Requiem for an Aberrant Chapter 3: Chapter 3- The Nameless Concord

Read chapter 3 of Requiem for an Aberrant by TheJestersGambit on NovelPedia.

Cole looked around. Surrounding the castle was nothing but black stretching endlessly in all directions. He assumed it was the Abyss. So why wasn’t he falling? That was how the trial began, with some sort of acclimatisation period, or something. ‘Has the trial started already?’ Cole could only guess. “I think we should head inside the castle.” It didn’t come from the man beside Cole. This voice sounded... weary. Not exhausted, but used to disappointment. ‘The Soulgrid.’ Cole's eyes widened slightly. In all the confusion, he'd forgotten the obvious. The voices around him faded as he focused . ‘If this really is the beginning of the trial, I should be able to summon it.’ “Enter the castle? Uh… yeah, I mean, sure,” a second voice chimed in, higher-pitched and uncertain. “But like... what exactly are we supposed to do in there?” Before the weary one could respond, the strange man beside Cole spoke up. “I agree with the girl. Whoever summoned us here is probably inside that castle! Should we jump them? Get to them before they get to us?” The weary voice returned, dragging his words like a man trudging through mud. “If someone had the power to summon all of us here, and wanted us dead, we’d be dead. Don’t you think?” Before anyone else could add to the conversation, someone else stepped forward. A woman, by the shape of her silhouette. Her hands rested behind her head as she sauntered past the group. Her voice was low, flat, and bored. “No point standing around. The Abyss won't have anything to offer,” she muttered, carefully stepping forward. “But this castle? Could be fun. I’m with Mr. Weary.” Mr. Weary, an impromptu nickname it seemed, visibly flinched at the title, though he said nothing. The woman didn’t wait for consensus. She simply kept walking toward the castle gates. Cole remained frozen. ‘Soulgrid!’ He called out the word again in his head. But nothing came or popped up. ‘Why isn’t it working? Maybe the trial hasn’t started yet? This isn't supposed to happen...' He instinctively reached up to scratch his skin, at least, he thought he did. His miraged body distorted sensation. Even touch felt like trying to remember something half-forgotten. Cole looked up, noticing the others were already moving towards the castle gates. Muttering under his breath, he caught up. The gates creaked open with a slow groan, revealing the castle beyond. It was tall, black, and alone somewhere in the Abyss. With no other paths to follow, the group continued forward, their eyes fixed on the massive black doors. They didn’t knock. There was no need. The doors swung open the moment they stepped close. Inside, a black-and-white checkered floor reflected the dim light of a grand silver chandelier. Beneath it, ghostly dancers spun in a silent waltz. Their movements were too smooth. Cole couldn’t say why, but something about them made his skin crawl. Past the dancers stretched a broad staircase layered in a dull grey carpet. No side halls. No open doors. It seemed the only way forward was up. Without a word, Mr. Weary walked forward, ignoring the dancers entirely. The others exchanged glances, then followed. Cole lingered for just a moment longer, watching one of the figures twirl. Its arms moved, but the body didn’t bend. It was as if they were puppets and the strings had been cut, but no one had told them yet. He looked away and followed the group up the staircase. The deeper they climbed, the quieter everything became. At the top, a pair of glass doors framed the only way forward. Beyond them was a balcony. And beyond that... only the Abyss. Mr. Weary opened the doors without any hesitation. A lone figure stood at the far end of the balcony. “You’ve finally arrived?” She turned slightly, veils trailing behind her like fabric submerged underwater. A cracked porcelain mask hid her face, one side half pure white, the other scorched black. Only one white eye gleamed through a slight slit, whilst her limbs looked like they'd been taken apart and stitche