Chapter Fourteen, Halfgods.
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The two gods traveled through space, arriving in the vast skies of a place Seiya knew very well.
"Welcome to the Desolate Expanse All-Father." Seiya said, floating ahead of Lokreum, showcasing the dark, destroyed lands before them.
"Quite the abundance of Chaos essence…" Lokreum noted, floating next to Seiya with his hands behind his back.
"Correct, these lands are overrun with negative essences capable of mutilating those who are not accustomed to it." Seiya explained, a look of accomplishment appearing on his face.
"This is a region formed by a battle between me and the Concept of Finality, aeons ago…" Seiya reminisced.
Lokreum nodded in response, as he knew well how powerful the conceptual creatures could become.
Concepts, and Embodiments were powerful existences birthed either through the accumulation of large amounts of specific Law essences, or just simply created by the Primordial Sage.
The power they have within their law is usually so deep, and terrifying, that almost none can rival their strength, even when they're in their early stages.
"Though what we're looking for is not below, it is above." Lokreum said, raising his line of sight towards the clouds.
His two hands rose up, and parted the clouds far from them, the visage of a large dark castle appearing before them.
"The Castle of 'Gods'…" He muttered, a small smile forming on his face.
"Shall we see if these 'gods' really have the qualifications to hold that title?" Lokreum questioned, turning back towards Seiya.
Seiya firmly nodded, eager almost.
"Let us go."
The two teleported through space, arriving at the entrance to the dark castle that contrasted the white clouds.
"I feel a presence…" Lokreum said the moment they arrived.
"A presence?" Seiya asked, not quite understanding the need to mention this.
"One with power… power far beyond their realm." Lokreum finished, a perceivable look of confusion on his face while walking towards the doors.
*Creak*
He pushed them open, walking through it without a care.
"To think I wouldn't even be able to grasp my own child's power." Seiya muttered with disappointment.
He could not sense the, presence, Lokreum was talking about.
"Who the hell are you?!" An angered voice came as soon as the two entered.
A figure warped through space, appearing before the two gods in quite the disrespectful manner.
"[Multilayered Inner Turmoil]." Seiya said, creating a skill on the spot.
Unfortunately for the creature before them, Seiya wouldn't be tolerating any type of disrespect.
With just the cast of a single skill, the existence started to crack.
Purple light seeped through the crevices of its flesh as it screamed in pain.
It's eyes turned blank white as it's mind was destroyed along with it's vessel, both of them crumbling together.
"I commend you for condensing your essences and reaching the Solar Soul, though it's a shame you had little intelligence." Seiya critiqued.
"That was slightly unnecessary, son." Lokreum sighed, his hand lifting, powerful essences manipulating the composition of the shattered corpse.
"[Breath of Life]." He said utilizing the Sage’s power, the essences piecing the broken body back together, as the creature before them was brought back to the realm of the living.
"…" The reborn life-form only stared at the two in fear.
Seiya joined him, gazing at Lokreum with fear and reverence.
After all, how powerful would one have to be to effortlessly resist the might of an assimilated law?
"On a serious note, who are you both?" A feminine voice sounded, essences being sent out as they tried to clash with Seiya and Lokreum.
Three newcomers focused on Lokreum, while two more on Seiya.
"I can infer that you are the Old God, which is a surprise since you've been absent from history for thousands of years now…." The strongest of the 5 spoke, gazing into the eyes of Seiya.
”But, who are you?” She asked, averting her gaze and looking at Lokreum
"…To not even recognize the visage of your creator." Seiya grumbled, his hand raising, wrath spilling out from his body.
"It is not needed." Lokreum spoke, nullifying Seiya's aggression.
At this sight, the 5 new gods before them broke out into hidden panic.
The legends of Asterisk speak of the Old God. The God of Apocalypse, a creature capable of battling the Three Immortals on their own and leaving without a loss. Some even called him the legendary fourth Immortal.
The legends speak of his unparalleled tyranny, as he conquered vast expanses of Asterisk on his own, creating mythical territories.
Territories like the Umbral Icefield, the Caverns of Chaos, The Forgotten Realms, and even the Revered Desolate Expanse that they stood within right now!
The Tyrannical God of Apocalypse was an entity that defied all laws and didn't listen to any existence no matter their identity.
So, for him to heed this entity's call…
‘What is this thing?!’ The 5 young gods thought simultaneously.
And they would receive their answer right after.
"I'll introduce myself…" He said, "But I'd like to understand who you all are first."
"Jack! 5th New God, God of Sanguine Insanity!" One of the gods spoke with zero hesitation.
