The Heart Of Chaos

The sky had suddenly turned dark, with lightning raining down continuously. The once-tranquil village now felt the wrath of an impending storm.

"What is going on?!"

One of the villagers yelled desperately, clutching tightly to his cart.

"Is it a storm? We must inform the village chief!"

In one of the taller buildings, a man ran urgently toward an older, mysterious figure. He bellowed in a trembling voice.

"Chief! A storm is coming! We need your protection! Otherwise, with how violent the heavens are, the village will be destroyed!"

The old man turned calmly to the younger man. Stroking his beard, he gave a faint smile and gazed toward the outskirts of the village.

"No need for alarm. This will be brief. I sense... the birth of something great."

In the cottage, Orlan, Fatty, and Jane observed as Abaddon was enveloped in a swirling green energy. But suddenly, the energy began to darken, turning black, with crimson wisps radiating violently.

"What's happening?! Did the potion's synchronization fail?"

"It's impossible! Something else must be wrong."

Orlan replied, watching as Abaddon was suddenly lifted into the air. The dark aura encircled him, forming a dense, shadowy sphere.

"What is going on? Why has a cocoon formed around him?"

Fatty shouted, as the overwhelming energy waves forced them all back.

The sphere of darkness began to pulse, resembling the very shape of Kaelar. Suddenly, it unleashed a surge of energy, demolishing the cottage and rippling outward into the sky.

From afar, villagers stared in fear as the clouds slowly turned blood-red, unleashing a rain of crimson droplets. It was an ominous sight.

The village chief watched the spectacle in shock.

"What kind of fiend is being born to trigger such chaos? Could this be... the birth of a demon lord? No..."

As if time had paused, a final wave of aura exploded outward, bending trees horizontally with its sheer force. Myths and creatures in the vicinity fled in terror. Moments later, calm returned. The darkness cleared, and rays of sunlight pierced through the sky.

At the site of the destroyed cottage, Orlan, Fatty, and Jane stood amidst the rubble, stunned. Slowly, Abaddon floated to the ground, surrounded by the remnants of dark energy.

"He's awake! Boss!"

Fatty yelled, scrambling out of the debris and running to Abaddon. As Abaddon opened his eyes, he shielded his face from the sudden sunlight.

"I... am really back."

Before he could process his surroundings, Fatty grabbed him in a tight embrace.

"Is that you, Fatty?"

"Yeah, boss! You're finally awake!"

Behind him, Jane and Orlan approached. Bowing slightly, Orlan spoke with relief.

"Welcome back, young master."

Abaddon's eyes widened at the sight of Orlan, as a sudden wave of emotion washed over him.

"It's good to see you again, old man."

Fatty, still clinging to Abaddon, was scolded by Jane to put him down.

"He just woke up, Fatty!"

As Abaddon and Jane locked eyes, an unspoken tension filled the air. Fatty quickly caught on and teased.

"Ehhh, boss... you just regained consciousness. Don't you think you should thank the one who's been taking care of you this whole time?"

Abaddon turned to Jane, though hesitant to speak out,he stepped forward and, with genuine gratitude, said.

"Thank you for saving my life."

Inwardly, however, Abaddon's thoughts were elsewhere.

'Although I don't fully understand what happened, I know that Orlan and I died. It was Kaelar who brought us back. But if Fatty says they saved us... did I really die, or was that just a dream?'

Jane observed him carefully, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Its good you're back to us but...you look... different. Very different."

"Yeah, boss"

Fatty chimed in.

"You're taller, your skin is pale, and your hair—it's grown so long it reaches your waist. And your eyes... they're completely blood-red, like a beast, what happened to your golden eyes."

"Is it possible the potion caused these changes?"

Jane turned to asked Orlan out of concern.

Orlan shook his head solemnly, even he wasn't sure what could have happen to change his physical look entirely.

'Young master... the dark circles under his eyes, those crimson pupils that used to be golden, the pallor, and his hair... This must be tied to the phenomenon we witnessed. Could he have awakened? No, it was confirmed he couldn't rank up...or it's connected to the incident."

His thoughts were interrupted as Abaddon called out.

"Old man, have I really changed that much?"

Orlan nodded in agreement. Abaddon stared at his palms, lost in thought.

'If what their saying is true then It wasn't a dream. I really met a Primordial. That means... I have the Chaotic Heart of Ashura... but where am I?.'

Turning to the group, he asked.

"So... where are we, and what happened?"

Jane folded her arms unimpressed at the sudden demolished building.

"We're in a small village, and you just destroyed the only place we had for shelter."

"Oh…"

Abaddon muttered, glancing back at the wreckage.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Two weeks Boss."

Fatty replied.

"Elder woke up yesterday, and now it's your turn. Although… you woke up a lot more dramatically than he did."

Abaddon turned to the ruined structure behind them as he observed the collapsed roof.

"Well, we'll just have to fix it. But first, I want to speak with Orlan."

He walked away from the scene with Orlan following closely behind. Jane and Fatty watched them leave, shaking their heads. The two climbed to the peak of the mountain, where Abaddon stopped to look out at the breathtaking height from above.

Then turning to Orlan with a serious experience as he asked.

"Old man, do you remember anything that happened?"

Orlan sighed and nodded solemnly.

"Of course, young master. I know we died."

Abaddon's eyes widened in shock.

"So… we really are alive again, I thought it must've been a dream."

Orlan shook his head, confirming their deaths really happened. Then he continued.

Yes we really did die, I also thought it was a dream until you confirmed it."

