《The Andurin》


 PROLOGUE

    In the dark of the night, I made my way through the maze within the Forest into the clearing of the gathering of the Kolga.


    The protection arrays and security have been pretty dense. Slit throats, impalements and beheadings have been the retribution dished among the sentry. They were unsuspecting and unprepared but nevertheless deserving of their fate.


    I have come to warn, to repay, to kill and to instill fear into these men.


    No, not to me. They are not men but a curse and a plague.


    Making my way through the jungle I found myself slaying 30 to 40 men. A couple of Ragnar beasts with their riders and guards were particularly troublesome. Nevertheless, no screams nor distress signals, nor glowing crystals occurred during the carnage.


    If I say so myself, one of my finest hours. Best work ever done for a former Augir. Precise, cold and with bated breath just as I like my servings of comeuppance.


    Crossing the ravine in one swift motion to reach the clearing where the gathering was occurring is no mere feat. Few masters could do the crossing without alerting the surrounding watch towers.


    As I stepped just outside the outermost part of the clearing I could see the main altar and the surrounding members of the Eternal Moon. They were hundreds of them and as expected many of them high ranking, easily noticeable by their dark silvery robes.


    The High Priest adorned with scarlet gold attire was already leading the procession to the altar. The remaining members formed in a circle and within the circle they were forming the sigil that surrounded the altar with their orgon crystals lightning up the place.


    The chanting of the ancient tongues was quite evident during the proceedings, which one of the tongues being used, I had no idea.


    I never learned any other ancient tongue outside of the Andurian dialect and even then only enough to get through what I needed. My friend and teacher, Burin, will have a field day saying how inadequate for an individual of my standing to be so unrefined.


    ¡°An incredibly skilled butcher.¡± He would say.


    Perhaps I am a killer, a tool for slaughter but even if I am those things and more, I am sure of one thing above all others:


    I am retribution. I am requital and I am wrath.


    As I stood there watching the reverie of the congregated through the procession I saw a delicately dressed maiden being lead to the altar amidst the chanting. Slowly, at a pace following the beats of a drum. In other words, following the cacophony of the chants. One chant, nonetheless, it felt like the sound of many voices.


    The orgon and the sigil combining with the inner core of the participants, I suppose.


    Chalk up one more for Burin and me being uncultured in the ways of the Will.


    I can only laugh at myself.


    I must say, the girl was beautiful even if only having her facial features visible, so much so that it was enchanting, even to me. And to my credit, I can say for certain that I have never cared for such things before.


    Sad thing is, it was obvious she would be the sacrifice for the night. At least she still had the pathway and the many stairs to go before she reached the altar where the High Priest had arrived previously.


    ¡°Make way, make way.¡± Shouted the leader of the pack that lead the girl.


    As I heard the common tongue of the old empire being hollered and the crowd of onlookers parted to the sides so they could pass, I noticed the unexplainable.


    Through the hundreds of people gathered, the girl glanced my way. It was just for a moment but we crossed eyes. She noticed me. For a split second but there was a convergence of resonance.


    I knew it, I felt it.


    I was in trouble. I needed to make a swift decision.


    Either attack the High Priest and die with him in a suicide charge or take the girl out and try to hastily make my escape. Whatever was going to happen it would take but a few breaths to send the entire place into mayhem.


    The one great thing of truly mass secret gatherings is that many people rarely knew who was with whom or who was who. After all, you are not supposed to be here uninvited.


    Almost none could pull off what I had done. This may be the one time this situation might help me somewhat.


    Already hiding my alertness, my hands were inconspicuously on the handle of my blades under my fake dark silver robes.


    Holding my peace, I waited for the girl to signal her guards about me. Since she was the closest one to me, I have decided that to tamper with the ritual, this way would be the best course of action albeit not the one that I intended.


    With bitterness in my heart I waited.


    One breath.


    Two Breaths.


    Three breaths.


    As I waited for one more breath before dashing in for a kill, the girl fell to the ground.


    Halting the procession but not the chanting, one of the guards helped her stand up again. And as she stood up again she glanced at me again but there was no resonance this time.


    A master¡¯s vision is always abnormal but mine is specially so due to my training and domain of arcane arts into very peculiar fields. And with it I noticed it, I saw her blue eyes vividly but the only thing I could see were the eyes that I have seen way too many times during my Augir days.


    The eyes of someone pleading for help.


    Who was she? How can she resonate a convergence and everybody else is none the wiser but me?


    Pure coincidence matched with my plan with this ceremony. All I wanted was to disrupt a High Priest ritual of the High Chamber. I didn¡¯t know today was a very special offering on the High Moon day.


    I have always been daring, stupidly so at times but this one felt as that I may be chewing on a bit too much.


    By the Maker¡¯s will what have I gotten myself into?


    My mind went into overdrive and I quickly devised a modified version of my original plan based on my intuition and foresight. Albeit limited as it may be.


    Again, Burin would laugh hysterically at my predicament.


    I made my way through the circled sigil into the second level of the formation by bribing exorbitant amounts of orgon crystals. The excuse of gaining a greater blessing by being closer to the resonance of souls is always useful in these endeavors.


    Although after tonight, this method will never work again.


    My temporal storage ring was almost depleted except for the ones I needed for the mission.


    And to be honest, chanting Malgrunian tongue to preserve my cover that I had just barely heard in passing while being here was extremely taxing for various reasons.


    Keeping the fa?ade was the hardest thing I had ever done. Thankfully the orgon crystals I held were making things bearable.


    It must be said that a forest clearing filled with people on a High Moon as a backdrop with a high steps altar with orgon crystals resonating is always an imposing sight. Conversely, ours will never be quite like this, I wonder if some of this can be applied to our practices.


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    Very hard to know, sometimes just because you could does not mean that you should.


    I decided to focus on the task at hand. The chants were ongoing, increasing in cadence as the woman climbed the stairs.


    ¡°Fellow brethren now we must give our gratitude, allegiance and converge with the great spirits of Malgrun.¡± The High Priest resounded over the crowd¡¯s voices as he spoke in the common tongue.


    He said other things in the Malgrunian tongue but as I was only repeating the chant, I hardly could make sense of any of it.


    My hands were firmly on my blades as I watched the High Priest place the woman on top of the altar face up. Slowly glowing orgon crystal stones began to flicker. Everybody could sense the increase in the energy resonance around the clearing.


    The High Priest continued his babbling or whatever he was saying.


    I griped the handles of my dual blades and prepared mentally to dash at the altar in three breaths for a suicide sprint at the priest and the girl. Kill the priest, kill the girl. Reverse the scales.


    They will not succeed in whatever they were planning, that was all that I was thinking. Even unto death.


    Ten breaths were the distance needed to reach the High Priest but there were guards around the altar. So I made a straight line cutting at the knees or the groins of the Malgrunian adepts as I headed towards the steps. About twenty of them where in front of me.


    First breath. A scream and an adept fell.


    Second breath. An adept reacted and turned to face me. He fell as my blade cut his groin. Some adepts ran away from the screams.


    Third breaths. Three more Malgrunian worshipers fell by razor thin scratches on their body. My blades glowed like blue fire in the night. The glow was visible, I was exposed.


    Ten more worshippers and I would reach the guards; the High Priest cannot stop the ritual now. This is the best chance.


    Kill or be killed.


    Fourth breath. The Malgrunian adepts realizing what was happening maintained the formation but several of them stepped out of it. They started to come after me.


    The reconfiguration of the sigil made the energy resonance dimmer.


    The High Priests will need more time to kill the girl. I had many more pursuers on my tail from many directions. Dozens against one.


    Problematic, yes very problematic. Yet doable, within the range of my abilities but definitely deadly.


    Fifth breath. Lightning hits, it crashes like a thunderstorm, hundreds upon hundreds of rays and thunder but none touch the ground inside the clearing.


    Sixth breath. Trees are torn asunder, beasts scream in terror as lightning continues to strike and the earth rumbles. Outside the clearing fire begins to rage. The continuous strikes make a dome like crystalline structure visible to the naked eye.


    Seventh breath. The majority of my pursuers hurriedly dispersed somewhere, only a few continued to chase. I hastened my killing, finally reaching the top stairs of the Altar. I must face the guards. Nine are visible, but there may be some hidden ones.


    Eight breath. I clash with two guards as I throw my two blades at one, he deflects one but the other grazes him by a hair on the neck. He drops, the blue glow of the blade is reflected in his neck wound. I crash into the second guard with full momentum and crush his throat.


    The High Priest reacts finally waving his hand and ten more guards appear from under the altar.


    This was trouble. Too much trouble


    ¡°Let¡¯s dine in the void for an eternity High Priest.¡± I shouted as I charged towards him.


    Ninth breath. My blades return to me floating behind me and into my hands. I prepared to get crushed by the seven incoming guards that were trying to surround me. Still, I had a surprise for them.


    The crystalline dome cracks.


    Thunder resounds inside the clearing. Fear is seen in the faces of the worshippers; the sigil formation is disrupted. From the visible rift on top of the protective dome a ray of pure white light descends upon the altar, right where the High Priest of Malgrun was standing.


    Tenth breath. The clash between the light and the High Priest was so strong that the guards were sent flying off the top of the altar. The force of my forward momentum prevented me from tumbling off and losing balance, I hanged on and steadied myself keeping my bearings.


    My ears were buzzing.


    Eleventh breath. The clash of light dissipates revealing a man clad in full armor emitting a golden hue. Reddish and purple energy flow from the High Priest who had materialized a staff.


    At least that was what seemed to me, the phenomenon was inexplicable to my knowledge. The armored man bares down on the staff with a sword with the same golden hue.


    Twelfth breath. I decided to rush towards the altar avoiding the clash of the hooded priest and the armored knight, retrieve the sacrificial girl and make a quick departure now that the dome protection is cracked.


    I reached the altar and with the infusion of a concoction of my friend Burin, the magical trappings were dissolved. I had intended to use the solution on the High Priest but this outcome can be considered optimal.


    They only problem was that her bosom was laid bare. Chalk up one for unintended hero perks. Or maybe not.


    In my defense I, Or, Augir of the Four Winds am no virgin but also not a seducer.


    The battle raged on, the High Priest and the knight were going for the kill on each exchange. It was a glorious sight; the half-naked girl was also transfixed on the battle. Always a fascinating sight.


    ¡°Cover yourself!¡± I said to the girl as I hurriedly used the tablecloth on the altar as a momentary substitute. The blue eyed beauty readily agreed.


    By the Twentieth breath, the guards had all started coming back up the altar. I decided to dance with them, after all, the altar could not withstand another clash of similar proportions.


    It was time to cleanse the rats.


    The guards threw mist bombs to obfuscate the surroundings. Sadly, for them, their opponent was me. Without the protection of the High Priest his minions died like flies under the edge of my blades.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Screamed the sacrificial girl warning the knight of a very dangerous magic attack.


    The girl hid behind the knight in a corner of the altar¡¯s base.


    The knight roared creating an area barrier that dissipated the energy from the attack. The knight was on the losing end of the shuffle. The girl¡¯s presence hindered him from exerting a full display of his power.


    ¡°The protection of the weak is the realm of the truly powerful or the truly foolish.¡± I said.


    Most of us are not legendary heroes after all.


    At this time, I¡¯m thinking that he is a very powerful and foolish knight. However, watching Malgrunians get away with their schemes never sat right with me. Therefore, I decided to tag team the High Priest and finish the duel.


    After disposing of the Malgrunian nuisances I immediately stood behind the High Priest, blades shining and at the ready.


    ¡°I, Zoer will not be played by ignorant fools!¡± the Priest roared.


    Breaking his staff an enormous amount of energy was being gathered to the altar and the nearby area.


    ¡°Mana? Will? Life force?¡± I whispered


    ¡°More, maybe all of it.¡± Responded the knight as he adjusted his sword grip and helmet for a charge.


    I did likewise and prepared for a full frontal dual attack with my blades shimmering in blue with all the power I could muster into them.


    Whatever it was, a self-destruction spell, a massive energy black hole or a summon of some kind it didn¡¯t matter. This was at the heart of the Eternal Moon Kingdom, their home turf.


    The dome protection was gone, soon Malgrunian High Chamber members would come. If we don¡¯t stop it, the girl dies. It was obvious to me that she was the crucial element.


    We were two, a knight and an Aguir Battlemaster, so finesse was out of the question and not much of a chance of anything other than to overpower the strange convergence. If the girl is as important as she seems, our energy blasts will not harm her.


    At least it will not harm her much, I think.


    ¡°You cannot stop this!¡± Zoer said with a devilish grin as he forcefully expanded the energy in a chain reaction through a blood hand sigil.


    The armor and the sword of the knight glowed their golden hue brightly, my blades and my hidden tattoos glowed fiery blue. We launched ourselves into the expansive energy area targeting the High Priest. The three energies clashed.


    BOOOM!!!


    The thunderous wave reverberated around the clearing like the screams of many beasts.


    The altar was eviscerated, the surrounded area marked with a ring of fire three furlongs wide, everything within it burned or charred.


    The explosion scared and scarred the worshippers and all of them ran into the forest, even if it meant being eaten by beasts. Very few Malgrunians were watching from a far, behind bushes and trees.


    My right handed blade was stuck into Zoer¡¯s throat but he still refused to die. The blue glow of my beloved weapon was gone. The knight¡¯s sword had lost its glow and his armor was slightly burned. I guess he took the brunt of the energy blast.


    ¡°Augirian armor, huh? The knight asked as he took off his helmet. The beautifully done metalwork was slightly dented.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s obvious since my robes went up in fumes.¡± I said while smiling and looking over my revealed armor suit¡¯s impeccable appearance.


    ¡°You have grown up well Urai.¡± I added as I took off my alchemical mask from my face.


    ¡°Or! You are alive! For the love of Gurnir!?!¡± Urai said visibly shocked.


    I guess transforming one¡¯s face from an old man to a dead person can do that to some people. Nonetheless, Urai was still his brown eyed handsome self, just older.


    ¡°Yes, a night of many surprises.¡± I responded glancing over to confirm my other suspicion.


    The beautiful little lady was perfectly fine after the burning blast. But I must say she¡¯s a perfectly developed woman.


    Hero Perk Number Two. Perfectly fine, absolutely naked.


    Always a fascinating sight.


    ¡°Young lady, you¡¯ll be coming with me.¡± I said looking at the female.


    ¡°You cannot do that; I came here to take her to her master. Who else you think can create such a blistering spectacle without harming us?¡± Angrily retorted Urai.


    ¡°Well, why isn¡¯t he or one of them here but you?!¡± I asked


    Urai was silent, almost like he couldn¡¯t or wouldn¡¯t say.


    ¡°Look your armor needs repair and you are clearly injured. If you want to leave in one piece with the girl, you are going to need me. Besides, you owe me a blade for MY kill.¡± I explained while pointing at Zoer.


    He was calcifying at rapid speed into a heavenstone. Maybe it was due to the convergences of energies and he had no protection. I didn¡¯t think Zoer expected a two versus one with opponents wearing legendary level armor.


    Who would be insane enough to do a single unit surprise attack on a full moon gathering after all?


    In short my blade was lost. It had no more power as it was being absorbed and I was unwilling to pull it out while the heavenstone was forming.


    ¡°We have a few more breaths before they come you know.¡± I said with finality.


    Urai conceded begrudgingly. He and the girl came close and held my hands.


    In an instant, we disappeared from the spot as if we were never there.


    My blade remained stuck in the neck of Zoer, the High Priest of Malgrun, with a headstone that read the following:


    -Word for word, Deed for deed, Blood for blood-


    A killer had desecrated a holy site, played the role of executioner and foiled their plans. This was the beginning of heroes, villains, bards, courtesans, politicians and warmongers. The era of many sorrows.


    The night of the Wailing Blade.

 CHAPTER 1

    Ikrei P.O.V


    ¡°I am tired of living like this. But what can I do?¡± I grumbled as I kept looking out the window from my bed expectantly.


    ¡°Hope he comes soon.¡± I thought inwardly.


    Living in a rundown cottage that my parents left me isn¡¯t the best condition for someone poor like me. The only reason officers, adults or royals don¡¯t reclaim this place with any sort of excuse is because it is stationed near the Beast forest.


    Who would live near a mana filled bestiary of creatures? Hunters, that¡¯s who. Crazy hunters for that matter. My parents were crazy for prey but I loved them.


    As I was lost in my thoughts I heard the voice of my friend Teng coming up the stairs.


    ¡°I got it! I got it!¡± he said joyfully with a booming voice.


    ¡°Did you get it? Did you get it?¡± I mimicked in return.


    Soon Teng placed a booklet in my hands. It was worn down but still readable.


    It as a copy of the Argon Teng had obtained using most of our combined savings from the past six years. Thirty Ucra, a fortune for a kid peddling money from hunter related services.


    The most important thing is that it was the real thing. I recognized several of the sigils and symbols my father had taught me when I was a child.


    ¡°I know how hard it is to get this, thank you Teng.¡± I said smiling at him.


    ¡°No need to mention it brother¡± he answered back approvingly.


    The Argon of the Sages, the worn down pages in my hands are a rare commodity, very hard to find for those living in the Eternal Moon Kingdom, specially the unprivileged.


    There are many hunters in Malgrunian territory but very few of other faiths.


    It¡¯s heresy.


    ¡°We will train together as promised, just keep helping me with the pelts and the other kids, specially Luc.¡± I told Teng.


    Teng nodded silently.


    The cottage had become refuge for other orphan kids who came and went mostly without trouble. Except for Luc and his cronies who constantly tried to hinder our small business of pelt and meat treatment besides hunting and reselling small pray like wofer rabbits and the occasional shadow wolf.


    Competition among hunter families is fierce. Thankfully, an old friend of my mother, old hunter Olga helped us to keep things in check.


    I was excited to read The Argon. The book of scripture of the other faiths in the Western Continent. The heresy punishable by flagging of the soul.


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin, yesterday is already too late.¡± I said happily.


    Teng agreed and brought some snacks out of his pouch and prepared to study with me.


    He closed the room door and we started reading the contents of the Argon from that morning until dawn. We were in a somewhat frenzied state of mind. Too excited to think about any other things. This was and is our only ticket out of this wretched life.


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    Our chance to be reborn anew, to awaken.


    Tired, the night came and we felt sleep on the bed.


    <hr>


    The following days came and went with us hunting wofer rabbits at the edge of Andara Forest for food and commissioned pelting from other hunters and merchants. We always had good business since we were slightly cheaper than other hunters but being teenagers also delayed our output of permeated pelts and skins.


    We meditated and studied the Argon scriptures at dawn. Guess those extra mana tears or orgon mini crystals we get paid with became extremely useful as a night light.


    Bright blue light will do that for you.


    ¡°So, how are you feeling, the sigils and meditation working for you Teng?¡± I asked him as we pelted a bearskin we had to deliver a week later.


    ¡°I feel a strong pull from the Zurian God. I want to be a hero brother. I think of following the Zurian way.¡± He answered ¡°How about you man?¡± He continued.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know my friend, Malgrun is out of the question, don¡¯t know about being a saint and all that stuff. So that leaves me two choices according to the booklet.¡± I replied as we pelted.


    ¡°Void of Consciousness and the Will of all wills. Yeah confusing terms for us plebs. You just got to keep reading and making money.¡± He told me.


    ¡°Awakening is helped by sigils and energy fields¡± I expanded.


    ¡°We are going to have to risk it and head to the mountain nearby but also get a few true orgon crystals to forcefully awaken if needed be.¡± Teng said.


    I knew what he was saying but the idea was extremely risky for two fifteen-year-old boys.


    As we were pondering other ideas and sources of money a heavy shout was heard from outside the cottage.


    ¡°Come out you bastard vermin, time to pay your dues!¡±


    Shit! Luc and his bullies were here.


    Before we could do much, Luc and his two ruffians barged through our make shift main door and hurriedly pinned us down. It was quite cumbersome for them since we were behind a wooden counter.


    CRASH!


    With a high kick to the gut I flew back tumbling over a table behind me. Teng didn¡¯t fare much better. We were pinned in no time, head first against the wooden floor.


    Neither of us made a sound. We were always nervous the bastard would kill us in a fit of rage even if Olga checked him later.


    So doing as we always did, we just took it.


    Regrettably, the sons and daughters of awakened hunters hit harder than a bull.


    If I wasn¡¯t my mother¡¯s son, I would have broken all ribs from the attack.


    I hate it.


    ¡°To Gorun with this shit!¡± I yelled.


    I hate being so weak that I cannot fight back.


    ¡°Where is it? Where is the money?!" Luc shouted


    Teng silently pointed to the drawer under the counter. The bastard went and took the money in there.


    The three of them scourged us for more. We were beaten hard enough to hurt but not hard enough for a healer.


    ¡°On the wolf pelt to your left, right behind you.¡± I said while groaning.


    Luc went ahead and took the mana tears that were hidden inside. He left after that with his fellows but not before kicking us in the head for good measure.


    I was knocked out cold.


    <hr>


    Teng was tending to me when I woke up.


    ¡°Why did you let him have the crystals brother?¡± He asked.


    Grabbing my head from the pain I answered ¡°It is better to feed the beast properly so it doesn¡¯t kill you. We still have the other pouches of Ucra.¡±


    ¡°They are not enough for what we need now, you know.¡± He countered.


    ¡°We will always have problems. You are from the Eastern continent and I am from the Central Plains on the other side of the sea.¡±


    ¡°Sons of outsiders never have it easy¡±. Teng agreed.


    ¡°So how about we go planning on hunting the musky thingy deep in the forest? I inquired


    ¡°You mean the musky bear? Are you serious? Teng asked in disbelief.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to kill it, just need a few of those crystals he is guarding.¡± I said.


    ¡°You are serious aren¡¯t you?¡± Teng asked looking straight into my eyes.


    ¡°As serious as a broken rib, Teng. Due to Luc and his father we have little time.¡± I said looking back.


    ¡°You mean that the other hunters will figure out where the bear is making his den.¡± Teng said.


    ¡°Not only that. If one of us shows signs of awakening and we are caught, then what? Unless you want to serve as the dog of the Eternal Moon, we must go to the mountains.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t succeed we could starve inside that forest at best, be devoured and ripped apart at worst.¡± Said Teng.


    ¡°We need to gather enough money, about 15 Ucra for supplies and ask Olga for that favor he owes my father¡±. I replied.


    ¡°Thankfully we are in the Turgan continent, awakening one of the ancient faiths anywhere else would be suicide for us.¡± Teng said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope it is true that they will find us as it is written in the Argon. You ready?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°Yeah, I am done being a carpet for these whorecomers.¡±


    Preparations were in order. Teng and I shook hands and went off to do what needed to be done.

 CHAPTER 2

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    For the next few days we went back to our daily routine. We prioritized making pelts by hunting the rabbits and an a few shadow wolves as target practice for our skills instead of permeating or treating other people¡¯s catch.


    Giving Luc the impression we were hurting for money and resources bought us a few extra days, enough to pay a visit to auntie Olga at Bizar town. One-day light trek without supplies.


    We reached Olga¡¯s abode by midday, we intentionally travelled by night to prevent onlookers and Luc¡¯s minions. We took a risk, but we were carrying gourds filled with water and a list of things we needed. Not much that could be taken from two orphans who had very little to most eyes.


    ¡°Hello buggers.¡± Kindly said Olga as we entered here hut.


    The old lady was always cheerful and busy with hunter matters one way or the other. She was scribbling away on a parchment.


    ¡°Auntie, we are sorry to bother you. I came to cash in that favor you promised my old man today.¡± I said looking hopeful.


    ¡°I figured as much, I heard what happened to you guys while I was away. Sorry I cannot do more than this.¡± She said in an apologetic tone.


    ¡°Alas, let me look at you Ikrei, come, come.¡± She gestured us to sit down beside her.


    ¡°You are the image of your late mother kid. Tall as your dad. I know being mixed race isn¡¯t easy on you.¡± She said. ¡°Easterners have it no better with such contrasting features around here, toughen up¡± She continued as she glanced at Teng.


    ¡°No worries Chief Olga, it goes as it comes.¡± Answered Teng.


    ¡°Now then, what can I do for you boys?¡± She was intrigued.


    ¡°We need supplies and traps to hunt a musky bear. Fifteen days¡¯ worth¡± I replied.


    ¡°Oh, so a test of valor? Those pesky bears are inside the forest near the first mountain range from your home.¡±


    ¡°You can say that; we need the resources urgently.¡± Teng said being blunt.


    ¡°I can see your friend here is carrying a slight smell of flowers, almost imperceptible.¡± She whispered while pointing at Teng.


    Startled I immediately asked, ¡°Shit! What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Relax, most cannot tell and unless you are at least a priest, a knight or an Augir. Only I, as the Chief hunter of this village can tell through my blessing.¡±


    ¡°This is part of the oath I owe your father so even Malgrun cannot interfere.¡± She explained.


    We both had simultaneously sighed in relief.


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for my men to pick of your game at your home. I¡¯ll get you a life force infused honey pot to lure out the bear and a couple of huntercraft traps for your hunt.


    Finally, you will accompany a small caravan we are guarding that¡¯s going by the border route of the forest so you can sneak out unnoticed.¡± She said while giving us her customary grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to thank you.¡± I said as I quickly grabbed both her hands nervously.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be 20 Ucra. I am giving you a hefty discount here already.¡± She replied.


    We were dumbfounded and silent. How are we going to get the extra money?


    So I quickly explained to Chief Olga how we were managing our money and resources. Listening attentively, she said, ¡°If you succeed, remember this village and this day. You are using Zurian sigils within a circle with mana tears within it, right?¡± She asked looking at Teng.


    ¡°Yes Chief hunter.¡± He answered very politely with his back straight as an arrow.


    ¡°Good, now go and keep doing what you are doing, I¡¯ll let you know when the caravan departs.¡±


    We stood up and bowed in gratefulness before auntie Olga and turned to leave.


    Just before we exited she said, ¡°Boys, never make sacred oaths lightly, never ever.¡±


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    ¡°You hear?¡± She emphasized as we nodded and left.


    I must say that last thing she told us sounded dangerous.


    <hr>


    A few weeks later we were travelling with the caravan as porter boys. As we neared the side of the road that was near the first mountain range we deftly made our exit from the group under the cover of darkness. We made sure nobody noticed our leaving.


    A couple of young buys with haversacks filled to the brim would definitively catch other people¡¯s eye if you were not careful.


    As to why would I, son of a hunter, decide to do a two man hike up a mountain? There were two reasons.


    Misery loves company


    There is strength in numbers.


    I am no hero, so I need to draw courage from wherever I can get it. I trust my brother and my brother trust me. This is very precious in any life and I truly hope it last forever.


    As I was lost in my thoughts and we were making way through the forest towards the mountain were the bear¡¯s den was located Teng asked me:


    ¡°Are our provisions enough to pull this off? You are an expert on Andarian beasts, yes?¡±


    ¡°We have one huntercraft trapline, lurkan fish to feed half a dozen bears, a force infused honey pot, two orgonid blades, and one orgonid charge with rune engravings. As long as we make it there, we should be fine.¡± I said reassuringly.


    We continued to make our way carefully avoiding the different beasts of the forest. Teng was particularly sensitive to fowls. Thanks to it, we were able to approach the mountain through uneven and treacherous terrain. We had to do it slowly.


    It took until morning to arrive at the base of the mountain.


    We had to avoid the major beasts like the musky bears but specially the ragnars, a mixed breed of panthers and lions. Fast, strong, cunning, everything you wanted in a predator.


    And everything we were not.


    Besides taking down a trailing shadow wolf with our new orgonid blades, the trip was stressful but far less dangerous than expected up to the mountain.


    Being able to kill a shadow wolf while carrying supplies on lizard skin haversacks was a major accomplishment for our young selves. The blades were worth the money for sure.


    We could see the cave within the mountain of the musky bear up ahead, about three furlongs high.


    Musky bear as it implies it¡¯s a smelly type of beast in the Andara Forest because it has absorbed the energy of orgon crystals and survived. In short, the monster beast is strong.


    We set up base about 300 steps away from the cave. The smell of the bear was strong.


    ¡°Urgh, that odor is potent.¡±


    ¡°I know Teng, this means he¡¯s absorbed plenty of the crystals. No wonder ragnars stay clear of this place.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why hunters don¡¯t come here either. They think it is a ragnar¡¯s den.¡± Teng suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯ll set the bait here, the lurkan fish and the honey pot. Just unpack the haversack, take the orgonid, the blade, go around the mountain and when the bear leaves the den, you signal me with a glint.


    ¡°The sun is useful like that.¡± We shared a laugh.


    ¡°Thank you brother.¡± I said to Teng.


    Teng swiftly went ahead to go around the area of the mountain so he could come up from behind. I slowly prepared the bait from our haversacks and placed the heap of fish and cracked open the force infused honey pot as soon as Teng glinted me with his blade.


    I rushed to follow my friends¡¯ tracks, making the hike around the rocks fairly easy. I made it just in a few sand grains of time. An awaken hunter¡¯s son is, if nothing else, fast, too fast for a normal human.


    Then, we covered ourselves with tuken lard to have our scents covered an evade the delicate senses of the beast.


    And with the sun on top of our heads, like this, we waited.


    By the second hour of waiting we saw the bear coming out of the cave and head towards the bait with the honey pot.


    We got very lucky and timed the bears hibernation with a good day¡¯s weather. Just perfect for him to scout around for free food. Teng and I smiled, we made thumps up to each other.


    If possible I would have toasted one for the thread of fate.


    We scurried inside the den. The cave was quite big for a bears¡¯ den, orgon crystals and all. I wasn¡¯t planning of being greedy. Teng went about to cut of the crystals from the cave rocks that were readily minable. I went about setting the huntercraft cable at the entrance.


    Within thirty minutes we were mining every small orgon crystal in the vicinity. Just enough for our needs for the following fourteen days. Our haversacks were already half full. We were happy.


    ¡°Being too greedy is dangerous.¡± Said Teng.


    ¡°Yeah, let us just get that last big chunk on the right side wall and leave, we could exchange it for a true Argon parchment.¡± I suggested.


    The orgonid blades worked wonders in just a few moments an arm wide pure crystal was coming out of the wall. One more cut and we were gone.


    Teng sliced up the rock wall to free the crystal.


    The rounded crystal fell to the ground, we deftly worked together and placed it in Teng¡¯s haversack.


    We were setting up to leave and checking everything was properly strapped.


    Rumble. Rumble, rumble.


    The ground shook and the wall were the crystal was came crashing down. The path to the outside was partially obstructed. We panicked.


    ¡°The bear! The mongerbeasting bear Ikrei!¡± Shouted Teng.


    ¡°Grab the sacks, let¡¯s bolt!¡± I said urgently.


    As we were running to the exit we heard it. A roar like we haven¡¯t heard before.


    GRAAAAWL!!!!


    The earth shook. The bear was approaching us full steam ahead.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit!¡± I screamed.


    I pulled Teng back inside the cave while cutting the huntercraft¡¯s invisible cable with my blade.


    As we plummeted back inside with the shaking of the cave, the mana filled cable expanded and contracted becoming visible sparkling lights. The device caused an explosion.


    BOOOM!!!


    The entrance collapsed. The bear crashed into the rocks outside.


    We survived. But we were trapped.


    ¡°What have you done, Iikrei?¡± Teng asked in anger.


    ¡°Do you think you can take him or out run that beast out there, brother?¡±


    Teng was looking around in silence fists clenched. He wanted to punch me.


    ¡°We have very little food.¡± Teng said thinking out loud.


    ¡°We now have a ton of crystals as you can see in this cave.¡±


    ¡°So what are you saying Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°We either breakthrough in here or that beast breaks through those rocks.¡±


    ¡°We awaken or we die.¡±

 CHAPTER 3

    Ikrei P.O.V


    We worked in tandem to build a circle with the Zurian sigil within it. I followed Teng¡¯s orders in setting up the formation. As he was closer to awakening, I thought it would be the safest choice.


    CRASH!


    The bear outside kept smashing into the rocks at the cave¡¯s entrance. We continued working on finishing up the meditation circle with orgon crystals placed in the intersection points of the sigil.


    The bear kept his unmitigated charge at the entrance. The reverberating sounds were getting louder.


    ¡°It will hold for quarter of a day going by the size of those rocks. These rocks are now mineral orgon. Let¡¯s work faster.¡± I reassured Teng.


    ¡°You sure know about a lot of things man.¡± Teng replied as he put the finishing touches on our work.


    ¡°Father taught me plenty. He had to, my mother was stronger than him. He had to always find the mind over muscle angle.¡±


    Teng laughed heartily.


    More sounds, growls and shaking. The bear did not let up.


    ¡°Prepare for meditation brother, he will tire after a while.¡± I told him.


    I went ahead and decided to extract more crystals from the deeper part of the cave. The more crystals used in a sigil formation the better.


    About half an hour later the ruckus stopped.


    ¡°Will he comeback with more beasts?¡± My friend inquired.


    ¡°Maybe, since he couldn¡¯t break the rocks by himself, he might be willing to share his spoils. Musky bears are smarter than his bear beast kin. Then again, maybe not, another ruckus could bring Ragnars to snuff around.¡± I laid my thoughts openly.


    Since we were pressed for time and the plan was risky we left some valuables hidden in the vicinity of our home, that included the Argon pamphlet.


    I couldn¡¯t remember everything precisely with all the commotion and tension build up so I decided to bet on my father¡¯s teachings. After an hour of mining I had enough crystals for a high grade meditation circle. I setup the circle as my father had taught me since I was little.


    The sigil of the Will of all wills.


    Teng was already silently meditating the Zurian variant of the ancient arts. He looked peaceful.


    I also sat within my circle and began meditating, not like the scripture in the Argon but as my father had taught me. At this point, we needed results regardless of peril. I focused my mind.


    ¡°Will of all wills heed my call, grant me freedom through the trial, by the fire within me may the price be paid.¡±


    I could sense a small tingling all over, the crystals in the formation and the crystals of the cave were causing something. I could feel it.


    ¡°Lucky bear.¡± I thought.


    I repeated the words and kept focusing, repeating the words inside my mind with the same rhythm. Over and over, until there was no other thought or sense of self.


    The hours passed.


    <hr>


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Hours later I opened up my eyes.


    I saw Teng cutting off more crystals to place in his formation but this time he was doubling the amount of orgon tears.


    ¡°It¡¯s been about six hours.¡± He told me.


    I looked at him as I flexed my arm muscles a little. I noticed my orgon crystals had turned dark purple in color instead of the usual blue. I knew I had to do what Teng was doing so I began to also fetch more crystals.


    ¡°I also feel clearer and felt energy around me, and that¡¯s a first.¡± I told my brother.


    ¡°It must be the cave, there are so many crystals that it would be impossible not to.¡± Said Teng


    ¡°Our luck is great, other hunters would kill us for this place.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a miracle, the hand of God.¡± Teng said while cutting more crystals.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let the Zurian God take my friend away, you bluish world energy something!¡± I replied.


    ¡°And don¡¯t let the will within you make me your enemy.¡± He countered pointing at the sigil I had chosen for the formation.


    I smiled and scratching my head, ¡°I am just following pops at this point bro, I am just trying to survive.¡±


    ¡°Survive through trials of fire.¡± He answered.


    ¡°You know, they say someone¡¯s hero might be someone else¡¯s tyrant, right?¡± I said.


    We both chuckled at our little exchange. We pursued our endeavor and started meditating again.


    Hours passed again.


    <hr>


    The pouches of water we had brought were being used sparingly.


    ¡°You are counting the gulps of water now, Ikrei?¡± Teng questioned.


    ¡°I have to my man; I am thirstier than ever but no close to breakthrough.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been 14 hours. Got no way to put it clearly but I just feel more, I can feel things now.¡± He said.


    ¡°Well I used up all the crystals I had set apart for myself, I do feel something while meditating but cannot see beyond.¡± I said frustrated.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it the way the bear has done it,¡± Teng suggested.


    ¡°You mean to swallow some of the orgon?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Just enough to be the size of a few mana tears.¡±


    ¡°I could die of poisoning or worse, go insane and kill you while you aren¡¯t looking.¡± I said worryingly.


    ¡°You were the one who said to break or to die, remember? Getting cold feet at the chance of self-torture?¡± Teng said as he started mining crystals with his blade.


    I stood there silently, thinking.


    I was scared.


    So much for my courage, right?


    I guess I am only as brave as my chances of success. Only when they are higher than the ones of total loss.


    What a wimp.


    ¡°Alright, alright. If we are going to do this, then let us go for broke.¡± I told Teng.


    We worked like mad men mining as many crystals as we could. Being mindful of a repeat scenario of the wall collapsing we left the big crystals untouched. I detailed my plan to array the cave in a bigger formation to amplify the effects.


    I had seen my mother and father do it many times during my childhood. I was hoping the basic crystal array connecting the two sigil formations would work as intended.


    Another six hours passed.


    We were tired, hungry, thirsty, troubled and excited. Kids doing grown up stuff without supervision.


    An incredible prank if there ever was one for teens like us. I just didn¡¯t think it would be the killer kind.


    We placed three crystals the size of teardrops in our water pouches ready to drink up.


    ¡°Here¡¯s to a brighter tomorrow.¡± I said as I gulped down my rudely made alchemic concoction.


    ¡°God of Zur be with us.¡± Teng said as he gulped down his drink as well.


    We began meditating once more.


    <hr>


    After what seemed like several hours of focusing on the words my father taught me. They started to feel like a song. A song in and endless repetitive loop. I felt hot, too hot.


    Poisoning, fever? Whatever it was I rejected the thought and pushed forward, solely focusing on the words and the day my father told me all these things.


    One breath.


    Ten breaths.


    A hundred breaths.


    Then a vision or a dream. I saw my father and my mother smiling back at me. It was so beautiful that I wished for an eternity in that moment. Together once more.


    Then I saw myself but not myself. I couldn¡¯t make sense of things. Places I didn¡¯t recognize, screams, a white large tower and destruction. As if everything was never there.


    ¡°You will not remember this, but if you do all that awaits is suffering.¡±


    I heard a voice through the vision.


    ¡°Knowledge is the father, understanding is the mother and wisdom is the son.¡±


    People I have never met before, faces, places and times. All scattered and jumbled up, confusing.


    ¡°Nothing is eternal and everything is eternal.¡± The voice was heard again.


    A coin, a simple silver coin with the engraving of the Will of wills from the Argon and a name on its edges on the other side, ERIEL.


    I am awake. I can feel it.


    ¡°Yes! Yes! Yes!¡±


    For a moment, I was elated.


    ¡°F O R G E T¡±


    A voice like many waters and thunders resounded within me.


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    Pain, soaring pain that I couldn¡¯t take.


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    I screamed again.


    "Stop, stop, please no more."


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    ¡°What have I done?¡±


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    ¡°Somebody help me.¡±


    Gritting my teeth through the pain all I could remember was the coin. Not my father¡¯s name nor my mother¡¯s face. I could feel like I wasn''t myself anymore. What¡¯s going on?


    AAARGHHHH!!!


    ¡°ERIEL!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs with the last bit of strength.


    Before I could scream again, I felt weak and all things faded to black.

 CHAPTER 4

    Teng P.O.V.


    ¡°There is one God, there is one truth. There is no fear, within you there is peace. Life of all lives, shroud me with your presence, lift me up with your hand. Reveal my destiny and let me see. God of Zur hear my plea!¡±


    As I repeated the psalm within me and meditated on the twelve decrees I felt empowered.


    Slowly but surely I feel the energies inside of me and around me vibrate. I could feel more.


    Hours passed.


    Repeating the psalms, I entered a state of single focus.


    I am a simple man and cannot word things like others, but I can feel them.


    I think this is what this new word used by Ikrei called intuition means.


    I kept repeating the meditation cycle including the twelve decrees.


    Hours passed again.


    In a moment I felt a surge of energy inside of me and around me. I sensed a sudden increase of power of some kind. I felt my fingers and my body tingling all over but at the same time they were not. The entire process is strange.


    I could feel the passage of time and then I could not.


    ¡°What is happening?¡±


    The Argon of Zur says nothing of such things happening. Maybe Ikrei¡¯s concoction with drops of orgon is a step too far.


    Hours passed once more.


    Within my daze, I saw light, immense pure bright light then darkness and the light being swallowed by the darkness.


    Then through the darkness, surging again the light pierced the darkness like a sword.


    Screams, people screaming, thousands upon thousands of people filled with agony, pain, suffering.


    Then nothing. Just Silence like in a black hole yet not a black hole. Like a sandy white beach yet not a sandy white beach. Both things are and then they are not.


    I don¡¯t understand.


    All I could feel is the absence of anything but me. Silence absolute silence.


    I refocused and used the psalms again. Blocking all other thoughts.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    I repeated this over and over until I felt calm wash over me like a river.


    Screams, even more screams like in the vision.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    Screams, they feel closer, like they are outside of me.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    Screams, it felt like a single soul crashing down.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    Screams, I can feel it, the pain, somehow the pain is connected to me. This is definitively not part of the standard ritual.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Screams, I push through the pain and recite the twelve decrees and the psalm at the same time. The feeling of extreme perspiration envelops me.


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    Screams, it takes everything within me to keep focus as my mind is rapt in the scriptures. Endure! Once more!


    ¡°God of Zur hear my plea, reveal my destiny and let me see.¡±


    ¡°ERIEL!¡± A word resounds within me and in the cave.


    A surge of light comes from inside my mind and spreads all over me. I can see it even though my eyes are closed.


    I feel weightless yet powerful, alive yet almost dead.


    I can feel all the energy gathering in my mind. I see a sword of light shoot out upwards out of the cave and towards the sky. Through the rocks and unto the heavens but it doesn¡¯t destroy or break the rocks.


    I cannot explain it but I feel it. No, I know it.


    I have awakened.


    <hr>


    I opened my eyes and just breathed out.


    My hands felt tingly, full of life. I am stronger, somehow I know that is the truth.


    I took a look around and I noticed Ikrei¡¯s body lying on the floor, unmoving.


    I sprang up so fast from where I was that I could not tell when I had embraced my friend¡¯s body. Checking for signs of his state.


    I don¡¯t know much about healing arts, but I could tell he was breathing, his face wasn¡¯t blue or had blue veins. Color seemed normal. There was blood, it was on the floor and over his clothes, his mouth was bloodstained.


    ¡°What do I do?¡±


    ¡°Think you gorgon dong, think!¡±


    I searched the haversack to get the orgonid charge we had brought. I had heard from the merchant that this one was peculiar. That is why it was so expensive. Unless it hit something really hard it wouldn¡¯t blow.


    Leaving my friend behind, I ran up to the top corner of the fallen rocks that had sealed the entrance. I placed the orgonid charge in that corner, then made my way back to one of the haversacks and my friend.


    I strapped the haversack firmly to my back and grabbed a rock nearby. I was going to force open a hole in the rocks by throwing it straight at the explosive orgonid. I had to get ready to make a speed run through the forest down a mountain while evading beasts and a very angry bear.


    ¡°Crazy absolutely crazy!¡±


    ¡°I have awakened; I can do this!¡± I reminded myself putting dark ideas behind.


    Double checking everything, I had the haversack, our two blades on my belt and my friend in my arms.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what it is to be blessed by God.¡±


    I concentrated on the nearby rock I had chosen and kicked it directly to where the orgonid charge was.


    BOOOM!


    A perfect strike!


    ¡°Guess your senses do work differently don¡¯t they?!¡± I yelled delighted.


    A portion of the sealing rocks were blown apart and a hole just wide enough for us to squeeze through appeared.


    With no other thought, I ran up the rocks and through the hole. I felt like I could carry three more haversacks.


    ¡°This is good, let¡¯s make a run for it brother.¡± I worded some comfort to the unconscious Ikrei.


    I ran down the mountain as fast as I could without losing my feet. A few shadow wolves saw me but they never approached me.


    ¡°At this pace I can make it.¡±


    Coming down from the mountain took three hours instead of a full hike. The awakened truly live unique lives. Human yet no longer human, as the people say.


    I saw the road we had taken to the foot of the mountain and sprinted to it.


    Before I knew what was happening I was sent flying to one side just as I reached the road.


    I barely managed to somewhat cradle Ikrei from the impact but we were both bleeding from the sudden collision.


    We crashed unto the forest road.


    GRAAAAWL!!!!


    I knew it without needing to see. The musky beast was hunting.


    We were the prey.


    I had known that this could happen but I had to try and safe my friend.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the strength to fight this thing.¡± I thought frantically.


    ¡°That is unless I do another absolutely crazy thing.¡± I muttered as I looked at Ikrei.


    He was sprawled on the ground a few cubits away covered in blood.


    ¡°In blood?¡± I thought again, but then so was I.


    I need to make an oath, an oath to survive. An oath to save my friend and I. If I don¡¯t Ikrei is certainly going to die.


    ¡°Should I runaway?¡±


    ¡°No, no I cannot. I will be a hero!¡± a shouted within me.


    I stood up, from my belt the orgonid blades were drawn and I pointed them at the musky bear.


    Every Awakened can make one oath during his or her lifetime. Also, the common people can make an oath to become awakened. This is common knowledge in the continents and beyond.


    The difference in the power between an unawakened and an awakened oath is like a massive gulf that cannot be crossed.


    One that is untrained in the ancient arts believes in the spiritual realm and the synergy of life. The one that has attained a core, that is, the energy that flows through the body from the connection of the spirit and mind and existence, knows these things.


    Believing and knowing are vastly different things.


    An awakened oath is unbreakable, if there is fate then this oath is a seal on that lifetime¡¯s fate.


    I knew these things from the tales of the common tongue among the people. Tales of destined heroes throughout the ages. I have always wanted to be like them.


    This was, is and forever will be, my choice.


    I recited the legendary oath of the prince of Zur when Luz was founded just like it is written in the Argon and in the psalms.


    ¡°As gold tried in fire fourteen times, grant me light that I may be your blade. For Zur, I swear.¡± I shouted as I charged at the bear with everything I had.


    ¡°ZUUURAAA¡±

 CHAPTER 5

    Teng P.O.V.


    "ZUUURAAA.¡± I growled at the beast.


    I did not understand how the oaths worked but I felt an increase of energy in my gut and in my heart. Strange, so different from what I was told in the folktales when I was growing up.


    I needed to get close enough for a kill.


    ¡°I can see it!¡± I saw the incoming claw strike from the fearbeast.


    I lunged forward while evading the right claw counter of the bear. Thrusting forward just under its jaw and into his heart area.


    GROOF!


    The Bear missed my head as he tried to bite if off. With the two blades pointing I hit the musky beast with a full speed body blow, blades in front.


    This was crazy, I knew it. But out running this thing with an injured man on my shoulders was asking for even bigger trouble. I didn¡¯t know how but with the oath, I could barely feel the energy flow coming from the bear.


    He was more powerful than me. I had made a mistake in judgement.


    The blades penetrated the beast¡¯s skin and made him bleed but not enough to reach his heart.


    The bear roared in pain and turning his massive body at a speed only possible for a mana infused beast he smashed me with his rear. The massive blow sent me flying back. I fell very close to where Ikrei was bleeding.


    ¡°I have broken a few bones for sure.¡± I said feeling my right arm like a lump. No feeling of movement.


    The blades were inserted in the bears hide. No weapons and a broken body. As I looked at the beast I felt as my dreams and ideals were being crushed under the weight of reality.


    Whatever power the blessing had on me by the oath it wasn¡¯t enough to even deal a serious injury to our beastly hunter.


    ¡°Only so much for a hero.¡± I said in defeat.


    Somehow the blessing, the oath or whatever you may call it, was keeping me conscious.


    I heard footsteps from the bushes and before the bear could even move, the sound of arrows flying through the air came.


    The arrows hit the bear precisely on his vital parts, the heart, the eyes, the kidney areas. It was done with such precision that I was getting even more nervous.


    Around these parts of the wilds only experienced hunters and awakened have such abilities. Soon, seven figures appeared in front of me. Six were wearing dark hooded cloaks and the one in front looked like a hunter. He had the usual hunter gear. I could tell it was expensive.


    ¡°Yer yer, who are you lad?¡± The imposing bearded red hair man asked.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Just a range scavenger sir.¡± I answered sitting up meekly while holding my broken arm.


    ¡°Now now, why you saying such things? The man said while pointed at the haversack that was lying open behind me.


    The orgon crystals on the floor were a dead giveaway.


    ¡°We just got lucky to find a deposit of crystals inside the mountain range sir.¡± I said.


    ¡°You see those blades over there in the bear? Those cannot be bought by just scavenging your way through life. I can sense energy leaking out from you.¡± The man took out a sword and pointed it at my neck.


    ¡°Yer yer, who are you really? He asked with a very serious look in his eyes.


    Comprehending my extremely dangerous situation I decided to answer truthfully but not everything.


    ¡°I am just an orphan scavenger that got very lucky, we found a deposit of crystals and with the help of my friend over there we were trying to buy our way to some small riches.¡±


    ¡°And how far and where is this deposit you speak off?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°About half days¡¯ hike from here, the bear over there had made it his den.¡± I said.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t so hard, now was it?¡± The man commented as he sheeted his sword.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be going to check that deposit up the mountain, it seems I found something interesting.¡± He added tuning his head towards the other six people.


    ¡°This boy has an energy core that is not Malgrunian. The energy he is emitting makes it obvious.¡± One of the cloaked men voiced.


    ¡°Do as you wish. But in exchange do take care of that bear hide for me.¡± The man ordered as he left.


    Before I could notice anything more he was gone from my sight.


    ¡°You two deal with the fearbeast, don¡¯t damage the hide.¡± A hooded man gave the orders.


    ¡°And the two of you are coming with us, do not resist.¡± He expounded as he slowly placed his hand on the grip of his sword.


    The man moved forward and without resistance, he lifted me up like a sandbag over his shoulder. He turned around and ordered another two to grab Ikrei from the floor. The last one was picking up my haversack with the crystals.


    As the two men were about to hoist my brother up, a loud voice was heard.


    ¡°HALT!¡±


    The hooded man that was carrying me turned around to face the voice.


    Another hooded cloak figure appeared before us. This one cloak had an auburn colored fabric with golden symbols on its borders.


    I recognized it immediately. A hierarch of the temple of Zur!


    ¡°Help me brother.¡± I shouted while trying to free myself without success.


    ¡°You will release them by my authority.¡± The hood came down from the cloaked person.


    Tanned skin, delicate features, lush hair and deep hazel eyes. I had never seen someone that beautiful before.


    She stood before Ikrei preventing the two men from touching him.


    ¡°Lady Alzra." Said the man who carried me while also removing his hood.


    ¡°My name is Tosen, a Zigur.¡±


    ¡°You are carrying a Zurian practitioner, you will release these boys to me.¡± The woman said in a gentle tone.


    ¡°This boy is not under your direct supervision; we will ascertain such claims at our discretion. May I remind you, this is the Eternal Kingdom.¡± Tosen replied.


    ¡°Zurians protect the weak, the helpless and the innocent. But specially, they never abandon their very own.¡± She retorted.


    ¡°You expect me to believe that an awakened core of the Zurians appeared in the Eternal Kingdom without going through your rites and teachings? Without your guidance?¡± Tosen asked in a mocking tone.


    ¡°The Light of Zur is the light of life, the light of miracles.¡± She said while swaying her cloak revealing daggers.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask him what happened?¡± Alzra suggested in a firm tone.


    I tried to speak up but some strange force prevented me from speaking. My tongue was in a twirl; I couldn¡¯t do it.


    ¡°Lady Alzra, may I remind you that our peace agreement hinges upon nonviolence against one another. You can always take it up to the High Court for grievances.¡± Tosen said as he grabbed me even more firmly.


    I felt like I was going to pass out.


    I looked at her trying to relay my need for help through my eyes.


    ¡°Please, please, help me. I am weak, helpless and innocent.¡± I thought.


    The woman just looked back into my eyes and smiled.


    Somehow I heard the woman¡¯s voice inside my head.


    ¡°I KNOW.¡±


    It sounded so peaceful, like a long lost embrace, surrounding me from all sides. I wanted to rest. I needed to rest.


    And just like that, I fell asleep.

 CHAPTER 6

    Alzra P.O.V.


    ¡°Convolution of serendipity.¡± I said voicing my thoughts audibly.


    I had one thought only. I need to save this boy!


    A Zurian birthed by chance in a foreign nation? With no Elder? Preposterous.


    Could it be? Even if it is, I should not be having bane imaginations.


    ¡°A good deed is rewarded by the Father as much as it is hated by the world of men.¡± I reprimanded myself inwardly.


    The life of one child in reciprocation for a very troublesome task.


    ¡°I will need to find a way to make it worth the effort to the old fogeys, specially my master.¡± I kept musing.


    I looked straight into the eyes of the Zigur and told him, ¡°Violence? There is no need for violence when restrain is sufficient.¡±


    Within a single motion, my cloak swayed and my two daggers directly struck the forehead of the two men in front of me. A perfectly balanced double pommel strike.


    Two breaths. The two mean fell unconscious to the floor. The bleeding kid was stable; his life force was still vibrant.


    ¡°Seize her, attack in unison!¡± The Zigur ordered.


    The cloaked man closest to me threw a haversack within my field of vision. The sack caused a discharge.


    BOOOM!


    Four breaths. I charged through the explosion and grabbed the man¡¯s head with my fingers.


    ¡°Shen!¡±


    As the man heard the words with a look of disbelief in his eyes, he fell into slumber.


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Exclaimed the two men who had set up a triangle formation with their leader.


    ¡°Not impossible just hidden.¡± Tosen said with a smirk.


    ¡°Delay her for me.¡± Ordered the Zigur turning away to run.


    Seven breaths. One cloaked man targeted the unconscious boy on the floor. The other, through a talisman created a purple shield barrier wide enough to block a straight line charge to his escaping leader.


    Nine breaths. Rushing to my fallen daggers I picked one and threw it pommel first into his hand. The recoil from the hit barely saved the child. The man hissed in pain or at me, I couldn¡¯t tell.


    Ten breaths. I fainted a straight at the hissing man¡¯s head, readjusted mid motion into a half moon kick and knocked him out. I placed my hand on his forehead.


    ¡°Shen.¡± The words vibrated as healing essence entered the senseless man.


    Twelve breaths. The remaining cloaked man laughed. ¡°Our leader is gone; you will pay for this.¡± He continued to laugh almost in a maniacal fashion.


    ¡°Tsk! I was hoping it didn¡¯t have to come to this.¡±


    My right hand swatted my cloak away revealing a hexagonal brace on my wrist.


    The artifact morphed into a bow. A light reflecting silver bow.


    Thirteen breaths. ¡°Augir!¡± The cloaked man shouted with his eyes trembling.


    I took a single long breath. Pulled the string back. Concentrated my essence and a light arrow materialized on the bow. I locked on the Zigur running away zigzagging through the forest. I smiled and pointed at the back of his head.


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    ¡°You cannot run away from this!¡±


    Exhale. Exhale then release.


    Fourteen breaths. ¡°KET.¡±


    ZOOOM!


    ¡°I hope the kid can withstand the aftershock.¡± I mussed as the light arrow pierced the barrier and knocked out the man with its dust tail.


    Fifteen breaths. I dashed and rushed through the forest looking for the fallen Zigur and the kid leaving everybody else behind. The wounds from the orgon blast from the haversack finally fully healed.


    ¡°Worst comes to worst it will take time to heal him.¡± I reassured myself.


    After rummaging for a while I found them. The Zugir sprawled, lying on his back looking completely dazed from the arrow blow. The boy was superimposed on top of the Zigur. I had travelled a distance of six furlongs.


    In desperation, the Zigur must have used the child as a meat shield.


    I was very happy to see the boy without any further injuries. I treated him immediately.


    ¡°Raph.¡± Again the words resonated as my essence flowed into the boy healing him instantaneously.


    ¡±What? Where am I?¡± He inquired, all the while checking his surroundings.


    ¡°Andara Forest, I¡¯m Alzra.¡± I said helping him up.


    Feeling himself all over, he seemed happy, a grateful look in his eyes was present.


    ¡°A little sore I take it? I asked him.


    ¡°Yes, yes. You were the one that produced that streak of light?¡±


    I nodded in confirmation.


    ¡°The light of Zur never harms its own.¡±


    ¡°Let us be off, we have to see to your companion.¡± I continued.


    The comment reached him like a lightning strike. Without any more words we retreated the same way we came from as fast as he could muster.


    We reached the foot of the mountain in about 60 breaths, the boy had a long way to go before he could be as powerful as a trained Zurian sword. I had taken an enormous gamble.


    Following Zurian law faithfully will do that to you.


    ¡°Well, the words of Zur are always like this when it comes to foretelling, filled and convoluted with double, triple meanings and obscure references.¡± I said audibly as I meditated.


    When we got there. The cloaked men were slouching with their hoods off on the floor.


    Looking for the boy¡¯s companion, he pointed him out.


    ¡°Excuse my lady, can you help him?¡± The boy asked me in a meekly tone.


    I walked over the lying body of the black haired boy on the floor and blessed him. His appearance surprised me, he looked like me, only that his skin would be considered white, a mixed offspring.


    ¡°Raph.¡±


    His complexion got immediately better and his bleeding stopped. I embraced him carefully, the same way my mother would in my memories. He was awakening, albeit very slowly, his essence wasn¡¯t Zurian. It did resonate with mine as mine did with the eastern child. There was no inner core formed yet. In fact, it seemed that it was a long way off from happening.


    Notwithstanding, he had very strong and flexible muscles. Possibly a child from awakeners or elite hunters.


    ¡°Your friend should count his lucky stars, healers of my ilk are extremely rare.¡±


    The eastern looking boy seemed relieved at my words. He started thanking me continuously.


    ¡°He¡¯ll wake up soon don¡¯t worry.¡± I said softly as I examined him thoroughly this time.


    My essence entered the boy and permeated his entire being. I was flummoxed with what I found.


    ¡°He was on the edge of ethereal dissonance? Ether? From a country bumpkin child, wet behind the ears!?¡± I was perplexed as I pondered intensely.


    My gaze turned serious and cold. I questioned the standing black haired eastern looking teen in a commanding tone.


    ¡°Who are you!?!¡±


    <hr>


    Teng P.O.V.


    ¡°My name is Teng. I am orphan and been scavenging and surviving with my friend. He taught me how to hunt. We got our hands on an Argon scripture and we ended up here.¡± I replied looking at the woman a bit scared.


    ¡°Just an Argon? The base scriptures of the ancient faiths on this continent? Is that all?¡± The woman pressed me for an answer, her tone growing colder.


    The hairs on my arms bristled. She was doing something. The feeling was scary.


    I started blabbering out as fast as I could, trying to calm her down.


    ¡°I also meditated on the twelve decrees that I learned from an old hunter on the nearby village. I also fought the bear over there by using the oath of the Zurian prince in the psalms. I think it worked somehow since you are here.¡±


    I dropped to my knees exhausted from saying what was bottled up inside me.


    ¡°You made an oath? An oath after awakening without any training? Are you insane? You could have died.¡± She replied in an even louder voice.


    Seeing her reaction, I blurted out the only thing that could possibly make sense. I had no way of knowing after all.


    ¡°We were at an undiscovered orgon crystal cave that was guarded by the bear over there. That¡¯s where the awakening took place.¡± I said hopeful of a positive response.


    The look in her eyes eased.


    ¡°You will take me to this cave now.¡±


    She picked her weapons up and placed Ikrei in her arms.


    ¡°Teng, I am sister Alzra. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    A strange introduction that sounded like an order.


    ¡°Stop you criminals. Don¡¯t move.¡± One of the cloaked men spoke.


    ¡°I have ascertained this boy to be a Zurian member of the Clethora an even more, an Asarin candidate.¡±


    The cloaked man who had just stood up was looking fiercely at sister Alzra but dared not move.


    ¡°I have reported this matter to you per our peace accord. Your leader is sound asleep deep in the forest. He might have a slight bruise on the head, just so you are aware.¡± She said with a smirk.


    ¡°What about the other boy?" The cloaked man asked.


    ¡°We are leaving. Feel free to file any grievances with the Clethora Courtiers¡±. She said firmly.


    I sighed in relief as she had protected Ikrei. Settling the affair, we prepared to leave.


    With a nod and a wink to me, we swiftly left off and running on the road to the mountain range.

 CHAPTER 7

    Teng P.O.V.


    ¡°Over there!¡± I pointed at the cave entrance.


    The entryway should have been filled and covered with rocks but there were none. The was only dust everywhere.


    ¡°Walk behind me, no sudden movements.¡± I heard sister Alzra whisper into my mind.


    Alerted, I followed her words as an absolute order.


    We walked into the inner part of the cave passing through the crystals and bloodstains that were on the floor.


    This was not here when I left so I thought it must have been the work of that red haired man.


    ¡°Damn! I forgot to tell her about him.¡± I thought with worry.


    When we arrived at the scene of my awakening, everything was intact, only a few more bloodstains on the floor that traced to the red haired man. He was lying down on the floor.


    I could easily tell from his red mane.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡± A voice came from deeper inside the cave.


    ¡°There was a deeper section? How?¡± I was shocked.


    ¡°Just a little detour I created, wanted to check the deposits.¡± The voice resounded.


    Sister Alzra laid Ikrei down on the cold harden rock in a flash. She stood directly in front, covering us.


    A dark blue cloaked woman with her hood down appeared before us. Her hands hidden behind her back.


    The only reason I noticed was because I was very troubled. Seeing sister Alzra on edge will get you worried too. Then I looked at her face.


    ¡°Heavens have mercy.¡± I thought as I felt drawn to her.


    Long black hair, milky skin, blue eyes. A different kind of beauty. If I were to describe it in a word, then it would be seductive. She was, as Ikrei would say, alluring to no end.


    ¡°You seem to recognize this one here or the blood is being too much for you little man?¡± The woman asked in a dry tone.


    Silence fell inside the cave, neither side saying a word.


    ¡°I am not bewitching the young one here, he just likes me.¡± The woman offered a few more words.


    Still there was no answer from sister Alzra, in the same way I stayed put. No point in getting caught up between two monsters. That was what my intuition was telling me.


    ¡°For a Zurian Courtier, you are lacking manners. If it weren¡¯t for your robes I would have already dealt with you. Say something woman.¡± The blue eyed woman insisted.


    ¡°I am not a Courtier but yes, I am a Zurian, taking in consideration your attire, your introduction is in order. This is the Eternal Moon as far as I can recall.¡± Alzra answered expectantly.


    ¡°I am an Andurin.¡± The woman said while tossing a coin to Alzra.


    I couldn¡¯t make sense of anything but sister Alzra examined the coin carefully.


    ¡°This is a real Andurian seal coin.¡± Alzra said.


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    I took a small peak at it, it had the Will of all wills Sigil on its face.


    ¡°Please to make your acquaintance Claimere Freslia.¡± Alzra said while giving a very short nod.


    Alzra tossed the coin in return.


    ¡°Oh jolly, you know me. That makes things easier then. I have come for that sleeping boy over there.¡± She said.


    ¡°You want Ikrei? Why? He¡¯s not even an awakened.¡± I blurted out worriedly.


    The truth is, I was so worried that I stopped thinking for an instant.


    Seeing my reaction sister Alzra acted quickly.


    ¡°Even if it¡¯s you I cannot let you take him.¡± Alzra answered flatly.


    ¡°Look at the formation in here, its crude but its functional. It¡¯s a dual cultivation Andurian technique. You can tell, even if you don¡¯t know it. The crystals are all dull and without energy within the sigils. The formation activated, thought it may have not worked as intended for what I can see.¡± The Freslia woman explained looking at me.


    ¡°But why do you want my friend? What do you plan to do to him? I asked.


    ¡°I want to help him; he is one of us. This should suffice.¡± The woman answered.


    Alzra slowly pressed her hand against Ikrei¡¯s chest and he woke up.


    He looked around, he seemed lost, disoriented. He pulled away from Alzra and Freslia, he came to and stood beside me. His hands were shaking.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening Teng?¡± He questioned me with distrustful eyes.


    ¡°Teng is it? Yes, Teng why don¡¯t you tell us what happened here? Take it from the top.¡± Freslia told me.


    After some hesitation I sat down, Ikrei did the same and I started narrating everything that had happened to us from the day I brought the Argon home.


    The women stood listening silently with various expression throughout my little tale.


    ¡°Is this how jesters feel? I wasn¡¯t too sure.¡± I kept thinking.


    I slowly went over the preparations for our mountain hike, our hard lives, a dream of a better tomorrow. Not wanting to slave away at a thankless job forever near the Andara Forest, the bullying and the rejection. Ikrei¡¯s plan to lure the bear, the orgonid charge and a desperate attempt to awaken. The three drops of orgon crystal makeshift concoction.


    Both women gasped at the mention of the method for forced awakening that we had used.


    I explained further how I felt during my awakening process and the streak of light I saw. I omitted the oath part when fighting the bear. Oaths are sacred and I would not talk about it with anyone other than sister Alzra.


    I wasn¡¯t even sure that her knowing was already a problem for a beginner like me.


    Finally, I told them about the men that appeared before us, the red haired man¡¯s words and the arrival of sister Alzra.


    With a heaving sigh I finished speaking.


    ¡°You are both very, very lucky young men.¡± Freslia said while Alzra nodded.


    ¡°This can also be called fate.¡± Said Alzra.


    ¡°Still I don¡¯t know how the god of the Zurians answered through an Andurian sigil meant for the Kotari.¡±


    I did not understand a word she said. The woman named Freslia loved a good chatter though.


    ¡°Ikrei, I am going to test you now. No worries, it won¡¯t require swallowing deadly poison.¡±


    Three objects appeared before Ikrei on the floor.


    A small blade, a glyphic cube and a coin.


    ¡°Tell me what you can of these objects without touching them.¡± Freslia told him waving her hand.


    He was looking around waiting for Alzra to say something. I could tell he was guarded and worried. After several grains of sand he was looking at sister Alzra.


    Alzra nodded in approval towards him.


    Looking at the objects he began speaking:


    ¡°The blade is just a standard Andurian blade like my father used to have. The cube has the will of wills original ancient sigil and that¡¯s the only one I can recognize on the artifact. On the coin is the current Wil of all Wills sigil sign and I can recognize it but that¡¯s all.¡±


    Ikrei seemed to have answered openly and honestly to the questioning.


    Placing herself at eye level with my siting friend, she asked ¡°You know of the sigil coin huh? By chance, do you know what it is written on the flip side of the coin?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy, it should read Eriel.¡± He replied.


    Alzra was watching silently her eyes fixed on Ikrei. I couldn¡¯t seem to understand what was happening.


    Freslia took the coin and flipped it showing the other side to Ikrei.


    The flipside of the coin read FRESLIA.


    Freslia stood up with a smile on her face and told Alzra.


    ¡°That settles it, he¡¯s coming with me.¡± It was NOT a suggestion.


    ¡°This is not freedom but oppression, where are your principles?¡± Alzra said seriously.


    ¡°I know the good you have done Augir, but this is Andurian internal affairs. I can make an oath right now with you for it.¡± Freslia replied sternly as well.


    ¡°A double oath? For this child? Are you for real?¡± Alzra asked surprised in return.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Simple, immediate and without doubt.


    ¡°If it is that serious I cannot let you take him. And I am not an Augir but a Dodekor.¡± Alzra said looking equally stern.


    ¡°I thought I knew all of you, a new seedling I suppose.¡± Freslia smiled back.


    ¡°Teng, this is not good.¡± Ikrei said looking unsettled.


    Ikrei and I looked at each other with severe worry for our future.

 CHAPTER 8

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The tension inside the cave could be cut with a knife.


    ¡°We both know a fight here will be very cumbersome for a myriad of reasons.¡± Said the hazel eyed beauty.


    ¡°This is obvious but I will not relent.¡± Answered the opposing belle.


    I still had not yet processed my surroundings and everything that was happening properly. I didn¡¯t trust anybody but Teng at this point in time. No matter the circumstance, I had to ask.


    ¡°Why me, lady Freslia?¡± That¡¯s her name right? Right?


    Turning to me she replied, ¡°Because you are one of us. Your father was, as it is obvious by your knowledge of the things I showed you. But most of all, it is because you need our help.¡±


    ¡°Am I not a prize you are trying to get, what trouble? I inquired.


    ¡°What you did was way too dangerous and unstable. Lucky for you that you were here in a orgon rich environment.¡± Freslia answered.


    ¡°We can help him as well.¡± Interjected Alzra.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say it again; he is one of us. No help is worth losing oneself.¡± Freslia retorted.


    ¡°Unless it is done willingly.¡± Teng spoke up surprising everyone.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, so what do you want to do Ikrei? Alzra said while clapping her hands.


    The conversation was going a bit too fast for my convalescing self. So, I had no answer.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know either of you.¡± I said looking at both women.


    ¡°You wanted a chance for a better life and now you are getting fussy?¡± Freslia said to me.


    ¡°I wanted a chance to be free, not to change slave masters.¡± I replied.


    ¡°You called upon the Will of all wills because you took a desperate gamble and now that the hand is extended you dare say these words?¡± Freslia said clearly frustrated.


    ¡°Tell us why you are doing this lady Freslia? Interrupted Teng.


    She felt silent for a few breaths, she seemed to be gathering herself.


    ¡°Because your master will make my life miserable if I don¡¯t take you to him. Even if you curse me to the seven depths, you are coming with me!¡±


    Everyone in the cave besides Freslia felt completely stunned.


    ¡°Who¡¯s his master?¡± Said Alzra.


    ¡°Elder Akathos.¡± Freslia replied.


    Again. We felt silent but Alzra was quite surprised with the mention of the Elder. We had no idea so I couldn¡¯t care less no matter how much my life was in the balance.


    I am still being toyed with.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you offer something in exchange, less force and more subtlety? Alzra said.


    ¡°Sure thing. What do you want Ikrei?¡± Freslia asked.


    ¡°I meant what is in it for us, the Clethora. Not him.¡± Insinuated the hazel eyed woman.


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    ¡°Just went I thought somebody was on my side, this shit happens. Someone bury me.¡± I said loudly showing my frustration.


    ¡°Watch that mouth young man. Look taking Elder Akathos name lightly is a grave dereliction of duties. It shows your potential and that lady over there just unveiled it without any hassle.¡± Alzra explained.


    ¡°So what do you want?" Freslia asked Alzra.


    ¡°Make it worth our while to deal with the dead body over there and your presence hidden. You know the Zigur really don¡¯t like you guys at all. If they find out and you are here before you can make enough safe way¡­¡± Alzra trailed off.


    ¡°Finally showing your colors I take it.¡± Said Freslia infuriated.


    ¡°Gentle as doves, cunning as foxes, the scripture says.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to never lie?¡± Asked Teng with a perturbed look in his eyes.


    ¡°We never lie but we also don¡¯t tell all things. Strength without honor is tyranny. Honesty without temperance is foolishness.¡± Alzra answered Teng.


    We both fell in deep thought at those words.


    ¡°I must say, it is a very interesting moral viewpoint.¡± I said.


    Alzra only nodded at my words.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll help you collect the crystals in this cave. That should make your Courtiers happy. No one must know we were here.¡± She said while she threw a cubed artifact into Alzra¡¯s hands.


    Alzra seemed surprised but almost instantly smiled at her in return.


    ¡°It¡¯s been nice knowing you Teng, Dodekor Alzra. Let¡¯s see each other again when fortune calls.¡±


    ¡°From now on, you may address me as sister, lady Freslia or Claimere.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get along Ikrei.¡±


    Freslia moved her hand towards me for a handshake.


    I tentatively returned the gesture not knowing whether I was making a deal with a saint or a devil.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    We made our way to the nearby village, the one closest to the Andara Forest. The boy was pretty good for a ¡®normal¡¯ human but definitively needs more training. I¡¯m going to up his regimen quite a bit for a while.


    ¡°Can I go visit my father¡¯s friend? The village chief is the one who helped us.¡± Ikrei asked.


    ¡°Sure thing. Just wait up a bit, we are waiting for your brethren.¡± I told him.


    He was looking surprised at my words but not too much. We stood there at the town market for a while.


    ¡°What is this about me having a master?¡± The boy questioned.


    ¡°You had a master in your previous life, that¡¯s what it means. Reincarnation is real.¡± I told him as a matter of course.


    He wanted to ask further inquiries but we were stopped by an approaching group wearing ragtag clothes with hoods.


    ¡°Morning Claimere.¡± Ciel said with a slight nod.


    ¡°I believe introductions are in order. This one here is Ciel, our young prodigious scout. The two behind her are Iru and Krigsain.¡±


    The trio saluted with a slight wave of hand.


    ¡°This one here is Ikrei, he¡¯s barely a seedling so please be accommodating.¡± I told the group.


    ¡°There really was a fourth, Claimere.¡± Iru proclaimed.


    ¡°The sage¡¯s words are rarely ever wrong.¡± I stated.


    ¡°Henceforth, you are my entourage.¡± I ordered them.


    ¡°Iru, be a jewel and go with Ikrei, he wishes to say his goodbyes.¡±


    ¡°Ciel take my ring and gather supplies we are leaving immediately.¡±


    ¡°Krigsain come with me, we have matters to discuss. We will see each other at the tavern by the third hour, we will travel by night. Dismissed.¡± I told them.


    ¡°By your order, Claimere.¡± The trio answered and everyone dispersed to their dealings.


    <hr>


    ¡°You should hold off the wine so early in the morning my lady.¡± Krigsain said as he saw me gulp down a cup of liquor.


    ¡°Wine is good for you. Everything within measure my young warrior.¡± I told him.


    We were sitting at the tavern on the lookout for possible news around town and making sure we were not going to get followed after leaving.


    ¡°Krigs, I have an offer for you.¡± I said to him.


    He was going to be an absolute heartthrob in a few years, for a seventeen-year-old, he was extremely well built and had mix raced proportions that would catch any eye. Thankfully we were hooded.


    ¡°When you look at me like that it makes me excited yet uneasy Claimere.¡± He answered politely.


    ¡°My apologies. I want you to train Ikrei and bring him up to par as much as you can until we reach Kotar. Of course, this isn¡¯t for free. I¡¯ll give you a full set of Augirian armor as a fee. I expect premium results from you.¡± I declared my offer.


    Krigsain eyes lit up like the southern lights.


    ¡°That¡¯s an exorbitant price Claimere. I guess you must have your reasons.¡±


    ¡°I kind of forced that kid into joining our little expedition. He is very wary of us all. Specially me. I need you to do what your boyish charms do, put him at ease and give him a shoulder of support.¡± I replied


    ¡°Forced allegiance is never good. He must be very precious to you. Almost makes me jealous.¡± He said with a boisterous laugh.


    ¡°I am thinking you should train him in the ranger arts. Test the waters to see if there is anything else worth probing on.¡± I said


    Nodding, Krigsain decisively gulped down his cup of wine.


    ¡°By my word, I will turn him into an elite warden by the time I¡¯m through with him.¡± He said with a smile.


    ¡°Well said for the prodigy of prodigies. Ragnar amongst lions. I am glad we have come to an understanding.¡±


    ¡°So, where are we heading?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Need to know basis, no need for busybodies here. Or should I tell Ciel there is another girl swirling around you?¡±


    We both laughed and drank more wine.


    We sat merrily waiting for the rest of the cohort to return.

 CHAPTER 9

    Lyros P.O.V.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I have been in the Grand Chamber. I wonder what is it that requires a high summon?!¡± I said to the guard.


    ¡°Forgive me High Prelate, but I am not privy to this information, please come in.¡± The guard politely answered as he ushered me in.


    The magnificence of the golden doors has never escaped me. For the most part the opulence here dwarfs just about anything on the three continents. As I entered, besides the usual ornaments of intricate detail, lampstands and the gigantic carpet with a phoenix centerpiece; the entire High Chamber was present. They had all been summoned.


    ¡°High Prelate Lyros pays his respects, High Master¡± I said as I bowed.


    Every single member was present. All thirteen seats. All with their cloaks and masks.


    ¡°I have always wondered who they were.¡± An idea that always sprung to mind while in this place.


    Truth be told, it was a great system, only the ones within the true inner circle knew, who was who. To my knowledge only the High Master and the High Zigur knew everybody. Then again, as high as I am I am still just a prelate.


    The High Master¡¯s voice snapped me out from my contemplation.


    ¡°You are here for matters of great importance. First, from this moment on all discussions here are not to be revealed to other order members or outsiders at any level.¡±


    Being in the center carpet surrounded by the seats, our leaders, is already a heavy pressure. With this news, this meeting was not only important, but it was key.


    I was startled.


    ¡°Second, from this moment forward you are appointed as High Priest. The corresponding rituals and proceedings notwithstanding.¡±


    I was shocked again.


    ¡°Third, your master was murdered while performing the full moon rites in the last cycle.¡±


    Once more, I was stunned. I knew the importance of the ritual that was being carried out. Somehow, he was murdered during the rite. Even more, this was inside the Eternal Moon. What is going on? I was visibly shaken not able to utter a word.


    ¡°No need to speak Lyros, I understand. The floor is opened.¡± The High Master said in a sober tone.


    ¡°The killing weapon was of Augirian design, personalized workmanship never seen before, a blade. There was a capstone with the blood for blood inscription.¡± The First seat said.


    ¡°Possibility of impersonation?¡± The Thirteen seat asked.


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    ¡°None. This was at the heart of our second main altar, within our security area. On witness reports, there were two attackers. Chances of the intervention of others is highly likely. Zoer was overpowered in the fight. Let me state this again, he was overpowered.¡± The Fourth Seat told everyone.


    ¡°Patriarch level threats! This is a declaration of war!¡± The Sixth seat said angrily.


    ¡°The Andurin know. I knew the matter could not be hidden indefinitely.¡± The First seat said calmly.


    The Sixth Seat looked shaken by the statement, his hands were quivering.


    ¡°Not your fault, this was a possibility. This decision was made taking this into account.¡± The Fourth Seat explained.


    ¡°How¡¯s the prisoner by the way? The Seventh Seat asked.


    ¡°Even if it takes a lifetime, he will yield.¡± The Sixth Seat answered with eagerness.


    ¡°What happened with the attendees? And a more pressing matter is the death of the sacrifice.¡± The Tenth seat said.


    ¡°Many were killed by the intruders, others by the blast radius caused by Zoer¡¯s fight. The sacrifice survived. They not only killed Zoer but made it out alive.¡± The Fourth detailed once more.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that first? The Seventh Seat said filled with anger.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in, almost impossible to believe, yet here we are.¡± The Fourth spoke again.


    ¡°In short, two high elders of the Andurin powerful enough to bypass defenses and walk off unscathed descended here and wreaked havoc. What now?¡± Asked the Ninth Seat.


    Everyone looked at the High Master on the high seat in the circle.


    ¡°The High Zigur will be in command. All of you coordinate accordingly. This matter will not be disclosed to anyone, suppress it by any means necessary for as long as possible. In the meantime, it is time for a hunt.¡± The High Master ordered.


    ¡°Since this is war, let¡¯s send out our hunting wolves.¡± The Second Seat suggested.


    ¡°Those rabid dogs? They crave for power as much as they do for blood. They are uncontrollable.¡± The Fifth Seat said questioningly.


    ¡°Just sent them on a mission they cannot return from. Since the Andurians came here it is high time we go to them.¡± The First Seat said.


    ¡°Lord Lyros gather your men and carry out this order. Summon the Kazardim at your discretion.¡± Stated the High Master.


    ¡°Yes High Master.¡± I said bowing one more time.


    ¡°You are dismissed Lord Lyros, congratulations on your post. Welcome to the Grand Chamber.¡± The High Master said stoically.


    Unbelievable, what turn of events. As great as it is for me, now I have to deal with the dreaded Kazardim. Cannot be too impatient.


    ¡°Lord Malgrun giveth, Lord Malgrun taketh.¡±


    I turned to leave with a glint in my eyes.


    ¡°What about the Zurian attack? I don¡¯t believe it is a mere coincidence that both things happened nearly at the same time.¡± Said the Eight Seat.


    ¡°We are investigating the matter. They said they found a self-awakened follower of Zur within our domains.¡± The Fourth elaborated.


    I slowed my steps to catch as much of the conversation as possible.


    ¡°Can you believe that? That hasn¡¯t happened in centuries!¡± The Third Seat replied.


    ¡°What we know right now is that a cave mine in the Forest of Andara was found. Many of the resources have already been extracted. The possibility of the awakened story being a little bogus is great.¡± Said the Ninth Seat.


    ¡°I will look into it in detail.¡± Retorted the Fourth Seat.


    ¡°Shall we attack them as well, covertly of course? Asked the Eight Seat.


    ¡°One thing at a time. Less they truly put a united front. We don¡¯t want to recall our forces from the Central Plains yet.¡± Said the High Master.


    ¡°Bring the forces from the Central Continent? The Tenth Seat voiced sounded off in disbelief.


    I was leaving the Hall when I heard that last question just as the door closed behind me.


    Not like I would go and run tail and spill the beans to anybody. I was now part of the inner circle.


    ¡°Praise Malgrun for a bloody blessing!¡± I said.


    I had a lot of thoughts rummaging within me. Lots of planning and cunning associates to pressurize while extending a helping hand to key individuals outside the Eternal Moon Kingdom.


    The Zurians attacked as well? What about the truce? A pincer maneuver? No matter how I looked at it, we are heading for bloodshed. If I play my cards right¡­.


    I smiled broadly as I left.

 CHAPTER 10

    Shakam P.O.V.


    ¡°Come in Vites.¡± I said to my seneschal.


    ¡°I came as fast as it was possible. The gathering of information has been taxing.¡± He answered as he bowed before me.


    Even now in an emergency he has all the proper etiquette and airs of a noble.


    ¡°I hope my gift has been auspicious.¡± I told him.


    ¡°These artifact glasses are of master craftsman grade; I could never be displeased my liege.¡±


    We shared a small moment of reprieve.


    ¡°Report.¡± I gestured while sitting in my personal study.


    ¡°There is word from the Head Patriarch of the Andurin that the rumors are true to an extent. An advisor of the Eldership will be here at any moment.¡± He said in a grieving voice.


    ¡°Tell me what you know. Don¡¯t skip any incongruences, tell me everything.¡± I ordered.


    ¡°There was a ritual in the Malgrunian Kingdom, it was attacked during proceedings by the Andurians. This has been received through our private channels within the Kotari. Everything is hush hush, so to speak. The day of the attack and the ritual coincide with a High Moon convergence of low probability of occurrence. In my estimation, this was massive signal of hostile intent from them. The Malgrunians will not take this one on the cheek. The Andurin must have a reason, the type of reason that will trouble you greatly my liege.¡± Vites finished with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°So the greatest crisis in the recent history of Lumeria comes down on my crown? I don¡¯t care what are the rules, hierarchy or procedures. This type of one sided action is unjustifiable! It matters not what reason is given.¡± I said with an angry murmur.


    As I finished speaking a shadow materialized in front of us. A vibrant elderly man appeared within a few steps.


    ¡°Patriarch Samuris!¡± I exclaimed in visible surprise.


    ¡°Duke Vites sees the Shining Light! It¡¯s an honor sir.¡± Vites kneeled before the elder.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that our shadow illuminates this palace so brightly. You looking regal King Shakam.¡±


    The elder just stood there motionless as if waiting for me.


    ¡°The King sees the light.¡± I nodded while I readjusted my sitting position.


    The situation was as shocking as it was uncomfortable.


    ¡°To be honest Patriarch, I don¡¯t like where this is going.¡± I said firmly.


    ¡°The best carried out orders are the ones given to oneself.¡± He said while waving his hand.


    His eyes became crystal clear and then dimmed. He had done something to our surroundings.


    ¡°Mastercraft Augirian talismans can ward off everything, what a joke!¡±


    The old man before me had either deactivated all my wards or changed them in some way. The space around us had been sealed. I could feel it. He may think of me of as a puppet king, still I am a master fighter, just not the type of master that can fight an existence that shouldn¡¯t be alive!


    ¡°Let us talk, Lord Shakam.¡± Said the old man.


    ¡°Very well, what is said here won¡¯t be revealed to anyone, we will think of countermeasures.¡± I said trying to reassure myself.


    ¡°High Priest Zoer was killed by one of our former members. This you could probably guess. What I am going to say now can never be told to anyone. Ever.¡± He looked at us with a severe expression.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    We nodded in understanding.


    ¡°The important thing is that some of the former Heads of the Andurin remain alive. The roots go far deeper than you can imagine. One of these roots decided to act on its own. We as an enclave did not approve of this but neither did we disapprove of it either.¡±


    We were floored. There were more of these old monsters lurking around? Then if it is like this here, what happens with the other shadow factions?


    ¡°I hope that we are about to hear the reason or at least some explanation?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The reason we haven¡¯t done anything to our former head it is because it involves existences beyond your understanding. The ritual had to be stopped, this was the right thing to do. The right thing to do will plunge your beloved capital city of Lumeria into war. For this last thing I am truly sorry.¡± The elder spoke without a hint of remorse nor guilt.


    The exquisite walls of the palace and all its ornaments and all its riches felt suffocating.


    ¡°War? War against the shadow factions and other kingdoms? We are not ready.¡± I said instinctively


    ¡°We are ready. You are not. That¡¯s the difference. The losses will be great but the dawn will bring the greatest fortune for Kotar.¡± The elder said while pointing at Vites.


    ¡°Get ready to make all trade agreements with the eastern and central continents your priority. The supply lines will be protected by the Kotari, I¡¯ll trust you to cooperate properly. Prepare for military target attacks throughout the western Continent. Either or both of Orgis and Malaktaraf will be a strategic blow against us. Prepare for everything, even the surrendering of the sites.¡± The Patriarch spoke in a grave tone.


    We both nodded silently.


    ¡°And Vites, it is time to unveil your gift of prophecy to adjust your plans. You may hide it from everyone and anyone but you can never hide from me.¡± The Patriarch¡¯s eyes shined with light again.


    Before we could ask any more questions or react to what was happening, he turned into a shadow and disappeared.


    ¡°The South isn¡¯t ready for this!¡± I furiously smashed my desk into pieces.


    Forcing myself to calm down a few minutes later I ordered.


    ¡°Prepare silently and urgently, move all secret funds for the operation. Bring me a plan that takes into account the poor, the homeless, the sick and the old. I would like to minimize the carnage.¡± I looked into Vites¡¯ eyes.


    ¡°It is time to show what we are capable of. Lumeria will never fall, the jewel isle of the South cannot be allowed to falter. You understand?¡±


    ¡°For Kotar.¡± Vites said giving the Kotarian salute.


    ¡°For Kotar.¡± I reassured myself.


    ¡°Vites, bring my daughter here. It¡¯s time for her to bear the burden of the crown.¡±


    <hr>


    In the interior of my personal study was my only daughter.


    I was looking out the window since I couldn¡¯t face her. There are things a man must do as a King that should not be done as a father.


    ¡°Asara.¡± I called her.


    ¡°Paying respects to father, at your service.¡± She said gently.


    ¡°You are the vivid image of your late mother, you have grown up well, enthralling.¡± I said as I glanced back at her.


    She stood silently in place. She was dreading my next words. My attempts at small talk failed miserably. Being raised by her mother and her tutors more than me would cause such a scene.


    ¡°I have always wanted for you to have a life of service, gratitude and joy. Regrettably, I¡¯m not able to give that to you anymore.¡±


    She walked near me standing also by the window.


    ¡°I figured as much. Such an urgent summon must be a great omen.¡± She said in the same voice.


    ¡°Certainly. The kingdom is headed for upheaval. We all must bear the burden of our privileges. I have a mission for you. I need you to form a union with a Kotari.¡±


    She blinked her eyes at me.


    ¡°I had thought you would send me to the Central Plains as dowry for an alliance honestly.¡± She said.


    ¡°The greatest alliance rests with those with overwhelming power.¡± I told her.


    ¡°But isn¡¯t the Kingdom under the protection and direction of the Andurin already?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to grow close to the Zurian enclave? We are far closer to them than the other sects.¡± She continued.


    ¡°I know your intent but trust me on this. If you succeed in this endeavor, you will inherit the right to the throne over your brothers.¡±


    She was surprised at the minimum, this much was obvious. She took a while before gathering her bearings.


    ¡°What is the task father? She inquired.


    ¡°There is a very special future Kotari in the Malgrunian Kingdom. He is so crucial that a Claimere was dispatched to bring him back. I¡¯m certain the rest of the prospective entourage is also commendable. It is imperative that the Andurin and the royal bloodline become one.¡± I told her.


    ¡°Any details on the King to be?¡± She asked.


    I liked her answer very much. Quick on the uptake.


    ¡°Only a few things, one year older than you, self-reliant, great hunter and a ladies¡¯ man. Do not judge him by his years or appearances. The Elder Council is extremely bias towards him. You may have to bear an even greater hardship than your mother did with me.¡±


    I had no words of comfort for her. This was our reality.


    ¡°I understand I¡¯ll set off at once.¡± She said with a serious countenance.


    ¡°It¡¯s not all bad, your old instructor lady Freslia is the Claimere responsible for this. Do tell her she owes me a bottle of Thurskan, will you?¡±


    ¡°For Kotar.¡± She saluted


    ¡°For the Queen¡± I said in return.


    She finally smiled a little as she left.


    ¡°A great King they call me. But I call myself a terrible father. If your own blood are pawns, what are the rest?¡± I sighed deeply within my thoughts.

 CHAPTER 11

    Fuko P.O.V.


    My beast bellowed with rage.


    GRAAAWL!!!!


    ¡°Good, good, keep up the pressure!¡±


    I ran and twisted the neck of the feather beast before slashing another. The roar from my baby beast froze the flying bastards long enough for a close up.


    ¡°Four crux.¡±


    Four core slashes in two breaths.


    I believe that is not bad for a midair attack and two targets.


    ¡°Here, have at them.¡±


    I threw the game at my beast companion. He lunged at them slower than what it took him to start crunching and feasting.


    ¡°We have brought the trespasser, young master.¡± Said a familiar voice from behind me.


    It was Zero, my personal attendant.


    He was named like this as an insult to my status within the family. The son of a former mistress of the main head getting adopted was already more than enough face for the likes of me. An illegitimate child of an illegitimate affair.


    A double portion of bastard blood.


    Status is everything when you lack power, and when I arrived that¡¯s exactly what I was, powerless. The House of Zarandel is one of the military pillars of the Eternal Moon kingdom. I am one of them, a Zarandel is still a Zarandel, no matter the form.


    ¡°What is his crime?¡± I asked Zero as I turned to see a trembling man kneeling in front of him.


    ¡°Stealing berries from the orchard.¡± Zero said with no inflection.


    ¡°And they send him to me?¡± I asked annoyed.


    Zero offered no response.


    ¡°Guess my brothers and sisters will never change their poor opinion of me, they continue to trouble me with these mundane chores.¡± I said as I took my weapon out.


    ¡°Do you have a name?¡±


    ¡°Mink, my lord.¡± He said trembling uncontrollably.


    ¡°Whether you knew it or not you have trespassed and stole from the territory of the Zarandel Dukedom. Unlawful entry of unknown persons, beasts or otherwise for the purpose of harming its interests is punishable with death.¡±


    I readied my short moon shaped scythe. One full swing and his head was off. The man died painlessly. Blood splurted everywhere, not touching any of my clothes.


    Clean cut I say. My hand twitched, just a little.


    ¡°Guess I am not used to it to the point I should.¡± I told Zero.


    ¡°Your brothers and sisters will keep sending these requirements until you become cold blooded enough in their eyes.¡± He insisted.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Needless bloodshed is useless, harming a defenseless man brings no joy. I¡¯ll gladly take their necks if father allows it.¡± I said sarcastically.


    ¡°Be careful of such words, young master.¡± He pleaded. ¡°The Duke is summoning you, better get going sir.¡± He said.


    ¡°Take care of my pet then. I¡¯ll get going.¡± I started walking off to the main mansion.


    ¡°But sir, that is a ragnar cub he won¡¯t listen to me. PLEASE do something!¡± He pleaded again.


    ¡°Aslan, eat the man.¡±


    I was being helpful, wasn¡¯t I?


    The beast obeyed and tore into the dead body while I walked away.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hello young master, what do I owe the pleasure?¡± Gormesh asked as I entered his hut.


    ¡°I have come seeking guidance for my next culling.¡± I told him.


    The old man stopped whatever he was doing and took a meditating position on his mat in front of me. I did the same. We were mirroring each other.


    ¡°Did your training go well? Is the four stroke style I taught you completely under your domain?¡± He questioned.


    ¡°Yes, it took a long time to see results. More effort than it was worth it perhaps.¡± I said.


    ¡°To stand against your brethren and be the head of an eagle you must acquire sturdy wings. You will see the greatness of my style soon enough when you go to battle.¡± He countered.


    The old man has been a favorite of the Duke, my father, for a long time and for this occasion the leader of the Zarandel has allowed me to seek council from the old man. It has been five years since I last saw him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going on campaign; I have the honor of representing the tip of the spear against those wretched sages.¡± I spouted.


    ¡°Ho ho ho. How far in are you going this time?¡± He probed.


    ¡°All the way through, Lemuria is the final ground.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I see why your father sent you here. Let us begin, your work is bountiful and dangerous and protracted.¡±


    ¡°What is the reward?¡± He voiced.


    ¡°The blessing of Malgrun done by priest Versico.¡± I blurted out annoyed by the thought.


    ¡°Did you take it?¡± He asked with extreme curiosity.


    ¡°No. Power that is not my own is not power but a shackle. I bargained for a suitable reward of my choosing upon my return.¡± I smiled.


    ¡°Spoken like a true heir of Zarandel my boy. Very, very good for an adopted easterner. Don¡¯t disappoint the Duke.¡± He seemed very content.


    ¡°Enough chatter, let us commune.¡± He ordered.


    Within a few breaths with closed eyes, I felt my soul merge and unmerge with someone. This lasted a few breaths or a few hours, I couldn¡¯t tell. Then the connection was lost and I opened my eyes.


    ¡°I see great battles, bloodshed, smoke and terror. Be careful of the union of our enemies and the plots of the High Priest. Retreat rather than advance. Escape rather than confrontation. Unless you have accounted for all things within your grasp do not engage. If wisdom is with you, although blood shall cover you, it will not be your own.¡±


    ¡°This sounds dire and foreboding.¡± I said curtly.


    ¡°I will take care of your fearbeast while you are away, get your chin up.¡± He said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need an elite squad of Kazardim. I¡¯ll have to trouble you for it, I¡¯m sorry.¡± I replied apologetically.


    ¡°Absolute power comes from oneself. But even then, one cannot do everything without others. I hope you have permanently learnt this lesson.¡± He talked while looking through some glyphic cubes.


    He gave one of those cubes to me.


    ¡°Take this to Damuca, south from here, go to the Augir encampment hidden there using the glyph. Ask for Irsun, he¡¯ll get you five members as crazy as you from our ranks. Hire Ethola, the hunter, no matter the price, he¡¯s worth it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, old man. I owe you.¡±


    ¡°You really do, remember me when the time comes.¡± He emphasized.


    ¡°I will, when I come back we will make the oath.¡±


    He smiled at my words like a proud owner of a new toy.


    ¡°Your brothers and sisters are hoping for your demise.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t give them the pleasure of my passing.¡±


    ¡°Remember, as long as you return if the rest dies it will be a victory. Just imagine the possibilities¡­ like the first Kazardim to become a Zigur since the Duke¡¯s great great grandfather.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t read that deep into someone¡¯s souls when you use your abilities old man.¡± I complained.


    Gormesh just laughed it off like he always did. He handed me a list written in a magical parchment.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The list of ingredients and fearbeast hides I need in order to make you some suitable armor.¡±


    ¡°I cannot afford this and father won¡¯t move a finger. I assume you want me to hunt these down with my new team?¡± I said.


    ¡°And that¡¯s why I like smart people. We¡¯ll do a three-way trade for your set and some nice orgon blades for your little crew.¡±


    ¡°Go to Andara.¡± Gormesh sounded terribly serious.


    ¡°I will prepare suitable artifacts for clashes against the Claimere. Anything other than this, RUN. Come back in a fortnight.¡± Old man Gormesh said waving me out.


    I left the hut and outside Zero and Aslan were waiting for me. Zero looked haggard.


    ¡°Come let us go, there is much to prepare.¡± I gave the order as Aslan and Zero followed behind.

 CHAPTER 12

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We were resting in a small clearing beyond the hunter town inside the Andara Forest.


    Lady Freslia came over to our squad after surveying the surroundings.


    ¡°Everyone looks better with a change of clothes.¡± She said scanning the group.


    ¡°It was getting burdensome to wear shabby scraps when going about.¡± Ciel clarified.


    Everyone but me agreed with nods.


    I would have settled for clean clothes, not the elaborate dark blue cloak I was wearing with matching shirt and pants to boot. My belt looked out of place being brownish in color.


    ¡°I believe proper introductions are in order, let¡¯s start with you Ciel.¡± Freslia indicated.


    A slender, pretty faced blonde girl stood up. She was a looker, well-toned muscles just enough to catch your eye. Nevertheless, after being around Freslia and Alzra, my standards were being skewed beyond normal reason.


    ¡°My name is Ciel, I am trained as a beginner scout and like you I have awakened in this dreaded nation. I¡¯ve been friends with our rapacious hero over there for a bit. I¡¯ll say no more since you know Andurian women like things private.¡± She said politely and sat back down.


    The one she pointed out was the handsome looking young man in front of me. He had a strong build, I could definitively use some of his bulging muscles.


    ¡°Well, my name is Krigsain and Ciel and I used to train under the tutelage of her grandfather. Mostly in secret at late hours of the night on this very mountain range even. I¡¯m whatever you need me to be, scout, tanker, spear head and a bit of a healer. I¡¯ll be looking forward to being your training partner. He said while glancing at us, the two remaining boys.


    He skillfully played with a knife. He had the aura of a leader, I thought.


    So young and dexterous yet I am so far.


    ¡°These type of encounters can develop an inferiority complex.¡±


    Before I could react the boy next to me spoke. Looking at him without the shabby clothing I noticed he was skinnier than me. He had taken a book out of his bag. Yes, most certainly the bookworm type.


    ¡°I¡¯m Iru and I was personally scouted by our lady Claimere here. Living in the Malgrunian Kingdom is stifling to somebody like me. And I¡¯ll keep my talents to myself but I can be a healer in this party if the need arose. I like books, tea and a good chat. Just not about cooking please.¡± He saluted everyone again.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ikrei and I awakened in an incomplete state by chance as the Will of all wills responded, so I am the non-awakened one here. Grew up near this forest all my life, hunted and scavenged for everything I could lay my hands on and I was almost forcefully dragged here by yours truly.¡± I said as I pointed my index finger at the Claimere.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± Coughed Freslia.


    ¡°Since we are starting from scratch let¡¯s talk basics, what are the seven precepts of the Andurin? Each one of you that answers must also give your condensed understanding of it so far.¡± Freslia said and sat down on a nearby rock to listen.


    ¡°My type of game. I¡¯ll start. First precept is choice, above all things choice. Meaning the all-encompassing power and beauty of creation. Look at all the colors of the world, only the eyes of the truly awakened can see them and like the many colors so are men, the more varied the colors the more beautiful it all is. ¡°


    ¡°This combines with the second precept, creation is one and creation just is. The origin is one, we all come from it and it exists inside of us and without us. We are creation but we are not the masters of it.¡± Iru said cheerfully.


    ¡°That was a mouthful and those were two precepts Iru.¡± Nodded Freslia


    ¡°Not bad bookie bookie. You do have some brains in there.¡± Ciel said.


    ¡°My turn, the third precept, bring unto remembrance forgo arrogance and ignorance, within yet without.¡±


    ¡°That is to remember things that were, the reincarnation of the soul through learning, the power is inside you yet far from you, difficult to attain.¡± Ciel said.


    ¡°Very good goldilocks, never thought you had it in you.¡± Pestered Krigsain.


    I just sat there silently hearing and rethinking everything I knew from my father and my own understanding.


    ¡°The fourth precept, eyes be opened. That is to awaken and see the world for what it is.¡± Krigsain plainly.


    ¡°That was rather crude and simplistic, you brute.¡± Ciel said laughing.


    ¡°I just do it, no need to wobble and dabble. You just lack instinct.¡± Krigsain countered laughing as well.


    ¡°Next.¡± Said Freslia with her fist on her chin.


    ¡°Fifth precept, existence is illusory yet binding. The world beyond is greater than the world that is. To know there is more yet constrained in this mortal coil.¡± I said while looking around for approval.


    ¡°Not bad newbie not great either but you will do for now.¡± Iru said next to me.


    Somehow that made me very glad.


    ¡°Sixth precept. Life is a furnace, the path unending. Meaning, the cycle of reincarnation is as eternal as you will it. Sacrifices must be made, prices to be paid and like the fire of the furnace, we, the metals of spiritual existence are continuously reshaped and reformed perpetually in cycles eternally growing.¡±


    ¡°I dumbed it down this time for the newbie here and the brute over there.¡± Iru explained.


    That brought a chuckle out of Freslia.


    ¡°Seventh precept. Live and let live, be your brother¡¯s keeper and freedom is paid in blood.¡±


    ¡°Summarizing some of it for you, do not harm those that do not harm you. Guard and protect each other, walkers of the path, the Kotari. There is strength in numbers because of what you are and what you know. You will always be hunted. The tribulations come and go but your bonds are eternal.¡±


    ¡°There is more but this will suffice for now. Remember to read The Seachar, the seven books that represent each precept when you have the time.¡± She said that looking directly at me.


    ¡°Gather in a meditation circle and recite the principles in the Andurian tongue. Meditate diligently. Ikrei watch and learn the tongue of your ancestors.¡± She ordered me.


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ll keep watch, we will leave at sundown.¡± Freslia said to everybody.


    I sat in a lotus position like everyone else forming a circle and slowly but surely let myself immerse in the chanting. Listening attentively and trying to repeat the words little by little. Not being so lonely, forming part in a small gathering and having someone to share this new undertaking was immensely refreshing.


    It was a pleasant feeling.


    And like that the hours passed until sundown came.


    ¡°We rested enough. Ciel, scout ahead but not too far watch out for everything. Let¡¯s get going guys. We are moving south through the forest.¡±


    ¡°We are going home!¡± Said the guys excitedly.


    A home, a new home? There¡¯s an idea.

 CHAPTER 13

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Lift up your guard young Sachear!¡± Krigsain said with a booming voice.


    ¡°Give me a breath.¡± I replied gasping.


    We had been running through the forest most of the night. By this point, it was almost the first hour. The tendrils of the morning light were creeping in.


    I know I¡¯m fast but after last night, I knew my stamina wasn¡¯t even close to being up to par.


    As soon as we made camp here among the trees, Krigsain began training with me.


    Correction, I was getting pummeled one-sidedly.


    Still catching my breath, I said ¡°By the way, what is it with the names, huh?¡±


    ¡°Seachar, Sachear, it sounds very similar.¡± I was curious.


    ¡°Seachar means seventh, Sachear means pupil.¡± Krigsain indicated.


    ¡°Sachear Seachar, therefore means something like the pupil of the seven in the ancient tongue. You know the seven precepts and all that lingo.¡±


    ¡°Enough chatter, carry on.¡± We heard lady Freslia give the word.


    Krigsain continued to train me in everything from posture, balance, weapon grip and an instinct based approach to fighting. Each clash felt like a boulder on my body. My wrists, my forearms, my tights, my whole self was feeling the strain.


    ¡°Pain will ingrain this into your bones. Getting hit for the sake of getting hit serves no purpose. Getting hit with a proper blow from a master will force you to understand. The memory of the pain is the greatest propeller.¡± Freslia said watching from the side.


    ¡°Here, here lady Claimere.¡± Interjected Krigsain.


    ¡°But aren¡¯t you a Sachear as well? I asked my bulging travel companion.


    ¡°Indeed I am, in name only my young pub.¡± Clarified Krigsain


    The pummeling restarted in earnest.


    With the corner of my eye I observed Iru practicing what seemed something akin to spells.


    ¡°So he¡¯s a prospective Magi.¡±


    Ciel was hunting for some game while Freslia was keeping watch.


    ¡°Focus you drudge!¡±


    The angry shout came from my training partner pulling me out of my pondering.


    More intense plummeting ensued.


    Time passed by and the fourth hour had come.


    ¡°Finally I get to eat, I¡¯m spent.¡± I said firmly looking at the small fire where the game was getting cooked.


    ¡°Let me add the spices and do the seasoning, wofer rabbits are kind of my specialty.¡± I said to Ciel.


    The blonde little belle readily agreed. After an hour the food was served and everyone dug in.


    ¡°Guys we found our cook!¡± Ciel said happily after having her first bite.


    ¡°This is good! I¡¯ll train you better from now on.¡± Excitedly said Krigsain as he gave me a thumbs up.


    Consequently, my hand dropped with my meat piece as I looked towards Krigsain with worrying eyes. There was a pause in everyone¡¯s actions from the realization.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the cooking, I need to practice my blue fire spell.¡± Iru said looking satisfied.


    Everybody had a hearty laugh, even me which was entirely surprising.


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    I was elated somehow by the fact that I had become somewhat useful.


    Our leader was particularly fond of my seasoning. She had no objections this time.


    Watching the party gulf down the rabbits made me think of Teng.


    ¡°I hope you are doing well my friend.¡± I said looking at the skies.


    In such a way, travelling, training, meditating and my cooking were the occurrences of the next few days.


    <hr>


    I can hunt shadow wolves by myself. A one on one is feasible now although it takes quite a toll.


    For a four-day training regime, this is tremendous progress.


    By the ninth hour training was wrapping up. I could barely feel my limbs.


    ¡°A newbie healing package coming right up.¡± Iru said taking his now customary position.


    He had been healing my injuries by transferring core energy inside my body with the help of a couple of mana tears every day.


    I heal, he trains. A double arrow of massive gains. We also were able to converse for a while thanks to this. Being weaker has its unexpected gains.


    ¡°One more round and I¡¯ll let you off.¡± Declared Krigsain.


    ¡°Come on man, you are not the one getting pummeled.¡± I pleaded.


    ¡°Oh really now?¡± Krigsain said with a devilish grin.


    ¡°Iru hand me your artifact gloves for a little while.¡±


    Not understanding why, Iru did as he was asked and tossed them over.


    Putting on the gloves, Krigsain grabbed a pair of small moon shaped blades by the edges.


    ¡°Why is he doing that? That¡¯s weird.¡± Iru and looked at each other.


    ¡°Those gloves protect him from getting cuts, standard Magi protection artifact. Hand seals are critical for me.¡± Iru explained.


    We setup in our customary duel fighting stance. Krigsain began with a charge. Then I realized the crazy bulging muscle mass was trying to strike me with the pommels of the blades.


    I tried to evade, block and counter within the training circle. There was no avail.


    ¡°Pommel, Pommel you!¡± Krigsain¡¯s voice resounded.


    ¡°What? You got mad because of me?¡± I asked hurriedly.


    ¡°Pommel Pommel you, listen to my song!¡± He exclaimed again.


    The small quarrel made Ciel and Iru laugh like a couple of drunkards.


    They even began chanting ¡°Pommel pommel you!¡± In a duet.


    Bastards, these people are broken inside somewhere.


    Yes, surely bastards.


    "AAARGHHH!"


    I charged forward out of desperation from the humiliation and incapacity.


    Thud!


    A flying pommel strike straight to my head finished the ordeal.


    ¡°Never question my methods again, don¡¯t even have a hint of ungratefulness. Do not murmur. Murmuring is unbecoming of the Kotari.¡±


    What the hell? This is definitively excessive use of force.


    ¡°You can always undo your complaints when you can stand at the same level.¡± Freslia said appearing from wherever she came back from.


    ¡°Might makes right?¡± I asked massaging my temple.


    ¡°The weak can only depend on the strong for restitution. Become strong Ikrei.¡± She said to me.


    ¡°Eye to eye with this monster? Can I? Like ever?¡±


    Somehow I felt like she was quite happy with my predicament.


    ¡°Enough of this circus, begin meditating, we depart in three hours.¡± She declared.


    <hr>


    Running through the forest at night is liberating. Thanks to Iru my body is reacting swiftly and precisely. I am still behind these fellows though, too much so.


    I need to get stronger. I will get stronger.


    ¡°Panthers, wolves and a bear. Half a furlong ahead.¡± Ciel said.


    ¡°Same thing from behind, they are getting closer.¡± Krigsain added.


    ¡°Encirclement. Tsk¡±


    ¡°Krigsain bears, Ciel and Iru panthers, Ikrei take on the wolves one by one. I¡¯ll provide cover and support. ¡°Freslia marked our targets.


    My first real battle in this world. This isn¡¯t a hunt; we are the prey just like the bear in the cave. Perhaps this time because it is not just Teng and I, I feel no fear.


    Awakened are hunted for their cores just like beasts are. The law of the jungle. Andara is such a place. This is why it has never been cut down or culled, a great, almost perfect training ground for the Malgrunian forces.


    My excitement only grew. The fearbeast were coming closer. As we rushed forward, they came into my line of sight. A couple of dozen steps maybe.


    I can see a bear in front of me to my right.


    ¡°Pommel pommel you!¡± Krigsain passes me by screaming like thunder charging at the beast like a flash. I only saw a blur.


    Two panthers, one two my right and one to my left.


    The night lights up a little, two blue spheres of scorching fire to my left. Iru is launching his spell. He says that spells with no chanting are the hardest.


    Ciel fires two energy arrows simultaneously at two different targets. I learned that her weapon is an artifact gifted by her grandfather before departing. This kind of shot requires a decade of training from a hunter.


    I am reminded that I am accompanied by monsters. Monsters in human form.


    I smile.


    Two wolves charge, I use a tree as cover to evade the first and plunge straight into the second one. One hit kill. Neck sliced open.


    I tumble and lose my sense of direction, the first wolf comes around the tree and charges in a straight line, approaching me in a direct attack. It¡¯s too late to evade and not a hair¡¯s distance for a block.


    The wolf drops dead as I see his gnarling teeth. I look up behind me and Freslia smiles at me.


    I nod in understanding moving to a nearby wolf. We repeat the process several times.


    I kill one shadow wolf and move on to the next. Flashes of light from the arrows and blue fire engulfing the beasts in scorching flames float and swirl around me.


    For a moment this choreographed dance of death seems exhilarating to me.


    "Beautiful."


    ¡°Ikrei, focus!¡± I hear Freslia¡¯s voice from behind.


    A wolf almost got my neck on a desperate lunge while I was distracted.


    ¡°Shit!¡± I exclaimed with stupor.


    ¡°No time to think, concentrate and fight. Survive!¡± Is all that my mind can process.


    The roars of the beasts multiply as they charge and die. It¡¯s madness, an uncontrollable desire for more power.


    Rage, despair, hope and bloodthirst. All these emotions explode in my latent core.


    I charge where the next shadow wolf is, screaming like a madman.


    This is the seven precept.

 CHAPTER 14

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°How are you feeling after your first real brawl?¡± Asked Iru.


    ¡°Tired, my body cannot keep up with you guys.¡± I said honestly.


    We were doing our customary recovery training session.


    Freslia was keeping watch, Ciel and Krigsain were gathering game from the battle. We were in a cave in the mountain range resting. I looked outside and it was still dark, we halt our travel due to my exhaustion.


    I feel bad. I guess Iru did grasp a whisk of it as he spoke with me.


    ¡°When the pair comes back you¡¯ll make us a feast, won¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing Magi. Hey, didn¡¯t you say you kept your abilities undisclosed?¡± I was intrigued after seeing his pyromania driven display of arts.


    ¡°Ah, the blue fire? That ain¡¯t much, that¡¯s just a personalized form of an ancient spell. We Magi are special.¡± He snickered.


    ¡°Really now? I¡¯ve heard the Magi call the power of the world¡¯s energy mana. So how is it that small orgon crystals fragments are called mana tears?¡± I asked our resident bookworm.


    ¡°The orgon crystals properties were studied and discovered by Magi. Hence the name, you can say it is the remembrance of the Great Conflict Era.¡±


    ¡°Absorbing mana tears is something my father would do; I guess that¡¯s a practice that sprouted from that era.¡± I said.


    ¡°You got to be careful with that my young cook. Look at Claimere Freslia¡¯s eyes, they glow slightly brighter than normal blue eyes. Most likely an adverse reaction to a mana crystal infusion of some sort, I think.¡±


    ¡°You are saying that you know their secrets or something? Like a sage from reading books?¡± I tried to slightly mock him, just a little.


    ¡°You wish! I was able to visit Orgis once with my uncle many years ago and had my rite before coming to this forsaken land.¡±


    ¡°Places like Orgis, Lemuria or the Kingdom of Kotar itself sound like faraway dreams to me.¡± I thought within my heart.


    Sensing Iru¡¯s disdain and distaste in his eyes and mouth when he spoke those words, I decided not to press the issue. I came back around the subject of eyes.


    ¡°I saw a Zurian Dodekor once, she had a similar glow in her eyes very much like our senior sister here. How does that work?¡±


    ¡°It varies; it could be an infusion or it could be the consequence of a blessing. Always be wary of people with the slight glow in their eyes Ikrei. Once¡ª" His voice was interrupted by the returning duo.


    ¡°Time to make good on those skills newbie.¡± Said Krigsain dropping a small but heavy heap of already cut meat.


    We interrupted our healing training session and began to setup for ¡®the feast¡¯.


    ¡°Ciel take watch, let the boys rest, I¡¯ll go scout ahead for a while.¡± Lady Freslia said.


    ¡°I expect a variety of meats Ikrei, Ciel brought several plants and fruits for you.¡±


    With those words she left jumping down the mountain into the crevasse below, a two-furlong dive. I watched stupefied.


    Is that woman even human anymore?


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you and keep your mouth agape cookie, do your thing.¡± Ciel said while keeping a lookout.


    ¡°Let me help you with the fire. Roasted musky bear sounds about right as the main dish.¡± Iru said.


    ¡°Not every Claimere can do that newbie, she¡¯s special. Take it easy.¡± Krigsain told me while briefly sharpening his sword.


    ¡°But I bet that someday you will do it too. Won¡¯t you?¡±


    Bursting out a laugh he spoke, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. You caught me there.¡±


    I knew it.


    ¡°Monsters, I am surrounded by monsters.¡±


    <hr>


    The crew was already brunching on my improvised meat feast of assorted beasts when lady Freslia showed up entering the cave.


    ¡°We have your plates ready, you will feel warm and fuzzy Claimere.¡± I said respectfully welcoming her.


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    With a slight nod she walked right pass me. Her cloak and clothes were slightly dirty. That didn¡¯t happen before, not during travel and not during the skirmish with the fearbeasts.


    I wasn¡¯t the only one who observed it.


    ¡°Anything the matter, Claimere?¡± Ciel asked inquisitively.


    ¡°Later, let us eat!¡± She said in a jovial tone.


    ¡°Musky bear with panther leg perfectly treated with a one mana tear immersion of selected fruits and vegetables just for you.¡± I said.


    Funnily enough Krigsain handed her the dish instead of me.


    ¡°Was he going to eat some from the plate? It couldn¡¯t be, right?¡±


    ¡°What relationship do these guys have?¡± Thoughts that kept surfacing with every new interaction.


    After the generous meal, content seemed to fill everyone¡¯s faces. Freslia rested her back against the uneven rocks and spoke once more.


    ¡°I believe there should be a small throng of fearbeasts coming our way during nightfall.¡±


    ¡°Rest up, meditate and ready your weapons, we will make our stand here.¡±


    At the words, Krigsain was happy, Ciel was serious, Iru was aloof and I was dazed.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we make headway during the day and escape avoiding confrontation while we are in hostile territory?¡± I asked unable to finish my last chunk of meat.


    ¡°The more troublesome ones have been dealt with. We are at the level of the ridge with enough space outside the cave for a fight.¡± She said indifferently.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t too dangerous? Four bears and three panthers could clog the stone paths easily.¡± I tried to counter.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? If it gets too crowded just push them down the ridge line.¡± Krigsain interjected.


    Ciel and Iru just casually agreed with Krigsain¡¯s viewpoint. There was no discussion, everything in this group revolves around violence as a matter of fact.


    They can also push you. Does no one see the problem here?


    Don¡¯t be afraid chicken coop I¡¯ll watch over you.¡± Ciel said smiling.


    Chicken coop? Me? That doesn¡¯t even make sense.


    ¡°These people.¡± I thought secretly while massaging my temple again.


    Even if I am the disciple or Andurin of a great elder or something of the sort, I¡¯m just a sprout right now. Can these guys curb it just a little?


    ¡°Ikrei, this is good for you.¡± Freslia added with her eyes piercing mine.


    ¡°Everyone get ready!¡±


    Freslia silently stood watch as we went about our hastened duties.


    How can this be good for me? Maybe it wasn¡¯t a devil that shook hands with me but something worse. Much, much worse.


    <hr>


    As the Claimere predicted the throng of beasts came.


    ¡°Arms at the ready brothers. Try to one shot the wolves Ikrei just like I showed you.¡± Krigsain said.


    Freslia and Ciel were at the back for support fire and cover.


    I didn¡¯t like this formation. This meant I had to fight up close and personal with the monsters.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take care of the big guys, maybe.¡± Iru said as he charged at the panthers in the midst with his flames smoldering.


    Krigsain went ahead and drove a wedge amongst the fearbeasts. Causing havoc. Three bears at once.


    ¡°This guy is insane.¡± I said out loud.


    ¡°Nah, he just trusts me.¡± Said Ciel as a light arrow flew by my ear to target the bears¡¯ hide.


    ¡°Sure thing but I don¡¯t.¡± I murmured in my heart.


    ¡°How dare you shoot pass my earlobe.¡± I told Ciel.


    She just smiled back.


    Crazy, absolutely reckless.


    Before I could word anything else, the wolves were at an arm¡¯s length.


    ¡°Just like you practiced, set your posture, affirm your legs, breath in and breath out. Maintain form.¡±


    Swing!


    A clean hit, right?


    No, not really, I missed. Fighting on the incline of the mountain near the ridge line was something out of my comfort zone.


    Another light energy arrow bolted besides my other earlobe, the charging wolf died on the spot.


    I saw the shadow wolves gather together. One? Two? No, not two but four!


    ¡°Support, support.¡± I shouted.


    The howl of the incoming wolves reverberated. Four wolves are too much for me at the moment.


    The canine beasts split into tandems to my right and to my left.


    I adjust my footing and manage a clean hit on the first one to my right. The two to my left move in for a kill. I can sense it. I swoop down with all the force I can muster, my muscles are hurting. It¡¯s a miss for one but the second one to my left strikes true.


    ¡°AAARGHHH¡± I screamed.


    The three wolves drop dead in an instant.


    I look back. Freslia just waved her hand at me.


    ¡°Do better. Don¡¯t expect me to save you every time...¡±


    The look in her eyes is penetrating. It feels uncomfortable.


    Three more wolves charge at me, I manage to evade with a roll but I am too close to the edge. One misstep and its curtains. I throw one of my blades and hit the bullseye, one wolf drops, but the other two bite my feet.


    ¡°AAARGHHH!¡± Another scream.


    The two wolves drop dead in the blink of an eye. Two light arrow bolts.


    I¡¯m bleeding but I can move. The leather armor of these clothes is top quality. Far better than anything I have ever known. Nonetheless, no help is coming.


    I know it, I feel it. I doggedly look around.


    Iru and Krigsain are just toying with the beasts in front of them. Nevertheless, they should tire out soon. There are too many, about fifty of them. Ciel is firing arrows without pause yet our leader just calmly waves her hand every now and then.


    Every wave of her hand and beasts drop dead. I can¡¯t sense it nor can I see it, there¡¯s no understanding of her powers. Not for me at least.


    Another pack of wolves is heading up the ridge. I wobbly set my footing again.


    Just then the thought occurs to me, ¡°We are perfectly set for an enemy ambush. What the Gurnir dong is going on?¡±


    ¡°Are all Claimere that powerful? Are they that twisted and reckless? Maybe all those things¡±. I kept thinking.


    Another wolf charges in. Not in groups but a single one. He rolls me over with the momentum of its front charge and we both hit the cold hard rock. I pressed my dagger under his jaw. A reflexive move, the pummeling is working. The wolf dies bleeding on top of me.


    I push it away and slowly get up again. The voice comes from behind once more.


    ¡°Do better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m scared. Scared shitless of these beasts so vast in number for someone like me but even more so of this blue eyed demon in the body of a woman.¡±


    Do better? I am doing my best!


    ¡°I know I chose this path but this is the second time I have faced these beasts. The second time!¡±


    Another wolf rushes in, the scuffle repeats. I stand up even more bloodied than before.


    ¡°I curse, I curse deeply. Better life? Reincarnated? Why do I feel so much fear?¡±


    I freeze as the moment of clarity dawns on me. This is my training, my test.


    A glance where the Claimere was standing was all the confirmation I needed.


    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡±


    This is the Andurin furnace. This is the sixth precept.

 CHAPTER 15

    Ciel P.O.V.


    ¡°Is this what you want?¡± I questioned unconvincingly.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Claimere Freslia answered impassively.


    Her eyes glued on the gruesome spectacle before us.


    Krigsain and Iru were intentionally funneling all the shadow wolves toward Ikrei. We were controlling the flow and at this moment, we were only allowing one to come through at a time. Freslia was keeping the shadow wolf pack leader, the alpha, under control at a distance with her kinetic powers.


    ¡°I do wonder how they truly work.¡± I analyzed.


    Most high ranking member of hidden or secret factions keep their trump cards under wraps. Most kinetic powers were referred as mana manipulation by the Magi, blessings by the Malgrunians and Zurians and finally will by the Andurin. They all work slightly different from each other and the general term is kinetic energy power.


    ¡°Is it an orgon crafted artifact? An ancient relic? I can¡¯t quite figure it out.¡± I was thinking inwardly when Ikrei went tumbling down again.


    It was his fifth bout with a wolf, he was bleeding constantly.


    ¡°Support!¡± Shouted Freslia.


    Within the space of seven breaths Iru was treating Ikrei, treating him just enough for him to continue fighting without bleeding. Freslia and my bow kept the panthers and beast monkeys at bay.


    Freslia took point while Ikrei was being healed and she gave a dashing display of blade dancing. Her cloak fluttering in the moonlight amidst the growls and howls of the fearbeasts. She left the wolves untouched. The beasts cowered. They started retreating.


    ¡°Krigsain!¡± Screamed Freslia and like a bolt he left the final dying bear behind and went after the alpha wolf, the leader of the pack. The alpha shadow wolf tried to flee turning into a shadow and escape through the darkness into the forest.


    Although I know Krigsain, he always manages to surprise me. Today was no different.


    Somehow, he seemed to catch the shadow of the alpha wolf as his gloved hand glowed bright blue in the obscurity of the forest. With a strong full body weight pull he threw the shadowbeast and the howling creature fell just a few steps from Ikrei.


    ¡°Amazing!¡±


    ¡°What a man, brutish! Definitely brutish!¡± My thoughts distracted me from the job at hand.


    In less than ten breaths Freslia was standing behind the wolf unmoving. Her countenance was fierce but she exuded calmness. Krigsain and Iru returned to their slaying party. I stayed back as emergency cover and support. Bow at the ready.


    ¡°Not bad for a bookworm!¡± Said Krigsain loudly as he praised Iru.


    ¡°I could do you a nice new haircut you know, flaming mane style.¡± Retorted Iru.


    They are fighting fearbeasts at Andara in the middle of the night and still have the time to jest around while I have to be fully focused. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a little bit envious.


    ¡°Envious!? Me? Envious of what exactly?¡±


    Focus, no idle thoughts, concentrate Ciel!


    By the time I looked back the alpha wolf was circling Ikrei baring his teeth, ready to pounce.


    The snarling beast readied its attack.


    ¡°He is frightened; he can¡¯t do it like this¡±. I shot a warning arrow at the beasts¡¯ feet just before he was going to attack to protect Ikrei.


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    The wolf howled looking in the direction the bolt had come from. Freslia was staring at me with disapproving eyes.


    ¡°This is too much. Why?¡± I pulled down my bow in confusion.


    The wolf made a blind side attack. By this point, all of Ikrei¡¯s sides were basically blind spots.


    The wolf turned into a shadow and sent Ikrei against the rocks that were on the side of the cave. The alpha could have rushed Ikrei, pushing him down the ridge and into the precipice. The wolf was toying with him.


    Another rush and Ikrei managed to shield himself a little. He still was battered against the rugged wall.


    Another shadow attack, a blur stroke the boy¡¯s body, sending him to the stony floor coughing up blood.


    One more strike. Same result.


    The wolf waited. Slowly stepping around him, it wasn¡¯t a hunt. It wasn¡¯t a brawl. A crippling, that¡¯s all this was.


    The only thing that was surprising was that Ikrei¡¯s bloodied body didn¡¯t seem to faze him. He said nothing. His eyes seething with resentment. His eyes were locked with Freslia¡¯s, she didn¡¯t look away.


    He attacked thoughtlessly screaming wildly. He had gone berserk. No sense, no form, no chance.


    The wolf countered and Ikrei fell. He had blacked out.


    The alpha wolf sprinted past Freslia in retreat. She stood glued to her spot without reaction only looking at the fallen boy.


    ¡°What happened here? Did she arrange all of this?¡± I was pondering in a trance.


    Confusion was written all over my face.


    ¡°Iru deal with him, hurry.¡± Freslia said.


    ¡°Krigsain, Ciel let¡¯s wrap things up. With me.¡± She moved giving the order.


    Leaving the convalescing chicken coop behind we went on a rampage.


    I was angry, I could not, cannot and will not comprehend what is going on inside the head of the woman in front of me.


    I strung my bow with fury killing anything within my range in one shot. This was the first night I experienced the frightening prospect that is Claimere Freslia, the Deathbringer.


    <hr>


    ¡°How is he?¡±


    ¡°The treatment went well, a couple of days of sleep and we will be on the move again.¡± Iru answered.


    We were having a makeshift dinner dish with the scraps from the battle inside the cave. Not bad not good. Freslia was the cook this time. Why would she offer to do it? I wondered. I couldn¡¯t hide my distaste for the offering upon learning about it.


    ¡°Hey, Krigs, what was that out there? We let your trainee get gashed and tortured.¡± I said whispering to his ear.


    ¡°I know what you are thinking just let it go goldilocks.¡± Krigsain said as he chomped down his bowl.


    ¡°Iru say something will you.¡± I pleaded.


    Iru was reading another one of his books when he looked up from it to face me.


    ¡°This is shock therapy. Extreme but whist, I think.¡± He was joking.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen training like this before. This will break any of you. Get serious guys.¡±


    There was no answer, Iru went back to his book. Krigs kept eating.


    ¡°Krigs, help me a little will you, help me understand.¡± I said imploring.


    ¡°Benefits, we get benefits. I get something I want, Iru does as well. You?¡± Krigsain smiled mischievously.


    ¡°He¡¯s not our friend, brother or anything other than a very promising acquaintance allegedly, of course. I know it is harsh, inhumane even. We are taking the Claimere at her word. Not that we could do any better.¡± Iru explained without lifting his eyes from his book.


    ¡°Benefits? What¡¯s in it for me?¡± I was intrigued.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pry to much or you won¡¯t get any. You already have a master craftsman bow.¡± Krigsain replied.


    ¡°You can go ask the Claimere for explanations, she¡¯s just standing guard at the entrance. Go ahead busybody.¡± He suggested.


    After his words, I decided to do just that. I walked over to the cave¡¯s entrance were lady Freslia was overseeing things.


    ¡°Madame, may I have a word?¡± I said putting the straightest posture I could summon.


    ¡°I know what you are thinking. Just ask away little one.¡± She told me not once glancing at her side.


    ¡°Why is this necessary? It seemed like plain torment.¡±


    ¡°He is too old to go through the Rite of Passage you guys went through. He needs to awaken in a certain manner under certain conditions and it MUST happen.¡± She said flatly still looking forward.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you are not going to explain any further, are you?¡±


    ¡°I am only doing this in deference to your lineage and a debt towards your grandfather. It¡¯ll be good for you to stick with our sleeping beauty over there.¡± She said pointing at Ikrei.


    ¡°What¡¯s in it for me, Claimere?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°How much do you like Krigsain, Ciel?¡± She fired a question back.


    I was numb at her words, I had no response.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Now, if you want to be of service go tend to our suffering companion for a few hours. Iru is tired and Krigsain needs to stand guard.¡±


    ¡°You rub me I¡¯ll rub you kind of thing, just between girls, alright?¡± She said with a devilish smile.


    I was speechless, dumbfounded and shocked. Strangely my feet moved by themselves were the anguishing boy was laying.


    ¡°That was quite the offer.¡±


    ¡°I like Krigsain?¡±


    Looking down on the sleeping chicken coop I deliberated for the night.


    I truly felt sorry for him. Still, I went along with the Claimere just like the boys.


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s keeper, huh?¡±


    If this keeps up I might just be turning into a selfish bitch.


    ¡°Is there a difference between a Claimere and a Zigur? She¡¯s brutal and we, her followers, are cowards.¡± I said whispering to myself.


    The cloth in my hand was filled with Ikrei¡¯s perspiration as I tried to keep his body temperature stable.


    ¡°I hope she¡¯s right about you chicken coop, awaken before you break, you hear.¡± I muttered in his ear.

 CHAPTER 16

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The ground was rumbling. I woke up not really getting my bearings. I hastily stood up and checked myself. Everything seemed to be in order. I had a slight pain in my joints but otherwise I was feeling alright.


    There was nobody inside the cave. The rumbling continued so I grabbed my gear that was next to my makeshift bed. Brand new gear, pristine. This must be Freslia¡¯s doing, she¡¯s the only one with a temporal space ring.


    I headed over to the entrance holding my blades trying to make sense of things. Looking out the cave Krigsain, Iru and Ciel were fighting dark clothed soldiers that were charging forward.


    ¡°I got one!¡± Screamed Krigsain.


    ¡°I got three, but who¡¯s counting?¡± Iru requited.


    ¡°Focus you two.¡± Shouted Ciel as she fired several rounds of double blue light arrows.


    A soldier with an axe that escaped the death zone created by those three came at me.


    I reacted instinctively without any proper train of thought. The heavy axe came straight down to where I was. I evaded on a single side step and made a cut on the man¡¯s forearms all the way through. The man dropped his axe.


    Before he could react or evade I sliced his throat. A pinpoint attack right between the gaps in his armor. The hellish torture was paying off. I was as surprised as the dying man in front of me fell because of my swift movements.


    ¡°This damn woman!¡± I greeted my teeth in refusal.


    I will not consciously approve of the methods being used to make me strong. You may call it petty, obtuse but I¡¯m a human not a dog. The carrot and stick method is for animals. At least that was what I was thinking.


    ¡°Sleeping beauty is up.¡± Noted Iru.


    ¡°Fire the arrow!¡± Exclaimed Krigsain.


    Ciel dutifully executed the command. The arrow lit up the night settling near a group of adepts who were fighting. It was the Malgrunian force, I could see their cloaks easily. They were getting hit with massive force. Some of them staggered back, others carried their onslaught at a single figure.


    The black hair fluttering with two blades forming beautifully choreographed arcs, the blade dance.


    It was Freslia slithering through their ranks as she killed them without a glance.


    Before I could ask anything Iru spoke, ¡°You have been sleep for two days. We need to leave.¡±


    The trio surrounded me, placing my sorry ass at the center. I looked down the ridge and saw at least 40 men with their leaders. The ones who broke through Freslia¡¯s blades and her strange powers were the ones my travel companions were fighting.


    ¡°How long has this been going on?¡± I blurted.


    ¡± About half an hour.¡± Ciel told me.


    ¡°Take cover!¡± Yelled Iru as he created a bluish crystalline barrier in front of us.


    The soldiers were throwing orgonid charges at our position. There were several of them.


    BOOOM!


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    The barrier shook and crackled a little.


    Likewise, several explosions were heard where Freslia was fighting.


    The rumbling of the stony ground intensified. An oppressive feeling was felt in the air.


    ¡°Zigurs! Five of them!¡± Ciel pointed her bow and shot another soldier straight in the chest through the armor.


    More explosions everywhere, dust and rocks were sent all over the place. I couldn¡¯t make sense of my surroundings.


    Crackle, crackle. The barrier made way and we were pushed back towards the entrance of the cave. Though the debris I could glean that Krigsain was smiling. He broke formation and charged at the incoming explosive charges.


    I was struck with amazement.


    He was slicing them up and making them burst with each precise slash of his sword. He was taking the brunt of the eruption.


    He is mad, absolutely mad.


    ¡°Iru heal him! Freslia is coming! Ikrei with me!¡± Ciel gave orders frantically without stopping.


    Her arrows started to rain on the charging soldiers.


    ¡°Krigsain and Freslia will hold them. We need to go!¡± She said.


    Ciel pushed me towards the edge of the ridge. I could see the crevasse where Freslia had jumped down the other day.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we hide in the cave? The enemy keeps coming.¡± I said visibly troubled.


    More charges were being thrown at Krigsain and Iru, a couple of them reached us.


    The charges went off.


    BOOOM!


    Krigsain and Freslia continued to retreat heading towards the ridge as well.


    ¡°Get ready.¡± Freslia screamed.


    Ciel started raining arrows again trying to target as many opponents as she could. Freslia was fending off the combined attacks of the four Zigurs she had chosen to engage. Krigsain was fighting off the remaining one while still retreating.


    The clash of swords resounded throughout. Slashes, stabs, blocks and parries were traded off.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you kill them? Throw everything at them.¡± Someone ordered loudly from the enemy throng.


    Through the hubris that is Freslia for fighting several Zigurs simultaneously, I was shocked. I could barely see how Freslia blocked some attacks, parried others or made a counter move. Some of the Zigur attacks couldn¡¯t even reach her. She seemed to have some sort of localized barrier but it occurred at different locations every time. A very strange phenomenon.


    Although many had fallen, there were Five Zigurs now. A step too far even for the Deathbringer considering the Malgrunians were heavily equipped. More charges came our way.


    I was ready to be blown away at any moment. Seven orgonid charges came our way, at least the ones that I could count.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The charges erupted in all directions midair. Freslia glanced back relieved.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Even though I couldn¡¯t make sense of what I saw, I knew Freslia had done it. Strange powers again.


    ¡°Iru now!¡± Roared Freslia.


    A glittering crystalline barrier materialized as Freslia and Krigsain retreated pass him at full speed. Ciel¡¯s bow shined bright in the night as an arrow of fire materialized on it. She was sweating, whatever she was doing it strained her.


    ¡°Fire!¡± The volley was shot towards the sky over the frontal barrier.


    The arrow split into many smaller arrows that burned everything upon contact with the surface. A wall of fire. A firewall and a magic barrier.


    The combined attacks from the Zigurs crashed into them while Krigsain played meat shield for the areas not covered by the barrier. Iru wasn¡¯t a Claimere to cover a whole area with a barrier.


    ¡°AAARGHH!¡±


    A scream filled with pain came from the young handsome muscle mass. Iru grabbed him from the scruff of his neck and threw him injured into the crevasse, He jumped in a couple of breaths after.


    Ciel jumped into the depths with her back to the forest below. She was pointing her bow at something.


    Dozens of charges exploded as Freslia threw them behind her.


    ¡°I think they came from her temporal ring.¡± I pondered scared out of my wits.


    The barrier, the firewall and the rocks trembled. The frenzied attacks from the Zigurs didn¡¯t reach us.


    Freslia grabbed me by the shoulder and pushed me back. She was throwing me into the abyss.


    ¡°Claimere! Claimere!¡± I shouted as I felt my body lift up from the bedrock.


    Suspended midair with my eyes looking at the starry night sky I started my unwilling plunge into the depths.


    A breath later, the crazy Claimere was diving headfirst towards me.


    I finally got a good look at her features as the hood from her cloak was removed. I must say, she was truly beautiful and she was also truly the height of insanity.


    The foolish woman was smiling. She was smiling at me, unbelievable.


    ¡°Claimere? Claim my ass!¡± I thought as I continued my uninterrupted fall.


    I kept falling and a moment later I felt something akin to a ripple on my back. A strong feeling of suction enveloped me. I closed my eyes frightened. The feeling of being cut a thousand times traversed through my body.


    A breath later I felt like water. A dissolving solution, evaporating into nothing.


    ¡°AAAHHH!!!¡±


    I had only one last thought on my mind, Freslia.


    I really dislike this woman.

 CHAPTER 17

    Fuko P.O.V.


    We had arrived at the city of Bolan. We took a break in a private lounge at an elite restaurant for adventurers and mercenaries. Finally, my unused Augir status became useful. Sitting comfortably on the circular couches our conversation began.


    ¡°How was it Ethola, was it what you expected?¡±


    The rough looking well-toned tracker answered, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a manner of fighting. Blocking our attacks with a concentrated single point barrier, artifacts or something else. No matter how I look at it, she had an exquisite level of mana manipulation to pull it off.¡±


    Beris, our healer, chimed in, ¡°Whatever it was, the ability seems limited to defense, not that it made the fight any easier.¡±


    He was an adept that had risen to Augir level just a few months prior through constantly testing his mettle in the battle arena of Gurnir, the berserker. He was extremely well kept for a professional of such a bloody practice. He could handle a fight.


    Then again, Augir is not the same as an Augir Master. I¡¯m the only one in this group near that threshold.


    ¡°Guess that is why she¡¯s the only woman among those bastards.¡± He finished.


    Alor and Piska, my two twins and main shields said in unison, ¡°Ye, her blows were no joke, such a frail looking frame being able to hit that hard.¡± They complained as they drank their Thurskan brew.


    I decided to treat the crew lavishly after what I had put them through.


    ¡°I can slam you just as painfully as her in our next training session.¡± I suggested.


    ¡°Her ability to block is infuriating, every good shot I had was parried.¡± Grumbled Corin as she sat in the corner.


    She was my archer and spy, a truly captivating woman. Very capable in many arts including poison. The empire just sold her off to us for a very high sum of resources. Once a prince¡¯s property now reduced to a Malgrunian hunting dog, there is a story there I am sure. The strength of the never fading stars, as the empire call themselves is unfathomable to me.


    ¡°Any thoughts, Blitz?¡± I asked my main warrior and frontline man.


    He just shook his head and continued drinking from his glass slowly. The strong builder bearded man isn¡¯t too much of a talker. I will have to do a full background check later just to be on the safe side.


    ¡°I guess the memory of her parrying our joint attack is still vivid in his mind.¡± I presumed.


    ¡°No matter, we have reported the sighting and got a good experience from it. There aren¡¯t many of her caliber out there anyway. We must prepare.¡±


    Everyone agreed to my words in some form or another.


    The door to our private area opened, the butler that had ushered us in came through the door in an apologetic manner.


    ¡°Sorry to disturb you, young master Fuko but Lord Zarandel requests your presence.¡±


    ¡°My father¡¯s here, that¡¯s a surprise. Blitz, Corin take care of the preparations we discussed before meeting Gormesh. It seems duty is calling.¡± I said as I left them behind parting with the butler.


    <hr>


    I arranged my battle gear and took down my hood, meeting father always brought forth trepidation. I, Fuko, as an adoptive son have a lot to live up to. I saluted my father in a military style.


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    ¡°I see the Duke.¡±


    His always imposing presence mixed with the elegant apparel he always wore made him even more intimidating. He had a fierce countenance like a lion. Who knows what he is thinking behind those golden eyes. The sign of the inheritor of Zarandel and leader of the Kazardim, the endowment of Beltor, our guardian entity.


    ¡°At ease.¡± He said signaling me to sit down in a nearby chair.


    The hotel he was staying at was the premiere establishment in the city. Extravagant expending in luxury is normal considering the pressure he carries on his shoulders.


    We sat down as he began speaking, ¡°I¡¯ve heard about your little skirmish with an Andurian leader. Seven against one and you still lost.¡±


    He had an inquisitive look in his eyes.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware we were going to face off against the Deathbringer.¡± I said in my defense.


    ¡°I hope this was a good opportunity for you. The Claimere are a strange group of people just like our leaders and like me. Understand?¡± He pointed out.


    ¡°Yes I do.¡± I nodded. Then a sudden question came to me. ¡°Can you beat her father?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He replied perfunctorily.


    ¡°I suppose there¡¯s more to this rendezvous than just a catch up on my progress.¡± I inquired.


    ¡°What do you want to do with your right Fuko?¡± He asked in a stoic fashion.


    ¡°I wish to create my own path and my own enclave. My brothers and sister only see me as a nuisance, I would rather avoid all the hassle. My own hand, my own power, my own people.¡± I answered truthfully.


    ¡°You are letting go of your right to challenge?¡± he asked surprised and joyful in equal measure.


    ¡°I would like to have the right to challenge for the endowment but as for the Dukedom, its riches and all that it entails I rather not meddle between my brothers.¡±


    Whether my political siblings truly considered me as an equal or family, it had little importance to me. The only thing that mattered was the opinion of the Duke, Rafeyl Zarandel.


    ¡°Good, this will eliminate the possibility of interference from your stepmother. Take this.¡± He took out a ring colored in blood red.


    ¡°Is this¡ª¡± My voice was interrupted by the Duke.


    ¡°This is a temporal ring from the Kanyira. This is the best I can do for the memory of your mother. Thank you for helping this old man, your brothers and sister will be pleased. When the time comes I¡¯ll personally assist in your endowment.¡± He said kindly.


    ¡°Soul artifact.¡± I muttered dumbfounded looking at the ring I was now holding.


    Soul artifacts are different from all other artifacts, they have space time distortion magic as a storage device but also their own will, a living weapon. A living weapon is created by different processes depending on the faction making it.


    Anything made by the Kanyira requires an extreme self-control and power to make the souls within it submit. It is not easy.


    ¡°I will train hard and prove my worth.¡± I said giving the Duke a sincere salute.


    ¡°Now, let us discuss your mission. Although, we the Kazardim, always take the most hazardous tasks for our own benefits. The information I gathered indicates the conflict will probably escalate to an unforeseeable level in the future. Your road ahead is fraught with danger Fuko.¡± He was serious.


    ¡°We are being sent to the meat grinder then.¡± I said affirmatively.


    ¡°Many amongst the Kolga wish to purge our numbers, including Elders, Zigurs and Seats. Likewise, many of them wish our well-being. The old codgers are up to something, finding out will take time.¡±


    ¡°Greedy fuckers! I¡¯ll trample upon their heads and turn them into hewers working in the Colrig mines!¡± I said visibly showing my displeasure.


    ¡°Search and destroy son, search and destroy. Accumulate merits, involve yourself in battles were you can account for your safety first. Avoid going to Kotar, do not tackle that part of your mission until I get there.¡±


    ¡°You are being summoned too?¡± I asked surprised.


    ¡°It will come to that, yes.¡± He replied plainly.


    ¡°My brothers and sister will be involved in this as well? The scale is growing rapidly.¡±


    ¡°We are at a state of covert war but it is war. Try not to antagonize the Zurians as much as possible for now, disrupt, destroy and kill all and any Andurians as you can. If you cannot find them then start with the citizens of Kotar that are high ranking either in wealth or status wherever you can find them.¡±


    His words were clear and the intent obvious, it was high time for assassinations.


    ¡°This will be a momentous culling. The blood of Kotar will flow. Be on guard, Malgrunians in the other continents will be purged. Even in a very small scale, the recalling has already begun.¡±


    I took time assimilating everything my father was telling me. Recalling? The Grand Chamber is going to take it that far? Impossible. My thoughts were racing, if we are not careful, we are as good as dead.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be facing the Claimere and their direct Kotari eventually, prepare thoroughly with Gormesh. Find Zigurs, adepts, worshippers, priests and anyone that can be bought, maximize your resources. You need to gain merits to procure better equipment, alliances to face them when the time comes. I cannot help you anymore than this. Am I clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes father, thank you.¡± I gave him another very polite bow before departing.

 CHAPTER 18

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°What was that?¡± I asked extremely discomforted.


    ¡°You went through a space time distortion device. You can think of it as a portal.¡± Iru told me helping me to stand.


    ¡°And we had to go through a death dive to open it?¡±


    ¡°Best way to avoid unwanted occurrences and guest following behind us.¡± Krigsain answered sitting on a rock behind me.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t expecting it, neither did you. It was a last moment change to the original plan.¡± Freslia interjected.


    I just looked at her having no words to say, like a mute.


    ¡°Where are we anyway?" Iru questioned, he was pulling out a book.


    ¡°Somewhere in the eastern section of Andara. Ciel is scouting.¡± Freslia replied while keeping guard.


    ¡°We were heading south, now we are in the east, our escape route has changed. So?¡± I wondered with perplexity.


