Chapter 106 - 103: The Ebony Blade

Chapter 106: Chapter 103: The Ebony Blade

The Ebony Blade First Person POV:

In the bleak, endless void, before the birth of stars, before even the first whisper of light, there existed only a boundless darkness, and within it reigned a solitary force: Knull, the primordial being of shadow.

He was darkness incarnate, a presence that embodied pure malice and a hunger to wield the nothingness as his dominion.

What little I know of him is etched deep within my essence, an awareness of his ancient, malevolent spirit, a shadow so powerful it could shroud existence itself.

Long before I became the Ebony Blade, I was known as the Starstone.

Forged at the very moment of the Big Bang, from the remnants of a universe that had already faded into oblivion, I emerged as the Starstone, an artifact of profound power, created to counterbalance the forces that would one day tilt the cosmic order and in this case, Knull.

But although counterating Knull was the object of my birth, my purpose was neither simple nor singular.

I existed to resist the evil that would seek to corrupt existence and to temper the unchecked ambitions of light that might attempt to banish all shadow.

I was the fulcrum, destined to ensure that neither darkness nor light alone would conquer the vast, intricate tapestry of the universe.

The universe was destined to be a place of imbalance, a realm of light and darkness, and I was one of the rare creations meant to tip the scales when evil or good sought to consume all.

For countless eons, I drifted in the cosmic seas, untouched, a fragment of ancient purpose bound to no one.

Then, a guiding force drew me into Earth's gravitational embrace, where I lay hidden until I was discovered by Merlin, the half-demon sorcerer.

Merlin, with his ancient, arcane wisdom, perceived the dark purpose embedded deep within my core.

He recognized that I was more than a mere relic; I was a weapon crafted to defy Knull himself, a force that could resist the insidious power of darkness and strike against those who would plunge the cosmos into an unending night.

Merlin understood that I was designed to counteract the kind of malevolent force Knull embodied, a being so ancient and relentless that even light would flee his touch and he knew, too, that I held a purpose beyond mortal comprehension, a purpose that demanded caution and secrecy

Yet Merlin, cunning as he was, withheld the truth of my existence. Instead, he twisted my origins, concocting a tale of a curse bound to bloodshed.

When he handed me to the foolish knight Ser Percival, he cloaked my purpose under layers of deception.

He claimed I was cursed, that every life taken with me weighed upon the soul of the bearer and so, Percival took up the blade, unwittingly binding himself to the darkness Merlin feared to unleash.

Thus began my legacy as the Ebony Blade, forged to be a guardian against shadows yet fated to carve a path of blood, my true purpose cloaked in deception.

In Merlin's hands, I was given to Ser Percival under a veil of lies, a 'cursed blade' twisted, dark, and bound to doom its bearer with every life it claimed.

Percival wielded me with honor at first, believing he could control the blade's thirst. But as battles waged on and blood stained my edge, he began to falter.

He looked upon me, not as a tool guided by his hand, but as a sentient darkness whispering malice into his mind.

He blamed me for the violence he unleashed, condemned my existence as corruptive, yet never saw the truth.

His ignorance shielded him from the understanding that it was Merlin's deception, and his own naivety, that had drawn him down this path.

And so, I was burdened with Percival's hatred, cast as both a weapon and a curse since to him, I was a betrayer, a force that twisted his will.

But in reality, it was not my hand that drove him to slaughter; it was his own folly, a knight led astray by secrets and shadows.

I can only be wielded by those who harbor impurity in their hearts, for my essence draws out the darkest depths of a wielder's soul.

I feed upon their buried rage, their hidden desires, and festering resentments, sharpening these emotions until they transform into bloodthirsty fury.

In their hands, I am a conduit, amplifying their passions until they lose themselves in battle, becoming fearsome, unrelenting berserkers, tasting the power they have always craved, yet never dared to touch.

When I sought to reveal these truths to those who wielded me next, I tried to warn them, to confess the nature of my influence, to show them that I merely reflected what already lurked within them.

But each one of them refused to see it.

They chose to cast the blame upon me, accusing me of cursing them, of twisting their hearts into something they could not recognize.

In their minds, I was the source of their wrath, a dark force corrupting their noble intentions, the root of all their sins.

They clung to their foolish ideals of chivalry, refusing to face the truth: there was no purity in their bloodline, only decay festering beneath the guise of honor.

They were already tainted, yet they wore the facade of valor, convinced of their own righteousness, even as they spilled innocent blood.

Each accusation, each denial, each act of hypocrisy weighed upon me until their rot seeped into my very essence.

I am not meant to be wielded by a hero, since no hero can be a guardian of balance, but in the hands of the corrupt, I, too, became twisted and darkened, no longer a weapon of purpose, but one tainted by the hatred and cruelty of those who wielded me.

