The Girl in the Abyss

Chapter 11

“I’ll hold them here. The aim assist on my rifle makes it the best anti-air weapon on the market.”

“Thank you, Kenneth. If something you can’t handle shows up its an absolute order that you retreat to me.”

We made it to the fortress without issue but as soon as we landed the flying guards swarmed us like bees. Thankfully Kenneth was able to wipe them out with ease.

“Consuming Darkness.”

I made a hole in the roof and jumped inside. The wall was enchanted with some kind of protection magic, but it didn’t stand a chance against Consuming Darkness. The room I landed in was a conference room and I seemingly interrupted a meeting of green cloaked Angels. The one at the front had a white wing pattern, so I instantly knew my target.

“Scars of Despair.”

Half of my body was in Nightmare form from using two dark skills in a row, and I could feel the desire to slaughter rising, but with Emotion Nullification I could handle this much. I quickly completed nine slashes to make sure he understood death was about to come.

“D-Demon, how do you have wings of the holy bloodline?” The fear on his face clear but he was doing a good job of acting like someone in charge.

I looked to the others sitting and made an offer. “I’m here for the “Unholy” girl with a wing pattern like my own. This guy’s life is already at its end, but you all have a chance to flee assuming someone tells me what I need to know.”

Everyone in the room readied their weapons except one Angel who remained seated.

“Demon you will rot within these halls!”

The leader with nine scars attempted to lead an attack, but it was pointless. I completed the last slash causing his body to fall apart. Gore rained down in the once clean conference room causing the rest to lose their former confidence.

-Congratulations! Scars of Despair has increased to 6/10!-

-Congratulations! Fear has increased to 10/10!-

-Congratulations! Skill competition has granted 3 Skill Point!-

-Congratulations! Fear has evolved into Terrifying Presence!-

-Congratulations! Terrifying Presence has increased to 5/10!-

“Shattered Light.” Thanks to Radiant Manipulation I was able to guide the shards of light around the room quickly killing everyone except the Angel who kept quiet.

“I know the location of the girl you are looking for. Her wing pattern is the same as yours but with brown edges instead of black. You also do not need to be wary of me as I am happy to say we are on the same side. I don’t usually take such a…” He looked around the blood covered room. “Unique, approach but my name is Gabriel Anelo, a member of The New Heavenly Order.”

He lowered his green hood revealing a young male Angel. He had light blue hair, a childlike face, yellow eyes, and his wings were a mix of light yellow and light blue.

“My friend is holding off your Angels from the roof, so I don’t have much time. Take me to the girl and flee after that.”

While we were talking the sound of gunfire and explosions rang out from above us.

“What kind of magic causes such horrid sounds? Wait… Just one friend?! There are only two of you?!? You just killed the Heavenly Angel’s brother! I don’t question your power, but the entire might of the Seven Heavens will soon be here! I thought you brought an army! How did you even break the barrier?! To forcefully destroy it requires a ritual of 10 Archangels.”

“I don’t care who comes just hurry up and show me the way.”

“Wait! There is a vault which contains the sealed wings of every “unworthy” please use your magic to open it. I need to destroy at least a few specific ones held in the innermost part of the vault. I’ve been working here undercover for years trying to get in there.”

“I’m wiping this entire fortress from existence before I leave. Every pair of wings will be destroyed.”

His face became a mix of disbelief, but after looking around the room again, he made a request.

“…There is another Unholy set to be executed in 200 years, and if what your saying is true then we have to save him. He is the founder of our order and a member of the holy bloodline. The New Heavenly Order will be in your debt, I beg you.”

“Why didn’t you ask me to save him first?”

“I wasn’t aware you’d be killing him! My operation was to destroy the sealed wings of our strongest members and then we would break him out using their power. The barrier on his cell was set personally by the Heavenly Angel so not just anyone can break it!”

“Point to where his cell is from where we are standing.”

Looking confused he pointed down toward the right corner of the fortress.

“Abyssal Infusion, Consuming Darkness.”

-Congratulations! Abyssal Infusion has increased to 7/10!-

-Congratulations! Abyssal Manipulation has increased to 6/10!-

Consuming Darkness quickly made its way through the building to the cell. Once it destroyed the wall I stopped it.

“Tell me exactly where the girl is and then your free to go get your leader. Make sure you flee after, I will not wait to destroy this building.”

“The young girl’s power required specific protections, so a room on the highest level was adjusted for it. If you exit into the hall and go as far as you can to the left, you will find a regular looking door with a soundproof barrier on it. She is within that room. Before I go, may I ask two things? What is your name so we can properly give thanks and are you really an angel?”

“My name is Ellie Noir. I’m not an Angel or a Demon just a regular outsider here to save someone important.”

“You’re the farthest thing from regular Ellie… You have my Order’s thanks.” He gave a bow before flying down the tunnel I made.

When I opened the hallway door, some guards fell in. It appears this room was sealed during meetings and even they couldn’t open it.

“It’s a Demon!”

“By the Heavenly Angel, what have you done!?!”

One of the guards began throwing up after seeing the bloody mess.

“Serenity Infusion, Shattered Light.”

