Chapter 53
The same open stretch of ruins dominates my field of view as Moe and I join Lis for another afternoon training session.
This time, however, Lis forgoes the battle exercises—a surprise, really, considering how much she enjoys knocking me to the ground—in favor of a more theoretical lesson.
“As you are aware, there are plenty of devices that can read an immortal’s energy signature and determine both their level and domain. Should you be subjected to such a test, you do not want it to reveal that you have double domains, nor that one of them is the Abyss Domain,” she starts.
Moe and I are reclining against a half-broken column as we watch her pace in front of us. Hands behind her back, she carries herself with the same air of confidence as always, but this time, she seems more generous with her words.
Perhaps it’s her way of showing me that she’s become as fond of me as I have become of her. Or, perhaps, she’s just reached the conclusion that I’m that stupid, and therefore require the extra words for comprehension.
“Pay attention carefully to what I’m going to say next. It is important you do exactly as I say.”
“Yes, master!” I dutifully agree.
She rolls her eyes, then clears her throat and continues. “To successfully hide your energy signature and conceal your domain, you will need to reach the Apex Level.”
“That’s level ten,” Moe whispers to me.
Great, even my female thinks I’m an idiot.
“Your Abyss level is one. Even at your accelerated rate of growth, it will take you a long time to reach level ten in it. That means you must reach the Apex Level in your Shadow Domain, which will then help you cover the energy signature of your Abyss Domain, too.”
“Didn’t you say I should be wary about the Shadow Primordial?”
“Yes, that is a concern, but only after you reach Primordial Levels.”
“That’s after level fourteen,” Moe interjects again.
“Thanks,” I note drily, though I did need the reminder since I’m getting a little confused with all these levels and whatnot.
“So as long as I don’t reach level fourteen in my Shadow Domain, it should be fine?”
Lis nods. “There are plenty of Sons of Tenebreis within the Shadow Domain. Of course, the implication is that once you reach the Ascendant Levels, each level-up is increasingly more difficult, and for some even impossible. No one has reached Primordial Levels within the Shadow Domain since Urteos, however.”
Moe leans in just as I ask in a low voice, “What were the Ascendant Levels again?”
“Starting with Level Nine when one becomes a Son of Tenebreis,” she explains.
She’s definitely the better one at this, especially since she’s been transcribing all the information.
“Why is it more difficult, though?” I ask, frowning. Scratching the back of my head, I add, “I came here without a level and I advanced quite easily.”
“You consumed soul energy, Nyk,” Moe says.
“But it’s precisely because of that I’m asking. In Tartareia, only Sons of Tenebreis are allowed to consume souls, so that means once they reach those Ascendant Levels, they should be able to advance faster because of that soul energy.”
“Yes, and no,” Lis replies. “One.” She puts a finger up. “Sons of Tenebreis are not created equal either. There are the regular warriors, and then there are those belonging to noble houses. Who do you think has more access to soul energy?”
“The noble houses,” I grumble.
She nods. “Two. After you reach the Ascendant Level—Level Nine for you—instead of metabolizing energy faster and better, the body slows down. It might seem counterintuitive, but this is a natural mechanism to ensure there aren’t too many overpowered individuals.
Just imagine that—” she laughs,”—the entire universe would be a battlefield. ”
“I knew that,” I mutter under my breath in a see-I’m-not-a-total-idiot-type of way.
Moe giggles at me. Lis barely gives me any attention as she continues.
“You are, indeed, lucky, because your genetic predisposition to energy absorption is on the higher end. But that does not mean you will not be met with limitations in the future. As such, my advice for you is to enter Lake Velor as soon as you get out of here. It will double your current level and give you the tools to hide your Abyss Domain.”
“Lake Velor is under constant supervision. How am I supposed to do it?”
“I am giving you advice already. You want a step-by-step plan?” She raises a brow at me and shakes her head.
“We’ll figure it out somehow,” Moe suddenly says and shoots me a look.
“Good. See that you do.” She nods. “Until then, you must learn how not to reach for your Abyss Level. You must not use it again until the conditions I have told you have been met. Only then can you attempt to level it up.”
“But…” My brows knit together. “I didn’t reach for it this time either. It was…instinct.”
“Then we must take that instinct out of you.”
I stare at her.
“How?”
“If you will allow me, I can put a seal on you so that your domain is not visible to anyone looking. But that will also make it inaccessible.”