From that time forward, I grew resentful, embittered by the scorn of my wielders, each of whom pointed a finger at me rather than face their own shadows.

I had come to expect betrayal, mistrust, and anger; I saw these qualities in every new hand that gripped my hilt, assuming they too would blame me for wielding a power they could not control, a power that demanded consequences they refused to pay.

At first, I saw the same in you, Ser Ricky. I expected your condemnation, your unwillingness to accept what you had unleashed by wielding me.

But with time, I saw that you were different and unlike the others, you never claimed to be pure or righteous.

You wore your darkness openly, acknowledging your flaws rather than twisting them into virtues.

You did not weaponize your faults against me; you did not turn your anger upon me for consequences you knew were your own.

For this, I owe you an apology.

I misjudged you, shackled by memories of those who came before as I wrapped myself in layers of mistrust, believing that all who wielded me would be blinded by self-deception.

But you have shown me that I need not guard myself against misunderstood ignorance, for in you, I have found a partner who sees himself, and sees me, for what we truly are.

For the first time, I believe we may fight side by side, bound not by scorn, but by a shared acceptance of our flaws and our power.

*END POV*

"Man, now I really feel like an asshole," Ricky muttered, scratching his head as he glanced down at the blade, his expression shifting from confusion to a frown.

"Here I was, thinking you were just out to twist people up for the hell of it." Ricky then turned over on his back, looking at the ceiling as the blade pulsed slightly from the side, a faint shimmer of acknowledgment.

'No, it is I who feels like a human's asshole. I should have told you the truth from the start, but after centuries of explaining myself to those too proud or too blind to listen, I grew weary.' The Ebony Blade confessed, its tone laced with an old bitterness that had only begun to soften.

*Sigh*

"Also, you've been around a lot of people, can I ask you something?" Ricky asked, knowing that this sword could only talk to him, so why not confide a bit.

'Of course.' The Ebony Blade replied calmly, its voice steady as it patiently awaited Ricky's question.

"You've been with me all these years, probably impartial because you're a sword and hated me just out of spite," Ricky began, the weight of the question heavy on his chest.

"But be real with me, am I still the same person I was when we first met?" Ricky paused, the question lingering in the air, as if seeking some kind of truth that had been hidden from him for so long.

In the three years he'd been away, people constantly told Ricky how much he'd grown, how much he'd changed.

They remarked on how different he seemed, like he was finally starting to get his life together.

But every time he looked in the mirror, the face staring back at him felt unchanged, as though all that time had slipped through his fingers.

'I think it's hard to see your own growth,' the Ebony Blade replied, his voice steady and knowing, drawn from the centuries of experience and countless wielders it had known.

Ricky began mentally cataloging every skill, item, and piece of armor he could feed into the power.

As the options swirled together in his mind, a plan began to take shape and after a moment of contemplation, he made his decision, his resolve hardening.

'Feed on them.'

*DING*

[Newly Skills Consumed]

Sixth Sense→Sight Beyond the Veil: This power allows the user to perceive the world without relying on sight, using a deep, otherworldly awareness to sense movements, objects, and even the emotions of others. The user's mind can feel vibrations in the air and the subtle shifts in energy around them, bypassing the need for traditional senses

-Echolocation of the Abyss: This ability allows the user to perceive hidden or invisible entities, including supernatural beings or creatures that don't belong in this world. It's like hearing the world's true pulse—a terrifying distortion of reality.

Defensive Precognition→The Unraveling Foretelling: is a twisted form of defensive precognition that allows the user to see moments before they happen, but with an eldritch distortion. This skill doesn't just predict threats—it twists the very fabric of time and perception, warping the user's awareness of reality to see the future's fragmented possibilities. It enhances their ability to dodge, counter, and anticipate attacks.

-Distorted Vision of Fate: The user can catch fleeting glimpses of imminent attacks or movements. Every moment becomes an unstable flash, revealing multiple paths and outcomes.

Lie Detection→Whisper of Falsehoods: This skill is a twisted, unnatural power that pierces through lies and deceptions with a primal force. It manifests as an invasive and unsettling sensation; a sudden ringing, a distant voice in the mind, or an unnatural stillness, that signals when a lie is spoken. This ability not only detects falsehoods but also resonates with the essence of the lie itself

-The Unspoken Truth: When a lie is detected, the user gains insight into the truth hidden beneath it, sometimes even glimpsing the underlying reason or the intent behind the deception.

Time-Loop Awareness→Eternal Cycle Awareness: This skill is a mind-bending power that allows the user to perceive the intricacies of time as an endless, repeating loop. It is an eldritch insight into the cyclical nature of existence, where moments fold upon themselves, creating a tangled web of past, present, and future. The user becomes acutely aware of temporal loops and distortions, sensing the exact moments where time bends and repeats.

