When Argant entered the village for his aptitude test he felt tense all the time. The moment he looked at the villagers through his mask he felt a burning pain in his heart, even more so when he looked at his family.
Something is not right with me, I have the feeling something is amiss.
Argant tried his best to shake this feeling off but the aching in his heart did not stop. In his mind a figment of a memory flashed past, Maria's face distorted by fear, pain, horror and any other negative emotion. Her face was scratched and her clothes torn. It was a picture of a miserable maiden in an abyss of chaos.
“Ahh! HUH HUH HUH. What... was that?!“. Argant clenched his chest while a soultearing pain spread through his entire body. Of course he did not reveal any pain to the outside but his heavy breathing and his slowered steps were noticed by his family.
(Gasef) “HAHA feeling nervous yet?“. His father spoke with a small laugh.
(Dariana) “Nothing to worry about Argant. We will be proud whatever the results.“
(Maria) “Brother... You can do it...“. Maria's voice was meek and her snowwhite face had a hint of pink in it.
Argant stared at his parents and his little sister and again a few broken peices of memories flew past his mind's eye. His father torn into two halves. A cruel hole in the head of his mother. A headless corpse of Maria.
(Argant) “I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry....“. Argant muttered this phrase, like a defensive mantra, under his breath, hoping that the scenes he had seen were just a gruesome fantasy.
He could not face his family and solely shock his head while walking with hurried steps towards the chapell.
Fast forward for a hour.
It was Argant's turn to be tested. The reason for why he couldn't reveal his face stayed the same and the old man believed it another time.
The old man moved his hand towards Argant's chest and started to send a soul thread into Argant's soul world.
When the thread arrived in the soul world it immediately dashed into Argant's soul crystal. The times when Argant was enslaved by the bandit's flashed through the old man's mind, but he choose to ignore them for Argant's privacy. He only frowned a bit over the hardships of Argant.
The vibrations the thread created upon entering the crystal were emitted through a very thin black thread to the ginormous door behind Argant's soul crystal. The door shuddered and openned slightly, instantaneously thousands of ghostly hands shot out and wanted to grab after the red soul thread.
A golden veil descended between the door and the crystal, servering the connection of the black thread as well as blocking the ghost hands. The old man did not notice anything in this very moment.
The inspection was done and the red soul thread returned to the old man.
(Old man) “WHAAAAAAAA! This can't be! IMPOSSIBLE! HAHAHAHAHAH! GREAT, GREAT!“. The old man jumped up in the air, shouting like a little girl.
Argant's parents were waved over by the old man and soon they stood before him in a respectful manner.
(Dariana) “Elder what are the results of the test?“. Dariana was clearly the one with the better communication skills of both parents, so she alone engaged in the conversation with the elder.
(Elder) “HAHAHA. He is quite excellent. A genius for his age if so to say! Wind and Darkness are on an exceptional high level. The affinity for Darkness is tremendously high. Luckily Wind is on an extremely high levels as well, though it is slightly inferior to Darkness. And his soul crystals mana density isn't small either. It must be at least five or six times higher than people of his age. And there is even more.“. The elder began to frown but still remained joyfull.
(Elder) “I still don't know what it is exactly but it seems he got two types of unique magic. One shoul be blood type magic whereas of the other I only caught a glimpse, but it must be extremely powerful... and dark.“. The Elder spoke the last part with hesitation but regained his calm in a moments notice.
For Argant's first unique magic he came already to a conclusion, his bloody past. Unique magic or unique abilities often develop under extreme situations only, sometimes they are hereditary but this exists only amongst the ancient tribes. Argant's blood magic might be called unique but in reality isn't, many people with cruel and dark pasts have this magical disposition, it is called unique because you can not get it trough talent or training, its way of requirement was unique.
(Elder) “And that's why you have to be careful. Such an exceptional genius will most likely be targeted by the Satyrian's. It would be best to have him train in a secluded area or subscribe him to a specialized magic academy where he can focus on one element at a time.“. All of the joyous tone was now completely gone after he mentioned the Satyrian.
The Satyrian's are a powerful organisation on the demon continents. They kidnap rare geniuses, force upon them their ideals, break their wills and create powerful soldiers with the sole goal of the humans extermination. When they only catch a glimpse of a potential genius they will destroy everything in their path to get their hands on him. A truly frightening group of fanatics.
(Elder) “Next you should go to the capital of Rennhild and receive your 'Blessing' from the High priest.“.
Argant already was informed of the term 'Blessing'. A 'Blessing' is just a small helping hand from the God's. They give those that receive the 'Blessings' a unique trait. The minotaures for example are blessed by their birth by the God of Temperament, thus they can experience vast increases in strength if their emotions surge to the extreme. Blessings since birth are only limited to a few different races.
But Blessings are not always advantageous, there are for example the Blessings of the Gods of the seven sins. These blessings can forcibly change your character, mostly for the worse.
