Ascension: Cursed Blood-Chapter 32: First Rift

As a Tainted, Kain saw how the Awakened used the Codex several times. In his case, it was Derek, Valkyra, Aurora, and Brigta, the giantess mercenary.

To varying degrees, their abilities differed. Valkyra summoned dark hounds, Aurora created ice spears, Derek became a weapon himself for a single surge through the wind, and Brigta turned her hands into paws.

All of this pointed to limitless possibilities, but not to omnipotence. No matter how complex or compelling the first ability was, against higher-ranked creatures, appropriate measures were needed.

The Awakened didn't need to train to know how to use their abilities. The runes coming from the depths told them what to do. However, practice was needed later on. The runes were only the first step, mastery had to be acquired.

Now, it was time for Kain to use his power for the first time.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A shudder ran through the bridge - the monster ran straight at Kain, shattering the concrete surface with its hooves.

Kain's eyes twitched to the right. He looked not at the crimson cross but at the thorn hanging above his hand. It looked not like a weapon, but like a tool for torture, the target of which was he himself.

Kreyn, standing to the side, watched Kain's ability with curiosity. Even with his vast experience, he couldn't remember anything similar.

A shadow fell over Kain, the monster was in front of him.

In a quick burst, Kain leaped to the right, evading the monster's paw as three sharp claws swept before his eyes. Then, the crimson cross shuddered as the thorn pierced his hand, the tip coming out of his palm. The bright pain reflected on Kain's face was the real thing, not an illusion.

A drop of blood ran down the thorn's tip, stopping in midair. Now, Kain only had a few seconds to use his blood, or it would be just a waste.

'I'll do it, right now!'

Kain clenched his fist, punching straight into the monster's shoulder.

A wave of frost vapor came over the monster, shattering its paw into icy shards.

"Hmm?" Kreyn raised an eyebrow, delighted.

ROOOOOOAAAAARR!!!

The monster roared as Kain's fist slammed into its jaw, shattering its outstretched head into chunks of ice.

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Thump.

The decapitated monster crumbled to the ground, a deafening sound echoing across the bridge as sprays of dust rose up, mingling with the frosty vapor.

The crimson cross disappeared, the runes returning to Kain's core.

"Gha... Gha... Gha..."

Kain breathed heavily, staring at his hand in bewilderment. The wound on his palm was gone, but a slight pain lingered for a while.

"Not bad, not bad at all," Kreyn said, looking at the defeated monster. "What do you think of the first use of the Codex? Unbelievable, right?"

"This..."

Kain clenched his fist.

"Strange, I knew what to do. What's more, is it just me, or did I get faster? I mean..." he scratched the back of his head. "I'm a simple guy, I don't know how to fight against monsters or in general. But I dodged pretty smoothly, at least, it seems that way to me."

"Hahaha!" Kreyn patted him on the back. "Now I believe you had an active Rune Brand. There was so little time that the instructors didn't explain anything to you."

"Hmm?" Kain raised an eyebrow.

Kreyn poked himself in the chest. "Look, the Awakened are different from ordinary humans not just because of the Codex. The runes, their energy, that's what's important! They infuse your body, making you faster and stronger."

Then, Kreyn picked up an iron rod from the ground, as thick as an arm.

"Here, try to bend it."

Such a thing could be done by an ordinary man, perhaps, but only after years of training and huge muscles gained not by natural means.

It was an impossible task for a regular guy with an average physique.

Yet, Kain did it.

Not without difficulty, his muscles were strained, but soon his knuckles touched each other, making a loop out of the rod.

"W-What?" Kain stammered.

Kreyn nodded.

"Yeah, muscles aren't the only thing responsible for your strength anymore. Give me that here."

He snatched the rod from Kain's hands. Grasping the tips and clenching his jaw, Kreyn twisted the rod a few times - the next twist would break it.

Even with the power of the runes, such strength was impossible for Kain.

"I see... I think I'm beginning to understand."

"Once you became an Awakened, you became better at everything on the physical side. For that reason, I can easily defeat you with my bare hands even if you use your Codex."

A bitter smile played across Kain's face.

Kreyn looked around. "Alright, let's move on. Consider it a practice. Although, actually, I was just curious to see your Codex in action."

"What do you think? Is my Codex strong?"

"Hah, sorry, kid, but I'm not going to answer you. I don't want to upset you or, on the contrary, excite you too much.

"The Codex represents you, your origin established by Arcane Scripture. There are no bad Codexes, Marks, or Traits. Many will argue this, but there is always a way to use your powers effectively and accomplish something.

"You have no idea how many Tainted I've seen with powerful Marks and Traits. They ended up dying without even finding the Ascension Rune. Just a shame."

Suddenly, a ringing sound came up.

Kreyn frowned, taking his cell phone off his belt, an old one with buttons, one of the three he had.

"What's wrong?"

An indistinct voice came from the other end, quickly making Kreyn's grimace grow stronger.

The call ended.

Without further ado, Kreyn tore forward, throwing Kain onto his shoulder.

Before Kain realized anything, they had crossed the edge of the bridge, leaving the most dangerous area.

Then, Kain's eyes went wide in disbelief.

Streams of runes condensed into a single point as a black star unfolded just above the surface. The purple flames surrounded the dark sphere, shattering the bridge to pieces. Neither the concrete nor the steel rods could withstand the pressure.

The next thing Kain saw was dozens of creatures emerging from the sphere like from a portal, scattering in all directions with a wild roar.

The rift opened, and the only people around were Kain and Kreyn, trying to escape from one of the many calamities brought on by the Arcane Scripture.

"Alright boy," Kreyn hissed, casting a sharp glance back. "Running away isn't going to work. Someone screwed up pretty badly at the Astral Dimension, so we're going to have to shut that rift down."

"Screwed up?" Kain glanced at him. "Someone couldn't find the Ascension Rune, and that caused the rift to open?"

"Something like that. I'll explain the details to you later. Right now, we need to get ready for battle."

"Anyway." Kain looked at the monsters. "We're fucking unlucky, right?"

Kreyn chuckled.

"Yeah, and judging by your reaction, you're used to it."

Sure, who if not Kain?