    ¡°From here on out, we travel continuously nonstop until we reach the frontier village of the Zurians. Therefore, eat and rest up everybody, we are moving in a few hours.¡± She said while cleaning some dust from her cloak.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel downcast. I was definitively in over my head with everything happening so fast. Worry, fear, resentment arose in my heart way too easily. For all of my ideas, this was not what I was signing up for. I sat down feeling defeated.


    Guessing my state of mind Krigsain came over and sat next to me.


    ¡°The life of the Andurin is a harsh one, yours might be even harsher. But at least we are heading out of the Malgrunian nation.¡± He finished looking straight into my eyes.


    I sat there silently listening. The bulging muscle mass instructor of mine somehow felt comforting.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a guy that dwells on words too much forest hunter, but I¡¯ll help you to get a leg up on your late start and become a proper mercenary once we are out of here.¡± He said trying to give me a reassuring smile.


    It didn¡¯t work.


    ¡°He¡¯s not a man suited for speeches.¡± Iru expressed his opinion.


    Still it was something to hold on to, I needed anything that I could get.


    ¡°Better than nothing I guess.¡±


    Iru also came over and sat on the other side of us.


    ¡°What do you understand about Magi and magic Ikrei?¡± He asked.


    Iru is switching topics to lighten the mood. Isn¡¯t he?


    I will admit it is a very useful method, I was curious about magic in this world.


    ¡°Not much, just the basics everyone has heard of. You use mana and learn to control it. Although my father called it the will, he always said it was slightly different. I never understood the difference or a proper application of mana, will or whatever the source of the power is. Everything for me has been trial and error.¡±


    ¡°The teachings on convergence of energies and powers are convoluted and misleading intentionally, you must know this, yes?¡± Iru asked me.


    ¡°Yeah, I get the gist of it on the surface. Why is that?¡±


    ¡°Knowledge is power and power is concentrated amongst a few. The selfishness and nature of man. So I¡¯ll just touch on what pertains to mana for now. When you meet your mentor or elder you will learn about other details.¡±


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    ¡°Why share what makes you special with others? Only one circumstance, when it benefits you. ¡°Krigsain added.


    ¡°The Magi or wise men discovered mana, how they did that? That¡¯s debatable, the point being, mana is considered to be the attunement of your awakened energy with the energy of the world around you. The elements you can control depend strictly on your affinity to the elements that you intrinsically are born with. Of course, this is only the general principle.¡±


    Iru explained patiently.


    ¡°So magicians are born.¡± I said.


    ¡°Yes, pretty much and we are rare. Rare enough to be marked as special regardless of affinity.¡±


    ¡°The Claimere, is she a magician then? I¡¯ve seen some pretty weird stuff happen around her.¡± I inquired.


    ¡°She might be, Claimere are a special breed of the Kotari, a true higher up. Their powers are mysterious and their true abilities concealed. You should look at the bright side; such a being is paying close attention to you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know how to feel about that statement.


    ¡°How many people in the world get to have a higher up of an ancient faction intervene forcefully on their behalf?¡± Iru questioned me.


    I was struck like a deer by the arrow of truth. No words came out.


    ¡°We have been scouted for a long time according to my step grandfather, you on the other hand, are a pickup on the spot as far as I know.¡± Krigsain worded in.


    ¡°To acquire this knowledge by chance is almost impossible. You would have to be the second coming of Augir.¡± Iru explained.


    ¡°The father of adventurers and mercenaries?¡± I probed the issue.


    ¡°That¡¯s the one. Augir lived long enough and was lucky enough to pull off something close to the realm of miracles. An outsider becoming a core energy user, a triple master with vast experience in many fields. That doesn¡¯t happen by accident, not anymore.¡±


    ¡°Did you know about the ancient arts by yourself?¡± He was looking at me with a questioning gaze.


    ¡°No, not by myself I had some guidance.¡± I acknowledged honestly.


    ¡°Be glad of your lot in life man, millions of people would kill to be in your skin.¡± Krigsain commented.


    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s definitively something to this Ikrei fellow. He might even be a spy!¡± Iru said jokingly.


    Iru and Krigsain laughed their hearts out. I was not amused.


    ¡°Whatever happens just wait until we are out of harm¡¯s way that¡¯s all I can tell you.¡± Krigsain said leaving to polish his sword again like he always did.


    I looked into the skies wondering, trying to get my mindset in the proper place.


    ¡°I¡¯m having trouble coming to terms with everything that¡¯s going on.¡± I said to Iru.


    ¡°Remember Ikrei, we, the Sachear, are not privy to a deeper understanding of the mysteries until we are vetted.¡± Iru explained.


    ¡°Magic surely looks cool but I can easily beat the both of you up. The development of your core is what is important.¡± Krigsain told us from where he was with a shout.


    ¡°I was getting there you brute!¡± Iru loudly responded.


    ¡°Once you have awakened you will sense things. You will know if you can interact with the elements within and without. Affinity and everything else can be detected later.¡± Iru said igniting my curiosity about my future a little.


    ¡°What about you Krigsain, you can use awakened powers but not magic, right?¡± I asked loudly so he could hear.


    ¡°I use what it is called the Will, the energy within my core, the one in my brain. The brain is the basis of your main core so don¡¯t get your head on a stick or chopped off. Even the so called immortals are not invincible.¡± He said pointing at my head with the weapon.


    ¡°Then mana is the energy outside and will is the energy inside?¡±


    ¡°There is more to it than that, your master will clarify that for you, vetting and all that. Simply put for now, mana is a term used by the Magi, Will is a term used by the Andurin. Once you awaken you will slowly understand the difference, just keep doing what you are doing.¡±


    ¡°There are Magi in all factions? Are there independent Magi?¡± I asked.


    ¡°There is the Kingdom of Adol in the Eastern continent. The Magi who wished to be independent went there about two millennia ago. There are faction members, also some lose magicians here and there. There are always hidden cards in our world.¡±


    ¡°And where are the Magi here, in our neck of the woods?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°The spire of Adolphyr in the Kingdom of Zunar is the home to the Magi Association in the western continent. The citadel itself is a sight to see, we should go there sometime.¡± Iru hinted.


    Even though I felt the offer was a gesture of goodwill, it didn¡¯t feel genuine given the circumstances. I did appreciate the fact that it made me feel slightly better for a moment.


    ¡°How come you are not going to Zunar then? Magi may choose to be with their own without being tied down to a faction. You know freedom, independence and all that stuff?¡± I was deeply intrigued, unconsciously comparing my circumstances with his.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to it really. I had my Rite of Passage at Orgis when I was but a child and for all the wealth and knowledge of the current magicians, the Andurin are older, ancient in comparison.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the Magi discovered mana?¡± I asked trying to clarify my confusion.


    ¡°The original Magi did. Not the current iteration of them. History is manure from a different stable my fellow Sachear. In other words, it¡¯s complicated.¡± He answered adjusting his glasses.


    ¡°You will learn far more once we reach our destination. This is enough for an appetizer. Cheer up!¡± Iru gave me his customary salute and left to read another one of his books.


    ¡°Get to cooking Ikrei, Ciel will be back any minute now.¡± Freslia gave the word.


    We began moving about our business until Ciel¡¯s return.

 CHAPTER 19

    Tosen P.O.V.


    ¡°Keep close to me and your wits about you.¡± Bolger told me.


    He was dashing behind me, occasionally looking around the number of fearbeasts we had set up for the next attack. After three days of search we had our targets within reach.


    I was preoccupied on the probability of failure, we had never worked before as a unit, this type of arrangement would have never happened if it weren¡¯t for the current state of affairs in the Kolga and the Grand Chamber. Something big was happening and the gears were moving.


    Snapping out of my thoughts I said, ¡°Watch out for this Claimere. This is their Deathbringer according to the report.¡±


    I felt a sudden chill remembering how the Zurian elite had defeated me so easily with a holy artifact assault. This was another elite we were chasing.


    ¡°The battle will be arduous. We just need to delay them long enough for reinforcements to arrive. They want them alive.¡± My leader Bolger reminded me.


    ¡°They are changing course continuously; we need to funnel them into the formation. Send the beasts boss.¡± My new squad partner agreed, Bolger gave the nod.


    The beasts went forward in full force, hollering, drooling and growling with menace. We sent the crows and eagles to scout and work like a beacon. We sent hundreds of them. We knew if we sent just a few, they would kill them to avoid detection.


    ¡°They¡¯ll either speed up to the east or face us directly. Their numbers are too small for other feasible options. Everyone get ready.¡± Bolger said signaling where the Claimere was dashing.


    The five of us prepared our artifacts, charging them up with our kinetic energy. I was eager, I was tense.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be different this time.¡± I repeated to myself, reassuringly.


    The companion behind me fired a red bolt of energy from his crossbow, twenty to thirty steps in front of the Claimere. It was a fully charged shot. We didn¡¯t expect her to block it. According to plan, she dodged it and let it explode in front of her.


    ¡°They are still running, just as you said Bolger.¡± Another companion spoke in approval.


    ¡°Continue with the plan, order the beast into columns around them. Everybody fire!¡± Bolger said sternly.


    We all fired purely charged kinetic red bolts into specific points hundreds of steps in front of them.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The triggers of the hidden formation were activated. The forest lit up with red tinge lines surrounding all of us.


    ¡°This is our forest; you think we would let you leave easily?¡± Bolger asked in a whisper.


    We were wearing proper armor this time around. Even if our coordination was considerably lacking, we can still hold them off.


    ¡°The formation will prevent them from escaping. The beasts are close, everyone get into place and don¡¯t stop firing when the chance opens. Don¡¯t try to gain merits here, stick to the plan.¡± Bolger said as he moved ahead into an optimal snipping position.


    I had enough orgon crystals on me to cause a small bombardment and also several orgonid charges for good measure. We had borrowed temporal space rings for this task, they are quite convenient. We were prepared, we were cautious and we were on our home soil.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what you can do vaunted elite of those dammed sages!?¡± A companion said while setting up.


    Perhaps the Claimere was powerful enough to escape us, even fight us on equal footing, but her companions? They were just trying to escape.


    ¡°Why are you here, Deathbringer?¡± A question only the higher ups would have the answer for.


    As high as a Zigur is, with all my years in the enclave I can safely say we qualify as elite minions for the most part, that is extremely valuable disposable assets. This was an uncomfortable thought.


    The beasts roared and attacked the Claimere from all sides, panthers, bears, wolves, monkeys and a few ragnars. We gave her everything she could handle. We wanted to test her limits. I fired my bolts whenever a gap in her defenses appeared.


    There are far bigger beasts in the depths of the forest but they are too much to handle for a squad like ours, we had to make do with numbers. My companions fired upon her followers.


    ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING! BOOOM!


    The Claimere sliced and diced through the beasts. Screams, howls, echoed through the night. My constant snipping forced her into a physical confrontation with the feral beings while blocking or deflecting my attacks with some kind of arcane shield.


    ¡°As expected from a true expert. She¡¯s holding out well. Her group not so much.¡± One of the Zigurs relayed to me while shifting positions.


    We kept the pressure changing our snipping placements constantly. The Claimere couldn¡¯t target us directly, she could only launch an attack on an impromptu estimate of our locations.


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    Bolger¡¯s plan was working perfectly.


    The constant barrage on her followers bore fruit, the cloaks they wore were ragged and bloodied. The hoods on their cloaks were either down or torn off.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°AAARGHHH!¡±


    Curses and boyish screams rang out. We were firing too many bolts and too many charges for them to handle. They were holding quite well for a bunch of scrubs.


    ¡°Maybe this is what the Claimere is here for?¡± I wondered.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The crossbows kept firing and we kept reloading and firing without pause. The situation forced the Claimere to charge at a position near me.


    ¡°Now!¡± Yelled Bolger from a faraway position.


    I went into the second phase of our plan. Dozens upon dozens of preset charges exploded as the Deathbringer was charging trying to locate me.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Beasts were being split in two, others blown away, she was bathed in blood and her blades dripping. She was getting close.


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason I¡¯m the one targeting you.¡± I whispered.


    Malgrunians are adept at using negative energies but I am especially sensitive to it. The drawback is that my kinetic ability requires time. Time that we had in spades to prepare for this undertaking.


    ¡°Got you!¡± I heard a voice from my left about seven steps away.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The charges setup around me exploded as she charged in. Her blue eyes leaked death.


    She hasn''t properly estimated my abilities, she''s at a disadvantage. I can absorb the negative energy of all surrounding beings and similarly charged objects.


    "How many beasts do you think we brought with us? I cannot control them but that doesn¡¯t mean I cannot use them."


    The kinetic energy around me worked like a shield and gave me the distinct advantage when up close. She had come by herself straight into the trap.


    ¡°Prideful woman.¡± I said as I went in for a direct confrontation.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    Red energy bolts hit the Claimere on her back. She blocked them with her mysterious shield. My artifact covered hand clashed with whatever the shield was from the front. It felt like a clash between artifacts. I couldn¡¯t be certain.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    Raining red energy bolts forced her into an extreme situation. If those bolts hit me, I am gorgon paste.


    "At this point in the fight, who gives a shit!"


    The massive amount of energy I was syphoning transferred through her shield. Up close, it was a direct hit. She was blown back about ten steps. She had a look of surprise in her eyes. The Claimere bled a few drops of blood from her mouth, all that from a punch from an unknown Zigur.


    The plan was working.


    The entirety of the remaining beasts charged towards the four younglings while my teammates and myself tag teamed the Claimere. Absorbing insane amounts of energy, I channeled it into my body and pushed for a flurry.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! CRACK! ZIIING! ZIIING! CRACK!


    My speed and reflexes were galvanized. I hit the intended targets a couple of more times. She couldn¡¯t block that close to me.


    ¡°This is the feeling of the truly powerful! Exhilarating!¡± The line of thought was halted by a shout.


    ¡°Enough!¡± The Claimere turned serious and kinetic energy poured out of her in all directions. I instinctively felt the fluctuations.


    SWISH!


    Her blade managed to cut through my kinetic barrier.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    The blade strikes were fast, almost unblockable. The pressure mounted.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    I used all of my remaining energy to strengthen the shield around my body. My main core was pulsating fiercely. I threw a punch to counter a blade strike.


    DOOONG!


    A resonance effect between artifacts and kinetic energy occurred. We were both pushed back in opposite directions.


    I knew after the tussle that my energy reserves where running low.


    ¡°Move back!¡± Bolger shouted.


    In the space of two breaths I dashed and sprinted through the trees towards the pack of beasts attacking the four younglings. They were fighting for their lives, barely holding on.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    My squad bombarded the pursing Claimere behind me. Each one of her slashes deflecting the charges or ripping the trees to shreds. Her speed increased even further.


    ¡°Fearsome.¡±


    She was terrifying.


    I barely dodged an incoming energy slash, the tree behind me burst into pieces. The bombs and bolts took a slight effect; she was slowing down.


    ¡°ARLUN!¡± Bolger and my squad called out together at once.


    The red line formation that surrounded the battlefield compressed within a couple of breaths into a single point. The Malgrunian chant sounded through the forest.


    "ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN!"


    The Claimere was suppressed, she couldn¡¯t move but neither could my Malgrunian squad.


    ¡°This was the chance!¡±


    I darted where the beasts and the four young ones where in the space of four breaths. I stood behind the forty or so fearbeasts that remained. I decided to absorb only enough energy that just a few of them would die, in the process of doing so I sensed an abnormal amount of negative energy coming out from one of the boys that were fighting.


    "ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN!"


    In the same vein, there was another boy with also an abnormal amount of negative energy that was fighting in front of their group.


    ¡°Die!¡± The long haired boy cried out. He was cutting, stabbing, piercing a couple of shadow wolves and a trifecta of monkeys with a continuous flowing slash motion.


    "ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN!"


    These pubs were impressive, we need to deal with them now, I made a switch in my plan.


    ¡°Get ready you pubs.¡±


    I began syphoning the negative energy from these two boys. In an unexpected turn of events, the energy from the boy in the middle of their small defensive arrangement was massive.


    Ten breaths and the teenage boy in the center fainted incapable of fighting anymore. The long haired one was still fighting just fatigued from the ordeal.


    "ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN!"


    ¡°The beasts will deal with them now, it is irreversible.¡±


    My reserves were bursting once more. I smiled and looked upon the Claimere bathed in blood.


    She was enraged. Her eyes looked bestial, they were shining.


    "ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN! ARLUN!"


    I charged with my most powerful attack focusing all my energy, strength and concentration into my fist. This is my personal technique; I call it absolute zero core burst.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see how you handle this.¡±


    Full speed, fully charged frontal assault. One blow straight to the heart. I decided to preserve her looks, the chamber members might have some use for her after this.


    WOOONG! WOOONG! WOOONG!


    The resonating energies pulsating within me and around me expanded, my fist held true.


    CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!


    Her shield couldn¡¯t take the hit. My win.


    A wild bust of energy came forth. At the last moment, she had wrestle off the restraining control and offered a counter punch.


    CRACKLE! DOOONG!


    We were blasted in opposite directions again.


    ¡°I think my ribs are fractured.¡±


    I spit blood.


    I looked over and she was kneeling, hair disheveled and bleeding using one her blades as support.


    My squad were preparing their most powerful techniques to rain down upon her since they were also free from the constraints.


    Unwilling to risk it, I followed our emergency procedure. I took out my crossbow from my temporal ring and fired a red bolt into the sky signaling for reinforcements. I was drained, severely injured but also very happy.


    We had beaten a Claimere, a newly formed group of five had placed the dammed pride of the sages, Deathbringer Freslia, in dire straits.


    I concentrated my utterly weary eyes upon the Claimere.

 CHAPTER 20

    Asara P.O.V.


    ¡°You saw the red bolt in the sky?¡±


    ¡°Yes, princess.¡± One of my guards answered me.


    ¡°Move, move! We got no time!¡± I yelled.


    We rushed through the forest at our top speed.


    ¡°Ten breaths maybe.¡± I was calculating the distance internally.


    ¡°They will be alive; we are close.¡± A voice came from behind to my right.


    It was Zaneir, my personal guard and private attendant trying to mitigate my worries. She always does things like this.


    The earth quaked. A loud bang, akin to a detonation but subtler than orgonid charges was felt.


    I rushed ahead with all my might to where the sounds and vibrations came from.


    ¡°Princess be careful!¡± Shouted Zaneir.


    The dust was settling. It was as I feared, this was the result of a powerful kinetic discharge.


    There were five dark cloaked persons attacking another group with a throng of beasts in the middle of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my former teacher Freslia kneeling on the ground, bleeding profusely.


    ¡°Protect them!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs.


    My retinue was made of fourteen knights of different professions and skills but were definitively elite in a comparison with other countries armies. However, these were elite Malgrunian forces to be wary of, if they can manage to corner Claimere Freslia like this.


    Just like our training back in the castle, we split into three groups immediately to attend the current problem. I attacked the first hooded cloak I saw with the assistance of Zaneir.


    ZIIING! SWISH!


    The coordinated attack went forward as a single energy blast. The cloaked man who was near Freslia threw out an object. Maybe a talisman or a glyph, I had no idea it was too fast. A crystalline barrier formed and it withstood the energy long enough for him to evade before disintegrating.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Three breaths had passed and we couldn¡¯t kill him in one shot.


    ¡°Heckor!¡± I shouted.


    Ten of the fourteen retinue members stormed where the other dark cloaked men where. They were led by their Seider, Heckor who was spearheading the charge against the other four enemies. A terrible clash ensued.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The intertwining of opposing kinetic energies caused a high resonance reaction. Trees were destroyed, the ground charred.


    Zaneir and I prepared an encirclement for our evading foe using all the warding glyphs we had. Launching our artifacts in a single motion, a dome shaped energy barrier covered us. The energy ward prevented our foe and us from leaving the space. I was trying to prevent this Zigur from joining the others, a formation of five is highly dangerous, there is a reason they are called lustrums.


    ¡°Now!¡± I screamed.


    Like many times before since we were children, Zaneir and I make a great pair when it comes to battle. We sent energy blasts towards the Zigur in simultaneous physical assaults. All he could do was block or barely dodge.


    ¡°You pests!¡± The angry man snarled like a beast.


    We needed to keep the pressure up, the other four members of my retinue were helping our young seedlings with the charging fearbeasts.


    Ten breaths had passed since the skirmish began.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Sixteen people against five. Regardless, the Zigurs held on to produce an evenly matched strength contest.


    ¡°At least our elite knights can withstand these monsters.¡± I thought as I prepared.


    The fight raged on just like before.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Eight more breaths had passed; the seedlings were heading to my position. They had managed to leave their encirclement.


    ¡°Help us.¡± A girl with a bow begged as they drew close. It was obvious they didn¡¯t recognize me nor my retinue.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to assume growing up in these parts of the world limits your exposure.¡± Zaneir said while charging for another attack.


    ¡°One mind.¡± I reprimanded her.


    The Zigur before us was quite weak, I couldn¡¯t understand why that was the case but I was grateful. We only need to buy time to proceed with our escape.


    Lady Freslia finally showed a reaction. A convergence of energies was felt where she was kneeling. Her resonance felt like a flicker, she was unstable.


    ¡°Claimere!¡± A young red haired well-built man stood suddenly in front of her, he was covered in blood.


    ¡°Handsome.¡± That¡¯s the only response I had in my mind.


    ¡°We must leave.¡± I heard Freslia say.


    She recognized me when she was able to glance at me. She flashed me a bitter smile.


    ¡°The beasts are coming and the knights are starting to lose ground. We must depart.¡± Zaneir said.


    The Zigur in front of us was in a defensive stance. He had no intention of fighting back.


    ¡°This one is strange. Normally by now, the weak elites are overtaken by their rage.¡± I thought.


    ¡°Zaneir, we leave. Sound the retreat.¡± I ordered.


    ¡°We must use the glyphs here. We are in no condition to flee, the forest formation is weakened, it will work.¡± Freslia said standing up and walking towards me.


    The teleportation glyphs are scarce and very precious items. Only to be used in emergencies. We had already used dozens of them. That was not the pressing matter, a bleeding Claimere qualifies as an emergency.


    ¡°Gurnir!¡± I cursed.


    I nodded at her words.


    Zaneir emitted a clarion like sound from her pendant and the knights immediately started to retreat.


    ¡°Where do you think you are going?¡± A voice boomed from behind the burning trees. Five more dark cloaked persons showed up, they had appeared in a matter of breaths.


    The girl with the bow, the handsome bulk and a skinny young man with glasses were surrounding another youth. He was also bleeding profusely from an injury to one of his arms.


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± I cursed under my breath.


    ¡°Hang in there, man.¡± The handsome one said to the suffering kid.


    ¡°Use them now. Heckor!¡± I shouted as loudly as I possibly could.


    Zaneir, Heckor and I threw our teleportation glyphs near our retreating position as far away from the incoming Zigurs as possible. The dome barrier dissipated as the energy from the triune teleportation portal absorbed all the convergent energy in the area. The displacement device activated.


    ¡°My lady, we¡¯ll hold them.¡± Heckor said as he and his two direct subordinates exploded in an intense fiery energy blast to provide cover for our retreat.


    DOOONG! DOOONG! ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING! BOOOM!


    The incoming attacks from the nine Zigurs simultaneously tore into the Seider and his two knights. The rest of our group entered the portal swiftly. I was the second to last one to enter.


    Before the energy ripples closed, I could see the beaten Zigur that remained smiling at me.


    ¡°Your knights invaded first, princess Asara.¡± He said with a wicked grin.


    Proof of interference. Three knights of the personal retinue of the princess of Kotar laid dead on Malgrunian soil. War was now, an inevitability with the Eternal Moon having the political edge.


    ¡°I hope this future king is worth it.¡±


    The rift closed.


    <hr>


    ¡°We will be departing for Malaktaraf in the morning.¡± I told Freslia.


    She was sitting near the bedroom window of the lodging we had accommodated into for the night.


    ¡°Why was the surveillance so astringent on Malgrunian territory?¡± She asked with tired eyes.


    ¡°We are at the prelude of all-out war. Don¡¯t know the details but something truly serious occurred during the High Moon festival.¡±


    ¡°You sacrificed a Seider and arrived with a full cohort of knights. You better explain yourself prot¨¦g¨¦!?¡± She pried.


    ¡°King¡¯s orders. I had to consult the Archsage for your location, otherwise we wouldn¡¯t have made it in time, plenty of resources were expended. But the goal of our little venture was the chosen one.¡± I answered genuinely.


    ¡°So I was caught in the crossfire. I¡¯ll have a word with Akathos later.¡± She said with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°Tell me, is he exceptional?¡± I questioned with extreme curiosity.


    ¡°Yes, for someone this young by all measures, Krigsain, is a jewel. With proper care he will be a truly formidable one.¡± She replied.


    The look in Freslia¡¯s blue eyes was piercing, it was obvious she wanted to tell me more. I waited patiently.


    ¡°You redheads could make quite a pair but it will not be easy, he is very independent. Joining the Andurin was already a stretch, it took a lot of convincing.¡± She added while sipping her tea.


    She remained insightful as ever. She can read me like a book and I¡¯m the one with special eyes, frustrating.


    ¡°The thread of fate on your little crew is strong for all of them to have gathered inside enemy grounds.¡± I said.


    ¡°Fate? We are fate breakers my dear princess. It is more akin to the cumulative convergence of our own making. I assume you are eager for proper introductions then.¡± She offered.


    ¡°We will have to agree to disagree. Even the great ones of all known enclaves quarrel over this issue perpetually.¡±


    ¡°Careful with your words your highness, they could be interpreted as borderline contempt towards the precepts.¡± Freslia pointed out.


    I pretended not to hear what she was saying.


    ¡°And yes, I would like to meet the future of the Kotar kingdom firsthand. Lead the way Claimere Freslia.¡± I said sidestepping the issue.


    We stood up and headed out of the private bedroom to the lodgings of the four Sachears.

 CHAPTER 21

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    My head was throbbing. The extreme struggle of the previous night was bothering me severely. I had no visible injuries. Sitting myself up from the bed, I posed a question.


    ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°Zayin, frontier city of the Zurians, welcome to the Kingdom of Orlum.¡± Iru responded.


    He was reading his customary spell book or something of the sort on the nearby bed.


    ¡°What happens now?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°The princess is here and we are still guarded by a Claimere. This is the smooth sailing portion of our little adventure.¡± Ciel answered.


    She was cleaning her bow with Krigsiain next to her. Weapon fanatics will always be meticulous with their gear.


    ¡°Food will be coming soon, just relax and enjoy the peace man. We will do whatever the higher ups tell us to do.¡± Krigsain added.


    ¡°I thought you would always do what you wanted to do.¡± I pointed out.


    ¡°They want to leave this place, I want to leave this place, aligning interests my man.¡± He elaborated further.


    ¡°I guess I can be at ease for a while finally. Things might be looking up this time.¡± I hearkened to myself.


    I felt exhausted, my leather armor tattered and my general cognitive response a little dull but the room we were in was luxurious when compared to the woods. The door opened and the establishment aids came in carrying various dishes, drinks and pastries. The smell engulfed our surroundings.


    ¡°Dig in!¡± Krigsain ordered as he stood up and handed out plates with fruits and vegetables to everybody.


    I did accept his offering but I was more interested in drinking some wine and having some meat. I hurriedly munched over everything that was available. A lively atmosphere ensued. Like starved beasts we combed through the servings in record time.


    After an elapsed time of an hour, the door to our luxurious room opened again and Cleimere Freslia and what I assumed was the princess of the Kotar kingdom came in. Freslia looked worn down.


    ¡°Hello my fellow countrymen.¡± Said the princess with a dashing smile.


    A fair skinned, red haired beauty with brown and purple irises stood in front of our squad. Seeing my reaction, Iru pointed out near my ear, ¡°One sign of the kingly line in Kotar are her strange looking eyes.¡±


    Surprised, I had no retort, I just sat there perplexed waiting for someone to say something.


    ¡°This is princess Asara young Sachears. She saved us, a debt of gratitude is owed.¡± Freslia promptly introduced.


    ¡°Truly worthy subjects died in our behalf, a sacrifice we should not forget.¡± The princess spoke solemnly.


    A moment of silence fell around the room. All of us acknowledged the situation with nods. After a few moments the group stood for a salute.


    ¡°Your highness.¡± We spoke with the exception of Krigsain who just accented.


    ¡°Glad to see you in better spirits everyone. Princess Asara Ryel, most of you must have heard of the Kotar crown, if not me specifically. You may introduce yourselves Sachears.¡±


    We all got into a proper military column stand and proceeded with the order.


    ¡°Iru Liria, from the wondering Magi family. My pilgrimage took me on quite an unexpected route, Malgrunian territory. But it has been quite fruitful for my personal growth.¡± He elaborated giving a small nod at the end.


    ¡°Ciel Thresen, the result of a non-planned pregnancy in the middle of a long term mission assigned by the kingdom. Growing up in hostile surroundings has been eye opening to say the least. I am a far better warrior because of it.¡± She answered adjusting the bow at her back.


    The eyes of the princess turned to me. Her strange looking eyes made me a little uncomfortable.


    ¡°Ikrei, an orphan son of Andurian hunters, non-awakened, in general terms much to learn and very tired. Living on the edges of the Andara forest with no formal training in the arts.¡± I expounded trying to look as militaristic as possible.


    ¡°Non-awakened?¡± The princess asked looking at Freslia.


    ¡°Half-awakened. He is a singular occurrence. The fact that he isn¡¯t dead or disabled is prove enough. Everyone in this group is special in their own right.¡± She spoke stoically.


    Somehow the words from the merciless taskmaster made me feel better about my prospects.


    ¡°Is this deriving pleasure from pain?¡± I thought inwardly.


    ¡°Special, yes. I guess the bulging muscle over here is our prospective sage in the making?¡±


    The princess spoke looking at Krigsain with an attentive gaze.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°Krigsain, no family name. I was scouted by Ciel¡¯s grandfather and have been training and learning the arts from them since my early youth. Any more disclosure than this, you will have to ask the Andurian Elders, even if it¡¯s the princess that is asking.¡± He said giving a noncommittal smile.


    ¡°Glad to meet you all. The kingdom welcomes you with open arms.¡± She said as she shook our hands one by one.


    After a few minutes of banter and small talk amongst the present, I heard the princess call out to Krigsain.


    ¡°¡­Understandable, I have a proposal you may find intriguing.¡± The princess suggested while motioning for Krigsain to follow her.


    The pair did leave the room amicably. Ciel wasn¡¯t too happy about it.


    ¡°Ikrei follow me, we also need to converse.¡± Freslia voiced.


    I waived my roommates and headed out with the Claimere towards her private room.


    <hr>


    ¡°Have a seat.¡± The Claimere motioned her hand.


    Although I didn¡¯t know what exactly she wanted to talk about, I was guessing it had to do with the events of the previous days.


    Her eyes emanated intense blue light for a few breaths. Something happened to our surroundings, strange powers part four.


    ¡°How much do you know about the Andurin?¡± She probed.


    ¡°The basics on meditation exercises and a couple of crystal based formations from watching my parents. The expanded version of all my knowledge came from the Argon I got my hands on, but you know that already. Father was focused in teaching me how to survive.¡±


    ¡°How about the Rite of Passage, Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°My father told me about it, my mother was keen in having my rite done either in the mountains or at Orgis. Both things were impossible for several reasons, distance, money, resources, surely you can picture the rest.¡± I answered as my father¡¯s face flashed in my mind.


    ¡°But do you know what the Rite of Passage truly is?¡± She was pushing the issue.


    ¡°It¡¯s to awaken one¡¯s soul, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°The soul is a complex thing, that¡¯s a question for your master. But to answer in a more simplified manner, awakening is the resonance that occurs in your mind, expands to the rest of your body and the communion with the world itself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s similar to the other ancient faiths, I guess this is where you are going to fill me in?¡±


    ¡°The Andurin awaken the memories of your soul gradually. Reincarnation is a fact of life to us. Consequently, our younglings develop at a considerable faster pace once the rite is done.¡± She answered.


    ¡°When I get to Kotar, can I have mine then?¡±


    ¡°Your personality, sense of self has already ingrained itself in you. At worst the process could kill you or at best drive you insane for a prolonged period of time. It¡¯s a pity that there is no easy way for you.¡±


    Her answer left me flabbergasted. I intuitively understood why my father never mentioned anything about the rite after I turned seven. My father never gave up on me becoming an Andurin even after that though.


    ¡°Why is that? Why can¡¯t it be done?¡± I pressed for an answer.


    ¡°Do you remember when you learned to walk? You don¡¯t do you? If you have to learn to walk because you break a bone in your old age, the process is going to be painful is it not? This is what you would be doing if you take the rite. Now imagine breaking all the bones in your body and what it would be like to do that to your own soul. It is not pretty, I assure you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t like the answer but I understood the principle behind it. Then the realization hit me.


    ¡°You want to grind me down to a pulp for a reason don¡¯t you?¡± I asked her looking straight into those blue eyes.


    ¡°No matter how you feel about me, this is for your own good. This can only happen through blood, sweat and tears, disciple of Akathos.¡± She said.


    Her tone was cold, devoid of emotion, dead serious. It sent chills down my spine.


    ¡°Akathos is my master, right? How did you know?¡± I was truly curious about this.


    ¡°For one, the Archsage told me, one of his visions I presume. But most importantly, you recognized the seal coin. Only higher ups and their direct disciples have access to them. They are our magical identification tool, they carry our personal imprint, they cannot be falsified.¡± She explained.


    ¡°The one you showed me read Freslia. I am assuming Eriel has something to do with me, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct, as per the Archsage you are the reincarnation of Eriel. There¡¯s plenty to do before you can claim that name again though, my young Sachear.¡±


    ¡°Finally some confirmation of good news, I suppose you won¡¯t tell me about myself then my lady?¡± I probed trying to get some more information.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Eriel my contemporary, the one that should still be by Elder Akathos¡¯ side died, he died. What¡¯s in front of me is nothing more than a mirage and your circumstances are, to say the least, extremely intricate. By the way, DO NOT reveal your former identity to anyone until you speak to your master.¡±


    The warning left me without response. The room was filled with silence.


    ¡°Worry not Ikrei, you need to awaken and you will even if I have to drag you through the process.¡±


    The penetrating gaze of hers was still very uncomfortable.


    ¡°You are never going to let this go, are you Claimere?¡±


    She didn¡¯t utter a word. Her eyes were the answer. Possessive, combative, merciless.


    I only wanted a better future, something, somewhere, anything other than my current life. However, entering the ranks of the truly powerful is beyond the reasoning of a teen without proper guidance.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t my master be the one to determine how to go about doing things that pertain to me?¡± I questioned the Claimere.


    ¡°It is because it is you that I am doing this. All I am concerned about is your awakening, Elder Akathos can instruct you in whatever he deems pertinent when the situation rises. Right now you are under my watch.¡±


    ¡°So, you want me to awaken during our travels or something?¡±


    ¡°You are quite far from that now, your little stunt in the cave saw to that. Let¡¯s just say that the disciples of Akathos are a special breed. The epitome of trial by fire. You either embrace the flames or you are consumed by them.¡±


    Her countenance seemed slightly apologetic for a moment when she said it.


    Anger, resentment, resignation. I couldn¡¯t take her words at face value but neither did I have the ability to deny her. At least not until I meet my so called master.


    After some time, in the silence of my impotence I exhaled.


    ¡°What do I need to do lady Freslia?¡±


    ¡°You need to train, train to the absolute breaking point. Awaken without the aid of the rite under very specific conditions, this must be under need to know basis. Only after your soul resonates can you inherit your memories. I know what you are thinking, you are going to have to trust me on this.¡±


    I could tell that she wasn¡¯t going to explain herself further. What a troublesome leader. I could feel a headache coming on.


    ¡°Do you train your disciples in a similar fashion?¡± I asked.


    ¡°¡­No. I haven¡¯t found anyone worthy of my guidance.¡± Freslia looked away.


    I knew it! I am dealing with a crazy one that¡¯s off the rocker. Just my bullshit luck!


    Calming myself down once more, I queried.


    ¡°Are all the higher ups like you?¡±


    ¡°You implying something there, kid? No, your master is quite the oddity for instance. You should be glad to have met me, the higher up you go the less women you will find. I am a rare specimen.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what being a woman had to do with my question. I wondered if she was single, my best bet was that she was, Freslia was more beast than beauty. Of course I would not voice these concerns out loud.


    I don¡¯t have a death wish.


    Finally, I mustered up my courage to ask what was really nagging me inside.


    ¡°Am I going to hate you after this is done?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±

 CHAPTER 22

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°My head still hurting.¡± I complained to Iru.


    ¡°Teleportation glyphs will do that to you, being non-awakened and all.¡±


    We had travelled to the nearest main port city in the kingdom of Orlum, Litrya, using those artifacts. We had made three portal jumps covering an immense amount of distance in less than a day.


    ¡°The higher ups have spent lavishly to ensure our safety, but I doubt the princess has any more of those.¡± Krigsain opined.


    ¡°More likely to ensure YOUR safety, chosen one.¡± Ciel pointed out, she did not look happy.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard them. A benefit is a benefit, goldilocks.¡± The muscle mass countered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s pick up the pace, we got to catch our luxury ride.¡± Our beastly beauty leader showed us the way.


    We went through the port area and headed towards the set apart docks. A shame really, the city looked vibrant and aesthetically pleasing. If we weren¡¯t in such a rush, a stroll would have been nice. Going through a sea of people, stalls and ships we reached an exclusive entrance area.


    The princess and her retinue in front took care of whatever security checks the port authorities had. Before long we stood before a large metal, orgon and wood monster. A military warship with the Zurian sigil on its main sail, The Sword of Twelve Lights. Incredibly elaborate ornaments were clearly visible on the ship, imposing. I estimated a length of 120 cubits.


    ¡°The pride of the Zurian seas, the Gader everybody.¡± The princess made the introduction.


    We quickly saluted the ship¡¯s crew and went about setting ourselves up in our selected quarters. I was paired with Iru.


    ¡°Three decks, this thing is huge Ikrei! Let¡¯s go and take a bath in the pool below. Your training resumes tomorrow in earnest.¡± He happily went about his business.


    ¡°Come on man, we¡¯ll change into something more suitable down there. We got servants here!¡± He pushed me outside with severe gusto.


    He was truly enjoying the atmosphere. Far more than me to be honest, I reluctantly followed.


    After several grains of sand and the intervention of the ship stewards, we had changed into our new set of clothes. I should say, non-clothes, we were barely wearing anything other than shorts. We entered the pool, absolute luxury, steam was coming from the water. Krigsain was already inside talking to some male retinue members.


    ¡°Hey boys. Get in here!¡± Krigsain shouted.


    We dutifully went in near the rest of the guys.


    ¡°Zurians are very strict with their moral code, you won¡¯t get to see the girls, they have a separate pool.¡± Krigsain explained something that no one asked.


    I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the water. I got to admit this type of treatment is something else.


    ¡°Enjoy it my man, coming here after training will do you good in the following days.¡± Iru spoke as he settled in making some bubbles with his magic.


    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed everyone seems to be aware of my training, far more than me. Care to share Krigsain?¡±


    ¡°We are going to push you, your technique, your reaction time, your focus. Even your meditations, starting tomorrow Freslia will directly participate. We need to get you up to speed as much as we can before we reach Malaktaraf.¡±


    ¡°So, we are not going to Kotar?¡± I was not too surprised, not the first time I was kept in the dark.


    ¡°We heard from the Claimere that circumstances have forced a change of plans for the time being.¡± Iru chimed in.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think too much of it, Malaktaraf castle is a stronghold of the Andurin in the middle of the Turgan continent. It might turn out to be better than being bogged down by politics and other subtleties in Lemuria.¡± Krigsain said.


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    ¡°Speak for yourself, chosen one.¡± I told Krigsain as I immersed myself in the water floating.


    Personally trained by that monster. Her words kept repeating in my mind.


    <hr>


    ¡°Concentrate and follow the flow of energy. I¡¯m starting.¡±


    Freslia was guiding her energy into me. Sitting in a lotus position I was repeating the Andurian verses of meditation I had learned.


    ¡°I will eventually have to learn the Andurian tongue. Perhaps I already knew it but couldn¡¯t access my memories.¡±


    ¡°Focus Ikrei.¡± The hand on my back poured even more energy inside my body.


    The tingling sensation augmented. I let go of any idle thoughts. Starting from my brain the sensation went from my mind through my heart, down to my gut. Slowly expanding to my liver, vase, even my testicles. Then exploding into the rest of my body, the tingling increased and my joints and muscles reacted until the flow reached all my fingers.


    The energy slowly receded and it retreated back to my brain. I continued to chant the verses.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to start adjusting the inflow as I told you before, remember the feeling, guide the energy as you have felt it over and over.¡±


    The energy inside me expanded and contracted continuously, always the same pattern. Sometimes, the Claimere sent even greater waves of energy throughout, others just barely enough for me to feel the presence. The process was arduous, the constant change of the amount of energy made it hard to settle into a rhythm.


    We kept at it since early morning until a little past the sixth hour.


    ¡°Go eat something light, come back within the hour.¡±


    When I came back the entire gang was waiting for me inside the training room.


    ¡°Ciel, Krigsain positions. Iru be on hand for healing.¡± Freslia motioned for me to step in the center of a very wide combat circle they had made.


    I went ahead and grabbed a couple of blades from the weapon rack and prepped myself up within the circle.


    ¡°I know you lack a proper core, and the energy within you is but a speck. So, I¡¯ll be supplying you with the ability to withstand this exercise.¡±


    As I heard her words, I felt the same energy from the morning meditations flow into me. She was standing on the back, with a wave of her hand the intensity of the energy increased. Strange powers again.


    ¡°Get ready chicken coop.¡± Ciel was grinning.


    ¡°Feel the energy, use it when you execute your blows, Ikrei. Begin!¡± Freslia ordered.


    Ciel fired a light arrow straight into my chest. It was an obvious opening salvo. My senses were heightened. I could feel things far more vividly, the shot even appeared to be considerably slower than usual.


    ¡°Is this how Teng felt?¡±


    Amazing!


    With my improved reaction time I parried the light energy shot. These weapons here were no joke. Ciel fired again. Another parry. The sequence repeated itself several more times.


    ¡°Guard up, my man!¡± Krigsain shouted.


    I instinctively rolled to the side, just like I did with the shadow wolves. The blow crashed into the floor, the energy I felt was oppressive. The floor didn¡¯t suffer at all, not even a scratch.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Shouted Ciel, another arrow came my way.


    I barely managed to parry with my second blade.


    ¡°On guard!¡± Another strong downward blow from Krigsain came.


    I managed to roll once more, but I was destabilized. Another arrow came, this time it hit the target, me.


    I was hurt but somehow the energy around me seemed to have cushioned the blow. I had seen Ciel kill through armor with her shots. She was holding back. Before I could keep having anymore considerations, Krigsain landed a power blow on my side. I was sent flying.


    ¡°Get up.¡± Iru¡¯s voice sounded close.


    I felt Iru¡¯s touch as I was healed almost instantaneously. I felt my inner energy explode and increase suddenly.


    ¡°Chicken coop!¡± Another arrow flew my way. I parried it as I steadied myself for another round. Krigsain dashed to my position making and obvious downward slash again. Too late to dodge, I used the core energy within me to power myself for a block with the two blades. I didn¡¯t know how I knew what I needed to do without thinking.


    DOOONG!


    The clash of the three weapons caused a severe vibration.


    ¡°This is the Will, learn to listen to it.¡± Krigsain said to me with a smile.


    Krigsain stepped back. Ciel prepared another arrow, bow shinning.


    ¡°Remember the feeling Ikrei. We will be getting serious from now on.¡± Freslia¡¯s voice resounded throughout the training room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let up Sachears, ingrain the lessons on our little coop here.¡± Ciel spoke with another witty smile.


    ¡°Crazy monsters I tell you, monsters!¡±


    ¡°Again!¡± Came the word from the Claimere.


    And like this, the ¡®training¡¯ continued well into the night.


    After the several hours of pummeling I was floating in the pool looking at the delicate paintings of the Zurian god in the ceiling. Freslia was doing acupuncture treatment on my body with her strange powers.


    ¡°You lost your focus several times during the practical battle. You need to channel your anger and your resentment.¡± Freslia said as she was standing near the pool.


    ¡°My father said that the Andurian way is the way of balance, clear of emotion.¡±


    ¡°Your case is different; you need to channel all your emotions not repress them.¡±


    ¡°How can anyone meditate or focus if your emotions are all over the place?¡±


    ¡°You can be happy and sad at the same time. You can be sad that love ones died and happy that they have shared their lives with you. It¡¯ll be extremely hard not impossible. We will put you through a crucible.¡±


    I didn¡¯t like anything she was saying.


    ¡°Did you go through something similar?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Claimere go through their own set of very complex trials. Yes, for sure.¡±


    I guess now I understand a little on why she is so paradoxically nutty. I felt energy leave my body and the acupuncture needles floated away from my skin and into her hands.


    ¡°Will I ever be able to do something like that?¡±


    It was a wondrous sight to me.


    ¡°Rest here and eat well before going to bed. We will resume in the morning.¡± She sounded off as she left.


    I closed my eyes letting myself go in the water.

 CHAPTER 23

    Krigsain P.O.V.


    One downward swing, a turn and an upward slash. Repeat.


    ¡°My footwork needs a little bit of work when using a halberd.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t pass up the opportunity to test the many weapons available on the ship. My personal morning workout is tantamount to increasing my core¡¯s energy slowly.


    ¡°Still only two cores. At least I can feel the third core starting to form.¡±


    ¡°Three cores by the age of seventeen? Whoever heard you would say you were being very greedy.¡±


    My new customary visitor during my private practice had come, princess Asara.


    ¡°Morning, your highness.¡± I said with a slight nod.


    I continued to practice the Reika, the forms designed for each weapon used by the Kotari. In this case, the halberd. The only way to grow is to constantly push your limits.


    Swing, turn, block, grab, finish. Rinse and repeat. I started applying my cores¡¯ energy throughout my body and into the weapon. I was quite happy with not having to worry about the material breaking by an excessive infusion of power.


    Slash, turn, dodge and a frontal attack.


    DOOONG!


    The energy blast vibrated against the wall of the training room. Within a couple of breaths, the area went back into stillness. A fully powered kinetic blast and the room was absolutely fine. A whole deck worth of training rooms. This has to be some form of spatial magic.


    ¡°A marvel of Zurian engineering.¡±


    I picked up the pace, increasing the speed and repetitions of the movements.


    One, two, three, four, five, six. Each motion an extended form of the Reika. This is when I am the happiest, my weapons and the Will.


    [She is using her abilities again to dissect you. Your form is off, by the way.]


    I finished up my set of forms and placed the halberd back on the weapon rack.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t accepted your proposal your highness. I would appreciate a little more decorum with your actions.¡± I turned to her.


    ¡°I never expected that my gaze would cause you discomfort, Krigsain.¡± She answered back.


    [Help me out a bit here, will you?] I asked my spiritual companion mentally.


    [A play on words kid? I¡¯ll help you this time but you should become strong enough to do it on your own.]


    [Considering the responsibility you placed on my shoulders, I¡¯ve earned a little leeway.]


    [I¡¯ll establish the nexus. You have three breaths.]


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be prying into other people like this princess. Don¡¯t think that those eyes of yours are absolutely undetectable. Except for the gods, nothing else in this world is completely absolute.¡± The message was sent straight into her consciousness.


    Wide eyed, the little princess stood there bewildered for a few sand grains.


    ¡°I am sorry.¡± An almost inaudible apology came from the previously confident girl.


    ¡°This may be a bitter pill but I don¡¯t need the crown, the crown needs me.¡± I put forth my most dashing smile.


    ¡°Then why are you entertaining my offer?¡± She asked puzzled.


    ¡°I just appreciate a truly beautiful woman.¡±


    She just stood there obviously thinking. She was probably weighing my words.


    ¡°This is not a pact between equals. You will have to submit or you will have to become stronger than me. Only then, can or will I reconsider the terms of my involvement with you.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Although I tried to soften the blow with my intonation, the reality of the situation probably crashed into her like the waves.


    ¡°I understand.¡± The princess gave a slight nod and turned to leave.


    [She is a prideful one, royalty. Haven¡¯t you given her a lot more than she can handle?]


    [She will either rise to the challenge or be put under foot.] I replied.


    [What if she does? Will you accept following her rule?]


    [Of course not. If no man can rule me, what makes you think a woman would? If by some happenstance she manages to be more powerful than me, Kotar will have another formidable pillar to fight what is to come. Let another man deal with her then. A win-win in my book.]


    [The convergence in the well of souls is resonating. Impressive my young one.]


    [Intuition is more important than logic with women but you knew this would happen, that¡¯s why you sought me out. Let¡¯s put some serious training in, Oh Great Will of Wills.]


    <hr>


    The door of the training room opened after several hours.


    ¡°It is time to go.¡± Ciel came to pick me up.


    It might seem childish but I tend to forget the passage of time when I am in solitary training. I moved to leave.


    ¡°I thought her royalness would stick like glue, you know.¡± Ciel dropped one of her sarcastic comments.


    ¡°Let¡¯s concentrate on Ikrei. We got about ten more days to push the pub.¡± I dismissed her nagging.


    I walked pass her grabbing my sword.


    [Avoiding the issue will not make it go away.]


    [No amount of insistence will make me yield.] I offered a counterpoint to the ¡®Great One¡¯.


    [It worked for me, did it not?]


    I bursted out laughing. I couldn¡¯t help it; the Will was right.


    ¡°You laughing at something, Krigs?!¡± Ciel did not look pleased.


    ¡°Pay no heed. Just something on my mind that¡¯s all.¡±


    [You made an offer I could not refuse.]


    We kept walking towards the training room were the rest of our little clique was at.


    ¡°Ready for today¡¯s round my man?¡± I asked Ikrei.


    He was already in the middle of the circle prepared. He had a determined look in his eyes.


    ¡°Today we are going to retread the basic forms of the Reika. And we are going to mix it up with variations of it tailored for hand to hand combat that I created.¡± I told him.


    He was slightly taken a back with that comment, looking like a puppy who had lost his bone.


    ¡°Form and power is paramount against standard fearbeast and normal melee combat. You can get by with just proper execution and overpowering the counterpart. But when you fight on equal footing it comes back to the small details, exclusive techniques, experience and your bag of tricks.¡±


    I stood right next to Ikrei on his right side.


    ¡°Follow my movements, shadow me as best you can. When we are done you will spar with Ciel.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± He answered.


    Ikrei¡¯s energy suddenly rose high enough that I could feel the vibrations. Freslia just nodded to us.


    ¡°Begin!¡± She ordered.


    Punch, kick, dash, finishing punch blow to the abdomen. Repeat with the unused extremities, switching from right to left. Punch, block, dodge, grab, uppercut. Repeat by switching again. Ikrei was trying his best to follow my actions, he was clearly better when right handed or right footed.


    ¡°Keep your form, focus. I am just adjusting what your father taught you already. You can do this!¡±


    We replayed the basic Reika permutations over and over for the next hour.


    ¡°Relax your muscles!¡±


    ¡°Put more force into your front foot step!¡±


    ¡°One motion when you turn your body!¡±


    Slowly but surely we were cleaning up Ikrei¡¯s shortcomings. There was only so much you could do, but I hoped to create a small yet stable foundation for him.


    The next hour passed like this as well.


    By the third hour of training, Iru stood in front of Ikrei.


    ¡°Repeat what you have learned. Attack him.¡± Ordered Freslia.


    Ikrei faithfully recreated the Reika forms, minus one or two flaws. Iru blocked according to the teachings. Pretty nifty for a magician, I must say. Whoever trained him was good.


    ¡°Keep focusing on the flow of energy inside your body. Use your breathing, your heartbeat as a timer. Keep it steady!¡± Freslia¡¯s voice was loud.


    Ikrei was having a hard time putting it all together. He was looking tired.


    ¡°Iru pass him the orgon dilution.¡±


    Ikrei drank up the cup in one go.


    ¡°Let¡¯s switch it up. Ciel, Iru with me.¡± We stood with Ikrei in a row.


    We started doing the Reika forms as a group, at the same time, together.


    ¡°Who do you fight for?¡± I shouted.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± Ciel and Iru shouted back.


    A string of Reika forms followed from our quartet.


    ¡°Who do you live for?¡± I yelled once more.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± Iru and Ciel shouted again.


    Another string of Reika forms were completed.


    ¡°Who do you die for?¡± I asked again ferociously.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± Two more voices joined our clique.


    It was the princess and her personal guard. They stood at either side of the row. We were now six.


    ¡°Give me everything you got Sachears, we might still make great Kotari out of all you.¡± Freslia said. Her core exploding in all directions, we felt her energy envelop all of us simultaneously.


    ¡°Scary woman.¡± I muttered in my heart.


    [She¡¯s a lovely child, you just need time to see it.]


    [Really? She is beautiful but that is a bit of a stretch even for you.] I pondered.


    [Think of an extremely rare flower buried at the top of the highest snowy peak.]


    [Then only an equally rare herbalist will find it. Don¡¯t you think Great One?]


    [Ha ha ha ha ha ha!]


    Unable to control the combined strong emotions coming from my companion and myself, I laughed like a nutcase.


    Since Freslia¡¯s energy was connected to mine, she perceived that I was laughing at her words.


    ¡°On the double now!¡± The pressure from her intensified.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± We screamed.


    The practice of the Reika forms resumed in earnest.


    [You are not trying to get me in trouble with women, are you?] I probed mentally.


    [No¡­not intentionally.]


    The answer was anything other than reassuring.


    We continued our joint practice well past the midnight mark.

 CHAPTER 24

    Iru P.O.V.


    The book the Claimere gave me is quite something. ¡®The Path of the Magi¡¯ by Auter Samuris, I can¡¯t believe I have a copy of a work by the Patriarch. It is a profound read, I guess I¡¯ll need to read it a few more times.


    Thankfully, the orgon lights in the room were adjusted to a bright yellow emission. I need to study about magical engineering. One of this life¡¯s goals, become a Magi crafter.


    The door of the room opened.


    ¡°You are back. Eating went well I assume?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m stuffed.¡± Ikrei slowly walked towards his bed. He crashed on top of it like a haversack.


    ¡°The last ten days have been grueling. How are you holding up?¡±


    ¡°Anymore and I don¡¯t know. Feel like my body is hurting everywhere.¡± Ikrei muttered face down against the sheets.


    ¡°You can rest all day tomorrow, we are finally reaching our destination, just a little more.¡±


    Turning to look at me, he asked me. ¡°How does remembering your previous lives work?¡±


    ¡°You want to know about the rite? Nothing much, after going through the process you slowly start to remember your previous iterations. There are several ways to perform the rite, the execution simple, the memory awakening method is fiercely guarded and only the higher ups have the knowhow. The minimum rank to perform it is to be a direct Kotari of the leaders.¡±


    ¡°So, how old are you really?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask those type of questions. Imagine if you were a reincarnated ancient elder, many would love to kill you, abduct you or who knows what else. One¡¯s identity through the ages is one of the Andurians most deeply guarded secrets. Keep these questions for the Claimere if you want to know more.¡±


    ¡°Ask her?¡± Ikrei looked at me with a ¡®there¡¯s no way¡¯ kind of face.


    ¡°Sorry bookie, I am just curious about everything. My old man taught me many things and many things he did not. The difference between me and you guys is so wide that I feel like an elephant under water.¡±


    ¡°When we get to Malaktaraf we will learn what the eldership has prepared for us. Don¡¯t be too impatient, concentrate on awakening, without that all else is meaningless. You get me?¡± I patiently expounded.


    ¡°Are there other ones that are like me?¡± He asked.


    ¡°There are people who become Andurin for the first time, they go through a grueling process as well. Even worse, since they have no previous memory as an Andurin they have to learn everything from the beginning. Hard, really hard. You my fellow walker, from what I can tell have a very unique training regimen, I haven¡¯t even heard of someone like you before.¡± I sounded apologetic.


    ¡°I am so screwed. My goodness.¡± He said making a fist towards the ceiling.


    ¡°Yeah, pretty much.¡±


    ¡°I will not ask how old the Claimere is then, I heard powerhouses live longer and adding previous lives into the mix, she must be an ancient crone.¡±


    We looked at each other and couldn¡¯t help but laugh heartily.


    ¡°When you read the Seachar you may find interesting verses. According to it, in the origin of all things depending on what you need to learn determines whether you are born a male or a female into this life every reincarnation cycle.¡± I said.


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    ¡°You are telling me you were a woman once? You are not bisexual or something, right?¡± Ikrei hurriedly asked wide-eyed.


    ¡°No, all male. But who knows about you.¡± I pointed at him with my index finger.


    Ikrei was silent. I guess he was refusing to accept the possibility.


    ¡°You rest now. I need to grab some grub; the food here is too good to miss.¡±


    I left the room with book in hand, making my way to the dining hall.


    <hr>


    The great thing about absolute luxury is an always open kitchen policy. I am surely going to miss this. After picking up some vegetables and crabs with spices I noticed Ciel sipping wine alone in a corner of the dining hall. I went over and sat in front of her.


    ¡°Yo! Looks like you could use some company.¡± I proceeded to eat silently after saluting.


    This food, my goodness! The Zurian king is living large!


    ¡°Ikrei¡¯s training seems to be going well, albeit torturous.¡± I said.


    ¡°Yeah, chicken coop is quite resilient, even if his body betrays him. You are doing a good job as a makeshift healer.¡± Ciel praised me a little.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been working on my healing arts for quite some time now. I am trying to be an all-rounder eventually no matter how long it takes.¡± I dug in happily into my plate.


    After some time, Ciel seemed unwilling to say something. She was being fidgety.


    ¡°Iru, what do you think?¡± Ciel asked me while she poured herself another glass.


    ¡°I assume you are referring to the reason you are having mood swings lately, correct?¡±


    She just nodded, drinking the wine.


    ¡°You are in a tough position sister. Do you want some truth or do you want some soothing words? Be honest.¡± I spoke gently.


    ¡°Give it to me straight bookie. I¡¯m not that frail.¡±


    ¡°Everything in life is about advantages, timing and a little luck. Krigs is valued by the eldership in a way that we are not. His value is greater than yours, you are shooting to high. The good thing is you are an Andurin, the princess is not. But this situation will repeat itself later on. Krigs will never lack women, ever.¡±


    I let my words simmer and respectfully waited for her words.


    ¡°Shooting to high? I think I am within range, not many women can be Augir Battlemasters.¡±


    ¡°True, you are exceptional. But how many can be called a prospective sage at the age of seventeen? If Krigs is an ancient soul, these little mind games and trivialities the princess is playing are worthless. Don¡¯t fall in the same trap.¡±


    ¡°What should I do? Forget it then?¡±


    There was considerable reluctance in her eyes. She wants what she cannot have, unsurprising.


    ¡°You need an edge, something that brings you closer to Krigs¡¯ level. Beauty won¡¯t cut it; the princess is already beautiful enough.¡± She didn¡¯t like my answer, Ciel flinched.


    We stayed silent for a while. I kept eating my delicious meal. After about half an hour and several more wine glasses she spoke.


    ¡°The Claimere offered to help me.¡±


    Freslia always offers you something you truly want in exchange for something she wants from you. In my case, I¡¯ll be Ikrei¡¯s personal magic technical assistant, a private tutor. I remembered lady Freslia¡¯s words:


    ¡°The coop cannot know just yet.¡±


    A devious one is she, the Claimere.


    Combing through various scenarios, I pondered, ¡°What can Ciel offer the Claimere? Krigs and I already cover every possible need outside of Ikrei¡¯s master. I am sure, she has other arrangements for him and for us when we arrive at the castle. Regardless, she offered to convince Krigsain to take Ciel as his woman? You have got to be kidding me!¡±


    I stared blankly at Ciel. The blue eyed demon¡¯s thinking is beyond my grasp.


    ¡°The Claimere are full of surprises I must say.¡± I exclaimed.


    ¡°An oath, an oath of service maybe.¡± Ciel spoke hesitantly.


    I pondered her words for quite a while before speaking again.


    ¡°Tell me everything she said in detail.¡±


    Ciel recounted her conversation with lady Freslia in the cave, word by word.


    ¡°That has some very serious implications. Be wary, she implied that she will help you to become Krigsain¡¯s partner, not necessarily his ONLY partner. Make sure it is something you can live with. Remember, the Andurian way is NOT the way of the world.¡±


    ¡°Power creates order and disorder without power you are but a leaf in the wind. Strength is the only path to freedom, book of the seventh precept.¡± Ciel spoke while drinking some more.


    ¡°The rules of the Andurin are not absolute but they are very, very hard to change. They are our cumulative wisdom. Krigsain could one day write his own verses in this life. How many more lives will it take us to do the same? Will you feel the way you do now if Krigs became a midget, a woman all of the sudden? Our considerations are wide and entangled, we are not normal people.¡±


    I was being as forthcoming as possible without harming her self-esteem.


    ¡°You are saying that my feelings are shallow Magi of Liria?¡± Ciel asked with a menacing look.


    ¡°Many lives, many loves, I know how hard it is to feel something for someone again. Power is all, are you powerful enough for Krigsain? Whatever the Claimere can offer, it will not be simple, your oath might have to be the highest oath there is. Can you handle that goldilocks?¡± I enunciated my words carefully with a deadpan look.


    ¡°Waiter, please bring us the menu.¡± Ciel sidestepped the answer.


    We ordered an assortment of liquors including Thruskan brew and stayed quietly drinking into the wee hours of the morning.

 CHAPTER 25

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Coming out the luxury ship and delivering our pleasantries to the staff we stepped down into the port city of Clariun. The port looked vast and the buildings in the distance looked completely different from anything I had ever seen before.


    ¡°Welcome to Wanei!¡± Iru said with a pat in the back.


    We kept following the princess¡¯ entourage and our leader. It was explained to me that the Wanei trading zone encompassed three main cities and many small towns including this port city. The haven of easterners in the western continent and the stronghold of the eastern continent. One of the richest, wealthiest and developed places in Turgan. Many of the buildings had clear eastern architectural influence. For a boy, who had never left a forest and a couple of towns this was too much to take in.


    ¡°A little piece from the land of the cultivators my man.¡± Krigsain said as he was pointing me in the right direction.


    I was looking around everywhere so he had to nudge me a bit. I was truly impressed.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you, cultivators are awakened practitioners. We are all similar but they have their own peculiarities and intricacies in their methods. Don¡¯t call a cultivator an awakened, it is considered an insult.¡± Iru went into teacher mode.


    ¡°Why is it that I don¡¯t see a bustling amount of easterners then? Shouldn¡¯t all easterners in the continent come here?¡± I questioned my bookworm colleague.


    ¡°They control the area but just because you are an easterner descendant that doesn¡¯t mean they will help you straight out. This is a place of cultivators, merchants, courtiers and politicians. There are many considerations at play, hell, even Orlum has a small palace here.¡± Iru answered adjusting his glasses.


    I never knew when he was going to wear them and when he would not. An artifact of some kind maybe?


    ¡°So how you feeling after ten days of pummeling chicken coop? That is how you call it, right?¡± Ciel was being an annoyance while adjusting her bow for the hundred time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me sigh. That last day was terrible, directly sparring with our rapacious leader while following the training regimen almost broke me.¡± I told them honestly.


    Ciel nodded, Krigsain snickered and Iru laughed.


    ¡°This is far from over my man.¡± Krigsain supplemented.


    ¡°Pick up the pace, you can do a tourist run later.¡± Freslia¡¯s voice loudly echoed.


    ¡°By your order.¡± We all answered simultaneously.


    We pushed through the waves of people and the many buildings following the princess¡¯ lead. After about half an hour we reached and ornate and exquisite entrance. A six story building stood before us. An elaborate golden plaque on top of the doors read, ¡®Wanei Merchant Association¡¯.


    ¡°Be on your best behavior everyone.¡± We herd the princess¡¯ voice from the front.


    A tall bearded easterner man opened the doors. He was elegant, classical easterner court clothing. At least that is what it looked to me from the descriptions I had gathered from Teng.


    ¡°Welcome princess Asara, lady Freslia.¡± He was very polite giving a slight nod.


    ¡°It¡¯s been quite a while Jin Jin.¡± The princess saluted back.


    ¡°The chairman is not available at this time but we have taken care of everything as requested. Please follow me.¡±


    ¡°I would like you to keep these four in mind for the future. They will be around for quite a while.¡± Freslia worded her request very politely.


    ¡°Krigsain, Ciel, Iru and Ikrei.¡± The princess introduced each one of us.


    One glance at our clothing, and a smile later, ¡°You may call me Jin, young Andurin.¡±


    His eyes felt like a beast measuring his prey. His eyes were similar to the Claimere¡¯s, just dark brown instead of blue. The strange glow was there. After some small pleasantries we followed him inside the building and down several levels of underground floors.


    There were many guards and security checks we walked through until we reached a device. A very wide metallic arc, it had orgon embedded into it. I couldn¡¯t recognize the metal. It had several run engravings in a language completely foreign to my knowledge.


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    ¡°This is a portal gate, Ikrei.¡± Iru told me pointing out the device¡¯s activation.


    The area vibrated and a liquid like substance materialized under the arc, a half-moon watery portal. The portal was wide enough for transporting large quantities of goods. Why is this in an underground floor? Why are we allowed to see this? I guess this is not as special as I think. Putting my thoughts aside we stepped forward to pass through the gate.


    ¡°The coordinates have been set to our branch in the mountain range near the castle as per your instructions. See you later princess Asara, lady Freslia.¡± Jin waived goodbye as we were suctioned in.


    After going through the motions again at the Merchant Association¡¯s branch there were carriages waiting outside the merchant building. The carriages had the Will of wills sigil sign. The blue phoenix body with a raven head. The hybrid feathered beast representing the Andurin.


    Once inside the carriage prepared for us, we were sitting with the group of five. The princess had a couple of more carriages for herself and her retinue. I was curiously looking out the window trying to take in the vistas. The mountain range on the backdrop and a properly built road leading to Malaktaraf castle. Our troublesome trip finally at an end. Snapping me out of my thoughts, the Claimere spoke.


    ¡°The eldership has made preparations for you all. I don¡¯t know all the details, but Iru and Ikrei should be especially happy about the arrangements.¡±


    Obviously Iru and I perked up like little chickens.


    ¡°Elder Tanin will be directly responsible for you Iru. I hope this pleases you.¡± She explained.


    ¡°Of course it does, the Head Magi elder teaching me? This is auspicious!¡± Iru was grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°Your master has come as well Ikrei. Get ready to meet him once we settle in our quarters inside the castle.¡±


    I was surprised by the news. I didn¡¯t know how to feel. My master from my previous life? Do I get to avoid this beastly woman from now on? This is great news!


    Sensing my surging excitement Freslia added. ¡°Don¡¯t place the cart before the horse, you will still be training under me for a while longer.¡±


    My jubilant mood damped considerably almost immediately. The rest of the group just laughed at the circumstances, at me or both. I couldn¡¯t tell. I wasn¡¯t happy.


    ¡°Monsters, yes monsters you lot.¡± I whispered as I looked out the window again.


    <hr>


    The castle appeared before us on a hill. Three very thick, tall towers were clearly visible from the distance. Two wide dark rock walls connecting the three visible towers. The length of the walls stretched far enough to fit hundreds of men on top of the walls at first glance. The entrance was under the first tower, right in the front of the structure. The other two towers to the side and behind the first. The walls connecting the other two towers forming a square. Seeing my perplexed look Freslia spoke again.


    ¡°This used to be the home of ancient Magi, even the terrain was magically changed by them. The three towers were repurposed into the castle you see before you. There are plenty of amenities inside, you¡¯ll like it.¡±


    ¡°So, a corner of the square is the entrance? Defensively that¡¯s odd to say the least.¡± I said.


    ¡°The rock is a special orgon infused mineral rock brought from the mountains behind it. It can withstand sieges from kingdom level armies. Nevertheless, you are right. If forces strong enough to break its defenses come, there will be no castle left. The true defense lies with the magic wards, mechanical artifacts and the people within it.¡± Freslia continued to explain.


    ¡°In the era of magic, awakened and cultivators most fortifications can only protect you to a certain level. Sphoria, Luz and Lemuria being exceptions to this rule due to how they are constructed and reinforced constantly. There are a few other places in the Turgan continent but such places are very special as well.¡± Iru chimed in.


    Although I lived in the Malgrunian kingdom all my life I never stepped into its capital, Sphoria. Neither have I have ever even read about Luz, the home of the Zurians. Hopefully, I¡¯ll get to see Lemuria with my own eyes after all this is over.


    ¡°If the castle can be wiped out by powerful foes then the safest place for an Andurin is the capital of Lemuria, right?¡± I voiced my thoughts.


    ¡°The resources here are also very valuable, Malaktaraf has changed hands throughout the ages several times. Elder Tanin and Elder Akathos are here, they are not here alone. Let¡¯s wait and see what the eldership has in store. Be patient Sachear, I want to know too.¡± Freslia concluded.


    The sun was coming down, the beautiful backdrop and the sun¡¯s reflection on the castle made it look welcoming. I was looking forward to meeting my so called master at last.


    ¡°Everybody just follow the Kotari to your assigned lodgings. The eldership will address everyone tonight. Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡± Our foursome saluted.


    The door of the carriage opened at the entrance of the castle. Freslia glided off to the interior with other similarly hooded people. She disappeared from our view before I could even turn.


    A pair of stylishly cloaked individuals stood before us as we disembarked. Deep blue cloaks with sky blue borders and Andurian symbols beautifully embroidered throughout the whole fabric. The proper Andurin cloth.


    ¡°You are the last group to arrive. I am brother Darin and this is sister Kuyun.¡± The pair gave us a warm welcome.


    Darin was as tall as me but not as tall as Krigsain, he had a strong presence behind those brown eyes, nice black beard. Kuyun was another black haired beauty just not at Ciel¡¯s level.


    ¡°Are all awakened beautiful? That wouldn¡¯t be fair for the normal people, now would it?¡±


    Darin¡¯s gesticulation snapped me out of my dwindling fantasy.


    ¡°Krigsain, Iru and Ikrei you are with me. Miss Thresen you are with sister Kuyun. We are in a hurry, let¡¯s go.¡± Darin ushered us inside to the left as Ciel vanished with the thick eyebrow beauty to the right.


    We were hastily placed in our new quarters, a small four bed chamber with its own bathtub space. Small according to castle measurements, the place was bigger than my room back in the woods.


    ¡°Krigsain, in about an hour Lord Sarkan will come for you. Iru, the direct Kotari of Lord Tanin will come fetch you as well. Ikrei, you are to come with me now.¡± Darin expressed his intentions, before I could say anything we were heading somewhere else.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I managed to ask as we were speeding up and down the castle.


    ¡°We are going to where our master is. Lord Akathos is waiting for you.¡±

 CHAPTER 26

    Akathos P.O.V.


    ¡°I hope going through the ward wasn¡¯t too uncomfortable. Physical reactions are normal for the non-awakened.¡± I said trying to sound as welcoming as possible to the sitting Ikrei.


    ¡°It is tolerable.¡± He replied.


    I could tell he was keenly looking at me. This is the normal reaction upon meeting an elder than doesn¡¯t look like a wrinkly man. People think that we all are a bunch of old fogeys.


    ¡°You expected an old looking man, Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°Yes to be honest, I¡¯ve heard that some of you guys are centuries old.¡± He clearly was a little thorny to voice that out loud.


    ¡°There are conditions to everything but in general we are old, very old. Nevertheless, the sooner you attain your cores, the more of your youth you can preserve. In my case, I look like a thirty-year-old to you.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± The kid wasn¡¯t being too forthcoming with his answers.


    ¡°The ward you passed through allows us to have a completely private conversation and also serves as a spatial magic device, it creates a magical area. Which in this case, is this study room, more space than physically available. All very convenient when managing resources. Within this sealed space no prying ears and eyes can enter without my knowledge. You can never be too careful with the matters we will discuss.¡± I said reassuringly.


    ¡°Eternal life, reverse aging?¡± Ikrei asked.


    A poignant question. I¡¯m glad some of his perceptiveness remains.


    ¡°No, just extremely long lifespans. We are bound to the Will of wills; the Will binding prevents it. We already have our peculiar reincarnation cycles; we can always try again in our next lives if we are steadfast.¡±


    ¡°That can bring its own complications, am I right?¡± Ikrei questioned.


    ¡°Yes it can.¡± I gave him an approving look.


    ¡°I thought freedom was the ultimate maxim of the Will?¡± Ikrei was looking expectantly for a clue.


    ¡°Freedom to be the best version of ourselves not to undo all the restrictions upon life in this world. Superseding your creator is far from easy, not that it would stop others from trying. It is in human nature to always want more. The discussion would be endless if we keep at it. For now, please place your hand on the orb artifact, Ikrei.¡±


    A crystalline floating orb materialized in front of Ikrei, He was apprehensive to say the least. Seeing a Will infused soul artifact for the first time hovering in front of you would scare anyone. Specially, if you didn¡¯t know what it was.


    ¡°This space is entirely controlled by me Ikrei. This orb is a very unique creation, solely birthed to aid the Andurin. Please trust me, go ahead.¡±


    With eyes full of reservations, he placed his hand on the orb. I extended my hand and touched the sagecraft with my index finger.


    ¡°ANAM KALIN DES GLAOH!¡±


    The warded space was filled with pure white light. For an instant our souls interconnected. That was all I needed, I started laughing with glee. In the space of ten breaths the room had regained its previous state. I waved my hand and the orb disappeared from sight.


    ¡°Hello junior, welcome back.¡±


    It took a few moments for my disciple to reacclimatize from the jolt.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Ikrei asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve confirmed that you are you. I know you have countless questions but please indulge me this time. Tell me everything about yourself, we got several hours before midnight.¡±  He was clearly unsatisfied but still nodded at my words.


    He began narrating his life since he had a comprehensive memory of it, that is, he was about five years old since he began learning how to hunt. He didn¡¯t remember moving from the central continent to the western continent. He didn¡¯t understand why would anyone would go live in the Malgrunian kingdom. I explained to him that we were reallocating resources to execute a long term strategy and his parents volunteered.


    Some Kotari are willing to sacrifice one life for a better start in the next one, the typical leg up. This was the case with his parents, they died for the cause, we will not forget them. I ¡®ll make sure of it.


    He kept telling me about his early years, how his parents would disappear for days on end sometimes. How he was taught how to hunt and how to keep his Andurian lineage a secret. How he grew up with very few friends if any until an almond shaped eyes boy stopped by their house to sell some wofer rabbits. It was endearing to hear how his life gained some color thanks to this new found friend.


    ¡°How can an Andurin operative go undetected for years on enemy territory? A normal person as a spy I understand, but you get where I am going with this, right?¡± Ikrei interrupted his storytelling to question me.


    ¡°It¡¯s complicated but to put it succinctly there are three types of awakened: the ones that are blessed by the gods, the ones that are naturally sensitive to mana and the ones that can choose what type of awakening to have. This third type can be both, blessed by the gods and mana sensitive. Following me so far?¡± I asked Ikrei.


    ¡°Yes, I think so.¡± He sounded a little unsure.


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    ¡°There are processes to seal the awakened energy of either kind. You can seal mana or seal the connection with the gods. It is far more complex than this but in principle your parents sealed their connection with the Will and appeared as awakened hunters thanks to their mana affinity. Again, it is much more than this but you will learn this later through your classes.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Classes? I¡¯ll be attending a school?¡± He was surprised.


    ¡°You are not the only one under special conditions here. We need to accommodate them as well. I¡¯ll explain later tonight at the gathering. Now tell me about your knowledge of the arts and your failed awakening, be specific, every detail matters.¡±  I urged him.


    ¡°Hey wait! My parents were mana sensitive? Does this mean I can be a Magi?¡±


    ¡°It depends on your affinity levels but yes you could cast spells in the future, we will see.¡±


    ¡°Fire, fire!¡± Ikrei was playing around making shooting sounds as his palms moved.


    He still is a teen at heart since his previous life memories are non-existent right now. I smiled.


    I looked him in the eyes and he resumed his recounting of the events.


    Ikrei went over the training he endured under his father up until he was twelve when his parents disappeared. He was taught the basic ten forms of the Reika, he added that Krigsain was teaching him modified versions of the permutations available. Then he detailed the meditation exercises he had practiced, many were tailor made by his mother and father, very unorthodox when compared to the standard Andurian practice.


    ¡°This is what happens with all the freedom the members have. The capriciousness of the Will.¡±


    I felt a slight headache when I said that. I should watch my words more carefully.


    The boy continued detailing a couple of joint meditation formations he had picked up by watching his parents and how to make diluted and mana tear based concoctions. His parents were definitively from the central plains, some of these practices have been abandoned in Kotar.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to visit there personally to see how the Andurin are managing things over there, a matter for another time.¡±


    The tale got to the part I was most interested in, the awakening. I interjected and questioned here and there just to be clear of the situation. He proceeded to relate how Freslia had found him and the days they traveled through the beast forest. The pummeling he had taken was making him a very resentful person, he clearly stated. Finally, he went over the time of rescue by the princess and the brutal training regime on the Zurian ship.


    ¡°This Teng guy, your friend. He sounds very interesting Ikrei.¡± I congratulated him.


    ¡°Having one true brother is something to be happy about.¡± He smiled in return.


    ¡°Tell me, what is your father¡¯s name my boy?¡±


    He looked confused, like someone had hit him with a rock.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t remember!¡± He was visibly shaken.


    ¡°You seem to have lost some memories when communing with the Will. Take your shirt off and turn around, I am going to check something. Everything will be fine.¡±


    I took out my acupuncture needle set from my temporal space ring. When Ikrei saw the needles, he intuitively understood. I proceeded to place the needles on his back and readied myself for an energy transfer.


    ¡°Inhale, exhale, meditate as you have been taught, follow the flow of energy.¡± I ordered.


    After several minutes of guiding him through the meditation I had a clearer view of the crux. Rearranging everything, we sat back to talk some more.


    ¡°You have what is referred to as ethereal dissonance. Your energies and your body are severely out of balance. To not complicate matters, think of it as a living entity within your awakened energy that is trying to kill you.¡±


    Ikrei looked like he needed a more precise explanation urgently.


    ¡°Think of a clogged pipe. The flow of water is disrupted by mud that¡¯s coming from another connection and preventing the water from flowing freely. Eventually, if the pipe is clogged fully, the pipe will break.¡±


    ¡°You are telling me I am dying, right? Right?! How long do I have?¡± He inquired seriously.


    ¡°A little over a year at this rate, I believe.¡± I told him honestly.


    ¡°Why is this happening to me? Was it the orgon, the cave?¡± He looked furious and restless.


    ¡°I¡¯m not completely certain but I¡¯ll tell you this, you were my Kotari, my direct disciple. We deal in things others dare not attempt. The fact that you are here with me is already a great benevolence of the Will. A standard awakening is out of the question. You need to awaken by other means, we will have to force it if you want to live.¡±


    ¡°Can you speak plainly and tell me straight up. I want to know.¡± He had anticipation in his eyes.


    ¡°There are more things at play than what I can tell you. The world is a cosmic game and there are rules we are not privy to. We are away from prying eyes here but not entirely from the power of the gods. You don¡¯t want to invite that kind of trouble.¡±


    ¡°You are not going to explain further are you?¡± He angrily worded.


    ¡°For now, I won¡¯t. When you awaken I will.¡± I nodded.


    ¡°Fine, at least explain why I am getting such a beat down.¡±


    ¡°The standard awakening means detaching yourself from all desires, feelings, needs and the like. To need nothing, to want for nothing, only you and existence, this allows you to connect to the origin, in our case, the Will.¡±


    ¡°Remember the searing pain when you tried to awaken? The fact that you don¡¯t remember your father¡¯s name?¡± I pressed again.


    He nodded in agreement.


    ¡°That¡¯s the interference. And don¡¯t you dare mention it at any point, keep your mouth shut! The moment you speak of it; you will be in trouble. If you want to deal with it, you are going to withstand such interference and push through. Starting this very moment, you are not to speak about your ethereal dissonance with anyone but me inside this place. Once you awaken, the presence of the Will, will allow you to eliminate the interference.¡±


    Ikrei wanted to say something, he opened and closed his mouth reflexively.


    ¡°The essence of your connection to the energies of the world, be it mana, the gods or whatever are your thoughts and feelings, they create energy. They exist in your soul, outside of your body, the body is just a vessel. Therefore, we are going to strain those feelings and thoughts to the extreme. Only then can you overcome your awakening.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you been resentful of the Claimere? Isn¡¯t she someone fearsome? Good! We will push you even further from now on. Love, peace, hate, fear, regret, desire and the Will. This is the core of true mastery. You will train to master your emotions alongside your Kotari arts. As they say, mind over matter and soul over flesh.¡± I spoke with conclusiveness.


    With a wave of my hand the ward opened again, the oval shaped entry point shined and vibrated. Darin walked through the magical rift.


    ¡°Take your brother here and help him eat and rest. We will gather at midnight as prepared. And Ikrei, until you can bear the consequences, tell no one who you are or that I am your master. We will make arrangements around this inconvenience.¡± I looked sternly at Darin.


    ¡°By your order, Lord Akathos.¡± Darin saluted and motioned for Ikrei to depart.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that we found you.¡± I told Ikrei as he nodded again before leaving.


    The ward closed and a thin adjacent door to the study unlocked.


    ¡°You heard everything. Do what needs to be done. I¡¯ll be overseeing.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations on your new appointment, Lord Akathos.¡± A properly attired Freslia waved to retire.


    ¡°You lost against five Zigurs? Even if there were ten you should have dealt with them. Your claws need considerable sharpening. From tomorrow on, we train in the third underground circle starting at midnight.¡±


    Her eyes trembled almost imperceptibly.


    ¡°This is not a settling of accounts Lord?¡± She queried in a worried tone.


    ¡°Of course not. Like master, like disciple. No disciple is above the master and the master is to do as it is demanded of the disciple, I have always liked that Zurian proverb. Let us all strive together.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile.

 CHAPTER 27

    Asara P.O.V.


    ¡°Princess, we got to move or we will be late.¡± Zaneir urged me through the castle corridors.


    ¡®How could I foresee being late to a midnight gathering? The last few days have been stressful at a minimum. I had been caught in the sheets.¡¯


    We made our way to the back corner of the fortress. The cube edifice we were heading to had a visible crystal dome on top. The place was heavily guarded. It took a while for us to be welcomed inside, it was my first time in Malaktaraf castle, I wasn¡¯t familiar with the procedures.


    The assembly hall we entered was entirely made of marble stone and orgon crystals. There were a few gold and carbuncle pieces but not something that would catch your eye. There was a half-moon seating arrangement with an estimated capacity of 1000 men for the entire hall.


    ¡°The marble sculptures on the walls are masterwork grade.¡± Zaneir said while looking around.


    ¡°The history of the founding of the Kotar kingdom in eight sculpture masterworks of considerable size. A nice touch.¡± I glanced over scanning the attendees.


    A varied bunch indeed. There were cloaked figures, guards, knights, noblemen and a few equipped with Augir level armor. I guessed there should be a little over 80 people. Since many had hidden their attires under their cloaks I couldn¡¯t recognize any that I hadn¡¯t met before.


    ¡°Our Sachears are coming in with the rest of the potential Kotari.¡± Zaneir pointed out.


    I waved my hand to the three boys. Krigsain nodded back and they proceeded to sit in the front row ahead of the rest of us.  There was plenty of space, everyone was comfortably seated. Twenty-three promising prospects with the proper deep blue Andurian cloak. I counted six young girls among them, that made me feel very pleased.


    A beautiful multicolored tapestry covered the wall in front of us. The curtain curled wide open and Lord Akathos stood before the congregated. He was wearing the Andurin ceremonial robe, an exquisite work of embroidery of a single cut, a deep blue fabric.


    ¡°Welcome to the day of Io?l, our weekly gathering for the followers of the Will! We celebrate the light of our heavenly sign, the symbol of the Will and the origin of our name, the star of Andurin.¡± He was very expressive like a ceremonial grandmaster.


    ¡°Apologies for the late hour, we have had to make many accommodations and arrangements for everybody. Henceforth, I will be your fortress Head Elder and you may address me as Lord Akathos.¡±


    Everyone present gave an understanding nod.


    ¡°I will not mince words with you all, today is a momentous occasion and I wish to treat you with the proper sincerity.¡± His green eyes surveyed every single one of us.


    ¡°We are about to enter a period of great disorder and mistrust; the drums of war are upon the continent. For such a reason, we have gathered you here. We will prepare you, our future Kotari for the days ahead. Away from the shenanigans of the court, away from scheming hearts, away from many hidden dangers that you cannot fathom, among many other individual considerations that pertain to each one of you. We value you greatly, the Will has brought you back into the fold and for a few others among you, welcome to your new home. Instead of you going to Kotar, Kotar has come to you!¡±


    He slowly gave a very keen gaze to every single one of the twenty-three.


    ¡°I know most of you have awakened and you will train to undergo your Kotari trials individually. And the few of you that are yet to awaken, you will become Kotari nonetheless. We have prepared your itineraries, your assistants, your masters to the best of our abilities. We will not disappoint you.¡±


    Lord Akathos glimpsed by a few people including Krigsain.


    ¡°I know some of you expected Patriarch Samuris to be your master. You will have to settle for an Andurin Lord for now.¡±


    ¡°Pfft!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but react.


    The comment made the congregated laugh. To reject a Lord? Ludicrous.


    ¡°We expect great things from you all. For Kotar!¡± Akathos gave the military crossed hand to the shoulder salute.


    The Kotarians present gave the salute and the call back, including me.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± We exclaimed.


    ¡°This brings me to my second announcement and the most important one. To the rest of you who are gathered here because of vested interests of various kinds towards these promising Andurin, I once more bid you welcome. However, it is time for you to make a conscientious decision.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I turned to Zaneir to see if she had an inkling.


    Her eyes told me what I needed to know, this was an abrupt declaration.


    ¡°All of you are awakened and all of you are not bound by the Will. In a time of blood and deceit we cannot take chances, our Kotari are our lifeblood and we will guard it zealously. There can never be an opening where the enemy can take advantage of our secrets. If you are to stay by these Kotari¡¯s side, you will have to guard the secrets they will learn with your life. You will have to make an oath with us.¡±


    He paused looking around the hall.


    ¡®An oath? How? No one can do more than one oath, no one is going to carelessly use it.¡¯


    ¡°It¡¯s a ritual oath, it is not something normal at all.¡± Zaneir spoke in my ear, she was filled with uneasiness.


    ¡°After fighting for thousands of years we tend to pick up a few things from each other. Don¡¯t we all? We will perform a ritual in this place tonight to seal our mutual allegiance to the Andurian cause. This is a lot to ponder as many of you are from other faiths or unbound.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t breathe. Hundreds of thoughts veering and twisting inside my head.


    ¡®Andurian cause? If they tell me to kill, I must kill, regardless of the target, even my own father. If they tell me to die, I must die. What the hell!? I am a princess of Kotar!¡¯


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    ¡°If you break the oath you will not only die but we will know, even if Kotar were to fall our blades will find you for as many lives as we can. Conversely, this will make you adoptive children of the Will and we will find you in your next lives, rites and rituals pending of course.¡±


    ¡°So you would have our lives in your hands Lord Akathos?!¡± A hooded figure voiced an angry question.


    ¡°No, the one to determine who lives or who dies is the Will alone. I know this is not comforting to the other faiths but this is the choice. Additionally, if we break the oath, we would die as well and you would know. Although, you understand that the possibility of that happening is close to zero.¡± Akathos answered.


    ¡°How does this affect my awakened oath? I already have one.¡± Another female voice interposed.


    ¡°It won¡¯t as long as it doesn¡¯t involve the Andurian interests in an intentionally negative fashion.¡±


    ¡°And the ones without oaths?¡± Another unknown young voice asked.


    ¡°It won¡¯t have any repercussions; we have already confirmed this. In case of any foul play from our part, we the Andurin leadership, gathered here will die on the spot.¡±


    The hall became deadly silent.


    ¡°Those who have doubts or harbor distrust towards the Will should leave. Those who have duplicity in your hearts, your games end now. Only those willing to shoulder our burdens will bask in the light of Andurin.¡±


    ¡°What do I do? I was supposed to bring the Andurin closer to the crown, not become an Andurin agent myself! Reborn again as a commoner, can I endure such a thing?!¡± My mind kept racing.


    I was so grieved and sunken in my thoughts that I didn¡¯t notice how much time had elapsed. By the time I looked around, including the twenty-three in the front row, we were down to about 60 people. Over 40 people had left.


    ¡°We will commence the ritual with those present.¡±


    The floor in front of us opened wide. The stone floor was a door mechanism of some kind. A platform began to arise from under the aperture. A shining blue crystal ball supported by a golden colored base of a material I couldn¡¯t identify appeared.


    ¡°An orgon crystal, a choice cut orgon crystal piece!¡± It was monstrous in size.


    ¡°Princess, look around!¡± Zaneir pulled the corner of my shirt.


    Lord Sarkan and Lord Tanin were at either side of Lord Akathos. Lady Freslia was to the left of Sarkan wearing the Claimere¡¯s ceremonial robe. Likewise, to the right of Lord Tanin there were two more Claimere wearing ceremonial robes.


    ¡°Why are there so many of them here?!¡±


    ¡°Claimere Draken, princess. He is the new one.¡± Zaneir whispered.


    ¡°Claimere Burin, Stormbraker, leader of the Claimere.¡± I worded mechanically.


    ¡®Someone please explain this to me! What¡¯s happening?!¡¯


    My thoughts were spiraling out of control.


    About twenty-four Kotari came from many directions delivering a golden magical parchment. It was the oath, the so called ritualistic oath I had previously never heard off. After another half an hour or so, I finished checking the contents. Everything was in order, just like Akathos had spoken.


    ¡°Zaneir, should I leave?¡±


    ¡°If you can forgo the crown, you should. You harbor doubt my lady.¡± Zaneir bowed formally when she spoke.


    ¡°It is time to make a choice, son of the empire!¡± The powerful gruffly voice of Claimere Burin was heard.


    A hooded cloak young one revealed his appearance. Long dark hair, petite nose, tanned skin, thick eyebrows, green eyes and a chiseled jaw. He could rival many well-known female beauties.


    Zaneir dropped her parchment to the floor. She was absolutely awestruck. We were on the back row, thankfully.


    ¡°Gather yourself woman. Don¡¯t need an estrous guardian by my side!¡± I reprimanded her.


    ¡°Yes that¡­no.¡± She was blushing all over.


    Composing herself she spoke again, ¡°That one there is Isoray Dogran, a true prodigy of Bichmeyrul. He is a Child of Mana, your highness.¡±


    ¡®Dogran? From the noble houses of the empire in the central continent? Child of Mana?!¡¯


    My hands started trembling.


    ¡°Somebody please tell me I¡¯m overthinking things!¡±


    ¡®The Andurin want a noble of the empire to submit? Even more, he is a once in a thousand years¡¯ portent. You think you can take from the Bichmeyrul Empire without consequence? Even if they have to cross over from another continent, they will come. They will slash our throats. War with the empire? Impossible!¡¯


    ¡°They want to seal him with the oath. All this is to account for him.¡± Zaneir had eyes full of incredulity. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was saying.


    A beloved of the world, a chosen being, a Magi without limitations.


    ¡°A chosen one?! Krigsain!¡± I turned to look but he showed no reaction.


    ¡°I will fulfill the oath.¡± Isoray Dogran¡¯s melodic voice echoed.


    The two guards flanking the empire¡¯s child looked impassive. It was as if they were expecting it. The crystal orb in the center began to flicker. The Kotari that handed the parchments got into formation around the hall.


    All the Elders and the Claimere began executing hand sigils. The Kotari placed in the edges of the formation did the same. They all released blood from their fingers in one way or another.


    My mind was processing at lightning speed.


    ¡®A marriage for a crown? A crown above my brothers for something relatively lax compared to my brothers¡¯ trials?¡¯


    The description father gave me could apply to either one of these prodigies. An intervention coming from the empire would make matters even more strenuous. This is getting more and more cumbersome by the minute.


    ¡°What the gorgon dong, dad!¡± Father knew, he knew!


    ¡°Gurnir!¡± I greeted my teeth and drew blood placing it on my parchment.


    Zaneir followed me as well. The congregated placed the blood on their parchments. The parchments disintegrated. The ground lit up revealing the bluish hue of the formation lines encompassing the whole of the hall floor. The phoenix raven, the hybrid beast guardian of the Andurin was displayed under our feet.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    The Lords, the Claimere and Kotari began chanting in the Andurian tongue. The orgon crystal orb shone like the moon, it was almost blinding. The orgon on the walls reacted as well, the ground quivered. The resonance surrounded me, the desire to chant was inescapable. We all joined in.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    The crystalline dome seemed to come alive and starlight fell through it like ringlets on the congregation. The chanting became effusive.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    A vision or a hallucination while being completely wide-eyed, the star of Andurin emitting warmth, love and acceptance. Far more intense than the alchemical concoctions of the palace grandmaster healer.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    I felt the emotions of the Andurian leaders, they felt mine. Lady Freslia¡¯s eyes interlocked with mine. Love for Kotar, love for the Andurian path, love for their brethren, hate for anything that would harm them, resolve to die for their beliefs. I could feel all these things and more. We were connected, she sensed my apprehension.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    Our connection intensified, I remembered the times when I was taught by her when I was a child and into my early teens. She had never taken in any Kotari, if there was ever a disciple, that disciple was me. I saw glimpses of her life, her struggle. To say the least, it was barbarous. She was telling me to join her. I could feel it, the embrace of a mother that I had already lost.


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡±


    I could see the others in a trance, totally immersed in the experience. Krigsain wore a serene smile on his face. Some others had tears rolling down their cheeks. Zaneir was a goner, she was in a state of absolute ecstasy. The Elders and the Claimere began shouting, lady Freslia was lifting her fist in defiance, her cloak whirling.


    ¡°AELZIR! AELZIR! AELZIR!¡± They shouted with enormous vigor.


    The chant resounded within the auditorium and expanded outward without pause. The shouts reaching several furlongs away from the fortress. I could feel it.


    I stood there watching Claimere Freslia shouting proudly. She was one of them, a woman standing beside an enclave of men so powerful that the thought of it sends shivers down my spine. Beautiful, powerful, admired, feared, loved by her peers and everything she has, she had won it for herself. Even if she lost it all, those eyes would show no regret.


    I wished I could be like her. I wished I could choose how to live, how to die. Perhaps it is possible for me in the next life, but in this life I¡¯ll be queen. Perhaps I have the strength to do what she has done. I let the energy of the resonance envelope me unconditionally.


    ¡°For Kotar! For a future! But most of all, for me!¡±


    My shouts merged with the cacophony.


    The war cry of the Andurin in their ancient tongue, the word for freedom.


    ¡°AELZIR!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH.¡± For our freedom by the Will.


    The words seeped deep into my soul. My core was fully embraced by an energy that I had never felt before. In the bosom of the gods, as my father calls it.


    I am now, an Andurin.

 CHAPTER 28

    Alzra P.O.V.


    CLASH!


    ¡°You are keeping your arm too high, at the level of your crown. Again!¡±


    CLASH!


    ¡°Use your pivot foot correctly. Transfer the weight of the attack with your stance. At the point of contact twist your wrist like I showed you. Again!¡±


    CLASH!


    ¡°The stances change depending on the opponent¡¯s attack. We are doing only a downward slash parry. Come on!¡±


    CLASH!


    The kid was holding on for dear life. I knew I was pushing him.


    CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!


    An hour later, after copious amounts of continuous badgering, it finally happens.


    CLASH!


    The sword attack is parried perfectly, the trajectory of my sword moves a couple of inches away from his right elbow. The tip of my sword is directed towards the ground by the deflection. The counter comes, a core infused palm strike. It hits me and it does nothing but the form is there. I am pleased.


    ¡°Good job Teng. We are done for the day.¡±


    The boy is panting and lets himself go with heavy sighs on the floor.


    ¡°I thought you were a dagger user?¡± He said while still heaving.


    ¡°Dodekors are masters of many weapons, my young Ishun!¡±


    ¡°Sundown is coming. The holy day is upon us.¡± He noted.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get cleaned up my boy. There are duties to perform.¡±


    ¡°Rakahmim gahol, sister Alzra.¡± He told me.


    ¡°Rakahmim gahol to you too, brother Teng.¡±


    ¡°You think I¡¯ll get my appointment at the meeting?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Oh, so you want to get rid of me that badly?¡±


    ¡°No¡­no sister that¡¯s not what I mean.¡± He is a shy one.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    ¡°These things take time, you are awakened, a chosen faithful of God. That will make it faster but it will take no less than fourteen days.¡± I gave him a truthful answer.


    He was eager, we were all eager fanatics in the beginning. Even some of my own memories came flooding in. We went inside my home, leaving the training courtyard behind.


    <hr>


    ¡°I got the baskets ready sister!¡± Teng joyfully talked.


    ¡°I see the provision requisition is going well in the capital if you managed this much.¡± I accented approvingly.


    Teng was organizing his clothes, pamphlets and booklets on his new premium haversack.


    ¡°Is this alright sister? This is the holy day.¡± The new faithful questions are always like this.


    ¡°What are you going to do, Teng?¡±


    ¡°Take the food to the poor and the immigrants. Partake and share the word with the people.¡± He had practiced that answer, it was verbatim. My exact words thrown back at me.


    ¡°Our lives must be a reflection of God, every day. But on a holy day specially so. God loves the world and the people that call upon him with zeal. Do all things for His glory!¡± I pressed my finger on his forehead.


    ¡°For His glory? This is a Pharazur?!¡± He asked coming into an understanding.


    ¡°Yes, a deed for the glory of Zur. Keep studying our mother tongue.¡± I waved him to the door.


    ¡°Pharazur, sister!¡± He stood straight as a pillar in salute.


    ¡°Pharazur brother, now go!¡± I gave the order.


    He took a haversack filled to the brim and eight large baskets of bread, fish and fruits with him. A bit clunky but an extraordinary feat of balance for any normal human. He was an awakened, good training nevertheless.


    ¡°Do not trip because its dark boy!¡±


    Teng left through my garden entrance with a basket on top of his head. It looked funny, very funny.


    ¡°He is growing on me.¡± I turned to enter my chambers.


    ¡°That is a very delightful thing to hear.¡±


    An elderly white clothed man, dark skinned, long white hair. A simple spotless robe with no hood stood behind me. If I didn¡¯t know better, he could be a long lost relative. I wasn¡¯t even aware that he was there. Dangerous, my senses were tingling.


    ¡°Rakahmim gahol, sister Simi.¡± The elderly man gave our holy day salutation.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± I spoke with extreme wariness.


    I turned to face him.


    Within the space of two breaths, all the pressure I could gather with my cores flowed through me targeting the man.


    ¡°Are you still drinking Thruskan brew secretly? We have pretty good liquor of our own you know.  A Dodekor indulging in a kotarian product is not a good look, be careful.¡±


    I kept pouring more power and energy but nothing happened, not even the leaves in my flower garden moved. He was completely unflappable. A voice resounded inside my mind, within my very core.


    ¡°IS THIS HOW YOU TREAT AN ELDER?¡±


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡®My core was breached? What? An elder? I have never seen the man before me. I know the entire Clethora, the King, the Asarin, the Dodekors and the Clethar himself.¡¯


    I was confused.


    ¡®Lies, deceit, half-truths are the weapons of the adversary. Let¡¯s probe the issue fully.¡¯


    I condensed my many sentiments quickly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t play with me you devil! There is no elder that I don¡¯t know in the entire kingdom!¡±


    My cores expanded and ignited. The blessing of the Dodekors, unique to each one of us, my second most powerful technique.


    One breath. My eyes flickered, their light intensifying. My index and middle finger together pointing at the man. A ray of pure golden light went forth from my right hand through the fingers.


    ¡°LUZUR!¡± A shout in bestial form.


    ZIIIIIING!


    The light entered the man, I felt it. The blessing strike is connected to my cores, if it hits the objective it causes a resonance within me. Light expanded covering the man like a cocoon.


    ¡°Uff!¡± I was frazzled.


    ¡°The light of Zur never harms its own.¡± The voice came from the energy enclosure.


    The power dissipated slowly, he was still standing there, unperturbed.


    ¡°There are two people in the entire kingdom that you cannot meet, they have to come to you, industrious one.¡±


    ¡°There is only one and he is away, you are not him. The other one is dead.¡±


    ¡°Dead now? Things are worse than I was hoping for then.¡±


    ¡°This can¡¯t be! The elders cannot hide this! If what you are implying is true, you have been gone for over three hundred years! Why come to someone like me? You need to tell the King!¡±


    The exertion from the technique and the breach in my core left me with no filter. I was but a child throwing a tantrum. Before I could say another word, he was standing at a hairs breadth distance from me.


    ¡°Are you going to keep babbling like this? Show some propriety.¡± He reproved me.


    ¡°Rakahmim gahol, Prophet Hameyin.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°You have chosen quite a secluded location on the outskirts of the capital for your abode, Simi.¡± The Prophet told me while sipping some Zurian wine.


    ¡°Price was convenient and it has all the necessary facilities. I have never been a fan of the court, rather be on duty elsewhere. And no one has called me Simi in a very long time.¡±


    ¡°Alzra it is then. Tell me, what do you think of the current state of affairs in the Kingdom of Orlum?¡±


    ¡°This is the greatest period in our history, thousands join the kingdom every year, the faith is spreading, the life of the people is improving at an incredible rate, our blessed ones are creating wonders, our military power rivals anyone in the continent and a righteous King sits on the throne. There can be improvements and we must be wary of our neighbors but things are looking good. Now that you have returned, it will be even better.¡±


    I took a sip from my tea. I wondered the purpose of this line of questioning.


    ¡°You have recently been blessed as a Dodekor, a decade, yes?¡± I agreed.


    ¡°It is curious that this peace with the Eternal Moon has lasted for three hundred years. The kingdom has been lulled, pacified into complacency. A peace treaty with our mortal enemies when the mouthpiece of God is not around?¡±


    It was an astute observation but not something that wasn¡¯t considered at the time. Hundreds of parchments guard the debate of the elders and the scriptures behind it.


    ¡°King Erel has the gift of prophecy, the four great elders and the Zuranin allowed the truce to occur. Even the Clethar performed the Rite of Illumination in the Temple.¡± I was fixated on the Prophet¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Where you there? In the Temple? Things are not always as they seem. The Zuranin is the only one older than me. Who is performing the Rite of Purification every year in the Temple?¡± He asked in rhetorical fashion.


    ¡°King Erel, since you have been gone as the kingly prophet. He has taken up the duties. The scripture allows for this proceeding.¡±


    ¡°And on the 70<sup>th</sup> year jubilees, who performs the Rite of Exaltation?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°The King as well, his continuous deeds grant him the right to do so. He has ushered in a golden era.¡± I answered almost reflexively. I didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    ¡°Mincha, the Clethar of the Temple harbors the seed of rebellion. The kingdom is sick in the womb. The abundance, the opulence, the power, the praises of the people and many more things have blinded you all. There are Malgrunians within our borders, a thousand years ago that would have been met with a sword!¡±


    Silence. I couldn¡¯t say anything. Nevertheless, I couldn¡¯t accept this viewpoint easily.


    ¡°Why are you here? Why haven¡¯t you gone to the King? You need to prove what you are saying.¡± I staunchly questioned.


    ¡°Preparations my child. God makes good that which is intended for evil.¡± He placed an exquisitely laced orgon book of unknown material on my wooden table. I read the title, ¡®Book of Hemayin¡¯.


    ¡°Scriptures?! Revelation from the Almighty! Why are you giving this to me? The King, the King will help you, you know this!¡± I shouted.


    The weight of the situation pressed mightily on my heart.


    ¡°Erel is drunk with the wine of women. Too many wives to see what needs to be seen but he still is a light for you all. The steps of the Temple are filled with men who are just but few who are holy. They praise God while the shadow of Malgrun grows ever closer. Right now, I cannot trust them.¡± He sounded aggrieved.


    ¡°The Clethar is corrupted according to you, he has the power of God, I felt it. The light of miracles continues to shine.¡±


    ¡°Miracles are not the whole measure of worthiness; you know the scriptures Alzra. He is allowed to be because God wills it so. But I will humor you this once, for your task is exigent.¡±


    Out of nowhere, a pure white bird, brilliant and strange descended. A special kind of magical hybrid beast landed on Hemayin¡¯s right shoulder. Power, the blessing of Zur, I identified it easily.


    One breath. He transfigured himself into a young man, the most beautiful man ever. He was floating midair, shining with pure white light.


    ¡°This is the seal of the Zuranin. When the time of God is fulfilled, request the Rapha from him. Use the scriptures and teach them to the child named Teng. You are to take him as your direct Ishun. He will be your successor, do not let him be separated from you. Use your oath if necessary.¡±


    The words came like a flood with far more power than anything I knew. The seal floated into my hand.


    ¡°You want me to train the child and have him take the Rapha? The trial of the Zuranin? These can take years. And the scriptures? A scribe would be better.¡±


    His hand touched my forehead and knowledge poured into me. The Book of Hameyin, I could feel the scriptures come alive. My body trembled. The words were embedded into my core.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Absolute joy, indescribable.


    I struggled for breath, I fell.


    He transformed back into his old appearance and released his touch. He floated down slowly, his feet touching the carpet again. The bird was gone.


    ¡°The book is for the child. Your heart wanted miracles, God has granted your desire. Pray and fast, prepare, the era of two prophets and the Zuranin will rise again in time. Steel your hearts, sharpen your blades.¡±


    On the floor kneeling, my stertorous condition wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°When will these things be?¡± I managed to ask gibbering.


    ¡°The year of the death of the King, when the blood moon rises.¡±


    Heavy steps were heard through the house. Tap, tap, tap!


    ¡°Sister, sister!¡± Teng had arrived.


    He quickly helped me to stand. He was looking furiously at the Prophet.


    ¡°ESHERANANEL!¡±


    Power flowed from the Prophet and into the child, the whole room began to shiver.


    Ten Breaths. The room stabilized and Teng was feeling elated. The look of someone right after awakening. His energy was vibrating outward continuously. We could feel it.


    ¡°You can call me Hem, child.¡±


    ¡°You are a hierarch of Zur! Are you an elder?¡± Teng asked innocently.


    ¡°I blessed your body, this will speed up your growth. Grow in wisdom child.¡±


    Teng was just happily nodding. The blessing of God can change your mood rapidly.


    ¡°How was the gathering of the provisions? Were the people helpful?¡± The Prophet was beaming.


    ¡°It went well, but the richer the person the stingier they became elder Hem!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Can you elaborate for me?¡±


    ¡°The ones who had little gave from what they had, the bread that they ate. The rich people gave from their scraps, the leftover in their kitchens. A loaf for one is not the same as a loaf for another. Humph!¡± Teng was complaining.


    ¡°The scripture says you shall find bread in the hand of the poor before you shall find gold at the door of the rich.¡± The Prophet quoted his own book.


    ¡°Really? I never heard of such a verse.¡± Teng was looking at me.


    ¡°Yes, it is true, it¡¯s just not a popular one.¡± I said.


    ¡°It will be one day, I promise.¡± The Prophet played with Teng¡¯s hair happily.


    ¡°Would you like sister Alzra to be your master child? The one to train you?¡±


    Teng stared at the Prophet with an almost obsessive gaze. After a few grains of sand, he agreed with a smile.


    ¡°God bless you, sword of Zur! Keep the law in your heart and learn well.¡± He patted Teng on the shoulder.


    Prophet Hameyin gave us his best regards and stepped through the garden.


    ¡°Will you come around often elder Hem?¡± Teng cried out.


    ¡°Follow God and we shall meet again. Rakahmim gahol!¡±


    A gust of wind blew on the garden, my beautifully kept petals scattered everywhere, when they landed, Prophet Hameyin was no longer there.

 CHAPTER 29

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I settled into my assigned seat of the classroom. Beautifully carved wood furniture with beast skin cushions. Staggered, step by step design with rows of four on each side, twenty-four seats in total.  I was seating on the bottom left corner, three steps down.


    ¡°Hello, I am Puri.¡± A gentle looking slightly chubby face sat next to me. We saw each other on the night of the gathering.


    ¡°Ikrei, nice to meet you.¡± We had a friendly handshake.


    I had decided to come early to avoid feeling dizzy from crossing the protective wards that gave access to the room by the time the class began. Puri was looking a little lethargic.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it. Until then, come early like me, the effect will wear off in about ten minutes.¡± I gave him a friendly suggestion.


    ¡°Say Ikrei, why is everybody around here using names with the letter k?¡± Small talk, quite sociable.


    ¡°Kotar, the Kotari. You¡¯ll see plenty of that in the kingdom too. Like Ikrei, right?¡± By the look in his eyes, he seemed to realize something.


    ¡°So Puri, what do you do?¡± Small talk courtesy, he asked first, I did likewise.


    ¡°Son of a shoemaker, I learned my father¡¯s trade. He took me to Orgis, he invested a hefty sum for it.¡±


    ¡°Oh. You awakened at Orgis? What¡¯s it like?¡± This was getting interesting.


    ¡°Not quite, I only got memories from some of my previous lives. Somehow, I found myself here by invitation of the Andurin. My father would not let the opportunity pass.¡± He gave me a wry smile.


    ¡°Guess that explains why you are sitting next to me.¡± I returned the sentiment.


    Steps were heard around us. The rest of the class arrived. Krigsain and Ciel nooded in my direction. Iru waived his hand, a couple of girls glanced our way. The Dogran guy from the empire was here too, he was too eye catching to miss. Everyone sat in their corresponding places.


    By the time I turned around, Lord Sarkan, the long haired blond elder was at the podium. He looked no older than fifty.


    ¡°These guys do look good for centurions, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°Hello fellow Sachears. I¡¯ll be your teacher for this special class.¡±


    Everyone nodded, waiting for him to speak.


    ¡°We will discuss important and extremely sensitive information that must not be shared with others outside of your masters and the people in this room.¡± He pointed also to the Kotari guarding the magic warded entrance.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get the essentials out of the way first. You are in the middle of the continent of Turgan. As many of you know, this is the territory of the Zunar kingdom led by Queen Abrila. Although we get plenty of latitude, we your leadership, expect you to respect Zunar law.¡±


    He was looking around earnestly.


    ¡°Through alliances and astute political and warlike maneuvering, they have created a fruitful kingdom from a warn torn area of the past eras. We control the mines near and within the continental range and have trade agreements with the forces here. To the east is Wanei, the trading zone controlled by the eastern kingdoms and the cultivators. To the west, the other side of the mountain range, the Magi Association. This place is filled with many remnants of the ancient conflicts; they will be very useful for your training. We are guests here, behave accordingly. Understood?¡±


    It didn¡¯t need to be said, everyone agreed naturally.


    ¡°There are representatives of all kingdoms, powers and all faiths here bar one.¡±


    ¡°The cursed sons of Malgrun, we threw them out!¡± A male voice enthusiastically said from behind.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    The comment brought forth the laughter of some in the class.


    ¡°Officially yes, they are still running around like rats. One of the reasons you are all here. Some of you are going out on a hunt as part of your training.¡±


    The elder¡¯s words made some of the audience exited. I could feel some of the awakened energy flowing around me, faintly.


    ¡°Now a little overview of the Andurin internal hierarchy. You are Sachears, the lowest rank and pupils in training. Above you are the Kotari, your brothers and sisters that have been officially recognized as part of the enclave. Leading them are the Lords, the executive arm of the Andurin. We direct many aspects divided according to necessity like Alchemy, Healing, Forgemastering, etc. There are fourteen of us, currently. Then there is the Elder Council, the group in charge of making key decisions that pertain to all of us and designate all other positions. Then there are two, the Patriarch, our leader and the Archsage, his right hand. The Patriarch leads the council and the Archsage leads his own group, the sages. Finally, our warmasters and leaders in the frontline, the Claimere.¡±


    ¡°I am Lord Sarkan, I represent the will of the sages. You may address me as Lord or Sage Sarkan from now on.¡±


    With a small gesture a couple of Kotari with their cloaks began placing small metallic boxes in front of all of us who were seated.


    ¡°We have taken everything we could into account in preparation for your training. This is the period of final assessment. Please open your boxes.¡±


    I did as I was told, I opened the shiny little box. A folded piece of papyrus and a temporal space ring. A temporal space ring is expensive; it depends on the materials, the maker and the capacity but even a small one costs a fortune, no less than one thousand Ucra. I unfolded the papyrus it read ¨C Puri Horgton, Kuyun Sera ¨C.


    I looked over and Puri showed me his papyrus as well, it had my name on it.


    ¡°We gave you artifacts evaluating your immediate individual needs, do try not to lose them. The names on the parchment are your selected training partners and the Kotari in charge of both of you for the next days, they will have the details for you all.  Please follow the assigned Kotari that will lead you to your new individual lodgings once you step out of this room. You start immediately. We will reconvene here in eleven days. Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡± The class respectfully responded.


    The class began dispersing. I searched for Iru before he had the chance to head out.


    ¡°Who you got bookie?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I got sister Kletay, over there.¡± She was holding a couple of books, impressive assets.


    ¡®No awakened is average physically. At least not any that are considered promising elite. Surely, the blessing of the gods, it must be. I need to see a picture of my former self when I get the chance!¡¯


    ¡°I guess the leadership does know what they are doing after all.¡± I reflected.


    We decided to quickly head out after I introduced Puri to Iru. Ciel joined our little lot, she was all smiles.


    ¡°That¡¯s strange, she doesn¡¯t have that kind of reaction easily.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Iru whispered in her ear.


    She just pointed where Krigsain was standing. He was literally frozen in place; he was staring at the Dogran guy. In return, the Dogran guy was likewise staring at him.


    ¡°That¡¯s Krigs new training mate, my boys.¡± She was on the verge of laughing.


    I instinctively signaled Puri.


    ¡°We better leave, we are going to be busy.¡± He just nodded and swiftly tried to make our exit.


    ¡°It is going to be fun around here, isn¡¯t it?¡± Iru patted me on the back as we left the quarreling duo behind.


    ¡°Easy for you to say, you don¡¯t have to spar with a possibly very angry prodigy, you know.¡± I countered.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright cookie. We are here.¡± Ciel finally broke into laughter as we traversed the magical ward.


    The laugh sounded like the gurgle from a fearbeast.


    ¡®That¡¯s got to be painful. Note to self-1: Never talk while walking through a rift.¡¯


    <hr>


    ¡°Security seems pretty strict all through the castle.¡± I commented.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t always like this. Do not share with anyone outside any of your training methods, secrecy can save your lives further on.¡± Sister Kuyun explained as she guided us through another ward rift.


    ¡°Sera is your last name sister?¡± Puri threw out a question.


    ¡°Yes and no. Sera is a name of one of my previous lives. The Andurin take their names according to their own desires. A representation of the current amalgamation of the self, most of the time.  If you are born under the lineage of a great Andurin family that changes things a bit of course.¡± She patiently detailed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a mouthful. Everything here is so complicated.¡± Puri worded with considerable puzzlement.


    ¡°Going from making shoes to a member of an ancient waring faction will do that to you.¡±


    He gave me the customary raised eyebrow.


    In all honesty, I was wondering what type of special training we would be starting things off with. Reaching the end of the corridor, sister Kuyun opened a door and had us sit down on some very comfortable yet simple chairs.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± She said.


    There was a large table in front of us with plenty of parchments, documents and the like. Some of them had a glint, they seemed magical.


    ¡°Those parchments look mightily juicy.¡± Puri was clearly raptured by them.


    Noticing my questioning gaze, he said, ¡°I was a writer and a public scribe in another life too.¡±


    ¡°Here brothers.¡± Sister Kuyun gave us a couple of instruments.


    Sensing my bemused look, she elucidated. ¡°These are ketars, seven string musical instruments that you will learn to play proficiently from this point on. I am also a bard brothers and I¡¯ll be your teacher.¡±


    She sat down next to us in another chair forming a triangle with another ketar in her hands.


    ¡°Music lessons? What the fuck!?¡±

 CHAPTER 30

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Placing the body of the ketar on my right thigh I ran my hands over the strings and the fingerboard. I was operating by reflexes, with shock visible on my face.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfectly tuned, don¡¯t worry about it. Let me demonstrate.¡± Kuyun sat herself up with the instrument.


    She began playing an upbeat melodic tune. It was very pleasing to my ears, I must admit. A few sand grains later, a wave of energy enveloped the room. That¡¯s what it felt like to me. Awakened energy. The notes she was playing came alive, I could feel the joy she was feeling while she played. A very similar phenomenon to the one that happened in the gathering but in a much smaller scale.


    ¡°See?¡± She placed the ketar to the side.


    ¡°Playing instruments can help us in our awakening?¡± Puri asked.


    ¡°It is one path, in the field of soul connection, the instrument is just a medium. It is one of the hardest disciplines the Andurin practice, soul music. And it requires precise control.¡± She explained.


    ¡°So there are other ways to acquire this control of the core energy?¡± I probed.


    ¡°Yes but not with the same level of mastery. You are to learn this art just as the leadership has determined. Let¡¯s start by playing properly, follow my lead.¡±


    She slowly showed us how to play the basic notes and a few chords. Nothing major, just casual play. I strung the ketar as instructed.  Eventually she stood behind us, correcting our posture, finger placement and other details. She taught us a Kotarian children song, just four chords, the ¡®Star in the Sky¡¯.


    ¡°Puri, teach him the words of the Andurian tongue.¡± He readily agreed.


    ¡°Ikrei, in the coming days, you will teach your brother the first ten forms of the Reika. He is not a fighter, do it slowly and meticulously.¡± I nodded in agreement.


    ¡°As you receive, so shall you give. Reciprocity, book of the first precept. Choose to always be better brothers.¡± Sister Kuyun told us.


    We continued our practice of the song and the study of the Andurian tongue until dusk. Some of the parchments on the table were there to help us study the ancient tongue. Puri was enthralled with some sigils that I could not figure out. The training session had taken all the hours of sunlight.


    ¡°My first ever secret training was learning a children song on a ketar. Unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°Puri will stay with me to continue his learning. Ikrei, sister Freslia should be waiting for you outside the door. We will see each other in the morning.¡± The thick eyebrow beauty said with a smile.


    <hr>


    Well below the underground undercroft, I was standing in a training circle facing my usual instructor. He had a very unfriendly look in his eye.


    Gulp.


    ¡®This is going to get rough.¡¯ I inwardly lamented.


    ¡°The purpose of this exercise is for you to master the basic twenty forms of the Reika. We will keep going until I deem your performance acceptable.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    There was a shining white crystal orb in the hand of the merciless taskmaster. She was watching from the side, outside the circle. The orb vibrated, expelling a dazzling white light. Everything went back to normal a few breaths later.


    ¡°The needles will help you sense the flow of energy within you. Krigsain will be on the defensive, just focus on executing. Begin!¡± She ordered while doing hand sigils, her eyes shining.


    I began attacking following the pattern of the forms. One, two, three, four and finishing blow. Rinse and repeat with my other hand. The needles on my back were ticklish, they weren¡¯t helping. Nevertheless, I could feel the awakened energy flow from my mind, through my body and into my extremities. It was an extremely subdued version of the exercises on the Zurian ship. Freslia wasn¡¯t imbuing her power into my body, this time around.


    ¡®Feel the flow, feel the flow. Breath in, breath out.¡¯


    I charged at Krigsain going through the forms. He was blocking according to the teachings. My strikes were slightly faster and stronger than a professional hunter.  Not something that could even begin to trouble the redhead muscle mass.


    ¡°Your right punch is off, center yourself properly. Start again.¡± Krigsain instructed.


    A new charge, repeating the twelfth form, punch, block, half turn with a grab, retreat dash pulling the target¡¯s wrist and a kick to the knee plus a punch to the head as a double finishing blow. Krigsain wasn¡¯t even fazed.


    ¡°Intuitive, instinctive, execute without thinking. One mind and no mind, I know it is hard to wrap yourself around the concept. The moment you think it, it happens and it happens without thinking any further. Again from the beginning.¡± He motioned me forward.


    Another rush. I put all my weight and momentum on each blow, stronger yet slower.


    ¡°Faster, hit the joints and the openings with proper force. Your enemies will know these arts. Learn properly and it won¡¯t matter. Not because you know it¡¯s coming, will you be able to stop it. The Reika is a whirlpool. An endless loop to trap your foe.¡±


    The rest of our sparring session was spent under these conditions. Whenever I felt like breaking down, Krigsain gave me an orgon dilution. Time seemed to flow endlessly. My entire body was aching; I couldn¡¯t breathe correctly, even walking straight was a problem.


    ¡°Time.¡± The Clamere¡¯s voice filled the air.


    She didn¡¯t look too good. She was perspiring.


    ¡°How long did we go for?¡± I asked gasping heavily.


    ¡°Technically three hours, in reality thirty hours.¡± She said.


    ¡°What?!?¡± I couldn¡¯t believe it.


    Lady Freslia showed me the crystal orb I saw before we started training. A finger over her lips, signaling her intent to keep this a secret.


    ¡®Secret training alright. These people are dangerous, way too dangerous.¡¯


    ¡°Krigsain, take your brother to his new lodgings. Thank you.¡± She gave the word.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go pub, let us talk technique and endurance while we are at it.¡± The redhead brute gave me his signature sly smile.


    With a trembling gait, we slowly made our way through the security checks and the castle corridors.


    <hr>


    My new room was spacious although aesthetically pleasing its design was tilted towards functionality. In a table inside the room, there were a couple of pills and a note written in an obviously energy infused parchment. I unfolded the papyrus.


    ¡ªIkrei these alchemical pills will help you recover mentally and physically. Take them before you sleep. They will be here every night when you return. Keep everything that happens to yourself. Sorry for placing a protective ward around your room, I know this will cause you headaches but we can never be too careful. I am watching, be strong. Akathos¡ª


    The papyrus dissolved in my hands, as I finished reading.


    ¡°These level of precautions border on insanity. Then again, artifacts that change time aren¡¯t something to humor about.¡±


    There was also a ketar next to my bed. I decided to string a few chords for a while and play the ¡®Star in the Sky¡¯. When you are exhausted sometimes you crash and can do no more, other times like today, you find a ¡®second wind¡¯. Moments, ideas and feelings blazed through my mind, fights, blood, death, fear, rage. Looking at it conspicuously, it has been very hard and negative. I was driven mostly by the instinct of survival.


    ¡°I wonder how the Zurians are training Teng.¡±


    The melody resonated around me, my little, trivial concert began. I changed the words of the song and repeated my friend¡¯s name instead.


    ¡°?Teng, Teng, Teng, Teng.?¡±


    ¡°I could use a friend right now.¡±

 CHAPTER 31

    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡°How secure is this place Akathos?¡± My master Burin asked with a serious countenance.


    ¡°We are dealing with gods here, with so many of us in one place and away from Lemuria, there¡¯s only so much I can do.¡± Lord Akathos gave an apologetic smile.


    The air inside the room felt overwhelming. I was feeling uncomfortable in my chair.


    My master, Draken, Lord Sarkan, Lord Tanin and Lord Akathos began making hand sigils and drew blood. Master Burin¡¯s olive skin shone with a blue hue. His white beard dripping a few drops of sweat unto the floor.


    ¡°FALRON!¡± They chanted in unison.


    The blood coalesced into a single point floating in the middle of our circle and then it evaporated. A very familiar energy surrounded us in the shape of a sphere, invisible yet material. The protection seal of the Andurin.


    I was excluded from the blood offering due to a certain special artifact I had been using the past days. I was drained.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time and we must avoid unintended consequences. Short and to the point.¡± Master Burin signaled Draken to speak.


    ¡°The report indicates that THEY are here. They have used one of their premiere trump cards.¡± Draken was solemn.


    ¡°If they have, it means the conflict will take years, even more than a decade, to resolve. The good thing is that we can estimate that our preparations were adequate and we have gained more time.¡± Lord Sarkan spoke with a positive tone.


    ¡°Orgis will be the main target. We will need to use our current countermeasures and come up with new ones. I¡¯ll head to Lemuria. Special seals will have to be placed on your little class Sarkan.¡± Lord Akathos gave instructions.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to Orgis, Draken go to Luz, you know what to do, return as quickly as you can. Freslia you will be in charge of security here until Akathos returns, we will reorganize our man power, I¡¯ll send you help.¡± Claimere Burin spoke firmly.


    ¡°Yes, master.¡± I politely nodded.


    ¡°Sarkan be very circumspect about your dealings with your assigned charges. They are not and cannot be allowed to fail.¡± Master Burin ordered.


    Master Burin was starting to perspirate profusely, the seal was taking its toll on him.


    ¡°Be on guard brothers. For Kotar!¡± Lord Akathos gave the final salute.


    ¡°For Kotar!¡± We answered.


    The power of the seal dissipated and with concerned expressions everyone left to their duties. Lord Akathos and I remained in the room.


    ¡°The gods seem to enjoy our little scrimmages, watching us tumble around like fools.¡± I commented.


    ¡°The world¡¯s but an evaluation of your soul. We do the best we can and let things fall where they may.¡± Lord Akathos reminded me of what he always says.


    ¡°After the assessment is over, I¡¯ll sent our string duo out for hunting.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. He is progressing suitably. Get ready to push him even harder. He¡¯ll need an anchor to sustain himself. Tell Krigsain to make preparations in advance.¡±


    I flinched at the words.


    ¡°No matter how efficient a practice is, that doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it.¡± I tried a rebuke.


    ¡°Get over your preconceptions, we are at war. There is little time for him.¡± Akathos countered.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get on it. Krigsain will be over the moon.¡±


    I stood and prepared to leave with a slight nod. A set of pills flew into my hands as I straightened myself.


    ¡°This!?¡± I was taken aback.


    I had at least, ten premium magicraft alchemical pills between my fingers.


    ¡°I know you took the soul artifact to help him. Consider this my gratitude, but do notify me next time.¡± Akathos elaborated.


    I had taken the soul artifact from his study. I was the only other person with access to his personally sealed space in the castle.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°You have eyes everywhere. Kind of ironic that you complain about the gods lurking over us.¡± I pointed out.


    ¡°I just try to follow my maker that¡¯s all. Keep up the good work.¡± Lord Akathos waved his hand.


    ¡°By your order.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help the distaste in my mouth, I didn¡¯t like the order I was about to give but if I didn¡¯t, my future midnight training sessions would become hellish torture. I involuntarily shuddered a little.


    <hr>


    Several days later¡­


    I was looking at the trade convoys in the distance that were approaching the castle. Our trade partners were coming to deliver specialty goods in exchange for the mined orgon crystals and other rare metals. Not even the drought of light nor the threat of war could stop the covetous merchants¡¯ hands.


    ¡®Why do the factions fight feverishly for orgon mines? Because orgon is not only key for all magical, alchemical and awakening processes but also behaves like a plant. As long as you take proper care of the environment where it is located, the crystals will grow again. The blessing of the gods for some, the curse of the gods for others.¡¯


    ¡°Lady Freslia, there¡¯s an urgent communication signal from the underground facility.¡± Darin notified me hurriedly from behind.


    With Akathos¡¯ absence, Darin was in charge of all incoming and outgoing magical communications. There weren¡¯t many, we could use our powers to communicate short messages that cover several furlongs among the hierarchy and high ranking Kotari. The usage of magical devices meant an extremely large distance.


    ¡®Maybe I need to invest some funds into a crafter company that dwells in intercontinental magical transfers. It¡¯s quite the boon nowadays.¡¯


    ¡°Lead the way.¡± I ordered quickly picking up the pace.


    After going through the security checks and the mechanical platform, we arrived at the second deepest level of our fortress.


    ¡°I¡¯ll set up the connection. The arrays will activate in a minute.¡± Darin went near the control room. Using his cores, he activated the mechanism.


    I stepped forward inside a disc like platform with many sigils superimposed over each other. The same energy of the seal encompassed me, a hundred times stronger.


    ¡°Who could it be? The Patriarch? The King?¡± I wondered.


    ¡°Freslia.¡± The powerful voice dispelled all doubts.


    ¡°Archsage.¡±


    ¡°There is little time, listen closely. Temporal fluctuations have been detected, we are being targeted extensively in a very meticulous manner. You need to ramp up security immediately. Our enemies will target Malaktaraf.¡±


    ¡°We deduced as much as well. Master Burin went to Orgis because of this reason. There must be extenuating circumstances from your end my sage.¡±


    ¡°As long as Orgis stands, even if they hide masterfully, we will catch the scurrying phoenixes long enough to take appropriate measures. They will target our defensive mechanism to obliterate the castle, cut off our portal devices and/or target our saplings.¡±


    ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll redouble our efforts.¡±


    ¡°Freslia, there¡¯s a deviator among you right now. Find that person and bring that traitor here. Once I uncover the secrets our victory will be assured.¡±


    ¡°A deviator? We have taken the ritual oath, the entire castle personnel are accounted for and handpicked by Akathos, my sage.¡± I was clearly troubled.


    ¡°As you know, this is not your normal conflict Freslia, the future of the Andurin hangs in the balance. The intervention of the gods is recognizable. The flow of time must be preserved delicately, the actions of the leadership must continue as they are, you must be successful with what you have at your disposal.¡±


    ¡°We need to weed out a very cumbersome rat.¡±


    ¡°Freslia, I know your need to protect Krigsain and Eriel clouded your judgement in the forest and lost to the Zigurs, don¡¯t let it happen again.¡±


    I nodded silently.


    ¡®Akathos was already admonishing me enough with every spar.¡¯


    ¡°Akathos cannot be by your side for now, he must do other things, take action urgently my child.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Archsage.¡±


    The sigils and the arrays deactivated, the communication seal dispersed. I made my way out swiftly.


    ¡°Darin to the undercroft armory, now!¡±


    We arrived at the armory in just a few breaths. Opening the guarding seal of the special weapons section I took out a box with a set of fifty crystal beads. Dark blue sphere crystals with a very small red line in the center, half a thumb in size. I took twenty-four of them.  With a wave of my hand, they floated around me.


    I sprinkled blood on each one of them. The beads reacted absorbing the blood.


    ¡°Take these beads and give them to each one of our Sachears.  Tell them, they are to have them with them at all times, if they are in danger they are to crush them. We will explain later. Additionally, tell Lord Tanin to check and double check the magical wards and protection devices like the barrier system. If he complains, tell him I am acting on behalf of the Archsage.¡±


    Darin had a worried expression but nodded at my words.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be at your master¡¯s sealed spaced study, come find me, we will comb through the records, I¡¯ll need your help. On the double!¡± I ordered.


    Darin left so fast, he seemed to be an afterimage.


    About fifteen minutes later, I found myself looking over every registry we had on the people inside the castle. Record keeping and detailed examination of anything other than war tactics and stratagems has never been my forte.


    ¡°Claimere! Claimere!¡± Darin shouted from the other side of the space.


    I opened the magical rift for him.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Since Darin was shouting it could only mean brewing problems.


    ¡°I informed Lord Tanin and I delivered the beads to all the Sachears I could find. Six are missing. You are not going to like it.¡±


    ¡®How? The barrier is infused with the Will. The castle is filled with wards. How could they leave without traces? There is no way we can get caught off guard.¡¯


    ¡°Who are they?¡± I was already having a terrible premonition.


    ¡°Krigsain, Ciel, Kletay, Iru, Puri and Ikrei my lady.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s the answer.¡± I was in the process of expressing pure ire, my veins bulging uncontrollably.


    ¡®This is a cosmic game; it is beyond our understanding. The capriciousness of the Will.¡¯


    The recollection of Akathos¡¯ words haunted me.


    ¡°I did tell Krigsain to make preparations ahead of time, he¡¯ll just say he was following orders. Gurnir! Shit!¡± I cursed.


    ¡°Bring two of your trusted brothers, call sister Kuyun. We will set out as a search party. Suit up properly. Have Lord Sarkan put the castle on lockdown until we return.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡± Darin saluted and ran like a magically infused gazelle.


    ¡°It is time to wear proper armor, just in case.¡±


    I left for my private quarters.

 CHAPTER 32

    Krigsain P.O.V.


    I took our little gang to the nearby town, Klerolain. We used a carriage service that was nearby the limits of the barrier of Malaktaraf. Transportation was something premium merchants could never do without when it came to orgon crystals. It cost a pretty penny, thirty Ucra. We were sitting in the premiere Andurian establishment, Klerolain Tavern, having some drinks.


    ¡°This is far bigger than just a tavern.¡± Ikrei commented sipping some blegar juice.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it started off, a tavern, as you can see it grew to be so much more.¡± Iru the perennial teacher spoke.


    ¡°I want to thank you all for coming out and trusting me. If any of you want to back out, now it is the time to say so.¡± I gave the group one final warning.


    ¡°As long as I can meet a proper beautiful wife, I¡¯ll consider the risks worth it.¡± Our last addition Puri spoke expectantly.


    ¡°You become Kotari, I¡¯ll get you your ideal muse partner from the houses of Lemuria, remember there will be disadvantages.¡± I answered.


    ¡°We live longer, consider normal people and the situation. You will probably have to wait until the conflict is over, you don¡¯t want your loved ones to be dragged into this.¡± Iru declared.


    ¡°Five years ago I was making shoes, now I sit with you, just make sure she¡¯s exactly as you described her, chosen one.¡± Puri sipped his drink.


    I nodded. The uncomfortable gaze in Ciel¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    ¡°In the midst of war, having women flock around should be a cause for celebration.¡± Puri said.


    ¡°Bring this man a drink! Thruskan, I am paying!¡± I offered effervescently.


    The nearby waiter ran for the bottle. He was going to get a pretty nice commission from that sale.


    ¡°You are a very intriguing prospect, perfect for alchemical studies. A ringleader who has no mana.¡± Kletay expressed with her wine cup.


    ¡°You sure you are content with your arrangement?¡± I asked the female bookworm.


    ¡°Following a truly blessed of the Will is its own reward. You created an undetectable fissure on a millennial barrier. I would like to see more, of everything.¡± Kletay smiled.


    ¡°Ikrei my man! You ready?¡±


    ¡°As much as a beansprout can be. I cannot be much more than a burden just like Puri.¡± He was having second thoughts, clearly worried.


    ¡°Trust your training, my man.¡± I reminded him.


    He nodded.


    ¡°Krigsain is bait, we are insurance. They will take the bait if six of us are gathered. They must know we are here by now.¡± Ciel explained.


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish up here. Now, we are going to catch an extremely elusive serpent.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t the Will simply tell you who and where? You know, instead of doing this?¡± Ikrei asked.


    ¡°The blessings of the gods counter each other. There are other limitations but that¡¯s a long and boring explanation that we will do without for now.¡± Iru said.


    ¡°Explanations always come later with these people.¡± Ikrei said to Puri.


    I placed five small cubed artifacts on our table. Ciel and Iru looked surprised.


    ¡°These are the Will infused glyph cubes I told you about, they will protect your life from a single attack of any kind. Wear them under your clothes. They will self-activate at the crucial moment. Let¡¯s do as we discussed in the carriage.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s find out how big that serpent is, Krigs.¡± Ciel stood up and her bow materialized from her temporal ring.


    ¡°Next time we are here, let¡¯s have some fun together.¡± I said urging the group outside.


    The bottle of Thurskan disappeared into Puri¡¯s temporal ring and so did 100 more Ucra.


    ¡°The price of sincerity, chosen.¡± Iru patted me in the back.


    ¡°Go all out book man.¡± He nodded with soberness.


    <hr>


    We walked merrily through the streets towards a small shrine of the Will on top a small hill. We all pretended to silently meditate.


    [You should have told them they could die young one.]


    [Worry and fear will only hinder them. Didn¡¯t you say the fluctuations were severe?] I questioned.


    [Powerful fluctuations detected, unknown. Three blessings of Beltor. They are coming.]


    [Kazardim? Not Zigurs? How far are the reinforcements?] I asked hurriedly.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    [Thirty breaths.]


    ¡°Ciel!¡± I ordered.


    In a single motion, Ciel¡¯s arrow pierced the sky. The Andurian call for help. A raven like roar resounded in the clouds as the blue energy arrow dispersed.


    [She¡¯ll be here in sixteen breaths. They will be here in two. Brace yourself.]


    [They think they can kill the rest in less than ten breaths. Infuse all the power you can.]


    My brand new artifact sword materialized from my temporal ring. My eyes shone bright red. My senses magnified in all directions.


    [Where are they?] I looked around everywhere.


    [Temporal fluctuations increasing. Airborne young one.]


    A bird, a four winged gigantic bird I had never seen before speeding through the air amidst the clouds. My Will infused vision saw it clearly, the beast was made of mana or something akin to it. An ethereal beast. The four that were riding the beast made a beeline to our position. A death dive.


    My body exploded with all the power it could muster, my cores pulsating. My glove artifact shining its blue hue. One upward strike with all my might. My orgon infused metal alloy met the diving cloaked enemy head on.


    BOOOM!


    The ground opened up in all directions, rocks and dirt splattering. The little shrine was no more. My feet were sunken into the debris. My opponent was kneeling and his cloak spread out touching the remains. His hand appeared from within his robes. He threw charges at me.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    I sliced through a few charges with my sword and a couple of others with an energy blast from my glove while retreating.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The other three Kazardim also had orgon charges with them. I heard the screams of fear from our future ladies¡¯ man, Puri. Iru and Kletay had created a dual barrier protecting Puri, Ikrei and the bookworms from the blast.


    ZIIING!


    Ciel¡¯s arrow hit the target perfectly but they were prepared. A magic barrier disintegrated but her Kazardim foe was unharmed. She was slightly hurt from the initial explosion caused by the opening dive by the opposing quartet.


    [Four breaths young one.]


    [Only four? No choice then.]


    ¡°Iru!¡± I roared signaling a change in strategy.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go Ikrei!¡±


    Iru¡¯s barrier evaporated in an instant. He charged towards the closest Kazardim he saw. Ikrei was following close behind. Ciel was evading the energy attacks of the other hooded blessed of Beltor. The slashes were creating cracks all over the ground. Kletay was resisting orgonid charge explosions and energy slashes on her sphere shield, the magical construct was showing a pronounced cleft. She was puffing heavily.


    ¡°You can do it sister!¡± Puri cheered her on with a worried face.


    I could hear, feel and see everything with my heightened senses. My unrelenting opponent threw even more orgonid charges my way, eight. He added four floating mana bolts that shot forth like the wind.


    [Five breaths.]


    ¡°ANAM KALIN DES GLAOH!¡± I chanted unifying my soul with my cores.


    ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING! BOOOM! ZIIING!


    Charging forward, I executed my own version of Freslia¡¯s blade dance. Taking the brunt of the explosions, I bled. Nevertheless, my exquisite sword and my technique deflected the mana bolts and a couple of charges.


    [Not perfect control, the bolts dissipated upon deflection.]


    Up close, it was clear that my foe was of eastern descent but with green eyes.


    ¡°Die!¡± He shouted.


    Three more bolts materialized while he swung his blade beaming with kinetic power. I used my glove to intercept the slash and the energy strike. I used my elbow to block one of the bolts, evaded the other two; my body was strengthened by the chant but not enough to avoid bleeding again.


    The mana bolts did not turn for an attack on my blind spot, they exploded behind me. He was trying to cause a stun, a stagger effect.


    [Careful. Materialization behind you.]


    With my other hand and my sword, without looking, I let the Will guide me. I blocked two more bolts coming from behind. They almost cracked my skull open like a watermelon. A half turn later with a downward slash, my opponent blocked my counter with his bare hand.


    [Keep an eye on that beast for me. The feeling of dread is almost palpable; it wants to strike.]


    The beast had gone invisible.


    I let go of my sword, rolled backwards and released the sealing artifacts I had prepared. I didn¡¯t know if it was going to work, this guy was a bag of tricks.


    [Mana manipulation, blade control, strength and an ethereal beast?]


    [He is like you, you will have to make him unconscious to find out.]


    The restrictive energy sphere formed around the two of us, the same tactic the princess applied during our rescue. A sudden surge of energy encompassed the sphere. With only one hand, my adversary tore my new sword into pieces. He didn¡¯t seem to be preoccupied in the slightest.


    ¡°Lord Sarkan is not going to be happy.¡±


    My opponent gesticulated towards me.


    ¡°Come!¡± He was grinning.


    [Seven breaths.]


    Seven mana bolts materialized, floating near the dark cloaked green eyed nemesis.


    I took a Reika stance and prepared for an all-out brawl.


    [Fluctuations are intensifying even more.]


    [The consequences of my choice, huh?]


    This time I received no reply, I exhaled deeply, I could sense the crackling of rocks and the total absence of wind. I stormed with all my strength.


    [Nine breaths.]


    ¡°AELZIR!¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®Why am I foolishly running towards death by my own choice? Because of the promise Krigsain made to me the night before. If he can do it, then I can live with the consequences.¡¯


    Iru was running ahead of me, straight into the enemy. The heat from his bluish flames was scorching, even being several steps behind didn¡¯t stop the fire in my cheeks. As Krigsain foresaw, we have to be swift when charging stronger or more prepared rivals.


    ¡®We have two breaths, maybe.¡¯


    ¡°This better work.¡±


    ¡°LOIZG!¡± Iru chanted.


    The flames unified and expanded into a single pillar of infernal matter, it surrounded the dark cloaked foe.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Kinetic energy slashes came through the fire. Iru blocked one with a small frontal greenish barrier. Deflected the other one with a blade coming from his temporal ring. The weapon disintegrated.


    All the brutish training was bearing fruit. I could sustain an ¡®awakened state¡¯ for a couple of moments, with my pitiful unstable latent core.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    The world slowed down for a split second. I evaded the energy blast and pushed forward. The opposing bastard targeted me. He was bursting through the flames, cloak sweltering.


    ¡°Please, please work.¡±


    With my remaining hyper focused state, I dived into the enemy attack, right hand at the ready.


    ¡®I¡¯m not much of a praying person but I hope that the Will is listening.¡¯


    I glanced back at Iru with a ¡®Don¡¯t you dare fuck up!¡¯ expression.


    We couldn¡¯t just overpower an awakened fighter, so we had to make do with artifacts and charges. I knew things weren¡¯t going to go exactly as planned, I was exacerbated. The cloaked bastard was thinking the same thing. I saw how he threw charges my way with a couple of energy slashes for good measure.


    I freed the charges stored in my temporal ring, they were on a preset state to explode upon release. Iru threw his charges from his ring as well, he had to time it with godly precision.


    ¡®I¡¯m trusting you, you read head muscle brain!¡¯


    The massive conflagration from the combined orgonid charges reacting to mine in a chain effect, it felt like being compressed into a can and also like sand grains in the wind.


    ¡°MOTHERFUCKING SHIIIT!!!¡±


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    ¡°AAAHHHH!¡±

 CHAPTER 33

    Ciel P.O.V.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    I evaded an energy kinetic blast for the fifth time.


    ¡®This nuisance¡¯s energy reserves are not on the average side.¡¯


    I was obviously at a disadvantage. The pressure was intense, the opposing woman kept me from using my bow by being up close and personal.


    SWISH! SWISH!


    The area behind me sustained two clearly visibly carved lines on the ground from the attack I had just dodged.


    ¡°She¡¯s too fast!¡±


    Untying it from my back, I made a let handed throw of my hidden artifact dagger as I rolled on the floor. She didn¡¯t even bother to block, a greenish barrier appeared. She was coming in for the kill.


    ¡®Magic swordswoman? This is not a serpent but the tail of a dragon, you prick!¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t help but curse my red bonehead friend to the seven depths. I made a regrettable but necessary decision. I let the enemy charge reach me fully, pretending to use my bow for a shot. I pulled the Will infused artifact I had placed as a necklace on myself. I was hoping my bluff would cause the swordswoman to flinch or something but no dice.


    ¡®An artifact arrow shot should scare you a little, you bitch!¡¯


    The attack was forthcoming, instead of a slash or a set of orgonid charges from a temporal ring, she used a kinetic palm strike and a kinetic slash simultaneously. Two different kinds of energy waves besieged me. She had a magic barrier for defense. Smart, very smart.


    One of the good things of following Krigs, are his blessings as a beloved of the Will. The truly blessed ones of all faiths, paths and practices differ from each other considerably depending on their given talents. Birth, experience, predisposition, personality and many other distinguishing features. Krigsain can infuse objects with the Will, this is far from normal. In short, the beloved ones of this world are magnificent individualistic manifestations of the gods.


