax was left bewildered, his wide eyes darting around the room, briefly questioning if he had imagined what had just transpired. Suddenly, whatever magic had kept him floating vanished, and he plummeted to the floor like a bag of flour.
“Ouch,” he groaned in pain, massaging his aching backside. As he regained his senses, he stood there, panting. His connection with Aria had been severed during the tumultuous clash, and now, he wondered what had become of her in the wake of the spectacle.
As if she had heard his thoughts, her voice emerged inside his mind. But it was different, almost mechanical, lacking her usual flare.
“Congratulations! You have taken the first step towards the Ascension!” The high priestess intoned with gravity and respect.
"To achieve godhood is to traverse an arduous and perilous path, one that only the select few, those anointed by fate, are chosen to tread upon. The step you have taken today is but the inception, the initial flicker in the crucible of your transformation. May your journey be marked by enlightenment and empowerment, and may the fruits of your endeavors be as abundant as the celestial stars that light your way."
“Primal energy absorbed: 2/1000.”
Talax felt his jaw hit the floor. What? What? What? Before he could even internalize what he had heard, Aria spoke up again, her voice still devoid of its usual enthusiasm.
“Congratulations! Your wreath has evolved!”
Voidborn
Tier: 2
You are a child of the void. May mortals and Gods cower before your might.
You are the first of your line. May you devour the world.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
You are the herald. May the faithful revere you.
You are the Void.
Traits:
Voidmark:
Your connection with the void deepens, allowing you to better understand the primal magic.
Blessings:
You can bestow blessings upon other voidtouched individuals, altering their fates or enhancing their abilities.
As he examined the new panel, a sudden searing pain shot through his wrist, briefly alarming him with the fear of another attack by divine energies. Frantically, he removed his new gauntlet, untangling the complex strings. With relief flooding in, he freed his hand, only to find astonishment waiting for him: a small circle, akin to Aria’s amulet, pulsed faintly with light on his wrist. Mesmerized, he watched the faded tattoo until its glow faded, leaving behind a simple, black circle.
Surveying the empty chamber with blank eyes, his mind a whirlwind of confusion, he futilely sought answers amid the chaos. Mechanically, he replaced his gauntlet, the thought echoing in his mind: "I am a God? Me?" The realization struck, compelling him to seek clarification from the only entity that might shed light on the impossible occurrences.
“Aria?!” He yelled like a lunatic at the empty room. “What just happened?” Frantic questions met only silence, despite sensing their connection restored. He felt the ghostly presence of the high priestess rendered mute by the events. Her silence felt deafening, a resounding absence of answers.
“Please, Aria! I’m lost here!” He pleaded, sensing her hesitation before she finally replied, her uncertainty adding to his unease.
“Talax, I don’t know what to tell you! I am as stumped as you are. That shouldn’t have happened! Under normal circumstances, it would have led to a quick death, but what just transpired…” Her voice reflected confusion, amplifying his own sense of unease. If even the ancient ghost of the high priestess was at a loss, it foreboded a troubling situation.
The only explanation I can muster is that your void magic somehow consumed Ha’arun’s energy, even though it sounds absurd! Talax, that should never have happened!” Aria’s words dripped with confusion and concern. “Primal energy is no trifling matter; it could have torn you apart, leaving not even a trace of your existence.”
Talax listened carefully, and her words made perfect sense “Wait, what happened to you when the energy attacked? I lost our connection,” he inquired, his voice tinged with fear. “I was forcibly locked away inside the amulet, completely cut off from the outside world,” she replied with a hint of distress. Talax realized she hadn't witnessed the events, prompting him to recount every detail, hoping for an explanation on the Ascension and the evolution of his wreath.
“My understanding of void magic seems incomplete. The gathering of primal energy is reserved for higher-tier beings. Anyone else attempting what you achieved would have met certain death. It seems Voidborns possess a unique ability to absorb divine power. But, Talax, there's a reason I chose not to reveal the existence of primal energy earlier. This is how Gods are born, and that energy fuels the eternal conflict within the Gilded City. Gods seek easy prey to amass more primal energy, an avenue for their continued ascent in power even after their ascension.”
Talax couldn’t help but contemplate his good fortune. Without his Voidborn wreath, he would surely have died. Yet, a nagging thought arose, was this encounter orchestrated, much like his initial meeting with Aria? The more he thought about it, the more plausible it sounded.
So... Now we have another reason to hide from the Gods,” he muttered under his breath. Aria replied thoughtfully, “Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe your void magic will shield you from detection, acting as a barrier against external forces. Unlike your magic, the primal points one possesses cannot be detected unless you are killed, of course.”
“Of course!” Talax retorted sarcastically. “So, is this a good thing?” He remained uncertain about the events' implications. “It's undoubtedly a boon! Primal energy amplifies your abilities, as evidenced by the evolution of your Voidborn wreath.” Talax nodded, acknowledging the positive outcomes, especially the potential to aid Aria’s family. He could now bestow blessings upon other Voidtouched individuals, whatever that entailed.
“You noticed the wreath’s new traits, didn’t you?” His tone was teasing since he had detected the delight in her voice when she mentioned his evolution. “Yes! Talax, yes! This encounter yielded more than expected!” She sighed deeply, her voice laced with emotion and a hint of tears.
