Ikrei P.O.V.
Second strata of Outer Darkness, the labyrinth. Three hundred years inside the realm.
“I think those guys should be tired of waiting, right?”
I was tired of being trapped in the maze portion of the double strata. The second strata and the ninth strata are interconnected through the central grand palace that extends over three thousand furlongs as the center of both stratas.
People hide here to escape pursuers because as its name states, it is a labyrinth, a grand maze of gargantuan proportions that opens and closes rooms randomly. You can find treasure or your death, entirely up to the roll of the dice or the whims of the two rulers stationed here.
This double stratum has even a direct special formation connecting it to the outside worlds throughout the known universes. A direct access point to one of the entrances of the inner white palace. All this surrounded by a private forest and clear skies.
A place of beauty in an otherwise desolate and bleak region.
The home of Arn and Heryr, the rulers.
‘Why does this all matter? Because we are heading there!’
[We have to give the swords to Xia Bia! Then we will return here to the palace but first it is time for some truth, Ikrei.]
‘Freslia would insert something about a headache type comment right about now.’
I was just tired and although control over all negative energies had increased, augmented incredibly, there were a couple of pieces missing.
Control over hate and control over desire. Both cases with completely different complications.
The first, Akathos said that “I don’t hate enough.”
“Their hate is stronger than yours, so you break. You break because this a path without light, light only comes at the end of the tunnel.”
The second, it is because I needed to get some, after so long.
Both situations allowing the stratas and their influence to grow until my current condition. That is, the passage of time and this place had increased my desire while reducing my resentment.
They wanted me to suffer instead of breaking off the chains of spiritual control.
[The stratas are playing a tough game with you, Ikrei. They like Eriel more than you.]
‘Yeah, I kind of figure that part out already. What now?’
[Do you want to have sex because you need sex or do you want to have sex because you need her? It matters, so be honest.]
Surprised but not by much, I let the words sink deep.
I let my emotions and thoughts flow freely and meditated with the aid of the great elder looking for the truth. I didn’t even know the answer myself.
Seventy hours later, I had my answer and a few key instructions to follow.
[You are ready now, by a nail, it’s going to be hard. Let’s get that seal undone.]
‘Deadly crossroads part three.’
We dashed to another familiar stratum, one with a blacksmithing goddess. Master gave me the basic rundown. I listened attentively.
‘Yun Hee did quite a number on me, didn’t she master?’
[She’s dangerous Ikrei, a sweet poison. Specially because of her mother.]
‘You know? Do share.’
[Impossible not to know when we are connected. Good pounding disciple.]
I felt a metaphysical thumb’s up from master.
More blushing that wasn’t blushing occurred.
‘I can’t see your memories master, not fair!’
[I had to check, you are getting lost in desire. Don’t dwell on the unimportant. Most likely her mother is the great consort, the Blood Vampire.]
“Vampire? Shouldn’t it be Vampiress?” I was so surprised that I talked.
[He is both male and female, a great selection if you like surprises up your rectum.]
My master laughed vividly while I remained perturbed.
[Her father must be something too, if the Blood Vampire chose to be a woman and bear a child for him. Tread lightly, disciple. Rest a little, I’ll take over.]
The foreboding feeling from way back then with Pricks Krigs came back.
[Let me teach you about poker face, Akathos’ variant, you’ll need it where we are going.]
A very troubled Ikrei beset by the image of a mushroom hanging mother and a streak of dark-blue light flashed through the strata.
----------------------------------------
Isoray P.O.V.
Day of Niru, third day of the week. First week of the twelfth month. Malaktaraf.
“I have been quietly surprised by the extent of your current capabilities, princess.”
She was dashing in her usual light blue combination of fine linen, cotton and silk.
“I do try. Thanks for the spar.”
She waved her hair back, a perfect side view of her neck with the front of her shirt minutely opened.
‘I give it to her for always dropping subtle and not so subtle hints.’
We reached the sitting area of the grand hall. Very few people were around, most were getting ready for some serious business of one kind or another.
“May I take your order?”
The attendant was swift when it came to kissing the right behinds.
The grand hall works as a small bar with deluxe drinks and small snacks when not used for gatherings on sacred days or special occasions.
“The usual. Thurskan for her, Ebyul for me, six shots each.”
She was severely nonplussed. Exactly the reaction I was going for.
“You will need them. Didn’t you say that you would like to improve your affinities to a higher degree?”
The proverbial light went off in her head, wide eyes aplenty.
