Obscurium awakens... part 1

Atlas was lost in his thoughts when the creature's voice suddenly awakened him...

Grarl...

"The ocean is so turbulent, and those damned beings seem very agitated... who knows what is going on?"

At first, the boy was not much attracted by his words, but then, he thought back to his appointment with Drunkum and began to fidget: "Falgnis... what do your eyes see? Is there by any chance a small boat pulled by a creature out there?"

Grarl.

"Hmm... actually, there is an old man flanked by a Sealis just off the coast... is he a comrade of yours?"

"Damn... does that mean it's already been five days since I landed here? I have to hurry..."

He could not stay another five days on this island, so he put away the Aetherium Heart and put Rose, who was still unconscious, on his back.

"Falgnis... I must go. We will see each other again very soon, I promise you..."

Atlas began to run fast toward the beach, but the fireball followed him very closely...

Grarl...

"Boy... it is not wise to sail in those waters in such a turbulent period... Why don't you wait for the storm to subside?"

"I can't… if I leave that fool in these waters for much longer. He will cause more havoc."

Seeing how ardently the boy was running, Falgnis reactivated his power and took them both to the shore of the beach, but he did not let him dive like a madman into those waters...

Grarl...

"Wait... you must know that your companion has been cursed by one of Nekrium's most powerful Dark Techniques. Probably only his emissary on this world has such power... his Chosen..."

"... You cannot trust that person... or rather his mind, since it's infected by the putrid hand of that being."

The sudden appearance on the beach disoriented Atlas, but the creature's words confirmed their assumptions and finally gave him the answers he had sought so ardently.

"So, Nekrium is behind the curse... well, his Chosen..." Atlas mumbled over his words and then asked in confirmation, "So, the wide-range formation covering the whole Obscurium's region is the work of him, too?"

"Of course... he has selected this part of the world as his playground... to be precise, it was his chosen work. Nekrium bestows his vile powers on his underlings and slowly corrupts this world... Anyway, I won't tell you anything else... so stop asking about him!"

Since he could ask about this mysterious being, Atlas changed the subject rapidly: "Is that why we couldn't land together on this island?"

Grarl...

"Certainly... the formation surrounding this island won't allow Nekrium's presence, infection, or servants to infect my safe corner... as for you, the Aether Primeval Stigma concealed your presence, aura, and soul. That's why you could get to my cave so easily..."

Another powerful rune ability had been revealed, resolving many doubts, such as what had happened in the stronghold.

Thinking back to that creature with a shrill voice hiding in the dark corners of that creepy underground room, Atlas felt his back chill.

It was a sensational power, to say the least, but what were its limits?

He could conceal him from the eyes of a powerful creature, but to what extent?

He had to find an answer, but this was not the right time...

"There is a way to cure or at least suppress the curse's effect more than he is doing right now?"

There was a brief moment of silence, and then the creature spoke in a severe tone...

Grarl...

"Hmm... A high-realm cultivator with control over the light decree can be of help... but this should not be a problem since that fellow is already engulfed in the power of light by a large degree..."

"Indeed, he used several techniques related to that decree along the journey..." Atlas commented, thinking about the past few days, "... maybe, he is using his deep knowledge over that power to suppress the curse. So, what I need is an effective way to completely repress it!"

Grarl.

"Indeed... only light can resist dark law... Maybe... maybe... if we can cure that man... Oblivion will have a strong opponent for that ruthless monster... after all, he is one of the few chosen of the Progenitors."

"Progenitors??" Atlas shouted in shock in response to those words.

He had heard of those legendary existences, but most of them were related to the origin of this world. These creatures had long been forgotten by the people and only nominated by their believers.

"That's not possible... they are not real... or am I wrong?"

"They are real. Furthermore, I can assure you that they are still alive. It's just that..." Falgnis halted his speech for a moment as he pondered his following words: " Well... it's a bit complicated to explain, so I won't give you all the details now. You just need to know that Sulestia has chosen the old man!"

"Sulestia..."

Stories about this mystical character resurface in the young man's mind: "The one who ruled over the light..."

"Yes... Progenitor Sulestia... they referred to him in that way too. It was one of the benevolent and most cherished Progenitors."

Reaching this point, a crazy thought appeared in the young man's head. Even if Falgnis had warned him a few times, that speculation aroused his curiosity, and sure, he couldn't hold back: "I heard stories about another ruler... one with obscure origin... the ruler of the darkness... Alas, his name wasn't recorded and probably lost over time..."

Falgnis stared back at the young man intently. His flames were burning fiercely and chaotically as if ready to burst out at any time, but he let the young man finish his speech.

"I know what you said... but just once, okay?! Could it be Nekrium, one of the Progenitors?"

As soon as those words echoed in the space, Falgnis's aura roared in response, sending waves of intense heat all around.

Atlas had somehow anticipated a reaction but to this degree.

"That bastard... he doesn't deserve the title of Progenitor... yet he is one of them, indeed."

Hearing his response, Atlas gulped down hard. His doubts over this whole matter kept increasing dangerously and making him more and more confused.