《MYRIAD》 Mundane Lives: Gazeera Tap... Tap... Tap... [Ezekail''s Bunker- Marcelan''s Bay] "Oh, so you are here Alice." said Ezekail. An old man rummaging through a bunch of files, some old photos, and an album. "I was rather getting a bit lonely." He continued. The cabin was ill lit, filled with archaic symbols written on the walls, while runes were floating around, some bright white, while others engulfed in darkness. "Well it was to be expected, how far did you get. I hope you finished setting up the emblem." said Alice. She was unnaturally tall and lean, pale and thin. Her voice high yet coarse, her tone sharp. "Impatient as always aren''t you, of course everything is in place as it should be." chuckled the old man. He was a bit stout, an average physique, yet his eyes shone with brightness of wonder and keen eagerness as a child who was about to get his wishes fulfilled. Greyish white hair all ruffled up. He wore round golden frame glasses. "Seems so, but it always is better to do some last minute checks." chimed Alice. "Whatever." sighed the old man. "Rune of Tiewas." "Check." "Sap of Yggdrasil." "Check." "Grime of Infestation." "Check." "Imprint and manuscript of Devianism." "Check." "Finally, records, albums any other means of memory to anchor your sanity." Ezekail, the forlorn old man, after hesitating for some time,"Huuu... yes." "Well then it seems we are good to go." murmured Alice. "Wait a minute, how about you? did you gather everything we need?" "Of course, Old man, you should trust your summon a bit more. I always complete my tasks." "Yeah, r-right." Ezekail stuttered. "Maybe I am just too excited." "So, Ezekail Theo Lingsay, are you ready to traverse the realm of the dead!" Alice''s cold, sharp voice reverberated and turned heavy. "Oh so we are doing it, can''t believe that I am finally doing it, what should I say, what should I do, I-I-I, This is a historic moment, damn I should have brought a camera, I should have prepared a speech, I should have made some---" "Ezekail!!!" reprimanded Alice. "We never believed that this was possible, even I didn''t believe in this baloney. So it is natural we didn''t rehearse for this moment. But what we need to do right now is focus. This might be rare occurrence and I don''t think we will be able to restock our supplies to replicate this. SO GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!!!!" "Yeah,... Yeah.... We should focus." Ezekail slowly losing his sanity." Initiate!, the machinations, rev up the sequence, feed the arcane... blood, my blood. Begin the ritual." Ezekail chopped his hand off, and thrust his biceps into the arcane symbol of blot, blood gushed out, dark red blood, filling the archaic symbols, turned the once bright rune to pungent mix of dark and green. "Oh, all prevailing god of death, bear witness to my pain, and allow me to thine glorious realm, while.... I..... BREATHE!!!!" Roared, The crazed lunatic of an old man, grinning and laughing, roaring and roaring, that deafening roar resonated throughout the bunker. Runes twisted and turned and shattered and pulverized, it churned with the warping archaic symbol and turned into sludge. A pitch black sludge with a tint of green formed. The runes completely dissolved, the symbols calmed down. Ezekail''s left arm completely sucked dry of blood. "Alice, I guess this is a failure as well. I really wanted it to succeed. I even lost an arm. Huuu..." Ezekail tried to pull his arm out of the blot, but it remained stuck," Well, I think I have no choice now, Alice chop off my arm completely." "Alice?" "Alice?" "Alice!!!" "Alice, Help me, quick cut off my arm, CUT OFF MY ARM!!!" The sludge started moving, slithering, winding around Ezekail''s arm eating it away, rotting it. "AAAAHHHH!!!", Ezekail roared, as the sludge fed on his life force, sucked his blood, devoured his memory and will. "ALICE!!!" Alice just saw this scenario with keen interest, sneering and grinning. "What the...", Ezekail was a bit unnerved. Alice did nothing but reveal a rune. [Rune of Cham] "Huh, you bitch you..." Alice broke into a shrill fit of laughter. "You turned this into a summon. Huh", said the old man, his eyes were bloodshot red. "Alice you really got me, this was unexpected. But whatever it is you are trying to summon will surely regret it. Hell with that, you will regret betraying me." Alice shuddered, as Ezekail Stomped his foot sending shockwaves of