They are foul creatures whose light is beyond saving.
The only way you could describe them, would be that they are a blight to life itself. They feast upon the living, but not just blood and bones, but root and soil. The very fibre of reality falls victim to darkness' claws.
The world is composed of magical fibres called Magiculites, born from the infinites that this world is fueld by. The Abyss are beings void from that, and as such have a natural thirst to absorb magic. We don't know why they are void of Magiculite, but their destruction has been proven. They are mindless creatures deprived of food, and will suck the existence out of anything.
How these things are born are beyond us, but the Abyss isn't describing something as simple humanoid or a type of creature. Saint Nomad said 'they are a force of nature. Like life which takes the form of many things, the Abyss reflects.'
It could be a human-like creature, it could be a boar. It could even be a tree, I don't know. But it reflects what it corrodes, meaning that what my mother and father were fighting that day- all those humanoid figures made complete with darkness were very likely the same villagers that fell victim to the Abyss.
So they don't just extract life, they leave an empty shell that is filled with that darkness. They aren't exactly beings of nothing, but thinking more on the subject is useless. They take life, and make more of their own- like an infinite darkness swallowing light.
It's frightening.
But that's what I'm training for.
8th Day of the 10th Moon, 2014 (Afternoon)
For the past two years, I spent my days training to fight the Abyss. They aren't something you can defeat through ordinary means, but by that same logic, if you find those necessary steps then you CAN defeat them and quite easily too.
"Kiara, to your left!" A voice rung in my ears as the air breaks to my left. I ducked on reflex before fixing my position to get a firm swing with my sword.
The arm of a wooden doll had dropped before flames flew across my face, barely skimming a tiny bit of my hair as it reached the doll which was now unarmed.
I felt veins pop inn my head, as I turn to look at the ally who called out to me. "May, if the flame was any bigger I'd go bald!"
"What?! If I didnt shout out to you, your head would've left your shoulders!"
Before me was a fiery hot mage capable of destructive magic. Like me, she too was training to fight the Abyss, but this is someone who I'd be travelling with for missions. When it came to finding and destroying the abyss, it wouldn't be as simple as find the perpretator and destroy them- no, rather we would be assigned missions in order to protect those who experience attacks from the Abyss.
But my confidence feels low, after all- we'd spent the last two years training against dummies with little to no pointers about improvements.
"May, you were too rash. You could've spent an extra second thinking about how much of a threat that dummy was to Kiara, and focused on the one in front of you."
"The one in front of me? Don't you start lecturing me Soren, I was looking out for her!"
"And here I am overlooking all of you. Both the dummies were going to strike you both, but Kiara's reflexes would've saved her. You on the other hand, were waiting to be saved by me because you were too focused on-"
The two bickered. They were two opposites and often clashed. Soren is introverted, tends to be calm and collected with a rational head on his shoulders. His calculative approach to fights ended up with many lectures on how May and I could improve, and in all fairness to him- my magic casting has not only grown faster but also more precise.
May is a big believer in explosive impact though. She wants damage, she wants to dominate her enemies- but from the few times she has tried to look after my back- which was the exercise we're performing, there had been too many close calls.
Fixing my hair, I collected myself with a quick breath before brushing my shoulders. "Hey- calm down, we've got a whole year before we can consider our training done. Every day we find something new to improve on right?"
May folded her arms with a quick 'hmph!'. It made me giggle a little, and Soren simply fixed his glasses as his light blue hair had caught on the frame. I suppose even the most thoughtful one out of the lot had failed to keep himself in check.
"Well, training's done for the day, so why don't we call it here? You two are just about spent on mana right?"
"Yeah, at least I got to let my shoulders loose today. Haven't fired off big magic in a while."
May rotated her shoulders, before dusting her skirt, and Soren had wiped his uniform. Since we were training under the same banner, we all were required to wear uniform. It wasn't anything necessary if you asked me, but the Saint had emphasised the importance of wearing the same uniform. It represented that we were working together for a single cause.
I got the notion, but sometimes these little things end up building up poorly. Today, I tore my sock, a bit of my skirt and my collar was a little loose. It felt impractical for the type of training I composed for May, Soren and myself- but at the same time, I grew quickly to realize how abnormal my training was when my father and his friends taught me.
(Evening)
May's POV
Is she at it again? Peeking through the windows of our accomadation, I saw the pink haired wonder still training. In the garden she sat, meditating.
