Blade of Ruin

Arthur thought for a few seconds before looking back to the silver saint. He certainly had many more questions, but he didn't want to get too much more into it.

"But...if the concept of light still lingers in the mortal realm, so...doesn't that mean she does too?"

Ajax stared at him for a few moments in silence. His expression blank under the silver war mask. He stood up and walked towards Arthur.

"No. It's impossible. And I can tell you the reason. As you already know the shadow colossus you saw. Is indeed Thanatos, or at least part of him, the god of darknesses soul, and I also told you that the goddess of light died right next to him. Her corpse, body and soul, still exist here in the abyss. But at the same time they don't. She still maintains a presence here, even in her obliterated state. I've seen into your core already, I can see the runes of the dragons woven into it. Heralds are meant to use any kind of anything so it makes sense..."

'There it is...that damned word again...Thanato's soul called me that first...and now him? And he mentioned of the herald of the stars as well...whatever I'll ask later.'

"You can tell?"

"Yes. It's quite easy when you're at the level of perception I am. Although, I would be wary of the two powers you're trying to grasp. I can see you already have a base mastery of the white flame. But I'd recommend stopping to seek the black flame this instant. Although it is...incredibly powerful, there is a reason why Thanatos was the only one able to bear it, as it directly damages the cores and souls of the user. Making it so mortals are unable to use it. And besides, it won't just agree to using you. It bears sentience."

'It's as I thought then...back then when I tried to understand the full rune it simply collapsed on itself and refused fall under me.'

"Yes...I figured that out already."

"Good then. The white flame of my goddess is much more versatile either way. It can reinforce, heal, and destroy. Although I'd stay away from relying on it, it also bears some sentience. And will try to devour the weak willed. I certainly hope you aren't one of them. I can also see you've managed to...grasp time. I'm not going to ask about that. And I'm also not going to ask on how you are marked as a calamity, and an Oathbreaker at that. At such a young age! You're truly odd."

"Uh, I guess it was just a matter of chance...heh..."

The war saint lifted Arthur onto his feet and put his hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"You may stay here for the night. But you must leave in the morning. I will open a dimensional fracture back to the mortal realm. It's too dangerous for you to be here. You're out of your depth. Child."

Arthur simply nodded. He wasn't exactly eager about what the rest of the abyss has in store for him. He had already realized something odd about this world. It is not identical to Arcadia. It is only the same in shape. But every event is different, especially in the abyss. He's not sure about the mortal realm, but the saint of war didn't even exist, or at least never showed up. And never did the colossus, or the twin gods of light and dark. They simply never existed in the games lore.

Arthur was settled into an awkward yet extremely comfortable room. The rooms layout was a bit interesting. There was no separation between the washroom and the bed. But the plumbing there was surprisingly good. They even seemed to have modern age toilets. He was extremely exhausted, but still pushed himself into mastering the rune for lightning into his library of memories. He woke up early in the morning. He obviously couldn't tell all that well. But the dull star was just barely peaking over the water that he could see out of the glass window. He got out of the bed and grabbed his bag and sword before making an early exit.

Although once he exited he was met with the war saint once again. His helmet was removed. Revealing an extremely handsome face, in fact it wasn't just handsome, it was beautiful, superior to most noble women in the mortal realm. Long white hair and golden eyes, Ajax stares solemnly at the sky.

"Ah. There you are. Child. I can feel something foreboding approaching. So we must act quickly."

Ajax used his white lance and attempting to slash downwards at thin air. But unfortunately, his omen of foreboding had come true. A shadowy arm came descending from the sky and fell onto Ajax, although he wouldn't be caught that easily, and Ajax swiftly dashed out of the way before Thanatos could grasp him.

"Thanatos! Long time no see! I didn't think a poor wandering soul would show his face around here."

Ajax grinned as the shadow collosus's whole body descending from the sky, Thanato's voice booming through the sky.

"Such foolishness..."