Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 485: Dimming

Chapter 485: Dimming

Sayda’s walk through the sixth floor of the Infernal Palace was punctuated by loud cursing as she took steady steps towards the most important area in this accursed place brimming with negative emotions.

Her expression distorted as she happened upon several gaping mouths, causing her to grimace with reckless abandon.

Regardless, she soon arrived before a door that seemed like an unnaturally large mouth of some beast.

The mouth opened and Sayda stepped in before finding herself in a hall covered in gaping mouths with the centerpiece being a disembodied mouth that seemed poised to swallow the world should it be given the chance to do so.

Sayda, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.

"Missed me?"

Not at all. I’d hoped for your death so I could claim your soul but unfortunately, you are still breathing.

"Aww, now I’m just touched," Sayda replied with a hint of sarcasm.

The disembodied mouth snorted derisively before inquiring.

Why are you here?

"Needed a means to escape from two persistent Saints."

I see. Now I regret letting you in.

Sayda grinned. "But you did. Now then, I plan on staying here till whatever is wrong on Ra’as is over."

The Abyss is making its move to conquer the landmass. Perhaps you would be more useful up there than down here.

"Oh really?" Sayda snorted. "You’d never pass up on the opportunity to have me dead quick enough so you could have a taste."

I may be gluttonous, but I don’t lie. My sister, Vessina, is more inclined to such vulgarities.

"I didn’t ask and most importantly, I don’t care. I plan on remaining here till the situation blows over."

And if it doesn’t?

Sayda shrugged. "Unlike my parents, I’m not too keen on bringing back some dead bitch that couldn’t conquer the world. I’d much rather do it myself."

Your hubris amuses me. Sometimes I wonder if you choose the right Devil to be contracted with.

"Well, what can I say?... I’m just continuing the family trade. Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I need rest to recover from whatever those Warrior bastards did to me."

With that said, she turned and took her leave from the hall, leaving Baseth alone in her throne room.

***

Alex walked with Douglas, the silence between them unsettling as they made their way toward the cavern underneath the castle.

Just as they arrived at the iron door installed with Douglas stepping forward to push it open, he suddenly paused as he sensed something approaching.

Alex sensed the same thing a moment later, turning just in time to see Victoria arrive with Arwen in tow.

"Is there a problem?" Alex inquired with a raised brow.

Arwen shook her head. "No, we figured another way out."

"What way?" Douglas immediately asked, stepping forward as he did.

"The Devil of Greed, Amase."

Raising a brow, Alex intoned. "You might have to provide a bit more context."

"Amase holds control over the Theft Domain. She can steal all things from objects to concepts. Nothing is beyond her reach."

"Including..."

"Yes, abominable ghost babies," Arwen remarked, causing a hint of a smile to appear on Douglas’s lips as he saw hope.

"How do we go about summoning the Devil?" He inquired, unwilling to waste any time.

Arwen replied. "Nadia with Elena’s aid is already going about gathering everything needed for the summons."

"How long would it take?" Alex inquired.

"Roughly two hours," Arwen answered before swiftly adding. "However, it’s not assured that Amase might accept to steal the ghost baby. Since I and Nadia aren’t or at least, weren’t once connected to her, it would be difficult to get her support."

"What are the chances?"

"With the right resources?" Arwen pondered for a moment before replying. "40%. But there absolutely cannot be the presence of a man or they would undoubtedly die."

"Noted. Go ahead to set up the ritual, in the meantime, Douglas and I will meet with Ashtyx."

Douglas practically glared at him. "But why?"

"What did I say about pinning all your hopes on one spot?"

"Hmm?"

"Don’t do so!" Alex remarked, then to Victoria he said. "Oversee the ritual and ensure everything we need is provided. Understood?"

"Your wish is my command, Master," Victoria replied.

With that, she left with Arwen, utilizing her speed to zip away after which Douglas let out a sigh.

"What?"

Hesitant at first, Douglas soon replied. "What if we can’t save her?... What if no matter what we do, her fate is sealed?"

"We will save her," Alex said. "That’s a promise."

Taking a deep breath, Douglas looked at him and nodded. "Alright."

Together, both pushed open the iron gate and made their way down the stairs to the area below.

The first thing easily noticeable was the fact that the golden glow that once bathed the hall ever since Ashtyx’s presence had dimmed considerably, forcing Alex and Douglas to make use of their night vision.

"Something is wrong," Alex muttered as he glanced to where Ashtyx was to find it considerably darker than usual, with its gold dust no longer falling gracefully.

Immediately, the duo hurried toward the Branch only to find themselves transported to a doodle space with cartoonish depictions of a world.

"What’s going on?" Alex inquired as he looked around with a frown.

Douglas looked around as well but there was nothing to be seen as far as he could tell.

But then, they heard a voice and immediately, the golden child appeared once again.

"Ashtyx, what’s wrong?"

Ashtyx hesitated, perhaps for the first time before he proceeded to respond. "I’m not sure we might be able to talk again like this, Alex."

"Why?" Alex inquired with a frown.

"I am being forced to slumber."

"By the Abyss?"

"No." Ashtyx shook his head. "Father’s Residual Will."

"Father?" Alex frowned at the strange term used. "You have a father?"

Ashtyx glanced at him. "The Absolute One."

Ah, now it made sense.

Considering the Branches were once portions of the Absolute One, it made sense that they would refer to him as father.

Since aether was considered to be the Lifeblood of the Absolute One, Alex guessed that Ashtyx meant aether when he said his father’s residual Will.

But then the question arose, why was Aether forcing Ashtyx to slumber?

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