EPISODE 99: MORE
— ASCENSION HALL — SOLAR CYCLE: 729.
Twelve thrones—some jade—others, bone.
Twelve Deities—each kept score—while She prepared War.
Silently, they watched—a grand board before them. It was shaped in a crescent and only three pieces were placed upon it. Some chose to play their wildcard early, others weren’t as inclined—detached long ago from the events of the Mortal Plane. One of the chess pieces, a King’s Piece, seemed to be in the clutches of a dragon’s claw.
Hesitation.
Decisiveness.
Boredom.
Contemplation.
Playfulness.
Many emotions flashed in the eyes of the deities. Yet none spoke.
Madris — the Challenger, was one of those deities. A strict, decisiveness entered her eyes, an emotion that was not missed by the figures present. She sat upon the right of the two middlemost thrones. Long ebony-gradient hair fell past her shoulders in a single giant braid—whilst a diamond tiara sat upon her head.
“Rasheed has overstepped his bounds. We allowed him to stay in the Mortal Plane under the condition of not interacting with the mortals unless provoked. He shall release my [Chosen] or I shall descend and release him myself.”
The words were simple—spoken like it was a small afternoon task that wouldn’t take much effort to accomplish.
“Your [Chosen] fell into the domain of Rasheed. He has none but himself to blame. Whatever fate befalls him… is his own to bear.”
A voice—one of a thousand souls fused into one, responded. Helcantruim — the Automaton, face lightly rested on his left fist—machine-like features displayed boredom. A core—radiating intense heat, like that of a star, shone from his chest. He sat on a throne, one of skulls—bones of slain enemies. It was two thrones away to the left of the centermost.
“Regardless, after the last… accident… it was agreed the Aspect would keep his claws to himself. He has long since gone mad in his grief. It is a pointless endeavor to revive the dragons. The realm does not need such beings anymore. Its balance is something we strove hard to accomplish, and he nearly ruined that by infecting a chess piece with his madness.”
A voice, one like that of a songbird, spoke. Unera — the Actor said, seemingly siding with Madris. She sat to the left as well. Her throne was the farthest throne from the leftmost center. If an observer was looking from the outside in, she would be stationed at the first spot. Her form continued to change, sometimes she was a small red female goblin, and others she was a towering giantess, wings aflame gold. With each shift, she would throw a provoking glance at the Goddess who sat to the left of Madris, but the small red goblin close to her ignored her entirely.
“Unera, how do you wish to die?”
The Goddess, who quietly sat with her eyes closed, opened them. A piercing yellow-brown hawk-like gaze bore into the Actor’s.
“Rasheed will let my [Chosen] go by the rising of a new dawn, else I will deal with him,” Madris spoke. There was no compromise in her voice, only a startling certainty that those present knew would come true. A wave of power was released from her that caused the air to freeze. If the Gods still breathed like normal mortals, then they would have found their throats tightening and lungs collapsing from the pressure. Fortunately, they did not, but the pressure of one of the oldest living Goddesses was still immense. Many found their hands subconsciously grasping at the air as if prepared to summon defenses.
“Madris, you are not playing by the rules we established. I will talk to Rasheed, as I was the one who supported his stay in the Mortal Plane. Rest assured, he will release your [Chosen] without harm. The game will be played fair and without a… disruption this time,” El finished.
A voice, one that came from the center-leftmost throne, spoke. It was strong—nearly as strong as that of Madris.
El — the Adventurer gaze was filled with Power and uncompromising as it challenged Madris’s own. The pressure in the room lessened as another combated it, but it did not disperse.
“Perhaps we should truly do away with the game, perhaps we’ve only stalled the inevitable. I am unwilling to die in this realm, yet you still believe in hope.”
She gestured behind Her. What seemed like a wall behind the thrones was, in fact, not. A single nearly imperceptible slit split the twelve thrones. On the right side, those who sat closer to Madris — the Challenger, were Jhan, Radix, Ivory, He Who Hides In The Shadow Places, and finally the last throne held Ahmaa — Valkyrie. On the left side, those who sat closer to El — the Adventurer, were Juno, Helcantruim, Laura, Loha, and Unera.
The slit, nearly indistinguishable from the door halves, signified many things, but as of now, they signified the two sides of the New Gods.
Jhan’s hostile gaze continued on Unera, who now recovered herself and gazed slyly back. Unworried at the hostility directed her way. She pulled down at the skin underneath her left eye and stuck out her tongue at the glaring Goddess.
