IMPORTANT now before you guys start thinking sr is back let me explain. while i was doing es raw i couldnt help feel but want to do a sr ch as i had a few ideas and from there i decided id make it a special post for you guys. there is 4 weeks until the hiatus is over i figured if my mood is good i may post another ch or two of sr during that if i feel like it but when the hiatus is over il focus on sr while es will be the side project.
Full Pr Credits to Draconis i know sr progresses slowly but you guys need to understand what makes a good story good isnt just the excitement but the backround and progression of a charecter and the world. sr is kind of like that. with that in mind i hope you guys enjoy this 4k long ch.
P.S es release tommorow
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/enjoy ch 56 :)
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Avrin frowned before gazing at him carefully. Looking at this man and the way he thinks, Avrin couldn’t help but feel a little of himself inside of him. Gregson’s arrogance and closed mind reminded Avrin of something he wasn’t proud of.
Avrin had carefully placed the alcoholic beverage down and looked at Gregson carefully. He clearly wanted to change the subject that seemed to bring up thoughts better left forgotten. “If I was to offer my services to humanity, what benefits would I be given?”
Gregson blinked several times before placing his own beverage on top of a small chest, most likely containing valuables. “That depends on how you do. “ Gregson smiled softly and reached up to rub his chin. “I can’t really trust a man whose face I haven’t seen before. Why don’t we start off by showing me your face?”
Avrin raised his hands, lowering his hood. He had nothing to fear unless this man preferred men like him. Then again, this was a thought that was false considering Larissa was his daughter.
Gregson’s eyes widened before he let out a soft chuckle “Haha, boy, I can see why you hide your face. A charming lad like yourself would have girls all over you”
Avrin softly returned the laugh. It was indeed a funny, and he couldn’t suppress the laughter. “Well then Gregson, the benefits?” Gregson cleared his throat. “Avrin, do not take humanity’s army lightly. There are millions of us to make up for our lack of perfection in a certain skill.
The Beast Tribes have strength, the Elves have agility and archery, the Demons have their magic, the Sea Tribe are mysterious, and the Bird Tribe, haha, well I think they’re too peaceful to even be a threat”
Avrin had at least gotten insight, but he replied “Humanity has a balance of things, but not really good in anything specific like the other tribes. I suppose the Sea Tribe could be said to be the true rulers of the sea, and have that as an advantage, but Humanity, what I think you’re implying, has sheer numbers”
Gregson nodded “There are many Humans. We have survived great wars and the wrath of the other tribes, as well as a Dragon destroying our capital city. We rose from the ashes, stronger, and more intelligent than before. Humanity’s greatest strength is our courage and numbers as well as we stick together.”
Avrin had to admit Humanity here sounded like a lot like what he knew. Whichever god created them had done a nearly identical job to the god he knew. Gregson continued on.
“Avrin, you must know that although you might be an Enigma level user, there are people who show promising talent and would kill to get up the ladder..After several assassination attempts by my rivals, I’m still standing today with scars as my medal of survival”
Avrin nodded and smiled. “I guess your will to live must really be strong” Gregson, folding his arms, spoke “I have a family, how could I leave them behind so early in my life? Haha”
Several hours passed with them both discussing things about Seleria as well as the other races. Avrin had also learned that Larissa’s group had managed to make it into a branch academy of Gaia. They were all accepted thanks to her being an Enigma user. Although Avrin was more interested in current matters.
It turns out that near the capital, with humanity’s increase in stature, came territorial disputes. The king couldn’t completely shut off with one empire, which King Leo Zircus had rule over.
(A.N yes i know it should be emperor but there's a reason why he is titled that which i dont want to spoil) That being said, this empire had many, many large kingdoms inside of it, and these kingdoms had clans of their own. They each needed to support their own people while paying taxes to the empire as well as tribute to the King.
