Yes.
That’s the only answer to if it’s worth getting a citizenship in the Claimed Hells. It is the only citizenship worth getting in my opinion.
-The Trespasser’s Compendium
94
Welcoming (I)
“Rot and ruin,” Roggi croaked. The Oathbearer flinched back as the Title imprinted itself upon his soul with a flash of burning energy. The veil of Essence left what was a stamp upon him and the others as they stepped through, and he reached as if jolted by lightning. “What just happened to us?”
“A legendary Title,” Mepheleon explained. The Harbinger took a step forward and suddenly blinked right next to Wei again. The young master fought the urge to jolt back in surprise, choosing instead to glare balefully at the underside of the Demon Lord’s chin. “And before you ask further, no, not everyone gets what you got. Everyone does get a Title though. Something to demonstrate that they have survived the Hearted Realms and earned a place in my Claimed Hells. You just went above and beyond what was required.”
“Because we did it without selling ourselves to a Circle?” Rafael asked.
“Selling is an ugly word. But yes. You stride through my gates, debtless. In fact, it seems you might have even provided one of the Circles a favor. Rare are the Sinners who learn to be so proactive and enterprising. Yet, that is why I made sure you all ended up together after all. Under the wise and courageous leadership of our young friend here.”
Mepheleon looked down at Wei through his broad-rimmed spectacles, and the young master met his gaze despite the building discomfort. “You have done much to aid me, Harbinger. And I am not fool enough to think our journey would have been nearly as pleasant without your machinations.”
The Harbinger barked a laugh and continued walking. Once more, the ground tumbled into motion beneath Wei’s feet, carrying him and his companions along. They were making for the next gateway. This one was almost twice the size as the one they just passed through, and rather than having its arches decorated by the mangled bodies of Inheritors, Wei noticed humanoid outlines—outlines slowly coalescing into the shape of Wei and his companions.
“Machinations,” Mepheleon said, pulling Wei’s attention back. “What an ugly word. Listen, Wei, everyone is playing a game, trying to get their angle. But I noticed you first, you little falling star of hate and patricidal anger. If anything, I was simply protecting a fascinating investment. And, truly, I want to see where your story leads. But of course, the Inheritors decided they wanted your System enough burn their standing in my realm. A pity. A shame. I would have played a dance with them, but alas, it seems we are bound for an ugly little System War over the coming prize.”
“What coming prize?” Agnesia asked, her eyes still locked to her mother’s head. Ellena hadn’t stopped blinking thoroughout their entire walk, and Mepheleon continued to balance her atop his palm like she was some ornament to be shown off.
“Earth,” Wei and Rafael said at the same time. The young master and the lich faced each other, and Wei offered a nod.
“They are doing this to get access to the spawn world for all Trespassers. A place dry of Essence or magic. A place barely connected to the Fathoms by an Antediluvian Vault.”
A weary look overcame Agnesia as she shook her head and growled. “What godsdamned bullshit. Nothing said holds any sense to me still.”
“Lan-guage,” Ellena murmured.
Agnesia winced. “Sorry mother.” A slight smile emerged thereafter. Wei noticed, and to his shame, he felt envy and—
Suddenly, his mind went blank as a thought occurred to him. If Mepheleon could spare Ellena from death, then perhaps—
“Let me break your heart now for a final, dear boy,” Mepheleon said, speaking without turning to face Wei. “Our Queen here upon the flat of my palm perished in my domain. And nothing reigns above me in my domain. No Concept. Not time. Not the elements. Not thoughts or stars or even death. Your was lost to the indifferent void. Destroyed using my Tower on the whims of another. There is nothing for me to resurrect besides. I would need to locate their spirits, after all, and now they are… well, one with the fundamental Source of existence, I suppose.”
Source of existence. Could that mean his System processed the spirits of those he knew for power? His mentors? His fellow disciples? His mother? Wei felt sick—swallowed back sour spit. He was a fool for hoping. There before him, he saw the scepter of his mother flicker briefly evermore, her body manifesting below Mepheleon’s palm, connecting to Ellena’s head.
Resisting trauma using Aspect of (Ambition)
“Out,” Wei growled, clawing his temples as he walked. “Away. Trouble me no more. I free of you. I am beyond the Hearted Realms. Away!”
The others shot him several looks. Agnesia reached out. “Wei, are you…”
He quickened his pace and activated Lesser Hollow Mind. No. He was done with this. It wasn’t real. And he had other matters that needed resolution.
“Wei,” Agnesia reached out, seeking to comfort him.
The young master activated Lesser Hollow Mind and began walking. He had other matters he needed to attend. Matters related to his System and Class. “I am well. I am well. I am just tired. Give me silence. Give me…” He looked on, and the shadow of his mother was no more.
