As soon as the portal closed, the High Priestess flashed forward and grabbed Adam by his neck and tried to squeeze his neck as the visage of her face turned fierce and she screamed, “Who do you think you are an….Aieeeeeee”
Her declaration had turned into a scream because Adam had slowly reached up with his right hand, grabbed her wrist, and squeezed it between his finger and thumb which had shattered every bone between the end of her right thumb and her wrist. It had also pulped all the muscles and tendons in the area. Since that was a major pressure point in almost every bipedal creature he’d come across, Adam was sure it had been quite painful.
Aeris tried to back away but Adam held onto her wrist and then spun her as he moved in a pivoting fashion until her hand was wrapped in front of her body and her back was up against his front as he whispered into her right ear, “As I said, this wasn’t going to go the way you expected,” as he sent some of his chaos into her hand to heal her and then spun her out like they were performing some elaborate dance. When he released her hand she was once again facing him, her hand fully healed.
Aeris grabbed her right hand with her left to check the damage and realized there was nothing wrong with her hand. She brought her hand up to eye level to check and make sure before she asked, “What, how?”
“How, is unimportant? What you need to understand is that when I return to Gemma, within 48 hours everyone will know about the nine sanctuaries and your role in it. My question to you is, why should I allow you to continue breathing, because make no mistake, I can….”
Aeris transformed into an enormous Purple Dragon. Adam was actually surprised. It was a goddamn Purple Dragon. Adam’s thoughts about what kind of breath weapon the purple dragon could have were answered when a cone of Negative energy slammed into Adam. It looked and felt like the energy that slammed into him was that which was the polar opposite of Proper, or what some would refer to as holy or divine energy. The energy coming from that breath weapon looked like purple lightning within the cone, but it was a lot more sinister as it tried to wash away all matter as if it never existed. Unlike Antimatter, Anti energy, because he really didn’t have another term for it, just wanted to break down and destroy everything. Some authors had referred to that energy as Void energy but that wasn’t completely accurate. Undeath or undead energy came from the Putrescent magical sphere. It was the opposite of creation and life. The Anti sphere of magic was the opposite of matter, all matter that fell under the Proper or Creation magical sphere.
Honestly, that was a hell of a breath weapon and Adam could understand why anything that ever came up against one of these purple dragons would have a problem. That Breath Weapon would rip through just about every type of shielding that could be put before it. Even magical shields would succumb to that energy. During all the times he’d researched magic he had been hard-pressed to find any magical spells that utilized the Anti sphere of magic. That this Dragon had a breath weapon that utilized that energy type was both very interesting and terrifying.
As thoughts raced through his head Adam felt the energy wash over him as it tried to erase his body. When the breath weapon didn’t let up after 6 seconds Adam decided it was time to try a new approach. Also, he hadn’t tried this trick since becoming an Adamantium Dragon so he wanted to see if it still worked.
With a thought he willed his Chaos Blade into his hand
Chaos Blade.
A Chaos Blade may only be wielded by a creature of Chaos.
This weapon is drawn and sheathed at will from Chaos.
Damage is Variable
This weapon is indestructible.
This weapon is Soul-Bound to the Johnathan Bennard, aka Adamantadine.
Chaos Blade now carries the abilities of Primal Destruction upon the wielder’s command.
Adam willed the Primal Destruction effect active and raised the sword before him. The Chaos Blade seemed to suck in the breath weapon and whisk it away like it didn’t exist. Adam laughed manically for effect, and had the Chaos his body generated recreate his jumpsuit as he made eye contact with Aeris and winked. This also gave him time to take in his surroundings. He seemed to be floating over an island that was floating in an endless sea of clouds. He could be in a Gas Giant, but he felt no extreme pressure. More likely he was in some plane made primarily of gases and breathable air as he was also able to breathe normally.
Aeris noticed that Adam wasn’t even paying attention to her and moved to strike only to have Adam shift and move so quickly that he hovered right before her face with the sword less than an inch from her right eye. Adam watched as Aeris tried to focus on the sword which was way too close to her eye. It was kind of comical when the dragon's eyes went cross-eyed. When Adam was sure that he had Aeris’s undivided attention, he floated backward slowly so she could focus on the Chaos Blade as he said, “Analyze or Scan the blade before you think of doing anything hasty.”
Magic flared around Aeris’s head that spread out and resonated with Adam and the blade he was holding. A moment later Aeris shifted back into her High Elf form which she allowed to solidify at a point that was the furthest away from Adam she could be.
