EPISODE 72: EDRYANI
— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season: Color Fading.
A lie you’ve told is only convincing when you truly believe it yourself .
Minerva Edryani looked at her body with a strange, but worried gaze. Her thoughts spun, and the vast database that filled her head worked through multiple solutions to what she believed was occurring. The Codex was her and not her. The entire library of humanities knowledge kept itself stored within her mind, body, and soul. She was only an interface to access it; otherwise, her main body would be overwhelmed.
Her main body was in a state of indifference. A state that repressed the emotions, and allowed one to think from a pure objective standpoint. It was a blessing in dangerous situations, in which you find yourself needing to make the right move every time… every time . The war against the Spatial Convocation Could be considered one of those situations… yet her body’s actions became more and more dangerous with each passing day.
More totalitarian, as they share their thoughts with one another, as Lawruthian read upon Earth’s famous leaders for all eras. More utilitarianism, no perhaps it delved closer to consequentialism, her main body desired to produce the best results… every… single… time. He desired a Golden Age. Minerva wondered where her main body and her secondary body diverged. She’d always been there since the beginning, since Goddess Madris forced her to be reborn as Lawruthian Edryani. Lawrence Brown had always been there.
Was it some form of split personality? Minerva didn’t know, and Lawrence didn’t know. What he did recognize is the three considerable changes he experienced growing up. The first was the realization of what Goddess Madris required of him. When he read the words of the Truth Seeker and held the confirmation months ago on his sixteenth birthday in this new life. He was seven when he first found out. That was when he first changed, when what it meant to be a [ HERO ] changed .
Lawrence Brown was a [ Hero ]…
Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani was not .
At least Lawruthian wasn’t a hero in the same sense it meant on Earth. [Heroes] of Edryan and the Prime Plane were different from Heroes of Earth. When Lawrence was three, he just didn’t realize it yet. That was when it began, that was the first spark of idea.
The second big change was when he began Edryan’s Three Steps. The three times a young Edryan teenager would need to take on three professions to diversify their class selection day just a bit more than usual. When Lawren- thian emerged from the royal family’s hunting grounds battered and bruised. It was the first time he had to kill something. It was not the last . He’d played it off like nothing bothered him, but he, she, they ? Whatever he was, he could still smell the shit of death. Lawruthian could still smell the dying death throes, shit, piss, unwashed body, he smelled it clearly. It never left .
He’d never fought for his life until that day. That day the fantasy began to disappear, in [Goblin Den] it left completely. That was his first artificial dungeon, which he entered at the prime age of thirteen. Goblins, the ones who didn’t evolve and stayed monsters , were nearly as intelligent as humans. They took pleasure in torturing their victim, and the scars Ade Oni saw that fateful day were majorly received in the den. It was where Lawruthian was born, or at least it was where he truly began to form. That was when Lawrence Brown lied . That was when he knew he couldn’t do it, but Lawruthian Edryani could . So he changed.
The third and final time was the most recent. In fact, it only occurred a few weeks ago. It was what made Lawrence Brown truly understand what, who , Lawruthian Edryani needed to be… needed to do…
Three is a sacred number. It represents a trinity, a completion, a full circle. An Edryani child isn’t recognized until their third birthday. It is only then that the child is confirmed to be able to live a strong and healthy life. A superstition from the olden days, but one that stuck around, nevertheless. Three is the Aspect, the Prestige, and the mix between them both. It is the path that guides all, and it is the way the Prime Plane has always functioned. Three represents the Three Faces of Madris. The first face is that of the Sage, the second is that of Lavish, and the final is that of the Challenger. Each holds different meanings, and each of these domains attracts different people to the Goddess. Each represents a phase of life.
Lawrence , Minerva , Lawruthian …
A perfect trinity .
Lawrence’s third and final time was when he accepted (The King’s Indifference) and the action that caused him to accept it. He remembered it clearly, the very moment it happened. The very words he stated .
‘ Oh… so that's it! ’
It was the piece that completed the Trinity. That completed the birth of Lawruthian Edryani.
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“My liege,” Ameri questioned. Surprise colored her voice, and she gazed at Lawruthian with a small forward tilt of her head.
Outside the artificial base constructed by Hector, fire raged sluggishly, lightning struck, and skills attacked the barrier in an attempt to wear down the magical defenses. The heat was starting to become intense as the hot air held nowhere to go.
Inside the golem-shaped structure that looked oddly similar to Hector was the Imperius Army. Some magi-humans within tightened their shields and practiced firing mana from their palms to propel themselves as taught by the [Chosen of Madris]. Others, who already understood the principle behind the technique, prayed. They prayed to the [Holy Son of Edryan] and to their Goddess. They prayed for victory. Some asked the Challenger to guide their blade, others felt the Sage would give them the wisdom necessary to utilize their skills successfully. There were few who specifically asked for Wealth, as the domain held little regard for war.
