Dormant

Threads of time and needles of space wove together in my mind as I envisioned a universe, then a multiverse.

I compressed them, shaping them into a single form.

An orb took shape before me, and with a decisive motion, I shattered it, allowing the essence to flow freely.

From the shattered orb, I began to mold a key a blade-like key.

Its arching point bent backward as the blade itself twisted and warped. When the warping ceased, the key now a blade emerged.

The hilt of the blade was a circular, six-inch grip wrapped in white bandages, lending it an air of ancient craftsmanship.

The pommel was a grafted, jagged black and blue edge that extended up the hilt, creating a chaotic, yet purposeful design.

The guard formed a curved sequence with holes within, resembling a web stretched out to provide protection while maintaining an ethereal balance.

The blade itself was black with a mixture of blue hues, etched with jagged lines that seemed to flicker as if damaged.

Yet, its edge was undeniably sharp, unyielding to the slightest resistance.

In my mind, I grasped the sword and gave it a name: "Dormant Edge."

With this realization, I opened my eyes.

I now stood in the middle of the Dormant Summit, within the throne room. The gothic architecture loomed around me as I surveyed the room with a weary gaze.

Suddenly, a pressure engulfed me potent and suffocating. It was a force so overwhelming that it threatened to shatter my mind and soul.

However, I held my ground.

With a steady breath, I summoned the Dormant Edge and plunged it deep into the ground.

The room trembled violently, the force reverberating through every corner as it stabilized under the weight of both the Lamb God's power and my own.

This crafted key had become my anchor a realm of my own making, free from the need for Remembrance.

Sighing, I sank to the ground, gazing at the black fire burning across the ceiling.

This realm was the creation of a formidable being a deity who had transcended the conventional limits of existence.

His name was Dogedian a self-actualized deity, and he called himself The Dormant, about his Remembrance.

Taking a slow, deliberate breath, I reached toward the ceiling.

A swirling orb of shifting energy descended, its form contorting as it fell into my grasp.

With Dormant Edge in hand, I rose to my feet once more.

The orb I held was the Remembrance he wielded a fragment of his immense power.

Without hesitation, I thrust Dormant Edge upwards, embedding the orb into the blade.

The weapon ignited with a black, fiery glow, dimming slowly as its energy was sealed away.

I had done it sealing ninety-nine percent of the Dormant Edge's power into the blade.

Now, I possessed a new weapon, a realm, and a Remembrance that enhanced its potency beyond comprehension.

As I blinked, returning to reality, I found myself waking in my bed that feeling of being pulled from underwater came back. Above me hovered the Dormant Edge.

I sat up, holding the sword in my hands, admiring its craftsmanship and power.

With this weapon, I should be able to wield it without risking the world's destruction after all, it contains an entire multiverse within a single blade.

Almost all of its power has been sealed away, leaving only a fraction relative to my current level.

I glanced over at my bag resting on the table and retrieved the envelope Albert gave me. Manifesting a quill, I began to write a letter.

The letter detailed every event leading to Albert's death, outlining the circumstances and ensuring they were not caught up in the ongoing war.

Then, I invoked Albert's name. "My little Messenger from the sky, from the Astral Sea, I call upon thee. Drift this message to all those you deem worthy to see."

I placed the letter inside the envelope, which spun around and vanished.

That should inform all members of the Silent Court.

Now, I can proceed with the other preparations needed.

I unsommoned the Dormant Edge and then rose and made my way to Rosaline's room. I knocked gently before entering. She looked up from her desk, her eyes curious.

"You should start packing everything you'll need," I said calmly.

She nodded, a slight smile touching her lips. "Okay. What's the full plan?"

I took a breath before explaining, "We're heading north. There's a mountain range near the borders where I'll begin your training."

Her brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Why there? And what exactly will I be doing?"

I let my thoughts drift for a moment before responding. "Fighting strong enemies and gaining experience."

"I would argue that I have more experience than you, but whatever you say, dear master." She said while standing up.

I didn't respond, merely gazing out the window, gauging that it was around two hours before the first light.

I sighed. "Hurry up, we leave soon."

With that, I left and went back downstairs.

I wanted to start the official commemoration of being a follower of the Lamb God.

In this world, they referred to Him by a different name the Shepherd.

It held significance, a reminder of His guiding presence in times of hardship and strife.

I made my way to the couch in the corner of the room and sat down, spreading a piece of parchment on the table in front of me. 

Though I already bore His mark, I needed to ensure that I could invoke Him as a reliable backup in the most perilous situations.

This wasn't the same as when I had called upon Him in desperation, shackled and powerless.

No, this time, it was different, a true invocation, a ritual steeped in meaning and intent. I needed His guidance.

 His power, and most importantly, His will to guide my steps through the darkest of paths.

I began moving my hand, writing the invocation in Latin a calling that encapsulated my entire essence as the Lamb God.

When the final word was inscribed, I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the parchment. It felt complete, sealed with my intent.

All that remained was to properly invoke Him, knowing that the Shepherd would answer in my hour of need.

Now, I must send this and see if His mark appears over it.

