·Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL
ATHENA'S POV
I could still see gray clouds and white sky. If there was some sort of rotation of cycles then it was slow. Or maybe it didn't even exist at all. The time I had spent journeying towards what I considered to be North should have been enough for two days to go by in the real world. Luckily I had no such thing as fatigue.
Luckily too the time dilation effect meant that barely two hours had passed in real life. Hopefully, my body wouldn't be too tired for the next day. 'Not that it would stop me from playing'. I was walking down a dirt road. While simultaneously testing my powers. For one all the weapons I had been making for my battles had been real. Holding and dropping it off for the longest time had shown they could never dissipate unless I willed it so.
But it wasn't just my weapons I could erase. A ground could become water if my essence would let me. I could create rain, and form a Volcanic mountain from nothing. I could do all these and yet Luciv was quite adamant in my weakness.
It both excited and frightened me. What sort of powers would the Primordials wield if this was called weak? Even worse, the domains we sought were parts and pieces of the Primordials' powers. I had to remind myself that there were over a hundred universes and it was too naive to think that just this one was strong.
"Other universes might have even more mad power".
I had formed bricks on the dirt path as I walked. Making each one as thin as possible and yet as strong as needed. Hunting stray Mindflayers I crossed paths with or feelings of pride of Lions I had crossed paths with to gain their essence and refill mine.
A roar from my right drew my eyes from work. "Speaking of the devils". The pride was twenty-strong. Threw males and over seventeen females. I had yet to find or gain any essence that was above fledgling. Of course, Luciv had warned me such a fight would be in no way easy.
Using Suggestion was the easiest way to handle them but after my fight with Malvin, I decided to take any chance to train myself. Still, I was tired of walking everywhere and the male lions looked like good strong steeds. Walking for a very long time and killing things around you meant that ideas were always plentiful in one's brain.
"Let's see". It was something I'd done before but not gotten a skill for. Probably because it was me using my racial ability. I focused on the first lion and barged into its brain. Unlike expected it had enough mental fortitude to not become a slobbering mess of a mind. Sighing I wondered.
My perk meant I could do a lot of things to a mind. I could rewrite memories and impact suggestions. What if? I projected my mind into the Lion's mind. It was all memories and thoughts. It's birth, life, food, power, and mating. Nothing more.
"This is so weird". I stood at the banks of a sea. The water was golden with reflections showing me the lion's life. "I'm...big". I was standing over the river and able to see the entire thing. I scooped the reflection and watched it part from the sea.
In my hand, it became a tiny puddle of water which I focused on. "Let's see". I imagined a birth from the lion's point of view. Opening its eyes to see me. I imagined it seeing me feed it with an unclear food. 'Best not to make any mistakes'. I let the imagination go on. It sleeping and it waking to me and only me.
Each time It slept I poured the memory back into the sea and scooped another. Soon It had grown and was hunting while I watched from far. Then it met a pride and conquered. I let it go off with its price to hunt and rule.
I sieved through all the other memories making sure nothing would ruin the memories I placed them I smiled. Exiting the lion's mind I saw two things.
**Memory Unveiling**: Athena delves into the mind of the target seeing all that is hidden and all that is known by the target. Knowledge and secrets are laid bare before her**
**Memory Unveiling - Memory Sculpt**: Athena delves into the mind of her target, erasing or rewriting memories to suit her desires. She can remove traumatic experiences, plant false memories, or alter the perception of past events. This skill can be used to manipulate the target's behavior, loyalty, and motivations, effectively reshaping their personality and actions. The changes are subtle and difficult to detect, making the manipulation almost indistinguishable from the target's true memories.
The second was the pride almost close to me. They had slowly been taking a hunting formation with the females about to head off when the Lion I had targeted roared.
"Okay. I got the notification. Still not sure if it worked". I waited though. I could form a spear or dagger the moment I saw it didn't work. "Plus there's that other skill variant I was thinking of". I watched as the lion roared back at the Male and then moved back as he trudged through. He looked so proud and happy.
'Did it work?". Halfway to me, he began running, his legs taking larger strides. The lion roared making me frown. 'Did it feel me try something? Did it work?'. A dagger was already beginning to form when he leaped at me. Only the fact his jaws never parted halted my defense. I met the ground with him on top.
'It worked'. Quickly following up the act I began ruffling his mane. Soon enough I forgot I made him docile and began laughing. The pride slowly and unsurely began getting closer. The two other males still looked hostile and hungry.
'Not taking chances'. Quickly I slipped into their minds and added the same memories. This time I tweaked it so I met each of the different lions separately. That way if for some reason their memories were questioned it would look like I simply loved saving lion cubs.
The males reacted the same as the first and soon I was cuddled in a fest pile of playful cats. The females of course were still watchful and confused. By the time I was done sculpting seventeen females' brains, I just wanted to sleep.
