Bronze Regret eyes that were fading, stared at Ophieus as it continued speaking. "Protect... So… Don't worry…I will…"
"Just what are you trying to protect?" Ophieus asked as he walked closer to the Bronze Regret's body while silence settled over the area.
As he reached the bronze abomination, the silence was broken by a cracking sound ringing out.
Cracks began forming on the bronze abomination skin before extending out, across its arms, chest, and even legs. A light began to shine through the cracks and then a light began to rise up before interweaving with each other. Then the bronze armor shattered, scattering out to Ophieus surprise and then he watched it rushing back into the light.
The light shined before a new brilliance began to take form, flickering with a golden light first and then silver next. The two lights fully appeared swirling with each other, leading Ophieus eyes to widen. As the glow of the golden light froze before it began to compress with a radiance so intense that the area seemed to tremble.
Ophieus's gasped as he watched the golden light expand into a sphere. Then it began to be wrapped around in two thick swirls of silver that formed intricate patterns that spun across the sphere's surface.
He reached out, being drawn to something more than curiosity but a desire to devour and know. The tips of his fingers brushed the edge of the light, trying to reach towards the golden sphere.
But instantly an invisible force repelled him and made him stumble a bit back. Once he quickly regained his footing, Ophieus eyes narrowed in curiosity and a bit of confusion.
"I can't devour this?" Ophieus muttered as he caressed his chin.
The Silver Key voice echoed in his mind while a translucent silver screen of light appeared in front of him with words being written and displayed.
[This is special knowledge which is fused with a soul instead of only magic and knowledge. But you can still devour it by holding out your hand and saying the words, Silver Key.]
A spark of wonder shined in Ophieus golden eyes that made the frustration melt away. He wondered if this knowledge would display a new phenomenon as he hesitated only a moment and then acted.
Stretched out his hand towards the shining orb, Ophieus whispered, "Silver Key."
In the next moment, light erupted between his fingers.
A silver radiance shined like a vortex before it then began to produce an outline of a key. Then it began to take form, condensing into a silver and black key with swirling numbers, symbols, and shifting words.
Ophieus saw the streaks of glittering silver light trailing from the key as he moved his hand with the crystal embedded in the top shining.
The key felt both odd and familiar as it illuminated the area around him, slightly pushing back the fog wherever the light itself shined. He brought the key to his face and saw how the surface seems to constantly change between numbers, symbols, and words.
"Amazing…" Ophieus muttered with a smile as he inspected it at every angle and then glanced at the shining sphere in front.
Ophieus moved the key towards the shining sphere. As the key approached the shining sphere, it began to tremble and freeze making him raise a brow. Then he felt the Silver Key tugged at hand and pulling his body towards the shining sphere. Once he took a step forward he felt the key pushing away the swirling silver and then insert itself into the sphere.
The silver swirl gently rotated around the key as the sounds of a key being put into a lock rang out.
The world seemed to freeze.
[Turn it]
Then another set of words appeared on the silver light screen.
[Open the World Of Memories.]
Ophieus grip on the key tightened before a grin appeared on his face and then he began to turn his right hand. The sounds of a lock being open was ringing out as outlines began to spread out over the sphere.
As the area around the key began twisting as he fully turned the key with the final clanking noise ringing out. Countless silver lines spread out and shined before the sphere splitting open as the sounds of something shattering rang out.
Space trembled around, as the light from the orb erupted out in a tidal wave of brilliance that consumed everything in the area.
…
World Of Memories - ???.
Blinking his eyes, Ophieus found himself surrounded by a world of bronze mixed with black abyss. Golden eyes glanced above to see a dazzling starry sky stretched out above with bronze glittering stars and massive crystals. Then he blinked as he noticed across from him was a grand staircase of bronze-hued steps rose up and stretched upward.
The stairs gave off a sliver light as if beckoning him to walk on them.
A sense of wonder and awe overcame Ophieus, he was looking all around with his eyes shining in delight. This place wasn't anything like he saw before, even that foggy world he woke up to wasn't as stunning as this.
But the more he looked around, the more he felt he was familiar with this place as if he had entered here before.
But how? When? Ophieus shook his head as he started walking forward up the bronze-colored steps that seemed to tread on endlessly. His curiosity and urge to find out what was going outweigh his apprehension or the odd feeling of this place. He also figured since his body didn't react on its own and he wasn't trapped this place wasn't dangerous to him.
Each step Ophieus took sent gold ripples across the bronze steps and made them shine. The waves of light continued across the steps as he walked up and then massive glittering shards came over with a shine.
Ophieus raised a hand to block the light before it dimmed and then he saw the surface of the bronze crystal reflecting people. Images were appearing inside of them with scenes before his eyes and voices echoing out.
Ophieus saw a man in a crisp white high collar shirt, green waistcoat and black pants. He had a sharp yet soft face and cascade of chestnut brown waves with a golden hammer in his hand. The man was moving through the foggy forest, with thick fog curling around his figure.
Could these be memories of a person the abomination devoured? Thought Ophieus as his eyes flashed with fascination and intrigue. He watched as the man paused and then amber eyes widening at the multiple pairs of crimson eyes through the fog.
The Beast Festival. Ophieus watched as the man slowly stepped back and stared at the Beast Festival moving towards him. The familiar shadow streaking out from their top half while the light blue smoke spreads from below.
But then the man's words left Ophieus in shock.
"W-What are these things! How did they all get here?!" The man stared in shock. "Wait… Has our town been surrounded by these creatures all this time? And no one noticed?!"
They aren't natural? Wait… Now that I think about it… Why wasn't I surprised about these things? Ophieus slightly frowned as based on this man's reaction these abominations aren't natural. But all he felt when he saw them was excitement and glee, making him even more curious on what type of person he was in the past.
Putting those thoughts aside, at least these memories confirm the Abominations haven't always been around, the problem is when did they show up?
And why did no one notice them?
Ophieus watched as the man held his giant golden hammer in one hand and the Beast Festival bared their fangs. A wave of fear passed through him as beads of sweat appeared on the man's face. But Ophieus felt a surge of fear, terror, and something pressing down on his chest that made hold his chest in surprise.
"Am I… Feeling what he does? I know it's a memory but… I can actually feel it?" Ophieus muttered in disbelief as the crystal began to fade away. Then another crystal took its place and began displaying an image as Ophieus continued. "But is it all their emotions or just specific ones?"
Ophieus eyes followed the man smashing down on one of the wolves with his hammer. Blast mist splashed out while the man swung his hammer once more, even as a skull thing bit down on his shoulder. He couldn't help but smile as the fear was no longer present on the man but an odd sense of determination. After the man had killed the three abominations, he moved towards a body that was laying on the ground.
It was Ophieus.
"Hey! Are you okay? My name is Riley!" Riley desperately ran towards Ophieus body, his heart beating loudly.