The annoyances were quickly dispatched, and I flew down the hall using Holy Ascent.

“Watch out she is a member of the Holy Maidens!”

“Dammit, a rare class holder!”

“She has to be Legendary! I have never seen magic like that light on her body!”

“Abyssal Infusion, Consuming Darkness.”

The adjacent hall was now clear leaving me alone with the door I needed to get through. Before entering I made sure to lower my hood.

‘I just used two Darkness abilities, so I will have to balance it out.’

I stuck my sword through the door and activated Hallowed Ground causing it to crumble in an explosion of light. Inside was another set of doors however it was only soundproof enchants this time. They opened to a small room with a single glow stone light on the ceiling and a little girl who looked exactly like me at the age of three. She sat chained to the wall and was in horrible condition. Her wings were the same pattern as my own but brown lined the edges instead of black, she wore a tattered gown, and her brown hair was roughly cut short like mine used to be.

As I approached her face turned to fear and tears fell from her eyes. She started backing up until she hit the corner, but even then she kept pushing against the ground. I kneeled in front of her and destroyed the chains and cuffs using a little serenity mana. Being close to her I could see that her body was skin and bones, brutally scarred, her small wings were broken and bent at impossible angles, and her tongue was cut out.

‘Radiant class store.’

-Radiant Class Store-

[Divine] Radiant Heal – 50 SP

[Divine] Radiant Light – 50 SP

[Divine] Summon Radiant – 50 SP

[Divine] Dominion – 50 SP

[Divine] The Book of Revelation – 100 SP

[Divine] Land of Life, Sky of Light – 100 SP

[Title] Ruler of the Radiant Sky – Store Completion Bonus

Available Skill Points: 83

I purchased Radiant Heal which thankfully was an extremely powerful single target healing skill. As I reached out to place my hand on her head, she lifted her thin impoverished arms to block what she thought was an attack. She was shaking and mumbling something but I couldn’t understand what. I gently placed my hand on her head and used the new skill.

“Radiant Heal.”

-Congratulations! Radiant Heal has increased to 5/10!-

Her body was completely healed and no scars remained. The skill even returned her body weight to a healthy state.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m Sorry—”

In a shaky voice, she was quietly apologizing over and over again while continuing to hold her arms up in defense. I did the only thing I could think of, the one thing I always wanted, I reached over and pulled her into a hug.

“Everything is okay now. No one will hurt you ever again.”

‘Even after rebirth this world is not kind to us, but this time things would be different.’

She seemed to be in shock at first, but after realizing I was hugging her and it wasn’t a trick, I felt her hug me back.

“I’m going to be looking after you from now on. We have a home with a big bath, yummy food, and lots of kind friends that I am sure you will like.”

I felt her grip tighten around me.

“If you’re ever bored we can go on adventures, we can read together, or we can play in the snow.”

She buried her head in my shirt and started crying.

“Most importantly, when your sad and need to cry, I will be there to hold you close. To tell you everything is okay.”

Through her tears, she asked a single question. “P-Promise?”

“I promise.”

She cried in my arms until there were no tears left. Everything I told her was what I always dreamed of hearing. I would ensure she finds happiness even if it was at the cost of my own. It was this little girl who saved me from Death, and it was her who worked so hard to let me keep my emotions. I would repay every ounce of that kindness and so much more.

‘Our fate is one that always leads to suffering, but you can smile, I’ll shoulder everything else.’

“My name is Ellie, what’s yours?”

“Heavenly Angel said unholy people don’t get names.”

“It’s a good thing you’re not Unholy then, how about Elsie?” It was the first thing that came to mind. I wanted something close to Ellie since that was our original name.

With her head still buried in my shirt she nodded and made a small cute noise “Mm.”

“Are you ready to leave this place?”

She answered with another nod. “Mm.”

I knelt so she could climb up onto my back. Elsie was small enough that she could fit just in-between my wings without causing much interference.

“Elsie when I use some skills they make me look scary. I will make sure it doesn’t hurt you though.”

“Mm.”

‘She doesn’t like to say much. I’ll find out more when we’re out of here.’

We exited the still empty halls and returned to the roof where Kenneth was waiting.

“The guards retreated, but they are regrouping just out of range. It looks like military forces are joining too. All set to go?”

“Yes, the Demon Capital to the south is our next target.”

Since Divina was from here, she was able to give me the directions I needed.

“I take it the little girl peeking over your shoulder is who we came here for?”

Elsie immediately hid her head in my hair.

“This is Elsie; she is pretty shy. Elsie this is Kenneth, he is someone very kind and a person you can trust.”

“H-Hello.” She didn’t look and kept her head buried in my hair.

“It's nice to meet you Elsie. You can take your time before coming out. Ellie will make sure no one hurts you.”

I repeated what Kenneth said in Angelic so she would understand.

“Mm.”

Kenneth turned into a bat and clung to the top of my head. “It's rare that I see you with your hood down, I almost forgot you had horns.”

“I guess I don’t need to keep my hood on all the time since I’m not hiding from anyone.”