She gesticulated and nodded like a little girl.
‘Got ya.’
“The drinks will relax you. They will relax me, after all hanging around beauties is still something of a novelty for me.”
It was a half-truth but not something that I would explain.
“Young master, Dogran please expand on the need for these drinks.” She drank one down without much hassle.
‘Guess our rapport is in the proper place now.’
“The essence of vital energy, the ether, is no different from mana. The energy of creation, princess.”
I let my mana flow endlessly, I was going to create something special for her, in front of onlookers, of course.
Including a nodding and approving Zaneir a few cubits behind me, in the shadows.
Slowly, purposely and effortlessly, the energies within the hall and within myself resonated. The pure, unaltered, raw power of existence. Colors began appearing and unifying, a snail’s pace.
It was as much of a show as it was a class.
‘The rainbow of life!’
“Energy flows through everything, the air you breathe, the thoughts you think, the emotions you feel. All expressions of the ether. The binding force of mind, body and spirit. The power of the gods. Ancient and eternal. Not without but within.”
A small floating rose began materializing in front of me and in front of her. Crystalline.
“Control of your inner energy, reshapes external reality. The ether isn’t evil, isn’t good, it just is. Mana. People have gotten used to rituals, chants, crystals and formations. True mastery starts within.”
The magical construction kept on forming. The princess had eyes full of amazement and wonder. She played with her hair a little, letting me see a fully exposed neck and v line.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
I placed a personally edited and corrected copy of the Ebyulium for her, not only a drink but also the starting point of the magic teachings of the Empire.
The rose kept forming and increasing in form, detail and size.
“Awareness, discipline and practice. Otherwise your energy flow will be like a river, uncontrolled. No control leads to stagnation, frustration and disconnection. The soul is the home of the self, the master key. The soul is the gateway that allows energy or blocks it.”
She drank another shot, this time with a smile. The rose kept increasing in detail and intricacy.
“Your power increases in as much as you can control your thoughts and emotions. Negative energies are like static, a problematic nuisance that prevents you from aligning your will with the ether and harnessing it for a reshaping like we can, princess.”
I drank two shots, she drank another. The crystal rose was almost there, just a few minutes more.
“Wouldn’t someone that could connect through the interference of dark energies become something else?”
The princess asked a poignant question. Same as before, like in our previous strolls.
‘I like that about you.’
“Yes that would be quite something. But it is all just a good theory, most dark magi depend on the blessing of a major god or lesser spirits of our world. The dark magi of old are almost extinct, just like the draconylfs, the elves and the druids. Then again, I am even rarer than all of them.”
The floating rose finished forming. We drank all the remaining shots silently.
I made a small pinch on my index finger and placed three drops of blood on the rose. It absorbed my energy while it vibrated.
“Allow me, princess.” She gave me her hand freely.
I also pinched a little bit of blood from her index finger, four drops. With a wave, the drops of blood flew into the rose.
I may have the seal of the Will but I don’t need chants, spells, or many of other things people in the magic world use.
‘I am one with magic, mana, the world itself. I just use them as a cover.’
A true child of mana, not the many knock offs that roam the empire.
Another wave and the rose started to liquefy. It fell on the empty shot glasses distributed evenly under my direction.
The few onlookers had taken many flash crystals of the transpiring events. Just as intended.
“This will awaken the sleeping affinities within you princess and who knows what else, isn’t that something?”
This was my calling card, a differentiator type gift, uncopiable.
She drank each of the shots without hurry but without pause.
Forty breaths.
“I think you will have to excuse me, young master Dogran. I feel the need to train for my new gains.”
“Sure thing, princess.”
She elegantly stood up and gave the proper courteous salutation of the Empire.
“Asara from now on, young master. Thank you.”
She left carrying the copy of the way of the Empire with her.
I also left for my quarters where Zimas was waiting.
Once the seal of protection from our artifact was active, we spoke.
“Zimas, take this.”
A gave him a small flask with the extra drop of blood, I took from Asara.
“What are your orders, young master?”
“Do whatever it takes, go back to home base, the Empire, the ancient records, I don’t care. Find out everything about how she was birthed. Tell me everything about that blood.”
“Empyrean blood, young master?” Ximel was utterly shocked.
“Get to it Zimas, leave immediately.”
“Long live Bichmeyrul!”
“Long live Bichmeyrul!”
‘What can I say? Things were starting to shape up.’
----------------------------------------
Ikrei P.O.V.