With many kingdoms came disputes of land as well as heritage and territorial rights. The King couldn't keep with so many issues and he set a decree. Kingdoms within his empire were allowed to wage war with each other with only a few restrictions.
1, is to always respect the empire’s needs. 2, when the empire is in need you must drop a war and come assist. 3, the King’s words are absolute 4, Gaia academy, its branch academies, and all who attend it, are not to be harmed.”
Avrin, at this point, after listening for several hours of explanations and things, couldn’t help but speak at this moment. “It sounds like this empire has everyone tightly under supervision to make sure no one is out of line”
Gregson responded with a less negative tone “Well it has kept Humanity strong for many years, and has worked well. In fact, I can’t recall any issues coming up that shun it”
Avrin responded curiously “He must also value the academy quite highly to even include it in a set of conditions that affects a whole continent.”
Gregson nodded “All who attend the branch academies are the future of Humanity and the other races. They are also potential geniuses. Gaia academy, though, is a whole new level. Anyone who attends it is guaranteed rewards and titles. Only the best of the best can enter. Even the King cannot act rashly as the other races as well as the Angels strictly oversee it and the same could be said for them”
A half hour more passed before Gregson sat on a circular table with several maps as well as the Central Continent marked out. Avrin sat on one side and Gregson on the other. “Avrin, right now, I’m under orders from the empire, but when I return my duty towards it will be finished and i will return to the Liev Kingdom to the far east. Wont you consider joining the empire's military? I can put in a good word for you and have you set as an officer”
Avrin focused on the man. He seemed to trusting, and this made Avrin somewhat nervous. He seemed to be baiting Avrin with many things, as if he was to get something out of it. “Indeed I’m considering it. But why are you so positive towards me? You know little about me as well as my abilities. For all you know I could be weak.”
Gregson grinned and spoke “On one side Avrin, I will have secured a powerhouse for the empire. On the other, my many, many years on the battlefield has allowed me to tell when someone is strong and has talent, so it’s easy for me to see that in you. Especially in that big friend of yours”
Avrin carefully sat back softly tapped the table. “I admire your efforts, Gregson. Although I have to tell you, I do not like handouts… I believe in one’s own strength. I’ll use my own efforts to advance in my life. I’ll join this empire’s military only because I see it will help me understand more of humanity’s conflicts as well as increase my own ability”
Avrin, in his past life, had struggled to earn respect and had to pass through many hurdles to get to where he was. With this mindset, there was no way he was going to be given a free pass. And with such abilities and a body, the trials he would encounter may even be enjoyable.
“Avrin, that may be the case, but wouldn’t you find it suspicious for someone of your appearance to start off from the lowest rank? It would draw curious eyes” Avrin nodded “I was hoping you may have a solution”
Gregson remained quiet for several minutes before quickly standing up and rushing over to the chest his beverage had remained on prior to them being seated. Removing the cup, he began to pour some of the chest’s contents out before retrieving a dusty old book that seemed to be quite ancient.
He then went over and placed the book on the table. “Throughout Humanity’s history, when they were young, there were tales of many heroic tribes of Humans that roamed the land in the great war. Many of those weaker, smaller tribes perished under the Demon’s forces, but one minority tribe lasted quite long.
The Ashu’rian Tribe. Which would translate in our language to White Devil (A.N love this name had to use it..) This tribe, one could say, was one at the peak of Humanity. They bred ferocious warriors as well as people with great talent to the point of the Demon army having to make a detour just to combat them. In the end, many Demons fell, but the Ashu’rian Tribe had also nearly perished.
That being said, they still survive and are considered one of many savior tribes to Humanity. They are respected greatly.”
Avrin listened carefully, but failed to see how this was going to help him disguise himself. “I apologize if I missed something, but what does this story help with?” Gregson smiled and responded.