    ¡®Maybe this is one of the reasons the eldership values him so much. The jerk never revealed anything until yesterday. What more are you hiding?¡¯


    SWISH! DOOONG!


    I used my bow to block the energy slash with my left hand. The metal suffered from the impact, it remained usable. I took the palm strike head on. My armor tattered, even the orgon infused metal parts were showing crevices and small holes. I bled some more. She was strong.


    ¡°Sorry grandfather.¡±


    From the temporal ring on my right hand, I materialized a teleportation glyph my grandpa had bestowed upon me before departing. They are rare, I¡¯m not a princess nor a high elder of the factions. I cannot afford these things and use them willy-nilly. This was an escape device for emergencies.


    I waited for the detestable woman¡¯s finishing blow. A powerful downward strike encircling an area of several cubits. I threw the Will infused artifact with the precision worthy of the Thresen name, directly into the swords¡¯ metal. As promised, the artifact suctioned the blow and its energy upon contact. Simultaneously, I activated the other glyph and rolled it just close enough to her descending boot. The device activated, she was suctioned inside.


    A fading scream was overheard. I nailed the limb of my weapon into the soil to withstand the pulling force. I held on for dear life. I was too close to the portal, so close that my broken boot flew into the rift before it closed.


    ¡®She should be at least a hundred furlongs away.¡¯


    ¡°Hope that boot hits you, bitch!¡±


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Explosions made the ground shake. A quick glance and Kletay was fending off charges and a couple of revolving flying double bladed scimitars that were tearing into her barrier.


    ¡®Magic swordswoman, flying scimitars? These guys are definitively not from this continent.¡¯


    ¡°DAELIN!¡± Iru¡¯s chant reached my ears.


    A streak of lightning went forth from his hand. The cloud of dirt and rocks caused by the previous explosions didn¡¯t let me see what he was aiming for. Ikrei was being expelled like an arrow from within the blast area, crashing unto the hard ground with several spins like a broken wheel.


    When the dust settled Iru threw the sealing artifacts he had acquired the night before. A very expensive endeavor. A restricting protective dome formed on top of the unconscious unhooded man. Our red-haired leader is going to owe us considerably when this matter is resolved. The bluish purple lightning strike had knocked Iru¡¯s target unconscious. Promptly, the Magi of Liria fainted as well.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡®No matter how many times I see it, that magic is amazing. I better not tell him I have seen him practice it in secret many occasions.¡¯


    ¡°I should help Kletay.¡±


    A loud, shriek filled the air.


    The beast that arrived overpowering with the four serpents crashed into the protective dome that was where Krigs was fighting. It looked smaller in size but more energy was pulsating from it. It could be felt easily. A breath later, the dome broke like shattering crystal.


    ¡®Magical beast? An ethereal beast? Krigs, what have you gotten us into?¡¯


    The beast became invisible. Krigs was in trouble, he had energy rods going through his extremities. Probably from a blessing, godly power, he wasn¡¯t healing or anything. The shriek came again, another swoop.


    ¡°ANAM KALIN DES GLAOH!¡±


    My soul merged with my cores, my eyes became crystal clear. I could see the beast attacking, even in its invisibility state.


    ¡®Being born in the Thresen bloodline has its irreplaceable boons. Thank you great Will.¡¯


    I pointed my bow in its direction infusing all my power into the mastercraft weapon. It transformed into an arrow, a true artifact arrow. The soul bow appeared around it, the secret technique of the Thresen marksmen.  Energy surrounding an artifact instead of an artifact supporting a materialized bolt.


    I fired.


    ZIIIIIING!


    A beautiful line of blue and silver energy traversed the air. Half a breath later, the bird shrieked in agony. Perfect hit. The bird vanished from sight, it wasn¡¯t dead but that shot did what it was intended for, to stall for time.


    ¡°You owe me two mastercraft artifacts, second rate womanizer!¡±


    I fainted, falling like a ragdoll.


    <hr>


    Krigsain P.O.V.


    [Eleven breaths.]


    [Kletay is in trouble, if she dies, the rest die too.]


    [The bolts are encrusted; the wounds won¡¯t heal. They are a mixture of mana and a blessing. Do it!]  I ordered.


    [He is similar to you; his god will help him too.]


    [We just need time, do it now!]


    I charged at my foe filled with my blessing to the brim. He countered with a charge and an energy slash. He was willing to take some damage as long as he castigated me for every attack. Three bolts hovered around him unused. Ruthless.


    SWISH! BOOOM!


    I was bleeding even more but my fist reached him.


    BANG!


    I felt his energy barrier crackle, pushing through, his arm cracked. A brutal punish through his armor.


    ¡®My blessings are greater since I have no mana. Hope you like that dumbass!¡¯


    [It¡¯s not technically a blessing.]


    [You want me to lose? Blabber later!] I retaliated angrily.


    The sequence repeated a couple more times. I was on the losing end of the tradeoff but I was gaining ground. A shriek that caused a severe trembling, I almost lost my footing. The restrictive dome from my artifacts became tiny pieces of mana.


    [And there¡¯s the help. Shouldn¡¯t you get serious now?]


    [Probability of someone watching?] I asked.


    [Probability of occurrence is 70%.]


    I refused to give up even if I had miscalculated the difficulty.


    [Just help me with the sword, infuse ALL power into the cores.] My final order.


    [Thirteen breaths.]


    Another enormous shriek but the attack never came.


    SWISH! SWISH! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    My cores were pulsating fiercely, about to break. I couldn¡¯t handle the amount of power for long.


    ¡®One and a half breath, maybe.¡¯


    A perfect Reika continuous motion later, I punched true again.


    SWISH! BOOOM! CLASH!


    My glove artifact was useless, it became smithereens. The explosions and the energy slashes took the wind out of me. The punch broke my enemy¡¯s weapons into shards; he had used them to form a double block. My blessings provided me with an extreme pain mitigation, otherwise it would have been already over. He stepped back and with a turn evaded the brunt of my one handed assault.


    From my temporal ring, my trusty old sword materialized pointing perfectly in the direction of the green eyed menace¡¯s heart. With my free hand, I held the grip with all my strength and circulating the blessing into the fuller, I connected.  Perfect execution, my sword penetrated cleanly into his heart with a kinetic charged tip. I smiled.


    My rival targeted my neck with another blade, he probably released it from his temporal ring as well. My Will infused artifact protected me from the deadly cut, the blade¡¯s metal disintegrated like sand grains.


    ¡®I guess his spare wasn¡¯t as good as mine.¡¯


    The three air suspended bolts targeted me simultaneously. I blocked the one aiming for my temple with my hand. I had two bolts on my extremity. One in my hand and another in my forearm. The other two inserted themselves into my heart, shattering my second core. There was nothing I could do, they flew in from my injured blindside and we were too close.


    This is what an actual brawl between awakened equals looks like. Thankfully, the townsfolk were unscathed.


    ¡°Braver than most as expected, then again not so bright.¡±


    The words of my opposition confounded me. He had a sword in his heart after all.


    [Fourteen breaths.]


    A sudden tempest formed around the area. Through the dwindling power of my blessing, I could see two strangely shaped blades coming at us with an impossible speed, oscillating wildly.  I recognized those weapons, the Augirscythe. She was here.


    The ethereal beast descended upon my antagonist, embracing him. It became far smaller than it had looked previously. In less than a second with an explosive burst, they disappeared. The magical beast was glaring with eyes full of hatred.


    The intense squealing sound finally reached near my position just where the dumbass had been. The rocks and the soil erupted in all directions everywhere. I was sent flying through the air by the expansive wave of the mana blades.


    With an extremely loud thud and pain coursing through my body, I laid there amidst the rubble looking at the sky. The mana bolts nailing me in place. More clashes and explosions were heard. I wasn¡¯t able to tell what was happening or how long it took.


    [Fluctuations are changing; the ebb is stabilizing. You¡¯ll need to start over, you lost a core but you bought more time for your brothers and sisters. Kletay is seriously injured. This outcome can be considered acceptable, young one.]


    The wind felt particularly cold, my lips were covered in blood. I could not move, not even convulse. Freslia¡¯s face appeared in my field of vision. She had an incredibly murderous countenance.


    ¡°Darin, come take a look at your suffering brother over here.¡± She was obviously infuriated beyond reason.


    [Can¡¯t you tell them that what we do is for the Andurin, Great One?]


    [There¡¯s a reason the gods have mouthpieces young one. Why don¡¯t you tell them yourself? Of course that would mean that you will have to reveal who you truly are.]


    ¡°You and I are going to have a very long discussion chosen one.¡±


    [Do something, tell the Archsage.] I begged and I loathe begging.


    [Above all things choice, this was your choice. This is the first precept.]


    ¡°Oh fuck.¡± I was frustrated.


    ¡°You have the energy to complain, that is good to know.¡± Freslia worded icily.


    ¡®The Will really likes to get me in trouble with women.¡¯

 CHAPTER 34

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Feel the flow of energy through your body. Keep circulating until it becomes second nature. Learn to do it when you walk, eat and practice your arts. Now, let¡¯s try again with the ketar.¡± Sister Kuyun gave me the instrument.


    I set up with the instrument as I had been doing for the past several days. Fingers softly placed upon the strings.


    ¡°Now circulate your energy and play a note.¡±


    I dis as instructed trying to delicately transmit my energy from my fingers and into the ketar. The process felt like placing a drop of water on the string and letting it flow through it. I don¡¯t have vast amounts of energy, in fact, my reserves can be summarized as a quarter of a tea cup. Basically nothing, only enough for a couple of proper blows.


    TWANG!


    I played a single note and the string broke again. This was the 360<sup>th</sup> time that the first string got damaged. I tried with the remaining six, it happened again each time. Sister Kuyun handed me another ketar while she started replacing the broken strings.


    ¡°I cannot impart the technique directly into your consciousness, you must learn to control your very irregular flow as it is. Proper control is just as important as the amount of energy or the quality of it. These three things make a strong foundation for your core.¡± She patiently explained.


    ¡®I¡¯m driving an old horse with a cart on a high speed track.¡¯


    Whatever the interference was, it was impeding the natural flow inside my body. Thus, making everything tens of times harder. We kept at it for several hours, having breaks between playing the strings, learning more chords, a few songs and meditating. Rinse and repeat in a continuous circuit. Whenever I got tired I ate a little bit of jerky or used an orgon dilution. We were in one of the special underground training circles that were used for combat training.


    Hours passed, time flew by like the blink of an eye. Somehow, the activity was tedious yet satisfying.


    ¡®I guess I do like playing the little toy.¡¯


    The formation of my core was as far away as my awakening was. One would not happen without the other due to the interference. Thinking of one thing while doing another was also part of my training. So while meditating, I did let my thoughts wander a bit. I wanted to ask Iru about core development, magicians and other stuff, especially about the concept of dantians and the cultivators.


    I liked sister Kuyun but If I asked her, she would say, ¡°Let¡¯s train some more and I¡¯ll tell you as a reward.¡±


    Like this, even more hours passed.


    Eventually, I played a note successfully. The string sounded harmoniously for once. Sister Kuyun gave me a beaming smile. The result of several days¡¯ worth of painful effort.


    ¡°About time.¡± A lotus seated Freslia worded looking haggard.


    The time dilation device she was holding deactivated. Over the past days, we had accumulated over one thousand hours of continuous practice.


    ¡®What a monster.¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t think of any other adjective to describe her.


    ¡°Thank you, lady Freslia.¡± I politely said.


    ¡°Your little shenanigans have caused quite a stir. You still need a couple of more days to recuperate fully from those internal injuries. Keep training your soul music until you are considered proficient by sister Kuyun.¡± She stood up slowly to depart.


    ¡°By your order.¡± We answered simultaneously.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to attend the weekly gathering of Io?l, communing with the source will help you stabilize a little. Iru will be your training partner until the troublemaker returns. The matter has not been properly addressed yet. The elders are not happy. The itineraries have been changed to account for your little ploy. Sarkan¡¯s class will be in three days.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°¡­And Ikrei, do not pull this kind of shit again!¡± Walking away with her back towards us she gesticulated a dismissal. Her angry shout reverberated.


    I just put my head down, having nothing to say.


    ¡®You better be right muscle mass.¡¯


    ¡°Tomorrow, we train on soul music. Your energy control must become exceptional.¡± Sister Kuyun commented by my side.


    ¡°How is everyone by the way?¡± I asked.


    ¡°You should go visit them, it should be a nice break.¡±


    After asking for directions, I headed towards the healing arts chambers, the third tower underground facilities.


    <hr>


    ¡°So what¡¯s going on?¡± I asked my new training partner.


    ¡°Our redhead chick magnet is recuperating. He woke up a couple of days ago.¡±


    We were waiting for our turn to go into his room. We were on the other side of a two-way mirror barrier. The princess was talking to Krigsain.  To my right, Ciel looked like she wanted to puke.


    ¡°She has been coming every day since our little scuffle.¡± Iru told me.


    ¡®You got to hand it to Mr. Library here. He really knows how to downplay a life and dead confrontation.¡¯


    ¡°You guys are feeling alright now?¡±


    ¡°Core exhaustion, we overextended ourselves considerably, but it is fine coop.¡± Ciel answered bending her fingers into a fist.


    ¡°You did good bookie; I am still alive.¡± I said to Iru trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Yes I did, you can trust me with such minor calculations.¡± He gesticulated a wide explosion with his hands.


    ¡°Those unintentional cartwheels were quite eye catching.¡± Ciel commented with a smirk.


    The barrier vibrated signaling that we had been authorized to walk through. The princess and her personal guard exchanged pleasantries with us and quickly disappeared from sight.


    ¡°You owe us considerably pricks, I mean, Krigs.¡± Ciel¡¯s opening line was a doozy.


    ¡°A couple of mastercarftsman artifacts. You owe her a bow, chosen. Kletay is under strict supervision, no visitors.¡± Iru added.


    Lying on his bed, Krigsain didn¡¯t look too surprised by it. He simply nodded.


    ¡°Thank you guys. Especially you, Ikrei; since we haven¡¯t known each other for too long.¡± He gave us his signature playboy smile.


    ¡°Just come through for me and we will call it even.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I will my man, I promise it will all be worth it soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Those bastards were quite a handful, I hope the one we captured is worth it, as you say.¡± Ciel was seriously pissed.


    ¡°We cannot talk freely here about what we discussed before, not until I regain my previous state.¡± Krigsain told us.


    ¡°How bad is it?¡± Ciel asked worryingly.


    ¡°It¡¯s manageable, I¡¯ll get a four thousand-year herb from the princess. I¡¯ll be good to go in no time.¡± Krigsain revealed his solution.


    The puking face appeared again on our female marksman.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sorry for doing what is needed. But I am sorry for what you guys are about to go through, our little excursion has accelerated the plans of the elders.¡±


    The three of us had worried and inquisitive countenances.


    ¡°Training is about to ramp up considerably. Say Ikrei, do you know why they call the orgon swallowing beasts, fearbeasts?¡±


    ¡®Love, peace, hate, fear, regret, desire and the Will. This is the core of true mastery.¡¯


    My master¡¯s words, appeared in my mind. Another realization hit me.


    ¡°I have a bad premonition about this. The seven precept, right?¡± I asked our resident connection to the Will.


    ¡°Throwing yourself head first into multiple orgonid charges would make anyone think you are a man without fear. They have decided to gauge the depths of your resolve sooner. Get ready.¡±


    I stood there silently observing the man who had caused all of this.


    ¡®The only reason I jumped into an explosion was due to my fear of death not because I am unafraid. This is what happens when your master is not around. Others take attributions they are unqualified for.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll see to it your lioness.¡± I sarcastically countered.


    Ciel and Iru laughed without reserve. Krigsain did look pretty well kept inside the healing ward.


    ¡®From the right angle and a little light, he definitively would pass for a girl right now.¡¯


    ¡°Hey! I am nothing but a very energetic king of beasts. Male, you numbnut!¡± Krigsain definitively hated that his manhood was being questioned.


    ¡°Lioness do grow manes; I am a hunter you know.¡± I said as I turned to leave.


    I had a small inkling on how the next phase of my training would go, I just didn¡¯t want to acknowledge it. I needed to prepare.


    ¡°Let me pass you a glass of water, your lioness.¡±  I could hear Ciel¡¯s mocking tone from a distance.


    ¡°No by no means, allow me to clean your precious paws.¡± Iru joined in on the fun. He casted some form of a spell.


    A flash later, a floating image of Krigsain looking effeminate materialized in the room. The trick was so impressive that I just watched rooted to the spot unwilling to depart just yet.


    The image disappeared into a crystal like bead Iru was holding. He threw it to Ciel when the process was done.


    ¡°Who knew the artifacts I purchased for our encounter, would be used like this. Three hundred Ucra, Miss Thresen.¡± The bookworm named his price.


    ¡°IKREI!¡± Shouted the convalescing chosen one.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and see my other fellow musician.¡±


    I left with a spring on my step. I felt the immediate need to play my ketar.

 CHAPTER 35

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Please open your boxes, Sachears.¡±


    We opened the small boxes given by the Kotari around our classroom. There was a pearl like bead, not much different from the one given by Claimere Freslia. Everyone was waiting for further instructions. Puri, Kletay and Krigsain were missing.


    ¡°Place a drop of blood on the magic device.¡± We did as instructed.


    ¡°They are projection devices that work like a floating mirror; where the instructions I have personally prepared for each one of you will appear. The blood has bound the items to you and to me. You just need to transfer a wisp of your energy into it for the pearl to activate. Read them in your rooms.¡±


    We silently nodded.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk secrets of the world.¡±


    ¡°Can someone tell me what is the ultimate goal of awakening?¡± Lord Sarkan asked the class.


    ¡°Ascension, to leave this world, sir.¡± A dark skinned, curly haired Sachear answered.


    ¡°And how old is this world?¡± He posed a question again.


    ¡°Over ten thousand years, sage.¡± A girl responded.


    Lord Sarkan accented and went into a monologue.


    ¡°We expect you to become prominent kotari, elders and for a couple of you, even sages. Therefore, let me clarify a few things that you wouldn¡¯t know unless you become an elder. For starters, this world of Ladnahlayr, is over seventy thousand years old.¡±


    Most gasped, the Dogran guy was the only one who nodded calmly.


    ¡°The world has been shaped and reshaped, built and destroyed many times over. Why do you think people use carts, mount horses and we use carriages? With such a vast period of time, the development of the world should be far more advanced in certain aspects than it currently is. The main reason is control.¡±


    He was looking around making sure his words were being comprehended.


    ¡°The development has been intentionally skewed towards magic. Engineering, alchemy and all other disciplines have been directed with the intent to preserve the majority of the ruling power in the hands of the shadow factions. This is the tacit agreement that is in place. The development of magic is far more resource intensive than any other area and among many other fail saves, the common people are shackled through these methods.¡±


    ¡®Does this mean the shadow factions talk to each other? They can agree to screw over the little guy but are willing to trample on their fellow awakened. This world is bullshit!¡¯


    I was getting angry but I couldn¡¯t show it.


    ¡°Our conflicts are always difficult and curiously enough, they only continue to increase in complexity. The appearance of beloved ones and blessed ones are proofs of the upcoming major war.¡±


    Sarkan pointed at the empty seat where Krigsain should had been and then to the Dogran guy.


    ¡°Today, I¡¯ll tell you one of those sensitive topics with a little story. Once there was an elder of our order that defected and became a servant of Zur. He grew tired of reincarnating and watching his beloved ones die over and over. War, struggle, deceit, many things afflicted his heart. He wanted to ascend, he was done. And in exchange for many of our secrets and his area of expertise, Zur offered help. He betrayed us and our blades couldn¡¯t reach him, the intervention of Zur prevented it.¡±


    Murmurs immediately broke through the classroom.


    ¡®What about the binding? The oaths, the rituals? Sensitive topics alright.¡¯


    ¡°Ugra Ladnah, the Revealing of Ladnah or as it is known to all factions, the trial of the gods. This trial allows for someone to change allegiances from one god to another in a current life.¡±


    The murmurs intensified, even Ciel and Iru looked perturbed. The Dogran guy was the only one that was impassive. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°You have to be a being of special interest for the intervening gods, it is not a simple matter. As beloved ones appear in times of need, they too do likewise. They are also exceptional individuals. Some of you will be tempted now that you are young and inexperienced, comparatively speaking to us, your elders. There are many advantages that the other factions can offer, we are not so arrogant as to believe that we are absolute like those in the upper echelons of the empire or the zealots of Zur.¡±


    He glanced towards the Dogran guy. The ¡®beau prince¡¯ just nodded with a smile.


    ¡°These people under the influence of this special trial are outside our purview. They are called deviators. They go against their orders to serve another, traitors. I tell you all this because there is a deviator among us, maybe more than one.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°As you have heard these past few days, there was quite a commotion caused by your fellow Sachears lead by your absentee beloved one. They acted unilaterally as bait to draw the deviator¡¯s accomplices towards them. This is UNACCEPTABLE!¡±


    An intense pressure filled the room. Sage Sarkan¡¯s golden hair floated like tendrils.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t breathe properly. I was flailing my arms like an idiot, gasping for air. Ciel and Iru were doing no better.


    ¡®I can¡¯t control myself. Help me great Will!¡¯


    ¡°Gurg! Argh!¡± Ciel¡¯s nails were scratching the wood.


    Iru was turning pale.


    ¡°Why are you overstepping the safeguards we carefully crafted for you? Because the Will told you to? Is it because a beloved one told you that the Will was guiding him?¡±


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    ¡®Somebody help me!¡¯


    ¡°If the Will was truly guiding you all, your sister wouldn¡¯t have been on the verge of death when she returned! Did you accomplish what you set out to do? The answer is debatable. Therefore, in my eyes it is a failure! Presumptuous!¡±


    An immense force caused my head to bang itself against the wooden furniture. I almost fainted.


    ¡°The Will told me. Ha! Soon enough you will be sounding like the Zurians do. God told me this, god told me that! There will always be chosen ones, still the Andurin order stands above it all. If the elders are wrong, then the Will must intervene. Are you the personification of the Will? Why have you kept silent if that¡¯s the case? Presumptuous!¡±


    The pressure on my body disappeared. A bang was heard from behind. It was Iru¡¯s turn to get pummeled.


    ¡°Why do you think your future brother Isoray is here? Do you think the eldership is blind to the tendencies Krigsain displays? A Thresen disobeying orders? The Thresen have bled and died for the Andurian cause for millennia and not once have they ever done what you have done. Of the lot, I expected you to stand on the side of reason, you disgrace your grandfather. Presumptuous!¡±


    An incredible loud bang was heard. The furniture cracked and Ciel completely passed out.


    ¡°We will decide what to do with you when Lord Akathos returns. The Patriarch and the Archsage will surely send their word with him. A reckless chosen one is useless to our cause. I must correct that; he is my charge after all.¡±


    With my blurry vision I could see the Dogran guy almost laughing. The rest of the group was deathly still.


    ¡°Let this be a lesson to you all. Because of all the circumstances explained, we will have to take measures of strict surveillance from here on out. Do not deviate from the instructions given to you inside the magic pearls, they are for your eyes only. If you find anything suspicious report only to me, using the mirror. Ask your assistants on how to use it if you need to.¡±


    Lord Sarkan motioned for our troublemaking trio to be removed from the classroom.


    ¡°Take the rest of the day to meditate and prepare your training will be even harder, we will reconvene here in thirty-two days. Dismissed.¡±


    I was groggily dragged out of the room by the guarding Kotari.


    <hr>


    Darin P.O.V.


    ¡®It has been decades since I last came here.¡¯


    I walked slowly through the orgon cave, the stridulating caused by the eight legged cracklers was a warning. I kept going down the cave while being surrounded by hundreds of orgon fed spiders. They are dangerous but not something I cannot handle with one exception, their Queen.


    Before long, in the underground tunnels of the orgon deposits I stood before her. A magnificent magical beast, large, her core emission was powerful. She was asserting her dominance.


    ¡®She would be classified as an insect, technically.¡¯


    ¡°It has been many moons and many suns Queen.¡± I greeted her.


    ¡°I never expected you to return human, what brings you here?¡± Her hissing voice was still uncomfortable.


    ¡°I have a Sachear that requires training. We need your help.¡±


    ¡°A seal coin in his or her hand would have sufficed, there is no need for you to come for this request.¡±


    ¡°His training must be done by yourself, Queen. Please use your abilities.¡± I explained.


    ¡°Oh, so you found someone like you? You want me to train the Sachear under the same conditions then.¡±


    ¡°Be throughout this time, just don¡¯t kill him.¡±


    ¡°The more I see of you, the less I understand you humans. If we go that far, it is not that different from torture. Since this will be a special case, I expect the corresponding payment.¡±


    ¡°It will be done Queen. He will be here tomorrow and stay here for twenty days.¡±


    ¡°Twenty days? He could break by the end of the third. He must be an exceptional one, somehow I am intrigued.¡± The hissing kept bothering me.


    ¡°He¡¯ll return later on too, once he condenses everything he needs to learn. You can explore at your leisure when that happens.¡± I adjusted my cloak and nodded slightly.


    ¡°Let me see your plan.¡± I presented my forehead to the Queen.


    She gently tapped it with one of her legs. Information flowed into her as our minds communed.


    ¡°I am glad we are not enemies, human. Your methods are vicious.¡± She opined.


    ¡°Only when necessary, Queen.¡±


    ¡®I hope everything goes as planned. Sorry my brother, master¡¯s orders.¡¯

 CHAPTER 36

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We were hiking towards the mountain range behind the castle at high speed. High speed for a hunter, that is.


    ¡°You double checked your supplies, Ikrei?¡± Brother Darin inquired.


    ¡°Everything is as stated by Lord Sarkan, seven haversacks of supplies plus weapons.¡± I continued our speed run.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your emergency artifacts. The ones that should have been listed in the requirements for this exercise.¡±


    I knew how to use both of them by now. The reminder worried me a little.


    ¡®Fearbeasts said the muscle mass. The training is based on fear.¡¯


    We reached the side of one of the mountains. There was an opening similar to a cave but it seemed to be manmade.


    ¡°We are hunting orgon fed spiders. They¡¯ll be tricky.¡± Darin gesticulated me inside the cave.


    ¡°Cracklers?!¡± I was taken aback.


    I had heard of them but never faced them before. They tend to be in the deep regions of cave tunnels or near the center of large orgon deposits. They are called cracklers because of the vibration they emit with their legs when they are in an excited, alerted state.


    ¡®This is getting seriously complicated.¡¯


    ¡°You got my back, right?¡± I was looking for positive reinforcement.


    ¡°As much as it is required.¡± He answered.


    Leading the way, Darin went ahead of me as we descended into the depths of the cave tunnels. A strange orgon laced smell permeated the surroundings. The scent or whatever it was, was causing me a severe headache. After descending approximately four levels, Darin took out his blade but kept moving forward.


    ¡°They are coming, get ready.¡±


    I took out my blades and had my preset orgonid charges ready for release.


    ¡°Be careful with the explosives, if you use them too much you will alert the Queen.¡± Darin said.


    ¡°This is a true spider den?!¡±


    ¡°It is too early for you to sound distraught. Focus and show me everything you got.¡± Darin ordered.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    I readied myself gripping my dual blades waiting for the spiders. Hissing was audible from all directions.


    ¡°Roll!¡± Shouted Darin.


    I rolled to my right instinctively. Acidic spit fell where my feet where, just a second before. The green viscosity melted a very small portion of the rocks.


    ¡°Hunt two hundred of them with no charges. I¡¯ll cover you, begin!¡±


    Before I could even get under way, Darin was already blocking several coordinated spit attacks by the spiders that were aimed at me. His blade was absorbing the acid. He was fast, ridiculously so.


    ¡®A mastercraft blade, maybe?¡¯


    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Darin¡¯s question snapped me out of my wonderment.


    Some of the blue colored spiders were just a few cubits away hidden behind rocks and orgon crystals. I charged at them. They weren¡¯t too troublesome, the inhuman energy control regime allowed me to execute minute burst of energy with incredible precision. Perfect for a practitioner with meager resources.


    The blades came down on the spiders like a mallet. They were a little bigger than my forearm. One, two, three, four arachnids gushed their green liquid as they perished. Darin¡¯s cover and my occasional evasion created a good synergy.


    SWISH! CRACK! SWISH! CRACK!


    With a controlled burst of energy, I continued my assault. My attacks were as precise as they were powerful when compared to an elite non-awakened hunter.


    ¡®Not bad for a former pelt peeler.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s speed this up.¡± My cloaked guide ordered.


    SWISH! SWISH! CRACK! SWISH! SWISH! CRACK!


    A few acidic gobs managed to touch my armor. The increased velocity brought about a reduction in precision. I was unwilling to compensate with an increase in my internal energy consumption.


    The exercise progressed for the next fifty-eight araneae legged kills.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Good enough for a warm up.¡± Darin told me.


    He immediately punched the hardened orgon filled rock floor. A tremor was provoked.


    As expected and before long, attercops showed up. Spiders as big as my entire arm.


    ¡°Those guys don¡¯t do acid attacks; their legs and fangs can slice you open like a hunter¡¯s blade. I¡¯ll deal with the hundreds of smaller ones that target us from a distance.¡± He casually stated.


    ¡°But there¡¯s more than a hundred of the big ones.¡± I objected.


    ¡°I know.¡± Darin became a blur and blitzed the powerless arachnids.


    ¡®Fear, right? Gurnir!¡¯


    <hr>


    My blades required several cuts to pierce the thorax or the abdomen. The orgon made these spiders highly resistant to craftsman level weapons.


    ¡®No wonder some armors are made from the bigger spiders. I should have asked for mastercraftsman weaponry.¡¯


    I pounced and evaded, hit and run. I was on the lookout for my cloaked guardian, I was trying to stay within his vicinity. That was my plan anyway, he wasn¡¯t cooperating.


    ¡°AHHH!¡± I was panting heavily.


    Three consecutive strikes and I landed a finishing blow through the hardened carapace of one of the attercops.


    ¡®Four down, ninety-nine to go. You need more than this to scare me, Darin.¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    The sharpened legs of my inhospitable dwellers scratched my neck at times. I decided to start infusing my blades with a quarter of a drop of kinetic energy.


    SWISH! CRACK!


    A true, one movement bash right between the eyes.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know how long I can hold on like this without using the supplies. Let¡¯s just deal with what¡¯s in front of me.¡¯


    I kept doing my hit and run with the added kinetic blade attack. I was incapable of launching an energy blast outward from the blade. Covering the blade with the energy was my limit.


    Slowly but surely I was getting surrounded. I couldn¡¯t predict how long my armor or my focus would hold up. I ran like mad around the tunnels looking for cover but never going further down.


    ¡®Further down, bigger beasts. No, thank you.¡¯


    Hiding against a column, I held my breath. Obviously, my hastily made plan did not work. The hissing around the cave system augmented. I could barely glimpse a blur that beheaded, sliced or tore open the arachnids that wanted to launch ranged attacks towards my position. Being tired and worried, I chose to disobey the ¡®rules¡¯ of the exercise.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The ground trembled, the orgon explosives activated a chain reaction with the nearby orgon crystals. Around thirty of the attercops died instantly. The cave was very sturdy, considerable dust but no rock slide. Darin didn¡¯t utter a word.


    ¡®Maybe not only the entrance is manmade but the whole structure. Mines and all that.¡¯


    I took out an orgon dilution from my temporal ring and gulped it down. Refreshing.


    I restarted my araneae hunt with renewed vigor.


    Several hours later, the last of the attercops fell by my blade.


    The exertion took its toll, with my hands on my knees I looked for my guardian.


    ¡°Since you used the orgonid charges, it is time to double down. Follow me!¡± Darin appeared from my blind spot.


    He was unmistakably going to continue the descent.


    ¡°We are going deeper?¡± I asked.


    ¡°You are starting to brood, Sachear?¡±


    He persisted with his original intent. He didn¡¯t even look back.


    I went through the motions, I estimated that we were two levels further down. The amount of orgon crytals were increasing.


    ¡°What now?¡± I asked.


    ¡°We deal with the next wave. Rest and prepare for an hour, we will begin after that. The next ones will be harder. Krigsain taught you how to sharpen your craftsman blades, correct?¡± Darin questioned.


    ¡°In passing but yeah, he did¡­I¡¯ll get to it.¡± I sat on a nearby rock quite uncomfortably.


    <hr>


    ¡°Ready?¡± Darin asked as he prepared for another punch.


    ¡°Er¡­No.¡±


    ¡®I was being honest.¡¯


    ¡°He he¡­sorry?¡± He smashed the ground again.


    The tremors occurred and more attercops, arachnids showed up. But this time, four massive, blue and purple colored spiders appeared in a cluster. They were twice my size at first glance. They were emitting awakened energy, these guys were true fearbeasts, it reminded me of the alpha shadow wolf.


    ¡°Fight those four, I¡¯ll deal with the rest.¡± Darin said.


    ¡°These guys have a core, maybe more. I got a wisp.¡± I complained.


    ¡°You have four, I have near four hundred. Be careful with their webs, they can manipulate earth. Don¡¯t die.¡± Darin dashed where his targets were located.


    ¡®Overpowering with proper execution is out. Bag of tricks and charges, lots of charges. Inhale, exhale, relax. Overcome your fear.¡¯


    I let my skimpy core energy radiate thoroughly. I made a beeline near the first purple spipra I saw.


    Once I got close enough, an earth spike emerged from the ground, I barely evaded and got welt on my orgon infused breastplate. Three more spikes came forth. My charges were released, the charges and the spikes clashed.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Two breaths. I threw one of my blades targeting between the insect¡¯s eyes. The energy coated blade penetrated. One hit kill. A weak carapace.


    ¡®I have enough energy for three breaths of time. Although the amount of power is miniscule, there is no waste thanks to my control.¡¯


    Three breaths. I took an orgon dilution from my temporal ring and gulped it. The latent core was replenished. Time for round two.


    Four breaths. I rushed to retrieve my blade but the remaining spipra launched spider webs and a dome of dirt and rocks formed on top of me. The webs that stuck to my body, pinned me in place. I cut the webs with my blade using all the strength in my latent core as a resource to regain movement with increased speed.


    Five breaths. I took out the orgon dilution for another sip. I charged at the dome with my remaining blade.


    ¡°HELP ME!¡± I screamed.


    Using charges here was dangerous. Spikes target me again, three spikes coming from the ground.


    Six breaths. ¡®Skimpy¡¯ replenished once more. I got impaled in the leg by one of the spikes. I twisted and dodged the other two.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming!¡± I heard Darin¡¯s voice coming from outside the earth cage.


    Hissing, blades and more rumbling from the earth was audible. My senses were heightened, I was afraid. Six more spikes appeared below me. Desperate, I released more charges from my temporal ring.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The eruption destroyed the spipra¡¯s fabrications.


    Seven breaths. The armor took it, it was dented and became basically useless, but the orgon protection worked. Nevertheless, I was bleeding from the back of my head, that¡¯s two bleeding injuries. The ground gave way from underneath me.


    ¡°No, no, no!¡± I began a forced descent, my body pulling me downward through the massive hole.


    ¡°Give me your hand!¡± Darin grabbed my right hand and pulled.


    ¡°Thanks¡ª¡± I felt the same sticky substance around my legs. The spider webs, tens of them.


    A powerful stridence resounded inside the cave system.


    Eight breaths. My ¡®skimpy¡¯ core¡¯s energy dissipated instantaneously. The injuries accelerated the energy depletion.


    ¡°Their mother is here. I¡¯ll come get you.¡± Darin let go of my hand.


    ¡°What?! No! No!¡±


    I began another plunge into the depths. Flailing my right arm wildly looking for a hand that wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡®Why does this keep happening to me? Maybe I curse too much?!¡¯


    ¡°AHHH!¡±

 CHAPTER 37

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The rocks and orgon crystals were abrading my uncovered body parts. My hands in particular, I tried several times to resist the intense pulling force of the spider webs, desperately trying to slow down my sinking.


    ¡®I think I broke a couple of nails.¡¯


    I wasn¡¯t able to tell when the pulling was going to stop or where it was leading me. Dirt was getting in my eyes and on my lips. About twenty breaths later, the inevitable happened.


    CRASH!


    I didn¡¯t know how much time had passed by the moment I came to. I looked around, I was in a very large cave, there were massive orgon rocks of various sizes at a distance.


    ¡°Fifty cubits, maybe. How deep down am I?¡±


    The place was similar to the castle¡¯s training circles, wider but obviously far more uneven and rough. The stridence and the heavy smell returned. I couldn¡¯t focus, a massive migraine germinated.


    ¡°ARGHHH!¡±


    ¡°Why have you disturbed my home, human?¡± I heard a hissing voice.


    My vision cleared slowly. A spider, large, multicolored with orgon crystal protruding from it. The arthropod herself, the Queen. She was large enough to almost fill the space where she appeared. The pressure she was exerting was greater than anything I had ever felt.


    ¡®How many crystals? How many cores? For how long?¡¯


    Questions kept coming incessantly. I was stupefied.


    ¡°Speak, human.¡± The voice reechoed in my mind.


    ¡°Came here for training.¡± I jabbered out, somehow.


    I couldn¡¯t think clearly and the pressure prevented me from thinking too much.


    ¡®A crude yet effective lie detector method for weaklings.¡¯


    ¡°You kill my children for your gain?¡± The force magnified.


    I kept looking at the beast straight into her eyes, there was nothing to say, no excuse.


    ¡°Since you have taken, I will take from you.¡±


    A throbbing pricking began. I grabbed my head. I turned over and over on the rocky crystalline ground.


    ¡°Arjorie? Is that your mother? I should take that from you.¡± The great arthropod spoke menacingly with her disgusting hiss.


    My ¡®skimpy¡¯ core pulsated violently. Technically, it was more akin to a speck of energy wildly rotating. It was trying to repel the probing. The name of my mother was leaving my recollection. Before long, I couldn¡¯t remember her name.


    ¡®Fear? No. Terror, horror, panic, dread.¡¯


    ¡°Please get here soon.¡±


    ¡®What good is everything if you can¡¯t remember anything?!?¡¯


    My mental process was all jumbled up.


    ¡°You afraid little one? Why don¡¯t you train my children? If you survive, I¡¯ll let you go.¡± Her laughter sounded like a thousand crackling arachnids¡¯ legs.


    The immense and dense kinetic energy lifted from my figure. Hundreds upon hundreds of spiders of all kinds pervaded the area. Absolutely encircled. I slowly stood up not knowing what to do.  From my temporal ring, a new pair of craftsman level blades appeared.


    A group of spiders where carrying a body. The spiders were of a kind I had never even heard of, half the size of the Queen mother. An unconscious man. Squinting my eyes, I realized who it was.


    ¡°Darin!¡±


    WISP! WISP! WISP!


    The spiders worked frenetically. He was slowly held up by a large spider web tied around a couple of rock columns.


    ¡®We are fucked.¡¯ Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Did you expect help, little one?¡± The Queen¡¯s mocking tone was evident.


    Many minute spiders crawled on top of Darin. Suddenly, he started convulsing.


    ¡°ARGHHH!¡± He began squealing and hollering like a wounded beast.


    His tendons were clearly ruptured, blood drops falling on the rocks.  He was going to bleed to death. Even smaller insects began entering his nostrils. His body began twisting and turning unnaturally, the web behaved like a hammock. Screams, blood and contortions, horrifying.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t fight, this will happen to you. Now entertain us!¡± The Queen hissed.


    With no further thought, I launched myself against the massive cluster of insects. I tried desperately to survive, as expected I couldn¡¯t land a killing blow on any of the spiders. There were too many. I was running through my reserves and my items at record speed. They didn¡¯t want to kill me, they wanted me to suffer. They were succeeding.


    ¡°Ha! Ha!¡± Bleeding from my neck, my legs, my cheeks. I made a decision.


    I crushed the bead hidden inside my clothes. The one Freslia gave us.


    ¡®I am afraid, afraid alright! Is this what you wanted stupid Darin?! Look at you now!¡¯


    The multitude of enemies made me fall. I was powerless. No different from an animal, I was gasping on the floor.


    ¡°You fail.¡± I felt the Queen¡¯s energy envelop me again.


    Another memory of my mother cooking me a meal slipped away from my mind. Utter desperation seeped through my being. More shouts and twirling came from Darrin.


    ¡°Rest. We start again when he bleeds a little more, awakened blood is useful. Not as much as your memories though, quite a delicacy.¡± The lead arthropod taunted endlessly.


    I took out food from my ring. I ate surrounded by the goreish spectacle absentmindedly. When Darrin stopped hollering, I stood up slowly, a new set of blades materialized.


    ¡°FUCK!¡± I clashed with the arachnids anew.


    Like this countless hours transpired, trapped in this abominable cycle of despondency. Frightened of losing another memory.


    <hr>


    ¡°I have a mother; I have a mother.¡± I kept repeating to myself.


    I didn¡¯t know how much time had passed. An endless loop of green fluids and my blood. Darrin resembled dried bones with a skin covering, his beard completely chewed away. My haversack supplies and all my spare weapons were almost depleted. Many more family memories were lost. I had nothing, it was over.


    ¡°Where the fuck is she?!¡±


    There was another spider web, similar to the one Darrin was attached to, being finished. It was for me. I had no strength and no way to oppose. The spiders overtook me and placed my feeble body on it without resistance.


    ¡°This is a sealed space. No one is coming little one.¡± The Queen scoffed some more.


    The orgon insects covered my entire body. I felt them crawling through the gaps of my frayed clothes and tattered armor. They started sucking my blood through my hair even.


    ¡°ARGHHH!¡±


    ¡°UGH!¡±


    Soon, I became inarticulate and aphasic. The little cretins entered my nostrils as well. The invasion of my ¡®skimpy¡¯ core restarted. I lost a few memories of my father. Screams, shouts and cries for help. The pain was unbearable.


    ¡°Fight little man, fight.¡± The main spider taunted me for the twentieth time.


    Shaking and convulsing like a corpse with an orgon overdose, I cried.


    And just like this, a non-specified amount of hours came about.


    <hr>


    ¡°AHUH!¡± A breath like an air deprived man rising up from a tomb.


    And then release, I gasped for breath consecutively as the little insects ran away from me.


    ¡°That barrier was a thorny affair, multilegs!¡± The voice of the merciless taskmaster was recognizable.


    ¡®Help! Heelp! Heeeelp!¡¯


    ¡°They must pay for hurting my children.¡± The Queen said.


    ¡°And you have touched what you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± Lady Freslia countered.


    Stridulating resounded, the remaining spiders quickly dispersed deep into the caves. The rocks, the orgon, the spider webs and everything else including our trapped bodies began to totter. Energy was wildly clashing and expanding. I was getting compressed by the force.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Multiple blades swirling through the air. I could feel and hear the attack but it was too fast for my eyes. Freslia disappeared from where she was standing and became a blur. The sharp sound from the spider queen made my ears bleed. The compressive force eased.


    DOOONG! SWISH! SWISH! CRACKLE! SWISH! SWISH!


    An afterimage fighting afterimages of the great arachnid legs. The speed of the action was unreal. I couldn¡¯t tell what was happening. My body unmoving, it wouldn¡¯t react to my commands.


    ¡®I could get a glimpse if I could activate my core.¡¯


    Grained sediments within the cave were being redirected everywhere. The rocks were about to hit me but they never did, they just fell to the floor. They hit something, probably a barrier.


    ¡®Strange powers once more.¡¯


    The last time Freslia got this serious was with the Zigurs back in the forest.  Same crazy speed but it felt more powerful.


    ¡®This is my opinion, of course. What do I know?!¡¯


    DOOONG! CRACKLE! SWISH! SWISH! DOOONG!


    Continuous clashes, hissings and rubble. The high speed exchange persisted for more than twenty minutes. The sounds of angry shouts, metal scratching and even a powerful shriek were discerned. Everything around us vibrated like the preceding tremors of an earthquake. Somehow, the cave system held firm.


    ¡®Definitively manmade, a natural structure would have folded by now.¡¯


    BAAANG! BOOOM! CRACKLE! SWISH! SWISH! BAAANG! BOOOM!


    ¡°I cannot blow this place up, the Andurin need it.¡±


    ¡°I cannot blow you up, this place is my home.¡±


    The several clouds of dirt settled down. The Queen had a couple of her legs torn off, she was bleeding from one eye. Freslia was standing there with her light armor dilapidated and her cloak incinerated. Her full torso fully exposed. A beautifully rounded bosom announced its presence.


    ¡°Leave!¡± Freslia and the Queen spoke simultaneously.


    ¡®Pretty. Why is such a woman blessed like this?¡¯


    The spider Queen briskly made her exit deeper into the caves.


    ¡°Where are you staring?¡± Freslia asked me tersely.


    Only then did I react with rectitude.


    ¡°Thank y¡ª¡± One of her eyes was completely gouged out. There was a small hole where her left eye should have been. She was unfazed.


    ¡®By the gods, blood was leaking from it, everywhere. This can¡¯t be. You just lost an eye!¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Freslia talked while infusing some energy inside me.


    Exhausted, broken and unsettled, I collapsed.

 CHAPTER 38

    Darin P.O.V.


    We were silently watching the projection from the memory crystal provided by the Great Arthropod.


    ¡°That is definitively not my fighting style, not against Soul Merge level opponents.¡± Claimere Freslia said.


    ¡°The reality created is based upon the accessible memories of the participants. It is an approximation based upon my recollections and Ikrei¡¯s. The Queen has never met you, Claimere.¡± I explained.


    The fight carried on and the dust settled. We watched until the entire crystal stopped transmitting unto the floating magic mirror. A more elaborate artifact than the one given to the Sachears.


    ¡°Why did that happen Darin?¡± Her gaze was cold, scrutinizing.


    ¡°Ahem. When you break a soul you must give it something in return. This is to prevent a full state of irreversible delirium. Ikrei was given something his heart desired. A powerful sustenance, he will not forget it. We can¡¯t leave him hopeless, Claimere.¡± I tried a bit of tact for once instead of bluntness.


    I was sweating unintentionally.


    ¡®I could get smashed to the wall thanks to that damned spider.¡¯


    ¡°He will not forget it; you say?¡±


    ¡°We can have the Queen erase that part and insert another while he remains unconscious.¡± I suggested actively.


    ¡°My breasts are perkier. My areolas are bigger.¡± She grabbed the crystal and destroyed it with a right handed grip.


    ¡®What? I can never tell what she is thinking. How does Akathos manage her?¡¯


    ¡°How long was he down there?¡±


    ¡°Ten days fighting, seven days under soul manipulation. The Queen determined he wouldn¡¯t last the twenty days.¡± Lady Freslia only nodded.


    ¡°Make sure there are no other copies of this crystal. Have everything follow Lord Akathos design to the letter. Get yourself a mastercraft alchemical mask and suit, ask Lord Tanin for assistance. Leave our sleeping beauty alone for three days. Remember, no one must know about this.¡±


    ¡°The only ones that could interfere are our two beloved ones, Claimere.¡±


    The rift protecting the study opened up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go see the troublesome one, he is up and about, huh?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Yes, Claimere.¡±


    ¡°Go talk to Sarkan about Isoray, I¡¯ll go see our little rebel. And get me a proper eyepatch, this one is unbefitting.¡±


    We left my master¡¯s study to deal with the matters.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡°How is she?¡± I probed


    ¡°She¡¯ll be up in a couple of days.¡± Krigsain replied with certainty.


    ¡°You used the seudagliere herb that the princess gave you on her?¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t going to get help of this level or similar assistance from you. But you are not going to let a kind hearted chosen one waste away, right?¡±


    ¡®This cheeky bastard.¡¯


    ¡°Kletay is indebted to you, you are indebted to the princess, you owe artifacts to Ciel and I am not counting that noble girl you kept hidden from everybody. Don¡¯t go bringing your troubles into our order.¡±


    ¡°King Erel has hundreds of wives. What are a dozen girlfriends?¡± The cheeky prick gave me his witty smile.


    Unstoppable laughter was all I was capable of.


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha!¡±


    ¡®The echo effect must have woken up patients, I¡¯ll get reprimanded.¡¯This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Erel has them all under foot without the need of seduction arts. You are not Erel and you are also mingling with our female elites. If they become incapable due to a broken heart, one core will not be the only thing to break next time.¡± I pinned a very special needle on him.


    ¡®The Will didn¡¯t oppose it, just as I imagined it. Krigsain walks a very thin line between the precepts and his personal freedom. Too bad for you!¡¯


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, it will be fine. So what do you need Claimere?¡±


    ¡°In four days, you are heading out with Ikrei for your male bonding experience, that¡¯s how you call it, yes?¡±


    ¡°That is good to hear.¡± He seemed excited.


    ¡°And DO NOT use your powers to peek into the plans of our elders. Let things be for now. You hear me?¡± I was being adamant.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t my fault that my efforts for the cause go unrecognized.¡± He gesticulated in derision.


    ¡°Tell me, how close are you to the Will?¡± I queried the arrogant one.


    ¡°I can sense enough, enough to help, if you let me.¡±


    The corridor of the underground healing ward filled up with the tower personnel.


    ¡®My laughter brought them over, most likely.¡¯


    ¡°Not close enough.¡± I showed him the floating needle I had used.


    I pointed to his forearm and the exact point of insertion near his wrist. His vowels began making large movements. The sound was audible to all present.


    ¡°What you do with the princess or that noble is not my concern. Don¡¯t mess up my girls, they are our sisters. You going to marry them? The barbarians say, never shit where you eat.¡±


    ¡®Ciel might be a lost cause but Kletay can be saved. If we curtail this hunky fox right here.¡¯


    Krigsain appeared pale, in severe need of rectal care.


    ¡°Get out of here.¡± I waved him away.


    I turned to leave with heavy steps. Many thoughts and things to consider.


    ¡°She¡¯s the Deathbringer! She looks like a pirate from the romance novels! I knew she was here!¡± Someone recognized me with the eyepatch.


    ¡°Why does she hide herself under that hood when she is so beautiful?¡± A boy asked.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard, she shattered her last lover¡¯s balls into pieces!¡±


    ¡°Ballbuster Deathbringer, the one and only! I was the one who treated our once promising elder. Life sure is, full of surprises.¡± The Head Elder of the Healing Ward explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s why no powerhouse wants to marry her anymore.¡± Another voice talked.


    ¡°What¡¯s more important, your cores or your balls? Your balls, that¡¯s what!¡±


    ¡°She can bust my balls all she wants; you saw her?! Wow!¡± A sadistic enthusiast made an offer.


    The conglomeration exploded into comments of all kinds, a lively discussion.


    ¡®That¡¯s why I don¡¯t like coming here! I¡¯ll request a service exemption, after the war. That was many, many years ago! Let it go, you people!¡¯


    I expeditiously departed with inhuman speed.


    <hr>


    Isoray P.O.V.


    ¡°What have you found out, Zimas?¡±


    ¡°There is no way to infiltrate Lemuria with core users, we will have to make do with the agents that are already inside. It is basically a soft seclusion. The countermeasures against the empire¡¯s known natural advantages are vast. They have truly learned some new complicated tricks.¡±


    ¡°They have improved just like us, tsk. How¡¯s the seal? What are the limitations?¡±


    ¡°You can think and devise anything you want, including the demise of the Andurin. Just don¡¯t act upon it and you should be fine. Not until you are powerful enough to dissolve it.¡±


    ¡°Can you find out how the Andurians have obtained their new knowledge?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my utmost, young master. It will take years at a minimum.¡±


    I took my alchemical mask and suit and gave it to Zimas for him to use from now on. A gift from the imperial side of the family, exquisite runecraft level artifacts, the second highest degree there is.


    ¡°Can you undo the seal as it is, Zimas?¡± I was truly interested this time.


    ¡°Not without consequence, young master.¡±


    ¡®I couldn¡¯t believe it. There aren¡¯t many things Zimas is unable to reverse engineer.¡¯


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°Everything has been in accordance to our estimates but one thing. The seal is powered by the will and the participants of the ritual. First, as you can remember, our soul and cores interconnected and they were the ones doing the manipulation. Had I shielded us from the intervention, even if we could escape, Burin, Draken or Tanin would have definitively killed you. It was a death trap. Second, the seal contains the power of another god besides the will. It was just for a moment, but I felt it. The source was the fortress head elder. Their leaders are powerful certainly but there is nothing unexpected however that man Akathos is dangerous. Dangerous as your grandfather or possibly more, young master.¡±


    ¡°Then we will have to play the part until I can deal with him personally. Perhaps that¡¯s what they wanted from the beginning, have enough leverage for the conflict¡­not that it will work out like that. Let¡¯s be the properly behaved Andurian boys we are meant to be for a while.¡± I ordered.


    ¡°They are probably suspicious already by the use of our seal of protection.¡± Zimas indicated.


    ¡°Can they be listening to us right now?¡± I hastened Ximel for an answer.


    ¡°No, not with the artifact I am using as support. Nevertheless, they have permitted us to have this artifact here. It is impossible for a soul artifact to go undetected by all the security checks and wards here, young master.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good, the Andurin elders are giving us plenty of liberty. If the worse happens, we will flee. Once we are out and about in Zunar, find a way to contact my uncle and tell him what he wants to hear. Just be careful of my rebellious training mate. He likes to stick his nose a little too much.¡± I gave Zimas one more decree.


    ¡°What¡¯s your opinion of your counterpart, young master?¡± Zimas inquired of me.


    ¡°Powerful, resourceful, a combination of speed, strength, artifacts, feints and clever use of the environment but nothing that cannot be handled, a little dull actually. Who knows? We might decide to truly serve the will if it becomes expedient for our plans Zimas. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    We both smiled roguishly.


    ¡°Mana fluctuations on the protective ward. Undo the seal in the room, Ximel.¡± My second guard executed my instruction.


    ¡°Yes, young master.¡±


    Knock, knock.


    The door opened as Lord Sarkan walked through. He was here for his customary visits.

 CHAPTER 39

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was looking out the window of our Andurian deluxe transportation, the carriage was being stirred with the aid of several Ialpirgal, the flaming horses. The magnificent fearbeasts were a sight to behold, smoke left behind in their wake. We were guarded by four Kotari.


    ¡°A Kotari elite driving a carriage, now that¡¯s something.¡± Krigsain laughed with his own comment.


    ¡°The eldership approved all of these?¡± I asked reflexively.


    ¡°Considering what you have been through lately, a little luxury and respite is better than nothing. It has been traumatizing.¡± He answered sitting across me.


    ¡°Has it now?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but express disdain.


    ¡°We are taking this ride as part of your resting period. And we can also talk.¡± His eyes turned red and the energy of the Will surrounded us. I felt it clearly.


    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t do it because of your injuries.¡±


    ¡°I cannot do it as before, but we are only two. This much is manageable.¡± He responded.


    ¡°You are getting indebted to the princess, you know.¡± I commented.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle that, thanks for your concern¡­now, can you fight?¡± He always goes to the heart of a matter.


    I pondered for a long time in silence on what answer should I give, eventually I decided on the truth.


    ¡°My hands shake and my dreams are becoming nightmares. What do you think?¡± I threw it back at him.


    ¡°Fear has sprouted fully within your heart; we are going to deal with that, right now. The driver has the coordinates; we will reach in a day¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡®I am always kept in the dark about everything. It surely doesn¡¯t help me, infuriating.¡¯


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± I sighed.


    ¡°A fighter without the will to fight is useless to others and to himself. We are going to light a fire in that heart of yours. You¡¯ll stand before impending annihilation and not even wince.¡±


    I just sat there looking bewildered by the extreme confidence of my bludgeoning training partner.


    ¡°Since the Will is protecting us, can you explain why I only get things told in drips? I realize now that this training is far too much for me, it is insanity.¡± I expressed my resentment and resignation.


    ¡°You are facing something most cannot survive. Your future across lives as an awakened is at stake, drastic measures have been taken to give you the best chance possible. We cannot speak of it, not even many of the repercussions. That is why we call it the interference. I am pretty sure that by now, you have an idea. We are tiptoeing around it as much as we can. There are¡­heavenly restrictions, so to speak.¡± Krigsain sounded truly apologetic.


    ¡°Akathos was the same, this is bullshit!¡± I kicked away a small feet stand near me.


    ¡°Let me level with you, my man. If you really believe this is too much, I can slice your throat right this instance. I told you I would help you and I will. You either awaken or it is over. If I kill you now or you die later, it is all the same. The FEAR is talking, not you. Trust your elders.¡±


    The air inside the carriage became different, weird. I didn¡¯t understand the phenomenon.


    ¡®Strange powers, Krigsain version.¡¯


    He turned unusually cold and sober, it felt like I was talking to somebody else entirely. Another long and uncomfortable silence ensued.


    ¡°I just want an honest and clear answer, is that too much to ask?¡± I was exasperated.


    ¡°Do you give a small child a sword? You don¡¯t. You teach him how to wield it and the rules to protect him. In time, through knowledge, understanding and experience he master¡¯s it. The rules are no longer a constraint but a guide for he has wisdom. Now, the evident question is, what is wisdom?¡± He motioned me to speak.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it the condensation and unification of all your knowledge and understanding into an applicable form?¡±


    ¡°Let me tell you a story from Erel, the Divine Sword.¡±


    ¡°The Zurian king, right?¡±


    Krigsain nodded.


    ¡°In his younger days, when he was barely king, Erel travelled his kingdom in disguise. He wanted to understand the life of his people. He worked as a hewer, a carpenter, a baker, a sailor and many other disciplines and crafts. Through out his journey he discovered that whenever he did his job properly, most of the time his efforts wouldn¡¯t even be recognized. But when he made a mistake, he would be reprimanded harshly, fired and in some cases even beaten.¡±


    ¡®A king, an awakened one suffered humiliation from the hands of ordinary folk?¡¯


    ¡°He went around his entire kingdom confirming his findings. Once he helped two unrelated homeless men the same way, one sold what he had received and started a pawnshop that has remained in his family¡¯s care to this day. The other, sold what he had received and bought liquor and women and in time died in a ditch. In the end, the king wrote, ¡®The heart is wicked, who can understand it but God.¡¯¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°True wisdom lies in deciphering the hearts of men then, according to your words. That sounds pretty hard.¡± I said.


    ¡°Harder than fighting ingrained fear not as hard as figuring out the gods. People who consider themselves good exalt others when convenient and mock them in their time of need. We may tease you quite a bit, but we are here to help you. Freslia is forceful, Akathos is absent but they mean well. It will get worse before it gets better. To awaken, you must conquer your own heart first. Master yourself so that you may live. Don¡¯t give up, my man.¡±


    A third pause, and an even longer silence occurred.


    ¡°Wicked hearts, huh? Don¡¯t you play with women a bit much? Kletay is injured because of her attraction towards you.¡± I pointed out the obvious.


    ¡°I never lie, there is no need to. Is it wicked of me to entertain them or is it wicked of them for desiring what shouldn¡¯t be theirs in the first place? Is it wicked of me to use my status and attributes or is it wicked of them for allowing said status and attributes to blind them? Do you think any of them truly know me?¡±


    The questions were clearly rhetorical, he had his own answers already.


    ¡°You are a lot smarter than you show yourself to be, chosen one¡­wait, does that mean the brutish fighting style is also a part of your act?¡±


    ¡°You catch on quick, that is why Akathos likes you. Don¡¯t tell anybody.¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Why reveal yourself to me though? There was no real need to do that, I think.¡±


    ¡°You have doubts because of how things are being handled, it may cause you to surrender or worse, deviate; it is only fair that I extent an olive branch, as the Zurians say. My secret for your pain.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Nothing to be but pensive for another hour.


    Krigsain broke the silence with an interesting statement.


    ¡°The Andurin are fatebreakers, if there is fate, we will challenge it. So, it will be hypocritical of me to tell you that I can see the future. Just think of it as an extremely elaborate metaphysical calculation of probabilities. You are going to be my left hand one day, provided that you survive.¡±


    ¡®More meditating and decision making.¡¯


    ¡°Ah, our previous secret conversation becomes clearer. Then let¡¯s do as before, big guy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the second of my three wishes, now.¡±


    ¡°Oh! And what would that be?¡± Krigsain looked intrigued.


    ¡°Be my friend, wicked heart.¡±


    ¡®I need support, advice and someone I can trust. This man filled with secrets to the brim is a wise one. Even if things do not pan out perfectly, this is a bet I am willing to make.¡¯


    I stretched my hand for a shake.


    ¡°When the war is over, wicked heart.¡±


    ¡°When the war is over, left hand.¡±


    After a while, a question popped inside my head.


    ¡°So why where you sent here with me and not an elder if this is so complicated?¡±


    ¡°This was my suggestion to Lord Sarkan, I didn¡¯t know they would approve it. This is not a cheap or easy thing to obtain. Unless you are a blessed one or someone like me, you could never know the proper information without the corresponding channels. If any other than me showed up at their door, they would have fled or retaliated immediately. These are war times. Worry not, I have already done all the preliminary work.¡±


    I was surprised to say the least.


    ¡°This is when you will tell me where we are going, right?¡±


    ¡°Not even our guards know the details, so don¡¯t say anything when we go back out. We are going to one of the places where the Malgrunians are hiding. We are going to the Pleasure Pavilion of the Soaring Dragon Demonic Sect.¡±


    ¡°There are demonic cultivators within the Zunar Kingdom?¡±


    ¡°Pleasure many times overrides intellect, my man. The high class indulges in pretty unsavory dealings just as much as the dregs of society.¡±


    ¡°Malgrunians will cause problems, they are our enemies. This sounds like a plan from the reckless one.¡± I countered pointing at him.


    ¡°They are our current enemies; it will recede like the tides, in time. Live and let live. Precepts Sachear.¡±


    ¡°So you are telling me, we are going to get me laid? You think a fuck will undo all that has been done?¡± I asked sarcastically.


    ¡°We are going to get you a woman and not just any woman. Entire noble lineages have fallen on account of one woman. Wars have been fought. Malgrunian women are unparalleled, much to the chagrin of our sisters. You will never doubt the commitment from your elders again, I promise.¡± The mischievous smile appeared once more.


    Krigsain activated a retractable table that the carriage had. From his temporal ring, many delicacies from the castle appeared. Additionaly, an orgon infused board with many tiny and different pieces of military units and awakened practitioners. Krigsain quickly but deftly setup the board with unique figurines.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked muscle mass.


    ¡°This is Andukros. One of the masterworks of the Archsage. This teaches you strategy, tactics, situational awareness and the general known abilities and powers of all shadow factions and cultivator forces. This board also includes ethereal beasts and the like. We are going to play until you get it right.¡± He explained.


    ¡°A good way to pass the time I suppose.¡± I interjected.


    ¡°No, this is a strategy meeting. Prewar council, you cannot lose on the first night my man.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. What do I do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll play as the Malgrunian forces, specifically Dark Moon Blade as the Queen piece, she is a Malgrunian Cultivator legend. You will play as the Andurin with Or Patriarch as the King piece. I¡¯ll start, you just try to counter. We will talk how to do everything, do not worry.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat while we are at it, you¡¯ve earn it.¡± He ordered.


    I ate some biscuits and drank from the Thurskan bottle.


    ¡°Let me teach you about poker face¡­¡± Krigsain went into an extensive monologue on how to play cards, the board, tactics, women and the counters to beauty.


    It was extremely confusing at first but the more he talked the more it all made sense. A strange and convoluted plan was birthed. It would be a lie to say that I wasn¡¯t a little fired up by his exposition on the matter.


    I was dumbfounded and elated in equal measure, I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing.


    ¡®Is this really going to work? When in doubt, poker face? I have never played poker, that¡¯s a game in the empire!¡¯


    The long dissertation went from undergarments, materials, brands, magical devices and even how to undress yourself using rings. I forgot my pain for a while and all I could see were the adventures of ¡°Knickertwister Krigs¡± playing in my mind.


    He went into great detail about the famous Malgrunian consorts of renown, the sisters under the Blood Lotus. The Silk Thorn Flower, The Pleasure Maiden, The Lustful Witch, Touch of Malgrun Asele, Iriniya The Love Formation Master, the Blood Vampire, the Singing Phoenix and finally he spoke glowingly of the only one capable of standing on equal footing with the Blood Lotus. Ethereal Sonyeo, the Easterner. He gave me an overview of the pleasures on offer.


    It all sounded like Knickertwister Krigs knew them.


    ¡®My secret for your pain. I wasn¡¯t going to rat on my new friend. I may not have much but I do have honor. However, the repeating question was there¡­ Who the fuck are you?¡¯


    With all the sexually charged material, learning how to play Andukros became a casual affair, pun intended. My master¡¯s words came again.


    ¡®Love, peace, hate, fear, regret, desire and the Will. This is the core of true mastery.¡¯


    ¡°I guess this is desire.¡± I was looking forward to it, unapologetically.


    After many, many hours, the Will powered covering dissipated.


    The Ialpilgar hooves galloped vigorously through the road.

 CHAPTER 40

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    In the edges of a deserted lake somewhere in Zunar, we were standing before an open portal. The rift was emitting a considerable amount of energy. Our cloaks were fluttering.


    ¡°Remember everything we talked about this place. Follow my lead.¡±


    I walked through the opening after Krigsain. Blinding light enveloped us, the typical headache took place. A few breaths later, the light dissipated and two beautiful easterner women in her gowns welcomed us.


    ¡°We have been expecting you, please come with us.¡± They spoke together with a small bow.


    Krigsain nodded and we followed after them. The place was extensive; the architecture was similar to what I had seen before when we arrived in Wanei. But this time, the luxury was taken up several notches. Many buildings, many establishments that were meticulously lit, a feast of multicolored luminosity. There were many servants and plenty of clientele. The place was packed.


    There were four pagodas of considerable size, masterfully constructed. I estimated a height of 180 cubits Metal, earth, water seals, fire emblems, orgon crystals, gold, carbuncle, jasper, diamonds, etc. As some would say, the works. We went inside one of them until we reached a private room on the second floor. Our guards waited outside the room.


    Sitting across the table were two elegantly dressed men, fine clothes with red robes and barely discernable dragon symbols. One of them had his sleeves folded into cuffs, slim stature and long hair that draped down to his shoulders. The other a gruffer and warrior like appearance, but similarly kept long hair.


    ¡®Powerful energy, cultivators.¡¯


    ¡°Welcome again, blessed of the Will. As you know, my name is Li Sh¨©z¨« and this one next to me is Konoe Kurohyou. We will be your official and only liaisons in this matter.¡± They gave us a slight nod.


    They placed a couple of pearls in front of us. They were similar to the ones given to us by Lord Sarkan.


    ¡°These are the communication devices that I spoke of. Considering distances, security and other matters, they only transmit and receive short text messages. Regardless of what happens, we will only communicate with the two of you. In the case of the death of the client, the agreements will be considered null and void.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t too surprised; I had been warned. We took the pearls, one each.


    ¡°Mr. Li, this is the person I talked to you about, Ikrei. I am Krigsain, Mr. Konoe.¡± Krigsain and I saluted.


    ¡°I assume everything is ready?¡± Krigsain asked.


    ¡°Of course. As requested, here are the files.¡± Cultivator Li showed us a floating mirror screen through a crystal artifact. There were pictures and body measurements. Followed by the accompanying description.


    <ul>


    <li>16 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 4<sup>th</sup> stage, Blessing of Beltor.</li>


    <li>15 years old, Unorthodox Cultivator - Qi Gathering 7<sup>th</sup> stage, Blessing of Xinosha.</li>


    <li>17 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 3<sup>rd</sup> stage, Blessing of Thypar.</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°They are all talented beauties, trained in the arts of the n¨·y¨¡o, virgins with blessings of the lesser spirits of Malgrun, quite a find.¡± Cultivator Li explained.


    ¡°N¨·y¨¡o?¡± I questioned.


    ¡®I knew not having a clear understanding of eastern terms would make things confusing.¡¯


    ¡°Succubus, Ikrei.¡± Krigsain answered.


    Krigsain was meditating the present choice, I was comfortable with letting the ladies¡¯ man do the heavy lifting here.


    ¡°Perhaps, there is a little more we can offer you, blessed one? Cultivator Konoe said.


    After some pause, Krigsain nodded.


    ¡°T¨¡ k¨¤n q¨«l¨¢i m¨¦i n¨¤me l¨¬ng r¨¦n y¨¬nxi¨¤ng sh¨¥nk¨¨¡±


    ¡°Torihiki wa torihiki, madamu no meirei wa zettaidesu.¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand a thing. I looked to Krigsain for clarification, not speaking as we had planned. ¡°They are not too impressed with you, nothing to worry about, cultivators are far less reserved sometimes and wanted you to know. Don¡¯t take it to heart. Whatever extra they have is different. This might be good.¡± I received a mental message.


    ¡®Of course the chosen one understands the eastern languages!¡¯


    Another crystal with another file appeared. Pictures and body measurements again. Only one girl.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    <ul>


    <li>15 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 5<sup>th</sup> stage, Blessing of Malgrun. Bastard child of central continent royalty. Parental lineage will not be provided unless a fee of 400000 Ucra is paid.</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°She is exceptional by all measurements. With proper care she can reach Nascent Soul, maybe higher.¡±


    ¡°Can you give us a moment?¡± Krigsain asked.


    Accenting, the cultivators left the room.


    ¡°Good news or bad news first?¡± Red head was unsmiling.


    ¡°Tell me the bad news then.¡± The bad premonition crawled back up again.


    ¡°Bastard royalty? That means her cultivator father is extremely strong. She is trouble, now and in the future, you will suffer unless you tame her. The other ones are far easier to deal with. This one is noble blood, why is she here? 400000 disclosure option? Her parents are bigwigs, Ikrei. As your friend, I tell you to forget this woman.¡± The mental communication was filled with a sense of foreboding.


    ¡°Then there is something here. What¡¯s the good news?¡± I was <sup>2/3</sup> uneasy and <sup>1/3</sup> intrigued.


    ¡°She will give you a 99% chance of overcoming your particular awakening. The other girls are 55%, 50% and 60%, respectively. I know what you are thinking, if you choose her I will have to adjust on the fly. That means that my help will cause you complications, the type that you don¡¯t want! And no, I cannot tell you because it depends on how you deal with her. The Will is testing you.¡± The mental transmission ended.


    ¡®99%? I get to live! I get to live! I can¡¯t even hold a sword properly right now. What¡¯s there to think about?! Survival first, right? Damn fucking right!¡¯


    ¡°It can¡¯t hurt to ask, right? Let¡¯s just meet her first, alright? You do your thing big guy; this is where I need you.¡± I spoke honestly.


    He nodded.


    <hr>


    Some teacups and cookies later, the ¡®foreboding¡¯ woman was sitting across the table. I had seen the pictures in the crystal and wanted to confirm but she was wearing a veil. The only thing visible were her dark emerald eyes.


    ¡®I¡¯ll have to buy a flash crystal so I can take pictures. Pictures are the realm of the rich, the common folk have to settle for paintings and portraits. This world and its screwed up constraints!¡¯


    The delicate design of her clothes was grand, silk from fearbeasts, a master¡¯s dress. Turquoise mixed in with white in a unique blend, softening the color to a perfect shade. She had a pure white shawl that covered an underlying attractive figure. The elegant mixture of colors gave her a unique appeal. The hair crown with an eye catching hairpin jewel was noteworthy.


    ¡®She seems to be well proportioned all over but I can¡¯t be sure yet.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin negotiations. There are three conditions for her acceptance. We will deal with each one individually.¡± Cultivator Li spoke.


    Krigsain motioned for him to proceed.


    ¡°First is the price, due to her unique circumstances we have to account for her needs and our bottom line. The amount required is 200000 Ucra.¡±


    ¡®What?! That¡¯s crazy! Why so much for a piece of ass? You can buy a title of nobility, many, many artifacts, herbs, pills, high quality Augirian armor. It¡¯s generational wealth! Heck even a very minute but dwindling orgon deposit on a frontier town. I could live with that forever, if I wasn¡¯t dying!¡¯


    ¡°In exchange, we want absolute subservience. And I mean absolute.¡± Krigsain calmly counter demanded.


    ¡°We can use the special seal of our leader but you understand the limitations? It will be an extra 10000 Ucra for the materials. We are providing a hefty discount with this.¡± Cultivator Konoe detailed.


    ¡°Understood. Next condition.¡±


    ¡®10000 more?! What seal? Explain big guy!!!¡¯


    Sensing my distress, Krigsain said, ¡°The seal of the Heavenly Demon, details later.¡±


    ¡°Right of Refusal in accordance with the Malgrunian custom. This is a show of sincerity; compatibility is essential in any fruitful relationship.¡± Cultivator Li expressed.


    ¡°Right of Assessment, no powers, no techniques, no blessings, no gimmicks unless ordered.¡± Krigsain made a counter again.


    The three across the table agreed with nods.


    ¡°Final condition, considering she is giving away one of her most precious assets and who her partner will be, she expects marriage.¡±


    ¡®Marriage?! What? Why? This is a brothel, an expensive, luxurious and deadly one but a brothel. My 99% is slipping¡­¡¯


    ¡°I told you.¡± Krigsain was bordering on laughter.


    I didn¡¯t know what to do. It always ends the same. Someone, somehow controlling me and dictating what I¡¯ll do, my better fortune disappearing like shadows into shade. I was feeling how the gyves of life were stripping away my foolish hope.


    After a pause of a little over a quarter of an hour.


    ¡®Sixty percent it is. I cannot do this. I cannot.¡¯


    ¡°Broth¡ª¡± Krigsain interrupted me with a pad on my shoulder and a proclamation.


    ¡°The Seachar says, solitude is preferable to improper company. The Zurians say it is better to live in the wilderness than with a contentious wife. I say, bread for today, hunger for tomorrow.¡±


    He placed three of his Will infused glyphic cubes on the table. The eyes of the cultivators almost popped out of their sockets.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overestimate yourself. Consider these artifacts part of our counter offer, half the money in transferable funds from the order. The artifacts will be yours upon completion of the deflowering. I want a direct access portal to her private villa for myself and my brother here, a personal tri core maid assistant for her under our orders and I want the permission to commune with her for a few breaths in your presence. Lastly, she will get a proper non sexual related reward determined by the Heavenly Demon paid by us, if and when she provides everything my brother here needs. Otherwise, we will execute the refund policy of the Pavilion. In total counting the artifacts, our offer exceeds 300000 Ucra. This is the final offer from the Andurin order, a fortune. A fortune worthy of her undisclosed parentage.¡±


    ¡®I knew the artifacts were from Krigsain¡¯s workmanship not from the order. But they didn¡¯t need to know that. A friend, a true friend indeed!


    ¡°Never doubt the love that your elders have for you again, Ikrei. Trust that it will all be worth it in the end.¡± Krisain¡¯s mental communication made me gulp heavily.


    ¡®Thank you elders. My heart was in a complicated state, too many things, too fast.¡¯


    The cultivators were contemplative, internally surprised surely. Krigsain didn¡¯t bargain, he raised the stakes. We had them! They had urging eyes, they wanted to close the deal instantly. The girl was looking back and forth among us, finally settling her eyes on me. I was unfazed.


    ¡®Yeah, my friend is cool and if you reject the deal either the Madame or the Heavenly Demon might serve you to the dogs or who knows what. I already have enough people directing my steps, so kindly get in all fours. And fuck your marriage! There is a pun in there somewhere.¡¯


    I gave her a leisurely smile.

 CHAPTER 41

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We were standing facing each other, dressed with silk robes given to us by the attendants in a floor further up the pagoda. Sex has spiritual, religious and cultural implications of the highest order for the demonic cultivators and the malgrunians when choosing an erotic mate.


    ¡°My name is Yun Hee, awakened.¡±


    ¡°My name is Ikrei, cultivator.¡±


    Yun Hee was wearing a simple silk robe, her lush black hair draping over her shoulders, her face finally revealed. She looked better than in the pictures. A youthful appearance, clear even skin, flawless without imperfections. An almost chiseled v shaped jawline. Her dark emerald eyes, a proper accentuation of her beauty.


    ¡®Even though eastern women are not my type; she is like a porcelain doll. What laid before my eyes was endearing, welcoming instead of seductive, still very beautiful like returning to your long lost home. Her facial features will definitively do.¡¯


    Going further down her slender neck, her body was tightly embraced by the fine clothing. For an easterner, she was voluptuous in all the right places. Her clearly defined bust could fit perfectly in my hands, only just. She had a tiny waist, the representation of the ancient hourglass. It was explained to me that she had undergone the body tempering technique of the succubae and the Malgrunian blessing was clearly showing its effects here.


    ¡®I have an awakened body from birth thanks to my parents. Guess she is similar thanks to her Malgrunian mother.  Add secret arts and demonic cultivation on top, this will be the result.¡¯


    ¡°Turn around please.¡± I told her.


    Her plump protruding derriere was eye catching. I wasn¡¯t expecting such a view. The type of beautifully rounded cheeks that would swirl when walking. Not too big that it would feel out of place, not small and tender like many eastern women. Perfect, absolutely perfect.


    Her slender legs showing through from the strategically placed cut on her robe.


    ¡®A vixen¡¯s descent. A face for love, a body for sin.¡¯


    Now, I understood Krigsain¡¯s words a little more. You couldn¡¯t but wish to cop a feel of everything on offer.


    ¡°I assume the first part of the assessment is to your liking?¡± Yun Hee asked.


    I nodded in agreement. It was time for the Right of Refusal we had agreed to previously.


    She came close to me. Her crown barely touching my nose. I reflexively looked down.


    Her hands reached my torso and touched my pectorals with her fingers, feeling them through the silk. My right hand softly made its way to her left breast. The firmness was alluring, not that I had anything to compare it too. My fingers enveloped her fullness.


    Her right hand touched my chest in its center. Her eyes interlocking with mine.


    ¡°Hope you are ready.¡± An expectant gaze in her eyes.


    Energy entered my body. Slowly heat expanded all through my loins. My virile member made its full appearance lifting the robe slightly just over my bellybutton. Two fingers ran up and down my shaft. Not willing to be undone my free hand touched her bottom cheek, her plumpness reaching my groping fingers.


    I didn¡¯t look away, no matter how I felt internally.


    ¡®Embarrassing, definitively embarrassing!¡¯


    The energy slowly evaporated like sweat pouring from my pores. Her hands left my body, my hands left hers. Everything returned to its previous unexcited state. We stood there peering into each other.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°You will do.¡± She gave me an approving nod.


    ¡°Right back at you.¡± I nodded as well.


    <hr>


    The room were the sealing would take place was already prepared.


    ¡®I guess everyone was confident of the result. 99%, hell yeah!¡¯


    We sat in a lotus position in front of each other within the formation properly dressed. We were surrounded by cultivator Li and cultivator Konoe, Krigsain a few attendants and our guards.


    ¡®They are all here to prevent possible shenanigans from any party.¡¯


    ¡°The most powerful member of the couple has the control over the seal. That is, if the other party becomes stronger, the seal can be broken. Since the client is the weakest, we will ensure the seal for the prescribed time that she will be here inside the pavilion.¡± Cultivator Li elaborated.


    ¡°The Heavenly Demon doesn¡¯t like weak people ruling over the strong, no exemptions.¡±


    Krigsain¡¯s eyes shone bright red. The formation activated. Chants that I couldn¡¯t understand began. Malgrunian, eastern languages mixed in. Within the circle, a square, a triangle, a pentagram, a hexagon and many other shapes lit up under our bodies. The energy sheathed upon two dark gold runic rings that floated before us.


    ¡°Narang gyeolhon haejwo.¡± Yun Hee said while putting my ring on my left hand.


    Not understanding a word, I placed her ring on her left hand, exactly as indicated in the Malgrunian tradition. The formation deactivated and everyone was all smiles.


    ¡°We will keep her under our care for four years, consider the extra year a small contribution for your generous business.¡± Cultivator Li spoke with delight.


    We stood up, ready for departure. Her newly assigned private villa was our destination.


    ¡°She was telling you that she considers herself your wife.¡± Krigsain sent a mental communication.


    My eyes were full of disbelief.


    ¡°You better start fixing that attitude from the jump. I told you she was going to be a handful.¡± Krigsain was giggling.


    ¡°We still got a couple of details to clear here, please go ahead. I¡¯ll see you in an hour concubine Yun Hee.¡± I gave her my most pleasant smile.


    She showed no signs of disturbance. She headed towards her villa with her new personal tri core attendant. She left at a brisk pace.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later tonight, my man.¡± Krigsain said while throwing me a set of alchemical pills.


    ¡°It¡¯s still morning and we got to deal with other matters, don¡¯t we?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll deal with those; you go get prepared. Enjoy your training.¡± Krigsain left with the cultivators cordially.


    The two guards that remained with me followed me through the pavilion.


    ¡®A once in a lifetime soul torture, a 300000 Ucra bed ride. This extreme inculcation is the embodiment of the phrase, what the fuck!¡¯


    I wanted to reach the location of the villa but the last ass I held before today was my father¡¯s mule. I headed towards the alchemical store of the pavilion, dealing with a 99% Malgrunian and demonic succubus with an authority complex required arrangements.


    <hr>


    ¡°Esteemed patron, what can we do to help you?¡± The store manager welcomed me warmly.


    ¡°I want something that will guarantee my performance with my woman.¡± I stated.


    ¡°A considerate partner I see. We have a variety of products and ranges depending on your needs, I¡¯ll need all the specifics you can give me, sir.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a foundation establishment 5<sup>th</sup> stage succubae, I am Qi gathering 1<sup>st</sup> stage Iron Horse body. Can you help?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a rare occurrence. She must like you very much or perhaps you belong to a prestigious family...apologies, curiosity always gets the better of me.¡±


    He placed a couple of pills in front of me, pure white covering.


    ¡°These are a couple of Inmortal level pills, the Raging Bull. They will make sure you last long into the night; you can have assurance, sir. The problem lies with the amount of Qi you can manage. Honestly the pills could be wasted.¡± He gave me what it seemed like an honest answer.


    ¡®People come here not because the prices are high but because the service is impeccable. The Heavenly Demon knows his customers.¡¯


    ¡°Is there a way to prevent, improve or assure the pills will work properly?¡±


    ¡°For your needs, Sky level artifacts. High nobles use them to control cultivators. Blood magic seals, soul techniques, dreamweavers, orgon crystal infusions under certain special recipes. All of these we can provide for 15000 Ucra, whatever solution of your choice. Although some of them would be a onetime use item.¡±


    ¡°Anything else that is more economically accessible?¡±


    ¡°There is sir. Being succubae, if she is willing to dual cultivate with you. The Qi tolerance and the pills will work in tandem with the cultivation technique.¡±


    ¡°One more thing, give me something that will make her lustful.¡± I was hopeful.


    ¡°Ho ho, a succubus in a state of frenzy? I got just the thing!¡±


    He pulled an elixir bottle. The liquid was fiery pink.


    ¡°This is the Immortal ¡®Tear of Desire¡¯ elixir. Just be careful with your pelvic bones, sir.¡± The manager gave me a devilish grin.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take them, give me the items.¡± I placed the ten pills Krigsain gave me on the counter.


    ¡°Andurian design, interesting. Succubae and the Andurin, they have become quite popular in these last few years.¡± The manager took the pills and sold me the products.


    ¡°Thank you for your business. Please come again.¡±


    ¡®Is it right? Maybe not, but I am already mostly broken as a fighter. If she breaks me as a man? Nope, not happening¡­right? That¡¯s right Ikrei, absolutely right!?¡¯


    I heaved heavily. I walked with determination to face my next challenge.

 CHAPTER 42 - R - 18

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    My new assigned villa was opulent. The entire place had every possible need covered. A small garden with precious plants and flowers, several private rooms, a training circle courtyard, alchemical pills storage room, a small gathering hall, a private washroom, an orgon powered tempered natural pool, even an unused stable for tamed fearbeasts.


    ¡®The investment in this place is exhaustive. 300000 Ucra. The Andurin order values that boy extremely. My immediate needs are taken care of and my financial burden is almost offset. This might be tolerable.¡¯


    The main room had a mirror like ceiling, providing the entry of skylight in the form of rays. The energy condensing into floating fibrils around me, an absolute work of art from the Demonic Sect. You could see and feel the floating droplets but they dissipated upon contact.


    ¡®The care and love the Heavenly Demon has for the act of intercourse is outstanding.¡¯


    ¡°Your lord is here, paramour Yun Hee.¡± My new awakened attendant signaled.


    I sighed and prepared myself. I stood being bathed by the skylight and the floating drops around me. Facing the bed, I waited for the Andurian elite that would take my virginity. The Right of Assessment, a night of pure physical intimacy without the aid of illusions, visions or transformations. In short, no seduction arts, unless ordered.


    I heard the delicate steps behind me. I knew Ikrei was here. I raised my left hand, using my temporal ring, the dress and all under garments disappeared suctioned into the artifact. A small gesture of prowess as a succubus. Undressed, my body sparkled with the aid of the skylight and the droplet effect.


    Ikrei gasped. I knew my sudden action would surprise him. My hair was stylishly held by a golden pin in a bun. My neck, back, backside and legs clearly delineated by the light. My expertly toned muscles allowed for a perfectly visible sensual arc that went from my neck to my coccyx.


    ¡°Come.¡± I called out to him.


    He slowly placed his left hand on my hip from behind.


    ¡°I won¡¯t say much; love games are not my strength. Turn around.¡± Ikrei spoke softly.


    I did as I was asked.


    ¡®Even if I have reservations, I must play the part.¡¯


    I proudly puffed out my chest not avoiding his intense gaze. He imitated my previous movements with precision, his clothes disappeared into his dark gold ring as well. I raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°I have a friend that taught me a few tricks.¡± He smiled.


    A small bottle with a fiery pink liquid appeared in front of me. Before I could comprehend the circumstances, Ikrei gave me an order.


    ¡°Drink this.¡±


    ¡°I am more than capable, there is no need for this.¡± I rejected his command.


    His ring glowed with power, the runic engravings shone pure gold. The binding forced me to comply, my ring glimmered simultaneously. I drank the contents in one motion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s dual cultivate my paramour.¡± The instruction compelled me again.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡± My eyes turning red, the Malgrunian chant came forth.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Yun Hee kept chanting, she gave me several droplets of blood to swallow from her index finger. Yun Hee made an additional almost invisible cut on her right nipple. Drops of blood formed over her areola.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    Her energy enveloped us like a sphere. She embraced me, putting her arms around my neck pulling my head towards her nipple. I went along with her actions and slowly began to suck the blood from her nipple while my hands encompassed her norks.


    ¡®I need to live, anything else is secondary.¡¯


    The effect of the Raging Bull pill started to invigorate my loins and the rest of my body. I gave myself away to the increasing pleasure.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°Huh, ha.¡± Yun Hee began panting. The elixir was working.


    Her hairpin was sent flying somewhere inside the room. He hair fluttered wildly. Her energy began to invade my latent core. Slowly my sanity was slipping from me, the raging bull was manifesting. Her hair extended like tentacles, she used it to wrap her lushness around my forearms and throw me savagely unto the bed.


    ¡°Mine!¡± A guttural, unnatural sound escaped her lips.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    She was losing control, the binding ring and the elixir creating this opportunity. The dual cultivation technique fully entered my core. Small waves of energy were constantly emitted from her body and into mine. She lunged on top of me.


    ¡®You may be losing it by I am still sane, somewhat. Let me enjoy it for a bit.¡¯


    With my eyes wide open, I felt her luscious vixen contours, exploring every inch with delight. My lips carefully slurped her areola, my tongue twisting in a continuous circling motion. She tried to force herself on me again. My ring glowed. I bit her nipple, grabbed her plumb bottom and turned her over. More biting and slurping ensued.


    ¡°Mmmm.¡±


    ¡°Ahh.¡±


    Her nails scratched my pectorals, I bled a little. Holding firm unto her intimate upper parts, I traversed her body downward. My ring emitted light, her inviting legs slowly spread apart and her treasure laid bare before me, a well-kept secret garden perfectly trimmed. Her vulva glowed bright pink. The shared core energy intensified.


    ¡®Hello there! Let¡¯s see if your tips work, chosen!¡¯


    With my free hand, using my thumb I gently pressed on her small bump.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    My lips danced on her golden entry, forming letters shapes. A, B, C, D, I in a repeating cycle while my thumb played with her extremely sensitive and aroused clit. I added a couple of more Andurian letters for extra spice. Her fingers forcefully ran through my strands of hair. She pushed my head into her.


    ¡®Her pelvis is moving rhythmically. Her moans increasing in intensity and frequency.¡¯


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    ¡°Ha, mmm.¡±


    Several minutes later of nonstop sexual expressions, under the effects of the grinding dance, an arched back rose from the sheets, trembling¡­


    ¡°Ah¡­ah, ahh!¡±


    Her first release, fluids began to drip.


    The scent entered my nose and surrounded me.


    ¡®Her fluids smell like red roses in full bloom. No wonder Malgrunian men will kill for their women!¡¯


    Unable to bear it any longer, my desire reached its peak. The Raging Bull pill was taking over. My fully erect member made its way near her rose scented prize. One deep look between us and she unilaterally lifted her hips and slowly engulfed my member by herself. There was no ring, this time.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    I moved slowly and smoothly, she did the same, perfect synchronicity. It was definitely more her doing than my own. Her insides drowning me in pleasure, it was extremely hard to contain the need to burst. Her juices making it easy to enter her time and time again. Sometimes I could reach deep within her, others my technique slipped as my glee overtook my fleeing rationality.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­huh, oh!¡±


    Her hymen obviously broke. The stains visible on the white sheets. The smell of roses mixed in with a small portion of blood. That brought a moment of focus, in an otherwise chaotic experience. Regardless of how we got here, this was our first time. I grabbed her by the buttocks and quickly stood up carrying her while she was internally impaled. I headed towards the massive private pool.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡­Oh...yuo¡­ah¡­doing¡­oh, ohh!¡± Her quivering voice was surprisingly attractive.


    Her legs crossed around my back and pelvis. I ¡®gently¡¯ carried her while I joyfully pounded her. Getting to the pool was going to take a while. Our core energy unified even more intensively. Our impromptu sexual imbroglio carried on for several uncounted and numerous paces.


    ¡°Ah¡­you¡­oh¡­uh¡­idiot¡­ah, ohm!¡± She was turning into a blaze.


    About half an hour later, we entered the incredibly sumptuous manmade mini lake, splashing water everywhere. Our wet entanglement accelerated, her legs firmly encasing me. Her mouth clung open, unable to resist. Her pelvis moved in a beastly fashion. I lost all reason, hitting her cervix with abandon. The core energy was slowly dissipating; this was the beginning of pure sexual debauchery.


    Splash! Splash! Splash!


    ¡°Ahhh¡­Nn-! Ohh!¡±


    Her body convulsed uncontrollably.


    ¡°Hee, Hee¡­oh¡­oh, Ohh!¡± Her innards expelled the rose charged scent in all directions.


    Her powerful climax allowed me to regain my senses for a split second. The Raging Bull urged me to plant my seed inside this devilish pearl.


    ¡®Don¡¯t go having unwanted children, my man!¡¯


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    I felt my body lift itself from the water and turn. Right in the middle of ecstasy!


    ¡®Utter madness!¡¯


    By the time I figured out what was happening, I felt his manhood enter me again from behind. His roughed hands grabbing one of my shoulders and the side of my hips.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡®The elixir effect is fading!¡¯


    ¡°Ah¡­Ah, Ah!¡± His tip was reaching deep within. My backside clashing against his pelvic bones.


    I was getting repeatedly hammered, like a surface being cracked open with the magic orgon strap drills they use in the empire. Refusing to give in to this uncourteous animal, I submerged my mouth under water, not emitting another moan.


    Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    He kept pressing himself against me for an incalculable amount of time. Waves of desire, pleasure and pain covered me. I couldn¡¯t resist it.


    Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    ¡®My lower stomach is twitching again. Why am I perking my ass to him?! The effect of the elixir has worn off considerably. He is not even my type!


    Raising my head from the water, droplets everywhere, the unstoppable rush came again. My Qi energy exhausted, my eyes returned to their dark green color.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    My cheeks were bouncing off his thighs in a slightly strange angle, furiously.


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash!


    ¡°Hee, hee¡­ ou¡­bastorrr! AAAHHH!¡± I squirted all over him. Tremors circulating and reaching my bosom.


    ¡®Thankfully we are in the water¡­what are you even thinking, Yun Hee!?!¡¯


    In a flash I turned my head, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare impregnate me! Abuser, you!¡± I bubbled. I had water in my mouth.


    I finally noticed his heavy puffing.


    All I could see was that stretched girthed rod expelling its fluids into the air with a speck of his own blood. This imitation of a male nympho crashed back into the water.


    ¡®A virgin? Really?¡¯


    He laughed. He laughed for a long time. I couldn¡¯t help but feel insulted a little.


    ¡®Why are you laughing like that? I am worth a noble¡¯s house, you imbecile!¡¯


    After considerable minutes of quietness, I spoke.


    ¡°You have no manners! Are all you westerners like this?!¡± I was furious, expressing my discontent.


    ¡°I heard it said that it is better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission in cases like these.¡± Ikrei answered me.


    ¡°So, you are going to apologize?¡± I said.


    ¡°Nope, I won¡¯t do either. I don¡¯t know if you are worth all that comes with you but it is a start.¡± He gave a pleasant smile, they seemed to be truth filled words.


    ¡°Leave!¡± I ordered, not bothering to look him in the eye anymore.


    He did as I said, he quietly left the pool, I didn¡¯t want to glance at his nude retreating figure.


    ¡°Hazu, activate the cleansing mechanism.¡± I ordered our silently hidden awakened attendant.


    The pool began cleansing itself from the activities. I sank into the water with various thoughts.


    ¡®My little thing is throbbing, unbelievable! Malgrunian blessing, my cheeks!¡¯

 CHAPTER 43

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Krigsain arrived late into the night in the magnificent private villa, reaching my private quarters.


    ¡°Well this is the least they could do. How you liking the place Ikrei?¡± He said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the best accommodations I have ever seen, for whatever that is worth.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s spar a little, just hit me with a flurry until you are tired.¡± He told me.


    The rooms were incredibly spacious, enough to fit a couple dozen people with largesse. I didn¡¯t want to damage anything here, everything exuded extreme richness. Nevertheless, we had done our little dance countless times. I attacked without worry, giving it my all.


    One, two, three, four, five, six breaths! I tired after six breaths! I couldn¡¯t believe it.


    ¡°The benefits of dual cultivation with a blessed one, my man!¡± Krigsain said approvingly.


    ¡°Your power is considerably off, since you are barely starting out but her blessing and yours will counter the interference a little. You know what you need to do now?¡± He asked.


    ¡°There is a world of difference between forcefully and willingly doing dual cultivation.¡± I answered fixing my clothes.


    ¡°Yes. That will bring its own problems but first she must willingly accept. Use one pill each day to be able to withstand the energy difference, use your binding ring as well.¡± He gave pointers.


    ¡°I traded your pills for an elixir and a couple of Raging Bulls. You said that I needed to tame her.¡±


    ¡°And did you?¡± He was curious.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, she did scream once, loudly.¡± I giggled a little.


    ¡°Good, good, Malgrunian women only truly understand strength and pleasure. All other factors are important but the firsts are the starting line. Man strong and lips wet, as they say. The strength of our order can only take you so far, you need to pleasure her until you are strong enough.¡± Krigsain explained.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need more of your pills then, she¡¯s a feisty one.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t do. Those pills take time. Make do with what you got for now. I¡¯ll be back in ten days. Remember everything we talked about in the carriage.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, plant the seed in her mind properly. Fail and the consequences will be problematic.¡± I said worryingly.


    ¡°That¡¯s your 99% for you. <sup>99/100</sup> chance of awakening or <sup>99/100</sup> chance of a colossal fuck up.¡±


    The Will powered protection disappeared. Krigsain¡¯s eyes returned to normal.


    ¡®Under these conditions, the prospect of subduing a true vixen is taunting.¡¯


    I took out my ketar from my temporal ring. It was time to put some serious practice into this soul music thingy.


    ¡°She must definitively not be in the mood for visitors. Take care, my man.¡± Krigsain swiftly departed.


    I carefully played and practiced as I was taught by sister Kuyun. She said I had a pleasant voice, a benevolence of the Will for my current incarnation. I strung my ketar with care as I hummed and belted a few chord progressions.


    ¡®I hope Krigsain¡¯s secret weapon actually works. There¡¯s plenty to do before that.¡¯


    ¡®The Star in the Sky¡¯ spread through several corridors of the villa.


    <hr>


    Hazu served us a large meal, almost excessive. Neither of us woke up early in the morning, it was past the sixth hour.


    ¡°Please have a bite.¡± Yun Hee began eating delicately at my order.


    ¡°This is good Hazu, thank you.¡± The belgar juice and the deer meat was delicious.


    We ate silently until the pastries came.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a knack for music.¡± Yun Hee said.


    ¡°Nothing much, just something I picked up along the way. I tend to practice consistently, bear with it, will you?¡± I proffered.


    ¡°Not a problem, quite a surprise.¡± She nodded at me.


    ¡°After rest, come to my quarters paramour.¡± I told her calmly.


    ¡°I am fertile these days, keep it in mind my ravenous lord.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t prohibit the use of your arts for now, I am not a beast.¡± I retorted.


    ¡®As long as she uses her internal energy and her arts, she cannot get pregnant. Not unless her partner is stronger by an entire realm.¡¯


    She gave me an incredulous gaze.


    ¡°Ahem, entirely.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll be there within the hour. I hope you can handle things with more civility this time.¡±


    ¡°My strength might be lacking but not my impetus. This won¡¯t be the case forever; I will surpass you.¡± I worded it as a matter of fact.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I promise my arts will make for a memorable experience, my lord.¡± Her eyes were itching for retaliation.


    We ate the pastries on the crystal dishes silently.


    <hr>


    ¡°I think you need rest.¡± Yun Hee whispered near my earlobe.


    Her raven hair retracting itself to its normal length.


    ¡°Leave!¡± I ordered.


    ¡°See you at midnight, my lord.¡±


    Her rotund cheeks, jiggling away as she walked to the door, unclothed.


    ¡®I am pretty sure there¡¯s a smile on the other side of those evil strands.¡¯


    The carnal round was fierce. She definitively gave a new meaning to the grinding of the axe. No moans, no ecstasy just a perfectly drilled sex machine. When you are dealing with a shapeshifting semen sucking black hole, there is little one can do. It was painful not to fully succumb. She had put me through the gears. I saved a bit of dignity, no puffing, no huffing, no screaming.


    ¡®Civility, my ass!!! The sheets are a mess. Can a man ejaculate this much? Suck-u-bus!¡¯


    ¡°The benefits of dual cultivation are too good. Can¡¯t wait for the real thing!¡±


    I got up and readied myself, it was time to enjoy the amazing facilities.


    ¡®Magicraft shower, here I come!¡¯


    An hour later I was training with one of my bodyguards. The energy inside my latent core felt like a strong breeze of extremely hot air. I was able to train the Reika to my leisure with the energy constraints reduced. The training lasted unto the twelfth hour.


    ¡°Hazu, please ask the paramour if she would like to join me in the atrium for a time before dinner.¡±


    ¡®Hazu must surely be an assassin, she always is nearby listening to everything. Is she a voyeur?¡¯


    ¡°I will do as you ask, patron.¡± I couldn¡¯t sense her at all.


    ¡°I must treat her as a person and not an object if I am going to get what I need. Even then, that will not be enough. The dammed heavenly restrictions make everything bothersome.¡±


    <hr>


    The atrium hall with the water fountain as a centerpiece was magnanimous. The crystal dome, the windows, everything was overwhelming for me. The order, my master and Krigsain had made it all possible.


    ¡®They may be heartless pragmatists¡­but they mean well as muscle mass says.¡¯


    I played my ketar with deep concentration, I was trying to get the arpeggios I was taught, down. Minutes flew by before I noticed that the raven hair beauty had arrived.


    ¡°I thought you decided to decline.¡± I gave her a welcoming gesture.


    ¡°There is no reason for that. Perhaps we could tour the pavilion later, it is extensive.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should, this is the secret region of the ¡®Great Immortal¡¯ after all.¡± I agreed.


    From her ring, a canvas appeared with a case filled with brushes of all kinds.


    ¡°You will never be this young again, Andurin. Ikrei has only one life. Let¡¯s immortalize it.¡± She suggested warmly.


    ¡°Just adjust the clothes to that of a street performer, don¡¯t want to appear wearing this.¡± I emphasized the loose dragon robe I was wearing.


    ¡°Certainly my lord.¡± She began painting with a serene smile.


    ¡®Everything seems so natural, she¡¯s an absolute professional.¡¯


    I continued to play my ketar and sang a few songs while she worked.


    A cycle of training, sex, meditating, playing, touring, eating and sleeping followed.


    And like this, the many days passed merrily.


    <hr>


    The portrait style painting Yun Hee had finished hung in one of the walls of the atrium.


    ¡®Tomorrow night is the time I return to the order. This cannot be delayed any longer.¡¯


    ¡°It seems you have something on your mind, my lord¡± She worded politely.


    I had just lost my 27<sup>th</sup> match of W¨¦iq¨ª. The truth, I wasn¡¯t thinking too much about it.


    ¡°Is this enough for you Yun Hee?¡± I opened my gambit.


    ¡°I don¡¯t quite follow your intent.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want marriage?¡±


    She paused for a long time, glancing at my ring and hers several times. I wasn¡¯t going to force it, not today.


    ¡°No powerhouse will ever touch me after this, not for serious commitment of name and resources. I need both.¡± She seemed sincere.


    ¡°The funds were good enough to overlook the reservation. Tell me, can you give me what I need?¡± I proposed firmly.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Surprised was the least that could be said of her expression.


    ¡°You have your circumstances; I have my own. I am uncertain that you can give me what I need.¡± At my words she turned sober.


    ¡°If you have the intent of breaking the deal in its infancy, it would not bode well for me. What are you saying?¡±


    ¡°I thought things would work out as intended as they are. We all did. I need more from you.¡±


    ¡°I have done everything according to the agreement¡­I may have been a little forceful in bed the other day but still¡­¡± She gave a loud cough.


    ¡°You seem nice Yun Hee, so let me speak frankly. I have two options; first I need a mate that¡¯s willing to love me unwaveringly. I have a problem and that is the requirement to break off my shackles. We thought your direct blessing would help but it is not enough.¡± I wasn¡¯t lying.


    ¡°That is a high bar. A Zurian partner might be the correct choice for you.¡±


    ¡°The other option is True dual cultivation, basically.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Dual cultivation as it is should suffice for anyone. I see¡­300000 Ucra becomes clearer. You understand that what you are implying means sealing my soul to yours? The only way to do this is with a soul contract. But even then it is dicey. True dual cultivation comes from the heart.¡±


    ¡°You are a great laid but my life comes first, I need all the power the art can offer. That is as far as I¡¯ll explain.¡±


    ¡°You are saying you are dying if you don¡¯t get what you are asking?¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°If you reject me now, many of the resources will be taken from me as a penalty. I need to keep everything¡­¡±


    ¡°True love or at least the Malgrunian interpretation of it, desire and obsession. That¡¯s a bit much for a contractual relationship, I think.¡± I laid the truth.


    ¡®Here¡¯s the bait.¡¯


    ¡°My lord, excuse me but you are weak, even if your order supports you it would take you hundreds of years to get to the point that a consort of my kind would create an obsessive desire. ARLUN DESIR AUMERISH SPHORIUM means burning soul desire ignite ecstasy. For me to feel that without the use of a chant, that¡¯s beyond you right now.¡±


    ¡°I heard it said, if a man is strong¡ª¡± I was hoping she would finish the line.


    ¡°Lips are wet, my lord. The Malgrunian proverb. You implying something here?¡±


    Her interest was slightly piqued.


    ¡®This just might work. Muscle mass has been right so far.¡¯


    ¡°I will be exceptional; I just need an exceptional partner right now. Future investment, women do this all the time.¡±


    ¡°Present investment in my case, I need the resources allocated. But you are asking for something that goes beyond the preservation and benefits of a name, like I did with marriage. You want the heart of a woman without conquering it.¡± She waved her hands in dismissal.


    ¡°What about the Heart of Malgrun?¡±


    ¡®Here it is. Let¡¯s see if this works, Knickertwister Krigs.¡¯


    ¡°That¡¯s a death seal for you, nobody knows what Malgrun would want and you don¡¯t have the strength and I am unwilling to wait for centuries.¡±


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯ll be exceptional. How about ten years? That too much?¡± Poker face time as Krigsain says.


    Her hair stood up and floated like it was alive. She collected herself before asking.


    ¡°How powerful?¡± Her gaze was penetrating, bright red, she was looking for lies, perturbances within me. I could tell, binding ring and all that.


    ¡°300000 Ucra is chump change for a direct Kotari. Think big.¡± I kept firm.


    ¡°From whom? Who are you training under? How powerful?¡± Her hair floated strangely.


    ¡®I am not sure what answer would be appropriate but I need to be careful, restrictions and all that crap. I have to go with my gut feeling and the Will. No lying, that is all that the moment requires.¡¯


    ¡°Enough to battle a Soul Merge Spider Queen in her own den with the entire colony by myself. I¡¯ll kill her eventually too. I think you call it Nascent Soul.¡±


    The brightness in her eyes receded, her hair returned to normal. After many, many, many sand grains¡­


    ¡°Explain this need for ¡°love¡± in detail my lord.¡±

 CHAPTER 44

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    I was listening attentively to every word of my unsatisfied swain. I wasn¡¯t sure if he was very smart or very crazy.


    ¡°Intense pure emotion increases and refines the energy received through any blessing. The better the quality, the better it is for me. How we feel about things determines the deepness of the connection and the energy transfer. In short, our souls must have a compatible relative perception of things. They say, beastmasters differ greatly due to how they commune with their spirit animals. Asking a demonic cultivator and a malgrunian to accept my understanding of love is a bridge too far. The key here is intensity. So, we can try just learning to be the horniest cultivator couple of this generation.¡±


    ¡®What? How old is he, really?!¡¯


    ¡°Where do you get this knowledge?¡± My curiosity was increasing.


    ¡°300000 Ucra, remember? I have some great teachers and a good memory.¡± He pointed towards his temple.


    ¡°How certain are you that the true dual cultivation will work with the added seal?¡±


    ¡°I feel a lot better ever since we started our intimate exchange. The probabilities are good; it is my life we are talking about here.¡± An awkward smile appeared.


    ¡°The seal of true dual cultivation, the Heart of Malgrun is one of the last things I have. I need guarantees. Can you pay the price?¡± I spoke coldly.


    ¡°If I don¡¯t I am as good as dead. I¡¯ll do anything as long as it doesn¡¯t involve marriage nor falling in love.¡± He sounded resolute.


    ¡®Here it is, again. The insane portion of my swain.¡¯


    ¡°How can you ask for ¡°love¡± when you are unwilling to give it?¡± I was getting irritated.


    ¡°I said I need someone to love me, not that I could love in return similarly. These are needs to increase my chances to the upmost. What you value and what I value is vastly different. Even if I say love, our interpretation of it is not the same. I¡¯ll settle for the true dual cultivation with the unique seal, if you please.¡±


    I peered, gazed and even walked around him for almost an hour. His eyes firm and unchanging, a strange person. I was no longer a virgin and if I was going to entertain this nonsense I was going to push it. In the end, I decided to see possibilities.


    ¡°There is someone I need to deal with, it will be exacerbating and miserly even. I plan to use the Andurin order¡¯s name to further my goals, you will do so on my behalf. Also, I need the resources given by the agreement but they¡¯ll run out by the end of the fourth year. You will need to be stronger than me by then. The resources needed for my continued development must be secured by you. Furthermore, you need to reach Nascent Soul stage 9, preferably half step if possible, within your proposed ten years. In return, you get me, your private power source to Malgrun. It sounds crazy, the connection might drive you insane.¡±


    I laid my terms.


    ¡®No tricks, just the truth. I wasn¡¯t going to go easy here.¡¯


    He sat there pondering, holding his ketar.


    ¡°If we do this, there will be an oath. You will either fulfill it or you will die. Either in four years if you haven¡¯t progressed to my liking the oath will kill you or if you are deemed suitable you will aid me when you reach the necessary realm by the prescribed time. If you fail, you will die. I will use your order¡¯s name to open certain avenues, subtly. This is an oath with of a demonic cultivator and a malgrunian blessed by Malgrun directly, there is no escape. In exchange, once the oath is fulfilled your strength will rise even more dramatically as long as you can take it. Your oath will not be wasted.¡±


    The stillness felt heavy, it was better to shatter this boy now than to waste any more time.


    ¡®I just need to hold out for four years, an acceptable trade off.¡¯


    A long time later¡­


    ¡°An unreasonable task for an unreasonable need¡­I¡¯ll do it, just learn to love me the malgrunian way, you can do that, right?¡± His eyes mirrored the stillness of the room.


    ¡°The seal will transfer plenty of more power already. You want all of it? Do you know what you are asking? Magrunian women will kill, lie, steal, debase themselves for their man. They can also kill their man if they are not ¡°loved¡±. Didn¡¯t you just say that you won¡¯t fall in love? Do you even understand our nature?¡± I was seriously amused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be great, great enough to accomplish your impossible test. The lie becomes the truth through our desire. You fall in love with me, I¡¯ll desire you with unrestrained passion. A man can be lustful without love, a Malgrunian cannot love without lust. A win-win in my book.¡±


    ¡®That gaze, where does he get that confidence?!¡¯The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Strong enough to dominate, clever enough to be an undying flame?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°Moths to the flame, right?¡± He answered dismissively.


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha, ha!¡± My laughter made the windows in the atrium shake, I lost control of my energy with the absurd situation.


    ¡°Hazu, what do you think? Give me your honest opinion.¡± I asked our pervading shadow.


    ¡°Comparing the investment of the Andurin order in your lord with your proposed task, it is insufficient by a considerable margin. But he is friends with a beloved one, historically their close acquaintances are never simple.¡± She answered like a floating whisper, invisible.


    ¡°Very well, very well¡­I am an easterner, Ikrei. I have shown you mine; it is time to show me your sincerity. Let me see. How can you seduce a seductress? I assume you have a little more than just words, right?¡± I imitated him a little.


    ¡®Let¡¯s see what you got, little man.¡¯


    ¡°I was planning a little something in a month¡¯s time or so but, I guess, this is as good a time as any. Apologies my paramour.¡±


    His runic ring shone its typical golden light, mine reacted. Dual cultivation. The chant went forth from my lips, my eyes turning red.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    The command jolted me up to a standing position.


    ¡®We are having sex right here? Right now? Using the ring is a sign of weakness. Disappointing!¡¯


    A gentle music sounded from the strings of the ketar. The sounds felt like they were in between my ears, inside me. He was using our connection as the power conduit.


    ¡®Soul music, the real thing! The Andurian art! I¡¯ll have you teach me that.¡¯


    The gentle strokes continued¡­his voice entered my mind while reverberating outside.


    ¡°?It might be hard to be lovers; it will be harder to be friends.


    Pull down your covers, won¡¯t you let me in?


    Light a couple candles, while I go on ahead and close the door.


    And just talk to me baby, ¡®til we ain¡¯t strangers anymore?¡±


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡± The chanted mixed with the melody harmoniously.


    I felt his reservations towards me, he felt mine. Then the moments of blissful intercourse we had shared these past days. The image of my back contorting as I moaned was vivid.


    ¡®This is so humiliating!¡¯


    ¡°?Lay your head down on my pillow, I¡¯ll sit beside you on the bed.


    Don¡¯t you think is time we say, things you dare not say?


    It¡¯s not too late to go back to that place; there, where things used to be before?


    And just look at me yeah, ¡®til we ain¡¯t strangers anymore. ?¡±


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    His eyes became deeper for a moment I even thought, they turned blue. I saw images of his childhood, running around chasing rabbits with his father and the empty feeling left by his passing. I saw the silhouette of my mother, the feeling of the last time she held me and the dread, the abject fear that the presence of my father caused within me. Ikrei felt it too, this was a two-way connection.


    ¡®Don¡¯t look, I don¡¯t approve of this!¡¯


    ¡°?It will be hard to love me; it will be hard to love you too.


    It is a lie to go on believing that love can pull us through.


    And it can be so easy to live your life with one foot out the door.


    You just got to hold me baby, ¡®til we ain¡¯t strangers anymore?¡±


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    He didn¡¯t love me; he couldn¡¯t love me. I didn¡¯t love him either. I saw and felt his thoughts when he held me, he saw mine when I touched him. There was no separation, raw truth. I saw him fighting hundreds of spiders and the enormous Spider Queen. He saw me training in a lonely corner in my father¡¯s castle. The seemingly endless toil and suffering.


    ¡®He did fight a Spider Queen?! At the Qi gathering stage? You are truly insane!¡¯


    His eyes were levelled with mine. I felt suffocated.


    ¡°?It is hard to find forgiveness, when you are running out of lies.


    It is hard to say you are sorry, when you can¡¯t tell wrong from right.


    It would be so easy to live your whole life just trying to keep the score. ?¡±


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    I felt how this whole thing was just a web of intrigues. I didn¡¯t see the details; he didn¡¯t probe into mine. There was no need to. We were guilty of playing cards and hurting each other for conveniences, crucial, important but conveniences nonetheless.


    I saw how we played, ate, talked and even laughed together a couple of times. Then I felt it, his fear of death. Immense, compulsive, a deep trauma hidden behind. The spiders in the cave swallowing him whole. Then, revenge, hatred, conviction and bloodshot eyes willing to tear the world apart. The image of his eyes superimposing itself in a single frame with the reality of the boy in front of me.


    The soul connection ended but the melody from the ketar kept going, mutedly.


    ¡°?So, let¡¯s get down to it baby, there ain¡¯t no need to lie.


    Tell me who you think you see when you look me in the eye.


    We can put our hearts back together, leave the broken pieces on the floor.


    Make love with me baby, ¡®til we ain¡¯t strangers anymore. ?¡±


    His eyes, they were overwhelming. I was the prey. The song ended, the ketar disappeared into his ring.


    ¡°I meant it.¡± He told me turning his back to me.


    He took of his runic ring and placed it on the table were my brushes were.


    ¡°I will grant your desire, grant me your heart. We are imposing truly heavy loads on each other. You don¡¯t have to decide now, just think about it.¡±  He left.


    I kept looking at the runic ring on the small table. My heart, my mind and my soul where in a whirlwind. The soul music connection felt strange, really strange.


    ¡°That song was beautiful, so touching. I¡¯ve never heard it before.¡±


    ¡®He truly is not simple. He is special. He is going to be strong.¡¯


    ¡°Am I getting aroused?¡±


    <hr>


    It was midnight, it took a long time for me to make peace with everything that had transpired. I violently pushed his doors open. I was lured.


    ¡®Can he do it? Really?¡¯


    He only smiled with that confidence of his upon my arrival, unwarranted yet irresistible.


    ¡°If you can withstand what is about to happen, I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    Ikrei swallowed an alchemical product.


    ¡®A pill? You were playing me?¡¯


    ¡°You¡¯ll need more than that to make it through the night.¡±


    My Qi exploded with my blessing, my hair extending and floating as self-conscious threads. I threw his ring back at him. He placed it in the furniture next to his bed.


    ¡°Good start.¡±  I was pleased.


    ¡°Love, desire, greatness, eternity. Let¡¯s open the bet with an unforgettable moment.¡± I told him.


    My eyes shone blood red. All the power I could infuse and yet somehow I felt the blessing magnifying by itself, overbearing. My clothes disappeared into my ring. I tore his clothes in the space of four breaths with my powered nails. A breath later, I held his chin with my index and middle finger. I gave him the eagle eye, just as he did before.


    ¡°Dalkomhan mal-eul boyeojuseyo!¡±

 CHAPTER 45

    Fuko P.O.V.


    SWISH!


    The head was sent flying in a beautifully executed bloody arc.


    ¡®My new weapon is magnificent. Full control is elusive.¡¯


    This was our 40<sup>th</sup> kill, 40 influential nobles, merchants, artisans and politicians of the Kotar kingdom.


    ¡°We need to leave within the hour; security was far more competent than expected. Corin!¡±


    She went ahead and placed the mark on the target¡¯s body. A glowing phoenix on the severed neck, we were announcing to the world that Malgrun was on a hunt.


    ¡°Brute force the vault. Take whatever valuables you can.¡± I indicated.


    ¡°This noble has a sealed ring. Definitively a powerhouse¡¯s work, we cannot unseal it.¡± Corin alerted me.


    ¡°Valuable enough to seal not enough to self-destruct. Sell the temporal ring in the black market, use your connections. Make sure it gets far away from here.¡±


    ¡°Will do, there will be plenty of clients overseas.¡± She put the ring away in her special pouch.


    A shadow came in through the window of the abode.


    ¡°Ethola, shouldn¡¯t you be scouting our next target?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Communication from the Duke, sir.¡± I received the sealed parchment.


    I read its contents, the magical paper dissolved. The group was waiting for my orders.


    ¡°We will continue as we have planned. Once we are done with our current targets, we will head to Zunar. Corin, use your arts, time to contact our brethren. Let¡¯s find the adepts and worshippers first.¡±


    I threw one of my rings to my subordinate.


    ¡°Blitz, go to my father, use my ring, ask for our liaison to the hierarchy if we have any. Tell them I need specific information crystalinks with their chosen targets. Make sure they are encrypted.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± He answered.


    ¡°From here on out, everybody prepares properly, you hear? We are going to pay a visit to the Andurin.¡±


    The wicked laughs erupted around me.


    <hr>


    Shakam P.O.V.


    ¡°Everything ready, Vites?¡±


    My Seneschal nodded and pointed me towards the small podium ahead, outside the grand balcony of our main state building. I was surrounded by many artifacts and behind me, the entourage of the forces I represented today.


    ¡®Sages, kotari, politicians, financiers, knights, mages and two of my sons. Not too insalubrious for the occasion if I say so myself.¡¯


    The main plaza of our capital seemed small with the packed audience for today. I could oversee, more than two hundred thousand souls gathered in the street spaces below. The grand buildings representing our government, the opulent private businesses of wealthy nobles, the master stonework of our commemorative statues all shining impeccably in concert with the sunlight.


    ¡®People in this world imitate the shadow factions too closely. Most walk with some form of hooded cloak, and too many with imitations of the real thing. Only the easterners avoid imitating the cultivators. Curious thing, the cultures of the world.¡¯


    Three loud thuds from the royal scepter later, I made my appearance.


    Wearing my most regal garments I waved to the crowd. The cheers weren¡¯t far behind.


    ¡°The King will speak! Subjects of Kotar, salute!¡± The Steward was very loud with his magnifying artifact.


    Most of the crowd gave me the hand cross over the shoulder military salute. The cheers turned into whispers.


    ¡°Eyes and ears of all, far and wide harken unto me. I, Shakam Ryel come baring extremely delicate matters.¡± The crowd quieted to the point that a baby crying in the distance could be heard.


    ¡°We have been formally accused of inciting conflict with the Kingdom of the Eternal Moon. Elite kotarian knights lay dead in Malgrunian lands without burial, rooting.¡±


    The images of the bodies in a state of putrefaction were displayed in the several tens of large floating mirrors around the plaza. In the crowd, many shrieked, others gasped, but none were left unaffected.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s true?!¡± ¡°Oh, great Will!¡± ¡°King, king, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±


    Many shouts, exasperation, worry, fear¡­many feelings clearly upon the sleeves of the present.


    ¡°Furthermore, many noblemen, government officials, artifact traders, merchants of our beloved kingdom have recently died in different foreign lands under the knife of the hunters of the phoenix.¡±


    Images, pictures and crystal recordings played with full vibrancy through the floating mirrors the grotesque state of the decapitated bodies bearing the mark of the glowing phoenix in some part of their physiques.


    ¡°I know even here, there are accidents. A boy, a news delivery boy died caught in the scuffle caused by these cowardly attacks. What does that tell you? They are on the warpath. The intent is evident. Foreign dignitaries, kingdoms, nations, factions and forces listen to me now!¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The creaking of a small carriage wheel was heard. People were even afraid of breathing too loudly.


    ¡°Choose carefully what you will do, how you will do it and with whom you choose to entangle under the cover of night. We will remember, Kotar always remembers. Ilgyar, King of the Eternal Moon, there is still time, it is not too late to settle matters with reason. If I didn¡¯t know you better, Ilgyar I would say that you want this blood, you need this blood. The cup of trembling that lies in your hand is about to spill over. Have you no power? Is it all inevitable? If it is then the moon that you cherish so much might crash upon your head.¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s it, let my words simmer. Let it think in, you cowardly twig.¡¯


    I looked straight into the transmission device that was sending the magic signal to all places in the continent.


    ¡°Is this enough for dramatic emphasis, a penchant for flair?¡± I gave a mocking gesticulation towards myself.


    ¡°Let me be clear, come to the negotiating table, livelihoods, futures, memories, resources   are all at stake here and more¡­ far more than I can say. But if you must have your war then your blood will not flow like a river or like an ocean but as the ancient flood. Your beasts will feed with your cores upon your altars. We killed Zoer, your High Priest under your very noses! Do not think that we don¡¯t know what you are up to!¡±


    The plaza turned still like a graveyard for a couple of minutes. Then it exploded with activity among the gathered crowd, heavy murmurs everywhere.


    ¡°We are kotarian and we will not be manipulated by the likes of you. We are free and we will fight to the death before that ever changes! Our people, our kingdom, our ways are unnegotiable! And as their King, I call for peace by agreement with the heirs of the phoenix or we will feast with those fire imbued feathers and have peace with the pieces of your corpses.¡±


    The energy within me synergized with all the mages, sages, kotari and awakened that surrounded the plaza via the hidden Sagecraft. The energy enveloped everyone present. I shouted with all my soul in remembrance of all the kings that came before me. It reached way past the outskirts of Lemuria.


    ¡°FOR KOOOTAAAR!¡±


    The earth rumbled, the plaza shook. The crowd erupted in a furious chant, there was no need to influence them. Choice, the first precept.


    ¡°Kotar! Kotar! Kotar! Kotar! Kotar! Kotar! Kotar!¡±


    The crowd began singing ¡®Road to Lemuria¡¯, the song that birthed the kingdom.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°And thus, war begins with a song and it will end with the wailing of the phoenix.¡± Lord Sarkan declared it with great certainty.


    The mirror artifact that allowed us to view the king¡¯s proclamation deactivated. The pearls transmitting the image stopped emitting their energy. The class was in an uproar. Many were singing as well.


    ¡®This is one song; I¡¯ll have to learn in the proper tongue. I wish I had my memories back already!¡¯


    Lord Sarkan motioned for the class to quiet down.


    ¡°Starting tomorrow, most of you are to head out into Zunar to further your training. All preparations have been accounted for, what it is in your slate of activities is also part of your testing. Don¡¯t share your mission objectives with anyone outside of the assigned parties, follow your personalized instructions.¡± Lord Sarkan was definitively glaring at us, the troublemaker group.


    ¡°Now begins your final cycle before most of you take your Kotari trials, the period will last for approximatively four months.  Be back for every day of Io?l. Let¡¯s talk¡ª¡±


    ¡°SECRETS OF THE WORLD!¡± Most of the clash finished the sentence for the sage.


    The fire of expectancy was in the eyes of all present. We now understood, the seals, the wards, the protections and the war. This was serious business.


    Lord Sarkan chuckled consecutively. He pointed his index finger to where the Dogran guy was sitting.


    ¡°And not even you know of what you are about to hear. All factions have their deep secrets; this is one of ours. Never underestimate the Andurin again, empyrean blood.¡± Lord Sarkan¡¯s sly smile reflected the light in the class.


    Krigsain was the only one impassive this time.


    ¡®Muscle mass knows! I knew it, my bet might pay off eventually!¡¯


    ¡°We discussed deviators last time. In short, things happen due to the meddling of the gods that one cannot prevent. Even with all our precautions, we know there are rats around. There are very few ways someone can get one over us when we are all on the case. The method used this time has to do with one of the gods most unique and powerful ability.¡± Sarkan paused letting people digest his words.


    Everybody was on edge besides Krigsain.


    ¡®Tell us old man, come on!¡¯


    ¡°Who are the known gods? Anyone?¡± Our golden haired teacher asked.


    ¡°Malgrun for the Eternal Moon, Zur for Orlum, the Will for Kotar, Falam for the Empire. There are many minor spirits or lesser gods after that. Is this good?¡± Iru answered.


    ¡®I guess he is trying to score points since he got hammered last class.¡¯


    ¡°There is another, the god of the cultivators. They of course mostly don¡¯t recognize its existence; he or she or it has only appeared to few. Few in comparative terms, there are more than a million cultivators that we know of. We call him the Hidden God or the Hidden Hand.¡±


    The class began talking amongst themselves. Puri and I just looked at each other. Another god to us wasn¡¯t something astonishing. After a few minutes, Sarkan resumed talking.


    ¡°What a god can do or not do in the different planes varies depending on factors that you will only learn if you become sages and even then it will not be whole of the matter. What would you say if you could change anything you want about your life?


    ¡°Like learning that ancient mystic art from your ancestors that was taken from you because you lacked talent?¡± Lord Sarkan was looking at a guy I didn¡¯t know, the guy gulped hard.


    ¡°Or prevent the deaths of your parents?¡± Our expressive teacher was looking at me.


    ¡®What?! What did you just say?!¡¯


    ¡°Putting it simply, not just alter time within an area for a set period but reverse the flow of time entirely on a single lifeform. Turn back the clock of an entire world. And the chosen lifeform gets to remember everything that transpired before he or she or it died. Wouldn¡¯t you change many outcomes in your lives if you could?¡±


    The class went nuts. Even the Dogran guy was shocked, mouth agape.


    ¡°One of the reasons the eastern kingdoms stand to this very day is because¡­ well, how can you defeat an enemy that knows your every move before the battle starts? That¡¯s why the empire has failed miserably several times.¡± Lord Sarkan was fixated on the Dogran guy.


    ¡°Consider this our true repayment for your allegiance Isoray, you can take this knowledge with you back to the empire when you fulfill the conditions you are aware of. Do you still think we are not up to par, Child of Mana?¡± Sarkan¡¯s smirk was intentional.


    Dogran guy was frozen, like those cheap popsicles I used to buy near Andara forest.


    ¡°As I said before, I tell you all these things because you need them to survive. Today we will talk about these enemies and how to counter them. As you know by now, your artifacts don¡¯t work fully in this room. Memorize everything, it will save your life. You will be facing them in this war. It is forbidden to speak about this outside this very room and to any other being other than Lord Tanin, Lord Akathos, the Claimere or me during the war. Not even other elders, be wary of impersonation. The penalty for disobeying this order is soul manipulation and death. You won¡¯t be able to return for many lives if you do.¡±


    ¡°URAN LIEN FARLON DES GLAOH!¡±  Lord Sarkan chanted making several hand sigils.


    The magic pearls that were giving to us as communication devices bursted forth, many of them from our temporal rings.


    ¡®I should say, THEIR temporal rings, since Sarkan is in control.¡¯


    I turned to look towards the source of all these problems. Krigsain evaded me. Puri was scared. The pressure in the room made everyone unable to breathe.


    Floating in front of us, they dissolved an entered our chests in the form of a blood droplet. Yes, even inside the beloved ones.


    ¡°Urgh!¡± ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± ¡°What!¡± Many voices were heard.


    ¡°We will get you new communication beads, do not worry. DO NOT DISOBEY OUR ORDERS. Until you are Kotari, the elders of this castle are your ONLY law. One last time, do not talk to anyone about today outside of us, SURVIVE THE WAR.¡±


    ¡®Fuck me, secrets of the world. The Andurin are monsters, monsters I say!¡¯


    ¡°Then my Sachears, let¡¯s talk extensively about the phenomenon known as Regressors.¡±

 CHAPTER 46

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We were walking down the corridors of the castle, we were heading to the soul music class with sister Kuyun. Puri had a very somber expression on his chubby face.


    ¡®That was one heck of a history lesson and a scary reminder of what is to come. I need to write down some notes in a personal secret code. I need to remember and this can never leak.¡¯


    I was reflexively and intuitively opening and closing my fingers into a grab. Completely unnatural, it happened during class too.


    ¡°Wait up, my fellow delinquents!¡± Krigsain came saluting from behind.


    The pads on the back felt like a ton of bricks. Puri almost fell over.


    ¡°Sorry, I am in a pinch. Ikrei come with me, we need to talk. Puri tell sister Kuyun that the troublemaker leader took the troublemaking accomplice for a little chat. He¡¯ll be a little late.¡±


    Puri agreed readily. He didn¡¯t want to linger too much. The class had left him scarred and scared down to his bones.


    ¡®You didn¡¯t have to fight in a spider den chubby. Cheer up a little.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to my room. I got wards made by Akathos. They cause severe headaches, so they are really good.¡± I told the muscle mass.


    ¡°We can talk the little stuff while we walk. You were utterly out when I went to pick you up. Did you partied out a little too much?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I have no idea. The last thing I remember was getting ready to¡­well, you know, the night before you came. I woke up in my room inside the castle, that¡¯s pretty much it.¡± I was embarrassed to speak in the corridor.


    ¡°Got it. Let¡¯s get to your room quickly then.¡±


    ¡°Why you need to ask me stuff, doesn¡¯t the Will allow you to know the unknown?¡± I was curious.


    ¡°As with everything, there are conditions. Communing with a god isn¡¯t for everyone and my current state has its limitations. I don¡¯t want to exert myself on minutia.¡±


    ¡°Minutia?¡±


    ¡°Little things my man. Don¡¯t take it to heart. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    <hr>


    Sitting upon my bed I recounted the happenings in the private villa in the briefest non sexual summary ever.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go over the main points. Did you follow the plan exactly?¡± Krigsain asked leaning on my table.


    ¡°I improvised a little. The poker face thingy was tough, really tough¡­Also, I did use your song though, the way we talked. I changed the lyrics to adjust for the situation and the chord progression to my liking.¡± I was honest.


    ¡°See, when talking to beautiful women all you have to do is imagine them taking a shit, after that everything is easier. Now, if your libido gets worked up with that, then you have a very serious problem.¡±


    We laughed our hearts out.


    ¡®Too much. Muscle mass is too much!¡¯


    ¡°Whatever happened, happened. She was there to see you off, little lord. You did good, you are almost there. Your probability range still holds up.¡± Krigsain wore a happy expression.


    ¡°Almost there?! So, it didn¡¯t work?¡± This wasn¡¯t good.


    ¡°Almost, listen to the operative word, almost. She just needs a little push. She requested something from you, once you do it, you are in. In more ways than one.¡±


    ¡°Spill it man, don¡¯t leave me hanging.¡± These people, always with the suspense.


    ¡°You have to write a song for her. You need to go to her with song in hand and if she likes it, you will have what you need. It better be good, kid. You cannot use soul arts. Your playing and your original work is what matters. That¡¯s it.¡± He gesticulated happily.


    ¡°A song?¡±


    ¡°Yes, something about the author might have slipped during your hard sex, my man.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡®Oh, shit.¡¯


    ¡°You¡¯ll help me, right? Friend.¡± I said.


    ¡°No can¡¯t do.  The order opened her legs for you, I opened her heart for you. It is time for you to keep her by your side with your own strength. It will do wonders for your training.¡± He explained.


    ¡°How the hell I am supposed to do that?! I play but write? Compose? Hunter turned broke corner musician, unbelievable!¡± I was feeling discontented.


    ¡°The elders are probably planning extensive hunting activities that will test your mettle once you leave the castle in a couple of days. You will have to fend for yourself for a while. I am pretty certain the big test will come in after completion. Sarkan likes to push it, a lot.¡±


    ¡°How do you know? Didn¡¯t you say you weren¡¯t using your powers of communion?¡±


    ¡°Freslia told me. She wasn¡¯t too happy with your appearance when you arrived. She paid you a visit from what I hear, it didn¡¯t go well, seems you reacted strangely¡­ get ready for more pummeling. A little heads-up for what¡¯s ahead.¡±


    ¡°Taskmaster saw me? What?!¡±


    ¡°You two have a very strong connection from what I can tell. That patch of hers is quite eye catching, pardon the pun. Know anything about it? Care to share?¡±


    ¡®Need to know basis. Keep things to yourself as much as possible, specially about my clothes!¡¯


    Freslia¡¯s last words after I woke up the days after the cave still ringed in my head.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say wicked heart. Sorry.¡± I apologized with even more embarrassment.


    ¡®Freslia is at a higher level than Yun Hee in pectoral fortitude. Way too blessed for someone so merciless.¡¯


    ¡°No matter. I kind of like her new look. Makes me see her in a brand new light. Strong to dish it, strong to take it¡­Your heart seems more stable thanks to your paramour. Anyway time to go on, you need all the music lessons you can get. You have a lover to swoon.¡±


    ¡°Did you calculate this? Probabilities and all that?¡±


    ¡°Even if the horse is put in front of the water, it is the horse that has to drink it. Now is your turn to excel, figure it out. Less fuckboy more wild stallion, apologies for the crudeness. It has been hard for me too, these past days.¡±


    Krigsain pushed me towards the door.


    ¡°Sister Kuyun is going to make you stay for extra practice for this¡­Not sorry, you need it. Probabilities and all that.¡± He laughed.


    ¡°Monster, I tell you, you are the cookie eating monster.¡± I rebuked him.


    He laughed even more, almost gasping.


    ¡°Darn right my man. I eat the cookies that are hidden in the jar. Yum yum.¡±


    ¡®I knew cookie was his word for getting the girl. It felt good having a friend again.¡¯


    ¡°What do I do about the Heart of Malgrun?¡± This was bothering me.


    ¡°You wanted your 99 out of a 100. Complications, ring a bell? Take care of what¡¯s in front of you. There is nothing to gain by knowing how it works. That¡¯s far into the future. Here and now, Sachear.¡± Krigsain pointed at my forehead.


    ¡°Fine, fine. I get it.¡± I waved my arms in defeat.


    ¡°Say chosen, if women are cookies then Yun Hee is a pink scented vanilla crunch???¡±


    ¡°You ate it but then again you forgot about it.¡±


    We laughed together again but for very different reasons.


    <hr>


    After doing extra training my control. I was getting within an acceptable level according to my displeased instructor. Puri was reading his parchments, he was training to be an Andurian scribe. After Sarkan¡¯s class, we understood the importance of keeping indestructible and unchangeable records.


    ¡®The scribes are key even if they can¡¯t fight. They do what they do because they are truly bestowed by the Will in a secret way.¡¯


    ¡°Say sister, is there an easy way to go about writing good songs?¡±


    ¡°You want to pick up the bard profession seriously?¡± Sister Kuyun asked back.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have the urgent need to express myself.¡± I tiptoed.


    ¡°Well, your technique is proficient for basic to low intermediate songs. So mastery and flowery play is out of the question. You will have to draw from your experiences and tell a compelling story. Your voice isn¡¯t good enough to be a passionate belter or deep enough to go low. It is like a warm blanket on a windy night, just sing with feel, people will like it.¡±


    ¡°Sheesh¡­that kind of limits my options sister.¡±


    Kuyun just gesticulated away my worries.


    ¡°You will have to take up some work when you are out and about. Don¡¯t limit yourself to the prescribed training. There is some maneuverability in the orders we must follow. Read yours carefully and figure out a path.¡± Puri suggested with his eyes glued on another parchment.


    ¡°There is? I must have missed that part.¡±


    ¡°I read documents every day. Whatever is not prohibited explicitly is allowed intrinsically, as long as you do it within the available time frame. Read your instructions until you find the loophole. This is also part of the test. Liberty, freedom and all that, as you say. The leaders are gracious enough that way, even after what we did.¡± Puri looked a little dejected.


    ¡°Krigsain will get you a fine, fine woman, you can be certain.¡± I offered true words.


    ¡°You two been talking a lot more often since you returned. Don¡¯t leave me behind.¡± He added.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare, wing bird. I¡¯ll be here when all others are gone.¡±


    I grabbed my ketar again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember that.¡± He finally smiled a little.


    ¡°Sister, how about you teach me Road to Lemuria, the proper version this time.¡±


    ¡°Sure, you want to inspire the troops?¡±


    ¡°Nah, just pump up myself a little. I need all the help I can get.¡±


    Sister Kuyun threw me a white glyphic cube.


    ¡°That¡¯s a music recording device. Well, sound recording but it specializes in clarity and noise pollution reduction. It¡¯s an interest free loan until you can pay me, seven hundred Ucra, brother. Use it well.¡±


    I stored it inside my untampered runic temporal ring. My thoughts going all over the place.


    ¡®I have two rings in my left hand now. Two silent fist pumps for expensive equipment! I don¡¯t love her; it is bestial desire. What to do? All my ideas have to do with sex.¡¯


    I started to contemplate doing reworked versions of ¡°Road to Nowhere¡±, ¡°Pay up for the Coochie¡± or the surefire classic ¡°Wet, Wet, Wet¡±. If a vulva is your inspiration you are death on arrival. I was stuck.


    ¡®Not very good ideas for a fifteen-year-old amateur ketar player. Does anyone think someone out there could at my age with my situation do any better? Yeah I know, that¡¯s exactly my point.¡¯


    We started practicing while I fell into more debt and thoughts about an alluring figure under the skylight.

 CHAPTER 47

    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡°How is it going Darin?¡± I was eager for results.


    ¡°We have retrieved most private records from the healing ward Claimere. Analysis will be finalized shortly. Since everyone believes me bedridden back in Lemuria; I personally took the infiltration of the Healing Ward elder. We will know the real awakened status records of everyone in the castle soon. War is always expedient for such matters.¡± He gave me a noncommittal word salad.


    ¡°My reputation is taking a dive, make it worth it, brother.¡± I felt a very subtle energy fluctuation.


    ¡°Please bear with it my lady. Subtlety is required to not arouse further suspicions.¡±


    ¡°You are not the one that has to carry that name. I am Deathbringer, not Ballbuster!¡±


    ¡°You have been able to interact and check everyone with the help of the Soul Orb, Claimere. They all come to you to talk about the old days, whoever doesn¡¯t come could be a deviator. Combining with the ward¡¯s records we can cross check for special blessings. It is complicated to search for that which cannot be seen. Process of elimination, my lady. Please be patient.¡± He explained avoiding my eyes.


    ¡°So, how does it work? Just give me the overview.¡± I commanded.


    ¡°Think of a measure of a 100, just like when affinities and blessings are checked. The total is always a 100. Now, the god¡¯s blessing is hidden while under Ugra Ladnah but the blessing of any god increases certain affinities. Consequently, we will check for sudden increases in everyone here through time. And in the case that the deviators have always had the same values it can only mean the traitors are one of those special cases, like the Regressors. Orgis will detect fluctuations in reality and time, moving true powerhouses would have alerted the entire eldership. Soon, we will find the targets. If not, they will be forced to stay put. It¡¯s a win-win situation.¡±


    ¡°You are telling me the troublemaker has done good?¡± I wanted clarification.


    ¡°If nothing else he has bought time. Krigsain¡¯s action forced their hand early, the hanging fruit was too tempting. The deviators won¡¯t move carelessly for a while.¡±


    ¡°What is Krigsain¡¯s registered blessing affinity with the Will?¡±


    ¡°From the last reading, 87.¡± Darin answered.


    ¡°He is increasing even with a lost core. But still to calculate that precisely he must have visions constantly. For a half double core that should mean madness.¡± I was slightly confused.


    ¡°Perhaps that is why he is so attached to women. Blessed ones require outlets for their power, the more intense the better.¡± Darin gave a high probability riposte.


    ¡°Understood. I hope your master¡¯s plan to unearth the culprits isn¡¯t one of his five-minute prodigy brainstorms, Darin.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say that, my lady?¡± He began to fret.


    ¡°For starters, the Healing Ward elder came to dissertate on how he had operated on Iklos when he had to repair his busted balls. Later, Sufyul came here asking tips on how to bust the balls of her new boyfriend, Tarei, without receiving legal repercussions. Did you know those two in Sarkan¡¯s class were lovebirds? Should I keep going, brother.¡± My eyes shone their blue light.


    I sealed the space within the sealed space of Akathos study. I closed my hand into a fist.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know your name mattered that much to you, my lady. Fame and infamy always seemed to roll off your shoulders¡± Sweat began pouring from his forehead.


    ¡°Ballbuster isn¡¯t nice to hear. They are all coming in for my expert advice!¡±


    The vein in my side began palpitating. Darin stood there not knowing what to say.


    ¡°The new surveillance artifacts that your master sent work wonderfully as you know. And since I am head of security I have to review everything! You know what that means?!¡±


    I was getting worked up by the recollections, more energy surrounded my fist. In an instant, I was standing before Darin.


    ¡°My lady calm yourself down, I don¡¯t know what to say, if you tell me how I can help?¡± He offered a hand expediently.


    ¡°I had to play your master¡¯s little game. So, I just gave casual made up suggestions based on my arcane knowledge of seduction arts as a joke but everyone took them seriously. Now, I am the resident pound for pound guru on birthing awakened offspring. I got crystalinks from the Sachears parents congratulating me for helping them foment pregnancies among the ranks! I have been asked to give a lecture at Starzirium University back in Lemuria! Guess what the topic is, Darin?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare my lady, I don¡¯t dare.¡± His eyes were shaking.


    ¡°Sex by the Star, A New Path! I was joking!!! I am surrounded by sex fiends! Even the ones I try to help are getting ruined. Kletay was singing the praises of the chosen one just yesterday, the ¡°Godly Bolt¡± for goodness sake! What¡¯s wrong with this generation?!?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take over crystal record reviewing immediately my lady, I¡¯ll figure out a way to bypass procedures!¡± He offered scared.


    ¡°Thank you, I don¡¯t know how to bypass procedures without falling deeper into the mud. Figure out a proper excuse I just can¡¯t tell the truth.¡± I told him.


    I released the energy and the sealing. I sat back down.


    ¡°How are our weaker Sachears?¡± A topic I care deeply about.


    ¡°Puri remains in the castle. Frein is getting ready to depart. But I think you are really asking about Ikrei?¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°His two guards placed by Lord Akathos, remain in the shadows tailing him. And by your request, my soul contract brother has come to guard him from Lemuria.¡±


    For a change, I was glad.


    Darin was pleased by his deed.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing else we can do for him. He either sinks or swims. Keep me updated on how he is doing¡­ don¡¯t get discovered, you are bedridden in the capital brother, allegedly.¡± He agreed with seriousness.


    ¡°Deduct it from my pay, get a magicraft bow with one true artifact arrow of the same level to Ciel. Let her choose whatever is suitable from Wanei in any of the cities. Furthermore, get cultivator Jin to sell me a crystalink record of X¨©nggu¨¡ng ji¨¤n, also for Ciel.¡±


    ¡°The starlight arrow? You want her to train in cultivator techniques and arts, Claimere?¡±


    ¡°She needs joy; her heart will be unstable. This is a momentary patch but it will take her time. There might be problems acquiring the technique from the Big Dipper Sect. Overpay whatever is necessary. Tell Mikros to add the integration of the technique into her regimen, I will compensate her with one of my personal blades. Finally, tell Mikros I am sorry for not seeing her more often. I¡¯ll see her when Akathos returns.¡±


    ¡°Once she forms her third core, her archery will be as beautiful as it will deadly. But if you start her on this path, she will need further assistance later on, my lady.¡±


    ¡°Contact Sage Irya at Stargazer Bank and tell her to setup an awakening cultivation fund for Ciel, my personal undisclosed request. Once the calculations are done, I¡¯ll execute the soul verification for the funds transfer.¡±


    ¡°My lady¡­you are not saying what I think you are saying?¡± Darin was clearly distraught with my statement.


    ¡°The convolution of serendipity is there if you must know.¡±


    ¡°I will notify the Sage, my lady.¡±


    ¡®Funding Iru, Ikrei and now Ciel is going to cost me my daily orgon crystal baths. Grow powerful, ungrateful scrubs!


    ¡°May I offer a word, Madame?¡±


    ¡®Darin changed the honorifics, why?¡¯


    I waved for him to speak.


    ¡°A coin is more valuable than a pure heart for the blind but the pure hearted have no coin for they see, Book of the Fourth Precept. If no one else says it, you are truly worthy of your rank Madame Freslia Karis Avair Baeyon. Andurin bless you with even more beauty and power in your next life for caring for so many for so long, may a worthy companion be bestowed upon you.¡± Darin bowed very respectfully.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me blush, brother. It¡¯s not entirely pure, I have selfish reasons.¡±


    ¡°I am part of the record keepers, I know the meaning of your name and how you received it, my lady. You never named yourself, these were names others gave you through the ages. You are flawed as we all are but you are worthy of the heptagram you wear on your cloak and the raven in your scythe, Liberty Grace Thunder and Righteousness. Good names.¡± Darin beamed.