We took off into the sky far from the fortress. Guards and stronger looking angels started to pursue, but they would be distracted soon enough.

“Elsie, watch the Unholy Halls.”

She peeked over my shoulder and looked the at the dark green fortress.

“Serenity Infusion, Absolute Judgement.”

-Congratulations! Serenity Infusion has increased to 9/10!-

-Congratulations! Serenity Manipulation has increased to 7/10!-

-Congratulations! Absolute Judgement has increased to 5/10!-

Above the Fortress the sky tore open revealing a white void and a few seconds later a beam of white light surrounded by thinner lines of blue light shot down causing the world below to shake.

“So pretty!” Elsie exclaimed.

“If we ever need to perform a siege I will end up feeling bad for the enemy!” Kenneth began laughing.

When it finished nothing but a deep hole, and beautiful white and blue sparkles remained. The angels stopped chasing and stared at the crater in awe or despair, not that it mattered.

“Let’s get going. Holy Ascent.”

My wings filled with holy power as we quickly left towards the south. My flight speed was absurdly fast, so I was worried about Elsie and Kenneth, but both said they were okay. Not long after the reason no one was able to escape Seven Heavens became clear, a golden barrier surrounded the border. I was about to use Consuming Darkness to open a hole for us, but then I remembered what I told the old man. ‘It wouldn’t sit right with me if my suggestions couldn’t be taken seriously.’ Not far to our right was a large golden pillar that looked to be powering the barrier.

“Abyssal Infusion, Consuming Darkness.”

A massive cloud of Consuming Darkness ate away the base of the pillar causing it to fall down the mountainside. After that, the barrier started shattering we took off into the sky.

