Chapter 16: Meaning Of Attributes, And Method To Gain Them
The fire flickered beside them as Kivas gnawed reluctantly on a half-charred segment of the centipede-like Voidling's leg, trying not to gag as each bite pulsed slightly in her jaw.
The chitin cracked and oozed a white-yellow marrow that burned her tongue with bitterness.
Nearby, the rest of the Voidling still squirmed weakly, its mandibles twitching despite being mostly dismantled.
Samael bit clean through a thicker portion of its thorax, casually chewing as if it were grilled lamb. "Good gradient," she commented. "Minimal bitterness. Lean muscle. Nothing infected."
Kivas side-eyed her. "You seem to be enjoying this."
"With wisdom, you'll learn to enjoy many aspects of life, no matter how bizarre," Samael replied without looking up. "Voidling meat spoils differently depending on what they've been feeding on. Some of them get contaminated if they have been preying on others too much, and some have a clean taste when they are starved. You'll taste it immediately—like mildew and blood clots."
Kivas dry-heaved. "Disgusting, and absolutely enlightening." She dropped the chewed carapace on the ground with an exaggerated sigh. "You said you were gonna explain more about the Well of the Soul, I think a lesson while we feast on this monstrosity can help me digest better."
"Double entendre, you're quite witty for a Fateling."
"Is this your bias speaking or Fatelines is just that less bright in general..."
"Can be both." Samael set her food down and sat back, wings flicking once with satisfaction. "To put this simply, the Well of the Soul is... everything for Fathomi's inhabitants...
"It's not just some vanity ledger. It defines your existence in Fathomi. The world recognizes you through it. It changes how your essence responds to reality—and how reality responds to you."