“Kazebi is a dualistic spirit who feeds on the bonds of people. This allows it to act out in the natural realm without needing to be spirit linked. Due to an incident where she took the spirits of an entire city, the Order destroyed or displaced every temple dedicated to her across the quadrants. Then they struck her name from all records, sealing her away. You trying to poke your head around looking for her could undo all of that work.”

~ Harold, Owner of Infinity Wares

Kouki

From an oasis in one desert to a superheated glass island in another and I’m standing in the middle of it with a 3 piece suit on trying not to sweat. Okay, it’s time to make the final preparations. Putting my hands together I draw arcana causing the glass beneath my feet to shake and tremble. Bolts of orange lightning forge into chain links and then into chains. They thrash around carving symbols into the glass.

I lift my left hand and all the summoned arcana condenses into it. With a swift slap into the ground the runes I forged saturate with arcana. Immediately, the glass shatters into dust and swirls around me taking a long-forgotten shape. One second I’m standing on a glass island in a desert and the next I’m standing in front of the temple of Kazebi. The temple's structure is elegant as if from an ancient society who understood how to work glass, how glass interacts with light, and nothing else.

It glows in the sun and has a massive prism at the top of it that creates a beam of pure sunlight. It’s clear to me that it was meant to illuminate the now unsealed and undisturbed lower levels that were made of packed and hardened sand. No time to waste. By raising the temple every available agent of the Veiled now knows my direct location.

My objective is in the lower levels down in the main chamber. I place the golem cards at the sides of the center altar. It stands in front of the prism's primary path that directs the solar light throughout the structure. With a slight surge of arcana the golems are released from the cards and now comes the hard part. “Great spirit of Kazebi, the one who brings people together and tears them apart. The spirit of bonds, I seek your power!”

Hidden runes react to my words dulling the brightness of the sunlight turning the walls, floors, and ceiling black. The temple's true appearance reveals itself and with it the spirit it was built for. The pillar of light shapes itself into an ethereal egg. It cracks and then shatters revealing a monstrous spirit.

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“Who is it that summons me?” Every word it spoke rattled the room around me as if it could shatter the entire temple with a whisper.

“I am Kouki Kanshiki the Tether and I’ve come to bargain.”

“One does not bargain with a god.” Its tone is one of mild irritation.

“With all due respect, I’ve killed so-called gods before. So, can we skip to the part where I make my offer and you accept it?”

“You arrogant, insolent child. Fine, what is it you have to offer?”

“Freedom. I can undo the seal that prevents you from crossing over or do you not recognize that you’re in a familiar location?”

“You assume that this pathetic world has anything of interest to me.”

“Spirits are horrible liars and I don’t have a lot of time. What’s it gonna be?” Things go still for a moment.

“Fine, who do you want me to bring back?”

“I want the spirits of Xianna Seirios and Aposyn the Radiant.”

“That will cost you more than just my freedom.”

“Okay, in a moment I’ll sacrifice the existence of the Veiled who did the dirty work of sealing you in the first place. Will that suffice?”

“Hmmm… No, I have something better in mind. I sense a unique curse in your bloodline. One you’ve cut all ties to. In exchange for Aposyn this curse will be restored.”

“....That is acceptable.”

“Then I shall begin.”

“No, I need a couple of minutes.” Grabbing my bag I pull out a few seals and place them in strategic locations, I seal all but one entrance and place four items on the altar. A three-pack of marbles, a transfer seal, a wine glass, and a bottle of wine. Next, I strip down to my underwear which elicits a comment from Kazebi.

“Why are you undressing?”

“Everything I wear has several enchantments including one that would prevent you from using me as an avatar. I’m glad you couldn’t tell they were there.” I pop open the bottle and pour a glass of wine. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Kazebi ethereal form emits a red light and manifests spiritual tendrils that dig into my back. The room shifts red to match Kazebi’s aura and the column it stands over erupts with power that shoots beyond the planet itself.

“Human, the process will take five minutes. During that time you will have no access to arcana.”

“That’s fine.”

“I hope so since there are unwelcome guests in our presence.” Laser sights appear on the back of my head as soldiers in black tactical gear uncloak themselves becoming visible to the naked eye. I pay the weapons trained on me no mind, casually turning towards them. With a smile, I pick up my glass of wine and sip.

“Ah, Notches you activated my trap as expected.”

~End