As I stood, or rather float, in the night sky that surrounded me, I couldn’t help but feel comfortable. The moon hung high in the sky, the stars shone, the darkness and coldness made up the space between them all. I closed my eyes as their energies washed over me as I started to understand the truth about this sight.
The night sky isn’t just individual stars, constellations or the moon, nor was it just the darkness or coldness of it all. All of them made the night sky and while they gave off different energies and magic, they all made up the night sky together. That is why combining Primordial Darkness and Celestial Eclipse together had worked so well, it is why Astral Ice corrupted others, it was with the darkness that it came from.
I had been thinking of all of them as separate magic and energy, but not as one. No, I had once used them as one, when I had used Midnight with Alice’s help, she held Darkness magic within her, but now I had learnt to harness it myself I now understood that there were many forms of Darkness and I understood the very basics of it, yet it made up the night sky.
Within me there was a soft crack as my understanding of the night sky increased, as I understood that I only knew a very small amount of the true power the night contained. I felt the energy and mana of Primordial Darkness, Astral Ice and Celestial Eclipse start to slowly combine, working in absolute harmony as everything within my mana realm changed.
The new energy being born as those three started to combine felt familiar and I knew where I had felt it before. When I had used Midnight, these three had been forcibly combined together, this was the power I had felt back then.
I felt my mana realm and veins burst into pain as the new energy slowly spread throughout my body, changing everything it passed through. The pain I experienced was the worst pain, reaching my very core, even changing the energy of my Domains but I kept my mind tranquil as my understanding grew. This power was only the beginning of understanding the true night sky.
I felt a massive torrent of pure mana enter me as my mana realm and veins started to mutate further and become strengthened once more, as the new power became mine.
Your understanding of Primordial Darkness, Astral Ice and Celestial Eclipse magic has given birth to a new type of magic, one that gives you the power of the true night sky. They are merging to create a new type of magic, Noctilucence.
A Hidden Condition has been met.
***
I don’t know how long I’ve sat here for as the energies slowly changed my very being. I only knew that the power I now held was powerful, extremely powerful. As the pain started to fade, I sank into my mana realm. Nothing had changed, yet the power in here was no longer just Celestial Eclipse mana but Noctilucence, the combination of Primordial Darkness, Astral Ice and Celestial Eclipse. Opening my eyes, I saw that I no longer was surrounded by the lake, it and the fog were all gone.
Feeling the energy deep within me, I knew that to further understand this power I had to gain a deeper understanding of all of the powers it contained and that this was only the start. Letting darkness surround my body, I knew I could use them individually or together. There was now a spell I could use that I had long ago used.
You can now use Midnight without consequence.
“Noctilucence? You’ve already gained an understanding of it?”
Looking up, I saw Cerberus standing there and I nodded. “I realised that everything in the night sky is one and when I realised that I knew they would work with each other.”
“Interesting. You’ve yet to step onto a Path yet you’ve gained a basic understanding into it. Melody did not until she reached the Beta-Class. I assume you know what this power implies for you, right?”
“This is the power Celestia wants. But why? Does She not command the night sky already?”
“Hmph, this is why you’re nothing but a pup. What is Her title?”
Realisation came to me. Moon Goddess. Not Night Sky Goddess. Her command is the moon! So she wants this power to understand the night sky itself?
“It is not easy to gain an understanding of magic you do not understand. The fact you have such potential in three different types is quite something. But be careful, you’re not the only one in this vast world that has such potential, nor will you be the only one who has a deep understanding of Lunar magic.”
Why did it sound like he was warning me? I knew what he meant though, that while I had gained this strength I had only understood a small amount of it, and to gain more understanding I had a lot more to learn. I had to focus on spellcasting when I returned to Vale.
“The soul cleansing is left. After that, you’ll be ejected from the dungeon as it will have been conquered. You may have questions for me, but I will not answer them.”
“Could you tell me what Alice is?”
“Alice?”
“The Dark Raven you gave me.”
