Void Spawn - A litrpg adventure fantasy

Pillari, the mountains of ice situated towards the freezing valleys and hills far west. No people live there. Or so they thought.

Based on what they intercepted, the message is deduced to be near the Titan mountains. As for where exactly the problem is at hand.

The Titan Mountains is not the largest mountain range in comparison to its brothers and sisters. However, due to how isolated and changed the place had become, their maps are basically useless.

What they possessed were cartographic records and data way before the Ice Age befell the land. Based on the archived books, Pillari used to be called Saigon. It was a hill country known for its strong winds.

It was predated way beyond even before the cataclysms happened. It stemmed before the Great Unravelling, a violent series of natural disasters that reshaped ergo.

It took humanity time to fix that which had been lost. Even still, they were only able to retrieve fragments of what they used to possess.

It was during those days that Taranius's influence boomed. His cause to guide humanity back to its feet painted him in a good light.

Now, Samael cannot help but see it for what it is.

Dim and flickering. Unstable facades built over centuries of deception.

History spoke of Saigon's rich culture brimming with life and creativity. It is where Samael found records of an entity they called "Namesh Lit Karpa", which in the Saigan tongue is known as "She who fosters life."

It was bizarre. Taranius had been called many names but never giver of life. He was light incarnate, grand and always good. However, this, whoever this is, was humble and gentle. An opposite to the ministry's boastful nature.

Thus, Samael's suspicions rose. He had never thought of the existence of another god. Yet, now he believes something lies deeper than the water's surface. A secret buried in ice.

Fortunately, he did not need any other reasons to make his way towards Pillari, for Icarius himself requested it.

He will dig through the dense layer of frost binding the place down if that is what it takes to uncover the secret of history.

Just who is Namesh Lit Karpa?

***

A sigh escaped Samael's lips as he inserted rations inside his dragon horde. His preparations were complete. He made sure to fill the subspace with enough supplies to last him months if anything goes wrong.

He bid his farewells to Icarius and the rest but took his time with Lilith. They spent some time with each other, telling stories of the past and reliving moments long gone.

When all was done, he departed with Ajax.

The road towards Pillari was one filled with challenges. Due to Pillari's secluded nature, there were no bases nor fortresses there with rune teleportation catalysts. Thus, he and his former mentor had to venture the traditional way.

On foot and through carriages and stray waggons.

They made landfall for Tera first. The path towards the sanctuary was silent and devoid of people. Men and women remained from the wilderness with the intensifying amounts of monsters.

They themselves had to clear the way ahead of them of abominations a couple of times during their travels.

If anything, the only way they could hitchhike was through armoured convoys of soldiers passing through. With how famous they were, the soldiers were more than happy to let them hurtle along.

Inside Tera, the situation was a lot calmer. Though soldiers still flocked the streets, it was not as grim here compared to outside. There were still mundane folks going about their business.

"It seems construction is nearly done," Samael pointed out.

"It is," Cole smiled. "Only thanks to your efforts during the battle."

"It was everyone's efforts," Samael muttered, gaze focused on a single tombstone. On its cold surface was etched one name Samael will remember for a long time.

Michael.

A great mentor and an even greater friend.

They spent only a short amount of time in Tera. It was good to see the place, but it was not their final destination.

With short words of goodbyes, they vanished off into the darkness of the night.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Their next stop was a shore city called Lagos. It is technically part of Tera but exists outside its walls.

They only knew of it from Cole, who apparently he himself hails from.

According to his words, Lagos is filled with kind and gentle souls. But stubborn to boot. The people were somewhat rowdy but honest and true to their trades of fishing.

Cole said that if they wanted to get close to Pillari, Lagos was their best bet. Due to the nature of its business, the city provides ample amounts of ship-based travel towards the next short city of Caldora.

Unfortunately, that was all Cole could provide. But it was more than enough.

It took them nearly a week or two to get close to Lagos. Due to blockades on the roads, they had to keep taking detours and, more often than not, fight abominations instead of the soldiers.

Samael was more than happy to oblige, but it did slow them down significantly.

Soon enough, they finally saw a view of the beautiful stone walls of the city of Lagos. The distinct scent of salt lingered in the air, bringing about an odd sense of comfort to Samael's weary heart.

"In order to enter, you must pay a fine of 2 gold coins per person," the armoured sentry spoke. Though Samael could perceive the subtle fear in his movements.

Picking out four gold coins, he handed them to the man without a word. In which the guard was grateful for.

They were allowed entry soon without the need for verification after showing their badges. Samael disliked doing so, but this was the one exception.

Stepping foot inside the beautiful coastal city, Samael's senses were assaulted by the vibrant colours of the houses lining the streets.

Vendors of all trades flocked to the passing men and women, preaching about their products and services.