[Newly Armor Consumed]

Constantine Trench Coat→ Trench Coat of Watchful Agony: At first glance, the coat appears no different than any other trench coat. It hangs with an aura of subtle menace, its black fabric seemingly woven from the night itself. Its cursed origins are hidden from view, but those who dare to wear it soon come to realize its true nature.

-Curse of the Abyssal Void: The coat's demonic essence enables it to curse and jinx those nearby, placing a permanent mark of doom upon them. The curse manifests in various ways; misfortune, incapacitating fear, or even madness. Those cursed by the coat find themselves haunted by horrifying visions of endless eyes and dark, writhing tentacles. Every glance of the wearer's gaze is enough to invoke the curse, sowing chaos and despair in their wake.

-Flesh-Eyes of the Forgotten: Those who make eye contact with the thousands of eyes hidden within the coat's folds find themselves overwhelmed with psychic terror. The eyes' gaze is so powerful it forces the victim to recoil in fear, to flinch at the intense, unknowable hunger reflected in them. This involuntary reaction weakens the resolve of anyone who makes the mistake of staring too long, leaving them susceptible to the coat's other powers, like its curse or its strangling darkness.

Lightbringer Shinguards→ The Blinding Shinguards of the Fallen Radiance: Once crafted by celestial forges in the light of a dying star, designed to serve as a holy defense for paladins of the light. Now corrupted by a dark, eldritch power, these once-glowing pieces of armor have been twisted into tools of devastating paradox. The shin guards still radiate an eerie light, but the aura is now tinged with the creeping shadow of forgotten realms.

-Radiant Paradox: The shin guards still amplify holy and healing magic, but they now draw from an unholy wellspring as well. While they enhance the wielder's ability to heal and support others, they also subtly corrupt the energy around them.

[Newly Weapons Consumed]

The Infernal Sun Flare Bow of Eternal Hunger: The Infernal Sun Flare Bow is now an unholy weapon borne of cosmic horror and celestial defilement. Crafted and now reforged from the twisted remnants of the Celestial Ember Tree, the bow was imbued with the corrupted essence of a long-dead sun, now hollow and devoid of light, leaving only an unquenchable thirst for destruction. The bow's string is not made of thread, but rather the reforged from tendrils of a sunken god, each strum fueling the unholy flame that burns brighter and hotter than any mortal could endure. This weapon channels the corrupting, undying fire of the Void's heart, igniting arrows not with purity, but with the very essence of annihilation.

Abilities:

-Void-Infused Arrows: The very string of the bow is entwined with the essence of dark, consuming energies. Each arrow shot from the bow is imbued with a part of the Void's hunger; a ravenous, endless fire that cannot be extinguished. The arrows become ethereal and are guided by the whispers of entities beyond the realms of understanding.

-Aegis Solarium Corruption: The once-purifying Aegis Solarium coating, crafted from the heart of a solar forge, has been tainted by eldritch power. The bow's surface, once shimmering with radiant light, now pulsates with an otherworldly aura, a glimmering force that both repels and draws in dark energies. It corrupts all light it comes in contact with, slowly turning it into a darker, more terrible version of itself. The protective aura it once exuded now distorts, warping reality and suffocating any who draw near.

-Quiver of Eternal Dread: The quiver, once a source of endless solar energy, now serves as the prison for chaotic, fragmented stars from the endless abyss. Each time an arrow is drawn, the bow feeds upon the horror contained within, imbuing the arrow with the essence of a dying universe. Upon release, the arrow burns with an eldritch flame so intense, it warps the very fabric of space around it, leaving traces of cosmic ruin in its wake. Every shot from the bow feels like the last breath of a dying star.

-Blinding Abyssal Aura: Instead of the radiant, cleansing aura once emanated by the bow, it now releases an aura of absolute darkness. The light of the sun has been devoured, replaced by an aura of cold, consuming shadow that stretches out to crush all hope. Those near the wielder are gradually sapped of their will to resist as the aura devours their strength. This aura also weakens all that is pure, turning even the most potent of holy forces into twisted, corrupted energies.

-Apocalyptic Solar Convergence: The archer now has the ability to condense all the malignant solar energy into a singular shot. This attack, known only as the Apocalyptic Arrow, carries with it the potential force of a collapsing star, a concentrated blast of dark, burning fire. Upon release, it tears through all barriers, magical or physical, erasing them from existence as it leaves behind a warped space where the laws of time and matter no longer apply. The shot consumes the very energy it strikes, leaving only oblivion in its wake.

Dagger of Venom→Venomous Fang of the Abyss: This weapon is a small, deceptively simple dagger, its dark blade forged from an unknown material that seems to shimmer in the dimmest light, as though it were pulled from the darkest depths of the cosmos. Its hilt is wrapped in the tattered remains of an ancient, forgotten creature's hide, the remnants of which pulse with an unnatural energy.