The pride was still hungry and deciding quickly I dumped enough corpses for them. That was when cubs reared their heads. There were about 5 of them. Each from the three males if I was seeing right. I tried to think about the lions on earth that had gone extinct and how it worked for them. I remembered seeing something about their history.
The pride fed on their meal while I played with the cubs. Watching them eat their piece of meat gave me joy and I suddenly felt better about mind sculpting the pride. Resting after eating was comfortable as I had a bed of literal cats and cuddled into cubs.
Moving when they were rested I was surprised to see them wait for me. I didn't mind though. It was nice to have a pride of Lions following me. The dirt road ended soon enough and it reminded me that I had been building it before meeting the Pride. Said pride had formed a large pack behind me and the cubs would sometimes run to me for a shoulder ride or simply snarl cutely to be let down.
It was with this pride that I stumbled close to a city. I had just crested a Hill when the sounds started. Roars, rumbles, yelling and screams. The pride looked startled and the males suddenly padded forward while the females dragged back the cubs. I stood on the hilltop looking down at what was a plain of mudflats. At the center of this plain stood a fortress, walls of white stone, gates of some material, and humanoid-looking guards as sentries atop palisades. There was shouting and a weird rattling of noises coming from. them.
"Holy Shit". Standing to the right of the fortress looming several feet over the walls itself was a weird creature. The body of a frog, black and shadowy. Tendrils of black flowing from its back which it used to lash out at the walls. Its limbs ended in crooked claws and its head was a nightmarish distortion.
"What is that?". The humanoids on the wall were not very clear to me as they scampered and scurried about. Several explosions of wind and rattles of earth could be heard as the creature attacked and the humanoids defended. Looking back I could see a few females had trotted out and watched the scene with us.
A tendril flew and grabbed a humanoid pulling it out and then reeling it into its flesh. Even from here, I could hear the screams. The nightmarish head parted and it uttered a roar. The distortions of the air were visible from here as something streaked from its mouth and smashed into the city. Its head taller than the wall meant its attack flew into the fortress itself.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I watched as more humanoids appeared on the wall and flung projectiles at the beast. It ignored them though its tendrils doing the work of lashing out and taking them down. The fates opened and from inside poured out majestic black cats, with shimmering skin and no mane. "They have humanoids riding them".
On their backs were The humanoids holding reins and kicking against the sides of the cats. Guiding and urging them towards the beast. Its head turned noticing them and tendrils shot from its belly as well. The humanoids flung their arms and spikes flew into the air.
"No. They're controlling the spikes".Even as I watched the spikes either got deflected or simply did nothing when it but into the creature's flesh. With that thing's size, everything else might as well have been a needle to it. The thing lifted a foot and brought it down on the first group.
The cats scattered avoiding the large limb. Another group was already rushing up and unleashing a volley of spikes. Another tendril was already swinging for them.
"I'm not just going to watch right?". Reaching up with my hand I patted the fairy. "Luciv. Who are they?'. The Fairy let me carry her out of my head and then floated in front of me.
"Sykerians. Mystics who harness the power of the mind to manipulate reality. They delve into the depths of consciousness, unlocking hidden potential and tapping into the vast reserves of mental energy that permeate MURHIL". The fairy turned to look at me. "What will you do?".
I looked at her and then back to the fight. The creature was too big. My conjured weapons would be nothing but needles to it. 'I'm considering this. Well, then I better do it well'. I used Memory Unveiling to bring myself into the creature's mind. Or atleast that was the plan. The whiplash I got from it sent me to my knees. The lions growled and snarled.
"Did you try to ...?". I nodded to Luciv who shook her head. "That is a Mindforged. Creatures born from the darkest parts of the mind. They're not meant to be in the realm normally but with the presence of life there is consciousness and when there is consciousness, darkness follows".
I didn't understand half the words she said but I got the gist. This thing was made from the mind. It didn't have a mind itself. So those skills wouldn't work. "Is it physical?". I asked.
"It is both physical and metaphysical. The line between both has been blurred". Looking at the ongoing fight my eyes widened. The creature was looking in my direction. 'It felt that'.
The ground shook as the creature turned itself. For some reason, it was suddenly more interested in me. Killing it wasn't the problem. It was generating something that would end it with the meager essence I had. From its size I was sure nothing less than a stake would end it. Which meant my essence would bottom out before I could kill it.
Something shot from the fortress and struck the creature hard. It staggered but instead of falling a shimmering field appeared around it and then a blast returned into the fortress.
"Did it just reflect that attack?". The fairy nodded. "Are you sure..."
"No. It possesses no mind. That is why you failed. Besides your attempt was not an attack technically. In different cases you could be trying to assist folks. So it's not a bad skill".
I still had no idea of what to do here. Physical attacks wouldn't work due to my essence. Mind attacks could get deflected. " Can I suggest?".