Lawruthian looked to Ameri and repeated himself.
“I’ll lead my Imperius Soldiers out to battle myself. Alexandria’s plan is solid, and Thraag won’t attempt to strike with Nubia underneath me. I cannot stay here, and you cannot leave without protecting me.”
“Your Highness, sticking next to me within the ranks of the Imperius Army would b-”
“It would be the safest option, but I am not one to shy from danger. There is no better arrow point than me for your men. The only one better would be Ameri, and she has her task to accomplish.”
Alexandria let out a frustrating groan and glanced at the sky. A prayer to Goddess Madris seemed to be uttered from her lips, but Lawruthian was no longer paying attention. His attention seemed to be on Minerva as the large owl settled on his arm. Silently, they stared at one another. Minerva chirped in outrage and Lawruthian showed a smile, yet his eyes did not follow the emotion displayed.
“Ok,” he spoke softly to the bird, while the surrounding crowd looked elsewhere. “You win.”
Lawruthian took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he next opened them, they held no indifference within them. Only a startling confidence and warmness remained. Those feelings provided security within the room.
“Look at this objectively, my generals… You cannot leave me here, and I am the third strongest within this army, my armor and attributes nearly have me at the same point as a level seventy to level ninety knight. Nubia,” Lawruthian pointed downward. “Will be ensuring my safety from Thraag at all avenues. We, in fact, could release her and my other Hero Golems to fight against the army outside.”
The general’s faces took on unwilling expressions as Lawruthian said this last part.
“Where would our honor and glory be,” Ameri questioned.
“Exactly,” Lawruthian responded before continuing. “You’ve pledged yourselves to me. For I shall guide your blades, for you shall protect me, for you are my sword and shield… but I’ve pledged myself to the Citizens of Edryan, for I will always lead from the front and fight . I do not have to take these words in the full literal sense, but this is my first battle, this is the first Edryan will see of me on the field. What leader am I if I am one to hide away and cower? What leader do you follow?”
Ameri straightened at Lawruthian’s words and fiddled with her helmet. Her dreadlocks were kept in a braided pattern that ensured no hair fell outside her helmet. Alexandria nodded, strawberry-blonde eyes finding truth in Lawruthian’s words. All great Edryan leaders led from the front. King Darius, Queen Titiana, and now it was Prince Lawruthian’s turn.
“Find then, the men should be acclimated to the flying technique you’ve developed, Your Highness. On your word, we attack.”
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[Chosen of Madris] has activated!
Function:
The Greatest Gift
Gather the Faith of the People and convert them into attribute points.
You have been awarded 100 Attribute Points.
I dismissed the notification and smiled at both of my generals. The residue of (The King’s Indifference) faded as the skill returned to being passive, nudging me here and there as it told me of the best possible outcome to achieve my goal. It was a skill Minerva disliked, but it was a necessary skill, as it allowed me to completely picture the scenario from an objective standpoint. To remove emotion and other factors that may sway my mind and decision in one direction or another. This battled against this small collation force, built of smaller schools allied with the Convocation, would be over in little time if I released my Hero Golem alongside the Vanguard Corps. The only reason I didn’t was simple… magi-humans held battle as one of the highest forms of worship they could do to honor Goddess Madris. To deny my men that first chance in battle against another force was an insult. It insulted their training, their pledge to fight for me, and more.
With it (The King’s Indifference) active, there was no hesitation in my actions, and I found myself able to act in a way I found completely necessary to achieve my goal. That goal was to defeat the Convocation and end this war as quickly as possible.
“Let’s go,” I began. “The golems are almost in position.”
Under the effects of (The King’s Indifference) my mind worked utterly different. There was no emotion to sway me, nor hesitation once I realized an action I needed to do. It was why I immediately activated once I realized the battle was no longer going to plan. The moment the collations forces emerged from the portal Thraag conjured, (The King’s Indifference) began to act.
My golems followed Hector as he shifted the surrounding earth. The spells imbued onto his frame were completely related to construction and defense, although he did hold offensive skills, his siblings were more aligned to that nature. Hector was designed to build things and move earth while the fighting was left to others.
I grabbed my helmet, and we moved through the complex building and made our way downward. Our steps quickly found us in a large space, where two thousand magi practiced expelling their mana from their palms. This action generated thrust and pushed them in one direction or another. I wasn’t a rocket scientist, and even without Minerva, a basic high school education gave me the knowledge needed to navigate under this Mythical spell. This was not an education the average or even above average Citizen of Edryan would know. Quickly, my magi acclimated themselves to the action, as it was necessary if they wished to keep ahold of their life.
“Ameri,” I spoke and turned to the woman.
She turned to me, helm in hand, as the red piercing eyes of an Oni stared at me. I held my arm out and Ameri immediately recognized what I was doing and responded accordingly. Just as I once did with Ola Oni, I clasped arms with Ameri.