“The Ashu’rian Tribe’s signature attire were not their clothings, but the white masks they adorned that covered both face and head. If you were to disguise yourself as being of Ashu’rian descent, surely you wouldn’t be considered suspicious”
Avrin’s eye twitched a bit before he spoke “And being part of a line that helped saved Humanity isn't? Haha” Avrin couldn’t help but laugh, which made Gregson frown. It seemed the alcohol had affected him slightly.
“Other than that Avrin, I’m not really sure. The only other way I know of, would be to somehow morph your appearance into something else. And such magic doesn't exist” Avrin nodded “I won’t claim to be something I’m not. If they are truly one of Humanities saviors, I’ll respect their tribe and not shame it. But I will borrow their mask idea. In fact, this may be a good change for me”
Gregson was quite interested to know what Avrin ment by a good change. Going by his appearance, he indeed had that ‘High Demon Noble’ look, and knew many Human females would crave him. He was so certain, he didn’t doubt any female from any of the races would deny him.
Gregson nodded “Then it’s settled. When we arrive on the Central Continent, I’ll arrange transport for you and your friend to arrive there. If it’s any help, you will know that Humans aren’t the only creatures that sign up for Humanity’s army. There are others that consider the pay and benefits more to their liking, and some with pasts they try to escape”
Avrin nodded and headed out. Gregson spoke again “When we arrive at the port city, we will be leaving straight away. Please keep that in mind” Avrin glanced back at him, nodding again before moving his hood back on.
As he exited the main tent, he looked outside, hearing cheering as well as laughs. He couldn’t help his own curiosity, but to go check, only to be greeted by an expected sight. Asura was sitting at a large table drinking from a keg of what seemed to look like beer, while still cloaked. Next to him, 2 large, chubby men in knight armor, were doing the same. While a nearby crowd of soldiers cheered on at this so called contest.
Avrin curiously folded his arms, continuing to watch. Seeing one of the men give up, Asura had taken down one barrel before the man next to him had even finished a quarter. “Give me more!!” Roared Asura, to which another barrel was given.
The man who had held on for that long quickly placed the barrel down and called out “I..I can’t take it. I give up... “ He then proceeded to fall face first onto the ground, leaving Asura to continue to chug on his second barrel.
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The crowd continued to explode in cheer, but Avrin had decided to stop him before he did something stupid. Making his way over he spoke “Asura, that’s enough. We are retiring for the night.”
Asura quickly placed the barrel down, looking at Avrin, not daring to deny his request. He let out a thunderous belch as he rubbed his stomach and spoke “Master, these Humans are amazing “ He spoke silently as the two walked off, leaving the crowd to tend to their own matters.
“The thing they call ale is delicious. I couldn’t stop once I tasted it” Avrin smiled and let out a soft laugh “Great, now my servant is an alcoholic..”
As the two made their way into the large guest tent, Asura went over to one of the beds prepared on the far right side, while Avrin took the left. It had been quite an eventful and enlightening day. He thought he would get some rest after a 2 hour Pulsing Dragon.
As the night went on with Asura sleeping and snoring like a log, and Avrin meditating to improve himself and then retiring for the night, morning came with many shouts and yelling. This sound was all but familiar.
Avrin’s eyes shot open “The sound of battle…” Asura had still been sleeping. Seemingly, the alcohol had started to affect him. Avrin quickly went out of his tent. Gazing to the side, he saw nothing. The entire camp was empty of everyone.
“Am I..” He turned to go back inside the tent, but when he faced it, he noticed it was gone like everything else, including Asura.
Avrin had quite a bad feeling and immediately formed two void swords in both his hands, their length spanning a full meter and their blade seemingly more refined made from energy that had been tempered well by the Pulsing Dragon. As if purified.
The main blade had a light purplish tint while the blade’s edges showed a sharp, menacing metallic jet black color. Avrin carefully listened in on his surroundings, augmenting his eyes as well as ears.
One sound caught his attention. This sound was one he had experienced nearly twice, and knew he condemned many to experience it. This was the sound of death. He quickly spun his body, crossing both his swords in an attempt to block the certain attack heading his way.
