Varian thought he was hearing things. Even if everything was absurd, it could not be absurd to this degree.
'Abyssals? Stop kidding. We're in Inner Space for fuck's sake.' He sneered.
It was only a few seconds since the fall began, but to him, it felt like a day. Varian was acutely aware that something was wrong as he continued to control his descent speed.
'I'm not joking. Abyssals were once an A-, uh, a higher level civilization. Even though they should've lost most of the technology by now, entering Inner Space wouldn't be too hard for them.' The cute voice turned solemn.
Varian blocked the space once again and stopped his descent, then he lifted the space block and resumed his fall at speed zero.
'Hey, why are you not even replying?' The cute voice called out in his mind.
Varian sighed deeply. He had an ominous feeling even before he entered the core zone.
As he fell down the cliff, he thought that was the reason he got the feeling. But after being able to control his fall, he realized it was something else.
'The Abyssals… I don't want to fight them if I can't win.' He said, the wind ruffling his hair. The Abyssals weren't like magic beasts. Hunting or some other tactics won't work on them. They are a much tougher foe.
'They're just some bugs. Strong Abyssals can't enter. You can easily win with my support.' The voice said with certainty.
'Good.' Varian nodded.
He looked down and saw he was approaching the mist. Even if the cliff bottom was a few miles below, he'd be fine. His space power would last till there.
Then why did this voice said I 'would' survive if I 'try hard enough'.
As Varian hit the cloud of mist, he knew why.
Zap!
Zap!
Below the mist, countless lightning arcs rumbled and danced wildly.
'Oh shit!' He cursed and used space block.
But—
Zap!
Creak!
The Space block, being only Level 2, easily broke.
Varian used lightning mana to cover his body.
Zap!
"Ouch" He managed to block off the lightning and prevented any injury.
But as he fell, he wasn't happy at all.
More and more lightning arcs started targeting him.
Zap!
Zap!
Creak!
They easily broke through his space block and lashed at him. He was able to block a single bolt, but with two, three, four and more, he was quickly injured.
Zap!
Only a few seconds passed, and Varian already had many light injuries. He protected his vitals and gritted his teeth.
The lightning arcs increased the lower he went.
'Where is the bottom?' He looked down and only saw endless golden lightnings.
"Fuck!"
He wouldn't be able to survive long with the defense of lightning mana and his body.
'20 seconds at most.' Varian realized he was in a pinch.
If he depended solely on his mana and body to block the lightning attacks, he'd be dead in 20 seconds. If he used space powers too, he'd get 5 more seconds.
However, using space powers meant he wouldn't be able to control his fall anymore. Even if he managed to reach the ground, his speed would be too high.
'That voice meant I still have a chance, right?' Varian continued to guard himself against the attacks.
Instead of completely using space power to defend or to slow him down, he decided to use them for both.
Zap!
Zap!
The bombardment of lightnings continued, and blood spilled in the air. Varian curled up and protected himself.
Despite his space blocks, lightning barriers, and a strong body, his injuries continued to pile up.
1 Second.
2 Seconds.
5 Seconds.
10 Seconds.
'There!' He finally caught sight of the ground.
'I could surv—'
The lethality of lightning increased, and Varian felt his body go numb.
'No, it's my defense that is decreasing.' He sighed. His body slowly started to get paralyzed.
Zap!
Zap!
From going numb to getting paralysed, it happened in a few seconds.
As he approached the ground, Varian's speed continued to rise. But he had to use space power to block the lightning attacking his vital regions.
Zap!
Whoosh!
He accelerated, and saw the ground approaching him at a breakneck speed.
'Oh, fuck!' He cursed and—
Boom!
He crashed into the ground.
Crack!
Crack!
The world went dark.
Even when he couldn't see, he could feel.
Varian felt every bone in his body break. It was like he was run over by a truck and electrocuted at the same time.
'Arggh' He couldn't even yell out in pain.
Blood soaked the ground wet and dyed it red. Varian was really afraid he might die from injuries, even if he survived the fall.
'No. Not afraid. I'm really going to die.' As the paralyzing effect of electricity faded, the pain spiked.
Varian winced and his brain started to shut down in self-defense.
'No.' He tried to flounder, albeit failing to move with his broken bones.
The pain continued to rise. Every inch of his body was bleeding. He could feel the warm blood flowing out, and as it left him, it took away his energy. His life.
His body, even in the warm blood, was quickly turning cold.
'I want to live.' He tried to yell. No words came out. Only blood spattered from his throat.
Varian tried hard to open his eyes. They were like adamantine doors.
Slowly, he started to lose the sensation of his body.
'My life is not mine.' As his consciousness was on the verge of going blank, he growled.
'My life was exchanged for hers. She gave me her life.' Along with the sensation, his pain also started to fade.
'I have a lot of things to do.' His consciousness seemed to fade.
Somehow, in that dark moment, a white light flickered.
She appeared. He still could only see her eyes. Those golden eyes.
"Never lose hope." She whispered and hugged him to her bosom.
The warmth revitalized him, and Varian used the last of consciousness to feel his body. Yes. He still had hope.
One hope.
His consciousness searched for his broken arm and reached for his space ring.
Click!