CHAPTER 134: NORN, THE GREAT ABYSSAL OF SPACETIME

The rift in the sky pulsed like a wounded heart, Norn’s infinite fractal forms undulating in a mesmerizing, horrifying rhythm.

The Great Abyssal of Spacetime hung there, a colossal entity defying comprehension—thousands of titanic humanoids branching into smaller ones, each split a mirror of madness, all stemming from massive tendrils that converged into an even vaster core hidden beyond the bleeding tear in reality.

The air around it warped, light bending into unnatural patterns, gravity tugging erratically as if the laws of physics bowed in deference.

Norn’s countless eyes—glowing voids scattered across its forms—focused on the Construct, the humanoid tendril that served as its mouthpiece tilting curiously.

"How many years has it been since we last met, teacher?" the hollow voice resonated, a chorus of echoes that vibrated through the air, making clouds ripple like water.

The Lust Tier’s radiant voice responded without hesitation, its tone carrying Samael’s casual familiarity. "Around two thousand years or so, in Fathomi’s reckoning. Time flows strangely in the depths, doesn’t it?"

Norn’s forms quivered, a deep, rumbling laugh emanating from the rift, shaking the sky like distant thunder.

The ichor weeping from the tear sizzled as it fell, evaporating into shadowy mist before reaching the ground. "Two thousand... a blink for me indeed, yet eons for the surface." Its humanoid representative part waved its tentacle. "Tell me, Endless Dragon—how is your grand plan faring? The one to revitalize Fathomi by extinguishing the Fatelings, the one you ushered me a lot back then. Did it succeed?"

The Lust Tier paused, its crimson-black hair flowing in the ethereal winds stirred by Norn’s presence.

It was no secret that Samael once had a massive malice and hatred for Fatelings, and had self-proclaimed of being the source of their untimely extinction.

To Kivas and Oizys however, it didn’t bother them as much since they barely even connects with the concept of Fatling as a kin or a race, for they believe that they were human first and foremost.

The Lust Tier’s voice echoed back through the feed. "It succeeded in a way. The Fatelings’ near-extinction sparked a chain reaction—factions across Fathomi banded together temporarily, humanity rising against the remaining soulless divinities.

"Anomalies and distortions have lessened in intensity, the world’s fabric stabilizing. All while you slumbered in the depths."

Norn’s fractal branches writhed in what seemed like joy, the rift pulsing brighter, ichor flowing faster in excitement. "Rejoiced I am! Then Fathomi mends. I can set foot upon its lands without fear of critical distortions unraveling existence.

"The chaos tamed—your wisdom bore fruit, teacher. As expected of the one I proclaim as the wisest!"

But the celebration was short-lived. Norn waved a hand from one of its many humanoid parts, the gesture rippling through its infinite forms like a wave in an ocean of flesh.

The air grew heavier, a spiritual probe emanating from the entity—a subtle scan that swept across Fathomi’s layers.

In the sanctuary, Kivas stiffened, her halo flaring defensively as she felt the intrusion, a gentle yet invasive touch brushing her soul.

High alert gripped her, sensing that something unnerving was taking place.

The Great Abyssal’s voice turned serious, hollow tones deepening. "Yet... the Fatelings are not extinct. I detect their essence lingering."

Kivas’s eyes widened, her silver-yellow hair cascading as she turned to Samael. "It probed me—and probably Oizys." Kivas could only wryly smile as she felt that immense dread once again. "It knows that we’re here, even."

Norn continued, its eyes focusing intently. "Two exact Fatelings remain. Together, in a place you coveted long ago, Endless Dragon."

Samael sighed in the sanctuary, her draconic horns casting shadows as she rubbed her temple.

The Lust Tier conveyed her words seamlessly. "Those two you sense are with me, Norn. They’re not part of the old plan—enacted thousands of years ago. Circumstances... changed. And I hoped that you won’t do anything unnecessary to them.

"In a way, they are with me now. To make sure that you’re not doing anything funny the moment you depart from here, just know that they are also my coveted possession, treasures that I will anguish and lament if I happen to lose them."

Norn’s forms tilted curiously, the rift’s bleeding slowing as if in contemplation. "The Endless Dragon, becoming the keeper of pets? You, who once scorned such bonds? Oh my, to think that a great character development emerged in the chronicle of the one who grasped the endless boundary.

"I commend this. In fact, this might demand a celebration on my side!"

The Lust Tier’s helmet tilted, its voice lightening with playful defiance, echoing Samael’s playful tone. "Having a pet is much more fun than it seems, just like you uttered back then, heh."

Norn laughed again, the sound booming like cracking ice across the sky, its tendrils quivering in shared amusement. "Truly, I still share the sentiment! In my private realm, I’ve grown a collection—entities from dimensions and universes beyond Fathomi’s great fold.

