Abomination of Innovation Chapter 9

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[ Grimm Queen Salem POV ]

A pleasant hum left Salem’s lips as she admired her newest… acquisition, watching his puzzled face slowly become solemn as his blank eyes turned particularly chilling after her declaration, something she enjoyed more than she cared to admit.

She wasn’t sure what she should call him yet, if she were to be honest. 

Underling? He was leagues beyond any of her current minions, surpassing all of them effortlessly with his capabilities. Tyrian’s fanaticism and strength, Arthur’s hacking capabilities, Cinder’s prowess… None of them compared to what Agito could do.

Ward? She’d hardly call herself the boy’s guardian, considering her plans for him. While she certainly had no intention of harming the boy, she was itching to see his abilities in action already… Specifically against the very woman he had sacrificed his artifact to protect.

Pet? Despite how accurate such a classification felt, it also made her surprisingly uncomfortable. He was clearly more than intelligent enough to think and decide for himself, even outwitting a woman of intelligence and wisdom like herself by bluffing about his threat like he confessed to Ironwood earlier today. While he was certainly driven by instincts like her scrying suggested, he was no dull beast in the wilds, incapable of basic thought.

Perhaps… a little buddy. Similar to the Auramon she enjoyed playing with on her console covertly. A sapient partner easily capable of thought and communication, yet still driven by instincts…

The idea of having a little Auramon-like buddy thrilled Salem to no end, but she’d take that thought to the grave. The Queen of Grimm indulged not in trivial, mortal-made games in her free time. She was, naturally, planning their demise and enjoying their suffering.

The last part was not a lie, but she digressed.

Salem completely ignored the word ‘Familiar’ nagging at the back of her head, favoring Auramon infinitely more.

Although, she was getting ahead of herself slightly, if Agito’s current glare meant anything. Salem didn’t expect the boy to be happy after being told that he was a beast rather than a human. That would be quite silly to expect.

He would learn in time, though. It was infinitely better being a Divine Beast like him than it was being a despicable mortal, the few good ones notwithstanding.

“... How would you know?” Agito spoke, his voice carrying an edge that showed how displeased he currently was at the revelation.

“The number of spells I possess exceed the number of days you’ve been alive, child.” Salem answered amusedly, her eyes idly watching the twitching ears of the chained ‘Divine Beast.’ “A spell capable of discerning your true nature is merely a grain of sand within the grand desert that is my spell repertoire.”

The boy stared at Salem without any awe or fear at her boast, his usually blank eyes appearing almost… exasperated. It was surreal, yet not particularly in a bad way.

“... How are you here in the middle of Atlas?” Agito questioned next, with a hint of curiosity rather than trepidation. “You’re the reason the usual people watching me aren’t here, right?”

Salem opened her mouth to answer his first question proudly before pausing as he asked the next, a huff almost leaving her lips at how she was read by the child so easily.

He’s no fool, she reminded herself once again. Arrogance might cost her her new, precious… Auramon.

Was that really what she was calling him? Ah, she would figure it out later…

“My power pervades beyond what one may imagine… There exists not a haven beyond my clutches.” Salem smirked arrogantly, highlighting how hopeless it was for him to try escaping her. There was nowhere to run.

“You’ve got a backdoor into the Atlesian Systems.” Agito cut through her gloating bluntly as Salem’s face fell, an incredulous expression on her face. “Only someone inept with technology would gloat that much about having some hacking skills. You’re not even the one hacking into them, are you?”

“Why would I need to learn such mundane skills!? I am the Queen of all Grimm!” Salem protested with a huff and while crossing her arms, turning away from Agito with indignation. “Can some silly computer skills level a country with a few spells? I think not!”

“... Fair enough.” Agito looked slightly thoughtful at her words before surprisingly agreeing with her rather than continuing to argue. 

Between super magic powers and a bit of hacking, the choice was obvious. Why would she bother learning technology when she could summon meteors and control the weather and stuff?

It was completely reasonable for her not to care about that stuff!

“Also, I’m not inept! I’m perfectly capable of utilizing technology if I wish to!” Salem argued unhappily, not letting that comment slide as she almost pouted at Agito’s rudeness.

He would need a lot of discipline once she takes him back to the Grimmlands. She couldn’t allow such disrespect as the Queen of Grimm!

After regaining her composure, Salem suddenly noticed that Agito’s eyes were slightly unfocused, as if reading something she couldn’t see while she was expressing her dissatisfaction. It quickly passed, however, as he focused on her again.