It was a masked, clown maniac, that responded. Though his arms and legs were bound by a vest, he floated through the use of one of his abilities, and had multiple tentacles surrounding him.
"Tch, Amos, 8th New God, God of Wrathful Conquest." The being who had rudely welcomed Lokreum and Seiya, spoke.
He was a nimble character, cloaked in the essence of Wrath. His head was out of the ordinary, being a culmination of negative essences that formed a sphere reminiscent of a black hole.
"Corolla, 7th New god, Goddess of Eternal Damnation." A woman with a strong aura of darkness said.
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She wore clothing similar to that of a tribal dress. It covered little of her body, allowing one to see her grey, tattooed skin. Her long black hair reached her back, its darkness accentuating the bright red of her eyes.
"Rodan, 6th New God, God of Cathartic Destruction." An undead knight who wore black armor, that seemed to be melded into his skin, said, tapping his spear into the ground. The essence of Passion and Destruction became a tangible mist around his body.
Following him, all those who had already introduced themselves also backed away, leaving the final existence to introduce itself.
"Exodus, 4th New God, Goddess of Insatiable Desire." She said, the glint of pride within her entirely green eyes.
She was a purple, draconic humanoid. Seemingly unbreakable pinkish-purple scales filling her body.
Lokreum looked at the five, who had stood down, then towards Seiya, who only nodded.
"Well, I have multiple names but you may call me Grandfather." He said with a carefree tone, leaving the four slightly stunned.
"After all, I am the father of all there is to be, including your father here, and his father." He finished, motioning towards Seiya.
"Is it one of them?" Seiya asked, ignoring their shock.
"'It' as in the candidate? No." Lokreum said.
He strode forward, standing before the 5 Gods, looking down on them.
"I am here to evaluate the strength of all you 'gods'." He spoke.
"Having this Title is more than just a bragging right, it comes with responsibilities." His gaze alternated between the 5.
"Let us see if you are all truly worthy."
Lokreum’s eyes started to glow with a mystical glint, powerful essence escaping them and washing over the targets.
[Status] [Name: Amos] [Race: Apocalyptic Halfgod] Titles: [Devourer], [World Eater]... Origin: 24,273,001 Stars Rank: Solar Soul
- [Information]: A being birthed from a black hole, due to it's interaction with the Golden Ichor of The Old God. He roamed his birthplace, The Forgotten Realms, devouring beings and stealing their strength with the essence of consumption. He was given his godly title by the countless beings he ruled within the forgotten realms, being named the God of Wrathful Conquest.
- Power Evaluation: A being of noteworthy talent, having scaled the firmaments of power and condensing vast, destructive solar systems within his origin. He has lived for a mere 7,000 years, yet his talents can be compared with the best of the best. He can damage galaxies as of now.
[Status] [Name: Corolla] [Race: Apocalyptic Halfgod] Titles: [Draugr Queen], [Halfgod]... Origin: 10,000,000 Stars Rank: Solar Soul
- [Information]: An Eldratic Draugr that happened upon the Golden Ichor many millenium ago. With her newfound power she sundered realms and united the Draugrs under her reign. She was granted the title of God of Eternal Damnation by her people, as she would be seen banishing legions of her enemies to hell.
- [Power Evaluation]: Her talent in scaling the firmaments of power is minuscule, though her talent in the understanding of laws is commendable. Despite not yet having broke through the first limit of the [Solar Soul] like all her other peers, she stands 5th in power due to her arsenal of law essence. With 27 total laws under her belt, she can end Law Embodiments and Concepts with moderate ease. She can damage galaxies as of now.
[Status] [Name: Rodan] [Race: Apocalyptic Halfgod] Titles: [Destroyer], [Halfgod]... Origin: 29,701,998 Stars Rank: Solar Soul
- [Information]: An ancient Concept of Death that governed a small part of the Desolate Expanse for aeons. With the assimilation of hordes of creatures within the expanse, upon coming across the Golden Ichor, he gained sentience. He dominated the Desolate Expanse for ages, destroying everything in his path until he was picked up by the New Gods.
- [Power Evaluation]: With virtually zero talent, the Concept rose to power with the power of death. It's manipulation of the Law is unmatched, capable of harvesting souls and consuming their existence flawlessly, adding to his memories, origin, and even physical strength. His limit on soul consumption is nearly nonexistent, allowing for potential unlimited power. He can damage galaxies as of now.