And his intuition paid off. A large, powerful sword that was nearly identical to his own void swords, had smashed down towards him. Managing to block the attack, his own swords nearly shattered as cracks began to form. He jumped back several meters and gazed at the cloaked figure.
Completely covered in black. Its appearance was all but familiar. It looked exactly like Avrin. But there was something different. When he looked at the so called him, he couldn’t see any dark matter or feel any energy. In fact, it was as if this doppelganger had its own little personal space where it manifested.
Avrin called out “I’m not fond of being copied...Then again, you have quite a weapon, and I’m sure it’s made from dark matter...Who are you and what’s going on.” Avrin spoke in a demanding tone.
The doppelganger's body began to twist, as if it were cracking all over. While brandishing the large claymore like blade in one hand, it vanished with lightning speed, its blade curving along the ground, causing it to rupture and tear slightly.
The void claymore’s dark matter seemed so well done and condensed that each slash seemed to cause waves and sparks of blue light, which seemed to be the mana that was naturally around in the area. As if capturing it and devouring it.
The claymore was then thrusted towards Avrin’s lower abdomen. Avrin, smirking, charged up two void spheres and fired them towards the doppelganger, before jumping back and opening his hand, willing them to grow larger in an attempt to cover his copy.
But he knew such a being wouldn’t perish easily. He had another plan. The doppelganger froze. It had nearly had Avrin in its grasp, but was met with an attack it should of expected. It slashed its void claymore casually, vertically and horizontally, cutting the enlarged spheres in half and also devouring the dark matter that had made them up.
But what it didn’t expect was Avrin’s counter attack. Avrin had rushed the copycat, having had time to form a weapon he hadn’t tried in many years. This was his second attempt, and with his training and Pulsing Dragon, he had made it without a hitch.
Jumping up and slashing downwards, the copy cat, wielding its claymore with both hands, slashed up to meet Avrin’s weapon, which was a fusion between two void swords. Something he attempted in the forest. This weapon was a void greatsword. Compared to the copycat’s claymore, it’s raw power was unmatched.
The two weapons of dark matter collided, sending pulses of energy that seemed to tear the ground apart. The copycat’s feet crushed into the ground under the strength of Avrin’s greatsword, having the added strength of an aerial downward slash gave it little chance of matching him.
Avrin had a look of satisfaction on his face as the creature broke the weapon lock and stumbled slightly. Avrin quickly took advantage of this and used a technique he had been wanting to try for awhile.
Twisting his body with all his might, his right leg curved across the ground like a bolt of lightning before the force of the kick caused a large explosion outwards that seemed to engulf the copycat. Then, after the explosion had formed, just as quickly a vacuum formed, trying to restore the air that was blown away. The copycat was drawn in after barely managing to defend against the explosion. It’s body seemed to struggle with the force of the spread out damage.
The vacuum causing it to lose balance was Avrin’s advantage. Using the momentum of the Dragon’s Sweep, he had already begun his second rotation. Timing his attack, the copycat’s claymore was met by a Claw of The Dragon, Avrin’s hand emitting a powerful coating of dark matter for added effect, he pummeled it towards the copycat’s body.
As his hand impacted against the blade of the copycat, Avrin’s face revealed a menacing, somewhat satisfied gaze. The claymore’s blade was shattered, and Avrin’s hand impacted against the chest of the copycat, emitting a large shockwave in a horizontal direction before the copycat was blown nearly a hundred meters away before laying limp on the ground.
Avrin, carefully keeping his battle stance, slowly took a deep breathe. “I don’t know who you are, but I need to thank you. That was the first time I got to properly use that without caring about the consequence.”
Avrin slowly began to make his way out with the greatsword in his left hand. If there was one positive for the copycat, it was that the greatsword’s weight had slowed Avrin a little, and put him off balance. The Claw of The Dragon was meant to be a martial artist’s move without weapons.
