Return to the Abyss / Male Reader x Made In Abyss

[S0] Chapter 2: Beginnings

The Seeker Camp was a place of constant activity, a haven for cave raiders deep within the second layer of the Abyss. Built into the very rock of the Forest of Temptation, the camp was a fortress against the dangers that lurked outside. Massive roots twisted through the stone walls, and the dim light of the Abyss filtered through cracks and crevices, casting long shadows over the corridors and rooms.

For Ozen the Immovable, this was home—a place where she ruled with an iron fist, her word law among those who were foolish enough to serve under her. The Subterranean Bandits, her newest team of once criminal cave raiders, moved through the camp with a quiet efficiency, preparing for their next descent into the depths.

But today, something unusual had caught Ozen's attention. As she made her way through the winding corridors, her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of movement—a small figure wandering aimlessly through the camp. It was the boy, the relic she had found a few days prior, the one she had so brutally tested in a vain attempt to destroy it.

"Aubade." she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with annoyance. That's all it was to her—a bothersome relic, a curiosity she couldn't quite understand, but one she had no interest in keeping around. And yet, here it was, wandering the camp as if it belonged, as if it were human.

Ozen's long strides brought her closer to the relic. It was walking slowly, its metallic feet thudding softly against the stone floor. Its eyes were wide with a mix of curiosity and confusion as it looked around, taking in its surroundings. Its mechanical limbs caught the dim light, reflecting it in a way that made them seem almost alive.

The relic turned, sensing her presence, and its eyes—glowing a soft amber—met hers. It froze, instinctively sensing the danger she represented.

"What are you doing out of the closet?" Ozen's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth or concern. To her, the relic was an "it," not a person, or even an object—just another annoyance in her day.

The relic blinked, its expression a mix of confusion and fear. "I... I don't know," it replied, its voice soft and uncertain. "I just... woke up here. I don't remember anything before that."

Ozen's eyes narrowed. "No memory, huh?" She circled it slowly, her gaze appraising. "So, you're just wandering around like a lost puppy, not knowing where you belong."

The relic didn't respond, its hands curling into fists at its sides. It looked down at itself, noticing the strange, metallic limbs attached to its body. It didn't know how they got there, didn't know why it had them. Everything was a blank, a void in its mind that it couldn't fill.

"Well, you're in my way," Ozen said flatly. She reached out, grabbing it by the collar and lifting it off the ground effortlessly. It dangled there, too stunned to even struggle. "Listen carefully, aubade. You do exactly what I say, when I say it, or I'll make sure you don't wake up next time. Understand?"

The relic nodded quickly, fear flashing in its eyes. Ozen dropped it unceremoniously, watching as it stumbled but managed to stay on his feet.

"First things first," Ozen continued, her voice sharp. "Those limbs of yours will attract attention. You'll cover them up. Boots, gloves—whatever it takes. And you'll keep them covered at all times. Even when you sleep."