Abyssal Awakening

The journey towards the capital was going to take roughly a week or so. The caravan already had guards assigned so all Alice, Selen and Egil needed to do was just relax for the journey.

All provisions were provided for so they didn't need to hunt either.

For this week, Alice had to just relax and enjoy herself.

"I'm boreddd." Alice complained while lying on a seat and kicking her legs up.

"We haven't even set off yet." Selen's smile twitched.

"Yeah, but it's gonna be a week of this. No fighting, no hunting, just sitting and doing nothing. It already sounds boring. What if I ask them where the capital is and I'll warp us over there?" Alice asked as her eyes gleamed with sadistic light.

Recalling what it was like to have Alice warp them to the frontlines, Egil paled and quickly shook his head.

"It's a peaceful journey and a good chance for you to see what the scenery is like in the north. You two aren't from around here right?" Egil asked as Alice and Selen nodded.

"The north is mainly known for the large mountains and frozen lakes. We'll pass by some of the more famous ones on the way to the capital so it should be something pretty interesting to see." Egil explained.

Folding her arms, Alice thought about it and nodded her head.

She was surprised places like this still exist when Lords are running around, dismantling the surroundings and so on.

Soon, the caravan began to move as Alice dangled from the ceiling.

Sitting by the window, Selen couldn't help but roll her eyes with a smile. Alice was like an overly excitable kid who was trying to keep herself entertained.

Exhaling hot breath against the window and drawing with her finger. Leaning her head against the window and letting it bounce whenever the carriage would shake.

At one point, she even began to juggle miniature singularities that she would create that are no bigger than a fingertip.

Since the journey was long, Egil decided to have a nap and so did Selen.

Seeing the two napping, Alice laid on the sofa with a bored expression. Cayla was sleeping and Alyss was having a light nap as well.

With nothing else to do, Alice decided to have a few drinks before sleeping as well.

Reaching into her pouch, she chose her medium quality mead for now. The limited supply of Ayrian Mead was not to be touched unless it's a special occasion. The high quality mead were few and far between with Alice not finding something that could qualify for that rank in the north just yet.

Well, with the exception of the weird one she bought at the market but she needed to learn about the birds and the bees first before she could drink it.

Recalling this, Alice remembered that she forgot to ask about it since she was busy sparring with Selen.

Shrugging her shoulder, she decided to ask them later if she remembers.

With that out of the way, the only things she had left were medium quality mead and the fruits that Ragnar gave her.

Thinking back to Ragnar, Alice couldn't help but wonder where he went. After going their separate ways in Esna, she couldn't find him anywhere.

And here she wanted to get more of the fruits if she could.

###

Walking through the frosty mountains of the north, Ragnar looked to the side and observed his homeland.

Taking a deep breath, he let out a sigh as he couldn't help but recall the power of Tiamat and the power of Alice who was somehow able to affect the Abyss Lord.

For a retired Lord, his power has waned drastically.

Revealing a bitter smile, Ragnar shook his head and continued up to the peak.

That fight was a cruel reminder of the passage of time. He was no longer young nor did he have the power of his prime. Hell, even in his prime, he wasn't sure if he could defeat Tiamat.

Perhaps if he was to resolve himself to die, he could slow her down to some extent. That was the power different between them.

Raising his hand, golden energy converged but scattered almost immediately.

He was nothing but an empty husk. A reminder of what once was.

He may have Sigils but he had no power to fuel them properly.

Reaching into his pouch, he brought out the bottle of Ayrian Mead that Alice gifted him. A rare mead that she claimed to not be made anywhere else.

Opening the bottle, he could smell the fragrance of this mead. He found himself standing in a field of flowers while silken weaves would brush against his body.

Just one smell was enough to invoke such feelings from deep within.

"Truly a good mead." Ragnar smiled, taking a sip before sealing the bottle.

Since this was limited, he'll take his time with it.

