The god’s brain isn’t great for conversation. Although I did manage to persuade some things from it. He says his name is Winter and that the gods of his world each controls a season and element. He controls water, Summer controls fire, Spring controls earth, and Autumn controls air. Reminds me of a show I watched as a kid. I’ve also learned through extensively studying the brain’s aura and energy a lot about souls in supplement to what I learned from the Aninomicon.
Benign souls are the souls of passive animals such as herbivores.
Predatory souls are the souls of aggressive animals such as carnivores and predators.
Unhinged souls are the souls of magical creatures such as the bear I incinerated during my first Excursion.
Immutable souls aren’t technically souls, but the mysterious forces than animate things like golems that naturally appear in worlds without magical interference.
Malleable souls are souls created with magic. The Aninomicon stated they are of great use, but I have yet to create any.
Wise souls are the souls of any and all sentient beings, with a few exceptions. This is the type of soul I used to possess.
Noble souls are the souls of gods. The god-brain in my possession houses a Noble soul, and I recognize now that the dragon I did combat with also had one.
Doomed souls should not exist. As far as I am aware, I’m the only one in existence.
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With my newfound knowledge, I get to experimenting. Although I vowed never to mess with souls, I conclude it’s alright as long as they aren’t Wise or Noble; sentience is my only taboo. Within an hour I have created a device that can extract the souls from recently deceased brains and a special type of container than can confine the souls for later use. The device looks sort of like a vacuum cleaner. Heh. I decide to test out the device and open a flux rift back to the dimension of Ctalek where we first arrived. I walk around until I find a herd of cows grazing. Sorry cows. I take out my Victus Conductor and in an instant all the cows drop dead. With this I’ll have more than enough benign souls to experiment with.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
After about two days of research, I make a few major advancements in the field of soul magic. By imbuing benign souls into my tools and armor, they will automatically repair themselves from damage (although the Primal Cutter already had this ability). I also discovered that from killing the dragon’s soul I actually absorbed it. With this knowledge, I designed a device I call the Soul Infuser to extract the soul from me. The device can also infuse other souls into my body should the need arise. With a noble soul to experiment on, I discover by infusing my gauntlet with it that I no longer need a focus to cast magic; I can simply think of what I want to happen and it will, although it is still far less potent than spell foci. I ponder the moral standards I set for myself, but resolve to make an exception for the soul of the dragon for being such an ass and imprisoning innocent people. The words of creation must give noble souls an inherent connection with vis.
"I’ve learned all I can about souls, Winter. Since I pity you I will grow you a new body. However, I will have you work under me as a servant as recompense for your attempt to kill me."
The speech device I connected to the brain makes no sound in response. He’s acting like a child, ghosting me.
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I sit in the throne room, with all the crimson cultists and praetors gathered in front of me.
"Brothers of Crimson," I begin my speech, "today is a momentous day for us! Once abandoned, cast aside, we are one step closer to reaching Heaven and Yahweh!" The cultists chant a primal grunt in unison. "I have begun research into a device capable of mimicking the power of a word of creation. This will allow us to create a portal to Heaven. The Veil will deny us access no longer!" The cultists cheer in ecstasy and jump like giddy children. I cannot image how happy they must be to finally receive the afterlife they deserve. However, mid-celebration, the entire tower is shaken by a powerful force from outside. Victor and I lead the Praetors out into the dark wasteland hurriedly. In the distance, through a flux rift, is a lone man, clad in silver armor head to toe, walking slowly towards the tower.
"I will handle this." I make my way towards the figure with my golem accompanying me. We both stop about 15 feet from each other. "If you’re here you must either be a god or someone cast out by a god. Tell me, which are you?"
The figure does not move an inch. "I am Tetrax, the God of Destruction. I have come to avenge my Royal Knight. I’m also here to take vengeance for some gods from another dimension." Does he mean the dragon and the brain I have in the tower?
"If you’re referring to Winter I can assure you he’s still alive, in a sense at least. As for the dragon, it attacked first." Tetrax twitches a little. "I can tell you’re here for a reason, and I’m willing to bet I know what that is. Before we begin, since you did me the courtesy of telling me your name, I will tell you mine."
Tetrax places his hand on his sword and readies himself for combat.A man of average build stands undaunted in a dark forest overtaken by purple shrubbery as he places his hand on his weapon. [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1136080780368543925/1136080801109385236/IMG_3970.png]
"My name is Sam."