We held arms for a long moment. I hadn’t come to know Ameri the way I did Alexandria. We hadn’t been at odds, but the circumstances of her working for me came unexpectedly. Regardless, this woman was no longer of the Oni. She renounced all ties to her clan and strictly would serve me. Where I pointed, Ameri would go, and there was no used in keeping a hostile atmosphere or making it awkward. It was something (The King’s Indifference) and (Political Mind) told me multiple times, but I still held a… disregard for the Oni and their clan. It wasn’t in the sense of dislike but more similar to indifference . I’d acknowledge Ade Oni and even kept a cordial relationship with him, but to me, it was all so childish . If I were still Lawrence , I’d be pushing forty years old right around now.
I broke the connection and she was off. A simple bark of orders brought her men to attention as the force prepared themselves to set off.
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We found ourselves in a large hall that held the Imperius Army. (Mage Lights) kept the brown dirt lit, and the compact dirt beneath us vibrated as the explosions of magic continued.
DUMM-DUMM .
Ameri was ready, and Alexandria began ordering her 1,500 men into formation, the space grew crowded as the soldiers shifted. My helmet returned to my head and I began to walk past my soldiers and to the very front of the formation. Eyes followed me as I did, and mouths whispered attention my way until everyone held some sort of gaze that followed me. All eyes on me was something I long ago grew accustomed to. I met the eyes of those who stood in the front and chuckled as I recognized the eight men and women who were [Imperius Knights].
Atlas and Tobi were in the front, as they were the members who acted as tanks and held more defensive skills overall. Atlas managed to convert himself fully into a tank and experienced the major boost all defensive-based classes received. Tobi, on the other hand, still followed the general mixed abilities of a knight class.
I felt a tether reach out, and I recognized the familiar feeling of Alexandria’s mana. The connection completed and the voice of the general appeared in my mind.
‘ On your mark, Your Highness. Madris Guide You, ’ she spoke.
I sucked in a deep breath and briefly closed my eyes as I connected to the Vanguard Golems. They were in position and the moment I gave the command, these golems would attack immediately.
I slowly turned and looked at those around me. My class [Holy Son of Edryan] was not for show. It held skills that would increase the chances of those around me surviving, even if it was only just.
“ Here Cometh Glory, Here Cometh Promise .”
The skill (Strength of a Nation) activated and two hundred mana drained from me. The mythical skill took it directly from the extra mana my skills and various titles gave me. It was only a few points of my true mana levels that were drained away, as my mythical bloodline skill, (Magic’s Embrace) refunded 35% of the thirty drained from me.
(Strength of a Nation)
Function:
Edryan’s Resolve
When active, Edryan citizens within your presence will come under the effect of {Resolute}.
Function:
Edryan’s Unity
When active, Edryan citizens within your presence will enter the effects of {Unity}.
Cost:
100 MP per function.
Lawruthian Edryani
HP^2: 1350/1350 (+300)
SP^2: 1350/1350 (+420)
MP^2: 1900/1920 (+0)
Backs, that were already straight, released tension and somehow became straighter. Gazes, that already held resolve, grew firmer . I was not done yet. If these men and women would kill for me… would die for me… then I wanted to give them the greatest opportunity to live.
“ Here Cometh Glory, Here Cometh Promise ,” came as a response to my words.
“ Each of you have pledged to serve me, as I have pledged to serve Edryan, allow the (Crown’s Blessing) , to be one more guarantee in protecting your life .”
(Crown’s Blessing)
Function:
It is your divine right to command the magic in Edryan. For this land is under your governance, and its people under your protection. Increase the attributes of Edryan’s who follow you into battle by 25% every five minutes, up to 250%.
Cost
NULL
‘ Attack ,’ I ordered the Vanguard Golems.
“ ATTACK ,” I ordered.
I felt my golems burst from the ground nearly the same moment Ameri and her men burst forth from the front entrance in a display of Chi-powered movements. The purple flames of Ameri led the troop in a fierce attack. That nearly brought them before the force in a matter of moments. The force was completely caught off guard as the golems burst from underneath the ground and began laying waste to the front ranks of the collation soldiers.
' Go ,’ Alexandria commanded.
Moments after the last of Ameri’s force left, I was out. Spurts of mana burst from my feet and blasted me in the direction of the collations right flank. The constant attacks paused as the force attempted to regain control of their front lines. Atlas and Tobi kept right on my heels, as did the Imperius Army. Fire, wind, and other magic propelled the army in a burst of speed that didn’t give much room for the enemies before us to react.
[Eternal Love] sliced the head of a young magi off as we impacted into the right side of the collation flank. The young man was not much older than me, and his armor offered little to protect himself from my blade. He barely held any time to register what was happening as [Eternal Love] stole his life through a critical hit. The last emotion I saw was a brief glimpse of fear before he was dead, and my blades were sliding into the following opponent.