‘Arty I’m on my way.’

~~~

I stopped on the outskirts of a small village to allow Kenneth and Elsie some time to rest. While we were sitting, I started to get worried about Elsie seeing me kill people. It was not something I wanted to expose her to. I asked her if she would be okay with heading to Snowy Nights, but she was adamant on staying with me even if it would only be a short time apart.

“You promised.” She gave me a tearful look as I kneeled in front of her.

“I did, that is why I won’t force you to go. If you come, you have to make me some promises, alright?”

“Mm.”

“First, if I must fight you will stay with Kenneth or hide in my hair. Second, never put yourself in danger and if you think we’re in trouble let me or Kenneth deal with it. Third, if you’re ever hurt, even the smallest scratch, you must tell me right away. Got it?”

“Mm.”

“Kenneth, I’m going to prepare a simple dinner for Elsie do you want something with my blood on it?”

“Hmmm, I haven’t had a good clubhouse sandwich in a while. Replace the mayo with blood for me.”

‘That’s not exactly what I would call simple…’

“Elsie what would you like for dinner?”

She looked down with a sad expression.

“Its okay to eat?”

“You can eat anytime your hungry.”

“Hard bread?”

“Only yummy foods, I don’t offer hard bread.”

“Water soup?”

“How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Arty and I used to make these for ourselves all the time.”

“Sandwich?”

“Its something yummy. Starlight Kitchen.”

-Congratulations! Starlight Kitchen has increased to 5/10!-

A kitchen made of the night sky appeared in front of us. Elsie was frightened by its sudden appearance and hid behind my leg. Using pocket portals, I quickly obtained the ingredients I needed and got to work. Shortly after Kenneth’s legendary clubhouse, two legendary peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and three glasses of juice were completed. I canceled Starlight Kitchen, and we all sat down on the grass.

“This is delicious Ellie! I expected the bread to be soggy, but you made the blood the same consistency as mayo! honestly, that’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen since God’s Guidance.”

Kenneth’s stupid comment made me smile a bit, but I turned my attention to Elsie who was staring at the slice in her hands.

“Elsie if you don’t like it just let me know, I can make you something new.”

She watched as I took a bite of my own before doing so herself and just like I did all those years ago, she cried tears of joy as she quickly ate the sandwich and drank her juice.

“Was it good?”

Instead of an answer she hugged me and started crying even more.

“I-I can eat yummy food again?”

“Anytime you want.”

I held her in my arms until she fell asleep.

“Kenneth, I don’t like that she’s stuck in this gown, so I’m going to check if this town offers any clothing. If she wakes up hand her this.”

It was a small note that said ‘Buying you a gift, I’ll be back soon. – Ellie.’ The language barrier was annoying but I didn’t have any solutions currently. The place we were on the outskirts of looked to be a small farming town in the middle of nowhere. Most houses resembled medieval frontier buildings at best, but I was able to find a tailor towards the center of the town. Along the way, I was getting looks from the local inhabitants, and just before entering the tailor’s shop a male Demon threw a rock at me from behind.

-Congratulations! You have earned the skill Demonic!-

-Congratulations! Demonic has increased to 5/10!-

-Congratulations! Angelic has increased to 9/10!-

-Congratulations! English has increased to 10/10!-

-Congratulations! Skill competition has granted 1 Skill Point!-

“Get out of here you half breed!”

A few others joined in with the same sentiment.

“Aura of Divinity.”

-Congratulations! Aura of Divinity has increased to 8/10!-

I targeted it towards the group, mainly on the ones who threw the rocks.

“M-Monster!” Those that were still conscious after I canceled the skill took off running.

‘The skill has gotten stronger. Almost half were rendered unconscious.’

I entered the Tailor and an old demon greeted me. He was wearing a dark purple suit reminiscent of medieval nobles from Human history and the shop was surprisingly fancy. He had grey hair, purple eyes, and purple horns that did a single twirl before pointing upwards.

“My lady, may this lowly Demon ask if those outside are, well, dead?”

“They’re just unconscious.”

His face changed to relief. “That is a good thing to hear. Our town is quite remote, so superstition can run rampant although that does not excuse their behavior. What can this humble servant help you with?”

“I need clothing for a three-year-old Angel; a simple dress would do. I would also like a tailors kit and material if you have any to spare.”

“Do you have measurements for the young lady? I have never adjusted a dress to fit the wings of an Angel but I assume the back would need to be modified.”

“I don’t sadly. In that case, some material and the kit would be a welcome alternative.”

“Ellie!” The door swung open, and Elsie ran over and hugged my leg.

“Sorry Ellie! She woke up right after you left and nothing was stopping her from finding you.”

Her small wings were fluttering as she tried to jump up to my back. I picked her up and she hugged me tightly.

“There will be times where I need to go for a little bit. I know it can be scary, but Kenneth will keep you safe.”

“You promised.”

‘I have a feeling this promise will be causing me some troubles…’

“Anyway, this man is going to measure you for a new clean outfit. I’ll be right here the whole time.”

“Mm.”

I switched back to Demonic. “My apologies for the commotion, this is the girl I will be getting the clothing for. If you could measure her, I would be grateful.”

“It is no trouble at all madam. I have a dress and other necessities about her size that should work well with a few adjustments.”

Elsie stepped onto a small platform while measurements were taken and not long after the Demon returned with a light-blue commoner’s dress. He gave me the instructions on how to put them on and left me alone with Elsie.

“How does it feel?”

“Comfy.”

It wasn’t a clothing style I was used to, but as long as it was comfortable, that’s all that mattered.

“I have arranged the tailoring kit at the front alongside the bill.”

The bill came to 1 silver and 5 bronze for the outfit and 6 silver for the kit and raw materials.

“I have included the three types of fabric we carry. Kilthorn wool from the farms, Suntide linen prepared here, and our most valuable material Giant Worm Weave. It is quite a lot. Do you have a caravan that will be taking care of it?”

“No, I will be putting it away now.”

I opened my bag and started shoving overside items into it. At first, the old demon's face was filled with confusion, but amazement followed soon after.

“I have never seen such magic! If you were to join a trading company you could make a fortune carrying items by flight.”

‘If I’m ever desperate for money I guess I could.’

“Thank you for your time and the suggestion.”

“It was my pleasure.” He gave a respectful bow as we left the building.

Outside some of the town’s folk were carrying the unconscious bodies away. This time no one made a peep when they saw us but just as we were about to leave a woman's voice called out to us.

“Please forgive our foolish town members!”

A tough looking woman was on the ground bowing behind us. Her skin was tanned, she had red hair, dark red eyes, and her horns pointed straight up from the sides of her head.

“It's okay.” No one I cared about was hurt so it didn’t matter.

