For one researching a giant clock, I find it amusing how easily I lost track of time. I stopped counting how long I was in the void studying magic and the ominous giant clock after about 6 months; when you don't have to eat or drink and barely sleep, you can get truly lost in your work. Considering that I didn't find magic this exciting before I got lost in the void, I concluded I had changed somehow. Still, luckily magic is incredible anyway, so being more interested in magic doesn't worry me too much.

One of these days, my carefree attitude is going to be the death of me.

I give myself a quick disapproving headshake and chuckle before I head back and continue my hard work. After analysing some of the clocks runes and my magic knowledge, I found out that Void magic is just a type of Spatial magic, if not already the same thing. This came from my agonising study of runes and magic; it turns out the complexity and network of lines and symbols aren't for show.

Learning spatial and time magic from a beginner level makes this probably ten times more complicated than average, along with the high chance I am just doing it wrong.

Runes use mana in a complex mix of something resembling plumbing with programming-like systems and networks, an unholy confusing mix of the two. First, mana travels through the network like water in pipes with programmed gates and systems, with valves regulating flow and pressure. Next, you use a type of magic programing language (runes) to get the mana to travel through specific converters that transform mana into the kind of magic you want. Frustratingly there isn't a set transformer that goes from mana to fire magic, for example, so I make my own, with more complex magics requiring more systems, valves and gates to make sure the magic does what you want and to ensure pressure doesn't get too high, which with magic could be devastating having caused a few explosions myself.

Runes are different from magic as it is more complex, efficient and significantly more powerful while magic is shaping mana into what you want with just your will and imagination.

So summarised, runes are basically like if you were to try to program a fucking NASA computer with volatile magic explosive water, being mind-bending complex enough to look like abstract art turned demonic while magic is trying to use your mind and will to bend a piece of solid steel that actively doesn't want to bend, at least that's what I think it is like for people, as mana responds to my will significantly better due to being made of the stuff.

Thank the gods I have an eternity to figure it out; I may be able to beat someone in a contest of will, but someone could probably smash me compared to runes and getting banished to somewhere worse than the void is not something I want to experience. However, I somehow doubt that worse places exist.

How does anyone figure this out? I will ask the next chance I get, I swear. This makes trying to make a nuclear reactor with a potato battery, ducktape with green spray painted rocks as fuel look like child's play.

Nonetheless, I have been attempting to either create or find a way to get out of the void through my laborious studying ever since the Abyssal Herald decided not to give me said info, annoyingly, having sent a duplicate of myself into the void to check for said exits and lost him somewhere. Of course, I could just forcefully dissipate him but I decided to leave him on exploration duty; maybe something will happen while I am gone. Having had the most success by combining my already existing teleportation magic with spatial magics, I was practising when I heard an ominous chime ring from the clock below as one of the unknown hands finally ticked forward.

As soon as the ring finishes, I feel my rune finally function properly as the mana travels throughout the circuit without any issues. All I need is a destination, and I will be able to punch through space to the location, hopefully. I initially tried to finesse my way through space but soon gave up and decided to just brute force my way through space, which surprisingly is comprised of a web of interconnecting, slightly transparent dark 2D triangles. The fact that it is composed of triangles makes me both happy and frustrated at the same time because that means it is the strongest type of shape, making it very stable but very hard to punch through enough to get to other realms.

Deciding that it was worth a shot, I make the destination somewhere in the Creation Realm, ensuring that I plan precisely how I want to arrive. Preferably somewhere in a forest in a nice spatial weak spot for an easy first time punching space in the face, hopefully without too many difficulties. With everything set in motion, I recall myselves minus the one on exploration duty and combine the cubes they used with difficulty, allowing me to use different runes when I want, don't ask me how; spatial void magic is fun.

Afterwards, I check in with Eden who hasn't been able to leave since they first started hiding and my shortsword on my side that I almost completely forgot about. The shortsword has taken quite a liking to the void; namely that it has taken a very noticeable dark sheen while even the steel itself seems darker than average, turning into a dark platinum colour and matching my hair damn near perfectly.

