Those initial days, the so-called "hours of gold and blood," were a baptism by fire. Adaptability became not just a skill but a lifeline. I witnessed the swift and brutal culling of those who couldn't navigate the intricacies of change. Across the diverse realms, a symphony of mass demise played out like never before or after, a haunting melody that cast a shadow over the unprepared. Simultaneously, the chosen few—those who were either inherently adaptable or blessed by serendipity—ascended to unprecedented heights, voraciously seizing power and resources.
However, as riveting as those early days were, it was the subsequent weeks that truly defined the course of my experience. I saw the emergence of true architects of destiny. Many leading the tribes, that began to take shape, their destinies interwoven with mine. While many of these fledgling alliances faced obliteration, those who weathered the storm found themselves wielding unparalleled power and resources.
Amidst the tumultuous symphony of those weeks, that followed System Integration our tales became threads woven into the very fabric of an enduring legacy. Those were the weeks where cosmic constellations of influence took root, and the narrative of our existence found new dimensions, all shaped by those who, like me, had lived and fought through those tumultuous currents of change.
— Excerpt from an unnamed Sky Lord's legacy that was left behind when they ascended.
Location: < Entrance to 'Uggrock's Den' > - One of many caverns found throughout the upper stratums of the netherworld.
At the entrance to 'Uggrock's Den,' a cavern shrouded in darkness within the upper stratums of the netherworld, the nameless demon larva faced a moment it had desperately hoped to avoid.
Faty, the demon larva's captor, had abruptly come to a stop before the foreboding crevice in the ground. A cavernous descent, resembling a sinuous serpent's path, unfolded before the trio of demons, leading into the dark caverns below.
The nameless demon larva's lingering hope that this might not be their ultimate destination was ruthlessly shattered as a adult two-meter-tall demon emerged from the cavern's shadows. The demon, with its abyssal black hide, and armor forged from an eerie black iron, exuding an aura of malevolence that sent shivers down the larva's spine.
The armored demon, who had been stationed as a guard, greeted Faty and his companion with a derisive laugh. "Well, well, you two took your sweet time getting back," he taunted as if the armored demon desired a burst of fury from Faty.
However, much to the demon larva's surprise, Faty merely nodded in subdued acknowledgment, seemingly accustomed to the armored demon's scornful jests. The larva's curiosity heightened as it observed these dynamics.
Cautious not to attract unnecessary attention, the nameless demon larva kept its head bowed low, adopting a demeanor of submission. Concealed in the shadow of Faty and his companion, it observed the unfolding scene with an intensity masked by its seemingly docile posture.
The armored demon, after hurling a barrage of disdainful remarks at Faty and his companion, gleefully informed them, "Uggrock is waiting, and his patience wears thin by the moment."
When Faty and his companion hesitated, their concern palpable, the armored demon, as if recalling a critical detail, added with a sinister glint in his eyes, "Oh, nearly slipped my mind," the demon's eys glowing black as he emanated a brief pulse of aura, "yes, it is indeed you. You may proceed."
The demons, now permitted to advance by the armored demon, entered the den with a sense of trepidation.
As they proceeded, the demon larva couldn't help but notice the pulsating veins of energy that ran along the rocky walls, casting an unsettling glow upon the cavern's inky shadows. The air itself felt charged with a dangerous tension, setting an unwelcome shiver down the demon larva's spine.
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Location: < Kitchen of the 'Temple of Birth' > - One of a few such places scattered through the isolated corners of the lower heavens.
Three angels cleaned up the dishes after their delightful breakfast, a task made easier when Lyra, with a graceful gesture, summoned her bound spirit
The fledgling angel, couldn't help but fixate on the ethereal form of Lyra's bound spirit. A radiant blue sphere, encircled by a tornado-like dance of magic, worked diligently. Wisps of the magical wind extended gracefully, embracing each dish, washing, and then drying them with meticulous care.
As the fledgling observed, the spirit's appearance stirred a unique sense of peace. Rather than evoking the stormy tempests the fledgling might have expected, it brought to mind the tranquil and vibrant aftermath following a heavy rainfall.
The fledgling angel, ever inquisitive, couldn't resist voicing its curiosity. It turned its gaze toward Eri, seeking answers. "Is that a spirit?" it asked, eyes reflecting the shimmering magic that danced around Lyra's bound spirit.
Eri responded with a radiant smile. "Why yes," she chimed in her melodic voice, "that's Lyra's bound spirit."
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Enthusiastically, the fledgling couldn't contain its excitement as it asked, "Can I learn to summon one too?"
Eri, wearing a proud expression, responded with encouragement, "Why yes, of course, little one. Our coven takes pride in our holy elemental spirit-qi cultivation art."
"It will be one of the first things we will teach you," chimed in Lyra.
Their words conveyed a promise of both guidance and shared accomplishment within the angelic community.
Eagerly, the fledgling asked, "When? When?" its impatience palpable.
Lyra giggled in response to the fledgling angel's enthusiasm, while Eri smiled and answered, "Tomorrow, little one. I need time to prepare. Besides, you haven't even met everyone yet." The promise of both learning and new acquaintances hung in the air, exciting the fledgling even further.
"So when can I go say hi to the others? I can't wait," inquired the fledgling.
"Good question," replied Eri before turning to Lyra, "like I said, I have things to prepare. So when do you think you'll be ready to take this little one to see the others, Lyra?"
Lyra, after a brief pause for thought, responded, "Not long at all, probably a few minutes."
Looking at the fledgling, Lyra asked, "Does that work for you?"
"Yes! I can't wait!" responded the fledgling with excitement, leaping into the air, soaring almost its full body height before landing gracefully. The anticipation of meeting the others filled the fledgling with boundless enthusiasm.
