Threads of the Soul

Chapter 485 - 485: The Wall

Looking over it, it was hard to say whether the existence of this wall was intentional. The pathway definitely was, as despite all the complex and wonderful things that evolution could create a stone pathway with little walls was not one of them. Actually... At this point he wouldn't be surprised if it somehow could, but it wasn't the case here.If it was intentional, then someone had built it after the fact in an attempt to block passage to whatever dwelled behind it. But if that was the case, then why not use the same material as the pathway?

No, it seemed more likely that the two were unconnected, but the materials of the pathway were used with this type of outcome in mind. Something had created the pathway, then something else - most likely a Void Beast on the verge of death - came along later and created the Void Crystal.

The only question was, in that scenario who had built the path and where did it originally lead? Not to mention, what had attracted the Void Beast?

The first question was obvious. Prometheus was the only person he could think of that would have the means, motive and time to create such a thing hundreds of thousands of years ago.

As for what dwelled behind, they would only find that out by getting through to the other side, and that's where his little demolition expert came in.

As if on cue, as soon as Seth turned to Woe, the boys stomach churned loudly and unpleasantly. Woe's face was completely green and he looked ready to puke at any moment.

Whilst the suffocating level of ambient mana was deeply uncomfortable for the rest of them, it was even worse for Woe. Like he was surrounded by a mountain of food that was constantly being shovelled down his gullet without end.

He had retracted his aura as much as he possibly could, but even just the mana coming into contact with his skin was being eagerly drank in by his body, even if it couldn't handle it.

As soon as Seth saw his brothers condition, his determined expression softened and he let out a gentle sigh, before smiling reassuringly.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." He said in a kind tone, almost knowing Woe's thoughts without him saying anything, "We will find out another way to get through this. Even if it means we come down here with basic pickaxes and chisel it away one millimetre at a time."

He placed a hand on Woe's shoulder, but the boy quickly shrugged it off and pushed past him. Storming over to the wall, he paused to heave up a mouthful of mint blue puke, before turning back.

"I can do it." He said with a strained tone, wiping his mouth of the puke and stopping himself from taking another round of it. His eyes turned to Ava as he continued with a determined glare,

"I just need some help managing the input."

Ava gave Woe a stern and concern look, to which he returned a stubborn glare. The three observers glanced between the twins as they made countless different stares, glares and looks as they had their silent argument, before Ava eventually sighed.

"Fine. Fine! Just hurry up, this place is creepy." Ava said with an irritated groan as she stormed over to Woe, who was already turning to face the dreaded wall. He placed his hands onto it, while Ava rested hers on his shoulders, before the two closed their eyes and concentrated.

Woe's arms pulsed and undulated with waves of energy as he rapidly began to drain the crystals of everything they had stored, which was much more than he expected. But just as quickly as the energy was poured into his body, it was forced out of him. It flowed in through his hands, up his arms and out through his shoulders.

A light rapidly built up around Ava, as her regular soft, radiant glow quickly became blinding. Her dewy, porcelain skin became pure white as it radiated a light that only kept building.

Seth had to cover his eyes, as they started to literally sizzle in their sockets just from gazing at the light that could rival the sun, yet as quickly as the pain came it vanished. The light that burned his eyes also carried with it a pure, healing energy that turned his pain into comfort.

His eyes rapidly healed any damage they had sustained, his body was relieved of any exhaustion or stress that was plaguing it. The light grew so bright that, even at the top of the miles long tunnel they had slid down, someone would be able to see the light as if its source was standing right in front of them.

Even his fractured soul benefited from the light. Not just repairing tiny, insignificant injuries left over from its abuse, but strengthening it. The benefits cascaded through him, connecting with Corvus and Scar, who themselves felt their power levels rapidly growing, with the pair acting as relays to everything they were connected to.

For years to come, the portion of the mines above this tunnel and the surrounding areas, would become a gold mine. Any ore lucky enough to bathe in Ava's radiance not only grew, as if they were alive, but refined themselves and underwent small, beneficial mutations. Even the dirt itself was improved, making it more rich and able to hold more nutrients that would promote plant growth.

The only thing that fled from the light was Hollows, who saw it not as a gift from heaven but the flames of hell. Any that succumbed to the lights healing touch, were instantly reduced to ash.

The countless minute evolution's were just like in the very beginning of it all, when the first words uttered by the system ended the world. But unlike then, when everyone was overcome by pain, Ava's light was peaceful and comforting, and had no possibility of aberration. It was not increasing them, pushing them forwards to something new. It was only refining what already existed and pushing it towards a pinnacle of perfection.

Everything that the light touched was only ever improved and made better, as it used not just the pure energy that Ava naturally produced, but refined and projected everything that Woe was absorbing.

When the radiant and divine light finally subsided, the twins wobbled unsteadily on their feet for a few seconds, before falling in sync. Seth quickly caught them with his threads, lifting them from the path and bringing them back over to him where they could rest in peace.

After a few seconds of stillness, a single crack appeared on the wall. Then another, and another. Cracks cascaded along the wall in a single second, snaking their way up the tendrils that filled the tunnel.

Then, all at once, all of the Void Crystal that was attached to this singular source turned to dust.