The tension continued to gather, both sides unwilling to compromise as they sat in the ruins of the Pantheon of the New Gods.
Finally, El spoke, it was not the first time he dissuaded the rising tension of the Gods, and it would not be the last.
“We agreed after discovering this place and what it signifies to fight for control through the might of our followers. Any war between beings of our level will shatter the fragile protection Ashaka the Mighty Star has given us, the last hope of our Creator. It would plunge this realm into chaos and allow the flames of [Oblivion] to finish the job it couldn’t.”
“We did,” Madris agreed before continuing. “Three games, in which you would defend your belief in continuing the current status of the realm while I will attack to prove my way as the right. Most originally sided with you, but now they too understand why I wish to break the shackles placed upon us.
…
Do you not wish for more,” she asked passionately.
“To see the greatest heights the Prime Plane has to offer us? Is it not stifling to sit under a barrier rotting away through time?”
As she spoke she gazed around, some on the left avoided Her sight, uninterested or unwilling to meet her red-gold eyes. Others, those on the right, held pondering expressions. Many hadn’t seen eye to eye with the first of the New Gods… not originally. Some still held hesitation, nonetheless… this was the final game… and the winner takes all.
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— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season Color: Fading.
My eyes snapped open from an uneventful night of sleep. My heart was pounding and a faint sense of danger seemed to fill the air. Something wasn’t right.
Something wasn’t right… but I couldn’t place my finger on it.
Today was day seven… exactly one week since I became an uninvited guest to the mountain of Final Hope and the Aspect of Knowledge Rasheed — Final Dragon, domain.
Minerva’s eyes were already open and a small bracelet, like a bird’s tag, was around one talon.
“Something isn’t right,” Minerva spoke. This time it wasn’t a chirp, this time it was the voice of a young woman. She was pleasant sounding, a light feminine voice… it was the voice I’d come to rely upon in the back of my head.
It was quite… weird for me to hear Minerva speak aloud. Two consciousnesses—one soul. A divine perk crafted by Goddess Madris specifically for me.
“Get ready, grab your gear,” Minerva said, snapping me from my thoughts.
Immediately, I began acting, grabbing a heavy bracelet from the side of my bed and placing it on my wrist. Within was a small space I packed with as many life-saving items as I could during the allocated time I held—primarily the Star Suit Mark Ⅰ . In the last two days, I hadn’t slept much, preferring to use my time doing what I could to prepare. Since I gave Aspect Rasheed several higher-level books from Earth, I hadn’t seen a peak of the Aspect.
Not that I minded, but regardless of what, I wanted to finish this and return to Edrya… my people needed me and I did not know what my mother would do if she thought I was dead.
Alexandria… Ameri… my generals and others who relied upon me… I hope they are still alive.
My mother’s history was not one of softness, and the first solid lesson she instilled into me was…
It Is Never A Bad Day To Spill Blood.
I think—no, I knew I mellowed her out over the years with the love and affection I provided as her child. My years of work could go down the drain and the future I imagine for Edryan would be shattered.
I needed to make it home, stronger, better, smarter, and able to lead Edryan to the right path.
I finished reading myself but paused, swallowing heavily as I turned to look at the other side of the room.
“Where is Madria?”
…
Two voices spoke aloud and nearly at once.
“Shit… shit!
Rasheed. ”
I didn’t even stop to think, in a flash, I burst through the doors and down the hallway, skill-boosting me to insane speeds. Something dangerous was in the air and I didn’t understand what it was.
The first place my steps took me to was the kitchen, a vein of anger emerged on my forehead as I found it lifeless and empty.
“Be,” we spoke aloud. Our thoughts flashed to the large gate with the rune Realm Lord Elrunian was said to speak when creating Genesis.
‘I don’t understand, why would he take her? I’ve already agreed to give him the knowledge he sought.’
Minerva stayed silent, and strangely, her thoughts didn’t transfer to me in the same way they would usually. [Limitless Love] appeared in my hands as I made my way throughout the building—visiting every known area Madria would dwell in.
The Garden where Realm Guard Vita and her twin stayed.
Nothing.
Only a sad shake of the Realm Guard’s head as I burst through her doors.
My steps continued to flash, mana burning as I searched.
The restroom, just in case I somehow missed something.
Nothing.
Slowly I began to draw closer to the library, only pausing for a brief moment at the blacksmith.