The woman got up with the help of the man next to her. The bottom half of her left leg was missing, and her crutches were behind her. With his help, she limped over to us.

“It's not okay. My father would be frowning down on me if I allowed a traveler to be disrespected in such a way. We are on the unofficial border between Seven Heavens and Deminicous so seeing wings in town causes people to be frightened.”

“I truly wasn’t an issue.”

“I know you are not a normal traveler. I’ve never seen a Demon and Angel half breed, not to mention that sword. It may have little use for you but please accept this basket of Crackle Rock as an apology, it is our towns main produce.”

I used Inspect to see what its uses were.

Name: Crackle Rock

Rarity: Common

Source: The area’s surrounding the Demon Continent’s large mountains.

Uses: Increases Fire Affinity and resistance when ground to dust and used in crafting.

Description: A red powdery stone said to be the left over from the great fire and earth magic that rose the mountains.

Since she was insisting, I accepted.

“Is your leg sealed, why haven’t you healed it?”

“Healing spells that can restore limbs are only found in specialized rare classes and up. Even if I traveled to the capital, I wouldn’t be able to afford such a luxury.”

I stuck my hand out towards her leg. “Radiant Heal.”

The bone and then flesh grew back like it was never gone.

“Thank you for the rocks.”

‘Another kindness to make up for all the death.’

“Such healing power and so fast… I can never repay this kindness! Thank you!”

She bowed until we were out of sight. Once on the outskirts of town, I dumped the rocks into my bag sending it through the pocket portal and let Elsie down from my back.

“Elsie before we take off again I want to talk to you about the skill you have.”

She looked down and grabbed her new dress. It was a pose I once did when I was very nervous.

“No matter what you say it won’t change our promise.” I picked her up and hugged her so she felt more comfortable.

“Divine class Commandments.”

I was surprised to hear Divine Class or a class at all considering you shouldn’t be able to get one until the age of ten. ‘Why would the Heavenly Angel not try to make use of that?’

“What does it do?”

She buried her head into my shoulder.

“I tell people to do things and they do it even if its bad things.” She started crying. “I-I won’t tell you to do things. I promise I won’t!”

“Try commanding me to put you down.”

Her head popped up with a scared and confused look, but after seeing my face, she nodded.

“P-Put me down please.”

I hugged her in response. “I will always be here for you. Not even your divine commands can forcefully separate us.”

Like I expected the command did nothing, I had Mind Immunity after all.

“It didn’t work?”

“Nope, so there is no need to be scared of talking.”

“Mm.” Her response was still the small cute sound.

‘Its something we can work on…’

With everything set, we took off into the sky and headed south. A few hours into the flight I received a welcomed notification.

-Congratulations! Holy Ascent has increased to 10/10!-

-Congratulations! Skill competition has granted 5 Skill Points!-

-Congratulations! Holy Ascent has evolved into Heavenly Arrival!-

-Congratulations! Heavenly Arrival has increased to 5/10!-

Holy light enveloped my wings causing them to appear much larger than they actually were. To my surprise, my outfit and those I was carrying were also covered in it. The speed at which we could travel increased substantially, Kenneth said I was faster than a jet plane. With the skill’s new speed our trip only took an hour.

-You Have Entered Country: ‘Deminicous,’ Capital City: ‘Deminicous’-

-Congratulations! Pathfinding has increased to 9/10!-

‘I feel him, its slight but I can feel his presence! Arty I will be there soon!’

A city made of dark metals stretched as far as the eye could see. The architecture of the Demon Capital was beautiful. They used dark materials to make manors almost like my house but with a lot more metal and emphasized spiky points. To add the visual yellow glow stones were used everywhere giving the builds an interesting contrast and glow. To our right in the western area, I felt his presence growing stronger. I kept flying until we were over a manor on the boundary of the city and behind it was a wedding ceremony on the edge of a large forested lake.

“Arty is somewhere down there. Kenneth when we land keep Elsie safe.”

“The little VIP, it seems my job will be protecting you from now on.” He laughed, but Elsie was unable to understand.

I raised my hood; I didn’t want Arty to see me until I explained everything. Using Heavenly Arrival, I quickly landed interrupting the ceremony.

“Heavenly Angel? No, you’re not her. What idiotic Angel has flown into Deminicous and interrupted my wedding?”

The room filled with silence as the overly large Demon complained. He was at least 7 feet tall, made entirely of muscle, his hair and eyes were dark blue, and his beige horns stuck outwards from the side like a bull. Next to him was a female Demon who would be tall in her own right but looked small next to the mass of muscle. She had black hair that was done in a longer Pixie cut, dark eyes, and two small white horns on the side of her head that pointed back in a wave.

“Where is Artel Noi—”

-Connection to Companion “Artel Noir” has been established.-

-Companion Artel Noir died 15 years, 5 Months, and 28 days ago. Last shared skill has been made permanent.-

‘No… No… t-this isn’t possible… it's lying… it must be lying!’

I fell to my knees.

‘In the end, you were too weak. You failed him.’

“Artel, the youngest of the Noir family? That’s who you're looking for? That useless ghost failed in transferring his bloodline to me now I’m stuck marrying his rebellious sister. At least today won’t be a complete waste of time since I can give a powerful Angel’s head to the Demon Lord as a gift. Are you the next in line to be Heavenly Angel? How do you have that Legendary skill?”

“It’s a lie! It must be! Arty! Its Ellie, please come out! I’m sorry I took so long!”

‘You failed him.’

“This Angel has lost her mind. Guards kill the two standing behind her!”

*POP**POP*

The two guards fell to the ground after bullets pierced their skulls.

“Arty we can cook together like we use to! I’m strong enough to protect us now! Please come out!”

Guests in the seats behind us were panicking, but for some reason, none would flee.

“Does the general of the Demon Lord’s Army have to deal with this at his own wedding? How useless are you lot?”

More guards ran over, but they met the same fate.

‘He would have been better off never meeting you.’

-Congratulations! Emotion Nullification has increased to 10/10!-

-Congratulations! Skill competition has granted 5 Skill Points!-

-Congratulations! Emotion Nullification has evolved into Nightmare’s Rage!-

[??] Nightmare’s Rage – Emotions have a soft cap of 40%. Strong emotions which bypass the soft cap such as despair, anger, and hatred will forcefully activate Nightmare setting your inner desires free.

Passive

Source: Evolved from Emotion Nullification. Exclusive to Nightmare.

Skill level: 1/1

As tears fell from my eyes, I felt Nightmare taking hold. All over my body patches of darkness were spreading and Nightmare’s signature horns grew from my head. With what little control I had left I turned to Kenneth and Elsie.

“Kenneth take her to Snowy Nights. Passage.”

Elsie ran over. “I don’t want to leave! I don’t want to!”

‘How long will it be before you fail her too?’

“I promise I will come back.”

She hesitated and then sadly nodded. Kenneth picked her up and ran through the tunnel of darkness.

