Orga

It was becoming increasingly apparent that Nil’s growth was starting to vastly exceed Lux’s. Ipnerslei warned us that with Krahinn’s assistance that Nil was going to be something fierce. Lux was no slouch, but Nil just kept growing faster. With Krahinn in the mix, Nil completely overwhelmed Lux to the point it was a one-sided beatdown. What was that? Lux was currently practicing the Ipnerslei showed her. Lux was undeniably talented, but she was clearly lacking something. Ipnerslei stated she needed world experience like Nil got and recommended going to Phestia. Currently, the slipped away somewhere with Krahinn. As wildly unpleasant as Krahinn could be, his ability and knowledge were in a league of their own. According to Ipnerslei, were guides that helped harness one’s . I could see Krahinn being more than capable of that given Nil seemed to have a massive leap in his ability. Ipnerslei appeared with a furious looking Krahinn. Above where they appeared was a similar looking portal to what Nil used to go to Ygdazi. Seconds later, a massive black dragon landed in the courtyard. What? He was looking directly at Lux.

“Ipnerslei, I never thought I’d get to hear Krahinn admit I was right.” The dragon chuckled as it casually laid down.

“Stupid Ipnerslei. Lux needs our help, I don’t care if you don’t help Nil. Making me ask him for a favor.” Krahinn snarled, looking furious.

“Hoggdin, this is Lux. Lux, this is Hoggdin.” Ipnerslei introduced them.

“I don’t see why I couldn’t fight him and make him see my point.” Krahinn grumbled, glaring furiously at the two of them.

“Someone wants me to let a little grow on Phestia. You know Krahinn, when asking for favors, one usually uses the word please. But I, being the generous being that I am, was willing to overlook that.” Hoggdin taunted Krahinn.

“I can and will defeat you, you stupid overgrown lizard. You are well passed your prime you scaled fossil.” Krahinn snapped with a furious expression.

“But I still rule Phestia.” Hoggdin pointed out with a toothy smile, before looking at Lux.

“Um. Hello. Ruler Hoggdin.” Lux said out loud. Rare for her to actually speak out loud.

“Phestia in general and I aren’t overly big on titles, it’s just Hoggdin. So, you’re Nil’s .” Hoggdin informed her.

“What’s Phestia like?” Lux inquired. Hoggdin was cocking his head back and forth.

“Don’t focus on that. Why do you want to go to Phestia?” Hoggdin checked. I don’t think I have ever seen a as large as Hoggdin.

“I want to beat Nil.” Lux answered immediately.

“Why? You two are partners after all.” Hoggdin asked, his expression unchanging.

“I still want to win; I want to be strong. I don’t want to be the weak link. I used to be able to win and he is leaving me behind. I hate it.” Lux ranted, sounding furious by the end.

“Good answer.” Hoggdin praised her with a smile. At this point, Krahinn left in a huff.

“How does Phestia help Lux?” I checked. I am on the fence whether I should be insulted or not by this suggestion.

“Because Beastkin, Phestia is a land of with high ambient . It reflects those facts quite well as it is vastly less peaceful than here.” Hoggdin answered with a grin.

“If you rule it, why is it less peaceful?” I probed. Hoggdin erupted in laughter at that.

“ are not exactly peace loving. We do have rules we follow, but we love to fight each other. Here is nowhere near violent enough for a to grow properly.” Hoggdin explained between fits of laughter.

“What determines if you’ll let me go?” Lux checked, looking fiercely at Hoggdin.

“A fight.” Hoggdin answered, still showing all of his teeth in a massive smile.

Lux immediately attacked Hoggdin. Her attempt was valiant, but she was quickly floating in the air, suspended by his . I feel Lux is really starting to hate and its affiliates. Lux was dropped. She immediately tried again, with Hoggdin chuckling. In a matter of seconds, he had her trapped in suspension. How’d I imagine her fighting someone like Krahinn would go. Hoggdin toyed with Lux, trapping her in before letting her attempt again. She began mixing in as she attempted using the various ones Ipnerslei showed her, all of which bounced off Hoggdin. He rested his chin on his fist as he yawned at Lux’s attempts. As expected of an ancient , Lux was no match for him. Her growing frustration was apparent as she failed miserably in the face of Hoggdin. Her , , nor her so much as scuffed Hoggdin’s scales. After letting her attempt for thirty minutes, he simply swatted her once to end it. His attack sounded like a thunderclap from the sheer amount of force behind it.