The moment I opened the two large doors, the voice of Ignis entered my ears.
“She ain’t here boy, ya should be careful running through the hallways.”
“Why has he taken her Ignis?”
It didn’t make sense to me.
“I don’t understand, I’ve agreed to give him the knowledge he seeks. Why would he…,” my voice trailed off as I turned to the final location.
“Wait,” Ignis called. The Realm Guard approached me.
“Do ya know why the Realm Guards are stationed here?”
“Isn’t this just your home?”
Ignis scoffed and shook his head. “We are—were built for a singular purpose, ta Guard the Realm from threats both inside and out…”
My eyes narrowed at the words of Ignis. “What exactly are you guarding inside the Mortal Plane?”
“Ya’re a smart lad, ya should know what we guard. After all, it was he who told us to guard him.”
“Why.”
Ignis sighed and handed me a long-wrapped item. “Ya will need that in the Trial of Six. There is more ta the story of the Final Dragon than what ya’ve been told.
…
What would ya do… if all ya’ve loved, all ya knew, was taken from ya? I mean everything but the clothes ya wear and the life ya breathe. Everything ya know and love was taken.”
I took a calming, deep breath and began to recover my composure. I saved one woman I loved before… I could do it again.
“Find a way to bring them back… not matter the cost. Death is not the end in the Prime Plane, followers of the Goddess, those who are worthy, go to the Promised Land. I would look for a way to bring them back.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“…and if there was no way to bring them back? At least none that ya knew of? The years start passing by, tens, then hundreds, finally thousands, and because of what and who ya are, ya cannot die, ta join them in the embrace of death. How would you solve it,” Ignis questioned.
I stayed silent for a few moments, the garment the Realm Guard handed me tightly clasped to my chest.
“I don’t know, I’ve yet to live a century, let alone thousands of years.”
“Then I’ll tell ya. Ya would go mad .
…
We, Realm Guards, are repurposed for another reason—ta guard the [Final Dragon] against fulfilling its goal.”
“Why not kill it? What is the point in letting Rasheed rot here, wasting away?”
“Do ya not pay attention to the words spoken ta ya boy? Did ya not pay attention when Rasheed explained the paths to ya? Aspects, Gods, Prestige—the first three creations of Realm Lord Elrunian—Gods, Titans, and Dragons? Each served a purpose in maintaining the realm. The Path of Aspects has all but been lost, as none but Rasheed understands how to walk it. To kill him would be ta kill the realm. Madness has consumed him, well hidden but there nonetheless. Be careful boy, that,” Ignis pointed at the garment in my hands. “That will offer ya some protection to survive the trial. Whatever ya do, do not trade ‘nothing of unequal value.”
Ignis drew back after his final words. He gave me one final nod before turning around.
How did I not realize it?
Madness.
The carefully constructed story… the Realm Guards who seemed to do their own thing. I believed they were in the service of the Aspect instead, they were the guards to his prison. What must have the Aspect seen with the way Madria and I interacted? Something he once had gone—our growing displays of affection must have affected him.
“We don’t have time, Lawruthian. We don’t know if he’s done something or not to Madria.”
“You’re right, let’s go.”
My steps once again picked up speed as I activated (Imperius Combat Arts: Flash Step). The gift given to me by Ignis disappeared as I stored it in the spatial bracelet. I slowed as I neared the doors of the library until I came to a halt in front of the large double doors. My throat felt dry and the sense of wrongness I felt since waking up intensified.
My left hand reached forward and pushed, the newly crafted and improved golem prosthetic held [Limitless Love] as I activated (Imperius Synchronization).
The library was just as brightly lit as when I first arrived—standing behind the front desk was Realm Guard: Terra. The automaton remained motionless as I entered.
Sensing no danger, I pushed past the automaton and toward the staircases that led downwards. The moment I placed the first foot on the staircase, the voice of Terra spoke.
“Damage to any books will result in immediate termination.”
I hesitated, then lowered my weapon and carefully returned it into a bracelet before I continued my way downwards.
The once brightly lit library didn’t hold the same timelessness today. Today the shadows seemed longer, darker, and they only grew the deeper I went. The air was stale, unchanged by the passage of time. The towering, large grey stone shelves radiated a sense of coldness that the torchlight could not stifle. With every breath I took, frost would enter the air.
I passed the first area in which I met the Aspect of Knowledge—the large desk and chairs seemed withered, weathered, and decayed by time. A dooming sense of silence filled the library the deeper my steps took me.