“You really do have someone who can hack into the Atlesian Systems…” He murmured thoughtfully, as if his earlier question received an answer without her verbal confirmation.

“Many of my underlings are… somewhat competent in what they do.” Salem smirked and brought a hand to her chin elegantly as she stared down at Agito’s chained form. “None could compare to you, but what can you do…”

It wasn’t easy finding a mortal with the potential to match a being like Agito. The Fool has been reticent regarding Agito’s origins and where Summer found him before they encountered her, even to his own circle, yet she has learned of how utterly clueless he was about Remnant’s happenings & status.

He was likely birthed quite recently. Yet he displayed such shrewdness and competence… 

Where has he been all these millennia? Had she gotten him even a decade earlier, she'd likely have far exceeded her goals.

“You’re doing tricks on it. Yuji Itadori has never seen this level of di- glazing before.” Agito stared at her with a lack of amusement as she praised him again for… however many times it was now. 

Suuuuure he could make magic items, sense magic, use magic, had divinity, had a silver tongue, had a killer motorcycle, can clone himself repeatedly-

Yeah, no, he was completely bullshit.

Salem shook her head amusedly at Agito’s incomprehensible words, dismissing them for now because of a lack of understanding. One couldn’t simply understand a Divine Beast’s jargon without sufficient preparation.

“... How did you appear here? Even if you could temporarily alter or disable CCTV footage, redirect drone and patrol patterns, all while hiding it all from the upper brass, surely you weren’t able to just walk in unnoticed.” Agito raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly as Salem rolled her eyes with a smirk.

“Did you not hear my earlier words, child? My repertoire of spells is beyond anything you could imagine.” Salem reminded him, her tone lacking mockery or smugness, merely calm reassurance. “Once the pesky technological obstacles were deactivated, there was nothing left keeping me from appearing here to claim my prize.”

Agito remained silent as he processed her words. Salem assumed Agito's silence indicated that he was impressed by her magical capabilities, just as any other creature would be when faced with a powerful witch like herself.

After letting him think for a minute straight without speaking, Salem chuckled and shook her head exasperatedly. She anticipated that he would try something like this to waste time, hoping that someone would appear and alert his temporary guardian.

It was only expected of the cunning little thing… Unfortunately, his opponent was beyond such trickery. It wasn’t gonna work on her.

“Have I mentioned that I am perfectly willing to teach you how to utilize your magical abilities, and will shower you with all the ‘Shinies’ I have gathered over the many millennia that I have lived, Agito?” Salem’s smile became warm, if slightly mischievous, as she informed Agito of what she was prepared to offer.

Agito’s ears stood ramrod straight immediately, just as she expected.

“Not to mention how you’ll never have to be on the run like you currently are, hiding from Grimm and humans alike…” Salem pointed out while slowly reaching out to hold the chained boy once again, running a hand across his fluffy ears with expertise honed on the many domestic Grimm she had created over the years. “Poor boy… Waking up one day in an unfamiliar place, dragged around by incompetent adults, observed with hostility as if you were a creature in a zoo, and coveted by all those around you for your special abilities…”

Salem easily noticed how Agito’s ear twitched from the start of her little speech, surprised at how she knew of his ‘birth’ in this world. Naturally, no person in Remnant was capable of scrying his origins and identifying his true nature (except the Fool, but she doubted he had enough magic left to do even that) like she could. None of them would assume that he was barely a few weeks old and a completely different species.

“... Don’t you covet them too?” He whispered accusingly as he moved closer into her embrace from her pull, earning a gentle pinch on the cheek from Salem as she giggled.

“You’re not wholly incorrect, but there’s more to it than just that.” Salem explained and released his squishy cheek after a gentle tug. “You’re… like me, Agito. A remnant of a world that no longer exists in today’s here and now.”

“Because I’m a ‘beast’?” Agito tilted his head curiously, blinking as Salem smiled and shook her head.

“I only just learned of your true nature today, child. Why would I have pursued you so intently beforehand if it was that?” Salem gently reminded while stroking Agito’s head patiently. “No… It’s a lot simpler than that, Agito. Your magic.”

“... Why does that matter? Surely there are others out there who also have magic?” Agito furrowed his brows, not believing that he was the only person with magic other than Salem in all of Remnant.