    ¡°I am where I am because my heart was cold. I should have done better this time around. But thank you very much, brother. How about we play Andukros when we can from now on?¡± I smiled, I genuinely did.


    ¡°It will be my honor, Claimere. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Yes, get Krigsain fighting for cores under disguise in the mercenary pit of Clariun, he needs to cool off his pecker. Contact cultivator Jin in the Merchant Association for arrangements, do not to allow him to return until he regains his second core. Give him the intense experience he requires, Darin.¡±


    ¡°Lord Sarkan will object, my lady.¡± He questioned my command.


    ¡°Tell him that the boy is getting more tail than him and watch the show brother.¡±


    He peered into my eyes with wonderment for a second.


    ¡°Yes my brother Darin. We are the celibate pair; we are the resistance!¡±


    We both laughed sinisterly for a while.


    ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order, Claimere.¡± The seal opened.


    Darin left in a hurry. I closed the rift once more.


    ¡°Well that worked out somehow.¡±


    ¡®The truth¡­the truth brother Darin is that everyone here is getting laid but me! A woman has needs Great Will! Maybe it is the eyepatch?!¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was standing inside the Iron Eagle Guild offices in Clariun. After four days of none stop hunting, I had come to deliver the required fearbeast hides for my mercenary adventurer certification. The man in the counter was giving me the rundown.


    ¡°Depending on what you brought, we will determine what else is needed will assign you a rank.¡± He handed me a little piece of paper.


    <table width="171">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Guild adventurer / mercenary ranks


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Iron


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Bronze


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Silver


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Gold


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Platinum


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Ipsrum


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Augir


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Augir Master


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Augir Grandmaster


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Show me what you got.¡± He pointed to a nearby very large table.


    From my temporal ring came seven shadow wolf hides and two moon panthers. The panthers were particularly complicated, they only come out at night because their blessing gives them strength under the moonlight. Thanks to Yun Hee I was finally operating as an ¡°awakened¡± with limitations, of course.


    True hunting is an art, you have to kill without destroying the cores, yet the cores are the source of power. The beasts aren¡¯t dumb, you hit them, they counter, they can¡¯t win, they run. A complicated song and dance of either swift overwhelming action or careful and systematic planning. There are variations in between but I am not that type of guy.


    ¡°Where are the cores?¡±


    ¡®The cores are mine old man; they are for later as instructed by Lord Sarkan.¡¯


    ¡°I can¡¯t provide them for you. Sorry.¡±


    ¡°This will affect your rank, young man.¡±


    ¡°It is acceptable, please proceed.¡±


    ¡°Very well, let¡¯s measure your levels and affinities in the Vice Master¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°I also cannot do that, sorry.¡±


    ¡°Your rank will plummet if we cannot asses your strength. Give me your name, your real name. This is Zunar we keep detailed records of everything we can by law. Too many troublemakers around.¡± The old man spat out a veiled critique.


    ¡®Yeah, I am a troublemaker alright.¡¯


    I placed the Andurin sigil coin I was given by the order on the counter.


    ¡®If I lose the coin I will get severely reprimanded and not allowed to leave the castle for a while. It is that important. Freslia sealed the coin with her imprint for me. Why? It¡¯s cultural, the owner of the coin is vouching for the one holding it, if you lose it, you are unworthy!¡¯


    The man checked the coin carefully. He politely returned it to me.


    ¡°I am sorry, sir. We will immediately issue a bonze certification coin for you. Just come with me to imprint the coin. Under what name would you like to register?¡±


    ¡®Could I have placed the coin first? Sure, but his attitude wasn¡¯t good.¡¯


    ¡°Brett Black.¡± We walked towards the room with the certification coins.


    The first of my three wishes was in full effect. Mastercraftsman platinum, leather and orgon armor. Infused by the Will. And a personally crafted special alchemical mask by our resident chosen one. My new appearance on show, green eyes, long blonde hair, still me yet different.


    Part one of the loophole plan I came up with.


    ¡°I said I¡¯ll help you and I will, you just tell me what you are planning and I¡¯ll play support. Support, real support from the chosen one!¡± Krigsain¡¯s words came back to me.


    ¡®Muscle mass is going all out for me! Those charges don¡¯t hurt as much like this.¡¯


    I proceeded to register under my new name.


    My instructions were fairly straight forward. I am to hunt in the territories of Zunar for game. I have free access to portal gates thanks to Freslia¡¯s coin. I can go anywhere in an instant as long as there is a connecting gate. They cost a fortune to use. I just need to deliver my quota of game and make money. Update the order every day of Io?l and slowly but surely cross the beasts I need to hunt from the list in the given order. No progress of any kind with each return to the fortress means failure. Successful progress will be determined by our elders upon report.


    <table width="159">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Sachear Ikrei Fearbeasts Target List


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    7 Shadow wolves


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    12 Moon Panthers


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    22 Acra birds


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    5 Zirufins


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    4 Star Jaguars


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    1 Golden eagle


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    1 Griffin egg


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    3 Musky bears


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    1 Ragnar


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    All corresponding cores must be fully developed


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°That¡¯s a long way to say, don¡¯t fuck around!¡±


    ¡®The fear training is effective in a malicious way; these beasts are nothing compared to that nest. The intense battle has honed my technique, reaction time, etc. And now it gives me the courage to do what I¡¯m about to.¡¯


    ¡°The problem with the list are the quality of the cores and the preparations for certain hunts. The wolves are down. The panthers I got were no good, no materialized core. The money I earn is for supplies. The last three hunts are impossible for the current me.¡±


    And like this, ¡°Brett Black¡± headed to the ¡°Wanei Merchant Association.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Xi¨¨xi¨¨ w¨¯ de p¨¦ngy¨¯u¡± Cultivator Jin spoke waving someone away.


    The door closed behind me.


    ¡°This is a surprise, Andurin. Would you like some tea? I know your order prefers your own liquor but courtesy shouldn¡¯t be disregarded.¡±


    ¡°Maybe another time, I thank you really. I believe the word I am looking for is impertinence. Apologies for my intrusion, cultivator Jin.¡± I bowed a little.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t know if it was proper. I have no training in eastern etiquette.¡¯


    ¡°No need to fret. We can dispense the pleasantries for now, I accept your openness. Please speak what¡¯s on your mind, awakened Ikrei. Mr. Jin will suffice.¡±


    I sat on the chair properly. Cultivator Jin court attire was gone, he was wearing a noble suit, black with glowing blue borders, a very light hue with the proper white tie to match. An orgon suit, truly, truly expensive.


    ¡®Here goes nothing. Poker face part two.¡¯


    ¡°Mr. Jin I am looking for a little job with a peculiar characteristic, I wonder if there¡¯s a way to accommodate me. Pardon the perturbance I am causing.¡±


    ¡°Ho, for a non-awakened youngling, your words are considerate and proper. Good for someone so young.¡±


    My eyes went wide.


    ¡°We are the financial arm of the eastern continent, the hammer of Yinshengan. We know a lot about a lot of things, youngling.¡±


    He was letting his words settle.


    ¡®I better thread even more carefully here. I am trusting you again, Rednicker Support Department.¡¯


    ¡°My friend suggested that I could come here and apply for the errand boy position, Mr. Jin.¡± I worded very politely.


    ¡°Among equals, sincerity works best. No need for feints or backstabs. That was Freslia¡¯s coin. Tell her, she now owes me that drink.¡± Cultivator Jin told me.


    ¡°I will Mr. Jin, be assured.¡±


    ¡®Initial shock aside, taskmaster gets around, doesn¡¯t she?¡¯


    ¡°See. We all know each other quite well. We really wouldn¡¯t mind but with your current strength you will be doing menial chores for an awakened. Would that be agreeable?¡± Cultivator Jin wore a serene smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to not disturb nor disappoint. Thank you very much, Xi¨¨xi¨¨.¡± I said one of the two eastern words I had learned.


    ¡°What can you do? Tell me everything that is within disclosure.¡± He waved his hand.


    ¡°I am an elite hunter, I can play the ketar, sing and can blend in with my artifacts. I cook a little but I don¡¯t think it helps much. Finally, I have access to the portal gates in the kingdom.¡±


    I waited for assessment.


    ¡°This will do.¡± He served a couple of teacups and pressed something on his desk.


    ¡°You will have to lose your cloak and we will give you a proper cloth elemental suit, elegance is our calling card and we must fit in with the others. We will deduct it from your pay. Do well and you get to keep it. It¡¯ll do you good to experience the marvels of cultivator design. We are the original awakened after all.¡± He sounded very proud of what he said.


    I wasn¡¯t going to argue with him.


    ¡®His god can turn back the sands of time in the entire world!¡¯


    ¡°Xi¨¨xi¨¨.¡± I said while bowing again.


    ¡°Proactive assimilation, keep it up.¡± Seven breaths later, a lady walked in.


    She appeared no older than twenty-four, nowhere near as perfect porcelain as Yun Hee but still emitted the same warm and welcoming feeling, a proper face of the easterner beauties. She was wearing the fashion of the nobility, a two-piece black suit with a white silk shirt that accentuated her curves. Orgon infused with barely visible eastern sigils in the fabric. A variation of the etiquette of the Kotar court. The Zunar kingdom pin on her long elemental black jacket was eye catching. An incredibly well matched combination.


    ¡®History lessons with Puri and Iru were starting to pay off. Is that wyvern skin on her jacket? Wow! Can I touch it?¡¯


    ¡°This is Hau Y¨«ngr, she will be your new boss. Meet Brett Black. He will be your new westerner ruckus maker.¡±


    ¡°Yes Mr. Jin¡± She politely saluted with a slight bow.


    ¡®Do as they do not as you think, Krigsain¡¯s reminder came back to me.¡¯


    ¡°We will take 50% from all your ¡®activities,¡¯ we are a business not a moral compass around here. You understand?¡± Mr. Jin declared.


    With a warm smile and a cup of tea later, we were celebrating the new little enterprise. I left with Y¨«ngr.


    Sure enough before long, we arrived at my new job¡¯s location, somewhere near the center of the port city. The sign in eastern language, of course.


    ¡°µ¹Á¢µÄÈéî^¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand a thing but I noticed the orgon light glowing logo on the side. I just pointed at it and waited for an explanation.


    ¡°They look like it but not quite like it, it¡¯s confusing, isn¡¯t it?¡± Y¨«ngr just walked right in opening the door of the establishment.


    ¡°Welcome to the Inverted Titty Bar, Brett. Let¡¯s get along.¡±


    ¡®Wait? What? Upside Down Milky Bomb?¡¯


    She ushered me in for further training on my new duties. And even with a level of greater certainty than Krigsain¡¯s probability matrix, there was a woman hanging inexplicably upside down from a vertical pole, naked in a corner of the establishment. The coins of Ucra were flowing around her from the effusive patrons. The lavish place was crowded.


    ¡®Krigsain!?!¡¯

 CHAPTER 48

    Tosen P.O.V.


    Entering the halls of the Grand Temple of Sphoria has always been reassuring and welcoming to me. But that was not the case today. I was summoned, summoned by the High Priest.


    The ornaments, paintings and statues of the great and lesser spirits of Malgrun were discomforting to me today. The corridor felt small. Before twenty breaths, I reached the High Priest¡¯s private room.


    ¡°Have a seat Zigur Tosen, let¡¯s talk a little.¡± With a wave we proceeded to sit.


    Lyros long smooth purple hair was eye catching. Surely a consequence of the ¡°Rite of Fire¡± from his appointment. The hair is a signal of approval from Malgrun. All blessed of Malgrun are powerful but a change in appearance by the blessing itself is another thing entirely.


    ¡®He is so lucky, tsk.¡¯


    ¡°Thank you, High Priest. May I know what is the purpose of the summoning?¡±


    ¡°Tosen, how is your awakening progress going?¡±


    I pondered for a few minutes on how to answer the probe.


    ¡°It is reasonable, as long as I don¡¯t die during the war.¡±


    ¡°Cautious, just like in the report and your fighting style is the same. This is pleasing.¡± He gave me a wide smile.


    ¡®It gave me chills, too many to be truthful.¡¯


    ¡°The report from my people states that you were the one that suggested working with Bolger. Even more, you were the one that fought the Claimere one on one. You can bridge a half realm difference, punching above weight. This is commendable.¡±


    ¡°Thank you great priest. I do everything with dedication.¡±


    ¡®Cautiously respectful always does it.¡¯


    ¡°Part of the problem for our ranks is our ability to increase realms and power quickly when compared to others. Quick growth, lack of a proper base. Mass production of elites. Glass canons. Sometimes in our rush, we don¡¯t know what we got. The very selfish nature of our souls. But you are different, so different that I would like you to explain to me why a talent like you is rooting like this?¡±


    My fingers trembled slightly on the armrest.


    ¡®What does he know? What have I done? I¡¯m not quite following here.¡¯


    ¡°Your affinities with the negative energies are exceptional, strange even. Tell me about yourself, why are you being suppressed? Why are you not dead? Be succinct, there¡¯s plenty that I need to take care of.¡± His blessings encased us inside the room.


    ¡®His eyes are shining red. He is giving no room to be political here.¡¯


    I decided that the best course of action was to retell my little life in a brief summary.


    ¡°High Priest, the story goes like this¡­.¡±


    <hr>


    The High Priest threw me a seal coin. It had the Ryaltar, the Temple of the Phoenix on one side, the full-fledged winged phoenix on the other.


    ¡°You have done well to toil and lower your head for so long. The Rigel house is exploiting your deed to the maximum. Now, the difficulty to ascend a realm without support at your point is great. I¡¯ll deal with Duke Rigel¡¯s son for you. Tell your woman, Mila, to come here on the next night of the full moon. This is my offer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll serve you with proper dedication, master Lyros.¡± I bowed respectfully.


    There really wasn¡¯t much to think about when someone throws you such a juicy bone. The war opened up a window where there were only tall thick walls.


    ¡°Lord Malgrun giveth, Lord Malgrun taketh.¡± We said in unison as our energies fused.


    ¡°You are to go and participate in the current operations of the Kazardim through the continent. I am going to test your judgement, do as you please. Bring me heads, resources and benefits. If I am pleased, I will help you to breakthrough to Core Condensation realm and aid your path of Soul Integration. Use the coin to enter the arts repository here, you are permitted to choose three of your realm or lower, strengthen yourself.¡± He gave the order and the reward.


    ¡®Praise you Lord Malgrun! Good riddance Zoer, bitch of the dukes!¡¯


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡± I exclaimed.


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM¡± Master Lyros chanted in return.


    ¡®The words have never sounded any sweeter than they have done just now.¡¯


    Malgrunian for true soulfire enlightment or verily burning soul ecstasies. Malgrunian is always a little tricky with its double, triple meanings.


    ¡®First the Andurin, then you. I¡¯ll reach your neck somehow.  Cocksucker Shirkon!¡¯


    I left filled with a fire in my belly, gratefulness in my heart and vengeance on my mind.


    <hr>


    Sixth Seat P.O.V.


    Somewhere in the depths, the underground prison of the Ryaltar, the place where only the Grand Chamber has access.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Tell me what I want Eruch, you could truly ascend immediately. We will give you one of the feathers of the phoenix.¡±


    His eyes finally showed an almost imperceptible reaction.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, just imagine the possibilities. Another realm, another place, another world. Anywhere you want to go. Or perhaps even finding the remnants of a lost soul in The Void, you could bring that person back Eruch.¡±


    For a split hair, he reacted at my last words but then went back to his impassive tattered self.


    ¡°Your brethren did come and did cause turmoil in our capital. If this wasn¡¯t Sphoria, the destructive blast from their fight would have leveled many cities at the minimum. Since your kind last came here we have invested trillions upon trillions of coins and resources in kinetic resistors, formations, wards, diffusers and all that jumbo that you love to talk about. Your brothers cannot destroy this place anymore¡­I do wonder how did you guys bypass our detection magic and defense mechanisms. A deal with the ancients? A deal with the empire? Reverse Ugra Ladnah? A very unique and lost art? Many, many questions. And you WILL answer them, he he.¡±


    A long silence followed.


    ¡°This is tiresome; your uncooperativeness will only bring even more death to your brothers. More people than what¡¯s needed will die because of your refusal. Maybe, if I bring you the heads of a couple of your Claimere you will start to change your mind?¡±


    Several hours later¡­


    He was still behaving like a statue, sitting there on the floor of the massive torture soul inhibitor formation.


    ¡®So this is the so called will of Andukir? Irksome. If I can¡¯t break you, I¡¯ll break her.¡¯


    ¡°We will talk again, you left me no choice, this was your choice. You guys like that, don¡¯t you? I¡¯ll head into the Void and retrieve her soul, I¡¯ll make her my plaything and you might change your mind, maybe. But remember, if you would have spoken from the beginning, none of what has transpired would have, YOUR CHOICE. See you next time, son of the tempest.¡±


    I used many of his titles trying to make him reminisce. It worked slightly.


    ¡®This will be extremely dangerous. I¡¯ll need ample preparations for a trip to true darkness. Thankfully, we have war, procuring the resources will be far easier. Come to papa little followers of the star, give me your blood!


    I walked away unable to contain my own laughter, Malgrun was happy.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    GRAWL! GURRR! GRAAAWL! GRAWL! GURRR! GRAAAWL!


    The panthers were targeting my position. Two breaths of distance, three of them. Their almost reaching claws at arm¡¯s length. The setup charges went off.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOOM!


    The three panthers were blown away in various directions. My recently acquired mastercraftsman platinum orgon armor infused with the Will was in full effect. The armor took the brunt of the explosion. I dashed into one of the gurgling floating panthers, meeting the beast midair.


    Three breaths. SWISH! SWISH! SWHOOSH!


    The power gained from Yun Hee finally stabilized, allowed me approximately five kinetic slashes or attacks.  The amount of power used would determine the duration time of my ¡°awakened state.¡± The third attack, the final stab, perfectly entered the heart of the bleeding panther. Two legs torn off by the slashes.


    I waited for the reaction of the others and kept an eye for other possible incoming beasts. The panther begrudgingly received her death, her eyes filled with unwillingness. She bled out.


    No other beasts came charging in. The encompassing sound wave of the explosions scaring away many.


    ¡°Your life, for mine. I won¡¯t say I am sorry beautiful creature. May you be born an angel in your next life.¡±


    The core was intact. Moon panthers have their core in their head. The core position is different for each type of beast. Some are truly rare, multicore beasts.


    ¡®That¡¯s three down. Nine more to go.¡¯


    The body was a mess, so no pelting today. I swiftly made an exit from that part of the jungle to the nearby cave I had setup as my base for the night.  As a hunter, overusing equipment to compensate and destroying valuable pelt is sacrilege but as a dying awakened it¡¯s a different matter altogether.


    ¡°Three hours to the first hour, this is going to be hard.¡±


    I carefully inspected my orgon mastercraftsman cables placed strategically in the cave¡¯s entrance. I went deeper into the cave to spend some quality time with my new assignment. Opening hours for the Inverted Titty were always in the afternoon.


    ¡°The sixth day of the week is the busiest but I have to be back in the fortress in the day of Io?l. Cultivators don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass for the sacred day of others. It is gracious enough that they let me leave.¡±


    I took my ketar out of my ring as I placed my gains in a properly sealed box for the cores. I need the money, so I need to write something for the boss.


    ¡°How do these women get money just for hanging upside down? I know their mammary glands are huge but still, that¡¯s money for nothing!¡± I complained picking my strings.


    ¡®Wait, wait, wait¡­boss did say to make it funny, did she not?¡¯


    I started scribbling furiously with her ¡°rookie¡± gift, the magi pen of the cultivators on a parchment. With the help of sister Kuyun¡¯s ¡°music box.¡± I had penned my first original work by the sixth hour.


    ¡®Well, I added a little of Krigsain¡¯s simple yet strange chord progressions too.¡¯


    I used my daily intake of Akathos¡¯ pills to recuperate. They were so good that as long as I slept even if it was for fifteen minutes, I would wake up feeling refreshed. This was all part of my little plan.


    ¡°For your eyes only is NOT, for eyes and ears only. There is a loophole there. I just have to be very careful.¡±


    I slept soundly just like a fully fed fearbeast.


    ¡®Not exactly, I did miss someone¡¯s derriere.¡¯


    <hr>


    Near the time of the ninth hour in the private owner¡¯s lounge on the third floor of the Inverted Titty Bar¡­


    ¡°?Spend money for nothing, tits for free


    Come on Kal, pass me some rum


    Get the ketar, and have some fun


    U don¡¯t get always what u see


    Get u need, but not from me


    Spend money for nothing, tits for free?


    I finished playing the last repetition of the chorus before my new boss and her two assistants. I stored my ketar back in my ring and waited silently. The jaguar leather couch felt uncomfortable somehow.


    ¡°Leave the glyph behind for a while, we will rework it a little but you pass. We will name the song, our bar, be understanding. Brett, that was interesting, interesting indeed.¡± She nodded happily.


    She handed me an unopened sealed parchment. They were my instructions and ¡°activities¡± as an operative from this day forward. One time read, remember the codes and use the artifact for coded messaging.


    ¡®This will be useful when I create my own code for personal use. The secrets of the world class still have a few meetings left.¡¯


    Y¨«ngr¡¯s fashion sense was impeccable, she was wearing a long white wyvern jacket this time.


    ¡°Remember my words.¡± Y¨«ngr was stern, very stern.


    ¡°Never get caught. We don¡¯t know each other if you do, absolute deniability. Destroy the evidence.¡± I repeated the warning she gave me yesterday.


    She handed me a crystalink, magicraft quality or as she calls it sky level artifact pearl bead. This will relay orders and be used as a communication device. I was told it was fully encrypted, not that I really understand what that means, other than it is safe to use.


    ¡°Don¡¯t disgrace your order, we put a nice price tag on your services. Your clients are paying premium because of the star on your cloak, even if is not the official heptagram. Westerners like westerners, the way of life. Now, go make us some money.¡±


    ¡°Yes boss.¡± I bowed my head a little.


    ¡®Small time agent mode activated. Hunt, music, money, hanging tits and good liquor. What¡¯s not to like? Thank you, beastly beauty taskmaster, for the second time.¡¯


    I chuckled as I left.

 CHAPTER 49

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Somewhere in the city of Erysa, Northwest of Zunar.


    <u>Agent Black: Case 1</u>


    ¡°Contents secured, beginning delivery.¡± I recorded the audio message on my transmission device.


    I was walking among the crowds with a special delivery. Money, a lot of money for a corrupt judge. Coins and magic transfer are not the only forms money takes in this world. We also use paper notes with magic seals to avoid falsification. The nation and kingdom banks control the issue of the paper notes and their value retain ability.


    There is no longer inflation upon the money in the world, Puri said that it used to be the case in the bygone eras. King Erel¡¯s doing, the great blessing of Zur. A masterstroke of political gains. Usury is death, no charging of interests. Even the empire had to accept. Erel is that strong.


    ¡°The bane of the dark shadow factions, black markets, traffickers and bankers. The protector of the common people, the Divine Sword.¡±


    ¡®I am beginning to see why Krigsain quotes him a lot.¡¯


    I was disguised as a lunch delivery boy. I just had to deliver the judge¡¯s lunch carrying his delicacies to his office. The attendants gratefully and graciously opened the doors and I walked through until a truly fat man was in front of me waiting for his things. I placed the deluxe lunch box in front of him.


    ¡°Good, it is good that westerners threat westerns with care. Thank you Mr. Black.¡±


    I bowed receiving my pay that quickly and covertly disappeared into my ring.


    The second compartment under the food held the true delivery. 20000 Ucra in bank notes of the Zunar kingdom.


    The hidden money, you will find no official record of this transaction, anywhere. Officially of course.


    ¡®No one suspects that a deluxe bento box and a top sirloin cut from a food delivery service can hide a small fortune.¡¯


    This only happens in Zunar, where an unassociated party plays glue sticker for the other parties. Thousands of years of good referrals come down to this. That way, everyone claims innocence since they are not the ones doing it, technically.


    ¡°Brilliant I must say.¡±


    I moved on to my next target.


    <hr>


    <u>Agent Black: Case 2</u>


    ¡°Location confirmed, commencing retrieval.¡± Another audio message.


    This time I was in a small time crafters company, they dedicate themselves to create orgon powered systems for heating small houses, nobles and even some high ranking awakened. The poor souls had taken a juicy contract. The problem was that they were favored by someone of the court. These guys were in over their heads. The construction of magical artifacts and the complex tube connection systems they were making was unstable. If allowed to finish, the kingdom would suffer loses and the noble that recommended them fall into severe disrepute.


    ¡°First timers are eager, but we always screw it up a little, I am sorry guys.¡±


    In my awakened state I entered the offices and got my hands on the schematics for the construction. The crew had gone out to lunch.


    ¡°When I turn this in and the kingdom does a checkup and realizes the difference from the schematics to the actual constructions. These guys will become serfs forever; the pile of debt will kill them.¡±


    I quietly left the place like a sprinting woffer rabbit.


    <hr>


    <u>Agent Black: Case 3</u>


    I was surrounded by a large group of people. At least several thousands, this was a protest against the war.


    ¡°Hey, kid. Got the news?¡±


    A crystalink delivery boy sold me one for five ucra.


    ¡°More killings, turmoil and assassinations. 113 dead kotarian citizens of all ranks.¡± I turned off the device with a heavy heart.


    The people in the gathered public plaza were shouting.


    ¡°No more war! No more war! No more war! ¡°The kotarians will bring death to the Zunar kingdom, they must leave!¡± ¡°Queen! Queen!¡± ¡°Help us, wise and glorious Queen!¡±


    They effusively made the ground shake. They had drums, clarions and even a small time Magi providing the fireworks. The guarding knights were at the ready for any disturbance. In truth, I was the disturbance. As I kept shouting ¡°Queen, Queen!¡±


    Carefully, very carefully I released a preset charge to explode from my runic ring.


    BOOOM!


    The ground exploded sending granite, marble and rock everywhere.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Traitors! Traitors! Traitors to the Queen!¡± I used a small artifact for voice change and voice amplification for the shout.


    I bolted using all my ¡°awakened state.¡±


    ¡®The knights and the guards had their excuse. Encirclement and repression. Whoever opposes goes to jail.


    ¡°You are only as free as you are strong. And strong for a sound mind. Book of the Seventh Precept.¡±


    ¡®The common folk are truly pitiful. This world¡­¡¯


    I headed towards my next order.


    <hr>


    <u>Agent Black: Case 4</u>


    Department of Tourism, Zunyl, capital city of Zunar.


    ¡°Did you hear? They found midnight fang death in a corner yesterday!¡±


    ¡°Good, finally I get to sleep! That awakened creep was worrying me!¡± A woman spoke loudly.


    ¡°See, I told you the Gladion Knights would take care of everything, Piku!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯ll read all about it in the crystalink when I purchase the weekly report. We need to work.¡± I answered my ¡°coworker.¡±


    After a week of ¡°working¡±, it finally happened.


    ¡°Piku, I am busy my carriage broke down and my horse is sick. Take the valuations upstairs to the Minister. Don¡¯t screw up little boy.¡±


    I take the sealed artifact where the contents are located. I head to the Minister¡¯s office not before a small detour into the boy¡¯s room. Using my runic ring, the mastercraft level protection over the little box dissipated. I quickly copied the contents on the parchment and put everything back to how it was.


    ¡°No, not really. They will notice I have tampered with the artifact before lunch.¡±


    I won¡¯t be here by then.


    ¡®Thanks for the extra abilities! Hurray for HH! Heavenly Horny¡­I mean Demon; go, go, go great dragon!¡¯


    Five breaths later, I was out.


    ¡®Sorry, Jessai. Hope the herb concoction I gave your horse doesn¡¯t put him out for long.¡±


    Once I turned in the require artifact, I made my exit with the tourism publicity division guys. They owed me a Thruskan bottle. So, I faded away with them for a drink.


    I had just taken the information of closed bids for important money making plots of land. Investment opportunities. I just have to turn in the info so that my client wins the bid tomorrow. They¡¯ll just have to assume a 25% markup but it was better than overspending needlessly. The cultivators expand silently, buying here, buying there. The guys are a swarm.


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t the kingdom stop this stuff?¡±


    Queen Abrila is the weakest awakened ruler there is. Then again, she is a genius. A constant give and take among rivals, partners, enemies, allies and the gods. They walk a tightrope and always come out unscathed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that King Erel, really, really likes her. She being one of the world¡¯s greatest beauties and all.¡±


    And she refused marriage on the grounds of excessive risk factor. Another way of saying that unless he gets rid of all of his concubines and only the wives remain, there will be no play. ¡°Look but don¡¯t touch.¡±


    ¡°Brett Black¡± appeared on the streets after a while heading for an afternoon of rest at home base, Titty Titty.


    The midnight hunts will resume in earnest.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯ve notice you are getting along quite well with our staff in the bar, Brett.¡± Boss Y¨«ngr said.


    ¡°True praise never hurts.¡±


    ¡°You are quite peculiar. Proper words, proper behavior and then you are cursing constantly when you play your ketar in the underground studio. Perhaps one of our girls can help you a bit, for a price of course.¡± Boss Y¨«ngr made an offer.


    ¡°Always the deal maker, huh? I¡¯ll pass boss, I just lack inspiration lately.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ why such a difference Brett?¡± She insisted. Probably another midnight run if I don¡¯t tell her something.


    ¡°Diplomacy from father and cursing from life, boss.¡± Sidestepping with your tongue, Yun Hee style.


    She gave an acknowledgment with her eyes.


    ¡°If you need to, you can put it on the tab. I¡¯ll tell Sochu to keep an eye out for you.¡±


    ¡®Yeah! Free drinks after tasks!¡¯


    ¡°What¡¯s his name boss, anyway?¡± I was really curious this time.


    ¡°Sochu? He drank his name away. The chairman took him in. Remember Brett, never drink any of his special crafts, as he calls them. Not even if he offers a mountain of gold.¡± Sidestepping boss version.


    Putting my glass down I headed out.


    ¡°Time to get those three panthers¡­¡±


    <hr>


    After finishing my report session with Lord Sarkan, I headed to our typical communion service. The cube structure with a dome.


    Sundown was here, at night the sacred day of the Andurin would begin. Language, music, time keeping, morals, so many things were different yet similar with the other faiths. The rays of light slowly descended upon the crystalline dome. I entered after going through the checks.


    I instinctively searched for my acquaintances and sat next to them. Puri was munching something, typical.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Iru saluted while Ciel nooded.


    ¡°Yo, yo, you!¡± I tried to joke a little bit.


    Sadly, it didn¡¯t come out right.


    ¡°Gr, o, see uu¡­back.¡± Hastily finishing my scribal record man waved.


    ¡°How are you guys doing with your stuff, everything in order?¡± I asked out of courtesy.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. You know must of it has to remain under wraps for most of us. Sweetooth not counting.¡± Ciel pointed at Puri while explaining.


    ¡°It¡¯s all in the calculations, cookie.¡± Iru gave me a smile.


    I was scanning the place just like I had learned out in the field, conspicuously. I saw some very interesting interactions going on.


    ¡°The princess and the Dogran guy seem very close over there, don¡¯t they?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Interest plus more interests. There is nothing pure going on around here.¡± Iru commented.


    ¡°Besides her station and her beauty, what has she got? I wonder, how she would fare as a breadbasketer?¡± Ciel mockingly asked.


    ¡°That profession doesn¡¯t exist, I think.¡± I blurted out.


    ¡®Bad habits from a lyricist. No flies enter a quiet mouth, father¡¯s adage.¡¯


    ¡°Exactly my point, chicken coop.¡± Her eyes didn¡¯t look normal.


    ¡®Note to self-2: Don¡¯t contradict Ciel when she mocks others, unless you want an arrow up your ass!¡¯


    Kletay was looking around absentminded. She was doing a talking to without glancing at them. A strange behavior. So much so that my expression was obvious.


    She¡¯s missing her new magic staff.¡± Iru pointed out.


    ¡°The staff is undergoing heavy training.¡± Ciel laughed.


    The fact that it seemed that she was laughing at herself more than anything didn¡¯t go unnoticed this time by me.  Too much time around people lately, I was starting to pick up emotions way better than before.


    ¡®Another nicker bites the dust, huh? Correction: Knicker, Kotarian luxury brand assured! Yes, brand¡­my bad my bouldering friend. Instantly, a chord and a bum, bum sound. And that derriere appears again. Gosh! Control, control¡­ you are not a Ragnar.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s meditate guys, is not like we can manifest the redhead by thinking about it.¡± Iru sat appropriately in lotus position.


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do that, Mr. Library.¡±


    We meditated until ¡°Starfeast.¡± The nightly dinner of our sacred day.


    With all the things that were going on, the group hadn¡¯t had the time to truly partake. The class of all classes mingled together for the first time and met each other, a princess and stewards added in for extra flavor.


    One notable, long red-haired absentee.


    ¡°Wonder how Teng celebrates his holy day? I miss you, pure soul. I am surrounded by poisoned flowers, snakes and well-meaning hardliners.¡±


    Puri¡¯s hard backhanded tap, woke me up from my wonderings.


    ¡°Ikrei, let me introduce you to Tarei, she is Sufyul.¡± I started meeting my comrades in arms.


    Elder Tanin was leading the festivities.


    This was going to be a long night.


    ¡®Hope you are hitting it right, big guy.¡¯

 CHAPTER 50

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°Zh¨¨ w¨¨i b¨¥iw¨¦i de r¨¦n ji¨¤nle f¨±r¨¦n¡± I bowed in a sitting position before the semitransparent curtain. She held her trademark Kiseru in one hand. The famous artifact she had taken from a rival cultivator from a very old but legendary conflict. ¡°The War of Thorns, J¨©ngj¨ª Zh¨© Zh¨¤n.¡±


    ¡°T¨ªng xi¨¤l¨¢i, n¨« f¨´q¨©n hu¨¬ b¨´ t¨®ngy¨¬ de.¡± She gave the word.


    The quarters of the Madame were small but excessively magnanimous. The silhouette of the Madame visible with the darkened yellow light behind her. She was smoking some orgon herb concoction. The smell made it obvious.


    ¡°Apologies, Madame.¡±


    ¡°Your father wouldn¡¯t be too happy knowing that you are speaking my tongue. Worse even, when he finds out that you are here.¡± Madame spoke softly, like a long forgotten song.


    ¡°It was the wish of my mother to be placed under you, your grace.¡± I bowed and waited.


    ¡°And she and you have done well for my eyes are never wrong. But the daughter of the ruler of the Nation of the Sword should be a bit more mindful of her father¡¯s tendencies. Kal-ui ttal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember, forgive my trespass.¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Demon is very pleased; the artifacts are worth more than stated originally. Your reward will increase.¡±


    Three books appeared before me in a few breaths.  I took them into my temporal ring.


    ¡®I¡¯ll read them in detail later, no time for this now.¡¯


    ¡°These arts are for your future growth. The resources required to cultivate your spirit roots will be accounted for, while you remain here. We will concentrate on your metal and fire roots and more succubus arts.¡±


    The energy in the room began to feel oppressive. Her Qi was manifesting.


    Blood tentacles, tendrils spread through the floor and engulfed my body, only leaving my head uncovered.


    ¡°Wait a moment. I¡¯ll see your gains.¡±


    Going through my meridians and my dantians, her energy invaded every fiber and inner part of my body. For a couple of gasps of air, I felt my soul scream. The living blood receded and my imprisonment ended.


    I heaved continuously.


    ¡°Show me your five accupoint acquired art.¡±


    I did as I was ordered. I released the art to its full effect.


    ¡°Jing, Xing, Shu, Jing, He!¡± The chant came forth.


    A garden of roses appeared in the quarters. The scent of red roses in full bloom spread. ¡°The Bloody Rose.¡± The art given by the Madame when I became a succubus, the Death Petal, S¨«w¨¢ng Hu¨¡b¨¤n.


    ¡°Your power has increased, you can destroy others on the same realm, not elites or unique characters but the mob, good progress. But your control is weakening. This is because a chaos spirit root is sprouting. Your tribulations will be heavy; your luck is heavenly. Just as I have foreseen.¡±


    I was utterly shocked.


    My thoughts were spinning.


    ¡°Tell me flower, what makes us who we are?¡± The melodic voice compelling me to answer truthfully.


    ¡°The Dao.¡± I answered.


    ¡°And what is the essence of the Dao Heart?¡±


    ¡°If we say it is black even if it¡¯s white, then it is black. The materialization of desire through tribulation.¡± I offered the teachings of our continent, Yinshengan.


    ¡°And the way of Malgrun?¡±


    ¡°A heart, a heart filled with unquenchable undying desire granting us the power of the eternal flame according to our offering.¡±


    ¡°Yes child. And for this reason, one must be subservient to the other. You will have to choose between being a demonic cultivator blessed by Malgrun or a malgrunian phoenix with cultivator attributes. Your mother is the latter, eternally yearning for your father, no matter how much she denies it. She suffers but she loves it, that¡¯s why you were born.¡±


    Those words reminded me of a destiny I always tend to keep in the back of my mind.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you help your beloved friend, Madame?¡± Mother never speaks of this, I was intrigued.


    ¡°She could, I could but she has to choose to become more powerful than your father. But if that were to happen, she might kill him. How does the flaming verses go child?¡± The melody compelled me again.


    ¡°If one falters, one is unworthy to lead. The unworthy must burn!¡±


    ¡°Exactly little one, whether the man dies or not, that is a different matter. Remember this when you make your choice. Completing the verse from the added insert given only to your elders in the Kolga. If man is strong, lips are wet. If man is weak there is no need.¡±


    ¡°Yes Madame.¡± I bowed without making a sound, thinking deeply about this knowledge.


    ¡®Constant learning, constant gains as long as you can progress. If not, eternal blindness and half-truths for a low level initiate. Only the ones deemed worthy may see the flame.¡¯


    ¡°You are free to leave, child. Train hard, in all aspects.¡± A melodious laughter filled the room.


    I turned to leave. I hastened my steps thinking even more¡­


    ¡®¡®Chaos root? Sprouting chaos root? Sprouting, dark energy, real dark, real powerful, real strange. I think it is a legendary root. Wait! Ikrei, the strange energy from the soul music? When, how?!¡¯Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Man strong¡­¡±


    ¡®Gosh, the damn thing is throbbing. My new Knicker brand panties, brand new luxury version, no! The pool. Yes, let¡¯s go to the pool.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    <u>Agent Black: Case 12</u>


    Somewhere on the outskirts of Zunyl.


    I was in the carriage of a small time noble playing bodyguard. I had two missions in one this time.


    ¡°I will never hunt the Acra birds like that again.¡±


    I had gone on a one-night hunt for all the birds at the same time. The crystal nest was hidden inside an orgon deposit, a very small one. Grounded birds with fully developed cores, absorbing orgon constantly. Should be easy, right?


    Yes, an no. I caught 33 birds with their cores. But that was because there were over a hundred. What happens when angry mana birds are desperate? They do like the kids do, they runaway and shit themselves in fear.


    ¡®Somehow, I know my elders knew I would choose this approach. Direct and short. Krigsain¡¯s style. Lesson learned elders, I am not Krigsain. Being around the guy influences you in all sort of ways.¡¯


    ¡°Sniff. Sniff.¡± The odor of the poop is almost gone.


    ¡°Mr. Black, will you be joining the festivities?¡± The girl in front of me looked worried.


    ¡°We will soon arrive at the home of your partner, my lady. I¡¯ll accept a bottle of Thurskan.¡±


    She nodded with a smile.


    We were on an official government carriage. It was being used for the personal use of a noble, delivering the lady I was guarding to a retired general. My client is the lady and my job is to record their first night with a crystalink for blackmail. She hates him.


    With the help of my mask and my runic ring I became a woman, the flattest woman ever. A combination of my mask and Yun Hee¡¯s power of transformation, limited scope but useful. You can never be too careful with horny men. The power of a Heaven grade artifact from the Heavenly Demon. The three main abilities of the ring: absolute obedience, powers and arts transfer depending on how powerful one is and finally disabling of artifacts of earth grade or lower. Partial soul communion, no matter the range. It can only be taken off if the controller allows it.


    A monstrous ring.


    ¡®Yun Hee must be twitching uncomfortably right now. Sorry little lass, I¡¯ll spank your ass later.¡¯


    As her attendant, I setup base in the lord¡¯s room with the help of my ring. Beautifully colored flowers and fresh fruits of my client¡¯s choice were setup. Everything carefully placed with special candles, lotions and even a music glyphic cube for ambiance.


    So, how am I going to record the show?


    The glyphic cube emits the music signal, as long as it is playing, the recording device will activate. The device is the necklace my client is wearing, a ¡°gift from her mother.¡± One artifact without the other cannot be detected unless you are a great crafter. The cultivators have a plethora of interesting toys. The non-awakened are nothing but ants in this world.


    It should serve as an interesting view.


    I headed to my next destination, it was close by.


    <hr>


    This was going to be my first official kill. A corrupt merchant and former government official. A bloody initiation for those working under the Merchant Association. Blackmail material to keep people like me on a leash. Entering the mouth of a dragon is never without the shedding of blood.


    This is a harsh world.


    I was waiting for the time of his arrival and his nap time. The news wasn¡¯t positive. The crystalink I purchased gave another rundown of deaths and political conflict. An old lady was also crushed under materials on a construction by a freak accident. By the time midnight came around, it was time for a blade.


    I moved through the house carefully, entering from a window on the second floor. Before long the target was standing outside the door of another room.


    ¡®Probably his son¡¯s room, as it is in the briefing.¡¯


    I moved for a single horizontal slash cut to the neck.


    SWISH!


    CLANG!


    ¡®A bodyguard! This wasn¡¯t in the report!¡¯


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    A furious trade off ensued. I was burning up my energy reserves. The instinctive reaction of an intuitive training regime. That and a bunch of spiders.  I couldn¡¯t hang on for long, big risks, big gains or catastrophic losses. Again, this is where fighting hundreds of spiders makes something like this seem easy. A single motion double move followed. Krigsain¡¯s artifact fighting style.


    All my remaining power was channeled into energizing my blade and activating my runic ring disabling ability. A massive gamble that only happens and it¡¯s honed through desperation.


    SWISH! CLANG! DOOONG!


    The resonance occurs the blade of my opponent shows many cracks. He uses his ring. As expected he can¡¯t, his ring is temporarily sealed. The glow in my ring occurs a second time. I launch a rose into his chest, clean hit.


    WHEESH! WEESH! GURP!


    The rose swallows the life out of the bodyguard. He falls to the ground.


    ¡®Yun Hee must be grimacing on the floor right about now.¡¯


    I rush with my hunter¡¯s body, the Iron Horse. No more core energy in persecution of my target. Three breaths later, I see him. I throw one of my Emeici, a weapon given to me for this task. A calling card.


    It penetrates perfectly. One little problem, at the last second his son stood in front of his father. The weapon pierces them both.


    ¡®Fuck!¡¯


    I bolt out as fast as I can and return to my previous location and become a woman again. Three days later I manage to leave, evading the investigations of the Gladion Knights. All thanks to a very horny, satisfied and soon to be penniless fat home patron. Having completed both assignments by the skin of my teeth, I returned to the bar.


    <hr>


    ¡°Give me a strong one, Sochu.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Mr. Black.¡±


    He served me one of his strong mixtures, dulling the pain.


    ¡°Innocent blood, sloppy too sloppy.¡±


    ¡°There are always mistakes when you start out, especially with your meager power.¡± My boss came from behind me.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure that is the case.¡±


    ¡°We will deduct the cleanup from your pay. Be careful next time.¡± Hau Y¨«ngr was dispassionate.


    A couple of drinks later, I headed out for the Zurafin hunt with a heavy heart.


    <hr>


    The Zurafin are a curious mix. The cursed beasts of this world or so they are called. In an era long gone, the Zurafin were cursed by Zur for aiding man in their rebellion against god. They feed on negative energy. Specifically, Baleful energy, a term inherited from the cultivators.  I don¡¯t know the exact details, but if you are under an illusion from any expert, killing something ¡°pure¡± will create the energy within you and will dissipate the illusion.


    This is one of the favorite methods of the Necromancers in dealing with masters of illusion and reality transformation. Now that innocent blood is in my hands, I am filled to the brim with it. First times have an incredible effect on everything.


    Sitting inside a clearing in the forest of Xena, Zunar¡¯s hunting ground. I wait for them to come. I am tasty food after all.


    ¡°The elders cannot predict this far, can they?¡±


    The thought that everything happens according to their calculations scares me a little.


    ¡®Right now. The nagging feeling remains.¡¯


    The strange cursed beast a mix of a lot of creatures yet still awe-inspiring start roaring in the distance. The quadrupeds make the ground shake.


    ¡°The truth is; I don¡¯t care if they rip me apart. I kind of welcome it.¡±


    They appear, their blue fur with their trademark white blue tails. A strange cross species, a tiger, a lion and something else. The highly sought after pelage of the kotarian society. They love blue, the blue and white of the creatures that are believed were once men.


    Five of them, exactly five. The beautiful fearbeasts charge roaring with intense power.  The first core beasts are seven breaths away.


    ¡®I am sorry yet not sorry.¡¯


    I don¡¯t move, I wait.


    Four breaths. Three more to go. Their thundering steps sending shockwaves and turning grass into mush, core power. Their cores exploding, they smell it, the Baleful scent.


    Six breaths. Their claws are here, almost at a four step distance. My runic ring shines gold, the engravings magnifying.  The ¡°Bloody Rose¡± appears in my hand.


    I insert it, into my own heart. The blood that is not really just blood spreads through my body. From my old temporal ring, simultaneously, all the remaining pills that Akathos has granted me appear. Half a breath later, my energy exploding, I swallow the alchemical pills.


    Seven breaths. The beasts feast on my body.  Krigsain¡¯s alchemical wonder protecting my face. Everything else is game. I didn¡¯t want to damage my armor; I didn¡¯t use it.


    Extreme hunting, father¡¯s style combined with Krigsain¡¯s knowledge of the arts of the succubae and the cultivators. I never thought I would be strong or insane enough to do it. Yet here I am, my former cautious self, surely eroding.


    ¡®Still not really sorry, Yun Hee. Follow your lord.¡¯


    Energy pulsating wildly in conjunction with the ¡°Bloody Rose¡±, I passed out.

 CHAPTER 51

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I opened my eyes. I immediately understood I was immersed in water. Orgon charged water with herbs, alchemical products and who knows what else.


    ¡°The others are quite busy right now. I took care of you.¡± Kletay¡¯s voice was nearby.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°You were sent here by some cultivators, before that I am not sure.¡±


    The last thing I remember was dragging my thorn body around collecting the bodies of the beasts into my ring. Successful hunt, the beasts died from the rose¡¯s poison. But I passed out again after that.


    ¡°You got all chewed up, crazy, crazy state you arrived in. I won¡¯t ask, individual training rules.¡±


    I kept looking at her carefully.


    ¡®The massive frontal bombs could be a lead in the Inverted Titty. Pretty face just not mesmerizing like the others. Flat ass though. I wasn¡¯t going to tell her.¡¯


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Still immersed looking at the ceiling floating. The star symbol of the Andurin reflecting with light.


    ¡°You like what you see¡­you are not so bad yourself. Pretty well endowed, Iron Horse body. Had to check, you needed fixing. The blessings of our cumulative efforts. As thou giveth thou receiven, a wordplay of the ancient word and raven, receiven for received. Symbolisms.¡±


    Her reassuring smile felt disarming. Somehow, I felt no embarrassment.


    ¡°What day is today?¡± I asked the question that sprung up.


    ¡°Today is the day of Io?l. Let me call your raucous friend over.¡±


    She touched one of her rings and it shone, not much different than my runic engraved ring.


    ¡°You have a nice ring there, Ikrei. It was hard to work around your injuries with that thing on. I didn¡¯t want to damage such a piece of art.¡±


    ¡°You can tamper with something like this?¡± I asked waving my ring in the water.


    ¡°Of course, we are all special here. Some more than others. This was good training for me. Elder Sarkan though you could use a proper view when you woke up instead of an old face.¡± She sat down next to the small water pool.


    ¡®Monsters I tell you, monsters!¡¯


    <hr>


    Before long, muscle mass had arrived.


    ¡°He is all yours.¡± Kletay gave a longing peek at him.


    ¡°Stay safe out there, Iron Horsy. Keep those family jewels safe.¡± She left with a wave of the hand.


    ¡°So, you got yourself eaten by beasts?¡± The Will covering descended upon us, Krigsain kneeled near the edge of the pool.


    ¡°Yeah, I had an urge to be reckless, like you.¡± The warm orgon water was nice.


    ¡°Expected, the interference, Malgrun, stress levels. Your personality will be affected. How much, remains to be seen.¡±


    I was thinking along the same lines, ever since the Baleful energy manifested.


    ¡°You need to talk to your employers about the cost of sending you here, clean up procedures, my man.¡±


    ¡°I see. Hey, how did they find me?¡±


    ¡°Who knows, you are on your own out there. I am not going to peer into things for a while. So, how¡¯s the ring? Do you like it?¡±


    Mysteries upon mysteries. Like five Zurafins appearing, the exact number needed.


    ¡°You know your stuff man. You really do. And yes, very much. Though a not so happy succubus awaits.¡±


    We laughed, somehow, I laughed.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for you to come to the gathering tonight. Just stay here and rest, report to Sarkan in the morning.¡±


    I just closed my eyes in agreement.


    ¡°I killed a boy, an innocent boy big guy.¡±


    ¡°It will get worse before it gets better. Don¡¯t forget him and find a way to make amends later. A sincere attempt and take it from there. It might not work but it is better to be proactive than reactive.¡±


    He always has good words. The real Krigsain not the publicly known muscle mass.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°By the way, Kletay is pretty taken by you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the life I was given. I have a date with the princess after communion.¡± He seemed impassive about it.


    ¡°Your double act is tiresome and I am only watching. But why tell me?¡±


    ¡°Take care of Ciel for me, left hand. She will need a punching bag. Test your new level of power, I can sense it. Don¡¯t use the ring obviously.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just put down her hopes gently. Stringing people along isn¡¯t nice.¡± I countered.


    ¡°She is pure; she was probably a saint in a previous life or something of the sort. Or a monk in the mountains of Yinshengan. Ikrei, pure souls are as rare as a that one true friend of yours. Never soil them, she will grow in time. Probabilities and all that.¡±


    He gave me his playboy smile but he was serious, the energy of the covering intensified.


    ¡°So, she is marriage material as you say?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but no. You can have a crack at it later, my man.¡±


    ¡°You know something don¡¯t you?¡± Again with his mysterious crap.


    ¡°Love my friend not marriage, I cannot be your only friend. Teng won¡¯t be around for a while.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Hey chosen, what¡¯s the difference between loving someone for what they are and for who they are then?¡± Since we were doing this, I wanted to know his take.


    ¡°We are visual creatures and interest oriented, so conditions and appearance play a big deal, that is loving someone for what they are. Their looks, their power, their status. If some of these conditions disappear the relationship will most likely break down. With me, so far?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And the second?¡±


    ¡°What we are doing now. This is interesting isn¡¯t it? Talking about stuff that matters in our hearts. Right now, you don¡¯t want anything from me, I don¡¯t need anything from you. I came because I felt like it. You asked me the question because it is interesting to you. Sharing and exchanging without any ulterior motive, just the act of being in each other¡¯s presence. This is one expression of true love. Most idiots will never get this because they will never find it. Pure souls, pure heats, my man.¡±


    ¡°Coming from the master wicked heart that¡¯s quite something!¡± I retaliated but laughed.


    ¡°So says the man who was chosen by his consort for the size of his pecker.¡± He laughed too.


    ¡°You are one to talk, Godly Bolt!¡±


    ¡°Right back at you, Iron Horsy!¡±


    Water splashing aside. That was one hell of a good laugh.


    <hr>


    Ciel P.O.V.


    ZIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING!


    ¡®Chicken coop is evading my triple volley?¡¯


    ZIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! ZIIING!


    One extra arrow for further testing.


    ¡°Is it true the order got you a woman?¡±


    ¡°Evading with a tight but well executed roll, he gathered himself for a counter.


    ¡°Can¡¯t answer that, training and all that.¡±


    ZIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! ZIIING! ZIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! ZIIING!


    Eight energy arrows. I was angry.


    He desperately evaded using two charged blades. The floor couldn¡¯t¡¯ be destroyed, not by us at least, but he used it as support. His blades were being used like ice axes. The ones used by the ice miners when searching for orgon in the unpopulated ice regions of our world.


    CLINK! ZIIING! CLINK! ZIIING! CLINK! ZIIING! CLINK! ZIIING!


    Whatever training he was doing, it was effective. The indestructability of the floor used like and ice wall to quickly change directions. A unique reactive style, even stranger than Krigsain¡¯s.


    We continued our little dance for several more shots, chicken coop wasn¡¯t trying. Not in the slightest, the usual was no longer happening.


    ¡®A fully powered gaseous core? Without awakening? You are kidding me!¡¯


    Surprised and a little angry at an idea that had JUST popped into my mind, more arrows with increased energy were launched.


    ZIIING! ZIIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    ¡°How can having sex be considered training? You turning unorthodox or something?!¡± I asked furiously, my feelings getting the better of me.


    A perfect block with two blades for the first two bolts a perfect double throw.


    DOOONG! DOOONG!


    And two more blades charged with kinetic energy to block the other two shots. Taken from his temporal ring. The resonance occurred again.


    DOOONG! DOOONG!


    ¡°Can¡¯t say. How you get your info?¡± He asked.


    He dashed while doing his strange ice climbing technique on the floor. He was zigzagging towards my position.


    He was attacking me.


    ¡®Too green for something like that, chicken coop. Know your place!¡¯


    I decided to ¡°crush¡± my little pal with a new technique I was practicing. I prepared to use my new bow as a boomerang and fire my ¡°Starlight Arrow¡± with my soul bow at his feet. That would send him several flying in the air into the wall in the room.


    ¡®This should be somewhat funny.¡¯


    My eyes became crystal clear and I prepared for the special combo move. No chant, this was practice.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale. Release.¡¯


    One breath. ¡°How about I help you with Krigs, Ciel?¡±


    The sudden question was sent using core energy, it was more like a shout. I lost all concentration. Before I could react, chicken coop¡¯s blade was at my neck.


    ¡°I think this counts as one hit, sister. We done?¡±


    ¡®This mischievous scoundrel!¡¯


    I released my energy and put my bow back in my ring.


    ¡°Fine, fine. You are right. How are you going to help with Krigs?¡± I was very curious.


    The two had gotten a lot closer in the past days.


    ¡°I really can¡¯t. that was a trick, but I think you need a friend like me right about now.¡±


    Words full of confidence, firm eyes. Stark contrast to when I first met him.


    ¡°Ha, ha. You are so young; you don¡¯t have any past memories yet. You got to be joking.¡±


    I laid into him with the truth. He did make me feel better though.


    ¡°Iru is a great guy, but he is like a very polite artifact, too logical. You need feeling I think. My training is all about feeling. Krigs said you are a pure soul; I want to know what that is, woman version.¡±


    He explained himself putting away his blades from around the training circle.


    ¡°Krigs said that? Really?¡± I was surprised.


    ¡°I know a lot about feeling lost and out of place and being overtaken by emotion. You should know a lot about kindness, understanding and compassion. Let¡¯s trade.¡±


    He really picked my interest.


    ¡°What are we trading?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s plenty I can¡¯t say but I can tell you all about his preferences in perfumes, artwork, battle manuals, under garments, liquor, personal heroes and even the proper brands for clothing, earrings, jewelry and panties. You in?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t say a word. I was definitively interested.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Extra training for a hunt I must undertake. But in truth just a friend, even if this seems more like a transaction.¡±


    ¡°You are speaking a lot more eloquently lately. Weird.¡±


    ¡°Yeah personality changes, a lot going on. Sorry.¡± He gave me a smile; a smile I have seen on someone before.


    ¡°Alright deal, you just graduated chicken coop.¡±


    ¡°He, that¡¯s good. What¡¯s the graduation? From cookie to friend?¡±


    We shook hands merrily.


    ¡°Nope. From chicken coop to coop master.¡±


    I laughed, I laughed freely for a while.


    He didn¡¯t.

 CHAPTER 52

    [Crystal registry record: Undisclosed. Location: Humertal Halls Archive, Lumeria. Access key: Undisclosed.


    Clearance Level: Stargazer.


    Memory speed viewing with auto generated voice over initiated.


    User Notes: Consult our approved physicians for treatment in case of anomalies with your soul.]


    And the many days went by, working cases, core hunting, music playing, studying history and learning the Andurian tongue. Things were getting hectic with my schedule as Lord Sarkan adjusted according to his own judgement. A few things of note have been occurring during this time:


    A lot of drinking after tasks at the Inverted Titty Bar.


    Puri taught me history during the sacred day and language. He could finally throw a proper punch.


    There was no sleep almost during the sacred day anymore. Pills galore.


    The sacred day Starfeast had become a manifestation of the many happenings and undercurrents at play. Kletay disappearing with Krigsain ¡°stealthily¡±. The princess and the Dogran guy increased interactions. Krigsain¡¯s and the princess, ¡°two hour dates.¡± Tarei, Frein and Sufyul, the new troublemaking sub trio. There were other things but they were outside of my mind or interests.


    Because of these things, my midnight training during sacred day was grueling. Ciel¡¯s training regime was anything but nice. She was very kind, unlike certain taskmaster.


    I heard Iru had received a special Magi art from Lord Tanin. He kind of spilled the beans when he got drunk with more than just happiness during a feast day. I discovered Kletay was a descendant of great craft makers, no specifics. Ciel was very jealous of Krigsain and Kletay¡¯s artifact related conversations while dining.


    Later, Krigsain paid off his artifact debt towards Iru and Ciel with something very special. Ciel was glowing, no details either. The training that day was worse but she laughed gleefully all the way through. Whatever it was, it was a ¡°chosen¡± artifact.


    Our sacred day is different from other faiths, all is allowed as long as it is done for the Will and the well-being of the Andurin.  A strange hybrid if you ask me. That means that the KK pair of artifact makers were dual cultivating with Andurian arts, not only having sex. A very quick way to reestablish a lost core for one and to imbue the Will even more strongly for the other. Something close to that, I didn¡¯t press for answers from big guy.


    Finally, three things, since I hardly slept anyhow. One, I ran out of pills. That meant a greater increase of strange dreams involving someone¡¯s derriere, considerably when I did sleep. The need for spanking that thing was increasing.


    Two, I was able to do what I set out to do with Ciel¡¯s training. I could fire a proper marksman shot. I invested most of my pay in a bow and an arrow, strong artifacts but of one-time use. Mastercasftsman level, cultivator version thanks to my boss. A good deal.


    Three, just as Krigsain had told me things were getting worse instead of getting better. I executed six killing contracts for the Inverted Titty. My heart was getting heavy preventing me from writing that damn song for a discontented succubus.


    [Transmission Ending. Location: Humertal Halls Archive, Lemuria. Access Key: Undisclosed. Connection terminated.]


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    <u>Agent Black: Case 32</u>


    Today I was again in the offices of a department of the Zunar kingdom in Zunyl. Retirement Funds Management.


    Even in the darkened world of blade for hire, the Titty employees do a lottery roll. You don¡¯t get an artifact or vacation for your luck. You get to work for free, Puri told me once that the aristocratic word for this is pro-bono. A little something to prevent the general populace from instigating something out of resentment.


    ¡°One hand doeth evil, one hand doeth good, vipers from the pits of hell, sweet tongues and wicked hearts.¡±


    Teng used to quote this scripture constantly, that is why he would never become a cultivator or better said an awakened in his homeland. I didn¡¯t understand this cultivator business even a little back then. How can a god grant so much power to people so vile? So, he helped me in finding the Argon in the hopes of creating a connection to Zur.


    ¡®Hope you are doing better than me, my friend.¡¯


    I transformed myself into the female attendant of the main officer of payment records. I knocked her out and gave her a few concoctions and money for the trouble. She was sound sleep back home. I studied him to the last detail, connections, friends, family records, the works.


    Four whole days.


    I taught all this to my client who had been a class member with him in his teen days. My client had been trying to obtain his rightful payment for his years of service. All the underlings of the department wanted a 10% cut from his money as payment for processing what should be his by law.


    My client met with his former school buddy and with the help of a Thruskan bottle which I provided, reminisced merrily about their old days. With all the info gathered. The old school buddy had a grand old time. Finally ordering the payment of his money. Much to the disgust of the moneygrubbing underling bastards.


    ¡°Nothing much, but I did some good.¡±


    The hearts of men and the gods. The eternal test from the higher powers to determine our value according to each god¡¯s whims and designs.


    ¡®I don¡¯t like it, any more than you do.¡¯


    <hr>


    Near Zubrik, the high mountains of Zunar¡­


    ¡°I have a core and it feels cold.¡± My breath was forming ice breath.


    The griffins in these parts, place their nest really high up on the few orgon deposits that grow here. They guard them fiercely. They are allowed to remain by the kingdom for future breeding or for beastmaster training. They make wonderful mounts if you can manage it.


    ¡°I just need the egg.¡±


    It took me more than I had anticipated. I placed charges all over the place near one of the smaller nest where the eggs were being incubated, small ones, transformed into an explosive carrying woffer rabbit. The griffins didn¡¯t care a rabbit with a gaseous core was running around.


    The charges weren¡¯t normal either. Carrotbooms, cultivator design ingenuity, properly named Sh¨¡oh¨®ng. The reddish explosive gas from mini crystal interaction. A recipe for undetectable surprises, also used for fireworks in children parties.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡®Yun Hee is surely grimacing on the floor again.¡¯


    The kingdom is going to be mad at me for this, if they find out. Somehow, I was enjoying my devilish little plan.


    One perfectly placed trap and magic receptacle later. Everything was ready. Three days¡¯ worth of work. I was already late. Hau Y¨«ngr was going to deduct pay, putting me in the red.


    Krigsain¡¯s artifact helped me with the placement of the encapsulating device, a mastercaftsman hunter¡¯s trap bought from the Iron Eagle Guild. A probability calculation artifact that estimates requirements based on available parameters.


    I spent a whole day shooting an arrow into a tree so the artifact could calculate the required shot for the hunt and the digging of the rabbit hole nearby. Using an apprentice level artifact for the inputs was taxing and almost demoralizing, my main weapon for this, was a one timer. With all preparations done, I waited for nightfall.


    ¡°I have to return muscle mass¡¯ artifact in perfect condition or I¡¯ll have no more free loans.¡±


    Standing on a nearby rock to the nest, just far away from the Griffins immediate range of attack I activated my runic rings ability using half my gaseous core energy. The carrotbooms sealing was disturbed. It started a chain reaction of gasses and explosions, hundreds upon hundreds of them.


    ¡®My money! My hard earn money!¡¯


    Red smoke filled the air. The trick wasn¡¯t much different from Krigs¡¯ plan against the deviators back then.


    CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK!


    The chain reaction began, two breaths later a massive explosion erupted. The nest shock, my footing almost did likewise. A female griffin flew like an arrow carrying some eggs on her hybrid toe paws. I pointed with my remaining energy with my artifact bow and arrow. Infusing all the energy into them.


    Krigsain¡¯s special chosen necklace artifact activated. This was going to be another gift for Ciel.


    ¡®The guy sure knows how to keep them in suspense, tsk.¡¯


    [Estimating trajectory on current stance and position. Three degrees right, two degrees up. Fire in three breaths]


    The device spoke the instructions to follow.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale. Release.¡¯


    Exactly three breaths later, I fired.


    ZIIING!


    A red tinged line of mana or blessing or whatever you want to call it traversed the air.


    A shriek from the female griffin came, clean hit, the eggs fell down into the mountains.


    I bolted with all my strength with my hunter¡¯s body, well, Iron Horse body cultivator name, Ti¨§m¨£. My core exhausted.


    I reached the placed were the trap was and picked three eggs. Whether they had properly mature or not was the gamble. I dashed a little further down and jumped into a small hole. The one I had previously prepared, transforming myself into a woffer rabbit again using my runic ring. A small ring wearing woffer rabbit. I slid down the long mini tunnel and stayed there. The transformation was going to have to last for a long while.


    ¡®Sorry not sorry, Yun Hee. Follow your lord.¡¯


    ¡°The kingdom knights should be coming soon. Wait it out, recover and escape.¡±


    Several griffins were already surveilling the area looking for the culprit.


    Later the kingdom would issue and immediate effective order of no hunting without a license inside the Zubrik range.


    ¡®Thank you Rednicker Support Department.¡¯


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    In the lake hotel of Klerolain Town. In the upper master suite¡­


    Cultivator Jin and I have been talking through a special magic pearl delivered through Ikrei for quite some time.


    ¡°You don¡¯t follow the Aesthetics, Ruism, the Zurian way or anything of the sort. You border on the original definition of a cynic, almost. Such an attractive combination for males. Yet you are without partner for many years. You are either a golden chalice or a poisoned apple, lady Freslia. Western terms for a western beauty. I find you, interesting.¡± Jin Jin spoke calmly.


    ¡°Among people like us, obtaining that which is our desire is valuable. Yet it is somewhat within our control. But obtaining that which has to be given willingly is truly precious. We are not normal, too many lives, too much time. Succinctly, we all search for meaning. Eventually, man chases a great god; a woman chases a great man. And sometimes just sometimes a woman worth being chased by great men appears. Most of humanity is not great.¡±


    I knew my words wore a considerable amount of arrogance. Woman¡¯s prerogative, to test a man.


    ¡°But it can be, most just give up too soon. Nobody tells them that honest effort is not enough.¡± Jin Jin pointed the sad truth.


    ¡°That is the benevolence of the cycle of reincarnation. Endless tries.¡± I said.


    ¡°And also the curse, unless one awakens to a certain level you will never remember.¡± He countered.


    ¡°I like talking with you, Jin Jin.¡±


    ¡°I like talking with you too, Freslia.¡±


    Informality was the obvious course of our banter.


    A brief silence.


    ¡°Q¨ªngr¨¦n y¨£nl¨« ch¨± X¨©sh¨©. Eye of the beholder, how much am I worth to you?¡±  I asked him politely.


    ¡°It depends on your next words, Ice Jasmine of the Andurin.¡±


    ¡®Mentioning X¨©sh¨© was already a stretch, not that I felt I wasn¡¯t near that ceiling.¡¯


    Still, he gave me a simple, straightforward compliment. In the easterner style.


    I liked it. I liked it a lot.


    ¡°I am what I am. My soul is me and your soul is you. Your body is the consequence of your strength and sacrifice. In mine, it is the reward for my diligence and faith.  You are graciously working in our continent, never discriminating, hands filled with blood and coin but not a hint of distrust from anyone. I find you appealing Jin Jin.¡±


    ¡°Glad we fell the same, even if it is for different reasons, lady Freslia. What do you propose we do? What you request is not without cost.¡± His gentle voice became firm.


    ¡°I find myself at a crossroads, my funds run short and I am not one to sell off my integrity. How about this? I¡¯ll go with Mikros to see you once our lord returns and I am relieved of duties from my current post. We will do a one-time soul contract for the both of us. I won¡¯t use my eyes. So, no L¨¢n Sh¨¡ ¡­ that¡¯s what you guys call me, right? Blue massacre or something. My intentions are honest.¡±


    Jin Jin was silent for a while.


    ¡°I have no intention of establishing a deep relationship with anyone, Freslia.¡± He was firm yet pleasant.


    ¡°Neither do I, I¡¯ll let you hold me, we will dance, we will talk, we will play. I¡¯ll even give you a kiss. Whatever happens after that will depend exclusively on your ability, that¡¯s what the contract is for. That¡¯s why Mikros will be going. Can you handle me, Jin Jin?¡±


    I spoke very gently; I was interested after all.


    ¡°It¡¯s all about costs and benefits for me, you know this. I doubt it will happen but what assurances can you give me in case of a lack of compatibility?¡±


    Always the deal maker, a zero sum game with this man. At least, he is upfront.


    ¡°You sure this is 100% secure? Encrypted communication, as you say?¡±


    ¡°You have my word, Freslia.¡±


    ¡°Close your eyes for a moment, Jin Jin. I am trusting you.¡±


    I had countermeasures I just wanted to test him some more.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± He calmly closed his eyes.


    The device was transmitting real time sound with a one and a half breath image delay. I turned the pearl away so that it would record the wall.


    Four breaths. I had changed clothes completely. The girly side of me, the one that was almost forgotten.


    When I turned the pearl bead again, he was still waiting with his eyes closed. I sealed my own power momentarily, my shining blue eyes were no more. Only the eyes, the blue eyes of Avair were there, my old self. He still had his eyes closed after waiting this long.


    For a male cultivator to follow the word of a westerner awakened woman, was already a sign of great deference.


    ¡®Good, you pass.¡¯


    ¡°You can open them now Jin Jin. Ta da!¡± A girly expression I had also almost forgotten.


    I knew the device had a delay so I managed to add a few words as the image became clear on his side.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be wearing this!¡±


    His eyes went wide, for a moment it seemed like his almond shaped eyes turned western. I have always been a properly dressed one, modest elegant cuts. I knew this would cause a slight shock.


    He recomposed himself but said nothing.


    ¡°As you can see, I am committed to giving it a shot.¡±


    I became still, serene as the lake outside yet enticing; my next words came from the heart.


    ¡°This is the real deal, calculate with that brain of yours. This is your one and only shot.¡± My eyes turned bright shining blue again.


    I adjusted my bosom just a bit. I was following my own made up advice.


    ¡®Come on, show a reaction! You made of wood? These clothes are the latest western rave, among the nobles. Only four men have ever seen what you are seeing!¡¯


    I was getting worked up with no justification. First time ever, I was being this forward.


    After several breaths, approximately twenty.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t said anything. Do we have a deal?¡± I was sincerely asking.


    ¡°Deal! Deal!¡± His voice sounded equal parts enthusiastic and materialistic, somehow.


    ¡°Have plenty of Thruskan ready, I¡¯ll need it. Xi¨¨xi¨¨ Jin Jin.¡±


    I put my eyepatch back on. I had just shared a secret.


    ¡®Without his help, the entire thing falls apart. Akathos and his plans.¡¯


    I turned off the device. The signal dissipated, the magic disappearing from the room.


    ¡®I¡¯m not sure if I have lured him or I have scared him. Maybe there¡¯s really a reason why I am still single. Mm.¡¯

 CHAPTER 53

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°The need for sex is increasing, I cannot go back yet. Not without the song or I won¡¯t be able to do the last two hunts.¡±


    The problem in Zunar for hunting musky bears isn¡¯t the fearbeasts. It is the availability of them. Musky bear hides are coveted for multiple reasons. From clothing to the strange nature of some of the bears cores. In Zunar, they are almost extinct. You have to jump into an ancient rift to find them.


    Ancient rifts are the remnants of the conflicts of the gods in the bygone unknown history era. All this according to Puri. The bears still live there, plenty of them. They are stronger even; their cores are special due to where they live. In order to enter many of the rifts that are mapped out properly, you need to go through the kingdom procedures. This is where Queen Abrila really makes her money.


    Agent Black was going to be busy for a while. Money, lots of money and a piece of ass.


    ¡®Need to talk to Krigsain about my condition.¡¯


    Sarkan told me, ¡°Figure it out yourself. You have plenty of help already.¡±


    Yes, that was what he said. Cold.


    ¡®When the hell are you coming back master?¡¯


    <hr>


    I was listening to the finalized version of ¡°F¨£ngw¨¨n Y¨²ku¨¤i¡±. The song I gave the boss as my first assignment. A good level of polish in comparison to my original work. Then again, the band here were professionals. The joyful happy tune was a success among the gathered.


    ¡°Half of them are drunk out of their minds, though.¡±


    The western version with my lyrics was playing. Glass in hand with the strange barman, in his meticulously worked counter. The seat was very, very cushy. The main reason I mostly took my drinks here.


    ¡°?I can¡¯t tell whether you are drunk


    Or you are all about to be


    All I know, is you are in our bar


    Beautiful things in your hand


    Girls, is all that you¡¯ll find


    Think no more, visit our rompy bar?


    ? Drinks on every dark corner


    Songs are sung by the lovers


    Add a little to your kin apple


    Hey! Throw me a Thurskan bottle!


    Are you already that drunk?


    You are in our rompy bar?


    The small added bridge resounded. The piano was nice.


    ¡°They seem to like it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a song for drunkards, Sochu.¡±


    ¡°Where is this playing again?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a joke, a joke that somehow works here.¡± I explained.


    ¡°Just do something better next time then.¡± He gave me a thumbs up.


    ¡°You have no idea, no idea, my barman.¡±


    More drinking, lights and an effervescent crowd.


    ?In our little rompy bar


    Music plays to push you through


    Many fun things that you can do


    Inside this little rompy bar


    We are all friends for life


    Think no more, visit our rompy bar?


    The chorus I wrote kicked in, I stopped listening by then.


    ¡°You got some face on you kid? The cases getting harder?¡±


    ¡°Sort of Sucho, sort of.  Just have my drinks ready when I return. I will play ketar in the corner after this few are done.¡±


    I left the bar with the raucous crowd shouting.


    ¡°Money for nothing, tits for free!¡±


    <hr>


    <u>Agent Black: Case 41</u>


    A widow, a Zurian widow living in Zunar. Probably my last pro bono case. She¡¯s being pressured by a ruffian gang and their associates, they want her lands. The ones left by her former husband. Her faith has landed her in hot water since she refuses to sign over the deeds over to the son of her husband. The son of another woman.


    The kingdom does nothing, they want their taxes, it doesn¡¯t matter who pays them. The Zurians do nothing, their king likes Abrila, they don¡¯t want to intrude. They told the widow to return to Orlum, she refuses. A salad of conflicting interests.


    Enter me.


    ¡®The only Qi Gathering crazy enough to take the case, why?¡¯


    One, using Yun Hee¡¯s powers has a drawback, demonic and malgrunian influence. Unless you are trained in her arts as she has been. You will be affected, recklessness a plenty. Second, Teng, that is it, Teng.


    ¡°I have been having a need to retain something from my own self, lately.¡±


    The widow asked for help.


    Something pure soul did was write scripture back then.


    ¡°Help a child of god, the poor, the sick, the needy, the children and the widow. If thou doth it, thou shall be doing it to me.¡±


    The scripture he wrote on the wall of his room back in our old house.


    ¡°Zur, god of the Zurians, they say you are the light of miracles. She needs one now and so do I. Is the Will greater?¡±


    I have a plan; it is a bit risky but the risk may provide a great reward. Puri says that Zur will answer when no one else will only if the praying one is a true faithful. I need a little of Zur¡¯s blessing to counter my problem, long enough to finish up matters in Zunar. If all else fails, I will bolt.


    ¡®I am not a hero, Teng. I have a malgrunian consort for goodness sake!¡¯


    In general, all this is a test of the Will, I think, so that¡¯s out the window.


    ¡®Yeah, I¡¯m rolling the dice heavily here. It is getting harder to control certain urges.¡¯


    The widow was praying in a small moad, the praying structure of the Zurians. No sculptures, no paintings, just light, orgon, gold and the stars. It was nightfall. I was going to follow these bastards back to their hideout.


    ¡®The ruffians have first core awakened hired hands and probably one second core, according to the briefing.¡¯


    Steps were heard and the widow walked away with whomever came for her.


    The widow is in reality, kidnapped. She is taken somewhere with care not forcefully but with a modicum of grace, she is travelling with her cat.


    She told them she was willing to sign off the papers if they left her with some money. But will only deal with their leader to close the deal. There are several properties to go over and a lot of legal procedures. The gang can¡¯t receive it officially; it is the evil son that will benefit.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    She is travelling in a carriage towards the hidden destination with her cat. The cat fearbeast she has raised since she was a child. The thing is, that this time. The cat is not the cat but me. A ring wearing black cat.


    ¡®Yun Hee will be puking blood due to the extensive use of the ability and eventually so will I. Sorry not sorry, beautiful plump. Follow your lord.¡¯


    <hr>


    We eventually arrived at a set apart villa somewhere in Zunyl.


    I had prepared for three days for this case and the one right after this.


    ¡®Again in the red, for returning late. Boss is going to give me an earful.¡¯


    ¡°This is pro bono! Pro bono, do not over spend hours on them!¡± I could already hear her scowling.


    Anyways, if these guys were one of the ¡°big boys¡± they would have entered through a rift and into another space. Protection, nullification, disabling of artifacts, etc. Since the report allowed for someone like me to apply, this was the threshold.


    A magical ward of Akathos¡¯ level would have disabled the connection from my ring to Yun Hee. Still, rifts of any kind will cause interference. First step, successful.


    ¡°Meow.¡± The obvious signal to my employer.


    Asking permission, I was left outside in the garden while she headed inside the villa.


    I started playing and digging up dirt and making holes and drawing the faces of the guards of the villa nearby. I hid in the holes and came back out, a catmole.


    ¡°Meow.¡±


    I went over to a guard to point him with my paws to his face drawn with dirt and grass on the earth.


    He laughed.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a cute little thing. The intelligent beasts of the nobles, ain¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Meow, meow.¡± I nodded combing my fur with a paw. Extra cute pose, Ciel style.


    Ciel is a lover of cats, she even has a cushion cat set embroidered by herself.


    I began doing jumps, cartwheels and runarounds with the guard until he got bored and left. Not before giving me what I needed from him.


    His seal coin. The seal coin of whomever was his boss.


    Not everyone can have proper temporal rings. Small time thugs don¡¯t have the funds for them. This was actually a pretty big score for them. Having that second core awakened was already pushing their resources. That is why they resorted to this backhanded deal. The properties of a barely affluent widow.


    ¡®5000 Ucra is a fortune for these guys. For me, it is barely worth the price of half a nipple.¡¯


    I dug deeper into the garden and created a tunnel to the underground and headed into the house. I knew I had about sixty breaths before the guard started looking for me. They are idiots, but idiots in awakened terms. They are better than a proficient normal human in their thinking.


    Tunneling speedily, I reached the magic ward underneath the villa. Using my disabling ability from my runic ring the artifact powered protection dissipated. An elongated power claw later, I made a hole.


    Puri¡¯s history lessons gave me a general layout of Zunar architecture, thankfully, this was a standard construction. I entered the basement liquor and wine cellar.


    ¡®Who says black cats are bad luck? Suck-u bus pawah!¡¯


    I transformed into the guard, his face mostly through the alchemical mask. I had to save the real transformation for later. I didn¡¯t have his clothes; I was wearing the elemental cloth given by cultivator Jin. With an infusion of minimal energy, the cloth morphed into the ones that the guard had.


    ¡®The marvels of cultivator design. Indeed Mr. Jin, indeed.¡¯


    I searched the lower floor with the seal coin tightly gripped in one hand. The other guards had it too, or should have it. I just took the one that was at hand first and didn¡¯t want to risk it. Of course I saluted and knocked out the couple of guards that were at the entrance of the low level armory. The big boys were in the second and third floor most likely guarding proceedings.


    I made speedy calculations and took everything that didn¡¯t look to valuable. Weapons, parchments, pills, a few herb crates. Nothing extraordinary. They were supplies for their grunts, the daily usage materials. In total about 2500 Ucra worth of stuff.


    ¡®Who would think that a thief would have better artifact stuff than the stuff he was stealing? Well, not really. Taking from those who take is allowed in the Seachar.¡¯


    ¡°If you give no quarter, you receive no quarter, if you give no peace, you will be made pieces yourself.¡±


    A nice verse, very nice. Sadly, I am not Iru, I don¡¯t know where exactly that verse is. I can¡¯t name the book. I went out of the villa carefully. I stumbled upon the same guard making his rounds.


    Fifty-seven breaths. PHOW!


    I knocked the man unconscious, he didn¡¯t expect to see himself without drinks, I suppose.


    I put on the necklace artifact for Ciel one more time and scanned the house and my surroundings infusing a quarter of my remaining energy into it.


    [Calculation location on present inputs. Wait a moment, please.]


    I had spent an entire day going through pictures, archives and layouts of the entire capital in the public library just to be able to input the information into the device. Whatever this artifact was, it was otherworldly.


    ¡®Krigsain is a monster, a monster I say!¡¯


    [Estimated location, Hyul Borough, Zunyl capital city. Nearest station of Gildeon Knights. 400 furlongs straight ahead and then 100 furlongs to your right. Street stalls not considered in calculations.]


    I had my street directions, at least I knew the area was populated. One last transformation with the last of my reserves. I choose a Zurafin. The closer you are to your transformation target, the better the results will be. I also wanted to catch the attention of any passerby. The more people knew about it the better. The ruffians will think twice before messing with the knights.


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    The stomping was exhilarating. Even though my heart was about to break as I dashed away.


    The thugs weren¡¯t going to kill my client, if they did, the properties would be held back in paperwork and court cases for years. The money she gets would be around a thousand give or take. Add my 2500, that¡¯s 3500. Better than nothing. She would have to come through for me later as per our agreement.


    Final result, the thugs make money, the son gets the properties and my client walks out alive with more money than previously thought. Hope Zur is somewhat pleased.


    ¡°Ah! A fearbeast run!¡± ¡°Knights, knights, where are you?!¡± I pay taxes you dimwits, catch that thing!¡±


    The people called out the absurd situation.


    Once I made enough headway and felt fluctuations of awakened energy I transformed again into myself. I used a 5000 Ucra dragon stele with preset coordinates near the location of the Inverted Titty.


    Deep, deep in the red, but considering my next task, I was at peace with it.


    URGWHOH!


    The closing rift and its sound alerted many people but I was already gone, an abandoned subterranean training circle awaited me. One of the escape points for the bar¡¯s employees.


    The small vertical stone filled with runic engravings produced massive power. The dragon stele, the L¨®ng B¨¥i. A small demonstration of the Hidden Hand or as muscle mass calls him, timebreaker god. The headache was massive.


    ¡®Cultivator world is dangerous too, scarily so.¡¯


    <hr>


    Arriving at the Titty bar, I had no time for pleasantries. My energy was a mess and I was about to lose control. Excessive use of Yun Hee¡¯s abilities and the ring, my forcefully created gaseous core was pulsating.


    Baleful energy wanted to manifest or something else darker, overtaking reason.


    The men of the Eternal Moon love their women but not the succubus necessarily. The malgrunian consorts are the realm of the truly rich, the truly powerful or the truly lucky/unlucky depending on your situation. There are considerable benefits but also considerable dangers. I was dealing with one of them now.


    I headed with swift steps not even reporting to boss. I placed two old daggers from the ones I had ¡°stolen¡± and exchanged them for a mortal pill and ran for the backrooms.


    ¡°Hey, Zuwan, your offer still on?¡± I asked hurriedly.


    She took a few seconds to gather herself but happily nodded. I grabbed her by the hand and headed to the private washroom for the staff, one floor down, underground.


    ¡°This is crazy, he he.¡± She was giggling.


    She was a tomboy, her parents wanted a boy but she was what they got. She was a normal girl, she cleaned me up one day when I passed out from drinking after my fifth killing contract. My dreams manifested in an inebriated state. My wood stood up and she held it. Sochu served a round of drinks for all errand boys that day. They say there¡¯s a crystal record of that somewhere.


    ¡®That¡¯s what I was told anyway.¡¯


    Ever since then, as a working girl of the bar, I had a freebie option. A one-time coupon from her. Today was the day to exchange that ticket.


    ¡°Swallow.¡± She bursted out giggling thinking of a non-intended double meaning.


    She saw the pill in my hands and grinned. She closed the door behind us with a double lock. And swallowed in one motion.


    ¡®With that, there will be no unwanted consequences.¡¯


    The washroom was elegant and spacious, no need to find awkward positions. Regardless, we ended up near a wall. The reflection of her body was visible with the mirror. The walls were covered in crystal orgon. A mirror quality, the intricacies of cultivator taste, they like watching all angles.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this, Mr. Black.¡±


    A second later, she gave me a big wet kiss. Her hands expertly sliding down to where my belt was.


    I returned the favor with a passionate embrace letting her do what she wanted down below. My hands slipped down to her pants. I touched her over her clothes. She was already dripping through the fabric.


    ¡°Normal people fantasize of sleeping with the awakened, magi and the cultivators.¡±


    It was showing.


    The kiss lasted for long or for just a few minutes, I couldn¡¯t tell. In my desperate desire to release all I knew was that her pants were down, her panties torn off and my member was freed from its prison.


    Before me laid a moist clit and a v shaped red garden. Her eyes fixated on my ¡°thing.¡±


    Unable to take any more of the energy discharge within me, in one go, I lifted Zuwan and impaled her. There wasn¡¯t going to be anymore foreplay nor care. This was survival not entertainment.


    The dark energy wanted to engulf me. The core exhausted, dark thoughts, evil feelings came over me. All this while I pounded.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    After a few more strong repetitions with Zuwan¡¯s accompanying moans my thoughts drifted elsewhere.


    Phat! Phat! Phat!


    The runic ring is a wondrous thing but it was never intended to be used like this. The strong control the weak and the weak benefit from it while being complaint. One gets an obedient person the other gets what they can never get by themselves. Fair exchange.


    Phat! Phat! Phat!


    I kept thinking and analyzing, not hearing anything.


    Our situation as a dual cultivating pair was and is the reverse. The ring was brute forcing Yun Hee¡¯s power into me. The Heavenly Demon¡¯s way of telling the stronger one to break free from the fetters.


    ¡°The strong should never tolerate the whims of the weak.¡±


    A repeated quote around here in the bar.


    Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡®I am already too deep in.¡¯


    Phat! Phat! Phat!


    Many breaths later, I coughed up blood as expected. But the wild conflagration of energies was stabilizing.


    I pounded into oblivion.


    ¡°Mr. Black, uh¡­Mr. Black, Ohh!¡±


    Zuwan was enjoying herself. I was releasing the energy and regaining my senses. And a little vixen in a faraway villa was coughing up blood on the floor uncontrollably, certainly.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡®Sorry, really. Follow your lord.¡¯

 CHAPTER 54

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The crystalink of the Zunar Bell News Report didn¡¯t bring happy news, a massive continent wide announcement. Not happy at all, with the news coming from the Kotar kingdom.


    <ul>


    <li>By order of the King, all awakened subjects living in foreign lands are strongly encouraged to return to the homeland.</li>


    <li>All parties interested in abiding by the King¡¯s request will be aided.</li>


    <li>The period for processing registered returnees will end on the Grand Light Celebration of the current year.</li>


    <li>Peace talks will be held the night after the celebration.</li>


    <li>A temporary cease fire agreement has been reached.</li>


    <li>All awakened kotarian citizens home and abroad are to prepare themselves for war. Contact your proper channels officially registered under the Starlink Association. No other organization is authorized. Be careful.</li>


    <li>Special cases of kotarian descendants that wish for citizenship or any other unaccounted conditions contact the Kotar Kingdom Immigrant Program through secure channels.</li>


    <li>All kotarian population not counted as awakened, magi or empowered beings are to return to the homeland, immediately.</li>


    </ul>


    3<sup>rd</sup> day of Io?l of the 9<sup>th</sup> month. Shakam Ryel


    The reports continued with a few notable highlights.


    <ul>


    <li>Estimated deaths of kotarian citizens according to the Turgan Census Bureau 176 -142 confirmed deaths.</li>


    <li>Estimated deaths of eternal moon citizens according to the Turgan Census Bureau 76 - 57 confirmed deaths.</li>


    <li>The Zigurs on the move! A sighting reported of at least 40 lustrums of the dark hooded elites, 20 Ucra for the accompanying crystalink picture. Subscribers receive a 20% discount.</li>


    <li>Stormbraker Burin reappears! 40 eternal moon citizens die in one night! 100 Ucra for the accompanying crystalink recording. Witness the Star Blade! Subscribers receive a 20% discount.</li>


    <li>The Kingdom of the Bright Flame, Kaen from the continent of Yinshengan will send emissaries for the peace talks.</li>


    <li>The Bichmeyrul Empire from the continent of Sekedra will send emissaries for the peace talks.</li>


    <li>Continent wide marches are programmed to foster peaceful resolution.</li>


    <li>The Temple of Zur offers refuge for all that are affected by the war. Citizenship rights and land offered for conversion to the True Light. Edict signed by King Erel, the Divine Sword.</li>


    <li>Bilfrorst Kingdom has declared itself a neutral zone. Any attacks on its soil will be considered an act of war against the kingdom.</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°All the main players are gathering. I got to awaken before the three months are up. The assassinations will ramp up after that, probably. Maybe we will all leave the castle.¡±


    This year had thirteen months, so in reality, four months and change.


    ¡®Never make plans with an ultra-tight schedule.¡¯


    I held the small artifact the widow gave me. I was heading to the moad for prayer.


    ¡°Time to see for myself a little bit of your god, Teng.¡±


    The place was managed by one person, an Ishun. According to Iru, the lowest possible rank of awakened in the kingdom of Orlum. The place was tidy, proper but without any opulence or grandiose sculptures. Only a few verses written with orgon crystal on the walls. The praying area had reflective light, that was the only notable thing.


    A multicolored reflective light like an encompassing rainbow.


    ¡°Welcome, the Light of Zur may shine upon you.¡± The single cut auburn robe the Ishun was wearing was simple.


    ¡°Thank you. Excuse me I do not know your customs or proper etiquette.¡± I spoke as pleasantly as possible.


    ¡°May I inquire the purpose of your visit?¡±


    I showed him the small pin with the Sword of Twelve Lights the widow had given me.


    ¡°I see.¡± He motioned me to follow him to another room for prayer.


    This one was smaller than the one for public access but reflected the same multicolored rainbow light. Orgon, gold carbuncle, jasper, ipsrum, many more materials. He pointed to the circle in the floor and the small mat inside of it.


    ¡°Go ahead and pray all you want. I¡¯ll make sure no one disturbs you.¡±


    I did as I was told and sat in a lotus position and prepared to meditate. The voice of the Ishun came from behind like the wind.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Vain repetitions anger Zur, speak from the heart, be honest. He will answer. Just don¡¯t get surprised by the answer.¡± He disappeared before I could turn.


    I concentrated doing what I was suggested. If Zur is truly god, he should be able to tell. I didn¡¯t really pray. It was more like a self-deprecation monologue of my current situation.


    This went on for about ten hours, sundown was coming. Just when I was about to give up and end it. I felt a gust of wind but strangely nothing in the room moved, not even my clothes.


    A white bearded man that looked like a very old version of myself was sitting by my side. White me, meet black me, not exactly but something like that.


    ¡®Didn¡¯t the Ishun say no one was going to disturb? Why didn¡¯t I sense the guy?¡¯


    ¡°Why did you help the widow?¡± The man asked.


    I was silent for a while. I had and have no idea how Zur really works. In the end I chose to ask the pressing question.


    ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°You answer, I answer. You came to pray, did you not?¡±


    ¡°I did it to fill a need and was hoping to receive a blessing. So, who are you? Not Zur, right?¡±


    ¡°Not Zur, just a messenger.¡± He waited silently.


    ¡°Will you help me?¡± I was getting better at picking my words.


    ¡°I will. Should we begin?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please grant a cleansing, just a small one will do.¡±


    ¡°I will help you not Zur. Not the same thing.¡±


    ¡®Always a catch with the gods. Krigsain did warn me.¡¯


    ¡°So, how is this help going to work?¡± It was time for the runaround, the Zurian version.


    ¡°You my little one are a sinner without repentance and conversion. You have done a good deed for selfish reasons. Zur doesn¡¯t approve of such hearts. And yet, all things happen as they should. Why do you want the cleansing?¡±


    ¡®Why does your god allow something like Regressors to exist then? But I couldn¡¯t ask that question now. Not until the end of the war. Damn it!¡¯


    ¡°I have problems with my core, it is affecting my behavior. I am becoming something different from myself.¡±


    After many breaths, I gave the old man an honest answer. His calmness was disarming.


    ¡®Is it the place? Is he doing something?¡¯


    ¡°Power comes with a price. When one is not the one paying for it with one¡¯s own strength, one is unable to weight the good and the bad properly. You will learn the Zurian scriptures and you will help each and every Zurian you meet from now on. Each and every Zurian.¡±


    His voice calm as lake water on a sunny day.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit much? This sounds like a veiled conversion.¡±


    These guys wanted honesty, then here you go.


    ¡°Do you go to a king, request help and then question the manner in which it is provided? Verily I tell you, you have been helped before. This will be the last time unless you convert. Will you do as I have said?¡±


    The guy was just sitting there without a care, calmly responding. While I was getting worked up, knowing that something else was pilling on.


    A new member of the people that control Ikrei list.


    ¡°No. I already have enough problems as it is. I thought Zur endless mercies where something attainable for the sinners. I guess I was wrong.¡±


    I started to slowly stand up.


    ¡°Eriel, sit down.¡±


    I sat back down, surprised, shocked, many things.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to convert; you need to know our scriptures so that you can help the Zurians you will meet. How else can you tell who is a true follower of the light or just someone professing to be one? Is this such an unreasonable petition from an old man?¡±


    I was still hung up on the previous situation. Night had already fallen; it was past the third hour of night when I recollected my thoughts. The old man was still sitting calmly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you know but you know. Is it true that gods know all things? Why are all these sufferings allowed? Why am I in this situation then?¡±


    ¡°Only through living will you learn, only through suffering will you understand. You have free will to do as you please. You just go around wasting your lives away, that is all.¡±


    ¡°You are really zealots aren¡¯t you? I wonder if you would say that to the Andurin Patriarch.¡±


    ¡°All paths have value but the truth is the truth. When all your lives are done, it will all come back to the one true light. And I have, I have told him. We will never agree on this point.¡±


    The old man smiled leisurely, he seemed to be almost remembering something.


    ¡°Can you tell me how you know. Can you tell me about myself? Will you tell me anything?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°God of course. Yes, I can and yes I will, if you do as I have said.¡±


    After another half an hour of thinking.


    ¡°How many Zurians? For how long? Since you seem to know everything.¡± I asked the old man.


    ¡°This is a chance for your growth and a helping hand for my brethren. The ways of the gods are not the ways of man. The ways of Zur are even stranger. When you reach the higher realms you will begin to understand. Just live and see for yourself.¡±


    He took the pin from me without me even knowing. The little pin shone with golden light. He attached it exactly over my heart.


    ¡°ESHERANANEL!¡±


    Energy entered my core and my entire body. I was transfixed in the experience. Elated. It wasn¡¯t intrusive, my mind was clear. The dark energy, the desire for sex, the irrational thinking. It all disappeared in a few breaths hiding themselves within my gaseous core.


    They seemed to be running away from the light.


    ¡°Do as I have told you and the opportunity will arise for you to know about yourself and more. Is this fairer? Andurin do like their fair exchange.¡±


    I was so elated I couldn¡¯t even breath correctly.


    ¡°For the widow that cries in the temple, ¡®My god, my god, why do you forsake me?¡¯ For the child that is without a father and the many that are without bread. For their sake, you are cleansed. Help my people and help thyself.¡±


    By the time I was finally able to make a coherent thought, he was gone.


    ¡®Shit, shit. It is the day of Io?l. The elders are going to chew me!¡¯


    I bolted like a madman.

 CHAPTER 55

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    With my mind cleared, I was able to figure out two things.


    First, normal was never going to cut it again. Just like many women base their judgement on their best experience. I also realized that only awakened women were now in my range of vision.


    ¡®Normal feels flat to me.¡¯


    ¡°Smart man, Puri. No women unless he gets the one he wants. If she¡¯s normal it won¡¯t matter, there is no comparison. Brilliant my chubby pal, really wise.¡±


    Second, that old man was something. I felt how his cleansing travelled all the way through. Even through my ring and into Yun Hee. A malgrunian receiving a Zurian discharge, painful, really painful.


    He did say he knew the Patriarch. Another monster then.


    ¡®Not really sorry this time. Follow your lord.¡¯


    <hr>


    Sarkan P.O.V.


    ¡®The members of this generation are a bunch of unruly sprouts. What do their many lives serve for? Did the malgrunians put something in their water?¡¯


    In front of me was one of those complicated cases. Akathos¡¯ boy, Ikrei.


    ¡°This is the second time you have arrived late. Do I have to put you on a leash, like a dog?¡±


    ¡°No, Lord Sarkan. It won¡¯t happen again.¡± The kid slightly bowed.


    ¡®He is picking up on some easterner customs, heh?¡¯


    ¡°Better not. Report.¡± I waved him to speak.


    He began the recollection of everything that had transpired in general terms. Many things are kept private, we don¡¯t intrude. The freedom of our order, the reason for our existence. The only thing we go over in detail are the execution of the orders and the final result. The manner in which the results are achieved is entirely their problem.


    No, not really. We have people tailing many of them to prevent severe mishaps like the Regressors. Our Sachears must feel like they are on their own. And in some ways, they are.


    We will protect them from unforeseen variables and aid them a little bit. But if they fail with their own plans and cannot deliver within the parameters of their choices; well tough luck, they die.


    The principle of the seal coins just in a larger scale. If you are not good enough you can¡¯t keep it. If you are not worth nurturing now, come back in your next life. Our world is harsh; we must be harsher.


    Such a case was this kid. I couldn¡¯t probe fully.


    ¡®Akathos will get mad. No, don¡¯t want that.¡¯


    ¡°Have you resolved your soul alterations? Are you balanced?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Lord Sarkan. I am better now. Would you like me to tell you how?¡±


    ¡°Save that for your master if you wish, I am only temporarily supervising. We protect liberty, Ikrei. Your life your choice. We are just making sure that you survive so you can make that choice freely later.¡±


    I hope the kid gets it, not having his memories makes it difficult.


    ¡°Yes, Lord Sarkan.¡± I wonder if he really does.


    ¡°Just prepare thoroughly for your next hunts, the cease fire has granted a little flexibility. Don¡¯t disappoint the faith your master and Freslia have in you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, sir.¡±


    ¡°You are the one who called her taskmaster?¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­yes¡­I think I did.¡± He was fidgeting.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. She¡¯s gone from Deathbringer to Taskmaster and now reclaimed the name, Ballbuster! That eyepatch of hers has made her really popular with the rank and file.¡±


    We finally shared a laugh.


    ¡®Hope things go well for you kid.¡¯


    ¡°I am not sorry for banging your head. Do what you are told. Freedom is earned. Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡± The kid left in a hurry.


    I pressed the crystal communication artifact on my desk. A speck of blue light glimmered.


    ¡°Lukia, be kind and tell Isoray it is his turn to report.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°How far ahead are you in your development of the third core?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°I am a third of the way in. Lord Sarkan.¡± Isoray was polite as always.


    ¡°You will enter a forbidden rift next week, without guards. Make proper preparations.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lord.¡±


    ¡°Now, how are you doing with the mastering of Lord Tanin¡¯s little gift?¡±


    ¡°Sure you jest lord. The spell is a masterpiece. Truly worth the name.¡±


    ¡°You are bound to us by the seal, you cannot betray us. But you are not truly bound to the Will. Our arts are no less powerful than the ones in the empire. Using the Starlight Barrier without the aid of the Will, will be troublesome. We still expect you to master it. How about it, are we as simple as you originally thought?¡±


    ¡°I must admit it has been eye opening, lord.¡±


    ¡°Very well, reach a fully developed Third Core before the Grand Light Celebration. You can do this, correct?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you, lord.¡±


    ¡°I can always trade you a sage art for some of Zimas schematics, remember that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sage. I¡¯ll talk to Zimas about it.¡±


    ¡°Finally, I won¡¯t intrude nor care about your personal affairs but I understand that you are getting quite close to the princess. Remember, just like in the empire there are certain things one must do and things one must not do. She is one of those cases, you either marry her or you do not. There is no bedding period here, it will be considered betrayal and the seal will take your life. She is not only royalty but also special, her father didn¡¯t send her here accidentally. Consider your options.¡±


    He was a little surprised by the news but not much.


    ¡®He is quick to mask his reactions, good. But that doesn¡¯t work with me.¡¯


    ¡°I will, lord.¡±


    ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡± He also left in a hurry.


    Like this many more Sachears passed by until it was time to deal with the most problematic one.


    ¡°Lukia send Krigsain here.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°How long until your second core is reestablished?¡±


    ¡°No later than two and a half weeks, sir.¡±


    ¡®Krigsain is less polite than Isoray, tsk.¡¯


    ¡°Since you had a forced restart, we will take this opportunity to make some changes.¡±


    Krigsain raised his eyebrow. He was definitively surprised.


    ¡®See. The Will does not tell you everything! Why? You are not ready yet.¡¯


    I stood up and walked around my private space looking for some parchments a written magical parchment and a closely guarded crystal.


    ¡®I don¡¯t even carry it around with me in my rings.¡¯


    The magical crystal activated displaying an image and pictures, body measurements, estimated affinities, Will convergence, the works.


    This was the true personal file of our belligerent chosen one. Only four people have access to it. Lord Akathos, the Patriarch, the Archsage and myself.


    My personal sealed space is not as elaborate as Akathos is but what it lacks in complexity is replaced with a serious gut punch. If anything ever feels wrong or I die, the entire place will self-destruct instantly. The castle will be gone and whoever intruded seriously injured, most likely dead.


    Ascension master killer array.


    ¡®Maybe that is why people don¡¯t like coming here? O am I just too icy?¡¯


    My disobedient charge finally became serious when he saw his file floating in the crystal magic mirror.


    ¡°There are two more unaccounted possibilities I won¡¯t mention here. But we have narrowed it down to four for our purposes. Whoever you fought protecting the temporal timeline was a regressor, a descendant of the ancients, another child of mana or lastly and more worryingly, a transmigrator.¡±


    ¡°I am sure you have a plan in mind, when you bring this up?¡± Krigsain questioned.


    ¡°Your current reading for Will convergence is 87, publicly. On this floating record before you, 90. But the Archsage has determined that your convergence level is to be measured around 95.¡±


    Krigsain was subtly shaken.


    ¡®A glint of worry in the eyes of the troublemaker, finally!¡¯


    ¡°Look Krigsain, I don¡¯t care what you are, only that you help and follow orders. You hear?¡±


    He only nodded.


    ¡°You will undergo the special body tempering technique art of the Archsage, specifically tailored for someone like you. You will lose some muscle, get leaner but you¡¯ll become living ipsrum, eventually a demigod body. The strongest body there is. But there will be drawbacks and we expect your level of Will convergence to push you through. So, if you got anything to say, now is the time.¡±


    There was a considerable time in silence.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like you, Sarkan. I don¡¯t like most of your sage friends. But you are all very capable, just too heartless.¡±


    ¡°We dwell in probabilities, maximizing resources and outcomes, not too different from you.¡± I retorted easily.


    ¡°Not like me. You want to win with acceptable loss, I want to preserve with maximum gain. Sounds similar but it is not.¡±


    ¡°Any suggestions on how to resolve our differences, young one?¡±


    ¡°Tell the Archsage I want permission to fight as I wish. Plan as I want, do as I feel. If you do that, if you tell me to fight in the depths of darkness, I will. I want the same thing as you, but our methods differ, that is all. That also includes having someone on my tail. The outcome we seek is different.¡±


    I wanted to laugh but I only smiled. Rebellious to the end.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ask how many lives you have lived. Can you deal with the dangers listed? Specially the last one?¡± I was indeed interested in this.


    ¡°Yes, I met a few. Quite interesting characters.¡±


    ¡°Alright, the subject of our next class is determined then. Secrets of the World: Restrictions and rulers. I will have it rescheduled and time it with Akathos¡¯ return. The transmigrator business is out, we will only talk about other worlds and realms subtly. Do work around that, do not spill anything, most of our Sachears are having a hard time with the Regressor business already. They need a pep talk on that.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, just make sure my message gets to the Archsage with the proper respect. He truly is a man with a kind heart, I have no idea how he became the head of such a bunch of pragmatists.¡± He was pointing at me.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll notify the Archsage. You will get an answer in a week, the Council of Elders will have to assemble for this one. Cheeky, you punk.¡±


    ¡°I do my best, sir. So, what¡¯s this body tempering I have never heard about?¡±


    ¡°Another masterwork from the great sage. A marvel, the triumph of his many lives. R¨²ji¨¡ J¨©ng¨¡ng X¨©ngt¨«, Ruism Vajra Star Body. A farewell kiss to a long gone friend of his. Developed in his sealed space away from all eyes, even the gods. Until yesterday when I was notified. It will merge with your existing Star Body; this has to done before entering third core to maximize the effects. This is the power of Lemuria, the power of our faith and the consequence of our diligence.¡±


    ¡°Ruism? The long lost sect? A monk¡¯s art?¡± The troublemaker was wide-eyed.


    ¡°Yes and one of the drawbacks for such immense power is dealing with the Hidden Hand, that¡¯s where the Will comes in. Furthermore, to use this art you will have to live according to the tenants of Ruism. You can have your women but they will have to be fianc¨¦es and wives. No more games.¡±


    More wide eyes, too wide. For a second, I thought I might have to bring Mikros in for emergency procedures.


    ¡®You want trust, absolute trust? Take that you little woodpecker!¡¯


    ¡°Your excessive love for women is dangerous. Do you take us for fools? Your heart might be in the right place, but your cock is not.¡± I said with finality.


    The longest stare down in the history of the Andurin ensued.

 CHAPTER 56

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was getting ready for my next contract, a really tough one. My pay was going to be high. 20000 Ucra. A killing contract, again. A special kind of killing contract. The kind that involves political intrigue on the lower noble strata. The difficulty wasn¡¯t in the task itself but in the target.


    ¡°How does a Qi gathering newbie get tasked with this mission?¡±


    Simple.


    Mr. Jin personally assigned the case.


    There are two loyalty missions for the Inverted Titty, one to get access to bigger contracts and one to leave the organization. This is my only big money task, the only one that has appeared for someone of my rank. Normally they get assigned to higher leveled personnel. This occurrence is rare.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drink some tea with him for it, maybe. The entire thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.¡±


    Snapping me out of my thoughts, my boss came into view.


    ¡°You ready?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go. See you around Sochu.¡±


    ¡°Good luck out there, kid.¡±


    After a sip of my last drink we left together. The boss and I.


    Today she was on point. I was going to witness Hau Y¨«ngr, Shadow, working a mission.


    The details were as following:


    A bride, a bride that must never make it to Zunyl. I tripled checked that she would not be of the Zurian faith.  If not, I wasn¡¯t doing it. Boss wasn¡¯t happy but it all played out in the end. We were going to tag team her protection and I was to deliver the killing blow. An innocent barely out of her teens would perish.


    This is why I needed the cleansing, the amount of Baleful energy that¡¯s coming is no joke.


    Checking artifacts, location and other preparations we waited, I waited at my assigned position. Boss was going to guide me through and step in when needed.


    <hr>


    <u>Agent Black: Case 42</u>


    The small time noble lady was arriving at Declure Hotel located in Saren, one of the three main cities under the control of cultivators. She was going to have a bachelorette party organized by the client. The client was the groom¡¯s mother. She had other ideas about who was worthy of her son.


    ¡°In position. Awaiting instructions. Over.¡± I signaled with my communication artifact.


    Brand new created Sky level artifacts in the form of cufflinks. My boss had the linking artifact with her. We were communicating with our souls through the very expensive magical trinket.


    ¡°The party is about to begin. Take over the maid service assigned to her room, follow the plan. Over and Out.¡±


    The order came. I swiftly made my way to the backrooms and into the service staff area dressed as an employee. The elemental cloth and my alchemical mask did the trick.


    ¡°Excuse me, I think you have an urgent call from Manager Hao, Suline.¡± The maid stopped in her tracks.


    ¡°Thank you Huyin, I¡¯ll go over.¡± The poor girl didn¡¯t realize I wasn¡¯t her coworker.


    Who would? Not a normal human, I had a pair of huge tits.


    ¡®Bear it. Follow your lord.¡¯


    The hotel was equipped with surveillance artifacts. That is recording crystalinks, the expensive kind. Palaces, fortresses and many mixed use structures like our castle did not. The powerful like their privacy, they rather use magical wards. Until recently because of a certain troublemaking gang.


    Anyway, I had knocked out her coworker before she came to work. She was sound asleep in her home. Manager Hao had a tendency to make backhanded deals selling the recordings of certain ¡°activities¡± to interested parties. That normally would have been enough for this case.


    The mother in question hated the poor girl. I wasn¡¯t briefed on it and I didn¡¯t care. Better said, I cared but it was better to pretend otherwise.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    I headed towards the office where the surveillance artifacts recordings were being viewed. There are image delays with the artifacts. It was explained to me that it had to do with a secure transmission signal. The crystalinks were imbued with orgon and held close to a hundred mini formations and the receptacle in the office held the same formations.


    The formations detect each other and a magic signal is created. Information travels through the air.


    ¡®Who knows what muscle mass is truly capable of.¡¯


    I choose this girl with the boss. The guy inside the receptacle viewing room liked her, for a pair of reasons. This was also one of the reasons none of the Qi Gathering errand boys protested or wanted my place. I was going to have to put my freak on for a while.


    The boss is always testing your limits. The more you can do, the more missions available, the more money you can make.


    ¡°Continue operation. Eighty breaths. Over and Out.¡± The command from boss came through the cufflinks.


    A woman wearing cufflinks, a little strange. Then again, it is just a hotel and the pair of melons made the manager disregard any warnings. I knocked on the door of the crystalink security guy.


    ¡°It¡¯s me Huyin.¡± I adjusted the uniform to show some pronounced cleavage.


    The door opened. The guy had a surprised but nevertheless happy expression.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Huyin?¡±


    I leaned into the guy, letting him have a feel, just barely. He let me inside the control room.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about and decided to accept your proposal, Miru.¡±


    I was wording everything imitating certain succubus, trying at least.


    ¡°Really, Huyin?! This is great!¡±


    I gently kissed him on the cheek while I grabbed his hand at slowly but surely made him sit back on his work chair. Pretty useful for this occasion, no armrests.  I sat on his lap. Putting my arms around his neck I spoke.


    ¡°You better be true to me. No lying from here on out.¡±


    The boy was mesmerized by the frontal assault. He repeatedly accented like the horny idiot he was. The chair had its back to the crystal mirror.  I had a clear view of it and the happenings on the crystal console. It was a wonderful magical artifact, first time and all.


    I let the boy cop a feel of the fleshy mountain. He started kissing my neck. I let him do as he pleased. Even inserting fake moans and all that crap.


    ¡°Mmm.¡± My boss was playing her zither down in the noble girl¡¯s party.


    She was going to use one of her abilities on her. Well, two, actually. Zheng Zhen and R¨¢n Hu¨¢ng, Zither Needle and the Burning Yellow. The second ability is not really named yellow but it is, decorum and all that.


    ¡®We are about to see a show in a few minutes.¡¯


    ¡°Ah.¡± His hands were grabbing my ass.


    ¡®Pretending and all this shit. Yun Hee, you have it hard. Not sorry, follow your lord.¡¯


    He expertly took apart the buttons on the uniform. The breasts showing through the garments.


    ¡®The fucker has done this before, huh?¡¯


    I staled for time, holding back his hands in a cross lock. Time to go vamp on your ass for a bit. I gently bit on his neck and slurped for a feel.


    ¡®Yuck! She bears it, you bear it. Come on Ikrei!¡¯


    The crystal console showed my boss playing her instrument. The little girl was getting aroused. The needle was inserted in her neck without her knowing it. I couldn¡¯t see it, my boss told me what was going to happen.


    Then the R¨¢n Hu¨¢ng kicked in. The girl wasn¡¯t going to be able to hold out for long. She was putting her hands discreetly near her private parts.


    On my side of things, the little friend of our little friend was up rubbing the side of my cheek.


    ¡°Take me to the suite, it is my first time.¡± Sweetly I threw my pitch.


    ¡°We can¡¯t a noble is in there. It¡¯ll get recorded. We will get fired.¡±


    ¡°The noble is down at a party. If you want me, this is it. What will it be?¡±


    I gave him a wet passionate kiss, the one the little service girl, Zuwan, gave me.


    ¡®If I give this guy one of Yun Hee¡¯s kisses, he might pass out on the spot.¡¯


    The guy quickly turned off the recording console for the hall and the suite room. I adjusted my clothes and hand in hand we headed out.


    Seventy breaths. Miru was resting on the bed watching. I had taken my clothes off and was in pure underwear, the latest fashion from the Knicker Company.


    ¡®Kotarian products, heck yeah!¡¯


    I had a rose placed like a pin on my hair. That rose, the ¡°Bloody Rose.¡± The aroma of the rose filled the room. The guy was getting aroused beyond control. Poor human, legendary succubus arts for a normal human, far too much.


    I kissed him, got on top of him slowly and with all the professionalism I could manage I took off his shirt.


    ¡°Uh, Huyin, Huyin. I love you.¡±


    ¡®No, you don¡¯t foolish boy.¡¯


    I placed the rose on his chest, he absorbed it.


    Eighty breaths. With my clothes back on I headed out. The guards the noble girl was assigned were nowhere to be seen.


    ¡®Never trust future mother in laws, girls!¡¯


    With the security disabled in the corridor I transformed into another employee and stood at the door pretending to be an attendant. The noble girl came rushing in passing me by without looking.  The door closed quickly, double lock.


    I could have used other methods but I was testing the lengths and extent of Yun Hee¡¯s current abilities.


    <u>Final Assessment:</u> Do fuck a succubus but don¡¯t fuck over a succubus. They are deadly. Unless you are like me, a guy on the verge of death. It is a good way to die though.


    Before long, sounds were coming from inside the room.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡±


    The bride was soiled, spoiled by another man. Manager Hao would get fired. The poison in the rose would eventually kill them both. Yun Hee is unknown and far away from here. Difficult to trace. The groom was going to be irate and hate the poor girl. The mother was getting her ¡°revenge.¡±


    Perfect.


    ¡®At least you get to fuck your brains out innocent one. I¡¯ll look out for your family when I can. Muri you get nothing; you are cheating your wife.¡¯


    Three hundred and forty breaths. ¡°Death confirmed. Operation complete. Over and Out.¡±


    ¡®Note to self-3: Don¡¯t piss off boss. She is named Shadow not for her Shadow Steps but for her Shadow Heart. Unorthodox Cultivators are something else, too.¡¯


    I walked away.

 CHAPTER 57

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Finally, freed from debt for a while. I sat on the corner street of the Inverted Titty Bar. Stringing my ketar, watching the people. Looking for inspiration. The orgon lights felt welcoming tonight.


    ¡°The cleansing from that old man is something else.¡±


    The rebound from an evil deed never came. I was me, I was glad I was me. With a clearer mind I kept playing.


    ¡°Hey man, what you doing playing outside, there¡¯s a bar with better music inside. You drunk?¡±


    ¡°Play me, Wet, wet, wet blondie!¡±


    ¡°Can you play a song about peace kid? The war is awful.¡±


    ¡°Have a coin, that was good.¡±


    Hau Y¨«ngr has left me alone ever since we returned, not that I was complaining.


    Playing, drinking some half-filled bottle with the passersby and talking about life; the calm days went by until the sacred day came again.


    <hr>


    I had neatly organized my purchase requirements for my next hunts, it was time to make deals at the starfeast after communion.


    ¡°Say Kletay, you good with artifacts, right?¡±


    I wanted to ask Krigsain but he wasn¡¯t around.


    ¡°Yes, got something on your mind brother?¡± That pleasant smile appeared again.


    I handed her a piece of paper, the ones you buy on the street corners of the capital. A cheaper version of the parchments or the papyrus.


    ¡°Give a second, let me think about it for a bit.¡± She began studying my request.


    ¡°You going to eat the munkin, Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°Nah, have at it scribe, don¡¯t choke.¡± Everyone laughed.


    ¡°You taking notes, Iru?¡± I asked.


    He was writing more than eating, strange for him when it comes to good food.


    ¡°Got to get some books for Krigs, I¡¯ll take them to his room later.¡±


    ¡°Important enough that you forsake eating during the feast? Wow.¡± That¡¯s all I could say.


    ¡°He is being a little strange lately, excessively kind sometimes, outright rude others.¡± Ciel commented.


    ¡°Maybe he is suffering from menopause? It is possible according to the records, unlikely but possible.¡± Puri added.


    His attempt at jokes always have to do with that.


    ¡®That wife of his cannot come soon enough.¡¯


    Ciel almost spilled her wine. Iru laughed. Kletay killed the mood with her next statement while still reading the paper.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be, he is still hitting it right, you can be certain.¡±


    ¡®There it is. That¡¯s why he likes her, it is not just about the double whammy surprise. A straight shooter. There is a pun in there, right?¡¯


    ¡°Cough. Cough.¡± Came from Iru.


    ¡°The sacred day is not for such trivialities.¡± Ciel interjected with red cheeks.


    ¡°Dual cultivation improves his core and mine; we will fight for the cause. It is training, you know. Give it a try.¡± Kletay was still looking at the paper, not a care in the world.


    More blushing from goldilocks, more coughing from book man. More eating from Puri, I just settled on drinking.


    ¡°You know him far longer than I do. But I don¡¯t remember Krigsain asking for books or info around here, do you?¡± Puri made an astute observation.


    Suddenly, I felt the urge to help big guy. The energy, the cleansing from the old man.


    ¡®Why is this reacting? What¡¯s going on?¡¯


    ¡°3000 Ucra Ikrei. That¡¯s my price. I am being nice here.¡± Kletay said finally beginning to eat again.


    ¡°Will it work exactly as stated? Really?¡± I couldn¡¯t believe anyone other than Krigsain could match my weird requirements.


    ¡°It¡¯s just illusion magic, master level but just that, it will be fine. I treated you little horsy. It¡¯s doable.¡± Kletay was throwing one her weird compliments that never quite stick.


    My turn to be embarrassed.


    ¡°Coop master is a pony.¡± Ciel opined.


    Everyone laughed.


    ¡®Yes, all of them, the bastards. Not giving you the porcelain cat I bought for you Ciel, not yet!¡¯


    <hr>


    I feel the desperate need to share some of my acquired new knowledge with the nicker master. Very strange phenomenon, strange indeed. I went over to his room for a talk.


    Krigsain¡¯s room was slightly bigger than mine. Enough space for a couple of extra tables. There were several rings, around twenty and a couple of glyph cubes on them. A third table with its corresponding chair was where he was sitting.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I was sitting on the bed.


    ¡°It seems you are the one troubled now. Your mask is slipping.¡±


    ¡°Doubt you can help, my man.¡±


    ¡°Future left hand, present friend. Do try.¡±


    ¡°Oh. So what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± His eyes turned red for a moment.


    ¡°Use your eyes, big guy.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I can see that. Blessing of Zur?¡± He was intrigued.


    Suddenly and without explanation words came to my mind. I felt the compulsion to express them.


    ¡°It is a fool¡¯s errand to share all that one knows and show all of one¡¯s heart. But if one that knows your deepest darkest thoughts remains by your side without anything in return. Then, praise the Lord, you have found a friend, a friend for life.¡±


    ¡°Who did it? Tell me everything.¡± The Will covering manifested.


    After a lengthy retelling, I finished with a sentence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, that guy said he knew the Patriarch though.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. That power will dissipate, Zur does not dwell in unbelievers for long.¡±


    ¡°I figure out as much, Iru¡¯s a good history teacher too.¡±


    Krigsain started jumbling his glyphic cube. He was thinking deeply. After an hour.


    ¡°Say left hand, if you can get what you want but you lose part of yourself in the process, is that acceptable?¡±


    After another forty breaths or so.


    ¡°Depends on what is being lost and what¡¯s being gained, right?¡± I wanted confirmation.


    ¡°Right, you don¡¯t like the fact you are being told what to do?¡±


    ¡°Or course not, this whole game is exhausting and ultimately soul eating.¡±


    ¡°Guess we are in the same boat now, my man.¡± Krigsain¡¯s eyes lost a bit of color.


    He seemed sad, very sad.


    ¡°At least it can wait until my second core is fully formed again. Three weeks¡¯ tops.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I was very curious but felt this stuff was the private kind.


    ¡°I¡¯ll smash Sarkan¡¯s head against the wall one day. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Not going to ask support department.¡±


    I felt like he was trying to make peace with whatever was happening to him. I could sense it; it was happening to me too. So I offered.


    ¡°So, you want to drink, Krigs?¡± My instinctive reaction, lately.


    ¡°Yeah, my man. You picked up the hobby?¡±


    I nodded.


    He touched one of his rings in the room, it shone bright blue and receded. He threw another one into my hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Guidelines and tips for what lies ahead when you see your woman again. Read them carefully, they will dissolve once you read them.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, big guy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you otherworldly music later my left hand.¡±


    ¡°Really, I could use it right now!¡±


    ¡°Nope, you overcome your trials, I overcome mine, we do this together.¡± The typical playboy smile turned sinister for an instant.


    ¡®Chills!¡¯


    The Will powered covering dissipated.


    And like this, with the sudden appearance of Iru coming with his pile of books, a trio of troublemakers drank deep into the night from the contents of the available rings. Singing old folk songs, strange lyrics and rowdy bar¡¯s tune all mixed in. A drunk trio and a weird sound.


    ¡°?Yo ho! Yo ho! Bless the one eye bitch!


    There¡¯s a woman to my right


    Yo ho! Yo ho! No one will know


    We are all friends for life


    More than yo¡¯eye can see


    Raise a glass for me


    Yo ho! Yo ho! Bless the one eye bitch!


    Money for nothing, tits for free


    Money for nothing, tits for free?¡±


    ¡°Freslia, pretend you never saw this!¡± A drunk Krigsain shouted inside the room.


    We kept singing and toasting. And then a knock. Kletay was here.


    With one glance, we knew we had to leave. Iru healed himself and carried me. I was fairly intoxicated, happily buzzed. We walked off together.


    ¡°Is Krigsain going to be alright?¡± I asked Iru.


    ¡°He¡¯ll figure out something. He always does. And if he doesn¡¯t he¡¯s got us, right?¡±


    The gang was starting to imitate my mannerisms a little more, strange feeling.


    ¡°Guess you are right.¡±


    A fist bump later, Kletay¡¯s personal artifact inspection began in full force.


    ¡°Nn-, Nn-, AHH!¡±


    ¡®We didn¡¯t get to clean up in there.¡¯


    And this would be known as the broken cup incident. I didn¡¯t see Krigsain for a while after that night.


    <hr>


    Day of Shimer, first day of the week. First week of the tenth month. Underground studio of the Inverted Titty. Midnight.


    ¡°What do you think boss?¡± I was nervous.


    Everything, absolutely everything was riding on this.


    Hau Y¨«ngr was silent, too silent for a while. Then using the cufflinks, they were the intercoms of the bar now. For all elemental cloth employees.


    ¡°Tell Sochu to stop serving and come here. We are recording, immediately.¡±


    ¡°Brett, I¡¯ll make sure your last mission pay won¡¯t be deducted. You get the full amount.¡±


    ¡®20000! Caching!¡¯


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal boss?¡±


    ¡°I want all distribution rights to this song now and in the future. You will get the standard industry split. We take 60% you take 30%, the difference is the kingdom¡¯s. You will hold all author rights and no one will use this song without permission. What do you say?¡±


    Weighing my options of course I accepted. Yun Hee¡¯s pillow talk came back.


    ¡°You either rise like a phoenix or burn like a tree. Will you burn?¡±


    She even smiled when she said that.


    ¡®Urgh. Still true, death propels you or it crushes you.¡¯


    ¡°From now on, you can call me, publicist and manager Y¨«ngr. Let¡¯s get along, Brett!¡±


    A very courteous smile later, we shook hands.


    ¡°Until the crew gets down here, play it again. Take it from the top!¡±


    We recorded my first demo. Official recording would occur upon my return.


    The next days I did two things, I went purchasing everything I needed for the hunts. I notified cultivator Li of my arrival at the villa.


    Yun Hee stated in a reply:


    ¡°Lord has to come next week on the day of Malgresh, second day of the week. Preparations for a feast or a burial.¡±


    Malgresh is the sacred day of her kind, the name gives it away. Seven days from her communication. Ominous and deathly.


    ¡®Got to be a joke, right?¡¯


    I returned to Malaktaraf for intense training with sister Kuyun, taskmaster and Ciel. An absolute nightmare.


    I played my song hundreds of times. It was now sister Kuyun approved. When we were done I played it in front of the guys, muscle mass absent. They had a little banner.


    ?? Go Ikrei go! ??


    Kletay handed me the artifact. And Ciel got her cat. Iru left for special training. Puri still made lame ass sex related jokes.


    Finally, on the next day of Io?l, sixth day of the week, the pearl from the pavilion vibrated and shone with light. Notification of portal coordinates.


    ¡®Time to test my private access rift.¡¯


    ¡°It is time to go see about a girl. A horny but very angry garden of thorny roses.¡±


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    Some time ago during the last month.


    I was in my room practicing and reading the arts that the Madame had given to me. There were three with a little surprise from the Heavenly Demon himself.


    The Phoenix Feather ¨C Succubus Art


    Y¨´jinxiang, Dreamweaver ¨C Music Art


    F¨´ch¨®u zhi r¨¨n ¨C Vengeful Blade


    The first is an art of my mother, the second is from the Madame¡¯s personal collection, the third is the Heavenly Demon¡¯s pic for my metal affinity. And the fourth is the Dragon Dantians, it isn¡¯t a technique as it is more of an infusion. A special, very special gift.


    I held the little glittering flask in my hand. It came with instructions and a special parchment.


    ¡°Incredible, the blood of the Heavenly Demon. He wants me to be a cultivator in his sect.¡±


    The arts, the flask and the parchments disappeared into another hidden ring. My personal inventory, so to speak. I hid the little case away. The only art remaining was the Collyrium Tulip, Y¨´jinxiang, the Dreamweaver.


    ¡°No man can resist this if used properly, not a weakling like my little lord. He might be powerful in the future but not now.¡±


    ¡®First I¡¯ll teach you the difference between our music and then I¡¯ll put you under foot. I still have backups but it sounds fun using music arts on this numbnuts.¡¯


    ¡°This is your doing! You made me bleed and scratch the floor. You bastard, how weak you have to be to continue to overuse me?!¡±


    I am going to show that I can write a better song than him. That will show him how gracious I am, I don¡¯t demand that which I cannot do.


    ¡°I wanted to play nice, I am a malgrunian consort royalty, you horse pecker, you!¡±


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡± I fell in love with my own laughter.

 CHAPTER 58

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    A few days ago¡­


    ¡°Hello mother.¡± I saluted warmly.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to hear you, little flower.¡± My mom¡¯s voice filled me with joy.


    ¡°We have minutes, mother. Let¡¯s be quick.¡± I spoke seriously.


    ¡°Let¡¯s. I read your sealed report. Just answer my questions.¡±


    I was using the brand new intercontinental communication crystal formation developed by the empire. For obvious reasons, the ¡°Great Immortal¡± Heavenly Demon has a few of these complex orgon filled artifacts. These things were expensive and are currently undergoing a testing phase. Sadly, there was no image in the running version, only sound.


    ¡°Yes, mother. Please go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Things going well with the Demonic Sect? They let you use this device. You being treated properly?¡±


    ¡°They will care for all my cultivation needs while I reside here. I was assigned one of the villas designed personally by the Madame. I have no complaints, except for not being able to go out. The problem is the damn ring.¡± I answered truthfully.


    ¡°It is what it is. The way of the Demonic Sect, your lord is simply using what his order paid for. It would have been that or a soul contract. Unavoidable.¡± Mother¡¯s voice sounded sweet today.


    ¡°That sounded like a longing heart mother. Too sweet for the usual you.¡±


    ¡°The years will make you jaded if you are not careful, little flower. But to satisfy your curiosity, I met the Heavenly Demon long ago, before he was this powerful. We had Soul Communion, there were circumstances. Otherwise, you would be the younger sister.¡±


    Mother¡¯s laughter filled the space. She did enjoy the moment of recollection.


    After a few moments of pause, she spoke again with aplomb.


    ¡°If you go through with your proposed plan, many of the resources received will be spent. How was the distribution?¡± She asked.


    ¡°The Sect took the artifacts, I received 200000 Ucra.¡±


    ¡°That will do for our needs, barely. Make sure the contract has a reimbursement clause. It will take a lot of money to do what you are suggesting. What did you make of the beloved one of the Will?¡±


    ¡°He is interesting, our communion revealed a very powerful connection to his god. Mine was completely suppressed.¡±


    ¡°The Andurin are the faction with the least number of beloved ones in recorded history. When they appear, they are always a thorn on the side of their enemies, very bloody thorns. I¡¯ll look into this Krigsain fellow; I¡¯ll keep you posted¡­ Now tell me, does your lord do it for you, little flower?¡±


    ¡°He is a tolerable match, mother. He has strengths and weaknesses; we will see if he can pass the test.¡±


    ¡°If he cannot pass it, what will you do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll still help him with what he asks but I will definitively kill him later. Just help me with the fallout then, dear mother.¡±


    ¡°You are helping me, of course I¡¯ll help you my flower.¡± That made me happy.


    ¡°Do I have permission to proceed?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t really answered what I questioned you about before. Does he do it for you?¡± My mother pressed the issue.


    ¡°Awkwardly but yes. A few times he does.¡± I abhor talking about these matters.


    ¡°Good my girl. We, the blessed of Malgrun need to have our romps, good, long and hard. Without that, not even all the power and opulence in the world will suffice. Just remember what happened to me. Pain? Joy? Did you scream? Be honest.¡± Mother¡¯s voice was stern.


    ¡°On¡­Once, he used an elixir to get me excited and he used pills. That doesn¡¯t count!¡± I complained.


    ¡°Orc blood transformation?¡± Mother probed further.


    ¡°No, just stamina, sexual potency. I think it was a raging bull pill. The one in the local store here.¡±


    ¡°I see, so he is good to go down there. As a demonic cultivator you require length as a malgrunian you require girth. You got lucky, child.¡± Mother was giggling.


    ¡°Once, mother, once!¡±


    ¡®Mother makes me rage sometimes.¡¯


    ¡°Bu you did scream with joy then¡­this might work. I¡¯ll have to meet him sometime. I¡¯ll send you what I can gather of his background. Make adjustments that account for your needs, now and in the future, think it through. You are also a demonic cultivator; therefore, you are the especially horny type. Give him a proper fellatio, my style. You¡¯ll enjoy the results later, never waste a sturdy verge.¡±


    ¡°MOTHER!¡±


    ¡®How can you be like that with a dutiful child?!¡¯


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ make allowances for dips in performance and assurances for your future prospects. Cultivation and otherwise. If worse comes to worse, kill him. If not, just do as you wish. Thank you for helping this old thing.¡± Mother was self-deprecating a bit too much lately.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°You are still a pearl that no man can resist. Be glad, we will overcome this trial. Together.¡± I encouraged my progenitor.


    ¡°Thank you my child. It is a good time to stretch my legs a bit too. Do not get pregnant accidentally, little flower.¡±


    ¡°I am cutting you off mother! I am not THAT horny!¡± I puffed feverishly.


    ¡°It is not good to lie to oneself. I trained you, I know how your devilish little heart really feels.¡± The intrusive yet appealing voice came from the other side.


    Mother was using her powers of soul manipulation through a continental device. I felt it.


    ¡®Incredible! But I will not be swayed!¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to you later, dear mother.¡±


    I closed the transmission with nimble fingers.


    ¡®No wonder father hates being around mother for long. She gets on your nerves! It is only the truth, blah, blah, blah. Insufferable!¡¯


    I stood up and asked the attendant to lead me back to the villa. There was plenty to do before I could worry about pregnancy. A suitable father was as impossible as it was undesirable; revenge will have to do.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The day of Malgresh, day of Ikrei¡¯s return¡­


    URGWHOH!


    The rift closed behind me. The headache didn¡¯t come. The old man of Zur most likely.


    ¡®You made the right choice for you, Teng.¡¯


    ¡°Welcome back, patron.¡± Hazu was very polite, just like her.


    The portal opened straight into the atrium.


    ¡°Thank you, Hazu. Where is she?¡±


    ¡°The paramour has been in the mirror room the whole day.¡±


    ¡°Bring us some drinks in that little pastries cart of yours. I¡¯ll go over.¡±


    I checked my clothes one last time. I even took an orgon crystal bath to make sure.


    ¡®Come on Ikrei, Come on!¡¯


    I reached the aforementioned room and slowly open the door.  She was wearing exactly the same dress I met her with, the turquoise, white mix. She was sitting in one of the very comfy leather cushioned chairs available.


    ¡°Lord.¡± She didn¡¯t stand up with her salute.


    ¡°Paramour.¡± I grabbed a nearby chair and sat in front of her.


    The room was spacious as they all were. A bed with all the usual trinkets of this place, furniture and mirrors, a lot of mirrors everywhere. The place was intended to offer a full view of the activities. Plenty of small artifacts acting as candles, reflecting light and many of them bouncing of the mirrors. A small feast of lights.


    ¡®The artistry doesn¡¯t escape even a small time forest hunter like me.¡¯


    ¡°Nice room you chose, Yun Hee.¡± Time to open the play.


    ¡°You better have a compelling argument for me to help you with your request, my lord.¡± She was cold, cold as icicles.


    ¡°There are very few words that can explain everything if there are any. So, as your lord I order you to follow my lead.¡±


    The rings reacted shining their light. I took out my ketar.


    The malgrunian chant came forth.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡± Her eyes red, still sitting on her comfy chair.


    I began playing my practice routine melodies and chords. The ones that sister Kuyun ingrained into my bones.


    ¡°Let me show you a few things, do not resist. This will be a one-way connection.¡±


    My control over soul music is far better than before with the help of the old man. Although after tonight, the cleansing power will be gone.


    ¡®A pity, truly a pity.¡¯


    Her chants continued as I poured my selected memories into her.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡®You just got here and you are already bossing me around and you want help?!¡¯


    Images, feelings and events started to pour into me. All happenings ere shown with a first person perspective. These were not dreams, nor visions but straight up recollections.


    ¡®The music is nice. Not as nice as mine though.¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    One of his brothers from the order appeared hanging, caught in a spider web, almost a skeleton. The spider den. Then a change, Ikrei was in a forest, Zurafin were ready to pounce on him. My rose, my rose appeared.


    ¡®He used it on himself?!¡¯


    The beasts tore into him with savagery. He took it, he took it like a demonic cultivator would. He hunted them using my poison. Brutal, almost like a daredevil of the depths.


    ¡®So, that¡¯s what it was back then. Not bad. My opinion goes from little lord to a little better lord.¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    A man, he was kissing a man. Ikrei was disgusted by what he was doing. A mission, he was working for a shady organization. The man grabbed his ass. One word came clearly ¡°Yuck!¡±. He killed the man with my rose. He killed an innocent woman with my scent and my poison. Ikrei will grow to be dangerous, no wonder the chaos root within me awoke with him.


    ¡®He can fit right in if he stayed here. What¡¯s up with those tits? Those are way bigger than mine!¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    A rabbit, he was a rabbit running around avoiding pursuers. Dirt, a lot of dirt. A very long time. He hid in a whole. He was scared, scared that a tri core warrior might show up. Then a phrase poured into me.


    ¡°Not sorry! Follow your lord!¡±


    ¡®Easy for you, you are not the one that deals with this shit!¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    Desperation, running like mad, baleful energy consuming him. Almost at a breaking point. A washroom, a woman. Pussy, a very wet pussy and a lot of what I don¡¯t really need to see. Disgusting.


    ¡°Pound?¡±


    ¡®You like that word Ikrei, don¡¯t you?¡¯


    Then another word.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Ikrei was sad, he liked sex, he did, but not like this. Unnatural, inhuman, out of need. The impotence of weakness.


    ¡®Alright I get it. Don¡¯t show me another woman screaming in ecstasy, you idiot!¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    A bar, a bar in Zunar. A raucous atmosphere. Tits, hanging tits. The Inverted Titty logo. A corner, a corner of the street near the bar. Ikrei was playing his ketar, sun was shining, he was smiling. He took of his alchemical mask to clean it, he was tired. That¡¯s where he wrote the song he was going to play later.


    ¡®He¡¯s got looks not outstanding though. Still, you could work elsewhere. You have a problem with my rack, you fool?!¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    The spider again, she was torture, torture itself. She toyed with him. A soul master spider. She took the memories of her mother and a couple of his father. No specifics, just the certainty of the feeling was transmitted. Then words came into me with full force. My ring was emitting an almost blinding light. Pure connection, no filters, emotion overwhelming.


    ¡°Help me!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to be free? I do! I do! Fuck this shit! Fuck everything!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to trust each other; we just need to do what is needed. We can learn to hold hands while we are at it, right? Let¡¯s be friends when all this is over.¡±


    I gasped, the feeling was so intense that the chanting broke.


    He placed a small panda toy he had brought. One of those mechanical, singing versions of the empire. Expensive, like really expensive. 2000 Ucra.


    ¡°I recalled a little of what happened the last time we were together. You said you love pandas. You wanted to see if I would remember, right?¡±


    The music stopped playing. The soul connection had ended. I grabbed the toy and carefully examined it.


    ¡°The toy has the first song ¡°Strangers¡± recorded into it, a little memento.¡± Ikrei told me.


    Hazu expertly entered the room with drinks. She has impeccable timing.


    ¡°You have to show me that you are worth the seal still. It is a test of your mind and the scales for your heart. Power is not enough, not for what you are asking and not for what I need. We have revenge to plan and it will not be easy. But that¡¯s far from now.¡±


    I waved for Hazu to serve the drinks. The little toy began playing and singing ¡°Strangers,¡± in a repeating cycle.


    ¡®The toy¡¯s orgon crystal formation will last four or five years. There are going to be a lot of replays.¡¯


    We drank blithely for a while. I hummed along.


    ¡®Still going to put you down, gently though. You owe me some blood, Ikrei.¡¯

 CHAPTER 59

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    We were back inside the atrium. It was time for a show. Everything carefully setup. I even lit up some candles for the night show. If he was going to fail, I was going to make a nice painting of this memory.


    ¡®I¡¯ll help you either way. One will cost you, your life though.¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°I know this is a tiled table but you will be honest with your assessment, right?¡±


    Ikrei spoke as he pointed at my ring.


    ¡°Of course, I cannot lie. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll go easy on you. I¡¯m going to master music arts too.¡±


    ¡°Good enough paramour, good enough.¡±


    He got into proper position to play on the phoenix mat I prepared, he was sitting exactly like I saw in his memories. A street corner money pincher.


    ¡®I¡¯ll play this at your funeral, my dearest.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®Just play like you practiced. Kuyun¡¯s arrangements are the shit!¡¯


    My hands danced for a bit on the fret board, making sure I was ready.


    ¡°Inhale, exhale, release.¡±


    I was looking at her, not even glancing at my ketar there was no need. I had it down. I was going to gauge her reactions first; the ring was a last resort.


    ¡®I need her help after all.¡¯


    I strung my chords slowly to get into the grove. Then the arpeggios arranged by Kuyun began and then a mix of the two.


    ¡®Yun Hee doesn¡¯t look to impressed. Guess the story will have to do.¡¯


    I sang with my heart but exactly as sister Kuyun had admonished me over a hundred times. Emotion and control. The mark of a true musician.


    The stanza for this one was a little different but not by much, pair of verses tied together continuously. The trick was that there really wasn¡¯t a chorus, not something you could consider one. This was a bard¡¯s tale with music.


    I sang the first set.


    Yun Hee just stood there looking like a silently pissed off burning phoenix.


    ¡®She still not showing any reaction. How about this?¡¯


    Let¡¯s show her the mastery of the many styles of sister Kuyun, let¡¯s pick up the pace with the next stanza.


    I sang with all my heart again, just like I trained countless times.


    Finishing the second set of lyrics, she showed nothing. Not even a smile when she should have. I wrote this part taking her into consideration. Yun Hee is not your typical malgrunian then.


    ¡®This next stanza should do the trick, right? Right?¡¯


    I played with all the fervor I could manage without screwing up anywhere, my best shot.


    More controlled singing.


    Nothing, still nothing.


    ¡®This is not good, no good Ikrei. Just keep going, there¡¯s still hope.¡¯


    I played, I played with everything.


    ¡®My life is riding on this!¡¯


    Let¡¯s do the ending switch, arpeggios and melancholy with a mix of chords, bends and the like.


    ¡®You can¡¯t screw this part up Ikrei. Focus!¡¯If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I sang the ending stanza, this one always made me sad, that¡¯s how I knew I had it. At least until now.


    The song ended, she was still there unmoving.


    ¡®Maybe I¡¯m not as good as Knickertwister. Damn! Wait, the song, maybe¡­just maybe.¡¯


    ¡°Would you like me to sing you another song?¡± My last card, the panda toy.


    She nodded, good. Hope.


    I began singing my new improved version of ¡°Strangers.¡± I had gotten a lot better these past days.


    I played passionately, this song was far simpler to play.


    When I was done, Yun Hee was still there behaving like a rock.


    Final gamble, poker face.


    ¡®It¡¯s good. Just believe it, believe it, pretty please?!¡¯


    Without time for a proper reaction she began to scream. I was so shocked that I didn¡¯t catch it.


    She ran off so mad that it seemed that smoke was coming out from her ears.


    ¡®What the hell?!¡¯


    ¡°ARGHHH!¡±


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡®A soft gentle arpeggio with open chords like the old folk songs of the empire. Nice but nothing special. Let¡¯s see.¡¯


    ¡°?Wondrous is to sit by the door of the bar


    Watching all pass by and by cart upon cart


    A cristalink peddler rushes nearby


    With urgent news of sudden war cries


    A patrol guard riding on horseback


    Searches for thieves on his way back


    The herbal master who ain¡¯t masterful


    Passes by selling goods to the fools


    A lonely scribe half way to jail


    Kisses a lawyer posting his bail


    A politician walks with deftly steps


    Engrossed in plotting dark schemes


    There goes a vampire or so the say


    Goes and gets raped as he turns half way?¡±


    ¡®Interesting lyrics, very. Your singing is better, a lot better. Change of music? Same chords, faster pace, percussive style like the gypsies¡¯ Good variety, you have been training, you dog!¡¯


    ¡°?There goes a butcher with his cut


    Same time he turns, then looks at me


    A hidden killer or rider of luck?


    Two boulders slide down with full  haste


    A crone gets hit and phat! She¡¯s paste


    Coaches and carriages go by and by


    Female attire that do more than serve


    Seeker of fortune, once gigolo


    The sons of Gurnir and their m¡¯ lovers


    The madmen, the true contra band


    The few good men, true brothers of men


    The whores, tricksters, bootlickers


    The healers, the saints, the profit seekers


    Crosses a lady with a thousand names


    Selling the property of the widowed?¡±


    ¡®Pffft. A dead crone? Malgrunian humor? You calling me boot licker? Humph!¡¯


    ¡°?There goes a band of white collar knaves


    In their gorgeous official apparels


    There goes a carriage with a foreign seal


    Carrying a lover for someone to steal


    There goes a carriage with kingdom guards


    Carrying the lost lover of a general


    Right behind, are walking the serfs


    Sticking an elbow right on your ribs


    With darkened faces they pass by your side


    Scoffing and hurling towards the idle


    Running around are the studious of mind


    Persecuted by the tyrants of old


    Running around are the tyrants of old


    Now that the students are grown to control


    Goes by a hewer wearing espadrilles


    With 10 Ucra the whol¡¯ his money


    Goes by a ruler crying in pain


    His trifling measures offer no gain?¡±


    ¡®Ha, ha, ha. Corruption, class wars and bitch carriages. I came here in one, you know. The kings are puppets, useless dogs that wag their tails before us. Not bad, not bad at all.¡¯


    ¡°?Go by the crazy, go by the sane


    You better pay what is their due


    Hardened metal, that¡¯s it for you


    A priest follows her, they are living in sin


    Men marching by with the dreadful scent


    Many of them decrying their luck


    Time goes by as I sit on the side


    Watching the people pass me by


    There goes the guard of the regent


    Swords in the air all of them mad


    There goes the history of our nations


    Day after day with no relapse?¡±


    ¡®Same chords, arpeggios again, sad feel. The lyrics are a gut punch. You sat in the corner a long time didn¡¯t you?¡¯


    ¡°?Go by some cats, go by some dogs


    Go by the living, go by the dead


    They go running, they go with buzz


    There goes the silence, there goes the scream


    There goes the kingdom, the continent


    There goes my life goes burning away


    As I remain seated in the same bar


    Watching the world go by and by?¡±


    ¡®Muted play with slight picking, bends and intervals, perfect feel. And yes, there goes your home up in flames.¡¯


    ¡®A very sad arpeggio with all the other techniques mixed at the end, huh? Nice trick.¡¯


    ¡°?The more things change the more they remain


    A world filled with blood that knows no shame


    All throughout time and all of our lives


    I wish I could sing a song about change


    The world is one, the world is the same


    Don¡¯t look for me to sooth all your pains


    The song remains the same


    The song remains the same


    The song remains the same


    The song remains the same?¡±


    ¡®Yes it does and yes it will, for a very, very long time.¡¯


    Sad, honest, funny with warm and gentle happy chords turned sad through technique. He is better at this music thing than me.


