Chaosbound: Elarith Chronicles

The Watcher's Truth

Aurel settled onto the cushion across from Sybris, his eyes narrowing. The woman who held knowledge beyond time carried herself with an unsettling normalcy, a stark contrast to the weight he felt in her presence. The hut itself felt plucked from the ordinary world—the faint scent of dried herbs hung in the air, the soft, worn fabric of the cushions yielded comfortably, and the ancient wooden table beneath his hands bore the smooth polish of countless quiet moments. There was nothing divine about it, nothing grand or terrifying. And yet, Aurel knew better than to assume. He tried to sense something, anything, beyond the mundane, but found only quietude.

Sybris took a measured sip of her tea, her movements elegant, seemingly indifferent to the vastness of her wisdom. "You seem tense."

"I didn't expect you to be this... casual," Aurel admitted, his gaze sharp, searching for any hint of artifice.

Sybris laughed softly, the sound gentle yet distant, as if she had lived too long to be surprised by anything. "Would you have preferred I greeted you as a towering force of cosmic authority?"

"It would've made more sense," Aurel muttered.

Whiz, who had been silently observing, grinned. "Oh, Miss Sybris can be scary when she wants to be! But she says it's exhausting to act all mysterious and grand when the world doesn't care for theatrics anymore."

Aurel raised a brow, shifting his attention back to Sybris. "So, you don't care about appearing like some god's envoy?"

"I am not an envoy," Sybris stated simply, setting her cup down. "I am a watcher. A steward. I do not influence fate—I merely observe it."

Aurel sat in silent contemplation, the profound simplicity of her words settling over him like a heavy blanket. What did it mean, to merely observe? "So what do you do here?"

Sybris offered a faint smile. "Nothing, really. I was supposed to keep the Chaos God updated about the world. But now that he is gone, I am simply a witness—bound to watch, never interfere. Lucky for me, he gave me good company."

Whiz gave a proud thumbs-up, emphasizing his presence. "I run errands! I bring things from the human world when Miss Sybris gets bored. I can travel back and forth whenever I want."

Aurel's expression shifted. "You can leave?"

"Yes," Sybris confirmed. "Unlike me, Whiz is not bound here. He can go wherever he pleases. But he chooses to stay."

Whiz beamed. "I'll stay with Miss Sybris! She's nice."

Aurel took a slow breath, the puzzle pieces beginning to fall into place. "Then why did you call me here?"

Sybris' gaze became unreadable, timeless, carrying no urgency—only certainty. "To assist you in leaving. And to give you knowledge. I will not influence your decisions, nor your fate. But you seek understanding. And I will provide it."

Aurel exhaled, feeling the conversation shift, the air thickening with the weight of impending revelations. "Then tell me about the Malice Bloom."

The Chaos God's Purpose

Sybris set her teacup down, her hands elegantly folded over the polished wood. Aurel studied her, her unsettling ordinariness now juxtaposed with the immense truths she was about to unveil. She was a witness, a steward of an ancient cosmic design, and he needed to know. "Why did the Chaos God create the Malice Bloom?"

"To improve humanity," Sybris stated.

Aurel's gaze sharpened. "Improve?"

"Humans are fragile," Sybris continued, her voice steady but light. "The gods built them, shaped them, nurtured them, but they feared that without divine intervention, humans would disappear. They lacked the strength to survive on their own. The Chaos God believed that destruction was the key to progress. That in facing crisis, humans would become something greater. The Malice Bloom was meant to challenge them. To test them. To force them to evolve, to unify, to grow beyond their limits."

Aurel considered this carefully, his fingers brushing over the armrest of his chair. "And it worked?"

"Until now," Sybris answered simply. "The bloom was never meant to be eternal. It was supposed to disappear—when the time was right."

Aurel's mind flickered through the implications, threading them together with all he had learned. A flash of countless battles, endless suffering, all for a temporary trial. "Disappear?"

"Yes. When humanity became strong enough to face a far greater threat."

Aurel felt his pulse quicken at the revelation. "A threat?"