energy, bright, resilient energy of chaos. All the charms, talisman and rune of the bunker started breaking apart. A bright spark of light was launched to the sky, exploding like a beacon. Alice''s face twisted in rage. She formed a charm, blazing amber shrouded her arm. She stepped forward when- Stolen story; please report. "I AM NOT DONE YET!!!", Ezekail yelled. He snapped his fingers together, and ignited a charm of his own, pale blue flame, with white ambers. These flames combined together and focused at one point. BOOM!!! The whole chamber was set ablaze, shockwaves shattering every piece of equipment, burning ''every- everything'' in it''s wake. Alice was thrown across the room her face charred, her arms pulverized and her ribs broken. "Huuuu...", sighed the old man. "Today sure was a long day. Yeah... Yeah... I don''t see myself living after this." An archaic symbol was hovering above his head. [Mark Of Death] Ezekail Grabbed the mark in his right palm and smashed it against his chest. Zzztss... sparks flew across the room. Ezekail''s body warped in black, white and green. And then he just dusted away, leaving behind that dark sludge squirming and slithering. It had grown a bit larger. Had dark green eyes glaring. "Mother I-", Just as Alice came forward. The creature pounced on her feeding of her flesh and blood. "Disappointing, couldn''t secure a conduit for me, child. At least you have some use now." said the creature, slowly growing in size, flesh squelching, bones cracking. A being formed. Tall and grey, warped eyes, frizzled hair, big sharp claws. A being of utter monstrosity, The mother of all Monsters Echidna. [Echidna-Mother of all Monsters] *********** ********** *********** [Bureau of Abnormal Research (B.A.R)- Exodus Night City] Tick Tick Tick. The clock was just ticking away. An official was just furiously typing a report. There was an anomaly. Someone just released a ginormous amount of chaos energy and burst it like a fire cracker. It was no different than declaring ''come and get me''. A scouting team of five was sent. Status questionable, but they did send an energy imprint. Now, because of all this shenanigan, this Officer has to work overtime, prepping up a proper report and finding the individual who matches the energy imprint. "Umm... Let''s see Ezekail Theo Lingsay, huh. Civil Profile, age 58, noted. Affiliations none. Para User status, huh, unregistered. Criminal records, assault and smuggling. I guess that''s all there is to his profile.". The official closed the archive and finalized the report. He revved up a core and put the sample energy imprint in it. "Now that is out of the way, lets check out the aftermath. Residual energy analysis is a summon. Heh, things like these always involves summons. Let me guess it went out of control and that absurd outbreak of chaos was just a last-ditch attempt to either control or destroy it." Suddenly, a candle blew out. "Damn already a casualty." Another candle flickered a bit. While three of them extinguished. "Huh!!!, three of them got taken out together. Just what sort of monstrosity did you summon Lingsay. It will easily pass for a [Mist Level 5] disaster." Whirrr... A talisman appeared mid-air. Core completed its analysis on the energy imprint. The Officer tore the talisman apart. Last candle flushed out. Talisman contained one last message from the scouts. And the analysis report had only one result. Both of them conveyed the same message. "Summon/Monster of Disaster level [Rain level 6]." ********* *********** ************ [Bureau of Abnormal Research (B.A.R)- Exodus Night City] "This is preposterous, totally absurd. An unregistered Para user, summoning a [Rain Level 6] disaster.", said the startled branch manager Gilbur Ramsay. "But then again, there can''t be any other explanation, a whole squad got annihilated, and the Core just reconfirmed it." "Hmm... What do we do now?" "People can barely handle a [Rain Level 3] disaster. We are a bit shorthanded on offence." "Officer Jake Spencer." "Manager.", said the Officer. "I am commissioning you for a top grade mission. Apprehend, seal or destroy this [Rain Level 6] disaster. Assemble a team. Meanwhile, I''ll be fortifying the HQ. No one shall take down the Bureau of Abnormal Research." "Yes, Manager.", Jack replied nodding at the manager He walked out of the cabin while lighting a cigarette. Holding it in his mouth Jake exit the building and made