I inspect the sword for a minute before sheathing it to be forgotten again, focusing back on my spell and finally start empowering the mental construct I created with my hand outstretched. My face sports a wide grin as I feel the construct performing its job before turning into a worried frown when an awful sound resembling glass grinding on glass attended by a crack that fills my ears; bare seconds pass before space shatters in a terrifying ethereal crash followed by the familiar silence of the void.

My eyes open wide before my mouth curls yet again into a mischievous grin as I stare into an open patch in a snowy pine forest in the middle of a tear in space.

Fuck yeah, punched space in the face.

Earlier. In a church somewhere in Obsidian Refuge.

Oh gods, why. Whenever the Herald visits the church, it is almost always to complain, and I was so excited for some peace and quiet for once. Instead, I sigh for the umpteenth time today as I bang loudly on Claire's bedroom door in the dormitory wing. The blue steel markings for Bishop clanking as my fists connect with the fragile-looking, hard as stone wood.

"CLAIRE! The damn Abyssal Herald is coming, and he doesn't seem particularly happy. I think it has something to do with Arthur so you will be there with me today. Meet me at the inner chamber in 10 minutes!"

I turn on my heel and rush back to the inner chamber in the centre of the main church building; typically used for religious ceremony, it is instead filled with the hushed chatter and rush of 50 or so attendants preparing for the visit, reporters to type what is said and scholars for research. Abyssal Heralds are exceedingly rare. Nevertheless, one is visiting a random church in the middle of this nowhere church. It has been over 50 years since the last one appeared anywhere, filling the church with interested adventures and scholars alike.

"Greetings, Archbishop!" My assistant spurts out while quickly rushing over in a bow before handing me a stack of papers and rushing off. Most people ignore the Assistant and continue their job with a few only offering a quick bow; I don't mind the disrespect this time as I quickly join the group in preparation while putting the papers somewhere on a table to forget about later.

I only get a few minutes of preparation before Claire busts through the door early while panting with a flushed face. She stands there for half a second before she locks eyes with me and heads over. The attendants in the room also luckily barely notice the intrusion and don't stop to stare before continuing their work.

"Archbishop, is it true?" Claire asks in a grave tone, eyes darting between the centre of the room and me.

I nod solemnly before turning towards the foreboding nothingness in the middle of the circular inner chamber, the warm golden light from the ceiling mana crystals gleaming off the marble tile of the floor and imported wood that decorate the walls in beautiful esoteric patterns that resemble a combination of structural supports and artwork, the expensive work is contrasted between this sacred place and the foreign black tear in space in the centre hovering horizontally a few centimetres from the floor that takes the shape of a mangled, deformed 2D triangle.

"Have we heard from William yet? The Mages Association has stayed eerily silent since the incident." I muse.

"Not yet Xavier, William hasn't even responded to my letters or summons. Whatever he saw that day spooked him, same with Max from the Adventures Guild, but I have seen signs of them preparing for a final push against the Void spawn ever since he got banished; those filthy creatures have been much more aggressive and stronger than normal. Same with the Demons." Claire grumbles, cursing one god or another.

My brow furrows. "Mm, dark days ahead for sure. We can only pray that the Herald's news isn't too grave, for if it is, we may have to resort to asking for help from our lady and the Spirits."

Claire's eyes widen before she sheepishly nods, a little embarrassed that her mistake has caused this much trouble.

"I still don't know why she insists we have to investigate the Demon Realm or why we can't kill those Godless Demons." She grumbles, clearly placing the blame on the demons like many in the church do, thinking it was somehow their fault that they had to be here.

Before I have the chance to scold her for such things, a ripple spreads through the room, carrying a horrible suffocating feeling and emptiness that I have come to associate with the void. Accompanied with this is a sense of inadequacy, anxiety and dread from a creature stronger than you releasing their aura. The people I have talked to that have experienced even stronger void creatures say that it was even worse as if no matter what you did, it was futile, or even that it was like staring into the bottom of the sea. It is similar to something either indescribable or incomprehensible giving you the stink eye like you were some bug they could squish with a simple thought.

Damn, it's here. I swear it never gets easier talking to this thing, and I have seen Nobles from the Krarith Dynasty.