"I call upon the King of Lambs, the Monarch of Time, the Shepherd who guides the lost, and the one who sacrifices all to the sea. Grant me your power, and as a humble lamb, I shall walk in your path."

As the final words left my mouth, a symbol encompassing the entity of His grace manifested over the text.

A geometric, hexagonal symbol featuring a lamb at its core. Surrounding it, intricate lines form pathways resembling time-traveling gears and arcs.

Then, it flew toward me, embedding itself into my chest as my shirt ripped. Right in the middle. How crude, I said, chuckling at my own joke.

Forming a kinship with higher deities grants immense power in exchange for followers. The more followers I have, the greater the power I gain.

What makes this process even more beneficial is that I, too, can surpass even His might while still enjoying the benefits of being His follower.

It's a win-win situation.

As the symbol faded away, I felt His power flowing into me a steady, yet lesser surge compared to the last time.

However, since I didn't yield to His trial, I can now summon fragments of that power to perform tasks, like casting spells.

I smiled, standing up, rolling the parchment into a scroll, and sending it to the Dormant Summit.

I made my way up to my room, the familiar feel of the Dormant Summit surrounding me.

At the center of the room, I summoned my Dormant Edge, the blade shimmering faintly in the dim light.

Carefully, I wrapped it in black bandages I pulled from beneath my bed, securing the weapon.

Once the blade was secured, I slid my mask over my face, its intricate carvings casting subtle shadows across my features.

My black jacket followed, a simple but effective piece designed for both protection and utility.

After adjusting the fit, I settled into my black pants, the weight of the fabric grounding me.

I'll store everything here for now I could pull anything I needed from the Dormant Summit at a moment's notice. It was a convenience I wouldn't take lightly.

Heading down the hallway, I made my way to Rosaline's room. Her door opened slowly, revealing her silhouette within.

She wore a brown pair of pants with a tucked-in white shirt, the fabric adorned with subtle shoulder pads.

The sword I had gifted her was strapped securely to her back, and in her hand, she carried a small bag filled with necessities.

"Ready?" I asked softly.

She nodded, giving a small smile. "Yes. Let's go."

Together, we exited the house, the cool night air brushing against our faces. The streets were quiet, leading us toward the train station.

As we reached the platform, I glanced at her, my voice calm.

"The train will take us to the next town. From there, we'll walk."

She gave a brief nod. "Okay."

As the train rumbled along the tracks, I kept my eyes on the shifting scenery outside, my thoughts heavier than the silence that surrounded us.

The train passed the remnants of a scar in the land a large hole, a chilling reminder of my battle with Daniel.

I clenched my fists. I truly pray they find mercy in the Astral Sea unless their sins bind them to the underworld.

Regret weighed on me, a quiet companion I couldn't shake.

My arrogance back then led to his death. I could have avoided it. Should have.

The only reason I stood here now was due to sheer luck and the knowledge I carried.

But luck and wit would only carry me so far, and I knew my time was running out.

Six years. Now, more like half a year.

I could feel the truth of it in my bones: I was not strong enough. I might hope to match someone like Albert now, but even then, he held the upper hand.

That wouldn't stop me. I wasn't about to sit idly by.

My growth started here, and the Dormant Summit would be my cornerstone.

While I served the Shepherd, the Lamb God, I knew I would need more than faith.

There were others I could call upon others whose power I could seek. Dogedian.

A dead man, true, but not erased. Even death hadn't stripped him of his summoning.

If Albert could answer through my invocation, then so could Dogedian.

The thought of calling upon him stirred something in me a strange mixture of trepidation and resolve.

I could call upon his spirit and, if fortune favored me, even seek his guidance within the Dormant Summit itself.

More importantly, I needed to find his body.

I was certain it lay somewhere in the mountains we now headed toward.

That was another reason I had chosen this path.

The reason was simple: I wanted to awaken. To break the shackles placed upon all who lived in this world.

Being a transmigrant had stripped me of any heritage-based abilities, the natural gifts of this world.

I would need to forge my own path and carve my own lineage.

And I would start by unlocking the dormant powers hidden in that place.

I glanced at Rosaline, her steady composure unbroken even as the train swayed slightly. I found myself wondering not just about my path, but about hers as well.

I would like to add her to my lineage, to make her a true part of my bloodline.

Through a blood pact, I could bind her to me not as a follower, but as family.

"Rose," I began, keeping my voice soft and measured, almost hesitant, "do you hold any lingering hope of finding your parents?"

She paused for a moment, her eyes flicking from the window to me. Then, with a small, serene smile, she replied, "Nope. I only hope they find peace amongst the storm that binds them."

So she knows. She knows exactly who they are and what binds them. Rosaline was always the smartest and strongest out of the seven, wasn't she?

I leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze. "Then I think you should join me," I said, my words deliberate. "Would you like to make a blood pact?"

Without hesitation, she extended her hand, her expression unwavering. "I think I do," she said simply.

As I grabbed on I felt our two souls merge ever so slightly and my blood boiled. 

Then a small token appeared in my mind, one with a picture of me and her embedded.

Hmm, I think I like this feeling...joy.