Whether time was passing or not was questionable. Damien felt every second of every day, but at the same time, he felt stuck in the past, as if he hadn't moved since the first second he entered the Abyss.
His days were monotonous.
He never deviated from the same activities, studying ancient civilizations, comprehending fragments of destroyed universes, massacring Nox, and trying his best to move towards his end goal.
The closer he got to Al'Katra, the further he felt.
His separation from the known universe became palpable at some point, and every step he took in the opposite direction weighed down on his heart.
Yet, he remained strong.
He pushed down the loneliness and didn't allow it to plague his mind. Once again, he focused his energy on accomplishing task after task to unveil a multitude of truths.
Though, his patience training was extremely useful.
At a time like this especially, patience was more important than anything.
If he didn't have it, there was no way he could remain in good condition by the time he reached his destination. He might've been forced to use the Mind Prison and close himself off again, which, in the long run, would only inhibit his growth.
Damien's life was boring. It was hilarious to imagine his life as something without flavor, but that's how it felt now.
But he was more aware than anyone that this was the calm before the storm. He never let himself get dragged too far into the depths by the Abyss.
He would never allow it to have its way.
On another normal day of nothingness, Damien suddenly spotted something in the distance.
'That is…'
He moved towards it and landed on the small piece of rock.
"I didn't expect to see you again," he said with a smile.
"Ah? But I have been expecting you ever since our first meeting."
The old man opened his eyes and glanced at Damien with a calm expression, inviting him to sit down.
"Your advice last time was really helpful. I didn't expect my problems to be so simple at their core."
Damien started by thanking the old man for his aid. The shackles that continued to loosen were proof enough of the impact those simple words had on him, and the only way he knew to repay that gratitude was this.
"Try this out. This is No. 106: Returning To Simplicity. I didn't really know how to name it, so I decided to go literal."
Damien poured two cups of spirit liquor as he did during his previous visit and allowed the old man to slowly savor the taste.
"Mm…" he hummed.
"It is indeed a level above the previous Heaven's Blessing, however, it seems you still have a ways to go."
"That's natural," Damien replied without much change in expression.
"I'm still lacking in many ways, but don't I have a way forward now? It's only a matter of time before I get there."
"Haha, this is the mindset of a true expert. It is a miracle to reach such maturity at your age."
"My age? In my opinion, I'm quite old now."
The old man shook his head in rejection.
"By my standards, you are no more than a baby. Time flows infinitely, so how can a mere few decades be enough to mature into your fullest potential?"
"Where I come from, people didn't have more than a few decades to do so. We struggled and fought every day, but in the end, who knows how many truly found solace in their old age? Life is an endless journey of learning, after all."
"In this aspect, I can agree wholeheartedly."
The duo sunk into silence for a moment as they savored the spirit liquor they shared, staring out into the swirling blackness.
"Why have you come to visit me this time?" The old man finally asked.
"I came to visit you? The way I see it, you showed up on your own accord."
"Haha, however, I do not make any moves actively. If you do not desire my presence, you will never feel it in your lifetime."
"Hmm…"
Damien shrugged. It was true he wanted to see the old man again, but there was no particular goal behind his actions.
He was just in need of company during his lonely journey, and this old man's knowledgeable character made him a great conversation partner.
The old man smiled, seemingly understanding his thoughts.
"It is indeed the bleakest environment in this lower world, but you are not far from what you seek. You must stay strong."
Damien rolled his eyes.
"I'm already aware of that. My mentality hasn't wavered yet, so you don't have to worry."
"Haha, then I will rest assured."
The old man glanced into his cup, his expression motionless.
"Since you are here, there is something I want to give you."
Damien raised his brow.
"And what would that be?"
"Hmm, well, that is for you to decide. It is inside the abode, so feel free to check it when you wish."
"Are you in the mood for conversation?"
"I will naturally entertain you if you have questions, but haven't I already said? There is nothing I do actively."
"I see…"
Damien furrowed his brows in thought. This mysterious old man seemed to know everything, so there were certainly questions he wanted to ask.
About the Nox, about himself, and about existence as a whole, Damien had far too many questions he needed answered.
'But I don't want them like this.'
Those questions had to be answered through his own effort, otherwise, the truths they masked would lose all meaning.
"Old man, I'll go check it out. Don't disappear before I come back."
"Haha, are you aggrieved? Unfortunately, I cannot make promises, as my movements are not under my control."
"Haa, this again."
Damien didn't question further. After all, the old man must've had his own secrets, and they weren't nearly familiar enough for those to be revealed so easily.
Instead, he opened the door to the shack and entered. There was no furniture within, the walls and floor clean yet untouched for eons.
The only thing in that place was…
"...a woman?"
Damien raised his brow in curiosity as he approached her.
The woman was unconscious on the floor of the shack and unmoving as if her body had no life, but Damien could sense the clear fluctuations of vitality emanating from her.
'There's no way he would randomly give me a woman and call her a gift. That's too strange even for him.'
He kneeled down beside her and observed her appearance.
She had long blonde hair that spread over the floor like waves of sunlight and beautiful fair skin. Her body was quite bountiful, but Damien didn't pay much attention to it.
Instead, her pointy ears, something he'd rarely seen in the universe for a long time, attracted his gaze.
'This…an elf?'
Why was there an elf in the Abyss?
'Let's find out.'
He pressed his finger to her forehead, noting her lack of movement even when he inserted his mana into her body.
Void Mana infiltrated her mind and made her memories clear to him.
Destruction.
Damien widened his eyes.
'This place is…'
Massive starships and cruisers filled the starry sky, shooting cannons that could directly destroy worlds. People died left and right, and no matter how much they fought, they were unable to fend off the invading forces.
"People of Aurora, hear me. Your trial begins now. For daring to rebel against the will of the Lords, your punishment is death."
A booming voice rang out from above.
The sky was blotted out by the star destroyer's shadow.
Everything was being rushed.
"M-mother! What are you doing?!"
The elf's confusion was clear in her mind. She could not rationalize what was happening as her mother inserted several coordinates into a panel on a nondescript wall.
She tried to cry out. She tried to scream.
However…
VOOM!
Bright blue light covered her vision.
"Mother!"
She reached her arm out, but she could only see her mother's back.
And they could no longer hear her.
Spatial fluctuations ran rampant, and as the scenery began to change…
Everything went black.
It was black from that point on.
Damien exited the elven woman's memories with eyes wide in shock.
'That…that scene was…'
He hadn't seen it personally, but it was a topic of fierce debate.
In his time, it had been almost two decades since then.
Damien looked down at the woman with solemn eyes.
The old man…what was his purpose in giving this woman to him?
He didn't know her, but he could understand her identity easily from those few memories.
She was royalty.
And that…
'That was the Elven Domain. Just moments before it was obliterated.'
