Apocalypse: Starting With Three Unique Blessings-Chapter 87: visitor.

Magnus closed his eyes, focusing on recovery. It wasn’t just his mana reserves and the pressure within his soul that needed attention, but also his mental energy. Such exertion was to be expected; manipulating the very fabric of concepts demanded immense mental fortitude.

Time drifted by as Magnus remained motionless, his back against a tree trunk, eyes closed in restful contemplation. He felt no concern about potential ambush. With [Whisper of the World] active, an invisible net of awareness spread around him, instantly alerting him to any approaching creature or presence. This absolute certainty allowed him to drift into a light slumber.

He was roused by a tremor in the earth, a low rumble that suggested something massive was moving in his direction. Yet, he didn’t show any signs of alarm.

"He’s here," Magnus murmured, his gaze fixed on the source of the disturbance. A cloud of dust was rising rapidly, marking the approach of whatever had caused the ground to shake.

One of Magnus’s initial reasons for wanting to bringing Vorax along on this journey, aside from the training opportunity, was to examine the creature’s Void. He’d been meaning to do so for quite some time, but ever since Vorax hatched, one event or another had prevented it. Today, he had resolved to finally investigate. Vorax’s insistence on starting his journey yesterday had briefly distracted him, his focus shifting to his own training. However, as he prepared to rest, he’d sensed Vorax’s presence nearby, somewhere within the Silent Forest, and had called for him. It seemed the summons had been answered.

Magnus straightened up, turning fully towards the approaching dust cloud. Soon, he discerned Vorax’s immense form, partially submerged in the earth, swimming through the ground as if it were water. As it neared, Vorax slowed its subterranean passage, then erupted from the earth, its entire form now visible.

Despite its journey through the dirt, Vorax’s metallic body and spikes were spotless, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. Magnus couldn’t help but frown.

’It looks different,’ he thought, his brow furrowed. It was undeniably shinier than before. ’Did it undergo some kind of minor evolution?’ he wondered. A similar change had occurred earlier, after he’d given Vorax some celestial essence. The creature had become noticeably shinier after absorbing it. Now, it was even more radiant, prompting Magnus to suspect some form of evolutionary advancement. He decided to examine Vorax’s status to confirm any changes.

---[Vorax - Status]---

Name: Vorax

STATUS: ACTIVE - EARLY STAGE

THREAT LEVEL: LOW (POTENTIAL: APOCALYPTIC)

CLASSIFICATION: VOID ENTITY/WORLD DEVOURER

ATTRIBUTES:

> SIZE: VARIABLE (Base: Small, Berserk: Mountainous)

> MASS: IMMENSE (Rapidly increasing)

> APPETITE: INFINITE

> DURABILITY: HIGH (Adapting and strengthening with consumption)

> ENERGY CAPACITY: VAST (Expanding rapidly)

ABILITIES:

> DEVOURER:

- DESCRIPTION: Consumes any matter or energy, converting it into fuel for growth and power.

> BERSERK:

- DESCRIPTION: A combat state triggered by heightened hunger or perceived threat.

- EFFECTS:

* Significant size increase.

* Enhanced Devourer range and effectiveness.

* Accelerated energy absorption.

* Increased aggression and destructive potential.

> VOID:

- DESCRIPTION: An extra-dimensional space controlled by Vorax.

- FUNCTION:

* Storage for unwanted consumed material.

* Temporary or permanent imprisonment of living beings.

* Personal sanctuary/tactical retreat.

- SIZE: LARGE (Expanding with Vorax’s growth)

- ACCESS: Instantaneous via willed translocation.

-----

"It’s still the same," Magnus mused, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that Vorax was on the cusp of an evolution. He pondered the potential changes, wondering if they were connected to the increasing shine of its metallic form. What new abilities or characteristics would manifest? The possibilities intrigued him.

A sense of excitement stirred within Magnus. Vorax was his companion, a powerful extension of his own strength. In some ways, Vorax’s loyalty ran even deeper than that of his summons.

While their allegiance stemmed from the act of summoning, Vorax’s bond was rooted in Magnus having hatched him, creating a connection akin to that between parent and child. The anticipation of Vorax’s impending growth filled Magnus with a sense of anticipation and pride.

Meanwhile, oblivious to his master’s thoughts, Vorax continued its approach, shrinking into its small, white, furry worm form just before reaching Magnus. It climbed onto his neck, snuggling in and rubbing its head affectionately against his skin.