"And ever since I’ve attained mastery of my current epithet, I found that managing an entire realm full of pets to be no longer an issue. As long as I can access untapped resources beyond the void and stars, I can maintain just fine!"

"I’m glad that you’re still sticking with this old hobby of yours. You’re usually not the one to stay in the same place, even in terms of passion."

"Indeed, it makes me truly happy that I can cultivate such joy for a very long period of time~!"

The Lust Tier pressed forward. "What are your plans now, Norn? With Fathomi stabilizing, and all."

Norn’s humanoid mouthpiece gestured expansively, the rift shimmering. "I will watch over it. Especially from now on."

"From now on?"

"I sense malicious extraterrestrial minds plotting—something evil to engulf all of Fathomi."

In the sanctuary, Samael’s expression turned perturbed, her eyes narrowing at the screen.

The Lust Tier echoed her concern. "What do you mean? Elaborate."

Norn’s forms gestured with a humanoid part, the sky darkening as if to emphasize. "A conflict beyond great factions duking it out—cosmic in scale. It will alter Fathomi’s nature entirely, reshaping its essence.

"When it unfolds, nothing remains the same, and it is at a point where it might become inevitable, as we pray for the clock to strike as late as possible."

The Lust Tier’s wings flared slightly. "Were you hurt investigating this?"

Norn’s laughter softened to a rumble. "I am fine. The damage from protecting Fathomi is minor—nothing permanent. A couple hundred years to heal!"

"Such a positivity, if only the other Great Abyssal saw you and decided to take this trait of yours."

"Impossible, all of them are too much of a jackass and assholes to consider such a way of thinking!"

"Glad that nothing changes on that side then." Amused from that comment, the Lust Tier shifted topics. "In any case, do you know anything about Genesis Core from your journeys outside Fathomi?"

Norn’s humanoid body shook, the fractal mass pausing as if thinking. "Genesis Core? Unknown to me. Does it relate to your new form—that Exo Human, with hundreds of extensions like a delirious hive mind?"

Oizys chuckled wryly behind the screen in the sanctuary, her violet halo flickering. "Terrifying existence, that Norn—sensing all that from afar."

The Lust Tier affirmed. "It has some relation. I seek ways to strengthen it."

Norn pondered, its eyes blinking in unison. "The Maon of High Maosh might know. Contact them again—they delve into such mysteries, especially regarding the divinity and the celestial stuff."

The Lust Tier inquired. "Do you have their current coordinates for the Celestial Bastion?"

Norn’s tendrils rippled negatively. "No. They’ve altered space and time’s interference—troubling me, as I have questions for them too."

The Lust Tier commented. "High Maosh isolating amid brewing conflicts—such an inconvenience."

Then again, it was now known that the Umaska Alliance have some kind of information about their whereabouts, since they used the High Maosh as one of the reason to aggro the Hollow Aequor to attack the Sallisic Vein.

"Sometimes, the smartest tend to avoid conflict entirely."

"I thought you proclaimed that I’m the smartest."

"I said that you’re the wisest, teacher, the Maon still won the smartypants category."

"Ahahah, indeed."

Norn paused for a while, then offered. "Since I can’t locate the Bastion, do you have a wish I can grant instead?"

In the sanctuary, Samael glanced at Kivas and Oizys, her grim expression fading to thoughtfulness. "Ideas?"

Oizys suggested. "Help in time of need? A powerful ally like Norn could turn tides at any crisis, like a massive Deus Ex Machine that we can activate anytime we want."

Samael shook her head. "Norn’s unreliable with time—the part of its spacetime manipulation. It might lead to untimely aid, Not to mention, Norn had always been a goof with promises anyway."

Kivas pondered, her halo glowing. "How about, a gift to prepare for the massive conflict Norn mentioned. Something to bolster us."

Samael nodded, the Lust Tier conveying the idea. "Do you have anything to help deal with the future conflict? A boon for preparation, in a way."

Norn’s forms quivered excitedly, the rift pulsing brighter. "Yes! I stumbled upon an Untyped Cosmic Soul—a perfect gift. I can send it now!"

Kivas turned to Samael. "What’s that?"

Samael explained, her eyes lighting with interest. "A Cosmic Soul is a natural spiritual essence from the cosmos and its celestial activity, born filled with brimming energy, the very seed condensation of the universe and all sorts of conceptual wonders that may or may not be trickled into its core, amongst many blinding stars that happen to be in its exposure.

"Untyped Cosmic Soul means it has no conscience or mind—can be easily absorbed as a catalyst to empower spiritual prowess, gaining higher existential height without divinity elevation."

The Lust Tier then affirmed after Samael was happy with the offer, "We accept. Sending coordinates telepathically—deliver it here in this place where I can immediately interact with it before any rascal attempts to dare lay their hands on it."