“Ah. It is an egg from a Dark Raven that I had been given by a friend. I have no use for birds, and believed it would serve you well since it would connect with your dark magic when you awoke it.”
“Then what is she?”
Cerberus’s heads all looked at me before asking “What do you mean?”
I explain everything to him. Cerberus seemed to be in deep thought but I could see confusion behind his eyes.
“I have never heard of such a thing. She was born from normal Dark Ravens and that is all I know.”
If Cerberus didn’t know, then who could tell us. “Then, how did you know my mother?”
“Hmph, enough questions. If you wish to rattle on like this you can find me at the entrance to the Underworld outside. Now, the soul cleansing will be like a bath to you, it will remove the impurities within your soul. It’s not bad, it’ll ensure when you do step onto your Path that you’ll be further empowered. Now, go through the door when you’re ready. If you wish to talk in the future, come to the Underworld.”
Cerberus claps his claws together and as the door appears he disappears. I had to wonder if he was only testing me or helping me. Sighing, I step into the next door while thinking over everything.
***
As I step out of the dungeon, I stop shielding my eyes and see I’ve returned to the clearing. Cerberus had been right, the soul cleansing was no more than a relaxing bath and though I wasn’t sure on what it did exactly, my mind had been refreshed.
You have completed a Delta-Level dungeon.
You have completed the task: Conquer Cerberus’s Domain.
A Hidden Condition has been met.
Watching as the inscription disappeared and was replaced with the one for Hounds Hell I sighed. I realised it during the dungeon but I knew the truth now. This had been Cerberus helping me for my mothers sake, there was no denying that. I had to do two trials which were easy to do followed by learning a new natural affinity, merging three magic into a new, powerful one and a cleansing of my soul that left me refreshed. If that wasn’t a reward then what in the Seven would it be.
Sighing, I truly hoped that this didn’t become a recurring pattern. I didn’t want others to help me because of my mother, nor did I particularly care about her or them. While I wanted to know more than her, I wasn’t her. I wanted to earn my own strength, overcome the trials in their earnestness. I do wish I could’ve spoken with Cerberus more, but it does seem he doesn’t really want anything to do with me and only waited to repay my mother.
Sighing, I knew there wasn’t much I could do, but why did the System tell me to come back and finish this dungeon? Is it the impact it had on me back then, when it had been what gave us our first weapons, and where Alice had come from?
“Forget it, I have one more thing to do.”
Sighing again, I shake my head and turn as I step into the air. The next place will be Crater, and as I checked the time I had left I was thankful Alexander had gained more time for me. I had eleven days left, meaning I had just spent three in Cerberus’s Domain. Feeling worried about the time it would take to find my mother, I stepped through the air at a casual rate while feeling the newly born magic within.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
It was all one magic, but I could alternate it to be individual and retain the strength. I found myself surprised at this, but knew that some magic needed just one element. I really needed to just sit down and learn how to actually use it, I needed more smaller spells. As I reached the walls of the slums in Crater, I saw the city beyond the second wall and the third wall, both seemed active which confused me. All of the nobles had perished that day, so why is their section active?
As I am about to move towards the city, I sensed a presence within the slums and turning my head I headed towards the source. This presence felt familiar, and it seemed like it had been waiting for me. Quickly stepping down, I landed in front of the presence and felt frustrated.
A silver haired girl stood in front of a building, her silver eyes looking at me in disgust. On her wrist is a band, the very same I had worn until recently, that told me all I needed to know. A Sister from the Sisterhood of the Moon Goddess.
“Filthy monster, you are to be imprisoned by the Sisterhood with your magic and level sealed. You are my final test to become a true Sister, which you failed to become.”
Not risking it, I dealt with the small System backlash and checked their level.
The One Who Glows Brightly, Arabella
Level 10 ⭐
The Blessed of Celestia, The Moon Goddess, a master of the night sky.
Delta-Class? I heard a scoff from her and narrowed my eyes while looking at her. I knew why she was waiting here, it's because this is likely where my mothers body laid.
