Divine System: Land of the Abominations

A dark figure came from the distance.

"Hm." Lyon hummed as he put his watch away.

The dark figure quickly swelled and grew until the form of a man was visible.

A cold smile appeared on Lyon's face,

"Right on time."

Nero, in wears and tatters wiped off the sweat on his face as he slowed his run down to a jog until he stopped right in front of the Doctor.

Lyon raised a brow. Then his gaze shifted to the macabre item in Nero's hand.

It was the disgusting, disfigured head of a terrifying Abomination.

Lyon's expression softened a bit.

He glanced at Nero with a flicker of something in his eyes,

"Well done, Nero. You have done well."

However, Nero didn't have a good look on his face. His expression was rather dark.

If not for his hidden abilities and strengths, the situation would have been grave.

With what Lyon knew, it meant he had sent him out on a suicide mission. For all he knew, Nero was ill equiped and was not meant to survive the ordeal.

Nero's eyes narrowed dangerously,

'Does he really want to take me out?'

Lyon chuckled, "Dampen your killing intent, Nero. You are scaring everyone away."

Nero blinked slowly then cleared his throat.

Lyon chuckled, "Come with me. You look like you could use a shower."

***

With dusk came a certain calm that could not the ground at any other time of the day.

The world was enriched in in the amber light of the street oil lamps.

The bumpy ride of the carriage was well than comforting, but Nero was thankfully for it.

After an entire day of running through the wild and slaying Abominations, any kind of rest was acceptable.

Riding right beside him, Lyon threw him a glance then asked,

"Do you want something to eat?"

Nero was silent for a moment then shook his head,

"No. I'm not—"

A deep rumble cut through the night.

Lyon clicked his tongue then signaled the coachman to stop.

The streets of the market square were quite lively at night, with various stalls selling all sorts of foods, items, ornaments, and strange things.

Lyon dropped down from the carriage and beckoned Nero forward.

Nero hesitated for a moment then jumped down as well.

"Gud day, sirs! Which one's would ere like?"

Lyon clicked his tongue as his eyes scanned the selection.

Nero frowned and turned his gaze forward.

The stand was one that sold sandwiches made from various kinds of cured meats and leafy greens, many of which were commonly found or grown locally within the city. There were options to have all sorts of pickled condiments on top as well, making for a well balanced late night meal.

"Boss, I'll have this and that. Oh, and that as well!" Lyon said with an excited look in his eyes.

The man nodded with a grin, "Comn' riet up!"

Lyon clicked his lips. Then he turned to Nero,

"Well? What are you gonna get?"

Nero rolled his eyes, "I'll have what he's having."

The man nods again, "It'll be sum time, sir!"

"You must have been hungry after all that. Are you sure this much will be enough?" Lyon asked.

Nero nodded, "Yes."

Lyon shrugged, "I figured. People like us do not need much of sustenance like our more mundane kindred."

Nero threw Lyon a suspicious glare. However, he found nothing telling on his face.

The amber light bounced off the obsidian skin of the man standing beside him, giving it a rather austere glow, making him seem somehow otherworldly.

He turned to face Nero,

"Tell me everything about your journey. I need to know everything."

Nero paused for a moment then began speaking.

He had already decided earlier on to reveal everything besides the rather personal matters.

Once he was done, Lyon had a strange look on his face,

"Well, that was quite... unexpected."

Nero raised a brow, "Really?"

Lyon nodded, "King Elerios, the ruler and owner of the ancient keep as recorded was a king that existed in these lands during the early days of the Age of Gods. That place is ancient and should contain no remnant spirits from that era. There should have been only a nest of brooding Abominations."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, "For something like that to be there..."

He turned to Nero with renewed interest in his eyes, "Something must have awoken it."

Nero frowned, "What do you think it could be?"

Lyon shook his head, "I don't know. There could be many things. These times are rather... turbulent."

He lightly patted Nero's shoulder, "Still, you did good. A reward will be granted to you tomorrow."

Nero was silent.

"Yer meals, sirs!"

Receiving the sandwich, Nero stared at it for some time.

The bread was soft and warm with the outside scorched brown with a delicate heat from the cooking fires at the side of the stall, giving it a smokey aroma.

The meats softly glistened with the rendered fats due to the heat, giving them a vibrant luster.

Nero slowly swallowed, his appetite swelling.

He took a bite. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes.

"It's good." He muttered as he scarfed down the rest.

"It is, isn't it." Lyon grinned at him then began biting down in his own as well.

Once they were done, they headed back to the carriage headed for the Red House.

As the horse drawn carriage made its way through the bustling streets, Nero turned to Lyon,

"I want more missions."

Lyon raised a brow, "You do?"

Nero nodded, a terrifying light blossoming in the depths of his eyes,

"You said it yourself. I need experience and strength if I am to undergo the trial of the Templars."

Lyon shrugged, "Your conditioning is more important than—"

He glanced to the side.

The look in Nero's eyes told him he was not willing to compromise.

He sneered, "Alright then. I'll work you to the bone in that case. Be prepared."

Nero huffed in relief.

Then he turned to face forward as he glanced at his hands.

He had a new goal.

He was going to absorb a thousand Seals of Sin and ascend to the next Tier.

The lines on his hands seemed delicate, completely unlike the power they contained.

These were the hands of the Heretic.

They were one of the only things in the world that could liberate the souls of the damned.

They were his greatest weapons. And the cause of his doom.