I Ascend Alone-Chapter 111: Summoning Vorathos

I sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling the exhaustion of the day weighing on me, but sleep still seemed out of reach. My mind was still buzzing with thoughts—about the guild, the next steps, and everything that had happened. I needed a moment to center myself, to focus.

Without thinking much about it, I summoned Vorathos from the shadows, his tall, imposing figure materializing in front of me. The room darkened slightly as his form took shape, the air around him thick with the presence of the Abyss.

He stood silently, as always, waiting for my command.

"Vorathos," I muttered, still deep in thought. I focused on the shadows around him, reaching for the link between us.

"How can I serve you, My Liege?" He asked while kneeling.

As I did, I pulled up his status, the data appearing in my mind as if I were accessing some kind of interface. I took a moment to look it over:

***

[ System Notification ]

[ Updated Status Window ]

Name: Vorathos

Level: 100

Class: Abyss Monarch's Shadow Vanguard

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[ Exclusive Skills ]

Abyssal Strike (Lv. 5)

Shadow Manifestation (Lv. 5)

Night's Guard (Lv. 5)

Abyssal Rebirth (Lv. 5)

Voracious Darkness (Lv. 5)

Special Ability: Abyssal Commander - Grants immunity to Abyssal corruption, enhances dark-based abilities.

-

[ Updated Stats ]

Strength (STR): 250

Agility (AGI): 250

Vitality (VIT): 250

Intelligence (INT): 250

-

[ Special System Stats ]

HP: 100,000/100,000

MP: 80,000/80,000

***

I ran my eyes over his stats impressed. The raw strength he had was already more than enough to crush most enemies, but it was the Abyssal Commander ability that stood out. With it, I knew he'd only grow stronger, and his loyalty would remain unwavering.

"You've become quite the force, Vorathos," I said softly, more to myself than to him.

Vorathos remained still, his gaze unwavering. "I exist to serve, My Liege."

I glanced at Vorathos, curiosity piquing in my mind. His words lingered in the air, and for the first time, I truly questioned the depth of his servitude.

"What do you mean by 'I exist to serve, My Liege'?" I asked, my voice laced with both curiosity and a slight unease. "Do you have no other purpose?"

Vorathos stood perfectly still, his shadowy form almost blending into the darkness of the room. "My purpose is bound to you, My Liege. My existence is to serve the will of the Abyss and those it recognizes as its ruler. I was forged in its depths, shaped to follow and protect the monarch who holds dominion over this realm."

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I tilted my head slightly, absorbing his words. "Have you served another Abyss Monarch before me?"

There was a brief pause before Vorathos answered, his tone distant, almost as if he was recalling something long buried. "Yes, My Liege. The monarch who came before you. He was the one who once ruled the Abyss, but he vanished... thousands of years ago. Since then, I have awaited the return of one worthy to claim the throne."

The weight of his words settled over me. A thousand years of waiting. A thousand years of servitude. I couldn't even imagine what that must have been like for him—bound by duty, watching time pass without a purpose.

"So, you were waiting for me?" I asked quietly, more to myself than to him.

Vorathos remained silent for a moment before he spoke again, his voice steady. "Yes, My Liege. The Abyss recognizes its ruler when they appear, and I, along with others of my kind, await that moment. The monarch's return."

His words were heavy, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. Not just for the Abyss itself, but for those like Vorathos who had been waiting so long.

I wondered if, like me, they had felt the passage of time as a constant reminder of something lost—of a power unclaimed.

"You were forged by the Abyss," I muttered, more to myself now, "and you wait for the one who would claim it."

"Indeed," Vorathos replied, his voice unwavering. "And now, I stand ready to serve you, My Liege. As I was always meant to."

I leaned back slightly, processing the depth of Vorathos' words. His mention of "others like me" sparked a new question in my mind. If he wasn't the only one, then how many were there? How many of these shadowy figures had been waiting for their monarch to return?

"So, since you mentioned 'others like you,'" I asked, my curiosity growing, "does that mean there are more of you? Other Shadow Vanguards, I mean."

Vorathos remained perfectly still, his gaze unwavering, as though he had anticipated the question. "Yes, My Liege. There are fiveof us in total. Five Abyss Monarch's Shadow Vanguards. Each one of us was forged to serve the monarch of the Abyss and to stand by their side when they return to claim their throne."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the number. Five seemed both too few and too many, all at once. "And you're not the strongest of them?"

Vorathos' expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift in his stance—perhaps an acknowledgment of the question. "Correct, My Liege. I am not the strongest among us. There are others with greater power, ones who specialize in different aspects of the Abyss' might. But I am well-suited for the role I was given."

I leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Who, then, is the strongest among you?"

Vorathos paused for a moment, as if considering the question carefully. "The strongest of the ten is Aze'kar, the Shadow Warden. His control over the Abyss' darkest forces surpasses all others. He is a being of pure shadow, capable of manipulating the very essence of darkness itself."

Aze'kar. The name hung in the air, heavy with implication. The thought of such a being, so powerful and ancient, sent a shiver down my spine.

"And what makes you say you're well-suited for your role?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to him. "What's your specialty?"