[Status] [Name: Exodus] [Race: Apocalyptic Halfgod] Titles: [Godkiller], [Halfgod]... Origin: 31,820,000 Stars Rank: Solar Soul
- [Information]: A once normal Eldrid blessed with a great amount of Ichor. She rose to power slowly over time, solidifying her foundation, which in turn allowed for an easier rise in the long run. During her journeys, she slew all existences with the title of 'God', besides for the True Gods of Asterisk. She took the mantles of these false characters, and she formed the new gods alongside the first 3, becoming a well known figure across Asterisk.
- [Power Evaluation]: Her talent is decent, as she is capable of condensing law essence into Origin Stars at a good pace. The heightened volume of Ichor within her blood has allowed for her to comprehend non-negative laws unlike most Eldrids, as she has even gone far enough to comprehending the Taboo Law of Faith. With this, her power can increase drastically as the amount of beings that pray to her increase. She can damage galaxies as of now.
Looking at the information of these 4 beings, Lokreum nodded.
His gaze turned towards the final face before him, the essences around battling an invisible barrier no one besides Lokreum and the target noticed.
'Hoh?' Lokreum's eyes widened.
He found he wasn't able to evaluate the person before him through the use of law essence…
'Is that so?' He chimed in his mind, the authority of omnipotence backing up the Primordial Sage's power.
[Status] [Name: Jack White] [Race: Apocalyptic Halfgod] Titles: [Manic God], [Otherworlder], ["Halfgod"]... Origin: Empty Rank: Unclassified
- [Information]: A human from a reality of pure creativity. Born in a world of normalcy, he lived an uneventful life until coming across an artifact that unlocked his mind. With his newfound ability to defy reality to unbelievable degree, he traversed realms increasing his strength through means unknown to the Primordial Reality. This vessel is but a husk of his soul and mind.
- [Power Evaluation]: With a mind unparalleled by any other being within the Apocryphal Domain, he can easily manipulate Reality with just his thoughts. His manipulation is more proficient than any being within the Apocryphal Domain, even that of The Old God. With his ability to bring thought to reality, that is even more powerful than Dream Law users, he is capable of altering reality as much as his mind will let him without breaking down. He has even increased the strength of his soul, not by filling it up, but by strengthening the shell. Given enough time he could rend realities, though it would exhaust his mind completely.
The mind.
That was the difference between Jack and the others. That's why he was able to hold out against the strength of dozens of Natural and Taboo essences.
'This is quite eye opening…' Lokreum thought, snapping his fingers and freezing time.
"For the second time in one day I have had my eyes opened." He muttered, stepping forward and circling the body of Jack.
"To think I thought I would be able to form a limitless, unparalleled source of power, without upgrading every aspect in unison…"
To truly understand Law essence and how it gave power to an existence, you'd have to understand the soul, and its connection with it.
The soul is a key construct in the existence of a being, alongside their form, and mind.
The soul, is made of two parts, its shell, and its origin, otherwise known as its core, the innards of the soul.
Law essence is the materialization of the authority of Laws, be it the Natural Laws that form reality, or the Ranked, False Laws that are used to alter or destroy it…
Both of these can be realized through Law essence.
Though Law essence is a powerful thing...
One needs an incredibly vast, and powerful Origin to contain these laws, and store their essences to utilize.
That's why it's necessary for most beings to start off with a Lesser Law that their Origin is capable of containing.
The outer shell of the soul is a malleable thing, capable of expanding with the push that Law essences provide.
But only to a certain extent.
This is why an existence's Law essence is a finite. They simply cannot store it.
Though, they can increase its output. This can be done through the condensation of essence, and this is how existences unlock even more power.
In theory, through the power of Laws, one would eventually reach a cap.
A point where they couldn't continue to condense their energy, it would simply be too dense.
This stage, would be the peak of the Cosmic Ruler realm, and Lokreum had been thinking of a way to overcome it.
Yet now, the answer had fallen right into his lap.
Jack was privy to a way of upgrading the mind.
He was able to increase his thought speed, how many thoughts he could think at one time, his retention, his understanding, and even his pure intelligence.
Best of all, he was capable of using the energy produced by such high and powerful brain activity, to manipulate the reality around him!
If one coupled this ability with Law essence, and strengthened their mind, then strengthened their body, and combined the power of all three…
"Ha!" Lokreum chuckled, an insane smile forming on his face.
"The form, soul, and mind can all be upgraded!" His eyes flashed with a new light.
He had already thought of this when forming kreus, but, kreus was more of an accumulation of the energy of form, mind, and soul into one essence...
It was not a truly supernatural system as he had hoped to build.
Now, he saw that clearly he needed to edit his power system...
"This calls for the reworking of the Firmaments of Power, and power within the Apocryphal Domain itself!" He was almost bursting in excitement, but he reeled himself in.
"Though it would be ideal to finish the evaluation of the New Gods first."
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