“What… is this,” I questioned aloud.
“I think… I think it’s the Aspect's Intent affecting the area,” Minerva responded in a whisper.
Her talons tightly dug into my shirt, but hadn’t yet drawn blood. The same nervousness I felt was shared by her.
We arrived at the farthest point and began to enter the tunnel that led to the runic gate. It was colder here and the torchlight that lit the way flickered iridescently—showing multiple shades and not the campfire red-orange it once was.
The gate was open, waiting for me like the maw of a dangerous beast. Its large teeth slammed into the ground behind me the moment I passed. There was no simple return or escape from this point on. It wasn’t like I was going to leave Madria to whatever faith the Aspect held in store.
I entered the inner sanctum of the Aspects lab. Each step grew heavier as I passed the thousands of vials filled with body parts. These were wyvern parts and other scaled creatures. I recognized a few of them from the Wyvern Riders who were part of my mother’s guards.
’This is definitely something you would see out of a mad scientist lab… how did we not realize this earlier?’
‘I… don’t know Minerva. Let’s just see what the Aspect has in store for us.’
‘Be careful.’
The only sounds to accompany me were my steps and the heavy breaths I took as I made my way closer to the end. Minerva’s grip grew tighter and finally, after passing a few large vials with nearly intact corpses within them… we emerged to find the Aspect and Madria.
[Limitless Love] was activated and a bronze spartan-like shield was pulled from my storage device. It was heavy and a bit large for my size, as it was created for the Star Suit.
Aspect Rasheed calmly drank from a teacup, across from him sat Madria. Her posture was straight—something that was normal for the young woman. She always did her best to keep herself looking picture-perfect. However… this time the straightness of her back wasn’t the normal uptight or superior standing she kept. It was rigid— gaunt , like a strung arrow ready to lease. The air was thick with tension and the only sounds that were made were the calm sips of Aspect Rasheed.
Of the three giant-sized seats, two were filled. The source of the heaviness within the air was finally revealed.
“Thank you for finally joining us, Lawruthian, ” the Aspect began. “Have a seat.”
“Madria,” I ignored the Aspect. “Are you ok?”
She slowly turned her head and nodded before her gaze refocused on the Aspect. Her jaw clenched, and I could tell she was under immense pressure. His Intent was heavy but my recent boost in attributes had me nearly twice as strong.
Above Madria was a heavy cloud of faith that only grew in strength the moment I appeared. Seeing a physical representation of Madria’s faith strengthen as I appeared only solidified my resolve.
“What do you want Rasheed? I believe he had an agreement.”
“Ahh, but we did,” he said, sighing.
“We did… yet you still hide the knowledge I seek.”
My brows scrunched, confused. Slowly I moved, but not toward the third empty seat, instead, my steps quickly brought me closer to Madria. Each of these steps was heavier than the last, and I found myself pushing forward like the gravity doubled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve given you high levels of knowledge that should be related to what you seek.”
“You have, yes, but off all the things you’ve provided. A single spell book has not been included. Do not believe me dull [Chosen],” Rasheed spat.
‘Oh fuck, does he…?’
“Madria, come,” I called as I finally reached her. Weapons were still ready in case…
“The world I came from doesn’t work that way. Magic didn’t exist for us.”
Rasheed scoffed. “Nothing can exist without magic, I didn’t take you for a fool, perhaps an overly cautious Saphen, but you are far from stupid.”
‘What’s the plan Law,’ Minerva asked.
‘Not right now.’
‘So, no plan, got it, let's improvise then.’
‘Minerv-‘
“Perhaps we do have what you seek. Perhaps we don’t,” the feminine voice of Minerva spoke.
This entire time, the Aspect of Knowledge had yet to look at us. Only now, after Minerva spoke, did his head turn. He set the teacup down as he did so.
Behind him were the six dead dragon eggs, each carefully placed on a podium. A dense wave of mana surrounded the statue of Rasheed’s dead wife and eggs. My eyes flickered toward them and then the Aspect whose gaze was locked onto Minerva’s.
‘Minerva…’
‘I got it,’ she responded, already understanding my intentions.
“What a magnificent perk. A gem in this ruined realm. The light of the end… ahh, how I wished you arrived before Carno.”
As Rasheed spoke, Minerva took off from my shoulder and gracefully landed on the table. The Aspect’s gaze tracked her like a moth to flame.
