“Vagua.” Olga began without warning, prompting me and everyone else but Zakira to settle on the edge of our seats to absorb everything she had to say.
“The realm of Fiends.” She continued. “That moniker is commonly used to explain Demons, Devils, and Vampires alike. But only the former comes from the Vaguan Tree of Life. What’s called a Demon by the commonality are the true Fiends. Among them are imps, oni, yugoliths, and other such creatures. But the most widespread type of them is known to us as the Strifling. In truth, they are humans who evolved from the mana in Vagua over time. They're not widespread enough to have a strong presence in any community.” She added. “But there's enough for them to not face discrimination within our societies. They are humanoid in appearance, boasting horns, tails, and vibrantly colored skin that matches their personalities like fine silk. In this year’s class of students, there are two. An Infernal Strifling: half-Strifling, half-true demon, named Zarzok. As well as Phelaia.
“Those two are joined by another from Vagua.” She added. “A being with ties to the elemental plane of fire- a Djinni, named Ash. But such beings are rare and not a type of Fiend.
‘A Djinni, huh?’ I nodded in remembrance of the flaming head I saw wandering through the halls on occasion.
“Appearances aside. Fiends are infamous for their innate abilities.” Olga explained, bringing my attention back to her. “Wherein they will often have an affinity to a certain emotion or mental state and use mana to feed off it to physically empower themselves rather than increasing their magical ability. Naturally, a half-fiend could use this ability to recharge their mana or empower their spells as well. Making them exceptionally powerful.
“Moving on, we have Vampires and Devils. Both have lived in Vagua since time immemorial, but they are not part of the Vaguan Tree of Life. And while Devils are Fiends, Vampires are not.” She stated. "There are many theories regarding the origins of the twelve vampire progenitors. Some believe they were born from an undiscovered Tree of Life on some far corner of the Plane. Others think the progenitors came from a single, powerful being, which would technically make them sorcerers. But no one besides vampires themselves knows for sure. They are a type of undead unlike any other. They appear as unaging humans with immense beauty, inhuman strength, and great speed. And though they rely on blood to sustain themselves, they harbor no ill will towards mortals as most undead do. Many of them can be found within respected positions in high society, in fact. Putting their immense knowledge and pools of wealth to use for the good of the city in which they reside. More so, they are considered an entire species of undead, as they are capable of creating lesser versions of themselves that can range from Ghouls to Wendigo. Though these creatures are rarely as benevolent as their masters. As everyone knows, their power is derived from blood. All Vampires can empower themselves with rich blood. But only the Pure Vampires can use blood magic. Their lesser kin simply retains the physical strength, speed, and undying nature of their purer counterparts.
“The last and perhaps most feared entity to be found in Vagua are Devils.” She explained with a sudden aura of trained indifference. I, however, was veritably interested in hearing what she had to say about the distant members of my family tree. I learned almost everything there was to know about Devils and the Under during my time at Corvus Academy. How they lived, how they were created, and how their hierarchy was structured. All of the book stuff, minus the language or anything practical. A mountain more than what the Academy was aware of, I was sure.
“At their core, Devils appear as regular humans. They have our wide range of skin tones and sometimes, even our hair colors and textures,” Olga said with her same indifference. “But that’s where the similarities cease. For one, they appear as if they’re dressed in ostentatious clothing made from darkness. Suits, dresses, and robes that seem as if they belong to royalty. Like demons, they have pupils reminiscent of a reptile or dragon. Only, theirs are ghostly white while the sclera remains black. Like demons, they sometimes have long, curved horns with sharp claws, long tails, jagged teeth, and sometimes even wings.
“But never call a Devil a Demon or vise-versa!” She snapped forward, waving a grim finger. “Any of them will have your head for calling them the other.” Following a long pause, she leaned back to erect herself to full height, where she resumed her professional indifference while pacing across the room. “Everything about them is different, you see. Devils have the strictest hierarchy among any creature in all the realms. And they love to talk. They talk and talk and talk with mortals to tempt them into making Deals, giving the Devil ownership of their souls. Something you should never do.
“If you ever find yourselves confused. Remember three things.” She raised her fingers. “One, Devils play but the rules- their rules- while Demons live for chaos. Two, Devils obsess over souls while Demons couldn't care less for them. Three, Devils come from the Underworld while Demons come from the Seventeen Hells.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” Samson asked.
“No.” Zakira and I said at the same time.
“Would one of you like to explain?”
“I would.” I raised my hand. Not just for the sake of points or to make them understand the difference. But to correct Olga’s misconception about Deals. Her misconception was one of the few things regarding Devils I could talk freely about. “Imagine this is the Mortal Plane.” I held a piece of paper parallel to my desk and gestured to the upper surface. “We live up here, on the Material Plane.” I paused to flip the sheet over and show the bottom to everyone. “This is the Underworld. Beneath the Mortal Plane is where Devils are born. It's where they live. And it’s where unsaved or cursed souls go when they die.
