Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 541: A Mystic of the Abyss Wheel

Chapter 541: A Mystic of the Abyss Wheel

Ulysses gasped as he opened his eyes to find himself back in Albus’s home, having slept in the second bedroom while Alex took the first.

With Albus and the rest of the townspeople dead, the city was now empty, but considering the buildings were mostly in good condition, Alex had decided that they would lodge in Albus’s home for the time being as he needed some of the books in the late professor’s mini library.

Moving on, Ulysses’ breathing was uneven as he struggled to come to terms with what he had experienced in his dream.

But was it a dream?... It felt a bit too real to be a normal dream.

Taking a deep breath, he was about to sit up in bed when he noticed the flowing light that seemed to come from nowhere and yet encompassed everything.

It was beautiful to watch its flow pattern, allowing Ulysses to calm down long enough to notice that something about the light was off.

Though what was off about it, he couldn’t quite place his finger on it.

His mysticism knowledge allowed him to identify the light as the aether otherwise known as the Will of the World.

It fluctuated at times, going dim one moment and then shining brightly the next.

Curiosity caused him to reach out, but there was no tangible contact, so he retracted his arm.

First glancing at his palm and then at the irresistible light, Ulysses was struck with the unfortunate realization that his dream was, in fact, not just a dream.

He had become a Mystic of the Abyss Wheel and what’s worse, against his will.

Ulysses had the odd feeling that other Mystics in the Wheel would find his situation quite odd.

But that was hardly what bothered him the most and considering his family’s patron deity was somewhat dead, it absolved him of the family law that prevented Nesters from becoming Mystics, so becoming a Mystic was also not what bothered him.

It was the fact that of all the Wheels, it had to be the Abyss Wheel, the one scorned by every other Wheel, both Immortal and Mortal.

Did this mean he was destined to be killed or worse... abandoned?

He trembled at the thought, even considering running away now before his current state was discovered.

But just as he sat up in bed, he paused, taking a moment to figure out what would happen after he fled.

He had made a promise to Alex to assume the post of a personal guide in his quest and as a Nester, his word could not be broken as a matter of principle.

Clicking his tongue, he grappled with uncertainty for some time before deciding on his next course of action.

He got to his feet and stepped out of the room, making his way to the living room only to pause as he came upon a most peculiar sight.

Alex sat at the dining table working on an intricate drawing with rolls of parchment before him, each one filled with intriguing designs.

Standing beside Alex was a shadowed Humphrey who seemed to be transmitting something into Alex’s head.

"Uhmm, what’s happening here?" Ulysses inquired, unsure of what to make of the sight.

Humphrey glanced at him, pausing his actions briefly which caused Alex to cease drawing before glancing in his direction.

"You are awake."

"Yes, I couldn’t sleep," Ulysses replied before gesturing at the rolls of parchment. "What is that?"

"Never mind that." Alex calmly replied before changing the topic as he inquired. "Is it just me or is there something different about you?"

"That..."

He has broken the boundary but there is a hint of foulness about him.

Alex raised his brow. "Wait what?"

"He is right. I’m a Mystic now." Ulysses remarked before adding with a sour expression. "I’m a Mystic of the Abyss Wheel."

***

Aiden made his way up the steep steps that seemed to be a work of art even while mostly obscured by piles of snow.

He trudged through the snow, his figure illuminated by the lavender light of the Nighteye.

Upon arriving at the last step, he was approached by a man dressed in a linen shirt with high collars, a tall hat, and short and wigless hair.

The man greeted once he was but an arm’s length away. "Lord Aiden, I am a mere servant lucky enough to serve in the Goddess’s court. You may call me Francis."

"I reckon she is available to meet with me now?"

"Indeed, please, come with me."

With that, Francis turned and led the way, taking deliberate steps with Aiden following closely behind.

They entered the grand temple that seemed to lean at an angle, pushing open the oak doors to reveal what could only be described as an art gallery.

Various eye-catching paintings were placed in full view for the public, each one filled with so much emotion that they seemed to burst with life.

Elaborately designed gas lamps lit up the floor with an ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

One could easily lose themselves in the beauty that persisted within all things in the temple.

Few attendants walked around on this floor, tending to the paintings to ensure that not a speck of dust remained on them a moment longer than necessary.

Aiden detected the faint traces of divinity within each artwork, his senses picking up a gaze that belonged to a single figure in each one.

Ignoring the Goddess’s blatant attempt to scrutinize him before they met, Aiden followed Francis to a steam-powered elevator placed at the center of the floor.

They got in, and with a gesture from Francis, the operator pulled the lever, and with that, they were on their way up.

Only after almost a minute of upward motion did the elevator stop with the doors opening to reveal a hallway filled with elaborate artwork.

"The Goddess awaits your presence," Francis remarked with Aiden nodding before stepping out of the elevator and making his way down the hall toward the doors at the other end.

Pushing it open, his eyes fell upon the most obscene sight of a single man completely in the nude, seated on a stool while quite a few naked women tried to draw his image on a canvas.

You are here.

A divine voice addressed him, drawing his attention away from the sight to gaze upon a deluge of ink writhing as though alive before taking the form of a humanoid female with continuously changing skin tones.

"I am. I presume that your meeting with me means you have decided the matter we spoke about."

I have and I would like to make a trade.