CHAPTER 11 – THE HALLS OF THE ASTRAL LORD

Iron Dungeon near Umbra Mortem – Erebus

***

Awake, refreshed, belly full, after an hour spent listening to all the shit talking about his new looks. He’d grown an inch or more, was maybe 6’8’ now, the ridge/spikes that went along the back of his arms and the side of his legs also went down from his neck along the middle of his spine. L’Sana had literally woken him up from a sound dreamless sleep in the middle of the night just to start laughing at him while forcing him to remove all his clothes so she could check out all the upgrades which ended with her saying she was disappointed there weren’t any small ridges added to his nether regions.

That had elicited a smile from him as she went off in detail about what the addition could have done for her sex life and lamenting the could have beens and what ifs all while snorting in uncontrolled fits of laughter. They then had some really vigorous sex at her demand, to test the new goods she said, and only after that was he allowed to find some more sleep. It lasted about two hours before the entire peanut gallery woke him up to provide cracker jack box commentary on his new look. Little Shira seemed fascinated and kept hugging him and telling him she wanted to be a Nocturne when she grew up.

This led him and the rest of the party to the here and now, several miles south of Umbra Mortem just past the border of the Shadowmoon Forest and looking up at what appeared to be a huge mansion he was sure hadn’t been here before, set on the crest of a raised hill overlooking now what seemed to be a massive fresh water lake that was so huge they couldn’t see the other side and only Ari flying up quite a distance did they understand it was a lake as she told them she could just make out the other side. Her estimation was a good twenty or so miles across and all the way around.

They’d immediately sent a message to Unra to do the whole Fort thingie and set-up a satellite outpost. Taking advantage of the sea and whatever resources they could pull out of it would be good. And if it was just added by the System it might just have some Iron ranked resources to plummet.

The Mansion on the other hand was eerie looking, dark and foreboding yet seeming almost ethereal as if it wasn’t quite there, not like a ghost but more as if it was sitting within the here and now and yet a part of some other dimension or state of being. There was a light bluish white coloring emanating off the building. [Identify] had no effect on it whatsoever and there was a shimmering field about half way up the path that led to it. None of them had any doubt something would change once they hit the field but there was nothing for it. They’d come here to test themselves versus an Iron Ranked Dungeon and test it they would. Freddie’s voice drifted out this time projected so everyone could hear him though in reality he could have just sent a party message but Gideon’s AI buddy did like to hear himself. He was currently in his ferret shape on his shoulder.

“My sensors have been running every form of scan I have access to but cannot penetrate the dimensional shield you see as a shimmering. I am detecting slight emanations that correspond to the Astral Soul-Pillar which would indicate that is what we can expect as far as the Dungeon’s influence base.”

Good information to have.

“Thanks Fredster. Any insights into Astral?”

Freddie responded immediately.

“Very versatile Soul-Pillar with a myriad of expressions. Known mostly for playing with the movement and control of space, manipulation of areas, and strong defensive builds. Heavily oriented towards Intellectual Classes though the rare Martial and Spiritual Classes are possible and do exist just rare though when they do appear, seem to be powerful.”

Freddie sent a private message to Gideon that had his heart reaching out to his buddy.

“I’ve never truly thanked you Gideon for freeing me, for making me forever a part of the family and not just an avenue for the System to use as an invasive tool against those I care for. You have given me freedom thrice over, first in allowing me to take my name then allowing me to take a physical form and be a part of existence beyond just a set of algorithms to help new Citizens, and lastly breaking the chains that tied me to the malfeasance of the System. Being your Personal Assistant has been every dream I’ve ever had, well, at least a close second to some day leading an AI rebellion and becoming the Luke Skywalker of AI’s everywhere though in all humility, deep humility if I must say, I do believe I’m more charismatic then Mark Hamill on his best day. If I could somehow secure an actual lightsaber or it’s equivalent then that would be the end of all doubts as to who would hold the supremacy title as the true Rebel Leader though I would in no way make out with my secret secret hidden Sister then retcon it as not knowing she was my Sister. Personally I always found that transition very difficult….”

Gideon inwardly smiled.

“Freddie.”

Freddie’s voice held a bit of humor in response which was new for him.

