Abyssal Awakening

Waiting in her room, Alice sat by the window and glanced out at the streets while Ria waited in her room.

"Say Alice, why do you think they're trying to turn people into shards?" Ria asked as she hugged her knee while sitting on the bed.

"Don't know. If it's the people from my old family, maybe they're doing it to find a way to make more medicine. In this case, the medicine is an item that can give you the power belonging to other people." Alice shook her head. Even if they were able to succeed in creating this shard that copies the power belonging to another, it doesn't eliminate the fact that there are side effects in doing so.

Even now, she could still remember the sensation of a dark power trying to pry its way into the deepest parts of her body and take her over. The Blight Caller Shard attempted to do so and so did the prototype shards.

The only difference is that the prototype dissipated before it could get far.

"Let's think of it from their perspective then I guess. What would a finalised result of these… Human shards be capable of?"

"The finalised results should be capable of granting you the powers of the Sigils they acquired in life along with any passive benefit within your body. If one was made from an Abyss Lord, eating said crystal should grant you the power of the Abyss Lord. Or do you think they're trying to stack the powers with one another?" Alice furrowed her brows.

"That's what I'm thinking. Remember how Allura mentioned that Apostles are one level above the Abyss Lords? Do you think they're trying to bridge that gap? If this is the word of the Cult, maybe they're trying to give their Apostles the upper hand against the Sun and Moon." Ria speculated.

It was a possibility that had been appearing in her mind ever since Alice mentioned that the Shards could grant the power of Sigils.

Hearing this, Alice paused as she glanced back at Ria.

"If they succeed, would it be possible to duplicate an Apostle's power?"

The notion of such a feat seemed impossible but if it was true, perhaps the religions would no longer be limited to just having two Apostles each and a battle beyond their capabilities and imagination could break out.

"We need to tell Allura and your grandfather."

"I can send grandfather a letter through the Underground but I'm not sure how long it'll take." Ria frowned.

"But the issue is that this information becomes available to the Underground. They are primarily an organisation for information, anything can be bought with the right conditions."

"Do we have no other way to contact them?" Alice sighed but Ria shook her head.

"In that case how about we ask the Underground to inform Allura to contact us as soon as possible? We shouldn't share the details so that only Allura knows." Ria suggested as Alice thought about it for a moment before nodding her head.

After all, Allura mentioned that she had methods to contact them if she needed.

"Alright let's do that. I'm not sure where the Underground is though. Is it like… Literally underground? Or is that the name of their organisation?" Alice asked curiously.

"It's a bit of both. Usually I see them underground and their name is also the Underground. It might be different in this city but we can probably ask the City Lord for some help. Maybe ask if we can get permission to enter the slums too without snooping around.

"Of course, there's a risk that he can just have someone tail us so we might need to be careful with how you display your power." Ria reminded as Alice nodded her head.

She needed to be cautious when dealing with her flames.

"It's also a good time to ask for the reward. What do we need right now?" Alice asked as the only thing she wanted right now was a high quality flask to hold her mead while keeping it cold.

"Well we can ask for a carriage leading to Isilvaria as well as a bit of travelling money. We can also ask for some weapons just in case since some people might covet your weird bracelet." Ria suggested as she still couldn't wrap her head around what Alice's bracelet was made from.

The fact that it could drink so much blood to enhance itself while changing shape was far too strange and eye catching. If she showed it to others, there was no doubt that some greedy Hunter would have plans to steal the weapon.

"Alright, let's do that."

Leaving the Inn, the two made their way back and set up a meeting with the City Lord.

###

"I did not expect you to come back so soon. Are you here for the reward or have you gained more leads to the investigation?" Kallus asked curiously while inviting them to sit down in his office.

"A bit of both. For the reward, would it be possible to get a carriage leading to Isilvaria? It's a bit far from here. Aside from the carriage, can we also get some weapons and a high quality flask for my drinks?" Alice asked.

Upon mentioning her drinks, she pulled out a fresh bottle of mead that she had taken from her room and had a wide smile on her face.

