The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 42 Cavern

Alden's eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

He groaned.

The young man's temple throbbed painfully. It was like his head was being split apart. He instinctively massaged his temple, hoping to alleviate the annoying headache.

Alden slowly sat up, sensing he was on solid ground - had he washed up on the shore? - and scrutinised his surroundings.

After a moment of searching, he concluded he was in some hidden cavern.

The radiant water from the Waterfall of Stars illuminated the small cave. The shimmering starlight moved to and fro on the rocky wall opposite him, mirroring the gentle ebb and flow of the waves. Alden caught a gleam of light from above, and shifted his neck, discovering a scattering of stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

They shone softly like celestial jewels.

Alden's amazement did not last long as he remembered how he had ended up in this cavern.

'Ignia!'

He cried worriedly.

The little phoenix was sprawled on the ground weakly beside him.

For a moment, Alden feared the worst.

His heart jumped to his throat.

A second later, he exhaled and sighed with profound relief.

While Ignia's breath was very faint, it was still undoubtedly there.

That was better than none.

Alden hurriedly moved to his familiar's side, cradling her gently in his arms.

He patted her back gently but firmly, and soon, a torrent of water escaped from Ignia's beak.

Slowly but surely, the little bird's breathing returned to normal.

'Phew!'

Alden wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, shivering at the close call.

Sitting back down after depositing the phoenix gingerly on the ground, the young man stared at the mystical lake, his expression pensive and a little afraid.

Thankfully, he and Ignia had survived his reckless attempt to flee from the dire horror.

It also seemed they were relatively safe inside this cavern, for no abomination had shown up and attacked this place. The Waterfall was part of a large cave formation, so Alden surmised he had inadvertently discovered one of the smaller, secluded caves.

Alden thanked his lucky stars, grateful for the small blessing. He continued to gaze at the sparkling lake. Alden lost himself in its profound depth.

When he eventually broke out of his daze, he suddenly frowned.

Out there on the shimmering water, his reflection stared back at him.

That wasn't what spooked Alden, though.

No, it had to do with the faint image of a jagged shadow... behind him.

Alden tensed.

Slowly and carefully, he turned around.

The young man held his breath, his heart hammering in his ears.

There, a few words were etched haphazardly on the stone.

They read:

"Become the Abyss."

All the hair on Alden's body stood on end.

Stunned, he didn't know what to make of what he had just read.

Just why was the Abyss being mentioned again?!

Inscribed underneath the ominous words was a name:

[Augur of Judgement].

Alden blinked.

Why was the name written in brackets?

Were they an Asteron?

Alden groaned.

'This... this is too much for me to take in.'

He staggered as his body seemed to lose strength. The implications of what he had just seen threatened to drive Alden mad.

The main one, though, was...

How did one "become" an Abyss?

Alden felt the concept was ludicrous!

There was no way to turn into that barren place.

Unless...

The [Augur of Judgement] did not mean that literally. Perhaps there was a deeper symbolism hidden inside these words.

His mind whirred.

Eventually, Alden's eyes widened.

'That....'

Alden asked himself one simple question.

Where had his powers come from?

Or rather, what insidious and harrowing place were they linked to?

The answer was...

The Abyss.

So, by "becoming the Abyss", could the being be alluding to an increase in his power?

But how?

Exhaling a turbid breath, Alden concluded that his decay was somehow linked with this strange tablet. The only thing he wanted to know was how. Cursing his headache, the young man reflexively circulated his mana and leaned on the stone slab.

In the next moment, devastating pain ripped through his entire being.