“Excluding you and myself, the number of magic users left can be counted on one hand.” Salem informed with a hum while mentally counting the ones left, finding only the four maidens and the Fool as the ones with a semblance of true magic left.

Although, even they have lost the pure essence of magic. The maidens are merely capable of bending the elements on a massive scale, while the Fool likely had nothing left except a few embers left within him.

Time has lost the previous glory of wizards and witches, now only preserved by her existence—and now Agito.

“So my ‘true nature’ doesn’t matter?” Agito’s already tilted head tilted further as he continued asking questions, the inclination of his head almost vertical from how confused and curious he was.

…

Salem laughed. Loudly.

“Pfft… D-Doesn’t matter…” She repeated while barely trying to muffle her laughter, earning a look from Agito at her behavior.

“... You didn’t have to laugh.” He pouted.

Salem quickly appeased Agito with a headpat to make up for her mistake as he sulked at her laughter, smiling apologetically as the last few chuckles died out.

“My apologies… The idea that your nature contributed nothing to my pursuit was too… funny for me to resist.” Salem apologized with a sheepish chuckle, carefully choosing her words to not upset Agito further.  

Salem took a moment to compose herself before inhaling, mentally double-checking everything she was about to reveal.

“Long ago, before this world received its current name, the inhabitants of this world were vastly different.” Salem began calmly, her eyes growing clouded as she reminisced. “Varied ‘mortal’ species and many wild beasts and creatures inhabited the forests, seas, and wilderness, running amok. Magic was innate to every creature that held life…”

Salem trailed off for a moment before regaining focus and smiling bitterly.

“There was mystery and beauty in the world, with none of the corruption wrought by the mindless Grimm rampaging through the current world…” Despite being the very embodiment and Queen of said Grimm, Salem looked just as bitter about their arrival and existence as most others would be. “There were dangers in the wilderness, but… they were natural. They were orderly. They breathed, ate, drank, had offspring… lived.”

Salem’s eyes regained focus as she looked down at Agito’s form, a warm, maternal smile gracing her lips.

“They were Spirits and Beasts. Phoenixes, dragons, faeries…” She trailed off as she was listing out mythical creatures, smirking slightly. “... Agitos.”

“There were Agitos???” Agito couldn’t help but interrupt with shock, momentarily forgetting what he actually was.

“Pfft… Unfortunately, no. Agito is a one-of-a-kind Divine Beast, born only of this world.” Salem giggled and shook her head as Agito panicked, patting his head again lovingly. “If ‘Agitos’ existed back then, I’d have surely somehow preserved one for myself somehow… Just so I could have a little one to hold like this~.”

Salem teased and smirked at Agito as she pulled him closer and squished his cheeks, yet Agito seemed too deep in thought to bother protesting her actions as he slowly blinked and focused on Salem.

“... Were you a mother before, Salem?”

Salem’s body froze, her breath hitching slightly.

“... Long, long ago.” She whispered softly.

…

Agito’s right arm suddenly began struggling slightly in the bindings Salem had him wrapped within, making Salem snap out of her reverie momentarily to stare at Agito sharply.

Several spells were cast in less than a moment as Salem stared deep into Agito’s soul, eyes widening slightly as the feedback from the spells returned all-together.

Agito wasn’t trying to attack. Agito wasn’t trying to break free… Agito wasn’t trying to run away.

The bindings around Agito slowly loosened just enough to allow his arm free as the raccoon boy slowly pulled it out and extended it towards Salem before…

… Gently wrapping it around her waist.

“... Are you okay?” Salem’s ears betrayed her as she heard a question she couldn’t remember hearing in the past eon, her mind refusing to process the words even as she understood them with perfect clarity.

Salem lowered her gaze, finding Agito struggling to wrap his singular arm around her waist while she chained the rest of his body, yet still persevering as he slowly patted her back while hugging her.

She reciprocated the embrace, tightening her arms around the bound raccoon boy with an intensity even she couldn’t explain. Countless thoughts raced through her mind like wildfire. Emotions she hadn’t felt in hundreds of lifetimes resurfaced.

“... I am now.” She answered silently.

Agito didn’t continue questioning her after that, silently enjoying her embrace with closed eyes as he patted her back with his one free hand.

Salem, feeling Agito’s adorable ears twitching against her cheeks as he nuzzled into her chest, smiled softly and carefully gave each of them a loving caress as Agito’s head straightened from the pleasant sensation, raising his face from her embrace.

