Abyssal Awakening

Day 3 – Morning.

Two sleepless nights.

It reminded Suyin of her time as a student. The countless days where she surrounded herself with research and study.

The tedious nature of recording the results and organising them.

Of course, she can always reference it in her mind. But for moments like this, having a physical copy in front of her was always better.

It allowed her to zoom out in another sense and look at it as an overall rather than small compartments that make up a whole.

But even for Suyin, keeping herself awake for two nights with this much research was going to be difficult.

Reaching over for a new vial of blood, she injected it into her leg, giving herself another boost of energy.

Shivering momentarily, she tossed the empty vial away.

An experimental product not given to the general public.

Something that she made herself, for herself.

Not everyone had a body like her, one that was rejected by the Abyss.

She had to graft foreign tissue onto a metal frame in order for these to work.

Therefore, this method which causes side effects to occur rapidly, can't be used for others. At least she can replace limbs that are affected.

Now that she was rejuvenated, Suyin began to write a new document, summarizing her findings.

[Confidential Research Log – Eldritch Energy]

Subject: Preliminary observations and tests on Eldritch Energy

Classification: High Risk

Eldritch Energy, henceforth referred to as EE, is not a traditional energy in the sense of Abyss, Holy or Void. It's a strangely sentient and corrosive phenomenon. A state of power that exists between the form of a parasitic entity and a source of power.

Unlike Holy, Abyss or Void, EE does not simply 'grant' or become a source of power. It reconstructs and modifies anything and everything it touches.

Subject: Foundational Nature of EE

1 – Corruptive Nature.

EE does not flow in the traditional sense. Despite having the properties of having the weaker source become 'assimilated' to the larger one, making it so that a conflict between two sources are usually clear cut, there are exceptions. A weaker source can become a net to wrap and consume the larger source.

EE spreads. Like ink in water, rot in meat, it disperses through the flesh via contact and rewrites internal structure, making the 'host' compatible with the power.

This host is not strictly limited to living tissue but it has the most compatibility. It allows the parasitic nature of this energy to thrive and live.

EE converts tissue to something I dub pseudo-organic. Corruptive flesh in other works.

EE reconfigures even memory and cognition to be more 'receptive' towards its influences. Parasitic whispering, hallucinations, visions of an alter ego.

EE alters and possibly replaces the laws of our realm within bounded zones, changing the fundamental nature of how things interact with one another.

2 – State of Madness.

Unlike Void, which operates as a bridge between realms, EE creates a new zone. A localized area of influence separate from the Void or our Realm where it dictates the properties of that zone as the sole defining logic.

These Zones can duplicate and spread, becoming cancers in this realm and transforming the laws one by one.

To resolve this issue, 'erasure' is required.

Source: Subject Alice's observations are based on the actions performed by the entity known as a Realm Ruler. In order to resolve the corruption caused by a Minion of the Outer God in the Void Realm, the Realm Ruler 'erased' the space it occupied, permanently causing damage to the realm but preventing the spread of corruption.

Subject: Interactions and Impact of EE with other sources of energy.

Energy type – Abyss.

Effect of Energy - Alterations of the Soul/Spiritual Heart to allow the usage of bestial powers. Contractual in Nature.

Reaction when exposed to EE – Hostile

EE often overrides, devours, and mutates Abyssal contracts, while the reverse is the same. More often than not, Abyssal powers are slightly weaker to EE unless the source of Abyssal power is in the realm of Lords.

Energy type – Holy.

Effect of Energy – A blessing granted to the subject via belief, trust and favour of a Divine being. Gods. It allows the user to use some aspect of their divine authority.

Reaction when exposed to EE – Violent Rejection/Corruption

The moment EE comes into contact with Holy energy, the two will clash no matter what. EE seeks to override the divine laws the Holy energy presides over while Holy energy seeks to maintain its state. If Holy wins this metaphorical tug of war, EE is eliminated.

If EE wins, Holy is corrupted into a state of fallen divinity. EE 'inherits' the laws that the energy governed over.

Energy type – Void.

Effect of Energy – A catalyst for change. This energy focuses on the manipulation of Space rather than power as a whole.

Reaction when exposed to EE – Symbiosis? Unsure, requires more observation.

