Prince of The Abyss

To think something as silly as this would last for so long...

It was midnight, and only now was this show coming to an end. A whole day it lasted, and while he might have gotten bored, the crowd was still very lively...

Including Kade, the boy seemed to be very pleased, and looked to have had a lot of fun watching the man on the stage perform... and really, maybe it was because of his past that this didn't entertain him.

Being born a royal, he had everything, so entertainment was something he could snap his finger and get; after all, he was the prince and heir to the throne. He had many people to make tricks for him, to act like idiots just so they could make him laugh, and get some money.

A tough job they had; if he had known, he would have laughed more.

To him, this guy was a rookie magician; he had seen many other people do things much greater than he was doing, his father was a Breaker, and he could do many more interesting tricks than this guy could ever do.

Sadly for him, he had to stay and watch because he was going to have to talk to the man, so he could get the shard from him. And while he knew he could have just left Kade alone, he left until it was done.

...

Seeing his student... and friend so happy, made him want to stay.

Really, seeing him so happy, and surprised each time the man did something, made him also break, sometimes even laughing out loud, of course, the boy didn't even notice, he was too caught up in the show.

He was still a kid after all.

...

"Maybe you should also find something to make you act like this, or do I have to remind you that you are also a child?"

Aether rolled his eyes, glancing at the Abyss, who had sat down in the third seat at their table. For someone who said that he was going to help him get through this trial, if he had to say, he had seen him appear more outside of battle than in battle.

Aethers rested his face in his hand, looking at the Abyss.

'I know I'm a child, but that doesn't mean I can't think practically, to rethink my decisions, and make a plan so that I can survive. That's not something that only adults can do." Aether blurred out, watching as more and more people continued to slowly leave the bar.

The Abyss laughed, which made him scoff. What did it think was so funny?

"I never said you couldn't... You could be managing a whole kingdom, the leader of an army, and I wouldn't care. If someone is capable, then they earn it, no matter the age. What I was trying to say... Aether, you are mature, I see that, Kade sees that, which is why he so blindly trusts you."

Aether turned for a second to the boy, who was still caught up in the show, before looking back at the Abyss.

"The rebellion trusted you because they saw someone mature enough to lead, someone they could put their life on the line... but at the same time, you have to understand that you are a child. You have your limits, and while you might think otherwise, even if it's just for a second... It's nice to take a break. To enjoy something, to act childish, it is what makes someone a human."

The Abyss stood up from its seat, a small chuckle escaping its lips.

"You know, for someone who has questioned the meaning of being a human so many times... You are far from being one. A robotic child who always has to overthink every one of his decisions, never to make a mistake, never to be vulnerable, never to let his guard down."

...

"It's as you said, a human life is priceless. But when you get to the point of questioning yourself about the worth of one, it truly becomes worthless. It's the same for being a human; when you start questioning what one being is, you dehumanize yourself entirely. Because why would you even ask a question like that?

Unless you're not sure in the first place, if you are one yourself."

...

"This is just some advice, try to enjoy something, since if you continue like this, you will lose yourself. Your mind will become too mature for your own sake; you will lose everything." He pointed to his head. "And what's going on inside here?" He taped his head with his index finger. "Will become even more broken than it is already."

...

...

...

As the night continued to reign, more and more people continued leaving, until the only ones left were they, another three guys who were just now finishing their drinks, and the so-called magician who had climbed down from the stage to enjoy a drink, also, of course, the waiters.

And yet, looking at Aether, he wasn't paying any attention to what was going on around him; it was almost as if he was stuck inside his mind, talking to himself...

He sighed.

'What does he even know about me... I'll be just fine.'

But more importantly, how had the Abyss known about his talk with Elpis? In Frozen Crown, his affinity had been restricted, so he couldn't have seen what happened. So then how did he know what he had said... and why did he bring it up?

'What does he even know about being human... he's a damn God!'

Aether gritted his teeth, clenching his fists in frustration.

"Um, Aether, are we going to leave or?"

He staggered a boy, looking to his side, where he saw Kade.

He had completely forgotten the boy was here with him...

Looking around, the last people were heading towards the door, and that damn man was just finishing his drink, which probably meant that the boy had just been looking at him for a while.

"Oh yeah... just." He paused for a second, thinking of something, almost like a past thought had come back to him, before putting the compass on the table. "The shard, I'm sure you can figure it out."

Kade looked at the compass, following the direction of the arrow, until his eyes found the magician.

Then he laughed nervously.

"So what are we going to do?"

As he said that, the man sat up in his seat, heading towards a back door. Seeing this, Aether quickly got up for himself.

"You stay here, I will talk to him."

And as the man let the door close itself, Aether stopped it, entering the room, and shutting the door behind him.

Aether looked around, seeing that he was sitting inside a bedroom, one that seemed to have some overwhelmingly fluffy pillows.

The man noticed him, he was sure of that, and yet he didn't seem to mind him, going to his couch and lying down on it, extending his arms around it, before chuckling.

"I've never had this happen before, you know... so what do you want, an autograph? If yes, then just give me whatever you want, sign so that we can finish this thing."

And then Aether didn't respond, well, not instantly; instead, he looked in the distance, deep in thought, before snapping back, shaking his head.

"No, I don't need an autograph from you..." He walked close to the man. "However, you have something I want."

The man continued to laugh, finding his response quite amusing.

"Well, I have a lot of things people naturally want. Money, fame, and power. I don't blame you for being envious-"

"Is your ego also something others want? And what powers, you are a Will-less. Do you think I'm stupid enough to fall for those little tricks?"

The man's eyes widened, staring at him for a good few seconds, before bursting out into laughter again.

"I'm surprised, I would have never thought that you would have been able to tell..., but that still doesn't answer my question, what do you want, my time is precious."

Aether clenched his teeth.

"You know, I wonder what would happen if I were to tell everyone that you are a fake, what would they-"

"Nothing would happen." He laughs. "See what I did there. You cut me off earlier, and I took my revenge. You know it's my first time being blackmailed... a shame it's such a bad one. Why do you think they would believe you over me? You are 'smart', so you should get that it's not going to work."

Aether gritted his teeth, frustrated... since he knew he was right.

"My name is Lucien Vale, by the way, since you don't seem to really be from this place."

Aether sighed, trying to calm himself down. He knew that in negotiations, staying calm is the best thing... but you could say he wasn't in his right mind at the moment.

"Aether..."

The man smiled.

"So Aether, what is it that you want?"

Aether lifted his arm, pointing to him.

"You have the shard of a legendary blade. I want it."

After he said that, the man's smile instantly dropped.

"Never."