Opening his eyes, Agito blinked as he was met with the warm gaze of Salem’s softened eyes. Then, his blank face faded as a small, bright smile enveloped his lips as he closed his eyes contently.

Salem’s arms tightened in response.

“... Let’s return home together, Agito.” Salem spoke in a whisper, finally breaching the remaining objective left on her list of tasks… bringing her Agito back ‘home’.

Agito’s contented expression faded as he heard her words, his eyes reopening with a hint of sorrow as he looked down… and slowly shook his head.

“... I can’t.” He answered her sadly, earning a look of slight desperation and anguish from Salem.

“Why not?? I can take care of you better than anyone else in the world–I have thousands of magical artifacts, treasures, and gold!” Salem’s pitch increased with every word, reflecting her intense emotions as she spoke. “I’ll teach you everything about your magic, even the most forbidden and dangerous incantations you desire!”

Despite Agito’s obvious love for shinies and treasures, there was no greed or desire on his face as Salem spoke. There was only sadness. For her.

Salem’s face lit up with realization.

“Is it your instincts!? Do you still feel the need to stay next to that sad woman because of your instincts??” Salem questioned with widened eyes, a hint of madness coloring her crimson eyes. “It will fade–a mere few days will be enough, and I’ll replace her-”

“... You’ll kill me.”

…

“W-What are you talking about? I would never! Not in a million years–” Salem’s eyes widened in horror as she shook her head, stressing the word ‘million’ as she tightened her arms around Agito. “No matter how long your lifespan is, I will accompany you for however long it takes before finally putting an end to this world!”

“... I’m Eternal.”

…

“I will live… Not for a thousand. Not for a million. Not for a billion… I will live.”

…

Salem stumbled back as Agito’s words rang in her ears, the mere thought of eternity with someone else shocking her more than anything she’s ever experienced in her incredibly long life.

She was prepared to accompany Agito for a hundred years when she first captured him. Upon learning of his true nature, she naturally realized he’d likely be able to live for a few thousand…

However, ‘forever’ was not something she could’ve anticipated.

A concept so closely linked to her existence, yet despised so vehemently…

Salem’s panicked eyes quickly moved back to Agito as a vain hope suddenly emerged in her mind.

What if Agito was wrong?

An overwhelming amount of magic exploded out of Salem’s body and into Agito’s as he stared at the massive influx of magic in fascination, completely unaffected by the forbidden magic attempting to age him by tens, hundreds, thousands of years…

Salem watched in horror as Agito’s body remained completely unresponsive to the ancient magic she unleashed upon him. He did not resist it, as there was no sign of change in neither his body nor mind. He did not endure it, as his mind and spirit remained perfectly pure and unmarred by time despite enduring its passage for an untold amount…

He was truly and utterly Eternal.

Salem’s legs felt unsteady as the realization settled in her mind, her body feeling sluggish and weak after expending so much energy as a mere clone.

Yes, she would not personally leave her land. That would be sending a nuke-carrying plane to retrieve Agito.

Unfortunately, she has come to regret that decision now. With her temporary body lacking much of the magical prowess it previously held, she had less confidence in leaving Atlas while keeping Agito safe and silent.

As Salem found herself on the edge of spiraling, a familiar, small hand cupped her cheek.

“... It’s okay.” Agito gave Salem a small smile, an uncommon occurrence that she’s had the pleasure of seeing twice now in this encounter. “I… will get something. Eventually. I’ll… help you.”

Salem’s instincts screamed as she suddenly launched forward, pulling Agito back into her embrace in a panic as she felt a feeling of danger unlike anything she’s ever felt since gaining her immortality.

“I’m not letting go.” She spoke with finality, her eyes glowing an intense scarlet.

The danger she was feeling didn’t vanish despite holding Agito, though. It only intensified as Agito shook his head.

“Agito, your instincts-” “-Salem…”

As Salem was about to mention Agito’s ‘instincts’ again, she was surprised as Agito interrupted her with a firm voice, making her blink and focus on his eyes.

“... You keep talking about my… ‘instincts’.” Agito calmly began, a pensive expression on his face. “... You say I follow instincts… They control me.”

Salem wanted to protest, to explain that they weren’t as ‘controlling’ as he made it out to be, but Agito didn’t give her the chance.

“I don’t know if you’re right. I don’t know if you’re wrong.” Agito admitted freely, finding no shame in confessing that. “But… If I truly do follow my instincts…”

*SQUELCH!*

Salem’s eyes widened in horror as blood landed on her cheeks, her danger senses screaming as she felt the hand currently impaling.