We were standing at the south entrance of the inner white palace. The one with the aforementioned direct access formation.
We were going to deal with the damned oblivion seal and my spiritual burning loins.
“Everything is being checked. Please wait a moment.” The dark spirit attendant that came out to receive us was a centaur.
‘Yep! A centaur, master you sure this is the right place?!’
[Reality and time means nothing in there. This is the home of dark demigods. Remember everything I told you.]
“You may pass, enjoy your stay.” Very charming and welcoming for a towering man beast.
I walked inside, we walked inside.
[Welcome to the Stēlla Astēr ἀανὴς Bacchanalia, Ikrei. Don’t say master never appreciated you! Let’s Survive!]
I really thought back then that Pricks Krigs was bad. But then, in some aspects Akathos might be worse.
Those were the given titles and names for the festivities inside. A bunch of fancy names, nothing more.
Stēlla Astēr ἀανὴς Bacchanalia, stands for Star Cosmic Infinite Orgy of Bacchus.
We entered the vast venue. Upon entrance my white spirit cloth morphed into one similar to the ones worn by the high nobles during the rock concert. The inverse, black, pristine black with a white shirt underneath.
Elegant.
The entire place had a warm welcoming atmosphere. It was filled with candles, candles everywhere, different areas and quality with slight strange vibrations. The famous trace of ether. A place of reshaped reality inside the darkness.
“It is candle light year, dear sirs. Please follow me to the main grand banqueting realm.”
‘Realm?’
[Reality no longer matters, Ikrei. Only what the rulers allow or want. Dark beings are eternal just like the gods, only humans think they can be greater than eternal darkness.]
‘You can scare someone with just your thoughts, master. It’s working.’
[Well, thank you, boy]
‘It wasn’t a compliment.’
We walked merrily passing by the different salons, rooms, music rooms, art galleries and many more amenities. All with a feel of alienness and otherworldliness. The structure of each area, similar yet different. Order within chaos.
Since I couldn’t make sense of time I concentrated my senses on the gathering of beings. Humans, non-humans and floating spirits without a defined shape or form. Most were dressed in similar clothing to mine but each a representation from their world, their time and their beliefs.
As I have said before, in the spirit you just know things, if you want to know them. Obviously, in here, where there is no torture if the other party doesn’t want you to know, well, you don’t.
Finally, after passing through hundreds of spirit bodies doing a lot of things besides drinking and eating, I, we, had arrived. The crowd made way allowing us to stand thirty cubits away from a double throne.
Two magnificent flaming thrones of yellow and red fire. The unidentifiable materials making them even more mesmerizing. The entire grand banquet having four distinct sections that interconnected. And the two rulers of the double strata.
Arn and Heryr. An androgynous man with hair so long it was only ten cubits away from where we were. And a woman, half human half something else, beautifully twisted, the dragon eyed regent.
Master was going to lead this time, talking to demigods wasn’t something for the current Ikrei.
“Akathos Sirlenk and the reincarnation of Eriel son of Masarin greet you, exalted ones.”
Whatever my master had said was taken away from my memory the moment he had spoken it.
That’s exactly how the oblivion seal works.
‘Dammit! No! Don’t think anything negative! Sorry, sorry exalted ones!’
My master made a bow in a custom belonging to a long forgotten kingdom from another world.
“We see your problem, Andurin.” Unison, soul speech.
We trembled.
My master materialized the sword we received as payment for services given by the small eastern goddess. From ring to andurian blade.
From a knelling position he lifted the blade with his two hands above his head and said,
“We offer this artifact as a wager, a unique night of emotions and ecstasy with the spice of a little known world and a willing soul submission under you for eternity if we fail, exalted ones.”
Many in the crowd gasped in surprise.
Master did explain previously that the inner white palace is a separate reality from anything else. Some things work like in our world, others make no sense at all.
Everyone here inside the place with the exception of the rulers and their underlings were in spirit form, materialized into normal flesh through the castle’s power.
Two strands of the long golden hair floated towards our forehead and in an instant, the touch came.
“Show us!” Unison once more.
Akathos soul transmission began. He hid nothing,
‘I could sense and experience everything.’
Arn and Heryr were pleased.
Akathos relieved.
Ikrei a tiny bit worried.
“Fellow spirits of many worlds, the theme for tonight’s festivities has been determined. This godly work will be the prize for those who participate. A resonance of souls with a sword for the use of the stone! An ethereal blade worthy of consideration.”
The unified voice of the rulers came forth.
