Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 969: Importing Sigils

"We should be able to artificially import your Sigils into the Nightmare." Suyin grinned.

Alice found herself in a daze.

How?

What link was there that’ll allow them to import the Sigils? What about the Nightmare abilities? The Embryos?

"As you know, abilities and stats you gain in the Nightmare can be reflected in the waking world. Civilians who find new strength, Hunters breaching their bottleneck." Suyin started to explain.

"A vessel can only hold so much. So where do they find the space? When you gain new Sigils, your body is reshaped to accommodate that Sigil."

"The contract that’s formed between us and the Abyss." Alice frowned.

"Exactly. Previously, you made a separate contract with the Nightmare. By partaking in its systems, you gained power. Not a lot, but you still gained power."

"I don’t see how that would change things though? If it did, wouldn’t you have noticed earlier?" Alice tilted her head.

The only thing that changed...

"Yes but you did something differently this time. You tried to use your Sigils in the Nightmare didn’t you?"

Alice paused.

She managed to trigger her passive ability.

"Seems like you know the root cause then. Either way, that action triggered something inside you. The contract with the Nightmare shifted and a bridge has been formed between the two. Now, whenever you’re in the Nightmare, it seems like your Abyssal energy is also being stimulated.

"With a bit of trial and error, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to import your Sigils over."

"Can it be done?" Alice asked seriously.

If they can do it by the next Nightmare, clearing this zone wouldn’t be an issue at all.

Not when the skills she’s used to is by her side.

"That’s for me to find out right? I need to do some experiments with the other departments and see if we can figure out this connection." Suyin shrugged, hopping off her chair.

Alice suddenly shivered at the realisation.

"Don’t tell me..." Her eyes slowly widened.

"I heard you had a good time with them in there."

Before Alice could even protest, several familiar silhouettes entered the room. Only this time Alice could see their faces.

"AH SH-"

###

Miki leaned against the table with a cup of coffee in her hands.

It was a strange state. To be mentally exhausted yet her body is awake.

Regardless, time waits for no one. There was work to be done and she had to be around to do it.

Casualties were... lower than before.

A good sign.

They also managed to map more of the Nightmare thanks to their sacrifices...

Miki tightened her jaw.

She stared at the names, burning them into her mind. Making sure their efforts were not forgotten.

All them were proud soldiers who sacrificed everything so that the common man can live.

"I promise you. Your efforts will not go to waste..." Miki mumbled.

An operator walked up to her.

"Captain."

"Mnm? What is it? Have we gotten the estimates for the next Siege?" Miki glanced over.

The operator hesitated for a moment, a frown on her face.

"Erm... That... We don’t know."

Miki’s finger twitched.

"Pardon?"

"We’ve been desperately scanning our surroundings but... there’s nothing. No sign of Nightmares bleeding into reality. No signs of gathering monsters. It’s completely empty." She answered, handing Miki the report.

Placing her coffee down, Miki flipped through the pages.

". . ."

A frown hung on her lips.

It’s as they say...

The surrounding scans were too... normal. So normal to the point it felt artificial.

Off putting.

Miki couldn’t calm down this bad feeling in her chest.

"Keep scanning. Keep me updated if there are any changes. We’ll continue to prepare as if the strongest siege is coming. Don’t loosen up on preparations." Miki ordered as the operator nodded her head, relying the information to the others.

Exhaling through her nose, Miki stepped out of the room for a moment.

During the last moment in the Nightmare... That silhouette chasing after them.

Miki frowned.

Why did it remind her of Alice...

###

"Urg..." A man groaned as he held his head.

Once again... Nothing.

"What a mess you left me... How am I supposed to find you." He mumbled, standing up.

The Nightmare realm was exceedingly strange.

Even after comparing it to the similar attempts in the past, it was difficult to achieve what the Nightmare realm has accomplished.

The way it was bleeding into reality, hijacking the laws to supplement its own existence.

The entire realm felt... alive.

If the Abyss had the Will... Then the Nightmare had something similar.

But that being wasn’t Nyer.

He may be the one who created and operates the Nightmare. But he isn’t the existence that acts as an extension. He was not the ’Will’ of the Nightmare.

Whatever it is... it lay in the heart of Extalia.