his way towards the parking lot. He went up to a sleek black Maybach. He slid inside the car and tapped on the screen interface over the dashboard. "Mobilize the Clean-Up.", He spoke. "Affirmative.", the screen responded. "Thank you.", replied Jake. Whirrr... He started car engine and took out his phone. He drove his car out of the parking lot as he dialed a number. The phone clicked and Jake spoke- "I have a job for you... Gazeera." As the car zoomed across the night city of Exodus. ######## ######### ######## Mundane Lives: Gazeera Whoosh.... Shaaa.... Whoosh.... [Bay of Marcelan] Winds were blowing, waves were crashing. The Moon shone brightly, giving off an Ethereal vibe. A man stood by the shore, gazing across the vast Horizon. He was resting on the bonnet of a Mustang. He was young, had a pale fair skin, chiseled face, optimally built physique. He was dressed in a three piece suit, a grey vest, a black bow tie with an emerald jutting out of it and a peach white suit. Another man arrived gliding on an Ethereal construct. It was Jake Spencer. "So you came early, Gazeera?", said Jake. "Seems so, just had to confirm a few things here and there. Its not everyday that we have to take out a [Rain Level 6] summon." answered Gazeera. Still staring out into the open horizon. His eyes were jet black, with a bright white iris. "Well then, it seems the clean up crew are yet to arrive." "No they are already here, I have just stationed them to a more secure location." "O-Okay, then", replied Jake. "I guess I''ll just fill you in on the report. Target is Ezekail Theo Lingsay, age 58, Para user unregistered, Criminal record, Assault and Smuggling. He is not priority though. We have to just confirm whether he is alive or not, and apprehend him if he is. Priority is to capture, seal or destroy the-" "[Rain Level 6] disaster." Gazeera murmured. "Yes", Jake confirmed. "Ezekail, that old buffoon. A summon, that too [Rain Level 6]. What were you so obsessed about old man. As if helping you disappear from the system was not enough, you just had to go and do this. That favor was also because you helped B.A.R. make body doubles. Damn....", thought Gazeera. "By the way, Jake did you bring your body double?" "Yeah, why?", Jake said while, pointing at a coffin which was being buried by a summon[GraveKeeper]. "I am just getting an ominous feeling. It is just that despite having [Level 6] influence, this spirit has not yet displaced itself from it''s point of origin nor has it expanded it''s domain." Jake formed a ball of light and dispersed it across the shoreline. No reaction. "Now that you have pointed it out Gazeera, it indeed is a bit weird that-" "Well off we go now.", chimed Gazeera. Grabbing a golden backpack and a silver fanny pack. "Where do we have to go?", asked Jake. "Dock no. 3." "Are you sure?" "Well yes, for two reasons, one being that the Scouts set up their beacon at that dock before proceeding to the lighthouse which is our mission venue, second being that a person has filed for a missing boat case, for the boat which was docked here yesterday.", replied Gazeera, while pointing at the [Dock No. 3] sign. Gazeera started scampering around the Dock as if he was searching for something. He rummaged through files and folders, crates and containers. Until, he finally returned with a silver block in his hand. "With this we might be able to trace their movements, and get to our target. Provided it''s still there and wasn''t a temporary summon or that the scouts didn''t die before reaching the summon." "Don''t worry.", assured Jake. "The scouts reached our target alright." "Well off we go then.", said Gazeera. Forming an Ethereal Construct, hovering and then shooting across the bay. "Let''s do this and return alive.", sighed Jake, while forming an Ethereal Construct and shooting after Gazeera. **************** *************** ************** [Hell Bound Isle: Marcelan Bay] Whooo.... Tap. Jake and Gazeera landed on the island. There was an abandoned light house in front of them. The walls around the Light house were infested with grime, rot and Fungi. "Well someone''s made themselves home.", chuckled Gazeera as he walked towards the rusted metal gates. "Rot and grime, seems to be the effect of plague. Granite floors left untouched. Rusted doors. Traps encountered so far, none.", noted Jake. "What are you doing?", asked Gazeera. "Writing a report." "Can''t you note it down a