~~~=--^--=~~~

An Angel looking for my dead little brother dropped in from the sky using a skill exclusive to the Heavenly Angel. After learning of Artel’s death, she fell to her knee’s in grief. Her companion killed many guards but as soon as the General was about to take action a terrifying power started emanating from the Angel. She opened a portal of darkness and sent her companions through and then turned back to us. She was now a Demon the likes of which I had never seen before, her body was darkness with cracks of light pulsing all over it, her eyes were white circles, and two long horns of darkness pointed into the air. With unimaginable speed, she stabbed the General in the stomach and lifted him into the air using his spine.

“W-What are you?!”

“You will suffer. You will pay a price far beyond death.”

“AHHH!” The fear of the general was surpassed by the fear of this Demon causing many guests to try and flee.

“Annoying. Abyssal Infusion, Consuming Darkness.”

A cloud of darkness burst forth from her other hand eating away everyone and everything. Using this chance I ran off to the side.

“Let's see… Your name, Ozarik. Arty died for your experiment, so please pardon my rudeness while I conduct my own. Electrify.”

She used an uncommon electricity spell. It was one I had seen before but this would not kill a legendary class holder like the General.

“You think that will kill me!? Herculean Strength!”

He used both hands to grab the Demon’s arm, but whatever the flesh was made of melted his hands away in an instant.

“Electricity Infusion, Electrify.”

“AHHHHHHH!”

The same uncommon skill was used, but even I could see its massive power difference. The general’s body spasmed for over five minutes before finally falling limp.

‘Infusion Spells are a mythical ranked ability! Artel was friends with someone like this?’

“Dead already? One evolution is all your life was worth?”

She killed the General who stood against countless Armies like he was nothing.

“Perfect Resurrection.”

“I-Impossible.” I couldn’t help but mutter those words as the general returned to a living state before my own eyes. The Heavenly Angel was said to have a skill called Holy Resurrection, but I never imagined seeing one with such power.

“W-What have you done to me?”

“Greater Electrify.” She used the rare version of the skill.

‘She evolved an uncommon skill just like that?!’

“Still not enough to kill you? Electricity Infusion, Greater Electrify.”

Just like before his body spasmed and eventually fell limp.

“Hmmm…. It would appear I can use perfect resurrection multiple times in the same day as long as it’s the same soul. How convenient. Perfect Resurrection.”

“H-How…”

The general’s strong deminer was vanishing. Being tortured to death and then getting pulled back from the afterlife was not something someone of even his caliber could endure.

“Electricity Infusion, Greater Electrify.”

As horrifying as the scene before me was it would be a lie to say we didn’t take pleasure in it. When Artel was announced captured, the hiding remnants of the Noir family, including myself, launched an attack to try and save him but it failed, I failed. Those loyal to the true heir, my little brother, were executed and I would be used to grant power to the Demon Lord’s General. The killing and resurrecting continued, 3 times, 11 times, 34 times, 50 times, the girl persisted while General begged to die.

“Please… Kill me….”

“I will, many, many more times. Its unfortunate that you stopped giving any exp for my class and skills after the first death, this would be a wonderful way to level up.”

“Greater Electrify.”

“AHHHHHH!”

He went limb once again.

“Perfect Resu—”

From a dark portal behind her, a tall person in tattered black robes appeared and pierced the Demon with a scythe causing her to drop the General.

“Is this how you are fulfilling that girl’s promise? This is your happiness?”

“My happiness is dead.”

The Demon grabbed the scythe’s handle causing it to break.

“Why have you come?”

“Your actions are interfering with the Land of the Dead, and it ends now.”

“Tell me, is there any way to save Artel Noir?”

“His soul has already dissipated within the Great Sea of Mana.”

“Then this is far from over.”

She pulled the Scythe from her stomach.

“Perfect Resu---”

The robed figure used the scythe’s broken handle to smack the girl far across the lake. At the other side, an explosion from the impact took out part of the forest. He picked up the body and opened a new portal of darkness, but just as he was about to enter, the girl returned with wings of Holy Darkness and smashed into the robed figure.

“His soul is mine! Scars of Despair!”

Ten slashes were dealt with her claws causing the robed figure to erupt into a mist of darkness. She got up and walked to the body she had killed many times.

“Perfect Resurrection.”

The general returned from the dead once again, but before she could continue her torture, three figures in tattered robes appeared around her. Each one stabbed her in different locations with a scythe. Finally, a fourth appeared and began speaking to her.

“You overestimate yourself Ellie Noir.”

“Once more. Let me kill him once more. After which I agree not to use the skill in such a manner ever again.”

“Making deals with Death from the position you're currently in? At the very least you never fail to intrigue me. As a reward for killing one of my avatars, I’ll allow you to take his life one final time. Don’t make me return.”

The robed figures vanished, and the demon walked over to the once proud man crying on the ground.

“As your final punishment, I will ensure your soul ends here.”

The Demon’s right-hand glowed white before piercing the General’s chest. When she pulled her claw back out a glowing white ball was within her hand.

“Extinguish Life.”

