Abyssal Awakening

[Before you read the fourth choice, I want to offer a word of warning. It's… Quite the anomaly. The reason why I said it could go either way was because it's up to you whether or not you want to take the risk of choosing it.] Cayla warned as Alice raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Anomaly? How so?"

[Because it's not a skill that should've been part of the Tenebris. Rather, I don't know where it's from.] Cayla shook her head with a sigh.

Hearing this, Alice was a little surprised as there was little that Cayla didn't know about. Yet for her to be like this over a single Sigil made Alice curious about what the power was.

[Scarlet Wings, Demonic Descent – Anti Hunter]

Upon activation, the power of your blood will manifest as a pair of scarlet wings behind you. In this state, you are able to tap into power that is restricted by your output.

Once this skill is activated, the user will be placed on a timer as a rift will begin to form between the user and the world around them. The longer you sustain this power, the harder it becomes to anchor your being.

"Isn't this more of a restriction than a blessing?" Alice glanced at Cayla as the description of this skill was rather ominous.

The longer she uses her power the harder it becomes to anchor her being? And what does it mean by a rift between her and the world around her?

[Please finish reading the skill before you complain to me master otherwise I'll hit you.] Cayla sighed as Alice coughed and kept reading.

While the Scarlet Wings, Demonic Descent is activated, the user can use two sub skills. Crimson Immolation and Halo of Ruin.

Crimson Immolation: Enter a berserker state where all of your abilities are automatically raised to the next level. During this state, the timer will burn faster in exchange for unyielding power.

Halo of Ruin: While basking the Halo of Ruin, the enemy will continuously get their maximum energy capacity reduced until only 10% is left. Their capacity is transferred to you temporarily as a second container. The more you reduce, the more resistant you become to their attacks.

Folding her arms, Alice was still confused as to why it had such a large drawback if this was all it did.

Noticing her master's lack of understanding, Cayla couldn't help but sigh.

[Sometimes I wonder if you hit your head too hard. Master, think of it like this. What kind of skill lets you automatically upgrade all of your abilities?] Cayla pointed out.

"Isn't that no different from killing a stronger variant of the beast and taking their Sigils?" Alice blinked.

[. . . Yes and no. Then let me change the question master. If you kill a nine Sigil beast for their power, how would you upgrade it?]

"!!!" Widening her eyes, Alice was beginning to understand what Cayla was talking about.

This was an unconditional upgrade, one that allowed her to improve her skills even if it's at the threshold of what is possible for Abyss Lords.

[And if you are to take up Velouria's mantle as the Goddess of the Abyss, how will you get stronger from there?]

With this kind of understanding, it's no wonder that a rift will be created between the user and the world around them. This was practically breaking apart the rules of the world after all!

"Is it really that strong? How is this kind of thing in a Tenebris?" Alice asked with doubt.

What Cayla was suggesting was that a Sigil belonging to a six star beast was enough to transcend the limits of divinity!

[That's exactly why I'm saying I don't understand where it came from. Even though I'm sealed, I can still verify the truth using my prior knowledge. Yet everything I know about the Abyss and how the Sigils work is backing up this answer. It can indeed transcend the limits.] Cayla sighed.

[So it's up to you. I will tell you the consequences of using this ability though. When it speaks of a rift, it means banishment. After a certain point of using this ability, you'll become a stranger to the world. Once that happens, you'll be forced out from the surface or anything realm you're currently residing in. It's not temporary either, it's permanent.

[Every time you use this skill, you'll have to wait a prolonged period to 'reset' the damage or else you risk reaching the threshold. Then there's the case of Crimson Immolation which speeds things up. It's a powerful skill with an equally powerful drawback.] Cayla warned.

Folding her arms, Alice wondered if she should stick with her initial choice with the Crown of Eyes or risk it with this fourth Skill.

For the Crown of Eyes, there was also a risk but she knew what she was getting into. There's no doubt that cancelling a contract would cause the Abyss to be pissed while the second one not only had a dubious origin but also had the risk of banishing her from the realm.

[I'll leave the decision to you master.]

Nodding her head, Alice closed her eyes.

Allura had always taught her to think outside the box. If that was the case…

"Say, Cayla." Alice called out.

[Yes master?]