CRITICAL HIT!
You have slain Askel, -243 HP.
The Imperius Army smashed into the collation force with a resounding thunderclap. A fierce war cry announced our presence, as General Alexandria shouted.
“ FOR HIS HIGHNESS !”
(Imperius War-cry)
Function:
Battle Surge
Upon activation, boost both Base Attack and Base Defense by +50.
Function:
Bravery
Grants the buff {Bravery} upon all users.
Cost:
150 MP, 50 SP. Each recipient pays an additional 25 MP and 25 SP per function.
Mana drained from me and others as Alexandria cast the army buffing skill. I felt her attention on me as she guided me deeper into the collations forces. At the same moment, my golems attacked ferociously on an auto-command. They emptied their mana shells into the front ranks.
Explosions, blood, and the cries of dying magi wormed their way into my ears and I continued my slaughter. [Limitless Love] blocked a blade as I spun around the attacker. My blades sliced as I made my way through and deeper into the collations forces. With each hit, a magi-human died. My advancement never halted, as magi after magi died to my blade. Spells and other skills made their way forward, but I continued without worry. Atlas and Tobi stepped forward as bright hexagonal barriers were projected from their shields. This halted any attacks before they reached me.
CRITICAL HIT!
You have slain Shea, Hess, Suako, Bewi, and Goseha.
All the while, Minerva stayed upon my shoulder. Her weight nor height was a force that bothered me.
‘ Oh, how impressive you are… the Goddess has chosen well. ’
My head tilted, but I quickly returned to the action I was preforming. The smell of lilac and lilies entered my nose but I quickly paid it no mind.
“(Greater Fireball),” I cast, sixty-five mana left me in the process. My skill (Parallel Casting), gained from my time in [Tiger Den] enabled me to cast magic and focus on other activities at once. It remained an ability in my general skills, alongside a few others.
CRITICAL HIT!
You have slain…
‘ To slay your countrymen, magi-humans, who’ve barely reached adulthood without remorse… oh to walk the Path of King is difficult .’
My eyes flickered, but my path did not halt.
I felt the lights of my golems blink out as many died, but many continued their advance. Unlike men, they held no need for breaks and would continue robotically until the task was complete, or they ran out of juice.
I slowed as I sensed the increased resistance and my enemies grew stronger. We’d just pierced our way to the outside the core of this army and would be upon whoever was in control in a matter of moments. Their death would completely break the cohesiveness of the force entirely.
“ BREAK THEM! BREAAAAK THEM! ”
(Imperius Defense Breaker)
Function:
Break the defense of those before you with a successive bash. Enemies inflicted with the bash will receive a 25% defense decrease.
Cost:
50 MP, 200 SP. Each recipient pays an additional 25 MP and 50 SP.
Alexandria reacted accordingly, and I found my body moving on her command. The hard defense before me was cut open as Eniola and Aurelia jumped overhead and before me. The two women cut the opposing magi in a swift and decisive blow, opening a path for me to step through. Small jets of flame were released as a contracting force to keep me stable and my soldiers followed suit.
Bodies floated in the air and dead magi, blood, sweat, and tears followed suit as both parties faced casualties. I swallowed hard, there was no pleasure that I experienced. This was not like [Tiger Den] where I slayed unintelligent beasts. This was war, and I was killing my fellow magi.
“Some protector I am,” I muttered. My sword blocking the blade of a skill enforced attack. The men from the enemy army levels ranged in what I believe to be the first advancement, level twenty-five, and level fifty or the second advancement. In other words, they were weaker than me and posed little threat. There’d yet to be a magi-human who forced me to use my skills. A magi-human who challenged me.
“So this is the might of leveling.”
Lawruthian Edryani
HPx2: 1350/1350 (+300)
SPx2: 1350/1350 (+320)
MPx2: 1786/1920 (+0)
So this is why high levelers are able to single-handedly take out an army. None of these men were my match. Perhaps without me, and the special skills/abilities Imperius Army held, they’d be a hard match for the army. Yet, as I slayed magi after magi… I found myself easily able to coast through the collation force. Most could not react properly to activate a barrier or block my blade. Those that did were simply overpowered, as my base attack was 555 and most could barely get the defense to negate that sort of damage.
“A shame.”
My voice was lost in the chorus of war. Blood and other unknown fluids provided color to my matte-ebony armor.
‘ The illusion called life is bitter, but it can be sweet, young magi. The Final Cycle has arrived and you are its harbinger … I, Kubrat – Truth Seeker, have waited a long time for you. ’
My eyes widened and my steps halted. On my shoulder, Minerva’s expression was the same as mine. Together, we spoke at once.
“HERO GOLEMS… ATTACK!”