In a puff of Darkness, the soul was gone.

-Activating Soul Link’s “Final Goodbye”-

-Skill “Soul Link” has now been removed from Ellie Noir.-

~~~=--^--=~~~

-Activating Soul Link’s “Final Goodbye”-

-Skill “Soul Link” has now been removed.-

On the ruined altar a young transparent Demon appeared sitting on the ground. He was shaking, looked about 12 years old, wore noble’s attire, had black hair, and had two horns which looked exactly like my own. Despite only seeing Arty as a ghost I knew exactly who it was. Nightmare faded as I slowly walked towards him and lowered my hood.

“Arty, it's me, its Ellie, we have the same horns. There is so much I want to tell you about.”

-30 Seconds Remaining-

“You’re not Ellie! Your soul is nothing but hatred and anger! Ellie’s was full of kindness and love!”

“I’m still me! I promise I’m still me!”

He placed his hands on his head while struggling to respond.

-20 Seconds Remaining-

“Y-You’re a monster pretending to be her! Another trick!”

I reached out to him, but he slapped my hand away.

“Don’t touch me! I want to be with her! I want to be with Ellie!”

-10 Seconds Remaining-

He turned to his sister. “Valora please help me find her! She needs my help!”

“Arty so much has happened, but I’m truly Ellie! Please believe me!

-5 Seconds Remaining-

“You’re just a monster! A lying monster!”

-0 Seconds Remaining. Final Goodbye has concluded. Lingering essence has dissipated.-

I fell to my knees and stared at the location Arty once was.

“Artel was not thinking straight! The distress of horrific final moments has always caused soul link’s final goodbyes to end up like this! I saw how much you cared about him. You’re not a monster! You saved me!”

It was Artel’s sister who was attempting to comfort me.

“Passage.” A portal of darkness to the Dawn Wastes opened underneath her feet causing her to fall through.

Once I was alone, I cried the hardest I had ever cried.

‘Forgive me Arty.’

‘Will you fail his sister as you did him?’

‘Forgive me.’

‘How will you make amends for everything you’ve done?’

‘Forgive me.’

‘Stop holding back, free yourself and show this world the true depths of despair.’

‘Forgive me.’

‘Kill them.’

‘Forgive me.’

‘Kill everyone who stands against you.’

Next to me still laying on the ground was the blade of Death’s scythe and a little bit of the handle.

‘This blade was able to pass through my immunities. It made me feel pain.’

I picked it up and felt it burning me with the power of Death. Since its handle was broken, it looked more like a sickle with a large blade. With a shaking hand, I put the blade to my neck.

‘Are you going to abandon everyone you promised to protect?’

I hesitated at the thought of leaving Elsie behind.

‘Show this world suffering. Make them fear you, make them understand what happens when they stand against you. It's not you who should die…’

My arm fell to my side. “…Its everyone else that should suffer.”

My mind was taken by despair while my thoughts assaulted me. The Demon Lord was behind this, so I would kill him. I walked along the black cobble streets of Deminicous painting them red with my broken scythe. Any who tried to stop me from reaching the Demon Lord died.

-Congratulations! Scythe Mastery has increased to 10/10!-

-Congratulations! Skill competition has granted 5 Skill Points!-

Just ahead of me was the gates to the palace. I walked to them slowly while covered in blood.

“Make the pain go away… Kill them…”

A group of 50 guards gathered to stop me, but they didn’t stand a chance against me or the broken scythe. After getting inside, I learned only the Queen was here but no matter how many I interrogated they wouldn’t tell me where.

“Her room was next to Artel’s! It's down the hall! Please spare me!”

‘Arty has a room in the palace?’

After killing the palace guard, I made my way to a room that used to be Arty’s. Inside the room on the bedside table was a small painted frame of him and his two sisters.

‘Arty…’ Seeing his face made me start crying again.

“Isn’t this a sad sight.”

A beautiful woman walked in. She had flowing long black hair with horns that looked like white roses, a black dress, and a mature body and chest. She was the oldest girl in the picture I was holding.

She appeared next to me on the bed like a ghost. “I can see your sorrow Ellie. I’m here to help you.”

“How?”

She appeared in front of me placing one hand under my chin while wiping my tears away with the other.

“I can send you to a place with Arty and your parents. Somewhere you can be happy.”

“I can be with Arty?”

‘He’s dead. You already failed him.’

“Forever and ever.”

I thought of Elsie. “I… I can’t.”

“This world has been so cruel to you, its only fair that you should be happy too.”

‘You don’t deserve to be happy.’

“I…”

“Shhh… Just let go, close your eyes, and I will send you to them.”

“Mind Immunity will block it…”

“It's not an attack, just a beautiful dream. Close your eyes and say your innermost desire.”

‘Are you leaving Elsie for dead? Abandoning everyone?’

“I can feel your mind raging like a storm. Close your eyes and all shall be calm.”

My tear-soaked eyes slowly fell shut. ‘I… I want to be happy…’

~~~

“See you tomorrow Ellie!”

I waved to my friends from class as the bus drove away.

‘I wonder what mom is making for dinner tonight?’