    ¡®What should I say? It¡¯s good. A perfect satire of our times. Simple and heartfelt with nice touches and a silky tempered voice.¡¯


    ¡°Would you like me to sing you another song?¡± Ikrei asked.


    I nodded reflexively.


    Ikrei played the song he played the last time he was here, ¡°Strangers.¡±


    His voice sounded so much better this time around. A lot of practice, surely.


    I just watched the entire thing unmoving but I wasn¡¯t liking my own internal conflict. A few minutes later, I exhaled. I was tired.


    ¡®Can we play together sometime?¡¯


    I wanted to ask him.


    ¡®But I refuse to yield!¡¯


    Ikrei stopped playing. There were no soul arts, just music. I like the song, I do. What do I do? It¡¯s professional grade anyway you look at it. I like his songs. I like him!


    ¡®Why are you looking at me with those eyes again?!¡¯ Again with the mushy feelings. Damn it!¡¯


    ¡°You! You! You bastard!¡± I pointed at him with fury.


    I stormed off, I didn¡¯t want to accept what I was feeling.


    ¡®Shit! He did it, he really did it!¡¯


    ¡°ARGHHH!¡±

 CHAPTER 60 R - 18

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°The paramour has requested time to prepare the contract, patron.¡± Hazu game an approving smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s done. Phew.¡±


    I had no idea why she bolted like an idiot with fire on her ass but I was happy. All the work was about to pay off. Then hunts, a music deal and awakening. The finish line of my death sentence and answers, finally some answers.


    ¡°So Hazu, did you like the song?¡±


    ¡°I am impressed, sir. No mistakes even under pressure. You were nervous a little bit.¡±


    Honest as always. My guards were nodding approvingly also.


    ¡°If I may interject here a little, sir.¡± Hazu worded.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± She must have a reason.


    ¡°The misses would like to play with you sometime. She is just too proud to say. She has been practicing her own music arts these days. Singing her that love song again was the straw in the camel¡¯s back. Good call.¡± Hazu gently smiled.


    ¡°What now Hazu?¡±


    ¡°We will get you a translated version of the contract for the three of you, the original too. It is the Heavenly Demon that is the sealing authority between the parties here, once more.¡±


    ¡°You have Thruskan around?¡±


    ¡°Yes, paramour Yun Hee has made the preparations for a feast after the ritual.¡±


    ¡°She was that confident huh? Her strange behavior makes even less sense to me now.


    Before I could turn to ask something else Hazu had already given the copies of the contract to my guards, the original draft written by the hand of the little vixen.


    Hazu directed me towards the selected ritual area, it was time for a show.


    ¡®I forgot to buy a few ragging bulls! Hope it¡¯s ok.¡¯


    <hr>


    I was sitting on a sand made chair inside the lake pool, reading completely nude with half my body covered by the water. Yun Hee was standing in front of me wearing a variation the light turquoise and white dress I met her with, shorter a lot shorter.


    ¡®Swimwear, maybe, not quite. Yun Hee¡¯s crazy idea or a Malgrunian, cultivator tradition?¡¯


    We were inside a considerably expensive arrangement, a triple formation. Within the circle, the orgon crystals formed three sigils: The Malgrunian, the Andurian and the Heavenly Demon¡¯s merged together formed a unique view. The phoenix, the phoenix raven and the soaring dragon. Each with their respective ancient languages written along the lines. The Andurin heptagram, seven pointed alchemical star underneath the three beasts¡¯ depictions glowing with orgon. Puri showed me this heptagram alchemical formation in one of his parchments, once. A wondrous work.


    ¡®This couldn¡¯t be done within the hour. Did she trick me?¡¯


    Hazu and my two bodyguards were on the edges of the formation, inside the water. There were many of our awakened attendant, she had ten sisters or it was her special ability.


    ¡®So that¡¯s how she is everywhere all the time!¡¯


    I held a small crystal of unknown material while I read the contents of the golden parchment, the parchment being the most valuable. Yun Hee explained it was of Heaven grade, that is, Runecraft level workmanship. It wasn¡¯t too dissimilar to the one that was used on the night of the sealing in Malaktaraf, the one in the castle being Divine grade. Everything here was at least mastercraft level, that was going to hurt my monetary bottom line. The parchment was written in the ancient tongues. I had a confirmed translation my guards gave me in the common tongue.


    Soul Binding Contract ¨C Heaven Grade


    <ul>


    <li>The lord must become stronger than the paramour within four years or he dies.</li>


    <li>The lord must provide for cultivation resources for the paramour or he dies.</li>


    <li>The lord must reach Nascent Soul stage 9 before a full ten years transpire or he dies.</li>


    <li>The lord must secure resources that allow the paramour to be a maximum of 4 cultivation stages behind her lord. The lord must help the paramour eliminate a target of her choosing that does not conflict with known associates and interests of the lord at the time of sealing. If this changes upon selecting the target, a suitable option will be chosen. Refusal of execution is equivalent to death. The lord dies.</li>


    <li>The lord is to grant one request upon the death of the target. Refusal of execution is equivalent to death. The lord dies.</li>


    <li>Upon the granting of the previously mentioned request, the lord will be freed from any further obligation. Likewise, the paramour will be set free.</li>


    <li>The paramour will seal herself unto the lord. A portion of her power will be shared. If and when the lord becomes stronger, the reverse will also be applicable.</li>


    <li>The paramour will be fully sealed obeying the lord dutifully with the exception of orders that can cause her unwarranted harm or death and the unwarranted harm or death of her mother.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The paramour will give the heart of Malgrun upon completion of the stated request. The true blessing of the Eternal Moon. Whatever happens to the lord is HIS responsibility! This gift is equivalent exchange for the task requested and the other tasks that should have been previously completed. This gift cannot be refused, otherwise the lord dies.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The paramour commits herself to loving the lord according to the Malgrunian customs as to ensure the maximum and purest transfer of power possible. This will be quantified in the number of orgasms the lord has during every intimate encounter. The paramour commits herself to ensuring at least one more orgasm than in the previous encounter with the lord. This can be reduced upon the lord¡¯s request. The new orgasm count will be established using the requested number.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>If and when the lord becomes stronger than the paramour, the number of orgasms the paramour experiences during intercourse within a month cannot be reduced. They must be accounted for, either with increased number of encounters or with more ¡°effusive¡± sessions. Reductions can only be acceptable with her consent. Failure to comply means that the lord dies.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The sealing will allow for direct soul communication between the two parties. The paramour will NEVER intrude upon the lord¡¯s mind unless it is an emergency. The lord will NEVER intrude upon the paramour¡¯s mind unless it is an emergency. Intrusion or soul communion DURING SEX is grounds for a BREACH of contract. Both parties must agree for this to happen explicitly during intercourse on a CASE BY CASE BASIS. Failure to comply will result in the soul torture and the death of the lord.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The lord will teach soul music to the paramour within four years or he dies. The paramour will teach her lord an equivalent music related art.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The contract will be overseen and sealed with the aid of the Heavenly Demon of the Soaring Dragon Demonic Sect.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The value of the procedure is an equivalent amount of 30000 Ucra at the time of sealing. The amount will be reimbursed to the paramour by the lord before the end of the four-year period or the lord dies.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The contract and stated time periods become active upon the execution of the sealing act.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>The lord will actively participate in one leisure activity the paramour designates as ¡°fun¡± every month, the activities must align with the preservation of the well-being of the lord. Unintentional harm notwithstanding. If and when the paramour is allowed to leave seclusion by the Soaring Dragon Demonic Sect after the four-year period, an addendum to this clause will be required. This can be adjusted with the simultaneous consent of both parties.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>In the case of irreconcilable differences or clashes of interests that were not taken into account in this contract at the time of sealing, the sex bout will be performed. The lord shall determine the day that it will be performed and the paramour must confirm the date, in the interest of fairness. Whoever taps out first loses. Winner gets granted decision power over the conflicting situation. The bout cannot be postponed indefinitely. Sexual services and power transfer will be suspended until date confirmation. In the case that the paramour and the lord cannot confirm the date, the date placement power shall be given to the Heavenly Demon, guarantor of this covenant through the corresponding ritual. This clause will last for the duration of this contract.</li>


    </ul>


    The sex bout is a special even playing field. No pills, no blessings, no artifacts. The humanization seal will be applied. In case of an unplanned pregnancy while under the effects of humanization, the lord will suffer soul torture, dismemberment, death and ultimately, inability to reincarnate for an unknown amount of time.


    <ul>


    <li>The use of the name of the Andurin order will require approval from the lord on a case by case basis. If an agreement cannot be reached, the sex bout will be enforced.</li>


    </ul>


    <u>Note from Guarantor, The Heavenly Demon: Resolve differences peacefully. The Void is NOT a nice place.</u>


    <ul>


    <li>*** Emergency is defined as whatever external circumstances tamper with the application of the written clauses in this contract in a permanent fashion.</li>


    <li>*** DURING SEX is defined as any action taken with the express intent of having intercourse with the paramour by the lord. Note: The sealing will allow for perception of intention.</li>


    <li>*** Humanization is defined as the process by which all awakened, mana or cultivator attributes are lost for a period of time. The person becomes ¡°normal¡±.</li>


    <li>*** The request cannot be marriage in any shape, form or custom according to the lord¡¯s wishes. The lord¡¯s freedom of choice will always be protected.</li>


    </ul>


    Needless to say, it was a hell of a lot to take in. I didn¡¯t have any words; a blank expression came upon me.


    ¡°Final request? What¡¯s that about?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking a pretty big gamble here; you take the plunge with me.¡± She splashed some water with her feet towards my face.


    ¡®I though soul contracts have to be fully stated and clear to be valid. Something¡¯s fishy.¡¯


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit much¡­and what about these sex clauses and restrictions, you are pushing it.¡± I told her flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be great you said¡­love me without loving you, you said¡­was all that hot air? I need my privacy and I need my fill, no apologies my lord.¡±


    ¡®Using Krigsain¡¯s plan comes back to bite me. This is again a bit over my head. I am just a considerably horny fifteen-year-old doing my best!Not exactly, I am getting better with words, a lot better. However, it is never enough. More and more stuff piles on.¡¯


    ¡°This formation wasn¡¯t setup in an hour, your test¡­the song, were you toying with me?¡±


    ¡°There are a couple of more formations in the villa. I had countermeasures, 30000 Ucra worth of preventative adjustments that depended on your performance. I brought you here because you impressed me enough and I believe in your potential. Did I misjudge you my lord?¡± She waited patiently


    About an hour later, after weighing all my options.


    ¡°Time to jump into the deep end and yes¡­I¡¯ll be great. Debt, resources, assassinations and a major war. All in a day¡¯s work¡­whatever you want must be valuable and I don¡¯t know what it is.¡± My eyes turned serious.


    ¡°Your life for my future. Your life for my power. My heart for your potential, the future you. This is the price; this is the choice.¡± Her eyes reminded me of Freslia¡¯s. There was no room for negotiation.


    Do or do not. The moment of truth.


    ¡®She is hiding something. My impulsive need to survive, fuck! Still, Krigs did help me, it must be within range. I¡¯ll have to talk to him later.¡¯Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Gathering my thoughts, I accepted.


    The primary seal was the one by the Heavenly Demon. This allowed for a third party to enforce the terms of the contract between two opposing god factions. The power of the Hidden Hand, not that I was going to explain that little part to Yun Hee. This was our deal but my oath my one and only true oath.


    ¡®A fearsome prospect with monster gains. If I can manage to get to the other side. Not just elite, not just special but among the truly powerful. Liberty, freedom to live as I please!¡¯


    Elongating one of her nails, Yun Hee made cuts on our fingers, blood dripped upon the artifacts, enough for a full glass of Thruskan. The oath had to be done in the tongue of the Heavenly Demon.


    ¡°W¨¯ f¨¡ sh¨¬!¡± We shouted together.


    ¡®My gaseous core pulsated fiercely. The oath, surely.¡¯


    The crystal bead and the parchment received our blood. They changed to a dark color.


    ¡°Drop them in the water.¡± I did as she told me and she held my hands with hers.


    ¡®My guards didn¡¯t stop me, everything should be fine.¡¯


    ¡°Malgrun appreciates sex even more so than the Heavenly Demon. The blessing allows us, the blessed succubae, to be as close as to our chosen mate¡¯s wishes as it is feasible. Sex with the aid of god, you cannot go any higher.¡±


    The formation lit up. Hazu and my bodyguards were getting ready. Her wet clothes began expanding slowly. I held her hands expecting an energy transfer. Instead, her clothes began to slightly rip. She was transforming, her body shape began to change, her skin color too. Her hourglass waist became even more pronounced. She placed my hands on her behind.


    ¡®It¡¯s expanding, growing bigger!¡¯


    She turned and let the rest of her clothes float away on the water. A perfectly shaped derriere with even more sensual curves forming a delightful cursive W. I wanted to castigate it. Turning again, two massive mountains appeared. My little guy immediately sprang up.


    Then I looked up, thin raven hair with even more threads than before, almost looking brownish with the effect of the night lights. A new sweet but coquettish appearance with full blood red lips, seductive, still Yun Hee, just different. Her eyes became brown. I sat there half immersed in the water with an erected phallus.


    ¡°Is this the real you?¡± I asked clearly shaken.


    ¡®Even if you know about transformations, this is shocking for a first timer. Knowing and witnessing, two very different things.¡¯


    My hands reached her grand peaches impulsively. Grand areolas, firm yet soft texture. Her bust twice as large as the length of my fully stretched fingers. Her juices dripping unto my fully erect crown. The scent of roses made its return but with many more aromas. It felt like being surrounded by a garden, a beautiful garden of fresh flowers.


    She was smiling voraciously. Her now brown eyes had a tinge of red. A red line clearly delineated in a circle inside her irises. Her hourglass waist even more pronounced with the skylight behind her, combining meticulously with the previously visualized monstrous double cheek that invited many back slaps. The desire to possess, the need to tear apart, was almost unbearable.


    ¡°I am every woman. I¡¯m the reflection of your soul and will continue to be for as long as we are sealed, every time we have sex. This is your doing my lord. This is your heart¡¯s desire made flesh. As your desire changes in your heart, so will I. The changes are not just physical; this is the power of our god.¡±


    Her new lustful, devilish smirk made her enticing, alluring. Irresistible.


    ¡®Mine, you are mine!¡¯


    ¡°By this dagger I seal thee and by this act the oath must be fulfilled.¡±


    The blood filled parchment and the unknown crystal bead dissolved, drops of blood floated around us coming up from the water. A dagger made of blood coalesced from the floating drops. The very small dagger hovered between us. She made an imperceptible cut on my index finger with her enlarged nail and sucked on it, like a vampire.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± I winced.


    I felt uncomfortable on the makeshift sand chair. The view became tantalizing. A voluptuous female body with all the curves that I had ever dreamt of roaming stood there, teasingly.


    Her lower lips that were dripping on top of me, spread even more scent. In a slow deliberate motion, her lips received my pulsating rod, releasing it from the anguish. A powerful moan came from her other lips. The floating red dagger entered my heart. The orgon filled water lit up with its blue glint underwater. The formation resonated with full power. My two bodyguards and the ¡®multiplied¡¯ Hazu chanted loudly.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    The chants interlacing and repeating while the orgon crystals emanated energy, flickering wildly. Her hips moving with the cadence, her shape shifting inner vortex coiling around my member like a snake. I splurged my riches inside her within twenty breaths. However, I was still hard.


    ¡°Mmm!¡± She moaned with vigor. Her hips began moving faster.


    Energy came into me, wrapping itself around my core.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±¡±


    Her eyes shone bright red with unseen intensity. Her ass stomping on my thighs brutishly with a rhythm. The snake like movements of her figure were too much. Hands on my collarbones, the wetness became heated vapor, swirling and spinning on the tip of my spear.


    ¡®This is the real you? Different from poor little Zuwan. Way too different.¡¯


    She wanted to drain me. Obviously, I couldn¡¯t make sense of any of her words. My trembling and throbbing genitalia wasn¡¯t helping.


    More energy seeped into my core.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡®The absolute nutcracker.¡¯


    My self-deprecating internal joke made me laugh. My laughter and her beastly groans carrying us unto an explosive climax. The sink down technique she was applying was heavenly. The feeling of heat turned energy was driving me mad.


    ¡®Water? Fluids? What is this?¡¯


    The swirling dagger dissolved within my heart. A vast wave of energy entered and traversed my entire body. Another discharge came from my little drill.


    Her hair extended several cubits, like a very large curtain. The threads wrapped our bodies like a cocoon. We were encased in our own little world. The heat from her body reaching mine. It wasn¡¯t the cores or the energy, it was whatever was down there, her inner region came alive.


    ¡®Great Will have mercy. A little bit of privacy couldn¡¯t hurt, not with the faces I am making.¡¯


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Even more energy, I was starting to lose my mind.


    ¡°AH, AHH, AAAHHH¡± Even under water I could feel liquid coming from her.


    Another burst from below. I became an active geyser.


    ¡°AH, AHH, AAAHHH¡± The aroma of flowers permeated the cocoon.


    ¡°ARLUN DESIR AUMERSH SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Again the energy charge came, I expelled energy from my mouth like hot breath. I was filled internally yet she continued.


    I grabbed her incredible ass the in best way that I could, my hands couldn¡¯t fit such plump protrudes. My fingers clasping fiercely, she bled a little. My mouth on her areola, my first amateurish attempt at true vampirism. Her vast regions open to my carnal appetite.


    Water, moans, shaking, flickering crystals and a shining underwater formation with the accompanying perfect skylight. Truly, truly unforgettable.


    ¡®The women of Malgrun, the women of the Heavenly Demon!¡¯


    The surroundings and the chants faded into the background. To me, they no longer existed.


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    ¡°Nn! Ah¡­Ah¡­Ohh¡­.¡± Her erotic concert began. I couldn¡¯t help but be trapped.


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    ¡°Hee, Oh¡­Ah, Ahh¡­¡±


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡®Now, you are ready, let¡¯s play little man!¡¯


    I slowly caressed the spurting boy¡¯s face. I gave him my signature ¡°Rose Kiss¡± filled with energy. We interlocked our tongues on a long, profound exploration. My hips moving even faster. His eyes a little lost. Ikrei wanted to gasp, I didn¡¯t let him. More smooching.


    ¡®Yes, yes. Just like that, a little more, just a little more.¡¯


    If mother is right, and she normally is. This might be worth a try. Women understand fellatio as the art of giving a man a proper blowjob. But that¡¯s for ¡°normal¡± women, not us, not me! The demonic cultivators blessed by Malgrun.


    I began using my vulva, my canals and even reforming my cervix to completely trap the little intruder. I filled him with more energy, it was easy, Ikrei is far weaker than me by a whole realm!


    ¡®Time to give you the real swirl, little man.¡¯


    My hips began clashing against his pelvic bones. If I was hurting him, I didn¡¯t care. My inner labia twisting and turning like a wet shirt being wrapped for drying.


    ¡®Hell, I am really horny right now! Love you but don¡¯t love you mother!¡¯


    Fluids dripping on his crown. Another twitch, a hard one.


    SWOOSH!


    He came.


    ¡®That¡¯s one. Hold on for dear life, little lord.¡¯


    I placed my hand on his hair and forcefully came in for another wet round of upper libia contortions while we smooched some more. His hands on my ass felt good, really good. The energy of the blessing during the sacred day was really accumulating this time. The poor sand chair was a mess, to say the least.


    SWOOSH!


    I poured even more energy into his little friend through his chest. Ikrei wasn¡¯t going to get off easy on Malgrun¡¯s day, if he could. Red roses began forming inside the cocoon. My nipple next to his lips. He bit, I heaved.


    ¡°Ah, Ah.¡±


    ¡®Your turn to lose it, pill abuser!¡¯


    SWOOSH!


    I stood and turned. The pulsating rod desperately trying to remain encased. My hand on his chest infusing energy. His virile thing wanted, needed rest. I wrapped my libia again around his engorged shaft and sat back down. Ikrei grabbed my cheeks with fury. My hand still on his chest, left pectoral. I liked his muscles.


    ¡®Give it to me, fake nympho, Come on!¡¯


    The hammering felt sweet, even I had to admit little lord has the tools. Bu that didn¡¯t mean I was losing this time around. My hourglass shape hidden inside the cocoon but strangely highlighted thanks to the floating glowing roses. Ikrei grabbed my hip with his right hand. A curved wet grab.


    The kind of grab only cultivators and awakened warrior types know. He was carefully evading using the calloused parts of his hand. Delicately using his knuckles and little finger. You may be wondering how can a cultivator be callous when there are healing arts. It means you train like a madman, if you go around like that.


    ¡®You do like me that much? Good.¡¯


    I overwhelmed his member with an intentional splurging of rose powered scent. His little veins were reacting wildly.


    ¡®Cute.¡¯


    ¡°Ikrei if I have to tell you twice, we are done here. Pound, pound hard.¡± I gave a command using his words.


    One thing mother is definitively right about. We need our romps, even in a ritual.


    The little lord and I exchanged glances. With all might his hips lifted from the water, the drilling of our first night made its return. I returned the favor.


    ¡®He pounded or I swirled?¡¯


    My chest heaved and his hips shook. Surely both.


    Splashes all around.


    ¡®Yes, that¡¯s it, right there. Fall deeper and deeper, little lord.¡¯


    SWOOSH!


    ¡°Ah, Ah, Ah.¡± The climax made him react like a girl.


    Warm fluid with a large amount of little Ikrei¡¯s splashed into my walls.


    ¡®Too bad, you all die today!¡¯


    He was struggling. Seriously struggling.


    ¡®No rest for the wicked, my dearest!¡¯


    I swirled with rage, resentment and pain. I was letting go of my pent-up frustrations. I had another silent squirt, a warm and gentle one. Ikrei exploded in my insides once more.


    SWOOSH!


    ¡®If you can¡¯t survive tonight, you are not worthy!¡¯


    I made a slight cut on his nipple and another in mine with my hands, never releasing the energy discharge on top of his chest. With a couple of threads from my hair the drops of blood were mixed together.


    Another pause and a turn. The smell of flowers intensified even more. It became tough to breath unscented air. With a heavy vaginovulvar stomp I engulfed his little horse again. This time hard, with the full extent of my groping hair. My controlled raven threads began massaging his scrotum with expertise.


    One fluid motion of sexual ecstasy for him. My right hand on his chest, my left hand on his neck, my left nipple in his mouth, my treasure sheathing his staff and my hair on his nutsack.


    ¡°Show me, exceptional, lord.¡±


    All things synchronized, I swirled with great fancy.


    ¡®You will never be satisfied with other women; I¡¯ll make sure of it!¡¯


    SWOOSH!


    ¡°AAAHHH!¡± Ikrei screamed.


    I stopped his screaming with the blood from the floating hair thread that I had used previously. I kissed him deeply, mixing the blood, his slobber and our tongues. I had to take countermeasures.


    ¡®Do you think that ring can protect you forever? And if you can do as you say then¡­ then you will be mine! Mine! You will serve me! I¡¯ll be nice, I do like you.¡¯


    Yun Hee¡¯s Reverse Harem member + 1.


    The elation from my own plan made me go wild. The energy from the blessing manifested in all its strength.


    ¡®No more niceties, this is a ritual, this is a test.¡¯


    I gave Ikrei no quarter. I swirled and splashed, the rose garden evaporating. Massive energy concentration. The touch occurred. Malgrun approved, I felt it.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA! HA, HA, HA!¡±


    With no rhyme and no longer any reason I took my little lord for the spin of his life. I began to grind, voraciously licking his mushroom with my special entry. Catching it fully by the base. Complete enclosure. I lost myself in the act.


    ¡®Take it, take me, now!¡¯


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    ¡®Yes, yes, hit it harder.¡¯


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    SWOOSH!


    ¡°HA, HA, HA! HA, HA, HA!¡±


    ¡®Again. Once more. With feel little lord.¡¯


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    SWOOSH!


    ¡°HA, HA, HA! HA, HA, HA!¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s here, it¡¯s here. Lord Malgrun giveth, Lord Malgrun taketh!¡¯


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    SWOOSH!


    ¡®Good little lord, good. Yes, yes, yes!¡¯


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    SWOOSH!


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I ejaculated ten more times. By the time I was done, I was certain I was firing blood instead of semen. If the joy of sex is in the climax for men, then what ailments befall a man for continuously nutting?


    ¡®Malgrunian women are unparalleled.¡¯


    Krigsain¡¯s words came to mind, suddenly. Allowing me a moment of respite.


    ¡®Maybe I am shooting excess energy from down there?!?¡¯


    Yun Hee arced herself back, her hair liberating us from our hirsute prison. Her large raven threads preventing her from falling inside the water. The hairy constructs became her improvised stabilizing stakes, columns sustaining a pier.


    The carnal feast raged on for a few more breaths. Her entire self, bouncing in and out with uninhibitedness. Lost in the reverie. Her eyes turning brown with that thin red line again. One last wave of energy came, it felt like someone grabbing my body forcefully from all directions and then settling inside my brain.


    Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat! Splash! Phat!


    ¡°HEE¡­HEE¡­AAAAHHHH, AAAAAHHHHH!¡± She thundered like a mating fearbeast, a high pitch bestial shout.


    Small waves formed around her stirring hips.


    Yun Hee¡¯s body was not only convulsing but having severe irregular spasms, her private garden throbbing against my receding rod. Her wonderful, luscious massive bangers moving with her erratic breathing. After a while, her hand softly cleared the water from my eye. She smiled rapturously at me.


    The erotic view was being etched inside the deepest corners of my mind, I could feel it.


    I came one last time, somehow. I growled, a short beastly growl but similar to hers.


    ¡®Unbelievable.¡¯


    The infinitesimally small blood dagger reappeared inside my pineal gland, embedding itself in my gaseous core. Then it faded away like it was never there.


    Everything faded to black.

 CHAPTER 61

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was waiting for the processing of my credentials to enter the mapped rift. My remaining money was 1500 Ucra, all expenses paid for, including orgon crystals for mediation. Following big guy¡¯s writings, there were a few considerations.


    <ul>


    <li>The runic ring was for control and disabling, power transfer was now better through the contract.</li>


    <li>The new power of my core needed stabilizing. Fighting, lots of fighting and sex, lots of sex. There will be downsides, they are expected. Power through.</li>


    <li>Yun Hee was going to have headaches from overuse. Use the ring for added compulsion in case she becomes rebellious, if overuse makes her bleed again.</li>


    <li>Malgrun was fully present within me, test things out, be careful.</li>


    <li>One day for sex, the rest for my training regimen. Meditation, arts, music and languages.</li>


    <li>Keep writing music. Krigsain will teach me otherworldly music soon.</li>


    <li>Keep records of everything, chance of memory lapses possible.</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°I¡¯ll hand the contract to Krigs for revision when I see him.¡±


    ¡°You have your clearance, first core. Good luck out there, Andurin.¡±


    The kingdom official handed me the sigil, the coordinates, the map and all else related to this hunt. I went directly to the rift. My gait faltered a little.


    ¡®I am still a little sore from the last couple of days.¡¯


    <hr>


    The thing about this hunt is the entry pass. One time only. Want to reentry, pay again. Brutal. So, I have to hunt these guys in one go.


    ¡°Time to test the limits of a fully formed not yet peak state first core.¡±


    I headed to where the map indications signaled. The ground in these parts was black, black as charcoal yet vibrant with energy. Plants, caves and mountains had an eerie feeling. The consequences of the battle of the gods, so they say.


    My core resonated with some of the energy in the place, rejected some of it.


    ¡°Different gods, no stable base.¡±


    Mana was the unifying power of all gods that sustained the world. A self-sufficient impersonal source of power. This is why Magi like to remain independent. Few have the chance to harness the full extent of the available power.


    ¡®The Dogran guy is different. The empire must be filled with monsters.¡¯


    I reached the cave system where the bears lived. I stayed away from their immediate detection range. I just watched carefully. Huge mana trees growing on top of the caves. Very strange birds resting on them.


    ¡°There should be about twenty, here. As expected I need to lure them out of the caves and watch out for those birds.¡±


    I setup camp nearby and took out my ketar, I was going to wait a while and see how the bears live around this place.


    I started working on a new song, but not too dissimilar from the one I had written. Themes of war again.


    Like this, following the bears, meditating, playing and reading Zurian scriptures every now and then. A week had gone by.


    Day of Musa, fourth day of the week. Third week of the tenth month.


    ¡®Oh, fuck, I missed the sacred day again!¡¯


    <hr>


    The bears here are not only stronger but also smarter. So, I had to use a long term strategy of the typical ¡°baiting¡± procedure for the bears. This time, using extremely expensive, herbs, fruits and even the premium version of a Thruskan brew bottle mixed in.


    ¡®I haven¡¯t even tasted it yet. Enjoy your last meal ¡°little¡± ones.¡¯


    Using the bait for the last days, the hungry, selfish beasts got used to following the food and the aroma. The selfish bastards grabbed the food and went to eat on their own far away from each other.


    Their cores are in their hearts.


    ¡®Can¡¯t use the ring, ancient rift interference. But with the soul contract that doesn¡¯t matter! Ha, Ha, Ha! Still I need to run tests first.¡¯


    So, until further testing this was not an option. The problems of having more power.


    I moved in close to the first lonely bear. In his eyes, I was nothing more than the little woffer rabbit that always comes over. Kletay¡¯s artifact working its wonders.


    SWISH!


    One fully charged surprise attack to the brain, no time to react. My new mastercraft long blade inserted right between the eyes. A couple of twitches and the bear was no more, just a very valuable piece of meat.


    A complicated situation resolved through trickery.


    ¡®Am I turning Unothodox as Ciel said?¡¯


    Rinse and repeat. Before long I had my three cores plus all the bears¡¯ body parts.


    ¡°Kletay¡¯s artifact, Veil of the Heart, is going to be invaluable for the last hunt.¡±


    Since I was already late, I stayed for the remainder of the days before going for a report.


    ¡®First hunting small game with cores. Second, testing my new limits.¡¯


    ¡°Going to spank that ass plenty when I get back. You must be in the pool right about now.¡±


    I could feel Yun Hee even this far way. no thoughts, just feelings. But If I can feel her, she can feel me too. An open heart to a woman is dangerous, an open heart to a succubus is irresponsible and deathly. Soul music is my safety net. Control, absolute control.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡®That is why she is training in something similar too.¡¯


    <hr>


    Day of Io?l, sixth day of the week. Third week of the tenth month. Lord Sarkan¡¯s sealed space.


    ¡°Again?¡± Sarkan was not happy.


    ¡°Forgive Lord Sarkan. I am trying my best. I am almost done with my hunts!¡± I was going to play the expressive little dog angle.


    Another one of Krigsain¡¯s tips. Still, Lord Sarkan was seriously displeased.


    ¡®He is not going to pop a vein, is he? Am I getting banged against the wall?¡¯


    ¡°You bunch are quite something. And very lucky too.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t following what he was saying.


    ¡®Luck? Luck is good, right?!¡¯


    ¡°You have been reassigned for a week of special training. The orders of the eldership. So, punishment will have to wait until your next return before your final hunt, do not execute the hunt before reporting to me.¡±


    I just nodded not quite understanding what was going on.


    ¡°Just wait a moment.¡± Lord Sarkan pressed something on his desk.


    ¡°Lukia, is everything ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes sage, please keep the rift open, he will be arriving in three breaths.¡±


    ¡°We are not sealed yet?¡± I was perplexed.


    ¡°We are waiting for your ringleader; he will be training with you for the next week.¡±


    Before anything l could even come out of my shock, Krigsain was sitting next to me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you said to her but your little plot has been approved for testing. Show us that you can plan something that can give us a real edge without fighting. You get one shot, unruly one.¡±


    ¡®Her? What? Explain.¡¯


    ¡°Hello there, sir. Ikrei.¡± Krigsain just padded me on the shoulder.


    ¡°As you requested, this fellow of yours will be going with you. Train him in the specifics of core absorption, consider his circumstances.¡±


    ¡®Wait. What?¡¯


    ¡°Sure thing, sir. I¡¯ll ingrain them into him better than the taskmaster herself.¡±


    They both laughed heartily.


    ¡°If you fail you will follow orders without complain. If you succeed you will get most of the liberty of action you desire. Regardless of the outcome, you will still undergo the procedure. Understood?¡± Lord Sarkan was firm.


    Krigsain was clearly a little uncomfortable but still nodded.


    ¡°Ikrei, the only reason you are allowed to hear this conversation is because of this troublemaker¡¯s request. You are to follow his orders for the next week. I will personally review your gains when you return before your next hunt. You will spar with me. This is an honor.¡±


    His last words sounded like a warning.


    ¡°Yes, Lord Sarkan.¡± I wasn¡¯t following the line of reasoning, I just bowed reflexively.


    ¡°Show me your ability to teach properly rebellious one. Show me the wisdom of a great one with your plan. Fail and I¡¯ll punish you severely. I have been granted the authority by the Council of Elders.¡±


    For the first since I meet muscle mass, he gulped. Still, his eyes were resolute.


    You could hear the minute reverberations of the rift. It was that quiet.


    ¡°Show us what you got, both of you. You are dismissed.¡± Lord Sarkan gave the final command.


    ¡°By your order.¡±


    We left like our asses were being grabbed by Yun Hee¡¯s hair, tickly, tickly.


    On the corridor outside, we were walking together hastily. I was just following.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? What plan? Who¡¯s her?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Extreme hunting, support department version. The plan? Tell you later. Who? Freslia.¡±


    The mental message had a feeling of eagerness.


    ¡°There¡¯s plenty to take care of, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Krigsain just moved ahead of me while I struggled to keep up.


    ¡®Taskmaster? What?¡¯


    ¡°Wait. Wait, chosen one!¡±


    <hr>


    Half a week later¡­


    GRAWL! GRAWL! GRAWL!


    ¡°Concentrate!¡±


    The Musky Bear paw was perfectly blocked. With just one arm. I was using Krigsain¡¯s personal technique. Will infused body armor, my version, adjusted to my core energy.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    One breath. First core full power dash. Two steps later, my left hand¡¯s index and middle finger inserted into the beast¡¯s body. Perfectly piercing its heart. Destroying its core. Something regrettable but that wasn¡¯t the point of this exercise.


    The bear fell, lifelessly. This was the hundredth kill. We were inside and unmapped ancient rift.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the cave, your combat training is done.¡±


    Deep inside the cave where Krigsain had made a tunnel down. His artifacts activated surrounding us in a dome. In reality a sphere. Full protection from outside influence and the ultimate kicker, time dilation.


    Before us, lay close to sixty beasts cores of all kinds. Mostly small game.


    ¡°Identify them. You have ten breaths. Start!¡±


    I used all my energy to scan over the different cores and felt them. Ten breaths later I had a rough idea.


    ¡°Four cores infused by the Will, twenty cores by Malgrun, four cores are pure mana. The rest are different; I can¡¯t sense it properly.¡±


    ¡°Good, left hand. Remember everything on how to use them. Now let¡¯s get down to the real thing.¡±


    We sat in a lotus position in front of each other. We were going to soul commune.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡± We chanted.


    About an hour later. Our connection was finished.


    ¡°What was that muscle mass?¡±


    ¡°What do you think this war is, Ikrei?¡± He was probing my understanding.


    ¡°A conflict that has already been fought and won. We are in a different temporal timeline.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Exactly. The Malgrunians have regressors on their side and who knows what else. There are other worlds, my man. And if they are going to bring them in. So are we!¡±


    ¡®This thing is way, way over my head. Both of my heads!¡¯


    ¡°Whatever was offered to the cultivators is great. But we cannot allow them to keep amassing more accomplices. What do you offer people that seemingly have everything this world can offer?¡±


    ¡°Beats me chosen. That¡¯s a hard one.¡± I was waiting for an explanation.


    ¡°There is a small little world that is almost inaccessible. And the few that do know, don¡¯t care about it. The people there are weak, their knowledge is forbidden here, so they are of no use to most of the powerhouses. They are not monsters like many from other planes of existence. But¡ª¡±


    The images and visions I was shown now started to make sense.


    ¡°You want to use their music!¡± I stated.


    ¡°Something the powerful crave is to feel. Monotony makes you dulled, anything new is always welcomed. The more special it is, the better. Let¡¯s give this world something special. The other hidden ones of our world will come to us, this is our calling card. You will be the lightning rod.¡±


    ¡°Music will do the trick?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°It will with the common people. To the powerful, this will reveal that we have access to other worlds, ones they are not used to. They will come.¡±


    ¡°Curiosity killed the cat works both ways, wicked heart.¡± I made a slashed throat sign on my neck.


    ¡°You are dying unless you fulfill that contract of yours and they want to turn me into a marrying man, not happening, right? Resources and fianc¨¦es will have to do. As long as the promise of marriage is real, I will be fine.¡±


    He was laughing delightfully.


    ¡®You are still getting married big guy. He must have found something.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s throw a controlled explosive charge into the mix. You become famous, make the money you need. I get to pick from the bests music loving women in the world. And we get to screw the Malgrunian Kolga on the side. A win-win, right?¡±


    After a while.


    ¡°I get it big guy but what about Ciel, marriage material, right?¡±


    ¡°What do think happens when a pure soul is surrounded by impure ones?¡±


    ¡°She will eventually become impure or absolutely rejected by the others.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, exactly. Once this war is over, I¡¯ll deal with that. You are forbidden to tell her anything, you got that, left hand?¡± Krigsain¡¯s eyes were deadly.


    I gulped really hard.


    ¡°Yeah, no worries here, you got it Knickertwister.¡±


    We took out our ketars and we began playing.


    ¡°So, Kletay will become your fianc¨¦e?¡± I asked as I strung the instrument.


    ¡°Nope. She is a big girl. I¡¯ll deal with the consequences. Let¡¯s get started.¡±


    Shoving away my curiosity we carried on.


    ¡°You are good with stories, I saw that Andurian, Malgrunian couple. Write about them. I¡¯ll do the music.¡±


    The simple yet genius level chord progression that Krigsain displayed gave me the happy melody. I wrote and wrote until I felt it was good.


    My new original work, ¡°Me.¡± was penned.


    Krigsain began building strange artifacts and designs.


    I wrote another song with a happy tune in memory of a fellow troubadour I met at the bar. Thanks to Krigsain¡¯s chord progressions. He was so busy that he didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°Here¡¯s to you my pal.¡±


    And then, I just practiced over and over the strange new music from another world with a funny name.


    Rock.

 CHAPTER 62

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    DOOONG! CRASH!


    I was sent flying against a wall inside the training underground circle room.


    ¡°ARGH!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t move anymore.


    Sarkan had not move one step during the whole ¡°sparring.¡± Mages have to compensate with either having party members or learning combat arts and becoming hybrids. Spell casting time and other restrictions. But in this case, it wasn¡¯t applicable. The fighting style of a true grandmaster mage, his own personal creation.


    ¡®Another monster.¡¯


    ¡°You pass. The use of your body armor is acceptable.¡±


    He turned to talk to my ¡°special¡± instructor.


    ¡°Everything else has been taught properly, I assume?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Lord Sarkan, not a single word or application is missing.¡± Krigsain was surprisingly respectful.


    ¡®Guess Sage Sarkan¡¯s display was a bit over the top.¡¯


    ¡°Ikrei, you are not to use what you have learned until you are given the order to do so. The methods you have learned are for your particular case, others cannot apply them as you have been taught. The reason you were taught early was to account for this troublemaker¡¯s possible failure.¡±


    He was being extremely stern.


    ¡°Carry on and show us your plan, chosen one. After the plan, you are to undertake your last hunt Ikrei. Continue training under this charge for it. Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°By your order.¡±


    Krigsain grabbed me like a haversack and bolted. We needed to do a lot of things from here on out.


    ¡®Let¡¯s eat first. day of Io?l and all that.¡¯


    <hr>


    Krigsain went ahead to talk to sister Kuyun. I went to the starlight room to send a coded message through my communication pearl to Cultivator Li. The pearl would activate once I left the main warded area of the castle. The little star filled room was the only place were communications from outside were allowed for the Sachears. The room was of course under surveillance.


    ¡®Another test in the use of liberty for the members. The delicate dance between orders and freedom. A test of one¡¯s true heart.¡¯


    That¡¯s how I received the coordinates last time.


    ¡°If you got nothing to hide, there is no problem. But If you do, you won¡¯t come here.¡±


    Regardless of where we were. The elders seemed to know what everyone was doing, uncomfortable.


    The message read as follows:


    Hello paramour. I am quite busy and won¡¯t be able to fulfill certain contract related duties. In exchange for three ¡°fun¡± activities in the future, I propose a trade. You get one night out with me for a special event. This is a request, not and order, a show of goodwill. Don¡¯t waste it. Communicate with our liaisons for all required arrangements. The date will be established later. Kind salutations to you all. Go, go, go, Great Dragon!


    Time for some food.


    ¡°I need some Thurskan.¡±


    <hr>


    Next day, underground studio of the Inverted Titty.


    ¡°CUT!¡± Manager Y¨«ngr shouted.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I had just finished recording the official version of ¡°The Song Remains The Same.¡±


    ¡°Good one, good one. Brett.¡± Krigain was with us in the studio.


    Coming out of the special magic booth. I sat were the main controls were with Sochu, Y¨«ngr and Krigsain.


    ¡°In order to truly start your career you still need to undergo the procedures Brett.¡± Hau Y¨«ngr spoke.


    ¡®She is referring to the final loyalty mission.¡¯


    ¡°I understand.¡± I bowed slightly.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk business beloved of the Will. Speak freely.¡± She opened the floor.


    ¡°I need a third neutral party to intervene in recording unique material. There are restrictions in the use of Iergar elements within the music industry. But that doesn¡¯t necessarily apply to easterners.¡±


    ¡°You want us to break a rule of the shadow factions?¡± Hau Y¨«ngr wasn¡¯t pleased at all.


    ¡°Not really, it is the use of it. Soul torture techniques with the aid of music arts. It¡¯s just that the effects applied to our recordings will be similar when it comes to sound. There might be complications.¡±


    Krigsain took out a special ketar he had built and plugged it in into a little box he had created.  A very strange creation. He started playing what he called a riff.


    A riff with the Iergar effect but Krigsain called it, distortion. He played several riffs he had prepared for many minutes.


    The upbeat, rough power sound made Sochu move his fingers on the sides of the control panel.


    ¡°This would have been developed in our world similarly if it wasn¡¯t for the prohibition.¡±


    ¡°I can see the value. But what can you offer that would justify our intervention?¡± Hau Y¨«ngr asked.


    ¡°We will adjust it to make it palpable as a first run for the masses.  You get to have 30% of all distribution rights. My friend here gets 20%. The kingdom gets their 10% and the 40% is for the artist that will stamp the name on the final product. Lyricist credit goes to Brett Black; you get to keep a future superstar under your wings.¡±


    ¡°Our cut must be 60% not a coin less.¡± Y¨«ngr was adamant.


    ¡°You are getting a star, not just anybody. And I mean, a real superstar with scorching bright flames.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Boss asked very intrigued.


    ¡°The Singing Phoenix.¡±


    Stupefaction, surprise and happiness. A very wide smile appeared on Y¨«ngr¡¯s face.


    ¡°You better not be lying right now, beloved of the Will.¡±


    Three artifacts of Krigsain¡¯s property appeared before us on a small table nearby.


    ¡°If I am lying and she doesn¡¯t come you get to keep these. How about it, we got a deal?¡±


    After about twenty breaths.


    ¡°Li¨¢nx¨¬ Zh¨³x¨ª, Y¨­uxi¨¡n Sh¨¬xi¨¤ng Y¨©.¡± Y¨«ngr spoke through her cufflinks.Krigsain only smiled.


    ¡®I need to learn other languages. Memories come back!¡¯


    <hr>


    We worked furiously for the next few days. Without pause and even without sleep. We were running on a brand new batch of Akathos¡¯ pills. Midnight battle training sessions added for fun.


    ¡®Yeah, no that fun.¡¯


    Sister Kuyun had arrived.


    She was recording using the brand new power ketar Runecraft artifact Krigsain had gifted her. It included a variety of smaller glyph like floating artifacts that were created to produce the distortion sound and other sound effects.


    The bar was without their main band during this time. They were all here, helping. Everyone was excited with the new music.


    Sochu was serving drinks for the crew, every time a new track got finished.


    As the icing on the proverbial cake, we also recorded ¡°Me.¡±


    Krigsain playing while I sang.


    I was happy, really happy.


    ¡®Thanks for the memories big guy.¡¯


    Another day later, Krigsain¡¯s latest pestering question came.


    ¡°How about it Brett, you got the lyrics?¡±


    I was working on the outro lyrics of the song ¡°Queen of the Night.¡±


    I didn¡¯t really understand his obsession with me writing the set. Or the reason why I must be the one to become the attraction point of all the curious powerhouses in the future, All I got was the same answer every time.


    ¡°It will do wonders for your training.¡±


    I was still writing and rewriting but I kept getting rejected and admonished.


    ¡®When it comes to music, Krigs is far worse than taskmaster.¡¯


    Finally, a couple of more days later, a week. I was done. Yes, we had missed another day of Io?l. Special plan, special allowances.


    ¡°Good, Brett. This will be your gift to your woman. She will be a Night Queen one day too.¡±


    ¡®Wait, what? Why?¡¯


    ¡°You got to run that by me one more ti¡ª¡±


    I was trying to get and answer when the underground studio access door opened.


    Powerful steps from a cloaked hooded person. Black with fiery red borders.


    She was here.


    A hand motion later. Her hood came down.


    Red fiery hair, green eyes, matchless olive skin with clearly defined traits. In particular, her red lips, natural, seductive fire red lips. A beauty, truly a beauty.


    ¡®Still I think taskmaster is up there with her and that¡¯s with only one eye.¡¯


    ¡°You would be shooting blanks after five minutes with her, if she starts to sing. Do not underestimate her.¡± Krigsain sent me a mental message.


    ¡°Whatever you got, it better be good my dear or I¡¯ll flame you. I was¡­ busy.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t just melodic it was hypnotic.


    ¡®Dangerous.¡¯


    Everyone that wasn¡¯t Sochu, Y¨«ngr, Krigsain or myself was unmoving. Even sister Kuyun dropped a ketar pick.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got ten songs for you to listen too. You will be recording on nine of them. You can slice our necks if we fail to please you, my phoenix.¡± The playboy smile appeared again.


    Krigsain was pointing at me. The fiery visitor¡¯s gaze was penetrating, deeper than taskmaster¡¯s. Very, very uncomfortable.


    ¡®Why are you getting me involved in your shit?!

 CHAPTER 63

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The Singing Phoenix was tapping her toe against the floor. She made a few comments to my boss and Krigsain but the smile on her face wouldn¡¯t fade.


    The last music track finished playing in the studio. We waited with serene anticipation, her mood was good.


    ¡°This is for you. So you can sing with style in your new shows.¡± Krigsain said.


    He showed her a craftmic with a stand. One of his weird new creations.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± She was interested.


    Sister Kuyun and everybody else was as well.


    ¡°This is for you to sing instead of soul powers or artifact pendants for sound amplification. It is a stylistic choice.¡±


    Krigsain made a small demonstration on how to use it while carrying it around.


    ¡®That makes things harder. It looks cool though.¡¯


    She grabbed the craftmic from firm taking it off from the stand.


    ¡°This thing looks like a little mushroom, doesn¡¯t it? What you think guys?¡± She was asking all the present.


    Hau Y¨«ngr was the first to speak, ¡°We will use it here, it fits perfectly for what we do.¡±


    Everybody laughed.


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know better, I might think you wanted me to remember something, dear.¡± She played coquettishly with the mic.


    ¡°Tell me, who was the one on the strings?¡± She asked a musician¡¯s question.


    ¡°That would be me, phoenix.¡± Sister Kuyun introduced herself not bathing an eye.


    Sister Kuyun is a very proud artist, worthy of her craft. Krigsain thinks the same.


    ¡°Would you join me in the opening show?¡±


    ¡°Certainly, phoenix. Let¡¯s have fun together.¡±


    A Malgrunian goddess and a Andurian master shook hands amidst a brewing war.


    ¡°Hand me the lyrics for all the songs.¡± Phoenix sat down in the control room reading.


    Several minutes later, she asked me.


    ¡°You wrote these?¡±


    ¡°Some but most is the work of our friend here.¡±


    ¡°I see. You are helping a newcomer out these days? Good, good. Still I got to listen for myself. Play me something of your authorship, kid.¡±


    A little nervous I sat down and played, ¡°The Song Remains The Same¡±, ¡°Me,¡± and my latest creation ¡°Heartbreak Hotel.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha!¡± The melodious laughter echoed through the studio.


    Everyone was giggling, smiling or flat out laughing.


    ¡°I see the influence of Malgrun in you kid. Good to meet you brother.¡± She was very courteous this time.


    ¡°We are doing the concert in the next holy day of the Zurians. Prepare all things through my people. Y¨«ngr, tell the Heavenly Demon I want those intercontinental devices active for a live full image no delay feed, we are going worldwide. Tell him, I¡¯ll do far more than sing on his birthday celebration next year if he does. Make it happen!¡±


    ¡°Yes, great consort.¡± The entire room was very polite.


    ¡°You think we can work with that last song here? We are all pros, are we not?¡±


    The phoenix nodded. Hau Y¨«ngr smiled and sister Kuyun gave me a thumbs up. Sochu started serving more drinks. Krigsain headed to the drums.


    ¡®Big guy is going to jam!¡¯


    The atmosphere turned festive. After an hour of recomposing, adding solos and stuff a weird but energetic five-minute version of ¡°Heartbreak Hotel¡± was born.


    A special version that would never leave this place. The Singing Phoenix doing backing vocals and testing a craft mic.


    The upbeat joyful chords and tempo began with a full fill in the drums. Krigsain was laughing wildly. So, we jammed.


    ¡°One, Two.¡±


    ¡°One, Two, Three, Four!¡±


    Ketars, bass, drums and magiboard coming in at once with me. The up tempo tuneful, colorful, four chord progression with slight changes played and the entire room was filled with the Phoenix¡¯s blessing ¡°Raging Heart.¡±


    Krigsain pounding on the high hats with that playboy smile of his.


    First verse:


    ?It may sound like I¡¯m lying


    But I don¡¯t really care


    Of all the things you¡¯ve done


    With that kid that comes from afar?


    ?You think I can¡¯t tell baby


    That I suck on your honey


    If I ever see that face again


    One thing you will find?


    Second verse:


    ?The cape wearing scoundrel


    The one that you are with


    Wyvern red jacket and cloak


    Dagger and sword, Oh just great?


    ?Cockblocker Hans


    With no qualms and no morals


    Comes to play the hero


    To sneak away with my girl?


    Another set of chord progressions with minor changes again. Kuyun¡¯s arrangements for the chorus. Backing vocals by the great consort.


    ?Oh Lord What have I done?  (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Why does this happen to me?! (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Oh Lord What have I done? (Oh Cockblocker!)?


    ?He is really going to leave


    He¡¯ll find another for his glory


    And you¡¯ll come back to me?


    A long sustained high note by the ketar, a breakdown and an intro into the solo. The drums keeping the rhythm in a four by four with tom toms included in small fills. All instruments come back.


    PHAT! The snare resounds.


    Sister Kuyun¡¯s fingers fly on the fretboard. A wild solo. Up tempo happy chords continue.


    Happily dancing, accompanying claps all around. Many beats of pure artistry from the sister.


    Power drum fill, return to verse chords.


    Third verse:


    ?Hans, Hans, Hans, Hans


    Hans, Hans, Hans, Hans


    Don¡¯t you know another word?


    Do you want to stick a banana?


    I don¡¯t need to know your magic


    I cry myself with my music


    Do you find this delectable?


    Like your stupid collectables!?


    Chorus:


    ?Damn you, Cocksucker Hans (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Why does this happen to me?! (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Oh Lord What have I done?  (Oh Cockblocker!)


    ?He is really going to leave


    He¡¯ll find another for his glory


    And you¡¯ll come back to me?


    ?Oh Lord What have I done?  (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Why does this happen to me?! (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Oh Lord What have I done?  (Oh Cockblocker!)


    ?He is really going to leave


    He¡¯ll find another for his glory


    And you¡¯ll come back to me?


    ?      Runaway, runaway     (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Runaway, runaway     (Oh Cockblocker!)


    Cockblooooockeeer!   (Oh Cockblocker!) ?


    Several more beats of pure instrumentation and intense laughter from everyone. The drums, the instruments all kick in for one final rush. The ketars switch to riffing. Rock style.


    Cymbals crash rhythmically. The riffing increases in distortion. The phoenix signals the end.


    ¡°One, two, three, four!¡±


    DUN! DUN! DUN! DUN! PHAT!


    ?AND THAT¡¯S ALL! ?


    The sound of fading music made the studio vibrate a little, the effect of the blessing.


    The resounding simultaneous finish of all voices and instruments was synched perfectly.


    ¡°Special drinks on me, everyone!¡± Sochu screamed with joy.


    And like this, the ¡°Concert for Peace¡± plan finally begun.

 CHAPTER 64

    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Another turn, half a step and a dash.


    SWUNG! SWISH! SWISH!


    ¡°Heeyah!¡±


    DOOONG!


    ¡®I am pleased.¡¯


    The exercises for the Vengeful Blade are complicated but the power and versatility are undeniable.


    ¡°Grow well with me my dearests.¡±


    I decided to head to the panoramic shower area for rest.


    ¡°Paramour.¡± Hazu was here for something.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Your lord has send you this, miss.¡± Hazu handed me a magically imprinted image.


    It was the image of the fan cloths of the Singing Phoenix and some unknown player of a ketar. A strange ketar, slimmer. I read the contents carefully.


    ¡°He took great pains to make sure that you would be among the first to know about this through the magic parchment I gave you.¡± Hazu, polite as always.


    Thoughts running through my head.


    ¡®The Singing Phoenix!?! Brett Black?! That¡¯s Ikrei! One night only? My one night out!!!¡¯


    ¡°This is where we¡¯re going! A public concert by the phoenix! This hasn¡¯t happened in years, years!¡±


    As a fellow musician I couldn¡¯t be happier.  I sat immediately in position to commune and felt his presence. A few sand grains later.


    ¡®Ikrei s going to play something new, I can feel it.¡¯


    ¡°Quickly, even if I am going in disguise, we have to make it fitting for someone like me! Also, run to the Madame¡¯s personal shop and get me that white black attire we saw the other day, Hazu. Go! Before those bitches find out and steal my thunder! Go!¡±


    Hazu disappeared so fast, there was no chance for a reply.


    ¡°I¡¯ll dress up to the nines for you, my little lord. A deference not an obligation. Trades and all.¡±


    I grabbed my harp from my ring and decided to practice seriously for a while.


    ¡®We are playing together when my fourth chance comes, sneaky trader, you!¡¯


    The harp began emitting the melody I began preparing for a certain day.


    ¡°Blond Brett, meet blonde Yika.¡±


    Let¡¯s match transformations little lord.


    <hr>


    Lyros P.O.V.


    ¡°What in the seven depths is going on, Lyros?¡±


    I was holding a promotional magical parchment with the announcement of a joint performance from our Goddess of Voice.


    ¡°She is going to play with Andurians! Promoting peace?!¡± The High Zigur was livid.


    ¡°The thing to note is not only the company but the title, ¡°Rock Night¡±, must be part of what the Andurians want.¡± I said.


    ¡°Yes.These music loving feathers are compounding trouble. They¡¯ll sing when you are in the parades, they¡¯ll sing while your entire home is burning! Not that any of the great consorts are any easier. Malgrun, why do you permit this?!¡±


    The High Zigur was extremely discontented.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the methods you use, you are to summon or forcefully bring the consort here, immediately! I¡¯ll deal with the people of the Burning Flame and tell the Fourth Seat to investigate what those Andurin bastards are up to. I have also other pressing matters. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your highness.¡± I¡¯ll depart at once.


    ¡°One last thing, those music loving freaks are beloved by Malgrun even if they only go around doing what they want. Keep it in mind.¡±


    I left the High Zigur¡¯s sealed space with deep thoughts.


    I sent a message through my magic pearl to a couple of operatives that had arrived in the region.


    ¡°Your testing has come sooner than expected Tosen.¡±


    I sent the two of them a small coded encrypted message, the best I could do given the distance.


    <ul>


    <li>Inform whereabouts and activities of the Singing Phoenix in Clariun. Suspend all other activities. Execute immediately. Notify when the target is found. Prove yourself. Master Lyros.</li>


    <li>Kazardim, Fuko Zarandel, find and target all associates of the Singing Phoenix, coerce if required. There is a CEASE FIRE. ¡°Friendly fire¡± acceptable. Detailed report is expected. Forced Retrieval Authorized for the Singing Phoenix, bring her to the Eternal Moon using portals if needed. High Zigur¡¯s Order.</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°Does this bitch actually use her head? These artists¡¯ types and their feelings!¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°CUT!¡± Shouted Hau Y¨«ngr


    The Singing Phoenix had just finished recording all her voice parts under three hours.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡®She literally can sing anything!¡¯


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe it, any voice, male or female in perfect control and pitch. Her transformations should be on another level too.


    ¡°We will open with All Eyes on me!¡± The fiery red haired beauty gave the order.


    ¡°Good call, my phoenix.¡± Krigsain was beaming.


    ¡°Ikrei you will be playing Me and singing Knightcrawler with me on the night. Prepare yourself.¡±


    So, one of my original songs and one of Krigsain¡¯s throwaway tracks.


    ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t that a bit much?¡± I said.


    ¡°Trust us, the Titty is still the Titty. It¡¯s perfect! Besides it¡¯s true, never screw with fake witches, no good.¡± There was a weight of honesty in Krigsain¡¯s words.


    Laughter came from the phoenix.


    ¡°Somethings will never change. We will rework Knightcrawler into a proper rock number, Ikrei. It will be fine.¡±


    ¡°You sure, great consort?¡± I was troubled.


    ¡°A bard only becomes better by facing the crowd. Let¡¯s commune my brothers.¡± The phoenix countered and ordered simultaneously.


    We sat in a lotus position and prepared for soul communion. I was ready, having to deal with Yun Hee was enough of a preview for what was going to happen.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH¡± I chanted and a three-way connection occurred.


    The Phoenix, Krigsain and I.


    I received all the information on how she wanted the show to go and our queues to act. She expected proper professionalism. I could also vaguely sense that Krigsain¡¯s relationship with the great consort was far from simple. They knew each other well.


    Her name was Ixur. A name she gave herself because she dislikes Zur. A curious tidbit of information. She probed into some small memories regarding Yun Hee, nothing major.


    ¡®So women are always curious about other women, especially the ones that are similar or greater.¡¯


    And the great boon, many images and memories on how to behave and temper yourself on the stage. The communion ended and she was smiling pleasantly.


    After a few more pleasantries, we left the studio for our daily battle practices.


    <hr>


    Fuko P.O.V.


    ¡°I assume everything is ready as I planned?¡± I asked my team.


    Thy were gathered for one final rundown before beginning the retrieval of a certain feathered troublemaker.


    ¡°Yes, young master. We are ready.¡±


    Ethola, the experienced tracker, who was leading the group answered with certainty.


    Thud. Thud. Thud.


    Powerful steps were heard.


    We were hidden underground in one of the secluded unused teleportation circles of a cultivator friend. We couldn¡¯t use sealed spaces easily as Malgrunians on a foreign kingdom where we were not welcome.


    ¡°War has made everything even more complicated.¡±


    We were all alerted, ready to pounce at my order.


    A coin flew turning in the air and into my right hand.


    ¡°The coin of the High Priest.¡±


    ¡°Correct. I am Zigur Tosen.¡± His hood came down revealing his face.


    He was also hidden; I could tell from the clothes he was wearing. He threw three heads on the floor, they rolled next to my foot.


    ¡°Two kingdom operatives and a nosy Andurin. You were being tailed.¡± He explained with a clam demeanor.


    ¡®Too calm to be honest.¡¯


    ¡°An Andurin? There is a cease fire brother.¡± I highlighted the obvious.


    ¡°Only a problem if you get caught. Like you. Better said, like them. That¡¯s how I found you too.¡±


    He pointed to each member of my team with the exception of Ethola. The group put their heads down.


    I wasn¡¯t happy. Not happy at all.


    ¡°Then, what is it you want brother?¡± I asked with courtesy but not too much.


    ¡°I have been watching your little group and I want in.¡± He calmly stated his terms.


    ¡®Beware of the schemes of the High Priest.¡¯


    Gormesh warning was ever present.


    ¡°Sorry but I refuse. As a noble and a Kazardim my rank is of equal standing to yours.¡±


    ¡°I know your reservations; I would have done the same.¡±


    He took out a parchment. The soul contract type.


    ¡°Let¡¯s use this. The specifications will allow only to know what the other allows in respect to the integrity of our words. Let¡¯s protect each of our interests. The soul communion will be heavily restricted.¡±


    We eventually came to an agreement.


    A Kazardim noble and a High Priest Zigur communed together for the first time in decades.


    About an hour later.


    ¡°Let¡¯s catch a bitch brother!¡±


    I was smiling happily; he was still very passive, like a leaf stuck in a rocky floor


    <hr>


    Tayfal P.O.V.


    ¡°My consort, all preparations are done. Here¡¯s the layout.¡±


    The great consort was sitting while I stood behind her. We were


    I handed her the last crystalink with the magical modifications. The device displayed like the grand magical mirrors where floating information tends to appear.


    Through her own personal funds and a last gasp effort from middle ranking members of the Burning Flame, the Arts related consortium of the Eternal Moon; the venue had been modified into a 10000 seater. Magical sealing spaces combined with the magical devices of the empire provided by the Heavenly Demon himself.


    ¡®No one can resist my consort, even someone like him wants a taste.¡¯


    Great consorts don¡¯t have that many sexual partners, few match up to the demands and needs they have. Mostly through soul communion they will have intercourse with a client but not be physically touched.


    My consort has only been truly touched by seven men. Her services for a Deathbed Lullaby are legendary. The number is going to increase to eight, the Heavenly Demon is going to have a night to remember, even if he is far more powerful, she has been one of his ¡°eternal¡± desires. More likely because of his penchant for creating music.


    ¡®He might even forcefully impregnate her. I¡¯m jealous.¡¯


    It is going to be glorious when two lustful music grandmasters go at it. And because of all these things, the great dragon hasn¡¯t spare anything.


    ¡°The added runway looks nice. Make sure the VIP seating tables are properly distributed. We don¡¯t want fights inside my show. What about the rest?¡±


    ¡°We will have healers on standby. The main crowd will be standing in front and around the stage. Be careful my consort, they might die by your presence.¡±


    She laughed, she laughed heartily.


    ¡°Not happening this time. We are going live to the whole world. Security, my team?¡±


    She was asking the key question.


    ¡°They have returned to the Eternal Moon, the Kolga doesn¡¯t approve of this as you know. I have secured new security my consort.¡±


    ¡°Very well, it is just a precaution and a formality, this is Zunar. We should be fine long enough to leave leisurely after the show. The tickets? The album? My clothes?¡±


    ¡°Sold out, first official show in a long while that¡¯s not a closed private venue will do that. Fans from all over the world will be here. Malgrunians and Andurians too. It is an explosive mix. The ones that don¡¯t want this war will be attending. All costs have been recouped.¡±


    She was nodding.


    ¡°There will be two. The first album will be titled in minimalistic fashion, Rock by Ixur Ember. The second, a live recording of the show, A Night With The Phoenix And Friends. The cultivators are especially happy that you are playing Knightcrawler as an added track.¡±


    She nodded again.


    ¡°Your clothes are ready, we just need to head to Zunyl for final revisions and approval. Your fans are going to love seeing the modified leather. The amplification belt is also ready. The legendary jacket makes its return!¡±


    She stood up and guided me towards the exit.


    ¡°Point the way, Tayfal. I want to see how they look now.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°We are using a new portal; this will lead directly to the deluxe shopping district in Zunyl where your clothes are.¡±


    We were being guarded by our new security of five. Not as strong as my consort, but they were full of artifacts and acted like a lustrum. Not easy to deal with them.


    ¡°Where is Kurohyou? I can¡¯t sense him.¡±


    The consort is always an alert one. He was assigned by the Heavenly Demon when he knew what had happened with the people of the Burning Flame.


    ¡°I gave him a copy of the Rock album. Cultivator Konoe should be back with us in a jiffy. He is just a big fan.¡±


    ¡°Very well, it is just twenty minutes given the new portal. Thank you Tayfal, these days have been hectic. I could not do this without you.¡±


    ¡°Great consort, lead us triumphantly into Zunyl.¡± I said as we headed towards the portal.


    She smiled sincerely with those red tendrils of hers. An unforgettable memory as the sun reflected behind her.


    After checkup procedures she entered the portal first.


    ¡®Apologies my consort. The Kazardim will kill my family if I refuse. I am sorry.¡¯

 CHAPTER 65

    Ixur P.O.V.


    The portal didn¡¯t work as they normally do. This was some kind of sealed space, mostly dark except for a few cubits around me with the flames I had created in my hands. An intentionally made sealed space. I could tell easily due to being a peak Soul Merge expert with special blessings.


    ¡®A perfect imitation with Zunar personnel and security checks included. Not teleported, the corrupt officials want to avoid the blame, I am too much of a public figure. More importantly, I have been betrayed!¡¯


    ¡°Tayfal!¡±


    Analyzing the situation quickly, it was clear the plan wasn¡¯t to kill, suppression or something similar.


    ¡°Show yourself!¡± I demanded.


    Applying my coercive powers into my voice with full strength.


    A couple of breaths later, all that showed through the darkness was an obscene gesture. A middle finger, a very expressive middle finger.


    ¡°You are in no position to make demands, euphonious bitch.¡± A cold yet mocking voice was heard.


    ¡®Your little games don¡¯t work with a master of emotions!¡¯


    ¡°You have four breaths. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You will abide by the orders of the Kolga.¡± Another voice, calm as a still lake came forth.


    I made a quick decision, it was time for a show of force.


    ¡°I am a great consort not just anybody. You are no seats; you don¡¯t have the power!¡±


    I began to sing as my flames exploded around me lighting up the sealed space.


    The unbearable middle finger fell to the floor unable to contain his excitement. He was getting all worked up.


    ¡®So, you really want to roll me up, don¡¯t you middle finger?¡¯


    I applied even more power into my singing to make his accomplice submit.


    Four breaths.


    ¡°The hard way it is.¡± The calm voice resounded.


    ¡®My voice has no effect on him. Why? Is this why they sent two Soul Merge masters to catch me? This one is strange.¡¯


    I activated my ¡°Burning Flame¡± special blessing and two massive pillars of blue flame engulfed them.


    CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!


    The calm voice walked out of the burning enclosure as it was nothing.


    ¡°It seems our god doesn¡¯t approve of you, consort.¡±


    ¡°Let me have a crack at her first, brother.¡± Middle finger¡¯s angry voice also resounded.


    With lighting reflexes, middle finger threw a dagger at me. Since my flames weren¡¯t working, to my surprise. I barely managed to block.


    It was my turn to be engulfed by the flames coming from the dagger, a special dagger, the blessing of Beltor.


    The flames felt warm, inviting, not hurting me at all.


    ¡°It seems your guardian doesn¡¯t approve of what you are doing either, Kazardim.¡± I retaliated while encased within the fire.


    I walked out of my enclosure as well.


    Middle finger was still under the influence of my singing. Anger clearly showing in his eyes. Standing with an erected tool.


    My body surrounded by flames like a tight fitting barrier.


    ¡®I can work with this lustful one here.¡¯


    <hr>


    Tosen P.O.V.


    ¡°I told you, you would need me. I¡¯ll go first.¡± I told Fuko as I made my opening charge.


    ¡®Fighting using flames is out, I have the edge. Thank you Malgrun for approving of this lowly one.¡¯


    With even more eagerness in my heart. My two daggers appeared in my hands. The new runic tattoo in my forearms allowing for the use of one of the special abilities bestowed by the High Priest. Extreme speed.


    The Flicking daggers.


    ¡®The more this drags, the more dangerous it all becomes. Let¡¯s finish up quickly.¡¯


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    She was blocking using an artifact. A strange stick, surely a master¡¯s work. Still, she was off the pace.


    SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    My hits were starting to properly cut without killing, a perfect blade dance.


    ¡°Too much time relying on your compulsion and the flames, consort.¡±


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!


    ¡°Is this all, great consort?¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± She charged at me.


    The strenuous situation was working in my favor.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!


    ¡®Let¡¯s follow the plan, go all out, tag team. Recharge and finish. I¡¯ll get you an autograph Mila.¡¯


    <hr>


    Fuko P.O.V.


    ¡°Watashi wa kono josei ga kiraidesu.¡±


    I waited for Tosen to tire her out.  He was evading, deflecting and countering with deftly precision. Capable, truly capable. He was completely unaffected by the continuous melodic utterances the consort was using.


    His speed not letting her use her temporal ring. Amazing.


    I took a pill from my ring, one of many gifts from my mother.


    ¡®I never thought that I would use it like this.¡¯


    ¡°K¨­rudoh¨¡to¡±


    The cold heart.


    ¡®I won¡¯t be able to have sex for a while after this.¡¯


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!


    The consort was bleeding and healing constantly. Depleting her reserves.


    ¡°Fighting here allows us to go all out and not worry about restrictions or consequences, not until the sealed space breaks.¡±


    As a sign of trust, I was shown one of the drawbacks for such a monstrous talent. Tosen needs to recharge. The need can be offset in a few ways, one is a very rare and special artifact.


    ¡®Maybe that¡¯s the reward waiting for him at the end. Just like mine.¡¯


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!


    An angry belt came from the consort.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAHHHH!¡± The melodious cry shook the place.


    Even with the effect of the pill, I felt energy leave my body. Her voice was doing something. The consorts rarely have to fight; no one knows all their tricks.


    ¡®She still has influence on me. Unreal!¡¯


    The materialized seeping energy became three dark yet glittering butterflies that flew at Tosen¡¯s position in a breath. I got hard again but this time, I had control over the rest of my body.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    The butterflies flew like arrows in a whirlwind.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    The fighting stopped being one sided with the intervention of my own core. I was losing energy as well.


    ¡®No good.¡¯


    I decided for a change in our approach. Even if she¡¯s got a few more tricks, she wasn¡¯t getting off easy.


    I bolted to her position for a tag team finish.


    ¡°SPHORIA!¡±


    <hr>


    Ixur P.O.V.


    ¡®What is this? No effect yet? What are you? Are you really a Soul Merge?¡¯


    My singing was fruitless against the calmed one.


    We kept trading blows, but at least it was far more even with the help of my little friends. The entire sealed space started to slightly shake, we were going with full force. The streets would have turned into an afterthought and also too many buildings and people.


    SPURT!


    I sacrificed my forearm partially and bled. I was able to finally use my ring. My personalized weapon appeared.


    Heaven¡¯s Cry. The blade given to me personally by Blood Lotus.


    With the power of my unique consort blessing of the heart and the magnificent weapon, I sent a message, a cry for help to my great consort sisters. Hoping that one of them would be nearby.


    ¡®Help, help me!¡¯


    The communication through a sealed space is only possible with the ones that have a deep connection to one¡¯s own heart.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    Middle finger came in for a charge. But it was a step too late, I had the upper hand with my weapon. The calmed one¡¯s daggers couldn¡¯t put enough force on my weapon. Deflecting became easier. I countered middle finger¡¯s charge with the most basic of all the arts of Malgrunian renown.


    Half a breath. One side step turn and then¡­Phoenix Fist.


    DOOONG! CRASH!


    Middle finger was sent flying against the magic edge of the space.


    ¡®Not as strong as the calmed one.¡¯


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    The calmed one also took something out of his ring. It was too fast; I couldn¡¯t catch it.


    ¡°You are too far away from us. We cannot reach you. You should have known better, little girl.¡±


    The mental communication was received.


    Five teleportation glyphs surrounded me before I could react properly. They were on the floor in a triangle formation. The entire place shook wildly. The glyphs were suctioning the energy for activation. A long distance teleportation glyph formation.


    ¡®The corrupt officials didn¡¯t want the blame for sending me away. These one here didn¡¯t want to use the glyphs here because the sealed space might be broken, revealing everything.¡¯


    I used half of my remaining reserves to suction energy from middle finger and create even more butterflies. The twelve butterflies charged straight for the glyphs and I made a mad dash out of the formation.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The glyphs exploded I dashed away not without injury. Calmed one punished me for my recklessness. The entire place vibrated like an earthquake but still stood.


    ¡®Nelumbia, help me consort queen. Tell dear to come for me!¡¯


    I pleaded desperately to the Blood Lotus. I knew dear was far weaker now but he always did and does wondrous things. I needed his wonders now.


    ¡°We will have a long chat later but I will help you, little girl.¡±


    I stood there licking the proverbial wounds, my flames healing me constantly.


    ¡®How much money has been poured into this? How long can I last?¡¯


    A very angry middle finger stood next to the calmed one. They were holding even more teleportation glyphs.


    ¡®What are these guys? Rich? Wait¡­Is this the Duke¡¯s bastard son? Fuck!¡¯


    That was the first time ever, I had ever used that word for anything other than a roll under the sheets.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Grab. Push. Roll. Floor.


    I was getting pummeled into submission with Krigsain on top of me.


    POW! POW! POW! POW!


    ¡°Block! Grab! Counter! Come on, my man!¡±


    POW! POW! POW! POW!


    We continued our training in submission, grappling and sweep techniques. I didn¡¯t really understand why an awakened fighter would need to learn so much about dealing damage without the aid of the arts or the kinetic energy.


    The fighting techniques of the masters of the normal people.


    ¡°Stand up. Let¡¯s start again from the top. You will need this later.¡±


    More of Krigsain¡¯s cryptic probability calculations. I just nodded and we carried on for another hour.


    When we were about to practice a different set of techniques, muscle mass stopped like a bolt crashing on his head.


    Four breaths later. ¡°We got to go, Ixur is in trouble.¡±


    Not understanding what could a pair like us do I asked the pertinent question.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she a Soul Merge Master? Whatever is happening is beyond us, right?¡±


    Krigsain began taking out a few strange artifacts from his ring. Phoenix Raven pins.


    ¡°There is little time. She is a friend. Help me, friend.¡±


    Muscle mass was being very forthcoming this time. A plea.


    ¡°Sure, but what do you need?¡±


    He placed a couple of pins on my armor.


    ¡®Yeah, grappling with armor on. Really hard.¡¯


    The artifacts activated. Krigsain¡¯s eyes shone red. His energy seeping out of his body in a similar fashion to the day he made a hole in the millennial barrier of Malaktaraf. Only stronger, this time. His three pins activated as well.


    I felt a surge of energy cover my entire body. Overwhelming energy. The artifacts were energy storage devices. Krigsain grabbed me by the shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    We became a red blur. Krigsain leading and I being pulled like a second rate ragdoll. The energy seeping through my body working as a makeshift shield. We dashed towards Ixur at a speed I had never experienced before until that point.


    ¡°AAAHHH!¡±

 CHAPTER 66

    Ethola P.O.V.


    ¡°The officials have left; we just need to hold on for thirty breaths. Then we leave. All together now. He is coming.¡±


    The entire group started to prepare themselves to fight as one. The lustrum formation, artifacts with a dedicated healer, our best bet against powerhouses.


    ¡®We just need to give young master enough time. The officials will report us after twenty breaths.¡¯


    ¡°You can only go so far in a land where our influence is rejected, brother.¡± Blitz spoke setting up his axe for a fight.


    ¡°The greedy sleazebags took a quarter of our collected funds. That will be a nice retirement fund. Not sorry that their political careers are over after this.¡± Corin stated coldly.


    ¡°Focus! He is coming. Beris on standby.¡±


    ¡®Just thirty breaths.¡¯


    SWISH!


    One massive kinetic energy slash reached our formation. A twenty-four cubits¡¯ distance.


    Alor and Piska blocked the attack with the aid of our combined artifacts and energy. Corin fired several arrows to slow him down.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Alor and Piska split taking on the next two slashes absorbing the energy with their shields. Blitz took the brunt of the third with his axe. Blitz weapon only managed to create a deflection. A nearby building received the deflected energy slash.


    The edifice crumbled into pieces. Burying whoever was inside with no time to scream. The passersby began to scream and runaround like mad out of fear.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± ¡°Cultivator!¡± ¡°Help!¡± ¡°War, war is here!¡±


    ¡°Watch out for that katana!¡± Beris screamed as he poured energy into our party members.


    Corin fired some more.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    ¡°Soul Core demonic!¡± Blitz warned the group maintaining formation.


    We were a whole realm down, compensating with artifacts and formations. The guy got close, close enough for a brawl, almost.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Corin and I, joined the Blitz deflection team. Some slashes absorbed, others deflected. More buildings and structures crashed down or simply evaporated into nothing. More wild screaming from the people.


    ¡®The easterner ogre cares nothing for our rules, you are not supposed to destroy wantonly on a neutral field! He is incensed.¡¯


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t care about rules! Be careful!¡± I gave the order as the group surrounded him.


    ¡°His slashes can be illusions!¡± Warned Corin.


    The area wide underground formation fully activated.


    ¡®The orgon filled formation will restrain him considerably.¡¯


    All of us charged simultaneously, all we needed to do was to give young master time.


    In unison, our cores exploded into action.


    ¡°SPHORIA!¡±


    ¡°Gaich¨±!¡±


    The proud rogue motioned for us to come at him.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Stopping our lightning fast dash, we arrived at a chaotic scene.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± I was very worried.


    ¡®Krigsain is reckless sometimes but this was really out there.¡¯


    ¡°We wait for an opening to charge through, Ixur is inside that fake portal gate.¡±


    Krigsain¡¯s red eyes were scanning the surroundings.


    ¡°AAHHH!¡± ¡°HELP!¡± KNIGHTS!¡± ¡°KNIGHTS!¡±


    ¡°Charge through? See that fight! Come on friend, get real!¡± I rebuked my crazy ringleader.


    ¡°The knights are probably going to bring one of their head knights here. Forty breaths, maybe. Ixur needs help now, the cultivator will destroy the gate to free her, but if he does she might get injured considerably. She is already fighting inside.¡±


    Krigsain took out another couple of the strange artifacts. They started glowing. Two golden looking pins.


    ¡°You want to go in? Malaktaraf barrier style, right?!¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Quick as always, Ikrei.¡± He placed one of the new pins on me.


    ¡®Insane, this is insane!¡¯


    ¡°We are charging in on the count of four!¡± Krigsain shouted loud enough for all people around a few blocks to hear.


    One more strong shoulder grab later we dashed madly through the edges of the destructive battle. We evaded heavy debris. The pins activated protecting us from some unknown force that wanted to suck all of our internal energy.


    Needless to say the accompanying scream could not be missed.  We were a blaringly profound red blur.


    ¡°AAAHHH!¡±


    We were suctioned inside the portal gate.


    <hr>


    URGWHOH!


    The massive headache made me dizzy.


    We crashed an already ongoing three-way. Ixur was evading, dashing and escaping a furious tag team.


    ¡®Those flames are beautiful.¡¯


    SWISH! CLANG! BOOOM! SWISH! CLANG! BOOOM! SWISH! CLANG! BOOOM!


    ¡°She will tire soon; we are diving in.¡±


    With no time to react a final blur push straight into the dragon¡¯s mouth. Krigsain threw at least a couple of dozens of coin shaped artifacts. We crashed right next to the great consort¡¯s position.


    A spherical Will infused barrier manifested around us.


    DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG!


    The mad flurry of attacks started to bounce off the defense.


    ¡°You are here! You are here!¡± Ixur¡¯s happiness could not be hidden.


    ¡°Concentrate all your energy in soul communing with me! We need to keep the barrier up for as long as possible!¡± He ordered Ixur in a hurry.


    I was still wondering what my role was in all of this when ringleader spoke again.


    ¡°Thank you brother, really.¡±


    ¡°Really? They¡¯ll breakthrough you know.¡± I countered.


    ¡°Help is already here thanks to you.¡±


    PHOW!


    My raucous friend knocked me out flat. My head didn¡¯t have the time to spin.


    <hr>


    Surlayn P.O.V.


    ¡°What is this crazy one doing bolting out like that?¡±


    I followed them closely, no matter how special, the chosen one was, is or will be. My speed is unmatchable by most.


    I reached the nearby area of a bloody conflict. Buildings being swept away. Malgrunians and a demonic cultivator facing off. Something that shouldn¡¯t normally happen.


    ¡®Must be the fault of this long haired personification of chaos!¡¯


    ¡°We are charging in on the count of four!¡± I heard the chosen one¡¯s shout clearly.


    The chaotic prick pointed in the direction of the portal gate.


    ¡®He wants to open up the gate forcefully through his blessing.¡¯


    If things were like this on the outside, probabilities were high that whatever was inside was definitively worse.


    ¡°One, two, three, four!¡± The unruly one dashed full speed ahead holding Ikrei like a flag.


    ¡®My orders are to guard Ikrei against unaccounted occurrences. Ikrei chose to come here. A grey area since he surely doesn¡¯t know what he is about to face. Despicable tactics! Great Will, why?!¡¯


    A quarter of a breath later, I dashed full speed ahead timing my arrival with theirs.


    URGWHOH!


    <hr>


    Fuko. P.O.V.


    ¡®Finally free from that bitch¡¯s influence!¡¯


    DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG!


    ¡°Be quick about it. I¡¯ll deal with our main visitor.¡± I gave the word to my unperturbable partner.


    ¡®Being able to fight at full strength again is exhilarating.¡¯


    Meeting our new foe head on, I opened the welcoming proceedings with a classical introduction. My cloak fluttering with the tunic¡¯s runic engravings activating. Red lines shining in the black cloak.


    Phoenix Fist, Kazardim, variant, Flame Strike.


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    Six high speed punches. Three from the front, three targeting my opponent¡¯s head, thoracic spine and prostate. A little bit of my magic affinity with fire, pure natural talent, no blessing nor endowment.


    ¡®This is the real thing, you howling whore!¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    He easily evaded my opening attack variation. Dancing within my punches like an afterimage.


    ¡®Core Condensation? Who is this? Never seen that cloak before.¡¯


    Pure black, no distinctive features.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡±


    I shouted clamorously, signaling Tosen to forget torture and to concentrate on retrieval.


    A change of tactics was on the cards. The opponent was taking things leisurely.


    ¡®Let¡¯s see that speed of yours, unwanted nuisance!¡¯


    Three exact copies of me, materialized in a triangle formation.


    One of my own special abilities. Spectre Body.


    I charged in fully focused on the incoming rapid exchange.


    <hr>


    Tosen P.O.V.


    ¡®The two of you, again? This is far more important than expected then. And since you are here¡­¡¯


    I threw ten teleportation glyphs around the new protective barrier they were using. Four main considerations:


    <ul>


    <li>The glyphs will suck out the energy from the barrier instead of the sealed space to charge.</li>


    <li>The phoenix is powering up the barrier so she is going to get drained simultaneously.</li>


    <li>The presence of my personal recharge haversack on the floor allowed me to go all out twice. Since we have a new visitor, change of plans.</li>


    <li>These guys have sneaked inside a Malgrun infused sealed space. Three of them. How? From now on, these three are top priority interests.</li>


    </ul>


    The barrier crackle open, unable to resist the immense pressure from the glyphs. I added a massive energy slash on top of the barrier to make sure, there was no time to waste.


    SWISH!


    CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!


    The phoenix was gaping heavily, firmly stuck in place, eyes filled with trepidation. I attacked speedily, targeting the weaker pubs not without sending a fully charged needle into the weakened phoenix neck.


    ZIIING! SPURT!


    She wasn¡¯t expecting that. She fell asleep.


    ¡®Operation Retrieval: Submission successful!¡¯


    ZOOOM! PRACK! PRACK!


    One high velocity beeline charge to the long haired beloved and he was sent flying like a kite with my aerial double kick. An aerial piston kick, first targeting the tight and with a turn a finish to the head with the other leg.


    CRASH!


    An impossible move for a normal fighter.


    I grabbed the unconscious recharge system by the head. It was time for a refill. I started sucking his negative energy, it felt even more invigorating than before.


    I spoke to the two of them but also loud enough for the fighting pair to hear. I knew Fuko needed help, whoever, whatever came in with these two was dangerous. He was unaffected by the dark.


    This was a hastily modified sealed spaced under my control. And it wasn¡¯t enough to faze the intruder.


    ¡°For the sake of my brethren, you two get to live today, only just.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a lie. Millions of my fellow countrymen were being recalled from all over the continent, if I killed these two right now, no matter how convenient it was for the end result. The lives of my countrymen, hardworking Malgrun loving artists, designers, alchemists, even the rare poison masters that applied their arts for healing abroad would die.


    ¡®No, the Heart of Malgrun doesn¡¯t want that and neither do I.¡¯


    CRASH!


    A breath later, Fuko¡¯s body crashed a few steps next to me. Our third visitor was making a show of force.


    ¡°Fuko, leave those two alone, follow my lead, we tag team this one. All out brawl!¡±


    Thirty breaths. Our estimated time limit for this operation was gone.


    We needed to finish up in ten breaths or so.


    I was, am, and will always be singular. I can charge up enough to fight a realm above for a time. It was time to show Fuko how things get done in the depths of the Ryaltar and what it takes to become a true Zigur.


    ¡®Show me your reality bending powers, Core condensation nuisance, I¡¯ll show you mine!¡¯


    We charged in like the proud sons of Malgrun we were. A unified cry for victory, the song of the flame warrior.


    Thirty-one breaths.


    ¡°SPHOOORIAAA!¡±

 CHAPTER 67

    Surlayn P.O.V.


    ¡®The chosen needed that kick. Show me something flame warrior.¡¯


    ¡°SPHOOORIAAA!¡±


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    The opening trade off was a stalemate. Two against one.


    A sign of a major war, a Kazardim and a Zigur working together.


    The Kazardim used his Spectre ability again. This time nine copies of himself.


    ¡®It won¡¯t work.¡¯


    Not with my Soul Sense ability. I can detect anything within a thirteen-cubit long area around me in all directions.


    ¡®He can switch positions instantly with any of his copies. But they are illusions. Maybe nine is his limit?¡¯


    ¡°Try this!¡± The Kazardim shouted.


    Switching positions constantly dozens upon dozens of orgonid charges appeared. His teammate keeping up the pressure with Core Condensation speed level dagger attacks.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Our armors took the explosions with ease. It was the true opening exchange. Half of the Kazardim¡¯s illusions darted towards the sleeping Malgrunian beauty.


    ¡®A bait? Aren¡¯t we fighting for her?¡¯


    <hr>


    Tosen P.O.V.


    ¡®He¡¯s fast, faster than me.¡¯


    The rival was the personification of the common awakened traits: speed, strength and energy reserves. Most awakened are like these with few if any affinities or other standout traits.


    This one was similar, just that his abilities were on the extreme. Too fast, too strong and too much energy. A master of the basics.


    I decided to change the pace a little. Time to mess with his heart. I activated the second ability I chose from the Temple, the Eye of Desire.  An ability that has stringent requirements for the user, I am one the few Malgrunians who can use it without penalty.


    A continuous high speed exchange on equal footing occurred.


    ¡®Show me your heart.¡¯


    I was expecting an edge, something that could cause a deviation, a weakness, a heart demon even. Strangely, the expert in front of me showed none of that. He was a strange heart, a heart filled with joy, joy for the life he was given.


    To make matters more complicated, he could sense my probing. He shouldn¡¯t have been able to do so, according to our priests in the temple. My opponent was also some king of a soul master.


    He immediately probed into my soul as well.


    ¡®You better be quick about things Fuko. I need to ready my ring for items and artifacts.¡¯


    The furious fast paced exchange raged on, power kicks and palm kinetic strikes added in. His double blades making things entangled. It was almost like a perfect mirror counter to my current abilities.


    Fighting without creating energy from our slashes to maintain darkness was proving ineffective.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! DOOONG! PRACK! PRACK! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH!


    <hr>


    Surlayn P.O.V.


    ¡®You can look into people too? Tell me about you, Zigur!¡¯


    I peered into him and couldn¡¯t find his joy with my Joyful Soul art. He was calm, too calm like still water. A rational killer. At least I realized that he wasn¡¯t one to be prone to mistakes.


    I also decided to spice things up by targeting his partner.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡± I shouted a chant.


    increasing my speed into the realm of true after images, I attacked all of the nine ¡°copies¡± at once. I wasn¡¯t going to allow them to touch the main reason for this fight. His calm partner desperately tried to stop me. Hundreds of charges from his temporal ring were thrown. A stop gap measure, slightly effective.


    SWISH! BOOOM! SWISH! BOOOM! SWISH! BOOOM! SWISH! BOOOM!


    The space trembled but wasn¡¯t really affected. The true ¡°copy¡± of the many was the closest one to the sleeping beauty. Like a bolt I closed in, deflecting and blocking his partners¡¯ counters on the way.


    ZOOOM!


    Reaching the position of the beauty, the not so calmed second opponent lunged at me.


    His ring turned into a blade. A glittering metallic yet liquid blade. A soul weapon. Something from the realm of Ascension Masters.


    SLASH!


    The massive energy slash was unblockable. Specially with such a weapon. I evaded and countered with my own energy slashes.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    That gave me barely enough time to land next to the sleeping beauty. To my dismay, ten long range teleportation glyphs activated around me in a triangle formation. The calmed one had placed them while I was evading, most surely.


    The chosen one threw ten artifacts on top of the glyphs. In reality he threw dozens upon dozens. Many were blocked, deflected or destroyed using charges from the temporal rings of our foes.


    The glyphs were temporarily disabled, at least that is what it seemed like to me.


    I activated my Joyful Soul ability to peer into my other enemy¡¯s heart looking for an edge. I found it.


    The fight was intense; twelve breaths had passed.


    <hr>


    Fuko P.O.V.


    I felt a tingling in my soul. Our opponent was doing something. Soul Masters are dangerous, really dangerous. Few can counter their shenanigans and machinations.


    The only way to counter these bastards is through special artifacts, runic tattoos, potions, even some very rare orgon infusions with special beast blood or lastly and even more rare, incredible soul fortitude. Not even a higher realm can protect you, depending on the master.


    Before I could have any more thoughts, the vivid image of my mother walked out of the darkness, she was shining with light. She was wearing exactly the same stylish outfit she was wearing the last time I saw her.


    ¡°Musuko!¡± ¡°Musuko!¡± ¡°Musuko!¡±


    Even if I knew that what was happening was impossible, the need to stretch out my hand and touch her became unbearable.


    ¡°Snap out of it!¡± Shouted Tosen.


    ZOOOM! PRACK! DOOONG!


    A fast, powerful, triple combo energy charged attack. I was sent flying backward with no chance to retaliate. My soul weapon reverted back into ring form. Our enemy had hit me with the pommel of his blade straight into my forehead.


    He didn¡¯t want to kill me but he had accomplished his goal. I tumbled on the ground of the sealed spaced like a piece of rock.


    ¡°You cheap bastard.¡±


    Was all I managed to say before I passed out.


    <hr>


    Surlayn P.O.V.


    ¡°Your time runs short and you cannot defeat me by yourself. You spared these younglings, I¡¯ll spare you. Truce after all.¡± I spoke serenely but sternly.


    ¡°Claimere.¡± Those were the only words that came from the mouth of the would be kidnapper.


    I let him believe whatever he wanted. Not that it was far from the truth, anyway.


    ¡°Zigur.¡±


    A breath later, more teleportation glyphs activated around the two and they disappeared. The sealed space started to break down. It couldn¡¯t take anymore discharges from the activities.


    I turned to face a slightly smiling chosen one. I stood at a hair¡¯s distance.


    <hr>


    Krigsain P.O.V.


    ¡°You sped up here, knowing I would be the only one capable of following you. You tricked an innocent one into a hazardous trap, many innocents lay dead outside, so much for preserving, chosen. Some friend you are. Akathos charges will be here shortly once the space breaks down.¡± A serene but powerful voice came forth.


    ¡®I know. I know.¡¯


    ¡°Do you know what I am?¡± The intense voice reverberated as he pressed a question.


    [You sure this guy cannot be convinced, Great One?]


    [You were given all information needed to make a decision, young one.]


    ¡°Executioner.¡± I answered flatly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like these little games you play, prospective sage.¡±


    ¡°This is all for the cause.¡± I answered again.


    ¡°Risking Andurian lives for the blood of enemies? There are many of us who don¡¯t approve of you. We rather deal with the empire than with something like this.¡±


    Massive pressure was felt. I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    [Help, Great One, help me.]


    There was no answer.


    ¡°Don¡¯t involve me in your games again. Ikrei is my responsibility, not you. If you ever do, I¡¯ll kill you by my authority. The blades of retribution are not something for you to use. For you will never be Patriarch.¡±


    Finishing his speech, he attacked.


    SWOOSH! ZOOOM! DOOONG!


    One intense three hit combo later. I lay bleeding on the floor on the verge of passing out.


    [This outcome can be considered optimal for your plan. He will kill you next time, be mindful young one.]


    ¡®That worked. I still got it!¡¯


    Drops of blood everywhere I joined my friends in their forced sleep.

 CHAPTER 68

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was reading the newspaper version of the Zunar Bell News. The commotion was big enough to be printed and distributed with all available means.


    ¡°Did you have to knock me out cold?¡± I was still a little unhappy with everything.


    ¡°Sorry my man, there are a few things you cannot know of yet. It can affect your mental state and your progress. Just bear with it, please.¡±


    Krigsain was behaving apologetically for the past hours. I decided to let it go for the time being.


    ¡°What now?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°Nothing much brothers, everything goes on as planned, except that since you intervened on my behalf, I will be singing ¡°Me¡± with you on the piano. That way you will have a worldwide hit on your hands, Brett. We will practice until you get it right.¡±


    I was glad for the offer but I still had a small gripe with that arrangement.


    ¡°So I¡¯m off with performance of Krigs little panty tale?¡±


    ¡°What are you calling panty tale? It is all true!¡± Krigsain¡¯s retort made Ixur laugh like mad.


    ¡°It is true my dear brother, I knew her. Besides, it is the Titty, we don¡¯t want to disappoint your and my investors. But yes, Krigs will be doing that number. There¡¯s plenty of good music to go around. We are doing Queen of the Night as a special number for your girl. Fair trade.¡±


    Ixur explained dismissing away my worries.


    ¡®She is my deadly consort not exactly my girl but correcting her might be unhealthy for me, right now.¡¯


    ¡°Fine, fine. Let me hear the special number then.¡±


    With drinks, reflective lights, and an incredible tight security courtesy of the Heavenly Demon outside. Krigsain grabbed a non-amplified magic ketar with a craftmic and sat next to the phoenix for a round.


    They played an ¡°acoustic¡± version of Queen of the Night for the present.


    Hau Y¨«ngr, Sochu, cultivator Konoe were all smiles with the song.


    ¡°Brett, it is good to show that you are always fearless with your material.¡±


    My boss was adamant with her estimation.


    ¡°As long as you tell songs with elements of truth it will always resonate with somebody.¡± Cultivator Konoe offered a closing remark on the subject.


    ¡®He¡¯s awfully calm for someone that the Zunar kingdom wants to put its claws on, after all the destruction.¡¯


    The mini final preparations and the impromptu jam continued.


    ¡°Me¡± was played for hours. And by hook or crook, touching the keys I was happy, happy to be, well, me.


    ¡®Here¡¯s to you, Anya, the Malgrunian with a rose.¡¯


    Assistant Tayfal was nowhere to be found.


    <hr>


    Sarkan P.O.V.


    ¡°Lord Sarkan, the Zunar kingdom expects a full explanation. We want to know what is truly going on?¡±


    ¡®That makes two of us.¡¯


    ¡°We will help you with the rebuilding efforts in the affected area. And to answer your inquiry, it is just Malgrunian intervention. They were trying to prevent our antiwar efforts with one of their idols.¡±


    ¡°Curious how peace efforts turn deadly.¡± The head female knight spoke unkindly.


    ¡°It is a regrettable consequence.¡± I was truly sad.


    ¡°What about the presence of demonic cultivators in all of this?¡±


    ¡°It seems it is the doing of the Singing Phoenix. She is fearful of her own kind after what happened.¡± I gave her a half truth.


    ¡°It is a strange thing to see demonics at odds with malgrunians, don¡¯t you think?¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°A strange woman for a strange situation. Some would start a war just to possess her.¡± I explained again.


    The female knight was clearly displeased with my last statement.


    ¡°The Eternal Moon denies any involvement with the deaths of the people. We haven¡¯t been able to corroborate anything since all malgrunian forces left the scene. There were at least two high level kotari in the scuffle. Are your blades dulling, Lord Sarkan?¡±


    ¡°We were able to minimize the rampaging damage from the cultivators. There are war considerations to ponder in our decisions. Once again, we will mitigate possible new trouble.¡±


    I offered a not so palatable reality to her.


    ¡°The kingdom will require further compensation if this happens again. The Queen wishes you to know that she expects a 15% increase on your future orgon crystal exchanges with her, every time this reoccurs. Either that, or you will have to give up 33% of the orgon mines. She has estimated that this will not be a one off.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll take it up with the elders.¡±


    The female knight left my sealed space. I was left with vexation.


    ¡®You are already causing casualties. You are half a finger from getting the rug pulled from under you, chosen.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ciel P.O.V.


    The atmosphere at the starfeast felt lively with the recent events.


    ¡°Half of our class is going to the show, bookie.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a coalition of cultivator forces is descending upon Clariun to prevent any more accidents.¡± Iru pointed out.


    ¡°We got a special table. Krigs doing, we will be seating with Ikrei.¡± I said.


    ¡°Maybe, we will get to meet our brother¡¯s unofficial woman. Want to see what Krigsain is capable of when it comes to that.¡± Puri spoke munching on some lamb.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get your hopes up too much, just do what you must do and you will get yours.¡±


    ¡°I want to see those artifacts, should be interesting.¡± Kletay was looking forward to tomorrow.


    I also ate but was a little put off by the death toll news.


    ¡°It¡¯s distasteful at the minimum to call for peace on the corpses of the innocent.¡± I said.


    ¡°Demonic cultivators are what they are and we aren¡¯t much better, benefits and outcomes.¡± Iru detailed passing some bread around.


    ¡°So, what are you guys wearing? Going all out with the fashion?¡± Puri asked one of the pertinent questions.


    ¡°I¡¯m just wearing a proper suit, nothing fancy. I am going for the special drinks our magic parchment flier indicated on the back.¡± Iru¡¯s interest in fine dining was showing.


    ¡°I am dressing up, who knows if we might mingle with great artisans, craftsmen and the like. If the show is as legendary as the singer, the high nobles and many experts will stay for the crystalink replay immediately after the show.¡±


    Kletay was thinking of networking considerably.


    ¡°Which elder will be going? Any news?¡±


    ¡°No details but a couple from the council, they say.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Malgrunians, andurians, former zurians, cultivators, high ranking nobles, courtesans, bards, politicians, generals, knights, magicians, adventurers and mercenaries from all around the world, all in the same place?¡± Iru asked.


    ¡°Nothing will happen or we are headed for a bloodbath.¡± I offered the truth.


    ¡°Playboy¡¯s music better be as legendary as he thinks it is. The crowd is a special bunch.¡± Kletay¡¯s tone was filled with finality.


    We continued with our activities with just a tinge of worry for the coop master.


    ¡®Good luck, Brett.¡¯


    <hr>


    Fuko P.O.V.


    ¡°We were betrayed.¡± I stated the truth.


    The abandoned training circle felt uninviting.


    ¡°The phoenix managed to send and receive soul communications through the sealed space. Her consort sisters intervened.¡± Tosen spoke in his unflappable tone.


    Tosen threw me a set glyph recording of our entire fight. Tosen wasn¡¯t only throwing teleportation glyphs around during the confrontation.


    I grabbed it with one hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll report to father; this will not end like this.¡±


    ¡°We are in the clear with this. I will also inform the High Priest. The consorts are about to get theirs, some in the Kolga have been waiting for an excuse to reel them in.¡±


    ¡°Young master.¡± Ethola came to report.


    I waived for him to speak.


    ¡°We have received new orders coming from the Duke.¡±


    I opened the magic parchment and it dissolved after a couple of minutes.


    ¡°We are laying low for a while, I¡¯ll prepare targets for you once the truce ends.¡± I gave the order.


    ¡°It has been a fruitful cooperation, Kazardim. I¡¯ll see you around. Use the artifact I gave you if you need me.¡±


    ¡°You dealing with those three nosy bastards?¡±


    Tosen walked away without an answer. He was going to do something; soul communion teaches you a few things.


    ¡®I need to reach Core Condensation and the team needs to get stronger. Time to head into the forbidden rifts. I¡¯ll deal with them too, in my own way.¡¯


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    Day of Io?l, a few hours before sundown. Walking in downtown Zunyl. The main streets of the capital, surrounded by a bustling crowd amidst shops, establishments and other places.


    ¡°You seem to like ice cream quite a lot.¡±


    ¡°It is more the place than the sweet.¡±


    ¡°I need the break just as much as you do, is this fun, Yika?¡±


    ¡°It is Brett, how am I looking?¡± I turned for little lord.


    ¡°Like a proper noble, really.¡± He motioned me to follow him to a shop.


    ¡®Can¡¯t you say I look beautiful? Are you a scrooge with your compliments?¡¯


    We were being chaperoned by cultivator Li, Ikrei¡¯s guards and a couple more that I knew not from the shadows.


    Entering the shop to look for trinkets, I let my displeasure be known.


    ¡°I¡¯m in a great mood, you should be matching my energy, Brett.¡±


    Ikrei was going around checking the different little things available. The place was a mix of a souvenir and a pawn shop. I was also walking around among the curious.


    Little lord was taking his time.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the time when a girl receives a flower or something?¡±


    After rummaging for a while longer, Ikrei came next to me.


    ¡°A flower for a walking garden is a bit much.¡±


    He placed a small pin on my dress, right next to my left breast. It was the old Zunar kingdom sigil. A winged lion surrounded by several extinct fearbeasts in a circle.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t the gift, not when you are rich like you. It is the intent, the person and the moment, let¡¯s make a memory, paramour.¡± He spoke softly in my ear.


    He paid the shop owner and with those eyes of his, he gave me an order.


    ¡°Follow me woman, we are heading to the venue.¡±


    My feet moved involuntarily without the need of coercion or influence. I started licking my lips.


    ¡®Interesting, you are turning out to be very interesting.¡¯

 CHAPTER 69

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Day of Sukur for the world. Day of Zur for the Zurians, seventh day of the week. Second week of the eleventh month. Three hours after sundown.


    ¡°This is a very special night!¡± The echo of the announcer¡¯s voice signaled the beginning of the event.


    ¡°After a hundred years, the singer of singers, RETURNS!¡±


    Raucous applause came from the audience. Including some whistling.


    ¡°The woman of a thousand voices! The muse of many, the nightmare of some. Please help me welcome to the stage, our band members playing in this concert for PEACE! Three Malgrunian masters and two Andurian masters, a first in more than ten thousand years!¡±


    The dimmed blue lights showed the shadows of sister Kuyun and the other band members. Kuyun¡¯s best friend, he was on the drums tonight.


    Another gracious applause was heard. The drums, ketars and other instruments enter in unison with a small riff breakdown. Shouts and screams from the audience everywhere.


    ¡°Citizens of Zunar! Millions around the world! The Inverted Titty proudly presents, the One, the Only. The consort of the eternal flame!¡±


    ¡°IIIIXUUUUR!¡± The announcer echoing voice slowly drifted away.


    The intro arrangement of the instruments was replayed.


    ¡°Lay Your Hands on Me!¡± The phoenix¡¯s voice covered the entire place.


    The chorus exploded with all instruments and backing vocals. The first ever slightly distorted sound effect of the colorful chords inundated all ears of the present.


    Her energy was exploding everywhere.


    She began to sing, accompanied by the band. The intro chorus of the opening number. By compulsion or true desire, we all hummed along. The happy intro felt almost like a ritualistic experience in a small moad when no one is looking. The band covered in blue light in the shadows.


    ?Lay your hands on me!


    (All Eyes On Me)


    You can come you can see


    Your still too far from me


    (Get close and see)


    Lay your hands on me! ?


    Verse chords began with an energetic blend.


    ?You can touch, You can see


    You''re still too far from me


    Don''t be shy, don''t be coy


    Don''t you wanna be my boy? ?


    A groovy riff with power chords lead the song. The instruments felt alive. The power chords of ¡°rock¡± music started their upbeat trend. The riffing.


    ¡®Awesome, just awesome!¡¯


    The scene went wild. The floating orgon lights fully illuminating the stage, the artifact lights behind the band also fully lit up. Ixur exploded into a singing stance carrying the craftmic stand with her as she sang through the new device. Her clothes were shocking but not unexpected. She was barely wearing anything. A red wyvern leather jacket with a very tight short, too tight and a belt. The accompanying bra revealing everything to the present. The men were already drooling.


    If it wasn¡¯t for Yun Hee¡¯s presence, I might have been as well. The singing phoenix¡¯s power was too much for someone like me. The profound green eyes, the matchless olive skin and the blessing of Malgrun on her hair. Red, true red. Her well-toned body visible to everyone.


    ¡®Round, firm, big! What will happen to Yun Hee¡¯s body after this?!


    I wanted to close my eyes. Singing Phoenix¡¯s attributes were insanity inducing when combined with a blessing. The master of the many voices displayed her grandiosity. The concert for peace initiated with a bang.


    ?I see you, you see me


    What is it that we can be?


    A fling, a midnight kiss


    Just a toy for the boy


    Maybe more, maybe real


    Just right for this girl! ?


    The entire place was going insane. Everybody began banging their heads up and down, jumping in place or just stretching out their hands to reach her. The chorus started once more.


    ?Lay your hands on me!


    (All Eyes On Me)


    You can come you can see


    Your still too far from me


    (Get close and see)


    Lay your hands on me! ?


    She sang, and kicked all around the stage not once missing a beat. Her spins with the craftmic stand were spectacular. Leaving the stage behind, she walked through the installed runway. People to the sides of it, packed like chicken coops!


    Everybody wanted to touch her. Even Yun Hee. The only one calm in our group was muscle mass. All that touched her passed out, she didn¡¯t seem to care. The jacket fluttering perfectly with each step.


    ¡®So that¡¯s why healers are here. Orgon infused wyvern jacket! Wow!¡¯


    ?So you wanna, are you gonna?


    Break a leg, take a step


    I cannot wait for you all day!


    Tak a chance with no regrets


    I can really make you mine ?


    She danced, turned and kicked again. A perfect fluid motion. Her hair like a turning carrusel. The Malgrunians present were losing their minds watching their idol in public once more. The rest were close behind. The second verse repeated a second time with backing vocals. The final line emphasized by the phoenix.


    ?Lay your hands on me!


    (All Eyes On Me)


    You can come you can see


    Your still too far from me


    (Get close and see)


    Lay your hands on me! ?


    An incredible seductive pose using the stand between her legs, neither crass nor elegant. Somewhere in the middle. Right as she likes it. Yun Hee¡¯s eyes were fixated completely on the figure of the monster called the Singing Phoenix.


    ¡®Is this close to idol worship, I wonder?¡¯


    The bridge I clearly remembered from the recording resounded.


    ?Grab a lady, grab a hand


    Close together (not too far)


    One forever (there you are)


    The real deal, the one girl ?


    Chorus time again. Everybody tried reaching out to the red hot idol.


    A small breakdown and the instruments bursted forth. Sister Kuyun came forward with the ketar and two floating glyph cubes rotating around her. The effects for her music.


    Her magnificent solo was even better than in the recording.


    The phoenix smiled. They were in sync.


    Sister Kuyun was flying. Ixur head banging.


    With the last note of the solo, Kuyun returned to the stage next to the drums as the chorus returned.


    ?Lay your hands on me!


    (All Eyes On Me)


    You can come you can see


    Your still too far from me


    (Get close and see)


    Lay your hands on me! ?


    All of us were smiling happily. The ¡°Raging Heart¡± blessing of the great consort in full effect. The exquisite artifact jacket glowing, more specifically, the phoenix symbol on its back. Gold with fiery red. A spectacle.


    Once more, a final belt with greater feel. Ixur danced seductively, people touching her and falling down.


    ¡°Her spinning trick with the craftmic stand will never get old.¡± Krigsain commented.


    ¡°?Lay your hands on me! ?¡± A wild fist pump into the air by the phoenix followed her singing.


    The music ending in a distorted final burst, ketars, drums and all.


    Bottles went flying, drinks were spilled. And some people grabbed the wrong ass.


    ¡®Yep, still the Inverted Titty, no matter who comes.¡¯


    And like this, the first song of a night that would bring many surprises ended. The birth of rock music in the world of Ladnahlayr. Krigsain¡¯s crazy counteroffensive.


    Everyone at our table was happily shocked, well not all of us.


    ¡°I told you it would be fun.¡± The troublemaker was smiling all the way through.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    In a private viewing room in Malaktaraf castle.


    ¡°The music ain¡¯t half bad, huh?¡±


    I mussed by myself.


    Steps were heard while more music played.


    ¡°Hello Lord Sarkan, were you feeling lonely?¡±


    ¡°I came here because I wanted to understand why did you help the unruly one?¡±


    ¡°I just sent Lord Akathos a message, that was all.¡±


    ¡°Just a message? Don¡¯t play with me, Claimere.¡± Sarkan was sincere.


    I wasn¡¯t happy that my enjoyment was being interrupted when I have very little free time.


    ¡°What do we protect Lord Sarkan? Liberty? Our way of life?¡±


    ¡°All of those things and more, you know this. Your point?¡±


    ¡°The more things there are that we value, the better. Music is just that, an expression of what¡¯s in our hearts. This rock music is just one more thing that all of us will love.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Love, something to love? The lives of innocents and plenty of political maneuvering are a steep price and it is barely starting.¡± He countered with recent facts.


    ¡°He has agreed to follow your procedure because I agreed to help him. He cannot be forced into absolute compliance. He will follow your orders and he will become an unbeatable fighter. A beacon for the Andurin. We cannot save all of us but he will try. That¡¯s enough for me.¡±


    I explained hoping that my explanation would satisfy a clearly displeased Sarkan.


    ¡°Hope you and Akathos are in the right, this time. For all of our sakes.¡± He walked away.


    I had missed an entire song due to our little conversation.


    ¡®I did this for you too goldilocks. Love is a battlefield.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ixur P.O.V.


    ¡°How are we doing out there tonight?¡±


    It was all rhetorical. I knew they were having fun. Screams and some crazy shouts reached the stage.


    ¡°You have been gone too long!¡±


    ¡°Phoenix! Phoenix!¡±


    ¡°Marry me!¡±


    I recognized that last voice.


    ¡°You here, my boy? You are always at all of my shows. What number is this, sixty-nine shows?¡± I was honestly surprised.


    ¡°Seventy-seven, my phoenix! Give me a chance!¡±


    I pointed to the stage crew. He was going to get to finally meet me after the concert.


    ¡®It is important to treat your faithful with appreciation.¡¯


    I motioned for the crowd to give me a chance to speak.


    ¡°They say that we should always strive to ascend, to be better, to be blessed, to receive the embrace of the gods. I say we should strive to treat each other better. Heaven is not up there or out there but here among all of us. Heaven is what we make of it!¡±


    ¡°Fate¡± began playing with a snare and a power riff.


    ¡®This is one of my favorites from the list.¡¯


    The riff was uplifting and filled with energy. Kuyun¡¯s friend was not too shabby on the drums, acceptable.


    ?Do we deserve a second chance?


    How did we fall into this circumstance?


    We weren''t so straight and narrow


    This is much more than we deserve


    A higher voice has called the tune


    Two hearts that lost the beat will now resume


    The gift of life extension


    By divine intervention ?


    I was careful, not wanting more black outs from the crowd. A more controlled performance. We were barely half way through the set. It was time for the chorus. A simple tom fill established the pace.


    ¡®Those ketar effects are glorious.¡¯


    ?It''s gotta be a strange twist of fate


    Telling me that Heaven can wait


    Telling me to get it right this time


    Life doesn''t mean a thing


    Without the love you bring


    Love is what we''ve found


    The second time around ?


    I walked around the stage to the beat of the screaming fans.


    ¡®Who knew some high nobles would scream like little girls after all these years? I should have charged double.¡¯


    ?Don''t understand what''s going on


    Woke up this morning all the hurt was gone


    This is a new beginning


    I''m back in the land of the living ?


    A full power drum fill and into the chorus once more.


    ?It''s gotta be a strange twist of fate


    Telling me that Heaven can wait


    And I''m gonna get it right this time


    Life (life) doesn''t mean a thing


    Without the love you bring


    Love is what we''ve found


    The second time around ?


    The beautiful interlude began. A mix of magiboard effects, ketar distortion and drums. I danced with the lights feeling the flow. The entire place was in a trance. Well not all of them. There were quite a few powerful eyes in attendance. Even a guy who wanted to capture me just a little while ago.


    ¡®Absolutely shameless!¡¯


    The chorus came again.


    ?It''s gotta be a strange twist of fate


    Telling me that Heaven can wait


    Oh, I''m gonna get it right this time


    Life (life) doesn''t mean a thing


    Without the love you bring


    A love is what we''ve found


    The second time around ?


    ¡°Take it!¡± I waved for the band to take over.


    I headed backstage and let the band play for a bit. It was time to introduce my new friend to the world.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Sister Kuyun was playing a personal musical piece on the acoustic ketar called ¡°Awakening.¡± That was our signal to head backstage. Our numbers were up.


    ¡°You go brother!¡± Puri smiled warmly.


    ¡°You can do it coop master. Krigs don¡¯t let us down!¡± Ciel was encouraging.


    Iru just gave us a thumbs up.


    That last comment made Yun Hee smile, she was almost laughing too.


    ¡®No plushy cats for a month! Saints shouldn¡¯t put down their friends like this.¡¯


    She could feel my preoccupation. I could feel her reassurance. A feeling of ¡°it will be fine.¡±


    ¡®This soul contract thing is scary and comforting. Wow.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s go my man, time to light it up!¡±


    ¡°You go horsy!¡± Kletay¡¯s weird compliment mode was activated.


    We left our VIP table behind. Strangely enough Iru and Yun Hee were quite a conversational pair. Kletay was joyfully drinking, a bit much, I thought.


    <hr>


    I was seating touching the piano keys on the stage. It was time for introductions by the phoenix.


    ¡°Hello, again. The boy next to me is my new Andurian friend and the lyricist for many of the songs you are listening to tonight. And the author of this next piece.¡±


    A warm applause came from the crowd.


    ¡°Brett Black, the world. World, meet Brett Black!¡±


    More applause all around, more subdued this time.


    ¡°A change of pace. This next number is a play on words and dedicated to all who are losing loved ones for many reasons. Many for this stupid conflict like the girl in this song, wherever you are Anya, this one¡¯s for you.¡±


    Ixur sat next to me on a chair the staff had brought.


    ¡°Are we our memories? Do we exist without them? This is called Me.¡± Ixur posed questions to the crowd as a preface.


    I began playing the somber yet gentle piano melody with arrangements on the white keys. Her colorful, simple interpretation felt right.


    ?I do miss those days when we were as one


    Of things that I remember that are no more


    Don¡¯t tell me to forget them, just let me cry


    Goodbyes are always sad


    Is it that easy for you?


    Not that simple for me


    You are tired while I¡¯m angry


    All things that should have been


    But now will no longer be


    A fleeting touch that means nothing?


    The pre chorus section came up, nothing major just the feel. I could see several couples and many individuals show glimpses of emotion.


    ?Tell me where should I turn?


    For all the answers are now burnt


    Forgetting is easy when you don¡¯t lose ?


    ?Memories, memories


    Memories, it is ?


    I carefully played a flourish on the keys. The one that was practiced to the point of nausea. The second verse came around, back to original chord progression.


    ?I do miss those days when all felt new


    Of places I remember that will be no more


    I know that I¡¯ll forget them, but it won¡¯t be tonight


    Goodbyes are always sad


    A single table for two?


    A single red rose for me


    You are gone while I¡¯m lonely


    All things that I once cherished


    But now will no longer exist


    A single fleeting heart that feels nothing ?


    ?Tell me where should I turn?


    For all the answers are now burnt


    Forgetting is easy when you don¡¯t lose ?


    ?Memories, memories


    Memories, it is ?


    I danced on the keys with an arrangement created for this song. The phoenix was pleased.


    ?Tell me where should I turn?


    For all the answers are now burnt


    Forgetting is easy when you don¡¯t lose ?


    ?Memories, memories


    Memories, it is ?


    A final flourish and the end. There were few claps. I did notice a few pensive faces.


    ¡®Maybe it is because this isn¡¯t really rock?¡¯


    ¡°Brett Black, everyone!¡± Ixur¡¯s acknowledgment finally incited a reaction.


    I slowly stood up and waved. I could feel Yun Hee¡¯s emotion all the way up to the stage, warm, gentle feelings. I started to walk out as Krigsain appeared.


    ¡°This next number is a story about a girl and a young one from long ago. The moral of the story boys?¡±


    Ixur¡¯s voice became deep like a man¡¯s.


    ¡°Never stick your stick in crazy.¡± She spoke like a baritone.


    The entire place erupted into whistling and laughter.


    ¡°Unless it is me.¡± A melodic sensual voice came forth.


    Everyone exploded into boisterous sounds. Yun Hee was laughing wildly, I felt it. I laughed too.


    ¡®I like her. She¡¯s a bit too upfront, though.¡¯


    Knightcrawler began playing.


    <hr>


    Tosen P.O.V.


    ¡®I see what they are going for here.¡¯


    I was looking around at the reactions from all attendants, the nobles and the powerful that were around me. The drinks on my table were supreme.


    ¡°You are causing dissension among our people.¡± I whispered.


    I knew she was paying attention to me.


    ¡°You raised your hand against a blessed of Malgrun, it is not your place to intervene.¡±


    She sent a mental message. All this while still performing.


    ¡°It is not your place to do as you are doing either. This will not be the end.¡± I stated the truth with another whisper.


    I had received authorization from the Kolga to be at the concert. Even more, I was given free reign from the High Priest to gather allies and deal with the new threats. All political considerations creating problems, of course.


    ¡®Your communion with Malgrunians through your blessing is something else, phoenix.¡¯


    It was confusing to realize that the one chosen to create massive buffs with her blessings for our armies was participating in antiwar efforts.


    I knew the Kazardim had taken the events as a personal affront. The brothers of my momentary teammate were around somewhere and who knew who else. The massive presence of cultivators from all factions, including the Murim Alliance was making things very knotty.


    ¡°Incredible how many demonic cultivators want to get in those panties. Guess the Heavenly Demon called dibs.¡±


    I was looking forward to the mayhem. The drinks were nice, very nice.


    ¡®The Kazardim are truly crazy, blood wolves more than dogs.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Heartbreaker¡± had just finished playing. Wild eruption all around, specially the ladies and working girls in attendance. We were watching from the backstage area. Yun Hee came over due to the phoenix¡¯s request.


    ¡°True songs are good without the need of all the bells and whistles, even rock tunes. So we are going to strip down the next one down to the basics for this show. This one is dedicated to all my girls out there and the many courtesans and femme fatales around the world.¡±


    Wild clapping and shouts came from the women in the crowd.


    ¡°This is co-written by my Andurian friends. Kuyun Sera on the acoustic ketar. This is your true gift little consort. This is called Queen of the Night.¡±


    With a look of surprise, ¡°Yika¡± was glancing at me. Before I knew better or had the time to gloat a little, I was embracing Yika from behind with that derriere in an inviting position.


    ¡®The power of rock music, eh?¡¯


    ¡°Remember what I told you of next week¡¯s training for this guy.¡± Krigsain spoke to Yun Hee.


    ¡°No worries, I got it, beloved of the Will.¡± She answered pleasantly.


    Patting me in the back. Krigsain disappeared in a moment without further notice. I wasn¡¯t sure what the special training was going to be. All I knew was that after a week, I was to undertake my final hunt.


    Sister Kuyun¡¯s acoustic ketar began playing the song. Soon enough the verse began.


    ?If I say I don''t need anyone, I can say these things to you


    ''Cause I can turn on anyone just like I''ve turned on you


    I''ve got a tongue like a razor, a sweet switchblade knife


    And I can do you favors but then you''ll do whatever I like ?


    ?Here I am, and you''re a Rocket Queen


    I might be a little young, but, honey, I ain''t naive


    Here I am, and you''re a Rocket Queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much, but, honey, you''re a bit obscene?


    ¡°The thing is nice but these lyrics are a little much. What¡¯s a rocket?¡± Yun Hee wondered.


    ?I''ve seen everything imaginable pass before these eyes


    I''ve had everything that''s tangible, honey, you''d be surprised


    I''m a sexual innuendo in this burned out paradise


    If you turn me on to anything, you better turn me on tonight ?


    ?Here I am, and you''re a Rocket Queen


    I might be a little young, but, honey, I ain''t naive


    Here I am, and you''re a Rocket Queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much, but, honey, you''re a bit obscene?


    ¡°There are better ways to tell me you want some.¡± She pressed against me.


    ¡°I wrote the outro coming next. All else is Krigsain¡¯s doing. The life of a night queen, that¡¯s all.¡±


    I could feel her curiosity and expectancy after my words. The outro began.


    ?I see you standin'', standin'' on your own


    It''s such a lonely place for you, for you to be


    If you need a shoulder or if you need a friend


    I''ll be here standing until the bitter end


    No one needs the sorrow, no one needs the pain


    I hate to see you walking out there out in the rain


    So, don''t chastise me or think I, I mean you harm


    Of those that take you leave you strung out much too far ?


    ?Don''t ever leave me, say you''ll always be there


    All I ever wanted was for you to know that I care?


    ¡°This is my gift, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    That was all I managed to hear as I felt her right hand touch my cheek without turning.


    <hr>


    Krigsain P.O.V.


    A powerful sealing and covering surrounded me.


    ¡°So, you are here.¡± I saluted my cleverly hooded partner in crime.


    ¡°The tail is off. Your little trick is going to cause a lot of infighting. They love their muse and they love this music.¡±


    ¡°Within range. Everything is going as expected. Probabilities holding up.¡±


    ¡°Causing a succubus to go into a compulsive possessive obsessive drive through her love for music is brilliant. Yet dangerous for our little friend.¡±


    ¡°He must overcome the fire of lust. He will fail now but it will be fine.¡±


    ¡°You sure? She will never be satisfied with just one man.¡±


    ¡°Slowly but surely he will gain a foothold in that little devilish heart. That¡¯s enough, in the end he needs a friend more than a lover.¡±


    She only nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m not touching you until you are at least half as powerful as you used to be.¡± She was complaining.


    ¡°I do wonder if I made a mistake in selecting you, Aysmul.¡±


    ¡°You wish. Your other lasses better be up to par or I¡¯ll chase them out. Krigsain.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s plenty to do for you to worry about such matters.¡± I dismissed her statement with a wave.


    ¡°Fear, lust. What¡¯s next for little left hand?¡±


    ¡°Regret, absolute regret. Then it will get worse.¡± A perfunctory answer.


    ¡°Not staying for the battle royale that¡¯s about to happen?¡± She asked.


    ¡°L¨®ng B¨¬ X¨¬ is here. Everyone will die if anyone tries anything.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t sense anything, you certain?¡±


    ¡°I caught a glimpse backstage. Lucky draw.¡± I detailed the situation.


    ¡°Maybe I should introduce myself to the Heavenly Demon, you are still lacking and I could use a hand or two.¡±


    ¡°You should. I¡¯m an equal opportunity employer.¡±


    We slowly walked away from the Inverted Titty and into the shadows.


    [Rock you, rock you like a hurricane¡­is that line right, young one?]


    [You are enjoying this, Great One]


    ¡°You are no fun like this¡­hubby.¡± She was laughing way too hard.


    ¡®The inconveniences of a female right hand.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ixur P.O.V.


    ¡°We have reached the end of our evening together, everyone.¡±


    Shouts came from the crowd.


    ¡°No! No! No!¡± ¡°Phoenix don¡¯t leave us!¡± ¡°Stay my muse!¡±


    I was very happy, but it was time to close things off.


    ¡°Music is more than just sexy tales and pure fun. Leaders I have a few words for you. A little anger, a little hope, a little fear and a whole lotta rock!¡±


    More shouts and some distorted effects from Kuyun as a preamble.


    ¡°This is my own creation. Phoenix Starlight, boys and girls.¡±


    The piano gave the signal for a soulful introspective beginning.


    ?Where is the wisdom in what we do?


    An endless loop for power in what you do


    What can I say to get through to you?


    Should we reason? Should we pray?


    Is it impossible to change you?


    Is there a path to meet half way? ?


    One clean chord later, the instruments kicked in.


    ?I am rebel I am star


    You can catch me if you can


    Let¡¯s sing a song, do a tale


    Clap hands together before battle


    Spill blood, turn over the scales


    I offer my blood if you care?


    ¡°Do you want to touch a Star?¡±


    Enter heavy string riffing with a power scream. Angry, angry at everything.


    ¡°Raging Fire!¡±


    ¡®Perhaps a bit much, but it is metal, is it not? Time for head banging!¡¯


    ?Nowhere to run or hide


    Make the best of what you got


    Men marching to their end


    Slipping down a bloody road?


    The small chorus began.


    ? (Lives are)


    Burning out under the sky


    (Nowhere)


    You will never hear their cries?


    Lights shining, people stunned. It was time for another scream


    ?Phoenix


    (Can you see me?)


    Starlight


    (Can you catch me?) ?


    ¡°Catch me! Starlight!


    Burn brightly!¡±


    More heavy strings, power drumming and head banging.


    ?The dark cold embrace of life


    In her eyes only tears you¡¯ll find


    (Never)


    Fear be gone forever ever


    In the endless deathly night.


    Every day is another chance


    There¡¯s got to be a better way


    Burning envy endless hate


    Total eclipse of the heart?


    With another chorus and a small breakdown, a melodic solo started. Kuyun was flawless.


    ''Maybe I can convince her to tour with me?''


    The chorus followed immediately afterward one more time.


    ? (Lives are)


    Burning out under the sky


    (Nowhere)


    You will never hear their cries?


    And a final power outro with all the band head banging with the closing screams.


    ¡°Phoenix Starlight!¡±


    ¡°No War!¡±


    The show was over, all lights turned off. The stage blackened. A successful night, the birth of rock, metal music but also the foretelling of many sorrows.

 CHAPTER 70

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Much to the displeasure of cultivator Li, we made our way back to the villa shortly after the rock show ended, I barely managed to say my goodbyes to my fellow Andurin. Training was going to start early, my consort was impatient. Since I wanted to awaken quickly, I wasn¡¯t going to complain but her behavior was intense.


    ¡®What the heck did Krigsain say to her?¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll go change, see you in the training circle my lord. Hazu bring out the best drinks and orgon infused light vegetables that we got for the lord.¡±


    I left to my private room to change into the proper training gear, armor, rings, etc.


    ¡°Patron, everything is ready.¡± Hazu guided me to the training circle.


    This was going to be the first time I was going to train with my consort. As with everything, the training circle here was different from the ones in the castle. There were no walls, it was a mini forest. Hazu activated an orgon powered formation that created a transparent barrier. The rest of the villa was visible from the circle. In other words, visitors can view the training session.


    ¡®When will I have a place like this? Absolute luxury.¡¯


    Yun Hee appeared after a couple of breaths with a sword in hand and no armor.


    ¡°Is that a Jian sword? No armor?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The armor isn¡¯t flexible enough for this. And yes it is. Be careful with the double edge my lord.¡±


    Her outfit was a colorful version of a Hanfu. It had a very suggestive key hole.


    ¡®This woman is beautiful no matter what she wears. Perhaps I could try testing those limits if she wears a potato sack.¡¯


    ¡°You laughing at something my lord?¡± She could feel my emotions.


    ¡°Nah, just your choice of clothes catching my eye. How is this going to work?¡±


    I was definitively interested in Krigsain¡¯s arrangements.


    ¡°Your brother is a scary one, my lord. I know you cannot speak of many things but he seems to know plenty about me. We will be training in the mastering of dark energies and the seed of Malgrun within you.¡±


    I felt her energy explode like a small wave around me. It felt foreboding, devoid of feeling, very similar to the energy from an evil deed. A breath later another wave of energy, this time it was fire, the fire of Malgrun.


    My cheeks felt hot, I was sweating a little.


    ¡°We are special my lord. If you weren¡¯t I would not have agreed to this. Now attack me with everything, even with the power of compulsion from the contract. Try to kill me.¡±


    She took a defensive position with her sword, she was nonchalantly speaking of her own death.


    ¡°I cannot do that, this is crazy!¡± I rebutted furiously.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t come then I will! Heeyah!¡± She charged at me like a bolt.


    CLANG!


    I blocked desperately with my two blades. Her blow was filled with power, not as powerful as Krigs but still.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    ¡°What¡¯s this madness? Hazu!¡± I shouted giving an order.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    The energy slashes coming from my paramour barely missed me by a couple of inches on either side.


    ¡°I cannot help, patreon Ikrei. Patreon Krigsain¡¯s orders.¡± Hazu¡¯s respond was loud.


    ¡®What the hell?!?¡¯


    From my temporal ring I threw four charges trying to defuse the situation. I wasn¡¯t really targeting Yun Hee.


    BOOOM!


    A single explosion came. The other charges were swallowed up in a dozen roses the crazy malgrunian used. The roses became ashes.


    ¡®You can use them like that?!¡¯


    She dashed towards me. The current realm difference isn¡¯t insurmountable, not with all the training that I have gone through. Using the Heavenly Demon¡¯s ring for added power, I gave an order.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Stop, right now!¡± The rings shone brightly, illuminating the circle.


    She did not. She reached my blind side, placing her hand on my right hand. She received a cut from my reflexive counter with my blade.


    ¡®What the fuck?! How?!?¡¯


    I felt energy being poured into me. Dark, evil feelings began raging inside me.


    Yun Hee was bleeding from her mouth. She started coughing up blood, the consequence of disobeying the order.


    ¡°Rage my lord, rage.¡± Her white, black Hanfu became bloodied.


    Even more energy was poured into me. Our soul connection intensifying the exchange.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on? I feel angry. I want. I want¡­to kill.¡¯


    Seven breaths later, after a good amount of energy had accumulated. I couldn¡¯t react, Yun Hee kept pouring more power. It was eating me inside


    ¡°Let go, my lord, let go and kill.¡± Yun Hee¡¯s sweet voice was the last thing I heard before my consciousness was eaten up by the energy.


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°Junbihada!¡± I prepared myself giving the order.


    I was nervous, very nervous.


    ¡°Arraseo!¡± Hazu immediately split into seven copies of herself inside the circle.


    Little lord¡¯s eyes became black. He was growling, dark energy seeping everywhere.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    ¡°Block, little miss, block!¡± Hazu¡¯s shout reverberated.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    A dozen roses and a roll to my left with a hard parry with the edge of my sword. The energy slash leaving a dark mark just where I stood just a breath before.


    ¡®He is gone. This thing wants blood.¡¯


    ¡°Surround me! We got to hold!¡± I ordered.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG!


    Hazu¡¯s parries caused severe screeching. Ikrei¡¯s attacks were fast, faster than expected.


    The frenzied little lord sent dozens of charges our way. The attack was fast but Hazu took the majority of the charges, that didn¡¯t stop the explosions from going off.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    We moved together, the seven Hazu¡¯s and I. I was trying to catch him off guard for a hit.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    More dark energy slashes all around. Hazu¡¯s two realm difference was of great help.


    ¡°Creating an opening, miss!¡±


    Hazu attacked Ikrei without mercy. Kinetic palms aplenty.


    DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG!


    The resonance of the strikes and Ikrei¡¯s defense manifested.


    ¡®Energy barrier?!¡¯


    ¡°Again!¡± Another order.


    Hazu attacked again. This time there was no barrier he just evaded wildly.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    ¡°Now!¡±


    Hazu also used charges from her ring. In the midst of the explosions I dashed in for a cut. It had to be me, the one to do it. Time to test the F¨´ch¨®u Zhi R¨¨n.


    BOOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOOM!


    ¡°First form, Xu¨¨ qi¨¨, blood cut!¡±A red glint appeared on my double edge metal. SPURT!Clean strike.An intense growl came from whatever was inside little lord.¡°Maechunbu!¡± A bestial guttural voice that wasn¡¯t pleasant.¡°Insulting won¡¯t do you good, dark one.¡± I slipped away laughing.¡®This thing is terrifying. Night Queens must be fearless! Come on, Yun Hee, fighting!¡¯


    It gave chase, the hatred and resentment became palpable. The energy was engulfing the entire barrier of the circle.


    ¡®It is mad from the intrusion with my energy.¡¯


    Hazu poured attacks on it repeatedly, orgonoid charges, kinetic palms and energy slashes. The training circle was shaking a little.


    Obviously I kept striking with the fist form of the Vengeful Blade. Lots of blood on the floor.


    Seventy breaths later. The darkened version of little lord fell to the floor.


    ¡°He¡¯ll get up in a few breaths. Let¡¯s get ready for the next round.¡± Hazu proclaimed.


    ¡°We have several Hanfus like this one, correct? I kind of like this one.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to have more like this one later miss.¡±


    Black eyes Ikrei stood up.


    The special training resumed.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®My head¡¯s hurting. What¡¯s going on?!¡¯


    Massive headache. My vision was blurry to say the least. I couldn¡¯t feel my body, or it should be stated as a question.


    ¡®Do I have a body?¡¯


    ¡°HA HA HA HA!¡± I recognized Yun Hee¡¯s laughter instantly.


    A growl, a heavy unnatural growl.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, darky? You sad?¡± She was jokingly tossing around.


    I was attacking Yun Hee. I could feel our connection and what was happening without really being able to see.


    ¡®This is painful.¡¯


    I started to scream crazily. Internally, externally, I couldn¡¯t make heads or tails. All I knew is that I was incapacitated.


    SWISH! CLANG! BOOM! DOONG! ZIIING! CRASH!


    I felt my body crash unto something. My vision came back.


    ¡°Bleurgh!¡± I threw up blood.


    On the floor in all floors I realized that I crashed and rebounded unto the barrier.


    ¡°You are back, my lord.¡±


    Hazu was standing in a defensive position. The many copies of her.


    ¡°We are going to keep doing this until you can remain conscious during battle my lord. Hope you are ready.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Stop! Stop! I order you!¡± I shouted at the top of my lungs.


    She touched my face while our rings shone with light once more.


    She infused more of whatever dark energy she had inside her that I didn¡¯t understand. She puked blood like a fountain. I became drenched.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡± Crazy consort laughed.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take care of you patreon.¡± Hazu was gentle but it felt discouraging.


    ¡°STOP! STOP!¡± The rings activated again.


    More power, more dark energy, more blood on my face.


    ¡®Contract? Ring? It¡¯s useless! She¡¯s insane! I don¡¯t want to kill her.¡¯


    ¡°Kri¡­gs¡­ai¡­nnn!¡± I blithered out as the energy took over once more.


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°What was that? You crazy woman?!¡±


    He was angry, reeling on the floor. We had spent the last ten hours on his special drilling.


    ¡°Your brother warned me of not explaining much and I don¡¯t even know the details but I have an idea now. if you insist I can show you what happens if someone does.¡±


    After a while Ikrei nodded. He was fed up; the feeling was so intense that my hand shook.


    I started pointing at my blood soaked clothing. I was trying to prepare him slightly.


    ¡°You have a spirit¡ª¡± Ikrei¡¯s screams stopped my explanation.


    ¡°AAARGHHH!¡± ¡°AAARGHHH!¡± ¡°AAARGHHH!¡±


    He started bleeding from every possible orifice. Ears, nose, mouth and even his eyes. He was trembling all over. Screams and scratches on the floor. It was a far more excruciating version of my condition from over exertion from the demonic ring. The deadly type.


    ¡°Hazu.¡±


    She began emergency procedures giving him orgon infused concoctions forcefully, many, many immortal level pills and one very special unknown one-time use alchemical fluid provided by his brother.


    As expected, he passed out with heavy convulsions.


    ¡°Take him to his room. Call me when he wakes up. I need to change.¡± I ordered our attendant.


    I walked away.


    ¡®Krigsain is extremely dangerous.¡¯

 CHAPTER 71

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I was eating the delicacies Hazu brought to my room, orgon infused food and a lot of Thurskan. The door opened, Yun Hee appeared wearing a pure black Hanfu, same inviting key hole at breast level.


    ¡°Lord.¡± She sat next to me in my bed.


    ¡°How long have I been out?¡±


    ¡°An hour and a half, my lord.¡± She was being very respectful.


    I could vaguely feel an emotion of danger.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t ask if you don¡¯t want to die. That was a one off, provided by your Andurin brother.¡±


    ¡°Krigsain did what?¡±


    ¡°He gave me a concoction for an episode like yours.¡±


    Without the need for further explanations my emotions were all over the place.


    ¡°Sometimes we need to get burned to realize how close we are to the fire.¡±


    A more than obvious statement that freed me from my delusions.


    ¡®I guess the order is truly protecting me from something terrible.¡¯


    ¡°What can you tell me, paramour?¡± I wasn¡¯t happy with her methods either.


    She could feel it. Several grains of sand later, she spoke.


    ¡°You have a chaos root like me. Yours is larger than mine.¡±


    The feeling of wariness was felt easily. She exhaled in relief.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that is, you know.¡± I told her.


    ¡°And it better stay that way. Whatever was done to you is from the realms of the awakened not from the cultivators. This a loophole, let¡¯s not test our luck any further.¡±


    Her smile was welcoming. She started serving me food with the utensils very delicately.


    I ate in silence for several minutes.


    ¡°What¡¯s next, then?¡± I had to ask.


    ¡°We will go nonstop training your consciousness with the chaos root and the seed of Malgrun. Two hour breaks in between.¡±


    ¡°The blackouts and the headaches are massive.¡±


    ¡®Is this part of the hate training?¡¯


    ¡°Getting knocked out every time you get punched is no good. You need to slowly temper yourself and overcome the restraints you have. Practice makes perfect, right?¡±


    Yun Hee explained patiently as she imitated me with a smile.


    ¡°We are in the break time I believe?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    ¡°Ok. You want to play some music?¡±


    Her eyes lit up like the concert lights.


    ¡®Yeah, I felt it back then, you vixen.¡¯


    ¡°Teach me how to play Me.¡± Her emotions were strong and not on the good side.


    ¡®Caught you off guard with my proposal, huh? Your mask is slipping.¡¯


    ¡°Lead the way.¡±  We walked together towards a newly refurbished music room.


    ¡°Say paramour, I sense strong feelings about the song. You jealous or something?¡±


    She opened the door to the room.


    ¡°Rock is nice but I like your style better. And the answer is something. How can you write a song about a woman you met in passing first and not about the beauty from whom you took her precious first night?¡±


    She was clearly displeased.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just her, it was my own memories that are gone and my mother.¡±


    ¡°Sorry my lord, please be kind and show me.¡± She could tell I wasn¡¯t lying.


    We spent break time stroking keys and joking about Hazu¡¯s multiplicity for a change.


    ¡°I heard that patreon.¡±


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°This exercise is far more gentle but not less difficult. Allow me to demonstrate.¡±


    With Hazu supervising we were once again standing inside the training circle wearing cultivator cloths, Hanfus. This was the Heavenly Demon¡¯s place, everything revolves around his tastes and tendencies.


    I placed a cloth over my eyes. I was going to fight blindfolded.


    ¡°You can sense other people¡¯s energy or Qi to detect them but we are connected through Malgrun. More than just core energy, I can sense you, you can sense me at an incomparable level. You feel, I feel, deep. Pun intended.¡±


    Ikrei laughed for several breaths.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡®Good, you need that.¡¯


    ¡°You are trained in pure martial arts, grappling techniques and the like, right?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know about mastery but yes I am.¡±


    ¡°Good lord. Attack me. Try to pin me down or put me under submission.¡±


    ¡°Heeyoh!¡±


    We were at a three-cubit distance. Little lord charged in for a grab.


    Of course I read his movements easily and with a stylish parry I immediately put him under a double leg take down. He wasn¡¯t expecting that.


    Thud!


    He was perplexed.


    ¡°Lord, our connection is more than thoughts and feelings. You can feel my energy, the energy of the blessing. Wherever it is cruising inside my body, meridians and all. You can sense it if you want to. It isn¡¯t easy but you can. Undeniably, I can do it too.¡±


    I signaled him to attack me once more.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    He fell to the floor. This was repeated three more times, kneebar, ankle lock and finally a playful omoplata.


    I had time to speak softly in his ear too.


    ¡®Cute little thing.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯m really using open guard and butterfly guard. I¡¯m the shorter one here. Seems you have trouble reading my energy.¡± I detailed as best as I could.


    ¡°It¡¯s amazing really. I can¡¯t feel your core energy.¡± He was gathering himself.


    ¡°Soul contract pairs are scarily powerful. They can truly fight as one, my lord.¡±


    I let my blessing¡¯s energy explode all around the circle. That is in comparative terms, I had just recently reached Foundation Establishment stage six.


    ¡®The environment here is excellent for rapid development.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with basic blocks and parries. Feel the energy, I¡¯ll gradually decrease the external Qi, just follow and do your best.¡±


    We started trading punches. A fast pace. He was more used to feeling the Qi than an internal blessing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you Makgi while we are at it. Try to parry and counter my lord.¡±


    A couple of hours later he managed to predict a punch that used no external Qi, he detected my faint.


    ¡®Descent pick up speed. Good.¡¯


    ¡°How was it lord?¡±


    ¡°Ha! It feels like detecting the fall of a water droplet inside a cup with water on it.¡±


    We went at it for another couple of hours. Hazu started serving the special vegetables and orgon infusions. We had a small meditation break too. A phoenix and a phoenix raven mesh quite well if it weren¡¯t for our very different ideologies and applications.


    ¡°The Singing Phoenix is closer to an Andurin than to a Malgrunian.¡± Ikrei said.


    ¡°Yeah, she is an odd one."


    ¡®It is nice not to train with just Hazu or by myself.¡¯


    ¡°Now the real training begins my lord.¡± I stood up readying myself.


    ¡°Yeah I felt it a while back. What¡¯s the surprise then?¡±


    ¡°We are going back to blocking, parrying, submissions and grappling. You are not to use your demonic ring or the power of the soul contract. Remember the night you can¡¯t quite remember?¡±


    Ikrei stood up slowly, giving me an introspective gaze. He was sensing my inner feelings. I wasn¡¯t hiding anything.


    ¡°Is this going to where I feel this is going?¡± He questioned.


    ¡°Rise above or succumb my lord.¡±


    ¡°Someone said to me, there are better ways to tell me you want some.¡±


    ¡°Prove yourself first. You are the one on the floor all the time and we are not using Qi. It is not my lips that are wet but the sweat from your shortcomings. We need to fix that.¡±


    ¡°That was cold, paramour.¡±


    ¡°Cold as winter, hot as summer. Up to you, lord.¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    POW! POW! POW!


    Punch evasion, wrist grab, counter grab, side step and a charge for the leg take down.


    Lift leg, let the weight of body push me down on remaining foot, roll right. She missed.


    ¡®He, he, that¡¯s better.¡¯


    ¡°Try this, lord.¡±


    An incredible fast dash and I was trapped in a Kimura.


    ¡°Again. Don¡¯t just feel, know where I am.¡±


    ¡°How do I do that?¡±


    ¡°True witches call it the force, in our case, the Will and the Heart of Malgrun. Let the Will guide you to my heart. The gods are rivals but they don¡¯t hate each other. You need to fight without your eyes.¡±


    I grabbed a cloth that Hazu was giving me. Blindfolded thingy time. I set myself and breathed, back to basics.


    ¡®Inhale. Exhale. Release.¡¯


    ¡°Come paramour.¡±


    Seven breaths. One more furious exchange of grabs, counter grabs, side steps, half turns and full body pulls. I was manhandled, my ass on the floor, somehow. Ending up in a bow and arrow choke.


    ¡°See, your eyes can deceive you. The eyes of the gods will not. No matter, it is a delicate dance.¡± Yun Hee explained once more.