bit quietly, like keep it to yourself." "All I am saying is that this spirit is way too comfortable, it has already realized that it''s the apex predator. It might even be observing us right now.", defended Jake. "Your stating the obvious." "Damn... Yeesh.", exclaimed Gazeera. "This spirit has tangible intellect beyond instincts. You might want to add that to your report." This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. "What the...", startled Jake. "A spirit will directly devour it''s victims, both will and body. But... But this monstrosity just strung them up for a display." A gruesome scene where corpses were strewn over the gate spelling ''Welcome''. ************* *************** *************** Tap... Tap... Tap... [Ezekail''s Bunker] "Ah, it took you forever to come, my dear guests. I even put up a welcome sign for you. Not that I was expecting you to come.", sneered Echidna, who was sitting on a makeshift throne. "What brings you here spirit?", asked Jake. "Shouldn''t I be the one asking that?", laughed Echidna. "Stand down Jake, and stop asking such obvious questions we already know that she was summoned here. I believe that we should formally introduce ourselves spirit, I am Nasim Shabir Gazeera.", Gazeera introduced himself. (Xyrak(Narrator): Sheesh now I am stating the obvious.) "Well I am not one for introductions.", Echidna mused." But fine, you can call me Echidna Mother of all Monsters." "Well then, Echidna Mother of all Monsters, where is your summoner Ezekail Theo Lingsay?" "Oh, him, he has been long killed by me." "And what do you intend to do now." "Why devour you of course?" Jake shuddered, while Gazeera remained calm. "Just like how you devoured the others." "Yes of course.", Echidna replied grinning. "Don''t worry I will leave your bodies intact, while I tear your existence apart." "Uhhhh... Alrighty then what do you intend to do with this world?", enquired Gazeera. "Stop asking such obvious questions Nasim, this world will be infested by me.", chimed Echidna. "Huuu... So do you realize that you are declaring that this situation is not salvageable." "Yes, your current misfortune is not something you can weasel your way out through diplomacy.", sneered Echidna. "Well that leaves us with no choice, doesn''t it. Jake". Gazeera prepared for battle, while Jake summoned all his relics. Echidna lunged from the throne, with sheer ferocity, across the room going straight at Jake. Her warped eyes gleefully gleaming open wide. Claws outstretched. [Dragon''s Breath] Gazeera blew out big wisps of air. [Ignite] Boom!!! Echidna passed through the flames unphased, Jake quickly followed, spinning and gathering momentum, striking her with a curved Scimitar, covered with a charm of amber. That attack didn''t do much, other than bashing her to the wall. Echidna got back up. Rushed at them again. [Crib of a Spider] White threads of energy flew out of Gazeera''s arms, wrapping itself around the Mother of all Monsters, while Jake followed up holding a hammer in his hand etched with the archaic symbol of Discipline. He swung that hammer down and smashed Echidna''s head. Zzzttss... white sparks flew everywhere. The Archaic symbol brightened as if resonating with [Crib of a Spider] reinforcing it. The monster struggled for a bit, and suddenly went limp. "Is it over?", asked Jake. "NOT YET!!!", yelled Gazeera. His bright white iris warped into the shape of a clock, his eyes went navy blue and started shining brightly. [[Frame] : Echidna transformed herself into black sludge, escaped the [Crib of a Spider], re-formed behind Jake impaling him. Jake died. Gazeera peeked into the future] Gazeera acted quickly, he let go of the energy threads. Took out a red orb from his fanny pack, and smashed it onto Jake''s head. An emblem hovered above his head [Mark of Ignis]. Echidna transformed herself into black sludge, escaped the [Crib of a Spider], re-formed behind Jake impaling him. While she did that Gazeera snapped his fingers and Jake exploded. "AAAARGH!!!", Jake yelled. Boom!!! [Chains of Humanity] translucent, white chains appeared. Gazeera whirled his arms around, orienting and directing the chains which started wrapping itself around Echidna''s core and binding it. [Arachnid''s Hold] Ethereal threads of chaos, flew from Gazeera''s hands spreading across the [Chains of Humanity], grasping firmly onto the core of The Mother of All Monsters. Gazeera Held onto [Arachnid''s Hold], and started tugging and pulling Echidna''s core. Restraining her movements completely. "GRRRAAHHH!!!", roared Echidna. Her deafening roar echoed throughout the shore. ######### ########## ########## Mundane Lives: Gazeera Boom!!! A coffin lid was flung away. [Marcelan Bay] "Gahh!!", a man crawled out of the coffin buried under the sand. He was scampering, twitching and gasping for air. Jake had resurrected using his [Body Double]. "Damn it Gazeera, you could''ve at least given me a warning or an indication. Imploding me to my death. Jesus!", exclaimed Jake, while he stabilized his breath and heartbeat. "Huu... , this [Body Double] will last me a year. I need to find a proper vessel again." "GRRRAAHHH!!!", roared Echidna. Her deafening roar echoed throughout the shore. "Fuck, things have gotten out of hand. We need reinforcements.", said Jake, as he spoke through the comms. "Clean-up crew mobilize, contain the damages. Seal up this place. Nothing should leave this place." Jake then took out his satellite phone, tuned it to the B.A.R. channel node. "MAYDAY MAYDAY, CODE BLOOD NIGHT, ALL NEARBY PERSONNELS REPORT TO [MARCELAN BAY] ASAP!!!", Jake yelled on the phone. Clean-up crew started sealing the bay. They hovered around it and shot seven colors of rainbow. Which merged at one point and expanded into a bright dome of white light. Spanning the whole bay and covered it completely. "[Dome of Iris] has been deployed. Area has been sealed.", A crew member reported through the comms. Jake created a spear of chaos and plunged it to the dome. The spear dispersed. "Confirmed.", said Jake. "Now we have to hold that monster in there till the reinforcements arrive." "One last thing.", Jake now took out a [Transciever] to check nearby paranormal activity. All the zones went blazing red. The device gave the eta. for the reinforcements to arrive, as Ten minutes. "Damn, This is going to be a long night." ************ ************** ************* "GRRRAAHHH!!!", roared Echidna. Her deafening roar echoed throughout the shore. [Ezekail''s Bunker] "YAAARRGGHH", yelled Gazeera as he held onto [Arachnid''s Hold]. "Human, you are very interesting.", mused Echidna. "Huff... So you are finally in the mood to talk. Huh. Huu...", said Gazeera. He was exhausted holding down this monster. Fortunately [Arachnids Hold] would not be breaking anytime soon. "Not really, I smell him on you. There is no way I will forget his scent." "Uhhh...", the situation got a bit awkward for Gazeera. But then suddenly- [[Frame]: Echidna smirks looking at Gazeera''s flustered face. She expands her presence throughout the light house. Merging and focusing as much grime and rot as she can into an orb, and releases it at Gazeera. Instantly corroding and devouring him. Gazeera dies. Gazeera peeked into the future] Echidna smirks looking at Gazeera''s flustered face. She expands her presence throughout the light house. Merging and focusing as much grime and rot as she can into an orb. Gazeera immediately scanned his surroundings using [Orion''s Tact]. His face red from exhaustion. He sensed a giant pungent green orb merging and forming behind him. Echidna shot the green orb forward, straight at Gazeera. Gazeera immediately releases [Arachnid''s hold]. He quickly activates [Charm of Space] and warps away. The orb exploded releasing rot all over the place. Corroding, corrupting and infesting the light house. It started breaking apart, and crumbled down. Gazeera used [Hell Raiser] to quickly burn away the rot. Then he tore a talisman- [Time of an Hour''s Need] The Light House stopped crumbling and the bunker stopped caving in, as if they were stuck in a frame. "This will only last an hour.", Gazeera thought. "I have to either restrain her by then or destroy the rubble." "Huhu, Interesting you actually managed to avoid that.", said Echidna, while she contained [Chains of Humanity] within her, genuinely surprised. "Well then, lets do this the old way.", declared Gazeera. He summoned a wooden staff. Runes of [Algiz] and [Perthro] were etched on it. Echidna growled, while Gazeera took a battle stance. Echidna lunged forward. Furious and ferocious. She projected spikes from her body and launched them at Gazeera, tentacles forming all over her body. She tried to grab him, surrounding him in a shroud of darkness. Rune [Algiz] started shining brightly, Gazeera swirled the staff and swung it. Deflecting every spike coming his way across the room. He swirled, turned and twisted his weapon, dodged and turned as he rushed straight for the Demon. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Echidna smirked, roared and laughed, crazed form the fight, laughing and roaring, roaring and laughing as she barraged Gazeera with her blows, projectiles and rot. [Algiz] never stopped gleaming, like a candle in that looming Darkness. Bright and stubborn. It formed a dome around Gazeera, who continued to swirl that wooden staff like a shield, never faltering as he made his way through that monstrous barrage. He deflected every spike coming his way, blocked every strike form Echidna, kept dodging her grasp continuously, he fought as if his life depended on it, because IT DID!!!, his body screamed of pain, he yelled and screeched from the pain, but kept moving forward unfaltered, determination blazing through his eyes. He was going to reach this monster no matter the cost, no matter the price, he was going to reach this monster as if his life was on the line, because IT WAS!!! Echidna got startled, Gazeera''s aura became more and more dense and terrifying, a shadow loomed over his head. "You... it can''t be... ", Echidna lost her courage for a moment, terrified. Staring at the shadow, pitch black with a tint of blue, yellow flames and dark green light, it had pitch black iris, staring down at her core. "Haa.... Haaa.... Hrraaa...", Gazeera yelled lunging forward, as he struck Echidna with the rune of [Algiz] Boom!!! Gazeera took out a talisman from his fanny pack, and bashed it onto Echidna''s head, his surroundings began to warp and lag. Several bubbles appeared around Echidna, as she groaned and screeched in fright. Several pocket dimensions held her down. She froze as if stuck in a frame. [Testimony of Time] The surroundings kept warping, shifting. Echidna started compressing. "Hehehehe.... ", sneered Echidna. [[Frame]: [Rune of Cham] Echidna augments herself using [Charm of Monstrosity]. [Rune of Cham] corrupts [Testimony of Time]. The seal shatters, Echidna grabs Gazeera consuming him. Gazeera Died. Gazeera peeked into the future.] [Rune of Cham] Echidna augments herself using [Charm of Monstrosity]. Gazeera quickly tore the [Testimony of Time] apart. [Mark of Time] was cast on Echidna. Echidna formed a green orb of infestation, and flings it at him. Gazeera quickly takes out a blue orb and crushes it. Ethereal blue charm of time. A shield in the form of clock surrounds him, the orb gets negated as if time were reversed on it. Gazeera barrel rolled as he dodged the chained barrage of blows from Echidna. Echidna then formed a wave of green rot and sent it straight at Gazeera. He crushed another [Orb of Time] dispelling the attack. "Haaa... You are a [Fragment of Insurgence]. No wonder, that bastard''s scent is on you.", sighed Echidna. "Your under his refuge. Haaa... I will kill you... will kill you." "Huuu... ", Gazeera calmed himself, and reoriented his focus. Echidna didn''t waste anytime, she created multitudes of spikes and held them mid-air. Gazeera gathered multitudes of [Time pellets]. Swish!.... Echidna flung those spikes, Gazeera crushed the pellets. Several white clocks formed behind him, shooting a barrage of Ethereal blue light. Every-time the light struck a spike, that spike would fizzle out. Frustrated, Echidna dashes straight at him, augmenting herself with [Charm of Monstrosity], clenching her fist, running at breakneck speed. Gazeera quickly takes out a disk out of his Golden backpack. Infuses it with chaos. The disk unfurls and expands, forming a bright white shield. [Shield of Iris] deployed. Echidna punched the Shield, sending Gazeera crashing into a wall. [Shield of Iris] still intact. Gazeera got up. Echidna transformed her arms into a pair of molten, rocky chains. Lashing them out on Gazeera. Gazeera infused [Shield of Iris] with more chaos. Then charged at the Demon, as he squeezed the remnants of his Primeval Energy, surrounding himself with the Ethereal blue [Charm of Time]. He lunged at that monster, his surroundings warped and lagged, breaking apart frame by frame, Echidna''s movement drastically slowed down. The [Shield of Iris] shone brightly, Echidna''s eyes widened, a purple beam of light shot forward. Gazeera clapped his hands negating [Time of an Hours Need]. The rubble fell on them. Crash!!! Boom!!! Mundane Lives: Akelus