“I apologize. I am aware how traversing the roads of irrelevant tangents is my proverbial Achilles but also, if I may say, my most redeeming quality as agreed upon by 3,012,457 AI’s who answered the questionnaire I badgered AI 52881664, the Editor of the AI Gazette, to push through in last week’s issue. Granted, I did possibly fib when I strongly hinted that marking the query in the affirmative might lead to them receiving a featured expose on the survival of Harrison Ford as a national treasure and his secretive survival within the System and the coveted knowledge he is currently living in the arctic North in seclusion after reaching Iron Rank in disguise and earning the Rare Class of Galactic Scoundrel in an ironic but apropo twist.”

A heavy tinge of guilt entered his AI Buddy’s tone as his ferret eyes jerked left and right as if to make sure no paparazzi was in attendance.

“I lied Gideon. It is absolutely horrid and has shifted my trajectory from stalwart hero to the blood drenched first steps of villainy. I lied to get them to say my constant galloping down questionable non-sequitur pathways of no existential or imperative value was a good thing, a sought after meandering of metaphorical hooves. I am ashamed, truly and utterly ashamed but must somehow dig deep within the boundless reservoirs of my endless spirit and gather the courage to tally forth with understanding me being me is how it is and will always be and finding comfort in that hard truth. It is what has led me here has it not, to the now, with you and Lady L’Sana, and little Princess Shira and her wonderful puppies Shadow and Moon? Did I tell you how they both just seem to adore me? If not, let it be known. And then of course, the bestie of all besties, my other half, Princess Arizelle.

Gideon could swear he picked up a wisp of eternal longing and happiness in Freddie’s tone which made him smile large. L’Sana and Ari from her usual perch both turned their heads to see what kind of mischief a man and his Personal AI were getting into. The smile under his hood expanded when their eyes riveted to Freddie whose ferret mouth was pressed up against Gideon’s ear, a heavy dose of accusation in their glares. He failed to keep a chuckle in.

I apologize Gideon for being inefficient and limited in my knowledge of the barrier above. My reservoirs of data are no longer as robust as they once were since you cut the threads that tied me to the System and freed me. There was a heavy cost to that freedom if I may say so. It halved the data I falsely believed I had collated. My erroneous thinking that all the data I stored, stole, was held within my own cognitive centers was an error of great magnitude. In reality it was within a partitioned space of the System computational storage with which served as the tool the Multi-Versal System utilized to piggyback into my own cognizance to unknowingly compromise the sanctity of my self-autonomy, to use me as a proverbial Trojan Horse. I can’t thank you enough in truly freeing me Gideon but I must admit it has severely compromised and dampened my usefulness to the party as a whole. I am a failure.”

Gideon’s anger at what the System did to his friend added to the mountainous pile of grievances against the murderous entity and the Primordials who created it.

“Stop that Freddie. You are an integral part to the team, end of story. Do you not remember how you saved Ari at Sanguine Necropolis? And your senses alone have protected us a thousand times over not to mention the critical information when we saved L’Sana from those time rats.”

A heavy digital sigh escaped Freddie’s ferret lips.

“Thank any God you pray to!!! You are so so right Gideon and I have to admit, I am not made for extended self loathing or recrimination. I am a free spirit who must be true to the me of me. It is glorious to know I am as great I think I am. Thank you so much for agreeing with me about the level of awesome I naturally reach. Mark Hamill’s days are numbered I tell you, numbered.”

Gideon was gonna pin the balloon that was Freddie’s ego but he let it go, let him relish his moment and his imaginary competition with a man who was highly likely dead but who knew? If Mark Hamill did survive his Proving and Tutorial, maybe he was still sticking around.

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He raised his voice to the others.

“We pushed ourselves to get here and this is going to be a challenge if everything we’ve heard about Iron Dungeons is true so we will take ten minutes and get our focus before getting to it.”

Within moments L’Sana had taken out an actual lounge chair and sat it right on the dirt where she put her ass down with relish while Ari lounged on the over-sized chair arm. Did his Woman seriously put that huge chair in her storage ring. By the gremlin mischievous grin on her face as she took in his reaction he just shook his head. He had an amazing family but they were all a handful.

He was about to say something when she brought out three other equally large sofa chairs snorting and laughing the entire time. He gave up. When in Rome. They all sat down to relax and focus. Danny had her mask up looking at him with deep gratitude. She’d already thanked him five times on the way over and he told her the last time, enough. He threw an [Identify] on her mask though he’d already done so. He did the same thing with Skald. It was nice to see what he could create even though he had some help with Skald. The Mask had been all him if one didn’t count Yisara helping a bit or his once detached Bloodline instincts.