Abyssal Heralds have been known to have an exceptional ability to foretell future events; it has been researched they have remarkable time affinity along with being powerful void creatures, exceptionally deadly beings that usually take the Demon's side for unknown reasons. It is unknown if it is sheer luck or some unseen reason that they have not wiped out Obsidian Refuge or that they even co-operate with humans from time to time.

Everyone in the room feels the same way as they stop in the middle of their tasks to gaze at the now shimmering and shuddering triangular portal in the middle of the room. The portal moves in a way like even reality itself don't want it to be there, popping in and out of existence and moving in confusing, unpredictable ways like it was a glitch before growing suddenly still. Horrible silence quickly fills the room; not even my breath or heartbeat can be heard.

It must not be happy; enforcing complete silence like this is not a good sign.

A chill runs down my spine as a massive, one-story tall worm-like creature slowly rises from the portal and bends in a curved shape to look down both metaphorically and physically on the people here. Its pitch black "head" splits open in 5 different ways as its rock-like body with small spikes, random geometric shapes and fractal patterns that shift and then writhes just like the portal did.

Its meter in diameter body immediately locks onto Claire and me as it turns toward us and resumes its hunched look. Its slightly open split-mouth radiates a slight black fog as it opens just wide enough to show everyone that in its maw is darkness somehow even darker than its body. The whole room suddenly gets significantly colder; even the warm glow of the light doesn't seem as warm, bright or friendly anymore.

It stays there for agonising seconds before its telltale whispers start filling the room with no distinct origin. It usually speaks in an ethereal voice, radiating wisdom and authority. However, it expresses its deep disdain for the number of people that gathered through a different mean. Of course, it doesn't actually say that, but you can usually tell their emotions or thoughts from the whispers surrounding their presence after enough study on these creatures.

It lets its displeasure be known for a few seconds longer, not bothering to waste its breath on us before it finally speaks.

Fools.

It said simply like it was a fact. Speaking somehow even without moving its mouth.

Which one of you sent Arthur to my home.

Claire shifts uncomfortably and looks at me as if I could save her. Before she could even speak or plead her case, the Herald continues, obviously have seen them shift.

Oh. Poor child, you have my sympathy.

And it meant it; the whispers grow quiet for a scant second or two before continuing their endless, well, whispering.

Claire pales before going to her knees and while clapping her hands together; she quickly begins to beg with obvious panic. "Please, forgive us, forgive me. I do not understand what I have done wrong!" Yet, for all her mistakes, she at least knows when it is futile to fight back.

Child. It is not me you must beg to. The final primordial has been discovered, and you. Sent him. To the void.

The frustration from the Herald was almost visible as the whispers grow sharp and agitated. However, that is not what catches the attention of the attendants as even the recorders pause slightly. Claire somehow grows even paler as even my eyes widen in disbelief. Finally, the rush of several attendants rushing out of the hall to notify people truly makes the reality sink in.

"N-no. Impossible." Claire mumbles wide-eyed in shock, "I-I didn't mean it. It was a mistake. It wasn't supposed to be like that!" She continues to mumble before she again looks back to me for help. I, on the other hand, continue to stare incredulously at the Herald as it continues its speech unimpeded by Claire's frantic apologising.

I feel you already know this being, so I shall not say their name. You are one of the first humans to meet them, and I would typically congratulate you. However, due to your grave mistake, I can only offer my condolences. Not even I can spare you from their judgement.

The Herald goes still for a few seconds before they continue with its last words.

Truly unfortunate.

With their piece said, the portal abruptly closes where the Abyssal Herald starts fading away. Without the connection to the plane, there is no way to support Abyssal Heralds in realms. Once they have entirely faded away, the deafening silence and whispers leave, and I realise how fast my heart was beating that whole time.

Damn Heralds, never have anything good to say.

Sighing loudly, the whole room quickly erupts in panicked yelling and arguing before I look at Claire, who is now shivering with something between terror and cold as the temperature is still only slowly climbing back up to normal.

I shudder as I remember the warning the Herald gave, and more importantly the work we have to do now.

I have to return to the overworld. If only I didn't give Claire that job to greet Arthur, this wouldn't have happened.

Walking over, I put my hands on Claire's shoulder and comfort them the best I can, we need all hands on deck for what is to come.