    I stood up once she released me.


    ¡°Are there cases when it is better to follow your own intuition rather than the whispers of the gods?¡± This was very important to me.


    ¡°There are times when your connections to the gods will be gone and even more, especially if you fight the elites of the empire. And no, the aid of the gods is crucial. In your case, the intervention of the Will maximizes your chances of success.¡±


    The explanation gave me a lot to think about but that brought another question.


    ¡°What about the Magi, don¡¯t they use mana and refuse to be bound to the gods?¡±


    ¡°Once you reach peak Nascent Soul your powers will start to change. Depending on your life, tendencies, blessings, and many more things, you will receive reality altering powers. Once an unbound Magi reaches that stage, well, they become extremely dangerous.¡±


    ¡°But then a Magi aided by the gods should be stronger, right?¡±


    ¡°No. In order to reach that stage as an unbound you have to be ultra-sheltered, ultra-lucky, ultra-talented or some strange compilation of circumstances. The one who walks alone is always stronger than the one who was helped at the same level of mastery. The unbound grandmaster Magi are amazing. They are the true fatebrakers. Your order is a pale imitation compared to that.¡±


    ¡®So that¡¯s why they were hunted, huh? They are still out there. The Dogran guy is proof that they are still born. Is Krigs an ancient Magi? Many, many questions.¡¯


    His plan started to come into focus for me.


    ¡®I might get to meet one of them one day. Wouldn¡¯t that be something?¡¯


    ¡°Enough with the history lesson, ready yourself lord.¡±


    Many more hours of practice followed.


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    I picked up the pace, it was time for the real test. Ikrei was holding up well so far. My Malgrun blessing expanding around the circle. Mostly focused on my little lord.


    An attempt for a right handed grab on his upper torso cloth. He countered by grabbing my wrist. I let him. I felt his joy.


    ¡®Poor little lord.¡¯


    I used the grab as a platform for a quick throw. I cheated a little, a small amount of Qi.


    I landed on top of him, he immediately went for my hands and arms. I wrestled away his attempts to free himself from my hands. I let him get a piece again, not without playing a trick on him.


    He touched my right bosom.


    ¡°You happy to see me up close, lord?¡±


    He was having a really tough time dealing with a fully powered succubus energy blast in his surroundings. He was a little mad, though.


    He quickly turned me over. His strikes had power, enough to hurt but not enough for bruises. I was blocking as fast as humanly possible without Qi.


    ¡®So kind, little lord. You get a prize.¡¯


    I cheated again, using Qi I looped my leg in a lasso style trapping his right arm. Before Ikrei could escape I crossed my other leg into a lock. I had him. My Qi exploded wildly with all the power I could from my malgrunian blessing.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡®Testing you, big dummy.¡¯


    Of course his Qi exploded too and he got closer to get away from the lock. I just kissed his earlobe. My blessing enveloping us with the aid of my continuously extending hair threads.


    I felt it, I was transforming. I didn¡¯t care what form I was taking, only that it happened. The big kahuna appeared again.


    ¡°You fail my lord; you must resist the licentious call of your consort.¡±


    He freed himself from the restrain. His eyes were a mix of many emotions. My body was already transformed into whatever he wanted. There was a reason the Hanfu I wore had a pronounced key hole, cleavage style.


    I released the energy, no more succubus compulsion. It was time for him to decide.


    Seven breaths. I remained transformed. Obviously our tongues intertwined.


    ¡°You require a lot of training my lord.¡± I spoke sweetly.


    His eyes filled with passion, like a malgrunian.


    ¡®Thank you for the music.¡¯


    It was going to be a long din.

 CHAPTER 72

    Hazu P.O.V.


    ¡°You can raise your head, child.¡±


    I was properly prostrated before the Madame inside her private quarters. With the order I shifted my posture.


    ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°Consort Yun Hee has progressed to the next stage in her cultivation. The more time she spends wither her lord, the more her chaos root will grow. It has begun to fully manifest. She is undergoing intensive training as we speak.¡±


    I bowed down again, waiting for orders.


    ¡°What do you make of her andurian?¡±


    ¡°He is suitable. The lesser god spirit within him is mutinous, impossible to bring under control without harming the host.¡±


    I spoke only facts; interpretation is always left to the ¡°Great Seer¡± herself.


    ¡°His guards, what have they done?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, they just watched and are watching the entire thing from the shadows. Not even a look of surprise.¡±


    ¡°Did you bring it?¡±


    I took out a small flask with just a drop of the strange concoction patreon Krigsain had given to the little miss. The Madame¡¯s blood tentacles spread through the floor retrieving the flask in less than a few seconds.


    She was inspecting the solution behind her barely lit curtain. After many minutes, close to an hour.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not overstep the Andurin, Hazu. They have sent them in good faith it seems.¡±


    ¡®Whatever is in the flask is of great interest to the Madame!¡¯


    I bowed down respectfully again. Nevertheless, I was troubled considerably.


    ¡°I can feel your uneasiness, child. Speak.¡± She ordered.


    ¡°The little miss is like a drug. The andurian oddity will be addicted to her before he departs from here. But she refuses to completely overtake him. She likes him, Madame.¡±


    I was fearful of the reaction from our leader.


    ¡°Explain.¡± Her voice became abrasive.


    ¡°If they are not training, they are doing it like rabbits. But break time is spent in her new music room with the andurian. She loves it, Madame.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Came a melodic voice, her anger dissipating.


    A new flask appeared before me, blood red liquid. I took it from the extended tentacle and put it away inside my ring. Extreme corrective measures if necessary.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see how things develop, there is plenty of time. Bring me eight drops of his blood.¡±


    ¡®The Madame is going to use divination on him? Blood ritual?!¡¯


    ¡°Excuse me my lady but didn¡¯t you say not to overstep the Andurin?¡± Nervous but I needed to ask.


    ¡°The Andurin order, little flower¡¯s toy has yet to become kotari and he is an exception.¡±


    Her Qi was manifesting; she was letting me know that the questioning of her orders had gone far enough.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be inconspicuous, Madame.¡± I quickly prostrated myself.


    ¡°You may leave.¡±


    I stood up with a bow and departed.


    ¡®Too bad it is the last night of little lord. The blood collection will have to wait.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ciel P.O.V.


    ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    Freslia¡¯s quarters were proper girly. Extremely surprising. Then again a deluxe accommodation for one without a sealed space is something to be expected.


    ¡°You wanted to see me, Claimere?¡±


    ¡°Yes, how is progress with Mikros?¡± She was being uncharacteristically pleasant.


    ¡°Really great, resources are abundant and lady Mikros is a great teacher. I¡¯ll be close to a tri-core by the time my kotari trial comes.¡±


    ¡°Never disregard the basics Ciel. Power, control, speed, intuition and the Will. Those eyes of yours are special.¡±


    Freslia placed a small case on the table next to me.


    I reluctantly opened it.


    ¡°Wow!¡± I was far more than just surprised.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The runes on the lenses made it clear. Runecraft artifact lenses.


    ¡°They will protect your eyes. Enemies will get feisty during the war.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t speak. It was too much, the pair cost a fortune, thousands of Ucra, in the tens of thousands kind of thing.


    ¡°Why?¡± I exclaimed.


    ¡°You are good Ciel, real good. That is why.¡± She padded my shoulder and sat at eye level.


    ¡®I wasn¡¯t getting what she was saying. You are good too, lady Freslia.¡¯


    She also placed a small booklet with many pages, parchment style, the expensive kind. It appeared from her temporal ring.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°This is for you if you agree to my condition.¡± More pleasant sounds.


    It felt eerie, so unlike her.


    I flipped over the first few pages. It had detailed information of everything regarding Krigs, abilities and powers excluded. Everything else seemed to be there.


    ¡°I can¡¯t accept this. This is invasion of privacy and that¡¯s just the starting point.¡± I complained with intent.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been watching the two of you closely for a while now. You like him Ciel, too much for just a crush. You need help and I need help. In the latter pages you will find detailed recommendations for the path of a sage and also a guide to your one-sided affair¡¯s heart.¡±


    ¡°People are not machinery; things don¡¯t work like that.¡±


    ¡°Of course not, but it is your best shot. Besides¡ª¡±


    Freslia showed me her right palm.


    ¡°I made a deal with the unruly one.¡±


    It had a cut. The type of cut that happens when you do a blood pact or ritual. It was going to take some time to heal.


    ¡°I know many things; you are going to have to trust me. You will suffer and it will take time but in the end, you will have what you desire. If you do as I say.¡±


    ¡®What?! Can you make someone forcedly love another? Is that even love? I don¡¯t want that! I must be reading too much into things!¡¯


    I just stared at her dumbfounded, not knowing how to explain myself without causing future problems. But I did have a major preoccupation.


    ¡°Why would you go this far for me? I haven¡¯t agreed to anything yet.¡±


    ¡°I told you. You are good. The good boys and the good girls should win, even though the world doesn¡¯t work like that most of the time. I want you to succeed where I failed.¡±


    I stood up and respectfully gave the kotarian military salute. I left Krigs parchment book and the lenses on the table. My integrity isn¡¯t for sale.


    I turned to leave.


    ¡°All you have to do is tell Krigsain that you will fight for his love. Then there won¡¯t be any conflicts with my offer.¡±


    ¡°I think I have heard enough.¡± I opened the door to depart.


    ¡°When you change your mind just change your hair, you need a new look. I¡¯ll come find you then, Miss Thresen.¡±


    I left in a hurry with my wildly beating heart.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Enough!¡± ¡°Enough, woman!¡±


    Her blessing energy receded. I had a virulent pecker ready for discharge under my Hanfu cloth.


    ¡°Your resistance is getting better, good right?¡± Pleasant voice, unpleasant imitation.


    I sat on my bed, we were going to start a round of joint meditation. Yun Hee sat in front of me in lotus position also, only a few inches away. The orgon crystals in my room lit up with the chants. Internal multi seal formation inside the rooms.


    ¡®I¡¯ll never get over the extravagance in this place.¡¯


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    The purpose of doing this was to aid me in managing the energies within me. The fire of Malgrun and the so called chaos root that I was better not knowing anything about.


    I felt how Yun Hee was redirecting the dark energies. Not much different from Krigsain or Ixur. The restrain of the contract didn¡¯t allow for memories or thoughts to be shared. She adamantly refused to share beforehand for several minutes.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    The pain from the interference was excruciating but I remained alert. The terrible punishment from my morning fights and the meditations were paying off.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    Another extremely painful soul poke. Every time Yun Hee tried to control the dark energy, it retaliated. The important thing was that I was getting better at remaining conscious at a good pace.


    I could remain focused for thirty-three minutes, give or take a few seconds.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    Yun Hee switched to the fire of Malgrun. It was done as a rest period from the pain but the problem was that my loins became heated severely. I felt how Yun Hee was getting aroused intensely. She was enjoying it.


    ¡®Ha, ha, ha, ha!¡¯


    I could feel her laughter, that maniacal sweet toned laughter of hers.


    ¡®Strong emotions sometimes cross over, interesting.¡¯


    When it came to resisting the desire from the engulfing flame, I was far behind. All I wanted to do was pound on that delicious transforming derriere. It is terrible to realize how much of an animal one truly is.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    We continued the meditation portion of our joint training for several hours.


    ----------------------------------------------------


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    ¡°Your control over yourself and your chaos root is getting better.¡±


    ¡°My restrain against your fire is in the cloths. You don¡¯t have anything to do with it, right?¡±


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha, ha!¡±


    ¡®Of course I do, you dummy.¡¯


    ¡°At least you don¡¯t run your mouth.¡±


    ¡°I could if you want me to, lord. This is your last night here, right?¡± I was definitively imitating his ways.


    ¡°I do wonder why you call me lord when you underhand my efforts with subtlety.¡±


    ¡°Everything I do benefits you ultimately, you must become strong to resist all things.¡±


    I placed my hand on his face. I could feel that the pillow talk was about to get serious.


    I let my energy expand. I wanted to cover him with the reassurance of the flame.


    ¡°You know; I did gain something in the middle of all your mingling.¡±


    ¡°What would that be, lord?¡±


    ¡°I can know when you are about to move your hand or when you are about to move your leg. I can feel the flow of your blessing through your meridians.¡±


    ¡®Really? That can¡¯t be, it is too soon!¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ve gone through pain and despair, dealing with pleasure is a little bit easier.¡±


    His eyes were intense. Not malicious, just passionate.


    ¡°Out with it. What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°I burn with desire but it is all fake. Do you actually desire me?¡±


    I placed my arms around his neck and nodded.


    ¡°Do you want to do something that I will definitively not like?¡±


    ¡®Guess I cannot lie or play the fool.¡¯


    ¡°Women can also be Spider Queens my lord. Whether I will be one to you. That¡¯s the only question.¡±


    He grabbed my buttocks with force. My eyes held firm, his did too.


    ¡°You are angry. Let me soothe you.¡± The blessing of Malgrun exploded inside the room.


    ¡°This is soothing? Joker.¡± He was aroused beyond control.


    He still had his wits about him. His feelings intensifying but all over the place.


    ¡°You want me to leave, lord?¡±


    ¡°Of all the little things that mean nothing, let¡¯s have one that is real.¡±


    His Qi exploded as well, the seed of Malgrun was resonating with my blessing. The transformation I expected never came. Even my hair remained static, it wasn¡¯t obeying me.


    And for the first time, without pills or chants he directed me as we interlaced. Yun Hee was just that, Yun Hee and my lord wasn¡¯t my lord but Ikrei, just Ikrei, the small time forest hunter.


    ¡®Burn with me or burn away!¡¯


    I could tell you it was nothing; I could tell you that my recollection was and is off. But I remember that night as it was and I do today, all the same. Even if our destiny was never a kind one.

 CHAPTER 73

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Day of Shimer, first day of the week. Fourth week of the eleventh month. Zunar kingdom, Xena hunting ground, the vast plains. Sunrise.


    ¡°Everything is ready.¡±


    I moved slowly through the ground looking for my last hunt. A fully developed core from a ragnar. The thing about this hunt is that a fully powered core can only come from the leader of the pride, a Ragnar King.


    Prides consist of at least forty members, sometimes a little over eighty even.


    ¡®You think I would fight that many?  Crazy, sure. Suicidal tendencies? Nope!¡¯


    The beautiful forest and the light would have made for a memorable scene any other day. I looked for the pride I selected many weeks ago.


    Kletay¡¯s, ¡°Veil of the Heart¡±, showing its full effect. The illusion that was projected was a Ragnar King. I was a Ragnar King.


    I was coming in for a straight up challenge to the leader of the pride.


    The problem with illusion magic is that it is just that, illusion. Transformation potions are too expensive for this kind of thing and getting close to a Ragnar King like I did with the Zurafins, was next to impossible. Kletay really did give me a great deal.


    ¡®Thank you, Great Zaftig Cherry Bomb!¡¯


    In case you are wondering, that¡¯s Krigsain¡¯s name for her.


    The artifact claws I was wearing were a little problematic. No amount of training prepares you to remain in all fours like I was doing. A one hit kill was off the table. No pride fight ever happens without being surrounded by the beasts.


    Even the fake tail I had on my ass was itchy.


    ¡®The lessons from cutting corners with the artifacts.¡¯


    The entire hunt was expensive. Claws for the extremities, one claw set for my teeth, leather armor with ragnar cub fur covering, a small necklace type artifact for voice changes and orgon infused pheromones for the smell. It wasn¡¯t perfect but it was the best I could do at the time.


    I kept going until I reached the pride. Many of them resting under the trees.


    I looked absolutely imposing for a beast. The resting ragnaresses were eyeing the illusion with desire. Seven days of pure thirst teaches you things at the feral level.


    ¡°UUUROOH!¡± ¡°UUUROOH!¡± ¡°UUUROOH!¡±


    Three roars, the call for a fight. A challenge.


    Twenty breaths. The massive Ragnar King made his appearance.


    ¡°UUUROOH!¡±


    His roar was massive, deep, guttural and resounding. It was extending for several furlongs, about twelve.


    ¡®Have to keep the illusion. Move like a ragnar and kill with a hidden blade.¡¯


    We charged at each other. The power of my forcefully created malgrunian core seeping. The ragnar I had chosen was a glutton for orgon crystals. He should be empty right now; it was early not feeding time.


    He was angry because of it. Dangerous and beneficial in equal measure.


    Heavy stomping and a two arm distance. The ground was shaking. The encircling fearbeasts growling and roaring in delight.


    ¡°UUUROOH!¡±


    One breath. Claw clash and heavy roars. The Ragnar King immediately went for his signature attack, Ice breath.


    Coldness and icicles forming on my skin. Right front paw, seven inches from my neck.


    Two breaths. Twist and turn evading the paw, I went under the one core predator. To the fearbeasts it must have looked like a mating position. Fake claw paw attack on his belly.Stolen novel; please report.


    The Ragnar King bled. He countered with his tail and a stomp. Another fake claw attack since I was trying to free myself.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    The rear leg stomp hurt but the real attack was his tail.


    WHIP!


    ¡®Move bitch! You don¡¯t, you die!¡¯


    The malgrunian influence was more noticeable now, after the training. I let the whipping tail hit my neck, exactly over my necklace. There were not going to be anymore fake roars. An acceptable trade off.


    Another fake claw attack, it cut deep into his under belly.


    Three breaths. The monster bit my leg and used his icy breath. The drawbacks of going under. The numbness of orgon fed beast is another thing entirely. Since I couldn¡¯t keep the illusion for long like this. My crazy and wild malgrunian core reacted.


    Using the right handed hidden blade that popped out from under my palm, I attacked.


    ¡®Very cool assassin artifact.¡¯


    I sliced his testicles with a fully charged kinetic blade. We rolled over in the forest. A mess.


    The painful massive roar came forth.  The other fearbeast wanted to come over and check, they felt something was off, most likely.


    Four breaths. I had to do something to keep them at bay. I couldn¡¯t roar and the ragnar was moving wildly calling for help with his roars. A strange idea became a choice, the dark energies and the fire of Malgrun combining.


    ¡®Either that or I was just straight up beastly. Take your pick.¡¯


    I bit down like my life depended on it and started eating the ragnar alive. Blood splattering everywhere, intestines began to pour out. The gruesome display made all the other ragnars freeze in place.


    One hundred breaths. Surrounded by the fearbeasts I kept eating the carcass of my previous foe. I was drenched in the blood of the Ragnar King.


    ¡®I need urgent medical attention but the dammed beasts are not leaving.¡¯


    I stealthily took the ragnar core. It was time for a desperate exit strategy. My left leg was not in a good state. I could force it by eating pills and infusing energy yet I wasn¡¯t sure if I could last.


    This was an emergency. At least one I could attest to with every fiber of my being.


    My runic ring shone its brilliant light. I was making a massive wager.


    ¡®Yun Hee transfer all the power you can to me, follow your LORD!¡¯


    One hundred and ten breaths. I transformed into a true Ragnar King. I ran carrying the carcass with me. I wasn¡¯t going to be able to hold on for long with the injuries and the internal poisoning.


    I stomped furiously making the ground rumble. This went on for an unaccounted number of breaths, I was too tired to tell, until I found a cave. It was not dissimilar to the one Krigsain had chosen when we trained inside the rift.


    ¡®Always follow the example of experts greater than you. Father¡¯s words.¡¯


    I sent the mental images to Yun Hee of the place where I was located. I blew up the entrance to the cave with several charges.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    ¡®Tell the cultivators that I need my boss to find me soon or I¡¯m a goner. Hurry!¡¯


    I took all the pills that could help with the situation and swallowed them in one go.


    Two hundred breaths. Vomiting a revolting substance, I didn¡¯t just pass out. I completely blacked out.


    A sinister laugh was heard from within me. Dark, negative feelings anew, the interference decided to sneak up on me.


    ¡®This is probably because Yun Hee was jolting, pricking and pocking it a bit too much.¡¯


    My soul screamed.


    ¡°AAAAAHHHH!¡±


    <hr>


    Y¨«ngr P.O.V.


    ¡°Everything will be alright.¡± I spoke measuredly.


    Ikrei opened his eyes and started looking around.


    ¡°You are in the underground floors of the Merchant Association, music man.¡±


    He was staring at the fine orgon laced walls and beds. This was a healing ward.


    ¡°What happened?¡± There was abruptness in his tone.


    ¡°You called for us, now you are here.¡± I placed my hand on his forehead.


    A small meridian flow checkup. He was expecting a more elaborate clarification.


    ¡°You have a very peculiar condition. We treated you with some celestial alchemical concoctions. You are stable for the time being.¡± I gave him a smile.


    Normally that would melt the staff but not little pianist here.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He was feeling himself all over.


    ¡®Why do men always check their jewels first after a serious injury?¡¯


    ¡°How long have I been out?¡±


    ¡°A day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculously fast. I was in Xena.¡±


    ¡®Glad you are feeling better, rainmaker.¡¯


    ¡°You require further treatment. We need to deal with what¡¯s inside you. The alchemical preparations will only last for so long.¡±


    Our little music maker was seriously discomposed with my words. He frantically tried to stand up or move. To no avail, he was heavily sedated.


    ¡°Breath in, breath out.¡± I waved to him.


    Several minutes later, his eyes settled.


    ¡®A reaction more congruent with a malgrunian than an Andurin, fascinating.¡¯


    ¡°We are partners and your music is becoming popular. We want you to stay with us for a long while. Few have a direct communication crystal with the Singing Phoenix. And even fewer can call her sister Ixur.¡±


    This time my smile was mischievous.


    ¡°Nothing escapes you, boss.¡± He made a give up gesture.


    ¡°Y¨¨! We will combine your treatment with your final loyalty mission. You are about to become one of us, Andurin.¡±


    ¡°So you know what¡¯s going on with me?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Not everything but be at peace. Your elders know everything there is to know. You are under our care.¡±


    ¡®You don¡¯t have to make such a face boy. You are safe with Mama Shadow.¡¯


    I extended my hand to him one more time like I did when I became his agent.


    He timidly shook my hand. An understandable reaction.


    ¡°After today, you will be a member of a branch in our organization. You will be the one hundred and first member coming from the Andurin in history. First ever not being a kotari. It is your honor.¡±


    I placed emphasis in my last words. The music boy simply remained lying in bed with stupefaction.


    ¡®You really don¡¯t know much do you? You are special kiddo.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s get along Andurin Ikrei. There¡¯s much to discuss.¡±


    Sidestepping many restrictions, I gave him a bird¡¯s eye view of what was going to happen in a few hours.


    Shock, horror, perspiration, you named it, he had it.


    ¡®¼´Ê¹Äã׃µÃï|¿Ê½ð¡¯

 CHAPTER 74

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°The Unorthodox Cultivators and the Andurin have ties that go back almost to the beginning. That¡¯s what boss said, anyway.¡±


    ¡®Ciel isn¡¯t going to be too happy if she finds out.¡¯


    ¡°All that matter is the well-being of the paths, the unorthodox and the andurin. If all else falls or burns, it matters not.¡±


    Hau Y¨«ngr¡¯s words were ringing in my ears. And that was just the starting point.


    ¡®Great Will, why do I have to go through this?¡¯


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­I don¡¯t know anymo¡ª¡± Boss had come to pick me up.


    ¡°It is time for us to go. Remember if you cannot go through it, you will die.¡±


    The elders sent a communication stating that I should not return until the training prescribed ended, this was all done according to their wishes. This was the last step. And since it was another ¡°emergency¡± I got to talk to Yun Hee.


    ¡°Be a man.¡± That was her answer, she didn¡¯t want to hear the details.


    ¡®Malgrunian demonic, what was I expecting?¡¯


    Y¨«ngr leading the way, boss and I, began our descent to the deepest floor under the Merchant Association Headquarters in Clariun.


    I felt lonely, deeply hurt, lied to, used and abused.  I was resenting everyone if not outright hating.


    ¡®Fuck, fuck, fuck!¡¯


    Going through several checks, various cultivators and about seventeen floors down we reached the underground formation. It was a place for rituals, the details of the structure and its workings were beyond me. No one was going to explain.


    Boss directed me to the center, an altar was there or was prepared. The entire place was barely lit, blue reflective lines, surely orgon based, infused or something. I waited and looked around.


    The formation under the altar began emitting several colored lights. Red, blue, yellow and even a strange color I had only seen on palettes once, cyan. I saw several eastern pictographs and symbols.


    ¡     ¸£


    ¡®I don¡¯t understand shit. Why am I staring at things?¡¯


    The dread of the immediate future had me doing silly stuff. A couple of minutes later several people appeared. Around twenty. Seven more surrounded me in a circle.


    Boss appeared behind me out of nowhere. I thought she had left.


    ¡®Shadow steps!¡¯


    The chants began in the eastern languages. I wanted to check the formation but from my position I was unable. Always curious about that sort of thing.


    ¡°Ku¨¤is¨´!¡±        ¡°Li¨¨qu¨¥!¡±        ¡°Di¨¤n!¡±           ¡°Long!¡±           ¡°F¨²!¡±


    ¡°F¨¥ngy¨¬n y¨§sh¨°u!¡±


    ¡°Kemono o f¨±in suru!¡±


    ¡°Tamash¨© o kaih¨­ suru!¡±


    ¡°Amaterasu ¨­mikami!¡±                                 ¡°¨­hirume no Muchi no Kami!¡±


    A spherical barrier surrounded us. The seven, the boss and a very worried and scared prospective kotari that was starting to regret every decision he had ever made. The chant repeated a dozen times, at the minimum.


    The twenty outside the barrier were pouring an immense amount of energy through some method. Boss pushed me right next to the altar. I could feel the energy converging where I was standing. My hairs stood by themselves, my entire body reacting with intense vibrations.


    The chant was ongoing. I wasn¡¯t going to make it.


    ¡®I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t. Fuck you Krigsain! Fuck all of you!!!¡¯


    The altar morphed for a couple of breaths and a small crystal cocoon materialized. It opened up revealing its contents. I was shaken, my body unresponsive.


    ¡®This is the day I die, I guess.¡¯


    There was a sleeping baby inside the retreating oval enclosure. Boss placed a dagger on the altar, an exquisite blood red dagger next to my right hand.


    I was to ¡°truly¡± kill an innocent barely born infant.


    The formations and the chants were a few breaths away from fully triggering. Once that happened the energy would concentrate on my body. I didn¡¯t know exactly how but I knew that the interference was going to go erratic, wild and many other possibilities.


    Yun Hee¡¯s poking taken to the maximum extreme. The thing wanted to kill me but it was prevented by the scant presence of the Will.


    ¡®Something like that, boss had to tiptoe like crazy when she was explaining it.¡¯


    It wanted to kill, so I had to give it something to kill, something precious enough to seal it back and put it under control. And this is why, the elders, my master, Freslia and Krigsain are a bunch of motherfuckers.


    The elders let Krigsain do what he wanted, Freslia and Akathos didn¡¯t stop him and his training released whatever was inside me.


    ¡®Left hand, huh? Fuck that shit!¡¯


    ¡°I can do evil but not that far.¡± The absolute bottom line.


    ¡°Gu¨¯r¨¢n sh¨¬g¨¨ sh¨£ h¨¢iz¨«.¡± Hau Y¨«ngr said something in a whisper.


    The chants quickened. The energy barrier became pure white for an instant. Thunder echoed.


    One breath. A large and flickering beam of lightning reached my body.


    ZRREESH! ZRREESH! ZRREESH!


    The thunder reechoed once more.


    I lost control of my body but I was fully conscious.


    ¡°Xiaobao.¡± The dark one spoke through me.


    He was attracted to the infant. I felt it.


    Boss Zither began playing. The return of the Zheng Zhen, hundreds of needles this time. The chant outside exploded in cadence and power. Like a wave of a hundred voices.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The music and the floating needles danced in the air inside the lightning barrier. The needles absorbed the power. Lightning pouring into them. An incredible sight.


    SPURT! SPURT! SPURT! SPURT! SPURT!


    I bled, it bled. No matter how fast the dark version of myself was, it could not escape a hundred divinely charged persecuting needles. It tried by crashing into the barrier for a hurried dash.


    CRASH! CRASH! DOOONG!


    It was painful, the bastard was transferring the pain to me.


    ¡®Screw you, give me back my body!¡¯


    A massive headache was coming on.


    ¡°Hundun!¡±


    ¡°Sh¨£ gu¨¡!¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand a thing. I felt it was some sort of bickering between the dark one and the boss.


    ZIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    The needles exploded like arrows unto us. More pain and more blood.


    ¡°AAAAAARGHHHH!¡±  A cruel scream came from my mouth.


    The dark beastly thing was exasperated. The needles flew at impossible speeds charged with divine power. The powerful cadence continuing outside the barrier.


    ¡®You are done for, darky.¡¯


    The seven people that were surrounding me at the beginning of the scuffle were frightened beyond reaction. They just stood there, like poles. The baby was protected by twenty lighting charged needles that floated around him.


    More running and dashing until a desperate lunge at full speed came from my body against the boss.


    Thirty-three needles crashed into the back of the speeding Phenom. We were pinned to the floor inside the formation.


    ¡°R¨²gu¨¯ w¨¯ shu¨­ n¨« sh¨¬, n¨¤me n¨« ji¨´sh¨¬, Hundun!¡±


    About or very close to seven minutes had passed. The dark one was desperately trying to free us, free itself. Since it couldn¡¯t, it attacked me.


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    The needles recharged with the chants and the lightning. They exploded inside my body with full energy, all thirty-three of them.


    ¡®Let¡¯s suffer together, you bastard!¡¯


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    A few breaths later, boss stopped playing. I couldn¡¯t comprehend anything.


    "W¨¨iy¨£ng!¡± Said the boss.


    Her needles floating in the air. The ones that pinned us down were retrieved.


    ¡°Ku¨¤is¨´!¡±        ¡°Li¨¨qu¨¥!¡±        ¡°Di¨¤n!¡±           ¡°Long!¡±           ¡°F¨²!¡±


    ¡°F¨¥ngy¨¬n y¨§sh¨°u!¡±


    ¡°Kemono o f¨±in suru!¡±


    ¡°Tamash¨© o kaih¨­ suru!¡±


    ¡°Amaterasu ¨­mikami!¡±                                 ¡°¨­hirume no Muchi no Kami!¡±


    The chant became all encompassing. Another intense and raw lightning strike on my body.


    ZRREESH! ZRREESH! ZRREESH!


    I regained partial control of my body. I could feel the intense desperation the entity was having. A few breaths later, I, we rushed at one of the seven inside the barrier.


    ¡°We¡± bit his neck and tore a hole in his body. Whoever he was, he wasn¡¯t able to scream.


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    Forced soul communion. The thing was transferring the memories of the one that was bitten. The entity wanted me to suffer as we struggled together.


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    Unbearable suffering, death row prisoner that¡¯s what I got from the memories. My soul was shaking, like being pulled in all directions. Another fast charge with a laughing dark one.


    ¡®Stop, stop, stop!¡¯


    Straight grab. He pounded the head of a woman against the floor. I forced myself, I was going to halt this madness.


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    More soul crushing. It was mad that I tried to stop it. One brutal poke into the eyes of the woman. Blood everywhere and more memories. It was so fast that she could not scream, just like before.


    A collage, a blur of things and feelings. More pain, the more it killed, the stronger the scent of death got. The closer I was to losing my mind. He carved the woman up, her insides became his food. My hands filled with organs and things I rather not describe.


    Macabre. Terrible. Enmity. Bitterness.


    ¡°You know what you need to do.¡± Hau Y¨«ngr was forceful.


    Another swift motion targeting the closest one of the running five that were left. They were screaming in the eastern languages.


    SPURT! SPURT! SPURT!


    Elongated nails making holes into a young man¡¯s crotch.


    ¡®My body can transform? Yun Hee was fighting this?!¡¯


    Evil, he screamed uncontrollably. The dark thing ate his balls. Disgusting is not even the proper way to describe anything. Memories flooded into me.


    This guy was a violator, a rapist. In a twisted fate, the dark one made me feel how the victims felt, completely unmanagable. Wild screaming ensued from me.


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    ¡°You know what you need to do.¡± The words came again.


    ¡®No! Even if I die, I won¡¯t!¡¯


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    With all my meager remaining strength, I managed a shout.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be like you!¡±


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    The screams were mixed with a maniacal laughter.


    ¡°IGREISH!¡± The thing spoke.


    Somehow, I knew what it meant, it was andurian for death. True death. He was going to make me suffer until I died. It really didn¡¯t want to die; he was just playing the part for the boss. I could feel it, deep down. Yun hee¡¯s energy training was helping.


    ¡®Screw you, friend!¡¯


    The one that was going to die was me, only Ikrei.


    The savage killing continued until only one of the original seven was left. I am not going to retale the horrors I went through too much. Suffice to say that I was internally sodomised in one shape or another.


    Despite all that and rolling on the floor occasionally, I held on.


    ¡®You are not that freaking Spider Queen! I will die for my beliefs!¡¯


    ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡± ¡°AAAAHHHH!¡±


    The insidious dark one wanted me to go through the ritual. If he couldn¡¯t kill me now, it was content with whatever the result was going to be. It would just eventually return to wherever, whatever it used to be before it entered me.


    My body became unresponsive once more. The darkness, the energy within the barrier, the formation, the chanting, everything ended in a convolution that leads to this precise effect.


    I was dying. Ten breaths, maybe eleven or twelve.


    ¡°Dangsin-eun na gat-eun hondon-ibnida. jasin-ege geojismal-eul geuman se!¡±


    ¡®Yun Hee?!¡¯


    A tidal wave of dark energy manifested inside of me. Yun Hee was taking over. The desire to kill became something akin to the realm of unconscious compulsion. The true art of the succubus.


    She was bleeding, puking blood. The nine copies of Hazu were helping her transfering energy. I could easily feel it.


    ¡°Ku¨¤is¨´!¡±        ¡°Li¨¨qu¨¥!¡±        ¡°Di¨¤n!¡±           ¡°Long!¡±           ¡°F¨²!¡±


    ¡°F¨¥ngy¨¬n y¨§sh¨°u!¡±


    ¡°Kemono o f¨±in suru!¡±


    ¡°Tamash¨© o kaih¨­ suru!¡±


    ¡°Amaterasu ¨­mikami!¡±                                 ¡°¨­hirume no Muchi no Kami!¡±


    My body moved on its own exactly where the dagger was and I held it at a striking angle. The child was crying. Yun Hee began sending thoughts, soul communication.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be great!¡± ¡°All in a day¡¯s work.¡± ¡°Moths to the flame.¡±


    ¡°Stop lying to yourself, do what must be done lord.¡±


    Our connection was so intense I could feel and see everything she was experiencing. It worked in reverse too. She was in the mirror room, her favorite.


    Seven breaths.  ¡°Ikrei is not a monster.¡± I said.


    Images and a forced explanation of what a chaos root is. Dark chaotic energy from the world, from the gods. Only the special ones have it. They are that rare.


    Yun Hee began bleeding from her ears. She jerked strangely, her body contorting into impossible angles. Hazu was desperately trying to help her. She had broken the rules of the gods by explaining things to me. She was going to suffer for it, grivously.


    The image of Yun Hee turning into something other than human was vexing. Horrifying. Her transformation ability was going haywire.


    ¡®Stupid girl! Why?!¡¯


    The only reason I wasn¡¯t in the same situation was the sealed space created by the cultivator gods inside the ritual area.


    I was completely petrified with everything.


    A final sentence from my bleeding and grotesque consort.


    ¡°No lord, Ikrei is my monster. Kill!¡±


    Her feelings intensifying but her control released, it was my choice.


    The incredible internal fight reached its peak. I was tired, evily coerced into acceptance. Absolutely abhorrent.


    ¡®I¡¯m sorry Teng, I regret everything. This is what you wanted father? Curse you, Andurin tricksters!¡¯


    I thrusted the dagger directly into the infant¡¯s heart. His memories, his lives poured into me. At least fifty of them. Joy, dread, happiness, longing, sadness, mercy, love, forgiveness.


    The soul within the child forgave me.


    ¡®A saint¡¯s soul?! Oh god! Great Will?!¡¯


    This is what it is meant with a true kill. You are killing someone¡¯s soul. In return the dark entity will be sealed with the power of the gods. A fair exchange ritual. The dark gods get their fun and the light gods deal a blow to an evil being.


    The power and the intrincacies of the divine aspects in the cultivator world.


    The barrier shone pure white, the energy condensing upon the dagger, the altar, the dying child and a death welcoming small time forest hunter.


    I didn¡¯t hear the child¡¯s screams. I guess my mind didn¡¯t want to process it.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± My impotent scream filled the air.


    I crashed down, I fell on my back looking at the ceiling. The dissipating barrier making strange noises. The formation remained fully active and lit.


    The chants finally stopped.


    ¡°We will discount certain costs from your royalties.¡± Boss appeared within my field of vision.


    She was completely unperturbed. Unemotional eyes.


    ¡°Welcome to the Kagemusha, brother.¡±


    I just stared at her while crying without a sound. Tears, emptiness and a feeling of betrayal, the seed of hatred.


    ¡®I¡¯m not a monster, right mom?¡¯

 CHAPTER 75

    Sochu P.O.V.


    ¡°Pour me another one, Sochu.¡±


    ¡°This will be number fifty-four piano man.¡± I was carefully watching him.


    ¡°Really, now? I lost count at four.¡±


    I placed the drink on the counter, Belgar Thruskan mix, house specialty.


    And just as the previous thirty drinks, it went down in one go. Thankfully it was not working ours.


    A drinking Brett Black on the counter would cause a commotion in the Titty these days.


    ¡°By the way Sochu, you know anything about the branch I belong to now?¡±


    ¡°You do? That¡¯s great, we have several. Which one is it?¡±


    ¡°Kagemishe, Kagemoshi¡­something like that. My mind was elsewhere when boss told me.¡±


    I stretched out my hand for a western handshake. Brett who is not really Brett clumsily returned the gesture and we saluted each other.


    ¡°Welcome to the Kagemusha, we are now brothers in arms. More specifically, brothers in the shadows.¡±


    ¡°Really Sochu? You run the supply line or something?¡±


    ¡®Small talk for a suffering soul.¡¯


    ¡°Not quite but not too far either. You¡¯ll learn more once when you are out an about.¡±


    The staff was keeping their distance. They could tell something was off. Brett¡¯s Qi was intense and seeping out irregularly.


    I continued to clean for opening hours as I made an offer with more small talk.


    ¡°You know, Kaen is a beautiful kingdom, you might like it there.¡±


    Brett¡¯s eyes remained dull but there was a slight fluctuation in his Qi.


    ¡°Westerner, Sochu.¡± He pointed at himself with the glass in a self mocking manner.


    FLASH!


    A picture was taken of the moment.


    ¡°Hey Zuwan, you playing around?¡± I asked our little playful hostess.


    ¡°I thought the lights, the angle and the pose is perfect for a cover. It just needs editing. One hundred Ucra for the picture, Sochu.¡±


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha! Always the deal maker, Zuwan.¡± Brett became very expressive with her.


    ¡°I always aim to please, Mr. Black.¡±


    She would give that picture for free, if Brett touched her.


    ¡°Fine, fine. If it¡¯s as good as you say, you have a deal. We will check later.¡±


    ¡°Say Brett, how about we drown those sorrows with the special drinks from the concert and some music?¡±


    His eyes finally lit up a little.


    ¡°Good, we are going to the studio. You play, we¡¯ll talk and something will come out of it. If not, at least you¡¯ll get an incredibly satisfying hangover.¡±


    ¡®Artists are great when they are in their creative highs and some are when they are in an emotional low. I was going to test my new brother here.¡¯


    ¡°Zuwan, have someone take over. Tell them I am recording with Mr. Black.¡±


    We moved to the studio, drinking along the way.


    ¡°You wanna join, Zu?¡± Shouted Brett.


    ¡°Yes! Yes! I¡¯ll be there in a few!¡±


    She ran off like a possesed porcelain doll.


    <hr>


    The studio atmosphere was lively. A deadly music producer turned master barman, a drunk, out of his mind awakened generational talent and an extremely happy, horny hostess were making a grand ruckus.


    ¡®The Seal of Amaterasu is upon him. Interesting, little brother!¡¯


    ¡°Zuwan, give him some space it is time to let our rainmaker make some noise.¡±


    I placed a special rejuvenating concoction for my new shadow brother on the grand piano. A half drunk, half inspired state is best when it comes to severe awakened improv.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Zuwan, move from the seat. Drink a little, there¡¯s plenty.¡±


    Relunctantly she left Brett¡¯s side with a pouty face.


    ¡®How the hell can you compose with hands on your crotch?¡¯


    Brett drank it all in one fell swoop. Three breaths later, he was in the condition I wanted. He started playing the keys trying to find his inner voice.


    It was time for a sales pitch.


    ¡°You can go to the Kaen kingdom if you don¡¯t want to stay here, brother.¡±


    ¡°A westerner in Yinshengan? I don¡¯t even know this continent.¡±


    He kept playing with the keys as we talked.


    ¡°A member of the Kagemusha is respected anywhere in the cultivator world. Besides, songwriter, musician and friend of Ixur Ember. No one will reject you, your conditions are suitable.¡±


    Sipping another drink from the many servings nearby, he told me.


    ¡°Ok. Talk to me about this great place of yours.¡±


    I began to tell him about a home, a home I couldn¡¯t go back to.


    An hour passed. With a reseated Zuwan trying to crotch up a soberer Brett.


    ¡®If his woman catches you, Zuwan. You¡¯ll be turned into flaming meat chopsticks.¡¯


    SMOOCH!


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± I shouted.


    The girls here, sometimes, are just wild. Zuwan began serving drinks and playing with the craftmics pretending to be non the wiser.


    ¡°Good try, but nowhere to being close enough, Zu.¡± Brett was nonchahalant with a smile.


    And with drinks, lights and a piano, ¡°Sinner¡¯s Lullaby¡± was born.


    I was reading the original lyrics penned by our new rainmaker. The piano was a collaboration, I helped a bit.


    ¡®A good work, yes, yes!¡¯


    ?Tell me what I wanna hear


    Sell me a desire


    Far away from here


    Where there¡¯s no fear


    Where no one knows


    The things that I¡¯ve known


    I care not if it¡¯s true


    As long as it is good?


    ?Can you soothe my world?


    Can you ease my soul?


    I¡¯ll settle for a glass


    If that¡¯s all you have


    Tell lies to me brother


    You pour me another


    As I swallow my pride


    There is no goodbye?


    Chorus


    ?Let¡¯s toast once more


    A kiss, two for sure


    The forsaken and wronged


    A little fool¡¯s sing along


    One shot before dawn


    And one more for the road. ?


    ?What are these feelings?


    They ain¡¯t coming


    They ain¡¯t leaving


    Some reasons for living


    All seems unforgiving


    Can I keep believing?


    Care not if it¡¯s deceiving


    As long as it is pleasing?


    Bridge


    ?You ain¡¯t getting what you wanna


    You know, no one¡¯s ever gonna


    The lines written for a toser


    You don¡¯t have to be this loser


    An open book is always broken


    By the hearts of the rotten


    Don¡¯t be me, be free


    That is, if you can be?


    Outro


    ?A late night lullaby


    For those without eyes


    The forsaken and wronged


    Come on, sing my song


    One shot before dawn


    And one more for the road. ?


    The bridge was harsh, way too harsh for such a piece. We tried a few variations for a little bit, then we settled on a skeleton version for the Singing Phoenix.


    ¡°Brett, I am going to play around with this. Rock will be great but this one is far closer to the current trend in Turgan. This one is going to be the ticket! You leave this to me, ok?¡±


    Brett was just sitting there fending off a lascivious Zuwan. She was red in the cheeks from watching her idol create a work.


    ¡°I am that kiss or two, aren¡¯t I? Aren¡¯t I?¡± She kept asking over and over.


    The fist ever Brett Black groupie was also born.


    ¡®She either passes out or she needs new panties.¡¯


    Brett sent the music sheet through his communication crystal. Since we had to wait for an answer and Y¨«ngr wasn¡¯t around it was time to offer a helping hand to our new shadow.


    ¡°Brett if you want you can really leave Turgan. You can really sleep peacefully for a while or if you really dare, you can forget everything. Even who you are.¡±


    Breet dropped his drink, he knew I was dead serious. My Qi was exploding inside the room. Poor Zuwan passed out.


    ¡®Normal people. Tsk.¡¯


    He was mulling things over. Ten minutes later he said.


    ¡°One more surprise, at this point who cares? Not me. What¡¯s the catch?¡±


    I took out three of my special culticrafts, a mix from the cultivator and the crafts of the awakened, and I placed them on the grand piano for Brett to see.


    ¡°The first drink will put you in stasis, that is, you will be asleep for months. When you wake up you will be in Kaen, under the direct guidance of the Kagemusha.¡±


    For a half drunk, those eyes were pretty wide.


    ¡°The second one will help you rest and avoid nightmares and convultions. You will be well rested, enough to think clearly. Of course that also means your Andurian brethren will take you with them. As a side note, the Andurin are watching you right now.¡±


    Anger, surprise, pain, a tinge of darkness. The dark energy wanted to seep from him. He said nothing but those eyes were everything.


    ¡®I can see why he joined.¡¯


    ¡°The third will make you forget. Forget it all, you will drink away your name. You can start over with us, forget all the pain, all the games and all the lies.¡±


    Many, many sand grains later.


    ¡°Boss said that one should never drink any of your special crafts.¡±


    ¡°My boss is the chairman not her. I work wherever I want to. This is your choice, what will it be? Face the Andurin? Live in Yinshengan? Start over?¡±


    ¡°Trusting anything, anyone is a nonstarter these days but I also don¡¯t really care.¡±


    The communication crystal of the Singing Phoenix glowed brightly. Brett smiled.


    ¡°Pour some other stuff, we have to wait a couple of hours. Sister Ixur is sending us a recording.¡±


    ¡®He truly is in the good graces of that crazy woman!¡¯


    Zuwan happily rejoined the festivities for the next hour. Coincidentally, Y¨«ngr arrived at the same time that the recording crystal did.


    ¡°Why are you bringing a hostess here?¡±


    ¡°No need to complain, she was helping with a song. I¡¯ll set up the controls for everybody to listen.¡±


    ¡°I see your rare specialty drinks over there.¡± She was upset.


    ¡°He has the right to choose. That¡¯s the ancient pact.¡± I profusely refuted her stance.


    ¡°Brett, you have to go back with your people. If you want to fully join us afterward, you can.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Black is joining the Titty permanently?¡± Zuwan had no idea of what was really going on.


    A needless tumultuous argument sprung up for several minutes.


    ¡°Enough! I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go. The two women I like said the same thing.¡± Brett¡¯s declaration brought silence.


    ¡°Chottoippai noma sete kure.¡± He spoke the language of Kaen.


    ¡°Oh, you are learning my tongue?¡± I was happily surprised.


    ¡°Just the bare basics for the important stuff. Take a leak and the like.¡±


    We all laughed loudly.


    I placed my very special drink on the table, the one that would allow him to sleep soundly for a day. My inmortal culticraft beverage.


    The music began playing in the studio. The skeleton version of ¡°Sinner¡¯s Lullaby.¡±


    ¡°When you wake up, you¡¯ll be back in Malaktaraf.¡±


    Happily listening to the song we drank some more until he finally closed his eyes.


    Zuwan stole one more smooch.


    ¡®Sweet dreams, brother.¡¯

 CHAPTER 76

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I opened my eyes. The ceiling typical of the underground training circles welcomed me.


    ¡°You are awake. Please serve yourself, you¡¯ll need it.¡±


    I stood up from the bed. I realized I was in the special training circles for the masters, the elders and the lords. A wide arrangement.


    ¡°You suffer from what is called post traumatic disorder. And that¡¯s putting it mildly. Your mind is making you sick, soul alteration trauma.¡±


    The main grandmaster healer of Malaktaraf was here, as with all the awakened in the castle, she was beautiful, specially her blue hair. She was dressed in her full healing ward attire.


    The tables were setup with plenty of things: delicate foods, strange unknown orgon dilutions and pills. Hundreds of pills.


    Whatever Sochu gave me was extremely effective, I was fine. The dark thoughts and the hurt, pain from the previous experience had vanished.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t feel like following orders or suggestions right now, lady Mikros.¡±


    She just smiled.


    ¡°Have it your way, Sachear.¡±


    The term Sachear sounded revolting to me, currently. She just stood there waiting, a four-cubit distance from the bed.


    The silence was severely uncomforting given the situation. I decided to speak.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°We are waiting for your instructor.¡±


    ¡®Instruction? Training?!¡¯


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see just wait a little.¡±


    Eventually I ate some deer and belgar juice.


    An hour later after the wolf down.


    ¡°A little late, I was busy and there were plenty of things to prepare.¡±


    The strikingly beautiful pirate patch bitch made her appearance. No cloak just the andurian training cloth, the same one I was wearing. It was the premium version, orgon infused runic fabric. Boots and gloves included for her.


    Runecraft.


    Another round of quietude occurred. A stare down.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you got many things to say. Today you will get some answers.¡± A calm and warm voice.


    She gesticulated for lady Mikros to do something.


    Two pills were placed in my hand. One for her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start with the clarifications. You are no longer under the risk of death but you are far off from being free from the interference. I¡¯m sure you are wondering why is it that you have been put through such an ordeal. The short answer is your previous lives.¡±


    She took the blue pill, swallowed in one go.


    ¡°You were and will become a chaos magician. A fighting hybrid version of your old and your current self, this time.¡±


    I felt the energy around the training circle activate. The covering of a time dilation, not too dissimilar to the one tricky muscle fuck used inside the rift. Lady Mikros was inside the circle as well.


    ¡®Chaos magician? What?!?¡¯


    The curiosity was eating me.


    ¡°Do tell, Freslia.¡±


    ¡°You will take the blue pill; it is a humanization pill. We will spar and every time you land a hit. I will tell you another truth. Of course this is only the start of the training. We will keep going and increase the difficulty until you are deemed ready.¡±


    ¡®She took a humanization pill?¡¯


    ¡°Maybe I can land a hit right now.¡± I whispered without thinking too much.


    Lady Mikros energy expanded like a warm blanket.


    ¡°Take your pill.¡± Mikros eyes were not friendly.


    ¡®Damn it! I had a free punch on her ass, maybe not, Mikros is here.¡¯


    Diffidently I took the pill. I didn¡¯t want anything to do with what was happening. Regardless, there was a chance to put some hurt on somebody and I wanted answers.


    ¡®I have a chance on equal footing. Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    Six breaths. The pill¡¯s effect became active; I couldn¡¯t feel my core energy.


    ¡°Heeyah!¡±


    ¡®Time to imitate a certain cute little lass to catch eye patch by surprise, maybe.¡¯


    I dashed to her position, I tried one of Yun Hee¡¯s takedown combos.


    It ended as quickly as it began, Freslia put me down with a side step and a Manji kick.


    My head was completely jumbled up. There¡¯s a huge difference in getting wacked while being awakened or being normal. Mikros was infusing energy on my head within half a breath.


    ¡®So, that¡¯s why she is here?¡¯


    ¡°It is going to hurt. I may be normal but my skeletal and muscle reconstruction cannot be undone. I can strike you like a man. Don¡¯t expect physical advantages. Iron Horse body versus Star Body, the art of the Andurin.¡±


    Settling myself up again. I gazed upon her with resentment and stress.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale. Release.¡¯ The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Second round. Dash, faint right punch, into the right flank and a left hand wrist grab. Reika permutation seventy-two, Pricks Krigs version. I was going for a pull and a finish.


    I wanted to hit some flesh, once at least.


    Freslia executed a hard pull back, full body weight down and another kick. A spinning back kick.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    I bounced on the floor. Mikros again. I stood up.


    ¡°Sheez!¡± All that I could say.


    ¡®You can do that?! Brutal pivot foot strength! How am I going to hit her?¡¯


    ¡°We have the same height, almost equal bodyweight. Lever principle, Sachear.¡±


    I needed to keep trying stuff, there was no point in giving up. Anger can be a great driver even if she was going all out.


    Third round. A careful approach, slow steps, close enough for an easterner style exchange of Aikido. Submission without hurting the opponent.


    One of the martial arts Yun Hee taught me, demonic cultivator version. Uke and Tori with a twist.


    PHOW! PHOW! PHOW! PHOW! PHOW!


    A furious exchange of straight jabs, head weaves, grabs, counter grabs and two handed blocks. I knew westerners don¡¯t really know this martial art since it is defense only. For once I had the advantage.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡®What the hell?!?¡¯


    I still lost.


    Freslia got close and went for hooks in her combination but the trick lay in the heavy foot stomp she used on my pivot foot. It hurt like hell.


    PHOW!


    A full body punch and I was on my back feeling Mikros hand over my forehead.


    ¡®Fucking games these bastards play!¡¯


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡®That¡¯s it, keep it up. Time for him to get a hit.¡¯


    ¡°Out of ideas?¡± I needed to poke his anger.


    ¡®Whatever he has taken for his mental stability should be running out anytime now.¡¯


    The humanization pill dilutes many things. Very expensive Runecraft alchemical products.


    Seventy fifth round. Ikrei charged, he wasn¡¯t happy, he was exasperated filled with all the negative emotions we had imprinted on him through his training.


    ¡®It was like looking at a young Eriel, some things will never change.¡¯


    PRACK! PHOW! PRACK! PHOW! PRACK! PHOW! PRACK! PHOW!


    He was copying my style, kicks and punches. A mirroring.


    I intentionally overextended one of my kicks. He immediately went for the punish.


    I reset my legs as fast as I could and took the hit.


    PHOW!


    One fully extended arm touching the floor for support, I looked up. He enjoyed it, he was happy he punched true. Mikros healed me instantly with a hand to the cheek.


    ¡®You need that too.¡¯


    I stood up. I started expounding a little more about the previous incarnation of Ikrei, Eriel.


    ¡°The Andurin are many things, some are close to being saints. Others are close to being demon butchers. The order houses a wide array of interesting characters. You were such a character, an overcomer of the dark path, very rare. The path of Tohuwabohu.¡±


    Ikrei was absolutely enthralled with the words about his old life. Also shocked and many other things, I recognized a shred of my former brother in him.


    ¡°Tell me more.¡±


    His understandable resentment had turned him into a demanding little prick.


    ¡°Just keep hitting me, Sachear.¡±


    Even humanized, his reactions showed the intent to manifest kinetic energy.


    ¡®I guess he is closer to his old self after the ritual.¡¯


    ¡°I don¡¯t like any of you treacherous evil bastards. Are you going to keep giving me the drip?¡±


    Ikrei was tired, pissed off and unsatisfied with my words. The effect of whatever he took definitively wearing off. A traumatizing event like the ritual can be one step too far for most.


    Eriel was not most.


    ¡°What If I am? What can you do? Less complaining and more training.¡± I specified evilly.


    I set myself up for another go.


    ¡°Fuck all this shit.¡± Ikrei sat down on the floor.


    ¡®Yes, that¡¯s it, get angry. The more used to dark energy the better.¡¯


    I gave Mikros a nod. She accented.


    WHISH! THUD! WHISH! THUD! WHISH! THUD!


    Ikrei flew up against the isolation time dilation barrier and back down several times. Mikros initiated her art that is very similar to telekinesis with core energy. She started to heal him up the second he was about to land, the last time.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice in here, Sachear.¡± My evil tone intensifying.


    He had resentful eyes. The deep kind.


    ¡®Just you wait, later on you¡¯ll be in a more desperate state.¡¯


    Many, many minutes later he finally readied himself for more sparring.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°How long have we been going?¡± I asked frustrated.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I wasn¡¯t able to land another smack on the one eyed demon.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, we get to eat after this round. Come on.¡±


    Freslia pointed Mikros towards the table. The dome barrier was wide enough to cover almost the entire place. One of two grandmaster circles in the castle. I had heard that the lords love training here. Incredibly intricate formations on the floor and the walls, orgon everywhere.


    We went for a round of grappling. My mirroring was pretty ineffective after a while, I decided to try a mix of submissions and elbow breaks or whatever I could get.


    Mikros was here and I wanted some payback.


    ¡®One, two, three.¡¯


    I tried an arm grab while being on the lookout for a counter grab, a stomp or a kick to the knees. All things one eyed demon had previously done.


    Failed attempt number three hundred and fifty, approximately.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Curses uttered, one hundred and twenty.


    My right arm got pulled after a very nimble double step faint. Freslia was on my back before I could tell she was there. Sleeper choke time.


    A perfect press on the carotid arteries, I was losing consciousness and I had gotten no more answers.


    ¡®That won¡¯t do. Screw you, trickster!¡¯


    One of the things that remained from that dammed ceremony besides my incongruent memories of other people and the suffering was the remnant of the sprit¡¯s transformation.


    Hard as metal nails. I was saving them for later but there seemed to be no later with the mad pirate.


    I pressed with all my might against her gluteus middle muscles and a sliver of her gluteus maximus muscles with the nails in my hands on either side. I was trying to cut into her cloth.


    It didn¡¯t but it did. No cut but I did manage to feel her body parts through the fabric, barely. Not enough to hurt, just the feel.


    ¡°Hey! How dare you!?¡±


    Freslia decided to put extra pressure but it gave me the split second I needed when she wanted to readjust.


    Thud!


    I gave her a hard right footed stomp. I returned the favor.


    Two breaths later, she released the choke.


    ¡°Huff!¡± I was glad that worked.


    ¡°That¡¯s a hit. You can ask a question. I¡¯ll answer if I can.¡± She said.


    ¡®Typical, always a catch.¡¯


    Adjusting my cloth and checking my body I thought about the most pressing question in my mind.


    ¡°Why?!? Why did I have to do a ritualistic kill like that?!¡±


    ¡°Because through the ritual you sealed the thing that was trying to kill you. That¡¯s how we can talk now and you are not bleeding on the floor near death. And your subconscious level of mastery of the dark energies deepens as your feelings get strained and they must be unto the absolute. Your memories, your lives will consume you and destroy you if you cannot bear it. You are singular. Well, not that singular anymore, your little cultivator firecracker is similar to you.¡±


    ¡®Wait. What?!? I am not quite following everything.¡¯


    ¡°I got more questions now.¡± Was all that I managed to say.


    ¡°I know you do but many of them are for your master. I¡¯ll tell you what you need, if you want more, hit me. My job is to make sure you are ready for what is to come.¡±


    The blue eye demon from the Andara forest made its reentry. Cold, merciless, calculative.


    ¡°Food is served.¡± Lady Mikros ushered us to the table for a munching.


    Freslia sat next to Mikros and motioned for me. I nervously joined.


    ¡®I came with anger, pain, resentment and hatred. Now, I¡¯m filled with dread and worry plus anger, pain, resentment and hatred. Shit!¡¯


    Freslia and Mikros ate leisurely. I couldn¡¯t process a bite. The time dilation covering remained active, a monstrous training circle, only for the best of the best.


    ¡®How does this work? How long have we been here already?¡¯


    Giving me that icy stare that is equal parts unnerving and unforgettable, she said.


    ¡°You can always leave and become a great Shadow Warrior with the cultivators after we are done here. But if you stay you can be a great one, a blade of Andukir, chaos form. In terms you can understand a Chaotic Shadow Magic Blade, a very special magic swordsman. There are few like that in history.¡±


    Mikros¡¯ eyes were the same.


    I gulped.


    ¡®Crazy bitches!¡¯


    ¡°Not everyone can stand with a chosen one. Tohuwabohu is also known as the path of the left hand.¡±


    Her final words sunk in like a ton of rocks since not everything was processing adequately due to the beating and my charged feelings. I was starting to understand a thing or two about the left hand moniker.


    The two of them chatted while I was left with my thoughts and eventually a lot of marinated chicken with Thruskan.


    ¡®Monsters, I tell you, monsters!?!¡¯


    ¡°Wait! Dark energy magi, the previous me was really an evil son of a demon?!?¡±


    Yeah, everything that was happening had dulled me into near stupidity.


    I dropped the chicken breast on the floor.


    ¡®No more heavy drinking.¡¯

 CHAPTER 77

    Sarkan P.O.V.


    ¡°The princess is here, Lord Sarkan.¡±


    ¡°Send her in, thank you.¡±


    Before long, the extremely beautiful daughter of Shakam was gracefully seated inside my sealed space.


    ¡°Thank you for coming, princess Asara. Would you like some tea?¡±


    ¡°Tea? You are finding our products unpleasing, Lord?¡±


    ¡°Da Hong Pao from the mountains of Yushan, home of the Emei Sect.¡±


    ¡°I definitively would, sage.¡± I served a couple cups.


    ¡°It would be a waste not to indulge in the delicacies that can be found in this kingdom.¡±


    I opened the floor. I was hoping for a little return courtesy from her.


    ¡°This is certainly something, delicious. Please speak your mind, sage.¡±


    ¡®Good. You elucidate quickly. A politician¡¯s daughter.¡¯


    ¡°Keep drinking this, princess. These cultivator crops are good for a slim figure.¡±


    She smiled a little. It was time for business.


    ¡°We are aware of your talent your highness and also the political leanings within the walls of Malaktaraf. I would like to offer a word regarding your future pairing.¡±


    She showed no reaction. She was waiting.


    I knew she would not react positively but at least she wasn¡¯t reacting negatively either.


    ¡°Which of the two are the Andurin leaning towards, sage Sarkan?¡±


    ¡°As you know, we like to have all available cards on the table at any given moment. And the best move on the board is for you to give serious thought to the idea of joining hands with the empire.¡±


    She sighed, a long sigh.


    ¡®Krigsain does nothing and these women still flutter around him. Beacoup de merde!¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll be thinking about this conversation.¡± She answered.


    ¡°I¡¯ll offer three other tidbits; first, you cannot control or manipulate either of this men. Treat them as true equals but remain guarded. For your prospects and the prospects of the kingdom, Isoray is the choice, even if he is an imperfect one.¡±


    She listened quietly without emotion. Properly trained in political etiquette.


    ¡°Second, if you are to pursue Krigsain it will come with more hardship than Isoray and you have less time. Krigsain will begin a tour of the continent after he is officially recognized as kotari. As your elder, you have to shoot your shot sooner rather than later.¡±


    She was surprised knowing that her timeline and her little games were in a pinch.


    ¡°Third, if you help us willingly, we have a suitable reward. You will train as the direct kotari of Eisvogel.¡±


    Her mouth almost hit the floor.


    ¡°The left hand of the Patriarch?¡± She asked timidly.


    ¡°Who else? There is not another woman with a chance to be Matriarch.¡±


    ¡°The Ice bird, the Ice bird.¡± She kept whispering the name like a mantra.


    After politely bowing, she left in a hurry.


    ¡°Will the troublemaker take her or will she see reason? With Krigsain new limitations in partners, the value of the princess rises up the tower. The game¡¯s afoot, Shakam.¡±


    I pressed my communication crystal.


    ¡°How are things with the trials of the twenty-four, Lukia?¡±


    ¡°Everything is almost ready, my sage.¡± Her polite voice is always soothing.


    ¡°And the estimated costs of THE operation?¡±


    ¡°Fourteen million two hundred thousand Ucra, Lord Sarkan.¡±


    ¡°Prepare the billing report for Lord Akathos Lukia, make sure he signs it.¡±


    ¡®Your changes, your problem my friend. Your charge is an expensive endeavor.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Pummeling, Freslia¡¯s version, was unimaginable. Far worse than it had ever been before. The humanization pill¡¯s effect that we used never truly wore off. That¡¯s because we kept taken them over and over from the tables.


    Whenever they ran out, Mikros brought out another batch.


    ¡®Insane amounts of money, beyond my capacity to believe the situation.¡¯


    Mikros strictly checking and supervising with energy transfers and recirculation of the flow, etc. All the damn time, not allowing for any mishaps with the food or the over consumption of pills.


    I estimated over forty thousand spars but I was no longer sure. Training seemed endless.


    I was in a lotus position preparing for meditation with despicable eye patch.


    I was on the boiling point, the kind that imitates a flaming arrow towards a certain blue eyes.


    In case you do wonder, Freslia did retaliate like mad for a while. Either because I called her ¡°mad eye bitch¡± or because I grabbed her ass with the nail attack.


    ¡®Close a few times, but no cigar. No answers, these fuckers!¡¯


    Freslia began teaching more stuff that had nothing to do with what I wanted to know.


    ¡°Your current core is consequence of your connection with your consort. It is not YOUR CORE. That will come later, but what it is yours is the dark energy within you. Soul Contracts are not supposed to allow you to bypass a divine level barrier for soul communion. That only happened because both of you share the same unique dark energy inside, and the depth of your connection.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    She let her words sink deep, simmer.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± I was shocked.


    ¡°Mikros went inside your memories while you rested. True healing is not the treatment of just the body but the soul.¡±


    More shock and awe.


    ¡°Yes, I can alter your memories and your personality if I wanted to, you are too weak for a fend off, Ikrei. Apologies. And no, there aren¡¯t many like me around.¡± Mikros explained standing impassive.


    ¡®Scary, scary! Poor guy, whoever is her partner.¡¯


    Mikros had taught me not to dwell on the gods that were interfering, least I attract more trouble. I needed to concentrate on dealing with what was in front of me. I begrudgingly did as she said.


    ¡°Can you tell me everything your little girl is doing now?¡± Freslia put forth a question I wasn¡¯t expecting.


    Even though I borderline wanted her dead, the eye patch did make her look striking. I didn¡¯t like the fact that I found my punisher attractive.


    Pushing away idler thoughts, I wondered if I had to answer with the truth. In the end, I did, I couldn¡¯t see the benefits of doing otherwise. I meditated searching for Yun Hee.


    Twenty breaths. I reached her, felt her and bled. I coughed up blood, just like Yun Hee did that night. Mikros healed me from behind by infusing energy.


    I needed a change of clothes, the blood pool wasn¡¯t nice.


    I released the connection once I felt Yun Hee¡¯s consciousness awaken a little.


    Thirty breaths. ¡°I can¡¯t really tell all, contract matters. But I can tell you that she is resting and is at peace. I think she is recuperating from what happened during the ritual.¡±


    Freslia¡¯s reaction reminded me of Yun Hee¡¯s when she complained about the song ¡°Me¡± not being written about her.


    ¡®Ixur checked on Yun Hee, now Freslia. What¡¯s going on?¡¯


    ¡°You just bypassed a time dilation barrier inside Malaktaraf. Truly incredible, a 1% probability of occurrence. Never let anyone know about it. Others will hunt the two of you down to the ends of the world, your nexus is the thing of legends.¡±


    For once, I felt pain in her voice.


    ¡®Remembrance? Something¡¯s up.¡¯


    The 99% awakening probability estimate of Pricks Krigs was right. A 1% chance soul connection materializing is absolutely otherworldly.


    Freslia turned to look lady Mikros in the eyes.


    ¡°Mikros never share this with anyone, not even to preserve any life.¡± A somber order.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡± We chanted after the surprising revelation of Mikros¡¯ ability.


    The power of a grandmaster healer brought from Lemuria that was momentarily turned magic mopper.


    The resentful blood soaked Ikrei soul communed with the one eyed demon for the first time. In soul communion the stronger party has the control. When it is among equals it is a two way, most of the time. Or you can force a one way through a ring, like I did once.


    There are always exceptions but strict conditions do apply.


    Freslia tried for several minutes to impart arcane knowledge of the dark energy arts. I could feel it. But it never happened. The knowledge just vanished from my mind the moment I could sense it.


    Our soul communion broke.


    Freslia was heaving.


    Mikros stood behind her infusing energy.


    ¡°It seems there are entities that don¡¯t want any resemblance of Eriel to return.¡± Freslia said catching her breath.


    ¡°The interference?¡± I had to ask, this was a troublesome situation.


    ¡°Exactly, we expected the ritual to be enough, a full cleansing. You had and have an amazing ability to piss off the wrong people, so I guess not. We will have to teach you the hard way. It¡¯s going to hurt.¡±


    ¡®Shit. Just my luck! Fuck you, old me!¡¯¡¯


    Mikros served us orgon based concoctions. We stood seven cubits apart from each other inside the circle.


    ¡°Mikros give him THE pill.¡±


    She did as instructed. Black, pure black, half the size of my index finger. I waited for an explanation.


    ¡°Sagecraft Sycophantic Soul Pill, goes for 500000 Ucra in the black market.¡± Lady Mikros described.


    ¡°This one is a special blend created by and for Mikros.¡± Freslia added.


    The pill I was holding was very similar to at least twenty other black pills in one of the tables yet this one glittered even more. That idea was starting to get me truly distraught.


    ¡°What does it do?¡± I stammered.


    ¡°It will aid me, allowing me to create a stable calm soul within you, full manipulation while retaining your gains from your sparring. Not that much different from your succubus, only tens of times stronger. You need to be at peace in order for us to proceed.¡±


    Mikros sat in a lotus position speaking, just behind me. Her cores exploding around us.


    ¡°I know you are angry Ikrei, I know you don¡¯t trust us. We don¡¯t care. You got that?¡±


    Freslia prepared herself letting her core energy expand as well. I was already regretting coming back with these people.


    ¡°Swallow that pill, it is time for you to learn who you once were.¡±


    I felt it in my bones, spirit, soul or whatever you want to call it. This was bad, frightfully bad.


    ¡°The principles of the Andurin are liberty and choice!¡± I shouted.


    One third angry, one third betrayed, one third unsurprised.


    I didn¡¯t want to proceed. My fingers were sweating while gripping the dammed alchemical poison.


    ¡®These fuckers always push me around while dangling a carrot in front. Enough!¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing it! It feels wrong and that¡¯s the end of it!¡± I shouted again.


    Anger, disdain, impotence and serious threads of hatred. I opposed it. Something was telling me I would change forever if I went through with it.


    A lively discussion took place for a while. Shouts, recriminations and counter arguments.


    ¡°I want to be me!¡±


    ¡°What is the self?¡±


    ¡°The world is not enough if you lose yourself!¡±


    ¡°You have nothing to lose, the order gave you everything!¡±


    ¡°It took my soul, my sanity!¡±


    ¡°You were dying!¡±


    ¡°I just wanted a better life than hunting rabbits!¡±


    ¡°And you are surrounded by exceptional people who care for you!¡±


    ¡°Care?! The spider was awful! The spirit almost as bad. Let me stick one up your ass and let¡¯s see about that!¡±


    ¡°You think being a Claimere is easy?!? There¡¯s always a price to pay!¡±


    A couple of hours later after rounds of continuous bickering, I laid down the hammer or so I thought.


    ¡°I choose to leave! Great Will, I choose to leave!¡±


    SWOOSH!


    Freslia exploded into a dash. A Core Condensation expert against a forced first core practitioner. The crazy woman force fed me the black thing.


    GURP! GURP!


    I retched, better said, I tried to retch with comical results. The pill still went down my throat.


    The reality of never having a choice. Disgusting. Nauseating.


    I landed flat on my back with Freslia on top of me, her right hand covering my mouth vehemently. The merciless blue eye was glaring menacingly.


    A powerful resounding shout came from mad eye patch.


    ¡°Activate the soul seal in this formation now!¡± Mikros executed the command.


    The floor glowed blue, strange letters and sigils illuminated, energy covered us.


    ¡°I have tolerated you long enough. So listen well, you are only as free as you are strong, does that ring a bell, weakling? What about the choice Eriel made? What about him? Should I let him disappear for your sake? Disregard everything that has been done until now? When he is this close to me?¡±


    She made a pinching hand gesture right in front of my nose.


    Stillness and a heavy atmosphere. I was looking around seeking Mikros¡¯ help.


    ¡°Perhaps you can choose a different path than Eriel, perhaps you are different Ikrei. But perhaps, just perhaps you really are not that different from who you once were. You just can¡¯t remember or you don¡¯t want to remember.¡±


    Mikros spoke from her lotus position.


    ¡°Alas, we are going to find out, whether you like it or not.¡± Mikros spoke once more as she gobbled up one of the shiny black pills too.


    ¡®What¡¯s the relationship between Freslia and Eriel?!? Crazy, all of it is crazy!¡¯


    I tried to free myself, a flagging rag doll, of course there was no luck. Many ideas ran through my head. Every theory wilder than the previous one.


    Freslia got close, close enough for a bite, almost.


    ¡°I want my brother back. You, twerp!¡±

 CHAPTER 78

    Freslia P.O.V.


    I was looking up unto the ceiling of the grandmaster training circle, I was waiting. Ikrei was lying next to me, sleeping and Mikros on the other side of him, sleeping as well.


    The pills had taken the desired effect. They were ready and so was I. I didn¡¯t need the pill; I was doing this willingly while Ikrei was going to be connected to Mikros. Just long enough for the formation activation to complete.


    ¡®Mikros wanted to come along, ever since Krigsain played that song for us!¡¯


    ¡°A soul grandmaster spider, a lesser god spirit sealed within him and now, he has access to part of his former powers. His mental, soul resistance is higher than most. It should prove interesting.¡±


    ¡°We are about to find out if Lord Akathos is right about him.¡±


    I knew both of those voices, they were at the edges of the formation getting ready.  Lady Eisvogel, the woman above all women in the order and Draken, my fellow Claimere in full ritual attire.


    ¡°Everything ready in the other training circle? The others are ready? The interconnection is working, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, to all questions, Lord Sarkan.¡± Answered Lukia, she was on main assistant duties for the day.


    ¡°You will resolve your problems this time, Icirl. We cannot be having an influenceable Claimere around in these times.¡±


    My master¡¯s voice was heard as his beard appeared in my immediate periphery, Stormbraker Burin. He was giving me a warning.


    ¡®That nickname never gets old, coming from master.¡¯


    ¡°I will master, I need to grow stronger and we need my brother back.¡±


    ¡°I will be the one controlling the Soul Orb. Everyone, please check your gloves and artifacts one last time. Remember the sigil sequence, it is complicated.¡±


    Lord Sarkan spoke, he was the leader of this ritual, magic convergence. The Archsage would not trust this type of thing to none sages. Just like the Patriarch would not trust anyone, outside of the great elders, for his crucial matters.


    A massive undertaking, eight members of the Eldership and the Claimere working together to help us.


    If I tell you the truth, a tear almost slipped out of the corner of my eye.


    ¡®I love you, my brothers and sisters. Forever soaring, AELZIR!¡¯


    ¡°Close your eyes, my Icirl.¡± Once more my master spoke.


    If you must know, it was his way of calming me down, ice and girl, icirl.


    Master hates the Ice Jasmine name due to certain cultivator fans dropping by unannounced.


    ¡°Lukia we are starting at the count of thirty breaths. Go over to the other circle, inform and check everything.¡± Lord Sarkan¡¯s final order.


    The silent countdown began. The Soul Orb in his hand began to glow.


    One breath.


    Five breaths.


    Twenty breaths.


    Thirty breaths.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    I heard blood dripping. I knew it was a wrist cut. The entire formation under the three of us would be filled with the blood of our powerful brethren. Two formations, I wasn¡¯t sure exactly how many were on the other one.


    Burin, Eisvogel, Draken and Sarkan. As Ikrei puts it so often.


    ¡®Monsters I tell you, monsters!¡¯


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡®This time it will be different.¡¯


    The Soul Orb, the Sagecraft artifact emitted a pure white light. I felt the power engulf the room. Activation.


    Two fully powered grandmaster training circles with sigils and a unique soul seal exclusively designed by the Archsage with enough energy for ten million Ucra worth of orgon crystals and resources pulsated. The blood of the Andurian elite and their souls and their cores.


    A magical spatial wonder, only replicated and surpassed by the dark magi of the empire.


    ¡®Note to self-22: Don¡¯t go to war with Bichmeyrul!¡¯


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡®Time to reminisce brother. Sort of.¡¯


    I laughed, I laughed wildly like Eriel used to do inside my mind.


    Ten breaths. A very special four-way soul connection.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    The Archsage¡¯s seventh wonder, Mirror World.


    Ikrei¡¯s final training began.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°There¡¯s chirping outside.¡±


    My head was moving everywhere quickly, checking my location. A room, a typical andurian room like the ones in Malaktaraf. This one had a wide window where the sunlight was coming in.


    I touched myself all over to double and triple check.


    ¡®What the hell?¡¯


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    ¡°Hey Eriel! We got to go! Did you oversleep again?!?¡± A girl¡¯s voice.


    ¡°What?!¡± Many thoughts and jumbled up feelings.


    Ten minutes of just thinking and staring at the window trying to feel Yun Hee.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    No dice.


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    ¡°The elders will spit you out if you are late again!¡±


    I warily decided to open the door. Not before taking a peek at myself with the small mirror on the wall.


    ¡®So that¡¯s how it works, huh? Well, I look better than you, Eriel! You haven¡¯t taken over yet or some crap like that, I think!¡¯


    I grabbed the cloak that was in a chair nearby. The heptagram cloak, the true cloth of the kotari.


    ¡°I would have been proud to wear this just a couple of weeks ago.¡± I sighed.


    I opened the door.


    ¡°What¡¯s keeping you? The elders are not going to be happy.¡±


    An extremely young Freslia was pulling my wrist, guiding me somewhere in a snap.


    ¡®Fast, powerful and beautiful. No matter where or when. Still treacherous.¡¯


    We kept going through the building and heading outside, a vast flowery garden was visible from the distance.


    ¡°What a monster illusion!¡±


    ¡°You said something?¡± Young Freslia inquired while still pulling.


    ¡®Is she playing dumb or something?¡¯


    ¡°No, nothing.¡±


    I was unable to free myself. I estimated an entire realm difference. I was a solid first core, all blessings active, so to speak.


    Twenty breaths. We reached the garden.


    A very soft and gentle woo echoed twice in the air. A black hybrid bird made his descent towards our position, a crow-raven. He landed on Freslia¡¯s shoulder. Glittering black feathers and dark green crystalline eyes.


    ¡®Wow, one of those types of beasts that are extremely rare. The magic type with strange abilities.¡¯


    ¡°Zaraki! Good boy, good boy!¡± She playfully caressed the bird.


    ¡°This is definitely some sort of memory crystal thing. One that can be experienced.¡¯


    I decided to probe a little since Freslia was playing master fool.


    ¡°What year is it, Freslia?¡± I wasn¡¯t sure of anything but it was worth a shot.


    ¡°Why are you asking such a thing? You hit your head too hard, somehow?¡±


    Her expressions were the typical girly motions that Yun Hee shows when she is happy. Nothing like the mad eye.


    ¡°Just humor me.¡±


    ¡®Let¡¯s see what you have to say, trickster!¡¯


    ¡°Is this because I am holding Zaraki? Woo, woo¡­you must be with your soul master Zaraki, not me. He gets jealous.¡±


    The bird flew unto my right shoulder and wooed again.


    ¡°Official calendar year, 9002, year of the Raven. You are acting weird, like really weird.¡±


    ¡®A thousand years into the past!?!¡¯


    ¡°That face isn¡¯t a nice one, Eriel.¡± Two people arrived as well.


    ¡°Stop the teasing. Our tester will be here any minute now.¡± A young Mikros, no blue hair just brown.


    ¡°Hello Basgram, good morning.¡± Worded Freslia.


    ¡°Hello my lady, always a pleasure.¡±


    ¡®Is taskmaster giggling like an idiot? What is going on here?!¡¯


    Steps were heard throughout the garden, with aplomb. I turned to see.


    ¡®Darin! No beard, though.¡¯


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Master.¡± I mumbled interrupting illusory Darin¡¯s speech accidentally.


    ¡°Oh! We have an eager one. I¡¯ll start with you then. It¡¯s a selection process, Elder Akathos is not your master yet, kotari Eriel.¡± His warm smile was the same.


    ¡°Woo.¡± Zaraki the crow-raven expressed his happiness.


    ¡®This entire thing is giving me weird vibes. I can feel this bird¡¯s feelings? Words? Inside a memory?¡¯


    ¡°We will return in an hour, the rest of you are to self-train and prepare for your turn.¡±


    Freslia gave an extremely energetic thumbs up and a waved goodbye.


    Unsettling.


    I followed fake illusion Darin into a nearby cave. The cave had underground passages, it was cut and readapted by humans, indubitably. It was more like a natural training circle with orgon crystals in the walls, two floors down.


    ¡®I see why the Andurin like caves. Pricks Krigs is the same.¡¯


    Darin placed himself in the accustomed manner for sparring inside the circle.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fight at your realm. Show me what you¡¯ve got brother.¡±


    ¡°Woo.¡±


    Zaraki started flying, gliding inside the circle slowly. Darin did nothing.


    ¡®What do I do? Keep playing along?¡¯


    After one minute of furious brainstorming, I realized I had no blades, swords or anything of the sort in my temporal ring. Only potions, orgon crystals, a strange book with formations, another one in summoning and finally a parchment style book with a one-word title in the common tongue, Void.


    ¡°He he, can I borrow a couple of mastercaftsman blades from you, brother?¡± I said scratching my right cheek,


    ¡°Sister Freslia is right. You are acting weird.¡± He handed me a couple of blades for me to use.


    The slightly moon shaped metal felt just right.


    ¡°You heard that?¡± I was a little puzzled.


    ¡°Some have extremely enhanced senses, others high sensitivity to mana, kinetic energy. I have both.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t share your abilities so easily, brother Darin.¡±


    ¡°This much is nothing. Others have even stranger sensory abilities. Need time for a spell? A summoning? Show me your best!¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure how to play the situation but the fondness from seeing Darin wouldn¡¯t fade.


    ¡®He got chewed up by those spiders too. Poor guy.¡¯


    ¡°Give me six breaths, brother.¡±


    Darin just accented. I prepared my blades.


    ¡°Inhale, exhale. Release.¡± I charged my internal energy to the best that I could muster.


    ¡®Just let your feelings flow and feel the negative energy. Not that hard, Pricks Krigs! Taskmaster bitch, drilled me. Let¡¯s try this brute force style of hers.¡¯


    ¡°Here I come, brother Darin!¡±


    Power dash, dark energy, chaos or whatever that dammed eye patch called it.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    I tried a few variations of Yun Hee¡¯s sword play but it didn¡¯t work.


    ¡°The control of your core energy is feeble, brother. It¡¯s fluctuating wildly.¡±


    Another round and more perfect blocking. Normal fighters cannot do this, their blades would brake plus reflexes and many more things. The awakened, another world, another life.


    ¡°First time trying this blade thing with my energy, brother.¡± I wasn¡¯t lying.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    ¡°Show me more!¡± He was smiling.


    ¡®I better not use the seed of Malgrun. Play it safe. Hey, Zaraki do something!¡¯


    ¡°Woo!¡± Like a flash, Zaraki charged.


    ¡®Beastmaster style tag team, go team Ikrei!


    SWISH! WOO! CLANG! SWISH! WOO! CLANG! CLANG! SWISH! WOO! CLANG!


    Zaraki was feinting with his beak and hitting with his blunted fan tail. Hybrids are precious and this one even more so. Pure dark energy, mine and his interconnected.


    A couple of more exchanges in similar fashion and I was starting to feel the need to kill Darin.


    ¡®The magic bird has many tricks, Zaraki¡¯s flow of energy isn¡¯t normal.¡¯


    ¡°Good brother, let me see a fully powered energy slash.¡± Darin gave the order.


    ¡®Good impression, great impression? What to do?¡¯


    In the end, I decided to try something new. I slashed downward with all my energy reserves depleting inside my core. I imitated the first form of Yun Hee¡¯s blade. It was far from the real thing but I felt like doing it.


    ¡®Dark energy, dark feelings plus a legendary soul connection to a crazy succubus. Recklessness a plenty!¡¯


    SWIIIISH!!!


    The cave shook just a little tiny bit.


    The energy blast left a small dent on the training circle, just a scratch, half a palm in size.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough brother, rest here and recuperate. I¡¯ll see to your brothers and sisters; someone will come for you.¡± He smiled and left.


    I sat in lotus position and took out orgon crystals, potions and meditated.


    Zaraki sat on my right shoulder again.


    ¡°That was cool, little bird.¡± A joke, he was twice the size of a normal raven.


    A non-awakened would have trouble bearing the weight.


    ¡®Controlling the energy is easy but more and more dark thoughts invade you. One definitively can turn evil.¡¯


    I took out a Thruskan bottle from the ring. I drank and played with Zaraki.


    ¡°How does Yun Hee do it? Training under the great consorts surely must have helped. This Tohuwabohu stuff is dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Woo.¡±


    ¡®What the hell is this place? An illusion, really?¡¯


    Zaraki played dead an opened his right eye. A signal for a sip of Thruskan.


    ¡°?One shot before dawn and one more for the crow. ?¡± That sounds about right.


    A human and a magical beast laughed together. A weird sound, to be honest.


    Zaraki drank like a human from the bottle, lifting it up with his powerful beak, he left nothing for me.


    ¡®Unbelievable.¡¯


    I meditated and thought about how to control the consequences of using the energy and what possible shenanigans Freslia was planning.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t have to wait long.¡±


    I opened my eyes from my meditation, stabilizing the flow of dark energy without succumbing was hard. Even more so with all the negative emotions placed upon me by all these Andurian puppet masters.


    ¡°Lord Akathos!¡± My puppet stringing master was sitting across me.


    He was slightly younger than when I meet him in the castle, twenty sevenish. And a clearer voice, I didn¡¯t recognize it.


    ¡°Lord? One day, we will see.¡± He kindly smiled.


    He took out his acupuncture set, the one he used on me when I first meet him.


    Zaraki flew away somewhere into the wilderness for a hunt. Our connection is special; I can see what he sees with just a thought.


    ¡°Please take your cloak and top garments off, I want to check something.¡±


    ¡®He is doing the energy checkup he did before. Am I in trouble? How does this illusion work?¡¯


    I was a little rattled but there was no way to fight an elder and I had already tried using meditation to leave this place. I did as he asked.


    The needles felt cold this time, my energy was stable unlike the previous time when everything was all over the place.


    Akathos went through the motions exactly as I remembered them.


    Twenty breaths. My current, future master¡¯s energy lengthened covering the cave.


    I was unable to move, barely capable of breathing. I was gasping and drooling. A second later, his eyes were barely away from me.


    ¡°You better have a very good story to tell.¡±


    ¡°Augh! Augh!¡±


    ¡®He is pissed or something.¡¯


    ¡°Who are you?!?¡±

 CHAPTER 79

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I hastily explained some of what had recently happened to the illusion version of my string pulling master for several minutes, close to thirty minutes. I wanted to keep going but he stopped me half way through. I was sitting in my previous lotus position silently waiting.


    Something about the threads of probabilities and reality. Even with Pricks Krigs¡¯s explanations, Akathos thought process was elaborated. Instead of summarizing and simplifying, the future lord goes into expanding and educating.


    ¡®A teacher¡¯s teacher.¡¯


    Two hours of walking around me and talking to himself until, ultimately, he turned to me.


    ¡°If what you say it¡¯s true then let me reiterate a few things and then I¡¯ll tell how things are going to be. Just answer my questions.¡±


    I readily agreed.


    ¡°First, I have a hard time believing you. Freslia and Mikros are involved? I am the master of Eriel? You are Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes and yes, elder.¡± I waited.


    ¡°Second, the probability of what you describe is so low that I can¡¯t accept it, yet. Sagecraft Sycophantic Soul Pill, you completely sure that it was that pill?¡±


    ¡°Yes, elder. Lady Mikros said as much.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check on them. I still don¡¯t really believe you but I¡¯ll say this, you have a unique situation. Tri god blessing, one main and two minor. Darkness, flame and the Will, affinities plus the Seal of Amaterasu, incredible.¡±


    Main puppet master trickster had checked on me further after the initial exchange.


    ¡®I am special or Eriel was special, what gives?¡¯


    ¡°I can tell you how all this happened if you can tell me a few things too.¡± I needed more answers.


    ¡°No! Your little story is enough as it is, if you are wrong, you could alter many things with your words.¡±


    I felt that the covering Akathos used while expanding his core energy was similar to shameless one eye, shining blue eye style.


    What I used to call strange powers at the beginning was clearer with my training with godly energy. Akathos and Freslia have a weakened version of the Will¡¯s covering.


    My new understanding still didn¡¯t explain how Freslia was able to kill or destroy stuff with the wave of a hand.


    ¡®Pricks Krigs has a stronger feel plus something else.¡¯


    ¡°If you are right all you have to do is wait. This reality or illusion will start to breakdown eventually at least one of the magnitude you are describing, things that make no sense will begin to happen. That¡¯s when you will have the ocassion to leave or the controller releases you from the so called illusion. You understand?¡±


    ¡°That sounds easy, what¡¯s the catch, elder?¡±


    ¡®Too many times already, you aren¡¯t going to trip me, puppet master!¡¯


    ¡°Here¡¯s what is going to happen. I am an Andurin, an elder and my loyalty is to the Will and the members. In this case, my priority is Eriel not you. But you mentioned Regressors. There¡¯s no way for you to know this unless there¡¯s some truth to your words.¡±


    ¡®Is this good or bad?¡¯


    I was getting fidgety.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to figure out things from my end. I¡¯ll do a special ritual with their blood and your blood. If any of the three of you refuses to willingly participate, I¡¯ll consider you threats, for there¡¯s no reason to refuse an open request from an elder.¡±


    Akathos instructed me to present my right volar wrist. I did as I was told, stretching out my right forearm and turning for a cut.


    SPURT!


    In a single motion he collected enough blood for a small blue flask. It disappeared into his ring.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°You are to continue to be Eriel and do what Eriel does, hang out with his friends. I¡¯ll be watching all of you closely. You are henceforth required to follow all instructions and summons from me.¡±


    I guzzled my own saliva. Akathos gaze was like a hawk¡¯s.


    ¡®Oh, shit! Bad, this is bad. Crazy eyes, crazy eyes, like mad pirate!¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about playing tricks, you hear, Ikrei?¡±


    He smiled.


    <hr>


    Following puppet master instructions, I found myself working alongside the reason for the current set of circumstances. Freslia and Mikros.


    I was to bring him proof that they were who I said they were. Akathos would do his own thing, of course. But up until this point, he had found nothing. Their souls are theirs like they always had been, not a grandmaster healer and a blade for war.


    In short, the two next to me were their younger selves in this reality, not the monsters that put me here. Allegedly.


    ¡°Sir, have a look at the instructions in the papyrus. The line has many people, one hundred and twenty. Be patient, please.¡±


    I was ushering people in for memory awakening. The secret process and magical ritual of the Andurin. The blessing of the Will, to grant the people the ability to remember their past lives. For others, the process could include full awakening and pre-selection into the order. The restrictions like age and the like were repeated continuously.


    The order charged a pretty penny for each customer, individually. They were making bank, in the tens of thousands of Ucra each time.


    I was in Katopr, third largest city in the Bilfrorst kingdom and this famous place, Orgis.


    ¡°Only Soul Merge, Nascent Soul or above practicioners can remember their lives without our aid. The Will is truly benevolent with the masses and the many awakened and cultivators.¡±


    Mikros expanded while guiding another person.


    ¡°The order is making a fortune by doing this.¡± I stated a fact.


    ¡°A good deed is a good deed. Nothing wrong from benefiting.¡± Freslia interjected preparing more papyrus handouts.


    Orgis was composed of six grand buildings, placed inside a circle formation. Their walls, white and adorned with gold, carbuncle, onyx, jasper, diamonds with dozens of underground floors each. All this with bridges, artifact lamps and a harmonious design that matched the forest that surrounded it.


    Six buildings, sixth day the week. The day of Io?l and all that.


    Orgis closes down public service that day, only for the order.


    We were at the bridge of the main building that was opened to the public.


    ¡°Why is this thing built here? Shouldn¡¯t it be in Kotar?¡± I asked out of extreme curiosity.


    ¡°You did hit that head pretty bad, huh?¡± Freslia padded me in the head.


    ¡°There are plenty of unorthodox, zurians, even people from the empire applying their craft here. Proselitizing efforts are high with and by the zurians. Plenty of political underpinnings.¡±


    Mikros words opened up my understanding.


    ¡®The Andurin try to get along with everyone but will mercilessly strike back, be it friend or foe if something¡¯s off.¡¯


    I gulped again, Akathos considered me some kind of foe.


    With the last of the papyrus delivered, we headed for a brunch. I was starving and I wanted more info from the untrusthworthy cherry bomb duo.


    The dinning halls were top notch, far more luxurious than anything in Malaktaraf. Everything was orgon crystal or gold, even an ipsrum knife for certain beasts¡¯ meats to retain flavor.


    ¡°So, you are really going to go out with Basgram, sister?¡± Mikros passed the wine around.


    ¡°A man¡¯s man, why not?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes and ears, Freslia was fawning over a guy.


    ¡®Your acting is incredible! Either that or this is Ciel taken up a couple of notches and the Basgram guy is the power rod.¡¯


    ¡°Where is he? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to join?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Training Eriel, unlike you he puts in murderous hours. I can¡¯t believe you were selected instead of me!¡± Freslia was sulky.


    ¡°If we are fighting at the same realm, I think I can take you.¡± I wasn¡¯t going to back down.


    ¡°Ohh. What¡¯s gotten into this guy?¡± Mikros was smiling, I had no idea why.


    ¡°Hype, you are pure hype. Cause it is all, hypothetical.¡± Freslia countered.


    Mikros slammed the table with a laugh.


    More eating and many silly questions until I popped one of my many real probes.


    ¡°Say, Fresie, how long have we known each other?¡±


    ¡°Fresie?! You hearing this guy, Mikry? I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t hear that.¡±


    Freslia stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth.


    ¡°Zaraki!!!¡±


    The crazy bird acquiesced to Freslia¡¯s call. He was targeting the top of my head.


    SWOOSH.  The fly by missed by a quarter finger, we were connected after all. He landed on the table and started eating an apple.


    ¡°I¡¯m your soul master, what are you doing?!¡±


    He just turned and gave me a right lateral flexion with those green eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt Freslia.¡± That was what the delirious bird said.


    ¡®She started it. I¡¯m Ikrei, you know this, crazy feather!¡¯


    A left lateral flexion from wild beak, I felt the rebuke.


    ¡°You crazy!¡±


    ¡®Never argue with fools and drunkards. Add Thurskan drinking hybrid magic birds to that list.¡¯


    ¡°Serves you right. You don¡¯t say that to the one who has been together with you since the two of you entered the order.¡± Mikros placed her hand on my forehead.


    Three breaths.


    ¡°He seems okay sis, he is just weird.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up? You have a girl, don¡¯t you?!¡± Freslia nugged and pressed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t, your asses are the only ones I know around here.¡± I still wasn¡¯t backing down.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about putting your hands on mine, just saying.¡± Mikros stated a joke that wasn¡¯t truly a joke.


    ¡°Beautiful as you are even with blue hair, you are a hard pass.¡±


    ¡°Blue?! Hey yo¡ª¡± A complaint that would never come.


    ¡°It is time to go, Eriel, master¡¯s waiting.¡±


    With no real new info except that we were really close, I headed with Darin and Zaraki towards the underground training ground in the fourth Orgis building.


    ¡°Go, go, go darky!¡± Freslia waved away joyfully.


    ¡®Can¡¯t get used to this dammed illusion!¡¯

 CHAPTER 80

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Mirror World. Day of Io?l, fourth week of the tenth month, year 9002.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    I was standing inside a formation, one of the underground floors of Orgis. Darin didn¡¯t let me see how we had arrived to the place. It was all very secretive.


    Thirty breaths.


    Akathos appeared wearing the standard ceremonial cloak of the elders. Once he was at arms length, he began speaking.


    ¡°Eriel, I have confirmed through the blood samples that you are almost certainly speaking the truth. You are different, Mikros and Freslia are as well. So there are certain things that we are going to do. And I want you to remember that whatever happens, I am trying to help you.¡±


    The floor lit up, revealing people surrounding the formation in a circle. I didn¡¯t recognize any of them. Then power steps, almost thunderous.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    ¡°We are allowing your suggestion to proceed Akathos, you have twenty-seven hours. Don¡¯t disappoint us.¡±


    Tall, white beard, olive skin and deep almost silver colored eyes. An old monster, the terrifying kind.


    ¡®Freslia¡¯s master!¡¯


    ¡°Stormbraker, Burin!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but speak with surprise and preoccupation.


    Akathos and Burin shared glances.


    ¡°See, he knows you and he shouldn¡¯t. Everyone begin preparations immediately!¡± Akathos gave an order.


    Akathos sat in lotus position right in front of me, right in the center of the formation. With a slight nod I understood and did likewise. Being surrounded by the many unknowns and Burin I wasn¡¯t going to play rebel.


    Akathos placed two pills and several drinks, twelve of unrecognizable materials in front of us.


    ¡°Let me be completely clear. This situation is anything but good. You are going to take these two pills here and half of the concoctions. This was a hasty impromptu, sorry, Ikrei.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t too shocked; the cat was out of the bag.


    ¡°What happens now?¡± The obvious question.


    ¡°We soul commune Ikrei and we get to figure out exactly what is going on. We want Eriel back but this is your one and only shot at getting out of this, unscathed. Please be understanding, fake world?  Freslia isn¡¯t Freslia? Mikros isn¡¯t Mikros? And you are here!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t understand their point of view.


    ¡®This shit is bonkers!¡¯


    The thirty or so Andurin were feverishly preparing the formation. It reminded me of the dammed ritual.


    The place was even more intricate and elaborate than the one the cultivators had. Orgon, jewels and formations upon formations. Whatever was getting activated was going to be humongous.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Zaraki?¡±


    ¡°Darin took him; he is faster than Eriel¡¯s bird.¡± Akathos seemed proud of that.


    ¡°Elder, excuse me, do we need all these preparations so that you can soul commune, a little over the top, right?¡±


    He smiled. The smile he gave me when I originally met him, a little disarming.


    ¡°We are going to Eriel¡¯s training ground and we are going to push it. If you are truly the manifestation of future probability, you need to be helped not eliminated. I¡¯ll determine that. Since I am the only elder in the order that is close enough to your type. Things are going to get crazy, Ikrei.¡±


    ¡®Note to self-5: Akathos is warm and gentle with threats. Scaaaaryyyy!¡¯


    ¡°What happens to Freslia and Mikros?¡± I stuttered.


    ¡°Nothing for now, they are being tailed, you are the oddity, tri core blessing. I thought I was odd. We got thirty minutes let me tell you in general terms what is going to happen.¡±


    The longest and scariest thirty minutes of my life began.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Mirror World. Day of Io?l, fourth week of the tenth month, year 9002.


    ¡°You have been quite a surprise my lady, I wasn¡¯t expecting such an approach.¡±


    ¡°Seize the day, seize the day, Basgram!¡± I was uncharacteristically bold for the young me.


    Walking down the main streets of Katopr was hard. Too many memories, too many feelings. The stalls and the lights were exactly as I remembered them. Even down to the little guy selling bread. I decided to head over to his basket.


    ¡®I¡¯ve missed you, my young lad.¡¯


    ¡°Hello kid, how are you?¡± I saluted my old acquaintance.


    ¡°Hello my lady, beautiful, radiant.¡± He handed me a couple of choice breads from his basket.


    ¡°Five Ucra, my lady.¡±


    ¡°I got it, Freslia.¡± Basgram paid the kid with a little hesitation.


    Five Ucra for two pieces of bread from a basket in a corner without a stall is steep. But I wasn¡¯t here for the bread, just for the kid. The kid and his words.


    I bended a knee for him to place myself at eye level.


    ¡°So, what will you say to me today, huh?¡± A welcoming gesture followed.


    ¡°There once was a man who was trapped inside a grand castle with four massive walls around him with wards, guards and formations. As the great master he was, he spent years trying and devising until one day, he escaped. Then he went to live in a small town away from everyone he ever knew.¡±


    As he was telling the story he gave a couple more pieces.


    ¡®Yummy, I missed this taste.¡¯


    ¡°In time, scavengers and mercenaries lead by powerful brigands crossed paths with the townsfolk. A town burning, lottering, stealing and raping began. The great man fought valiantly to save as many as he could and many he did save. Sadly, he fell, he fell on the verge of death. The little girl he had taken in came running, shouting, suffering, looking for help. Help that would never come.¡±


    This tale is terrible kid; you need help? Are you nuts?¡± Basgram put a word in.


    ¡°Let him finish, Bas.¡± I held his hand, Basgram backed down.


    ¡°The little girl asked the man why he didn¡¯t run away with her? What was so precious that he had to fight to the death with people more powerful than him? You asked me to protect this place remember? Pinky promise. That¡¯s all he managed to say before he died.¡±


    Basgram was mad, a ruse, that¡¯s all that he thought. His energy wanted to leak out. The kid gave me another bread.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    I was waiting, waiting for whatever punchline he would give. I was on edge.


    ¡°You are the same as that man. Your own heart holds you captive. A very long time ago, wasn¡¯t that little girl named Karis?¡±


    ¡®There it is; you are not just a boy. Who are you or who were you?¡¯


    ¡°I think we have had enough of this charlatan Freslia.¡±


    I gave the boy ten Ucra. It wouldn¡¯t matter anyhow. He waved goodbye.


    ¡°How much do you love me, Basgram?¡±


    We began walking among the people again, a bustling picturesque time.


    ¡°Enough to save the world or to destroy it if brings me the whole of you.¡±


    I grabbed his hand and pulled without glancing back. A carefree smile and a hard dash, things were about to get wild. You are not supposed to use awakened powers in the midst of common people for simple matters but this wasn¡¯t simple and I was dead serious.


    ¡°Freslia, wait!¡±


    Basgram¡¯s eyes were full of intrigue. I knew he was smiling within himself.


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOM!


    ¡°Watch out! ¡°Crazy pair!¡± ¡°Knights! Knights!¡±


    The stalls went flying, produce, vegetables, ornaments, toys, food scattered all over the streets and on top of the heads of many vendors, dripping liquids.


    ¡°Catch them!¡± ¡°Catch them!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let them get away!¡± Guards, guards!!¡±


    I sped up some more. Avair¡¯s personal modified art. Star steps, second core version.


    ZOOOOOOOOM!


    ¡°FREEEEESLIIIAAAAAA¡± Basgram screams were noteworthy.


    ¡°Girls just want to have fun!¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We had finished soul communing ten breaths ago.


    The results were not good. Akathos searched my memories and the findings were as follows:


    Akathos wanted to retest everything once we were soul transferred through the formation.


    Akathos believed me but he wanted Eriel back, I either do this or its curtains and Burin takes me, whatever happens, happens.


    My previous lives memories were nonexistent. An oblivion seal.


    The seal of Amaterasu is extremely powerful.


    He was going to give me one chance, he was going to train me just in case this was the correct choice for the future.


    Nothing has prepared me for what outer darkness truly is.


    By going to a different plane, they will determine the extent of the illusion. You are not supposed to transfer to another plane through illusion magic. If it is an illusion we will be back here, if not, I¡¯m in trouble.


    If I make it or not was dependent only on my performance, probabilities of success less than 7%.


    Remember, Eriel¡¯s training ground before Akathos, two awakened lives prior to me.


    ¡®I¡¯m not afraid, you are afraid, I am not afraid!¡¯


    ¡°So, Ikrei, you go it?¡± Akathos was confirming that I knew where I stood.


    ¡°We are going to Outer darkness and figure out all this fake world business. And in case we can¡¯t break the fake world, we will stay there and train. Either I become the conqueror or the one conquered., That about, right?¡±


    ¡°More or less, yes. Please take the alchemical dilutions in the proper order, we are about to begin. Silent count everybody, fifty breaths!¡±


    I did as it was explained to me. I drank the stuff, it tasted horrible, so lots of gulping. And finally the pills in the prescribed order. Soul stabilizers, heavy sedatives and some very special psychedelic mix. Preparations for true astral projection.


    The chants and the sigils and blood were filling the large formation, thirty people participating. Burin guarding proceedings.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    Blood began dripping into the formation


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    Ten breaths. I was scared a little.


    ¡®Fucking Freslia! Why?! Why am I trapped in the lives of others?!¡¯


    ¡°Focus, Ikrei.¡± Akathos placed his index finger on my forehead. The same type of poking that Yun Hee did, only far more controlled but same energy. I calmed down.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    Twenty breaths. It was time. Akathos took a pill. We touched palms just as he explained. The energy of the entire formation was converging on the two of us. At least four times stronger than in the ritual.


    It felt like being energized by a thousand rays of light. Elation.


    ¡®What the hell is this place? Oh my god!¡¯


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡± We chanted and what was explained to me transpired.


    ¡®No explanation prepares you for this!¡¯


    Two elders stood right behind each one of us.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    Forty-five breaths.


    Our souls fused into one.  Akathos being playing superviser, I remained under control. Our bodies fell back, received by the pair of elders.


    The formation shone a blinding light, a transparent dome became visible, the conflagration of energies activating. The dome shone as well.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH!¡±


    Fifty breaths. We shot like a beam of light into a multicolored tunnel on top of us. The access to the realms beyond the world.


    Did I scream even in soul form? What do you think?


    The ray of light we had become disappeared upon contact with the tunnel of energy.


    ZHEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHZH!


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Katopr. The Jasmine Twilight Luxury Camere, Fourth Royal Suite. Thirtieth floor. Fifteen minutes after sundown.


    I was overlooking the entire city through the magic strengthened glass window, everyone seemed so small. I had always wanted to come here for my first night in this life. The clothes were far from what I deemed, proper Freslia, but the constraints were unavoidable.


    The perfect place for absolute seclusion and largesse at the same time. Wards, formations, crystals, art, magic beast sheets, three different rooms with their themes plus liquor, flowers and ambiance music. The best this world can offer for a night.


    Twenty thousand Ucra.  A lovely slow paced rendition of Road to Lemuria was playing.


    ¡°I cannot believe we are here.¡± A beaming Basgram was behind me.


    ¡°I cannot believe I am doing this.¡± The words came exactly as I wanted, perfect intonation.


    Basgram embraced me trapping my waist from his position.


    ¡°Be gentle.¡± A whisper, barely audible.


    And the dream of many girls and women, a princess carry unto a flower filled bed with just the right amount of light for a viewing experience but also just enough shadow to let you be expectant.


    ¡®It is time for a show!¡¯


    Basgram¡¯s hands traversed my velvet clothing with expertise. One hand on my waist and the other unbuttoning everything that could be unbuttoned.


    ¡°Mm.¡± The kiss on the neck was so good that I hummed.


    ¡®Is this the so called ancient dark arts?¡¯


    Pluck!


    My special metallic bra gave way. I always carry it on me, no matter what for extra protection, dire conditions can occur at a moment¡¯s notice.


    An absolute expert, an absolute scammer.


    Basgram was enjoying the slurping. He had been eyeing my big guns for a long time.


    He knew that I knew that he knew kind of thing, just like someone I missed dearly used to say.


    A sudden large covering of Will infused energy enveloped the entire room.


    ¡®Here it is!¡¯


    ¡°Whaaargh?¡± Basgram was still sucking my right nipple when he gibberishly worded something.


    He was unable to move anymore.


    He began floating backwards and hung in the air like a crucified death row prisoner of the empire in the days of old. His pecker was all excited even after all that.


    From my temporal ring, hundreds of needles came forth. Mikros controlled them and inserted them all over his body through his clothing. He bled, Mikros showed no mercy.


    Perfectly placed acupuncture needles on all the main energy points. He was still floating in front of the bed. I slowly stood up and walked besides Mikros who was turning ¡°crucified¡± Basram around. She wanted him to see her.


    ¡°I never get tired of seeing your art, blessed of the Will.¡± A sincere compliment for my sister.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check him, give me some minutes.¡± Mikros got up close and personal and started to do her grandmaster healer thing. A full body, soul checkup on this world¡¯s replica of Basgram.


    Prisdirum, a force field type ability where anything within it or in the limits, touching the field, Mikros has full control. Healers need that for successful operations on extremely delicate patients. From blood flow to energy canals and even for reconstituting cores, total control over a space and the patient, it is everything.


    Reconstituting cores is her specialty, but if she does you cannot progress any further. Only those who understand their limitations and cannot progress in their stages will use her services to regain back their prowess.


    ¡®You are amazing, blue raven! Brown raven, sorry!¡¯


    One thousand breaths.


    ¡°He has the dark baleful energy. Unreported increases in affinities. He had them before he started training with Eriel in the year 9006. All that was his cover, funny how things transpired later from that point on. He is the hidden necromancer, sister.¡±


    Mikros judgement was final.


    ¡°So, you are the one who took Eriel away after all, a hidden deviator.¡±


    All the years of investigation were finally going to bear fruit. The bastard was terrified; he couldn¡¯t move but even more, he couldn¡¯t believe it. I knew those eyes all too well, I loved this bastard once with all my heart. I believed in him, I believed over every doubt in my heart and even a vision from the Will.


    ¡°A stupid girl in love just doesn¡¯t want to see some things.¡± Mikros said as she patted me on the shoulder.


    ¡®Unforgivable!¡¯


    ¡°This bastard wanted Eriel¡¯s dark energy sister.¡± Brown raven gave an educated guess.


    ¡°Jealousy and envy amongst the Andurin? Despicable, loathsome, detestable!¡±


    I was angry. And yet thankful for the opportunity to right a wrong, even if it was inside a magical reality.


    Mikros passed me an eyepatch she had bought for me. I was growing attached to using that thing, a small ritual for sadistic imprinting. Perfect for what was about to go down.


    ¡°Enjoy the view, necromancer. It is the last thing you are going to be delighted with.¡±


    My puffed out milky orbs were in full bloom in front of the hanging, lying, cunning bastard.


    ¡°Lift him up just right, sister.¡± Mikros placed him right at the perfect floating distance for a torture slice with her Prisdirum.


    The beaten up offender had tearful eyes, he couldn¡¯t move a muscle thanks to all the needles that were placed upon him, not even a twitch.


    I placed the eyepatch on my eye.


    ¡°It is time for us to get thoroughly acquainted Basgram, Claimere Freslia, mad eye bitch at your service.¡±


    The words managed to create a surprising result. Even though he shouldn¡¯t have been able to, he trembled, his body trembled.


    As Akathos says and does when telling tales, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Insurmountable torture was all that awaited him for a while. Information would come later.


    SWIIIISH!


    No powers, no defense, he screamed like a bitch.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGHH!¡±


    Mikros got close enough for a whisper in his right ear and spoke sweetly yet menacingly.


    ¡°Girls just want to have fun.¡±


    A bitch to bitch, heart to heart began.

 CHAPTER 81

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The thirty-minute conversation with Akathos¡­


    ¡°Do not confuse outer darkness with true darkness or the pits of hell. A twisted reality, memories, dreams, nightmares materialize inside the dark realms.¡±


    ¡°Outer darkness is more akin to the border or the edge of the dark realms in the spirit world. The friendly section or the high class neighborhood were the ruling class spend a great portion of their time.¡±


    ¡°A Soul Trip or more popularly known as Astral Projection, True Astral Projection not a drug induced psychedelic rave. It served also as a test for the illusion. A way out if the type of illusion isn¡¯t good, strong enough.¡±


    ¡®Please, please, break! Help Great Will, I choose to leave!¡¯


    ¡°Chaos roots are equal to darkness affinity for the westerners, just not normal darkness affinity, this one packs a truly powerful godly extra kick.¡±


    Akathos wouldn¡¯t explain further.


    My left leg was quivering. Remnants of the ritual, subconscious worry and fear.


    Akathos was going be my guide through the training, soul fusion, he would intervene when necessary.


    ¡°This way it is a fair shot, as fair as you will get with 7%¡±


    <hr>


    Ten breaths. My soul traversed through whatever space it did. I felt a pull, the pull of a thousand horses, more intense than when I traversed at inhuman speeds with Pricks Krigs.


    A tunnel of bright multicolored light manifested.


    The tunnel of light sucked me in and then nothing. Pure absence of said light.


    ¡°AAAAAHHHH!¡±


    Contrary to what I was expecting I was able to feel. See, taste, smell, touch and everything just like in real life. But the spiritual place was cranked up to eleven. Everything was intensified.


    ¡°There goes leaving the illusion through brute force.¡±


    [It¡¯s alright, we are here together.] Akathos¡¯ voice dispelled all doubts.


    One spirit body, two souls.


    [Remember, I can read your thoughts, I¡¯ll take over when the need arises.]


    One more pointer from Akathos before the real thing. He could overpower me, a dangerous combo.


    A vast charred land with rivers of melted and liquefied rock, a cold piercing air that could be felt but produced no physical manifestation. I had no clothes, naked before the spirits.


    The seventh strata of outer darkness, just as Akathos had said.


    I walked for several furlongs. Travel was lighter and faster here until I reached a puddle of dark liquid. I was able to see my face.


    ¡®What?!?¡¯


    A second later it was the face of Eriel. I kneeled next to the liquid puddle on the charred floor. The face changes occurred again, as many times as I looked.


    Astonishment.


    After an unspecified time, I headed where a small light was. A burning fire. It was behind the darkened hills to my right. I was making my way carefully, clearly shaken by my morphing face.


    As I traversed the desolate vastness, Akathos¡¯ voice sounded like a voice over inside of me. I was going to learn through experience, a shortcut for the years, decades, centuries of practice Eriel had throughout his lives.


    The former me that I rejected.


    [From all light comes darkness. The emergence of light leaves shadows in its wake.]


    I climbed over a small rocky hill and a valley filled with the carcasses of monsters, humans was seen below. It smelled rotten.


    [Everything in creation has a polar opposite. The day versus the night. Love versus hate. Good versus evil.  The angels versus the demons. The abode of the gods versus the pits of hell.  The creation and the Void.]


    I walked in a trance. Slowly making my way down to the bottom of the valley, evading the sulfuric rocks on my way down. The smell of burning metal compounds was evident.


    As I got closer, the smell became putrid. I saw crows, thousands of them gliding and hovering over the dead bodies. Some of the crows, crow-ravens were feasting on the flesh.


    [Life and death. The right hand and the left hand.]


    The closer I got to the center of the valley bypassing, viscous dark liquids, intestines, bones, heads, pierced tongues, bloodied feathers and the smell of lit charcoal I saw a being. A being sitting in a chair surrounded by the skulls of the dead. An ornamental chair.


    A fur covering on her shoulders and a maang tikka. Shinny dark skin, lush hair, glowing yellow eyes, and a devilish smile.  An elegant white dress with golden borders and black undergarments.


    ¡°Woo.¡± The crow on her lap called out to me.


    The crow was saluting. You could understand the beasts inside outer darkness.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, in human years, that is.¡±


    She waved her hand and I was instantly dressed, a matching outfit to hers without the regal gold.


    ¡®Master, a little help.¡¯


    [Bayl, first King of Hell, The CrowRaven King.] Akathos spoke within me.


    ¡®He is a woman, master.¡¯


    [The leaders are controllers; they can be whatever they want to be in here. These are their realms; they can change reality. Just be polite.]


    ¡°Salutations and greetings, oh great, irresistible, Queen Bayl.¡± I added an eastern bow.


    ¡°Oh, ho, ho. Glad you appreciate the effort my boy. How¡¯s my child?¡±


    [She is asking about Zaraki.] Tricking puppet master said.


    ¡°He is in good spirits, Queen.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t really sure which Zaraki she was referring to. 9002 or 10002. I felt a little uneasy.


    ¡°You are weaker and your core is unstable but your gains are impressive.¡± Her yellow eyes were shining.


    ¡®Crazy masters, treacherous order, rotten chosen and now a King of Hell. Long way from the forest, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡¯


    ¡°I can hear your thoughts, my boy. Quite a pickle you are in, no?¡±


    Stunned into a momentary blank.


    ¡®Let¡¯s pretend I didn¡¯t hear that, yes. Yes, let¡¯s do that.¡¯


    ¡°Yes, your highness. Perhaps you can allow me to train here for a time?¡±


    ¡°Feel free, we don¡¯t get too many unplanned visitors in the seventh strata and if we do, most are broken by the time they arrive. I¡¯ll let the others know you will be spending time here. But I must warn you, the others will not be forthcoming.¡±


    Everything went close to Akathos prediction. I bowed and turned to leave.


    ¡°If my child dies, I¡¯ll send his brothers after you. Be careful during your war.¡±


    ¡®What!?! What?!? Triple, quadruple what?!¡¯


    [This illusion of yours isn¡¯t that simple Ikrei, don¡¯t you think?] Akathos pricking, bothersome.


    I dashed to a faraway mountain where there was a plateau, I wanted some distance from the King of Hell.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    ¡°What gives, elder Akathos?¡±


    [Two things, the only one fighting against his past is you. You are Eriel, you are just playing the chairs. Second, time to check a few things.]


    ¡®Is this how talking to the gods feels like?¡¯


    [Focus and follow.]


    I did as I was told, closed my eyes and waited for the info soul transfer. The mountain plateau offered a serene, dark and quiet ambiance. In my twisted sense, even with the cold breeze that existed without moving the rocks, it felt right.


    One breath.


    Five breaths.


    Ten breaths.


    Thirty breaths.


    ¡°Shit! Nothing master, nothing!¡±


    Elder Akathos tried to transfer the information of the dark arts through our soul fusion inside the spirit world, this was the retesting.  A huge failure, every time something entered my mind, it disappeared just as quickly.


    I did try reading the Void book in my ring. As soon as I read something, I forgot it.


    [A death seal, and an oblivion seal. Good news or bad news first?]


    ¡°Hit me with the sickness.¡±  I was getting considerably more adept at taking negative results.


    [Eriel screwed up, big time. He got himself doubly sealed. One lesser god to kill upon awakening and an oblivion seal, to make sure you cannot practice Eriel¡¯s dark arts again. Both seals strong enough to travel through reincarnation. Mindboggling.]


    ¡®I have no clue and you are elder Akathos, year 9002 rendition.¡¯Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°What¡¯s the good news?¡±


    [There are entities that can undo the seal here. It will be laborious. The problem for you is that once the seals are undone, your old self could manifest or a portion of him. Who knows how the oblivion seal was setup? Eriel and the arts were one, that¡¯s why he was considered for discipleship, he needed a new challenge. The other drawbacks were his other affinities and his body. Something that you have fixed.]


    ¡°I see. That¡¯s what you meant with one of you or both of you?¡±


    [You either amalgamate as one being or one of you swallows the other.  We need to test the waters with the beings here, though.] I felt the truth in his words.


    ¡°Hundreds of years and many lives versus a small time forest hunter that has problems with a devious authority figure, what could possibly go wrong?¡±


    [Cheer up, you got me. I¡¯m one with your soul for now.]


    I couldn¡¯t even think that he was the devious authority figure I was referring to or I would get in trouble.


    ¡°Say great master, how does this work then? If all this isn¡¯t an illusion, then what are you?¡±


    [Reality materialization, maybe. My future self, loves Eriel very much. And I am giving you a chance, soul splinter, even despite that, be thankful. An alternate dimension, powered through the Will. The gods exist outside time and space. There¡¯s much more but this is sufficient for you.]


    ¡®Really?! Love me enough to kill an innocent child willingly?¡¯


    [Enough to preserve your life at any cost. Make sure his sacrifice is worth it!] There was power in those words.


    I trembled.


    ¡°Er¡­thanks, I guess.¡± Another moral dilemma.


    [Rest a while, let me think on a road map for this conundrum.]


    ¡°Do we have enough time?¡± I wondered.


    [One day outside is six hundred years in here. Time is different, it almost has no meaning. Getting your soul here is pure torture. This is what it is meant when the experts say, for an eternity, Ikrei.]


    ¡®Our sleeping bodies should be okay; Darin is there.¡¯


    ¡°Before I forget, was Eriel a bad, evil person?¡± I needed this answer.


    [Lawful neutral, but he had to go through a very dark period to master some of his arts.]


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you say yes or no, master?¡±


    [People are not something to simply categorize and compartmentalize, we are mosaics. The answer is always nuanced. A serial killer? A perpetual saint? Someone like you? Complex answers. Those who distill a person down to raw streams of information in the name of logic are unbeknownst artifacts themselves. Cold hard logic without feeling devalues life. That¡¯s why, I¡¯ll never be a sage.]


    A lot to ponder with the master. It was a considerably improved version of the Iru library service.


    ¡°Thank you elder Akathos, 9002. I like you a little better than your future self.¡±


    [Ha, ha, ha. Less conversation and more meditation. Let me think.]


    ¡®All in a day¡¯s work, right Yun Hee?¡¯


    <hr>


    Seventh Strata of Outer Darkness. One year inside the realm.


    I was in my customary lotus position with my white attire, sensing everything around me. Even the arts palace of Bayl far into the distance.


    [What is meditation, Ikrei?] It was teaching hour with the elder.


    ¡°Clearing one¡¯s mind, detachment from all things.¡±


    [The voice in your head, is it your own? Intuition, conscience? The whisper of the gods? Can you tell?]


    ¡°The Will is hard to detect, almost like a falling leave on your knee, a thin blue thread is the image I see. Malgrun is like a fire, a warm gentle crackle sound. The darkness just wants me dead but cannot kill me, cold, merciless and resents my ability to use it, hateful ice in your cheeks. My intuition is the consequence of my experiences and training: fear, desire, regret and some hate. It feels like a preset memory crystal. Suggestions coming like an artifact with my voice.¡±


    ¡°Phew!¡±


    ¡®I hope, I answered properly this time!¡¯


    I had turned very cynical. Talking to one self and an elder, who you can¡¯t fully trust for a year, will do the trick every time.


    I was far more stable after a year in the strata; the soul fusion was helping considerably. Not all things were good, this place isn¡¯t suitable for long term stay and other considerations but mostly one single thought.


    ¡®I miss that ass.¡¯


    [Two things Ikrei, first, this strata welcomes you, it allows you to train freely, this will not be so in the others. Remember.]


    I felt a very small pricking in my soul. Akathos way of saying, don¡¯t ever forget this!


    [Two, the blessings of the gods carry over, your physical core does not. Great place for training your soul and absorbing the energy of the stratas, if one can manage it. You are here to increase your control, you cannot increase soul power through me, we can share soul power but only by absorbing from the stratas can you grow, as many as you can manage, for as long as you can hold on. You are ready, let¡¯s head to the river.]


    Being a chaos magic practitioner that couldn¡¯t practice the arts was defeating. Akathos decided that I needed a new training regime to compensate. I was about to see, whether or not my master was worth more than two Ucra.


    Dashing through the desolate plains, hills and mountains that had barely any luminosity, the light here was provided by the white palace of the king. We reached a dark water river that traversed the entirety of the strata from north to south as far as the eye could see in either direction.


    A large, unnatural stream of flowing water, The Black River of Nightmares.


    Reaching the borders, I stared at my soon to be habitat.  You couldn¡¯t drown but that didn¡¯t mean you couldn¡¯t die.


    We were uninvited beings on a plane of existence outside of physical reality. Another type of physical reality that connected to the inner realm of a god even. Eriel used to train here, where Zaraki was born.


    That last bit was a puzzle unto itself. The bird.


    SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!


    The currents were intense, like icicles, dark blood icicles. The river was black blood. The blood of the dead the beings here had eaten over millennia, souls condensed into water or whatever the substance was. The river was suffering, wailing, abhorring.


    It ate at me.


    Visions, screams, scratches, madness, a conflagration of thousands of souls continuously trying to drown me in their feelings and their despair.


    Yet, I continued my descent. Their pain felt like an extension of mine, a natural occurrence. A fish in the proverbial water, literally, this time.


    ¡°Die!¡± ¡°You are mine!¡± ¡°Igreish!¡± ¡°Ute!¡±


    Many, many more shouts in the same manner.


    ¡°You first my friends, I get you, I do!¡± Sarcastic remark four hundred and two.


    I reached the bottom, the currents pulling me forcefully away, but I persisted.


    I scrapped the bottom floor until a dark unknown metal piece appeared.


    [¡°That¡¯s it Ikrei. It is a very small piece but it¡¯s a good start.]


    I kept searching for more pieces of the strange metal while the souls of the dammed pressed for an opening that I would never give them.


    Three days later, I had collected three pieces. A material spirit body is a strange thing.


    Then again, the darkness and hell are places for torture.


    ¡®All that talk about incorporeal beings is shit!¡¯


    [The rules for the spirit world and the afterlife vary from world to world, Ikrei.]


    My accompanying encyclopedia always took the opportunity to teach a little. We had no artifacts or pouches only the spirit cloth granted by Bayl. So, I dashed through the expanse until I reached the white palace.


    ¡°Yo, chaos child!¡± The demonic spirit attendant of the third under floor gave me the customary salutation.


    ¡°Please put these little pieces inside a vault or something. I¡¯ll keep bringing more.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, chaos child. You playing a little later on?¡±


    A little later is always measured in years in the stratas.


    Before you ask, I traded rock music for the services inside the place. A bed and a blanket made you feel somewhat human again. They love their music in the seventh strata.


    ¡°Yeah, when I¡¯m done with this.¡±


    We always came back here for a time for a soul recharge and discharge. Soul music, control, absolute control of the inner flow. Outer darkness slowly drives you mad, and I was in home turf, so to speak.


    I waved and got back to scavenging the bottom of the River of Nightmares.


    ¡°Hey master, how come there¡¯s that stuff in the bottom of the river?¡± One couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    [Conflicts and wars have existed everywhere, even here. That metal is imbued with the power from the river. Let¡¯s speed up, we got a long way to go.]


    SPALSH! SPLASH! SPLASH!


    <hr>


    Seventh Strata of Outer Darkness. Fourteen years inside the realm.


    [Filled with evil feelings, Ikrei?]


    ¡°Need to ask the obvious?¡± The water inside the river was finally getting to me.


    [We are done collecting the pieces. Let¡¯s relax a little.]


    ¡®Good, the last two took a whole year. We took everything, right?¡¯


    I sped like a bolt to the palace.


    ¡°Yo, chaos child! You playing this time?¡±


    ¡°I believe I am.¡±


    ¡°King Bayl has been making noise with those instruments he built. He even communed with a medium in Turgan for the information on them.¡±


    ¡°Really? I¡¯ll head over.¡±


    ¡®Should I take the chance to ask, master?¡¯


    [Yes, it is a good time, give him something, get something.]


    I entered the musical space very respectfully.


    ¡°Greetings and salutations, oh, handsome ruler.¡± Another polite bow.


    A man, an androgynous man with red eyes and dark long hair with all the trappings and cloths of the high nobility of ancient eras. Puri history classes are useful without exception.


    The palace was grand, monolithic. It couldn¡¯t be any other way; it was the only structure in the entire place. Fourteen floors up, fourteen floors down in an area that covered three hundred furlongs all around.


    Rooms, gardens, libraries, training circles, an entire bestiary, deadly flora, grand halls, two throne rooms and the most expansive and carefully curated music room with hundreds of instruments from all the ages.


    ¡°Come and show me a proper riff. This is a six string ketar. I did some changes.¡±


    I did as he asked and played sitting next to him for a whole hour. The warm yellow light underscores the difference.


    ¡°I have a proposal King Bayl.¡±


    ¡°Speak, my boy.¡±


    ¡°We could write some rock songs together. You do the music, I have a few lyrics and melodies that might interest you.¡±


    ¡°Tempting. What do you want?¡± Intense eyes with a closed fist under his chin.


    ¡°I need an alchemical grandmaster blacksmith; I want to create a soul weapon.¡±


    King Bayl gave me something similar to a blue flask but it was weirdly shaped, empty.


    ¡°Fill that with water from the northern end of the River of Nightmares, near the dark mountain, the one that has no end and continuously goes up. Now, show me.¡±


    [Give him something, Ikrei.]


    I took one of the nearby parchments and used a delicate blood magic artifact pen and wrote down the lyrics for Sinner¡¯s Lullaby and the chords plus a few other scribbles I created for my debut album.


    ¡®The Song Remains the Same would not and will not be turned into a rock song. This is my baby.¡¯


    ¡°Here King. Someone of your intellect can surely do better than me.¡±


    ¡°Highly protective of that little thing, no? I¡¯ll play around with it.¡±


    For a split second, I forgot the king can read my thoughts and emotions in the strata. Too much time underwater.


    ¡®What will I do with the other powerhouses here. They¡¯ll see right through me.¡¯


    [Bayl likes you, well, Eriel, a whole lot. Zaraki was the prize for Eriel¡¯s success. The others won¡¯t do it; it is beneath them to search a human, unless you give them a reason. Pride before the fall.]


    ¡®Akathos¡¯ teacher mode is exceptional.¡¯


    He took the parchment and read while speaking.


    ¡°B¨¤ Kim is currently residing in the Fifth Strata. She likes lamenting soul fire for her creations.¡± King Bayl waved me away as he sat down to play some more.


    I slowly and deferentially left. It was time to pick up the water. Not before retrieving the many metal pieces I had taken from the shady, turbulent stream. In a big bag of strange material, a weight of a thousand small stones.


    I ran at the top of my speed, the river is long, too long and the bag unhelpful.


    ¡°Who is that, master?¡± Curiosity was getting the better of me.


    [A small easterner country¡¯s goddess of metal and blacksmithing.]


    I did as I was told. Retrieved the liquefied souls, filling the strange flask and headed for the tunnels that master had shown me.


    Four hundred breaths.


    [I¡¯ll take over until we reach her, Ikrei. Pay attention and learn, feel everything that¡¯s happening in our soul fused spirit body.]


    ¡®I still don¡¯t trust you elder Akathos, 9002.¡¯


    [You should never, not with everything that has happened to you. But it is the price of your path and the inevitability of probability for chaos practitioners. Magic is not without a price and ours even more so.]


    I felt the soul energy, the blessing of the Will combined with another familiar energy expand and overtake me. I was finally able to tell.


    I had soaked inside the dark river for far too long.


    ¡®Large dark affinity!?! You!!! You are a chaos mage, too!¡¯


    [Ha, ha, ha! Let¡¯s go!] With elder Akathos in control, we entered the spirit world¡¯s tunnel system, the one that connects the different strata.


    An even stranger place, the edges of every distinct portion of this spirit realm. Tunnels of energy just like the one that brought us to outer darkness.


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    Crossing at speeds that defied my understanding. My thoughts were transmitted to my master. The tunnel wanted to compress and absorb us within. The place was unwelcoming.


    ¡®How? We are outside of our bodies?!¡¯


    [The blessings of the gods reside in our souls and transfer themselves to our bodies. The foreign strands of energy you feel when you think of a singular cute little ass.]


    I was blushing without being able to blush.  Repetitive was becoming insufficient.


    ¡®Ahem.¡¯


    [The unbound Magi can tap into the world¡¯s energy directly but they cannot come here, not without proper preparations or they would be powerless.]


    ¡®Our chaos energy is of godly origin?¡¯


    [Not exactly but if I go into details you¡¯ll forget them. Need to eliminate that oblivion seal. Instinctive use of the energy it is for you, my murmuring, future kotari.]


    I wanted to ask many more things but a soul chilling roar was felt. Just outside the tunnel.


    ¡°ROOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!¡± The tunnel wobbled.


    [Rahab¡¯s here.]


    ¡®What?!¡¯


    [He is formless but we call him, the Void dragon. He is hungry, we need to leave.]


    ¡®How do you know it is a he?¡¯


    [Too angry to be a girl, don¡¯t you think?] He gave me a smirk.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡±  Making strange hand sigils master chanted.


    Inside a continuously compressing, energy sucking tunnel with an unknown beast roaming outside looking to feed, we turned into a doubly colored streak of dark and blue energy. Chaos and the Will.


    The velocity and speed of a man that can destroy a continent. One of the great elders, an Ascension Master.


    Constantly changing directions evading a formless claw while moving towards the exit. A stomach turning experience. In the spirit you just know things, it is like the information is relayed into you by the realm.


    ¡®That is why, master tried passing the dark arts here, a failed attempt.¡¯


    ZHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZH!


    For reasons that need not be listed, the predictable outcome transpired. Even under a double soul, single body type communion.


    Remember, truly strong emotions can and do, cross over.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± We screamed.

 CHAPTER 82

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Fifth Strata of Outer Darkness. Fifteen years inside the realm.


    The vast desolate plane was slightly different and infinitively more dangerous. The large darkened mountains, empty valleys, included hosts of never ending flaming beings of different style of flames blue, red, bright yellow or a combination of them.


    The dark clouds in the sky accentuated the dark atmosphere.


    Even giants, shadowy giants with serpents coiling around their extremities with blue fire. A giant serpent roaming around the many pits were hundreds of spirit bodies were burning, regenerating and burning again. The process repeated over and over without end. The creatures guarded the pits.


    ¡®I have no words for this.¡¯


    As the icing on the cake, flaming and burning skeletons of red and blue fire running around trying to catch the unsuspecting to eat them at incredible speeds.


    The place struck the proverbial spider core, fear. There was a gorgeous extensive palace in the northern region of the strata. We weren¡¯t going to go there.


    We had been running around for a year looking, searching for the blacksmith.


    ¡®Hey master, can¡¯t we just expand our consciousness to search for her?¡¯


    [No. The rulers know everything but they enjoy variations in their stratas, we are one. Others will detect us and chase us. If we die here now, we will be stuck here for a very, very long time, if not forever.]


    That was until that point, the scariest thing I¡¯ve ever heard. So, I just shut the hell up, bad taste pun intended.


    ¡®Why don¡¯t other spirit beings expand their consciousness to detect us, master?¡¯


    [The ones that are here are trapped within themselves, it is terrible. A never ending cycle of nightmares and suffering and the underlings have duties. Unless you bother them, they will leave us alone.]


    We were welcomed in the seventh strata, King Bayl liked me very much, I didn¡¯t know why, no one was telling me anything on that matter. But everywhere else, just as the king said it was dangerous.


    ¡®Thankfully master is a monster, otherwise I would shit my spirit pants.¡¯


    Master searched everywhere carefully without alerting the growling burning creatures. It may things harder since we kept our distance plenty of times. Until we finally found a mountain that was deserted of creatures or flaming burning things, hidden inside a strange mist.


    The mountain had a cave and the cave was brightly lit with an unusual blue fire. We entered announcing our presence. Before the small distinct forge was an armor wearing woman working with the flames.


    ¡®Xia Bia!¡¯


    ¡°A visitor? Who might you be?¡± She seemed absorbed in whatever she was doing.


    Akathos was going to do the introductions. We put down the heavy bag and master ripped it open, letting the metal pieces fall unto the floor.


    [Great Xia Bia!] I come with a request and a proposal.


    We vowed with the proper salutation.


    She stopped her work and reached for a couple of pieces.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± The one winged goddess said.


    In the spirit world there are no languages, instant translation or something.


    Readjusting her crown, she ordered Akathos to speak.


    [Great Xia Bia, there¡¯s enough for at least seven blades, we want just one. We will adjust to your conditions, goddess.]


    We bowed again and waited.


    ¡°I assume it is for your little friend beside you, he cannot handle a godly weapon.¡±


    [It is precisely why we want a godly weapon; it is for training in the realm.]


    ¡®Master Akathos look up a little, I want to see her face.¡¯


    We weren¡¯t using consciousness so I had no chance to see properly. Sixteen years without any, was starting to get to me. Feelings, desires, senses are all amplified here. The negative energies constantly trying to unscrupulously enter one¡¯s soul.


    Controlling, fear, regret, and desire were one of the many my goals set by master.


    The desire portion was becoming a problem.


    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll create something for my needs that will help you as long as you do some leg work.¡±


    ¡®Leg work? Master?¡¯


    Her index finger touched my spirit body and images, places and names were given to us through the goddess touch.


    ¡°You are going to hunt them, they are all uninvited, they shouldn¡¯t be here. Just like you Akathos, the only reason I don¡¯t throw you into a pit myself is because Eriel is welcomed by a few here. You are quite famous little soul.¡±


    She was laughing, she laughed for a while.


    ¡®What? What is going on, master?¡¯


    [You are taking over; you are going to meditate until the goddess finishes your weapon.]


    I sat in a lotus position in a deeper part of the cave, despite being away from the main fire I was surrounded by the unique symbols and artifacts that hung from the walls. Magic sigils and runic enchantments. A master¡¯s lair.


    Disturbing the goddess was unwise, so, I asked master for clarification.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, great elder? Why are you excited, I could tell, you know?¡±


    A message with images was sent to my soul.


    [She is building you a soul eater, tailored for hunting the beings here. A unique artifact, special doesn¡¯t even begin to describe it.]


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of the transmission.¡±


    [You cannot take the weapon out of this realm, it is a balance breaker for our world. And you cannot control it alone at the beginning, I¡¯ll help you.]


    Akathos expanded even further.


    ¡®Bummer, huge bummer!¡¯


    ¡°By the way, why is Eriel famous around here?¡±


    [Beats me. Nobody who knows is sharing anything. Not even king Bayl.]


    I felt how Akathos wanted to teach Eriel now that he knew this new information, more than teaching the current owner of the spirit body. He hid not his true feelings.


    ¡®At least you are more upfront than other pricks.¡¯


    [Stop it and begin meditating, repel the encroaching energies, stabilize.]


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    The chant for soul and core interlacing served to combine blessings under soul fusion, we restarted the grueling spirit body training, control of dark energies grandmaster difficulty level. The weapon was going to take a considerable amount of time.


    The use of the chant for meditating was temporary, I needed to learn resistance by myself. Just like building muscle.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Mirror World. Day of Io?l, fourth week of the tenth month, year 9002.


    ¡°You have been quite a surprise my lady, I wasn¡¯t expecting such an approach.¡±


    ¡°Seize the day, seize the day, Basgram!¡± I was uncharacteristically bold for the young me.


    Walking down the main streets of Katopr was hard. Too many memories, too many feelings. The stalls and the lights were exactly as I remembered them. Even down to the little guy selling bread. I decided to head over to his basket.


    ¡®I¡¯ve missed you, my young lad.¡¯


    ¡°Hello kid, how are you?¡± I saluted my old acquaintance.


    ¡°Hello my lady, beautiful, radiant.¡± He handed me a couple of choice breads from his basket.


    ¡°Five Ucra, my lady.¡±


    ¡°I got it, Freslia.¡± Basgram paid the kid with a little hesitation.


    Five Ucra for two pieces of bread from a basket in a corner without a stall is steep. But I wasn¡¯t here for the bread, just for the kid. The kid and his words.


    I bended a knee for him to place myself at eye level.


    ¡°So, what will you say to me today, huh?¡± A welcoming gesture followed.


    ¡°There once was a man who was trapped inside a grand castle with four massive walls around him with wards, guards and formations. As the great master he was, he spent years trying and devising until one day, he escaped. Then he went to live in a small town away from everyone he ever knew.¡±


    As he was telling the story he gave a couple more pieces.


    ¡®Yummy, I missed this taste.¡¯


    ¡°In time, scavengers and mercenaries lead by powerful brigands crossed paths with the townsfolk. A town burning, lottering, stealing and raping began. The great man fought valiantly to save as many as he could and many he did save. Sadly, he fell, he fell on the verge of death. The little girl he had taken in came running, shouting, suffering, looking for help. Help that would never come.¡±


    This tale is terrible kid; you need help? Are you nuts?¡± Basgram put a word in.


    ¡°Let him finish, Bas.¡± I held his hand, Basgram backed down.


    ¡°The little girl asked the man why he didn¡¯t run away with her? What was so precious that he had to fight to the death with people more powerful than him? You asked me to protect this place remember? Pinky promise. That¡¯s all he managed to say before he died.perpe¡±


    Basgram was mad, a ruse, that¡¯s all that he thought. His energy wanted to leak out. The kid gave me another bread.


    I was waiting, waiting for whatever punchline he would give. I was on edge.


    ¡°You are the same as that man. Your own heart holds you captive. A very long time ago, wasn¡¯t that little girl named Karis?¡±


    ¡®There it is; you are not just a boy. Who are you or who were you?¡¯


    ¡°I think we have had enough of this charlatan Freslia.¡±


    I gave the boy ten Ucra. It wouldn¡¯t matter anyhow. He waved goodbye.


    ¡°How much do you love me, Basgram?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    We began walking among the people again, a bustling picturesque time.


    ¡°Enough to save the world or to destroy it if brings me the whole of you.¡±


    I grabbed his hand and pulled without glancing back. A carefree smile and a hard dash, things were about to get wild. You are not supposed to use awakened powers in the midst of common people for simple matters but this wasn¡¯t simple and I was dead serious.


    ¡°Freslia, wait!¡±


    Basgram eyes were full of intrigue. I knew he was smiling within himself.


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOM!


    ¡°Watch out! ¡°Crazy pair!¡± ¡°Knights! Knights!¡±


    The stalls went flying, produce, vegetables, ornaments, toys, food scattered all over the streets and on top of the heads of many vendors, dripping liquids.


    ¡°Catch them!¡± ¡°Catch them!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let them get away!¡± Guards, guards!!¡±


    I sped up some more. Avair¡¯s personal modified art, a variant of the original. Star steps, second core version.


    ZOOOOOOOOM!


    ¡°FREEEEESLIIIAAAAAA¡± Basgram¡¯s screams were noteworthy.


    ¡°Girls just want to have fun!¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Fifth Strata of Outer Darkness. Forty years inside the realm.


    [Open your eyes.] Master¡¯s order meant one thing, the damn weapon was finished.


    [How is it, are you getting affected by the dark energies here?] A soul probe message.


    ¡®I¡¯m fine, no problems for now. It is a little here, a little there. Tough to make them flow through you without being influenced.¡¯


    I left my meditation position and headed back to where the goddess was still hammering away.


    CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!


    ¡°There are two swords hanging on the wall behind me. Take them. Collect all the souls of the uninvited into them with each capture. One sword is yours, the other is part of my payment, fill them up with their souls and enjoy! I¡¯ve put a seal inside your souls, I¡¯ll know where you are, whenever you are, don¡¯t make me hunt you!¡±


    Xia Bia waved us away. She began working on something else with the other pieces I had collected.


    The moment my spirit body touched the dark metal blades they transformed into rings and settled into my right hand¡¯s index and middle fingers.


    The only type of equipment that a spirit body can wear in this realm. Godly weapons, spirit bestowed clothing and so forth. The privilege of the beings beyond humanity.


    CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!


    I am sure you are wondering if others have done this? The short answer is yes. And they used very different methods. In my case, the seventh strata and the birds are my home inside outer darkness, other spirits and creatures don¡¯t hunt me and that allows for years underwater.


    The help of a great elder plus the great dark resistance I had acquired bringing forth the deadly metal as the end result.


    CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!


    With a polite bow and master taking over we dashed to the location of our first target. Library 2.0. was about to go into teacher mode for the hunts. There were many things to learn about life in the stratas and you don¡¯t want your soul to die because you missed something.


    [The uninvited like us don¡¯t use their ability to expand their consciousness with the spirit body to avoid detection from outer darkness underlings. It is a one hit kill business, if you don¡¯t, they will run away and the chance of finding them later becomes slim.]


    ¡®The gods know everything, don¡¯t they?¡¯


    [Pretty much, only when they counter each other does that not happen. Or when they don¡¯t care to know. It is all a game for them and a test for us. If you want to kill outer darkness residents, it is the same, one hit kills, otherwise they will alert the rest by expanding their consciousness through the strata they are at. More importantly, the underlings will hunt us. Keep residents off limits for now.]


    We were dashing to a dark mountain with flames surrounding it. A malgrunian practitioner of the dark arts was there.


    ¡®There are three hundred soul requisitions, she didn¡¯t give half of that with locations! I thought you said there aren¡¯t many dark practitioners of our affinity with sufficient level in our world?!¡¯


    [Outer darkness, hell, the void interconnects with many worlds, my young Sachear. Our world is special for sure but not the only one. One of the reasons the inhabitants of these places cannot make sense of what is happening when they see things through their consciousness.]


    ¡®Hell visions, different gods, different faiths throughout the worlds? The ones Puri talks about?¡¯


    [Precisely, enough teaching. Let me show you how a capture is done. Remember everything you are about to feel.]


    ¡®Attacking an unsuspecting Malgrunian is dark and cold master, you aren¡¯t much better than me!¡¯


    [Be quiet! You are about to learn something. Judgements later.]


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Our souls unified all blessings and the pool of energy, master forced this connection. I sensed that it had to do with teaching me how to wield the special weapon. I did try to poke inside his memories several times.


    ¡®Sorry but I¡¯ll never trust blindly again!¡¯


    A sad or funny case came to be. Depending how you look at it.


    SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!


    My soul was getting slapped every time I tried to peer into the great elder.


    ¡®What?! How?! Why?!¡¯


    [The Will is protecting me, Ikrei. That¡¯s why. Now focus!]


    ¡®What?! A god has time to slap a suffering kid? Why? Why?!!! Why?!!¡¯


    Twenty breaths. I finally calmed down. The plan proceeded, souls fused with a quarter of a spiritual reddened cheek.


    Five-furlong distance.


    ¡°ADOHI!