As Avrin got within 20 meters, he stood still and looked at the copycat, it’s body twitching and having a spasm again before it slowly floated up. It’s neck cracked before it faced him.
Two crimson red eyes appeared within where the hood covered. Avrin’s heart skipped a beat, he knew something was coming.
As if on instinct, yet again saving his life, he dashed to the side, kicking off the ground with all his might, causing a burst of speed leaving a trail of dust and the ground underneath leaving a large impression on it which had spanned several meters.
Where he was previously, the ground shattered before it opened up, like an earthquake split it apart. It spanned for what seemed like miles, but Avrin knew this was no earthquake. The ground was split open by a weapon.
As he slowly and fearfully looked towards the copycat, his heart sunk slightly at what it wielded. A terrifying weapon he had never seen before or could ever imagine. If the Grim Reaper existed, this would be the sort of weapon it wielded.
In the doppelganger’s hands, as if to compliment it’s crimson eyes, was a large scythe with two poles that spiraled across each other. What was more menacing, was that the large scythe head had seemed to span nearly a meter and a half in a curved manor.
The blade frame itself was pitch black and metallic. It had a similar shine to the Sky Metal. But what caught Avrin’s attention, were the red lines running across the blade’s frame and the weapon itself.
They pulsed, as if alive like veins. It was somewhat disgusting. Avrin felt a similar presence in the weapon. He mumbled to himself at his answer “Tsk..Sky Metal...How did he get that and fuse it with dark matter..” The trace of dark matter in the weapon was undeniable. Especially since it emitted a menacing purple aura that had a tint of blue sparks at the end of it. It was most likely interrupting the flow of mana.
The copycat gazed at Avrin while wielding the menacing scythe made from Sky Metal, as well as dark matter. Avrin’s eyes focused onto him as well as the blade.
Avrin stood up and gripped the greatsword by its hilt. Using both hands.
“-From what I can tell, this creature hasn’t shown any ability to use any techniques other than weapons. That being said, I need to be careful. That scythe can split me in half in one go if I’m not careful..-” Avrin was nervous. Such a weapon formed by the remnants of two gods should be more powerful than what the gods on Seleria may even have.
With it splitting the ground so easily, he feared getting hit by it would mean he was gone. He wondered if he would even be able to get close to the creature. He put the thoughts of where everything vanished to on the side for now, and focused on the copycat.
In a swift movement, he charged towards it in an assertive attack. As the creature raised the menacing scythe upwards, Avrin’s eyes narrowed. “I wont let you use it so easily!!!” The greatsword, thrusting towards the creature, suddenly deformed and the middle of the blade split apart, revealing it in a two pronged fork like manner. It was something avrin had tested years ago. (A.N Ch 7 )
The empty space of the two bladed sword conducted a black lightning that sparked and shot out like a miniature laser towards the creature. It was exactly as a lightning bolt should look like if fired off by a weapon. Menacing and powerful. The only difference was Avrin’s was made from dark matter and was jet black.
Avrin’s prideful smile was cut short at that moment the creature casually slashed the scythe downwards. Not only did the lightning get devoured in a near instant into the blade, but the scythe itself sent out a vertical slash of pure black energy that cleaved through the ground and fired off towards Avrin.
This attack was different to the one it had used before. Gazing at the slow black slash, it seemed to destroy the ground as it cleaved it. What was more terrifying, was that at a closer look as it headed towards Avrin, it did not cleave the ground, it seemed to absorb it and draw it closer to it, as if it distorted reality.
Avrin’s face twisted as he spoke with a jealous grin while dashing to the side to avoid the wave of energy “Bastard...You can even fire off waves with gravity energy..” Avrin had guessed this was the case. He had understood what black holes were, and encountered several from light years away. This wave of energy was obviously the copycat’s attempt at imbuing the attack with gravity energy to try and mimic a black hole.
This only made Avrin more cautious of what else this creature had in store.
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