Seeing how enthusiastic Alice was towards mead, Ria was speechless. She couldn't help but feel as though it was a mistake to bring her to the gambling arena as now not only was there a gambling addict, which is incorrect as she could stop whenever she wanted, but now there was also an alcoholic.

Kallus was speechless at Alice's request but nodded his head as all three were reasonable requests.

After Alice had mentioned that there was a strange energy surrounding the heart, he had the Doctors compare it to Shards that was collected from other beasts. And as expected, there were indeed faint traces that bore similarities between the two.

Had it not been for Alice mentioning it, they wouldn't have discovered the traces of energy. Even for him, if he wasn't looking for it specifically, he wouldn't have discovered it so soon.

"Very well. But I must say, I can only get you the carriage once Martial Law has been lifted. It's not that I'm suspecting you but rather I must be fair with all parties involved. As for the weapon, I will arrange a meeting with the finest Blacksmiths we have and you can make your request to them. As for the flask… I will see what I can do.

Getting a standard flask is simple but a high quality hunter's flask is a little harder." Kallus nodded as Alice didn't mind a little wait for the flask.

After all, it wasn't as though they could leave any time soon with the Martial Law still in place.

"Ah before I forget, can we investigate the Slums? I know you have your guards there but we want to look around on our own for a bit." Alice asked as Kallus raised an eyebrow.

"Are there theories you wish to verify still?"

"Kind of but not really. It's also just getting a better look at the situation so I can inform my… Teacher?" Alice furrowed her brows as she wasn't sure what kind of connection she would call Allura.

She was both her teacher and family member. The part that confused her was the part where they are family.

"Ria, would you say Allura would be my great great great many times grandma? Since she said she was older than your grandfather right?" Alice turned to Ria who was about to answer but paused as she wasn't sure herself.

Allura's age had always been a confusing factor as she looked as though she was in her late 20's to early 30's yet she's been around for entire generations.

"I mean… She's more like your mother right now. But if we're strictly talking about age, she'll be your great great great many times grandmother." Ria shrugged.

Meanwhile, Kallus was completely lost in their conversation.

"So you're investigating things to inform your Teacher?" Kallus asked, deciding to not confuse himself and just associate this 'Allura' person as Alice's teacher.

"Pretty much." Alice nodded.

"Alright, I'll have Elyn inform the guards to leave you be if you wish to enter the slums. If there are any discoveries, please let me know so we can lift the Martial Law. The sooner we find the culprit, the faster life returns to normal for the civilians." Kallus nodded.

"For now though, would you like to talk to our blacksmith so he can start making your weapon immediately? Of course, you can also choose from his existing wares as well." He offered.

Thinking about it for a moment, Alice decided it was best to see the blacksmith first. If a fight does break out, having a spare weapon would come in handy.

With Alice's mind made up, Kallus had Elyn notify the Guards while writing a note for Alice.

"Take this to the smithy and they will understand. From there, you can either choose a weapon they already have on display or have them make something for you. If you are not in a rush, I suggest having them make something for you as they will base it on your existing Sigils." Kallus said while handing Alice the note.

With Elyn being busy informing the guards, Kallus had a Guard guide them to the smithy so they didn't get lost within the castle.

As they approached the smithy, the distant sounds of hammers crashing down on the anvil started to ring out as the surrounding temperature increased the closer they got.

The stone walls of the castle was dyed in a faint crimson due to the flames of the smithy while the shadows of hammers and those who wielded the tool reflected on the walls.

Entering the smithy, the guard gestured towards the room in the back.

"That's where the head of the smithy is." The guard explained before giving the two a slight bow and making his way back to his station.

Looking at one another, the two shrugged before walking through the smithy to reach the room.

The one way there, they could see several smiths using their Sigils to help them forge weapons.

'I suppose Sigils aren't only used for hunting. There are uses like this.' Alice mused to herself.

Knocking on the door, a tired voice called them in as the two pushed open the door and entered the room.