"What do you think would happen if my flames reached the next level? The purification part of it at least. One that burned away the powers of the Abyss."

Hearing this, Cayla understood what Alice wanted to verify.

[Depending on the combination of skills and Abilities along with the level up, I'm certain that you'll be able to find a solution. Though you'll still have to deal with the consequences of cancelling a contract.] Cayla smiled.

"Then there's no need to think anymore is there?" Alice chuckled.

"This Sigil, I'll take it. Scarlet Wings, Demonic Descent shall be my fifth."

Taking a step on the path, Alice immediately passed out as pain shot through her body. Crimson lines began to appear on her back as it slowly formed into a Sigil.

###

Blinking her eyes, Alice found herself staring at the white and grey sky while snow slowly drifted down.

Despite waking up, Alice couldn't feel the rest of her body or gain the strength to sit up. All she could tell was that she was currently lying down on a carriage.

"Ah, you're finally awake." A voice called out as Ragnar came into view.

". . .I swear you northerners like that greeting far too much. I've heard that so many times now every time I blacked out." Alice sighed but revealed a smile.

"It's a rather standard greeting so I don't see what's weird about it. But I have a lot to say to you, young lady." Ragnar shrugged before tapping her shoulder.

"!!!"

A jolt of pain shot through Alice's body as she wanted to move but couldn't.

"I'll save my questions as to how you released that kind of attack. But considering the damage done to your body, I'd say it's an adequate price." Ragnar pulled out a flask and took a drink while Alice began to drool.

However, Alice couldn't help but think that if he was to realise that this kind of attack could be released without a cost, what kind of reaction would he have? All of the abilities that went into this attack were basically her maximum output with all of her skills.

"Speaking of which, where are we?" Alice asked curiously.

She couldn't help but wonder if she was being taken to the front lines in order to help Torgeir as she had promised before.

Even though she'd gotten her fifth Sigil and Cayla's awake, she still needed a bit of time to recover after exerting herself.

Immediately heading into action was a little impossible.

"We're heading towards Esna, a town that's next up on the supply chain from the capital. We're not heading to the frontlines yet if that's what you're wondering. That Torgeir brat's too injured and our supplies are a mess." Ragnar explained.

"And the outpost?"

"Destroyed. The fact that we kept our lives is a miracle." Ragnar signed recalling the might of the red haired woman.

Even if he was at his peak, he doubted he could injure her.

"What do you mean? I thought most of the beasts were killed and the fissure was closed?" Alice blinked her eyes.

[He means Tiamat master.]

*COUGH!!!!

Upon hearing Tiamat's name, Alice coughed in shock as she didn't think the dragon lady would actually escape Terminus.

'The f*ck do you mean Tiamat??? I thought nothing else came out!' Alice's smile twitched.

'We wanted to warn you but you f*cking passed out right as she arrived. Thankfully she didn't seem THAT hostile so we're alive.' Alyss yawned.

Seeing their nonchalance, Alice felt like she wanted to pull her hair out.

This was Tiamat of all people of course they should be worried. But instead of worrying, they're treating it like it's just a walk in the park.

'What else do you want us to do? If you pass out it's not like I can take over your body and get us to safety. Regardless of what Tiamat would've chosen, we wouldn't have been able to do anything.' Alyss shrugged.

'Now don't disturb me, I'm gonna sleep some more.'

Turning over, she wrapped the blanket around herself while Cayla was silent.

She knew that Alyss was bitter over that since she couldn't help them run even if she wanted to. The overwhelming sense of powerlessness that comes with not even being able to fight back no matter how much she wanted to.

Scratching her cheek, Alice wondered what to do while Cayla simply shrugged and shook her head.

Taking this as a note to leave them be for now, Alice focused back on reality.

"Did you hit your head too hard?" Ragnar asked.

"Rude."

"Look who's talking? Ask me a question then you begin to randomly make faces while ignoring everything I'm saying." Ragnar flicked Alice on the shoulder again causing her to tense up.

"And Selen? How is she?"

"Safe. Both Selen and muscle lad with her are fine even though they were pretty close to the blast. Though… No never mind. Just focus on recovery for now." Ragnar shook his head.

Taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh, Alice looked up at the sky. She was just glad that Selen was safe after she released the attack.