Luciv blinked. "I have no idea. Give it a try".
I blinked at her and then turned to the thing. Then I dashed forward. Suggestion needed the victim to atleast hear and understand what you meant. So I had to get closer. Focusing on a spot just above the creature's head I saw myself there and willed my very being to relocate there.
**Mind Leap**: Athena teleports by projecting her consciousness to a new location, instantly transporting her physical form to where her mind arrives. This ability allows her to evade attacks, reposition strategically, and traverse difficult terrain effortlessly. Mind Leap also leaves a brief afterimage that confuses enemies and diverts their attention.
**Mind Leap** - **Echo Step**: Athena leaves behind an ephemeral echo of her presence when she teleports using Mind Leap. The echo remains visible for a few seconds and can mislead enemies into attacking the illusion, providing Athena with an opportunity to flank or ambush her foes.
I distorted, my awareness ripped from my body and then flung into the new me in the sky. On the ground, my former self flickered and vanished. The Mindforged paused. 'So it was watching me'. I willed a flat piece of brick and kicked off it aiming for the Mindforged. It must have detected me, its head turning and that nightmarish face ever so close to me.
Short Hop took me to its shoulder and I landed. 'Fuck 'eww'. The body felt slimy and gross. Looking at the things head I quickly shouted. The faster this worked the faster I got away from here.
**Suggestion** - **erception Shift**: This skill enables Elder Forces to make a target momentarily perceive something that isn't there, such as a flicker of movement in the corner of their eye or the sensation of being touched. This subtle illusion can cause the target to briefly second-guess their surroundings.
"There is a better meal that way. You see it. It's hiding. Seeking to flee while you are distracted by this dirt. You can catch it if you go now".
The thing's head snapped to the left, eyes hidden by black smoke seeing something in the distance that only it could see. A sound that had no place in the lips of any normal creature escaped it and suddenly the world blurred.
'It's jumping. It's jumping'. I used Echo Step. The Sykerians watched the creature leave in haste while searching for something, while I realized it had taken a fifty essence for a simple suggestion.
"Well, shit". I stood on the hill slope watching the monster go. The pride had gathered around me rubbing me and looking worried. Rigflimgs mane and stroking coats I watched the Mindforged go as far away as possible. Only then did I begin leading the Pride down the Hill and across the Mud Flats to the city of the Sykerians.
As I and my cats drew closer I could slowly hear their voices and what they were saying. The riders on the black cats stood at the sides watching as I neared.
"Looks like they noticed what you did". Luciv buzzed from side to side. I nodded.
"I guess". We were close enough for me to realize that the Black cats were just as tall and large as the Lions but were sleeker. Resembling the females more in length but lacking the muscles.
"And those. What are they?".
"Ah. They're Pysch panters, one of the only creatures that can be tamed on MURHIL". She stole a look at the Pride and added with a whisper. " Using normal means of course".
I chuckled and shook my head. The Sykerians were humanoids. Their skin was as white as my scales, they lacked noses and had only a single eye with their ears and mouths. They lack any sort of hair. Whether on their head that shone like a smooth, polished bowl, on their firm chins, or their eyebrows that didn't exist.
Compared to their rides the Sykerians were, small. 'Damn, I'm large'.
"Why am I large?". I asked Luciv. She gave me an eye.
"Is that a question Athena?. Of course you're large. You're born of Primordial Energy. You're an Elder. A Force. Your kind are never meager".
"Interesting to know". Some of the cats stepped back when one of my cats got a bit close and sniffed them. But somehow the lionesses didn't try to attack them. Interesting. I finally registered how the sounds I was hearing were weird in a way.
**Recalibrating speech**
**Language - Abstract Tone - Learned**
The noises became audible words and sentences. One of the Sykerian mentioned how he'd not see any humanoid creature as large as I was. Another one mentioned something about the Phorans having a Mind failure when they saw me. Before I could ask what a Phoran was we were standing at the entrance of the Fortress and there standing on two feet which I could now notice was only three-toed, was some kind of official. His attire made me notice the others. Where they wore leather armor with simple robes that twirled in the wind and some wore only half a leather armor that showed off their torsos. 'Oh, those are the females'. I blinked. The official was donned in red leather armor and had a blue robe, unlike the gray and brown leather armor of the official.
I stopped in front of the Sykerian who had three others behind him. One was dressed in just robes and had no leather armor. Female. The other two held spikes in their hands like spears and watched me hawkishly.'. Guards.
"My Lady". The one in red armor bowed. The guards and the other roved female looked stunned.
"Greetings". I tilted my head at him. 'Bowing looks to be a big deal. Not doing that till I learn what it entails. Or maybe not doing it even then'.
"I am Gordorik. Lord of this Fortress. Who may I give my thanks for aiding us today?". The female behind him looked angered. The moment he was done talking she spat.