The hand that was used to comfort her when she felt the resurgence of emotions long gone.

The hand that she, herself, was tricked into freeing.

“... My first instinct is never to obey.” Agito stated unflinchingly, even with his hand currently impaling his chest, directly through his heart. “My first instinct… will always be… to chase freedom.”

Blood spilled down his lips as his hand remained within his chest, a countermeasure in case she was able to heal him.

“No…” Salem mumbled in shock as she stared at Agito’s body as it slowly lost its vitality.

She, the Queen of Grimm, the Immortal, needed no Healing Spells.

And yet… now… she needed healing spells.

She could do nothing.

“... I’ll get something. I promise. I’ll sacrifice a shiny if I have to…” Agito promised her even as his eyelids grew heavy, the malign feeling of death enveloping his mind despite his attempts to stay awake. “... Bye bye.”

Before her very eyes, Agito’s eyes closed permanently…

… and began dissolving into motes of light, reminiscent of her own clones after being dismissed.

Salem’s eyes widened.

That wasn’t a clone, yet after dying…

Her eyes sharpened as she stared at the fully dissolved body, her eyes delving into the mystery of the world as she saw the full, pure vitality of Agito speeding through the air away from her.

Any spells capable of capturing that precious essence were too costly.

She could do nothing.

Once again, the raccoon boy made her dance to his strings, playing his tune without her ever realizing what was happening.

Her divination telling her that he didn’t intend to attack, break his bindings, or run away?

Of course it didn’t.

He was killing himself.

Salem stared at the magical chains she had conjured to bind Agito, now fallen to the ground after his body disappeared. Her eyes were slightly vacant, overwhelmed with all the information she received as well as Agito’s actions.

Suddenly, Salem’s eyes regained their fire as she prepared to march in the direction of Agito, only to stop as she remembered her weakened state… and spotted a familiar object.

Sitting proudly atop its rightful pedestal… was the Relic of Treasures… left behind after Agito’s escape.

…

She could leave it.

The child loved that Relic to death; she shouldn’t deprive him of his beloved ‘Treasure’.

… But she was greedy.

Salem tested the weight of the trashcan’s lid as she held it, inspecting the runes covering its entire surface with a warm, gentle gaze…

… She would not be returning home empty-handed, at the very least.

… Was it just her who felt a sense of déjà vu?

The shield disappeared into the fabric of space as the vessel Salem was occupying melted into the ground, becoming no more than a pile of dark energy burning the grass around it as it faded away.

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[ Agito POV ]

[100 CP Acquired!]

[Legendary Achievement!!!]

[Achievement: Escape a Serious Salem’s Capture Attempt (300 CP added)]

[Legendary Achievement!!!]

[Achievement: Discover the Truth About Remnant (again) (300 CP added)]

[Achievement: Discover Salem’s Infiltration of the Atlesian Systems (100 CP added)]

[A/N: Just realized Patreon doesn't allow for you to center text. Look at this disgusting formatting... Smh... Patreon SUCKS!]

The Agitos that were left behind at Willow’s manor were running around frantically, packing up any essentials as they ushered the servants and others to move while preparing to depart early.

Agito was planning on delaying the trip to Vale by a few days to be a dick despite Ironwood’s insistence, but plans had to change. Ironwood’s confused voice as Agito demanded to travel early was amusing, but the panic on the General’s face was very real when Agito told him that Salem was currently inside Atlas.

He didn’t inform Ironwood where the original was. He didn’t need to know.

The Agito would escape. The Agito always does.

What was important was preparing for the quickest escape possible before the Agito escaped Salem. Until then, The Agito, the original, had to buy as much time in captivity as he could. Keeping Salem convinced that everything was going according to plan would allow The Agitos more time to escape.

“Won’t one of you tell me why we are being rushed like this!?” Winter demanded in confusion as she was taken alongside Willow into a different Bullhead than the one the Agitos were running into, sweat dropping as she saw a dozen Agitos get stuck in the doorway as they all tried to enter at once.

“Agito… A word?” Willow, on the other hand, was a lot calmer as she pulled the Agito staying by her side close, getting the mostly inactive Agito to respond as he blinked and looked at her.

“Salem.”

Willow’s body trembled as she tightened her arms around the only Agito left, the rest already flying away in the Advanced Atlesian Transport Vehicle Ironwood quickly deployed to pick them up.