“You’re actually thinking of fighting? You, the weak pathetic monster that threw Her gift away She gave you, despite being a monster? Don’t resist and you might be treated well. Maybe.”
Not caring for her words, I flash stepped in front of her and threw out a lashing fire kick. Perhaps expecting an attack, Arabella disappeared from her spot with a silver flash and sniffing I sensed her behind me as mana started building.
“Moonblast.”
Spinning, I saw a small yet powerful ball of Lunar magic shoot out from her and thinking quickly I flash stepped past it, approaching her quickly once again.
“Barbaric. As per the reports you can only ever think of hitting with your fists, like a pathetic monster.” Arabella disappears once more and reappears some distance as I felt a heavy pressure emit from her. “I will show you the full strength of being Her Blessed.”
A magic circle appears behind her as white wings made out of Lunar energy appear. I could sense Lunar energy gathering here, and with the night sky it became heavy with it. I ignored this strange sight and flash stepped once again.
“Just like a monster, predictable.” Chains erupt out of the ground right below where I arrive, causing me to be entangled for a moment but using my strength I break the chains and flash step behind her.
“Primordial Darkness.”
Darkness erupts out of me and strikes her in the back. Arabella turns quickly, throwing a pin sized object at me. Dodging a bit too slowly, it hit me in the arm as I felt Lunar magic attempt to enter my body and stop. I have no idea what it was meant to do so I rip it out and throw it back at her.
As I do that, I flash step next to her and use Flowing Strikes, causing her to falter for a moment as she dodges the needle. I struck her multiple times as I built up my strength as she tried to back off, but I kept up with her as she got frustrated.
“Get the fuck off me, filth!” Yelling at the top of her lungs, two batons appear in her hands as she fights back. I could tell she wasn’t used to fighting in close quarters, likely only ever fighting at a distance, just like Elise. She is a mage, not a fighter. But her Toughness was high, very high. My punches only started to deal damage when I struck out at 85% of my strength. As expected of one who has passed the Crossroads.
As she stood there, I sensed Lunar energy covering her and immediately knew what she had used, a spell I had used frequently. Lunar Blessing. In the next moment she disappeared, not into silver light nor a flash step, she had gained tremendous speed and relying on my instincts I raised my arms and turned slightly, blocking a blow from the right with my arm as my other arm flew out, striking her hard in her jaw as I counter on reflex. Her strength however easily caused my arm to break, sending me flying backwards into a wall.
Smashing into the wall of a building, I gasp in pain as the shock causes me to become windless. Dropping from the wall as my arm begins to heal, I knew I couldn’t hold back against her anymore. Her skills at fighting up close were poor, but with the strength difference she easily held the advantage. As I stood, I saw her casting magic once again as chains once again erupted from below me.
Without a word, she held a hand up and brought it down as a beam of pure silver struck down onto me. I felt no pain, it was after all only Lunar magic. But I knelt, acting as if I’m in pain, which wasn’t hard because of my arm.
“Bloody monster, what is this magic?” I glanced up and saw an expression of pain and knew the corruption ran deeply. She still walked towards me as her expression became worse. Disappearing, I sensed her to my right and twisted my body. I dodged an attack but another connected. This time the pain was less, as if she was holding back. Is she venting her frustrations?
“Fucking disgusting monster, if it wasn’t for the fact I was ordered to bring you back alive I’d kill you here!” Dodging what I could, I still felt blows hitting me causing me to wince in pain as some bones broke. Just as she raised her batons for another round, I breathed out and applied my own Lunar Blessing.
“Domain, Primordial Night Garden.”
My domain explodes out as Arabella does a double take, looking around and a fearful mutter comes from her. “A domain?”
Realising she didn’t have one or if wasn’t as powerful as me, I felt the empowerment of my domain as a large garden that sat on a lake appeared, underneath a darkened night sky.
“Tsk, fine, I’ll just kill you, the Sisterhood will understand.” Stomping her foot down, hundreds of chains exploded from the ground and stomping my foot down I blew them all away with Wind Explosion, keeping them from attacking me but she wasn’t done. The light from her wings fades as they disappear and merge into an orb that gives off a tremendous amount of mana.
