!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis Von BloodTrap & Dragonofsomesort Who Constantly Help With SR chapters, Please take the time to rep them for their work :)
here is this weaks regular release as promised, i enjoyed this chapter, im usually used to giving some info dumps to help the readers understand but i feel to most it would seem boring without much progress. Im trying to evolve my style a bit to make it more exciting.
Just a side note, i was looking at the top 5 yesterday and was a bit saddened because they haven't updated in awhile and are most likely busy with RL matters. I find they are the main lifeblood of the site and attract people, so today when i saw FC update i was quite pleased, hopefully Sturm also comes back as i know he has a big reader base.
SR is progressing at the pace i want it to and from what i can see is improving, just goes to show that drafting out in word pad or any simple txt document, really affects the process, you get your thoughts down and when you start writing the next you can review it, and its as if you have 2 minds comparing ideas, my yesterdays self and my today's self, if that makes any sense.
i hope you all enjoy the chapter, if you have any questions feel free to msg them below, i am still going over 119's questions. also! some news. i am having 3 pieces of art done, 2 pieces of skymetal's raw chunk form, of Astaroth and Limos, also a picture of Shandian.
Also im thinking the third one is a picture of Astaroths Scythe form, in any case this is all thanks to those who continue to help support SR the money given is not pocketed by me, it all goes back into the story to help improve the quality, this is what my readers deserve, it also means you all play a part in helping SR improve whether it be in supporting from donations, or commenting on potholes/errors/simple advice, i appreciate all the people who are legitimately trying to help
you must all know im a patient person, do not feel afraid that i will yell at you or lose patience if you ask a curious question, im not an aggressive person by nature and enjoy people asking questions, heck i get around 5-8 pms regarding when ES is coming back a month despite saying in several posts that it will return when i am satisfied with SR's progress, if you have any questions just pm away or comment in the thread, though please try not to force me to reveal spoilers :3 i will just say i cant explain it now and you will find out later.
i hope you all enjoy this, next release will be next week as usual unless the sponsor queue magically attacks me.
-Cliffhanger Penguin Zephon.
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One of the guards jumped several meters into the air and swung his void greatsword at Avrin. The power was enough to cause the air to split slightly. Avrin simply grinned before raising his left hand and flicking the head of the blade that looked to be in slow motion to him. A sound resembling a mini sonic boom sounded out as the blade head shattered and the guard tumbled down to the side several meters away, stunned.
Two of his comrades decided to flank Avrin from both sides. One held a large spear while another held two long swords. They charged towards Avrin. One could see they had trained with each other, as they seemed to work well with each other.
“Good, looks like you’re all not so lazy!” As they neared Avrin the spear thrusted towards his right side while the two long swords stabbed towards his left side. Avrin bent his back down with ease and the blades stabbed the air.
He reached up and grabbed the spear head as well as one of the long swords before pulling forward. The two guards who had looks of anticipation to defeat an enemy were now shocked as their balance was easily broken and they tumbled forward.
Avrin was not slow. He kicked his right foot forward, letting him shoot back a little and then he regained his balance all in a split second while the guards were still tumbling forward. He reached over with both his hands and grabbed them both by the shoulder plates before raising them both up as if they were ragdolls and then throwing them off to the side.
The fourth guard was left there stunned. He was behind Avrin, about to attack, but he was watching as his comrades were so easily dealt with. Avrin turned to glance at him with an indifferent expression. “Hmm? Don’t tell me you’re not going to attack. If you won’t, I will...”
Avrin made his way towards the guard who was now quivering with fear. The guard quickly threw his weapon down and raised his hands. “I...I admit defeat!” Avrin was astounded. This was so sudden he wanted to laugh. “It’s not that simple. Your friends took my blows, you need to as well.“
Avrin approached him and simply raised his right hand. Avrin then flicked, but this flick was weaker than the one he used to break the void weapon. The guard was sent flying several meters away, landed, and then tumbled another meter.
Avrin was sure to not injure them harshly, as they were all just stunned and shocked. Avrin looked around and spoke. “You’re all too weak...you need to train harder.” One of the guards who was knocked away by Avrin had a red face of anger as he roared out. “Who the hell do you think you are to tell us to train harder!”
