The Ballad of Crystl

CHAPTER 3: EXPEDITION INTO THE ABYSS

During the expedition, we discovered the evolution of the cannibals as we flew deeper layer by layer. It was astounding to find how souls committing such an act would evolve against the laws of the Supreme Beings. I found it rather interesting at one point but when I think about it over and over, I begun to lose interest to the point of glaring at the prince who was leading the entire team.

"How much time should I waste before we reach the destination?" I muttered silently, "this is getting boring and boring..."

"You sure get easily bored," the reaper beside me overheard my whispers. "It's too bad that it had to be compulsory..."

"This is a straight journey to the center of the universe," I stretched out my arms.

"It's gonna get tougher as we venture deeper," he replied. "I'm Umid of the Over Soul, by the way..."

"I see so good for you." I sighed, "I'm Crystl of the Blood Tool..."

"It looks like we are making a quick stop, Crystl." He followed the team as he landed on the ground. "Come on..."

"Guess I have no choice..."

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"As of now," the deep voice of the prince continued to irritate my ears as he talked so valiantly to all of us, "we are at the fifth layer of Death Verse. We only need to pass through about three more to get to the center, the ninth layer. According to my father, the strongest cannibals are found there and we have to take at least one with us to conclude the mission."

"All that talk won't make you look better," I whispered as I started to feel loathsome while he explained.

"Master Evva," Prince Caine passed the discussion towards her, "how are we going to capture one of these monstrous beings?"

"We capture them by way of traps using my binding ability," she explained. "We'll be on foot when we arrive at the edge of the seventh layer in order for us to stay stealth. We do not want to draw the attention of these high-level cannibals."

"It is said that they are on par with us reapers but their sheer number might overwhelm us," the prince continued to explain, "Because they attack by group. We need to weed them out and at least capture one and then we immediately leave. I know it sounds too easy but we need to work together."

The reapers cheered as we all prepared to launch ourselves up to the sky. It really was a gloomy gray sky filled with sparkling green starlight gems. It was a long journey indeed, but I have yet to see any high-level cannibals. Of course it was scary to know that the souls were capable of evolving further, and what made it scarier was that these cannibals were unpredictable. They attacked us when we reached the sixth layer of the universe. The universe is vast and even if we were just a point in this world, we're still gods. It wasn't as difficult as it looked like at all. The cannibals however, were starting to get stronger as we reached the seventh layer that he had to land down.

I stretched out my hands, "Manifest: Twin Blades!" as two high-level cannibals charged towards me. I struck a pose and sliced both cannibals, "Sword Style 7713: X Cross!"

I looked around and all of the other reapers engaged while racing towards the 7th layer a few million miles away. I too was in a rush as I slashed, sliced, and cut through the army of cannibals who are trying to eat us.

"I guess we have no choice but to fight eh, boy?" Umid was bashing opponents with his own ability.

"Keep your mouth shut or you'll end up swallowing some blood and organs," I replied.

"You're no fun, kid," he grinned, "but at the same time you are interesting!"

"The only thing I am interested at is for this expedition to be over!" I yelled at him and then I stopped and manifested a great blade, "Sword Style 556: Minus Divide!" a massive portion of the cannibals dispersed into thin air as I made the attack.

"Damn, that was awesome!"

"You should concentrate," I launched myself into the sky as I prepared another move and manifested another weapon, "16-Shell Missile Launcher!"

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"Finally," I sighed, "we're able to make it to the safe zone..."

"You've got a promising talent out there, boy." Prince Caine commended me.

Of course, I was trying to do a fake smile, "Thank you for the complement, your highness..."

"We still have to cross this layer before we make it through," he assisted me up. "Are you all ready?!"

The others roared as they stood up after taking a quick rest. I can't stand the sight of this gorilla though...

"I got this," I got up after grabbing his arm. Although when I looked at him in the eyes, I saw something so ominous that I looked away after.

He moved on and led the reapers through, "Let's move!"

"Are you hanging on, Crystl?" Master Condy patted me on the shoulder.

"Y-yeah," I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I'm fine..."

However, I saw the eyes like of those cannibals who fought with us a while back, "demon..."

I should've paid heed of that warning from that glare alone otherwise...

"How did it end up like this?"