Power of Runes Chapter 448: A Realm Disturbing Phenomenon (2)

As Ash poured his understanding of the Rune of Harmony into his Will Orb, his physical form, which had been utterly spent moments before, began to subtly recover its strength.

A healthier hue returned to his previously pale skin, and the deep weariness accumulated from the recent efforts started to dissolve, as if an unseen force was revitalizing him from within. This was quite unusual, as such spontaneous recovery rarely occurs, but Ash remained unaware, lost in a profound state of concentration where his surroundings held no significance.

At this juncture, Ash possessed no consciousness of the sky above, the vast ocean around, or even the growing stillness that enveloped him. Invisible currents of energy emanated from his body, commencing a journey through the boundless sea, with him as its undeniable epicenter.

The waves that had been relentlessly crashing upon the island's shore began to alter their course, their motion reversing. They seemed to surge upwards from the island itself, expanding outwards in all directions towards the unknown.

The wind, which had previously whipped across the open waters, grew tranquil. It didn't vanish but shed its untamed character, moving with a consistent direction. It glided over the sea's surface in long, uniform strokes, devoid of any chaotic turbulence.

Clouds meandered across the heavens, yet they no longer drifted aimlessly. They arranged themselves in even, concentric circles, forming soft, unceasing layers overhead, neither coalescing into storms nor dissipating into oblivion.

The sun's light filtered through them, casting a gentle radiance. No harsh shadows were formed, only a smooth, serene brightness that permeated everything uniformly.

All these transformations unfolded with glacial slowness, so imperceptible that they would likely escape notice without meticulous observation. Furthermore, the concealment runes failed to detect the ethereal waves emanating from Ash's body at intervals, nor did these waves manifest any visible disturbance that would trigger their alert.

Compounding the issue, these runes were designed solely for concealment, not for repelling external influences.

It was akin to creating an illusion of emptiness on the island, yet Ash never fathomed that his own body would emit unknown energy waves, instigating such profound changes. While the alterations weren't drastic, this was merely the nascent stage, and the Seal had yet to fully materialize.

Meanwhile, completely unaware, Ash continued to channel his comprehension into the Will Orb. The knowledge embedded within the Runes was immense and profound, necessitating a prolonged and deliberate process, allowing no room for superficial haste.

Time marched onward, and the subtle, unseen alterations taking shape around Ash did not remain undetected for long.

**

Within the ocean's mid-depths, where daylight still pierced with faint luminescence, a contingent of Merfolk journeyed together. Their movements were fluid and unhurried until one of them abruptly decelerated.

Her expression shifted subtly as she raised a hand, signaling her companions to halt, her focus narrowing on the surrounding waters.

"Wait... there's something amiss with the waves and the winds; their flow isn't natural," she stated, her voice calm yet tinged with perplexity.

The others ceased their progress as well, turning their attention to the currents around them. Soon, they, too, perceived the anomaly.

The water wasn't moving as it should.

Instead of following its habitual course, it felt as though it were being propelled, as if a distant force were projecting waves outwards, disrupting the natural equilibrium.

"It feels as if something is compelling the ocean to shift... as if the waves are being pushed from somewhere," one Merfolk commented, her brow furrowing slightly as she attempted to comprehend the sensation.

Their leader briefly closed her eyes, extending her senses further into the oceanic depths. After a moment, she reopened them, her gaze now serious.

"It's not chaotic... the disturbance propagates outwards, indicating a distinct source," she declared slowly, her voice resonating with newfound certainty.

A brief silence ensued before another Merfolk spoke, her tone now alight with curiosity.

"If there's a source, then something must be present there... such a significant change doesn't occur without cause. It could be a treasure or perhaps some form of awakening..."

The leader didn't dismiss the idea but maintained a cautious demeanor.

"Whatever it may be, it's influencing the ocean itself, implying it's no ordinary phenomenon. Inform the Royal Guards and dispatch a messenger to the Kingdom; we must investigate this immediately," she commanded, her tone resolute.

She paused thoughtfully before adding.

"However, this could also signify a treasure, and if we can sense it, others likely can too. Time is of the essence. We will proceed towards the source, but remain vigilant; this could be an opportunity... or a grave danger."

With those words, she turned, beginning to swim in the direction from which the disturbance originated. The others followed in close pursuit.