“Also.” I set the paper down to turn my eyes to Olga. “Devils don’t tempt people into making deals. The rule is, they must tell you the terms and conditions upfront and ensure you’re aware of the consequences if you or they breach the contract. Otherwise, it's a void contract.”
“And the Hells are, sort of, in between the two.” Zakira vaguely added that and nothing more.
“Ah. Yes, thank you both. Ten points to each of you.” Olga bowed politely while the rest of the class gave us incredulous or even fearful gazes.
“Sadly.” She sighed. “That is all we know of the creatures of Vagua. But we do know more of its geography.” She rebounded with a warm smile as if to give us a little emotional roller coaster. Yet the class seemed to be hung up on what was just said.
Not that anyone could’ve blamed them.
“Though the Marulean occupation of Vagua was short and insignificant.” She continued. “Through varying means, we’ve managed to paint a picture of life within the Vaguan Realm. We’ve learned that essentially all of the surface is uninhabited by the sentient species. Save one place. The Metallic Metropolis. By all accounts, it is the largest city on the Mortal Plane, existing around the Vaguan Tree of Life itself. Its border stretches far beyond tens of thousands of kilometers. But what’s truly unique about it, is its peace. Every type of fiend imaginable lives in relative harmony with devils, undead, and Striflings who share the land. It is a veritable utopia by their standards only. Only made possible by what lies beneath.
“Vixi.” She stated. Much to everyone but Zakira’s confusion. “Every human to return to Maru in the old days used this mysterious word to describe the Seventeen Layers of Hell. You can liken the Hells to a tower of immense proportions. One that has been embedded into the Mortal Plane’s crust to sit between the Material Plane and the Underworld as explained by Zakira. Each layer is like an isolated realm.” She dreamily explained. “The first is below the Metallic Metropolis and is considered its warzone and battlegrounds. It’s a no man's land. A lawless land plagued by eternal conflict. It is the first level of Hell that houses the conflicts born in the Metropolis above. As such, the wars waged there are among the worst one could ever witness.
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“The contrast between the Metropolis above and the First Layer below is not insignificant. But what lies below is far more interesting.” She winked. “The following seven Layers of Hell belong to one or more of the reigning Vampire Clans. And similarly, the Demon Families rule the tenth through sixteenth Layers. Like the first Layer, the ninth Layer serves as the battleground for the Vampiric Clans and Demon Families. And the 17th level is the junction point between this life and what comes after.”
‘Go ahead and say it.’ I knowingly smirked at her. ‘It’s where the Gate to the Underworld is.’ Not my gate, but the gate to the Mortal Plane. Grandpa Lich taught me that much. Though, even he couldn’t open it.
“What makes the Hells deserving of the name is one simple fact.” Olga paused to take up the center of the room and give each of us a hard stare. “Every Level of the Hells, the Metallic Metropolis, and much of Vagua’s surface is encased in Negstone. Magic is of no use there. Only might.”
---
“Our lesson on Betrarth and the White Wall will be less extensive than our earlier lecture.” Olga beamed upon our return to the room. “We’ll begin with the latter. It is the least-explored place in all the Realms minus Youtera. The land of the Giants. An introverted species that has rarely been found to interact with the denizens of Paradise, though are one of the few species found in all realms, with the others being dragons and humanoids. Contrary to the name, giants range in size from two or three meters to the Storm Giants, who can tower over mountains. From what we understand. They want little to do with the other species, seeing us as little more than occasionally annoying gnats.
“Giants are not the only colossal creatures of the White Wall, however. As Vagua's mana is attuned to emotional and mental energy, the mana of the White Wall is attuned to gigantism. And it's home to not just every creature imaginable, but, because of the Tree of Life every biome as well, just like Vagua.” She winked. “Mammals, reptiles, forests, and swamps. They all exist in the realms of ice and fire. But other creatures exist there as well. Giant phenotypes of orcs and goblins have been reported there, leading some to suspect humanoid variants exist there as well. Though, with the realms' immense distance from the sun, few are willing to brave the cold night in an attempt to find them.
“Four realms exist within the zone. The first two are Cyamis and Taton. Together, they comprise the White Wall’s summit and the land extending beyond. It’s a barren surface. A world that's almost devoid of air. Yet, life thrives. Mostly in the form of burrowing creatures. Niflheim exists beyond that. The true home of the Giants. A hardly explored realm plagued by frozen mountain ranges and volcanoes of both fire and ice volcanoes that melts deep vales between the ranges and fills the atmosphere with thick air filled with perpetual storms.
“The last realm is Plane's End.” She solemnly declared for some unknown reason. “Egedil. It is a place mentioned in every theology or pantheon in existence. But one that no mortal soul has dared venture to. For there is nothing to find there but the great empty of the abyss.”
‘Yeah.’ I smiled inside. ‘Which is precisely why It'll be the last place I go to. Before Nonus.’