“I see you were able to examine the blade. Good, now let’s talk,” Adam said as he willed the Chaos Blade away and moved to land on the island below them. As he came to the top of a hill he released his Chaos and created two chairs, a table, and refreshments based on the dinners he’d enjoyed with Adaline. There was roast boar with a sweet glaze, Steaks cooked to perfection, wines, and just about every other beverage he could think of. It was a bit of a power display, but Adam figured it might keep Aeris off balance which would hopefully make talking with her easier. He didn’t want her to attack him again because he’d hate to have to kill her. Not because she wasn’t evil. No, because even though she’d done some heinous things and instituted some crappy policies, those that followed her rules seemed to be living very good lives. He was even considering not releasing the information about the dragons so long as he could get some assurances from her.
Aeris floated down, picked up a goblet of Fey wine, and took a seat as she asked, “I did not detect any magic, or I should say I didn’t detect any spells that summoned forth this feast fit for a king, how are we sitting in such comfortable chairs with this banquet before us?”
“Magic of course. Magic intrinsic to me, but still magic,” Adam said.
“And the Chaos Blade, how are you able to hold such a weapon and not be changed by it?” Aeris asked.
“Are you asking why I’m not mutating in a blob of writhing flesh that eventually evaporates and returns to the realm of Primal Chaos?” Adam asked.
A look of horror and disgust crossed Aeris’s face for a moment and then she nodded to herself as she said, “Yes, I guess that is exactly what I’m asking.”
The sword is an intrinsic part of me. A gift or by-product of a previous experience. In fact, until I just pulled it out I wasn’t sure I would be able to in this incarnation. Looks like it really is with me forever,” Adam said as he reached over and picked up one of the glasses filled with a Long Island Iced Tea, brought it to his lips, and took a long drink while Aeris watched him in thought.
Aeris sipped on her fey wine as she looked thoughtful then said, “Welcome to my home. I did invite you in after all. If you would like we could make our way to my estate. It’s a bit of a flight but not too far for beings of our nature.
“Unless the weather is going to change, I think we should be fine for the moment right here. Besides, it’s nice here, “Adam said nonchalantly.
“Are you afraid that you won’t be able to get back if you leave where you came through?” Aeris asked. “If that’s the case you will have to make some concessions to me or you will be stuck here for a very long time.
Adam focused his will and opened a small portal back to Gemma. A look of resignation came across Aeris’s face as Adam focused his attention through the portal. Adam looked down through the portal and connected with his nanites to make sure they were still spreading as he’d programmed them to. After a moment he was satisfied that everything was working as it should and shrunk the portal down to about the size of a dime near his foot as he turned to Aeris, “Nope, I can get back to Gemma just fine thanks,”
Aeris tapped her goblet of fey wine until finally she couldn’t wait any longer and said, “Fenris contacted me, are you truly going to make the existence of our incubation sites known to the rest of the world?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Adam asked without hesitation.
“Because there are young dragons that cannot protect themselves from the full might of the UDC. The only way they would be able to survive is if the older dragons defended them. There would be huge losses to the people of Gemma and the Dragons.”
“But the dichotomy between dragons and men would be more natural. Dragons would have to hunt to survive and in turn, be hunted if they hunted people. You can’t tell me you’re satisfied with how soft the dragons have become. Organized hunting grounds, having to make sure you don’t tread outside the designated zones? Your dragons, all of them, including yourself, are in cages.”
“I did not expect an argument to make ourselves known to the world based on the self-imposed limits we’ve created to keep ourselves safe,” Aeris mused, “You are full of surprises.”
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
“There is no growth without struggle and for the last 100 years what have the dragons on Gemma struggled against?” Adam asked curiously.
“Nothing, Once the metallic dragons were destroyed, or left, the sanctuaries set up, and our priests put in place, we haven’t had any issues in the last 80 years or so,” Aeris said.
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying,” Adam said.
“That doesn’t sound right?” Aeris said.
“It’s a biology thing. Well, not really, there are all these phases to biology…you know what? It doesn’t matter. The gist of what I’m trying to say is this; individuals continue to grow until they can’t anymore. That is always true. Not when they’re dead. There are other times this could be true, but it is permanently true when they’re dead,”
“But…”
“Yeah, with Resurrection and Reincarnation at play that is technically not true anymore, so you know what let's just pretend like I said something profound and move on,” Adam said.
“You are a strange one,” Aeris started to say then paused and asked, “By the way, what should I call you? What is your name?”
Adam considered the question and realized he hadn’t introduced himself. He stood and bowed slightly as he said, “I am Adam. I have a longer name, but you can refer to me as Adam. Do you prefer Aeris or is there another name by which you wish me to address you, besides High Priestess?” Adam asked as he sat back down.
“Aeris is fine,” she said as she paused for a moment and Adam watched as she thought about how to proceed. “As I was about to say, you are a strange one, Adam. It is obvious that you are quite powerful. While I don’t know how that is possible because you smell of Adjra which implies that you are her son.
Adam looked at Aeris quizzically.