Avrin was about to speak, before his eyes widened slightly and he stepped to the side. A red blur smashed down in the spot he was just standing in. The ground split open in a thirty meter line with a width of half a meter. The red blur was, in fact, a greatsword, which, after examining, Avrin was sure was crafted by the Legendary ore he had given to Eitri.
After looking at the owner, Avrin couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. It was someone he was familiar with. “Ah..you’re quite good, Mister. Though, you hurt my people. I won’t let you go so easily unless you surrender. I don’t like killing those who aren’t evil.“
This was Kael, who had an air of maturity around him. He had grown quite a bit, but still wore the black attire he had formed before leaving Avrin. Avrin could tell he had even managed to fool Kael, who had gotten stronger.
“Is that so?... What do you know about killing, boy? You still look as if your nappies are being changed.” Avrin’s intention was to provoke Kael a bit to see how strong he had gotten.
Kael’s expression flickered before he simply laughed and then dashed towards Avrin, slashing in a frenzy. Avrin could tell there was some technique, but it was still enough at his current level to easily dodge. Though with each slash and thrust, the air split and stretched, slash marks appeared on the ground and the boulders nearby were crushed to dust.
“How is Lord Kael’s attack being so easily dodged!?” One of the stunned guards spoke out with shock and another replied. “Nonsense. This stranger is not simple, but he can’t attack Lord Kael at all!”
For every second they talked, more and more Spectrals who wanted to assist and help would pour out and guard the entrance. There was now over thirty who were in red plate armor, which was obviously made by ore Avrin had given to Eitri.
Soon, cheers for Kael could be heard. “Lord Kael, you got this!!” One spoke out, while another continued further. “Show this intruder not to mess with the Spectral race!”
Avrin was a little stunned. Kael had gotten stronger. He could see each attack was aimed towards vital parts. “-This boy has gotten more powerful, though it’s not enough!-” Avrin thought.
Avrin dashed away several meters before Kael glanced at Avrin and smiled. “You’re quite strong, Mister… Though I’m not holding back anymore.” A surge of dark matter occurred around Avrin and Kael’s expression changed to one of an animal with battle lust. He dashed towards Avrin, his speed and strength much higher than before.
With one hand holding the greatsword, another formed a sphere of dark matter with a purple flame within. Avrin observed this carefully. The greatsword he side stepped and dodged, but the purple flame was shot towards him.
Avrin was intending to dodge it, but the sphere exploded, the flame within turning into embers that shot like a rain of sparks. They pierced into the ground and even pierced into Avrin’s attire. Of course, with Avrin’s current durability, this attack barely scratched his skin.
As Kael watched with a look of caution, he gazed at Avrin, who didn’t budge. Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Who...are you...” He carefully said. Avrin raised his head and then tilted it, his face still very well hidden. “Is this all you have?” Hearing this, a look of anger appeared on Kael’s face.
This anger caused dark matter and a black aura to surge around him. Draconic scales began to form over his skin. The onlookers were stunned. “This is Lord Kael’s draconic form. It is my first time seeing this...but the rumors are true...the aura he releases is terrifying...” Another also spoke out with fascination.
“This stranger is done for. I once heard from a senior that Lord Kael killed a peak Grandmaster beast with this form as if it were cattle for the slaughter.”Avrin knew Kael could do better. He knew his strategies were quite careful. The draconic form Kael had was different to what he had seen before, though.
His skin was now covered in black scales and his appearance was more draconic, with two large horns curved back from the top of his head. This form was more controlled and not complete, but Kael stabbed the great sword into the ground and cracks appeared from where it had been placed.
Kael then raised his hands and Nebula Mist surged around them before Void Sphere after Void Sphere was formed. They shot towards Avrin like a machine gun shooting bullets. Avrin, though, simply raised his right hand and whenever a Void Sphere neared him he would smack it away. But the amazing thing was that the Void Sphere that shattered after being smashed away would reform around Avrin.
Avrin humored Kael, and before long, Void Spheres had gathered around Avrin and surrounded him. There were nearly a few hundred. “Surrounding me? Though I don’t think it will be enough.”
Kael snickered before the dark matter that formed the Void Spheres all squashed together above Avrin into one big Void Sphere. It happened in a second, and above Avrin was an enormous Void Sphere ten meters in diameter that shot towards him like a meteor.
Avrin was about to jump out of the way, but Kael, who had willed the sphere, already acted. He had formed a ring of Nebula Mist that closed off Avrin’s retreat. The Void Sphere contained something that felt familiar to Avrin. “-Phantom Pulse?... This little brat actually managed to learn about gravity?-” Avrin was stunned. The attack itself had several steps.