Blessings were another reason for the countless (mostly) failed invasions of the humans. A ginormous amount of essence shards was needed to reach the 'Godrealm' and contact the Gods within to receive a blessing. Luckily the Demon continents held an abundance of elemental essence and essence shards were only as rare as iron, in the human continent one sole essence shard could be worth more than a city.
It's not that all Blessings are equal, for example there can be the Blessing of the God of War or the Overgod of War, their relationship would be God = Soldier while Overgod = Commander and naturally those that receive an Overgods Blessing are way stronger than their lower blessed counterparts.
But what really caught Argant's interest was his own elemental aptitude. His parents told him about the realms each element has.
All types of elements have their pros and cons. For example Fire has a highly destructive nature (pro), but can also wound the user (con). Lightning has the highest penetrative power (pro), but is hard to control (con). Water uses mostly wide-scale attacks and has low healing spells (pro), it can also wash your allies away (con). Wind is the fastest of all elements (pro), sadly it has the lowest overall power (con). Nature focuses on regeneration and creation of minions (pro), minions can hardly distinguish between friend and foe (as long as you don't control them completely) and nature is only over powered in regions where its essence is prominent (con). Light is the strongest type of healing magic and has powerful buffs (pro), its attack spells are only effective against undead beasts and sinful enemies, its magic also weakens in dark areas (con). Darkness has a high variation of curses and mind/body control techniques for the living and the dead (pro), it is weak against all kinds of light magic (con).
Overall the elements are balanced but this only depends on the situation, when a person that focuses only on the light-style, which is mostly a supportive style, he will have great problems against a sin free practicioner of any other style.
The elements can be divided into two realms, the lower realm and the higher realm. When your proficiency in an element reaches its pinnacle your soul crystal will take on the traits of this element and even your body will be changed according to the element.That way many bizarre combinations can be created. Fire + Water = A body made of vapor. The balance between the elements can be shifted or negated if oneselfs wants to. For example, even if you mastered Wind and Earth you can decide if you take on a rocky defensive form or change into a humanoid gust of wind or you just remain human.
The people that mastered the elements are only few and even after countless years a Water, Darkness and Light practicioner was never seen.
Although many people suspect that Water, Darkness and Light were long ago mastered. Water by the aquatic demons and Darkness and Light by their respective races that are naturally talented in those elements, like Evila in Darkness or the Nephilim in Light. The only problem is that those three races live in seclusion and are thus way to difficult to stumble upon.
Argant was pondering for a while. He never thought he himself had so high talent. And now he had to decide on which path to walk on. The physical path of a warrior or the magical path of a magus.
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He deeply venerated his fathers strength on the fields, how he wielded meter long sicles like toys and tore even stones apart. But he also saw his mother use magic on rare occasions, when a pack of Gargan Wolves attacked the fields - Giant wolves, at least two meters shoulder height made up of roots and vines, thus they themselves mostly eat crops and are very hard to deal with because of their high regeneration - his mother only utilized a simple fire spell 'Burning cross'. Argant could only stare with wide eyes as countless crosses fell down from the heavens and pinned the wolves to the ground, burning them to ashes. In this moment it seemed as if the stars have fallen upon earth and brought with them heavenly judgment.
A warroir had to channel the elemental essence into his ki-center, meridians and attune his whole self to his respective elements, the ki-center changes the elemental essence into a substance which can be used to build up the body and reform it (proteins?).
The magus had to directly concentrate the essence in his soul crystal and his mind.
To become a warrior one had to 'adore' the path of training and the world itself, only then you could accumulate the essence within your body. A magus had to focus his mind and soul into one and then slowly channel the elemental essence through it, thus it needed a high amount of spiritual self control.
There are also those who train in both paths but the difficult is raised significantly and only rare talents could do both.
But who was Argant? He survived two years of torture and had mostly died once in his life, what had he to fear?!
Argant raised his fist in the air and raised his chest high. “I will become a Necromage! And then I will train my Wind essence and my name will be spread throughout the continents HAHAHAHAHA!“. His voice was stiffled with juvenile arrogance and naivity.
(A full fledged Darkness mage would be called Necromancer, a Necromage on the other hand is a Darkness specialized warrior and magus. A Blazeknight would be a Fire style warrior and magus. Teslaparagon=Thunder. Aquadespot=Water. Terrapaladin=Earth. Aerisrider=Wind. Gaiasage=Nature. Luminescepriest=Light.)
Argant's parents and the Elder just chuckled but this is youth. Being able to overcome the impossible and thinking that a mountain is just a pebble.
This was Argant's descision, he would travel both of his parents paths, even if it would be arderous, Argant would endure!
(Argant) “Uhhhh... in which school should I enroll?“. Argant directed his questioning gaze at the Elder and his parents, the latter directed their gazes to the Elder as well.
(Elder) “Just wait a month or two and I will send a letter to the Rennhof-academy straight in the heart of Rennhilde. So when you get your Blessing you can already enroll... hum but you would be send straight into the ongoing schoolyear. Argant, do you think you can do it?“. The Elder looked at Argant like seeing his own nephew.