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Location: < 'Uggrock's Den' > - One of many caverns found throughout the upper stratums of the netherworld.
Cling. Cling. Cling.
The demon larva still bound and forced to follow Faty through the eerie caves. For a few minutes, all that the demon larva hears is the clinging of his captor's claws echoing throughout the dark cavern.
As they walk the demon larva tries its best to remember the many twists and turns that Faty confidently takes while navigating the labyrinth of tunless.
The rhythmic clinging of claws on rocky terrain persisted, reverberating through the cavernous passages. In the oppressive darkness, the demon larva strained its senses, grappling with the eerie atmosphere that seemed to envelope them.
With each turn and twist, the demon larva still attempted to etch the labyrinthine path into its memory, but the intricate network of tunnels proved to be a confounding puzzle. The disorienting nature of the cave, coupled with the low, foreboding hum that permeated the air, added an extra layer of discomfort to the captive demon's journey.
Through the twists and turns of the labyrinth, the trio emerged into a surprisingly well-lit and spacious cavern. The demon larva, bound and forced to follow Faty, blinked in the sudden brightness, taking in a sight unfamiliar to its newly spawned existence.
This cavern, in stark contrast to the desolate tunnels, held the first signs of life and luxury the demon larva had witnessed. Furnishings adorned the space, and the dark red stone of the netherworld was transformed into a makeshift tapestry of curtains and tassels, giving the impression of a cloth tent within the depths of the abyss.
Within this adorned chamber, the demon larva noticed scattered treasures, their glints hinting at the wealth hidden within. Among them, an enchanted bow lay conspicuously, a testament to the dark allure of Uggrock's domain.
But what drew the demon larva's attention was Uggrock, standing an imposing three meters tall sat on a grotesque throne crafted from bones and cold unforgiving stone.
His demonic presence is accentuated by the two seductive succubi, each perched on either side like bewitching sentinels. With an air of malevolence, Uggrock would command the attention of any lesser demon that entered his den.
The succubi, with their otherworldly grace, lend an air of enchantment to the macabre scene. Perched on either side of Uggrock like dark muses, their presence is both captivating and menacing, as if they embody the duality of temptation and peril.
But despite the succbis' beauty all eyes would be drawn to who's Uggrock's formidable form was a sight to behold, his skin cloaked in an inky black stone that seemed to absorb the very essence of darkness itself. His demonic visage evokes both fear and fascination, a testament to the power that courses through his veins.
The demon larva knew instinctively that this was no lesser demon like his captors but rather Uggrock was a stage above that. The demon larva knew before Uggrock even uttered a word that his voice would resonate with an authority that compels obedience from even the most rebellious spirits.
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Location: < Ground floor of the 'Temple of Birth' > - One of a few such places scattered through the isolated corners of the lower heavens.
The nameless fledgling angel strolled alongside Lyra, who like all the adult angels it had seen so far towered over her, being more than double the fledgling's meter-tall stature. The ground floor, adorned with divine motifs and celestial hues, served as the backdrop to their conversation.
As they walked, the fledgling couldn't contain its curiosity and turned to Lyra, its tiny figure in stark contrast to the towering presence beside it. "So, who am I going to greet first?"
Lyra smiled at the question that the fledgling had already asked half a dozen times in the last few minutes, this time she had an answer for the inquisitive fledgling. "I believe that Lady Berenices is looking to meet you."
The nameless fledgling, with its boundless curiosity, continued its journey beside Lyra. The mention of Lady Berenices prompted an animated response from the fledgling, almost causing a stumble in its steps. Recovering with a graceful move, it fired off questions, eager for more information.
"Lady Berenices? Coven Elder Berenices? How do you know she wants to meet me?" The fledgling's inquiries tumbled out in rapid succession, revealing its enthusiasm and the persistent curiosity that defined its character.
Lyra's melodic laughter rang through the corridor, a harmonious response to the fledgling's relentless interrogation. "What would Eir advise about firing off so many questions?" she teased.
With a hint of playful resignation, the fledgling responded, "One at a time, I know." Despite the mild dejection in its tone, the glint of curiosity still danced in its eyes, promising more questions to come.
"Coven Elder Berenices," Lyra explained, "attained the status of Lady, signifying her authority over our settlement, as recognized by the System."
Pausing for effect, she added, "And about knowing she wants to meet you, well, I can feel her presence from here. She must be right outside the temple, waiting for us."
Moments later, as they approached the grand entrance of the temple, the fledgling's eyes fell upon an imposing figure standing just outside. Against the canvas of a boundless blue sky adorned with a sea of cotton-white clouds, the grace and authority exuding from the adult angel left no doubt—this was Lady Berenices.
Lady Berenices stood as a breathtaking a four-winged angel among her dual-winged counterparts. Her colossal form, stretching three meters high, bore the weight of tranquility like a regal cloak. Golden robes, kissed by the breeze, danced around her majestic silhouette, intertwining with the strands of her radiant hair that cascaded down like molten sunshine. The very air seemed to respond to her presence, as if the mountain itself acknowledged her as its celestial guardian.
The aura surrounding Lady Berenices whispered tales of ageless wisdom and formidable power, yet her face, ever-youthful, belied the eternity that dwelled within. Lines of experience etched gracefully upon her countenance, forming a portrait of serene authority that defied the passage of time.
In the gentle glow of her presence, her skin radiated a subtle golden sheen, an otherworldly luminescence that bespoke her divine nature. Eyes, like orbs of peaceful golden flames, gazed upon the world with a depth that transcended mortal understanding. It was a gaze that spoke of compassion, ancient knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to the cosmic balance.