“Was that much force necessary?” I snapped at him.

“Yes. She’s a . You are too scared to hurt her due to her contract with Nil; I am not. are tough and babying them results in her as well as her skills being what they are.” Hoggdin retorted. Lux was slowly standing back up.

“What does that mean?” I probed. Hoggdin cocked his head back and forth a bit.

“Her are well beyond her age, but her and traits of a are quite under her age. She hasn’t been fighting enough.” Hoggdin stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Lux healed herself, before trying again. Hoggdin smiled as he swatted her across the courtyard. The shockwave from his attack was terrifying as the air itself shook. Lux was not one to easily give up as she stood up slowly. After a few moments Lux launched herself at Hoggdin to try again. Her attacks bounced off of him for a few minutes before he simply went to swat her. Despite his size and strength, the speed of his attack was a blur. Lux pivoted around this time, successfully stabbing a into Hoggdin’s scales. It didn’t hurt him as he adjusted his attack, slamming her into the ground again with another shockwave. She stood back up, looking to try again. Her had already repaired her body as she began reinforcing it to renew her assault.

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“Enough kid. I’ve already determined about where you are and if I will allow you to go to Phestia.” Hoggdin told Lux.

“Did I pass?” Lux asked, looking intensely at Hoggdin.

“You passed before we began. You underestimate just how much I hate the Void King. If you have even a one percent chance of winning I’d allow it, especially if it is something as simple as let you into Phestia.” Hoggdin explained with a smile.

“I want to earn it.” Lux spat in annoyance. Hoggdin laughed.

“Fine. Survive.” Hoggdin told her.

“Wait!” I called out in vain.

It was far too late, as Hoggdin swung much faster than before. Lux barely put a shield up as his fist collided with her. A massive explosion of exploded as Lux went like a streak of light into the outer wall, which had the section and neighboring sections destroyed by the force as she went through them to the hill. Lux bounced off the hill in a massive explosion of dirt as she finally tumbled down. Hoggdin was looking straight ahead at where Lux currently was limp. Ipnerslei went to vanish, but Krahinn put up a claw to stop her.

“Lux wanted to earn it as she should. Do not intervene.” Hoggdin told her, all of his jovial tone was gone.

“You could have held back more. She’s still linked to Nil.” Ipnerslei informed Hoggdin.

“If that was enough to kill her, those two would never win with that much dead weight.” Hoggdin retorted without averting his gaze.

“You could have just killed Crown Prince Nil!” I snarled at Hoggdin.

“Beastkin, do not lecture me. While I am kinder than Krahinn, I am not infinitely patient on the matter. Also, Lux is already moving; that last attack finally woke her up a bit.” Hoggdin stated as a massive smile was spreading across his face.

“What does that mean?” I checked, not following.

“Round two.” Hoggdin answered as a much faster Lux attempted to drop kick him.

Lux grabbed a beam of light, throwing the beam full speed at Hoggdin. She avoided Hoggdin’s attack, pivoting around his fist as she made a massive set of claws made of light to scrape him with. Hoggdin smiled wider, deflecting the claws with his wing as his claws went to attack Lux. She’s still yet to make him stand up. Hoggdin still attempted to swat her one-handed as Lux went into , phasing through his hand. What? Since when could she go through solid objects? Hoggdin looked like he was enjoying himself as she kicked him across the jaw. His head didn’t move at all to Lux’s visible chagrin. She burst away, casting at Hoggdin. Hoggdin looked excited as he simply ate her . Dragons really are unfair. Lux didn’t let that stop her while she formed a to attempt to slash Hoggdin with. Hoggdin used his claw to attack her, so Lux spirited away to the side. Good news, she finally motivated him to add more to his attack patterns. Bad news, she was not ready for his tail as Hoggdin slammed her into the ground hard enough for a small earthquake.