    The double colored streak of light charged at full speed straight into the Malgrunian through the deluge of watery flames, a very rare phenomenon. Then again liquid flames in the realm of dreams, nightmares and curses is barely bending anything.


    CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! GROUSH! GROUSH! GROUSH! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!


    ZHEEEEZH! We crossed through, master had his right hand ready.


    ¡°ARLUN!¡± ¡°FAILEN!¡±


    A chant unknown to me came from the malgrunian practitioner. The flames consumed him in half a breath. He was no more.


    My master closed his eyes and shouted.


    ¡°BUYIL!¡±


    The godly dark metal blade morphed from a ring and into the dark glittering thing it really was and made a perfect cut.


    SWASP!


    In one motion, master cut the hiding, unseen malgrunian that was behind him without even turning around. There was no need, that was what the previous chant was for. The target mistakenly thought that he could take on one the great elders of the Andurin.


    Bu-Yil, andurian for true eyes. A simpler version in scope, reach and usefulness from the real thing. A small radius of absolute perception with the aid of the Will, four cubits in all directions for two breaths. Consumes two and a half cores of energy for those without the affinity. Use wisely.


    ¡®He was probably a powerhouse. Master is a monster, scary, scary!¡¯


    The power of the soul infused weapon was terrifying. From a single cut that wasn¡¯t that deep, the spirit body of the opponent was having a terrible episode.


    [That¡¯s a reverse grip backward thrust, Ikrei, awakened arts.]


    ¡®That means not for normal people, set of moves, right?¡¯


    ¡°Yes, now watch and learn.¡± Akathos worded using my mouth.


    The convulsing malgrunian couldn¡¯t scream, couldn¡¯t expand his energy, couldn¡¯t do anything. The shaking kept going and going without end.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on, master?¡¯


    [This is what happens when ascension masters fight others that are not at their level. The weapons of our Patriarchs would drop you down flat if not death with just a scratch. This one is transferring all the hate, pain, sorrow and all the energies from the souls drawn out from the river through the metal into him. This weapon in particular is superior to anything allowed in Ladnahlayr. How about it?]


    I was befuddled due to the magnitude of a single attack.


    [Never go around trying to play hero. Leave that to Krigsain, you concentrate on learning, growing until you can punch him in the mouth. That also applies to me, the future me!]


    ¡®Master!? Master, 9002! You might be a better man today than tomorrow, kind of got the precept in reverse!¡¯


    ¡°Ah, ah, ah, ah.¡±


    ¡®That didn¡¯t work master, that wasn¡¯t funny, inverted laugh.¡¯


    [Reverse precept, ain¡¯t it? Anyway, hold on to your ethereal butt, kid.] He trusted the dark blade into the malgrunian. Akathos firmly held the handle, fully focused.


    URGHWHOH!


    The blade sucked the entire spirit body into itself. The soul eater.


    Killings, rituals, sacrifices, rapes, intensive brutal training, his companions, the Kolga, Andara forest, a whole life flashed through our connected souls. Intense isn¡¯t the way to describe it. The process lasted for almost an hour.


    I was spiritually gasping like crazy.


    [He thought he was a tough nut, right? No, you are tougher Ikrei. The hundredth kill feels like an afterthought for dark practitioners. But for you, there will always be a grain of your own pain.]


    I was listening intently as I calmed down.


    ¡®Monsters, all of you are monsters!¡¯


    [Absorb their pain, their despair, their hate, their sorrow. Bare it, use your happy memories, anything to resist. Let it flow through you or reject it with your own darkness. Do try everything. We are going to go through many of the stratas hunting until we get these two blades ready for the goddess.]


    ¡®This has to happen two hundred and ninety-nine more times?!?¡¯


    [We are overcomers of the dark path, not just simple dark path practitioners. Don¡¯t let the blades, the stratas nor anything overtake you, you may never leave this place if that happens.]


    ¡®Shit this is going to get tough. Where¡¯s the love, the peace in all of this? Did you train here?¡¯


    [You are alive and training instead of going through soul torture for not being Eriel, that¡¯s love right there. I did train in a place similar to this, another world, different rules.]


    We started to become that blue, dark trace of energy,


    ¡®Why do I have to go through this, just why?¡¯


    [I¡¯ll tell you this, you are a tri god blessing carrier. You will be hunted and used as an experiment if you don¡¯t become strong. Strong enough to crush all who come. Great power without a great price? That¡¯s only in the novels, boy!]


    My emotions got so intense that I crossed over and used my mouth and spoke.


    ¡°What¡¯s the fucking plan, master?!¡±


    [I saw the F¨´ch¨®u Zhi R¨¨n your little dark princess has. I¡¯ll train you in the mirror art for that, you can never be too careful with demonics, Ikrei.]


    ¡®You truly are a living library, master!¡¯


    [Not really, we are going to create the art from a mixtures of others, the Vengeful Blade is the Heavenly Demon¡¯s baby, it is time to see if I¡¯m up to par.]


    ¡®So, you have no idea. Got me excited for nothing!¡¯


    [I do have a name in honor of those two, I will call it Byeolfeng!]


    ¡®Sounds cool, what does it mean, great elder?¡¯


    [It depends how you want to write it but in general, Star Blade, just like Claimere Burin, Ikrei¡¯s cultivator version with awakened sprinkles on top. Remember to give me credit one day.]


    ¡®For once, I¡¯m happy about something here. Even if the energies here are constantly impinging. Hey! Master, master!! Won¡¯t the cultivators get angry for mixing up their tongues?!¡¯


    [Tell them that Auter Samuris approved the naming, that will cool them down. Now, let¡¯s get to training and capturing, most here are incorrigible evil bastards, if not all. You need something for your other ailment. Too much of that word pound, coming from you, lately.]


    We started to go at top velocity through mountains, valleys, mists and petrified forests, evading many beings and potential foes.


    Even more blushing that couldn¡¯t be blushing.


    ¡®You are looking into things too much, master! And that¡¯s a lie!¡¯


    [Not really, show him the art once you go back, he¡¯ll know it was me! And I am very respectful or do you want me to check if she¡¯s faking it under the sheets with you, don¡¯t mind right?]


    Master was pricking where it hurt.


    ZHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZH!


    Next stop, the Fourth Strata of Outer Darkness.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Katopr. The Jasmine Twilight Luxury Camere, Fourth Royal Suite. Thirtieth floor. Fifteen minutes after sundown.


    I was overlooking the entire city through the magic strengthened glass window, everyone seemed so small. I had always wanted to come here for my first night in this life. The clothes were far from what I deemed, proper Freslia, but the constraints were unavoidable.


    The perfect place for absolute seclusion and larges-se at the same time. Wards, formations, crystals, art, magic beast sheets, three different rooms with their themes plus liquor, flowers and ambiance music. The best this world can offer for a night.


    Twenty thousand Ucra. A lovely slow paced rendition of Road to Lemuria was playing.


    ¡°I cannot believe we are here.¡± A beaming Basgram was behind me.


    ¡°I cannot believe I am doing this.¡± The words came exactly as I wanted, perfect intonation.


    Basgram embraced me trapping my waist from his position.


    ¡°Be gentle.¡± A whisper, barely audible.


    And the dream of many girls and women, a princess carry unto a flower filled bed with just the right amount of light for a viewing experience but also just enough shadow to let you be expectant.


    ¡®It is time for a show!¡¯


    Basgram¡¯s hands traversed my velvet clothing with expertise. One hand on my waist and the other unbuttoning everything that could be unbuttoned.


    ¡°Mm.¡± The kiss on the neck was so good that I hummed.


    ¡®Is this the so called ancient dark arts?¡¯


    Pluck!


    My special metallic bra gave way. I always carry it on me, no matter what for extra protection, dire conditions can occur at a moment¡¯s notice.


    An absolute expert, an absolute scammer.


    Basgram was enjoying the slurping. He had been eyeing my big guns for a long time.


    He knew that I knew that he knew kind of thing, just like someone I missed dearly used to say.


    A sudden large covering of Will infused energy enveloped the entire room.


    ¡®Here it is!¡¯


    ¡°Whaaargh?¡± Basgram was still sucking my right nipple when he gibberishly worded something.


    He was unable to move anymore.


    He began floating backwards and hung in the air like a crucified death row prisoner of the empire in the days of old. His pecker was all excited even after all that.


    From my temporal ring, hundreds of needles came forth. Mikros controlled them and inserted them all over his body through his clothing. He bled, Mikros showed no mercy.


    Perfectly placed acupuncture needles on all the main energy points. He was still floating in front of the bed. I slowly stood up and walked besides Mikros who was turning ¡°crucified¡± Basram around. She wanted him to see her.


    ¡°I never get tired of seeing your art, blessed of the Will.¡± A sincere compliment for my sister.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check him, give me some minutes.¡± Mikros got up close and personal and started to do her grandmaster healer thing. A full body, soul checkup on this world¡¯s replica of Basgram.


    Prisdirum, a force field type ability where anything within it or in the limits, touching the field, Mikros has full control. Healers need that for successful operations on extremely delicate patients. From blood flow to energy canals and even for reconstituting cores, total control over a space and the patient, it is everything.


    Reconstituting cores is her specialty, but if she does you cannot progress any further. Only those who understand their limitations and cannot progress in their stages will use her services to regain back their prowess.


    ¡®You are amazing, blue raven! Brown raven right now, sorry!¡¯


    One thousand breaths.


    ¡°He has the dark baleful energy. Unreported increases in affinities. He had them before he started training with Eriel in the year 9006. All that was his cover, funny how things transpired later from that point on. He is the hidden necromancer, sister.¡±


    Mikros judgement was final.


    ¡°So, you are the one who took Eriel away after all, a hidden deviator.¡±


    All the years of investigation were finally going to bear fruit. The bastard was terrified; he couldn¡¯t move but even more, he couldn¡¯t believe it. I knew those eyes all too well, I loved this bastard once with all my heart. I believed in him, I believed over every doubt in my heart and even a vision from the Will.


    ¡°A stupid girl in love just doesn¡¯t want to see some things.¡± Mikros said as she patted me on the shoulder.


    ¡®Unforgivable!¡¯


    ¡°This bastard wanted Eriel¡¯s dark energy sister.¡± Brown raven gave an educated guess.


    ¡°Jealousy and envy amongst the Andurin? Despicable, loathsome, detestable!¡±


    I was angry. And yet thankful for the opportunity to right a wrong, even if it was inside a magical reality.


    Mikros passed me an eyepatch she had bought for me. I was growing attached to using that thing, a small ritual for sadistic imprinting. Perfect for what was about to go down.


    ¡°Enjoy the view, necromancer. It is the last thing you are going to be delighted with.¡±


    My puffed out milky orbs were in full bloom in front of the hanging, lying, cunning bastard.


    ¡°Lift him up just right, sister.¡± Mikros placed him right at the perfect floating distance for a torture slice with her Prisdirum.


    The beaten up offender had tearful eyes, he couldn¡¯t move a muscle thanks to all the needles that were placed upon him, not even a twitch.


    I placed the eyepatch on my eye.


    ¡°It is time for us to get thoroughly acquainted Basgram, Claimere Freslia, mad eye bitch at your service.¡±


    The words managed to create a surprising result. Even though he shouldn¡¯t have been able to, he trembled, his body trembled.


    As Akathos says and does when telling tales, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Insurmountable torture was all that awaited him for a while. Information would come later.


    SWIIIISH!


    No powers, no defense, he screamed like a bitch.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGHH!¡±


    Mikros got close enough for a whisper in his right ear and spoke sweetly yet menacingly.


    ¡°Girls just want to have fun.¡±


    A bitch to bitch, heart to heart began.

 CHAPTER 83

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Fourth Strata of Outer Darkness. Forty-five years inside the realm.


    I was having a crisis of multifarious repercussions. I was going to do my first solo capture. Master wasn¡¯t going to help in the strata, not from this point on. He was only going to be a guide, like a road map to the different targets and an extensive energy pack.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡± Blessings unification, Ikrei under control.


    This is why soul contract pairs Soul Merge and above with deep connections are deadly. Blessing unification.


    ¡®If I could only trust that wonderful ass.¡¯


    SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!


    I tried to read my master¡¯s soul several times since we arrived.


    ''I am full on paranoid about second handed machinations.''


    I got bitch slapped by the Will, of course.


    This strata is very similar to the fifth in its vastness and the places that are accessible. The difference lies in three things: no fire of any kind but this one is covered in some type of smog, vapor and drizzle, the mass monolithic structure here where the strata¡¯s regent resides is something very strange. A gigantic multicolored floating orb that covers the length of a thousand furlongs from its center.


    The home of the Demir, the Seer of Death.


    And third, the creatures living here and their behavior. The ataxiars of perpetual wink, the Demir¡¯s underlings. They control the never ending suffering of the spirit bodies through repetitive killing. They die then they are brought back just to die again.


    Full body control over the spirits in the strata, unless you are like us, people that shouldn¡¯t be here.


    ¡®Why would anybody come here to train?¡¯


    That¡¯s because the ataxiars don¡¯t attack anything that doesn¡¯t produce evil, corrupted feelings or dark energy. The spirits here are punished for their corrupted and evil deeds. And if you managed to get here from Ladnahlayr that has many cycles of reincarnation, that¡¯s saying something.


    Long way of saying, if you stay under the sheets and don¡¯t cause trouble you can mine resources like crazy. The problem lies in getting them out of this realm but the true powerhouses have their ways.


    Ataxiars are very weird looking creatures. They have dark eyes, muscled and bony at the same time with protruding horns and a tail, grayish in color. Twice the size of the tallest man. Their clawed teeth uninviting.


    ¡°Master, do I really have to do this now? I don¡¯t feel quite ready, yet.¡±


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    [Keep dashing, we are close, the information given by the goddess is certain, we already missed three targets for taking too long!]


    Master wasn¡¯t content during the early hours.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying! I¡¯m trying! Training the Byeolfeng while not letting the evil energies control me is hard. I need more love!¡±


    A true answer that also was a harsh critique of the Andurin methods.


    [I am here; we can talk later all you want about almost anything. Oblivion seal subjects excluded. Four hundred furlongs, get ready.]


    Again we were dashing with my speed since I was in control heading to our destination. No expansion of consciousness, for all the reasons previously stated.


    SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!


    [You never learn, do you Sachear?] Master was smiling, I felt it.


    ¡®No, I don¡¯t! I don¡¯t trust anything!¡¯


    Through the fog and into a small cave system, there was a being mining this realm¡¯s iteration of orgon. Purple, a little flamy, within the crystal.


    ¡®Huh, this the one, master?¡¯


    [Yes, one hit capture, only use the Will. Do not let your emotions wander, center yourself. Otherwise, the ataxiars will come if they sense two conglomerating dark energy sources.]


    I placed my legs properly on the grainy surface, one-furlong distance. The maximum range before detection, Akathos drilled me to no end on this, perfect calculation of space. One ring in each hand.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, release.¡¯


    The world slows down to almost a standstill.


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOOM!


    Star Steps, fourth art of the Andurin.


    The extravagant five tentacles being noticed the dive. Three tentacles straight unto my position.


    One breath.


    Left hand ring activation. The tentacles wanted to strike like a glance, the third wanted a grab.


    SHA! SHA! SHA!


    I let the first two strike their target with a slight movement to my right and a head weave. My spirit body¡¯s neck and shoulder suffered heavy damage. Third tentacle went for a grab of my shinning ring.


    There are not supposed to be any artifacts in the strata brought from the outside.  You can procure them here, if you are allowed. Realm restrictions. With his other two tentacles the unique being grabbed a bag, not much different from the one I had used for the metal pieces. He turned around wanting to disappear.


    Once the sword morphed from ring form in my left hand, I went in for a reverse grip muto at close range and canceled the grab. Straight crash into the escaping being.


    Two breaths. The other two tentacles that originally struck my body came back for round two. Slipping out of my body and attacking again.


    ¡®That hurt like hell, man. I mean, thing!¡¯


    [Take the hit, Ikrei. Take it!!!] Master shouted frantically inside our soul fused spirit body.


    ¡®Byeolfeng, first form, Oelounc¨¬. Lonely thrust!¡¯


    Two piercing tentacles, one piercing all-out thrust with three quarter reserves of energy from an Ascension Master.


    SHA! SHA!


    PUUUCHIII!


    The encroaching energy from the second blade in my right hand was inescapable. The being fell backwards with a loud thump and began convulsing silently.


    It, he, she didn¡¯t have time to expand the consciousness to alert anyone, it/he/she was sure that I was dead on arrival with the tentacle strikes. And in that sense, the thinking isn¡¯t wrong. The problem is the transforming blades, swords. They are too overpowered and I am being balmy here.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Before I began to fade away I trusted the right handed sword inside the dancing tentacle thing with no eyes.


    URGHWHOH!


    Forty breaths.


    Tentacles¡¯ life, an amphibian tri colored beast from another faraway place. The memories entered my soul and then retreated back into the sword. I held on biting the spirit lip, so to speak. I was getting used to the process now, but it didn¡¯t make it any easier.


    ¡®The more spirit bodies or souls a soul eater sword collects, the stronger the resonance becomes with the one holding it.¡¯


    The beings captured inside were screaming in resentment, hate and despair. At least, those were the feelings that were easily understood.


    This was kill capture number fifty-four.


    ¡®I hate many things too my fellow resenting ones.¡¯


    [Great. You are getting better at resisting the urges and being encircled by the dark energies. How was it? Did you feel how the godly weapon healed you with the energy from the sucked soul?]


    Master is always in teacher mode.


    ¡®No, not really but I no longer feel any pain.¡¯


    [More training then, we will rest for a little and resume hunting. Hunting until it is time to run for our lives!] Master was airy and detached after such a terrible statement.


    ¡°Wait master, run? What?!¡±


    I had to voice the question not only think about it, this was way too serious for that.


    [We cannot hunt forever without other uninvited taking measures. Either that or we have to slow down the speed. Why do you think a foreign goddess commanded this task?]


    Master loves to point out stuff.


    The moment of clarity came.


    ¡®Send a fool while you come along and get along!¡¯


    [She¡¯ll hunt us if we don¡¯t deliver or she might just leave the stratas. But once outside, she will be watching.]


    ¡°So can the Will, right?!¡±


    [We made a deal with a goddess, even if she¡¯s a minor one, there¡¯s much red tape to cut here. Your training comes first, we hunt, we run, we hide when the need arises.]


    The rest period for recuperation inside the caves of the fourth strata was unsavory.


    SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!


    ¡®Oh, come on! Don¡¯t you have realms to explore or something?!¡¯


    <hr>


    Mikros P.O.V.


    ¡®Sister is merciless with him, even more so with herself!¡¯


    She was punishing mirror world¡¯s Basgram endlessly. One needle went in, one needle came out, rinse and repeat. Seven straight hours of Freslia¡¯s mad retaliation and fury.


    The dehumanized theatre prop that Bargsam¡¯s body had become was barely recognizable. The room reeked with the smell of blood, feces and sweat. An unpleasant combination. The nauseous atmosphere didn¡¯t faze her at all.


    She was even getting closer to him, stepping over stuff that shouldn¡¯t be narrated.


    SQUILCH! SQUILCH!


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! SPURT! SPURT! SPURT!


    ¡®What could a two-core promising prospect do, against such an infuriated thing?¡¯


    And as a true representative of the necromancer class, despite all of the things that had happened until that point, Basgram¡¯s eyes had life in them. Flabbergasted, amazed and excited. The customary reaction from the practitioners of the dark path.


    Even without movement, he felt dangerous to me. I wouldn¡¯t want to face one of these man-beasts later on.


    ¡°Mikros, it is time, Extract everything you can from this filth!¡±


    Colder than ice, sharper than her blades.


    I followed her orders with swiftness. I placed my right hand on his head. His body was sitting half way to disfigurement against the bed amidst the smelly fluid compounds.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Soul fusion with a weakened andurian target plus my active art, Prisdirum, and my special blessing from the Will by the sages. I entered and dived into the memories of the defenseless deviator.


    One hundred breaths.


    His life, his training, running away into dark deep caves filled with strange fearbeasts in order to hide from prying eyes. Many more things including all the arts and techniques he had learned but what I was looking for remained elusive.


    I couldn¡¯t find the memory of the Ugrah Ladnah, the ritual initiated by the gods. I was going for broke, finding that one memory from a deviator is close to impossible.


    One would need to know the exact participating gods and a time frame to have a chance at it.


    The images, the sounds, the smells, the feelings, the thoughts taught me how he learned, when he learned but not where, or with whom. Then I felt it, a counter for my intrusion, the strong vibrating energy that was rejecting my advances.


    It almost made me lose the connection.


    An unmistakable energy vibration for grandmaster healers. A death seal.


    Basgram¡¯s active consciousness was sustaining it. He was a monster later in life, he was one when young too. I released the forced communion.


    ¡°Can¡¯t get the information on who was behind him teaching him. Death seal, sustained by his consciousness. The bastard is very much alive and kicking. But if we force it, the seal will kill him.¡±


    I reported my findings openly and honestly.


    ¡°If we can disrupt his concentration can you get it?¡± Freslia asked without glancing at me.


    She was still fixated on the mushy pulp¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how can that be accomplished. He¡¯s barely a human, sister. Perhaps an orgon infused iron maiden formation but we have not the resources nor the time for that.¡±


    She pointed at her still exposed front.


    ¡°I see.¡± I turned to gather a few bed sheets from the other rooms.


    ¡®Freslia, you are either completely heartless or borderline psychotic with yourself. I¡¯ll treat you, I promise, my sister!¡¯


    My sister got close really close to the disfigured lump of flesh. I had the sheets ready to deploy from my temporal ring at any second, maybe sooner with what my sister was planning.


    Basgram¡¯s eyes were fixated like a fearbeast in heat. He had Freslia¡¯s nipple right before his lips. Dark mages tend to be lustful pieces of shit, for the most part and if they are not, they are obsessed with killing and death and power.


    Basgram¡¯s dark fetiche was and is sex with beautiful women, the unsavory kind, domination and other similar tendencies.


    I got ready, it was going to be a one chance play.


    Basgram went for the bloody bite.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to believe it but Freslia tends to be right about crazy men, she dances so close to the edge of the dark path it is almost incomprehensible.¡¯


    One of the prides of master Burin, a blade birthed from bloodlust, loneliness and despair. Honed to the breaking point and brought back but she didn¡¯t return alone, she brought back death with her. The Deathbringer.


    ¡®None of us want to see you go all out, sister. For the day you do, you will die.¡¯


    I held my breath and prepared reading my right hand again, only one shot at breaking his defenses.


    One breath. ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Freslia ripped her clothes entirely, all in perfect view of Basgram. He bit like a baby would for a milk drop. I placed my hand in his head and soul communed.


    Basgram¡¯s consciousness was disrupted forced soul communion through the presence of the Will within him. His own weird desires betraying him.


    The Will is not too kind with those who would betray their brethren.


    The sheets went flying in the air and on their way to the target, Freslia¡¯s sculptural body.


    I entered the traitor¡¯s soul without resistance but the death seal remained.


    Ten breaths.


    I was gasping, unable to heal myself, on the floor kneeling and smelling the putrefaction.


    ¡°Huh, incredible! What a wondrous seal!¡±


    Basgram was dead, he bled out from his nose as Freslia incrusted the cold metal in his heart.


    ¡°What did you find, Mikros?¡±


    ¡°Bichmeyrul, it was the empire.¡±


    ¡°I feel a headache coming on.¡± A sheet wrapped Freslia spoke.


    She had readjusted the sheets to fit like a double cut all white tunic with a headscarf.


    I stood up and started the clean-up procedures inside the room. We needed to leave expeditiously. Freslia helped as well, with her true affinity¡¯s ability.


    We finished in under an hour. We swiftly left to deal with other similar matters, time was of the essence. We walked together matching steps like we always have into the streets.


    ¡°You are not going to change, Fres?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a mirror world, who cares.¡±


    ¡°We are being tailed, sis.¡± I admonished my smiling friend.


    ¡°Let¡¯s use them too. It¡¯ll be cool. You have them Mikros?¡±


    ¡°Of course. but who knows how long we have.¡±


    I gave my sister the special orgon infused concoction from our insider.


    GULP! GULP!


    We drank the contents in one go.


    ¡°With this at least temporarily our full powers will be available.¡± I said while we traversed the multitude, Freslia was taking everything very leisurely.


    ¡°Our little friend is here.¡±


    ¡°Woo!¡±


    Zaraki glided down and settled on Freslia¡¯s right shoulder.


    ¡°Hope you are ready for a rumble death crow!¡± Freslia caressed his beak and Zaraki placed a wing on her sheet improvised headscarf.


    A beautiful picture, sadly I had no flash crystal. A death crowraven from outer darkness, a being that shouldn¡¯t be in Ladnahlayr.


    ¡®The blessing of a chaos child. Great misfortune and great luck. A terrifying thing, a twisted pendulum of fate, the thousand faces roulette.¡¯


    ¡°Woo! Woo!¡±


    The crazy bird gave me a high five, feathered wing style. A kind and cute moment.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t things go back to how they were?¡± A question that was more of a sigh.


    ¡°They will, sis. I refuse to believe that he chose this outcome. There must be more.¡±


    Freslia strutted confidently. I just followed along. The nagging question remained within me.


    ¡®Is that so, really?¡¯


    ¡°We are ready, now that the team is complete. Let¡¯s go pick up our armors. Woo.¡± She was playing with the bird and I noticed many in the crowd turning to fawn over her but for real.


    In reality, our insider had stolen the armor sets from Orgis plus all the other necessities. We weren¡¯t who we are back then. Time reversal type problems.


    Even in a mirror world.


    ¡°I wanted to carve his heart into a memento, an artifact, but I guess I¡¯ll have to wait for the real thing!¡±


    She laughed darkly, like an incoming tempest, catching the attention of many more in the sea of people. The sadistic smile mesmerizing a few of the men in our immediate surroundings.


    ¡®Damn crazy woman, how can you look so pretty with a patch, even the blood on your hair seem like highlights. Reworked deluxe white bed sheets? You are going to give me an inferiority complex!¡¯


    We were headed to the hidden headquarters of the spy network of the empire placed here, Orgis attracts that type of attention.


    Two girls and a meddlesome flying beak with green eyes were about to cause a memorable fracas.


    And with this one day, I, Mikros Brienus learned the meaning of the ancient phrase.


    ¡°Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned. Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.¡±

 CHAPTER 84

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Third Strata of Outer Darkness. One hundred and fifty years inside the realm.


    ¡°You sure we have to do this? I have to do this?¡±


    [Yes, we do. These caves are the home to the trial of Lakesha. You need this to stabilize, I¡¯m joining you later so I don¡¯t want to hear any more complaints.]


    Master Akathos was adamant, no more sidestepping.


    ¡®Fine. I¡¯m in control, chanting and the Will, the seed of Malgrun, dark energy.¡¯


    The third strata is home to the dae-mon, the original name of the word demon. Unless you are as strong as master is, better leave them alone, not because all of them are powerful but because they travel in packs, like wolves.


    The king here has many vassals, all prominent, even dark winged ones. But the wolf pack type demons are scary.


    The true servant of King Shamyl, Legion, for he is many. Thousands of fast, dangerous shadowy men. Their leaders have horns.


    We evaded them and went for the cave.


    Another vast darkened plane of existence. Purple skies and constant lightning strikes with thunders constantly resounding.


    [Now, today you are allowed to use all the shadow forms if you need. Make me proud.]


    Shadow Warrior of the cultivators, Kagemusha. Or Shadow Blade of the Andurin, Dosik.


    Dosik is andurian for gloom.


    I swallowed hard. Ten years training the stuff and this was the first time I was going to truly use them out on the field. I was nervous because the dark stratas were overtaking me, the reason we were here.


    This was also an allowance from master so that if and when I could fight Krigs or Freslia on equal footing I could put the hurt on them. I was welcomed to try against him.


    ¡®Nope, don¡¯t think I will for that last one.¡¯


    We kept slowly, carefully walking into the cave, empty, quiet, eerie.


    Three levels down through the special mineral cave system tunnels and still nothing.


    ¡®Say master, where are the suffering souls here, I didn¡¯t see any?!¡¯


    [Remember the capstone? Thousands upon thousands of cells with jailers, mockers and torturers. You won¡¯t find it unless the demons want you to find it, the prison.]


    There was an extremely large white capstone we saw on our way here, it read:


    ¡ªHere lie the bloodthirsty, the conspirators, the warmongers, the instigators and the spillers of innocent blood¡ª


    Ten levels down, the tunnels became gigantic in size, enough to fit several fully equipped armies. Astounding.


    Something was headed our way. Dark energy, the immense kind. Only Soul Merge and above would dare thread against this kind of thing.


    Shivers, it reminded me of a certain Spider Queen.


    [Remember everything I taught you. Don¡¯t ever say I didn¡¯t give you a fair shot!]


    A typical reminder after so many years.


    ¡®Yeah, yeah, I got it.¡¯


    ¡°Inhale, exhale. Release.¡±


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOOM!


    Star Shadow Steps, the art of the Dosik.


    A blue streak of Will infused art.


    The cave rumbled and like a speeding carriage pulled by a thousand Ialpilgars. The beast appeared, a monster of monsters, the great snake, the Basilisk.


    Two arrows heading towards each other.


    Two breaths of distance.


    ¡°SHHAAAA!¡± The incoming beast launched a venomous attack.


    Green, viscous liquid in front of us. Dangerous.


    A split second decision going back to Ciel¡¯s training sessions. I plunged the materialized sword with my left hand into the rocky floor and made a forced course correction.


    I zigzagged to my right. Even in the spirit world, this is painful. The whole arm seemed to break. The stratas give you pain, they feed of pain, a never ending tormenting cycle.


    Heavy sidestep to the right and unto the wall of the large tunnel.


    The basilisk coiled unto itself at a speed that should be impossible with a creature of that size. More venom, hundreds of spits, this time.


    [CHARGE!] The scream from my master jolted me into action.


    ¡®Fuck! Fine, here goes energy depletion. One shot kill just like the capture of souls.¡¯


    The equivalent of losing two and a half cores worth of energy. Extreme speed for two breaths according to your realm with the aid of the Will.


    To use this chant without that kind of penalty you need one of three things: sagecraft artifact, lightning attribute or a soul master class. Master and I aren¡¯t any of these things and the Sagecrafts are property of the order, hard to use them outside their controlled environments.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡± Andurian chant for storm wind.


    ¡°ARLUN! FAILEN!¡± Malgrunian chant for soulfire shadow.


    ZOOOOM! UUUFGH!


    One breath. A High speed bolt of engulfing fire that disappears. The gift of our first capture.


    The venom hits where I was just a second before, the entire rocky structure melted a little, gas came from the rocks, no different than boiling water.


    UUUFGH!


    I reappeared like a materializing shadow right above the head of the massive beast.


    There was only enough energy for the killing blade. The energy reserves of a monster like Akathos almost depleted in less than three and half breaths since the confrontation started.


    The beast seemed to be frozen in place from our viewing position.


    [NOOOOOW!!!] Master¡¯s furious order caused a reflexive action.


    The fusing of the two swords and one hundred and fifty souls trapped within the two resonated.


    Two breaths. The world restarted and the basilisk wanted to react. A death dive, directly into the head, right in the middle of the eyes.


    The beast dies or we die, the fighting style of the chaos blades.


    ¡°MIOHAIL!¡± Andurian chant for metal cry.


    Blade in front we went down.


    The beast emitted a massive magic barrier.


    The entire cave system shook. A few rocks broke off from the ceiling in the spirit world.


    DOOOOOOOOOOOONG!


    The resonance felt like a crushing hand upon our souls. The godly unified metallic wonder doesn¡¯t cut through but absorbs the barrier, the souls inside began feeding.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    The feelings of hatred, and vengeance from the souls came like a wave. The metal glinted, the power increased. Otherworldly is an understatement.


    We wanted to laugh madly with them.


    ¡°First form, lonely thrust.¡± We thought within, like a whisper.


    A shriek, venom everywhere. We went through the mouth of the basilisk, the beast managed to move to swallow us whole.


    The great basilisk closed its mouth.


    The swords became two again, one in each hand. I went for the final move.


    ¡°Byeolfeng, second form, Eodumxu¨¥ru¨°, Dark Weakening¡±


    SWISH! SLASH! SWISH! SLASH! SWISH! SLASH!


    The double cut style attack destroyed the beast from the inside.


    THUD! THUD! THUD!


    We crashed unto the rocks exiting the beast from its belly.


    Heavy gasping and need for air, in a place where there is no air. It means your soul is strained. Akathos and I, just stared at the destroyed beast for many breaths.


    One hundred breaths. The body of the beast became smoke and disappeared into thin air that wasn¡¯t really air.


    ¡°What?!¡± I remained with my hands on the floor like a dog, in fours.


    [This was YOUR test. The caves adjust to any who come. Of course Soul Merge is the minimum requirement.]


    Always teaching, always correcting. And since no congratulations came, he was not happy.


    [Your control over the second form requires a lot more training, it seems.]


    ¡®Ah, so that¡¯s what it was. Got it.¡¯


    [How was it, the power of the Miohail?]


    ¡°Will infused metal attacks are awesome, no penalty, master!¡±


    I was truly left in puzzlement with such an increase in power with the unified swords.


    [Your affinities are great: darkness, fire, metal. You will have to check your complete affinity chart once you are out of here. Years of trial and error to figure out things can only be done in places like this, like we have.]


    ¡®Yes, master. If you help me get out of this trap, I¡¯ll do that.¡¯


    [And on that note, your demonic little thing is like you, metal root, fire root and chaos root at least from what I can gather. You are almost a perfect mirror of each other minus the affinity levels of each attribute, of course. Almost¡­almost like fate.]


    ¡®Yeah, legendary kind of thing. I have heard that before.¡¯


    I settled for a long round of meditation and recovery. The stratas negative energy were a terrible proposition for a spirit body with low energy reserves.


    [Happy thoughts, Ikrei. Do whatever, what do the young blades say? Get your freak on, right?]


    An instruction that was an allowance. I was having severe problems with the influence.


    I started meditating with my master¡¯s help.


    I didn¡¯t want to do it but there was no choice, we needed to recuperate against the encroaching threat. So I let my thoughts go to the source of my problems in the last few years. As master said, happy thoughts.


    ¡®A kiss, long strands of hair and a cute rounded bottom.¡¯


    A long meditation cycle took place.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Mirror World. Day of Sukur, fourth week of the tenth month, two minutes to midnight, year 9002.


    ¡°Say sister, can the empire do what we are doing?¡± Mikros was nervous.


    ¡°They can, and even more. Their magic is bordering the realm of legends.¡±


    ¡°So, they¡¯ll know or something?¡± Mikros was really nervous with that last one.


    ¡°Eventually, they¡¯ll do some magic of their own and we will counter and they will counter that and on and on for who knows how long.¡±


    ¡°Sister, I feel like I don¡¯t want to do this anymore.¡± Puffed cheeks and closed fists.


    ¡®Nervous, panties on the point of tearing kind of nervous.¡¯


    ¡°You know, you wanted in. You have heard people say, men are like dogs and women are like cats?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with anything, Fres?¡± An expression of confusion appeared.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. Cause curiosity killed the cat!¡±


    I played with her hair, stuck out my tongue and winked.


    She finally smiled a little.


    ¡°Big sis is here, don¡¯t fret too much.¡±


    We were looking at our target. The Dogran Industries facilities in Katopr. The elegant clock tower in plain view.


    ¡°How are we going to get in, this looks tight. I don¡¯t mean your muscles, sis.¡± Joking always relaxes miss Brienus.


    I showed her the seal coin my ¡°necessities¡± pouch had inside. The little magic pouch, the original magic space containers before the rings had plenty of things for various possibilities, including the meddling of Bichmeyrul.


    ¡°A real empyrean seal coin? How?¡± To say Mikros was open mouthed would be an understatement.


    ¡®I could probably feed her a whole chicken, right now.¡¯


    ¡°Just follow my lead, our insider is awesome, is he not?¡±


    ¡°I guess since its war time you have detailed files on the Dogran family, right sis?¡±


    I nodded and with confidence we started our synchronized walk through the streets once more.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡®Zaraki, stay hidden and track your master¡¯s energy or whatever dark stuff you can find interesting in there. Mikros prepare everything for forced compulsion.¡¯


    I sent the last orders as mental messages before we went inside for checkups.


    We were ushered in and headed to a gorgeous waiting room with plenty of amenities and delicacies, the excess and luxury of the richest family in the empire.


    We were having a grand old time with the cookies and wine when the pesky bird got bored.


    ¡®Don¡¯t mess around Zaraki or you will never get inside me again! Stop putting those thoughts in my mind! Naughty, naughty warbler!¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    We stood silently in a small strange cave that was further down the tunnels. A single golden cup in the center, a nice but simple marble arrangement underneath. The glow of light bounced on the stones and rocks, the small passage felt both inviting and unwelcoming.


    Golden colored lightning continuously striking within the cave that made no sound when it hit the rocks.


    I knew we were here for this but master hadn¡¯t explained anything about it.


    [This my boy is the cup of poison of the dark otherworldly gods. This is your first crossroad, Ikrei. You¡¯re going to drink from the cup and we will see what happens.]


    The terrible words not only jolted me but caused a hateful reaction.


    ¡°Poison?! Poison?! What the fuck?!¡±


    I was screaming so loud that if we had been in the real world, I would have been hoarse.


    The powerful force of my master¡¯s soul stopped the screaming dead on its tracks.


    [Your control is slipping; the energies will overtake you at this pace. You need to prove to me, you are as good as or better than Eriel with proper training. Do you think the Andurin are a charity or something? This is a test, your first real test.]


    I was released from my master¡¯s control.


    Seventy breaths.


    ¡®Fine, how does all this work? I want a detailed explanation with nothing but the truth. I know a thing or two about test¡¯s and soul contracts. And unless I agree, we will sit here for whatever time I got left. You have twenty-seven hours in the world outside, remember?¡¯


    I let Akathos have a piece of my mind. I added a famous little sound for absolute emphasis with my spoken word.


    ¡°Tick, tick, tick, tick. Master!¡± I was cold and merciless just like mad eye.


    Several grains of sand later, about three thousand.


    [Not bad kid. Only once so listen good, okay?]


    ¡®Sure.¡¯


    [The drink will materialize when you take the cup. This is one of the places where chaos mages can take their true initiation. Eriel came here, same with you now. You are a bard, a creative. Something that is, something without the need of order, a reflection of chaos. If the dark path approves of you, you¡¯ll live and give you what you need to endure the trials to come. If it does not, you die and I¡¯ll spend my remaining time trying to bring Eriel back once you are gone. Detailed enough?]


    Cold, merciless and all those other words cannot begin to describe what I felt.


    ¡°Why? Why is this shit again?! Why must I walk the path of absolute darkness?¡± I complained and questioned bitterly.


    [Come on kid, the power you have is not YOURS, it is the power Eriel earned. You are a placeholder. I wanted and want to give you a chance, Eriel was known for going off the cuff and making it work. If you won¡¯t, you won¡¯t. You are a good kid but you are in the middle of other people¡¯s lives. I¡¯ll figure something out once this ends.]


    Akathos words were slamming and bouncing inside my mind. The reality that whoever Eriel was, he was the one that was loved, cherished even if he was evil.


    ¡®My attempt to not be so evil, dark or whatever, means nothing to you guys, in comparison.¡¯


    [Ikrei, you don¡¯t have to evil but you MUST have the ability to be. Otherwise you cannot overcome what you have not become. The power to rise with one¡¯s own strength, the Will loves such people.]


    Akathos continued to explain but I wasn¡¯t having it, not yet anyway.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the liberty and freedom? Can I be free to change my mind?¡±


    There was more complaining. A true self-pity party.


    [What if tell you I can take your soul out of all this pain but you must give up all the power?]


    Akathos has a knack for shaking people down to their bones.


    ¡®What? Heck, what did you just say?¡¯


    The cave and the cup felt foreign and distant in the noiselessness space with golden light.


    Three hours of convolution, thoughts, feelings and self-loathing. I wanted to cry again but couldn¡¯t.


    [See, Ikrei. You want the power but you want it in your own terms. That¡¯s not going to happen. Again, it was never yours in the first place. If you decide to go through with it. I¡¯ll tell you how to pass the test but the dark path will be your home.]


    My spirit body moved by itself, Akathos¡¯ doing. I held the golden cup in my left hand.


    ¡®The irony.¡¯


    A green and red substance soon came to be within the chalice.


    [It is time to decide.]


    ¡®Why wasn¡¯t I born as one the quasi saints of the order, like Ciel?¡¯


    ¡®Why must I bear the choices made by someone else?¡¯


    ¡®If I am Eriel, why is it so hard for me to accept this? Why?¡¯


    ¡°What will I gain besides power if I do this, master?¡± I actually worded my thought.


    [Those who choose this path have chosen themselves above everything, the world over heaven and enforce their own rules upon others in a form of their choosing. You have to internalize that first. Gain? The freedom to live as you may if you are strong enough. For most that¡¯s an impossibility but for you, it is a plausible reality.]


    Ikrei was dying, not totally but he was, I was.


    ¡®Stop lying to yourself!¡¯


    Her words repeated like a drum.


    ¡°Can I be good, kind and all that, later?¡±


    [Sure, I do that. But going down the depths is unavoidable. You can still choose to walk away from it all Ikrei. But by now, you must know you really don¡¯t want that.]


    [I¡¯ll be joining you, we are connected but my trial will be separate from yours. One cup, two souls, two trials.]


    ¡®What? Aren¡¯t you a full on chaos mage?¡¯


    [Think of it as a renewing of vows. You can always get something.]


    I sighed as I thought I was going to drag this man with me at least, for just a moment.


    And then I thought about my father for a long, long time.


    ¡°How do I pass this trial then?¡±


    [Endure the poisoning, do as you did in the meditation, exactly like that. Then you will receive what you need for the future.]


    Master¡¯s answer was filled with expectancy.


    ¡°But what will happen after the poisoning?¡±


    [Only what you take with you.]


    Another cryptic answer, unsurprising.


    All this happened because deep down even if Ikrei, I, wasn¡¯t fully evil, I was just as selfish as the cute little lass. Even if it was for different reasons.


    And like this, the small time forest hunter joined the ranks of the motherfuckers with one hard gulp.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!¡±


    That poison was no joke, no joke at all.


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡°Thank you for receiving us at such a late hour, Viscount Dogran.¡±


    The opulence of the clock tower office could not be missed. Having the greatest luxury in the world with a working glass magic clock behind you is nothing but striking, almost as much as how handsome the man sitting across us was, the brother of the head of the family.


    The relatives of the Magician Emperor, Thyrian Bichmeyrul.


    ¡°It is of no matter; we are always working on something. I hope you enjoyed our accommodations.¡±


    ¡°Of course we did. Thank you for the hospitality.¡± I placed the seal coin of the empyrean blood on the desk of the Viscount.


    Viscount Asir Dogran checked the coin carefully, he even used an artifact for a scan.


    ¡°Very well, it checks out. Now tell me what does the reincarnation of Avair Zela is doing here.¡± He waved his hand.


    The room sealed itself. A sealed space with the power of hidden artifacts under his control.


    ¡°Viscount, I¡¯m looking to increase my prowess to enter the ranks of the blades of Andukir or the Claimere, whichever the order finds me suitable for.¡±


    I used my most pleasant voice, this is the empire.


    ¡°We have plenty of products that can aid a smoother path, not a justification for using the Imperial coin.¡± An understandable correction by the Viscount.


    ¡°We want whatever deal Basgram has, great noble.¡± Mkros interjected just as planned.


    Asir Dogran showed no reaction, a consummate politician used to the dealings and traps transpiring in the Imperial Court.


    Since he wasn¡¯t speaking nor denying, I pushed the gambit.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you see the sincerity in our words, Viscount. I¡¯ll soul commune with you without any protections. You can decide if my hunger for immediate results is real and if we are worth investing in. A member of the Brienus family and a former rising star whose career was cut short. Giving you the name of my previous life incarnation was enough show of sincerity already, great noble.¡±


    I bowed my head just a tiny bit, an intent of submission sign.


    A deathly stillness of more than thirty minutes, a man weighing his options with a smile.


    ¡°Alright, if what you say is a lie, the two of you will be lost forever, never to return to Lemuria.¡±


    He motioned for me to stand in the middle of the magnanimous office sealed space.


    I did as I was told and prepared for soul communion. Mikros pretended to be excited yet worried, she stood up to watch.


    In reality, she was getting ready to act as soon as the opportunity presented itself.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°FALAM BRIE AITOR!¡±


    The convergence of souls occurred but with a massive surprise for Mirror World¡¯s Asir Dogran. He was converging with Zaraki.


    Eriel¡¯s magnificent otherworldly servant and friend.


    A special being that doesn¡¯t belong and shouldn¡¯t be here.


    ¡°Woo!¡±


    The great noble was rooted to the spot unmoving. Zaraki was inside of the noble playing puppet master.


    ¡°Now!¡± I ordered Mikros.


    One breath. ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡± ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    With each of our hands on the head of the petrified noble we soul communed again. A three way with Zaraki as the nexus.


    Mikros had to use all my reserves to search quickly for any information related to Eriel¡¯s future disappearance and if possible, the information on more spies, deviators and plans the empire was executing.


    The window of time for this, was tighter than the magic clock.


    Ten breaths. The sealing in the space dissolved, the office rumbled.


    ¡°You got something, Mikros?!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I do!¡±


    ¡°Got to go!¡± We forcefully cut the connection.


    From my pouch I took several pills and swallowed them in a single hand motion. I needed energy.


    Mikros took out the armors from her pouch and placed them in front of me, near the clock.


    Using my true greatest affinity, the special alloys of the armors split into thousands of little pieces.


    Needles, forcefully made needles from Runecraft armor. I sent them crashing unto the glassy clock.


    ¡°MIOHAIL!¡± Fully powered metal affinity with the Will.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    The magic barrier was unable to take such a hit. The magic clock of the clock tower exploded into even more pieces that were falling over the heads of the unsuspecting in the streets below.


    ¡°The tower!¡± ¡°The clock!¡± ¡°Magi!¡± Magi!¡± The count!¡±


    Shout of all kinds came from below.


    ¡°Grab him Mikros, before he stabilizes!¡± I gave her the final order before the escape.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The arrogance and overconfidence of the empire in full display. Viscount Dogran closed the door with a seal, thinking he was the lion when he was the prey.


    The Magi outside blasting the door to enter.


    With the remaining needle I made a cut in my neck. I bled, considerably.


    ¡°Zaraki, feed! Take us out of here! Don¡¯t drop him, Mikros!¡±


    ¡°Woooooo!¡± Zaraki bit on the wound and devoured my blood. We jumped out into the open air and plunged down.


    WHOOOSH!


    Mikros closed her eyes, she is afraid of heights.


    ¡°Sisteeeeer!!!¡±


    ¡°Ha, Ha, ha, ha!¡±


    ¡®I love dives, like, who doesn¡¯t?!¡¯


    Two breaths.


    Half a furlong from hitting the ground and being surrounded by the security forces, Zaraki grew in size from my blood. The incredible new wingspan allowed for a comfortable high speed glide outside of the facilities.


    A closed eyed Mikros holding on to the great noble like a scarecrow and a laughing companion flew away in plain sight of everyone in the vicinity. Held by two massive legs from a creature most had never seen before.


    ¡°HELP!¡± What is that thing?! ¡°Magi!¡± Magi!¡± ¡°HELP!¡±


    They didn¡¯t fire because we had the noble, a scratch on his clothes would mean death for anyone in the place. Even if someone saved him, being tricked by two girls, was a step too far.


    A humiliation of the Dogran name that someone always has to pay for.


    The security did activate the magical barrier of the Dogran Industries to keep us in but it could not. Zaraki crossed the barrier like it was nothing. Nevertheless, the dark magi of Dogran made their pursuit once they realized what was happening.


    Just like Malaktaraf has a Will infused barrier, the Empire has Falam infused barriers.


    Only very special beings can cross these types of barriers, Krigsain can cross anything.


    Zaraki can cross any darkness based barrier, including Falam¡¯s.


    And this is why they wanted Eriel, dark energy from Outer Darkness. The empire uses the Void of Consciousness, the blessing of Falam. And this is also why, the Andurin order values Ikrei¡¯s life so much.


    Chaos mages with a dark blessing that is not from Falam are very, very rare. Akathos being the second in our entire order, Eriel the third.


    Six breaths.


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    The dark magi were getting close, close enough for an encirclement.


    ¡°Zaraki! Takes us where our tail from the order is!¡± I shouted an order


    A sharp downward turn left, we headed into the valley where the majority of the city of Katopr is located. A feast of lights, a memorable sight, with wind in my hair.


    ZOOOOM! ZOOOOM! ZOOOOM!


    ¡°Drop him, Mikros!¡± She did as I said.


    ¡°AAAHHH!¡± Great noble had resentful eyes, he had just shaken off Zaraki¡¯s influence.


    A few dark magi went with him, a trio stayed on pursuit. They began firing spells.


    Mikros covered us with her area type spell blessing and made the attacking spells dissipate, deflect or explode.


    BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG! BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG!


    ¡°Sister, what happens if we die here?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, forgot to ask.¡±


    BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG! BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG!


    ¡®We will see you soon brother.¡¯


    BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG! BOOOM! CLANG! DOOONG!


    An uncharacteristic and exasperated shout came from the brown raven.


    ¡°FREEEEESLIAAAAAA!¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®What happened? Where am I?¡¯


    ¡®The poison wore off? Did I make it?¡¯


    SMOOCH! SMOOCH!


    The unmistakable interlacing of tongues that I knew and fantasied with was transpiring.


    Blessings resonating an all that. I reached out and grabbed her waist, those killer shadow reflecting curves that can drive a man mad.


    I finally was able to open my eyes.


    ¡°Mm.¡± Yun Hee arched herself back.


    Only then, did I have an idea of what was happening, albeit not how or anything else.


    A tighter feel, a longer hair, all the way down to her waist and a more pronounced rounded bosom. All in all, a more mature look.


    Yun Hee, an older Yun Hee, a few years¡¯ worth of growth.


    ¡°Paramour?¡± Words escaped me easily.


    A view that can only be achieved in dreams, lay before me, on top of me.


    ¡°Paramour?¡±


    Yun Hee slowly, seductively slithered to my eye level as she said my words back to me.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    A thoughtful question that was largely due to my mature and revealing consort.


    Her eyes were very similar a certain phoenix belter.


    ¡°You are getting cold feet or something, Ikrei?¡±


    ¡°Cold feet? What?!¡± Everything was truly confusing.


    Even more so when she placed my hands on that derriere.


    ¡°I got to hand it to you, really! Like how can you look at me with those eyes?!¡±


    More confusion and intrigue.


    ¡°What eyes?¡±


    ¡°The eyes of someone that¡¯s seeing me for the first time. How do you do it? I can tell it¡¯s real, I can feel you. You want to go again?¡±


    Confusion, intrigue, desire. A mess. I still nodded, whatever this dream, illusion was it was an irresistible proposition for the current me.


    ¡°Alright, but I need time. You did me good tonight, bewitching. I¡¯ll be taking a rest in the pool, I¡¯ll see you later, Ikrei.¡±


    Just as before, she expertly and softly left my side. Not before letting me have an extensive feel, a dance of hands, the taste of foreplay.


    ¡°Wait! What cold feet? Why are you not addressing me as lord?¡±


    I asked whatever came to my mind first. I wanted a taste, I needed a taste.


    ¡°She slightly turned her head and those eyes had confusion written all over them.


    ¡°You got me a new home, right? Just like I wanted, right? Right?!¡±


    She wasn¡¯t forceful but it was almost there, on the cliff. I had an idea of what she was talking about but I felt if I asked anything, something bad was going to happen.


    ¡°Your feelings are all over the place, Ikrei. The, I see you for the first time angle is getting bitter not sweeter, LORD.¡±


    ¡®I better play the old trustworthy here, poker face!¡¯


    ¡®Inhale, exhale, Release.¡¯


    ¡°You will get something better, just leave it to me!¡±


    I concentrated in all my positive memories, stabilizing my emotional flow.


    ¡®Strata training to the rescue!¡¯


    ¡°Really?! Yeobo.¡± She smiled.


    She headed for the door not before retracting her hair just enough for a full fleshy view of the complete opposite of a fly by night posterior.


    ¡®Grrr.¡¯


    ¡°I don¡¯t call you lord in the chambers, Ikrei. After all the shit I¡¯ve tolerated, I¡¯ve earned it.¡±


    The door closed.


    ¡°One hour!¡± A shout came from the other side of the door.


    I could feel it, once she rested she wanted another go.


    Little me was 100% ready for some deeper meaning.


    I began to check the room, a new room, another one of Yun Hee¡¯s refurbishments. I had an idea that this dream was close to four years into the future.


    ¡®Why else would she need a new home on my dime?¡¯


    The room was luxurious and spacious. Three of the villa¡¯s rooms made into one. Instruments, recording glyphs, tables, mirrors, craftmics and a gigantic rose shaped bed, petals on the floor and all that.


    ¡®Her perfume permeates the air in here.¡¯


    I searched the room and found ¡°my clothes,¡± the Andurian cloak with magically embroidered symbols in the fabric. A cacophony of sounds, thoughts and feelings came over me.


    I dressed lightly, there was going to be no need for coverings for a while.


    I decided to play around the room with the instruments, the music sheets and the artifact candles while I waited for an hour to pass.


    Most of the music where rough drafts, workable ideas that require a lot of that, work. Many pages had annotations done with my own hand, my handwriting. Others had lips drawn into them.


    Little consort seemed to be in good spirits, in this reality.


    Eventually I headed for the door, I turned the knob but nothing happened. The door wouldn¡¯t open.


    Being in a state of need for physical intimacy, I crashed unto the door like meteor, with everything I had.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡±


    DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!


    A resonance occurred, I flew back landing my own ass on the bed.


    I have no words to describe what I felt or thought at that moment back then.


    ¡®What is this? The future? A ruse?¡¯


    I tried everything.


    ¡°Yun Hee!¡± Hazu!¡± ¡°Open up!¡±


    Every time I trashed the room, the room reverted back to the previous state before my destructive rampage. All in a space of four breaths, every single time.


    In magical terms and arcane knowledge, the number four is equal to door in certain practices and belief systems. Of course, I had no clue back then.


    This was a clue left by the chalice of the dark path.


    Horny little me had no idea.


    Several hours later, I gave up and started to do some real introspection.


    ¡®What I need for the future. Only what you take with you.¡¯


    ¡°Whatever I need is here, it¡¯s got to be! I¡¯m still me, not Eriel!¡±


    I looked around and scavenged like in my old days of rabbit hunting with Teng.


    Three hours later I had everything I could lay my hands on the giant bed.


    Sitting in a lotus position I held the magical panda toy I gifted Yun Hee.


    ¡®Can¡¯t hurt to listen to Strangers while I check all these stuff.¡¯


    ¡°Well not all, the panties are just a reflexive retrieval, right Ikrei, right?¡±


    I activated the little toy and placed it on the pedestal table to my right.


    I had some clippings from newspapers with me. The headlines read as follows:


    Brett Black introduces Yika Moonlight!


    A new style of music is born!


    An underappreciated genius, Yika Moonlight first album sales disappoint!


    The novelty of fast cadence speech music tracks increases!


    Dark light night! Yika¡¯s true unveiling, a star is born!


    Yika disappears from the limelight. Incomprehensible!


    A parchment, a divine grade parchment, a letter. The last lines sent shockwaves through my being.


    <ul>


    <li style="text-align: center">You are hereby summoned by the court of the Queen of the Night. You have been chosen to become one with the Underworld, refusal will not be tolerated.</li>


    </ul>


    Demir, the Seer.


    A flask an intricate, delicate flask with less than a single drop of blood. Dark energy, the kind that you feel in the stratas. The flask had runic engravings from the cultivator world, the eastern tongues.


    The song that the toy was playing was not ¡°Strangers¡± but a personal work of little lass.


    I checked all the music tracks from her debut album and the other four that were released before her disappearance with the things on the bed. The song wasn¡¯t among them.


    It caught me, the groovy feel had my fingers snapping with the rhythm. it was about a lot of things but it was also about us!


    With all the revelations I knew, I had to learn everything here in detail, just in case.


    I was Ikrei, years later, I had made it, made it!


    ¡®COOOOOOME OOOOOON!!!!¡¯


    Dal is moon in her eastern tongue, a singing blade from the Nation of the Sword, Bonguk Geom.


    Forgetting time, I immersed myself completely in everything related to Yun Hee while listening to her song. The strange and catchy musical style of what would later be known as the song from the "Bard of the Underworld."


    ¡°Ye, ye ye, de ne de.¡±


    It means yes as a word play on pronunciation. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe she actually recorded a couple of orgasms just like Ixur did, in a song. This relationship is doomed.¡¯


    I snickered strangely.


    A cachinnation of the highest order, like a certain someone.

 CHAPTER 85

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    One typical day of training and talking with master, elder Akathos.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    After the slashes I turned with a spin and sat back down inside the green room of the labyrinth, one of the secluded places of the second strata. I had been training under master¡¯s guidance for over five years in this unwelcoming place.


    [For one hit kills and captures the only thing you need are the first two forms. I have sealed the other four inside your soul.] Master explained speaking into my soul.


    ¡°You did that while I was meditating, resisting the energies in this place?¡± I spoke from my lotus position.


    [You noticed? Your perception is getting better. Let¡¯s try forms one and two, Ikrei.]


    Master gave another of his training time orders.


    ¡°You have sealed the forms up to form number six. Weren¡¯t there supposed to be seven?¡± The question had to be made.


    [As you grow in the realms, the forms will unlock. You can use the Reika sword forms in the meantime. The seventh is the pinnacle of your wisdom, it is for you to create when the time comes. The seven precepts, the heptagram, the Seachar, the way of the Andurin.]


    Master Akathos is the ultimate version of artifact Iru.


    ¡®Regardless, at least I don¡¯t feel lonely thanks to him.¡¯


    [Oh, thank you, grumbling Ikrei. Once you fix that you will be set. Let¡¯s go around the labyrinth looking for someone to absorb, later.]


    ¡°I want a better explanation than just resist and try everything. Throw in soul growth and core growth for good measure. I know experiencing things is better than any theory. But since we are stuck here, it is a good time. So, if you will 9002, the floor is yours.¡±


    I made a master of ceremonies style bow with the accompanying hat trick. Of course, there was no hat.


    I was standing readying myself for practice, the practice for the forms.


    [Ha, ha, ha, ha! Very well, 10002!]


    Elder Akathos got ready for expanded lecture time.


    [What you are doing is soul control, you are using my power to fine-tune what you have, a good level of mastery from the go. Something you should have, if you were Eriel. The gods work as follows: you prove yourself, your core grows and that growth is transferred to your soul through your blessings. What happens if you lose a core? You start over with the help of the god¡¯s blessing, faster recovery, greater ability to withstand core overuse, etc. If you have no blessing from a god, you can still do it, it is just tens of times harder. Finally, once you reach peak soul merge you can burn away your soul for power, that is, fight without cores for a extremely limited time or combine your cores with your soul in the burnout. Your soul is the recipient and storage of everything. What is lost varies from god to god. For the unbound, it is true death. Don¡¯t do it unless it is a life and death deal, you hear me?]


    ¡°Got it, master.¡±


    [Finally through time in the stratas you will absorb the energy of this place, just like the great experts do. More energy, more power, power to resist all types of soul attacks. It¡¯s going to be anything but easy.]


    ¡®But that doesn¡¯t sound fair to the unbound, they cannot stay here as long as we can.¡¯


    [Gods allow creation to do whatever it wants but why should they help one that doesn¡¯t want to follow them? They made us, so it is really like picking a fight with mama and papa. Papa and mama are just slapping back real hard, that is all. Still, the unbound do try and the really capable ones are worthy of admiration. Even if their chosen path is misguided. To me, at least. This good on souls, Ikrei?]


    ¡°How do they do it, the great unbound?¡±


    [Think of the great fighters in the pits. There are ones that use crystals, potions, rituals to get stronger. Then there are the few ones that do not. It is possible for a specimen freak to be born and with pure talent, a good regimen, they can reach the same level as the others. More time, more effort, more learning to get there. If they were to cross paths, the unbound would beat the crap out of any in their level. That includes me, barely but it does. Watch out for them, Ikrei. That enough?]


    ¡®Yep. How about the negative emotion stuff?¡¯


    [A way to counter negative emotions is with a positive one but what you are doing is dissociation or overpowering, depending on the case. You are separating your own negative energies from the outside. Most of the negative energies based on regret coming from the screaming tortured souls in the stratas bounce off you because your emotions are greater, your regret is far deeper. You are a saint soul killer, my boy!]


    The lessons were soul wrenching at times, this day was one of them lessons.


    I felt the intensity and sincerity in the admittance of using underhanded methods for results from the elder. Chaos mages can be brutal. The small prickling of dread came over me. The disruption within myself allowed the energies related to fear from the strata to penetrate my spirit body.


    ¡°AHHHHHH!¡± ¡°AHHHHHH!¡±  ¡°AHHHHHH!¡±


    Episodic failure number four hundred and two.


    The more time you spend in the stratas the harder it gets. No different from drugs.  It is exactly like staring down a lion, you might die anyway but if you show fear you are already dead.


    ¡®The years in the stratas are like going underwater, every day falling deeper and deeper. The strain becoming almost unbearable during certain days.¡¯If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Same principle.


    Akathos is a monster, a true, terryfying monster.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to ask about the trials of the Claimere. This is enough.¡¯


    [¡°FIGHT IT!¡± ¡°FIGHT IT!¡± ¡°FIGHT IT¡±] Akathos shouted within me.


    ¡®I know! I know!¡¯


    I let all my happy memories come forth like a wave, a tidal wave of feeling.


    <ul>


    <li>A bottle of Thruskan.</li>


    <li>A ketar.</li>


    <li>A piano.</li>


    <li>The Song Remains The Same. My folk bard¡¯s tale song, myself placed unto a sheet of music.</li>


    <li>My father. One rainy night hunt after my first rabbit and watching the star of Andurin.</li>


    <li>Puri eating panckakes until he puked.</li>


    <li>Ciel talking about cats and complaining she couldn¡¯t keep one inside the castle.</li>


    <li>Ixur giving me a hug, ¡°The flame will forever unite us, brother.¡±</li>


    <li>The Inverted Titty, Sochu, the girls and a silly song about a bar.</li>


    <li>Iru, a book and a cup of chocolate.</li>


    <li>Even Krigsain and I recording a song.</li>


    <li>The need to survive for my mother. ¡®I have a mother, godammit!¡¯</li>


    <li>Seven woofer rabbits, hunger and a couple of crazy kids dreaming of magic swords while holding wet tree branches.</li>


    <li>A deadly consort. An Aikido spar, a leg lock, a dress, a first night.</li>


    <li>A piano and a couple that can¡¯t trust each other but end up touching hands over the keys all the time.</li>


    <li>The song that Yun Hee wrote and recorded.</li>


    </ul>


    And one more memory that repeats like a waterfall falling upon the rocks.


    <ul>


    <li>A last kiss that doesn¡¯t fade away. The touch of Malgrun imprinted strangely into it. She trembled, I gasped.</li>


    </ul>


    Two more breaths.


    ¡°AHHHHH!¡± I repelled the dark energies with my own emotions and the energy from Akathos¡¯ soul.


    Forty breaths. I came back, barely, just like always. Control near yet faraway.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I couldn¡¯t help it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t curse with negative thoughts in here! You¡¯ll bring more dark energy upon you.¡±


    ¡®Heavy, master. This place keeps bringing up the memory of the dagger and the child every time this happens!¡¯


    [Outer darkness is just sharing her riches with us, like the resident suffering souls always do. Misery loves company!]


    ¡°Figures!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but laugh self-deprecatingly.


    [Even though we number in the tens of thousands, why do think the Andurin is the order with the fewest members amongst all shadow factions?]


    ¡°Haven¡¯t really though about it elder, like never. I¡¯m here because pops?!¡± I was truthful.


    I felt a methaphysical knock on the head and then, the one that I wasn¡¯t expecting.


    SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!


    ¡®Come on! What did I do?!¡¯


    [The Will only corrects those who are worthy of correction. It¡¯s your honor.]


    ¡®Do you get hit then, master?¡¯


    [Headaches, migraines. I used to be like you, you know.]


    ¡°Really?! Don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    [Free beings, burning hearts, steady hands and open minds. It is hard to raise you, it really is. But if you wear that cloak for the right reasons, the star on it will never fade, even after the world burns.]


    ¡°This talk is ominous master, let¡¯s drop it. It is enough to be trapped here by you, in this hell. And stop hitting me, Will of wills!¡±


    [You either master everything I give you or you give me Eriel back. Your choice.]


    I pretended not to hear the last part and started practicing a few movements.


    ¡®I wonder if Teng, Ciel could repel the energy in this place? Jeez, so much stuff to understand, I¡¯m never going to learn everything I need any time soon! Wait¡­¡¯


    [Yes, before you ask, there is such a thing as an outer heaven. Saints, saintess and similar can train there.]


    ¡°Ciel! Ciel can go there, she can become a grandmaster cat lover too! I got to talk about this with her!¡±


    [Remember the principle of the philosopher¡¯s stone?]


    A dampener was coming.


    ¡°The only ones to receive it are the ones that do not desire to possess it.¡±


    I knew what master meant when I answered.


    Ciel had to get there on her own, her growth had to be without any looming shadow of self-interest.


    Her path is restraint, truth, sincerity, sacrifice, peace, joy, love. Grace upon grace, justice upon evil. A completely different animal. The many roads of what many call, the elven star, the star of Andurin.


    A saint that keeps rebirthing and ends up with the Andurin, something deep is going on with that.


    [Continue to spar with her, the day you feel that her light attribute energy can match your darkness is the day you tell her that it is time.]


    ¡®Why does it have to be me? You know something master, don¡¯t you?¡¯


    [Do I? I guess I might, who knows, probabilities are hard to calculate one thousand years before hand.]


    I was left with even more questions on the matter.


    ¡°What about everyone else? You know, strong awakened that are in the middle, neither dark nor light in their focus? They cannot come here like we do.¡±


    I learned something, a new question popped up. Every single time.


    [Soul contracts, blood rituals, ancient forbidden rifts, large orgon deposits with special formations, soul weapons, soul artifacts, becoming a blessed one. There are a few more. All the very, very, very expensive and convoluted kind of methods. Too much effort, for most it is not worth it, not until the higher realms. You got it?]


    ¡°Yeah, I think I do.¡±


    Library 2.0 was something.


    [Enough chatter, let¡¯s pick up the pace.]


    Another long and grueling training started.


    And with days just like this one, coupled with everything else, the great elder Akathos gained my trust slowly with his serpentine mind and calm voice. Despite my own reluctance.


    ¡°Byeolfeng, second form, Eodumxu¨¥ru¨°, Dark Weakening!¡±


    SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Eventually all my knowledge and battles against the stratas, the voices of darkness would be summarized as follows and given to all future andurian chaos mages.


    First, they tempt you with pride, rebellion. Not violence nor weapons, it is a whisper, the voice of temptation. Offers of power and knowledge, control the world by one¡¯s will. That there are no rules, that you are your own god. If you fail darkness becomes you and you become darkness as you lose power over your own soul.


    Second, they come with corruption and chaos. They come with doubt. Whispers of confusion into your mind, distorting time, space, your sense of self. They whisper, forget! The why you¡¯re here in the first place. Your memories get twisted, not able to tell your left from your right. You wonder if anything was ever real. Once doubt eats at your will, the spiral of despair drags you down. If you fail darkness becomes you and you become darkness as you lose power over your own soul.


    Third, they come with deception and destruction. There are no temptations nor promises of power, only pure unfiltered chaos. They come to shatter your sanity, forced to relieve your worst fears, deepest traumas. Your most agonizing regrets. You experience every mistake you have ever made, every wrong decision, every failure. If you fail darkness becomes you and you become darkness as you lose power over your own soul.


    Fourth, they come with perversion and decay. They call you to join them, to give yourself up, surrender completely, to let darkness transform you into a servant of darkness not a master of it. When these whispers come, you are no longer yourself. You are but an empty vessel, no identity, no will. If you fail here you will become, the very thing one of the dark path seeks to overcome.


    Regardless of what you do, or what you say, in the end one thing remains. When your time in the stratas is done, you will never be the same again.


    I say these words for me but I hope you listen too, whosoever reads the song of the dark path. For it is like this in every place and every world within the hearts of men. The pendulum of light and dark forever swinging from side to side. The cosmic dance, the gods¡¯ game. No matter where, no matter time.


    The Song Remains the Same.

 CHAPTER 86

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Sixth Strata of Outer Darkness. Two hundred and fifty years inside the realm.


    This realm is yet another vast place of valleys, endless mountains and a grand central palace right in the absolute center of the strata. The Hall of Lawlessness or Grand Controversy resides within the massive palace.


    There¡¯s a black sun in the sky, half the place is filled with light mixed with darkness. The effect converging on the palace, a wondrous, twisted sight.


    The home of the purple skies.


    The ruler here is the Great Howler, Mooneater, Fenrir. Father of all shadow wolves.


    The sixth strata¡¯s different places are a realm for fighting, bloodshed, soul absorption and true death. Also of great warriors, insane characters and the souls of others that have survived their ¡°eternal¡± punishment and are training here out of their own volition.


    Training to strike back at the gods, as I said, insane.


    ¡°Move in, move in! Don¡¯t keep the rest waiting!¡± The leading guard ordered us as we entered a waiting area.


    Black Sun Coliseum.


    A place for prizes, great ones. Great risks too.


    I sat down in a corner and watched everyone while I was immersed in my thoughts and a secret silent conversation combined with everyone else¡¯s.


    ¡°How did you get your spirit cloth?!¡±


    ¡°It was bestowed by one of the direct servants of Gamal in the Nine strata! Yours?¡±


    ¡°Second strata, Awrel, directly.¡± The guy was puffing out his chest.


    ¡®That guy has a cloth like mine then, right master?¡¯


    [Yes, same power and resistance but it won¡¯t matter, not with whom we have hunted or who you are fighting against now.]


    ¡®Deadly crossroads, part two.¡¯


    [That¡¯s right, I¡¯m putting some risk in it too. That¡¯s why I have been pushing you like mad these years. I don¡¯t need the extra trouble.]


    Akathos elaborated.


    ¡°So, you did gain something from the chalice, right?¡± I asked in a whisper, I felt like talking.


    Some of the guys in the waiting room looked at me with strange eyes.


    [Of course I did, but that¡¯s my new endowment, no need to pry, Sachear. Be happy with yours.]


    Those words felt like the most interesting proposition ever, I was desperate to test them out, in a real fight. Akathos trained me under extreme duress without the aid of my gift while we hunted. We even slowed down the pace to avoid mistakes and persecution.


    All that was ending today. Today was a fork in the road and persecution combined. A tough nut.


    We had two hundred captured souls inside the swords.


    The gift of the dark chalice,


    All that was is no more.


    None is as it was before.


    Left is right, right is left.


    Dream is nightmare, nightmare is dream.


    Truths are now lies, lies become the truth.


    My gift as decreed by the dark gods, Hondonsyr, the chaos of lamentation.


    ¡®Why is control not happened yet, master? I trained until I couldn¡¯t anymore, you know this.¡¯


    [I do. You need to master all the intricacies of the dark; you haven¡¯t gone deep enough. No worries, I¡¯m here!]


    Akathos talked like it was nothing.


    Having someone with you all the time gets you into all sort of situations mentally.


    ¡®That isn¡¯t reassuring.¡±


    [It is not, Eriel had his problems but you are still all over the place, even after all this time. That¡¯s why. You need to fully commit, stop FUCKING around! You are afraid but you are afraid of yourself not the world. Be thankful that the stratas love your suffering yet allow you a door towards enlightenment.]


    I knew he was right, nevertheless I had a riposte, our usual banter.


    ¡®Two things, I am starting to hate you a little so that¡¯s working. Two, it is because I am not fuckin¡¯ that all this shit keeps happening!¡¯


    The twisted reality from the poisoned cup had fully taken hold. I was fighting with everything just to prevent the stratas from taking over. It was getting to me.


    ¡°You are up, whitey! Move!¡± The guard pushed me without any mercy.


    ¡°To the main arena. Lose quickly, I bet a couple of souls on your ass!¡±


    The bastard laughed raucously.


    [I¡¯ll take over for the negotiations kid, prepare yourself in the meantime.]


    ¡®Yes, master. No blessing fusion, only soul energy support from you.¡¯


    I began following another tall spirit guard to the main duel arena of the coliseum.


    The place was packed, at least four thousand souls in the stands.


    ¡°Kill him!¡± ¡°I got my eyes on you, whitey!¡± ¡°You can do it mighty King!¡± ¡°Smash this proud fuck!¡± ¡°How dare he challenge the King!¡±


    No, we, I was not challenging the ruler of the strata, this was a different kind of king.


    A cultivator king, a fighter of fighters, a legend. A monster.


    We soon reached the fighting circle, a far wider arrangement than anything I had ever seen. Five furlongs long at least in all directions.


    ¡°Akathos Sirlenk greets the mighty Five Ghost Heavenly King, W¨³ gu¨« ti¨¡nw¨¢ng.¡±


    We bowed a little.


    ¡°Good manners, even if it is unnecessary to use my tongue here. What¡¯s the wager?¡± He waved us for an offer.


    ¡°As customary, the soul and powers of the participant. And this!¡±


    Akathos materialized one of the ring swords and stabbed downward making a dent into the otherworldly rock.


    Everyone was stunned.  The shouts and the mocking stopped flat.


    Silence.


    ¡°Mm. There are two of you, I¡¯ll take whoever fights and if you are not careful, the other as well, which is you, sir Sirlenk. I see all that is not but should be and that¡¯s all you¡¯ll get from me!¡±


    He was giving us a hint of his powers, a chance to land a hit, just as master had said.


    ¡°Always wanted the soul of a master from your world, enticing.¡±


    I wanted to gulp, but concentration was everything in that moment.


    ¡°The rules for this fight, the usual?¡± Master asked for confirmation.


    ¡°Yes, you lose, your souls are mine and that sword of course, otherwise, no sword, no fight. If you land a cut, you pass.¡±


    One breath. I felt the transfer of control.


    [You have trained for this moment for ten years. You fail, we are done here. Someone once told me, do or do not, there is no try.]


    ¡®Yeah, no fear, no pain, no desire, no strata, no nothing, just the blade and the blade is me!¡¯


    ¡°Everybody, place your bets! We have an agreement; the bout of soul absorption will commence in one hour. Two souls for an extra prize if you get the matchup right! Win, win, win!!!¡±


    The freaking alien announcer beast monster with three heads and two humongous horns like claxons for mouths was making the announcements.


    ¡°FIGHT!¡± ¡°KILL!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°FIGHT!¡± ¡°KILL!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡±


    The coliseum was ready for the proverbial blood spill.


    <hr>


    Aysmul P.O.V.


    Day of Malgresh, second day of the week. First week of the twelfth month. Somewhere in Zunyl.


    ¡®Hey, hubby, we keep getting followed around, what do you want to do?¡¯


    Mental communication was the only way to do anything, something extremely annoying.


    ¡°Just scare them away but knock their leader out I want to talk to him, let the rest think they know what we are doing. I¡¯ll use a portal once I¡¯m in. Be back in an hour.¡± Krigsain¡¯s order came to my mind.


    ¡®Yippee! Ha, ha! I get to play, while hubby goes to do his hero routine!¡¯


    I waited seven breaths for redhead to go inside the headquarters of the Iron Turtle Mercenary Company. Krigsain had business here too, he was just going for the one coin, two whores deal like he likes to say.


    ¡°Too bad you are under stick suppression, ho ho.¡±


    ¡®Let¡¯s catch a few snooping little farm animals.¡¯


    ¡°Meudaich!¡±


    I used my chant for a space related detection spell. A radius of three furlongs. I could have done bigger and more extensive but I was bored. The energy traversed like a translucent barrier around the buildings.


    ¡°One little piggy, two little piggies, three little piggies, four little piggies and five little piggies!¡±


    I was happily walking the streets, pinpointing my targets in my mind. Ready for a few quick dashes.


    ¡®They should have felt the energy pass through them with that scan, if they have half a brain. Need to be faster!¡¯


    ¡°Iargall!¡± Spell chant for storm wind.


    SHHHEEEW!


    I appeared two blocks away behind a nervous tracker that was too scared to see a white hooded magic practitioner. The little piggy went for a kinetic palm and a few charges as retaliation.


    I evaded by going down and going for a high speed back heel sweeping kick as a counter and an energy barrier for the charges.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    The wall behind me got crushed. My opponent was still a human spinning cartwheel in the air. I went for the finish.


    DOOONG!


    One powerfully charged kinetic palm against a magic barrier, the resonance sent little piggy number one crashing unto another wall.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡®Time to get serious or they will all leave.¡¯


    ¡°Iargall!¡±


    SHHHEEEW! SHHHEEEW! SHHHEEEW!


    More explosions, charges and artifacts for protection. Malgrunian talismans, the complicated kind.


    ¡®I¡¯m going to bleed a little, my cloak, my beautiful white cloak! Nah, nah, nah!!!¡¯


    Triple hand sigil and a slight finger cut, blood powered sigil of our kind. A greenish sphere barrier manifested around me for protection.


    ¡°Iargall!¡±


    SHHHEEEW! BOOOM! SHHHEEEW! BOOOM! SHHHEEEW! BOOOM!


    Two fast motions, the escaping little piggy was using the crowd for cover. I ran at top speed up the side security ladders of one of the buildings and reached the ceiling in two breaths.


    A jump, a straight jump down targeting little piggy number three. I threw mist bombs into the air to obfuscate proceedings. That was more for the normal people than for my target, they don¡¯t need to see, Turgan continent restrictions.


    PUFF! PUFF! PUFF! PUFF!


    ¡®Puff goes the mist bomb, he he.¡¯


    Little piggy executed one powerful energy slash, four more behind the first one.


    ¡®This one is getting the blood treatment.¡¯


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    One breath. The hooded little prick added charges and a teleportation glyph formation in a triangle, right where he was. He wanted to suck us in a go wherever it was convenient for him. As I was coming down on his position.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    ¡°HELP!¡± ¡°AAAAHHH!¡± ¡°KNIGHTS! KNIGHTS!¡±


    The crowd was dispersing running around like mad.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Two breaths.  My spherical barrier held, a slight crack, before deactivating. Enough power in the orgonoid for twenty normal explosives. I took almost all the crystals from my temporal ring and let them hit the glyphs that created the formation. I held two large orgon crystals in my hands.


    ¡°Kisenki!¡±


    My personal created art after true illumination. Materialization of a power, the convergence of a life¡¯s experiences and wisdom. Lightning, gold lightning that shreds all, the blessing from my deity.


    Many, many uses and things that you can do with it.


    The versatility of a true enlightenment art depends on how close you have walked with your chosen god.


    The energy traveled through the broken pieces of the crystal shards and unto the ones that were on the formation.


    The portal activation never occurred. Success with minimal expenditure, half a finger of power from the lightning, a snap of fingers worth of core energy.


    CRAAASH!!!!


    My hand hammered the head of little piggy number three against the floor. Perfect landing, blood from half a nose and no scream for little piggy.


    ¡®Cloak¡¯s good, nice flutter.¡¯


    ¡°Meudaich!¡± Full scope version, one hundred furlongs¡¯ radius.


    My cores were pulsating. I have never liked that feeling. Krigsain loves it.


    ¡®Where are you, leader of piggies? Where?¡¯


    After five breaths.


    ¡°The underground water tunnels, the orgon infused, formation protected tunnels.¡±


    ¡®He wants a fight! Ha, ha, ha! Hope it¡¯s a trap, it will be fun.¡¯


    ¡°You are chewing far more than you can handle, leader of piggies!¡±


    ¡°Iargall!¡±


    I was smiling.


    SHHHEEEW! SHHHEEEW! SHHHEEEW!


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°FIGHT!¡± ¡°KILL!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°FIGHT!¡± ¡°KILL!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡±


    The coliseum was ready, I, not so much. The atmosphere affecting me a little Akathos began a final pep talk.


    [Listen Ikrei, you get through this and I¡¯ll get you out of your funk. We will talk beforehand but just a little more. Put all your frustrations on that guy! You can¡¯t fuck? He pays! You are not at peace? He pays! Let the dark feelings flow through you, not eat you. You must accept the dark. First integrate, then disintegrate, if you want. You are doing all this by feel not systematic, formulaic training. Instinctive reaction time is what is required in a war! You getting me, kid?]


    I was just silently listening, transforming the rings into a pair of marvelous dual blades. My opponent had a Jian sword but even more beautiful than our swords.


    [I don¡¯t need to kill to understand death, bull! You need to die, to understand death! Only through your suffering can you truly see yourself and others! Empathy without the experience is hollow. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, Ikrei. But you, we are what we do, not what we think we are. This is the truth! Now beat this man at his own game. Do or do not.]


    With Akathos¡¯ words the shouts from the stands faded away. I finally found a temporary center.


    ¡®That was surprisingly effective master.¡¯


    [ARVEN AELZIR SAREN DES GLAOH, kid.]


    ¡°The bout will commence in ten breaths. To your places, weapons at the ready!¡±


    One breath.


    My opponent let his soul energy expand. Full on communion with the strata¡¯s purple energy seeping out of him. The power of a cultivator monster.


    Five breaths.


    I knew I needed to go all out from the go. No holding back. I was going to let the endowment of the chalice activate.


    Eight breaths.


    I felt master Akathos¡¯ energy being liberated from his control. This was going to truly be my fight.


    Nine breaths.


    ¡°Hondonsyr!¡± I activated the gift silently.


    Like Krigsain, like Freslia.


    Curiously enough, now I had a good idea about those red eyes of Pricks Krigs and the shiny blue eye of a certain demoness.


    My eyes turned pure black.


    Ten breaths.


    Star shadows steps!


    THUD! THUD! ZOOOM!


    CLANG!


    A straight arrow like charge for an opening cut, perfect parry from the monster. He barely twisted his wrist a little and my transformed left handed blade was heading downwards to the ground.


    SWISH!


    I couldn¡¯t twist and turn for a riposte, I would be open to cultivator arts. Nevertheless, I needed to re-engage.


    Reika form forty-two, Akathos-Krigsain hybrid. Heavy stomp and redirection.


    THUD! THUD! ZOOOM!


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    The legendary cultivator that was training here just glided backwards with his ¡°Ghostly Steps¡± technique as he blocked leisurely.


    He was smiling.


    Even if I was prepared for it, that didn¡¯t make it any less infuriating. Controlled negative energy manifestation, these type of environments is the one time when the stratas are useful. The need to attack fueling my resolve, dissipating worries even unto death.


    ARLEN! FAILEN! ADOHI!


    Huge blessing, soul energy consumption. A bolt, a dissipating Ascension master red, dark and blue colored bolt of power.


    UUUFGH!


    It was time to activate my gift, my eyes. A body slash to the waist with all the speed I could muster while reappearing at the right angle.


    UUUFGH!


    SLASH!


    Right at the moment the parry was coming. My right side attack shifted.


    Hodonsyr was active, my dark eyes glowed for a hundredth of a second, in a place where time is almost meaningless.


    Left is right, right is left.


    My attack shifted by itself. The real blade materialized from the left.


    GUUISHH!


    Monster cultivator created a perfect parry guiding my gifted attack with a small dagger in his other hand. He went in for a thrust. I went for a reverse grip muto since we were so close.


    GUUISHH!


    Perfect imitation. The blade slid down naturally from mine. I used a Will infused energy slash, as a counter.


    SWISH!


    He disappeared and the slash just went through hitting nothing but air that wasn¡¯t air.


    Five other spirits, similarly dressed but different from legendary monster converged towards my position.


    ¡®Five Ghost thingy time.¡¯


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG!


    ¡°ADOHI!¡±


    ZOOOM!


    I left the encirclement searching for the main culprit, managing to parry and block by the skin of my teeth. Monster cultivator? He was hidden among the five.


    ¡®This is going to get difficult. Plan K, emergency hit to legendary heroes and foes, Andukros board strategy from way back then, flaming horses and all that.¡¯


    Endowments are monstrous but not all powerful, the drawback is energy consumption. In the spirit world, soul energy. The strategy was good for one shot only and it was still cutting it close.


    ¡°Disappointing great one, very disappointing, even if you kill me, you suck!¡±


    The five charged furiously.


    The first used energy slashes with kinetic palms straight up.


    SWISH! WOONG! SWISH! WOONG! SWISH! WOONG!


    ¡°Come on, you can do better!¡± I shouted.


    The second came in with the close quarters thrusts of the barbarians, always close to the center and moving out of line, preventing a flash counter.


    SHU! SHU! SHU! SHU!


    ¡°KILL HIM! ¡°ABSORB HIS ASS!¡± ¡°IMPUDENT FUCK!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡±


    The crowds were creating a tenuous atmosphere for me.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡± I slithered away, even better than Yun Hee¡¯s ass running away from the bed.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    Reserves were being tanked pretty fast. Then again, the five thingy from the cultivator surely wasn¡¯t cheap either.


    I was trying to draw out the main body for an attack.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    The other three executed blasting techniques of some kind. Some resonated against the floor of the arena as I evaded using ADOHI.


    DOOONG! SWISH! DOOOONG! SWISH!


    The other two gave chase. The entire thing was convoluted, five against one with the mastermind playing coy. I had time and energy for one more flourish and a burst.


    ¡°KILL HIM! ¡°ABSORB HIS ASS!¡± ¡°STOP RUNNING BITCH!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°DIE!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡±


    ¡®Yeah, you love me, you really, really love me!¡¯


    ¡°King?! King!!! King my ass!!!!¡± Another loud shout.


    ¡®I¡¯ve never thought I would use Krigsain¡¯s words here. Here goes nothing.¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    There is no need for languages in the stratas but that doesn¡¯t mean you cannot use them. It¡¯s soul to soul communication for the most part.


    ¡°Xi¨£o t¨®u ru¨¬ mi¨¤n¡±                            ¡°Ji¨¡nzu¨«h¨®us¨¡i¡±                       ¡°Zh¨¡ngt¨®ush¨³m¨´¡±


    ¡°Xi¨£o t¨®u ru¨¬ mi¨¤n¡±                            ¡°Ji¨¡nzu¨«h¨®us¨¡i¡±                       ¡°Zh¨¡ngt¨®ush¨³m¨´¡±


    ¡°Xi¨£o t¨®u ru¨¬ mi¨¤n¡±                            ¡°Ji¨¡nzu¨«h¨®us¨¡i¡±                       ¡°Zh¨¡ngt¨®ush¨³m¨´¡±


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    I screamed as I danced and weaved. Then a move only possible under Akathos¡¯ power. I needed to reach Core Condensation if I wanted to used it on my own.


    ¡®Dance of the butterfly, divine steps, Pricks Krigs rift training, bitches!¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    The main culprit appeared out of nowhere. His face was contorting in all forms and shapes, he was livid.


    The six of them came in for a simultaneous charge. Akathos soul reserves were running low. Just enough for a final attack and change.


    ¡°Gu¨« Dao!¡± The six came for a unified finish.


    The entire placed trembled with the emission of the purple energy from the legendary cultivator.


    ¡°Disrespectful vermin, be gone!¡±


    The powerful energy sword attack pierced my body. Six energy blades from different directions cutting through.


    ¡°Hondonsyr!¡± I activated the gift silently for the last time.


    My eyes shone pure black, they glinted. This was it.


    All reserves gone, Akathos and I had nothing.


    [Very good, very good. Ikrei. You are now a chaos blade!]


    The true extension of the reversal ability from Hondonsyr manifested.


    Dream is nightmare, nightmare is dream.


    Truths are now lies, lies become the truth.


    The attacks reverted unto the six, including the purple energy emitting leader.


    ¡°ARGH!¡± ¡°URGH!¡± ¡°L¨¡ sh¨«!¡±


    ¡°Souls, fighters and dubious aliens and fuckers! We have a WINNER! A winner of the One Hundred Soul Orb. Again, after a little over seven thousand years! Cash your tickets in! Cash your tickets in!¡±


    ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡± ¡°WIN!¡±


    The entire place erupted like the madhouse it truly was and is.


    ¡®Thank you, Redknicker Support Department! However, fuck you!¡¯


    <hr>


    Aysmul P.O.V.


    ¡°Just stay there for a bit, master piggy. We will be accompanied soon, I think.¡±


    My trap setting elite was trapped by a cage spell. He was good, really good but not close to my expertise.


    ¡®Well, six against one was a good stretch. No gym for the night, he he!¡¯


    I went around the tunnel, searching and taking anything I could from the five companions of master piggy.


    ¡°A woman needs her skin care, master piggy, even if one is young for a long time.¡± I rummaged and took their rings.


    They had a self-destruct seal and other protections but that means nothing to me.


    He just stared at me wide-eyed. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes.


    ¡°I won¡¯t touch you, so relax a little, that frown will make you look old.¡±


    The steps from outside reverberated. Future continental hero was here.


    ¡®Time to put on the serious, dutiful facade.¡¯


    ¡°You may talk, little Zigur.¡± I disabled the soul restriction on master piggy.


    After ten minutes, non-paying redhead boss/future hubby arrived.


    ¡°He is all dandy and prepared for you. A couple of minor injuries, he packs a mighty punch.¡±


    ¡°I see. Hello Zigur!¡± Krigsain knelt next to the barely moving Malgrunian.


    ¡°A chosen cannot go around unprotected. Your setup was the correct one, everything down to the last detail. Problem is, I am not a normal chosen one and my entourage isn¡¯t either.¡± He smiled at master piggy.


    ¡°Druid, druid mage.¡±


    Master piggy spoke in a whisper, even less than that, he dreaded his own words.


    ¡°Don¡¯t concern yourself with minutia. I want you to help me. We will trade, you become a respected member of the Eternal Moon. You help with a task.¡±


    ¡°I cannot do that, you know this, don¡¯t waste time with impossibilities.¡±


    ¡°I know the Eternal Moon far better than you do, if you falter you will be chewed out before you can sing the chant of the flame.¡±


    ¡°Regardless of the offer, I¡¯ll report her existence, it is better for you to kill me than to play dangerous games.¡±  A fact based counter.


    ¡°The conflict will be bloody, very bloody. I need help from many sources. I know who you are, I did a background check on you.¡±


    ¡®Krigsain is behaving like the whispers of a devil.¡¯


    ¡°Beloved of the Will, there¡¯s nothing to do, I¡¯m not betraying the Kolga.¡±


    Master piggy had resolute eyes, the ones only found in a real heir of the phoenix.


    ¡®Nice eyes, very nice. Desirable.¡¯


    The tunnel was silent for many hours and Krigsain just sat down next to him and waited.


    ¡®Yeah, a devil, a devil with a handsome face and KILLER music.¡¯


    ¡°You will never get a better offer, little Zigur.¡± I gave him a hard bump for added coercion while I spoke.


    Even after the bump in the head, he remained calm even after my introduction. I wasn¡¯t expecting that.


    ?By hook or crook, breakin¡¯ al¡¯ rules in da book


    We shakin¡¯ hands or we dine in hell tonight


    Get ready for the shakin¡¯ the world¡¯s breakin¡¯ nookie


    We didn¡¯t create the fire; we just try to fight it?


    ¡®If hubby sings, he is about to get really solemn, grave and earnest. No good for you!¡¯


    Krigsain¡¯s eyes became red, he was murderous to the point of being his old self.


    He calmly stood up and using one of his choice possessions, a ritual dagger he went around killing the little piggies of master piggy.


    PUCHI! SPURT! SWISH! PUCHI! SPURT!


    Different cuts, different techniques, same result. The accomplishes were no more.


    ¡°Sorry about that, there cannot be any witnesses for this.¡±


    Krigsain sat calmly down after he was done killing.


    ¡®Scary¡­.no more jokes for a while.¡¯¡¯


    After many twist and turns and considerations and time.


    ¡°What happens now?¡± Master piggy managed to ask.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be good for you. We are making a deal, Tosen.¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°When you said persecution, I wasn¡¯t expecting this master!¡±


    Another mountain was blown to pieces by an enemy attack.


    ZOOOM! ZOOOM! ZOOOM!


    [If you leave here, you must do so, ready for war.]


    The Soul Orb containing one hundred souls was a problem, our two swords another. Too many opponents calling dibs the moment we left the Black Sun Coliseum.


    And no we couldn¡¯t absorb it inside the place, house rules.


    They knew what would happen. Dark lords and gods enjoy this type of shit.


    [Perhaps if we run all the way left, Hodonsyr will take us right, right?]


    ¡°You know it doesn¡¯t work like that, master.¡±


    Three more mountains and the ground behind me dispersed and scattered in all directions. The pursuers gave us no quarter.


    [When you reach peak soul merge, test it again, changes will occur.]


    ZIIING! DOOONG! SWISH! SLASH! ZIIING! DOOONG! SWISH! SLASH!


    ¡®Dance of the butterfly!¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    Evading a dozen energy attacks and a flurry of soul intrusions the landscape was changing as fast as we were dashing. Mountains became valleys and valleys became craters.


    Our little group was terraforming the strata unintentionally.


    ¡°They are trying to interfere with my soul through dark energies, master.¡±


    [How you feeling?]


    ¡°It barely tickles. Living here is paying off a little.¡±


    [Ha, ha, ha. Let¡¯s get out of here and into hiding.]


    ¡°ADOHI!¡± Triple sigil hand sign. Three core equivalent expenditure.


    Star Shadow Steps.


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOOM!


    An evading, twisting and turning dark, blue and red streak of light was seen traversing, the mountains and valleys of the strata heading head first towards the grand palace with twenty persecuting streaks right behind. Not without throwing deadly soul splitting attacks.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡®Soul blessing merge!¡¯


    THUD! THUD! THUD! ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The ring swords were happy, thy felt the Soul Orb and they were going to join them. And as they do when they are elated, the rings did what they always do after a good feeding. The swords became maniacal.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±

 CHAPTER 87

    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.


    <hr>


    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.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    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 Dorgan. 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.¡¯


    <hr>


    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 St¨¥lla Ast¨¥r ?¦Á¦Í?? 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.


    St¨¥lla Ast¨¥r ?¦Á¦Í?? 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 is king, 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?!¡±


    ¡®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 underlying 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!¡±


    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.]


    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 N¨¢!¡±


    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.¡¯

 CHAPTER 88 R-18

    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Everyone at the table was eating joyfully, all the intricate, impossible and magical foods. Fruits that tasted like many of the normal fruits put together in one bite. Meat from extinct mythical creatures like dark magic wyvern choice cuts and a wine from a famous vampire¡¯s blood.


    They told me his name was Dracul or something.


    I drank from my golden, diamond cup.


    ¡®Thurskan got nothing on this, I have to say.¡¯


    ¡°Say Ikrei, you don¡¯t remember your old self?¡±


    Volvair had been the ¡°friendliest¡± of the group until that point.


    ¡°Who would risk eternal servitude unless you need to regain something critical, right?¡±


    ¡°True, I will peer through the mist and into the future, if you please me chaos child.¡±


    More drinking and eating for several minutes with more rock music in the background.


    ¡°I want that sword chaos child and the right to the stone; you better submit to me and I¡¯ll let you use the metal, later.¡± Sunnyu finally spoke up.


    ¡°That¡¯s code for, you better make my night!¡± Volvair elaborated while sipping another Dracul.


    ¡°I did say I was going to retrieve myself from heavy drinking but that was in the normal world!¡±


    Volvair and Sunnyu laughed at my silly comment.


    ¡®This stuff is just too good!¡¯


    Five hours later and with my fleshy spiritual loins ready for some serious action, one thing was peculiar.


    Besides drinking incredible amounts of Dracul, an entire castle¡¯s reserves worth. The draconylf hadn¡¯t said a word.


    ¡°The FEAST continues unto the next phase; everyone please get ready. Six hundred breaths, again, six hundred breaths!¡±


    An underling made the announcement everybody in the gathering of six hundred invited spirits was anticipating.


    ¡®Time for a slide, a jazz, a jizz and a roll, Rock n¡¯ Roll!¡¯


    I kept looking at the weird behaving descendant of the dragons, the dark dragoness Izeria.


    We stood up and walked together back to where the thrones were.


    Volvair just padded me on the shoulder, ¡°She just likes them young, dark, endowed and wild. Get ready, like really ready.¡±


    Volvair smiled like it was nothing.


    Before a breath even, I was sweating, sweating in the spirit world.


    That means worry, preoccupation and fear are so strong that something like that happens with a magical fleshy construct.


    ¡®Master?!?¡¯


    [I told you Eriel always made it work, didn¡¯t I?]


    ¡®Eriel here, Eriel there, Eriel this, Eriel that. Fuck!¡¯


    [Just do as I told you, let them have all your energy, all of it, pour everything you are. This place will replenish you, just go, Ikrei. All your pain, all your doubt, all your fire, desire and need. As you do, the resonance will eliminate the malgrunian compulsion within your soul from your succubus. That dragoness is attracted to it; she will cleanse you fully as she feeds. As I said, the blood Vampire is minacious and so is her daughter.]


    ¡®Wait, wait! Are you telling me I¡¯m about to get ravished? Mas¡ª¡±


    [Be positive, next time you see Yun Hee, she is going to get something more than a big surprise! Ha, ha, ha!]


    ¡°The wager is as follows, so listen well all of you that are placing bets! The sword will choose an owner, the owner of the sword in this ceremony of resonance will get the privilege to use the philosopher¡¯s stone and keep the sword. And all of us who participate in the energy gathering will receive according to all of our cumulative performance and desires as well! The more power you send, the greater the returns, my fiends. Rules as they have always been. As we have done before, what is our aphorism?!?¡±


    Heryr spoke alone, asking the final question of the gathered.


    ¡°FALL YOLOS LOS UNSLAAD UN FEN FIN NUNON VAHZEN UTH AHRK TAHROVIN LOS GEIN. MAHFAERAAK AG, PAAR DRUN LOVAAS!!!¡±


    The gathered shouted with pride, their emotions were all encompassing.


    The entire place ¡°ethered¡±, that is, the reality oscillated and we felt a pull, a pull bordering on simultaneous disintegration and reunification. A breath later everything was back as if nothing had happened.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°Yoo-hoo!¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spot!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    The gathered clapped and shouted with abandon.


    ¡°Your final drinks everyone, when the breaths are done drink them, as most of you know.¡±


    ¡®What the hell was that, master?! Love?! Lovaas?!¡¯


    [The tongue of creation, the one dragons use. Lovaas is the origin of the word love. It means song as well; you will learn when it is time. Where do you think Andurian comes from, silly boy?]


    Ipsrum, onyx, carbuncle, jasper, orgon and strange metals from other worlds formed cups in everybody¡¯s hands. The liquid was multicolored and smelled in a way that is hard to describe. But to be precise, it smelled like everything in dark creation put together for a swill down.


    Ambrosia, the real thing. Ecstasy unification materialization, the cup from which the dark gods drink.


    Five hundred and eighty breaths.


    Arn and Heryr spoke in unison one last time,


    ¡°This is a feast, entertain us or spent eternity in the depths. Participants! You will be on an even playing field. Akathos your challenger is Heka, our illustrious visitors, you are with the soul anomaly. Heka please open up the dance with a demonstration for the newcomers. My flowers, you have primary control of the manifested reality but only that, do as you wish my girls.¡±


    [The drink will cut through all inhibitions and free you to perform. Unifying your feelings, emotions with everyone. Everyone will feel through you and you will feel through everyone. Your thoughts will be protected, similar to your soul contract. You ready?]


    ¡®Like, No!¡¯


    [Fuck or fuck not, there is no wank.]


    Six hundred breaths.


    ¡°St¨¥lla Ast¨¥r ?¦Á¦Í?? Bacchanalia Rock Fest, begins!¡±


    The entire space thundered and palpitated like a hundred thousand beating hearts.


    We all drank the godly contents.


    Seven breaths later.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take point girls, let me have a taste of little chaos since I¡¯ll be doing someone else after that.¡±


    Heka walked towards me with extremely confident steps.


    ¡°One, two, three, four.¡± Heka snapped her fingers.


    The space transformed into what she had previously determined as her desired battlefield.


    ¡°Upside Down¡±, the eight track of Ixur¡¯s album began playing.


    <hr>


    Heka P.O.V.


    The power intro solo lifted my spirits, and then riffs. My private quarters manifested before us. A simple arrangement, no need to share all the intricacies with so many meddling souls interconnecting.


    ¡®This music, huh. So good!¡¯


    I got close to little chaos, close enough for a kiss, he was just half a head taller than me. I let my jewels fly away with a single motion unto the bed behind us.


    I might have missed the bed, actually.


    Little chaos came closer, he touched my midsection, just slightly above the midriff. Wherever his hands touched the magic dress disintegrated into small particles. Revealing my perfect skin.


    His eyes were a reflection of mine, dark desire, just like a young Akathos.


    ¡®Yes little chaos, let¡¯s have some fun.¡¯


    His hands moved with the beat, I led him hold my waist. A second later his other hand danced up and down my curves, two fingers, then three. Even a small pass with a cheek slap.


    ¡®Chaos boys are takers by nature.¡¯


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50.1873%">


    ?I said upside down


    You''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me?


    ?Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round


    Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round?</td>


    <td style="width: 49.9935%">


    The hand that hadn¡¯t left my waist pulled me even closer, a hair distance would be too much. That close.


    I looked up, he looked down.


    The string instrument made a beautiful lick.


    Little chaos let his feelings expand, a cloud of emotions pure raw dark desire.


    The resonance of the gathering magnifying everything. I closed my eyes receiving the dark embrace.


    Three very hot breaths in my earlobe, he whispered, ¡°How may I serve you today?


    Menu options are: dark, long, and hard.¡±


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Surprised to the seven depths, I put my arms around little chaos.


    ¡®A sensual voice always does it. Is he a bard? An illusionist?¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll take all three.¡± I gave him my most sensual smile. The music was carrying us unto our next compass.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50.0829%">


    ?Instinctively you give to me


    The love that I need


    I cherish the moments with you


    Respectfully I say to thee


    I''m aware that you''re cheating


    When no one makes me feel like you do?


    ?Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round


    Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round?</td>


    <td style="width: 50.0829%">


    The dark feeling, the perfect caressing of my navel, the disintegrating clothing elated me.


    An expert ghost hand movement for a lower cheek grab.


    I was already planning on giving the real treatment to little chaos.


    The music was getting me all stimulated, while he remained unaffected by it.


    ¡°You know, my double arrows are higher up the plane, don¡¯t you?¡±


    He bit my earlobe gingerly. ¡°You know my cannon is further down too, right?¡±


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Ah.¡± That bite was just right, perfect timing with the snare and the fill.


    ¡®You good, little chaos, very good. How did you come to be like this?¡¯


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50.0835%">


    ?I know you got charm and appeal


    You always play the field


    I''m crazy to think you all mine


    As long as the sun continues to shine


    There''s a place in my heart for you


    That''s the bottom line?


    ?Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round


    Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round?


    </td>


    <td style="width: 50.0835%">


    My upper clothing disintegrated upon the touch of his hands. A feel, I wanted him to caress my nipple and he did, and then he did not.


    Barely stopping when he touched the right one, breathing hot air unto my left one.


    ¡®Do more, do more!¡¯


    He was leaving me hanging intentionally. My hand went down, for a feel of his cannon, his clothes also evaporated wherever I touched. A playful right hand from me.


    And a single thought.


    ¡®You Orc!¡¯


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I wanted, I wanted a piece. The entire gathering felt it. Many were clapping, others had their hands where you normally shouldn¡¯t, one could feel the wetness.


    ¡°All of you other world dark ones pack it. Your boy is almost as big as you are Akathos.¡±


    The dark feelings came forth. The eyes of little chaos produced a slight tremor.


    The inevitability of Ambrosia, my feelings, his feelings, everyone¡¯s feelings as one massive magical composite of ethereal proportions.


    The sword vibrated with anticipation taking in the energy generated by everyone.


    ¡®I know you are in there, you!¡¯


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50.0564%">


    ?Instinctively you give to me


    The love that I need


    I cherish the moments with you


    Respectfully I say to thee


    I''m aware that you''re cheating


    But no one makes me feel like you do?


    ?Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round


    Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round?


    ?Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round


    Upside down


    Boy, you turn me


    Inside out


    And round and round?


    Breakdown


    [Solo]


    </td>


    <td style="width: 50.0564%">


    The feel of my hand on his main weapon caused a flurry of activity. He came in for a nape attack, vampire style.


    ¡®Who taught you that, little chaos?¡¯


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    A breast massage, nibbling in my ears and a playful finger where there used to be panties.


    I was surprised but my inner lips and hips moved by themselves. I returned his goodwill with a high speed caress of his crown and mushroom, counter clock and up the tower style.


    ¡°Uh.¡± Moaned little chaos. I sped up.


    ¡°Do you like letters?¡± He asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Piano, strings and lyrics.¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand but I thought it was funny and we kissed.


    A long, wet, slurpy carnal interaction came to be.


    A second later I did, his fingers entered my treasure area and he played the notes from the song.


    Impressive is not the way to even begin to describe it. I let go of his beastly thing, I couldn¡¯t help it.


    Madness, delicious infectious madness. The mark of the chaos child. Unpredictability, resourcefulness, selfishness and horniness.


    The notes of the solo at the same speed, including the drum breakdown and drop. A feast of staff and clef, in more ways than one.


    ¡°Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Ah, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!¡±


    The sting solo turned endless in my mind


    ¡°Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Ah, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!¡±


    ¡°Lit¡ª¡± A final non music related hand flurry.


    A unique experience that brought forth a unique result.


    ¡°AAAAAHHHH!¡± I laid my head on his shoulder after release.


    I came, the gathered resonated with the scene.


    The dark lords were humming along.


    ¡®A pub made me come!¡¯


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Now, you have done it, little chaos!¡±


    The music continued playing while I savagely pushed him unto the bed. I touched him, I touched myself all over, the rest of my clothing disappeared within three breaths.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?I said a upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me?


    ?You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    ?Upside down you''re turning me


    You''re giving love instinctively


    Around and round you''re turning me


    I see to thee respectfully?


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    I jumped on top of him like the beast in heat I was.


    ¡®No need for fancy expressions when you are in a blaze.¡¯


    I gave him something he refused to do before, my darkened areola for a slurp. He instinctively followed suit.


    ¡®You have a feathery touch, little chaos. Bite, bite the stiff nipple, you made it that way!¡¯


    He received my wave of emotions, and down went the wolf.


    ¡°AHH!¡±


    I like it rough when it¡¯s on. And it was definitively on!


    The bass drums section only managed to make things more intense.


    ¡®Let¡¯s Rock! Let¡¯s Rock!¡¯


    I entrapped his virile thing with my inner lips and the whole of my vaginal opening. It was time, time to give him the full treatment of the grand sorceress of ancient times from my world.


    A completely enclosed lower lip entrapment. His enlarging verge danced with my moving labia minora and labia majora in such a way that both organs seemed to become intermingled.


    ¡°Hope you are ready for an upside down, little chaos. There¡¯s a reason I chose this song!¡±


    Following the rhythm and the instruments I began moving my hips. Not like a normal power thrust like that beastly dragon would do but in a contorted form.


    The snake dance. Twitch left, twitch right, dozens of times.


    His eyes went wide. My hand on his nipple, my other hand on his hair pulling him close for another tongue fight.


    I let him have a piece of my mind as we exchanged a hard bite worthy of wolves.


    Flesh spirit bodies bleeding from kissing. The gathered were clapping again.


    It was time for the big finish!


    ¡®Feel my intent, come on little chaos, come on!¡¯


    One fantastic throw into the air with all his strength, we switched positions. A sixty-nine.


    Eight fingers and a wild tongue entered my entrails with gusto. I did the same, a high speed sorceress¡¯ black hole, for a throbbing crown and an entrapment for his glands and frenulum.


    I overwhelmed his pointy staff without mercy, he engulfed me with his technique down where true magic happens.


    SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP!


    My insides became like lava, ready for liberation.


    SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP!


    Little chaos was almost there, veins bulging, his hands gripping the sheets on the bed with determination.


    ¡®Once more! Come on, you little Orc!¡¯


    The merciless tongue became an encyclopedia. I couldn¡¯t make heads or tails; the feeling was overwhelming, his counterattack.


    I knew I had to finish him off, a matter of pride. One final push using my fingers, hands, tongue and even a nail for a perfect mix of pain and pleasure.


    The music stopped. We screamed, a double kill of massive fluids.


    ¡®My face, his face?¡¯ I no longer cared.


    ¡°AAAAAAHHHHHH!¡±


    ¡°OOOOOOHHHHHH¡±


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Six breaths.


    We were back with everyone properly dressed, jewels and all for me. Black and white noble attire from Ladnahlayr for little chaos.


    ¡°AWESOME!¡± ¡°I FELT EVERYTHING!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°WOW¡± ¡°ONE MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡±


    The gathered could not start their own intermingling until the four of us were done with our first go. That didn¡¯t stop their effusiveness.


    It has something to do with energy accumulation and the sword, the process requires a bit of care.


    ¡°Sixty-nine, huh? I¡¯ll never look at that song again like that.¡± Little chaos came in for a handshake, his custom.


    ¡°You were the one playing a ketar solo with a different kind of instrument. But yes, upside down, good, yes?¡± I smiled and shook his hand.


    ¡°Not bad infinite sorceress, we will see.¡±


    Izeria wasn¡¯t happy. She was being snarky.


    ¡®You better get ready Akathos, I¡¯m all revved up now!¡¯


    Little chaos brow twitched again.


    ¡°Play it again!¡± The unison voice ordered.


    ¡°Upside Down¡± by Ixur Ember began playing again as drinks were served. The real thing would start after the song replayed a few times. The rulers were happily humming.


    The very first Rock Fest of Outer Darkness had begun successfully.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®The sword isn¡¯t properly resonating master, what¡¯s up?¡¯


    [That was the trial run, remember I have to deal with Heka, not you. The real thing begins now. There is no reality, there is no time, there is no space even. These are the dark lords.]


    ¡®And the unbound magi want to fight a place like this? Nuts, just nuts like, well, my nuts.¡¯


    I drank my Dracul watching the girls draw magic lots to decide who was going next, Izeria was going to go last. That left the dark half elf and the oracle witch.


    ¡°What song did you guys select for the occasion?¡±


    I was more relaxed after having my first sexual release in years, I was also more consternated because of the women at the table.


    ¡°Touch.¡± Replied Volvair.


    ¡°Hurricane!¡± Replied Sunnyu.


    ¡°Queen of the Night.¡± Izeria answered gurgling her drink.


    I massaged my temple. I understood the lyrics and the intent behind them. Touch was the lead single of the album; Hurricane was a rocker piece about rocking someone out.


    ¡®How am I going to rock a dark elf? Even if she¡¯s half¡­¡±


    [Just focus on adjusting to the music, you already had the best training in the world. The daughter of a great consort under the Heavenly Demon, only Izeria is a problem.]


    ¡®How are you going to deal with Heka?¡¯


    I kept drinking.


    [When you get to be as old as me, there¡¯s always plan B, plan C, plan D and so forth. You do you.]


    ¡°It is time to continue the FEAST!¡± ¡°Are you having a great time?!¡±


    ¡°AYE!¡± ¡°JA!¡± ¡°PO!¡± ¡°ARU!¡± ¡°BAI¡± ¡°TAK¡± ¡°HAI!¡± ¡°Q Tancave! Q N¨¢!¡±


    Heka stood up and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then she vanished from sight disappearing with a trail of vapor.


    A weird impossibility.¡¯


    [Remember what you have learned, save you it can.]


    Akathos¡¯ final words before his consciousness faded away into another realm.


    ¡°This one will be the real thing, the music will play differently and far longer. Give me all of you, I¡¯ll give enough of me, if you can handle it.¡±


    Oracle Witch Volvair was the one, this time.


    With a snap of her fingers, reality morphed one more time. The lead single of Ixur¡¯s album began playing, the ultra-extended version of ¡°Touch.¡±


    ¡®Inhale, exhale. Release.¡¯


    The true pleasure game of the home of all the Eros started.


    The four rules.


    Sex, no chants, no spells, no arts, no protection, pure physical debauchery.


    Refusal to perform will be penalized heavily. Forced servitude.


    Having an orgasm first, counts as a lost round.


    There must be a two round margin over the other side to have a winner.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    <hr>


    Volvair P.O.V.


    ¡®Come on chaos child, let me help you!¡¯


    ¡°A cymbal, drums, strings, bass and, we are off.¡±


    I walked towards the chaos child who was already in my preferred position. All tied up with special magic strings from my own consciousness wishes on a very large bed. He was unable to move for a short time. Even playing field rules.


    ¡®Those eyes tell me you hate being powerless. My world, my rules.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    ?I love myself, I want you to love me


    When I feel down I want you above me


    I search myself, I want you to find me


    I forget myself, I want you to remind me


    I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself


    Ah-ah-oh, I don''t want anybody else


    Oh-no, oh-no, oh-no?


    ?You''re the one who makes me come runnin''


    You''re the sun who makes me shine


    When you''re around I''m always laughin''


    I wanna make you mine


    I close my eyes and see you before me


    Think I would die if you were to ignore me


    A fool could see just how much I adore you


    I''d get down on my knees, I''d do anything for you?


    ?''Cause I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself


    Ah-ah-oh, I don''t want anybody else


    Oh-no, oh-no, oh-no, yeah?


    ?I love myself, I want you to love me


    When I feel down I want you above me


    I search myself, I want you to find me


    I forget myself, I want you to remind me?


    ?I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself


    Ah-ah-oh, I don''t want anybody else


    Oh-no, oh-no, oh-no?


    ?I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself


    Ah-ah-oh, I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself, I touch myself


    I touch myself, I touch myself


    touch myself, I touch myself


    I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    (I don''t want anybody else) I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    I touch myself


    I touch myself?</td>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    ¡°Relax chaos child, everything will be fine. Let the music flow through you.¡±


    I got on top of him slowly and placed my hand on his chest. The clothes dissolved exactly like they did with Heka.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± His feelings intensified and were felt by everyone.


    It was incredible.


    ¡®Such a vast amount of sheer intensity!¡¯


    ¡°Perhaps you cannot remember many things but your soul may, regardless. Let me help.¡±


    I applied a great amount of care with my caresses through his chest.


    I bit, one strong bite like Heka¡¯s near his collarbone, just with the right amount of muscle.


    ¡°AAAGHH!¡±


    It was time to say hello.


    ¡°I love this song, don¡¯t you, chaos child?¡±


    I released the magic strings. I was borderline breaking the rules of the game, almost but not quite. One final touch dissolving his spirit cloth further down.


    Once freed, he became for the time being, the manifestation of chaotic desire. He was a little angry, a little excited and a little vindictive.


    Sex was going to get rough.


    I felt how pleased by my little ploy the rulers were.


    They always like it when someone gets taken down a peg or two.


    ¡°Come on black eyes, take me.¡±


    I let the blessed dark eyes chaos child do as he pleased. A witch and darkness make for a wonderful cauldron.


    He forcefully turned me over and I was facing him with my back on the silky bed.


    Blessed dark eyes kissed my forehead, the power of my intensified desire combined with his, awakening through the influence of the gathered.


    I could see the protruding vigor. A hardened curved shaped member barely hiding underneath.


    One swift and sweet pass of the hand and his clothes disintegrated only to reveal the expected contents.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The song ended and restarted in a continuous loop. The Oracle Witch that laid in bed was going to help a young blade resonate with a sword, through ritualistic sex and magic for the benefit of her kind.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®The feelings of everyone are a bit much.¡¯


    ¡°NOW!¡± ¡°NOW!¡± ¡°NOW!¡±


    I felt a grip, I was getting gently squeezed down under, some sort of weird hand grip.


    My body was responding to the stimuli. I was responding. A master at work. The tingling sensation of a couple of fingers, then three, dancing and traversing up and down my manly column.


    ¡®What a twister!¡¯


    ¡°Huh.¡± After exhaling I was finally able to focus enough to see through the excitement.


    The welcoming sight was a carnival. A couple of well-rounded sweetly perked milky bombs. And that brownish hair with highlights spread out on the silky white sheets.


    Deep blue eyes and a smile, a smile worthy of an oracle. A wicked grin and a wicked grip that continued without end. Her free hand replicated said wicked grip on her own nipple.


    She was inviting, the up and close kind of invitation. She was putting on a rhythmic show, moving to the lyrics.


    ?I touch myself, I touch myself


    I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    (I don''t want anybody else) I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    I touch myself


    I touch myself?


    The song ended and immediately began again.


    I could feel the gazes of desire and claps of approval from the gathered audience.


    Just when I was planning to say something to the witch of witches, I felt her surprise attack.


    A strange guzzle, not of liquor but of the bulbous mushroom previously hand treated by the same aggressor. The tip of her tongue surrounded my exposed foreskin, inundating me with pleasure. Up and down, up and down with a coat of saliva mixed in with small tender bites.


    I watched in wonderment as my thing went in and out the depths of her throat.


    GURP! GURP! GURP! GURP! GURP! GURP!


    Just in the point of climax, she stopped while caressing my base.


    ¡®What?! Why?!¡¯


    She only smiled as she twisted and turned on the massive magic berth with seductive poses until she was nothing more than a perked up derriere in all fours.


    Right there, in front of me.


    ¡®Grrrr, grrrr.¡¯


    The image was reminiscent of the ones I missed, my hankering released in the form of a storm. Hers was subdued. The altered reality twisting my own desires with the irresistible view. I took a tight, strong hold of her hip region. She quivered.


    I passed something round, something hard on the edges of a moist labial maze. I moved her hips following the beats of the music, teasing, rubbing, fidgeting but never shafting that juice producing alluring snatch.


    As expected, a hand that wasn¡¯t mine began playing with an aroused clit and a couple of monster double cheeks that swayed from side to side in a deliberate call for mating.


    ¡°Mm.¡± ¡°Come, chaos, come.¡± The sweet call for defilement was just that, way too sweet.


    Perfect for where the song was at that time.


    ?I don''t want anybody else


    When I think about you I touch myself


    Ah-ah-oh, I don''t want anybody else


    Oh-no, oh-no, oh-no?


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°NAIL HER!¡± ¡°SHE NEEDS IT¡± ¡°WE NEED IT¡±


    ¡®Fuck it guys, a bit of privacy? Like not saying anything to me at least?¡¯¡¯


    I pushed forward skewering her glory hole with my manhood. She swallowed everything I could give her, the slithering vaginal entry was comforting and warm, not an inferno like Heka.


    Volvair¡¯s wetness allowing for an unusual level of penetration.


    ¡®Mission control, we have contact! Commence drilling!¡¯


    Feeling her cervix, I pounded, pounded into the depths, if there are seven I was going to make fourteen of them with the beat of the music.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    Volvair¡¯s eyes shone just a bit, she was letting herself be filled and immersed. Our feelings unified. My dark sea of emotions. The resonance with the sword was occurring. The souls were calling us.


    One word: ¡°MORE¡± ¡°MORE¡± ¡°MORE¡±


    A furious shacking and bouncing of cheeks going double time, twice the speed of the beats but timed perfectly, remaining in synch.


    The gathered moved with our same wavelength, they were resonating with the sword too.


    The pillowy behind kept crashing against my hips rhythmically, I was smoothly engulfed by her feminine honey trap. I placed a hand on her shoulder for a little extra on the pull back.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    That little thing did the trick. Full deep reach into her inner walls.


    ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°Ah¡± Oh¡± ¡°Cha¡ª¡± ¡°Oooh!¡± ¡°Nn-¡± ¡°Nn-¡± ¡°¡ªWai¡ª¡±


    Volvair wanted to say something but then doing another. I felt like she wanted to apply some of her grip with the rosy trap but I applied some girted wand magic on her first.


    Her hips and her lips weren¡¯t complaining, both set of lips.


    ¡°Oooooohhhh!¡±


    The juices spread all over my member and unto the bed. Her fingers clawing down on the sheets.


    Little bitty me moved in and out of her vagina, sending pleasure racing through her ethereal body like a lightning spell, each and every time the stake penetrated her precious spots, it caused an unexpected yet welcomed reaction.


    The resonance was too much for her and for me. There was little to no reason anymore.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    The sticky folds of her treasure trove sucked and compressed at every delineation of my thick and hard intruder.


    ¡°AAAAHHHHH!¡±


    Volvair¡¯s hand was grabbing the hand that was slapping her cheek every time she climaxed.


    A signal to match her movements and the music. She wanted to up the tempo eight times.


    ¡®That¡¯s what you want?! What a daring woman!¡¯


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡°Oh¡± ¡°Oh¡± ¡°Uff!¡± ¡°Oh¡± ¡°Chaooooooooo¡ª¡± ¡°Oooooooohhhh!¡±


    My instincts went wild, more energy, more resonance. I thrust-ed like a crazy lunatic and released every last drop of seed deep inside her, packing her womb.


    ¡®Spirit fleshy bodies cannot have babies, right? The one thing I didn¡¯t ask master, Fuck!¡¯


    ¡°What a slapping!¡± She said, before another moan.


    ¡°Mmm!¡±


    Volvair loves a good spanking. I could feel it with every movement.


    Volvair also began to move her derriere to meet my power thrusts with her own twerking movements.


    The oldest dance in all the worlds. Ecstasy, pleasure, reverie and rabies.


    ¡®It better be rabies and not babies, dammit!


    I pounded, she twerked and swirled, all the way unto absolute delirious abandon in my favorite position.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk!


    ¡°You dog!¡±


    ¡°You bitch!¡±


    One of my dark energy and black eyes side effects: Occasional excited cursing.


    Even though my eyes were normal during intercourse, no dark blessing comes without penalty.


    ¡°Bad, Witch, Bitch for you!¡±


    Our feelings expanded completely and unified and coalesced with the gathered.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk! Twerk!


    A double orgasm came to be once more.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!¡± ¡°CHAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡±


    ?I touch myself, I touch myself


    I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    (I don''t want anybody else) I touch myself, I touch myself


    (When I think about you I touch myself) I honestly do, I touch myself


    I touch myself


    I touch myself?


    The music kept going in a seemingly eternal loop, we lost measure of time and space. One verse here, one chorus there. All brought about the same result. I came, she came, we both came.


    In the end, the fake reality had to change beds and sheets several times. And with one final interlacing kiss the tumultuous session closed.


    ¡°Brute!!¡±


    ¡°Bitch!¡±


    Six breaths.


    ¡°Play it again.¡± The rulers were having fun.


    Touch was playing in the ballrooms once more and the Dracul tasted really sweet.


    The main rule of the Eros game, every climax is considered the end of the round and the start of the next one.


    Forty-two rounds of unreal and intense orgasms and screams.


    Ikrei: Twenty orgasms


    Volvair: Twenty-two orgasms


    ¡°BRAVO!¡± ¡°GOOD SWING!¡± ¡°SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    Th sword resonated with my soul, an intense vibration came from the gathered and the souls inside the soul craft weapon. And one word from the twisted metal.


    ¡°MORE!¡±


    <hr>


    Volvair P.O.V.


    Our table was lively, many of the gathered came by to offer salutations and threesomes and foursomes and a whole house even.


    ¡°That was all, oh, great oracle of the bygone?¡± Sunnyu was having a derisive attitude.


    ¡°The gathering enjoys it, the lords are pleased and the sword is currently resonating with the chaos child. I say, it¡¯s a good start.¡± I dismissed her publicly.


    ¡°Say Ikrei, how are you finding these cosmic holes, are they to your liking?¡± Sunnyu questioned.


    I was intrigued as well.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite something, new techniques, new sensations, new feelings, same exhilarating result. If you would have lifted your leg to the right a bit more, you could have hit a new high note, you know.¡±


    Ikrei enjoyed the drink as much as that remark.


    ¡°Next go. Infinite is the operative word here, remember?¡± I also drank with calmness.


    Ikrei just threw out a smile and the andurian sigil sign for ADOHI.


    I blushed. I couldn¡¯t believe it.


    ¡®No further sturdy distractions! I let you win, chaotic one!¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t think for a quick minute that I don¡¯t know what you are doing.¡±


    Izeria¡¯s voice came from a gurgle. She was still drinking an entire building.


    ¡°Complain to the rulers if you feel aggrieved or something.¡±


    Our table was soon filled with the magical fruits of many worlds.


    ¡°Eat up everyone, next round will begin after a brief pause.¡±


    A dark demon spirit gave us many golden plates with delicacies.


    Sunnyu had the eyes of a predator that shifted like a snake between Ikrei and myself.


    ¡®The rulers want a wild one this next round.¡¯


    We could all feel it. The gathered were excited.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°Chaos hammer, chaos hammer!!¡±


    The soul communication was intense. I almost dropped my beloved Dracul.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on, Oracle Witch? You have to scream?!¡¯


    I was looking at her; she was drinking like nothing had happened or was happening. Even more direct soul to soul transmissions occurred.


    ¡°You need to be ready, Sunnyu is coming to break you.¡±


    Regardless of how or why, the message wasn¡¯t good, a threat, a definite threat was looming.


    ¡®Speak clearly and to the point, Volvair. I¡¯m listening.¡¯


    We drank like nothing was happening while eating the delicious ethereal offerings.


    ¡°She wants the sword and the stone as you know. But what you don¡¯t know is that I let you win. You getting me?¡±


    I kept drinking, I stopped eating the miruxlial, a strange fruit with an even stranger flavor.


    ¡®You were faking it or something?!¡¯


    I was shaken but I didn¡¯t show it.


    About twenty minutes or so of more drinking, thinking and talking to Volvair looking for a way out.


    Ten breaths.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give up the initiative, go all out from the jump. As you say, pound, pound hard!¡±


    ¡®An oracle should be good at predicting stuff, right? Like muscle prick.¡¯


    The call for action came exactly as the previous time.


    ¡°It is time to continue the FEAST!¡± ¡°Are you having a great time?!¡±


    ¡°AYE!¡± ¡°JA!¡± ¡°PO!¡± ¡°ARU!¡± ¡°BAI¡± ¡°TAK¡± ¡°HAI!¡± ¡°Q Tancave! Q N¨¢!¡±


    ¡°Here we go!¡±


    ¡®Hope you are right, Volvair!¡¯


    <hr>


    Sunnyu P.O.V.


    ¡®Finally, I¡¯m getting my hands on the stone and a proper sword for my needs!¡¯


    I walked over to where the chaos child named Ikrei was standing. The gathered were exceedingly interested in the happenings at our table. They also wanted to start interacting in a more vivacious manner, they were itchy.


    ¡°Hope you are ready to resonate for me, chaos child. You get one shot, only one. This is the grooming of a dark elf.¡±


    He stood there, just that. A very minimal, almost imperceptible fluctuation of emotion.


    ¡®The sensibilities of elves are something else, little chaos.¡¯


    I had prepared quite a complex reality to subdue the chaos child.


    ¡°If he is as capable as he appears, I might decide to keep him around. I have to personally check.¡±


    ¡®Heka is focused on Akathos and Volvair is extremely biased towards him, calling him black eyes. Do they know each other? Bah! No matter, no matter¡­¡¯


    ¡°Resound for me Hurricane, let¡¯s begin!¡±


    ¡°One, two, three, four.¡±


    A snap of the fingers and we were gone.


    The space morphed and changed.


    I opened my eyes and what appeared before me was the garden of whispers. The beautiful multi-flowered scenery of my home made real, even if it was just one furlong in size.


    The marvelous smell of our flowers, a natural grassy feel. The greatest pillow and blanket nature can offer with the accompanying rays of silver light from our special region.


    I was hoping to see an enchanted chaos child when I turned but instead I saw a blunt object.


    I was about to snap my fingers one more time so that the music would play. But then, when my eyes drifted into focus, I saw it.


    A pound of meat, a thick pulsating rod.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    The feelings of the gathered entered my inner self.


    ¡°GO DOWN!¡± ¡°GO DOWN!¡± ¡°YOU KNOW YOU WANNA!¡±


    ¡®Impossible! B¨´ k¨§n¨¦ng de!¡¯


    ¡°¨²qu¨¦tima! What are you doing?!¡± I shouted vehemently.


    ¡°One, two, three, four!¡± He chanted.


    A raised right hand and a powerful pull. I was entrapped in and by his arms. I was turned with a figure four lock motion so quickly that I couldn¡¯t react.


    My behind was feeling his lively lower extra thumb. My magic clothes disappeared in the regions he pointedly touched.


    ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Nn-¡± ¡°You¡­ouu.. s..top..n o..www!¡±


    A magnificent lower labia rubbing began with that savage sausage.


    ¡®You! This is that crown wearing bitch¡¯s doing!¡¯


    Dark elves love the dark, chaos children are dark, very dark.


    ¡°Dark vanilla flavor meets chocolate bar.¡± He bit my earlobe exactly as he did Heka¡¯s.


    ¡°Wha¡­d¡­yoooo. noooo, ugh.¡±


    The bastard was doing everything perfectly, down to the beats and bite strength.


    I could feel that bitch¡¯s feelings interconnecting with mine.


    She laughed, the meddling bitch was laughing.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°COME ON SUNNYU!¡± ¡°GO WILD!¡± ¡°YOU KNOW YOU WANNA!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°Volvair! VOOOOLVAIIIIIR!!!¡±


    I wrestled away Ikrei¡¯s control. It was bad for my aroused self.


    ¡®My juices are dripping. What do I do?!¡¯


    The sword resonated with me, it wanted me to take over. One word kept repeating.


    ¡°MORE!¡±


    ¡°Pe-channas!¡± I made an immediate choice.


    If the sword wanted more, I would give it more.


    ¡°As long as you are mine, you twisted metal.¡±


    The sword resonated again with the both of us inside the space. The gathered shouted.


    ¡°SUNNYU!¡± ¡°SUNNYU!¡± ¡°SUNNYU!¡± ¡°SUNNYU!¡±


    I turned towards Ikrei with deadly eyes.


    ¡°You wanted this, now you pay for it.¡±


    The walking fleshy spear smiled. He smiled.


    ¡°Urrghhh! Get over here, now!¡± I ordered.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The tenth song of the set originally given to Ixur, the one she was not going to sing. record, the song sang by muscle prick.


    Hurricane.


    ¡°Amin delotha lle!¡± Shouted Sunnyu.


    ¡°Sunnyu, una sangwa ar umea!¡± Retorted Volvair through the connection of the gathered.


    Two bewitching, bitching women bickering in elvish. If it wasn¡¯t for my predicament at the time, I would have laughed hysterically.


    ¡°The rulers are getting impatient, you can feel it, don¡¯t you?¡± Sunnyu asked me.


    ¡°Yes, so what do we do?¡± I threw it back at her.


    ¡°If I win this turn, you submit to me. I need that sword.¡± Sunnyu stated with a reddened face.


    The feelings of the gathered were causing an overflow of emotions. An cannibalistic need to copulate.


    ¡°And if I win, you help me resonate with it, right?¡± I answered with a hardened protrusion.


    We came to a small agreement to spice things up a little more, just a little trick to help me place myself in the right state.


    ¡®Self-hypnosis, Akathos¡¯ variant poker face, through music. Let¡¯s see how you like it blue darky.¡¯


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    Sunnyu snapped her fingers. ¡°Hurricane¡± finally began playing.


    ¡®The power riff and the arrangements are nothing short of amazing!¡¯


    Hurricane entered the verse section as she went down. We were back at square one, exactly at the beginning.


    Blue hair, pointy ears, a phallus and a mouth.


    The power riff and the drums with high crashing cymbals began their dance. The dark elf went to work, she wanted a quick finish before the drinks got too warm.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    ?It''s early morning, the sun comes out


    Last night was shaking and pretty loud


    My cat is purring, it scratches my skin


    So what is wrong with another sin?


    The bitch is hungry, she needs to tell


    So give her inches and feed her well


    More days to come, new places to go


    I''ve got to leave, it''s time for a show?


    ?Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane?


    ?My body is burning, it starts to shout


    Desire is coming, it breaks out loud


    Lust is in cages ''til storm breaks loose


    Just have to make it with someone I choose


    The night is calling, I have to go


    The wolf is hungry, he runs the show


    He''s licking his lips, he''s ready to win


    On the hunt tonight for luv at first sting?


    ?Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    (Are you ready, baby?)


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Rock you like a hurricane?


    [Solo]


    ?It''s early morning, the sun comes out


    Last night was shaking and pretty loud


    My cat is purring, it scratched my skin


    So what is wrong with another sin?


    The night is calling, I have to go


    The wolf is hungry, he runs the show


    He''s licking his lips, he''s ready to win


    On the hunt tonight for love at first sting?


    ?Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    (Are you ready, baby?)


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    (Come on, come on, come on, come on)


    Here I am


    Rock you like a hurricane


    Here I am?


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    Her hands felt like the finest of silks. A true consort with all the knowledge required or as I call her, a bitches¡¯ bitch.


    Moving to the sound of the high hats, she went for the base and moved skillfully up the mini tower.


    She was exceedingly gentle; she was prepping me for something.


    ¡®Damn, this feels good.¡¯


    A foursome of dancing fingers that went for the bulging veins and the lower head in a one-two, constantly alternating.


    She ¡°gave me inches¡± of traversal just like the lyrics, every time the snare was heard. Slow to fast, fast to slow.


    ¡°The bitch is hungry, she needs to tell


    So give her inches and feed her well.¡± She sang melodiously.


    A nice three finger technique and my head pulsated fiercely, then she went for the whole crown with her tongue in a twisted, never ending spin cycle.


    Clockwise, counter-clock. Lettering and a two hand double grip, right at the base and the scrotum


    SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG! SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG!


    She was rocking, rocking little Ikrei.


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    She intensified her work by adding more sweet variations and more spittle and froth.


    Once the ketar strings hit the solo, she upped the tempo four times faster than the music but still coming down with the snare.


    Every single time.


    SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG! SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG!


    SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG! SMOOCH! SLURP! UUUFG!


    ¡®Shit! Shit! Shit!¡¯


    The smooth palm and the dark master¡¯s tongue rubbed in a way that brought unbearable amounts of pleasure.


    Her grip was tight and just right, providing space for engorging veins. The masterful palm playing with the tip and her tongue making permanent residence on my urethral opening.


    ¡®Heavenly.¡¯


    Precum arrived, a lot of it.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    They say that eastern women have small mouths. Sadly, I¡¯ve only met the ones that can charge a heavy price for transporting sausages by the pounds through their throats.


    SWOOSH!


    Lots of cream went inside her mouth, only a single drop was visible in her lips. Just as the last note of Hurricane was heard.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°GOOD, GOOD!¡±


    ¡°You show him sister!¡± ¡°Show us something on the comeback darky.¡± ¡°Darky! Darky! Darky!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    The crowd was raucous, there was really, no other way.


    <u>Round one:</u> Sunnyu.


    She had that gaze. The gaze of a hunter on the midnight trail.


    ¡®I¡¯ll get you with my true opening shot too, blue darky.¡¯


    It was my turn now. Time for a ¡°Rebel Yell.¡±


    <hr>


    Sunnyu P.O.V.


    Our little agreement included one song of his choosing, not that it really mattered. The music was just a sprinkle, form more than substance.


    ¡®Very, very catchy.¡¯


    I thought it was just an easy heist. No different than stealing candy from a child.


    But I was wrong.


    I was continuously reflective on the events that had led me to the current state of affairs.


    A chaos child that was on top of me!


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td width="302">


    ?Last night a little dancer, came dancing to my door


    Last night a little angel, came pumping on my floor


    She said, come on, baby, I got a license for love


    And if it expires, pray help from above


    Because?


    ?In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, she cried more, more, more, wow!


    In the midnight hour, babe, more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, more, more, more


    More! More! More!?


    ?She don''t like slavery, she won''t sit and beg


    But when I''m tired and lonely, she sees me to bed


    What set you free and brought you to me, babe?


    What set you free? I need you here by me


    Because?


    ?In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, she cried more, more, more, wow!


    In the midnight hour, babe, more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, more, more, more?


    ?He lives in his own heaven


    Collects it to go from the Seven Eleven


    Well, he''s out all night to collect a fare


    Just so long, just so long, it don''t mess up his hair?


    ?Ow! Ow!


    I walked the world with you, babe


    A thousand miles with you


    I dried your tears of pain, babe


    A million times for you


    I''d sell my soul for you, babe


    For money to burn with you


    I''d give you all, and have none, babe


    Justa, justa, justa, just to have you here by me


    Because?


    ?In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, she cried more, more, more, wow!


    In the midnight hour, babe, more, more, more


    With a rebel yell, she cried more, more, more


    More! More! More!


    ?Oh, yeah, little baby


    She want more


    More! More! More! More! More!


    Oh, yeah, little angel


    She want more


    More! More! More! More! More!?


    </td>


    <td>


    The tension could be cut with a ritual ipsrum knife. Honestly speaking, my pride was hurt.


    ¡®How can this walking drill have control of the situation?! Let me use my powers rulers, not fair, not fair!¡¯


    The stripping of my clothes and the foreplay filled with sensual words felt extremely practiced, like coming from someone who had touched the world''s great consorts before.


    ¡°Ready for a spin?¡± He asked playfully.


    ¡°I won¡¯t remember this at all.¡±


    ¡®What are you doing? Don¡¯t touch my hair like that!¡¯


    ¡®Where do you think you are kissing?!¡¯


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Shivers were felt all throughout my neck stem. He went further down.


    A caress, two fingers and a gentle grab. He breathed upon it.


    ¡®Enjoying the view? An erect blue nipple will do it to you, every time.¡¯


    His lips went for my prize, he sucked, he sucked good.


    His right hand mimicked the rhythm as it went for my carnal edges.


    His tongue circled my areola, his fingers nimbly went encyclopedia down south.


    A, B, C, D, E, I.


    ¡°Mmm.¡± I spread my legs wide unwillingly.


    Bastard drill started making andurian sigil signs.


    ¡®Adohi!? Miohail?!¡¯


    ¡®Arlun?!¡¯


    ¡°Ooooh!¡±


    UUFGH! SLURP! UUFGH! SLURP! UUFGH!


    ¡°Oh, Oh.¡± My hips went with the beat.


    The speed and precision of his actions went up, about seven notches.


    ¡®Who are you, a man whore?!¡¯


    My hand went for his hair, just like the song.


    ¡®Yeah, I¡¯ll mess it up, so what?!¡¯


    My skin quivered, my innards dripped. My legs crossed behind his back.


    More savage lettering, new letters. Even more hot nectar splurged from below.


    The scent of Lissum, our ancient magic flower, spread all over the place.


    ¡®No, no, no!¡¯


    My breasts heated up, my nipples became firm midnight blue lighthouses.


    ¡®Oh, no. Rhaich!¡¯


    The tingling sensation was inescapable. His hands danced and turned like a hundred butterflies over petals.


    My nectar was drenching the sheets.


    ¡®Who trained you? Monster!!!¡¯


    He wasn¡¯t searching my erotic zones; he was just overwhelming my body with a lightning fast wide area attack.


    I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡°Daro! Daro! Daro!¡±


    I begged while my body disobeyed me.


    The bastard smiled at me. I pulled his hair with all my strength. I needed to punish him.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡± A maniacal laughter came from bastard darky.


    The song was about to end. The waves of pleasure weren¡¯t; I couldn¡¯t do anything about it.


    An expert tender touch mixed with a rough final barrage caused exactly the result he wanted.


    ¡°HEE, HEE, HEEEEEEEEEEE!¡±


    There was no penetration and he still managed to win the round.


    I wanted to curse him.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The gathered were clapping like the possessed spirits we were.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°Yo, chaos child, let¡¯s make a baby!¡± ¡°No, you won¡¯t!¡± ¡°Shut up bitches!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡®This is barely starting you, beastly bunch!¡¯


    ¡°WE KNOW!!!¡± ¡°WE KNOW!!!¡± ¡°WE KNOW!!! ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    ¡®Just a little privacy would be nice.¡¯


    My eyes were piercing.


    ¡°Ego, mibo orch!¡±


    I was angry, he did as I did. And to worsen matters, the sword resonated with him.


    ¡°Repressing your joy will make you wrinkle faster. And insults can be understood here, Half-elf.¡± He countered with firm eyes, no trace of doubt.


    <u>Round two:</u> Ikrei.


    ¡°We are going again immediately, my turn!¡±


    A snap of the fingers and Hurricane began playing once more.


    Many, many fleshier flash rounds with rock music transpired.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    <u>Round Seventy-Three:</u> Winner to be decided here.


    ¡®Malgrunian women are unparalleled.¡¯


    ¡°You may be right about that, redhead prick!¡±


    ¡°WOOHOO!¡± ¡°GO DARKYS¡± ¡°I¡¯M HORNY!¡± ¡°GOOD! GOOD!¡± ¡°BEAT HER ASS, IKREI!¡± ¡°WIN SISTER, BITE HIS DICK OFF WHEN YOU ARE DONE!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    There was a limit to how many consecutive rounds without changing partners one could indulge in. This was an unexpected way of finding out. Seventy-two was the limit.


    The rulers love variety but since all they do here is have all sort of parties in here, this is one of the stipulations.


    We were sitting at the customary table taking a small breather. The gathered were placing major bets. The attendants serving even stranger drinks. And the three women had very different expressions towards a small time forest hunter, big time fucker with a smiling face.


    Volvair was smiling. ¡°I¡¯m going to screw your entire soul loose, next time.¡±


    Sunnyu was indescribable. ¡°You! You! You! You!¡±


    Izeria was still drinking up a storm. ¡°Good practice but that¡¯s all it is. See you soon.¡±


    I would like to say that I took that last comment like a man but that was not the case.


    ¡®Get away, you! Drunken dragon, get away!¡¯


    Even if the space could replenish me and I had Volvair¡¯s help momentarily. The dragoness was coming in with all her tricks. It wasn¡¯t going to be an even playing field where mastery of intercourse would suffice.


    Something felt definitively off about her.


    ¡®Akathos¡¯ plan has a good chance of working. As long as I win here, the rest will be fine.¡¯


    I drank my Dracul. The last two rounds had been eye opening. The reason why we were tied thirty-five to thirty-five instead of thirty-six to thirty-six.


    The sword was resonating wildly absorbing energy every time there was action; the piece of living metal was still undecided. But the energy accumulation was no joke.


    A monster sword was going to be born.


    ¡°IT IS TIME TO BEGIN!¡± ¡°Your bets will determine your increases during resonance everyone. A round of applause for our flash rounds living geysers!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    In truth, that was the most insulting and satisfying set of palms I have ever received.


    We were going to be sent to a neutral reality, we had no idea what we were going to get. There wasn¡¯t going to be any music. There was no need, the tension was enough as it was.


    ¡°One, two, three, four!¡±


    <hr>


    Sunnyu P.O.V.


    ¡®Time for a quick double check.¡¯


    I felt myself all over to make sure of the situation. I stood in place and I was wearing my birth dress, nothing.


    By round seventy-two, Arn and Heryr were tired of clothes.


    The situation called for swift resolutions.


    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    I felt a hug from behind, a very tight embrace. The chaos child made the first move.


    ¡®Rhaich!¡¯


    His right hand was already dancing where it shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you, you have skill.¡± I told him.


    I went for my own counter maneuver, a five-fingered mushroom head pull behind the back with my right hand.


    ¡°You are just very sensitive, Sunnyu.¡±


    Swift solo play, two fingers, one finger, three fingers, then four for a change of pace.


    The bastard made me groan.


    I pulled his shaft right under me and between my legs. A perfect setup for a feel of my entry with his enlarged crown and my Lissum scented nectar drops.


    A grind, a sensual grind of synchronized pelvic movements. He pushed forward, I pushed back.


    His left hand grabbing my perked bosom. My left hand on his hair and my right hand preventing any more misdeeds down below.


    The grinding wet dance causing his little pecker veins to pulsate.


    ¡°Uff!¡± He was getting excited.


    And in typical dark gods fashion, a rock song that was unplanned began playing inside the false reality.


    A perfect fit for the red hot carnal events. Ixur¡¯s ¡°Slow Ride.¡±


    The drum intro was unmistakable.


    ¡®Oh, shit. I love this stuff!¡¯


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    ?Woo!


    Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy?


    [Verse 1]


    ?I''m in the mood


    The rhythm is right


    Move to the music


    We can roll all night?


    [Bridge]


    Oooh slow ride


    Oooh


    [Chorus]


    ?Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy?


    [Verse 2]


    ?Slow down, go down


    Got to get your lovin''


    One more time


    Hold me, roll me


    Slow ridin'' woman you''re so fine?


