Prince of The Abyss

"Cheers, for every moment we made. As you never know when the last is!"

Elpis raised his glass, all of a sudden, catching the others by surprise.

They had only sat down to eat not long ago, just like they did every day, so what was up with him?

Avrie chuckled, not fully understanding the purpose but following his actions.

"Cheers!"

But there was one missing. They both looked at Aether, who was gripping his glass with great force, almost breaking it. His face was dark, and he wasn't even wearing his cloak. His other hand rested down, shaking once in a while.

Why wasn't he joining in? It was pointless, yes, but harmless too, and quite fun.

...

"...cheers"

He raised his glass, making the other laugh. But with each one of their chuckles, he felt a dagger being pierced deeper into his heart.

'To the moments we made... why are you suddenly saying that now. It isn't like you."

He gritted his teeth silently as the others continued to eat their food. But he had already lost all his appetite. So he got up and left without saying a word, which confused the Knight and Witch.

He knew that he wasn't acting like he did normally, and they had probably noticed that too. And it may be because he hasn't been getting a lot of rest ever since he found the truth. He has been watching over Elpis, trying to figure out anything. But nothing happened, which was weird.

If they were really going to kill him, then why hadn't they done it until now? If they didn't intend to do so, why did he keep acting so lifeless? Why has he been spending more time with them, and why has he been saying weird things like he did today?

He didn't know what to think. As much as he tried to predict the future, he was never able to find an answer. It also didn't make things better that he had to keep everything a secret from Avrie. If she had not asked him to protect Elpis...

It was like a curse; she knew he could never have declined, so why did she ask him to do so, if she knew? And even if she had not, he would have probably still tried, but now he was forced to do so.

He kicked a rock, walking down the streets. People cowered as they saw him; his reputation was well known after all. But as people looked at him, he stopped, staring at the ground.

'If they really do come to kill him..."

He clenched his fists, feeling the emptiness inside them.

'Can I even do anything to help?'

He was only a reader, so how was he going to face a family that was taken under the Queen's wing? What if they sent a harbinger? He couldn't even leave a scratch on a seeker by himself, but the highest form a normal human can reach?

And more importantly, with what? Was he going to use his fists? He had no idea how to fight, and strength was his best quality... well, he didn't even think he had one. So what would he even use?

He opened his hands, staring at the blood stuck under his nails from digging in his palm.

...

"Worthless Praise..."

...

With the corner of his eye, he noticed a glimmering silver. He quickly turned his head as he realized what it was.

"Elpis?"

His eyes widened as he stared at the knight walking around, as if searching for someone. He stared dumbfounded, but snapped out of it, hiding so he wouldn't see him. He followed through the shadows, trying his best not to breathe when he shouldn't, and not blink much, so that he wouldn't lose him.

When Elpis used the catwalks, he would follow from below. When he went in alleyways where he couldn't see anything, he climbed up the pipes and onto the buildings, so he could see from above.

In the end, he ended up in a secluded area, far away from any other humans. He scratched his head, wondering what Elpis could ever want in this place. Were there people here who were easier to pursue, or was it an area that believed in the Sun, and would help willingly?

But as he watched, he saw a figure approach from behind Elpis.

He first saw his eyes, cowering in fear at their bloodlust, even losing his voice. He knew he wasn't the person his gaze was indeed to be, but it was still screeching at his mind. Combined with their silver color, they were like a bloodied sword that had killed many, and now only gains pleasure from doing so.

His hair was long, even reaching his hips in some places, and shone whenever a light was cast near it, like it were trying to steal the attention. Its silver color did not have a flaw, like a blade created for murder and only murder.

He felt his heart crumble, his eyes shaking violently. He tried his best to breathe, but it was proving to be quite a challenge.

In his hand, he held a sword, its blade was sharp, perfectly crafted from jade. It would have cut through stone if it had wanted. Its hilt was wrapped in leather, with the same jade sticking out of every crack in the leather.

He approached Elpis with a mocking smile on his face.

Elpis gripped his sword, but didn't raise it. Instead, he let it fall onto the floor. The noise from it falling echoed in Aether's ear and shattered every last piece of hope.

That was the moment he realized what was happening, so he didn't waste any time. Dashing forward, out of the shadows. He wasn't going to coward away this time; he wasn't going to watch another die while he did nothing.

...

But this time the choice wasn't his.

His face paled as he realized something was stopping him from walking forward. He looked at his legs, where two tentacles, made out of the same weird substance the monster from Downspire was created from, were clinging to his legs, not letting him move an inch.

He tried to move forward, his muscles burning, but to no avail.

He looked back, where he saw Elpis' brother looking at him with the corner of his eye, and smiling, he felt mocked and humiliated, as he fell to his knees.

...

The jade sword was brought to Elpis' stomach, and without wasting a second, thrusted right inside. At that moment, its color was painted in crimson, as it dripped slowly on the ground.

Elpis just stared at the sword inside his chest, coughing out blood, as he waited for it to end.

As the sword was taken out, there wasn't anything else to block the blood from bursting out, and so, it started to come out like a waterfall. At that moment, Elpis fell onto the floor, his own blood surrounding him, leaking from the hole, his mouth, nose, and eyes.

His brother watched his agonizing end, slowly leaving, letting the silence echo through the streets. And after he had left, Aether's feet were finally free. And yet he didn't rush over to him. He walked slowly. His eyes were lifeless, and with dark corners taking turns at his vision.

He crouched down, near Elpis, watching over his body, even as his head moved to face him. And yet, he wasn't filled with hope that maybe he would survive. There was no way that would happen; he wasn't delusional.

Elpis seemed slightly surprised to find him here, even trying to laugh, but it only made even more blood come out.

So instead, he gave him a gentle smile, which made Aether's heart rage in pain.

With his last force, he grabbed the sword he had dropped on the floor, handing it to Aether. Which was reluctant to grab it, but seeing Elpis nood.

He couldn't deny his... friend's last wish.

His hand firmly took the sword from Elpis. But before he did anything, he took one last look at him, holding back his tears. But one escaped, flowing from his eyes to Elpis' cheek.

...

And with one slash, the Knight's misery was put to an end.

...

...

[You have slain a Reader Monster human, Elpis Thusia]

...

...

[You have unlocked a new identity!]

Aether stared at those words, not able to find anything to say.

He summoned his mask, putting it on his face, where he saw something he hadn't seen before. Something that had been hidden from him all this time.

[Identities]:

1-Elpis Thusia

2- ------

3- ------

...

'Is this a sick joke?'

He summoned his Codex, rushing to see something.

[Mask of the Fool]- If the unknowing is unknowing, then it's unknown, but the unknown is the known. Meaning... the unknowing is the knowing if the unknowing knows the knowing.... If the unknowing was the one who killed the knowing.

His eyes widened as his eyes streamed over the words.

'The last part... it wasn't there before.'