“Do you have no idea how to use the abilities of a ?” Hoggdin laughed as Lux was clawing herself out of the earth.

“No. I’ve been here since I was a baby.” Lux pouted, looking exhausted.

“ are generally not the greatest parents. That’s fine. For doing so well, try activating one of the halos on your back, or pouring into the on your arms.” Hoggdin told her.

“I. I didn’t know that.” I grumbled. Is it my fault Lux was losing so badly to Nil?

“No. You’ve actually done a surprisingly good job. Sorry, that was very Krahinn of me.” Hoggdin informed me as Lux was attempting what he suggested.

“Then. Why is she losing so badly to Nil then?” I inquired. Hoggdin shook his head back and forth a bit.

“Nil has Krahinn giving him assistance for starters; do not underestimate that jerk’s brain. The other is harder for me to phrase. Her environment for growing is not correct. Someone forbade the two of them from fighting at some point which while good for Nil, not so good for Lux. It has unintentionally impeded her growth in some ways, but she is still quite strong for her age despite that fact.” Hoggdin explained. Lux’s one halo was spinning, but nothing was happening.

“What am I doing wrong?” Lux asked Hoggdin. Hoggdin laughed at her.

“Nothing. You misunderstand what that halo does.” Hoggdin explained as he cast .

It appeared to be a full strength cast right on top of Lux. Lux went wide eyed, putting a shield up that crumpled like paper to the massive attack. It hit Lux and then. Stopped? What? There was no way Lux stopped one of Hoggdin’s like that. Lux was patting her arms, and then herself before looking stunned she was virtually unscathed by the attack. Lux looked between herself and Hoggdin.

“Each halo does something different?” Lux probed in a tone of wonder.

“Yes. Each of a halos do something unique, as in the general effect is similar but the general ability is similar. It’s why I told Orga not to beat herself up too much, as your first three halos are not only properly formed, but they are also exquisite. You just have no idea how to use them. If I recall, the first three halos in order are called shield, thorns, and rain. Now, I am not opposed to giving you some lessons, Orga and Ipnerslei will definitely be doing most of that, especially once on Phestia.” Hoggdin instructed Lux.

“What about the ?” Lux inquired as she made the second halo begin spinning.

“Think of them as ability amplifiers, but do not use them long term. They should be used in short bursts because maintaining them is quite taxing.” Hoggdin explained. Along Lux there were several little thorns.

“What’s this do?” Lux checked excitedly. Hoggdin looked around, found a boulder, and dropped it on Lux. She palmed it away like it was a feather.

“How does that work?” Ipnerslei asked, looking surprised by the result.

“Shield creates a protective armor, thorns are an empowering strength, and rain causes bad luck for those you are fighting. Some of the names don’t exactly translate well.” Hoggdin lectured. Lux ran off, trying her newly discovered abilities.

“I knew Phestia would be good for her.” Ipnerslei stated, radiating this odd happiness.

“Why am I needed? Between the two of you, what could I possibly contribute?” I questioned them dejectedly. Hoggdin looked at me confused.

“One, my help is limited strictly to the abilities that come from being a , a , and giving a place to stay in Phestia. Maybe a little wake up slap for her. Two, you realize those halos are formed as well as they are because of your teaching, right? You have some surprisingly good insight on that I am curious about. Phestia I imagine is going to be cornucopia for your research. Three, her foundation is better than pretty much every what I’d call young . Most her age have no idea how it works, or only have practical application knowledge. Do not sell yourself short.” Hoggdin told me.

“Also, I am limited to teaching her . It takes quite a few people to properly raise the next generation. You have laid a lot of foundation to build on. We’re only able to produce such results so quickly because you’ve already done most of the work.” Ipnerslei praised me. Her praise felt weird.

“I am surprised by the foundation found here in Tenebrae. I imagine this Realm is about to experience great growth as far is concerned as a lot of the foundation and base of knowledge has been so thoroughly built.” Hoggdin added as he watched Lux run around alternating which halos she was using.

“I’m not sure Lux and Nil are the greatest sample to base off of.” I told him. He laughed in response.

“I was judging off you. Those two are just reaping the rewards of the efforts of the rest of you.” Hoggdin corrected me.