I often pondered how someone like Kiara ended up with a scrub like me. She's unnaturally gifted, in a way I couldn't describe. But overall, I suppose it wouldn't be too far fetched to say I'm surrounded by talent and that I'm the one who's just lacking.
She trained non stop for the past 2 years, and thinking about putting the same amount of effort only made me dread the next day. My gaze fixated on her, and I could sense it. Her control of her mana extends past just firing off magic.
With magic, it's a simple process. Manifest mana within your palm, materialize it and rationalize the patterns, and then fire. But Kiara's magic is different. I could never understand why she could move the way she did all day and still had energy to spare.
So I asked her once, around a year ago. 'I was taught to try and circulate my magic when I'm fighting, I tried and tried but kept failing. But one day, when I was training with Uncle Tsuku, I managed to do it- but he ended up beating me anyway haha.'
Those were her words. I didn't get much about it, but it would also explain why I felt her presence in battle. Her body just fills up with magic, as if she becomes one with it for that short period of time. At the moment, I can only manifest it around my body for a few seconds, but it takes up so much mana that I felt it was impractical.
Am I just incapable of a simple concept? My thoughts were left interrupted, a knock breaking the silence after I had been practically stalking Kiara.
"May? Is it okay if I come in?"
A gentle voice came from the door. Jumping out of bed in my pyjamas, I was welcomed with the adorable Belle.
"Belle? Hehe... Did you get scared? Wanna sleep with your big sister?" Everytime Isabella comes to the door, I can't help but wanna dote on her.
"No- I just wanted to ask how you three were doing?" I want to pat her head. Isn't she just so adorable?
"Come in! Would you like tea?"
"O-oh... Uhm, yes... Yes please."
"What kind? We have Nalis Tea and uh... Let's see." Scanning through the bottles, I had noticed some were empty.
"You wouldn't have Alis Tea would you?"
"Ah, we have a few bags left, I'll make some right away."
After brief moments of small talk, we sat down in the living room with the tea set ready. Pouring Belle a cup, I helped myself with some too.
"I love the leaves from the north, it tastes refreshing compared to the bitterness of Talis."
I nodded to her statement, since the flora from the north was more tempered to the weather there, the leaves were grounded before winter which was when they tasted best. I don't know the full ins and outs, but it is Belle's favourite.
"So about today's training... It went about as usual, but I don't think Kiara's improving much."
"I-I see... I think Father Nomad was right then."
"What did he say?"
"He believes Kiara needs to take a step further in order to improve. Since a child, he described that Kiara had always gone through tough training that most would fail to keep up with. Since Kiara had grown up that way, it seems normal to her, but to others like ourselves- not so much."
"Yeah, not to mention she still sticks to the 'basics' as she calls it. Her training doesn't end on a 9 to 5, it continues on until night falls."
"When she suggested you and Soren take on active training, I was worried about what would happen to you two... Are you both handling yourselves well?"
For a moment, I paused before taking a sip. Placing the cup back down, I sighed a little. The person before me, as cute as she is, doesn't need protecting. Nomad is training her personally, believing her to take his position with how talented she is with divine magic.
Soren is so good at controlling his magic that he is even going so far as to lecturing Kiara about magic too despite her vast quantity in reserves.
But me? All I can do to be different from the two is be as fierce and as strong with my magic as I can. It's the only way I've known to wield magic.
In fact, for the longest time since we were children- I was always beyond Soren.
When he'd fall over and cry, I'd help him up and tell him to stop being a cry baby. He used to look up to me, especially because I awakened my magic earlier compared to the average child.
Soren was a late bloomer, but after awakening his magic, he grew a little distant from me. Despite that though, we stuck to each other's sides, and as time went on, I couldn't help but feel awestruck about Soren's improvements. He had learnt far more magic than me, and his aptitude for specific elements quantified more than mine.
At some point, he began lecturing me, and I felt at odds with the idea. Even now, as I look onto Belle, who like Soren and Kiara, is gifted- I felt a weight at the back of my throat.
"We're doing okay, Soren and I have been improving bit by bit after our switch in training, and we'd put a lot more thought into what actual combat would be like- rather than the standard training for mages."
"I get it, I think Kiara's suggestion was wonderful! Being a mage, you aren't always going to be standing still and firing magic. Your opponent nonetheless will not stand there giving you time to cast, so it's a very good idea she came up with..."