“I guessed that you’re Adjra’s son because I know who all of her brothers were and I have seen her father from afar long ago. You are not he. Since you’re not Adjra’s father and neither she nor any of her brothers have been seen since she dove into the caldera and disappeared into the magma 100 years ago you had to be her son.”
“You are correct, I did come from one of her eggs, but I have never met her. We’re getting off-topic though. Why shouldn’t I inform the world that dragons exist and that you have been secretly sending the malcontents and criminals deemed too violent for society to get eaten by dragons?”
“Is it such a bad thing?” Aeris asked.
“For criminals that have been given the death penalty to be used as sport for your, I mean, our young. Honestly, I wouldn’t have a problem with the death penalty if everyone knew what the consequences were for breaking the law. Also, if you can open a portal to this place, couldn’t you find another realm or dimension where dragons could hunt and not worry about the people of Gemma?” Adam asked.
“Dimensional travel is not so easy here Adam. I have the ability because of a class I possess and obviously, you can do it but less than one percent of one percent of the population could and definitely not any of the other dragons.”
“Wait,” Adam said interrupting Aeris, “What level are you?”
“That’s awful forward of you?” Aeris said.
“I am level 17,” Adam said.
“You are only level 17 and as strong as you are. What Class do you possess and what level is it? I’d expect something legendary with the display you gave moments ago,” Aeris said.
“No class, just Character, or what you call base level 17.”
“That’s impossible?”
“Yet, here I am,” Adam said.
“Fine,” Aeris said flustered, I have a Base level of 517 and a class level of 101.
“That doesn’t seem very high?” Adam said.
“What do you mean that doesn’t seem very high?” Aeris said indignantly. “I currently hold the highest level on Gemma.
Adam nodded his head slowly as he thought about the implications. No wonder the System was being so snarky with him. If the highest-level creature on the planet was only level 517 and their class was only level 101…
Adam’s thoughts were interrupted when Aeris asked, “Why does it look like you have pity for someone? You better not pity me?” Aeris declared.
“Please calm down,” Adam said. “I was not pitying you, I was simply thinking that I do not need to be in this place, wherever it is. I need to get back to the previous place I was in, though I don’t know how to…yet.”
“Fine, you don’t want to be here. What does that mean for us?”
“What that means for you is that you will announce that dragons are once again back in the land. You’ll also stop all the hunts until the people have learned what happens to them if they break your laws…”
“If you’re not going to stay, why does it matter to you? Once you’re gone we’ll be able to do what we want anyway?” Aeris said with a sweet evil smile that let Adam know that she would do exactly that.
“You know what, you’re right. Why am I getting caught up in what happens on your planet,” Adam said as he reviewed some new data that was being relayed to him through his quantum link to the nanites on Gemma through the very small portal he’d left open. “As to why you thought I pitied you. It would seem that the upper end of your levels has not been limited. Even so, it seems that you’re leveling opportunities are sparse.”
“The levels are extremely expensive,” Aeris agreed.
“Also, you’re not going to level very fast if you don’t challenge yourself,” Adam said.
“That doesn’t matter, I don’t have anywhere I can go level?”
“You don’t have dungeons on this planet?”
“I can’t go into a dungeon, I or one of my teammates might die.”
That explains it, Adam thought then said, “If you don’t push yourself you will not grow stronger. Also, you should venture into the dungeons, maybe even the Labyrinth.
“No one here enters the Labyrinth,” Aeris said decisively.
“It sounds like that’s where you need to go. Anyway, you’re right. I don’t want to get caught cleaning up this mess. The level difference makes it extremely unfair so here’s what I’m going to do. I need two weeks to get my affairs in order. I just had a thought that is probably going to change everything here on Gemma. So, you have two weeks to get your affairs in order and make your announcement. If you do not, I will release evidence that dragons exist and also where to find them. While you’re getting your affairs in order, I’ll be busy with other projects. In two weeks, before I release anything, I’ll be back here to see you. Exactly two weeks from today, Also, I’ll probably be bringing at least one guest,” Adam said.
“Why two weeks?” Aeris asked.
“Because I need the time to learn as much as I can about Gemma. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check something,” Adam said as he had the portal he was holding open expand and stepped back through into the air above Athens. Once there he allowed the portal to close and then teleported to a point directly over the lava geyser, which wasn’t really a geyser anymore. There was lava coming out of it, but it wasn’t shooting a mile into the sky anymore. It wasn’t even shooting fifty feet into the sky. Adam noted the Widehammer a mile off to the south, waved in the general direction then dropped straight toward the lava. A moment later he entered the lava tube, which was a lot wider than him in his human form.
As Adam hit the lava he allowed his Chaos to start creating nanites again and had them spread from his body. Unlike the nine points around the globe that were slowly converting one percent of the inorganic material to nanites as they spread out, Adam released a torrent of nanites from himself that invaded and spread through the surrounding lava, rock, and soil at a brisk rate.
