I never appreciated just how much each helped until I saw Luna spar Nautilus a few days after the ; I also realized just how much harder Nautilus tended to hit me as she held back less against Luna. Now that I think about it, just how hard can one punch with ? I usually focused on but seeing Nautilus and Luna sparring got me curious what the limit was. From what I gleaned, Hoggdin could approach what might’ve been the limit, or at least what was the perceived limit. I don’t have lessons for the rest of today. I let out a sigh as if I wanted the answer, I needed to ask Krahinn. Hopefully he was in a good mood today. I sensed around the castle to make sure Krahinn was on top of the castle before using to stand next to him. Krahinn was napping while surrounded in a ward he made, so I just stood there. How long till he woke up? I knew better than to try and break the ward and wake him up because Krahinn’s was strong enough to nearly eviscerate the castle when he had a nightmare. Unfortunately, I just had to wait for Krahinn to wake up.

So, what is the limit of ? Dha was capable of recreating one of my memories despite the fact that I had never met him. From what Luna told me, Krahinn struggled to control ; I guess when you’re not emotionally invested in the events controlling the might be easier. From what Krahinn told me, emotional state mattered for more abstract like that so reliving a bad memory likely made controlling it quite difficult. But what would the limit even look like? Lords seemed to bend reality as they desired with to whatever they envisioned. Krahinn had immense power, but it was dwarfed by what the Lords could do from what I could tell. The limit was not tied to being mortal versus immortal as Krahinn was some form of immortal. What was the difference? What made the Lords unique? They were some form of deity, but how were they so powerful? What was the difference? From what I could tell, they didn’t overly have any knowledge on science but still managed to create Realms. I mulled over what the difference was as I waited for Krahinn to wake up, which took about two hours.

“What do you want?” Krahinn yawned as he woke up.

“What’s the limit of ? What makes the Lords different than you? You’re both immortal, but they are in a league well above you.” I asked Krahinn. Krahinn blinked slowly as he looked at me, debating how to respond.

“Well, that’s an interesting question.” Krahinn quipped while cracking his neck.

“I was thinking it over and couldn’t fathom what it would even look like.” I told Krahinn. Krahinn tilted his head back and forth a little bit.

“Just to squash the idea, you could never get to a point where you could challenge a Lord. They are quite literally the embodiment of forces and ideas which fuels their power. As I told you, turns abstract thought into reality; not even the Void King has managed to replicate that ability of theirs. As for the limit, I couldn’t tell you. I can’t create something like the Realms, but I could fold large swathes of space to my desire. I have a feeling of what I am capable of, yet I struggle to envision an idea I cannot do. Huh.” Krahinn explained, looking amused by the end. Krahinn began chuckling.

“What’s amusing?” I inquired. Krahinn looked at me, laughing a bit more.

“You found a flaw.” Krahinn laughed. How was that so amusing?

“That you struggle to envision what you can’t do?” I checked. I could see why it was a flaw, but I failed to see the amusement.

“You’re too young to truly grasp the flaw; most beings when they practice learn their limits to avoid and slowly condition their thinking to what they can do. You can fall into a rut of staying within bounds you have created for yourself without ever realizing it.” Krahinn told me, seeming to enjoy the thought.

“That’s interesting.” I quipped. I guessed I never thought of avoiding as limiting myself. To be fair, I really enjoyed pushing my as far as I could until I met Luna.

“I’ll give you credit Nil; you have some interesting insights and questions.” Krahinn praised me. It was odd because it sounded like genuine praise from him.

“Thank you.” I replied, beginning to figure out where to to. Krahinn had an expression on his face like when he was scheming something, so the sooner I vanished the better.

“Hold on a second, Nil.” Krahinn directed me. Wasn’t fast enough, how unfortunate.

“Was there something you wanted to test?” I inquired, hoping it was something simple.

“No. I was debating something.” Krahinn answered. Did I need to probe further or wait for him to say what was next?

“What were you debating?” I asked. Krahinn tilted his head side to side a bit.

“Do you know where comes from?” Krahinn probed. Just talking, that was fine.

“No. Uncle Nez taught me how to use it, and has been giving me lessons on it, but as for it’s exact origin I do not know.” I told Krahinn. Krahinn shrugged like he expected that answer.

“The Lords can disseminate information between their Realms, so if a major breakthrough occurs in one that is helpful, they will give revelations to the others. is one such instance.” Krahinn informed me. So, it was not native to Tenebrae. But what is Krahinn getting at?

“So, who originally came up with ? Did you know them?” I pressed. Krahinn had a mixed expression as he looked back.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Them was unintentionally correct, as it was the work of two individuals working together. I knew one and know the other. As a matter of fact, you know the living one as well.” Krahinn explained. Wait, the only people not from Tenebrae I knew was an incredibly short list. Wait. His title. I looked at Krahinn who was smugly smiling.

“Correct Nil, the Void King is the Void King, as in the founder of . Yet recently you managed to innovate on his which is something even he struggles to do, and then one upped yourself with an interesting revelation.” Krahinn elaborated. That…that was a highly unpleasant piece of information. One of the two I can use, and the maker of ones wants to kill me.

“So. Um. Should I continue to learn ?” I inquired. Hold on, Krahinn said two individuals. Who helped him come up with it?

“I would recommend it, as I have the notes and discussion of the one who helped him perfectly preserved. I was making a copy to give Nez as a gift for being one of the few of you I enjoy talking to. As for the itself, the only way you are defeating that monster is innovation as his foundation, concept, and knowledge are all well developed vastly beyond what you could achieve in the time you have, so the made to disrupt and block other is quite useful, even if the creator is your opponent. That being said, reaching a point where the difference in and ability is obtainable with effort as there is a point where the gain starts to become quite minimal which a human could easily hit in their life span.” Krahinn lectured with a bit of a pained expression.