As Belle continued, her voice grew quieter. Her shell for a moment was broken, but I think she realised quickly how much she rose her voice over the idea of Kiara.
"Belle?"
"Y-yes?"
"Your tea is getting cold."
"A-ah! Thank you."
She grasped onto the cup itself, ignoring the handle entirely and began to sip.
The evening went by quickly as small talk filled the air. Eventually though, Bella waved goodbye before returning to the Chapel.
Laying on my bed, I looked outside once more, and Kiara remained in place. Her meditation was an exercise to help her feel her own body, as mana surges through. It also helped her keep her head cool on a daily basis. Such commitment...
I could feel how draining doing that could be. Laying on my bed, I drowned in my own comfort and in my own thoughts. I don't want to be dead weight in this group. Father Nomad thought Soren, Belle and I would be perfect companions for Kiara. It's not like we're the only ones training neither. There are many like us doing the same three years training, learning about the Abyss and developing our talent to defeat the Abyss, and yet for someone like me- I often wonder if I'm just a liability for someone like those three.
(Night)
Kiara's POV
'They are a force of nature. Like life which takes the form of many things, the Abyss reflects.'
The Abyss is a loose terms describing the darkness. Really, they are dark creatures, and they are categorized. Human-like, beast-like, flora, and each have a different level of danger. As it turns out, the fiercer the level of magiculite in an entity before death by the Abyss, the fiercer that darkness becomes.
As such, Saint Nomad described the levels as Abysslings which is a level relevant to the average human, Carnage, which is similar to that of a knight and Harbinger which are known to be the most dangerous.
I could only ponder where he had gained this knowledge from, but according to Saint Nomad, the Pontifex is an elven woman who had lived long enough to have seen the Abyss from 500 years ago. Ofcourse, Harbingers are the most dangerous before the Calamity, which is a single existence powerful enough to slay even Gods and the church was responsible for defeating the remnants of the Calamity from 500 years ago.
That night, we were swarmed with those Abysslings, but it most certainly was the works of a Harbinger. In order for the Abyss to take life and convert it into one of their own, they have to completely extract every magiculite in their body, but it isnt simply just extracting. It's like they're zombified, coming back to life in such a short time span- it's like they convert the magic directly into abyssal energy.
The best way I could understand it was through numbers. When a positive multiplies with a negative, it becomes a negative. The logic follows the same. The Abyss also grows stronger with each life it takes, which means that Harbingers have taken more than one could count.
It disgusts me, but it's a reality we bare with. Before I realized it, my lungs felt heavy. When did I break concentration? My body fell back, and my eyes met with the moon.
"... It's so pretty."
I thought. It reflects the sun, and shines brilliantly in the night. I felt my muscles ease up, as I just looked and gazed upon the twinkling night.
These past two years has been grueling. I committed myself to training endlessly, and my efforts have helped what feels like only slightly.
Having teachers who were experts helped a lot, but because of how far I had advanced, I feel like I'm stumbling against a wall with each turn I take.
"Is this my limit..?"
I questioned. I stood up, drawing my iron blade once more.
'There are 5 forms one could master. Most would only master one by the end of their life, but you Kiara, I'm going to train you to master all 5.'
I swung my blade in quick motion, focusing on my breathing and footwork to carry my sword through.
'First form follows agility and movement, your best tools for survival as well as offense. If you don't out maneuver your opponent, you'll be there for the killing.'
Then, I poured more power into my strikes, my footwork remaining steady but focused more on quick recovery.
'Second form focuses on swings and power. You are the blade, and every strike you make must be followed through, if you miss- recover and swing again.'
I halted my third strike, steadying it and moved my body with the blade, flowing like water as though I was dancing.
'Third form is important Kiara. If you can't over power the opponent, then control the flow of their attacks.'
Planting my foot to the ground, I envisioned strikes, practicing my grip on my sword and how fast I could switch between hands and position of the sword.
'Your defense is weak, so today I'll teach you the fourth form. Defend against my attacks, figure out your own openings before you figure out your opponents'.'
Then, I finalized with quick strikes and defensive maneuvers, footwork becoming important once more as well as the position of my blade.
'Your defense has improved, but what good can you do if you dont strike back? You cant last forever, so strike at me and defeat me.'
With one final swing, my imaginary practice finished.