Magnus was taken aback by this sudden display of affection. He could feel waves of excitement radiating from Vorax’s tiny body.

"Hey buddy, missing me already?" Magnus asked, reaching up to stroke the small creature nestled against his neck. Vorax had only left the previous night; it hadn’t even been a full day. This sudden outpouring of affection seemed unusual.

His curiosity was short-lived, however, as understanding dawned.

"You little fucker," Magnus chuckled, "You don’t miss me, you just want some celestial essence."

But then, through their unique connection, Vorax communicated something more. Vorax possessed intelligence, but not enough to form coherent speech or thoughts. Instead, it communicated through emotions and impressions. The bond they shared translated these raw feelings into something Magnus could comprehend.

"It isn’t for you, but for something else?" Magnus asked, puzzled.

Vorax’s little worm-like body bobbed in affirmation.

"What is it?" Magnus pressed.

Vorax communicated again, and understanding blossomed in Magnus’s mind.

"You want to show me instead?" he asked.

Vorax nodded, and a large, dark vortex materialized before them. Vorax nudged him towards it, encouraging him to enter.

Magnus recognized the vortex. He had seen it before, whenever Vorax entered or exited its Void space. This time, however, it was much larger, easily big enough for a human to pass through.

Magnus didn’t hesitate. Exploring Vorax’s Void was the very reason he had called for the creature. He stepped into the swirling darkness.

As he passed through the vortex, Magnus felt a momentary disconnect, a fleeting loss of consciousness. When his awareness returned, his surroundings had transformed.

He was no longer in the Silent Forest. Instead, he stood in a vast expanse of knee-high grass. A gentle, almost divine breeze rustled through the blades, playfully tugging at his blond hair. Two luminous orbs, resembling miniature suns, bathed the landscape in a beautiful, otherworldly light.

Magnus frowned, a sense of familiarity washing over him.

’This space... why does it feel like the Council’s realm?’ he mused, his brow furrowed. The atmosphere was eerily similar to the space where he had been summoned by the Council.

’Is it because Vorax is a celestial beast?’ he wondered. Vorax possessed a celestial bloodline, linking it to the Gods, who were also celestial beings. Perhaps that explained the similarity.

"So, what is it you want to show me?" Magnus asked, addressing Vorax, who still clung to his neck like a living scarf.

Vorax detached itself, but instead of falling, a golden light materialized beneath it, allowing it to float in the air at shoulder height with Magnus.

"You want me to come with you?" Magnus asked. The small worm nodded.

"Alright, lead the way," Magnus responded. Before he could take a step, however, he felt a force lift him from the ground. The same golden light that supported Vorax now buoyed him as well.

"Whoa!" Magnus exclaimed, caught off guard. The next moment, they were propelled forward at incredible speed, Vorax leading the way.

They flew across the grassy plain, the landscape blurring around them. A mountain range loomed in the distance, growing larger with each passing second. Magnus watched in awe, marveling at the sheer size of this space. They had been traveling at a tremendous velocity for quite some time. Just as he began to ponder the extent of Vorax’s Void, they came to an abrupt halt, having reached their destination.

Before them stood a towering mountain. They hovered at its base, before what appeared to be the entrance to a cave.

"Is this it?" Magnus asked Vorax.

The small worm nodded and then communicated with him.

"Oh, so you can no longer maintain the levitation because you’re out of energy?" Magnus clarified.

Vorax nodded again.

"No worries," Magnus murmured as Vorax floated down to rest on his neck, conveying that the reason for their journey lay within the cave. They needed to proceed further.

Without hesitation, Magnus entered the cave and began to delve deeper into its depths. The cave seemed naturally formed, yet its surfaces were surprisingly smooth. Various magical crystals embedded in the walls emitted a soft light, illuminating the passage. Not that Magnus needed the illumination; with the night vision granted by his [Empyrean Codex], darkness posed no obstacle, except perhaps in places of exceptionally potent shadow.

"The energy here feels different," Magnus noted as they progressed. The familiar, almost divine energy of the Void persisted, but here, it felt more vibrant, more alive. This observation piqued his curiosity.

His suspicions were soon confirmed. Deeper within the cave, he began to notice a variety of magical plants thriving in the unusual environment. Rich resources, all of them. And as he ventured further still, his astonishment grew.

Red Heart Vine, Umbraflora, Deepmoss... He recognized them all, valuable and rare specimens. Many were already fully matured. The cave was a veritable treasure trove of magical flora.

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