Disrupting it may interrupt the function of the Nightmare.

However, it will also serve as a distraction for Nyer.

Ideally, giving Kaden the chance he needs.

Nalem scratched his hair and let out another sigh.

He much prefer to be a librarian. Even when helping Kaden scout out for information, he wasn’t someone that was suitable on the frontlines.

But there was something he hadn’t expected.

Familiar traces that couldn’t be mistaken.

The people converging in Extalia...

Clicking his tongue, Nalem made his way to the capital.

It was time to call in a few old favours. One of which belonged to the elves that he helped in the past.

Pausing in his steps, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

He couldn’t believe that a favour he gained from stopping Leoric will come in handy now.

###

"How are you feeling?" Arys asked as Allura clenched her fist a few times.

Pivoting on her right foot, she slammed her fist forward as flames erupted.

"It’s alright. The output is a little disappointing though. Different to the Nightmare." Allura frowned.

"That’s to be expected. The skills gained from the Nightmare isn’t being supported in reality. There are some link to your Sigils but not enough where it’ll take Abyssal energy as fuel." Arys replied while scanning Allura’s condition.

"However..."

"I know. Be careful right? If I tap out of Nightmare energy I’ll be using my life." Allura smiled as Arys nodded.

"You don’t have enough energy to use your other skills yet. Just fighting with some passive enhancements are the most you can do. And only for 3 minutes. The more intense the fight, the shorter the time." Arys warned.

Allura’s energy consumption was far greater than normal people. A byproduct of her fighting style that’s been ingrained into her instincts.

However, it used to be supported by her large reserves so Allura probably didn’t think much about it.

But now that they were stuck with a low battery, she had to learn how to control her output.

This kind of delicate control wasn’t something that Allura could get used to easily.

Just that punch right now was enough to siphon a large chunk of her energy away.

Was it strong? Yes it was.

Could be it stronger? Yes it can.

But it was not efficient.

The enemies they want to face would dodge a strike like this with easy.

Allura nodded as she sat down by a rock.

"Gin, have you found some of your old contacts?" She asked.

Gin nodded his head.

"I got a few hints on where they can be. But..." A frown hung on his face.

"Forget it. Let’s keep moving south. We’ll run into Alice sooner or later." He shook his head, dismissing his worries for now.

He didn’t seen to tell Allura about the additional piece of information yet.

Not when she was still this weak.

If he tells her...

She’ll no doubt drop everything to try and help find Kaden.

Gin tightened his fingers.

Allura raised an eyebrow before shrugging. If it was nothing else then so be it.

The only thing on her mind right now was what kind of gift she should get Alice when they meet again.

Knowing her...

She’ll probably want mead right?

But they haven’t found anything worthwhile yet.

###

Ria collapsed onto the floor.

Left over ink standing her clothes as she faced the sky.

More than half of her body had been turned to ink at this point.

Had she waited even a little longer...

Ria shook her head.

She didn’t want to think about that for now.

What mattered...

Was that she won.

A smile hung on her lips.

Opposite her, the Old Lord of Ink was slowly fading away.

Their surroundings ruined by lightning and ink.

She managed to defeat a Lord.

Ria forced her hand up.

The proof of her efforts.

Clenching her fist, she let out a laugh as her hand fell against the water.

"Congratulations. This fight was a fruitful one, don’t you agree? You managed to learn something from the way they applied their authority." Astrelya hovered above Ria on her cloud.

There was a lazy unamused look in her eyes.

"For the love of... Please don’t tell me you want to fight again. Right after I’ve already fought?" Ria frowned.

She was still tired from that fight, not ready to go another round against Astrelya of all people.

Even on a good day, she’ll be struggling never mind now.

"Do I look that cruel to you?" Astrelya frowned.

"Yes! Absolutely yes!"

Clicking her tongue, Astrelya flicked her fingers.

Ria found herself being carried onto the cloud while healing energy started to flood her body, stimulating her natural regeneration.

"Not today. I don’t feel like fighting today. Instead, we’ll have a break." Astrelya sighed.

Ria blinked her eyes.

She couldn’t hold back the urge to touch Astrelya’s forehead.

"Did you get kicked in the head while I was fighting?"

". . ."

Astrelya started to smack Ria while they drifted through Terminus.