Unlike mana, the source of techniques, commonly known as the icho, was nonphysical and existed in a superposition between the subspaces and the Plane of Existence.
The simplest way of method of understanding the icho, and techniques in general is to see them as the direct manifestations of the subspaces. The Psyche gave rise to the mind, harbouring spirits. Therefore, the echo responds to emotions and thoughts, similar to mana. However, the icho is affected by the Narrative as well, the fate of individuals determining the power of the techniques. Finally, the Abstract manifests itself within the echo by integrating the nonphysical into the physical world, converting imaginary attacks into true manifestations and damages.
However, even without the knowledge of subspaces, the icho can simply be understood as a miracle or fate, honed by the strength of the spirit and guided by a predetermined path. It is what saves a hero last-second in a grim situation, what gives the rebels the strength they need, and what allows impossible techniques far beyond the reach of mere spells to exist.
Mana can imitate the icho, and the icho can imitate mana. Each is distinct and similar in infinite ways, but one truth stands absolute:
No being will ever truly comprehend either concept.
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“I suppose I’ve never explained to you what I received from the demon God,” said Zealot, “something the Goddess could never give me.”
Reginn emerged from the forest surrounding the shallow but wide stream, the insignificant river leading to both the northern and southern seas, the path to Britomart and Sonosis. The oceans are unique, independent of the land and the sea. It is the true bringer of life, though the ancients would not know so. However, even if they did, not much would change.
“To be free is to be uncontrolled, to be unleashed, unshackled,” continued Zealot, “he taught me a new perspective of this world I’ve never seen before, and now I will show you, the alternate truth of this world!”
Zealot put his hands together, locking his fingers tightly.
“⌈Blossoming Victory Aspect⌋!”
Suddenly, a massive tree blossomed, destroying the soil in the surrounding radius. The construct was colossal, towering over the forest as if they were mere blades of grass. It was a beautiful, white-leaved specimen. However, upon further inspection, the white leaves were not leaves, but small pieces of paper tied to the tree with thin ropes. At its great trunk, it had a small enclave carved into it, like a shrine without an idol.
The hero attempted to decode the function of the tree, but surprisingly, the tree was not magical in nature, instead most likely a physical construction created with the icho.
“Now, are you ready to prove your worth?” asked Zealot.
Reginn was confused as to why he had never seen such a technique before. It was as if he was actually letting him win a futile victory during the first end of the world, but he quickly banished the thought. The hero could not endure living in a world in which his strength was made mockery of.
Without a word, Reginn took his fighting stance. He would play this encounter safe, and if push came to shove, he could always fall to ‘that’ spell.
“Then let us begin!” shouted Zealot.
Similar to the first round, Reginn was the first to attack. However, he began firing long-ranged projectiles, each a heavy metal sphere at incredible velocities. Zealot managed to tank each and every shot, casually continuing his stroll.
The hero noticed the feint flash of a piece of paper far atop the tree, written on the piece the word:
‘Mana-based High-velocity iron projectile’.
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However, his string of attacks was not yet over, the metal sphere exploding to reveal the oil splashing onto the demon lord. Before he could understand the chain of events, Reginn cast a lightning spell, instantly lighting the flames.
‘Mana-based oil burn’
‘Mana-based lightning’
Two more pieces of paper began to glow, confirming his suspicions.
Every one of the thousand pieces of paper represented a form of damage he was immune to, ranging from food poisoning, and dog bites to damage from axes and radiation.
“This is the beauty -- and freedom -- of the icho, more specifically the icho of the Abstract in this case,” said Zealot, “You’re missing out, brother!”
Without hesitation, the first course of action he took was to try and shatter the tree, but his efforts were in vain as the Aspect of Victory tanked the strike as if it was merely caressed. In his base state, Reginn was capable of destroying mountains, but the tree seemed to have its own immunities as well.
“To be liberated is to be free of all negativity in life, don’t you agree, brother?”
Reginn refused to interact with the demon lord, even though his mention of their brotherhood disgusted him. He began to quickly go through every one of the thousand immunities. This took no less than five minutes, during which Zealot waited patiently, never once bored.
“...I see,” said Reginn, finally opening his eyes once again.
He was ready to continue his assault once again.
Firstly, he began by gathering all pieces of mana from the nearby area, condensing it in the form of multiple red spheres orbiting his body like moons. The hero directed his orbs to restrain the demon lord, but he never made any attempt to struggle. Reginn then jumped to one of the branches of the white tree and began ripping off a piece. The piece was harder than steel and strained under pressure like a submarine, groaning and resisting, but the hero was eventually able to rip it off. The branch was in the form of a perfect spear.
With all his might, he thrust the spear into the demon lord, finally managing to damage him for the first time during the battle.
However, Zealot kept a wide grin on his face, even while spitting blood. The tree, known as the Victory Aspect was one of the demon God’s greatest creations, guaranteeing victory to its master. It functioned by directly manipulating the Abstract, negating all previously known damage types to zero upon impact.
After a new damage type was discovered, it would simply update its directory, a new shite ticket slowly fading into existence within the shrine-like pocket of the Victory Aspect. It then floated to the nearest branch and tied itself neatly.
‘Closed-quarters damage from icho-based wooden spear’
Zealot destroyed the red spheres shackling him, returning them to their original gaseous state, then pulled the wooden piece out of his heart, his demonic body slowly healing him. The red flesh encircled the wound in a gruesome spiral, and like an illusion, the skin began emerging from the bones and muscles, forming the flesh.
Reginn frowned as he began to think outside the box; how could he ever beat such an opponent otherwise? It baffled him why he didn’t use this technique in front of him before, and feared that perhaps this wasn’t even his greater trump card.
The hero began running calculations on the matter, resulting in 3 unique paths to victory, one of them being to utilize his own trump card. However, even if he killed Zealot, he would just return in his next form. The best course of action would be to decapacitate him from the battle, then to seal him.
The other two paths… They had around a 30% chance of success each, though one slightly edged the other.
Zealot was done playing around, and he would start taking the battle seriously from this point on. He could see from the hero’s expression that he realized he was facing a wall but still held hope and confidence in his victory. The best course of action would be to destroy his morals.
The demon lord held his head in opposing directions, firmly grasping it as if it could escape at any moment.
“This was fun, Reginn, but I’m curious what both Alsland and Satana are like now, so I’d like to end this battle soon,” said Zealot, “see you on the other side!”
He then snapped his neck, blood violently erupting from the discontinuation. The red mist veiled his transformation, his skin turning a dark red armour, slowly eating away at his flesh and leaving no parts exposed. The horrific groan of metal and bones soon ceased as the bleeding ended.
This was his second God-given gift, ‘Chaos’.
Now Reginn’s chances of success reduced to zero.