He was through the Hearted Realm. And they were gone. They were gone…
Through it all, Mepheleon said nothing, but Wei knew the Harbinger was aware. A small part of the young master was thankful for the Harbinger’s discretion. At once, Wei sank into a thoughtless trance as the last of his wounds began to dissolve and the full extent of his progress updated in his mind.
Eidolon Class Level > Lv. 73 Cataclysm’s Herald (2 more Advancements to Unlock Specialization Evolution)
Aspect Advancements Per Level: +8 Strength, +6 Speed, +5 Mind, +6 Awareness, +5 Constitution, +8 Will, +5 Free Points
Aspects
Strength — 796
Speed — 526
Enlightenment — 535
Awareness — 546
Constitution — 403
Will — 636
Abyssal Invocation
>[Will Above All]
>[Shroud of Scorn]
>[Heart of Calamity]
Skills [8/10]
>[Minor Bolt of Judgment]
>[Minor Tyrant’s Stand]
>[Minor Icon of Domination]
>[Minor Hammer of Scorn]
>[Chain of Conviction]
>[Inventory]
>[Lance of Calamity]
Concept Core of (Destruction)
>Titles
>>[All-Breaker]
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
System Updating…
Refining Source
>>>Source Refined: [200/200] Lumens
Source Core Ascended > Lv. 29
>[9/10] Aspect Advancements to Core Ascension>>[19/20] Core Ascensions to [Gate] 2 System Ascension
>>>Source: [290/290] Lumens
Authority Advanced — 67
Relativity Advanced — 53
Enlightenment — 39
Omniscience — 41
Fortification — 41
Ambition — [Incalculable]
Reviewing encounter…
Masteries Demonstrated
>Meditation (III) — 55%
>Unarmed Combat (III) — 43%
>Spearmanship (III) — 56%
>Evasion (III) — 1%
>Thrown Weapons (II) — 55%
>Tactics (II) — 99%
>Rapier — 0%
New Selectable Masteries [2]
Shiftstride (Evasion/Perception) — The world blurs around you when you dodge. Affects everyone within your (Perception) radius.
Ruminator’s Languor (Meditation/Relativity) — Whenever the host enters a state of mediation, the world around them slows based on their Aspect of (Relativity).
ATTENTION: Ruminators Languor has Skill synergies with Concept Cores of (Augmentation) and (Harvest)
ATTENTION: Ruminator’s Languor can be merged with the Mastery Lesser Hollow Mind
Ruminator’s Languor/Lesser Hollow Mind > Lesser Vessel of the Ruminator — The host actively enters a trance of active meditation, causing the world around them to slow based on their (Relativity). They can accelerate the Source they recover via epiphanies or understandings gained from their (Enlightenment)
ATTENTION: Lesser Manifestation has Skill synergies with Concept Cores of (Augmentation)
Mastery Node Capacity [7/10]
>Proximal Acceleration
>Form of the Resonant
>Lesser Vessel of the Ruminato
r>Lesser Manifestation
>Vector Chain
>Lesser Cast Possession
>Mark of Enmity
>Outsight
Sourcery Advancements [2] Available!
Select [10]
Source Propagation — Allows the host to channel Source out from their body and unravel the stability of the physical matter around them. The more Source is sacrificed, the more the world unravels.
Liminal Bridge > Liminal Tunnel [Requires 25 Sourcery Advancements (Currently at 19)
Ascensions
[Sourceforged]
Concept Core of (Harvest)>Skills>>Form of the Martial Harvester
Concept Core of (Augmentation)N/A
The young master groaned as the new Title bound to his Class while his System finally finished processing his experiences after he finished recovering his Source. The sheer flood of upgrades, advancements, empowerments, masteries, combinations, and Sourceries passing through Wei’s consciousness came with a free migraine. Still, his growth had been absolutely tremendous. Over thirty levels for his Class, almost ten for his System, and just a single Aspect Advancement away from reaching his next Gate.
Wei wondered what changes he would experience upon reaching that threshold. The first allowed him to break concepts and stand the slightest chance against the forces of hell. And then there was the matter of his Ambition. That Aspect was wrong. Or at least it shouldn’t have been reached at this point. It felt a level above all the others, and it instilled him with a new weight he couldn’t quite comprehend. The best way he could describe it was a field of gravity projected out from his being.
Ambition is the infliction of your willpower upon the external world, his System said.
And what does that mean? Wei asked, still none too pleased with his System. If the damnable thing had worked when he needed it earlier, Ellena would not be in such a state. The Harbinger would not be needed to intervene.
We were unable to respond. The Dying Queen’s lingering presence needed to be purged. Our response was dictated by protocols, and a failsafe would have activated should her Embracement near culmination.
What do you mean?
The Keter System is designed to break apart into an unusable state along with its host to prevent hostile capture.
More horrible truths. Just what Wei wanted. How much more aren’t you telling me?