While Adam continued releasing nanites, he continued his downward movement until he entered the magma chamber. Once there he made his way toward the center using his Heads Up Display and the interactive map to place himself at the center. Of course, his jumpsuit had melted off, but he felt quite comfortable. So, he just relaxed and continued to release nanites created from his chaos which replenished as fast as he spent it.
While he’d been talking to Aeris he’d had a thought, well a couple of thoughts. If the dragons hadn’t all died, where would they be hiding if they hadn’t been seen in over 100 years? If they weren’t above they’d have to be below ground or dimensionally elsewhere. Adam was betting on below. If they were below ground he’d need to saturate the planet with nanites to find them so that’s what he was doing now. He also needed a relatively safe space to do that from which this Magma Chamber would accomplish nicely. If they were stupid enough to come after him here and risk an eruption, well their deaths would be their fault.
That wasn’t why he’d ended the conversation with Aeris though. He didn’t want to waste time trying to convert this society to one based on his ideals. The Universe was infinite, this was just one of many situations. No, the reason he wanted to get away was because it had occurred to him that his Animae Core might be the link he needed to return to where he had been. It had seemed like resonance was the key. If there was a way to have his Animae target the resonance of his original location, perhaps he could create a bridge to travel between this location and that location.
Of course, it could be that he was just so far away from his starting point that even his insane amount of mana wouldn’t let him teleport that far. If he was separated by several dimensional layers that exceed his ability to cross that could also prevent him from getting back to his Place of Power and everything he knew. Of course, it could be a System imposed artificial barrier which is what he was betting it was. If so, he should be able to bypass that barrier if he was correct about his Animae Core. Now all that was left to do was to try and see what happened.
Adam relaxed and dropped into his Mindspace. Once there he focused on his Soul Core and the Animae Core within. The first clue he had that this was possible was how easily he’d increased the Animae Core from 18 to 24 nodes. They had just appeared and filled in the empty slot. While he’d been investigating the dragon sanctuaries and talking with Aeris he’d also been thinking about ways he could shape the nodes within his anima Core so they could become functional. Then it had come to him as he’d been talking to Aeris.
She’d asked why he cared and part of himself had heard the question as “How do you resonate with this problem?” That had brought up thoughts of copper-wrapped coils and impedance plane testing with eddy currents. Not helpful unless he could somehow create a structure with animae that could act as a coil and send out a field just like an eddy current probe that could detect resistance or resonances by comparing it to a known sample. With a little tweaking based on the idea of conductivity and finding the perfect frequency, he could set that animae coil to look for a resonance that best matched his original animae. Part of his scientific mind was screaming that there was no way this would work, it didn’t make logical sense. Another part felt that this idea had merit and that he should try it.
Adam went to work increasing and shaping his Animae Core by adding node after node after node. He was creating a coil out of Animae that seemed to be taking physical shape within his soul core. For this to work his original Animae was placed within one field coil created by, he’d lost count of how many animae. Not because he couldn’t keep up with counting them no. He’d lost count because at some point his will had started drawing animae nodes into the shape he desired as if he was pen laying ink to paper.
On the one side, there was his original animae surrounded by a coil of animae, and on the other side, he had a coil of animae surrounding nothing. The next step was to create the mechanism by which the coil could reach out and find matching resonances. He needed to build an antenna. The process was incredibly easy, and it almost felt like the animae knew the shape they were moving into.
As Adam worked he noticed that the coil had shifted so that the antenna portion of the differential coil was centered over the very center of his soul core while his original animae and all the animae of his family and friends were off to the side a bit within his soul core. Adam only kept specific track of those 13 Animae, his and the 12 others because he’d absorbed millions of animae into the form that was becoming his animae core.
Additionally, Adam worked to shield the differential animae core by creating an animae shell to protect it. He did so by leaving a hole in the center of the empty coil on both sides with the rest of the structure completely around it. It wasn’t enclosed and closed off but there was a physical structure in place around both coils. The idea behind the two coils was simple. The empty coil would reach out and try to resonate with anything that matched what was at the center of the second coil. He wasn’t sure exactly how it would work in reality, but he was sure the theory was sound. Just as Adam was about to put the finishing touches on his Animae Core an internal alarm went off and he realized that 13 days had passed.
Adam quickly checked the progress of his nanites and wasn’t surprised at all when his nanites reported that they had discovered giant caverns deep within the earth filled with metallic-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes. In fact, not too far from his current location a few miles lower than his current position.
Adam also noted that he had 100% nanite coverage of the whole planet and quickly found Aeris sitting in her office in Athens talking to a few other priests. He could come back to that later. Right now, he was reviewing the feed of an Adamantium female dragon, just about as big as him. His nanites couldn’t differentiate scents yet but Adam was pretty sure he was looking at Adjra. He found the mother of the egg he’d hatched out of, or put another way, he’d found his new mom.