“Is anyone in my family at the limit? If the limit is so easy to reach, how are there such differences in strength?” I pressed. Krahinn clearly thought of how to phrase his answer.

“Emperor Father Nil is fairly close to that point. Most beings don’t train hard enough to reach the limit despite how relatively low it is. You do not have a choice because you’re doomed if you don’t. is fair in that regard, where the limit on it is obtainable by any willing to put in the effort. make serious differences in strength, as well as ability. On the front of being able to reach the point you could survive, you have everything currently going for you. Practice, creativity, and adaptability matter the most from there.” Krahinn assured me. That was good at least. It was odd when Krahinn was being nice like this.

“Thank you for your insights today.” I told Krahinn with a polite bow.

“I’ll also say I am sorry for when I may have been less than pleasant towards you. There may have been a few times I went a bit far and had a disproportionate reaction.” Krahinn apologized. I nearly fell off the roof in shock at this point. Is Krahinn feeling okay?

“Um. Uh. I. Um. Thank you?” I tried. What was I supposed to say? This was wildly uncharted territory.

“Furthermore, I gained the title of Great Blasphemer for killing the King of the Oasis, Helsiri. I committed the heresy of regicide, which is about the greatest crime you can commit as an . Our duel destroyed the Oasis and turned it into the Wastes. The only reason I was not executed was because of Helsiri’s actions on Arcadia.” Krahinn added on. Did…did Krahinn just? Was that the answer to our wager? He’s tricking me, right?

“Interesting.” I quipped while trying to process the words that just left Krahinn’s mouth.

“Huh, I thought you’d go to win the wager after I told you the answer.” Krahinn shot back. It’s a trick. Do not fall for his trap Nil.

“Uh huh. Yes. The answer you told me is definitely the one to our wager.” I retorted. Krahinn had a much less than amused face now.

“I do not lie Nil.” Krahinn growled at me.

“That’s what a liar would claim, Krahinn.” I snapped back. At this point, Krahinn’s eyes were twitching.

“Say the answer already, Nil.” Krahinn pressed. Wait, doesn’t it default to my win if he tries to force an early or incorrect answer?

“I would like a judge’s call on the matter.” I demanded. Get Ipnerslei here to verify I’m not being tricked.

“I’m trying to be nice here!” Krahinn roared at me, looking offended by my skepticism.

“This is wildly unchartered territory here! You have very, very, very rarely been nice. You are usually cranky and sarcastic, and I am taking zero chances.” I told him. Krahinn glared at me, clearly unamused by this turn of events.

“You have about ten seconds before I see how tiny of a ball I can fold you into.” Krahinn threatened. Okay, I think this constitutes forcing me to answer, so I win regardless.

“Under immense duress, please summon Ipnerslei so she can judge my answer.” I requested of Krahinn.

Krahinn grabbed me before forcefully using my to open a . I was dragged through by Krahinn as we stepped into some cave that was quite cold. Whoa, this place is lavish. We took a step and materialized somewhere nearby. Ipnerslei was sitting at a table along with Orga and Hoggdin. Hoggdin seemed curious by our appearance but said nothing. Krahinn made Orga disappear with his before unceremoniously tossing me in front of Ipnerslei. Grouchy old man. Not that I would voice that currently, as for some reason Krahinn was annoyed again.

“Tell her the answer.” Krahinn ordered me.

“I would like to say, this answer is under duress through the forceful met-“ I began as I felt the space around me begin to curl.

“Krahinn!” Ipnerslei snapped at him as Hoggdin was amused by the impromptu show.

“Say it, Nil.” Krahinn insisted, seeming incensed at this point.

“Krahinn became the Great Blasphemer for committing regicide, specifically the King of the Oasis, Helsiri.” I gasped as I was rapidly turning into a ball before Krahinn stopped. Ipnerslei and Hoggdin looked a bit stunned.

“Was his answer correct?" Krahinn prodded Ipnerslei. She seemed oddly happy as the shock began to wear off.

“The winner of the wager is Nil.” Ipnerslei declared. He really did just tell me the answer.

“Kind of anticlimactic you just told me. I thought I was going to have to figure it out.” I pouted before I was folded into a tiny ball.

I was joking. I was joking. Release me. Please. I’m sorry. I groveled to Krahinn mentally.

“Thank you Ipnerslei. Nice seeing you Hoggdin.” Krahinn replied as he summoned Orga back before stepping back through the he made.

“As for you, I did plan on originally being as vague and unhelpful in the wager as possible while freeloading some meals and entertainment for myself. However, you are interesting and possess the kind of perspective combined with the ability to hopefully achieve what I want.” Krahinn explained as he undid the ball folding of his.

“What exactly do you want? As I want your help to defeat the Void King.” I checked, suspecting the goals were fairly aligned.

“I want to avenge the death of my brother, Hugminn, by murdering the Void King.” Krahinn told me. Ah, the goals were definitely aligned.

“Speaking of the Void King, I had a question from a few minutes ago before we continue on. Who helped him come up with ?” I probed. Krahinn let out a heavy sigh.

“Unintentionally, I inspired the idea that became . As for who actively helped him make an entire new , Hugminn.” Krahinn answered. Hold on. Wait. What?

“Your brother was friends with the Void King?” I asked, making sure I understood what Krahinn was saying.

“No, my brother was his before he was betrayed by him. Here is a piece of information only three other non-Lords know, the Void King’s name is Scius Luvurnoft.” Krahinn informed me as I now had a lot of questions.