Uncle Tsuku was a fierce expert in swordsmanship, and I remembered his speed and precision everytime we fought. For 5 years he had taught me, but...
'Pah! You couldn't master a single one... But that's fine. You may be gifted, but at least you have limits.'
'... Uncle... Couldn't you be any meaner?'
I remember being on the brink of tears. I felt like I couldnt get anywhere, but when he placed those calloused hands on my shoulder, I felt what he was trying to tell me.
'It takes many years for a swordsman to master even one of these forms. These hands weren't forged by the Gods, I made them grow this way. You'll have to go through the same one day Kiara. But knowing you, you have every bit of your father in you. I believe you'll make it.'
Uncle Tsuku- it really is tough. It's been two years, and I haven't made a revelation once. My swordplay is too strict, too narrow. I can't improve on any of the forms if I have nothing to practice with.
And the Abyss? They won't wait for me to. Their only weak point is their heads. I sometimes fear that my sword won't cut through, as I've never had the chance to attempt.
But no matter how much I try to master something, it doesn't feel like I'm making much progress.
Soren's POV
She's been at it the last two months none stop. Just as I've told Father Nomad, she truly has hit a wall. She seems dissatisfied with her results, but that's to be expected.
She's ready to graduate, but she hasn't learned everything there is to know. But that's natural, you don't simply become a master at slaying the unpredictable.
I've been observing the progress of the three for a while now, and I can certainly say that Belle seems to be making the most progress, wheras Kiara is making the least. May, as hardy as she is, she's at least making steady progress with each passing day.
But things slip past me, and it's certainly infuriating. During today's training, Kiara had lost focused and I had acknowledged that long before May had noticed. If I had alerted Kiara about her loss of focus, then perhaps May could've felt a bit more satisfied with the training.
I serve as this group's tactician, I am the eyes of the battlefield, and it seems that I have a lot to pick up on.
Fixing my glasses, I walked away from watching Kiara's training. It's certainly inspiring to see how hard she works, and I myself have even attempted a few of her exercises.
Although it's difficult to maintain, it's possible and the acceleration of growth is present. If everyone was capable of such rigorous training, I'd have both Belle and May follow by now- but that simply isn't something I could demand of them.
"Soren?" A voice caught me off guard. Turning my head, Kiara was up behind me. She was finished?
"Ah, Kiara. Sorry, I heard you training so I thought I'd watch to take notes."
"Ah, did May tell you? She often peeks at me from her room."
Do I tell her that I've been watching her for a few months now? Or will she find that weird?
"No, though I'm surprised you could see that. I thought it'd be too dim to see through the windows throughout the day, and too dark at night as well."
"Oh, well I was taught to be aware of my surroundings at all times. Around this time, everyday, you tend to go, so I thought I'd at least say hello!"
She found me out- but at least she isn't taking it weirdly...
"How long have you known?"
"Since the first day you started watching me. Considering your careful advice, I simply thought you observed to help me improve."
She's got sharp intuition... Someone like her- she's way too much...
"That's why I'm a little envious of you Soren."
I froze for a moment when those words escaped her mouth. Envious? Of me?
"You seem to be so wary of everyone else that you're able to analyze and deduce where they need to improve. Like, if I had those kind of eyes that let me see myself fight, I'd be able to give myself all kinds of pointers! But also... I really appreciate what you've been doing for May and myself. You really are like a big brother, aren't you? Always looking out for us."
Her smile touched me a little. She's got a heart of gold, but I do think she's overestimating me a little. What I'm doing is necessary work, not optional. Father Nomad acknowledged that component of me. If I had to shoot a guess, that would be why he paired me up with these three.
"Kiara, don't overestimate me. At the end of the day, I'm doing what's necessary to keep us all alive if the Abyss strikes. When we graduate, we'll be tackling missions just like the rest of the Axis, since we're becoming official members soon, I don't want to disappoint them."
Kiara's smile remained unchanged, and instead she simply added to what I had said.
"Well, we're sure to hit it big. With how precise you are, how talented Belle is and how strong May is, we'll definitely make it through!"
Kiara is the opposite to me. Her optimistic thinking reminds me of my brother. That won't end well.
"Don't think so far ahead. Look at what's in front of you first before you take on the greater challenge."
I hope she heeds this advice. At the end of the day, she could end up dead along with the rest of us. That's something I want to prevent. At all costs. Because you all are my only family.