Kael would distract the opponent and make them think the attack was a simple barrage, they would then form above the opponent and once it caught their attention it would shoot down like a meteor while emitting a miniature version of Phantom Pulse to keep them in place. Kael also acted and cut off their escape with a ring of dense Nebula Mist.
“Very good...but.” Avrin spoke and Kael glanced over. This attack contained his current understanding of dark matter. In his draconic form, his control over dark matter increased, along with his base strength, but this form was the most he could currently control without going berserk.
The Nebula Mist surged towards Avrin, engulfing him. The large Void Sphere emitting a Phantom Pulse also crashed towards him. “Lord Kael has done it!” The onlookers felt this stranger who attacked was surely done for. “This is the price for attacking us! This stranger is definitely a Grandmaster, but so what! Under Lord Kael’s attacks and tactics, it’s nothing!”
“Too arrogant.” A voice sounded out from within the Nebula Mist and the Void Sphere that was crushing down on Avrin and had formed a mini crater under him suddenly distorted and exploded. Soon after, the entire area engulfing Kael, as well as the others, surged and distorted a little.
“This is the control over gravity that you need to work towards.” Avrin spoke before he emitted Phantom Pulse and effortlessly destroyed the Void Sphere and Nebula Mist. The onlookers were all flat down on their faces or backs, being crushed into the ground.
Kael was on his knees. Even his sweat didn’t have time to run down his face, and it was also smashed down into the earth. Cracks began to form in the area, and the coating of mana around Avrin had vanished.
Those who tried to use Divine Sense to feel around him would feel as if a hole in reality in the shape of a human was present. They would not know that Divine Sense would not pick up a Spectral stronger than themselves. Avrin’s particles were able to avoid detection from their weaker Divine Sense.
Kael was stunned, but he knew there would only be one person who had a true Phantom Pulse, let alone one as strong as this. “M..Master Avrin!!” Avrin, hearing that his identity was revealed by Kael, simply smiled and the Phantom Pulse he emitted vanished.
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He couldn’t blame Kael for this. After all, Avrin had increased in strength by leaps and bounds. His training outpaced theirs by many times. Considering he was also the progenitor, it was common place.
When the Phantom Pulse vanished, the stunned guards slowly and weakly got up. The entire area was filled with cracks and slash marks from battle. Avrin glanced over at Kael and Nebula Mist surged around him before it reverted his dirty outfit back to his previous attire. Avrin raised his head to reveal the humanoid appearance that he used to travel with Kael.
“Master, it is you!!” Kael looked up at Avrin. He even felt somewhat teary eyed, as Avrin had given him so much and even sent him here where people like him were situated. Here, he felt wanted, and those who needed his help asked. It was truly like a family.
“Kael, you have improved, but there is still so much more you need to learn.” The onlookers were stunned at this sight. “Master?.. Did Lord Kael call him master?” A confused guard spoke out. A smarter one put two and two together.
“W..wait… If he is Lord Kael’s master...then....!! That means he is our Savior Lord Avrin!!! He is the savior who converted Lord Erebus!! He is our ruler!!” The guards were astounded. They all clearly felt and saw how easily they were overwhelmed and how even Kael in his draconic form was easily defeated. No one but Avrin could accomplish this so easily.
As if wanting to curry favor with Avrin, they all rushed over in droves and knelt on the ground in front of him. “Uh?...” Avrin glanced over at the dozens of kneeling figures. It was a little awkward for him, and a new feeling. “Stand up....” He spoke, and as if they were puppets, they all quickly stood up.
Kael made his way over through the crowed and looked at Avrin with shining eyes. Despite being one who had killed and matured, he still felt like a child in front of Avrin. “Welcome back, Master. You have gotten stronger!“
From there, those who had felt the Phantom Pulse and the sound of battle earlier had started to come out from the entrance. A lot were adults with no combat experience and worried children being led by their mothers.
“What should we call our savior?” One guard spoke, while another replied. “He is our ruler. It is fair we call him our monarch. He isn’t married, so can’t be called king.” They all started to debate a little before they agreed to call Avrin the monarch. “Lord Monarch, welcome back!!” One spoke before they all replied in unison, welcoming Avrin.