"Father you do not need to bend the head to a stranger helper or not". Gordorik raised his head and gave me an awry apologetic smile. Before I could say a word he turned and nodded to his guards. The girl was grabbed under each arm and even as her eyes went wide she was tugged away. Various chuckles and laughs from around made it clear this wasn't an uncommon thing.
"I doubt it was necessary. Your daughter?". I really hoped daughter meant the same thing here.
"Ah. Yes. Rebellious child she is".
"But still wishes well for her father. I am Athena". Gordorik gave a smile and then spoke louder.
"Well Athena. You are welcome in my fortress. We of the MURHIL welcome you with open hearts and may our hospitality not be found wanting". Cheers and yells went up amongst the fighters.
"That's interesting". I nodded biting back the question I had on my lips.
"Come. Come". Following him the Pride came as well. Gordorik looked at the cats and whistled. The pitch was different and just something that couldn't be gotten from normal humans. "Forgive my fright my lady but I would seek your assurance that your friends there wouldn't have the heads of any of my subjects". He looked interestingly cautious and yet didn't seem like he wished to offend.
'Why?'. I hid the narrowing of my eyes and curiosity as I turned and squatted low. My pride rushed at me. Patting heads and rubbing coats I planted suggestions into their heads.
'You know what. Nah'.
"Eat only those who try to endanger you". The cats snarled and then quite amusingly some plopped on the roadway. Others who had cubs kept following while the others turned and went out. From what I could gleam they were going hunting.
'Was that embarrassment I felt from them'. I held back my laughter as I realized the lions had thought I was bringing them to a buffet of Sykerians.
"They'll cause no harm now". I assured the man holding back a laugh. He smiled and nodded. Turning he walked and I followed. 'Now I just had to find out some things'.
****
Ring - 7th
Rack Of Life
KINT'AL'S POV
Watching the large explosion go off and feeling the earth tremble from its might almost gave me an Akashic block. I and the others exchanged looks as we debated who would bring the news to the Head.
"I'll go. Besides it's good the Behemoth is gone. Now we won't have dragons raging about over our heads". Tan'drur rose and dusted his yellow pants at the knees. Turning he rushed off the mountain where we had been watching the entire fight from.
"Tan'drur is such a fool". El'ma snorted.
"Aye. He thinks it's that easy. Each of the creatures creates a balance of nature. How many times did the Head repeat it to us. It would have been better if none had died". Azel'ro murmured. Her voice was just as good to hear as always.
" I don't think it would have mattered or worked here. Not after the Behemoth destroyed the eggs". I pointed out. " One of them would have died".
"We all know that Dragon should have lost. I've been watching it and she's only just advanced into the Ascendant Rank. The Behemoth was at its Peak and I think it was searching for enough essence orbs to get to the next rank. Did you see that humanoid helping the dragon Kint'al, I'm sure the Head won't be pleased with such cheating".
"Won't matter now". El'ma pointed and we watched the Behemoth topple. " With the dragon surviving and that humanoid dead the Head will just have to let it be". Alza'rol shook her head.
"Who even jumps into a fight between Titans". She looked at her finger. " I'm sure he is so burnt by that explosion that his remains are nothing..." El'ma shook her quickly. " What!".
I was already looking, so when I turned to see her drop I could understand thr feeling. Crawling out of the hole that was the Behemoth's chest was the two-legged. He stumbled and gripped his head. Even from this distance, we could him enough.
The dragon was down on the other side having been caught in the grasp of the explosion. Its scales and been melted and dented inwards. The Head would have healed it to preserve the balance since the behemoth was dead. The male stumbled over to it and dropped on his back. Golden mist poured from his body like earlier and buffeted the dragon.
"You were saying". I turned to see El'ma having a smug look on his face. Azel'ro looked understandably shocked.
"By the Nine Realms, how indeed is he standing?". I scurried to my feet turning to find the Head standing behind us. El'ma and Azel'ro were already moving as well. I could see the smug grin on Tan'drur's face as he stood behind the Head. I kept my head bowed and said nothing though.
"Well come on you lot. Let's go meet this Two-legged that dares to stand where Titans stomp and to smile where Behemoths fall". Without a sound, the Head dropped from the tip of the mountain we stood. We exchanged glances then followed. The Head was already flowing down with the wind cradling him. His cloudy hair shifted and billowed in the wind.
El'ma rammed down his vines and used rocky offshoots he called on to descend, his emerald orbs twinkling with excitement. Azel'ro had the least finesse as she simply burned the side of the mountain with the flames shooting out of her legs. Tan'drur showed why he was the head's favorite as he mimicked the older man flowing as smoothly as the wind. Or just a little less smoothly.
Smiling I allowed water to flood my body and like a Serpent's tail, it carried me down the mountain and to the others.