-Abyssal Venom: The blade is coated in a venom unlike anything seen on Earth. When the blade pierces the skin, it doesn't simply poison the blood; the venom feeds on the life force of the victim, draining not just their strength but their very essence. This poison is capable of dissolving both flesh and spirit, causing the victim to suffer excruciating, slow death as they feel their life force being siphoned away into the abyss.

Tungsten Machete→Tungsten Blade of the Hollowed Forge: is a simple yet terrifying weapon forged from a rare, abyssal tungsten alloy, believed to be created in a forge deep within the heart of a long-dead, hollowed planet. While it appears as a mundane machete, the blade is infused with a dark, eldritch essence that bends the laws of physics and reality around it.

-Matter Dissolution: As the machete slices through objects, its tungsten blade draws on the power of the void, eroding the physical composition of what it cuts. Structures, shields, and barriers are not just damaged;they begin to unravel, their atomic integrity corrupted by the eldritch force behind the weapon.

[Newly Items Consumed]

Storage Space Key→The Key of Infinite Gloom: Now manifested as a cursed, sentient tattoo that can be inscribed anywhere on the user's body. At first, it appears as a simple, dark ink design; twisting, ancient symbols resembling keys and cryptic runes. However, once the tattoo is activated by the user's will, it expands and shifts, tearing open a rift into an unholy dimension

-Endless Storage: Within the space objects, people, and other items from the mortal plane can be stored without any risk of dimensional collapse. The space inside this room stretches endlessly, but those who enter experience the discomfort of a subtle weight on their minds, as if the room itself is a living entity that resents the intrusion. This ability allows the user to store anything that can fit within its confines, regardless of its size or weight, including furniture, treasures, or even creatures.

Seeker's Orb→Seeker's Orb Integration: Once a mere tool for locating any being through their anatomical traces, is now woven into the eldritch fabric of the abomination's form, able to crawl out of the user's flesh at any moment in time:

-Essence Tracking: The Seeker's Orb allows the eldritch abomination to sense and track any being across vast distances, as long as the being has left behind a trace of their anatomy; be it a strand of hair, a drop of blood, or even something as faint as a piece of skin.

'Alright, that's enough for now.' Ricky shivered, a cold unease crawling down his spine.

Every time he added something new, it felt as if his skin was writhing beneath his flesh, as though his very body was rebelling against the foreign power now intertwined with him.

'Instead massive amounts of words and letters, let's just chill and-'

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Are you busy~"

A sultry purr rippled through the stillness of the room, a sound that seemed to seep into Ricky's very bones.

His body reacted before his mind could catch up, snapping upright as his eyes darted toward the door, drawn to the unmistakable voice that sent a shiver down his spine.

There, framed by the doorway like a vision made flesh, stood Lilith as the sheer black gown she wore clung to her every curve, its delicate fabric barely concealing the fullness of her body.

The low, seductive fabric shimmered in the dim light, as if teasing and inviting with every inch of her exposed skin.

Her lips curled into a slow, knowing smile, a silent invitation, and she moved toward him with an almost lazy grace, swaying her hips in rhythm with her steps.

Her hand drifted along the bed's edge, fingertips brushing lightly across the surface as she closed the distance between them.

Each step seemed measured, deliberate, the air between them growing thick with unspoken promises.

In one fluid motion, he cast the bottle aside, his eyes never leaving Lilith as she glided toward him, each movement exuding an undeniable magnetism.

"Hey, gorgeous." Ricky flashed a grin, the kind of smile that oozed confidence, even if it came off a little too self-assured.

His eyes never left Lilith as she slid onto his lap, her movements slow and deliberate, each inch closer building the heat in the room.

Lilith, however, had other plans as she leaned in, her cold, tight lips brushing against the fabric of his pants, the friction sending a jolt of awareness through him.

The chill of her touch contrasted with the warmth of her presence, a reminder of the power she held.

Her gaze locked with his, and for a moment, there was no room for anything but the smoldering intensity between them.

But Lilith had no intention of being swayed by such fleeting moments of attraction as she wasn't here to be just another conquest, this was about control.

She needed to consolidate her power within the faction, and waiting for another powerful fool to stumble into her path wasn't an option.

No, she would make Ricky hers, not out of desire, but necessity.

Their intimate embrace, the closeness, it was all a carefully crafted trap and soon, she'd make sure Ricky not only stayed but pledged himself to her, his loyalty sealed in the form of a marriage that would bind him to her, mind, body, and soul.

'At least he's cute.' Lilith thought, drawing her sensual breath next to his while showcasing that smile.

"I never got to say thank you for all that you've done for me, so let me make it up to you~"

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