We are unsure. We only know upon encounter specific problem scenarios.
The young master bit back another sigh. Whatever framework the Antediluvians had—Asaru in particular—it was not geared toward transparency or effectiveness. So far, others knew more about his System than he did, and with every benefit it offered, it also came with hidden surprises and a whole host of other problems.
We are an unfinished prototype. This is not a surprising outcome. The flaws inherent in our design were not addressed, and some fundamental quality of life features remain absent.
A slight frown graced the young master’s face. There was little worth in frustration. The System had its faults, but it was also something he could further shape and improve. Now, having survived the Hearted Realms and no longer beset by threats every passing second, Wei could find the time to delve into the mysteries hidden within his spirit and truly learn about the powers he possessed.
The ground came to a halt just as Wei emerged from his meditative trance. The gateway shimmered before him, and the edge of his Omniscience glimpsed the end to the Black Tower. What seemed like a wide open plaza awaited the gate after this one, and there were people there. Standing. Waiting. People Wei knew. Disciples from his sect and three particular Essence signatures….
The first was Bishop. The psionic resonance there was unmistakable. Beside him was…
William Yu.
Wei clenched his spear tight and hardened his resolve. Yes. If there was time for an accounting, it was now as well.
“You did not tell me about him,” Wei said, speaking to Mepheleon.
The Harbinger gestured, waving for Wei to pass through the second gateway as well. “Was there the need? And besides, Mr. Yu is a private citizen with his own personal, private vendetta. Far be it for me to get in the way of his life. Or yours.”
It was an expected answer, but as good as one Wei could expect. The Harbigner treated everything like theater. Demeaning on some level, but at the very least he wasn’t trying to stop Wei from acting. And that was all one could ask for some time.
“And what’s this supposed to be now?” Agnesia asked? She eyed the threshold before her and saw a strange rippling outline reflecting the generate dimensions of her form.
“This is where you get a lawyer, of course!” Mepheleon said cheerfully.
“Lawyer?” Rafael muttered. The lich made a spitting noise. “What need do we have for lawyers? Demonic as such a profession is, this place is ruled by violence and vice already.”
“Ruled being the key word. Step through and find out, rebel. I promise you’ll be surprised.” Rafeal stared suspiciously at Mepheleon for a beat, and the Harbinger just sighed. “I will not force you to do anything, of course. I am not the Crossroads. But you will have to suffer the consequences of someone sealing you in a spatial courtroom for eons and eons due to being unrepresented…”
Wei let out a tired snort and stepped through.
“Wei, wait!” Rafael cried.
“If he meant harm, he would have acted upon it,” Wei replied, ignoring the lich’s apprehension. Frankly, the young master just wanted to be done with his trials. Whatever ridiculous was to follow, it couldn’t be worse than what came before. Letting the wall of Essence splash over him, he felt it imprint on his Eidolon once more, and as he came out the other side, something hummed within his weapon, asking to be let out.
Wei came to a halt and held up his spear, unsure if he was hearing things again.
Again, a faint call came to him.
Hello? Wei said, speaking into his Eidolon.
“Permission… to come out… please…”
After a moment of hesitation, Wei granted it. An emanation of golden flames rose from his spear, and within its dancing folds emerged a strange creature barely the size of Wei’s hand. It wiggled free from his speartip first, and resembled a severed golden tongue wearing a soot-dark suit. After a few seconds of struggling, it got itself—and a small briefcase—out of the Eidolon and stumbled down the length of Wei’s weapon. The strange little demon was also flat. Thinner than even paper and had a twitchy movement quality to it.
“Why, howdy-ho, friend. You must be my client!” The small demon spoke with a shrill and joyful voice. Wei just stared on, trying to process what he was seeing.
“I… what manner of demon are you?”
“Me? I’m your personal lawyer! I’m here to make sure you get out from all manner of trouble and represent you in the Court of Circles. I’ll also be summoned in your place and draft contracts in defense your personal rights. I’m looking forward to all the good times we’ll be having together—-and all the lives we will ruin.”
The lawyer’s voice deepened at the end, causing Wei’s bones to tremble.
Lawyer of Scorn Lv. 73 Tier — Unproven
Pending Cases:
>0
Activate Contracts
>0
“Yes. Most people have that reaction to them.” Mepheleon chuckled. Wei closed his eyes and caught himself before he could flinch.
“Cease that.”
Mepheleon’s glee lessened. “I was sure you were going to shiver at least. Truly, boy, being so stiff at your age is cause for concern.”
“Ahem!” The little lawyer bound to Wei’s spear waved its briefcase at Mepheleon. “Please stop bothering my client. Further attempts to provoke a reaction out of him might be treated as an attempt in entrapment. That’s grounds for a suing.”
The Harbinger’s grin returned. “Well. Look at that. They are nothing if not ever-motivated. Even against me.”