"Conceptually locked, you say?! How fascinating, if I'm being honest."

Nier said as he looked at the black box.

Then moments later, Silence reaffirmed.

"You see that rune on the top of it? I don't know which God it belongs to, but it definitely has Negativity coursing through it. So, it goes without saying that whatever it is, that thing came from an Outer God no doubt. Still, I can somewhat decipher Divine Language, and this one is actually simple. This usually only happens when the Outer God in question is weaker than the current Kaly, or if its Negativity signature within the Rune was intentionally made to be decoded. In this case, it's the latter. Like a kid tracing a drawing to copy someone else's style, this rune's Negativity is clearly intentional."

Silence explained.

Then moments after, When Nier heard this, he was shocked, but he took Silence's word as law.

He then question Silence by asking.

"So, what does it say?!"

"Translation-wise, I can tell it's a projection spell. It has programmed meanings like 'Show Message: Condition Blood of My Son.' That's what the inner circle carving of the rune says in patterns. While the X-shaped part over the circle part translates to 'Open: Disarm Insta-Death Curse, Teleport into Nier's Hands.' In layman's terms, if someone managed to open this box, the person responsible would have instantly died, and the box would have teleported into your hands. Not going to lie, Master, this is a complex rune, simple in translation, but the Negativity I'm sensing from it is quite strong. It's easy to say that your mother, even before meeting Kaly, might have had a connection with another Outer God. How curious."

Nier's remained mostly emotionless in this moment.

But his thoughts where a mess.

But even then, he said to himself aloud.

"I wish I could say I was surprised, but honestly? My mother has always been a vault of secrets."

He said, his voice carrying worry as it does curiosity.

But he move conversation forward.

"But anyways...going off the translation and a bit of common sense, all I need to do is drip some of my own blood on this box, and it'll pop right open, right?"

"Pretty much. Specifically, on the rune itself."

Nier nodded, his jaw tightening.

"Good enough for me."

Without another word, he closed his eyes to concentrate on a form, to use Body Modification Magic, and use a single unit of Negativity, letting it flow through his veins and into his hands.

As his fingernails twitched, then morphed, elongating into jagged, black claws that was as hard as steel and as sharp as well made sword.

The transformation was quick, and almost effortless, but it sent a shiver down his spine.

Demonic didn't even begin to cover how they looked.

But without saying anything else, he opened his right hand, flexing it experimentally, then dragged the claw of his left index finger across his palm.

The cut was swift, precise, and stung like hell, but Nier was no bitch as blood welled up, crimson and warm, pooling in his hand as he gritted his teeth.

The pain was sharp, as it surged through him, only to loop back.

As he reabsorbed the agony, converting it into a single unit of Negativity.

Ironically into the same amount he had spent and use to even make them.

Squeezing his fist, Nier watched as thick drops of blood fell into the rune.

DRIP...DRIP!!!...

The rune atop the black box glowed the moment the drop of blood hit it, drinking in the blood like a living thing.

A faint hum filled the air, and the rune blazed with an eerie, crimson glow in that moment.

Right after, a projection flickered to life above the box from the Rune itself, and Nier knew that this was not some cheap hologram but more like a memory that was saved to be played one day.

His breath caught as the image solidified, and for the first time in years, he saw her.

His mother. Follow current novels on novel•fire.net

A woman he thought he would never hear from again, not in this lifetime atleast.

She was in a sleek red high heels, around her body a beautiful but simple red dress hugged her frame, elegant yet understated.

Her clear skin was flawless, smooth and lack any sign's of blemish whatsoever.

She sat on her bed legs cross, and moment after, she began to speak.

"Hello my son... I know you can see me."

She began, her voice soft but firm, carrying both a mix of love and exasperation.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"I Never thought I would be recording this, but after our fight… you gave me a lot to think about. By now, I am certain you've met the Dark Mother. I saw it coming you know, I saw your death, years before it happened. Don't ask how; you'll figure it out once all this is and it assimilates with you. So I don't want to dwell on that, though. Let us get to what truly matters."

Nier's chest tightened.

He had alot he want to say right now but hold it off.

"First off, Nier, I just want to say that I am sorry."

She said, her voice cracking..

"Ah, I really am not good with these things. But that night, I said things I shouldn't have. I was drowning in my own mess...everything I had built was crumbling. That same day, I saw your father's fate… how he orchestrate his own death, in the end I guess, I be really did won."

But right after.

She paused, her eyes locking onto his through the projection, as if she could see him across time.

"I love you, Nier. And I am sorry. There, I said it. Now, the important part...you need to help Kaly rebuild her cult. A cult needs resources, defenses, strong people, the works. I trust your judgment, but watch your back. The Inquisition...those self-righteous Catholic fucks, brand every god but theirs as heresy or pagan filth. If I were you, I would wipe them out and be done with it, but that just me."

Nier's lips quirked.

'That's Mom, alright.'

"There is more though...

She continued, her tone sharpening.

"Inside this box, you’ll find three things. First, my old journal, it got my old contacts in it, my notes on the knowledge of the occult, and, yeah, some personal stuff I never told you. So just read it. You'll learn things about me I couldn't say in person. Second, I know this message feels rushed, but I'm stretched thin keeping this rune active. Third, about my death, and your father's, it wasn't suicide. It was staged to look like it. If you want proof, ask Lisa to unlock her full features. I left a barcode in the journal; it'll lead you to a web site where her true programming is stored. I stripped her of it for a reason, once she is whole again, I doubt their is anyone capable in the world, well expect for that asshole if he still alive, but without him I don't think anyone is capable of stopping her."

She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"One last thing, boy. You might be cursed, but that is no excuse, get out there and live a little, will ya? Unlimited is a power born to weaponize the very curse running through you and your father's bloodline. Don't let it go to waste."

The projection flickered, then dissolved.

Leaving Nier staring at the now-silent box. This time however the top part of it was gone, revealing three item within it.