Upon arriving at the peak, Ragnar could see a large muscular man meditating with a layer of snow on top of him.

"After all these years, you still like to meditate here." Ragnar chuckled.

Hearing his voice, the giant man trembled as his eyes snapped open.

"Master! You're back!" Urigar called out in surprise.

How many years has it been since his master had last graced these peaks?

"For the moment yes. It seems to me that you've been diligent. Good job." Ragnar smiled, praising his best student and whom he had left everything to. His power, his title, his legacy.

Sitting down, Ragnar took a deep breath and looked at the sea of clouds spread out around them.

"What has brought you back to these peaks?" Urigar couldn't help but ask curiously.

Years ago, after passing down his title, his master decided to separate himself from everything that was going on in the north and retreat to a place no one knew about.

"A tumultuous era has become, Urigar. It's gotten to a stage where I can no longer neglect the world and sit idly by. I've recently met a youngster. A youngster so full of life and excitement I couldn't help but get excited myself." Ragnar chuckled.

Stands of golden energy started to appear around his body.

"After a fissure to the Abyss was opened, a monster unlike any I've seen before appeared. A dragon Lord holding untold amounts of power within her body. Even after pushing myself to the limit and exhausting all that was left within me, I couldn't even make her flinch.

"However, the youngster was able to hinder her. It was the youngster who allowed me to win a bet between me and the beast. But it was a reminder of how much I've fallen. In this chaotic era, one must rise to the occasion no matter what or die as collateral." Ragnar smiled as sweat dripped from his forehead.

Sigils lit up across his body as he attempted to gather energy but it was akin to filling a bucket full of holes. Futile.

Regardless, he still wanted to do something. Anything.

"I understand. I too have noticed a change in the breath of the world. Disorderly energy now weaves amongst the masses. Energy of the chaos God, mutated energy from the Abyss and the conduct of men who seek a heretical power.

"There are signs of a new faction master. Outside of the core three. A faction of blood who revel in acts of heresy far worse than the Eclipse." Urigar explained his findings while standing behind his master.

Placing his palms against his back, the energy of a Lord flowed into Ragnar in an attempt to help seal the holes within his body.

"So what do you plan to do?"

"I continue what I have been doing. Succeeding your mantle as the War God of the North. I will defend our homeland to my very last breath." Urigar smiled.

Letting out a chuckle, Ragnar reached into his pouch and pulled out the Ayrian mead.

"This was a gift I received from the youngster. A precious mead that is no longer made. It's truly a high quality liquor that's should be shared. Since it's been many years, why not a drink with this old man." Ragnar laughed.

"It would be an honour."

###

The caravan slowed down as it was time to rest for the night. While food was being prepared, Alice decided to have a light spar with Egil since they haven't spared with one another in a long while.

Plus, Alice wanted to restrict herself and focus on practicing the Void Steps rather than any other skill that she had.

Once she mastered the Void Steps, it'll become a key part of her fighting style, a set of footwork that'll surprise her opponent and take them by surprise. Not to mention the fact that it can act as a life saving skill as well, dodging an attack at the last moment.

The only issue being…

*BANG!!!!

Crashing into a tree, Alice held her nose in pain while Egil let out an awkward laugh.

"Do you want me to continue?" He asked as she nodded her head.

The spar was to have Egil use his full speed to try and attack Alice without holding back at all since her regeneration was now unlocked.

She wanted to use Void Steps in a stressful situation in order to see if she could get any ideas.

Waiting for Alice to recover, Egil stomped down as illusionary spirits appeared around him.

*CRACK!!!

Stomping down, his figure rushed towards Alice like an unstoppable train.

In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of him as Alice's pupils constricted.

Activating the Void Steps, her form flickered out of sight.

'Did it succeed?' Egil wondered.

But just as he finished this thought…

*BANG!!!

Alice crashed into the side of a carriage and dented it.

"MY CARRIAGE!!!" A shout could be heard in the distance.