Sybris tilted her head slightly, a trace of amusement curling at the edge of her lips, as if she had spoken too much. "Oops. I'm not supposed to tell you that."

Aurel frowned, his thoughts spiraling into new possibilities—an unknown enemy, something beyond the Athenari, beyond the Abyssals, beyond the bloom itself. His gaze darkened slightly, the implications of Sybris' words twisting within him. The Malice Bloom, a finite test. Yet he was entangled in its perpetual torment.

"The Chaos God's vessel..." Aurel began, a realization dawning on him. "It's me?"

Sybris studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

"Are there others like me?"

She smiled faintly, shaking her head. "No. The Chaos God does not gift his essence freely. Unlike the other gods, who spread their divinity across the world, Chaos did not believe in sharing his power. He feared it was too unpredictable. That it would bring destruction instead of stability. So, he kept it—never allowing a single mortal to wield it."

Aurel sat back slightly, absorbing the significance. "Then why do I have it?"

"In his disappearance," Sybris murmured, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful, "He left his essence behind. And it found you."

Aurel narrowed his gaze. "So, what about it? Is there some deeper meaning to why I was chosen?"

Sybris took a sip of her tea, unshaken and composed, answering plainly. "No. There is no meaning to it. Do not overthink it. You are simply like any other divinant—but you are the only one blessed with the Chaos Divinity. It is the will of the Chaos God to not share or spread his remaining essence among the world—but I suppose you are an exception. Or just an accident."

A cold shock, then a strange, unsettling freedom, settled in his chest. "That's it?" Aurel repeated, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "The Abyssals think I'm some kind of chosen one. Some kind of savior."

Sybris sighed softly, setting her cup down. "Those creatures are lost. They are searching for purpose, because they are abominations—anomalies born from mistakes made by self-proclaimed gods."

Aurel immediately thought of the Athenari, their arrogance, their experimentation. Sybris' words confirmed what he had already suspected—the Abyssals were never meant to exist. "So, you're telling me I wasn't chosen at all? There's no divine prophecy? No deeper meaning?"

Sybris smiled lightly, tilting her head. "Exactly. You hold power not because you were meant to. But simply because you can."

Aurel exhaled slowly, feeling the final pieces of understanding slot into place. His existence was not fate. His role was not destiny. He was simply the only one who could do what needed to be done. And that was enough.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Aurel's Decision

The truth settled within Aurel, stark and unadorned. No grand destiny. Just capability. He wasn't chosen. He wasn't destined. He was simply the only one who could wield the last trace of the Chaos God's essence. But then, why did she call him here?

"So, what do you want from me? You called for me."

Sybris offered a quiet smile, one that carried neither urgency nor demand—only understanding. "I seek nothing, Aurel. I do not wish to control you, nor direct you. But I do have a request—one that I believe aligns with the Chaos God's will."

Aurel leaned forward slightly, studying her carefully. "A request?"

Sybris set down her tea, folding her hands gently over her lap. "Destroy the Malice Bloom."

Silence stretched between them, heavy, tangible, resting on the air like an unspoken decree. Aurel exhaled, thinking. "You believe that's what the Chaos God would have wanted?"

"I do."

"You sound certain."

Sybris nodded. "The bloom was never meant to be eternal. It was supposed to disappear when humans became strong enough to face a far greater threat. But the Athenari tampered with it—they twisted its purpose, stretched its existence beyond its natural lifespan, and in doing so, created abominations. The Abyssals. The Malifuge. The cycle has been corrupted, and now the bloom lingers beyond its time—it is no longer a force of progress. It is only suffering."

Aurel sat quietly, absorbing the weight of her words. "If the Chaos God wanted it gone—why didn't he destroy it himself?"

Sybris offered a small, knowing smile. "Perhaps he thought it would vanish naturally when the time was right. Perhaps he didn't wish to interfere further. Perhaps he simply vanished before he could. I do not know his reasoning. Only that his creation was never meant to last forever."

Aurel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You believe humanity is strong enough now?"

"No," Sybris answered without hesitation, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering. "But if the bloom remains, humanity will never be strong enough. They will remain stagnant—always fighting the wrong battle, always facing the wrong enemy. And when the real threat arrives—they will be unprepared."

