Shadow Slave: Possibilities Without Meaning

[Prepare for appraisal...]

Aldric was floating in a space between worlds. Between dream and reality. An empty expanse of space illuminated by a sea of stars. Connecting these stars was a myriad of countless strings of silver light. Woven into a web etched into space itself.

It made sense. Given the powers of the nightmare spell, it must have a body. He wondered if it had a heart as well.

This sight was often the thing that sleepers were happy to talk about. Describing the celestial body they witnessed. It was something completely unrelated to their harrowing first nightmare. An experience available only to those who earned it.

Aldric's musing was interrupted by the spell.

[You have received a Memory: Malice Of The Deep.]

Knowing that something was gained from that disturbing battle eased some of Aldric's aggression surrounding it.

Aldric knew that it would be the rank of awakened. This would greatly help him on his first journey to the dream realm. Allowing him power above his rank. Given it was from a terror, the enchantments would be extremely potent with a rank of Tier 6. 

The spell spoke but it was different this time. Hearing it through his entire being, it felt like the celestial system spoke to his soul.

[Aspirant! Your Trial Is Over.]

[In a Godless era, one insignificant cave dweller made something of himself. From passing his initiation to being a hunter for 2 whole months; his ambition knew no bounds. Those in the way of his goals fell beneath him at his whim. A half-century conspiracy did not falter his will. Unraveled by his machinations, he stood alone on the battlefield.]

[You have defeated 5 Dormant Beasts: Burrow Fiend]

[You have defeated 3 Dormant Beasts: Cave Lizard]

[You have defeated 1 Dormant Human: Ralt]

[You have defeated 1 Dormant Devil: Cave Hydra]

[You have defeated 1 Awakened Human: Elder Yarnm]

[You have defeated 1 Awakened Monster: Cragscourge]

[You have defeated 1 Awakened Terror: Mindleech Of The Deep]

[You have achieved the impossible!]

[Final appraisal: Glorious. Your ambition is without restraint.]

'Ok..Ok' He knew where this was going and he liked it.

[Dreamer Aldric, receive your boon!]

Aldric took a deep breath in the starry void.

[You have been bestowed a True Name: First Class Singularity.]

'That sounds cold.' Aldric smirked.

This was a massive boon to him. A True Name could protect him from many esoteric creatures. It also could allow him to spread his influence should it be known.

[Your Aspect is ready to evolve. Evolve Aspect?]

"Yes" Aldric said in a clear voice.

[Dormant Aspect Bounded Cavedweller is evolving...]

[New Aspect acquired.]

[Aspect Rank: Divine.]

'Divine'

Aldric let out a sigh of relief.

'It was all worth it.' He thought.

Aldric knew that his appraisal here would dictate the rest of his life. The rest of his destiny. He swore that he would perform no matter the cost. And that he did.

With this, his potential was limitless. Just the ability to form additional soul cores is paramount for the journey he wants to take. It is the only way he could compete against those who have been awakened for decades and characters like Sunless, Nephis, and Mordred.

'Now for the Aspect'. He said

Aldric knew that the aspect ability held just as much importance or even more now than his rank. After all, what is potential you don't reach it? A niche utility based aspect could be his downfall if he is dropped into unconquered territory on the winter solstice.

Aspect: [Made In Abyss]

Aspect Rank: Divine

Aspect Description: [Born In an Epoch of Darkness, You are a being influenced by the sliver of ??? released during a clandestine voyage. Your boundless soul echoes a lost connection thus filling you with a sense of melancholy.]

Innate Ability: [Chalice Of Requiem]

Ability Description:[You are an empty chalice. Encompassing the Darkness of all who fall before you.]

It was a lot to take in for Aldric. His mind was running a mile a second trying to connect the knowledge he had with the possibilities of his abilities. 

His aspect was a true mystery. With parts of its description being refused to be translated by the spell, he did not know the origin of his aspect. The being described was not something that rang any bells in his mind. It was a loaded description. Aldric knew he would have all the time in the world to dissect it. 

Carrying on with reading the runes, he came upon his innate ability. From what he remembered it was similar to Nephis' innate ability. He theorised that he would be able to absorb the darkness within his enemies to empower himself. What the rules were regarding it, he did not know. Whether he gained strength from those weaker than himself, it was very vague.

[The First Seal is broken.]

[Awakening dormant powers...]

A foreign force invaded Aldric's soul. Expanding. Changing. Refining. He could now feel the weight of his soul. Not just a metaphysical understanding but actually feeling it. The feeling coalesced inside his heart. Like the core of the sun, extreme heat and pressure were spreading throughout the rest of his body.

As they say, the soul and body are connected. Aldric's body went through a metamorphosis. His bones, muscles, organs, and whole bodily systems were being revitalised. Rebirth. He was now a different class of human.

With his enhanced senses, he focused back onto the starry void to notice a different sight. 

A sea of clouds met him. Each bigger than the last, they overlapped harmoniously over each other. They glittered with light like space dust. He peered through the clouds and looked down, a dark abyss sprawled out. With no beginning nor end. Looking up he saw a few infinitesimally small stars dotted in the sky but it was so far away. In the center of the sky, what Aldric could only describe as a black hole was etched into the sky. With something resembling an event horizon, its darkness was so profound that it swallowed all light surrounding it. The only thing near it were small dots rotating around it.

'Those must be my memories.'

The spell spoke.

[Aspect Ability acquired]

[Aspect Ability Name: Dark Well]

Aldric focussed on the description of his aspect ability.

[Aspect Ability description: You can manifest the Darkness within.]

It was simple for Aldric. It seemed like he could harbor the darkness of those who he killed and use his aspect ability to manifest it for combat and hopefully utility. He would have to experiment with the properties of true darkness as the novel did not detail much about it. All he knew was that it was its own elemental force rivaling light.

He was content with the powers he gained. Even without knowing all the properties of true darkness, he knew it held immense combat capabilities and would most likely hold secret attributes that he could develop later on. It was the best elemental power he could ask for that was available to him.

Aldric knew what would be next. His Achilles heel. Something that could dictate the rest of his life. Maybe he would not be able to sleep. Not be able to see. Not be able to speak. The possibilities were endless. The spell could plunder something he took for granted or even add a status effect on him. Be in perpetual pain when using your abilities. That would be horrific to deal with and would lead to your death. Lastly, it could add a condition to your being. Constricting your freedom. Have those around you not remember your existence. Always tell the truth. Always lie. Aldric knew with the power he gained and its potential that a debilitating flaw was awaiting him. His panicking was interrupted.

[All power has a price.]

[You have received a Flaw.]

[Your Flaw is...]

Aldric read the runes and his heart sank to the bottom of the void.

"Fuck"