Oddly enough, though Samael could sense the same tension as he did in the other sanctuaries, the people here still held an ember of enthusiasm most places lacked.

It was courageous and praiseworthy. If only everyone else held the same outlook on life. But alas, unless the war ends, peace will never come.

To avoid any hindrances, they advanced with their identities hidden. Adorning their cloak, they wandered the streets of Lagos, enjoying some local delicacies as a reward for themselves.

By the end of it, they found themselves at the dock where dozens of ships and boats float atop the aqua blue water.

The ships varied significantly. Some wore beautiful and bright colours, while some were akin to warships, padded with extra layers of dense steel that, though slow, offered it protection in the long run.

The two made their way towards these armoured vessels. While the beautiful boats were eye-catching, they were not the kind you would want when you're sailing far into the oceans. That was akin to a man flaunting meat in front of a hungry predator.

The sound of steel clashing against steel rang in the air. The murmurs of men—sailors, to be precise—clinging to the air as Samael and Ajax marched their way across.

Four sailors sat around a makeshift table derived from a crate. Cards littered in front of them, sweat trailing down their foreheads.

Samael silently watched their exchange of cards until one jumped from his seat, a victorious laugh leaving his lips.

"I knew your dumbass wouldn't do jack shit against me!" The man bellowed, tears forming in his eyes.

The men beside him followed after his laughter, they themselves crackling like wild dogs. The same cannot be said for the young man in front of them.

Pushing forward, a hollow thud echoed over the port as two shadows loomed over the four, snatching their attention as their gazes turned back.

Staring at the two cloaked figures, the man has just won a frown. "Who the hell are you two mutts?"

Samael's brows rose. They're normal men?

Typically, most awakened men would have the faint ability to sense if another echo is stronger than them. This is because of their dormant astral sense.

Yet, these men seem unable to tell Samael's and Ajax's power.

Though they did blatantly hide their strength, someone with enough grasp of their power should technically be able to have an inkling based off of their aura alone.

How odd, Samael's lips curled to a smile.

"We would like to talk to the shipmaster," Samael replied, his voice carrying over the wind.

Pin-drop silence devoured the port, all gazes shifting towards them, sharp and doubtful.

Samael's brows knitted together as he cast a brief glance towards Ajax.

"What do you need from the captain?" A voice spoke through the crowd of sailors, a fairly built man arising from their ranks.

Much like the rest, he wore a white shirt above leather pants. He fashioned a bandana on his forehead, its brown colour matching the darker tone of his skin.

"We come in peace." Samael raised his hand, elbowing Ajax in the process as a faint grumble escaped the man's visor.

"I didn't ask that; I asked you what the hell you want with the captain." The man's gaze sharpened, jaw clenching. Signs Samael did not miss.

"We need a passage across the ocean towards the next city of Caldora," Samael truthfully answered. "We are willing to pay in gold."

The man's gaze remained sharp, same as the rest. "We don't accept requests from your kind."

Samael's brows furrowed. Your kind?

The man stepped closer, his tone rising a notch. "So take your dirty gold and fuck off!"

A sigh escaped Samael's lips. There was no point prodding further. Turning to leave, the next words of another sailor stung his ears.

"You shame your mother by doing the bidding of those pigs."

Samael was above the petty quarrels and taunts of people. But there were two things he hated the most.

People insulting Lilith.

And people insulting his family.

"Enough," a gruff voice echoed, silencing the murmurs of the sailors. "Stand down, Aldo, lest you get your arse killed."

From the formed crowd of men, a dull thud pierced through the silent crashing of waves. The sailors are forming a line for the newcomer to use.

"Captain! We can handle this! There's no need to concern yourselves with hooligans like this!" the dark-skinned sailor reasoned.

"No, this one I must address myself," the captain spoke, a sigh escaping his lips. "I ask for your forgiveness. They did not mean what they said. They're merely doing so to protect me."

A sigh escaped Samael's lips. "The offence is no more."

The captain bowed, the sailors flinching in return.

"Captain—"

"Shut your mouth, boy!" The captain spat. "You can't sense it, but if they wished, they could wipe this town from the planet, and no one would know!"

Samael's brows knitted. So he's an awakened.

"No need to fret," Samael raised his hand. "As I've said, we bring no harm and only wish to rent a ride towards the next city."

"I am at your service," the captain spoke.

"How much would a ride cost?" Samael asked.

"I cannot ask for such money, sir, after all the patience you've shown my men." The captain shook his head.

"I insist. We are not monsters, captain." Samael took out a pouch of gold from his dragon hoard, chucking it towards the sailor. "Is that enough?"

The captain weighed the bag, a sigh leaving his lips. "More than enough."

Samael nodded.

"I expect a smooth sailing then. I am at your care."