A War Begins

Aurel's mind sharpened, his thoughts no longer tangled by questions, but aligned with purpose. "You want me to destroy the bloom."

Sybris nodded, her expression neutral, observant, yet unshaken in certainty. "I cannot ask you on behalf of the Chaos God. But I can tell you—if he were here, this is what he would have wanted."

Aurel laughed softly, shaking his head. "You speak like it was planned. Like I was meant for this."

Sybris offered no grand response—only the simple truth. "There is no meaning to your role, Aurel. You were not chosen. You were not destined. You are simply the only one who can."

And for the first time, Aurel understood his place in this war. His jaw tightened, a new, fierce resolve solidifying within him. No prophecy. No fate. No divine calling. Only capability. Only his own will.

"Then I'll do it," Aurel declared. "Not for prophecy. Not for fate. Not for salvation. For myself."

Aurel watched Sybris closely, waiting for a response, his mind still turning over the unknown threat she hinted at. "Tell me about this far greater threat."

Sybris' expression remained neutral, but her gaze carried an unspoken weight—not reluctance, but limitation. "It is not something I can tell you for now. Please understand, Aurel—I am bound not to reveal it to anyone." Her voice was steady, unshaken, carrying neither deception nor hesitation. She could not answer—not because she didn't know, but because something prevented her from speaking it aloud.

Aurel considered pressing further, but the unwavering certainty in her eyes told him it was futile. For now, he'd let it go. If she couldn't tell him now, he would uncover it himself, eventually.

Aurel's Request

"If I'm going to do this, I won't be doing it alone," Aurel stated. "Will you help me?"

Sybris exhaled softly, her presence remaining calm, unwavering. "I am limited in what help I can provide. But Whiz here can assist you—should you require him."

Aurel glanced at Whiz, the cheerful errand boy who had remained quietly observant until now. "Whiz?"

"He may look young, but he is immortal," Sybris explained. "He is not powerful, nor does he possess combat abilities—but he can teleport to places beyond your reach."

Aurel narrowed his gaze slightly, studying Whiz, considering what this meant for his plans. Teleportation. An ability so rare, so valuable, that it could shift the tides of battle without ever raising a weapon. Aurel didn't decide on the spot how he would use Whiz, but he knew he would.

"I'll think about that later," he conceded. "At least I know you will offer aid if I ever require it."

The Crystal Fragment

Sybris reached into her sleeve, revealing a shimmering crystal fragment, its surface pulsating faintly with chaotic energy. "Here—absorb this. This will grant you free access to this place. You may visit me whenever you require my counsel."

Aurel took the fragment without hesitation, feeling the raw energy within it—not overwhelming, but vast. A strange sensation, like distant thunder, rippled through his palm as the knowledge settled into his mind.

"Any place of worship, ordained by gods, will serve as a gate," Sybris continued. "Through them—you can return here whenever you wish."

Temples. Holy sites. Even in places where divinity had faded, there would still be remnants of those who once served gods. There would be doors to return here.

Aurel's Departure

Aurel stood, exhaling deeply. "Send me back to where I came from—the Abyssals."

Whiz nodded eagerly, stepping forward, holding out his hand. "I'll get you there."

Sybris smiled faintly, setting her tea down once more. "Take your time, Aurel. I won't be going anywhere."

Aurel studied her one last time, feeling something shift within him—not uncertainty, but resolve. He had made a promise—to destroy the Malice Bloom. But he wouldn't rush into it. He would think carefully. Plan deliberately. Move only when the time was right.

With that thought locked into place, Whiz took his hand, and in an instant, the world around him shifted. It wasn't a blur, but a disorienting twist, a snap of spatial fabric, and then the dry, dust-laden air of the mortal realm filled his lungs once more. The Mystic Mountain was gone. And Aurel was back where he had left the Abyssals and Aric.

Arkhanis—The Abyssals' Hidden Kingdom

Aurel stood amidst the remnants of his departure, now back in the mortal realm, yet the air felt subtly different—thicker with tension, almost vibrating with an unseen energy. Not a single Abyssal stood waiting for him. Instead, two figures emerged from the shimmering heat of the desert.

