Chapter 191: Guardian Of The Abyss

Ezra knew that time was fast running out.

Griffin was on his trail and Helena had some plan to use the Ascension well.

He led the way out of Red's office to a secluded corner where Olivia grabbed both him and Gen, teleporting them out of the City Lord's domain.

They appeared in a flash of light inside a crypt that looked like it just survived from the wrath of graverobbers.

"What a nice place." Gen drawled as she looked around. She kicked one of the broken stones beside her, sending it skittering into the wall. "If I ever did die, I'd like to become a ghost and haunt places like this. All I need is people to visit from time to time."

Ezra looked around, noting the high density of vitality in the air. He could feel it like a tingling on his skin. It was as if an old friend was near. As if his very being recognized the vitality.

"I can feel it." He whispered. "It's calling out to me."

Adam's words came back to him as if the Eternal was speaking in his ear.

"You're the result of a plan laid a thousand years ago, Ezra. A carefully orchestrated future that is coming to pass."

He closed his eyes, feeling like he was on the cusp of something. Something great.

"When you see the Ascension well, drink from it. Drink and open your eyes."

"What are we waiting for?" Gen's voice pulled him out of his reverie. "Let's go to our destiny." She laughed.

"This way." Olivia led them to a corner of the crypt where there was a hidden door. She opened it and led them down a narrow passageway, the vitality in the air thickening with each step.

They finally got to the end which was blocked by a small door designed with various symbols and runes.

"Look at this." Olivia motioned. "It's one of the progenitor's locks."

At the center of the door was a familiar image of a thick and gnarly tree. The progenitor's symbol.

"As a prince with a relic, you have the ability to open the lock." Olivia stepped back to give him a clear view. "It's up to you now." S~eaʀᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Ezra sighed, stepping forward. He stared at the part of the door. There was no keyhole but there was a slight depression that indicated what must be done.

He hesitated, before placing his palm on the symbol, feeling it heat up slightly at his touch.

He felt a prickle on his skin and a bit of his vitality was drawn into the door.

The door hummed like a chef after tasting a meal before going quiet.

Ezra tried to pull his hand from the door but it remained stuck.

"Err…," He turned to look at Olivia, "is this supposed to happen?"

Then the world disappeared. Light faded to a pinprick at the edge of his vision and that's when he felt it.

An unimaginably vast being standing at the edge of his consciousness.

The being breathed deeply and it felt like the dying and rebirth of worlds. Stars were extinguished and created anew.

Ezra froze, not daring to make a sound.

He somehow knew that the being was both alive and sleeping but even a shred more of its attention would result in his death.

The being's Aura descended upon him, feeling like everything and nothing all at once.

His soul was stripped bare, every facet of his life scrutinized.

After a moment, there was a pause.

He'd been judged and found wanting.

Panic seized him as the beings Aura reached out and settled upon him like a veil of finality. It reached deep within him and paused.

It looked closer, scrutinized him with muted curiosity and after a moment, withdrew with an Aura of approval.

Ezra was thrust back to reality as abruptly as he had left.

He gasped, stumbling back from the door as it swung open with a loud creak.

"Ezra! Ezra!" Gen held him, as he wheezed, clutching his heart. "Calm down! You don't need to breathe. Just stop. Pause!"

Ezra took huge gulps of air, sinking to his knees.

His mind whirled, standing on the edge of the abyss.

"Ezra! Ezra!"

WHAM!

Ezra startled as a punch hit his cheek. Gen cocked back her fist and threw another one.

His hand shot up and caught it before it could land.

"Finally." She sighed in relief.

Ezra looked around, seeing Gen and Olivia watching him in concern and the previously closed door wide open.

"What was that?" He whispered.

"The guardian of the Abyss." Olivia whispered into the silence. "Only princes get to see him. Those who are not princes merely get checked out by the lock itself."

Ezra sat there for a moment, trying to organize his thoughts.

After a minute, he stood slowly. "Let's go. There's no time to waste."

The ladies nodded as he led the way into the dark chamber.

As they stepped in, there was a click and light filled the room.

Ezra blinked as his eyes adjusted instantly, taking in the room.

The chamber was spacious but not huge, its walls smooth, showing signs of Custodian creation.

The room had been lightened by high tech bulbs equipped with motion sensors designed to detect even the slightest movement. Of course a vampire could fool it but not if they were not aware of its presence.

In the center of the chamber was a flowing fountain, crafted from polished marble.

Water cascaded gently from a central spout, creating a soothing sound of running water that echoed throughout the room.

The fountain's basin was wide and shallow, allowing a clear view of the star of the show. The water.

The water present in the fountain shimmered with an ethereal blue light, casting a warm glow on the environment.

Ezra stepped forward in awe.

Vitality was pouring off the fountain as if there were a hundred vampires in the room having an orgy. The vitality mingled in the air, spreading a warm soothing atmosphere.

Even an ordinary human would be able to feel that there was something supernatural about the chamber.

The three vampires walked slowly towards the fountain, the vitality in the air coating their skin.

Ezra watched the mesmerizing flow of the water. "If only vampires can extract vitality from the air."

"That's why we can't." Gen laughed. "We'll be too powerful."

"We're already too powerful. Why not just add a little more?"

"I'm quite sure this does not qualify as a little more." Olivia said.

They all paused in front of the fountain.

"Are you ready?" Ezra turned to Olivia.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm ready or not." She stepped forward. "We know the risks and rewards. We are doing this."

"Alright." Ezra said.

Olivia nodded at them and took a step forward, standing at the very edge of the fountain.

She knelt beside it and dipped her hand into the glowing liquid, scooping it up and taking a sip.

They all paused, waiting for the effect.

After a few seconds of nothing happening, Gen spoke. "Huh." She raised both eyebrows. "I guess there's a minimum amount you need to drink."

Olivia turned back to the fountain and began drinking, every scoop increasing the quantity of the liquid within her.

After a few minutes, she stopped.

"What does it taste like? How does it feel?"

"It feels like…," Olivia answered, "like there's a storm of vitality trapped in my stomach."

Ezra frowned from where he stood. "Is that it? Shouldn't the ascension have begun by now?"

"I think-" Olivia gasped and the amount of vitality in the chamber spiked, wafting off Olivia.

She staggered as the vitality burst out of her stomach and sank into her soul. She threw her head back and screamed into the sky.

The ascension has begun.

Her eyes began glowing with a fierce blue light as her soul began to change slowly.

"Now!" Ezra glanced at Gen who gave him a sharp nod.

At his signal, they began pumping a steady amount of vitality into Olivia through their soul bond.

Her soul sucked the vitality eagerly, each drop disappearing as fast as it had appeared.

Olivia's feet slowly left the ground as she began to hover in the air.

Her body shined with a bright radiance, the glow enveloping her completely.

After a few minutes, the soul finally stopped accepting extra vitality.

Ezra eased off, heaving a sigh of relief. Olivia still hovered in the air, her ascension ongoing.

That was when he felt it.

Inch by inch, vitality began traveling from Olivia towards him. He turned to Gen and based on her expression, the same thing was happening to her.

Then as if suddenly released from captivity, the vitality surged forward, slamming into him like a hammer.

He gasped as it entered his soul, filling every nook and cranny.

It sank deep into his flesh, cleansing it and preparing it.

His eyes widened as he recognized what was happening.

An ascension.

He was ascending to the third ring.