Shadow Slave: Possibilities Without Meaning

One step at a time, the group climbed the steps leading to the temple.

With Aldric leading the group, they formed a diamond formation around the researcher. Ready to intercept any dangers at a moment's notice. 

Luckily, from what is known about the Phantom Verge, the region had a variety of nightmare creatures of varying ranks and classes. This meant that any rank of Awakened could theoretically take their chances to traverse the area. 

Since there was no floor on what the weakest nightmare creature could be, the group avoided any Corrupted or even Great creature territories. Aldric's flaw played a crucial role in helping them avoid anything beyond their league, even with the toll it took on him. With Judas supporting him with his in-depth knowledge.

From a distance, the temple seemed smaller; however, it felt as if they were climbing a mountain. Each step bringing them closer to the precipice.

"So what exactly is this temple?"

Bored out of her mind, Marielyn asked.

While she had listened to the briefing provided at the start of the contract, she would expect a researcher to provide a more detailed perspective.

Hearing the question, Judas hummed. Acknowledging the question while giving himself time to formulate a response.

"This temple is what many people had thought was the gateway of this region."

He began.

"Approaching from Rivergate as we did, 30 years ago, the Sword Domain had begun its expansion beyond Bastion. All when they came across this boundary of fog."

A weathered look began to form on the elderly man's face.

"While the practice of identifying landmarks as gateways was not as widespread as it is now, you can imagine how a group of Awakened would tunnel-vision on the goal of locating one."

He spoke, gesticulating with his hands.

"With the temple being the only landmark in a 100-kilometre radius, it has been the focal point of any expedition into this fog-ridden land."

He looked at the temple with a strange expression. Carrying an intensity that, at a closer look, conflicted with his expression. 

"Over one hundred Awakened have mysteriously disappeared after entering the temple over the last few decades. Five expeditions were committed by the Sword Domain and one completed by the government 25 years ago."

A look of remembrance flashed across his face. 

"So that's why you know so much about this territory. Where to go and what to avoid."

Spoke Iris in a quiet voice. Her relaxed eyes focusing on the speaking man.

"Yes, I was one of the few survivors from the expedition 25 years ago. I was inexperienced enough that I was tasked with studying the surrounding area, avoiding the temple completely."

A solemn look etched onto his face. 

"So long as we do not enter the temple, whatever caused those disappearances will not occur."

He reassured everyone.

Aldric had been briefed about this by Saint Cor, so he was not surprised to hear all this. However, a small feeling of something not being right burrowed inside his chest. 

'I need to keep an eye on this man. Something doesn't feel right.'

He decided. 

With the conversation supposedly over, the following silence was interrupted as Judas continued to talk.

"I and two others barely escaped. Luckily, the two were part of our protection detail. All I remembered was an all-encompassing fog that blotted the temple out of existence."

He elaborated. 

The group had finally reached the top of the stairs. The interior of the temple being blocked by a large stone gate. However, the platform on which the door rested held much historical value. Enough to satiate the curiosity of the researchers present without having to enter the temple. 

The next few hours were spent chaperoning the group of researchers. As Judas and his colleague were supported by the rest of their team. 

It was interesting to see the process of sampling, recording, and interpreting millennia-old architecture and ruins. A lot of it seemed to be trying to make sense of what they were seeing. 

Unlike the easily digestible murals that Aldric and Nephis' cohort found depicting the story of the Forgotten Shore, the walls of the temple were covered in runes, strange markings, and the occasional figure etched onto the walls.

Trying to make sense of what they were seeing was like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle of a rainbow while being colourblind. The lack of a reference for them to rely on made their endeavour multiple times harder.

But it seemed that they were making headway. 

Alone with his thoughts, Aldric reflected on the past few months. 

From spearheading his own organisation, unlocking his third core, and becoming a Demon to gaining a new attribute.

Looking at his runes, the new addition presented itself.

Attributes: [Insight][Tranquil Core][Destined][Tenebrous Rule][Visionary]

After his deathmatch with the [Underworld's Torment], the [Tesseract] had absorbed the Fallen Tyrant's corpse. 

Remembering how the mysterious memory had absorbed the [Mantle of the Underworld], repairing the armour and making it stronger. Aldric was curious as to what he would receive.

He was 98% sure that the [Underworld's Torment] was a Stone Saint. Born from Nether's desire to defy the gods, he created his own children. Each with a [Spark of Divinity] resting in their soul. 

Aldric initially thought that the [Tesseract] would transpose this divine spark, giving him a connection to the divine. Similar to both Sunny and Nephis. But that was not the case. 

After four months since defeating the Fallen Tyrant, Aldric had finally received a boon from the enigmatic memory.

Attribute: [Visionary].

Attribute Description:[ You vile usurper!

You took what did not belong to you

A true Singularity.

The laws of reality and order bend before you.

But you would do well to remember your place.]

When he had first read the description of his new attribute, Aldric was baffled. 

The nightmare spell was typically neutral in most matters; however, it seemed that Aldric triggered a certain response from the spell. 

It was as if the conduit of fate had a bone to pick with him.

But he did not care for the spell's response.

He would take what he desired no matter the consequences.

[Visionary] was a boon of many orders of magnitude. 

At its core, the attribute reflected an aspect of Nether. 

Nether's capabilities as a divine smith. With his ability to find the simplest and most efficient solution to any problem. 

With this came a boost to Aldric's mental faculties. His intelligence, memory, and mental processing. Enriching his mind and bolstering his connection to his soul. 

Allowing him to recall finer details surrounding what was to come.

And that was not all. 

Aldric felt as if he gained a natural proclivity to understand things. 

To see the simplest path to achieving something.

Similar to how some students studying math could naturally see the path to finding the answer, whereas everyone else would stumble at the first step. 

It felt as if his mind was opened. 

Since gaining the attribute three months ago, Aldric's productivity and capabilities had skyrocketed. Attributing much of the growth of his organisation to this attribute. Aiding him in resource management, team allocation, and strategic decision-making.

Though the description of the attribute did not detail the attribute's capabilities, it did answer a different question.

With this, Aldric had finally put the pieces together.

Figuring out exactly what the [Tesseract] was and what it meant for him. 

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Thanks for reading. 

[Wake up, your nightmare(exam season) is over.] Finally!

Now we will return to your regular programming schedule. 

Till the next one.