In a dark alleyway behind a food stall, stood a figure in black and red holding something that resembled a pair of sissors.
On the ground, right in front of the figure, sat a terrified young bug that wondered where the hell did his life go wrong.
"Now…Tell me… Where is that "Trial of self" taking place? and what exactly is it?"
The bug stammered as he searched his mind for an answer,
"I-its a trial made by the m-m-moth once ev-every ten years fo-for to test the talent of the y-younger generation"
The young bug exhaled a sigh of relief, before Grimm brought the scissors close to his neck.
"And… Any idea on what the trial actually does ?"
Green blood oozed out from the wound as Grimm pushed his weapon against the innocent bug's neck.
"No…We loose our memories once we exit the trial to ensure fairness for the next generation"
"I see"
Grimm nodded, and just as the bug breathed a sigh of relief, Grimm cut his neck cleanly, splattering blood all over the alleyway.
"The fifth one, and still not enough intel. It seems the upper echelon of this society maintain a tight-guard on the Trial's informations. This is not going to satisfy His Majesty, it seems this is going to stain my record."
As Grimm finished talking, his figure suddenly flickered in and out of existence as he dissapeared, heading toward his lord.
Meanwhile, at Zero's Side…
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At the Center of the City stood a large, dark monument. It was bult like an ancient Greek palace, with hold, pristine white pillars holding a marble ceiling.
The Edifice was at least two hundred meters tall, exuding an ancient aura of majesty that permeated the air around it.
A long queue stood before it—The kingdom's youth waiting to sign up.
As for Zero? He was at a nearby tavern drinking some cheap ale along with Pilgy.
A very, very drunk Pilgy.
"A-AND I TELL YOU *Hic* H-HER ASS WAS T-THAT BIG *Hic*"
He said, as he trembled all over and tried to do some suggestive gesture with his hands.
Zero was exasperated.
'By the dead gods, why did that autistic bug have to be my guide…'
Tough Zero complained, he had actually gotten quite attached to the over-active bug. Being surrounded by completely serious people and living in an environment that could kill you overnight was very taxing on the mind.
Pilgy's presence was a new kind of experience.
Suddenly, Zero's "hears" perked up as he heard something quite interesting.
"You see, Lux dom has created a new Great One. Apparently, he name is Nephis, and she was made by the Radiance herself. Rumors says that she has even more potential than the Arch-Shamans of both Royal Courts."
Three drunken guard from the City discussed around a table some gossip, and some of it had picked Zero's attention.
Nephis was the name of one of the Cohort members who freed him.
Zero didn't have any lasting impression for them, only that they were quite strong for their age. Nephis, to him, only seemed to be an edgy teenager going through "that" phase but with superpowers.
However, he didn't have the habit of letting debt go unpaid. If he had the opportunity, he would help them. If not, then so be it.
Zero continued to listen to the guards, and surprisingly, the guard that Pilgy "bribed" was among them.
"Damn, that means that Ina is in some real trouble. We don't have any combat power stronger than that…"
The largest bug shook his head.
"Don't even talk about mid-range combat power. We all know Our king, His majesty Vordrax, is stronger than that wicked Radiance. That "Nephis" may only even out the fields. Especially since our king could study the beast and create one even stronger."
Oh, now, that was interesting. It was the first time Zero had heard about the king, and from what he could deduce, then Radiance was the king of Luxdom and Voldrax the king of Ina.
It was also the first time that he heard about the titles such as Arch Shamans and Great Ones. It seemed this world was much more interesting than what Zero had thought.
"AHAH GUYS. I forgot to tell ya! You see, there's a very good bitch next door…"
Hearing that the meaningful intel was finished, Zero grabbed Pilgy by the neck, paid the bill (from Pilgy's pocket) and exited the tavern.
"Wow…"
Looking up at the sky, Zero saw something he never thought he'd see again.
He saw a sky, full of stars, a glorious galaxy of stars. Glittering in the sky, and a moon.
There was a Broken, Purple-reddish moon adorning the sky. The moon was broken from the middle, almost split in half yet not quite so. It was a if a hole was drilled through it.
'Its beautiful.' Zero thought.
He had forgotten how beautiful the world was. Maybe, in his pursuit to destroy his, he had forgotten to take in its splendor.
Oh,How beautiful the world was to Zero at this instant.
People were packing up their Stands, covering their wares and going to sleep. Lanterns lit up the city as countless bugs prepared to enter slumber.
The children dancing beneath the sky, the mothers, watching them,joking to each other. The fathers trading junk that may be useful for them in thirty years.
The world was full of life.
And Zero was supposed to think that this was all an illusion ?
Even if it was, once an illusion becomes real enough, does it not become reality ?
Something bloomed within Zero's heart at this moment.
Regret.
He had destroyed such a world, for what? Ambition?
'Nah, not like that. Things simply lead to another and I found myself the enemy of everyone.'
And yet, did he truly? Did he truly become everyone's enemy simply because they wanted to?
What would've happened, that day, had he not brandished his sword, had he tried to talk and expose his reasons for his crimes? What if, had he not been driven by vengeance, and simply did as his mother told him, and simply lied down and forgiven them?
What if?
Regret, endless regret bloomed within Zero's empty heart.
'No, not yet. I can't stop, I've done too much, way too much to stop there.'
Yet, a thought lingered at the back of his mind.
'Should I just lie down, should I just live my life in this Nightmare?'
"My lord…"
"What am I even fighting for?"
"My lord…"
'What do I look forward to in the future? Why am I doing this?'
"My Lord…"
Doubt, doubt flooded Zero's mind. Before he was pulled out of his daze by a screaming Grimm.
"MY LORD!!"
Zero turned his head to look straight into grimm's eyes.
Grimm suddenly bowed his head and apologized,
"I apologize, your majesty; I simply noticed that you were not in your right state of mind and acted unacordingly under the heat of the moment. Please punish me with a thousand death !!"
Zero simply looked at him, and thought.
'I've got other things to do than to wallow in my own regret. Move forward, goddamnit!! Even if you don't know why, move forward, that's the only thing you can do!'
He looked at Grimm and said,
"Raise your head, lets head to a proper place before talking."
Indeed, a small crowd had gathered silently, observing the interaction. It was not always you could hear such a pristine voice, and Grimm's appearance was not exactly low key.
In fact, Both Grimm and Zero could be considered to be in the top 1% if bugs in terms of looks.
———————————
Author note:
Hiii guys. NEW CHAAAAPPPPTERRRRR. I felt inspired, to say the least. Also, here come some CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!!!
New abyss coming soon, with also a revelation of what they actually do, and are they only like normal soul cores?
Yeah, I'm cooking and I know it. My brother told me. Good shit is comin gang.
GIVE.ME.POWER STONES.
here's the PS goal: 50 power stones= 1 extra chapter. pleaaaaaaseeeeeeeee.
Thanks for the support. Byeeeeeee