**

Within a frigid and murky ocean expanse, a colossal entity drifted serenely. Its body, adorned with thick scales, exuded an aura that repelled lesser creatures from its vicinity. Yet, even this formidable being decelerated as it sensed an alteration in the oceanic currents and the prevailing winds.

After all, navigating the sea requires one to meticulously observe atmospheric conditions and the water's movements, among numerous other factors. But at this moment, it seemed as though all inhabitants were being drawn towards a single, unified direction.

The Leviathan's eyes partially opened.

It delayed its immediate movement, instead allowing its senses to permeate the surroundings, discerning the pattern of the disturbance. Soon, it grasped that this was no random flux.

The waves were being forcefully displaced outward.

A presence resided at the epicenter.

It did not hasten toward the source. Beings of its kind do not act without considerable deliberation. Instead, it remained still for a prolonged duration, observing, as if assessing whether the anomaly warranted its attention.

A deep, resonant rumble emanated from its form as it gradually adjusted its posture, orienting itself slightly towards the disturbance's origin, though it did not yet advance.

It was watching.

Waiting.

**

Approaching the ocean's upper strata, a contingent of Shark kin traversed the waters. Their streamlined bodies were engineered for velocity, their gazes perpetually vigilant as they pursued prey in unison.

One among them abruptly clicked his tongue, detecting an unusual shift in the water's flow against his being.

"Do you all perceive that... the waves are behaving strangely," he articulated, his tone casual, yet his eyes meticulously scanned the environment.

Another individual decelerated slightly, trailing a hand through the water as if testing its consistency.

"It feels as though something propelled the water from a specific point... as if the current was suddenly disrupted," he responded, a subtle frown creasing his brow.

A third member emitted a light chuckle, though a vein of curiosity underscored his voice.

"Perhaps some gargantuan beast is on the move, or maybe some fool stirred up trouble in a distant locale. Regardless, it's not our concern unless it directly impacts us."

The first Shark kin did not reply instantly, instead directing his gaze towards the direction from which the waves appeared to emanate.

"It's expanding outwards... implying something is at its core. Whatever it is, it cannot be insignificant if it can influence the ocean on this scale," he stated, his tone now carrying a more pronounced seriousness.

A brief, heavy silence descended upon them before one of them offered a dismissive shrug.

"Then let the higher-ups handle it. I'm not in the mood to get entangled in the unknown. However, we should probably notify them of this alteration; perhaps it signifies a hidden treasure."

Several of them inclined their heads in agreement, while a few continued to gaze towards the origin of the disturbance with inquisitive expressions. Yet, none of them impulsively surged forward.

**

Comparable spectacles unfolded across a vast expanse of the ocean. This was attributable to the changes Ash was initiating. Although not intensely potent initially, the waves gradually intensified, assuming a peculiar cadence. Like an unstoppable chain reaction, they propagated outwards, reaching the ocean's farthest fringes.

Some detected the anomaly early if they were geographically proximate to Ash, where the disturbance felt more acute and difficult to disregard. Others only perceived it much later if they were distant, where it initially appeared faint before becoming progressively more discernible over time. Throughout this, Ash remained utterly oblivious to the external developments.

However, at this precise juncture, he had successfully integrated the entirety of his 6% comprehension of the Rune of Harmony into his Will Orb – or more accurately, the nebula-like structure that had superseded his original Will Orb.

Once a concept or attribute is fused into the Will Orb, the orb forfeits its inherent form. That specific attribute then begins to dictate its nature, transforming it into something fluid and perpetually in motion, rather than a static entity.

Its appearance resembled a celestial nebula, with minute runes shimmering like distant stars, and the raw Will functioning as the ethereal gases binding everything together, moving slowly while maintaining a delicate equilibrium.

The process of compression and infusion served to imbue one's will with a particular essence, defining its ultimate character. Now, the crucial fourth stage commenced: shaping the continuously undulating nebula, which had just achieved its precarious balance, into a petal-like configuration serving as a foundational structure.

And as Ash embarked upon this process, an utterly astounding phenomenon manifested in the external world. It was no longer subtle; instead, it became profoundly noticeable and intense, radiating outwards and proclaiming its presence, thereby capturing the attention of every single sentient being.

****