"After my death, I found myself in the first realm of Xerathar—Nyssara's Veil, the land of corrupted mist-souls . There were countless souls waiting there. Anyone who tried to pass through the corrupted mist was consumed and twisted by it, becoming corrupted and trapped in Xerathar forever, that means no judgment or reincarnation for such a fallen soul. The mourning souls said they were waiting for Krypharoth to carry them across the mist on his bone dragon."

"What happened next?"

"When my turn came, Death told me it wasn't my time. He said he would send me back to the living, but not alone. I was to carry another soul with me. That soul… introduced himself as No'el Von Drakon, the ancestor of the Drakon lineage, I was shocked and completely overwhelmed to meet such a figure in the underworld."

Abaddon blinked in disbelief.

"What?! That old man is inside you?"

Orlan nodded.

"I'll call him out for you, besides he was the main reason I managed to wake up faster thanks to his soul energy being able to heal my internal wounds very fast."

Closing his eyes, he let out a quiet breath. Suddenly, his muscles bulged up a little, and his eyes turned golden—just like a Drakon's. As he turned, a dragon tattoo materialized on his back with its scales glimmering faintly under the sunlight.

Abaddon stared in utter confusion.

"What just happened to you, old man?"

But, as Abaddon looked into Orlan's eyes, he realized Orlan was no longer present. Orlan—or rather, No'el—turned to look at the clear sky and sighed in relief.

"How much time has passed... At last, I am back to this world."

Turning to Abaddon with a grin, he asked,

"You brat, Is that how you greet your ancestor."

Abaddon's eyes widened in surprise as he couldn't find the words to speak.

"First Patriarch! You… you're—"

He paused, trying to process the situation.

"Why are you in Orlan's body? Is it even possible for a body to host two souls?"

No'el nodded in response. Grabbing his chin in a contemplative posture, he begun observing the body of Orlan.

'Hmm...this body is too fragile, how can I teach this brat with such a weak body?.'

Turning his focus unto Abaddon stood with his head bowed, one hand resting on his abdomen and the other behind his back—a posture that symbolized deep respect.

"I have been tasked by Kaelar to guide you in exchange for my freedom form the torments of Naraka. With the knowledge and experience I gathered over the two thousand years of my life span as a demi-god, it's safe to say I'll do a good job raising another monster this world has never seen."

He paused proudly stroking his chin.

"I must make you stronger—quickly—before the gods discover your rebirth."

Abaddon sighed and bowed his head again respectfully.

"It's an honor to be trained by the Dragon God himself as your descendant, but forgive me for what I'm about to ask..."

No'el prompted him to continue.

"Do you plan to take over Sir Orlan's body completely? He has a daughter, and there are things only he can do."

No'el shook his head, dispersing his curiosity.

"We have an agreement. I will only take control when I need to guide or train you. The rest of the time, Orlan will live his life as usual."

Abaddon let out a sigh of relief, only to be smacked hard on the head.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, brat?"

Rubbing his head, Abaddon quickly denied it but he was startled when No'el gently placed a hand on his head, catching him off guard.

"I know you've been through a lot, but I assure you, from now on, no one can bully you, as my descendant, I will do everything to see you succeed even if I have to sacrifice myself back to Xerathar. Feel free to call on me when you need help, okay, kiddo?"

This genuinely warmed Abaddon, though it felt strange. A feeling only his mother could give him.

'Being cared for by a Drakon... it feels strange indeed.'

No'el finally returned and Orlan seems have regained control of his body once again, genieuly happy for his young master.

"I think it's getting late, we better head back otherwise the other might start getting worried."

Abaddon nodded as both made their way towards the cottage.

Back at the cottage, Jane and Fatty were waiting. Just as Jane was about to complain about how long they'd been gone, the two appeared, walking and chatting along the way. After a while, they gathered some planks and started with the renovation of the cottage.

Several hours later, darkness had fully enveloped the mountains, marking the arrival of night.

The village buzzed with life as villagers engaged in lively conversations. Some stepped out of their houses to enjoy the warm night air, despite the heat.

Back at the cottage, the group had successfully completed the renovations. While the structure wasn't perfect, it was sturdy enough to provide them with a roof over their heads for the time being.

Jane entered the room, smiling warmly as she commended the boys for their hard work on the repairs. She handed each of them a cup of water as a token of appreciation.

"Ugh, my hands are killing me."

Fatty groaned, collapsing onto the floor.

"I can't believe it's already night... but hey at least we managed to fix the place."

Abaddon let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his face. Beside him, Orlan stood, observing their progress with a satisfied expression.

Suddenly, Orlan's pupils shifted to a radiant golden hue, signaling the arrival of No'el.

"Hey, brat, come with me."

Abaddon glanced at Orlan, instantly recognizing his ancestor's presence through the unmistakable, domineering golden eyes.

Under the canopy of a nearby tree, Abaddon sat cross-legged while Orlan—now clearly No'el—stood before him.

"You want me to start training now?"

Abaddon asked.

No'el nodded.

"Tomorrow, we'll head into the woods. Tonight, you'll learn about the Primordial energy you wield; Chaos. It's important we don't waste time."

Abaddon nodded, listening intently.

"No'el's tone grew serious.

"You do not possess a soul-ore, which means you cannot follow the traditional path of a Ranker. Your journey will be entirely different, so don't get attached to their rules. In your path, you'll be advancing by opening all your Chakra Domains to get stronger."

"For tonight I'll be teaching you about the power you wield and everything you have to know."

Abaddon nodded again.

"Let's start off with your heart, the main soul-ore of your body."