“We have been nothing but gracious guests as we reside under your domain, yet the same cannot be stated about you, our host,” Minerva said.
“You have kept the knowledge of the trials hidden from us, left us in the corridors meant for servants, and much, much more. Is this how the last Aspect of the realm treats its guests?”
“A many years have passed since this mountain… Final Hope has seen guests. I apologize for my inadequate services.”
Minerva continued to speak, and I carefully dragged Madria away. The young woman was confused as we made our way closer to the Aspect, yet she followed me anyway. Her faith in me was unquestionable. It was… nice to see her believe in me no matter what.
“How about this, all can be easily forgiven, granted you tell me how this trial can be accessed. You may also include…,” Minerva continued—keeping the attention of Rasheed upon her.
He held a hyper fixation upon her that showed each time she interacted with him. Our first interaction with him was similar, as the moment Minerva spoke, the Aspect’s attention seemed to fade from all others.
I sheath [Limitless Love] and dragged Madria forward as we passed the Aspect of Knowledge. My eyes remained locked on my target and within a few moments, we arrived before them.
Six dull and lifeless eggs stood protectively in the embrace of a blue marble dragon. Two magnificent horns, like that of a bull, pointed forward. They were similar to one pair of horns Rasheed held, but these were adorned with gems and slimmer. Now that I was close enough, I could see a name engraved on a golden plate with a few words written in Kair-unian.
‘ Uterra — Grand Heart, fallen wife of Rasheed — Benevolent Leader… ’
Uterra huh… I hope you were better than your husband.
I looked at the physical wave of magic that surrounded the eggs like a moat surrounding a castle. A small piece of metal found its way into my hand, and I tossed it forward and into the moat of mana.
The metal piece made it no more than several inches before disintegrating into nothingness. I guess it couldn’t be that easy, huh?
‘Hurry up, I’m running out of things to say and Rasheed is growing impatient. He wishes to conduct a trade. I have received the token needed to activate the trial… all you have to do is inject mana… HURRY!’
Minerva’s words came as I rushed, and I found myself growing even calmer, carefully I went through my list of skills that would be able to help me in this situation and only one came to mind…
It was a single skill that helped me in my time of need too many times to count. A skill I developed the beginnings of in [Goblin Den]. A skill potent enough to offer me a unique class.
“(Elemental Harmonization).”
(Elemental Harmonization)
Function:
Reduce the casting cost of all free forms of magic related to the element you harmonized with by 25%. Increase elemental damage effects by 10%.
Description:
You have tuned yourself to four of the ten primary elements and their natures! Allowing you to harness their powers in a fruitful manner.
My mind focused, and I tuned myself toward the swirling mana before me. It was wild, forceful, and not in any manner in which mana should be.
Of all the things I learned about mana, its nature of freedom was the most important. Mana loved to be free.
My breathing began to slow and the wild crashing wave of mana followed suit, my eyes remained closed as I used my other sense, my Intent to see—to show the mana what I wanted it to do.
I harmonized with it.
I held out my hand and when I opened my eyes—a large dragon egg was placed within it.
Its size reminded me of Minerva’s egg when she first hatched. Goddess that felt so long ago, yet it all occurred at the beginning of the year. My second semester at Imperius Academy had yet to even finish.
[Limitless Love] returned to my hand, this time in the shape of a dagger.
“Minerva,” I spoke aloud—turning to face the Aspect.
My voice seemed to break the concentration Rasheed held on Minerva as the Aspect turned around.
There was no emotion in my eyes as his locked into mine. Just a willingness to do what I needed, if I needed.
“Took you long enough,” Minerva grumbled.
She took off, a medallion in her talons, as she flew toward me.
My eyes continued to lock with Aspect Rasheed and… he… smiled.
“MINERVA DON’T!”
I called yet it was too late.
“I believe an exchange has been made. As you hold my child hostage, I shall hold your own.”
Minerva only just took off when the voice of the Aspect entered our ears, my eyes widened, and I turned to face my companion. An intricate part of me I hadn’t gone a day without since her awakening.
Her talons flickered as the clawed hand of Aspect Rasheed shot out.
“Madria,” I called, yet there was no need as she caught the medallion and firmly placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Inject your mana into it Madria!”
“I’m not leaving without you, Minerva.”
“I’ll be fine, go. Remember, two consciousness…”
“…one soul,” I ended as Madria activated the medallion.
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End of Part 8.