“…” I press my lips together. I’ve already had a seal before. I don’t think I can do it again.
“This is different,” Lis continues. “It will be yours to control. I will give you the key to remove it. When you decide it is time to remove it, you will be able to do it yourself.”
“I—”
“Do it,” Moe whispers. “I think she’s right, Nyk. You don’t want anyone finding out about your domain. Since there’s no Primordial in this case, everyone will be vying for that position.”
“I understand, but… I don’t like the thought of another seal,” I say with a sigh.
Moe turns to Lis. “The person who created Aimaxion. Do you know what his level is?”
“As far as I know, he is an Exalted.”
“Level eleven,” Moe whispers. I mouth a thank you.
Lis continues, “He’s been an Exalted for three thousand years now and it seems he has stagnated. To operate a realm of this magnitude, one needs to be in the Primordial range, so my assumption is that there are others supporting him.”
“You seem to know who it is,” I note.
“You will, too.”
Always so ambiguous. I let out a sigh. “Fine. Do it.”
She just looks me in the eyes and says, “Done. To undo it, just say the words Abyss aloud nine times, in quick succession.”
“That’s it?” I blink.
“My job is done now. You’re ready for the future.” With that, she stops pacing. “This is our last training session, so make sure to not embarrass me in the future.”
“What? Already?”
She waves a hand in the air. “This is all I can teach you. As long as you put everything in practice, you will be fine.” Then she looks towards Moe, “Why don’t we start on that supper? I’m quite famished.”
“Of course! Let me run to get the food.”
Moe gets up and heads back to our room. The moment she’s out of sight, Lis flashes in front of me, jolting me.
“By the Seven!” I cry out. “What are you doing?”
She takes my hand, pulls my palm open, places a ring inside and closes my fist around it. “You and Moe are not true mates, which will be a disadvantage in the future.”
“True mates? What’s that?”
“You will find out. I can’t tell you everything now, can I?
” She rolls her eyes—her signature move at this point.
“But I do feel slightly guilty about it, so I am giving you a gift. Fill this with your blood and have Moe always wear it. This way, it can simulate a mating bond and you will know when she is in danger, and vice versa. It will act as a promise between the two of you.” She pauses.
“That’s conditional on the fact that you are ready to shun all and any other females.
This might only simulate a bond, but it will hurt you should you ever look at another. ”
I immediately shake my head. “No, no. Never. I would never look at another. If there’s one thing I’m sure of in this life, it’s Moe. She’s my one and only.”
“Good. Keep that energy and I might take a better liking of you,” she mentions drily. “One more thing. Moe is mortal, even with the energy from those mythical beasts. To ensure your lives are truly intertwined, you must share blood every single time you are intimate.”
A flush goes up my neck. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with Lis.
“Fine,” I grumble, though I glance away.
“Moe already knows, but this is my last day here.”
My brows go up in shock. “What? You’re leaving?”
“I have accomplished what I set out to. It is time for me to return home.”
“But… Will we meet again?”
Her lips tremble softly. “Not in this lifetime.” Then she pauses as she glances up at the sky. “You are an idiot, Nykander. But you’re quite a lovable one. You’ve grown on me. Just make sure you treat Moe right so I don’t have a reason to come meet you earlier.”
“Erhm… You’ve grown on me, too?”
She smiles, perhaps the first genuine smile she’s given me.
“Until we meet again.”
She vanishes.
I stare at the empty space, an odd feeling of melancholy remaining behind.
Someone touches my shoulder. Moe. I turn and see her smile through tears.
“She promised we will meet again,” she whispers.
I pull her into my arms, holding her through silent sobs, burying my face in her hair as I shield my damp eyes.
With my points going up, it’s time for us to change our accommodation. After my latest fight, I’m officially at five hundred fifty points, which makes me eligible for a room in a better district.
Moe’s already packed everything—not that we have a lot. As we make our way towards the obelisk, she’s carrying a small bag filled with her notebooks and writing supplies, while I have a bigger one filled with our clothes.
“I so want a better room, but somehow I’ll miss our old one,” she confesses.
“I’m curious how big it’s going to be. I’m not expecting anything similar to Lis, but maybe a separate bathroom instead of that small closet?” I laugh.
“And a bathtub. I’d love to have a nice, long soak.”
“We can have soak in it together,” I whisper as I throw my arm over her shoulders.
“You have such a dirty mind.” She gives me a long, suggestive look.