Kharon reformed in the void, his mind was sharper, his body was stronger, his soul was vaster. He looked upon himself as he sensed his blood flow, his heartbeat, his neurons. His whole body was under surveillance as his aether expanded even more. The void was slowly becoming clearer as Kharon looked below his feet.
At the bottom was a new barrier. It was filled with flowers and thorns as he looked at it with a deranged smile. His muscles rippled as he tensed his whole body before lunging at the wide barrier.
'This will be quick... I must go even faster now. My very being is getting stronger with every layer. I must go down infinitely until I reach the deepest parts of my subconscious and potential futures...'
He crashed straight into the barrier as a blinding flash of light surrounded him. His eyes fluttered open as he stared intently at his surroundings. His aether flowed steadily as he covered area. He was standing in a garden of sorts. However, he could only smell the faint scent of decay. As he walked through the thorn-filled space, he jumped back as a wave of deadly aether flew towards him.
It missed him by a hair's breadth as it flew into one of the bushes. The leaves and berries immediately died as it was reduced to a pile of rotten fruits and dead leaves. Kharon stood still as he saw a lady walking towards him. She has long, black hair and pale skin. Each step taken seemed to wilt the plants around her as she looked directly at Kharon.
"Who are you stranger? I have never seen you here before. And why are you in my garden?!"
'She just attacked me and now she is acting like I'm to blame...? Well, this is Lunaris Haven. Or at least what it looked like in the past. I wonder who exactly she is. She reminds me of someone... but who could it be?'
"Are you deaf or mute? I asked you a question and I expect an answer."
"My name is... Raven. I am sorry for intruding, but I am a bit lost. Could you please help me to find my way? There is someone I wish to find."
'The chances of her knowing me must be minimal. I believe I was still awake around this time. Even if she doesn't know who I am or was, I can always ask for directions. The geography of the Heartlands and Cael'ruhn as a whole is probably very different.'
She looked at him skeptically, her silver eyes trying to pry into his soul as she turned around, "Follow me. I can help find whoever it is. But first, I would like a favour. You are a wielder of mysteries aren't you?"
Kharon froze as those words escaped her lips. His eyes slightly widened as his mind began race.
'She knows about the path of mysteries... When did people forget? Was there really a God of mysteries at this time? I need to extract as much information as possible. This is a golden opportunity for me...'
"You seem quite surprised. The path of mysteries is commonly used by monks and recluses. But you seem a bit different. Are you a hunter?"
"Y-yes. I am a hunter. I was a bit caught off guard as the path of mysteries is... well it is related to mysteries. I didn't think many would be aware of it. Forgive me for my strange manners. I am not very used to interacting with others."
The lady smirked as she replied, "I am not too surprised. Most wielders of mysteries work for the God of mysteries. From what I know, he is quite strict and prefers to keep knowledge from others. Even his own subordinates. I thought it was a silly rumor, but it is..."
'So there was a God of mysteries... Thank you winged Kharon, you have given me the perfect opportunity to learn! I told her my name is Raven, so it won't be suspicious if I ask her about myself would it...? I also forgot to ask for her name. I will do so when I am leaving. For now I just need the most vital information... She must be a tier 3 wielder of death.'
"Have you heard any other rumors? Like about the God of mysteries' legacy?"
"Are you referring to his son? Not much is known about him. He is said to be more reclusive and withdrawn than even the most secretive monks. However, it is also said that he is one of the most powerful demi-gods. There are legends about his feats during the War of Gods."
'I have a memory about that war... But are my feats truly that impressive? A demi-god killing angels shouldn't be too hard considering how easy it is for me to kill tier 5 essence beasts.'
"I am sure you know more about him than I do."
As they walked from the garden, they quickly reached a magnificent palace. Kharon stared in awe as he analysed the architecture. Each pillar was filled with runes relating to worship and death. Kharon's eyes lingered on a particular array as he tried to decipher them but to no avail.
'This building is huge! I wonder who built it... The runes on the pillars are also quite strange... they are very similar to ancient runes, but they are also very different.'
"You seem quite interested in those runes. They are a little sign of my devotion to the Goddess of Souls. Each one was inscribed by me in a special runic language. It is similar to the more powerful ones created by Brighthart and his research partners."
They walked past the grand pillars as they stepped into the luxurious mansion. It was decorated with silver ornaments. Even the walls held several decorative items. The room was filled with a cold, but pleasant sensation as Kharon smiled curtly at his host.
'Is she not worried that I will do something? A wielder of such power would definitely not let her guard down. As long as she can help, I won't do anything I will regret. Though at this moment she could easily defeat me before I can even blink.'
"Tell me, Raven. Who are you looking for? I got a bit distracted and veered the conversation away from your original question."
"I don't think he is here. But I now know how to find my target. But do you know where the temple or church of mysteries is located? My mind was scrambled by a powerful beast so-"
She smiled softly as she said, "I understand. I have a map you can take. Surely a powerful wielder such as yourself can handle going alone. Or would you like me to escort you..."
"N-no! That won't be necessary. But thank you for your help. Before I leave though, could you tell me your name?"
"Selene... Selene Orvus."
The world seemed to tilt as Kharon heard her. His mind spun as she saw her smiling cryptically. Giant insect wings grew from her back as she turned into a moth. Her wings carried waves of death and destruction as Kharon fell into the void.
As he fell, memories began to pour into his mind. Kharon held his head as he began speaking strangely, "An angel of death... A mother of a son... A devout believer of death... Centuries old and still youthful... A key founder of Lunaris Haven... Lady Selene Orvus..."
Memories of Lunaris Haven flew chaotically as he saw a beautiful meadow and the golden haired man. A drop of blood flowed down his face as he smiled.
'I am getting closer... I can feel it. I didn't realise until now. A two years have gone by... the longer I stay in the void, the faster time passes. I need to go to the next memory quickly... I can't afford to waste time here. No more breaks. Just barriers.'
Kharon flew straight at the next barrier as he stood in a familiar throne room. On a throne before him was a being of great power. The man who he referred to as 'Him'. And kneeling in at the mercy of the man, was a winged Kharon. His appearance in the throne room was swiftly discovered as both parties looked at him.
The man smiled menacingly as his winged self looked at him with every emotion imaginable. Kharon's mind was overloaded with his feelings throughout his new life and past memories as he fell to the ground.
"You are here... I thought you would never arrive. You thought you could defeat me?! I will return to the world. You have failed! You-"
The winged Kharon stood up as he threw himself at the man. His winged wrapped around him as a purple glow in his chest slowly dimmed.
'So this is the price...? Well, I guess it could have been worse...'
Kharon lost consciousness as he returned to the void. The rest of the barriers seemed to turn blurry as he spent years and years waiting. He became one with the void as he felt his time ticking. Once he completed the final barrier, he saw a faint light. His hands mechanically reached for the light as he was blinded.
...
He awoke in a room filled with strange devices linked to his arm. Each one was quickly removed as Kharon heard a faint, buzzing sound. Suddenly, he was in the embrace of three distinct figures. He remained indifferent as they looked at him.
"Boss... don't tell me its true... You didn't lose right?"
"I am still me. The stranger is suppressed. How long has it been?"
Philip spoke up as he said, "Six months have passed. But not much has changed... except for the year which is now 3165. And... the fact that you are now a tier 3 wielder..."
Kharon listened attentively as he walked out of the room quietly. The three wielders looked at each other as they whispered, "His emotions..."
End of Volume 2 - Heart of Stone