Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Chapter 624: Cardinal Torment



Kieran was so taken aback that even releasing a deep, poignant sigh didn't resolve his emotional turmoil. Part of him also didn't understand why the [Cursed by Carnage] Enchantment of the Imprint left him heavy with emotion despite not having checked the details yet.

Did part of him know what was coming?

If he did... how was that possible?

Reluctant to learn more about the Imprint of Carnage's seemingly vile affliction based on the description, Kieran buried his face in his hand to hide his worsening wan smile, which now seemed pained and conflicted.

'Am I scared? Is that what I'm feeling?'

Kieran thought about it, then shook his head; fear wasn't the primary emotion here. He knew fear, but he also understood many negative, unsettling emotions. Sadly, that did not include the reason for his growing apprehension.

It almost felt alien, as if something much deeper inside him felt anxiety and longing that bled over to his feelings. Wanting to act on these suspicions was difficult because whatever this was... it was outside his control.

Then, Kieran considered the Imprint of Carnage's description, chiefly the part mentioning those that failed to resist its temptation. While it sounded like a general statement meant to refer to all people, the way it was worded and the sardonic tone suggested the comment was a barb at particular individuals.

Thinking about that, Kieran slowly dropped his hand, unwittingly crossing them as his attention shifted downward. It remained stuck on the ground for a few seconds before lifting to its original position, fixed on the stylized notification screen with ornate borders resembling the writing of a golden spellform.

He sighed again, then with a deepening grimace, Kieran gave the mental cue, which expanded the enchantment's description.

[Cursed by Carnage]: The cardinal torment is upon you; the affliction as old as time and born from above. When born at the zenith, however, the only fate that awaits is the accursed fall. You marked and cursed by the lingering whispers - are destined to fall, succumb to Carnage, and meet its brethren waiting to be freed. Carnage is insanity, murder, and blood, and it is the end. The more demise you cause, the closer the fall nears... and the stronger you become. Slaughter, massacre, and feed... for the curse is undying and inescapable.

'For fuck's sake...'

Kieran groaned internally, or at least thought he did. Because Alice and the others turned in his direction, sparing him a strange expression full of questions.

Ignoring them, he focused on maintaining his current position. Though the rise in Tier promised a surefooted ability to virtually all Disciplined, Kieran was suffering right now.

If not for his back being pressed firmly against the wall as he awaited Alexandria's arrival, he would have staggered at the revelation of this enchantment.

Based on the description, it was responsible for many things, many of which Kieran couldn't wrap his mind around because of their nonsensical nature. The mention of Carnage being a cardinal torment was the earliest piece of information, yet that tidbit rattled his mind.

For one, the mention of something cardinal reminded Kieran of Weiss, which inadvertently reminded Kieran of religion. Not the religion that earthly people followed, but rather that deranged, cult-adjacent religion founded during an early Age on Xenith.

And it birthed his first question.

'Is Carnage... worshiped?'

The question ricocheted in his mind while staring at the second half of the sentence: "born from above and as old as time."

What was the description insinuating with that comment? That Carnage was alive during the universe's inception? That he had been cursed by a God?

However, the blood that formed this curse came from Argexes. Had there somehow been a moment where Argexes ascended to godhood, and it wasn't captured by the Trial? Or was it implying Argexes was born a god without time to mature into his birthright?

Slowly, Kieran's apprehension shifted from the Imprint itself to Argexes. It seemed like a prudent shift of accusation. However, he started to frown and have serious doubts.

Could a god — or its unmentioned equivalents - be sealed by people who had yet to achieve that station? Agrianos and Hekaina were no gods, yet they imprisoned Argexes.

'But they had help. We can't ignore the Watcher in the Sky. Who even is she?!'

Kieran was curious about her identity but decided she wasn't as relevant as the most infuriating, sinister, and deceitful character he met to date the Flame.

After all, the Flame trumpeted its identity as a Fallen God, and it was directly involved in Argexes' birth, taking on the role of a father and even more distressingly calling itself the Father.

But what was the Flame's actual identity?

Before it had become the Fallen God... who or what was it? Kieran doubted the Flame and Carnage were one and the same because the latter had infected the Gods, but he knew little about this world's mythos.

With the Flame in mind, Kieran moved on to the perhaps most concerning piece of information hidden across the lines. The part that stated Carnage had brothers, and they were waiting to be freed.

'What's up with this theme of things being imprisoned, man? Someone has an addiction to locking things or people up.'

Nevertheless, the mention of Carnage having brethren also begged a few questions - many, really. Was this meant to be taken literally, or was the Imprint using tricky wording to perplexNôv(el)B\\jnn

him?

He was ambivalent because both options seemed plausible.

'Having the name Carnage is way too edgy to belong to a person...'

....Unless he was completely wrong.

Eni also possessed a strange name, taken from the idea of mystery itself. He was a living enigma, and Kieran's short encounter with him cemented that truth.

Thus, Kieran couldn't discard the possibility of Carnage either being the name of a God or perhaps Endless (if those were the same thing). Then again, there was always another murmur in the deep recesses of his mind, rearing his head when inexplicable situations arose.

Was there a power beyond them?

He was curious, but that was so far beyond him that it felt silly to ponder right now. Eventually, all Kieran could do was sigh without an ounce of closure and evidence. Instead of providing Kieran with the answers he sought... the Imprints led to an expanding glut of questions. Trying to piece the information together produced a throbbing in his brain.

At least there was one piece of the Imprint that was straightforward - demise would cause an increase in strength. However, it also felt... familiar.

Didn't that just sound like leveling up?

That was a system in place that rewarded the demise of an opponent. Did that mean Carnage was rooted in the whole idea of Ascension, or was Kieran perhaps grasping at deranged

straws?

Kieran shook his head at that.

'I'm not crazy.'

However, the Imprint did seem fit to drive someone insane. After all, it was directly stated to be insanity. Then, there were also the added effects of the Maddened Voices.

Slowly, it looked as if Kieran was, in fact, shaping up to be clinically insane - otherwise

known as bat-shit crazy.

Of course, there was a method to test out any theory he could formulate around these Imprints - dive straight into battle, cause death, and record how the Imprint influenced the

rewards.

As he considered precisely what the Imprint could do for him ability-wise, noise in the distance drew his attention. Soon, his own teammates joined in on the murmurings, making him realize Alexandria and their joint efforts to spear toward the Castellan's Catacombs could

begin.