“Betrarth is the second-most explored realm to date,” Olga said, once again pulling my drifting thoughts from beneath me. “The primary reason is because of the Nonus-Betrarth portal, existing beyond the fringes of a vassal state of Polaris. However, few people venture through it as of late. The reason is that the Betrarthian tree of life is considered the lowest on the totem pole of Realms in terms of strength. Yet it boasts a similar environment to Nonus. “Its surface was reported to be expansive, to say the least. It contains vast plains and forests that tower to the clouds. Deserts and badlands that outclass continents. Volcanic mountains and tundras rival those found in the Inner Reaches and beyond the White Walls. The ancient pioneers reported every landscape imaginable on the continent to be plagued by gigantism. The plants, the animals, and even the insects were all colossal. But we've since learned that to be untrue. The mana present in the ancient realm is attuned to primal energy, you see. Thus the flora and fauna there are highly evolved. And, after living so long, quite large.
“However, the ones to rule this unclaimed land are the Orcs.” She declared. “Below them exists Goblinoids. But a surpassingly extensive record of lesser beings was reported to exist there as well. In general, orcs are well over two meters tall and are several times stronger and more resilient than humans. Most of them live in warbands or nomadic tribes that thrive in both hunting and warfare, but cultured orc civilizations exist as well. They have an innate attunement to nature. Some believe that the Tree of Life used plants as a template to birth the orcs. And it’s because of this that they can manipulate plants as humans can manipulate elements. The orcs that are the more adept at manipulating the forest, however, are known as Shamans. And they’re considerably powerful.
“It’s due to this that some consider orcs to be not the natural barbarians of the realms; but the natural Druids.” She explained, much to many people's bemusement. But she pressed on. “As stated, though, they’re largely considered the natural Barbarians of the realms. Their exceptional sense of smell makes them excellent hunters and warriors. And they play both roles exceptionally well. Not to mention, they claim different hues and abilities based on their region of choice. Lowland orcs are green and can manipulate grasses and weeds. Black orcs live underground or in caves and can manipulate roots. Blue orcs can manipulate seaweed, and high-orcs, red in color, can manipulate trees, like the Headmaster. He is a half-high orc, half-demon, if anyone was curious.
"High-orcs are not only stronger and more resilient than orcs, but they are extensively more civilized than standard orcs as well. Often, they are the ones who create orc society. But not always. While most retain their warmongering tendencies, some were found to not only engage in trade with humans but, occasionally, in diplomacy as well.
“Hobgoblins and Goblins, on the other hand, share no such differences,” she said. “One is simply a larger, stronger version of the other. They can manipulate the bones of the deceased to form blades, spikes, or serrated weapons as they need them. But they are rarely a threat when encountered on their own. Like ants, the goblin’s power comes from numbers. In these cases, they can be extremely deadly. But they are not evil creatures.” She added. “Goblins are the scavenging kings of Betrarth. Many creatures are above them and constantly remind them of their place. In turn, they do the same to whoever or whatever they believe to be below them. This includes both animals and children alike. Additionally, they often travel alongside Bearbugs, Wargs, and Ogres, all of whom are native to Betrarth. So you would be wise to never underestimate them.
“In addition to them are the many plant and elemental-based creatures found within the realm. Sentient trees, molds, and spores. Natural golems. Pools of living water, and gelatinous cubes. The most dangerous of those lesser creatures, however, is known as a Slime.” Olga declared, almost forcing me to snicker out loud.
"Without a magical weapon, Slimes are unable to be crushed, stabbed, or cut. Even then, though, if the slime is crushed, stabbed, or cut in a way that doesn't kill it entirely, it will either splatter and multiply into many slimes, be severed and duplicate, or you will simply anger it.” She explained, much to my chagrin. “They come into life with a blue tint and have the consistency of viscous water with mild acidic properties. If one latches onto your face, it will drown you before you dissolve. But what makes them so formidable is their mutability. If you try to use fire to kill that slime attached to your face and fail to succeed, it'll become a flame slime and your head will feel as if it's encased in lava. The same is true for lightning, poison, or virtually any other magical affinity. Thus the only way to defeat one is to use a magical weapon or spell to destroy it in one fell swoop.”
‘Damn… that’s pretty fucking terrifying.’ I wryly laughed. ‘But that also poses a question. Could I make a death slime? A shadow slime? Gravitational? Nuclear?’
“This concludes our lecture for the day,” Olga announced to the pleasure of everyone. “Our introductory lessons will conclude with a discussion on the Nonusian Tree of Life before we begin the focus of this quarter. Botany and Horticulture. And, let me be the first to remind you of your first venture through the wilds tomorrow. But keep in mind that it’s a familiarization exercise and nothing more.
“Before you go! Our last order of business is the establishment of the party and team leaders.” She gingerly clapped, looking around the room. “How would you like to decide?”\
Slate’s hand shot up at once. “I suggest we take a vote.”
Surprisingly, the echoes of his idea went around the room and came back to Olga in seconds with an affirmative answer. So we wrote down our votes and placed them in a bucket before heading out into the halls with a free schedule.