“Talax... For the first time in centuries, there’s hope for our people! There’s someone on Helios capable of curing them from the looming madness.” Talax froze, hearing the raw emotion in her voice. “Talax... Thank you! Thank you for returning something I had lost centuries ago, hope!” He shifted uncomfortably, feeling undeserving of the woman’s gratitude, muttering incoherently to hide his unease.
In that moment, he made a decision. Though he'd always planned on aiding her descendants, it was a vague notion, an item on his to-do list for the distant future. But hearing the desperation and gratitude of the ancient ghost, he realized there were real individuals out there, people he could genuinely assist. Also, the fact that he could garner the same gratitude and appreciation from people that would be able to wield void magic didn’t factor at all in his decision. Not at all...
What about the other trait? Voidmark? The explanation was vague, and all I got was the tattoo,” he inquired.
“I don’t know for sure. Maybe it could help you better control your void magic...” Talax interjected, “That would be welcomed! Whenever it senses divine energy, it goes wild, and I have no way to control it.” Aria responded, sounding slightly annoyed.
“I’d appreciate it if you let me finish my sentences in the future; it’s unbecoming,” she snapped, and Talax quickly apologized, hearing the tension in her voice. “As I was saying, it might assist you in handling your magic more easily. Regarding the reaction to divine energy, that's natural, every God’s signature carries primal energy. The tattoo is a revered symbol among our people, signifying one’s status as a Voidborn. Once, all Voidborns bore this tattoo. When they faded, our clan leaders got this tattoo to honor our ancestors and indicate their position as leaders.”
Talax nodded in understanding. “So, if I reveal this tattoo to a Voidtouched, they’d recognize it and understand my true nature?” He pondered, unsure whether he liked that development.
“That’s the most likely scenario, though after centuries, the symbol might have faded into obscurity.”
“Okay...” Talax muttered. “Long sleeves are a necessity from now on.” Aria chuckled. “Certainly. A mere glimpse from a God, and everything could be ruined.” Talax groaned. “Thanks. Add 'conspicuous tattoo' to the list, then.”
As Talax paced, his gaze fell upon the golden ring that had caused the chaos. “So, should I go searching for primal energy? Where do I even find such a thing?” he wondered.
“I wouldn’t go hunting for primal energy just yet. You’re still too weak, and it’s usually stored in perilous, primordial places. Besides, you might come across aspiring Godlings seeking to seize the energy for their own gain.”
Talax's eyes widened at the thought of confronting a God. “Okay, no primal energy hunt for me just yet,” he exclaimed. The high priestess seemed amused, her tone cheery as she added, “Not just yet.”
“But where could primal energy be stored?” He was genuinely curious, reasoning that if it were somewhere obvious, the Gods would have already claimed it.
“I don’t know. Ha’arun never divulged such intimate and sacred secrets.” Aria's voice turned mischievous. “Although, I happened to overhear a conversation or two with other Gods... There seems to be no set location for primal energy. In the beginning, it was everywhere. It could reside within an ancient relic, deep inside the earth, safely hidden from prying eyes, or even within a mortal, unbeknownst to them. I once heard of a significant amount of primal energy residing inside a ley line. Near a water ley line, there was a kingdom thriving with abundant mana, boasting miraculous pools with regenerative and attribute-boosting properties. Adventurers flocked there until word spread about the primal energy. When the Gods descended and departed, the ley line was drained, and the kingdom crumbled within years without its famous ponds.”
Talax was captivated by her tale, reaffirming he wasn’t ready for a quest for primal energy. Draining a ley line seemed inconceivable. Those magical pathways were like colossal rivers of energy. He had absorbed just a fraction from the ring and nearly exploded. The memory of the overwhelming pain made him shiver.
He sighed heavily, feeling utterly out of his depth. Giving the floating ring one last glance, he approached the pedestal. His desire was to return to the treasury, to scour through the remaining loot, hoping to uncover hidden treasures and stash whatever his dimensional bag could hold.
He reached for the ring but hesitated, remembering the near-explosion caused by the divine magic. “Is it safe?” he asked Aria. “It should be. The ring was guarded by a piece of Ha’arun, similar to how a part of me bonded with this amulet. With the trapped energy now absorbed, it should be secure,” she replied, her tone wavering. Talax felt uncertain despite her reassurance. “Should…” he muttered under his breath. Yet, the lure of potential treasures outweighed his hesitation.
With trembling hands, he grasped the ring, his gaze darting around anxiously, anticipating disaster. As the silence persisted, he released a relieved breath, examining the exquisite ornament. Beautiful in its craftsmanship, he slid it onto his finger, establishing a mana connection with the item.
“Honestly, I half-expected some ridiculous event the moment I took the ring,” he remarked to Aria, feeling a surge of relief. The ancient ghost scoffed, “Ridiculous? Ha’arun would never...”
Before she finished her sentence, the world convulsed. Talax's eyes widened in terror as Aria let out a wail. “Oh, no!”
The entire mountain seemed to protest, crumbling piece by piece. Talax lost his balance, crashing onto the quaking ground. “Talax, you have to get out! The entire place is collapsing!”
Gritting his teeth, he watched giant fissures tear the area apart. “You know what, Aria? Just once, I wish you'd warn me before the world begins to end!”