When the two come into contact, a strange occurrence manifests. As both are powers that relate to the space they occupy, there is a strange harmonization of the powers. Strangely compatible yet at the same time, the sources reject one another.

Currently, Void seems to be the best choice when it comes to the containment and redirection of EE. However, results are unpredictable and require more observation.

Subject – Observation of the Subjects Alice and Jin.

1 – How and why is Alice still functional?

Unlike Jin, who seems to be a fully modified individual for the sole purpose of wielding Eldritch Energy, Alice remains 'partially incompatible'.

Somehow, she is keeping the energy contained within her body despite having all the sources. Holy, Abyss, Void and Eldritch.

Theoretically, there should be a battle for dominance between the four yet they exist in paradoxical harmony.

Usually, EE comes from a source. Outer Gods.

Like Abyssal energy, it's similar to a contractual relationship.

Therefore, where does Alice's EE come from? For Jin, he is the source per say. A storage rather than a being to receive power. He assimilates and stores without needing a patron.

But Alice is not modified for the sole purpose of EE.

Personal Theory – Alice is a highly modified individual. Artificial?

It is my personal belief that there is a high chance of Alice being a fully modified or rather, artificial individual like Jin. But unlike Jin who is modified to be a container for EE, Alice seems to be a container for power as a whole. An empty vessel that can hold numerous sources.

If I view her 'soul' not as a whole but as a fragmented spiral with 'links' attached to shape the overall look of a 'soul', it becomes plausible for the harmony within her body. Each energy is divided into its own source based on priority.

The highest on the link holds the most power while EE is at the very bottom, forming a foundation of sorts.

All three sources of energy exist above EE to suppress it, to keep it contained while allowing its powers to be directed via Void.

However, whenever she showcases this power, golden chains manifest that hold the energy of Holy. Erasing, limiting, and sealing it back.

Perhaps the hierarchy is closer in power than expected? Perhaps the balance can shift and another source becomes the highest link in this chain.

Should this theory be true, that brings a new question.

How was this state achieved?

Or maybe the answer was in front all along.

EE, with its properties of being parasitic in nature, is akin to a glue. Highly corruptive but shows signs of adaptability with multiple sources. Perhaps if I were to zoom out further, the reason why this chain works is because EE is holding it together.

Conclusion.

To wield EE requires a symbiosis with the source. To direct the flow of corruption rather than forcefully wrangling it. As it is a 'parasite' it has a will of its own. Forceful usage may cause it to fight back and even seek to become the dominating 'mind' of the host.

Much like how EE can triumph over a larger source by turning into a web, the host must be careful when manipulating EE. To ensure that they are always the larger source while also being the net.

'Refilling' EE requires the conversion of living tissue, to assimilate more fuel. Alternatively, 'consuming' foreign sources of EE work but serves to enhance EE rather than the host. Dangerous if left unchecked.

[Written by Bai Suyin.]

Finishing the final line, Suyin leaned back and stared at the portion that she wrote about Alice.

As a researcher, her body is of great interest.

She simply couldn't wrap her mind around how it functioned.

The chain theory was simply a way for her to theorise and comprehend so that she wasn't hung up on it. But fundamentally, it could be all wrong.

After all, it's the musings of a human trying to comprehend the abnormal.

But there is one thing that was clear.

Whoever created Alice was ambitious.

Turning her into a vessel for all sources is akin to an empty world, waiting to be filled. While she showcases exceptional adaptability, it also means that whatever she becomes in the end is shaped by what she allows into this world.

Tapping her finger, Suyin closed her eyes.

If she had one line for Alice, it would be the fact that she had the potential to become something far worse than what EE can do to their realm.

Just the thought of this caused her to tremble.

When people are about to die, some say they see the visage of death. A reaper of the underworld coming to take their soul.

But Suyin? She saw the death of their realm in the shape of a little girl. Should she try to eliminate this potential?

One often finds their destiny on the road they take to avoid it.

If she is hung up on Alice's 'potential' of becoming the death of their realm, she might become the very reason it happens. The catalyst for all of it to change.

Thinking up to this point, Suyin made a choice.

Scrunching up the page about Alice and burning it away, she simply kept the paper focused on EE as a whole rather than including Alice in it.