Prince of The Abyss

The Second Ring, he hadn't been here for a while to truly understand its nature, but if he had to make a guess. It was like a world where everyone was the same, and they treated those who were different like outsiders, trying to get them out of their perfect world.

And he fit their description. He was like a flaw; he had no right to be here, so he had to go. If only they would know that some cold gazes and disgust would not be enough. Heck, it would just make him feel more at home.

It wasn't anything he wasn't used to.

But, there was one thing.

In this world, where everyone is the same, if someone even dares to speak to the flaw, they would become an exile. If he had to guess, the reason Azel got kicked out was similar to that. He should have died, or just have ended like the others, that's what everyone thought. He was an anomaly in the flesh, so when her family realized she was interested in him, they would even kick their daughter out. Maybe because they are ashamed to have a child like this.

Or were just scared to be considered different themselves by others.

He had a feeling it was the latter, and it didn't make things better. It was disgusting, or at least that was his view on it.

Being scared of what others considered you, to the point that you let go of your daughter. The child you have cared for, fed, and have been a parent to. To make them live on the streets because you don't want to be viewed differently from others.

'Pathetic.'

If the world considered him an anomaly, he would show how good an anomaly he could be.

It was his path after all, The Fool was always an outsider. No matter the situation. He didn't belong to the Rings, but neither to the outskirts. He existed outside both of them. His death should have happened a while ago, even before he had taken this role, the moment every Child of Praise had fallen.

Yet here he was.

If the world couldn't get rid of him, then the only one who could was himself.

[The Fool]-The unknowing calls the unknown to gain clarity. While in the past they were blinded by the known, they've been given salvation by that even the forgotten doesn't know. But of course, the unknowing is unknown also, after all, they aren't part of the known. But can the unknowing ever beat the knowing, or the forgotten?

It had been a while since he had first read the description of his path. And while he had thought they were just meaningless words, he had learn how to find it, the thing he had needed all this time. The ability to see meaning in meaningless words. He just needed to become different from anyone else in this world. To not belong.

To be an outsider.

It was ironic, as the description of his path directly mimicked his own journey so far in Frozen Crown.

The unknown was the thing hidden behind the walls opened by his card. That is the thing that would help him get out, unlike the sun, which had blinded him in the past; he will get his revenge and salvation by using something not even the Abyss or Praise knows about.

Since [Card of The Foolish] was a relic that was never meant to exist, it was unknown to the world; he was the only one who knew about it. Just like him, it wasn't part of the known world.

It was weird to think... that this was what he was meant to do all this time. What kind of thing could be hidden inside to make killing a God's vessel, and her Knights, a reader level?

But he first had to find it, which was going to be quite a problem.

Which was why... he decided to bring her with him.

He glanced with the corner of his eye at Azel, who was following close behind him. She seemed quite happy, which made him wonder why she was so different from everyone else. Why had she taken an interest in his story?

He sighed, pausing to listen to the little song she was mumbling.

She knew more about this Ring than he did; she had lived here her whole life, and it was quite a long time. Well, actually, no time at all, since time doesn't exist, but still.

She could help him.

For example, he had no idea where to even find the Knights, where their zones were, or how to challenge them. But the thing was, he didn't know if he should even trust anything she said.

She was weird, to the point she didn't know if she was putting on an act, or if this was really her real self. What if she wanted to kill him and just wanted to get his trust? There was no way to know, but most would say he was being too cautious.

...

In reality, he didn't want things to end the same way as they ended with the Sun.

He didn't want to be played again.

Her shadow also stood quiet when he tried asking it something. So he knew that it had to be very loyal to her. He had seen many powerful figures who had not been able to do such a thing.

Even The Jack was not able to completely subjugate his own shadow.

So she was definitely not just a normal girl.

...

"Hey, Mister Fool, I have a questi-"

Aether covered her mouth quickly, as people started to gaze at them.

He gritted his teeth, staring back at them, until their expression went back to their normal disgust.

He then turned back to Azel, with a vein almost popping on his head.

"Don't call me that when we're around so many people!"

If they realized who he was, he was dead. That was why he was wearing his hood; he even wondered how no one had recognized him when he was walking around with his face in plain sight.

"I'm sorry."

She chuckled nervously as she took his hand from her mouth. Leaning forward, that way only he would hear what she was going to say.

"Does The Fool also have a zone like the others?"

Aether scoffed as he turned away, continuing to walk around without a purpose, as he answered.

"Of course not, I'm not one of her knights. Something like that isn't possible, and as such doesn't exist."

...

Aether instantly paused, his eyes widening, as he started to realize something.

He summoned his card, taking a good look at it.

[Card of The Folish]-This relic was never meant to exist, and yet it imprinted itself into the world. Unknown to all, it opened a way to a place where something mighty rests inside, something that not even Praise and The Forgotten know about. Something that was made to challenge the Gods and their place... if only it were original.

Abilities- [Existence]

[Existence]- Whenever this card is used, if at the right place, then may the gates open.

"What if... it does exist."

It shouldn't, it wouldn't make sense. Its existence would be an anomaly in the world's system. But he was also one himself, wasn't he?

The Queen had made the zones for the thirteen Children of Praise that she controlled. He wasn't one of them, so it shouldn't exist, but maybe it does.

What if, just like the card, it imprinted itself onto the world?

J. had already said that he had his way with making the impossible happen. Just like he did with finding the bridge, even if they had been on the other side of the outskirts.

...

So it was a possibility. One that he had completely overlooked.

He looked at Azel, somehow impressed and with a hint of respect. To think she had already proved herself quite helpful.

"Or maybe I do. I can show you, if you show me... where the other zones are."

Her eyes instantly lit up as she leaned close to him, to the point that their faces were almost touching.

"Really?"

Aether nooded, pushing her away.

She jumped in excitement as she started running in a direction.

"Let's go!"

She laughed.

Aether stood still for a little while, looking at her happily running around. She really was different from the others.

If this zone of his really existed somewhere, and if inside was really what he needed to kill the Knights and the Queen, together with stopping the Abyss's reign.

...

Then the Second Ring will change.

And while he knew that this change wouldn't have an effect on Azel.

He wondered, in this perfect world where everyone is the same, how they would handle this change? How would they react to their leaders and protectors being killed and time being resumed, putting an end to their endless life?

How would they welcome death back?