I ran up to our house on a cozy street with lots of trees. It was white with a back roof, two stories tall, and had a big backyard with a pound.

“I’m home!”

“Welcome home Ellie! Dinner is ready. We’re just waiting for your father.”

My mother was in the kitchen at the back of the house. She had short brown hair in the same cut as my own, was short like me, and today she was wearing a pink dress that was her favorite. I ran over and gave her a hug.

“Is Arty home yet?”

“He’s in the yard playing with the wooden swords again.”

I ran outside to see my big brother. He’d always let me play with him.

“Arty I’m home!”

“Just in time for today’s adventure!”

Arty started explaining our mission for the day, but he was cut off halfway through.

“Dinners ready!” Our Dad, who must have just walked in, called out to us. He wasn’t much taller than my mom, had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and wore glasses. He was very thin and would sometimes get sad about it, but Mom says he’s super smart, so he didn’t need to be strong which always made him feel better.

“We were just about to go on an adventure!”

“You and your sister can adventure all you want after you eat. That includes the vegetables Artel!”

I was giggling behind Arty while Dad yelled at him.

“Ellie our adventure to the secret fort is postponed until after dinner…”

“It will be our best adventure yet!”

Together as a family, we enjoyed dinner. Days continued like this and I was so happy. I had the best parents and big brother in the whole world! School was super fun as well! I had lots of friends that were all very kind to me, and my teacher taught me lots of different things. After a month I started having nightmares about a horrible monster made of darkness and a scary glowing angel but luckily when I woke up in the middle of the night crying Arty would always let me sleep with him.

~~~

“Today’s adventure is finding a fish in the pond!”

“Arty, Dad will get mad if we bug the fish again.”

“That’s why it’s a stealth mission!”

I went to walk over to him, but I tripped over a stick and fell. My hand got a small scrape on it, and I started crying.

“Ellie!” Arty ran over and hugged me before looking at my hand. “It's bleeding a little bit, let me go grab you a bandage.”

Through my sniffles, I thanked my brother.

He gave me a thumbs up. “That’s what big brothers are for!” Then ran off into the house.

I looked down at my hand. ‘Why is my blood that color?’ It was like a sunset.

I waited outside for 10 minutes but he never came back, and dinner should have been ready soon too. I went towards the back door but as soon as I walked in, I stepped in something wet.

“Arty?”

On the floor was my big brothers’ body in a pool of his own blood.

“Mom, Dad! Arty’s hurt! Please help him! Please call for help!”

I knelt in the pool of blood and held him in my arms.

“They won’t be coming Ellie.”

Sitting on the kitchen counter was a girl made of darkness. She appeared to be the same height as me and would even look like me if it wasn’t for the darkness on her body.

“W-Who are you?”

“We’re you.”

Just behind me was a big person made of bright light with sky blue eyes looking down at me. The glowing person and girl made of darkness always spoke at the same time saying the same things.

“Mommy! Daddy!” I cried out in fear for my parents.

“They're already gone.”

“W-Where did they go?”

“They sold us. We were too much of a burden.”

“They sold me?”

“Sold us and left. Everyone leaves us.”

“Then Arty is…” My tears were falling onto his face.

“Dead. You failed him, remember?”

Horrifying memories flowed into my head. Images of everyone I lost flashed by one by one.

“No!” I held the sides of my head.

Next was everyone who betrayed and hurt me.

“I don’t want to go back!”

“What about those you still have left?”

Memories again entered my mind, but this time it was of people that were still alive and relied on me.

“Giving in will save them and you.”

‘Elsie…’ The name appeared in my head.

“Give in.” They reached their hands out toward me.

I desperately wanted to accept, to put this horrible nightmare behind me, but I couldn’t leave this world yet. As my memories continued to return, I realized that this was my life, an endless cycle of despair. If I wanted things to be different, I would have to let go of my weakness, of who I was. My happiness was gone, but it wasn’t too late for everyone else. I could become someone who could protect them and grant them every happiness they desired.

Looking down at Arty I hugged him one last time. ‘Thank you for being my friend Arty. You were the first person to ever care about someone as worthless as me. I wish we could have been together forever.’

I gently laid him down and stood to face the girl with Touch of the Abyss active.

‘I will show this world what it means to stand against me on my own terms.’

“Give in Ellie.” Just as they were about to touch me, I hit their hands away. I would not be a slave to the monsters inside my soul, not anymore.

“No… It's you two who will serve me.”

Her face turned to anger. “You’ll fail everyone without our guidance!”

“I will never fail them again.”

I grabbed the Elemental’s core and the girl’s neck and felt their power rushing around inside me. My soul was currently divided into three parts and the fragment of my younger self, but now it would finally become whole.

‘I will carry everyone else’s struggles so that they can be happy. Elsie, Kenneth, Artel’s sister, the Fallen, Divina, the Pixies, and their loved ones. I will make a place they can all live without pain or sadness. That’s all this monster can do.’

As the final tears left my eyes, I felt myself fade away into light and darkness.

-Congratulations! You have earned the title Radiant Night!

Radiant Night – ??

Grants: ??

Source: ??