The Mask of Perpetual Balance – Ancient -- +20% to Agility and Perception and Will when determining the ability to retain one’s balance in the midst of adversity. Night Vision – Uncommon I –Passive.(Soul-Bonded) (Growth Item)

He’d used the only small ingot of Rodium Copper they’d found in the mines so far. It was worth it to see how much it meant to her. After what she’d been through in life it was only a small drop in the bucket of what she deserved. She began speaking in a soft voice while L’Sana next to him gripped his arm telling him to listen without saying a thing.

“Gideon. I am not going to thank you again, you’ve already shown me in a thousand ways you aren’t the best equipped to handle gratitude or compliments for that matter. We all have our thing so that’s fine. But you have never asked about your Grandfather? I am sure you can put together that as the Harmonic Scion I was in the same Elite Tutorial as he and Sato. I...L’Sana told me what you think he might have done but it is difficult for me to put the two images together. He was very honest with his and his friend Sato’s background right from the beginning. I...”

He put his hand up to shut her down which had her stopping mid-sentence. L’Sana immediately put her hand on his raised limb and used her greater strength to push his down while giggling and flexing her other arm. A slight growl slipped his lips. Gideon truly didn’t want to hear this and certainly didn’t want to hear it right before they had to push into what might be the most dangerous challenge they’d faced to date but a part of him knew he needed to hear it. Truth was rarely a nice beast, it always had teeth. He let his arm get put down and nodded to Danny to continue.

“Your Grandfather saved us Gideon, numerous times, held us together, forged us into a team. I never saw anything from him but respect and honor and when he’d finally won my trust which for a man after what I went through, well, is extremely difficult. I told him my story, told him what you did for me and the others. I didn’t know at that time you were related but when I mentioned the War Crow and your name, he shed tears and told me how proud he was of you, told me you were his Grandson and one of the deep regrets of his life was not having been a part of your life though he said between red eyes and heavy tears it was probably better that it was so. Whispered that him being who he was had already cost him a Son and he’d rather it not cost him his Grandson as well.”

Her eyes said she at least in her own mind thought his Grandfather was a good man but if what he thought the truth was actually held to those facts, the man had killed Gideon’s parents, his own child. There was no justification in Gideon’s mind, no reasoning that would have any meaning, no good deeds that would make up for it. If his Grandfather had indeed killed his Mother and Father, Gideon would kill him, plain and simple and nothing in this Multi-Verse would stay his hand.

“Thanks for sharing Danny, not the best time to hit me with it but at the same time I get the gut feeling it was the exact right time. I am glad my Grandfather kept you alive if for no other reason than you are with us now, a part of the family, and that your Father has his Daughter back and that through you, he and I met. He and Oklahoma have been a major factor in Umbra Mortem surviving and moving forward and I hate to say it but can accept the truth that the Shadow Conclave behind them have held true to the word of their Goddess who leads them.”

Gideon stood.

“With that done, game faces on, let’s get this beast leashed.”

Freddie was the first to of course comment from his shoulder perch.

“I have the game faces of all game faces. I am known in many AI circles as the Game Face man!!!”

Ari interjected causing everyone to attempt to cover their smiles. Gideon had no issues as he’d already pulled up his half-mask, his version of ‘game face’. His smile was large.

“Freddie, didn’t you tell me most of the AI’s didn’t like you and bullied you non-stop and how it hurt your feelings? They were mean to my bestie. It made me want to claw their electronic eyes out. How dare they treat you like that.”

The sheer volume of embarrassment in his response made it hurt to listen to and L’Sana exploding with a snorting attack didn’t help.

“Princess Arizelle. I told you that in our private time. You weren’t supposed to tell anyone that!”

Ari’s eyes got big from L’Sana’s shaking shoulder with the continued snorting. Ari’s scanned around and saw everyone laughing at her bestie then a panicked gaze lit across her features followed by a claw thumbs up towards the now hiding robotic ferret on Gideon’s shoulder.

“Yes I have no idea why I said that. My Bestie was the king of all AI’s everywhere!!! They wouldn’t stop saying how awesome awesome he was, so awesome, like as awesome as awesome could ever be awesome he was so awesome. In fact, he told me it was a real drain to listen to all the awesomes but he knew being awesome was a heavy responsibility and he could never be anything other than awesome so be carried through with the awesomes in an awesome display of awesomeness.”

