The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 5 [???]

A storm of emotions raged in Alden's heart as he tried to recover his breath.

Fear.

Anxiety.

Dread.

They clashed tumultuously kicking up a turbulent storm.

'Monarch of the Depths...'

Alden silently repeated the Asteron's name with a hint of astonishment.

Why had one of the Divine Sovereigns sent a "curious gaze" towards him?

They were the first Asterons who had lent a helping hand to Arkanis.

Subsequently, they were also the most powerful.

How had he managed to pique the interest of such an entity?

Alden chewed the inside of his cheek.

...Was it related to his Magic Class?

That would certainly explain some things.

Like why the Monarch of the Depths had singled him out right after he awakened.

Alden took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Just minutes after his ascension he had inadvertently attracted attention from the very beings he was wary of.

He cursed.

Just great.

Fantastic.

Wicked.

Alden cursed again.

He ground his teeth together anxiously as he recalled the chaotic ravings that had engulfed his mind.

Only one word could describe them:

"Harrowing."

Indeed, they were extremely disturbing.

Was the price the Asterons had to pay for possessing such power madness?

Alden couldn't help but wonder.

'There's probably more to it than just that...'

Shaking his head, Alden ignored the tremor that ran through his body as he sat up.

It seemed his bones still remembered the echo of the troubling experience with the Monarch of Depths.

Releasing a stressed sigh, Alden glanced towards Ignia to confirm she was well - at the back of his mind, he had heard her release a few anxious cries after sensing his panic and pain - before he turned his attention back onto the cerulean screen.

His brows rose.

A subtle change had occurred.

At the bottom, beneath the skills section, a new message read:

[The following Sponsors would like to enter a contract with you:

> [Yawning Void]

> [Monarch of the Depths]

> [???]

Failure to choose will result in imminent expulsion from the System.

Time remaining: 5 minutes ]

And harder still...

[Time remaining: 10 seconds. WARNING! Failure to choose will result in immediate expulsion...]

Alden muttered a curse.

He cursed the System, the Asterons, and the whole world.

With his heart full of anger and hatred, Alden closed his eyes and made his choice.

***

Name: [Alden]

Race: [Human]

Title(s): [Preserver of Flame]

Magic Class: [Abyssal Entropy]

Stage: [1/5]

Rank: [Apprentice]

Skill(s): [N/A ]

Sponsor: [???]

Staring at the new addition to his status screen with a dark look, Alden sensed a mystical connection sprout within him that traced back to the sky. It blossomed in his soul, both irresistible and unavoidable.

He knew it eventually led back to one of the countless celestial bodies amidst the sea of stars that blanketed the heavens at night.

His mood was very foul.

Grinding his teeth, Alden tried to calm down.

However, the fury simmering in the depths of his heart seemed impossible to put out.

It was like a raging inferno that boiled and seethed, stroking his anger further with every second.

Barely keeping his rage at bay, Alden braced himself to read the description the System had made for his Sponsor.

He slowly inhaled and read after tapping on the screen:

[Sponsor: [???]

Description: An anomaly... a singularity in the flawless tapestry... this being will help shield you from the prying eyes of other Asterons.]

'Eh...'

Suddenly, the inferno raging in Alden's chest stilled.

He blinked multiple times.

'This...'

"HAHA!"

Alden erupted with laughter.

He couldn't quite believe his luck!

This was almost too good to be true.

A vicious grin bloomed on his face.

Raising his head, Alden sent a cold gaze beyond the ceiling.

While his fury remained as savage and immolating as ever, it was now suppressed by a more powerful emotion...

Glee.

Alden released a derisive laugh.

His eyes held a mocking light.

With his sponsor's powers, he didn't have to fear being spied upon by those reprehensible Asterons.

With this, he could slowly build up his strength in the shadows.

With this...

...he was free.