They left shortly after that.
They transversed the twisted labyrinth in complete silence, but oddly, that silence was neither awkward nor heavy, instead it was just... aware. They were in no mood for small talk either, so it worked out either way.
"I don't know if you're a fool, or you're just overly confident... but thank you."
Lenny lingered for a few moments before responding. He shrugged lightly then said in a teasing tone.
"I thought I told you, my fists are my weapons. They never failed me, and they never will."
Nyx scoffed and continued hunting her prey in silence.
#
Moments after Lenny regained his senses — before they left for the hunt that is, he had suddenly remembered that the Weave had gifted him an Item, a boon after he slew his adversary, the Swarm–Minded.
He deserved the reward, really. The Swarm–Minded was a pretty powerful creature. He had barely contended against the giant fool without using his [Might] Ability to overpower it. So it was only fair that the Weave rewarded him with something shiny in return.
Items differed from each other quite fundamentally, while some were much rarer than others. They were classified into different, yet basic categories by the Weave: Weapons, Armors, Charms and Tools. Of course, weapons and armors are the Items awakened thrived for the most, but Charms and Tools had some uses too...
Even though they were not very favoured by many.
The Weapons category includes swords, shields, spears... and the like. The boon Lenny received from the Weave was also a Weapon, the Mind Blade to be specific. Even though he was quite elated to receive such a sword, he was also troubled by something he could not unfortunately change.
The name of the blade reminded him of something he would rather forgotten...
In all the two years since becoming a Commonality, he had never received an Item. And since he only learned how to access the Weave after such a long time, he never really knew summon one. It seemed like Nyx had no idea either, so he experimented on his theory.
Everyone knew that there are countless strings attached to ones consciousness — perceive as the Trace Rune — that weave themselves into symbols describing ones situation, that one was common knowledge. Coincidentally, or maybe not, those strings are the same ones that connect an awakened to the Eplialtic Weave...
So those strings Weave so much more than just 'symbols', they are metaphysical manifestation of one Abilities, Attributes, and so much more. So in theory, all Lenny needed to do was find the strings weaving the concept of the Mind Blade, and pull on them to summon it.
But that would be a problem, because he would be pulling on countless strings blindly.
He still had to try though, and so he did.
Luckily, because he was still an immature Commonality, Weave wise that is, so he did not have a lot of strings governing his aspect of being. The strings weaving attributes, potentials and affinities were unmoving, so it was much easier to pull on the rest. Not that he had any affinity anyway...
He pulled on every string he could, avoiding the familiar strings weaving his ability. He knew them far too well, having been used his ability countless times already. After what seemed to be an eternity, he finally found a myriad of strings that seemed rather interesting. They were different than the rest he was used to, so he concentrated and pulled on them next.
A heartbeat later, new symbols formed in the vast, dark expanse of this consciousness, even though he was not floating there. Anyway, that was a discovery to ponder over later. For now...
He shifted his attention and studied the symbols with focused intensity. They read:
Item name: [Mind Blade]
Item type: Weapon
Item description: [A young scholar once set out on a dangerous mission across the infinite labyrinth of the Cursed Seas, in search of the Truth. The Truth to expose the — and end its tyranny. They were only met with Chaos and Desolation instead. This blade they once carried is the only memory left of their existence.]
Lenny did not really care about who had wielded the blade in the past, he was just glad to finally acquire a weapon. Still, he could not help but note a few words though... He shifted his gaze away from the description, and more symbols appeared below. They read:
Item capability: [This blade is capable of corrupting the mind, sending it to a frenzy. It is also capable of dealing moderately insignificant mental damage to the wielder's opponent. As the number of opponents increase, this ability also gradually increases.]
Lenny did not really care about all the fancy words, they bored him anyway. As a child of war, he preferred brute force than just relying on some fancy weapon capabilities. He hesitated for a moment before summoning the Mind Blade. He commanded the blade to weave itself into existence by pulling it its strings, and for a moment nothing happened. Then...
A meter long jian sword with an obsidian hilt and guard of the same material, appeared on his hand a second later. The hilt and guard of the jian were wrapped tightly with a leathery material seemingly durable enough to withstand the weight of the world itself. The blade, if it even deserved to be called that, was conveniently light, so that had to count as something.
But Lenny was still not impressed. He was pretty sure he would be able to break the weapon without even straining his ability as much. So he gave the blade to Nyx. More like borrowed her the weapon at least. It was the best decision he could have taken, really.
Lenny did not really need a weapon, if he was being honest with himself. So he decided to strengthen his new and promising companion. In a way, he was strengthening himself as well.
And that is why Nyx did not understand whether Lenny was being a fool or being overconfident in his abilities...
#
They continued scaling the labyrinth in silence once more. They were much more cautious and aware this time around, because they could feel it. The sensations getting more and more clearer, undeniable.
Their prey was much closer now, and it had registered their presence through the Noise as well.
#
At the same time, something was happening far away. In a place they could not even begin to perceive, let alone fathom. A tall and imposing building stood silently, indifferent to the chaos and bloodshed around it.
The obsidian walls, littered with intricate and ancient decorations that made it look more like a prison, seemed to absorb the pale crimson haze of the rising sun. Dozens of individuals poured out of the imposing walls, only to be met by carnage outside.
More carnage to be precise.
A cacophony of screams filled the landscape, sounds of battle resounding from hundreds of meters away. Inside and out of the building, about a dozen figures were engaged in a fierce battle against countless more appalling abominations.
It was not going well for the individuals...
By then, more individuals had arrived to aid the faltering resistance. At that same moment, a loud thud resounded from inside the building, and a guant man was sent out flying into the chaos outside. He stood up a moment later, and continued battling like his life depended on it.
It most probably did anyway.
His body was terribly wounded, mangled even. Crimson liquid flowed relentlessly from somewhere atop of his head, down his sharp and focused face, only to dissappear inside his armor a moment later. Before he could draw the very first breath, a creature suddenly lunged at him...
At the same time...
One of the walls of the tall building suddenly exploded outward, sending chunks of obsidian bricks flying all over the place. The world seemed to slow down for a split second. A mistake...
He looked at the general direction of the explosion, and what he saw made him tremble. A tall and grotesque creature revealed itself, standing at no less than 3 meters in height. It had huge round ocean blue eyes, disheveled hair of the same color, and a presence that made space twist and bend unnaturally around it.
A beastial growl escaped its protruding maw, making a few individuals take involuntary steps back. A few bones silently made a cracking sound, its hunched back moving slightly as if it prepared for take off.
Before anyone could react, the monstrosity was already in the air.
#
On another region of the Skysea Island, two young men scaled the tall, jagged mountains that stretched impossibly far into the distance. Silver mist loomed silently above them, hiding what rested above the abnormal mountains. No one would ever find out, not that anyone wanted to anyway.
These two young teenagers, driven by their desire to survive, evaded powerful creatures, fought a few weak abominations as part of their training, and also to replenish their dwindling reserves of essence. They were traveling West, attempting to surround the Skysea without approaching it directly, drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.
Little did they know, that something even worse awaited them where they were headed..