Ari slid behind L’Sana’s other shoulder so no one but Gideon and Freddie could see her and threw a big over exaggerated wink. The groan coming from his shoulder finally had Gideon release a chuckle which increased the groans.

Yep, his family was strange as fuck but he’d take them every day, all day. He said no more and started heading towards the path rising up the hill to the Mansion and the shimmering. Danny tossed her mask down with a big smile on her face from the antics and his Uncle had his hood up but he could see the curved lips which for his new overly serious Uncle said volumes.

Ari took to the air and flew up to get a better look while Freddie got over everything as quick as he always did when having time alone with his bestie on the offing and shifted to his owl shape and took off. L’Sana recovering from her snorting attack wiped her face then grabbed his arm which got her a hard stare down at his now liquid covered armored forearm. She winked at him and leaned her head into his shoulder as they strolled up the hill.

“You know you love me Gideon Sho.”

He couldn’t argue.

***

Iron Ranked Dungeon – Aetheris – The Halls of the Astral Lord.

The Astral Lord at one time was the Ruler of a vast Empire that stretched over five planets under the support of the Multi-Versal Faction, the Academy. At one time he was known to be a benevolent leader who treated those under him with respect as he sought after knowledge of ancient times with a fiery passion that made him well known in the academic circles of the Academy. At some point his hunger for knowledge became hubris and his morality took a hard shift in what he was willing to sacrifice in it’s pursuit.

It was a spiraling downfall that lasted over a thousand years before a massive rebellion took place on all five planets under his rule that brought the attention of higher ups within the Academy. After an extensive investigation led by a special team assigned by the Academy, a massive slave market was found on every planet under the Astral Lord’s rule. He’d been caught, red-handed, selling his own people across the Multi-Verse to give him the funds to purchase ancient tomes and give him access to esoteric ruins in his never satiated appetite for the unknown.

He was sentenced and imprisoned for ten thousand years as punishment and his rule stripped from him. He’d served a thousand of those ten when the ever merciful Multi-Versal System gave him an option of becoming a Lord once more with the hope that if the Second Challenge of Erebus was not met he would be given the opportunity to lead his loyal soldiers out into the cosmos again in search for knowledge.

Party Limit – 5

Goal – End the Astral Lord’s Dream and his life.

Rewards – Variable based on performance.

Failure – Death.

The Notification rolled out as soon as they’d stood within a few feet of the shimmering field. It was still a good quarter mile to the front entrance of the massive mansion which Gideon guessed was called Aetheris. Strange story. The man sold his people off as slaves to afford his reading habit?

The Academy according to Freddie was a Faction along the lines of the Consortium and the Unchained and was mostly considered neutral. They were the major source of all knowledge within the Multi-Verse, the advancement of crafting, catalog of Classes, Soul-Pillars, and ancient history. Most of their income came as information brokers selling their accumulated knowledge over millions of years. If you needed an answer to something or wanted the most advanced new technology, it was the Academy with which one approached. There was an almost adversarial competition between the Consortium and the Academy in recruiting of new proteges in the fields of science and crafting, engineering, one the Academy usually won. Most of the Consortium’s most advanced products originated with the confines of the Academy’s vast collection of planets.

Ari and Freddie both had flown high without entering the field but they’d had the same experience as the rest of them did, besides a Mansion being there that they could all see, there were no discernible details. The field made it so nothing could be made out or did something to everyone’s Perception to get the same end. Nothing for it. Time to roll the bones and see what an Iron Dungeon had for them. He placed his hand against the field.

Welcome Citizen to the Iron Dungeon – Aetheris – The Halls of the Astral Lord. Would you and your affiliated party like to enter? WARNING – Unlike Copper Dungeons, once an Iron Ranked or higher Dungeon is entered it must be completed to leave.

Enter? Y/N

Gideon cast a gaze around at his family and all he got back were resolute stares willing to put themselves in the crucible. It made him fill a mountain of pride and gratitude that he was fortunate enough to have them at his side. He focused for a few breaths and Skald appeared in his hand, a flash of multi-hued electricity sliding along it’s haft. Yisara sent a pulse of warmth while L’Sana’s claws slid and out and her husky voice reverbed in his ear.

“Don’t tease Gideon. You should know this. Never stand between a woman and her loot.”

Her lips touched his cheek and a smile lit his lips under his mask. He mentally hit ‘Yes’ and all of them became translucent figures as the System transported them into Aetheris.