Chapter 1052 - 1051: A Reason For Hope (Magic Castle Bonus - )

[A/N: This bonus Chapter is thanks to OfcSoccer4. Thank you so much!]

———

Darkness filled a chamber deep within a mountain.

Then six eyes opened.

They glowed a bloody red. Within them, corpses lay beneath broken banners while rivers of blood raged across a battlefield.

Wrath lingered in every shifting image.

Yet the eyes themselves remained calm.

Their owner turned toward the awakening grounds.

"An Asura has been born?"

His voice was clear and slightly rough. Surprise interrupted its steadiness, followed by a relief he did not try to conceal.

For a moment, he said nothing else.

Then all six eyes narrowed.

"Nobody told me this was going to happen."

The crimson-haired figure of Akaza appeared within the six blood-red eyes with his six arms spread as he roared at the sky.

The watcher studied him.

Such births were exceedingly rare. Another Asura was no small matter, either to him or to The Abyss.

Yet he was only learning of it now.

He watched until Akaza’s roar ended, then slowly withdrew his gaze.

"It seems the world doesn’t want us to die out after all."

A quiet breath escaped him.

"Perhaps there is still hope."

Faint light reached the chamber from an opening far away. It fell across the floor and revealed the outline of a seated Daemon.

Six arms rested around a body considerably larger than Akaza’s.

Above them, the six crimson eyes remained open.

———

Akaza’s roar faded beyond the black pillars.

Dust settled over the courtyard. The areas beneath his black holes had been stripped of loose rubble, leaving uneven hollows where the ground had broken apart.

Above, the last clouds dispersed beneath the firelit sky.

Akaza lowered his arms and drew a long breath.

On the terrace, the elders watched him with solemn expressions. The sound-blocking formation still enclosed their seats.

"An Asura," Ancestral Elder White Death said quietly.

Grand Elder Golden Tyrant glanced toward Grand Elder Red Calamity.

"You said there was something unusual about him."

"I did... but I didn’t expect this."

The Grand Elder leaned forward, watching Akaza flex his bloodied hands.

"He faced the tribulation without even knowing how to use most of an Asura’s powers."

"He was born with the ability to manipulate gravity," Grand Elder Dread Crown said. "That isn’t a path many Asuras follow."

"And he’s already learning to use it like that," Bone Prophet murmured.

His gaze lingered on the hollows beneath the vanished black holes.

"I’d like to see what happens once he understands his new bloodline properly."

Ancestral Elder Black Mountain folded his arms.

"We should send the boy to him."

Several elders nodded.

"He’ll be pleased," Red Calamity said. "Another Asura born in The Abyss. He’s waited long enough for that."

"We’ll arrange it once the boy has recovered," Dread Crown replied.

Below them, the enclosure opened.

Simon approached Akaza with Sonya and the others. He was still pale, and the Hell Stone in his hand had almost lost its colour.

Night Widow watched him stop beside the newly awakened Asura.

"He kept his word."

Golden Tyrant followed her gaze.

"Two Daemons more talented than Joren," Night Widow continued. "A Firstborn Titan and an Asura. He wasn’t exaggerating."

"He has contributed more in these few days than some members manage in years," White Death said.

"And we shouldn’t forget the other person helping us," Bone Prophet added.

Black Mountain turned toward him.

"Who?"

"The Daemon who taught him."

The others fell silent for a moment.

"We still don’t know who they are," Bone Prophet continued. "But we’ve now seen what their knowledge can accomplish. Blackmoon and his companions aren’t the only ones we should be interested in."

Golden Tyrant looked toward Simon.

"Getting him to introduce us would be useful."

"If he agrees," Night Widow said.

"He may, eventually."

Bone Prophet rested his hands on his knees.

"For now, we should reward him. He has shown us another evolution method and brought us two exceptional Daemons."

Golden Tyrant’s lips moved slightly.

"Again."

Night Widow gave a soft laugh.

"You sound as though you’re paying him out of your own ring."

"I’m wondering what we should give him this time."

"The Myriad Vault," White Death suggested.

"He only just came out of it," Red Calamity said.

Ancestral Elder White Death looked at the Grand Elder.

"That doesn’t make the treasures inside less valuable."

