CHAPTER 85: THE FALL OF A FROZEN WORLD(20)

[Relics]

—[Hair extension][Cloak of Dread][VoidPiercer Wound (Replica)][Card of The Beginning][Card of Harmony][Card of Repetition][Card of Unbreakable Will][Card of Chaos][Card of Justice][Card of Fortune][Card of Infinity]

...

"This is getting long."

After looking at the story of a card, they didn’t disappear, which wasn’t bad, since he could relive the memories again, but it also meant that they would start stacking, and making the list of relics longer, with relics that he wouldn’t use after Frozen Crown.

He will have to destroy them after he escapes, which would have been a hassle, but at the same time, he couldn’t just keep them.

But before continuing, or doing anything else. He first had to check something out.

In his hand, a card appeared, and eight, with no suit for whatever reason.

Mors’s last words were unexpected, and he had no idea what he meant.

"I don’t even have a brother, or at least as far as I know I don’t."

And if he did have one, why would he ever want to kill him? It didn’t make any sense.

To learn the truth, this was one option.

He took a deep breath, crushing the card in his hand.

...

...

"Mors, tomorrow is your awakening, make us proud."

He nodded to his father as he headed to his room, ready to see what fate had in store for him. And it was probably going to be something great.

He was the eldest son in his branch of the Thusia family, and many praised him everywhere he went, so he didn’t want to disappoint them by gaining a weak affinity. An elder brother must be strong so that he can protect his family.

Tomorrow was a big day, and he couldn’t contain his emotions. But at the same time, he knew that he should get some rest, as he had to fight as always. Like any of his siblings. It was true that soon he would be sent to serve someone, but until that happened, it was still the same routine he was used to.

He slowly fell asleep, finding himself in a white room, where he saw a reflection of himself.

This was an awakening. Or one of the ways. He knew that some awakened earlier than the normal age, but those awakenings are abnormal, and those who get through them are weaker than others. They can’t even use abilities.

But what he knew was that those who awakened another way don’t see this part of an awakening. He pitied them.

Walking closer to himself, he felt something start flowing from his chest. If he was correct, this was his essence. It was exhilarating. He started to move his arm, the reflection following his every action as their hands touch.

...

[You have awakened, congratulations, Reader Mors]

...

Mors was awakened by a slight pain. When he opened his eyes, he saw his younger brother on top of him. Hitting his chest so he would wake up, he was probably impatient to see what affinity his brother got.

Mors laughed, taking his brother off of him, and getting up.

"You’re only four and you’re already a nuisance, you know that, right,

Elpis"

The boy laughed, scratching the back of his head.

"You should be preparing to start fighting like I’m doing. But whatever, let’s take a look, shall we?"

...

***

[Character Codex: Sync Stable]

Name: Mors Thusia

Age: 10

Race: Human

Affiliation: Commoner

[Path]: ---------------------

Knowledge Rank — [Fragment]

0/1000 knowledge shard

Codex Class — [Reader]

Sync Rate: 1%

Affinity —[Lullaby]

Sound is clarity, and such, to a noble heart who wishes the truth, it sings with happiness.

[Affinity Bane]: —Curse of Ariel—

[Skills / Abilities]

Note Abilities— ---------------------

Skills—---------------------

[Relics]

---------------------

***

This day, that he so wished to come, turned out to be his very same downfall. His affinity had turned out to be weak, as it only allowed him to control the sound of his voice. On paper, it allowed him to make it so he could raise it, and deepened it as much as he wanted. But, due to his bane, which made his voice cursed, it more came like the scream of a dying animal, as much as he tried to change how it sounded.

So in the end, he was as weak as he was before.

Nothing was the same since that day; people stopped complimenting him, and the insults started to come. Many made fun of him, mocking his potential, as he was also given away to a lowly noble, where he started to wither, as instead of protecting the man he was given to, he was more of a servant than anything.

There wasn’t anyone who wanted to hurt him, because no one even knew him.

He had spent six years there, his mind slowly decaying.

It also didn’t help hearing the news of Elpis’s awakening. That kid turned out to have a great affinity, one with great potential, and so, he now serves as a great noble, alongside people well known in the Thusia family.

He envied him; he didn’t want to, but he did.

The older brother was supposed to be the strongest, so why was he so weak?

...

Not long after, the moment that flipped the world around came. No one had expected the world to end this way. To be frozen in time, but it happened, and not only that, many monsters started to appear.

And sadly for him, they were strong, and he couldn’t protect the noble he was assigned to, which brought great shame upon him. And also left him on the streets all alone, as no one else would take him in this new world.

And with news of his brother’s recruitment to the army, he couldn’t feel more down than ever. He hoped for a change, but it never seemed to change.

"Hey, do you know in which direction the capital is?"

Mors raised his head, surprised to be approached by someone. It was a boy, quite young by his appearance, probably around the age of his younger brother, maybe a little younger. He had a pair of blue eyes that were like a calm sea. And upon that sea, the sun shone. His blonde hair looked perfectly crafted and very captivating.

But what attracted the most attention was the mask he carried around. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it reminded him of those clowns who make up at the birthdays of the nobles’ children. A Fool, was that what they were called?

"I do, you have to go straight, between these houses, and then take a right which will lead you to a road that will take you right to it."

The boy nodded, with a bright smile on his face. He extended his hand.

Mors was surprised and confused by this action, but he decided that it was harmless, so he shook his hand.

...

[You have gained a Path]

...

Mors stared at the screen for some time, unsure what to think. But when he looked back at the figure, it was already gone, like nothing had happened.

Who was he, and how had he gained a path?

Paths are normally given to those who ascend to Seekers, so how did he, as a Reader, get one?

...

He didn’t care how it had happened. What he did know was that this was his chance to become the person he was meant to become from the day he was born.

...

...

"Damn it, why does my head have to hurt every time I do this?"

Aether cursed under his breath, as after reliving those memories, a terrible pain started to come from his head, as if someone was throwing knives at his skull. It was still bearable, but very annoying.

But it was worth it, or at least he thought it was, as he hadn’t gotten the answers to his question about what he was trying to say. He did get some information about who Mors was and his relationship with Elpis.

"I can’t get used to seeing myself in these memories."

He had been there in every single one, to do the same thing, to give the Children of Praise their path. He also noticed how they weren’t in order; some got it after time froze, some before.

Which made him wonder, how did his past self know that the world was going to be frozen? And more importantly, who was he?

He knew that he was the first and now last Vessel of Praise, but why did he have such a power as granting paths to others? It didn’t make sense.

How did he even choose who to give them to? Why did he only choose those in hard times? Were there some requirements to become Praise’s vessel?

It was becoming annoying. Why did the most mysterious person of Frozen Crown have to be himself? Couldn’t he have taken someone else’s place in the story? That way, it would have been easy to learn his true nature.

He needed to get his mind off everything.

And how else than to take a stroll through the Ring.

The people here were very welcoming.