Many of the civilians who were watching with caution overheard everything and even asked some of the guards at the back what was going on. Eventually, nearly the entire population of Spectrals had come out to see Avrin, who was surrounded and being bombarded by questions.
Questions like “Lord Monarch, where have you been?” and “Lord Monarch, can you teach me that ability?” could be heard. Some even asked if he brought anything for them and even if he had defeated any dragons or Sigil wielders. Avrin was quiet and overwhelmed by it all. Kael simply laughed as he watched and let it all happen.
Avrin was looking around with a bit of a stunned look. The entire crowd was made of Spectrals, each one formed from dark matter. He gazed at the old men who decided to keep their looks, he gazed at the adults who had children on their shoulders, the children were waving at Avrin and trying to ask him questions. He then looked at the women who gave him looks of worship, as if he was their idol, as well as some who held newborn children.
For someone like him, who had emotions that had been tampered with, it left him stunned, but at that moment his dark matter heart began to surge slightly. Within his inner space, inside his dark matter core, a strand of jet black dark matter changed and shifted.
Its color was no longer pitch black and purple, but was now a pure, natural green that floated around before forming into a pebble sized sphere that hovered by the top of the dark matter star before being absorbed within and was now only a faint green light.
Meanwhile, in a white space, there was a figure sitting on a white chair. This figure had skin that seemed to be transparent and reflect nebulas and galaxies, as if the entirety of existence was within his body. The figure had no discerning features, but suddenly the figures eyes opened, revealing inside was a mirror image of Avrin’s inner workings and the green light that formed.
This was none other than God, who was observing Avrin. His voice sounded out, echoing across this plain of existence that, despite him being the only one here, continued on forever. “Emotions are very powerful, for the fragment used to give you life by your father, you may one day consider yourself blessed or cursed. That heart of yours has a will of its own. It uses the emotions as fuel for evolution, emotion created by the people around you, the emotion of hope.
Hope is a strong emotion, enough to be used by a fragment like you to empower yourself in the future. Green matter...I look forward to seeing how the third Spectral progenitor uses it. Your predecessors were disgustingly powerful in the eyes of others, but it’s much too early for you to learn about everything....too early...“ God’s eyes shut, and it was as if the gates of existence were also being closed.
On Seleria, within the northern continent of Ailera, Avrin was still surrounded by his people asking question after question. He wasn’t sure how to answer, so he remained quiet, but suddenly a loud, hoarse voice sounded out.
“Where is he!!! That bastard brat better have gotten me some high quality ore!” A short, stubby, pale looking individual wearing a soot covered blacksmith apron with metal gauntlets on his hand walked out from the mountain entrance. This individual's face was also covered by soot and his beard seemed to be a little charred. It was Eitri.
Everyone glanced over in surprise at how Eitri spoke about Avrin. Eitri walked over to the crowd and roared out. “Out of my way!!” From fear of Lord Eitri they all made a path and dared not speak another word. Soon, Eitri approached and stood a few feet in front of Avrin and looked up.
Though he couldn’t recognize his appearance, he knew that it was a disguise. “Hmmm...” Eitri remained quiet. He also couldn’t help but inwardly feel thankful to Avrin for all that he has given him. Eitri cleared his throat and spoke. He wanted to thank Avrin, but he had his pride. He simply extended his hand out and spoke. “What did you bring me?” He spoke like a child expecting a gift.
The onlookers were also curious as to what Avrin may have brought. Avrin looked at Eitri, his eyebrows twitching a little. “-This little....heh..-” Avrin smirked a little before reaching over to his enchanted sack and placing it on Eitri’s hand.
Avrin then spoke out. “I brought quite a few Dark Matter Cores of good quality, and Lord Eitri has volunteered to hand them out. I hope you all enjoy.” After Avrin spoke they all looked at Eitri, who was shocked. “Avrin, yo-” Before he could continue, he was swarmed by people who were asking him for Dark Matter Cores.
Avrin had a way out now, but people still followed him. Avrin called out with a soft voice. “Shandian, come out now.” Those that heard Avrin looked around confused, wondering who he was talking to, but in the distance a four legged creature came rushing down with its tongue hanging out before looking around nervously. People stepped aside, confused at the creature.
Shandian walked right up and stood at Avrin’s side. One could see it was nervous and afraid of all the Spectrals present who were staring at it with fascination. “Master, what is that?..” Kael, who was excited about Avrin’s return, pointed as he walked beside him. “Shandian? Just something I picked up on my travels.”
