Ascension: Cursed Blood-Chapter 42: Corrupted Oath

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The Stellar Fortress was a great structure with a complex design, combining military squares, ceremonial halls, training units, and training grounds for anyone to use, not to mention something as basic as rooms or dining halls.

One such hall now housed all one hundred new Keepers.

The elongated tables were covered with various food and drinks, allowing the young men to relax and enjoy their new status.

For some it was critical, for there were a number of people here who had only recently returned from the Astral Dimension like Kain.

Kain looked around. Suspicion was evident in his gaze.

'No, this certainly can't be an accident. Lurra must have seated us like this on purpose. Or... Did Zoran do it?'

Sylvia was sitting on the very corner to his left, and on his right was the cheerful guy from Orlion Tower - Josh. His golden eyes contrasted strongly with Vetra's silver ones - a girl with a cold stare.

At the end, directly across from Kain sat Morbia.

"Hey, what do you think of the expedition?" Josh whispered, afraid his words would attract too much attention.

Sylvia made an arrogant look. "Pffft! Do you think you'll be taken? Mr. Zoran said that they would depart in five days. Obviously, they'll do a selection process. There won't be many places for the newcomer."

"And? I'm sure I can impress them! I have a cool ability, you'll see!"

"Hmm?" Verta glanced at him. "Didn't you collapse to the ground when the fortress head released its aura?"

Josh's expression stiffened.

"But...! I just wasn't ready for it."

Sylvia looked at Morbia with a smirk. "What about you, loser?"

Silence.

There was no reply even after Sylvia's endless attempts to hurt her. Moreover, it seemed Verta as well as Kain realized that Morbia wasn't chasing victory.

That was how their dinner ended, with no announcements or incidents.

Even if there were disagreements, no one dared start a riot on the first day, especially under Zoran's gaze, who sat at the head table sharing the evening with them.

Then, all the young men were released. Each received a key with their room number from their caretaker. For Kain it was Lurra and Nr. 9.

Step. Step. Step.

Kain walked across the bridge overhanging between the blocks, the part where he could travel freely.

Despite the looming moon and the mysterious abyss, Kain's attention was drawn to the training area.

Dozens of military men in blue uniforms were doing their evening practice. One part was doing push-ups while the other part was sparring under the commander's guidance.

'The military... I never thought about it, but what do they do? Can they fight against monsters? Although...' Kain recalled the incident in the village. 'If the monster is the weakest, then it's quite possible.'

For a while, Kain watched as the commander fought. He did not take his gaze away, trying to discern his every movement and make comparisons.

For a moment, a red gleam ran across his green eyes - another, more skillful silhouette overlapped with the commander.

Disappointment reflected on his face.

"No, that's not it..." Kain muttered.

His eyes returned to normal.

"Agh? What was that just now?" he blinked, puzzled.

Then, Kain turned around, for some reason, he knew where to look.

A silhouette in the distance awaited him, though he was unaware of his impending arrival.

Streams of inhospitable wind ran from the chasm, trying to chase away the girl standing at the very edge. Unbeknownst to her, where her white robe was, she once again wore black robes.

A slight rustle behind made Morbia turn around. Her ruby eyes shone like blood crystals in the darkness.

"What are you doing here?" she growled. "I've already told you everything. Go away."

Kain said nothing, instead, he stepped toward her, close enough to drop her straight into the abyss with a single push.

"Why? It's not just about the Ascension Rune, is it?"

"Pffft, asking you the same thing twice won't change my answer."

"Yeah..." Kain sighed. "But I've had time to think about your last answer. You were glad you could save me. It wasn't about me specifically, you were relieved for your life."

For the first time, a crack appeared in Morbia's cold expression. She quickly tried to hide it.

"I just wanted to finally get out of the Astral Dimension! You just became my opportunity to do it. If it wasn't for you, I would have just waited for the next person my runes would react to. Unlike you, I would have had no trouble surviving even years in there!"

Kain glared serenely at her.

"Another lie... The Ascension Rune has no time limit, that much I know for sure. Still, you were in a hurry. You did it at the first opportunity. So your time was limited. Wasn't it?"

Step.

He stepped closer.

"I want to know if I should throw curses at you as you promised me or just say thank you since everything I said above is bullshit."

Eventually, Morbia gave in.

"Tsk. Fine, I'll show you."

She pulled at her sleeve, revealing her wrist, where there was nothing.

Morbia clenched her fist as the runes came together at one point revealing the mark - a sharp shield, at the base were five lines, one horizontal and the other in a 'Y' shape. The lines were dots, intersecting in the center with sharp edges running around the corners.

"You're not the only one who came to the Astral Dimension with unusual conditions. I, too, had an active Rune Brand, and it caused quite a few problems. That mark appeared in my first few seconds, burned into my skin with hellish pain, and disappeared. Twenty days later, the Corrupted Oath, my mark, reappeared.

"I couldn't figure out why. At first, I was excited thinking I would soon find the Ascension Rune, but... all I got was a countdown to my death. In short, I only had ten days to fulfill one simple requirement-"

Kain interrupted her, he knew the answer.

"You had to save the most unfortunate soul, and that was me. Thus, I became the key to your power, I was your condition."

Morbia shrugged.

"Kind of. Ask no more, what I told you, and you go beyond the line. Moreover, I did not deceive you that day." Her eyes turned cold. "I used you, and I have no regrets."

Kain shrugged. "Well, it's not like you had a choice, right?"

"So..."

Morbia lingered.

"What do you want? I doubt after everything you've heard you'll just walk away."

"Yeah, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you. Consider it the price for me giving you your Ascension Rune."

She rolled her eyes.

"Go ahead."

Kain waved his hand, pointing to the Stellar Fortress.

"I want you to train me. All of the next five days until the expedition. That's all."