"No. But giving him another visit immediately makes it seem as though we have nothing else to offer."

Grand Elder Golden Tyrant nodded.

"Most members spend years trying to earn a single entry. Blackmoon will begin thinking we open it whenever he brings us something interesting."

"He has brought us something interesting," Ancestral Elder Bone Prophet replied.

"And I agreed that we should reward him."

Grand Elder Night Widow looked between them, amused.

"Then what do you suggest instead?"

Golden Tyrant considered the question.

Grand Elder Dread Crown spoke before she answered.

"We’ll ask him what he wants."

The discussion stopped.

"If he has something specific in mind, we can consider it. Otherwise, he’ll get three selections from the Myriad Vault."

"Three?" Black Mountain asked.

"One for the method. One each for bringing those two into The Abyss."

The others considered that before nodding.

This method would not be as widely useful as the first ritual.

It required a practitioner who possessed a Seed of Sin. Even then, the number of awakenings they could support was limited, and the strain left them weakened afterward.

They only had to look at Simon to see the cost.

Its value was undeniable, but it would not allow them to awaken every promising demon they found.

"Agreed," Ancestral White Death said.

The others gave their assent.

Below, Sonya was examining one of Akaza’s new arms while he spoke to Simon. Virella and Ammor stood close enough to listen.

Night Widow’s attention settled on the two who had not undergone an awakening.

"I wonder whether those two will surprise us as well."

"They haven’t shown anything comparable," Ancestral Elder Black Mountain said.

Night Widow looked at the Ancestral Elder.

"Neither had Akaza before today."

"He had shown something. We simply didn’t understand what."

Night Widow smiled behind her veil.

"Then perhaps we should wait before deciding."

Most of the elders still doubted that Virella and Ammor would produce similar results.

But Blackmoon had made several of their earlier judgments look rather premature.

Golden Tyrant raised her hand.

Then her fingers snapped.

——

Simon was asking Akaza about the black holes when the ruined platform disappeared beneath his feet.

He stopped speaking.

The others stiffened around him. Akaza’s six hands opened, and Sonya turned sharply before recognising where they stood.

The elders were directly before them.

Enigma straightened at once.

Simon glanced toward Golden Tyrant’s lowering hand, then back at Dread Crown.

Even after their awakenings, Sonya and Akaza could feel how far these beings stood above them.

The power in Akaza’s blood had filled him with confidence moments earlier. Standing here, he could not begin to judge what any of the elders might be capable of.

Sonya’s bronze eyes moved across the twelve seats. Her expression remained curious, but she paid close attention when Grand Elder Dread Crown spoke.

"Sonya. Akaza. On behalf of this council, congratulations on your successful awakenings and your survival of the tribulation."

Akaza inclined his head.

"Thank you."

Sonya nodded beside him.

"Do you wish to join The Abyss?"

Akaza glanced briefly toward Simon.

"Yes."

"This Honourable will join too," Sonya said.

Dread Crown nodded.

"Then, from this moment, you are members of The Abyss. Enigma will arrange your registration."

Enigma bowed his head.

"I’ll see to it."

The Grand Elder turned toward Simon.

"Blackmoon, your contribution will also be rewarded. Is there something you want?"

Simon paused.

He hadn’t settled that question before beginning the awakenings. He had been more concerned with getting both of his companions through them alive.

He also had five treasures waiting in his ring. He hadn’t used any of them yet.

"I’m not certain," he said. "Can I leave the reward unclaimed until I’ve decided?"

"You may. We are also prepared to allow you three more selections from the Myriad Vault."

Simon blinked.

Beside him, Enigma slowly turned his head.

The envy on his face was difficult to miss.

Three more?

Simon immediately remembered the treasures he had left beside the partition. The Hundred Calamities Venom Pearl. The Ever-Changing Venom Scripture. Several techniques he would have liked to study.

It was tempting.

But he didn’t need to decide while exhausted. There might be something else he needed more.

He shook his head.

"Thank you, Grand Elder. I’d like some time to think about it."

"Take as much time as you need. Your contribution will be recorded."

Dread Crown’s gaze passed over Simon, Sonya, and Akaza.

"For now, recover and learn to use the strength you’ve gained. You are members of The Abyss. When you go out into the world, make certain that name is treated with respect."