The Unexpected Welcome

A slender, cloaked woman stood calmly, her shadow curling unnaturally beneath her feet, seeming to drink in the light—Lythra, the Shadow Mage of Umbra Fang. Beside her, a towering figure, twisted but humanoid, his form a grotesque parody of strength—Zarn, a pseudo-Abyssal, an anomaly bound to Lord Aric's command.

"Welcome back," Lythra spoke first, her voice smooth, calculated. "I was instructed to wait for you in case you returned. The Master Abyssals have left for important matters—you were gone for many days."

Aurel blinked, adjusting to the passage of time, the disorientation still lingering. "Days? Weeks?" he muttered to himself, a grimace on his face. He'd lost track. "I understand—if they couldn't wait, it makes sense."

Lythra nodded slowly, then gestured toward him. "Will you take me to them?"

She sighed. "I do not know their current whereabouts. But Lord Aric instructed me to take you to him. He is currently on a mission, leading Umbra Fang in hunting Luminaries."

Aurel's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Luminaries—the radiant warriors of divinity. He wasn't interested in joining that fight.

Lythra continued, her tone unwavering. "Alternatively, Lord Nephra said you can contact him using this." She held out a small locket, its surface pulsing with an energy not unlike the chaotic essence of the Mystic Mountain. The locket hummed against his palm, not with magic, but with a cold, precise energy that felt engineered. "It is a communication device—crafted with Abyssal technology."

Aurel took the locket, inspecting it briefly before activating it. The moment his fingers pulsed against it, a shimmering holographic projection sprung forth.

Nephra's Message

"Oh! Hello there, Aurel!" Nephra's grinning, animated face appeared through the shimmering hologram, his energy as chaotic as his thoughts. "How was your trip to the Mystic Mountain? Did you get the answers you needed? It's sad how Erynos left us... he will be missed." Nephra paused briefly, his expression softening just slightly, then a single tear slid down his cheek. "I'm sure it was what he wanted. I hope he has served you well."

Nephra barely gave Aurel a chance to respond before launching into excitement once more. "So, what do you have in mind? Lysara and Kaelith are here—so if you want to say anything, they will be listening."

Aurel sighed deeply, gripping the locket tightly before speaking into the projection. He felt a bit foolish, talking to a shimmering image. "Umm... hello? Hello? Can you hear me?" Aurel paused, adjusting to speaking through an unfamiliar device, then exhaled sharply. "I have seen your story through Erynos. But I am not going to fight your war. I won't join you. Nor will I fight against you. I have decided—no, I declare—that I will get rid of the Malice Bloom. And the people, the beings who are playing with it. That's it. Sorry to disappoint you."

A long silence followed. Then, chaos erupted on the other side of the communication. Voices overlapped, shouting, whispering, arguing. "I told you so!" "How could the chosen one do this?" "He denies his purpose?" "This is expected—he's never belonged to us." Aurel heard them all, a cacophony of despair, frustration, and grim acceptance.

Then, Nephra returned to the projection. He was laughing. Laughter, wild, joyous, echoing like shattered glass. "HAHAHAHA! Oh, my siblings expected something else—but I think this is PERFECT! They will respect your decision, even if it's not what they wanted. And I, on the other hand, fully support you."

Nephra's grin widened, his energy bounding through the projection like a current of endless excitement. "Meet me in Arkhanis! Let Lythra escort you there. Vyran is waiting—our tactician, the one who sees all possibilities, our king hidden within the southern territory."

Aurel's brows furrowed slightly. "A hidden kingdom?"

"Yes—Vyran rules Arkhanis, a city completely unknown to the world. No mortal kingdom recognizes it. No Athenari have seen it. It thrives beneath their noses—and it is far more advanced than anything outside its borders."

Aurel wasn't sure how to react. But curiosity flickered within him. Abyssals with technology beyond Athenari? A kingdom unknown to the world?

"Fine," Aurel muttered, crossing his arms. "I'll see what's in it for me. I'll say hello. And then goodbye."