Shandian was deathly quiet and looked as if it wanted to cry, but was too nervous to do so. Many whispers from the people following Avrin towards the entrance that led inside the mountain were curious as to what Shandian was. “Is this the Lord Monarch’s pet?” One man spoke while a female in her mid twenties replied. “I’m sure it is. What else could it be?”
Shandian frowned a little as it gave Avrin a pitiful look, but it suddenly felt the white fur on its back being tugged on softly. It quickly turned to see a six year old looking girl looking at it warmly. The girl had the appearance of a Spectral, with her pupils a soft purple. She smiled at Shandian. “Horsey?” By now, the information sphere Avrin had given them had gone around to them all. Much had been hidden but basic knowledge of the animals he had seen though.
Shandian knew what a horse was too, and its mouth trembled a little. “I’m a Kirin!” It replied as it also knew thanks to Avrin what a Kirin was. The girl smiled and gently tugged on Shandian’s fur again. “No, a horsey!“ The girl replied again, clearly showing she was still quite young.
From there, many children surrounded Shandian and began to tug and lead it away from Avrin. Some even tried to ride on its back. Shandian gazed at Avrin, who glanced back and simply gave a soft chuckle.
Leaving Shandian with the children and adults who supervised, Avrin was still followed by around twenty to thirty individuals who weren’t interested in the Dark Cores nor Shandian and wanted to know more about him and want to learn from him.
Avrin stopped suddenly and the rest, including Kael, stopped as well. In front of him, fifteen meters away, at the entrance, was a man in black robes with a large, red, metal staff engraved with interesting designs. The staff head was surrounded by rotating Void Spheres. There were four people to his side, each one at the peak Expert level.
Suddenly, the all five knelt down and said “We greet the Lord Monarch.” They had overheard what name everyone had given him and decided it was for the best. The four individuals were the top experts under the pure Spectrals Avrin had personally converted. The one in the center with the staff was, of course, Erebus, who could be considered as the most loyal to Avrin.
“Lord Monarch, welcome back!” Erebus spoke with a tone of excitement. He knew that Avrin coming back meant that much would happen. “Oh, Erebus? Hmm, lets all go inside.” Avrin said.
The interior of the mountain had been nearly hollowed out enough to fit a small city, though with Eitri present, it was quite easy to create pillars of powerful enough quality to keep everything looking beautifully decorated and stable. The mountain city design was influenced by dwarven and human design gained from information held by Eitri and Avrin.
The houses were more so made together in the form of apartments, though the quality did not diminish at all, as they were beautifully crafted by individuals trained by Eitri, himself included.
The ground was paved and not rocky at all. Near the entrance, a large, square area spanning fifty meters in length was paved with metal tiles.
Avrin could see many weapon racks and a large building. A big sign was hanging near the entrance that read “”Training Field, Military Office.”” Avrin continued to glance around and everyone could see he was examining the area. No one dared to interrupt him.
“”Medical office, Blacksmith, Housing Section and of course the main building in the center that seemed out of place within this world that was carved into the inner mountain face. “”Headquarters”” Avrin then stopped at the center of the small city, which was a small, ten meter in diameter green area with a couple of trees, flowers and grass growing.
“Well, it’s liveable, and that’s what matters. I can’t help but feel that you are holding back on a lot of things, Erebus?” Avrin finally spoke. By now, the four individuals had shooed away the curious people following Avrin that now watched from a distance.
“Lord Monarch, I did not want to set anything in stone that would be hard to change. Many things here are temporary, as I have waited for you to come back so everything can be discussed.”
Erebus’s words were pleasing to Avrin, as it was nice for him to speak to someone who planned well. “Very good. Before all that, delineate what has happened since we parted way several years ago.”
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P.S i remember last years april fools, a lot of my readers really got the pitchforks ready :3 i dare not mess with you lot again, which is why this chapter is proper and not an april fools joke at all, also the artwork news is not a joke either it is real aswell.
so just to confirm with those confused, i wont be doing any april fools jokes tommorow, it is also the 31/3/16 in australia for those with time differences.
Avrin's Inner Workings Status
Beginner Control ParticlesType 8100%Beginner ParticlesType 896%Skymetal WeaponsAstaroth-ScytheLimos-Vajra