“... Shouldn’t you go with them?” Willow questioned with a soft voice despite not wanting to lose the last Agito left with her, wanting him to be safe more than she wanted him with her.

“... She doesn’t want a clone.” Agito answered her quietly.

…

Willow smiled sadly.

She didn’t either.

…

…

The Agitos sat silently on the ground in the surprisingly spacious Airship, staring at anything or anyone that dared to move in their presence as all the agents appointed to their protection remained completely still in fear of his presence.

It also might have something to do with how his eyes were glowing every time any movement happened, leaving the operatives anxious as several (rabid?) raccoons stared at them every time they so much as breathed.

They were all perfectly silent, completely motionless, and barely emoting in any shape, way, or form.

The truth was, each of the Agitos gazed at a different direction to ensure no unknown magical signatures approached the ship unknowingly. Their eyes watched every movement around the ship…

Suddenly, an unknown abnormality caught their attention as all Agitos tensed, making the operatives standing guard around them stiffen as well.

Contrary to what the Agitos were anticipating, however, the anomaly came not from their surroundings… but from the precious Relic every Agito hugged close to their chest.

The Relic of Treasures glowed in the arms of every Agito as they all looked down in alarm, eyes widening as every single Relic began dissolving into motes of light in their very arms.

The Agitos all remained perfectly still as they watched their most prized possession disappear before their very eyes.

The Relic of Treasures dissolved into nothing in merely a few seconds, yet the silence spanned decades as every Agito remained perfectly rooted to their position in space.

…

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

Godbound

[-Pushed to the brink of death you can enter a divine fury that frees you from any binding or constraining magical effect, regain much of your health and some divine power too-though the effort will leave you helpless for a long while-]

Pillars of Radiant Light extended into the heavens across the continents of Atlas and Menagerie as the Divine Fury of Agito burst out of every iteration of his body across Remnant, lighting up the dark skies with its powerful glow.

The rage emanating from his Divinity was accompanied with the presence of a long-forgotten aspect of the world.

Magic… has returned to Remnant.

The world fed on the Divinity emanating from the angered Beast, recovering some of its former glory as Life returned to the world that was once stripped from its very Vitality.

The wilderness, previously infested only with the abhorrent Grimm and unremarkable fauna & flora… now glowed with Life as beings long-extinct took breath once more.

And those closest to the source of this Blessing… They were granted the greatest Favor.

However… at the center of this Miracle, there was not a hint of joy or magnaminty.

Only Wrath.

[Acquiring…]

[Acquiring…]

[Acquiring…]

[Acquiring…]

[Acquiring…]

[Acquiring…]

[‘Arena Materialisation’ has been Acquired!]

[‘John 2:1-11’ has been Acquired!]

[‘Library of Babel’ has been Acquired!]

[‘Reiatsu-Concealing Cloak’ has been Acquired!]

[‘Weaponry’ has been Acquired!]

[‘The Curse of the Mummy’ has been Acquired!]

The Curse of the Mummy [400 CP - Warhammer Fantasy: Tomb Kings]

[A blight upon all who steal from the most sacred treasures of the Tomb Kings of Nehekhara. Those tombs, and the bodies laid within, were given countless wards and protective enchantments to protect them from thieves and desecraters and to curse all those who manage to get away. This curse will affect anyone who steals from you, even a single bronze coin lifted from your pouch is enough to count. Once afflicted, they will be stricken with disgusting plagues and illnesses, cursed with horrid bad luck and aged far beyond their years. Only by returning what they stole can they stop it from progressing any further, though what they have already suffered will remain with them as a reminder. If someone were to go so far as to manage to actually kill you, the curse would apply at an even greater level, slaying all but the strongest beings of this world in a slow, agonising death.]

“...”

[Newly Acquired Abilities do not Affect Targets Retroactively!]

The Agitos did not respond to the system’s clarification as it answered the unasked question, merely moving closer to huddle closer as none of them said a single thing.

The Divine Light emanating from the Agitos faded, leaving only a dull weakness within that matched the ache every Agito felt at losing their deepest, greatest treasure.

The Agito… was sad.

…

…

HALO! Check what I wrote in the Community Group if you wanna know what my plans are for the next few weeks! Also, Agito sure did a lot this chapter, huh?

YALL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON YET NYAHAHAHAH! YOU MUST NOW WAIT AND SEE WHAT CONSEQUENCES THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WROUGHT! RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!