    [Break]


    Woo!


    [Verse 1]


    I''m in the mood


    The rhythm is right


    Move to the music


    We can roll all night


    [Bridge]


    Oooh


    [Chorus]


    ?Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy?


    [Verse 2]


    ?Slow down, go down


    Got to get your lovin''


    One more time


    Hold me, roll me


    Slow ridin'' woman you''re so fine


    [Chorus]


    Slow ride, easy


    Slow ride, sleazy


    Slow ride, easy


    Slow ride, sleazy?


    [Verse 2]


    ?Slow down, go down


    Got to get your lovin''


    One more time


    Hold me, roll me


    Slow ridin'' woman you''re so fine?


    [Chorus]


    ?Slow ride


    Take it easy


    Slow ride


    Take it easy?


    [Alt. Chorus]


    ?Slow down


    Go down


    Slow down


    Go down?


    [Verse 3]


    ?Come on, baby


    Take a slow ride with me


    Come on, baby


    Take a slow ride?


    [Verse 4]


    ?Oh, feel good


    Mmmm, feels so good


    I like it, yeah


    I feel good


    Oh, I feel all right?


    [Verse 5]


    ?You know the rhythm is right


    You know the rhythm is right


    We''ve got to rock all night


    We''ve got to rock all night


    You know the rhythm is right


    We''ve got to rock all night


    You know the rhythm is right


    We''ve got to rock all night


    Woah, come all night?


    [Verse 6]


    ?Woo, woo


    Your flamin'' heart


    Your flamin'' heart


    Your flamin'' heart


    Your flamin'' heart


    Woo, woo, woo?


    [Outro]


    Slow ride!


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.6077%">


    The gifted bastard showed me my own drip with his fingers.


    ¡°You are sweating quite a bit, right?¡±


    After seventy-two rounds of pure anger in some cases and pure euphoria in others, any dark practitioner woman would be thinking the same thing.


    ¡®Bad man, good dick.¡¯ Absolutely troublesome.


    Our pelvic foreplay continued, following the music. Side to side. His lips were on my collarbone thanks to a hard pull of his hair strands.


    His other hand gliding for re-entry. My hand pressuring his engorged mushroom every time he tried.


    ¡°Uff.¡± He gasped every time.


    ¡®I know you want a piece of my inner labia again, not happening, you orc!¡¯


    Then, he bit me, he bit me like a vampire on my neck.


    ¡°B¨¢i ch¨©! Daro!¡± I reprimanded him in every tongue.


    He took advantage of my distraction and two fingers went in like a slithering snake.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡±


    ¡®You¡¯ll pay for that!¡¯


    I twisted my mushroom shaped stick.


    ¡°Hurgh!¡± And as Heka says, down went the wolf.


    ¡°WHAT A BATTLE! GO GO GO DAUGTHER OF LONG BI XI! DRAGON! DRAGON! DRAGON!¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s right. My father can wipe the floor with yours Izeria, eat shit!¡¯


    We could feel golden horns penetrating resentment in the middle of the action. It was time to deal with the fallen little orc stem.


    ¡®Tsk.¡¯


    The rulers placed a grand plushy bed under him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do a rockaby, darky versus darky, right?¡±


    A fast finger up my lower petals once I got close. I returned the favor, one fast hidden finger up his rectum. A weird position.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I said. ¡°Ooooh!¡± He screamed.


    The gathered were excited. Energy wildly resonating. The sword was calling for us.


    ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡±


    ¡®Surprise boy, let¡¯s go for a slow ride, do keep up.¡¯


    I pushed him firmly down. I placed my silky wet contours near his glands for a rubbing. Little orc¡¯s thingy reached my bottom cheeks.


    ¡®Time for torture, boy.¡¯ He was still reeling from my forced twist, moments before.


    I got close to his face, he didn¡¯t look away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you are going to dictate pace at the finish line, little orc.¡±


    Perhaps, there were no powers, magic and all those things but that didn¡¯t mean a dark elf was out of tricks.


    His hands went for my bottom cheeks.


    SLAP! SLAP!


    My left hand went back and reached underneath to his humid, moist little trunk.


    He tried furiously to turn me over.


    ¡®Not happening! B¨¢i ch¨©!¡¯


    An expertly nailed a scratch, just enough to make him wince as more juices poured over him. I inserted his rod into my soft scalding flesh.


    It was time for the end. The final grind.


    The sword went crazy, the high energy interrupted my perfect snake twist hip thrusts. The resonance made the space cry out with energy tremors.


    Little orc reacted with the resonance discharge.


    ¡°Antolle ulua sulrim!¡± He replied as he turned me over with force. I laid with my back on the bed.


    ¡°Bastard! Don¡¯t use my tongue!¡±


    ¡®This can¡¯t be! You must suffer greatly first before any luck comes! No, no, no!¡¯


    He pushed his hardened member into my slippery entrance. It was hard, fast and without mercy.


    Pain and pleasure entered my soul brain. My nails firmly scratching his right buttocks and back. Deep enough for a bleeding. Instinctive retaliation.


    ¡®You want me to squirt?¡¯ Bleed for me then!¡¯


    Furious, beastly pounding without rhythm or cadence, a wild animal without rhyme.


    My body instinctively followed suit. Dark feelings, chaos. Just my cup of tea. I hated and hate that about myself. Losing myself in dark desire, my weakness.


    Little orc became a mindless fiend; it didn¡¯t matter who won anymore, just the act.


    Honestly speaking, there was nothing slow about this ride.


    The music had stopped a while ago.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Ahhhh!¡± ¡°Ahhhh!¡± ¡°Ahhhh!¡±


    He was the punishing hammer and I was the gushing receptacle.


    The resonance became mind-blowing. I couldn¡¯t think anymore.


    The dammed sword was laughing. I felt how the sword was influencing the end result. It was manipulating my emotions; it was manipulating him. Too many souls, too many gathered, too much power.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡± The gathered laughed along with the twisted metal.


    I knew Volvair was clapping somewhere.


    I felt the heat of his glands expand inside me. The meat lance was as much a punishment for every bad deed I had ever committed as it was a reward for every wet dream I¡¯ve ever had.


    I forgot everything and sucked him in with my glistening folds. My cheeks bounced against his pelvic region and the drilling of round thirty-two made its return.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Oh.¡±


    The movements were so intense, that little orc grabbed my waist like a torn parchment, my toes curled and I was lost.


    I couldn¡¯t tell you what happened first after that.


    Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat! Phat!


    ¡°Nn.¡± ¡°Huh¡± ¡°Ahh!¡± ¡°Darrooooo!¡± ¡°Ooooooh!¡±


    He growled and behaved like the long forgotten fearbeasts of the elven forest.


    The air became dense, everything felt moist, moist and heavy.


    ¡°URGOOOOOOOHHHHHH!¡±


    My innards, labia, thighs and muscles followed after him. A scream, a monster shout, the mating sounds of the dark elves.


    The song of the dark moon. The howling call.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!¡±


    Like the breaking of a large beaver dam, the feeling of euphoria came rushing in. My eyes rolled back. There was no more sense of anything.


    And then came the flood.


    The throbbing weapon pulsated without leaving any gaps, releasing copious amounts that filled my walls.


    My scent spread over the entire space uncontrollably.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    The gathered were celebrating, their resonance gains were massive. I knew they were happy.


    Everything had transpired exactly as the rulers wanted. The reason for the fears of men towards the gods. We knew it, we all knew it.


    ¡®I won, I won?! Who shot the load first?!¡¯

 CHAPTER 89 R-18

    Izeria P.O.V.


    Ancient beings are peculiar things.


    Some carry malevolent impulses that lead them towards destruction, others towards conquest, and many more with various motives and objectives.


    To the extent that there are some who could not only howl at the moon like the dark elves; there are others who want nothing more than to swallow it whole.


    The elders of all faiths have warned endlessly about this. Still, many refuse to listen.


    Civilizations rise and fall, the endless, ceaseless turning of the wheel. The pleas of the wise men ignored.  In an age of mythical creatures and gods long-forgotten, we fought.


    We bled, we even suffered great losses, but in the end we won. Not without allies, not without regret, not without concessions and compromises, the dragons have overseen and continue to oversee a large part of this one world, Ladnahlayr.


    We won the right to govern, the right to rule.


    There are chosen ones and there are synchronicities but for the beings who come from the original creation, the great work is the only thing that requires fulfillment. The importance of the vessel, the vassal that performs it, is minimal for us.


    And as a descendant of such beings, I chose and have chosen the next steps in the turning of said wheel. Not without joy, not without debauchery. There is no enlightenment without a price. The price we all must pay to be able to bear the burdens and receive the blessings.


    A price required from the young man who was sitting across from me at a certain golden table.


    ¡°Say Ikrei, you know Ixur, do you not?¡± I posed the obvious question.


    Everyone in the gathering was happily drinking, Sunnyu in particular was brooding.


    The fact that I wasn¡¯t talking much before this, caused a small reaction on my soon to be carnal mate.


    I decided to clarify a little before the girls brewed up a storm.


    ¡°I¡¯m like her, a master of emotions, only way darker.¡±


    ¡°You are not planning on breaking the rules, are you?¡± Volvair decided to intervene.


    Ikrei kept drinking silently watching the events unfold.


    ¡°Do you think I need to? Let¡¯s hope the two of you, at least, make it a challenge.¡±


    I spoke as melodiously as I could.


    ¡®My normal speech always comes out equal parts sweet and sour. Void dragon roots, cannot be helped.¡¯


    As more drinks and food was served, little chaos finally spoke up, interrupting my conversation with the girls. They were concerned with foul play.


    ¡°What are you implying with your words?¡± A calm and steady utterance came forth.


    The table turned silent.


    ¡®Good eyes, little chaos, firm.¡¯


    ¡°You can feel me; I can feel you. We all can feel each other.¡±


    I let him have a taste of the emotions that a dragonborn can produce just by existing.


    One intense surge of possessive feeling, not desire, not obsession but the domineering sentiment of my kind.


    The members of the table squeaked just a little.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°Izeria!¡± ¡°Izeria¡± ¡°Izeria!¡±


    The gathered began shouting and howling my name. Although, someone like me should be above the praises of the many. It did made feel somewhat joyful.


    Little chaos was rattled, even if the rest couldn''t feel it at that moment, I could.


    I gave him a left eye wink for extra emphasis. He shrugged.


    ¡°Mu whal aan vulon wah dahmaan goraan sos.¡± I told him while gurgling another drink.


    Volvair began interacting and talking to little chaos with precipitousness.


    ¡®Give me what I want and I¡¯ll give you something to remember, son of Masarin.¡¯


    <hr>


    Iru P.O.V.


    Day of Mardu, fourth day of the week. First week of the twelfth month.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    ¡®Flame barrier!¡¯


    No chanting spell manifestation was working properly after all the training. Sadly, it was limited to my fire spells and my lightning attribute.


    DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG! DOOONG!


    ¡°Here I come, bookie!¡±


    The spinning metal was dangerous, I used a chant to evade.


    ¡°ADOHI!¡±


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    The immediate kinetic attack came right after. A massive energy blast, the final bolt. There was no choice for me but to counter with everything I had left.


    ¡°DAELIN!!¡±


    My artifact glove started glowing fiercely. My charged lightning attack met the insidious white and blue streak of immense power. The thunderous clash of energies created a resonance effect.


    DOOOOONG!


    I had one knee on the floor and my left hand for support inside the training circle.


    ¡°You need higher energy reserves, Iru.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get to it; I have been training everything else. I¡¯ll start a serious meditation period.¡±


    My private training partner helped me up as our weapons and artifacts disappeared into our rings.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meditating ceaselessly for the past weeks. I think I ne¡ª¡± Golden hair¡¯s words were interrupted.


    ¡°Hey guys, I got your artifacts ready as requested. We should go take a look at them at the castle¡¯s workshop.¡±


    Cheap artifact master maker was here.


    ¡°Did you watch the whole thing?¡± I had to get confirmation.


    ¡°Who do you take me for, bookworm? Private is private, I just got here. You know we all have shadow guards following our steps.¡±


    ¡°You know, he only means well and the shadow guards let us do plenty. All part of the testing.¡±


    Ciel was actually not being her puckish self with Kletay, not since Krigsain left to do who knows what.


    ¡°I know, chalk it up to my non-existent comedic timing, sis.¡±


    We slowly headed to the workshop tower.


    ¡°You know, I got a flash crystal that has been making the rounds.¡± Kletay threw it to Ciel.


    We were not surprised by the contents.


    ¡°What do you make of it, Iru?¡± Ciel was actually very interested but not as effusive as she would have been a few weeks¡¯ back.


    ¡®Something¡¯s up with her.¡¯


    ¡°Hard to answer, there is a huge difference in marrying someone into the Kotar kingdom and being married off and sent to live in the empire. Control or to be controlled, difficult proposition when you consider all the interests involved.¡±


    We kept walking through the corridors and saluting our fellow sachears and kotari along the way.


    ¡°Interesting answers, every time. I¡¯ll charge you nothing if you can answer something I am interest in, mister book!¡± Kletay proposed and enticing trade.


    ¡°I can answer, I can answer!¡± Ciel interjected with her proposal.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t answer to my liking, I¡¯ll charge you double, miss Thresen.¡± Kletay put the wand down metaphorically.


    Ciel had a defeated gait with her step after Kletay¡¯s words.


    ¡°I love a freebie, what do you want me to answer Kletay?¡±


    ¡°A one-minute answer isn¡¯t worth thousands upon thousands of Ucra. Let¡¯s get to a private room in the alchemical workshop and talk there, bookworm.¡±


    Kletay picked up the pace with swift steps.


    ¡°You are not leaving me out of his conversation, are you?¡± Ciel had yearning eyes.


    ¡°Just come along, golden hair.¡± Hollered Kletay.


    The mechanical, magical workings inside the tower of the sages in Malaktaraf were awe-inspiring to any who has the opportunity to bear witness. Contrary to our expectations, the place was filled with beautiful and detailed tapestry with very comfortable and delicate furniture. Intricate details in all the walls and doors.


    ¡°You train here all the time?¡± Ceil probed.


    ¡°A lot of the time, yes.¡±


    Kletay opened a security artifact check with one of her rings and we entered the safe room commonly used for more private matters. We sat down on the comfortable wyvern skin seats and began to socialize in earnest.


    ¡°Inquiries worth thousands of Ucra, I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not interested, master crafter.¡± I spoke without any filter.


    ¡°Magi of Liria, what do you think of our instructions in dealing with the anomalies we will face?¡±


    ¡®Kletay is a direct, no nonsense kind of gal in all her ways.¡¯


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard, strenuous and if we are not careful, in the end, deadly.¡± I laid it all out plainly.


    ¡°What do you make of the malgrunians, are they going to get away with it?¡± Kletay forced the issue.


    ¡°Rebirth through fire, a world where they rule. They will do anything to have that. That won¡¯t happen as long as we are here.¡± Ciel nodded at my words.


    Kletay kept her finger on the pulse with another question.


    ¡°Isoray Dogran is here, he is an empire noble, the home of the Void of Consciousness. There are no guarantees of what will happen after the war is over.¡±


    Kletay was pointing out the dangerous angles the silent war was already causing.


    ¡°Isoray is an unbound, an unbound sealed by the Will. It is clear that he wants something else. He doesn¡¯t want to serve Falam, he wouldn¡¯t be here otherwise.¡±


    ¡°What are you getting at Kletay, you getting cold feet?¡± Ciel interjected like she always does when things get weighty.


    ¡°You have seen it right, Ciel? Some of our brothers are borderline insane, evil even, won¡¯t they turn against us when temptation comes?¡±


    ¡°Therefore, we were brought here and are under strict supervision. Tarei is a prime example, a berserker class with blood cravings, vampiric. He could turn for the proper rib and flesh. Then again, he might not thanks to Sufyul, we will have to trust in the arrangements of the elders.¡±


    I gave her the truth she asked for.


    Ciel was engrossed in her thoughts. Kletay offered another cutthroat comment.


    ¡°Good and evil are nothing but concepts, is that it?¡±


    I enjoyed a bite from a chocolate bar that I took from my ring.


    ¡°Irrespective of the gods, if I torture you until the end of time whether you believe or not believe in the concept of evil as a reality, you will feel that I have done you evil. Good and evil exist. They are just words to express something that is, deep within the heart of hearts.¡±


    One more time, I gave Kletay a dose of the truth, the failures of relativism.


    ¡°If the battle is righteous like this one, I will fight. If it is an interest driven proposition, I¡¯ll abstain. This is my path, my way.¡± Ciel added.


    ¡°What¡¯s your take on the conflict then, Iru?¡±


    ¡°The order prevented a grand summon of some kind, that¡¯s what I think. The special beings needed for such a thing must have gone into hiding or their leaders are alerted by now. Therefore, the malgrunians need blood. Blood in the hundreds of thousands and millions even, if they can get awakened blood into the mix, even better.¡±


    ¡°The peace talks are going to be anything but.¡± Kletay gave a loud sigh with her statement.


    ¡°Everyone wants to gain something from the conflict. The intervention of foreign forces depends on too many factors to be seen clearly. Many want the demise of the Andurin and not only that of the Kolga members.¡± Ciel gave her final assessment.


    ¡°Does your line of questioning have anything to do with a certain long haired redhead?¡±


    Kletay grew even more somber but managed to continue speaking steadily.


    ¡°I thought things might turn out different for me, that is all.¡±


    Drinks and a few snacks came from her rings. The girls started talking while sipping plenty.


    I just watched the entire thing.


    ¡®You have created an unlikely and deadly pairing chosen.¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The reality the descendant of the dragon kin had chosen was grand.


    Two large fireplaces with crackling blue flames placed on either side of where I was standing.  Enclosed yellow fire lights floating around the place four cubits above me. They were made of a strange glass material. Many tables in the corners with many books and grimoires. Antique curtains of even stranger materials, royal colors, gold, purple and red.


    The dragoness Izeria did not hide her thoughts from anyone until that moment. As I have said before, in the inner white palace your thoughts are protected unless the other party wants you to know.


    She was sharing with everyone.


    It was a representation of the gathering place of her kind, the draconylf coven.


    ¡®Music hasn¡¯t started. Guess the rulers allow her to play with greater liberty.¡¯


    Warn, slender fingers traced the edges of my spirit clothing. It wasn¡¯t dissolving, a monstrous level of control. She was walking around me in a very tight circle as her hands played. Her speech sounded just like at the table, the double dose of menacing and alluring.


    ¡°An interesting find chaos child. You found your female penumbra in this life.¡±


    With small twist and turns elegantly executed she spoke in my ears, one sentence to my right, the other to my left.


    I shuddered instinctively without any proper explanation for it. I was still in my thoughts, when an impossibly soft pillow settled over my chest. My eyes drifted towards my newly comforted area. It wasn¡¯t a pillow, it was Izeria being up close and personal.


    We locked eyes.


    Her dark eyes bore a close resemblance to mine when Hodonsyr is active.


    ¡°I want you to touch me like you touch her, little chaos. Otherwise, your little game ends in sorrow.¡±


    I knew what she meant. I felt it.


    ¡®Yun Hee is that important, huh?¡¯


    I had been thinking about many things up to that point. I spoke one of the most pressing and blatant questions I had left came from my lips. After all, it was the safest place to pose such a question, rulers and gathered as witnesses.


    ¡°Are you the Queen of the Night?¡±


    ¡®Time to test the vision of the dark chalice.¡¯


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha!¡± A melodious and discordant laughter came from dragoness Izeria.


    Many of the gathered laughed, commented and questioned my probe. Once again I was lost in my ignorance about a subject everyone was circumventing.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA!¡± ¡°This one takes the cake!¡± ¡°Unta! Unta!¡± ¡°He really can¡¯t remember?!¡±


    Izeria¡¯s golden horns were coruscating, a riveting sight when up close. She padded my right shoulder with her unnatural control. The spirit cloth once again did not dissolve.


    ¡°Too funny, too funny, reincarnation of Eriel. But you can consider yourself as one of her interests and a pet peeve of cosmic proportions.¡±


    Her dark eyes danced like serpentine lights and her lips turned into a very wicked smile.


    I felt it, the smile she gave me was a matching expression to the word known as infamous.


    A drop of sweat came from my magical construct¡¯s temple, the dragoness words caused preoccupations and instability. Something that I thought I was thoroughly acquainted with and prepared for after so many years inside the dark realm.


    ¡°I take it you are not going to tell me exactly what¡¯s going on, right?¡± I asked trying my best to sound firm.


    The gathered were silent, the rulers were joyfully humming. They all seemed to be waiting for something.


    ¡®Volvair¡¯s nervous. Sunnyu¡¯s angry.¡¯


    Izeria didn¡¯t bat an eye.


    ¡°Riiiight!¡± She played with my hair for a breath with her fingers.


    ¡°If you were told, things won¡¯t transpire the way they need to. As you can tell, I get plenty of maneuverability in here. The perks of being your chaos grand seigneur, Ikrei.¡±


    The menacing and alluring combination in her voice felt even colder, closer to a harsh winter. I knew that her ability to imprint feelings without coercion was transcendental, the closest thing to the stratas that I have ever experienced from a non-god, the powers and mysteries of the dragonborn.


    Still, after several grains of consideration I decided that I wasn¡¯t going to go down without a fight.


    ¡°How about you give me your best shot and let¡¯s see where we land?¡± That was my final answer.


    Izeria smiled with a sunny smile evocative of the sunrises in Xena forest. The dark dragoness seemed strangely pleased.


    ¡°Then let me show you a nip of sorrow first.¡±


    SNAP! PHAT!


    The rock recording, final track of Ixur¡¯s album ¡°Queen of the Night¡± began playing with a snap of her fingers.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°Here we go!¡± ¡°A dragonborn in action!!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    <hr>


    Izeria P.O.V.


    ¡®Love that drum intro, very fitting for dark lords.¡¯


    ¡°Go ahead and try. Do your best.¡±


    I gave little chaos an arms wide open gesture with an imposing frontal foot, an intentional protective pose. I knew exactly how the lights and my dress would merge, creating an unforgettable image.


    ¡®I can feel you Volvair, I know you think I¡¯m like you but I have no need for petty tricks.¡¯


    I had never directly participated in the Bacchanalia before. I prefer other more private venues, the ones with soul killing included in the proceedings. Consequently, the girls had no point of reference for my inherent dragonborn body, even in a magical construct restricted state.


    The music began its rhythmic call; the groove was intoxicating.


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    ?If I say I don''t need anyone


    I can say these things to you


    ''Cause I can turn on anyone, just like I''ve turned on you


    I''ve got a tongue like a razor


    A sweet switchblade knife


    And I can do you favors but then you''ll do whatever I like?


    ?Here I am


    And you''re a rocket queen


    I might be a little young but honey I ain''t naive


    Here I am and you''re a rocket queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much


    But honey you''re a bit obscene?


    ?I''ve seen everything imaginable


    Pass before these eyes


    I''ve had everything that''s tangible


    Honey you''d be surprised


    I''m a sexual innuendo


    In this burned out paradise


    If you turn me on to anything


    You better turn me on tonight?


    ?Here I am


    And you''re a rocket queen


    I might be a little young but honey I ain''t naive


    Here I am and you''re a rocket queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much


    But honey you''re a bit obscene?


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    [Interlude]


    ?Here I am


    And you''re a rocket queen


    I might be a little young but honey I ain''t naive


    Here I am and you''re a rocket queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much


    But honey you''re a bit obscene?


    ?I see you standin''


    Standin'' on your own


    It''s such a lonely place for you


    For you to be


    If you need a shoulder


    Or if you need a friend


    I''ll be here standing


    Until the bitter end


    No one needs the sorrow


    No one needs the pain


    I hate to see you


    Walking out there


    Out in the rain


    So don''t chastise me


    Or think I, I mean you harm


    Of those that take you leave you strung out


    Much too far


    Baby, yeah?


    ?Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh


    No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no


    No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no


    Oh, oh, oh, oh


    Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby, yeah?


    Solo


    ?Don''t ever leave me


    Say you''ll always be there


    All I ever wanted


    Was for you


    To know that I care?


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    ¡®Let¡¯s see if you can remain poncy, chaos child.¡¯


    Ikrei shifted and moved, he had decided to engage. I remained in the exact same position.


    A deft right hand with confident steps. A low hanging left hand that touched all my nether parts nimbly but barely. His hands danced up and down, back and forth, just enough to deal with the magical garments.


    ¡®Going ham, are you? Not bad.¡¯


    The magical red dress speedily dissolved into minute grains until there was nothing left except a profuse wave of multiple emotions coming from all the gathered beings and little chaos.


    The light glow of the living dragon''s skin privates was glimpsed for the first time by many of those present. A delicacy, only comparable to that of fairies, angels and superior beings.


    For a moment or two, Ikrei did not know how to proceed. He was taking in the inviting display, my outline perfectly highlighted with the aid of the floating luminosities.


    ¡®Shinny golden hair and glowing chest berries will do that to you.¡¯


    ¡°Dragons are one of the first children of all creation. Don¡¯t get too surprised, go on.¡±


    A statement and a word for Ikrei but also for many of the gathered. A dragon descendant is still a dragon.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°WOW!¡± ¡°She glows like Sunnyu!¡± ¡°The dragoness is brighter!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    Heryr was emitting a particularly proud sentiment. Her dragon like eyes hinted to a deeper, unknown secret of our kind.


    A right hand through my locks, carefully avoiding my horns was his chosen path. He had eyes brimming with distrust.


    A slow and deliberate downward delineation starting from my neck with his lips and a shadowy grabbing hand that reached my bottom right plump.


    His lips moved gently from the center of my chest unto my left berry. His shadowy hand tried to extend his grab for a full snog of my bottom.


    ¡®Surprise one, little chaos.¡¯


    As much as he tried he couldn¡¯t, he wasn¡¯t able to move a single muscle of my body from their original position.


    Controlled spasticity, a dragonborn¡¯s dominion starts with oneself, down to the most minute details. Only the truly strong can take a body like mine.


    ¡®Do try little chaos, try harder, now despair.¡¯


    I let my emotions engulf the entire place, the gathered submerged in them. The rulers nodded and Ikrei worried, he worried endlessly.


    The twisted metal resonated wildly with me. The soul sword loved my actions.


    Domination through self-control, the mark of the truly powerful.


    He continued to press as hard as he could, trying to create an opening for his dancing fingers or produce a reaction with his expertly circulating tongue.


    The only moans that were heard were the ones recorded in the song. The gathered remained expectant.


    ¡°Why?¡± His voice was full of trepidation; he could sense I was toying with him.


    ¡°Darkness feeds, little chaos, consider how blessed you are that I have come here for you both. A dragoness gives herself up, she can never be taken, not by the likes of you. Give me your feelings.¡±


    His eyes had an almost impalpable judder but his hands never stopped moving or his lips stopped trying to create a reaction. He clearly did not fully understand my words nor did I want to explain myself any further.


    ¡°Ecstasy or misery, Ikrei.¡±


    His eyes were the kind that I like, unwavering, rebellious. The type of eyes where submission was not even a last resort. The kind of eyes where death was a preferable end.


    The resonating souls, the gathered, the rulers were enjoying little chaos¡¯ tumultuous state of being. An intense coalescence of dark feelings was felt by everyone.


    The sword resonated again, vibrating in its place. The cries from the twisted metal came forth.


    ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE¡±


    Sunnyu was livid, her feelings clearly felt by all. I let her have a piece of my mind.


    ¡°Sunnyu, your father can only subdue my father within Ladnahlayr, my father will receive him, whenever your father wants, for a dance in the Void!¡±


    ¡°Be careful with what you wish, golden horns. You might get it.¡± Sunnyu mocked my words with crackling laughs.


    ¡°DRAGON!¡± ¡°DRAGON!¡± ¡°TRUE DRAGON FIGHT!¡± ¡°KRIF!¡± ¡°KRIF!¡± KRIF!¡±


    The gathered went crazy with the little exchange. Even the rulers gave a small word.


    ¡°We will bear witness, tell LONG BI XI he can come, we will allow it!¡±


    The amount of energy that resonated included the rulers, the sword and the gathered.


    ¡°AH!¡±


    Absolute ecstasy.


    ¡®I guess they will talk to all other rulers; you better not let me down, dad!¡¯


    Ikrei realized all his efforts were futile. A dragoness that was busy dealing with other matters while a makeshift lover tried everything, is anything but triumphant. Even a sleazy finger that tried to enter my inner cave failed miserably.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t breaking the rules?¡± Ikrei asked with strain clearly visible in his countenance. We were almost at eye level with each other.


    The last note of the song echoed with a perfectly timed discordant chord with a cymbal.


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    ¡°Am I restraining your hands? I am allowing you to touch me. Would you like me to lose my horns? The manifestation of my body in this place cannot be like yours. I am not human. Why don¡¯t you state your grievances to the rulers, they can hear you, you know?¡±


    Heryr was simpering towards me.


    ¡®I can feel you witch of witches. I am a half dragon and then some, there¡¯s nothing to do.¡¯


    I didn¡¯t care how the three of them took my expression in combined with my incongruous voice, only that they shivered.


    I smiled.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    The undulation of feeling came simultaneously from Volvair and Sunnyu. The message was twofold but simple.


    ¡®We can reverse it, if you give up the sword.¡¯


    ¡°Whatever creature Heryr was and is; the ruler is related to the dragons.¡± I said while I began gathering my thoughts and feelings.


    Her eyes were a dead giveaway. It was clear the situation I found myself in, was a tilted table.


    The dark path, a path filled with all possible nooks and turns, could not and cannot avoid shenanigans from the dark lords.


    ¡®Turpitude, killings, brutality, betrayals, half-truths. Just your typical shadowy menu from the ones that love twisted outcomes.¡¯


    There was neither shame nor uninhibitedness coming from a true dark one that stood uncovered. The lights inside the space shone with power, her outline became even more pronounced. The golden horns reflected darkly, like an encompassing shadow.


    ¡°A do over, give into me.¡± Once again the dragoness¡¯ voice was a warm breath on my ear.


    I was sad that I had to give up the sword to Sunnyu but I estimated that the dark half elf expected such a situation. The crowned witch and the daughter of the great dragon were strangely calm. As long as I could use the stone, any other considerations were unimportant. Even if I couldn¡¯t trust anyone the golden horned woman was pinning me into a corner.


    I was concerned with the dragoness desire for my feelings towards another woman and Akathos¡¯ warning of the dragoness¡¯ ability to feed.


    ¡®Is the seed of Malgrun going to be affected? Cleansing through sex? Is she like a Vampire?¡¯


    With many, many thoughts and reservations, Akathos¡¯ teachings came back to me.


    ¡°You are but a child. A child is no greater than a slave. Until you reach maturity in the arts and wisdom, you require stewardship. Either your desires consume you or you overcome them. Whatever doesn¡¯t kill you makes you stronger.¡±


    Everything was a test, everything was a hurdle to prevail over. If you are afraid then learn to instill greater fear. If others hate you, hate them back in greater measure. If you hate yourself for being weak then integrate your own shadow and then disintegrate that hate through power by becoming strong.


    ¡®To look into the abyss and not be consumed by the reflection. The dark path, the path without light.¡¯


    All his lessons replayed within my soul. I was looking forward to the integration portion of my training. At any rate, I just needed to survive the schemes of a drunken dragon, and with all these thoughts I did what needed to be done.


    I accented.


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! ¡°Just let her eat you, boy!¡± ¡°Lucky bastard!¡± CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    The dragoness smiled. It was not the thing that was making me worried, neither was the laughing twisted metal sword but the words that came from her mouth that did the trick.


    ¡°Do not feel beguiled. For it isn¡¯t me that is pulling your strings.¡±


    SNAP! PHAT!


    The Queen of the Night started once more. Arn and Heryr were very happy, we all felt it. It was the beginning of the show, the one they were genuinely expecting.


    I reached out and touched her body once more, right over her belly button.  Just like I touched Yun Hee many, many times before with the same feeling.


    ¡®You want my feelings? Have at it!¡¯


    A sculpture, a living monument to the beastly allure stood there with a dark smile as my fingers circled her waist.


    The sleazy groove of the riff and the drums matched my heartbeat. Even if I knew that chicanery was a forgone conclusion. It didn¡¯t mean I was ready for the double horned femmebeast. The lyrics and the feelings of the gathered faded into nothingness once the sword resonated with the blonde presence.


    A horned and taller version of Yun Hee appeared for just a couple of breaths with her long lush black hair delineated under the lights. Then she faded away and Izeria was before my eyes, perfectly leveled with her breath upon my ear again.


    ¡°A man¡¯s first crush is always a special. Pour more.¡± The dark cold voice transformed into sweetly worded mewls.


    ¡°MORE!¡± Screamed the twisted metal as it vibrated.


    I felt how the energy from the gathering and the sword were allowing the strange phenomenon to occur. It was the twisted metal¡¯s doing. It was so special that for those seconds, the smell, the feeling that Yun Hee emits materialized before me simultaneously.


    ¡®Shit!¡¯


    Izeria¡¯s hand touched my spirit cloth and it disintegrated into nothing with one finger. Obviously, I became apprehensive. She touched me right over where my magical construct¡¯s heart was.


    I just stood. That was all. I just stood there looking into her dark eyes searching for the meaning in her actions. The music played but it mattered not. She beckoned me to touch her.


    Again, I just stood, not really wanting to move forward. Being naked was no longer a problem.


    ?Here I am


    And you''re a rocket queen


    I might be a little young but honey I ain''t naive


    Here I am and you''re a rocket queen, oh yeah


    I might be too much


    But honey you''re a bit obscene?


    As the music played, Izeria shared a vision of a faraway place, her home. The grandiose forests, mountains, pristine lakes and clear skies. And then, I saw the depths, a wondrously lit place filled with jewels in the midst of darkness. A place where there are only reflective shadows, strange creatures and the magical ruling beasts. The lair of the dark dragons.


    ¡°WOW!¡± ¡°WHAT A SIGHT!¡± ¡°LEAVE THAT KID, DRAGONESS, I¡¯M HERE!¡±


    The gathered shouted and behaved like excited little children.


    ¡°Wise, old, dangerous, foreign. From another reality. A place where the known gods do not roam. The children of creation before the myriad worlds. The cup, the golden cup from which you drank. Much is expected of you, Ikrei. And as your grand seigneur, I tell you to fulfill that which you have already agreed to do. I will not repeat myself.¡±


    I remained guarded. I felt Voltaire¡¯s desire to intervene but I knew she couldn¡¯t. For a split second and just for a split second, Izeria¡¯s visage seemed to turn into a man, a blond and imperious version of herself.


    Shock doesn¡¯t even begin to describe the internal struggle I was suffering.


    ¡®She is like King Bayl. Inhuman. Yuck.¡¯


    Sunnyu¡¯s laughter could be felt easily.


    ¡°He took the trial?!¡± ¡°He isn¡¯t worthy!!!¡± ¡°Dragoness rip his soul out; he doesn¡¯t deserve you!¡±


    CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!


    The gathered continued to behave strangely.


    ¡®It is infuriating to know that everyone else wants to be in your shoes but you.¡¯


    The sleazy interlude from Queen of the Night with moans began.


    ¡°BE SILENT! The obliteration of innocence has been paid!¡±


    The entire gathering stopped interacting amongst themselves with the dragon shout that came from the bedlam blonde. The powerful scream spurred me back into action even if I didn¡¯t understand what she meant.


    ¡°Now, where were we?¡± Izeria deftly touched my chin as her gaze intensified with a honeyed voice.


    She weaved slowly, her nose was moving like a flutter around mine. Close enough for a kiss but not touching my lips, her locks floated with the lights.


    ¡°Jangmie daehan kiseu.¡± I froze, it was impossible not to.A soft whisper in the tongue of my consort. Then again not quite, a variation of it but the message was the same, the words Yun Hee spoke to me many a times. The scent of roses, the unmistakable recognition a man like me gets from his own woman.


    The sword had something to do with it, it was laughing again.


    ¡®Can¡¯t call it betrayal when those souls where trapped because of me.¡¯


    Izeria only smiled devilishly as she waited with her dancing nose and enticing breath.


    The outro of Queen of the Night was blasting in full force.


    ¡°Ikrei, it is time to begin.¡± The voice of Lord Arn was heard. My soul shook like a broken piano key.


    ¡®I really though I understood fear until you spoke mighty lord.¡¯


    ¡°You want it, then take it all.¡±


    I decided to give the dragoness a full emotional overload since I was cornered.


    We both reached out, Izeria¡¯s tongue darted out searching for her favorite spot. It was surprisingly warm, sweet and addicting. The interlocking was a mixed bag that included her barrage of desire with my feelings and memories of a cute rose scented lass.


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    ?I see you standin''


    Standin'' on your own


    It''s such a lonely place for you


    For you to be


    If you need a shoulder


    Or if you need a friend


    I''ll be here standing


    Until the bitter end


    No one needs the sorrow


    No one needs the pain


    I hate to see you


    Walking out there


    Out in the rain


    So don''t chastise me


    Or think I, I mean you harm


    Of those that take you leave you strung out


    Much too far


    Baby, yeah?


    ?Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh


    No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no


    No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no


    Oh, oh, oh, oh


    Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby, yeah?


    [Solo]


    ?Don''t ever leave me


    Say you''ll always be there


    All I ever wanted


    Was for you


    To know that I care?


    </td>


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    The sword resonated and my soul vibrated. Our first intensely memory imbued kiss ended.


    I saw hers, she saw mine.


    My hands went for her upper double peachy blinders again. Hers went down below. A reflexive reaction caused by the resonance.


    Yun Hee was there before me one more time. A mix of the dragoness¡¯ body and Yun Hee¡¯s face. The seed of Malgrun was stirring, something was happening.


    ¡®Her skin feels a lot softer when Izeria isn¡¯t rejecting the advances.¡¯


    The resonance continued, causing my pulse to thrum. The unnatural tingling bringing my lower virility unto life.


    Another smack of the lips and another exchange of feelings and memories. I was getting excited endlessly.


    I saw a memory that was sealed within. The night deadly rose and I slept together without my ring.


    ¡°There. Just like that.¡± Izeria whispered delicately in my right ear.


    I felt something leave my soul through my mouth, an almost invisible red strand of power.


    Izeria swallowed it with that devilish smile of hers. She returned to her blonde, dark and menacing form.


    The gathered were completely stunned, no one was playing around with others or were using their nimble fingers for some pleasuring.


    Whatever was occurring it was a first for many of them as it was for me.


    ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± Shouted twisted metal.


    ¡°Yes, more.¡± Heryr ordered. The rulers were getting aroused, seriously aroused.


    The entire realm became moist. The gathered were ready for some, they needed some.


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    ¡°The flame is but an unquenchable desire, this is the malgrunian vampiric compulsion. The one I¡¯ll take from you.¡±


    ¡®What the hell?¡¯


    Horned Yun Hee pushed me down on a bed behind me, her hand remaining just over my chest. More emotions poured in accompanied with a vision, a dancing dragon traversing the vast expanse surrounded by stars.


    Another memory and another kiss were taken out me, a softer and gentler touch than the Spider Queen from way back then.


    ¡°I miss you.¡± Another strand of red energy came from my parting lips.


    The pleasurable sensation on my neck felt like waves radiating from Izeria¡¯s mouth. Her hair tickling my skin as Yun Hee¡¯s green eyes gazed upon me. Izeria¡¯s tapered finger teased and danced as she carefully mounted. I was lost in the image of Yun Hee; I grabbed her face tenderly with both hands even if I knew it wasn¡¯t her.


    Whatever happened when the strands of power came out was affecting my reason.


    Another kiss, a hard tongue twister with all the feeling I could muster.


    Another memory, a couple dancing over piano keys. Izeria¡¯s desire and a dance under the moonlight when she was young. The feeling of smoldering lava came back, even stronger than with Heka. I was inside the descendant of an ancient thing, unbearably unforgettable. An unexpected dizzying euphoria.


    Another strand and another sense of release.


    ¡°Metal of souls resonate for us!¡±


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    The accumulated energy exploded all around, inside the space and inside the gathered.


    Izeria morphed back and forth between Yun Hee and her blonde self. The reflection in her eyes took me for a ride. I was Eriel and then I was me.


    ¡®Can¡¯t be. A trick, a devil¡¯s trick!¡¯


    ¡°SWORD!¡± Izeria shouted.


    The twisted metal¡¯s energy resonated and expanded again.  The gathered gasped, Izeria shared another memory with everyone but I couldn¡¯t see it. The dragoness had begun a furious hip trust that was as torturous as it was rapturous.


    Her hand touched my torso and went for another deep tongue as her thighs and pelvic region went into overdrive. As trickles came from our mouths another almost imperceptible red strand was swallowed up by her.


    The morphing dragoness was smiling. It was tripping me inside; she was doing whatever she wanted. The strange spectacle of constantly seeing two women within one was not my idea of a threesome.


    ¡®The freakin¡¯ sword comes back to bit me! Akathos!!!¡¯


    <hr>


    Izeria P.O.V.


    ¡°You, bastard dragon, you are cheating!¡±


    ¡°Really? All you need to do is give yourself up to everyone. Will you little elf?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t going to entertain a complaining rival. I knew exactly why she felt that way.


    ¡®You don¡¯t want to let the sword share many of your secrets, do you?¡¯


    I caught Ikrei¡¯s lip, tugging it with a wanton bleat. He was a helpless little rabbit, a creature without the ability to withstand my fiery furnace. We locked eyes again. Sometimes they were green, others they were black. A constant switching between two women as I poured even more of my desire into him through his trunk.


    ¡°Let me leave a little something for your beloved little girl.¡±


    His hands clumsily settled on my behind as the savage thrusting accelerated. Little chaos was doing his best not to groan. I was controlling his sensations through my lower lips.


    A snap of my fingers and a new song began to play. My very own creation inserted into everyone through the sword.


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    ?Let¡¯s get high on a lowdown


    Feel it right under your skin


    So good it¡¯s like a sin


    Let¡¯s get high on the breakdown?


    ?Have you ever felt pain?


    Are you hating? Are you fainting? Are you breaking?


    Have you ever felt shame?


    Unbecoming, unforgiving, unrelenting


    Have you ever felt sane?


    Without a father, without a mother, without a friend


    A rose engulfs you, sees right through you, like a fiend


    I¡¯m your teacher, I¡¯m your seeker through the dark


    Let me take you, let me break you, and heal the scars


    Pain that hits you, doubt that freaks you, feel the bars


    Ecstasy and misery and the truth converge into the heart?


    (Lowdown)


    ?Roses, poses, a thousand voices, a web of lies


    No need for peace for what is waiting is a knife


    Give it up, give it all, turn her up the wall


    Do all that is required of you, least you fall


    In a grim dream where you are in the rot


    You¡¯re just in just luck that I truly give a fuck?


    (Breakdown)


    ?Let¡¯s get high on a lowdown


    Feel it right under your skin


    So good it¡¯s like a sin


    Let¡¯s get high on the breakdown?


    [Drop and guitar breakdown]


    ?Feeling and the shaking, all ¡®bout the braking, a hand that¡¯s fo da takin¡¯, your hand is in my bra


    Trooping over choices, musing over music, sipping down a mist, it¡¯s a boom boom bar


    Give me what I wanna, you know that you gonna, no way you can turna, show me yo¡¯ heart


    You can feel it coming, you got no place for running, the roses are blooming, the femme fatale that¡¯s got bars


    Synchronicity is calling, while you continue falling, no one will be coming, reach for the stars


    Give me all your fears, give me all your tears, perk up your ears, for I¡¯ll say it once?


    ?Do you wanna feel pain?


    Do you wanna feel warmth?


    Do you wanna feel mine? ?


    ?Let¡¯s get high on a lowdown


    Feel it right under your skin


    So good it¡¯s like a sin


    Let¡¯s get high on the breakdown


    Let¡¯s get high on a lowdown (lowdown)


    Feel it right under your skin


    Feel so good it¡¯s like a sin


    Let¡¯s get high on the breakdown (breakdown) ?


    ?Pain the teacher (hope the writer)


    A hand the healer (pleasure author)


    No more lies, no more cries


    I¡¯m inside open your eyes (You are mine) ?


    Outro Solo


    </td>


    <td width="294">


    ¡°Let me show you some hardihood, show me yours.¡±


    A tongue battle ensued as wildly color changing threads surrounded his immediate senses. Another feeling, another memory.


    A day of training and reading at the coven. Holding hands and buying a dress for his consort during a break.


    ¡°The seed of endearment, bordering on love. A man on the edge, jealousy, possessiveness, cautiousness, uneasiness. You want but you can¡¯t. You are on the verge of being enamored. So, so bittersweet!¡±


    I was enjoying the feelings, the coalescing energy of the gathered, ours and a frantically twitching little pole. Pure fire, the fire of the heart, the heart of a dragon, the seed of Malgrun and the consciousness of the many with their unique blessings.


    ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± ¡°MORE!¡± Twisted metal snarled.


    Our profound exchange yielded another imperceptible strand. Once more, it disappeared inside of me within a snap.


    ¡®Naughty little girl, don¡¯t think it will be that simple with one of our own.¡¯


    All Ikrei saw was his beloved consort, hands on the rear with aplomb, he began a furious drilling. I had no complaints.


    Every time I transformed or switched, the sword took a portion for itself as well, power, feelings, memories.


    As the materialized silk filled bed rumbled, I noticed he was lost in a memory. I matched his rhythm with my thrust. Ikrei¡¯s touch was pleasing.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, give her far more than she can handle. A chaos child is NOT someone else¡¯s plaything.¡±


    ¡®But if you are to satisfy me then you are a long way off, young one.¡¯


    The smell of roses caused a deluge of feeling inside little chaos. The image of his consort twisting with mine was too much for him. The amount of desire I poured into him would drive any other man into a cosmic frenzy.


    ¡®Eriel¡¯s greatness remains.¡¯


    Another brush of the carnal boundary and the effect occurred again. The twisted metal poured even more energy while the gathered remained entranced.


    Memories and feelings came flooding in. I let him have my own as well. Heryr was enjoying things immensely.


    ¡°The Song Remains The Same, a beautiful piece little chaos. Did you like what you saw?¡±


    A loud intense groan that was the consequence of our simple yet ruckus activities left his mouth.


    Another strand of vampiric power floated. The strange abilities of the blessed ones.


    He was ready for release, the throbbing and the heat and the pain from my power thrusts created a masochistic delirium.


    ¡°I guess your little girl was nice to you and never put you under the coils.¡±


    ¡°MORE!¡± Shouted the damned souls.


    I swallowed the strand just an inch away from Ikrei¡¯s face.


    ¡°One more time, with feel!¡±


    A deep, wet, incongruous interlacing with no separation. I let the entire gathering feel everything and see, a split second image of my true self.


    The gathered shook in fear. Lord Arn was clapping.


    I took a very special emotion and memory from little chaos. Most were none the wiser, the fear of the unknown has that kind of effect.


    He received what I gave him and with a mixture of pain, ecstasy and fear.


    He found release.


    He was mouth agape and eyes wide open, an unbecoming pose for a future dark blade of the ages.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    My little gift for his consort ended. He couldn¡¯t fathom or decipher what had transpired. I spoke sweetly in his ears once more; it was time for him to learn.


    ¡°Hate that comes from weakness. Desire that burns for belonging. Regret that comes from choices. Fear that comes from oneself. I commend you for not shriveling before my true appearance.¡±


    He was having a hard time breathing with a magically constructed body. A clear sign of extreme strain.


    ¡°That was a mild round one, little chaos. You¡¯ll like it, I think.¡±


    Volvair was not happy and the little dark elf challenger was kicking a chair.


    My laughter echoed inside the space, the floating lights incongruently flickered. The rulers and the sword joined in their delight.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    -----------------------------------------------


    Corin P.O.V.


    ¡°We have done everything as you requested, my lord.¡± I answered politely.


    ¡°Good. Continue under the Zarandel blood, report with haste all about our target. He needs to die.¡±


    ¡°Reversing time to kill him would be easier, my lord.¡± I offered the obvious deduction.


    ¡°He will adjust just like he did now. He hid right under the noses of the ones who want him dead, choosing to remain weak and avoid detection from the great seers. This is a unique chance to kill him.¡±


    ¡°Old things walk in the old ways. Still, why did you try and failed previously, lord?¡±


    ¡°Consort of the empyrean blood, are you questioning me? There are many restrictions when changing the flow of time without severe drawbacks. Let¡¯s say the chance was too good to miss for my associates and they acted on their own. This is your final concession, keep in mind that as high as you are, you are but a whore.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t deny that his words hurt, but even if I hunted him with all my contacts in the empire, he would just be reborn and kill me for good in retaliation. A truly dangerous one.


    ¡°Excuse my curiosity, a slip of the tongue is always a possibility when dealing with the women taught under the feet of the Emperor. What are your orders?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a threat but a reminder.


    ¡®If Corin Bloomindale can be considered a whore, then you are nothing more than a very expensive male prostitute to the Kolga. Even if I can¡¯t touch you, the Emperor can and all your powers are nothing before him.¡¯


    As expected, the eastern lord was not pleased with my words. He carried on regardless.


    ¡°Prepare, coordinate and report. Have everything ready for a trap, a perfect trap. It will take many steps to trick a chosen one. Use all pertinent information, associates and circumstances. Whisper in the ear of the Zarandel boy through the others, make him do our bidding. When everything is ready I will personally come in for the kill.¡±


    ¡°Very well lord, I follow your will.¡± I bowed and prepared to deactivate the communication crystal.


    ¡°And Corin, the Emperor is not in Turgan, I am.¡± The regressor lord closed the connection from his end.


    I shuddered as I straightened my cloth and walked through the streets back to my party.


    ---------------------------------


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°What the hell was that? You are cheating left and right!¡± Sunnyu was blasting away.


    Sunnyu¡¯s shouts were not helping any, I was still getting over my latest experience. Izeria went back to drinking like a sailor without answering anything. The entire gathering was buzzing and our table was even more lively.


    The previous session allowed the gathered to read me like a book, hiding our thoughts became unnecessary. I failed, I failed like a dork.


    ¡°Ikrei, if things continue as they are, Izeria will win. I can do what she did but you will owe me. You in?¡± Volvair¡¯s offer was tantalizing.


    ¡°You cannot beat her without me! Give up the sword, kid!¡±


    Another thundering shout from the dark elf made me put my Dracul on the table. I had many thoughts but the realization of my situation and the present danger named Yun Hee made Izeria¡¯s meddling seem benign in comparison.


    Even if Izeria was fear itself when she wanted.


    ¡°A dagger from behind is worse than a sword from the front.¡± I babbled without thinking.


    ¡°The greatest misery is always delivered by those close to you, Ikrei.¡± Volvair gave one more droplet of wisdom.


    The mystic witch and the daughter of the great dragon were waiting for an answer. I exchanged glances with Izeria. I had been used like a ragdoll and like one the big plushies on sale from the vendors in Zunyl.


    ¡°Fine, what¡¯s the plan great witch?¡±


    ¡°You share with me; I share with you. The more we share, the more the swords eats, the more it will resonate with you. I can create a similar experience to the dragon over here bar the eating of godly power threads. She is a glutton.¡±


    Volvair pointed towards Izeria as more food was served.


    ¡°You are leaving me out, you witch!¡± Sunnyu complained.


    ¡°You keep enjoying the bad man and resonate, I¡¯ll do the rest. Unless you want to share your memories too.¡± Volvair countered.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that! I am not as old as the two of you, fiends! My control isn¡¯t perfect.¡±


    ¡°I thought you were a grand expert, dark elf.¡± I interjected.


    ¡°I am. You forgot all about your little girl while we were together.¡± Sunnyu was not taking prisoners.


    ¡°Alright, alright. The sword is yours. I just want the use of the stone. What do you want Volvair?¡±


    ¡°Your help, help my sisters when the day comes, regardless of the result tonight.¡±


    ¡®Zurians first, and now, I add witches to the list.¡¯


    Without room for a maneuver, I nodded.


    ¡°Great, this will be a great initiation for you, young blade.¡± Izeria finally spoke with her alluring and menacing utterance.


    ¡®Initiation? What?¡¯


    ¡°Some get thrown into living flames, some must do a true soul kill, others must have sex with the undead, others are cramped into caskets with a woman. You are getting off easy, Ikrei. You are having sex with us.¡± Volvair expanded for me.


    ¡°Eriel deserves this much.¡± Izeria gurgled through another drink.


    ¡°You know Ikrei, this is the Infinite Bacchanalia. At some point, pleasure turns into torture. And that sword doesn¡¯t like you too much.¡± Sunnyu gave me a dose of truth I didn¡¯t need.


    ¡°Everybody, the festivities begin officially now. Please join in at your leisure!¡±


    The shouts came from several demonic beings.


    And even though things were getting out of hand and way over my head with many worries and questions rising in equal measure, I was starting to miss the days when Freslia pushed me down the cliff.


    ¡°Come, chaos hammer. Let me show you how we really do things among the Volva.¡±


    Before I could finish my drink, I held Volvair¡¯s stretched out hand in anticipation. No callout was made at the time by the servants of the rulers, she was going to show me the real powers of the witch of witches.


    I did catch a few couples getting feisty by the columns of the different areas. The dammed twisted metal was emitting a humming vibration; it was enjoying everything. At least, it was having a far better time than me.


    ¡°In the magic realms, sometimes being a legendary sword is better than being human.¡± The crowned beauty said.


    We faded away with a snap of her fingers.


    This was the last thing I can recall from the whole ritualistic activity. The consequent proceedings and interactions can be summarized with one recurring thought.


    ¡®Death through sex with mythical grannies. Unbelievable.¡¯

 CHAPTER 90

    Teng P.O.V.


    ¡°Catch it, catch it!¡±


    I ran with precise steps until I jumped like a gazelle and caught a wofer rabbit.


    The mud under my feet and over my clothes wasn¡¯t much of a hassle. The little animal wrestled for freedom but couldn¡¯t leave my grasp. The rain over my head felt invigorating. I opened my mouth for a fill with closed eyes.


    I was enjoying the happy occurrence.


    ¡°That¡¯s five! We get to feast tonight!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s head to the cave and setup the stove.¡±


    Before long we were helping the flames and waiting for the smolder.


    ¡°You got so much better brother. I can¡¯t believe how fast you caught the game without much light.¡±


    I placed the makeshift covering over the stove once the embers were there.


    ¡°The ashes, the ashes, brother.¡±


    I cleared them with a quick movement. We waited for the rabbit stew with mushrooms to be ready.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we spent the night out like this. I¡¯m surprised by your new skills.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m even more surprised that I get to talk like this to you, Ikrei.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­u¡­say¡­nng?¡± He was eating a couple of carrots.


    ¡°It¡¯s fun to be here.¡± I took a carrot from him and ate.


    I stood up and motioned Ikrei towards a few tree branches I had brought. I wanted to test myself and also have a little fun.


    ¡°Knight of Light Teng challenges the descendant of the ancient order!¡±


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha. That¡¯s a funny new title you gave yourself, brother.¡±


    Ikrei let go of his carrot and grabbed a branch, it was time for a spar. The little game we used to play when we wanted to dream. I also grabbed a branch.


    SMACK! SWAT! SMACK! SWAT!


    A rapid exchange that repeated several times, enough to work out a sweat.


    The poor wood branches were a mess.


    ¡°Bro, how the hell did you do that?¡±


    ¡°Wrist rotation, I¡¯ll teach it to you someday.¡±


    We shared a handshake.


    ¡°You can truly be a knight. I didn¡¯t take it seriously before.¡±


    The little supper was ready, we sat and ate with smiles upon our faces.  We talked about all the little things and dreams we had. A heartwarming experience that lasted until sunrise.


    ¡°I need to get going. There¡¯s something I need to find.¡±


    I gave my friend a parting hug.


    ¡®Whatever I need is got to be somewhere.¡¯


    I started to walk away from the cave.


    ¡°You already have sword of Zur. You need to have a long conversation with the King.¡±


    Ikrei was just smiling as he said those words just as I turned my neck.


    My legs almost gave way.


    ¡®The strange paths of Zur.¡¯


    <hr>


    Alzra P.O.V.


    ¡°You are awake.¡± I cleaned his forehead with a cloth.


    Teng¡¯s perspiration was intense, even if he was just laying on the bed. It was his first experience and communion with the blessing inside his soul. He was panting.


    ¡°M¡­ter, master! I need to talk to King Erel!¡±


    He sprung up like a broken bow after a bad refinement.


    ¡°Calm yourself down. Breathe in, exhale, release.¡±


    After he found his center, Teng retold me his experience, the dream given by the great wind, the guiding light of all true believers of Zur. The hidden hand of our Almighty.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anybody else you are having dreams from our God. Not a soul, you hear me?¡±


    My young charge didn¡¯t understand but nodded nevertheless. There can be joyful implications and also terrible consequences that come from being blessed like Teng at such a tender age.


    ¡°Let¡¯s prepare a meal. There¡¯s much to discuss, my Ishun.¡±


    I made sure all possible protections and seals around my house were activated to their full extent. Even more, I used the artifact given to me by the Temple once Teng became my understudy. It wasn¡¯t just a communication device but a blessed seal. I used it on the room where the food was served.


    ¡°It is time to open up the understanding of a young easterner that carries the blessing from an ancient faith that encompasses many things beyond human comprehension.¡±


    I sat in front of my successor, serving wine with a kind smile on our table. He was still getting used to sitting cross legged without chairs on magical beasts¡¯ skins. The customs of Zurian culture when discussing holy matters.


    ¡°Be''or hatuv, Zur, in hoshiach. shmachet haluv shla.¡±


    ¡°In the Good Light, Zur, there is no darkness. Joy of My Heart.¡±


    We ate bread and drunk the wine.


    ¡°Keep studying our tongue, it is inexcusable for a sword of Zur.¡±


    ¡°Yes master. I will do my outmost.¡±


    We ate without pause and in tranquility all the little fish dishes Teng had prepared. The light in the room dimmed, dusk had arrived.


    ¡°What you are requiring is a private audience with the King. That is not a simple matter, you have little chance of obtaining one, the requests take years to process. Everyone wants to talk to the most powerful human being on Ladnahlayr. Everyone, my Ishun.¡±


    ¡°Zur gave me the dream with my brother in it, there is a reason. I must, I must! Master, help me!¡±


    We drank a little more. I signaled for him to calm down.


    ¡°There a couple of ways that I can help you with that but both of them require intensive, painful and dangerous training. Are you sure?¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡®I wonder if you internalize what you are agreeing to, my boy. Let it be God¡¯s will.¡¯


    ¡°I will teach you a secret of secrets from the book our prophet left for you.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°The one I must teach to the people.¡±


    ¡°Keep in mind that the writings you have read might not be the ones the people will read. The Clethora has many interests. Some writings given by the Almighty are only for the wise and the chosen.¡±


    I placed my index finger on my temple. Our signal for remembering without writing it down. He agreed.


    ¡°When light dissipated the darkness, it was Zur who did this. But when man was created you have heard it said let him be made in our image.¡±


    ¡°You mean that that there is one origin but many gods?¡±


    ¡°There are as many gods as there are worlds. An endless cosmic tapestry and in every world and every expanse, the same test. There are many here who come from other places and many from this place that went somewhere else. And like this, faiths and beliefs of many worlds became intertwined.¡±


    I drank a lot more, I let Teng process what I had said.


    ¡°Master, what about the easterner practitioners and their teachings?¡±


    ¡°Great truth, great power but flawed. I hope you don¡¯t feel insulted.¡± I was as mellow as I possibly could with my boy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry but I would like an explanation.¡± He drank as well.


    ¡°I will keep it short for simplicity. If there is no desire there is no pain of loss, if you have no wants all that remains are needs. Regardless of how powerful one can become, there are needs. For some it is food, for someone else it is companionship. Humans need to share; we cannot be left alone forever. Cultivators are a rare breed, masters of the ying and the yang. Ice and fire, light and shadow, life and death. Full immersion or full detachment. Righteous or demonic. Unorthodox dance in the middle like the Andurin but in reality, there is no middle.¡±


    My words weren¡¯t something pleasant for the young boy.


    ¡°Are you saying my brother is evil?¡±


    ¡°Their morality is a matter of experience and learning, ours is absolute, it has been the same since time immemorial. Whoever is not with us is against us. But a Zurian is not one to throw the first stone. And you are now a Zurian sword, your brother is whosoever tries to follow the Zurian divine law wholeheartedly.¡±


    It didn¡¯t matter how Teng felt. I Iaid down our law.


    ¡®Zur¡¯s crossroads. Show me why our God called you here.¡¯


    <hr>


    Teng P.O.V.


    Several weeks ago on the holy Zurian day. In the inner court of the lavish, magnanimous and extensive Temple of Zur.


    The moon was shining brightly.


    The Temple was built just outside the city of Luz. A place with no name, the size of a city of seven hundred furlongs. The Temple had many buildings and areas for communion, training, living and several other necessities. And within them, a circle shaped inner court where the true inner Temple resided upon the highest hill.


    ¡®The Temple of Zur or the Temple of Worlds.¡¯


    ¡°Even if he is a blessed of Zur, he cannot be accepted as a sword!¡± One of the elders reprimanded.


    ¡°He can be taught to be a great knight; we can take things slowly.¡±


    ¡°A Dodekor¡¯s successor?! It is not her place to determine that!¡±


    The dissident voices were deafening for a kid standing in the midst of a religious storm.


    ¡°What should be do? Only two of the four grand elders of the Clethora are here. We cannot summon the entire Clethora for such a matter.¡±


    I was looking at sister Alzra; she was standing calmly a couple of steps behind me.


    ¡°I will take him under my wing, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem with that. What do you say?¡±


    ¡°Good idea!¡± ¡°The blessed of God!¡± ¡°What a fortune!¡±


    The people in the Temple were nodding, approving and some even clapping with the suggested plan. The old man before us was wearing a white and golden garb of intricate details with twelve different jewels. He was standing on the entry steps that led to the true inner Temple. The famous stairway to heaven.


    ¡°Even if it is you Clethar, the one who must train this boy must be me!¡±


    Murmurs exploded all around us, the hundreds of people present were thunderstrucked with sister Alzra¡¯s words.


    ¡°A Dodekor wants to be a teacher of a blessed one?!¡± ¡°Impudent behavior!¡± ¡°Not since Debriah has a woman been granted the honor.¡±


    Many people spoke many things. The lights of the Temple became a blinding nuisance to me. I was worried. The calm voice of the Clethar spread throughout the court.


    ¡°You are the youngest of the Dodekors and have never taken in a disciple, I hope you have a proper justification for your actions.¡± He gesticulated towards sister Alzra.


    ¡°There are none brothers, sisters. I have no fancy words or proper means to justify what I must do other than tell you that our God wills it so.¡±


    She took out a dagger and in less than a breath, there were cuts.


    ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT! ZIT!


    Sister Alzra¡¯s beautiful dark brown hair fell down to the stone floor. She was bald minus a couple of strands.


    The women in the crowd made strange sounds, some dared not to watch further.


    ¡°I will take the Oath of Consecration right now. Zur is with me!¡±


    I was shaking all over.


    The oath of oaths, there is none greater. To give up your life in the service of your god. It meant sister Alzra had no chance of ever getting married and many other restrictions, according to Zurian law.


    ¡®Zur is hers and she is His.¡¯


    ¡°What are you doing sister?! Stop! Stop!¡±


    ¡°The child is right. If there is an ounce, a drop, a sliver of doubt, trouble, darkness, the oath will kill you, child.¡± The Clethar spoke sternly.


    ¡°And if it doesn¡¯t, this discussion is over, is it not?¡±


    The sisters of the Clethora had beaming eyes.


    ¡°Let her take it!¡± ¡°For the glory of Zur!¡± ¡°If she speaks the truth, this must be done!¡±


    The couple of elders, the Clethar and a few others began chatting and exchanging glances. There was a lot of mental communication. The crowd inside the court bursted into many tongues. The inner court is reserved only for those with good standing in the Zurian faith, their opinions mattered.


    ¡°I believe you sister!¡± ¡°Dodekor, it is an honor!¡± ¡°God is speaking, open your heart!¡±


    Four hundred breaths.


    The golden ipsrum doors of the sealed inner temple were opened. The elders motioned for sister Alzra to walk inside.


    ¡°Brother Nataph, take care of Teng while I¡¯m gone.¡± She walked with resolution.


    An elderly long haired white bearded man stood next to me. Her steps felt like thunders inside my heart. I wasn¡¯t well.


    ¡°The oath is no joke, elder Nataph. People die, people of ALL faiths die!¡±


    Before I could say anything more or hear a reply, the crowd shouted with zeal. The courtyard resonated, the orgon vibrated with joy. The marvel that is the Temple of Zur came alive. The twelve golden discs shone and manifested. Each of the present saw what they needed to see or what their hearts allowed them to see.


    The strange nature of a blessed edifice built with the power of God.


    ¡°Lei tis''u et sheym Zur Elohai leshaviy.¡±


    ¡°Lei tis''u et sheym Zur Elohai leshaviy.¡±


    ¡°Lei tis''u et sheym Zur Elohai leshaviy.¡±


    The doors closed with the elder, a few more and the Clethar following sister Alzra just behind.


    And even if I didn¡¯t know the Zurian language properly, I knew what they meant. It was one of the twelve commandments.


    ¡®You shall not take the name of your Lord Zur in vain.¡¯


    And so, in the middle of a resonance effect and chanting, I waited. I waited with bated breath while everyone else was delighted.


    Time passed slower than a snail, I lost count of the number of sheep I counted in my mind.


    A ray of light descended upon the exact center of the inner Temple.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The entire place shook, an earthquake. People lost their footing. Elder Nataph held me up with one of his hands.


    ¡°Zur has answered! Zur has answered!¡± The eyes of the old elder were filled with joy and dread.


    The grand doors of the inner Temple were breached from the inside. In a single swoop, they let the light through as they were pushed aside.


    Seventy breaths. The blinding light receded, everyone was able to see the female standing on the top step of the stairway leading to the inner Temple. It was Alzra.


    She had changed, she had long lush green hair and multicolored eyes that seemed golden.


    The crowd fell on their knees and shouted. They shouted like their lives depended on it, raising their hands to the sky.


    Even though I wasn¡¯t kneeling, I was absorbed by the image of sister Alzra. I joined the shouts with a high fist pump alongside elder Nataph.


    ¡°ZURA!¡± ¡°ZURA!¡± ¡°ZURA!¡± ¡°ZURA¡± ¡°ZURA!¡±


    <hr>


    Alzra P.O.V.


    My words were heavy on the child but there was no way of helping it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet my brother and then decide on what to do about him. Please understand me master.¡±


    ¡°I do. This much is fine. Ready for the greatest secret of all?¡±


    ¡°The reason, the meaning of existence master?¡±


    We drank a few more cups with the bread.


    ¡°All worlds are a test, a test of worthiness before the gods, this is the great truth. But not every god leads to the same end, this is the great lie.¡±


    ¡°Master it all sounds like a massive prison for the amusement of some high nosed cosmic pricks. You are making me lose faith here.¡±


    More bread and more wine was passed around.


    ¡°Who would want to live under a test? Schooling is a bother to most, apprenticeship is hard and repetitive. We are all conditioned to choose the path of least resistance. Just let me be, leave me alone with my life. I don¡¯t need preaching! I have my power, I can do magic, I know the arcane! But deep down, we don¡¯t like the reflection in the mirror. I don¡¯t like mine, to be honest. We all want to escape in one way or another.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me master, you are full of hot air so much. You are one of the most beautiful things anyone can ever see.¡±


    ¡°Even if you leave this world, the test will continue in another under different rules. Here in Ladnahlayr no one questions the existence of the gods, in other places, there are people who denied them. What good does my beauty do when I¡¯m set apart for Zur? No one can touch me, ever. It¡¯s just more tests and trails for me. Women will resent me; men will desire me. A perfect blood sacrifice for the dark ones.¡±


    I pointed straight into the heart of my Ishun with my index finger.


    ¡°You like me. The petal of desire is about to grow in your little heart.¡±


    My eyes shone with their power. Teng was anything but calm.


    ¡°The Angaros descended upon this realm due to the beauty of women like me. And because of their sin, God had to wipe out an entire world and start over. The agency, the power of the free will of the people, of creation. Evil didn¡¯t come into the world through God but through people. We all want the power but want none of the responsibility.¡±


    ¡°You sound just like the Great Rohais in the moads around here, master. I don¡¯t know if I should clap or shake my head. I get it, I do. Just answer the hard questions. Zur is with you, you can answer unlike those fake wise men in the seats of the law or the bemas. Just like my brother used to ask me. Why master, why?¡±


    I was going to drop an orgonoid charge of cosmic ramifications on my questioning Ishun. It was time to share a tale, a tale preserved outside of books, parchments, crystals or tablets.


    ¡®A future Dodekor and Zuranin must know the reasons he fights for.¡¯


    It was time to drawback the curtain, return the sands of time to the beginning, to the origin of all things.

 CHAPTER 91

    Teng P.O.V.


    Master had prepared a lamb, salmon and a Zurian wine I had never seen before for the continuation of our little talk. Once more our interaction at the table restarted.


    ¡°When creation began before the worlds, the gods created us and we were one. An each grew as each could. The beauty and complexity of individuality inside a realm of dreams where everything was possible. All but one thing, there was no death. And the light, the Great Light was happy for He was not alone anymore. In time, ranks were formed, a hierarchy established and for a while it was good.¡±


    Salmon, lamb and bread were eaten with the wine.


    ¡°As the eons passed things became entrenched. The growth of the creations continued at their known pace, the strong got stronger, the wise got wiser. The ones that were below them began working in cliques and groups, and at some point their efforts bore fruit. The strong ones saw their brothers and did the same. Creation working together to better themselves endlessly.¡±


    I kept listening while eating. It was a long exposition, a little tiresome.


    ¡®There are no short answers for the great questions Teng, you just want an easy way.¡¯


    Ikrei¡¯s typical criticisms of the ways of Zur came back as I ate. I did wonder from time to time how burdensome the Andurin elders were to him.


    ¡°The ones at the pinnacle of growth had become leaders and one of them expressed what was in the hearts of many of his fellow supreme beings. If we continue growing, we can be gods! We can create realms, places, creatures. We can create life! Many of the would be future gods also agreed. Many of the superior beings also disagreed, we have everything here, eternal learning and joy under the Light! As you can tell Teng, as things went along, sides were created and the eternal conflict was born. Trillions upon trillions of beings brought forth dissension and restlessness into the serene rest of the Great Light.¡±


    She ate the salmon with some bread and wine. The lamb was cut evenly and dipped in the wine before we ate it. She was giving me time to take things in.


    ¡°Quite a story master. Creation fell or something?¡±


    ¡°The one great mystery is the creation of the One, the Great Light. Before He was, darkness was, the Void. The birth of the Great Light brought the knowledge of creation. Whether the Void learned how to create I know not. The Void also has children. For the Void is also conscious, it is not just some random energy that¡¯s floating around. But yes, the desire to be their own rulers and own gods caused it, creation was corrupted in one way or another. It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t understand them, a realm where there is no death, there is effort but no suffering. We all start wanting more, forever wanting more. Humans sacrifice plenty for far less.¡±


    Master began acting out characters before me, an expressive outburst, just like a play in the theater.


    ¡°Why must things be as they are? Why can¡¯t it be different?¡±


    ¡°We can search more knowledge and answers together!¡± ¡°There is no need to do this!¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t liberty, we are trapped!¡± ¡°We are just playthings of and for the creator!¡±


    ¡°The first ever gathering of the great supreme beings came before the Great Light. And from this one event, the decision to create all realities and all worlds was made. The test.¡±


    I clapped a little. It was a wild tale but not any wilder than magic and flying wyvern. I drank a little more.


    ¡°Let me get this straight master Alzra, are you saying we chose to descend into the worlds from our heavenly home and be tested?¡±


    Thud. Thud. Thud.


    Master¡¯s cup rebounded on the table several times. She was smiling at me while accenting. And the petal of desire she had referred to previously wanted a touch. I slapped my own face just as hard as Ikrei¡¯s counters.


    ¡°Many lives, many tries, eternal life is a high reward that requires a high price. But the real pearl of great price is the knowledge of the birth of The One. Thus, many decided to descend unto the worlds. Now my Ishun, let¡¯s discuss how Zur does things for the ones that seek Him.¡±


    ¡°What?!?¡±


    ¡°Who is worthy of a crown? Fit to rule in the name of Zur? Only those that do not care for the power can have it, for they will never abuse it. Creation is the board; life is the teacher. The end lesson is given for us wayward sons. This is the test; the reason everything is so hard.¡±


    ¡°The people would rather follow other faiths or do something else. Your words are harder, Rohai.¡±


    ¡°The day will come when Zur puts all gods and all worlds under His foot.¡±


    I drank, I drank a lot. I had so much that the wine ran out.


    ¡°The heavenly realm was filled with men? You have got to be joking!¡± I had to clear at least one doubt.


    ¡°Gods can be anything but yes, females are a creation for the material worlds. Females test males, women are a test, a great test. A test we give ourselves as many become women. You do not marry or are you given in marriage in the heavenly courts. Again, the Angaros descended upon Ladnahlayr. You know them as angels, fallen angels in this case. God¡¯s scary isn¡¯t He?¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°What once was, will be again. For there is nothing new under the sun.¡±


    I quoted King Erel¡¯s words to my master. I had enough to ponder over for many days.


    ¡°Yes, many worlds give you many choices and yet many things repeat themselves across worlds.¡±


    ¡®All the suffering and toil is something of our own making in the end?¡¯


    I wanted to ask about good and evil and the inner workings on the subject but master¡¯s eyes told me that my curiosity was a conversation for another day. She wanted to teach on how to commune with Zur, my training was the most important matter.


    ¡°That smile of yours is going to kill me master.¡±


    ¡°A treasure that cannot be had, temptation. Where there is a great light there is also a great shadow.¡±


    The great almost angarian smile appeared for the seventh time. My training had already begun. My heart was a mess but I knew that if I could endure my master¡¯s presence, everything was going to be fine.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go over the sixth, eleventh and twelfth commandments, Teng. I assume the others are clear. Recite them for me.¡±


    ¡°You shall not kill.¡± Master made a stop sign.


    ¡°Wrong, you shall not murder. Study your Zurian with care, my boy.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t tolerate whores nor fornicators among us. Nor wizards, nor warlocks nor witches, they all must die. Continue.¡±


    ¡°You shall not envy your brother in your heart.¡±


    ¡°You have heard it said that the love of money is the root of evil, have you not?¡±


    ¡°Yes master, it is a popular saying around the moads.¡±


    ¡°Incomplete and incorrect, the root of all evil is desire and envy. Magic words have power. Don¡¯t use that word too often, the word money comes from the word moon, the eternal moon, Malgrun. Say Ucra from now on. Once a follower of Zur killed another because one found favor while the other did not. Riches are just the means towards the ends. To put it simply, one man¡¯s win is another one¡¯s frenzy.¡±


    ¡®Master is amazing. Ever since her blessing through the oath, every talk is like this.¡¯


    Another motion of her hand and drinks came.


    ¡°You shall not come before your Lord Zur unclean.¡±


    ¡°Do you think the last commandment has anything to do with submersion under running waters or clean clothes?¡±


    ¡°No master, they are all just representations of a pure soul.¡±


    ¡°Good, my Ishun. If you have a problem and have wronged the people, do acts worthy of repentance. Make peace with your brothers as the law dictates. Clean your spots, for prayers are incense before the Lord. A Zurian must be clean, the Lord does not appreciate putrefaction. Actions must be the reflections of the heart. Do as you say, say as you do. Be wise with your words. This is the Zurian way.¡±


    ¡°Master, other faiths say that our God is a crazy butcher with an attitude.¡±


    ¡°There are reasons as to why certain tribes have been targeted for complete destruction. They all have to do with the Angaros, they just don¡¯t want to accept that. However, they do have a point. There are creatures that their whole purpose is centered around eating humans. Others cry to the heavens not understanding why their children suffer under circumstances beyond their control.¡±


    We drank even more wine.


    ¡°Many lives, many tries. We all carry the cumulative effect of all of our choices. Zur calls for all but only receives those who are willing. Should a mass murderer be easily forgiven? What about an unborn child that dies? There are answers for all these questions my boy and you will know them. But above all remember this, the commandments are there for you to show your love for Him. In return, He will answer if what you want is the truth not comfort and riches. The other rules and writings are there to tell you how to live, how to repent and how to navigate this world without having it swallow you whole.¡±


    Master stood up, teaching was over.


    ¡°A man can become immortal but man can never become a god unless it is given. Ask the great cultivators that have reached the highest level in their paths. But in time, throughout the worlds the divine order will be twisted as it has been before. And then, the end will come.¡±


    She went away into her room, not before a final word.


    ¡°Clean up here my boy. Ready all your supplies for a trip, a long trip. We need to leave Orlum for your training. Knock on my door when you are done.¡±


    I went around doing all the chores. My mind was going over every single word from my master. I had some answers and I had new questions. The master and disciple dance, I was glad that my master wasn¡¯t just anyone but a Great Rohai, my great teacher, of the Zurian kingdom.


    It took me several hours to have all things prepared and placed into artifact pouches and rings. I washed and had my traveling gear on that included armor, blades, sword, daggers and a handy special haversack.


    KNOCK! KNOCK!


    The door swung open and there stood my master with a purple cloak with sigils. We couldn¡¯t travel wearing our official cloths of the Dodekors for non-official related matters. Her runic tattoos were visible on her neck. She was wearing an artifact necklace.


    Zurian Law forbids tattoos of any kind. The ones on my master were placed by the blessing. A mark for all Zurians indicating that she was a set apart being under the wings of the Almighty. Zurian men are prohibited from marrying women with these symbols. Yet these symbols are an irresistible calling card for all other men.


    ¡®Great Zur, thank you for my Rohai. I will not let anyone defile you, master!!¡¯


    ¡°Well thank you my Ishun, I will take you up on that when you are powerful enough.¡±


    I was glowing like the Temple lights. I had forgotten that master could enter my mind with ease. A grandmaster soul healer and fighter trained under the guidance of the King himself.


    A man forgets many things when standing before true beauty.


    ¡®A jewel among jewels. A blessed awakened virgin blood of Zur.¡¯


    And it also was the dawn of love in my little heart.


    ¡°Worry not, do well and your wife will not be too shabby.¡±


    We headed out towards the garden.


    ¡°Say master, what about those who never hear the word of Zur?¡±


    ¡°God will find those that must be found. The elect are those who find his true teachings and they are not many. This is the way it has always been and it will continue to be until the end of time.¡±


    We walked up to the middle of the feast of aromas and energy. I had trained in the garden for many days learning the subtleties of flow control. I had produced a kinetic blast that didn¡¯t destroy the flowers only once. I was praised for it and then spent three days fixing everything.


    ¡°I hope you have learned something.¡± My master¡¯s colored eyes were shining.


    She stretched out a hand and I grabbed it.


    ¡°I feel like you are talking to somebody else master?¡±


    ¡°Sorcery, esoteric, craftsman, royal, emblem, trans-human.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t make sense of my master¡¯s words.


    ¡°Let me show you the true path of Zur, Elohai. What do we say about pearls Teng?¡±


    ¡°Never place pearls before swine least they turn and tear you apart.¡±


    ¡°For light is conscious acceptance while darkness is subconscious manipulation, my successor.¡±


    The angelic smile merged with a gust of wind and we were sucked in.


    Dodekor Rohai Alzra and Ishun Teng were no more as the petals I cared for dispersed everywhere.

 CHAPTER 92

    Aysmul P.O.V.


    ¡°I have never been here before. Be on your best behavior right hand.¡±


    ¡°I am a vandruid. I¡¯m all about delicate diplomacy.¡±


    ¡®Don¡¯t you dare give me the eye or I¡¯m asking for remuneration!¡¯


    Krigsain reached out and touched the unique barrier while holding my hand. A barrier only very special beings like the chosen ones can open. The multicolored sphere vibrated and resonated.


    Seven breaths.


    Fourteen breaths.


    Seventy-two breaths.


    We were through the barrier, standing on a hill, looking down into the distance on a once in a lifetime sight. The city of Wings, the city of Beograd. Also known as the White Fenix city. A large sprawling white wonder with many buildings and magnificent nature within and without. And at the center of the place, a living artifact tower of impossible design, the place where we were going, the tower of Angaros.


    ¡°This is o¡ª¡±


    ¡°Halt!¡± ¡°Intruders!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make any sudden movements!¡±


    The thunderous shouts made my eyes trembled a little. I wanted to use my eyes for a quick glance by using my endowment but under the circumstances, it was unwise.


    Three guards descended on our position. Three double winged guards, they had their spears and swords at the ready. They were beings of great height, a little over twice Krigsain¡¯s measurements. The weapons glowed with a strange purple hue and their wings expanded to the point of casting shadows over us.


    Even if I knew that I couldn¡¯t be surprised, I was.


    ¡°Angelic workmanship!¡±


    The guards pointed towards me. Krigsain was not happy.


    ¡®Are you seeing what I¡¯m seeing, hubby?! Awesome!¡±


    ¡°Forgive our intrusion winged ones, we have urgent matters at the tower.¡± Krigsain made a truly proper bow in the ancient etiquette of angel temple rites. I followed suit.


    ¡°Stay still.¡±


    The very tall and human looking leader of the three touched Krigsain¡¯s forehead while the other two were in a defensive position with their glowing weapons. After several sand grains, we were beckoned to follow them.


    ¡°The city is a no fly zone for most. You need clearance and you shouldn¡¯t dash at high speeds either. The conflicts in the area are making things stringent.¡±


    A short explanation of the state of affairs was given to us. We walked down the hill and into the streets.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I tried being gentle and proactive but it produced no effect.


    Most men would throw themselves at my feet and even some empowered beings but not these angels and not in this place. The bustling place where only the elite of the elite can access, the sense of fashion of the many passersbys was proof of a life beyond our known world.


    I felt terribly inadequate with my simple white cloak.


    ¡®I knew it! I should have gone on a shopping spree!¡¯


    Going through many streets and turns we reached our destination. The protective barrier of the entry arc in the center tower dissipated. A flow of energy foreign even to someone like me.


    The magnificent structure in front of us was imposing. The double structure of two powers, fire and light. The rising flames to the left felt like the center of a volcano and the blue light to the right felt like refreshing running waters continuously moving upstream. The dark monolith seemed endless from where I was looking, it seemed to reach the skies.


    ¡°I cannot believe it Krigs.¡±


    ¡°The Tower of Angaros, let¡¯s go in right hand.¡±


    He disappeared inside the tower before I could understand how.


    ¡°Just think about going in human. The tower is a true domain, a living artifact.¡±


    ¡°Phew.¡± I touched my own forehead with two fingers.


    ¡®I want to go where Krigsain is. I want to go where Krigsain is.¡¯


    I was sucked inside after a single breath.


    By the time I caught up with Krigs, he had finished whatever he was doing with a female attendant. She was gorgeous.


    ¡®It is always women with you, even here. Lucky for you I¡¯m not that jealous.¡¯


    She guided us through the double magical space. We went through running water ladders, fiery floors and a constantly morphing set of walls that showed us an ever-changing picture, even our own twisted reflections full of evil and darkness.


    A decorative feast with soul altering implications. I hurriedly grabbed Krigsain¡¯s hand. He was taking everything like a fish to water.


    ¡°As powerful as you are my golden rabble-rouser, you have never dealt with other gods besides your own. Every floor is a soul check, one harder than the last. Speak from the heart, least the punishment is they take away your beauty and become a hag.¡±


    Krigsain¡¯s voice was calm and detached. His warning was the real deal. I grabbed his hand with even more force and stopped thinking altogether. We followed the gorgeous long haired woman through the ethereal place.


    We ascended nonstop until we reached the final room, not before my mouth hit the floor several times with some of the things I saw along the way. In a small but exquisite chair a being was sitting. The type of being that should not be in Ladnahlayr, an angel, a pure uncorrupted angel. The energy the being emitted surpassed all comprehension and knowledge that I had acquired.


    I was afraid. The room seemed to bend to the angel¡¯s will, reality manifestation. Something I had only heard as a bed time story. Krigsain moved forward and performed his salutations with so much care that I thought Krigs was being influenced by the tower.


    ¡°Thank you for seeing me in such a manner, Lord of the Angaros.¡±


    The space slightly resonated, just enough to scare me some more.


    ¡°So the annoyance has sent his chosen one.¡±


    A voice like many thunders made everything within the vicinity vibrate, even the walls.


    ¡°As you can feel Lord, the Will is almost non present here. This is my doing. I want to make a deal.¡±


    ¡°The guards related part of the matter to me. Let¡¯s hear it chosen.¡±


    I was curious as well, very curious. I stood arms behind my back watching from behind with expectation.


    ¡®Krigsain keeps many things close to the chest a lot of the time.¡¯


    ¡°I have helped a few gods during my existence, I have heard of the complications with the descendants living here.¡±


    Krigsain took out one of his flasks with an unknown concoction from his ring. The flask floated helplessly into the hands of the angel.


    ¡°Blood of gods, three of them.¡± More thunderous sounds reverberated all around.


    The angel lord got up and started walking around, it was meditating and thinking. As he walked, the reality of the magnificent room changed with each step he took. It morphed from the style of ancient empire to the Kotar kingdom¡¯s throne room and then to something else. The place kept switching and I was getting even more panicked.


    ¡°This can heal future generations of my kind. What do you want?¡±


    Straightening up his pose Krigsain gave a dashing playboy smile.


    ¡°I want your help in the coming war. Every single Angaros that takes a drop of the concoction MUST fight for me, the day I call upon them.¡±


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    ¡°Many come with similar offers and want our hand. What makes you different?¡±


    ¡®The angel is a chatter, no soul communion or mental communication.¡¯


    The angel created a balcony with a hand wave and motioned Krigsain to explain. He was watching the great city like a king would.


    ¡°I only require your help for one turn, this reality, this one time.¡±


    The angel¡¯s energy fluctuated, he was surprised, even if his face couldn¡¯t show any emotion.


    ¡°There¡¯s got to be more. Out with it.¡±


    ¡°Please help my friend over here. I¡¯ve heard that the sacred tree of the druids grows here as well.¡±


    ¡®It does? It does??!!¡¯


    Krigsain gave me a signal with his finger. A signal I knew well. I prostrated myself faster than a politician before his handlers. I spoke with respect and measure but also with honesty.


    ¡°I was born on the 24<sup>th</sup> day of the current month, Lord of Angaros. It is valuable beyond words to someone like me, our calendar Omen days are upon me. Please, Angaros lord, please.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe he can accomplish what he has said. To win in one round?¡±


    After shaking off the effects of his voice I spoke.


    ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Granted, tell the Arch-druid to return what was given to your kind by the fallen ones. This is the price for two branches of Abedul.¡±


    ¡®A steep price but an acceptable one. Thank you Krigsy, you get a kiss.¡¯


    He talked to Krigsain while I listened, in my prostrated state.


    ¡°We will have to test this concoction of yours nevertheless. Any preferences?¡±


    ¡°A bard, a fighting bard, music is big in my entourage.¡±


    I had no idea we were going to recruit another party member.


    The angel turned to face us and his magnanimous energy exploded. It made my godly lightning look like child¡¯s play. The half man that was clothed in fine linen and loins girded with gold became imposing. A beryllium body and a face like lightning, eyes like torches, and his arm and feet the color of bronze.


    ¡®I¡¯ll never get over the sight.¡¯


    A few minutes later, another angel entered the room. A female angel, a descendant of the Angaros, half angel and half blessed being. Another unforgettable sight, she was tall, taller than Krigsain by a head and a half. In other words, that made me the midget in front of her.


    Her clothes were brownish, a combination of a dress and an armor set. It was unique, closer to a fashion statement than to protective gear. She had runic tattoos all over her body, even a small one on her face and a strange flowery artifact glove on her left hand. The long white hair that matched her wings was eye catching. The long spear she was holding was menacing.


    She was pretty, not prettier than me but definitively exotic with a set of black feathers on her head and her dark eyes. I saw Krigsain giving her an approving glance with those red eyes of his.


    It made me very uncomfortable.


    ¡°You called Lord.¡±


    ¡°I have a vital mission for you.¡±


    ¡°You do?!¡±


    ¡°You will be leaving this place and travel the world with him in a little while.¡±


    ¡°Really?! Aurshaka!! Thank you great leader! I won¡¯t disappoint! What are your orders?¡±


    A small cup materialized from nothing in front of the tall beauty. The cup contained something that smelled similar to wine. A drop of liquid from the flask flew into the cup, the contents were stirred.


    ¡°This is supposed to be the cure to the condition of all angelic descendants. You are henceforth selected to be his partner; you are to bring forth offspring in order to prove the efficacy of the alchemical wonder. The drop is a mix of godly blood from other worlds, even I cannot guarantee anything. The chosen here is the test subject. Do you understand, Deegyr?¡±


    ¡®Progeny?! Babies?! What?!¡¯


    The female winged one stood there. Her eyes flickered at incredible speeds, she was thinking. She kept staring at Krigsain while she did so. Devious redhead was calm as a still lake with the news.


    ¡°Why me? There are others.¡±


    ¡°We are bards, many other things too, but bards first and foremost. Let¡¯s rock the world!¡±


    Krigsain gave the angel his signature pose and smile. I wasn¡¯t handling it well even if I was applying my version of poker face.


    ¡°He is a trotter my child.¡± The lord angel offered a word.


    After several more minutes of silence.


    ¡°You better take me for a spin outside of this world, you hear?!¡±


    Krigsain nodded.


    ¡°Thank you, Lord Ramiel. Aurshaka!!!¡±


    She drank from the floating cup and I almost fainted.


    ¡®Nothing prepares a gorgeous, powerful woman for an otherworldly counterpart that can swat her like a fly.¡¯


    In all honesty, jealousy was me.


    The reality morphed into a table with many delicacies and two golden chairs within the room. The angel and Krigsain sat down for an exchange.


    ¡°Deegyr, take your fellow traveler to where Abelun is located and help her with the retrieval of two branches. One for her and one for the Arch druid.¡±


    Before I could complain, tall half dark angel Deegyr was dragging me out. I only managed to hear a snippet of Krigsain¡¯s little talk with the angelic lord.


    ¡°Worldwalker, let¡¯s go over the details. Tell me everything about your plan, everything.¡±


    <hr>


    Deegyr P.O.V.


    VROOOM! VROOOM! VROOOM!


    We arrived near the small forest next to the mountains in twenty breaths. My little human co-traveler wasn¡¯t doing too well. I laid her down gently. After several minutes of recomposure, she began a critique.


    ¡°You could have held me with a little more care.¡±


    ¡°I did not, huh?!¡± I have considerable problems understanding human behavior.


    ¡°Your too bony! Don¡¯t hold me like that again!¡±


    ¡®Mm. Well, I do tend to be on the smaller end up top but my hips and legs are pure muscle. Whatever, she doesn¡¯t really mean it.¡¯


    I pointed her towards the grand tree just a few steps away. The grand birch tree, one of many incredible things you can find in our home. Little blonde forgot all about our flyby and took out several crystals from her ring.


    ¡°Let me help you, just show me the formation you will use.¡± As a representative of the Lord of the Angaros, I had to be the helping hand.


    She reluctantly agreed. It was clear that she was afraid of me a little. We moved around placing the crystals according to her indications. In the middle of doing the formation and the lines with the runic writings on the grass with a dagger, we talked. I tried to talk.


    ¡°I¡¯m Deegyr, you are?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your senior.¡±


    ¡°Really? In strength or wisdom? Pretty sure it cannot be both.¡±


    She refused to give me anything other than instructions for the ritual.


    ¡°I could touch your forehead and forgo all of this you know. Let¡¯s be nice.¡±


    When four more crystals were placed with the corresponding runic engraving she spoke.


    ¡°We trade. I answer, you answer. Deal?¡±


    ¡°Aurshaka!¡± I smiled for little co-traveler.


    ¡°Your blood problem, is it fixed?¡±


    ¡°Not sure but I feel different, more alive somehow.¡±


    ¡°Aysmul Arazorwyn, vandruid.¡±


    We finished setting up everything.


    ¡°Who is your deity?¡±


    ¡°Who is yours?¡±


    We made a ten second rule for the reveal. I was having fun.


    ¡°Agni!¡± ¡°Dagda!¡±


    ¡°How can I feel lightning coursing through your soul?


    ¡°How can an angel worship a god that dwells with men?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know never to ask a woman her age? Same with her blessings, dark eyes. I won¡¯t ask about those tattoos of yours that are so rare.¡±


    ¡°Bygones be bygones. I never said a word.¡±


    ¡°How does this place work? Fallen angels, your leader. Your Angaros lord is uncorrupted, he is the real thing. And that tower, what is that thing?¡±


    ¡°You are here and you don¡¯t know? Standards have fallen plenty then.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I ¡®m playing wing woman for redhead. That is until you took it literally and dragged me here!¡±


    We laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you if you tell me all you can about the future father of my child. He is different.¡±


    I thought it was a fair trade of information. She staunchly refused and we went back to initiating the ritual.


    ¡®I¡¯ll never learn how to get along with humans at this pace! At least, I¡¯ll see the world now or two.¡¯


    <hr>


    Aysmul P.O.V.


    We had to wait until the moon was visible in the sky. Dusk was approaching. It was perfect minus the constant attempts at interaction from the winged one. She could have just touched me and have everything be done and dusted but she did not.


    ¡®She is nice, too nice! Damn it! Damn it!


    I had no idea on how to behave. I couldn¡¯t understand how dark fallen beings that were punished had descendants that were half decent.


    ¡®This only happens because you always keep me in the dark about many things. No kiss for you!!¡¯


    I had prepared the last step for the selection of the branches. I sat in the circle formation that surrounded the tree. Just when I was ready to begin, the shadow of the personable angel covered me. She was sitting behind me with her wings extended.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Let¡¯s unify our blessings.¡±


    ¡®No, no, no! I can¡¯t beat you and now, I can¡¯t hate you. You are worse than hubby! Speaker of sweet nothings.¡¯


    ¡°Fine. We cannot waste any more time. Just follow along, watch out for the changes.¡± She took advantage of the ritual to force my hand.


    My ceremonial flute came from my ring. An exquisite silver harp with golden borders came from hers. I began playing the song of Awen. I played and sang within my heart.


    The druidic tongue is not to be shared with anyone outside the circle, even angels.


    ¡°Ah-oo-en¡­ Ah-oo-en¡­ Ah-oo-en¡­¡±


    The music vibrated with the crystals, I infused my playing with all my cores. The annoying angel was actually helpful. Her cores exploded as well and a massive heat was felt. The call of nature began the selection process. Lightning went forth from my flute and into the crystals mixed with a thread of living fire. A golden and crimson streak of power invaded the formation.


    The crystals floated and lifted until they were at the level of my eyes. The resonance effect occurred. The moonlight descended upon the crystals and the reflection shot towards the tree. The music could be heard near the edges of the city.


    ¡®The three foundations of awen are the understanding of truth, the love of truth, and the maintaining of truth. Show me the path!¡¯


    A unified streak of materialized moonlight cut a couple branches of the living evergreen.


    CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!


    ¡°Aurshaka!!!¡±


    A couple of strings from the dark angel¡¯s harp extended and grabbed the burning pieces before they hit the ground. The strings retracted and the two branches were placed on the floor two steps away from my sitting position.


    The ritual was over. Dagda had answered. Agni had helped.


    ¡®The branches are priceless.¡¯


    ¡°Quite something ladies, congratulations Aysmul. Thank you, Deegyr.¡±


    Krigsain gave us a couple of rings. I was happy that he gave me the ring first, like a silly little girl.


    ¡°They have plenty of things you will need for our journey. You can check the contents later. We must leave, time is short. And Deegyr please transform into something more human. That wingspan is anything but good.¡±


    ¡°Yes, worldwalker.¡±


    Her runic tattoos shone with power.


    SWHOSH! SWHOSH! SWHOSH!


    Without any modesty, in a single motion and around five breaths of time, tall dark angel swiftly undressed and redressed on the spot while shrinking to fit just under Krigsain¡¯s nose.


    She was wearing the fashion of the winged city, a long sleeve crimson silk shirt, wyvern white pants and rings. Her long white hair was still something else. From her ring came a cloak, a reversible dark cloak with crimson borders that she elegantly placed over her head.


    ¡®I knew it! I knew it! Dark types have these tendencies, an open call for mating!¡¯


    I was incensed beyond reason. Krigsain wasn¡¯t smiling but those eyes told a different story.


    ¡°How can you do such a thing? Have you no decorum?!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll know me, I¡¯ll know him. You are the senior, are you not? I don¡¯t see the problem.¡±


    ¡°Of course you don¡¯t see it. You were not the one that saw everything!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy like a moon day morning, just breathe, flyby no witcho!¡± She spoke melodiously.


    ¡°What?! Who you calling no witchy, witchy?! You, you flat wing!¡±


    ¡°Air resistance considerations are more important than physical attraction, shall we go worldwalker?¡±


    The tall dark angel headed towards the barrier. Krigsain waited for me while tapping his right toe.


    I gave him a piece of my mind for several minutes. He eventually walked after the dark angel too. I stomped after them.


    ¡°Krigsain, you better say something!¡±


    ¡°Something.¡±

 CHAPTER 93

    Ikrei. P.O.V.


    ¡°Haaaa!¡±


    I felt a hand over my eyebrows. Energy seeped in.


    ¡°Breath in, breathe out.¡±


    An unmistakable utterance, it was Volvair.


    I opened my eyes. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Short version, long version?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with the quick one.¡±


    ¡°You are recuperating right now in this room. Your part in the orgy of orgies is over.¡±


    I tried to move but could barely lift a finger.


    ¡°Master?! The stone?!¡±


    ¡°He is busy, those two go a long way back. You will get to use it once you can.¡±


    ¡°We won?!¡±


    ¡°Not exactly.¡± The witch of witches sat next to me on the bed I was with a serene smile.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I move?¡± Volvair just gave me the hawk eyes. ¡°Long version time?¡±


    ¡°The experience was so intense and so traumatic that your soul has sealed it away. We gave you everything you could handle and then some. You are quite the animal, little chaos.¡±


    She infused even more energy with that warm smile of hers.


    ¡°You better acknowledge the great service you have received, little one. You are indebted.¡±


    ¡°Tell me some reason for all of this, give me something, great witch.¡±


    ¡°There are layers to this. Class is in session little chaos. First, you have just been laid bare before the many experts of many worlds, your heart and many private things are out there. Don¡¯t betray the dark path, let it not happen that they come for your neck. The members approve of you, you can make deals and request their help with the proper offer. A form of control from the dark ones, nothing is free. This is layer one, little chaos.¡±


    She waited for a signal. I let her know I understood. I wasn¡¯t too keen on anything I¡¯ve heard.


    ¡°Ritualistic sex can be generally divided in several categories and for your case, we went down. Instinctive, animalistic and savage. A debasing and a strip down of your manly self. You wanted to tear us apart just as much as you wanted to impregnate us. Debauchery is a mild term for what went down, you cannot please a dark demigod with just the basics, little chaos. Extreme suffering, extreme ecstasy, the special dichotomic concoction of circumstances splits you apart, Ikrei. Great killing blades are hidden ones, they can be activated when needed, they have several personalities created within them through similar processes of imprinting.¡±


    I got nervous, worried and many other things. Everything that was said was a terrible proposition. Sensing my distress, Volvair spoke again.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t imprint anything new on you, little chaos. We just let an old monster come out and play for a bit. The one you are so afraid of. A dragon, an oracle and the soul of a very unique demonic dark elf can do incredible things. Arn was very pleased.¡±


    Even if I couldn¡¯t move I was about to lose it.


    ¡°What?!¡±        ¡°I can never trust any of you, dark ones!¡±    ¡°What the actual fuck!!!?¡±


    An incredible discharge of energy entered through my nose and mouth. The legendary cosmic kiss of the great witch. I calmed down within two breaths.


    ¡°You are still you, little chaos. Izeria chose you, I chose you. Let¡¯s just say the meat is tender and the feast is ready. You are in almost perfect condition for the next step. This is layer two.¡±


    Scared out of my mind and forcefully tranqulized, the words came, ¡°Here comes layer three?¡± Volvair nodded.


    ¡°What do you think sex is? Here we use magic and a resonance effect aided by the rulers, so it is an imitation. Still, what do think it really is, the end result? How it really works?¡±


    ¡®How would I know? I only studied under a succubus!


    Volvair¡¯s smile appeared again.


    ¡°When the sperm meets the egg do you think life comes from anything the man does or anything the woman does? We are both receptacles, the true wonder happens when these two meet, there is a flash of light, light! I can show you some crystalinks with the recording. The hand of the gods, little chaos. And in this way so is a woman, a flash of light. The more partners she has the dimmer the light gets, the harder it is for her to connect. Dark ones replace the need for oneness with the need for climax. Regardless, it takes a toll, no matter the method, there is a price to pay. To lose a little bit of yourself every time. You are lucky to be a man, this time around.¡±


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    I understood her words but wasn¡¯t sure what her point was. I remained silent.


    ¡°A man in contrast, when he is at his most basic vibration remembers a night of passion or the touch of a hand walking down the park. Regardless, he still needs a connection, sex for sex alone becomes stale, putrid and disgusting if there is no other meaning than release. Even rapists and child molesters need an emotion that ties the experience together. Sex in itself does little for the ego without context.¡±


    Volvair got close, close enough for one of those grand tongue twisters of hers.


    ¡°With all that said, why would great women like us share in your humiliation and willingly to help you? It has been many years since Izeria and I had to do anything like this. Too long to remember. It¡¯s like asking elder Akathos to kill an ant for you. Got an idea?¡±


    ¡°Why would you do this to yourself?¡± A reflexive question that I needed an answer for.


    ¡°There are many types of leaders, there are leaders that love their people. I love my people, I can¡¯t answer for that dragon but if there is the need to fill the hands with blood, let those hands be mine. If there is a need to debase then let it be me also. A killer mother doesn¡¯t want her children to be killers. The contradictions inside the heart of a woman.¡±


    Volvair¡¯s penetrating blue eyes and her threads were softly touching my cheeks. They left me with no response. I didn¡¯t even want to ask or say another word. The entire discourse caused a complicated introspection.


    I waited.


    ¡°Whores they may call us but not many can touch us, count yourself lucky. If we so desired half of those fools would be dead. But because it is us, they will not touch you or touch your little flower for a few years at least. This is layer three. Are you getting it, boy?!¡±


    I squinted my eyes few times as a nodding signal.


    ¡°I imprinted my seal coin into your soul, you will know when the real thing appears. Help my sisters when you see it, don¡¯t let them abuse you. Only once per person, only five people have a coin of mine. It was fun Ikrei but you could do a lot better to please me. So, I won¡¯t read your future. Izeria left a couple of things for you. Your little flower might hate you or love you for it, though.¡±


    The maze of locks left my face and Volvair stood up while laughing. I noticed where I was. A resting room of some kind with all the details and intricacies of the rooms inside the villa. It was probably another adjusted reality.


    I knew there were more layers to the game of the dark ones but I wasn¡¯t in the mood to know.


    ¡°The philosopher¡¯s stone is right through that portal formation, little chaos. Don¡¯t let me down, I¡¯ll be watching.¡±


    With a twist of the hand, her crown gave its light, she became smoke and evaporated.


    I stared at the wall, a squared wall with a multicolored triangle with a circle within the triangle. A small sprinkling of lights. After gazing upon it with extreme zeal, I knew I needed all my wits about me for the stone.


    I closed my eyes and rested, I had a lot of things to ponder and prepare for.


    ¡®It¡¯s almost over.¡¯


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    Mirror World. Day of Shimer. First week of the tenth month, year 9002.


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    ¡°How long we have Fres?¡±


    ¡®Until the training is done. Just follow miss Brienus, we need to push it.¡¯


    The streets in the large city were unwelcoming, it was shaking non-stop. And to add insult to injury, we were surrounded by several mercenaries and fuming dark mages. We never made it to where our tail was.


    Zaraki was shut down with some kind of special beam coming from the broken clock tower. It was more than an arrow, a different type of energy bolt containing the light attribute.


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    The entirety of one of the main arteries of the city was sustaining a heavy barrage of spells. The Dogran had decided to hunt us without restraint. The people¡¯s screams rose up into the clouds and dread could be cut with a knife.


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    ¡°Zaraki!!!¡±


    The bird glided down at the speed of blessed fearbeasts and took out another mercenary. It became far smaller after that magic attack.


    SPURT!


    ¡°Prisdirum!¡± I darted straight into a dark magus as Mikros blocked charges.


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    One fully powered star steps with my eyes shining.


    WHIRT! CRACKLE!


    The ice and fire spells rebounded on my arcane shield. A single energy slash made one man become multiple layers of an unplanned blood fountain.


    ¡°Wear your mask, sister. Zaraki!¡±


    Zaraki entered Mikros, her reserves were in far better shape than mine. We lost our bloodied cloaks inside our rings. We were still within a soft encirclement.


    We expected the Bilfrorst wizards to arrive but they never did.


    ¡°Zaraki, show her the path. Get us out of here!¡±


    The magic bird had the overview of the entire space after a speedy flyby.


    ¡°I feel weird Fres, Woo!¡±


    We dashed as fast as we could, avoiding the clog points.


    ¡®You are up, dark being!¡¯


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    I waited for a long time but Akathos never came. I was sitting in a lotus position in front of the magical entrance.


    ¡°More wicked games.¡±


    I decided that I had waited long enough. I stood up and checked my soul one last time.


    I walked through the magical formation.


    URGWHOH!


    A small headache made my head throb. There was a dark room that was lit in its center. A pure white light with a cone form descended upon a very thin yet intricate altar that was closer to a stand in size.


    The philosopher¡¯s stone was there, giving its light. A multicolored piece of glassy rock that constantly switched colours. A grand rainbow. The power emanating from it was overwhelming, the entire space was permeated by it.


    ¡°I can almost touch it, incredible!¡±


    I walked under the light, there was no way to tell where the light covering the altar originated. I concentrated and prepared everything I had learned in all my years in the stratas.


    ¡®One shot, one breath. Pour everything you are and your heart¡¯s true desire into it.¡¯


    My left hand touched the stone and a flood of information poured out of me and into the mythical godly artifact. The stone returned the favor, a current, a river of information flowed into me.


    One breath.


    ¡°Ikrei must live! Ikrei must live!¡±


    URGWHOH!

 CHAPTER 94

    Mikros P.O.V.


    ¡®How many?! How many!?¡¯


    ¡°Stop worrying about it. Keep dashing!¡±


    We were being followed Augir level mercenaries and adventurers plus the empire forces and the elites of the Dogran family established in Katopr. It was probable that they had some tracking spell that we couldn¡¯t detect.


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    ¡°I¡¯ve always appreciated men wanting a piece but not like this.¡± I tried to relax with one of my silly comments.


    ¡°Prisdirum!¡±


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG! DOOOOONG!


    ¡°Necroarrows, Brini!¡±


    One hard pull from my blue eyed sister and the arrows missed me by a finger. They had a specially imbued orgon concoction, only Freslia¡¯s eyes could detect such a thing. I was getting tired, my reactions slowing down.


    ¡°The power of wealth sis. They could feed the whole world if they wanted to.¡±


    ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING!


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    ¡°They are coming back around!¡±


    ¡°Seven targets, circle formation. I charge, let¡¯s kill the dark arrow guy first. Don¡¯t use chants, this is the empire.¡± I received big sis mental message.


    SWOOOSH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Energy slashes went from sister¡¯s makeshift Runecraft blades. Darting like the arrows, she threw herself straight into the dark sharpshooter. The three arrows were coming for me along with four of the seven attackers.


    Prisdirum was active but the attackers walked through without hindrance.


    ¡®Artifacts, rare ones. The Dogran are rich beyond comprehension!¡¯


    From my ring came forth a facsimile of the bow I have used to teach many marksmen throughout my lives.


    ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING! ZIIIIIING!


    The tree arrows were intercepted but they swallowed up mine. The four went down before they could welp.


    ¡°Do you think I can¡¯t shoot or some?¡±


    The furious exchange of charges, blows and spells ended with my sister coming out with a cut on her right forearm. We lost our armors in our little ploy and had to make do with scraps.


    And then I felt it, handsome great noble had arrived. He had come for round two.


    ¡°Fres! Fres!¡±


    ¡°I know! Let¡¯s dash out of here!¡±


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    ¡°Isoray isn¡¯t arrogant for nothing. Your family can kick ass, kid.¡±


    ¡°Stop praising these bastards, Brini!¡±


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    ¡°I¡¯m nervous and it was funny!¡±


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    Screams, shouts and energy blasts were heard. Zaraki went on a rampage. The festival city turned battlefield. We ran, we ran like bolts attracting a lot of unwanted attention.


    The magnificent structures of Koptr began changing color before our eyes. Red, blood red.


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡®What happened?¡¯


    I was checking my surroundings, I was once more in the stone room with the same light and the multicolored artifact. It was as if I had never touched it.


    I waited a few minutes while I remained alert.


    ¡°Nothing. What the hell?¡±


    I walked towards the stone and prepared myself for a redo.


    ¡®Perhaps I was off.¡¯


    I decided to reach out with my right hand.


    ¡°Inhale, exhale and release.¡±


    I touched the stone. There was no reaction.


    I tried again several times with the same end result, absolute defeat.


    I stared at the stone with perplexity.


    ¡°it`s working as it should. It took a little while, that seal is a thorn. The monstrous kind of pest.¡±


    A voice I had never heard before yet I knew well. A man was standing on the opposite side of the stone, four cubits away. His attire was the one that the kotari wear for formal occasions, midnight blue with sky blue borders and the corresponding symbols of the order.


    The cloaked man revealed his face.


    ¡°Eriel!¡±


    ¡°Hello, Ikrei.¡±


    There was silence. He didn¡¯t move, I didn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t read his mind; he couldn¡¯t read mine.


    We just kept peering, gazing into each other with various expressions throughout for many minutes.


    I remained silent not sure if all of it was some game by the stone or the rulers. Eriel snapped his fingers and light covered the space, clear blue light. The space was visible and it had no end in any direction, a blue crystalline and reflective place.


    The altar and the stone reappeared somewhere to my north, in the distance.


    Another snap and two blue and dark summoning circles appeared on the floor in front of him. The two creatures that rose up from them created a quiver, a dark quiver in my heart.


    ¡®Ataxiar! Horned Legion!¡¯


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    His choice of words scared me.


    ¡°What is this place?¡±


    ¡°Our soul.¡±


    Akathos¡¯ words came back one more time. The damned tilted table. Two swords materialized in my grip. The crazy twisted metal on my right, Yun Hee¡¯s jian sword on my left.


    ¡°This is a duel. Boys, time to teach little me a lesson.¡±


    The shadowy caped demon charged alongside a screaming bony menace with claws that were too sharp for my taste.


    ZEEEEEZ! ¡°GUUUARW!¡±


    <hr>


    Freslia P.O.V.


    The enemies were numerous, the Dogran had employed a wave strategy. It was intended to occupy us until we were depleted. The groups were learned in my fighting style and the tendencies of Avair Zela, an outstanding preparation bordering on insanity.


    ¡°Fres, they are equipped with artifacts to the brim!¡±


    ¡°I know! Switch it up raven!¡±


    I had three deadly targets, one on each side and one in front of me. Since they anticipated some of my attacks I had to go with the second option.


    SWISH!


    A fake downward slash against the one to my right. The opposing warrior went for the upper block and a kinetic counter with the free hand. My eyes shone their light. I only activated my bestowment in the precise moment I needed it, minimizing energy consumption.


    Two breaths.


    DOOONG! SWISH!


    The attack bounced of my barrier and I slashed through his armor.


    ¡®Keep the foot steady, twist¡¯


    The other two were coming for a double hit with fully charged energy swords. They had sacrificed their fellow mercenary. My eyes turned bright blue again.


    DOOONG! DOOONG!


    The turn was perfectly executed, the second strike from my warrior foe managed to cut through my barrier just a little but my handle counterstrike took the wind out of him. I applied two very quick horizontal slashes for a finish with my two blades. Another turn and a downward thrust for the kill of the third that was blown back by the first resonance effect.


    He didn¡¯t even have time to roll to the side, stand up or shout.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!


    ¡°That¡¯s fourteen! I am ahead of you Fres!¡±


    ¡°The golem should count as five!¡± I gave her a halfhearted counter.


    ¡°Niner, niner, Fres is whiner.¡±


    ¡°So you are happy now?!¡±


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    ¡°No, not really no. Just letting out steam.¡±


    There were screams all around, the tidy streets had turned noisy. The normal people weren¡¯t coping with the situation. The influence of dark magic inside the place was unpalatable.


    ¡°He will be coming.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the Viscount will be coming. We need to be gone, now!¡±


    I took out all the charges I had prepared in one of my rings. I didn¡¯t care about consequences in a fake world.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The streets shook, some of the walls in the buildings cracked a fraction, snake like lines became visible, lights stopped working.


    ¡°No matter how much money or power, you should never be able to buy the whole of the Bilfrorst wizarding world, right sis?¡±


    Mikros asked something I didn¡¯t want to answer. The thought of their reach was unpleasant.


    We saw the outline of the handsome Viscount fighting off a couple of kotari. We also saw ten magi coming in right behind. Our tail had caught up.


    ¡°Freslia, this is it!¡±


    Our best chance to escape had come. It was do or die time.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on Fres?¡± I couldn¡¯t hide my worry from my blue sister.


    ¡°Those magi over there, the ones with dark cloaks and purple borders, dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I am getting married next year!¡±


    ¡°And you chose to come?!¡±


    ¡°I wanted to do something together, like the old days!¡±


    ¡®Can¡¯t say I blame you my raven but you crazy too.¡¯


    DOOOONG BOOOM! DOOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Star Steps!¡± We shouted.


    I bolted like a ray of blue light following a high speeding bird¡¯s trail.


    I used my eyes and my arcane shield as I traversed. evading enemies, rocks and spells. A firing and Prisdirum using Mikros followed behind.


    ¡°Help!¡± ¡°Argghhh! ¡°Watch out sisters!¡±


    DOOOONG! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! BOOOOM! SWISH! CLANG! SWISH!


    ¡°Can we hold thirteen masters, Fres?!¡±


    I sent an urgent and fervent soul communication to the sparkling darkwing.


    ¡°To the Zurian enclave, Zaraki!!!¡±


    ZOOOOOOOOM! ZOOOOOOOOM!


    Four hundred breaths.


    We dashed and turned like some crazy lightning running through the streets. Zaraki disappeared from sight the moment we were close enough to our destination. A dark being near a house of Zur is not a good recipe. And neither am I.


    More long range attacks came our way.


    DOOOONG! BOOOM! SWISH! CLANG! BOOOM! DOOOONG!


    ¡®I¡¯m sorry Brini.¡¯


    ¡°HALT! ¡°HALT¡±!¡±


    A magnificent golden barrier appeared. The guards and a hierarch of Zur were standing at the entrance of the grand golden moad. We had arrived by a margin no greater than seventy fingers before our persecuting foes.


    ¡°Claimere requesting help!¡±


    I knew I wasn¡¯t and it was a half-truth but I needed them to let my sister in. I sent a flash message to Mikros. I stopped dead on my tracks and made a double spin wind up letting my sister pass me by a nail.


    ¡®Use Prisdirum, now!¡¯


    She looked confused. From the double spin move, I executed a furious fully powered kick on miss Brienus buttocks. All cores expended plus my bestowment fully active. My shining eyes scared the Zurians just a little.


    PRAAAACK! ZOOOOOM!


    The blue energy sphere covered her.


    ¡°AHHHHHHH!¡±


    She flew straight into the arms of the hierarch, bypassing the barrier with her ability. She was nicely settled in his arms. His eyes were full of horror and an accusing gaze. I gulped a few pills down and turned to face our pursuers.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t want the trouble lover of Zur. Just help her.¡±


    ¡®Freslia¡¯s facing her demons tonight!¡¯


    THUD. THUD. ZOOOOM!


    My sister¡¯s clamor could be heard.


    ¡°You, mad eye, you!!!¡±


    ----------------------------------------------


    Eriel P.O.V.


    ZEEEEEZ! ¡°GUUUARW!¡± SWISH! CLANG! PRACK! WHIRT! ¡°GUUUARW!¡± PHOW!


    We just gave Ikrei a power combination. He blocked darkness with darkness, every time Legion attacked but the energy drove Ataxi into a frenzy. And using a shadowy side step I came in for the finish on his blindspot with a punch.


    ¡®It hurt. Even here, my damn body is so weak!¡¯


    I threw in a couple of ice spells for a slippery surprise. Ikrei rolled over the glassy floor in pain.


    ¡°You are about to lose your body, little me!¡±


    His eyes remained resolute. He stood up and the swords appeared in his hands again.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I do whatever I think about, like you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the main controller here but don¡¯t be sad. Even I have limitations in this duel. Imagine that you are fighting the former you that you rejected, as he was.¡±


    Ikrei began a short recomposing of himself. He was going to go all out. I gave him a snippet reminder.


    ¡°Use the Will, the fire seed! Ataxi will attack if you use darkness.¡±


    ¡°Ataxi?¡± A moment of levity and surprise came from little me.


    ¡°We have been together for a long time.¡±


    Ikrei bolted with a dark version of the star steps. Ataxi went in for a claw and tail combo. Ataxi missed with the claw. An incredible twist and turn in a single breath with a downward handle counter and Ataxi was flattened against the floor.


    THUD!


    ¡®Avair¡¯s style! Good, good!¡¯


    He switched to Will infused star steps using a chant, ADOHI. It was time to punish his recklessness. Legion went for the intercept; I wasn¡¯t going to allow a direct attack.


    SWISH! CLANG! SWISH! CLANG! SLASH! CLANG!


    I went for the shadowy finisher again. I hit air. Ikrei disappeared from sight and reappeared with a charging blade right behind me.


    WHIRT! WHIRT! WHIRT WHIRT!


    The attack shifted at the last instance, but it crashed into one of my created ice barriers. I calculated all possible angles where the attack could land, the four of them. Ataxi came wildly screaming from behind and tail-speared Ikrei with a rush.


    I managed to land the counter punch during his partial evasion.


    PHOW!


    ¡®Fucking body, it hurt again! Don¡¯t show it, dumb-ass!¡¯


    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you?! Don¡¯t use chants! The empire will fuck you up if you do. Don¡¯t waste energy!¡±


    Ikrei got up once more. ¡°Why does the empire want your ass?¡±


    ¡°We are special. The want us under foot or under grave. Legion! Ataxi! Pound this numb-nuts until he learns master control of his blessings.¡±


    The three of them prepared for one more go. Ataxi¡¯s hissing was comforting to me.


    ¡°This is bullshit!¡±


    ¡°It is; I can¡¯t believe that you are the best my synchronicity can do.¡±


    Ataxi didn¡¯t move, I felt the blue thread of power combining with the malgrunian flame. I created many floating icicles. Legion dashed for a claw attack, his purple eyes were shining, he was getting deadly. I launched my attacks as support.


    WHIRT! WHIRT! ZOOOOOM! WHIRT WHIRT!


    ¡°Byeolfeng, Oelounc¨¬. Lonely thrust!¡±


    ----------------------------------------


    Freslia P.O.V.


    [No need to be careful. Mayhem, mayhem!]


    ¡®Shut it!¡¯


    [Uhhh, so fiery, say my name!]


    ZOOOOOM! ZOOOOOM!


    It was time to go underground.


    SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!


    Three large kinetic energy slashes and the street collapsed inward with considerable debris. I went down, entering the sewer system. The blades were gone, the reinforcement from the runic engravings in the city constructions were a bit much. It was time for fighting of the close encounter type. I sped towards the zone with the biggest junction inside the tunnels, a perfect place for a hustle with all the proper magical protections.


    [You are becoming a rat lover, Karis.]


    SPLASH! SPLASH! ZOOOOOM


    ¡°Kunukku!¡±


    [First seal opened.]


    ¡®Imbue my needles with your power.¡¯


    My hidden weapon, seven sagecraft ipsrum alloy acupuncture needles embalmed in the alchemical recipes of the sages. The invisible needles came from my ring, Avair¡¯s ring, and six flew into the tunnels. Metal manipulation of the lethal kind.


    DOOONG! DOONG! DOOONG DOOONG!


    My arcane shield blocked the spells. Four different types of energy bolts but all with a trace of darkness. My shining eyes weren¡¯t helping; my position was exposed. My right hand revealed the engravings of the Deathbringer, the first seal.


    I dashed were the first attack came from and clashed with the energy of the magi. I knew their position, they knew mine. The other three magi went into action.


    BOOOM! ZIIIING! BOOOM! ZIIIING! BOOOM! ZIIIING!


    ¡®Kunukku!¡¯


    The arcane shield barely held on, I reached the first magi. A second barrage of spells and energy arrows targeted me. Most empire magi are great spell casters but not hybrids. A quickly assembled force in the middle of the night for a hunt, allowed for a small wiggle room.


    BOOOM! ZIIIING! BOOOM! ZIIIING! BOOOM! ZIIIING!


    My needle pierced the dark magi on his shoulder, he was fast enough to evade my needle to the temple. He fell convulsing nonetheless. Otherworldly dark energy is always troublesome for the Falam boys.


    [You need control without the use of hands Karis. It¡¯s a hard tell.]


    ¡®Isn¡¯t this your fault dark being?¡¯


    [I just want to be close to you, real close.]


    I could feel the sinister laugh behind the words even if I didn¡¯t hear it.


    SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH!


    Zaraki appeared with a lethal triple darkwing slice with his feathers. He was tired almost out of energy. He hid inside me. And then the touch came, the hand of divinity.


    ¡°The Will is calling. Just a little more.¡±


    [Hello, little one. It¡¯s been a while.] [Woo, Deathbringer!]


    We ran like our lives depended on it. I gulped my remaining Runecraft pills, this was the last stand. It was time, I gave the order I hate giving.


    [Second seal opened. Ha, ha, ha!]


    [Death is her, Woo! You look beautiful Freslia.]


    [It¡¯s Karis, darkwing.]


    [Freslia friend, Karis stranger.]


    ¡®Chitchat later, they are coming.¡¯


    My body glowed with runic tattoos that appeared on my skin. The protected imbued orgon walls of the under-city system exploded. The wreckage bounced off my arcane energy shield, my shield had a tinge of darkness. The water under my feet felt icy, an inundation of the collapsed section began.


    The six magi had arrived.


    SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! ZOOOOOOOOOM!


    ¡°Surrender or die!¡±


    The soul attack was intense but I held firm, my transformation was helping. I sent my hidden needles for a surprise attack as a counter. They were equipped, I wasn¡¯t expecting much.


    ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! DOOONG! BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING!


    The abnormal Exchange blew pipes, tunnels and floors. They were going all out, six dashing streaks of dark light trashing everything in their way coming after me. I ran, blocked and evaded through the rocky obstacle course.


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ! DOOONG BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOONG! ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    [The empyrean blood is going to corner you soon. You need to open the third seal.]


    [Shut up! You just want to eat Freslia, Woo!]


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ! DOOONG BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOONG! ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    We kept twisting, cartwheeling and bleeding as my feet became after images. The runic tattoos were flickering like sky lights. The ceiling was falling on top of my flashing self. A man made earthquake with screams from the populace and flesh that fell inside the unintentional pits.


    ¡°God! God!¡± ¡°Wizaaaards! Wizaaaards!¡± ¡°AAAARGGGHH!¡± ¡°HELP!¡±


    ¡®Zaraki give me everything you got left on my signal.¡¯


    ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ! DOOONG BOOOM! BOOOM! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! DOOONG! ZEEEZ! ZEEEEZ! ZEEEZ!


    [Empyrean blood, arriving in seven breaths, not alone, Woo!]


    [Open the third seal.]


    ¡°Shut up!¡± [Shut up!¡±]


    DOOONG! ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! SWISH! SWISH! DOOONG!


    SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! ZOOOOOM!


    There was severe evasion and elation in a dance with death. I was smiling, maybe it should be said that ¡°it ¡°was smiling through me. The seven breaths were up, angry great noble and a retinue of magi were in front.


    A great noble of the empire down in the sewers, he was livid. His face told a hundred stories.


    ¡®On three, Zaraki. Great Will don¡¯t fail me!¡¯


    Zaraki gave me everything he had. Black shiny wings spread from my back. My eyes turned green. We charged, we charged with everything. The retinue and the bastard blood countered.


    ¡°CRAZY WHORE!¡±


    DOOONG! ZIIING! ZIIING! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! SWISH! SWISH! DOOONG!


    SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! ZOOOOOM!


    [He is got that right, ha ha ha!]


    THUD. SPLASH! THUD! SPLASH! ZOOOOOOOOM!


    DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG! BOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The resonance effect was massive. Everything was blown into scraps.


    Ten breaths later, the handsome elite had my neck in his grip, calmly gliding unto a street nearby. I was almost in trouble, almost.


    [Next time Karis, next time. Ha, ha, ha, ha!]


    The reality around me started to disintegrate, energy particles floated around with blue light. The Mirror World was dissolving. I gave the damn noble my best bleeding smile.


    ¡®About damn time, brother!¡¯


    <hr>


    Eriel P.O.V.


    SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG! PRACK! TWHIRT! SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG!


    We gave Ikrei a hard spoon to swallow, complicated combinations of all the powers legion and I could use. Because we had an Ataxiar, Ikrei was limited to two of his blessings while I was not. He endured with clenched teeth and learned well. Akathos had done a fine job, a fighter who reacts on intuition that borders on premonition.


    SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG! PRACK! TWHIRT! SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG!


    ¡°Nightmare of Owls!¡± I used my personal created art on little me.


    I snuck up on him for the hundredth time, my finger touched his temporal lobe and he had an episode. Legion kicked him away without mercy.


    THUD. THUD. THUD.


    Face down, unable to move and with his legs spread, his inert body amused me. The natural outcome of years of dueling and losing within the soul space. As great as Ikrei¡¯s martial arts were, they could not compare to the experience of a hunted one, a person hunted down by Bichmeyrul.


    Ikrei refused to give up throughout. This was enough. I touched his head and transferred a little of my own memories into him and released his sealed memories of the orgy of orgies with the help of the Will.


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    ¡°AAAHHH!¡± ¡°AAAHHHH!¡± ¡°NOOOOOO!¡± ¡°NOOOOOO!¡± ¡°AAAHHHH!


    He rolled around like a baby, a pitiful sight. Several breaths later, he was glaring at me.


    ¡°To overcome the dark path you must suffer, recognize the pain in the eyes of others through your own. Most dark ones are fearful fucks. They hurt, the kill but they can¡¯t take it. They are all afraid of true suffering and true death. There is nothing stoic about their final moments. Men, women or whatever else, they all bitches!¡±


    I spit into the crystalline floor. An unwanted memory resurfaced.


    ¡°You know, people who don¡¯t like being controlled are pretty good under totalitarian regimes. You need to rise up. Our world is a place of bullies.¡±


    We prepared for another round, his blades shining and ready to pounce. And as we inserted even more lessons about fighting to the death through the trading of blows, I taught him the final step towards communion with the Will. He had learned to listen instead of retorting, to ponder instead of dismissing.


    He was ready.


    SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG! PRACK! TWHIRT! SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG!


    ¡°Desire is fire, desire is emotion. It can burn forever or turn to ashes. But it can disappear. Even your desire for your girl. What happens when she grows old and wrinkly? Will you desire her then?¡±


    SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG! PRACK! TWHIRT! SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG!


    ¡°What you need is a will, an unbreakable will. The will is not something you feel but something you choose. A decision. A decision that will not change no matter how many lives you live or how much you toil.¡±


    ¡°Why do parents love their children? Why do other parents do not? It is a choice Ikrei, the feelings are the result of their choices.¡±


    SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG! PRACK! TWHIRT! SWISH! SLASH! DOOONG! CLANG!


    ¡°I can take all your power and leave you with nothing, alone here in the dark. If you had but one more breath, one more moment to live, what would you do? Write a poem? Dance with a sword? If there is but one thing what would that be? What am I doing with my life? What is it that matters to me?¡±


    SLASH! SWISH! SLASH! SWISH! SLASH! SWISH! SLASH! SWISH!


    ¡®This dark weakening thing is something. Evade! Evade! Evade!¡¯


    Ataxi went into action and blocked with his body as I weaved and reached his blind spot again with the help of my two summons.


    ¡°Nightmare of Owls!¡± There were more memories and rolling on the floor.


    ¡°This is the core, this is you, this is the choice!¡±


    I knelt before the unhappy little me and waited. He wanted to hit me but my dark bodyguard was there. I waited for the true answer in his heart. After who knows how long with unwavering and rebellious eyes, a soul to soul exchange occurred.


    ¡®Strong emotions do sometimes cross over.¡¯


    ¡°Then, even if the world burns, Ikrei will sing a song.¡±


    In a place where impossible things are feasible, even ordinary, I had a heart to heart with myself.


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    ¡°What¡¯s yours? Your choice?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha. That¡¯s like asking a girl how many lovers she¡¯s had.¡±


    ¡°You know mine.¡±


    ¡°When you feel down, sing. When you feel happy, sing again. When you feel nothing, sing some more. And when you are sick of singing, walk away. In time, the song will call you back, for it is your choice. Creation through chaos, liberty through order. Your eternal choice unified with the endless possibilities of innumerable songs.¡±


    Eriel touched me on the chest and many things happened.


    ¡°As for Malgrun, let the first song you sing be about love, the fiery feather kind of love. Create Ikrei, create and live, the meaning of your being. The key to your soul and the Will.¡±


    My soul vibrated, some things unlocked and others seeped inside. I saw a portion of Eriel¡¯s plan.


    The three godly energies erupted and rearranged themselves. The Will became the main essence, followed by draconian darkness and lastly, the unquenchable fire.


    Seventy-two breaths. We walked silently towards the stone and placed our hands upon it, one each.


    We locked eyes just as I did with Izeria.


    ¡°There are many reasons why you needed to come here but the final one is what is about to happen.¡± Eriel said.


    ¡°But the stone is partially demonic it will not do the bidding of the requester as intended.¡±


    ¡°It loves a good show; we just have to give it one. It¡¯s time for you to go, little me.¡±


    ¡°Eriel, this is insane.¡±


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t it all? A tiny part of me will be with you.¡±


    Even more time in silence passed, weirder faces and quirky smiles.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t half bad, old me.¡±


    ¡°Study hard, my arts are mine. Learn your own thing and who you were.¡±


    ¡°Any last minute tips, master Eriel?¡±


    ¡°Can you hear it?¡±


    ¡°The love song for the dark path.¡±


    We laughed, we couldn¡¯t stop laughing at all.


    ¡°Music from other worlds, little me. Many tongues, Malgrun loves it.¡±


    ¡°I better come correct with this one.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll know when.¡± The slightly wicked smile I saw sent chills.


    The entire place rumbled like an earthquake, blue cracks of light appeared in the distance.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on?!¡¯


    ¡°We are out of time, Ikrei.¡±


    We readied ourselves.


    ¡®Inhale, exhale. Release.¡¯.


    We poured all the information, feelings and hopes upon the stone at once under one breath.


    ¡°Ikrei must live! Ikrei must live!¡±


    URGWHOH!


    The twisted, sinister plan of the disciple of Akathos could finally begin. A soul splitting ritual, far away from the prying eyes of the empire and their god. The treasure of the dark path, the philosopher¡¯s stone didn¡¯t tamper with the wish. It split our soul down to the most infinitesimal portions exactly as Eriel wanted it to. A soul cut that created two, a wonder of the gods.


    I could tell you I was happy, finally relaxed but instead I was sad, sadder than I ever thought I would be. It was impossible not to, not after knowing what Eriel gave the stone in return.


    Eriel¡¯s soul was going to stay in Outer Darkness.


    The stone shone its multicolored light, the sensation of chains breaking and leaving my body brought tears, somehow.


    It was done.


    The stone had a new resident of Outer Darkness, the kind that makes it happy, it laughed like a thunderstorm of deep, all-encompassing feeling.


    ¡°HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!¡±


    The space continued to crack until there was nothing but the altar, the stone and us.


    Everything faded to black.

 CHAPTER 95

    Freslia P.O.V.


    ¡°How long have I been out?¡±


    ¡®What a migraine!¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t the healing ward nor my quarters. I arose from the bed not recognizing anything. With a final check on my clothes, I headed for the door barefooted. I was in a hurry.


    A tidy, cozy training area for meditation with floating sigils, orgon and strange formations everywhere welcomed me. The place was undulating with imperceptible energy vibrations, a sealed space.


    I felt his presence from behind.


    ¡°You took your time deactivating the grand formation. They almost had me.¡±


    Extensive, invasive and intrusive dark energy overcame me. It felt like a tempest, a dark wind. My hairs flew back. My blue eyes manifested with all their power.


    Entering the rift through the opening, something from the realm of nightmares came forth, a golden horned draconylf woman. She was walking in my direction. Striking and terrifying by all estimations. The type of being I had heard about yet never met.


    I wasn¡¯t able to move too much. I was being suppressed even harder than the grand Andara forest formation of the malgrunians. She walked around me in a counter-clock motion, I was being assessed just like a prime meat cut in the Augir private market.


    ¡®Shouldn¡¯t you do something Akathos?! This is Malaktaraf!¡¯


    ¡°So, this is her.¡±


    I had no idea what she meant, her voice was cold as the deep waters. My eyes were exchanging glances with Lord Akathos; he was calm and impassive with zero intention of doing anything.


    The draconian singularity settled her eyes on me right in front of my nose. There was barely any separation. She spoke with a menacing tone, not once shifting her eyes from mine.


    ¡°Make sure she trains him to my liking, Akathos. Eriel would have loved it.¡±


    She turned and walked away just as she had come. Only when she was gone did the pressure dissipate. My mind was going haywire, trying to make sense of things and the implications ate pieces of my soul.


    ¡°Where is my brother???!!!¡±


    ¡°Eriel did not return, Ikrei did.¡±


    ¡®What?! No way! Why?!¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t accept it; I didn¡¯t want to. My stare was anything but kind.


    ¡°You played your part perfectly, you fooled me, I thought we were bringing him back. Elder Akathos 9002 sounds about right.¡±


    He moved to stand directly on my left.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a lie, technically. It needed to be done, even if I gained a little of his trust a day earlier. As you saw, it was close. I wasn¡¯t going to let the fate of my beloved disciple in anybody else¡¯s hands but mine. As ironic as that term sounds coming from me.¡±


    He dispelled one of my curiosities. I was staring him down regardless.


    ¡°This was all Eriel¡¯s choice. Let it go, Freslia.¡±


    Half an hour passed, our lives flashed through my mind alongside a simple chorus of a piano tune from my brother that was no longer the brother I knew.


    ¡®? Memories, memories, it is. ?¡¯


    Nevertheless, the sense of emptiness and sadness was ever present.


    ¡°Damn deviators, regressors and all the rest! Everything would be so much easier if you didn¡¯t exist!¡±


    ¡°Breathe easy Claimere, things also work in reverse. Just focus on the now. Do you need to soul commune, rest, pills, a love formation? We can talk for a very long time; I have a special drink that I have been saving for such an occasion.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve just lost my one true friend all over again and this time I don¡¯t know if he will ever return.¡±


    A tear did fall from my right eye.


    ¡°What are you going to do Freslia?¡± Akathos voice was very kind and sorrowful.


    ¡°I have taken preemptive measures as well. I have a date!¡±


    ¡°You did?! You do???!!!¡±


    ¡°A full date with all the intricacies of the Andurian custom.¡±


    I removed another tear from my eye and smiled.


    ¡°I will pay for everything my friend, no matter what you do. Let loose and go wild! Please don¡¯t destroy an entire floor while at it. Please?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that, Lord Akathos. Mikros is coming with me, we have earned this.¡±


    ¡°Report on your return. Have fun.¡± A waving Akathos also turned to leave.


    I walked slowly but with determination singing that song Krigsain played for us, Mikros¡¯ favorite.


    ¡®I hope you are ready for what is coming Jin Jin, I¡¯m about to rock your world!¡¯


    <hr>


    Yun Hee P.O.V.


    Ialpalgar carriages are the westerners¡¯ favorites. As a cultivator and a malgrunian, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I was looking outside the window from the one I was in.


    ¡®I prefer the transportation methods and beasts of Yinshengan.¡¯


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Dangerous red-locks had come for me. The fortress head elder of Malaktaraf had given the order. My complaining had more to do with my emotional state than the carriage itself.


    ¡®Siwonhage yujihasibsio! Keep your cool!¡¯


    Even if Mr. Li was with us as the carriage driver, the company inside the luxury ride was making my hairs stand on end. There was no need to make our final trek towards the castle with horses. Krigsain wanted something and the women gave off a feeling similar to my mother, specially the white haired one.


    ¡°Have an frielin! These fruits come from far away.¡±


    I did partake, it was delicious, something I had never tasted and my table has been full of delicacies every day since young. Hazu was enjoying herself as the white haired showstopper passed them around.


    ¡®Pretending in front of this lot is exhausting.¡¯


    The entire thing was a joyous ordeal about the happenings in the Turgan continent with the occasional verbal jab between the two women, a drunken feast of tales by the chosen of the Andurin. Until one silly story was half-way through.


    ¡°¡­in those days there were no regulations on mass size magical artifact contructs. Yeah, we went for a ride on that thing inebriated.¡±


    ¡°Really? Aurshaka! What happened next?¡±


    ¡°We got home. The streets weren¡¯t reinforced either back then. I thought we were going straight. When we woke up we had zigzagged the main street into a puzzle or something.¡±


    ¡°Yippee, your new man is that old, Dee.¡±


    ¡°Ho, ho. That¡¯s a good thing, Wynie.¡±


    They chortled, the amount of alcohol they had guzzled was gargantuan. Hazu and I exchanged glances.


    ¡®Older than the Madame? What game are you playing chosen?¡¯


    He was just playfully looking at the window holding a bottle when he spoke to me.


    ¡°My brother will leave you in the dust. Let¡¯s make a deal.¡±


    The two chatty women kept drinking but made no more noise.


    ¡°I don¡¯t quite follow your thoughts, Krigsain.¡±


    If he wanted to play I would play but on my terms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you. There is more to your lord than you think. I read the contract. Even your mother cannot get you to where you want.¡±


    The directness of his actions spook me. I didn¡¯t show it; my own blessing became active. Even Mr. Li¡¯s energy expanded into the passenger seats. Hazu became vigilant.


    He just smiled like a demon, like a Malgrunian seat. The eyes of a hunter telling its prey to lay down gently or be torn.


    ¡°Apologies, chosen. I never make deals with people I cannot read.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you develop your chaos root. It¡¯ll be like Ikrei¡¯s. I need an answer from you, that is all.¡±


    Hazu, Mr. Li and I had a three soul connection through Hazu¡¯s special soul artifact. The Madame had authorized many things for my protection.


    ¡®Hear him out then reject him.¡¯


    ¡®Consort blood thread with care, han beon-ui gihoe il su issseubnida.¡¯


    ¡®What can be worth a fully developed chaos root? Intriguing little miss!¡¯


    We drank and played the fool with many simple and sweet blandishments, even a few songs. Our soul exchange continued. Krigsain didn¡¯t seem to care.


    The following four hours only fueled my curiosity. More tales, more jokes and more drinks were consumed. We even played a four way Andukros match. He knew what he was doing. I couldn¡¯t resist the urge anymore.


    ¡°What¡¯s the trick?¡±


    Krigsain held the board piece in his hand, he seemed to fall into deep though.


    ¡°Whether you know it or not, the touch of Malgrun is great upon you.¡±


    ¡®There it is. A window for the will of the Andurin, choice.¡¯


    The women began drinking and eating, they were having a kick with my self-inflicted plight.


    ¡°Are you going to derail my plans?¡±


    ¡°Your plans, your problems but our order also has its own agenda and so do I. However, I am curious about one thing. And that one thing determines everything else. High stakes cosmic game little lass. Wanna play?¡±


    The devil, the devil with red hair was all I saw. It felt like being inside the Ryaltar for my blessing once more.


    Hazu and Mr. Li sent several messages, we conversed for another hour. We agreed that one answer outside of the soul contract couldn¡¯t be detrimental.


    ¡®There¡¯s nothing I know that¡¯s so critical. What does he want?!¡¯


    I explained my conditions and we agreed upon them. A ritual dagger, six drops of blood each and a couple of cups and we were ready. I couldn¡¯t lie and he couldn¡¯t back down.


    ¡®Strong, stronger than most under the heavens!¡¯


    My very own devilish smile manifested.


    ¡°AER ARLUN SPHORIUM!¡±


    ¡°ANAM KALIM DES GLAOH!¡±


    Our souls fused for a split second and we drank the contents. The deal was sealed. I had my path secured, all I needed was to answer a question. Something quite perturbing for a demonic malgrunian, an honest answer with no doublespeak.


    ¡®What a fool. Right?¡¯


    Krigsain¡¯s eyes became red, Dee¡¯s eyes became obsidian black and Wynie¡¯s turned purplish with gold irises. A triple covering of godly power. There was no room for games, Hazu and Mr. Li were shaken by the amount of power, even the horses galloped without control.


    ¡°Are you evil because you need to be or are you evil because you love to be?¡±


    <hr>


    Ikrei P.O.V.


    Day of Io?l, sixth day of the week. Second week of the twelfth month.


    ¡°AHH!¡±


    ¡°Urrgh!¡±


    I woke up.


    The backlash from the whole experience was unwanted. Dreams and nightmares coalescing into a single thing within my mind. I was back in my room in Malaktaraf. I stretched my hands and moved my fingers. My bearings were all messed up.


    My core pulsated with energy and I stabilized as I repeated the breathing exercises. There was a blue emitting light artifact on my table, it was easily visible within the dark room. I was groggy but still managed to reach the table.


    There was an envelope next to the blue light emitter. There was a written message on it, ¡°For your eyes only, master Akathos.¡±


    The words jolted me out of my state and I took out the parchment inside, a runecraft grade object. The runes inscribed into it made it clear.


    The contents made me feel all sort of emotions, I was a human souffl¨¦. Eriel¡¯s remnant caused a stir, I was somewhat happy. By the time I memorized everything I was dressed and bolting faster than ever before out of the room, headaches and protections be damned.


    "ADOHI!" "Star Shadow Steps!"


    THUD. THUD. ZOOOOOM!


    The letter floated midair as it dissolved.


    ¡ªIkrei,


    You have five minutes to memorize the contents written in this parchment.


    Congratulations in forming your true Will based core. You have endured what most cannot, the dark portion of the chaos path. A path filled with evil. Praise the Great Will for the help. You wouldn¡¯t be reading this otherwise. You will forever fight against your own darkness and its blessings and powers. We will aid you in short order with this considerable inconvenience.


    Your training is specifically tailored with two main considerations. First, your temporizing of action, your tendency towards indecision and fear of the dark. Second, the battles ahead and the threats surrounding you that are well beyond the current conflict. A strong chaos magic blade is the only safe haven for you. This was the choice made by Eriel.


    Only key members of the order know everything that has happened, do not share this with anyone outside of this circle. Your unique private crystal registry record is 125678963211-32 with all the details for your review and is safe kept in the Humertal Halls back in Lemuria under the watch of the sages. There is also Eriel¡¯s Stargazer bank account 435567854-32 with 70000 Ucra worth of funds, contact Sage Irya for more information.


    There is but one more step for you, your individual kotari trial. Everything is ready, I know you will do well. You are no longer the defenseless na?ve boy that arrived at Malaktaraf, you need no further hand-holding. We fight and die for the right to choose. The final choice is here, you can leave, join the Kagemusha or do whatever else you want. You can also stay and bleed with your brothers and sisters. Eriel made his choice, it is time for Ikrei to do as well.


    Didn¡¯t you say all you wanted was a better life? Something better than being a small hunter? We have prepared you the best we could for the road in front of you. It is time to spread those wings. This is the period to rest, meditate, prepare, reflect, mingle with your fellow Andurin and decide.


    We have been summoned for urgent matters and suitable replacements are in the castle until our prompt return. We hope you are here when we do, we really wanted to see you, I am sorry. You have barely scratched the surface of who you can be, whatever you choose, wherever you go, we want you to know and remember one thing my disciple, we love you.


    Forever Soaring, AELZIR!


    Akathos Sirlenk ¨C Freslia Avair Zela


    PS: If my calculations are correct, by the time you are done memorizing you should run to class. Sage Sarkan will have you upside down if you are late on a sacred day. I don¡¯t recommend another mistake with my brother. ¡ª