“Orb of the Moon Goddess’s Rage!”
As she yells, the orb shoots out fast, too fast for me to dodge. It explodes causing the ground to shake but I suffered no damage as I flash stepped right in front of her as a red aura erupts from my, my monster form releasing completely. My Domain falls apart, apparently I can’t maintain it in this form, something I hadn’t been aware of but it’s fine.
“That didn’t work?!” Screaming in surprise, she swung her batons relentlessly as I, with my recovered arm, tore into her, ripping her flesh off slowly as she strikes me over and over. Grabbing an arm, I throw her into the ground as she gasps out, perhaps realising her life was in danger. Once again Lunar energy gathered as she attempted to free herself and with a struggle she released herself.
“Moonblast!” Panicking, she sent out another orb of Lunar magic towards me, this time I don’t bother dodging as it hits me, dealing no damage.
“WHY DOESN’T IT HURT YOU?!” Screaming in both rage and fear, we once again exchanged blows as I felt bones around my body breaking from the impact. Without my healing I would fall shortly, and deciding to end this, I used Flowing Strikes while clawing into her. Hearing her screams as I ripped her apart slowly made me excited to kill this follower of Celestia.
She steps up into the air as if to escape me, but I quickly grab her ankle before she can escape. I grabbed on hard and slammed her into the ground, before turning and doing it again, throwing her into the ground over my shoulder.
“Stop! Stop, please, I don’t want to die!” Ignoring her cries, and the feeling of being stared at from the wall, I keep my grip on her leg and charge at that wall, slamming her into it, over and over as my rage built. The wall couldn’t handle it as it threatened to crumble, and instead I slammed her into the ground once more before pulling her towards me and grabbed her throat.
“Die.” Exerting all of my strength as she screamed, I tore her head off her shoulders and watched as her eyes started to fade. Her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something but no sound came out. Dropping her head as my monster form faded, I ripped off her bags and threw them over my shoulder as I walked towards the building she had sat in front of but knew I wouldn’t reach it. My body was completely exhausted. I may have not used much mana, but I used all of my stamina and strength, many bones were broken and I was beaten badly.
Sensing a presence behind me, I turned towards it and felt my heart drop. Astraea was there, kneeling at the corpse of Arabella. She gently picks it up before turning to me, disappointment evident in her face.
“Why must you turn on Her, Child?”
“You...know damn well why.” Breathing heavily as I reply, I stared Astraea down. I knew if she took action I would die here, but oddly I saw a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
“What do you mean, Child?”
Frowning, I didn’t know if she was serious or not. My body trembles as it reaches its limits but I hold strong, I refuse to fall at this time.
“Why…why not ask that bitch yourself, Astraea? Ask Her why She tried to brainwash me and why She wants to consume the power within me, like She had tried with my mother?”
I could see confusion overcome Astraea’s eyes. “Child, your mother was my frie-” Astraea stops talking as a frown appears on her own face. “No, I know she was my friend, but why is it that…” Shaking her head, Astraea looks at me with anger. “How dare you try and twist my thoughts, monster. Be glad I can not descend or I will destroy you where you stand.”
Tilting my head, I glanced at the wall and could make out dozens of people staring. We had drawn a crowd as I shook my head. “Believe what you want. I refuse to follow your Goddess now and I will never follow one again. Take that pathetic fool's body and leave this place.”
I stood there and watched as Astraea started to fade. “Watch yourself, Alisha. Your words imply you intend to make Her Holiness your enemy.”
“Did that just sink in for you, Astraea?” Astraea’s eyes widened as she disappeared, obviously realising what I meant. As she finally disappears, I collapse, completely exhausted. Ah, maybe I should’ve tried using Midnight…as that final thought comes to mind, I pass out.
You defeated Arabella.
You defeated an enemy above the Crossroads while you have yet to arrive at the Crossroads. A Hidden Condition has been met.
Rewards are available.