The sword floated away from our hands and into a small altar with candles around it that materialized out of nowhere. Once the godly sword settled in place, floating on top of the altar and pointing down; the demigod duo spoke again.
“And we have a double soul entry! The second one, being an elder of that crazy little group from Ladnahlayr. He isn’t an easy one for you, my fiends. A special challenge. We need to entertain him and whoever defeats him gets to use the philosopher’s stone too!”
The gathered gasped and in a place where mental and soul communication are kings, the gathered actually began murmuring. The news dropped like a hundred orgonoid charges.
The consciousness of the mighty rulers spread throughout the four main candle light sections, all with different arrangements of the candle theme. The candles vibrated.
“Make your selections.” Arn and Heryr were delicate with their transmission.
Information was shared on how the little game was going to be played.
The entirety of Ixur’s album reached everybody’s inner true self with instructions and details.
‘Master, I thought you said it was going to be one at a time?!’
[It still is, but these are reality altering beings. They want what they want. What do you want me to do about it?]
About a hundred breaths.
“I’ll play this time, my beloved rulers.”
From a crowd of women in the first of the four grand connected ballrooms, a beautiful dark haired woman wearing gold jewels appeared with an open left hand gesture.
I felt that it should mean something but I didn’t know what.
Heka Infinite Sorceress [https://i.imgur.com/kKOmfS6.png]
“Heka?!”
‘You know her master?’
[Yes, I do.]
“I guess we timed our visit perfectly. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
She smiled but master felt uncomfortable.
‘Note to self-6: Chaos children are either very lucky or very unlucky. Most of the time, it is very bad luck for the males.’
She enjoyed seeing my left eyebrow twitch a little.
“The first participant has been selected!” An underling shouted.
From the third section steps where heard and the crowd also parted like the sea.
A beauty, a beauty with a crown on her head, an intricate necklace. Red, a red blood wine colored dress that had runic engravings that were turned into some kind of fashion statement. Deep blue eyes and a wild hair.
“I’ll join, I’m interested in the reincarnation and if I can get the sword, even better.”
‘Who is she master?’
[A witch, the real thing. More than just calculating probabilities. A true oracle.]
The crowd exploded into murmurs and rumors.
“Volvair!” “Volvair wants that sword!” “Then we have no chance, not fair!”
Volvair [https://i.imgur.com/CCjE65F.png]
The blue eye beauty began mirthfully talking to Heka.
Another parting of crowds and more steps coming from the second section.
“I’ll participate my dear lords.”
Blue hair, fantastic proportions, matching runic dress, easterner features and pointy ears.
The living antithesis of the phrase neither here or there. No words.
[Daughter of the Heavenly Demon, a dark elf, my boy.]
Sunnyu the Dark Elf [https://i.imgur.com/My7JT5q.png]
Yun Hee is something, Sunnyu is altogether something else up close.
‘The Heavenly Demon gets around, does he not? I am worried for Ixur.’
“What?!” “Sunnyu, too?” “What’s so special about these two!?”
The energy that converged from the crowd had strong threads of expectancy and jealousy.
And then from the fourth came an absolutely mind bending occurrence.
‘Yeah, easterner elven descendancy is not the top of the line in eccentricity around these parts.’
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
A dramatic, powerful entrance came about, the newcomer parted the crowd herself with a wave of soul energy. An extended hand, a magnificent red runic dress, fluttering golden hair, enticing and terrifying in equal measure.
The two golden horns coming out from her head shaking my sense of reality almost to smithereens.
[Draconylf, descendant of dragons. One of the true ruling races. Secrets of the world, my boy.]
“With her inclusion, participants are finalized. Let the feast begin!!”
“AYE!” “JA!” “PO!” “ARU!” “BAI” “TAK” “HAI!” “Q Tancave! Q Ná!”
Loud shouts from all servants and underlings shook the place.
Tables, food, and servants running around serving the congregated appeared within a few sand grains. All things from the realm of myths. Everyone started going to their places for the sumptuous magical meal. The four women went to a golden table nearby and called for us.
[You are up kid, Don’t let us get trapped in here for eternity.]
‘Easy for you to say master.’
I walked towards the table very slowly.
“Soon, there was going to be a different kind of Rock Fest in Outer Darkness.”
“All Eyes On Me!” began playing loudly as background music.
If a girl has got you by the balls, then you need more girls, for your balls.’
Izeria the dragoness [https://i.imgur.com/yaSktJW.png]