
The air thickened, pressing against his chest.
The calm he had felt earlier was gone, replaced by a suffocating fear. It clawed at his mind, overwhelming his senses as he gazed upon the being.
"Little friend, be not afeared," the creature spoke, its voice a haunting melody that resonated in his very soul. "I mean thee no harm."
The being's words did little to ease his trembling. Yet its tone was neither cruel nor mocking—it carried an unsettling calm.
"My name is Ith'kal, and by many titles am I known: The Formless Death, or The Endless Mist of Woe and Ruin."
He remained silent, his voice caught in his throat. The oppressive fear that had gripped him moments ago ebbed away, replaced by an almost unnatural serenity.
"…Hello," he finally managed, his voice soft and uncertain.
Ith'kal's tendrils of shadow curled and twisted, as though amused by his response. The glowing eyes that dotted its void-like form blinked in slow unison, their pale light casting a faint glow on the shifting chaos surrounding them.
"Thou art bold to speak, mortal-born," Ith'kal mused. "Many who stand before mine countenance crumble in silence, their will undone. Yet thou remaineth."
His mind raced, trying to process Ith'kal's words. Though the creature's presence was immense, he couldn't feel the same terror he once did. Was it the nature of this realm? Or had Ith'kal done something to him?
"Why am I here?" he asked, his voice steadier than he expected.
Ith'kal tilted its amorphous form, as though contemplating the question.
"Thou art here by chance—or perhaps by one of many possibilities"
"That doesn't explain anything," he replied, frowning. "What do you want from me?"
A low, rumbling chuckle emanated from Ith'kal, like the whisper of winds through a cavern.
"Want? Nay, little one, I desire naught from thee. I am but a sentinel, a keeper of the gates thou hast crossed unbidden."
"If you're a keeper, then why are you speaking to me? Aren't you supposed to... stop me or something?"
"Thou makest a jest most curious," Ith'kal said, its voice almost amused. "I stop not those who wander, lest they seek to undo the threads of existence. Thou art naught but a guest, and I, a host unwilling yet bound by custom."
"Custom?" he echoed, puzzled.
Ith'kal's form shifted closer, the shadows enveloping him without malice, as though studying him.
"Aye. The custom of the Threshold demands I offer thee counsel. But beware, little one—tarry too long, and thou shalt attract the gaze of those who heed not such niceties. Outer gods care not for pleasantries."
A shiver ran through him at the warning, and he asked, "Then how do I leave this place?"
"I can send thee out, but at a cost," Ith'kal replied, its voice deep and resonant, reverberating through the space.
"If thou agreest to let me live in thy shadow, I shall send thee forth," Ith'kal continued.
"Live in my shadow?" he repeated, confused.
"Yea," Ith'kal said. "I wish to experience beyond this realm."
"Ohh," he muttered, understanding slowly. "Okay, I mean, what choice do I have?"
Ith'kal's form seemed to ripple, its presence growing heavier as it regarded him. "None, little one. But thy willingness to accept this pact is a sign of thy strength, or perhaps thy desperation. Fear not, for the shadows shall guide thee through the veil."
In an instant, the space around him warped, swirling like ink in water.
The abyss twisted and contorted, and he felt himself being pulled apart.
The sensation of falling enveloped him. A blinding light pierced through the darkness, and he felt a jolt, like the snap of a taut string.
Then, silence.
He blinked against the brightness, his surroundings slowly coming into focus.
As his vision cleared, he found himself floating in the vastness of space.
[Congratulations on returning from the Abyssal Threshold. You are the first to emerge from that realm, earning the title: "First."]
[Congratulations on forming a pact with an Outer God, earning the title: "Enemy of the World."]
"you're active again?" he thought, relief washing over him.
[Affirmative.]
"Why did you fall silent when that Outer God appeared?" he asked, still trying to comprehend the enormity of what had just happened.
[The Outer Gods are powerful beings outside of reality. There was a chance they might detect the presence of mine.]
"Oh, so you were also scared," he said, a hint of amusement breaking through his tension.
[<Ignore>]
[You seem to have accepted your situation. I thought you might still be crying about it..]
"..What do you mean by cry about it what else am i supposed to do rather than acccpeting and going with the flow.."
As he hovered in the void, he noticed the two notifications in front of him. "what do these titles mean?".
[Title: First – Bestowed upon the first individual to successfully return from the Abyssal Threshold.
Effect: This title grants you the gift of Rebirth; no matter how you may die, you shall be granted another chance at life.]
"An extra life," he mused, but his face turned pale as he looked at the next notification.
"? What do you mean by 'Enemy of the World'?"
[Any interaction with Outer Gods is a serious taboo and is unforgivable. Every constellation and being will become your enemy if you reveal the pact with an Outer God.
Warning: It is advised to hide any knowledge related to Outer Gods and refrain from discussing your connection to them with anyone.]
He swallowed hard.
"Great, just what I needed—an extra life with a side of universal hostility," he muttered.
"What should I do now?"
[Reassessing environment... Initiating survival protocol. You must find a safe location]
_____________________________
[Displaying Status Panel...]
[Status Panel]
Name:
Constellation Title: Keeper of Unseen Chains
Titles: First, Enemy of the World
Authorities:
Authority of Absolute Nullification: Nullify anything—physical, magical, even abstract concepts like emotions.
Authority of Unseen Chains: Summon and control unseen chains that bind both the body and mind of any target, even concepts.
_____________________________
He looked at the name section, which was blank.
"What… why can't I remember my name? What about the name I had in my past life? Why is it gone?"
[Constellations don't have inherent names; they're given by those who acknowledge them. and you can't remember your past name because this life is now your reality—your past no longer matters.]
"So, I need followers to earn a name?"
[Correct. It could be a follower, or anyone whose recognition you accept as valid.]
[...]
[Where would you like to go? Three nearby options are available:
- Lifeless Planet
- Deserted Moon
- Lonely Misty Forest Planet]
He scanned the options, unimpressed. A lifeless planet, a deserted moon, and a lonely misty forest—all sounded equally bleak.
He stared at the void a moment longer, hoping for some better option to appear. Of course, nothing did. With a sigh, he finally spoke.
"Lifeless Planet? That would probably just be some barren rock, I don't know."
"Same with Deserted Moon," he muttered, his gaze moving from one option to the next, each one as empty as the last. "No real appeal there."
His eyes lingered on the last option: Lonely Misty Forest Planet. It stood out not because it seemed better, but because it at least offered something different—something less harsh and devoid of life.
"Lastly... Lonely Misty Forest Planet," he mused aloud, his fingers hovering over the choice. "Hmm... Forest. I'd rather pick this one. I mean, I take forest as wood forest—trees, life, and all that. Better than living in some barren wasteland or deserted moon with nothing but emptiness around."
At least with a forest, there might be something to work with. Wood, life, oxygen—things he could understand. A barren planet or a lifeless moon? That sounded like pure isolation.
"Fine," he said, giving in to the silence around him. "I'll take the misty forest planet. Not like any of these places will be a paradise, but at least it's got... something. Maybe it'll be the kind of place where I can get a feel for the world, you know? I'll take my chances."
He tapped the option, and immediately the void around him seemed to dissolve.
[Confirmed. Transporting to the Lonely Misty Forest Planet...]
The space around him began to shift. The endless void blurred and twisted, pulling him into a swirling vortex of light.
Tftc!
Oh new chaps