(Argant) “Tch! Of course just you wait and see how I leave these brats in the dust!“. Once again Argant's voice was filled with arrogance. At least he had talent to back it up.
(Elder) “Hahahahah great. I will make the preparations and sent the letter to the High Priest Ivaroch and the head of the Rennhof acedemy Ivarly. Come back in a few days, I will prepare an amulet so that you can easily prove your identity to them.“. “Of course Elder!“. “HA! Call me Ravian! I am not as old as you think, only a few centuries you brat! Hhehehehe!“....
Dariana and Gasef could only sigh as their son started to chat happily with the Elder Ravian. They still had other things to do.
On the other hand Maria was watching her big brother chat so casually with a lofty figur such as the Elder and couldn't help but feel even more passionate admiration towards her big brother. (Will Maria be in the first in the Harem? This and much more in the next episode of Beyond Gods. DADADA Tututut *Guitar Solo*.)
Big brother must is so awesome! Huh... why do I have to be so lousy... But I will not give up, I will definetly stand proudly besides Brother with my chest held high!
Maria clutched her tiny fists before her chest and flashed Argant a burning gaze from behind.
A month and a half passed until a carriage with a black flame and dark angel wings as back ground was driven right before the small hut of Argant's family. The carriage for the Darkness institute of the Rennhof academy
It was his carriage and one way ticket to the capital, his family could not assist him in this trial.
Twelve years. Twelve years are needed for Argant to finish his whole scholarship, then he could return to the fields or just work as an adventurer and explore the yet uncharted regions of the minor continents or the danger zones of the major continents.
Argant showed the talisman he received from Elder Ravian, a small red piece of wood with mysterious black runes. He placed one steady foot after the other into the carriage, leaned his body slightly back and cast a solemn glance at his family. His father and mother waved frantic and Maria came even sprinting forward, her hazelnut brown hair swaying with each movement.
She jumped off the ground straight into Argant, who in turn tripped out of the carriage to catch Maria.
(Argant) “Maria what ar-!“. Argant wanted to rebuke her, but a pair of soft pink lips sealed his mouth shut, the kiss lasted only for a few seconds but for Argant it felt like eternity, heat spreading from his lips all the way down to his groin.
A thin line of saliva was drawn between the relucantly parting lips of the young boy and the young girl. Argant's mind was filled with a thin fog turning him into an momentarily invalid.
(Maria) “Uhhhh UH... Mum and Dad always do that when they part... so... I thought we could do that too?!“. Maria casted a apologizing gaze upward but Argant only chuckled and shiveled her smooth hair.
(Argant) “This is something that only the bonded should do, we are to young Maria. Maybe in the future we might see each other and who knows what might happen then...“
Maria was looking at Argant with eyes filled with longing but she fully understood what her brother meant and silently turned back and went besides her parents. Giving her best smile she waved frantically towards Argant while the tears just spilled like a river from her eyes. Argant had been the closest any person ever had with Maria, except for her real family. He never seriously reprimanded her, he was always calm and composed when together with Maria, showing utter affection and a strong family bond. Argant was a safe haven for Maria, she could just silently stay beside him and he would not be angry in the sightest, in fact he took that as a challenge to get even closer to Maria, to disperse her shyness like the sun disperses the night. And now he would leave for twelve years at least and the heart is an unstable thing, quick in its descision making and hardly focused on one thing for eternity. That was life.
The carriage was already a few miles away from the small house. Argant sat in the comfortable black carriage wearing a black robe and his iron mask. Beside him was a small bag with a few spare clothes. Argant carefully eyed his bag and started to search about.
A silver glimmer flashed in the bag and Argant immediately reached after it. Argant let out a sigh of relief and looked at the silver object. It was a sharp piece of blood smerched iron, sharp edged and viscious. One could feel an aura of hate and sin emenating from the cool steel. A cold glimmer ran past the eyeholes of Argant's mask.
Argant's breathing grew ragged and small specks of smoke came out of under his mask.
(Argant) “He... Heheheh... HAHAHAHAHAH! Finally the acting can come to an end! Academy my ass! Now I can finally enjoy myself... hehehheheHAHAHAHA!“. Argant's mad laughter ran throughout the carriage and the driver couldn't help but turn backwards.
A silver light. Pain. Darkness.
The only things the rider could feel and see before his consciousness faded into nothingness while a deep cut on height of his eyes split his skull apart. The trotting of the horses and the vibrations shock the top part up and down, sending blood and brain matter in all directions. (His head looks now like a trash bin, ok?)
Argant spit on the face of the rider and kicked him off the carriage into a crevice by the side of the road.
(Argant) “Let's GO!“. Argant shouted and sharply swung the reins urging the horses to travel at a faster pace.
The corpse of the man lied there on the ground a testament to what Argant was capable of.
In the few months of waiting something in Argant changed, or better... something was added. Something infected and corrupted his soul, slightly at first but it grew powerful over the months. Something that wanted to wreak havoc!
The thing in Argant knew only this: No one would stay in Argant's path and the descisions HE made.