Sfsh... shf.. shf.. shf.. [Foothold of Guluan mountains] "Huff... huff...", a tanned young man was running through the forest. His hair was snow white, all ruffled up resembling a monkey. His body slim, agile and well built. He was carrying a sachet filled with scrolls, and relics, and wore a warrior monks armor. "Damn, barely made it out alive." "AKELUS!!!", a roar echoed throughout the forest, the mountain trembled under the pressure. A man was floating high above the mountain, peering onto the vast expanse of the forest. "Surrender, and the Murim Alliance may spare your life.", said the man as his voice rumbled across the mighty mountain range. Dongfang Zhang, the benevolent and powerful sect leader of the Mt. Hua sect, spearheading the Murim Alliance. "Akelus, I won''t give you another chance to redeem yourself, to repent on your past deeds. Continue this charade, and I will... end your miserable life." "....", Akelus just kept running, in fact he bolted even faster. "I know you can hear me, you thief. So, this is your response. A futile resistance. Hmm... so be it.", Sect Leader Zhang, assimilated his Qi together, Cherry blossom petals covered him, and he disappeared. In his place stood a giant white tree, cherry blossoms blooming from it. [Fall of Autumn] One by one the blossoms withered and fell down. Rustle... Whroosh... Withered pink blossoms crashed, raining down on the forest. First pink, slowly withering to peach and finally burning red. "Shit, the geezer won''t let off easy this time, huh?", chuckled Akelus. his eyes shining, as he bolted even faster. [Pathfinder] Several arrows appeared around Akelus, pointing in different directions. Some shined in bright gold while some were red, others were mostly colored black. "These many dead ends. Damn, it seems that the esteemed Sect Leader really wishes to kill me.", said Akelus, as he ran in the direction that the golden arrows were pointing. BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!! The gigantic blossoms rained upon the lands, razing the forest, burning it away. A chain reaction. Some parts of the forest turned barren, while some caught on fire. Ethereal green [Aura of Nature], spread across the forest, healing it, returning it''s lush greenery. While Akelus avoided every blossom crashing upon him as he followed the Golden trail of arrows. "Forest of Guluan, it is to be expected, it won''t be razed to the ground. Qi around here is quiet dense.", sighed Sect Leader Zhang. "It is the ruins of Sheng He after all. We cannot smoke out that wretched cur." "What to do now Alliance Master?", said Feng Ren, Sect Leader of Wudang. "Command our troops to scour the forest, Akelus won''t leave Guluan alive.", thundered Sect Leader Zhang. "At your behest, Alliance master.", bowed Feng Ren. Feng Ren descended. "Gather the seven Dragons, Tell them trace down Akelus. The three Phoenixes will seal up Guluan.", Feng Ren, ordered one of the Wudang elders. ************* ************** ************** "Huuu..." [Foothold of Guluan Mountains] Three Platoons were marching forward, lead by three young men, who were flying above, surveying the forest. "It''s him again... it''s always him. Stealing from us, right under our nose, yet again making a fool out of all of us.", sighed Kai Sheng, Young master of Mt. Hua Sect. "So all the more reason for us to capture him this time, senior brother. We have to make sure he does not escape.", said Xie He, First sword of the Wudang sect. "But it''s Akelus. He always escapes." said Bao Hu, Kunlun Sect''s First Disciple. Right then, a translucent light shot up, a barrier formed . [Dome of Myriad Tribulations] "And right now, we have to make sure that he doesn''t, for he has taken something extremely important for our righteous cause. That''s why we have all the seven Dragons and three Phoenixes working together.", retorted Xie He. "Dragons of other sect have already started combing this forest, while the three Phoenix have finished sealing up this place. We have to make sure Akelus does not escape this time, otherwise our reputation would tarnish for the entirety of Jianghu." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Enough.", Kai Sheng glared. "From here on out, we will spread our forces. Xie He, you will search Mt. Hundun and Bao Hu you will cover the Valley of Shenyuan. Akelus won''t leave Guluan alive." "Yes Young Master.", both Xie he and Bao Hu bowed in unison. ************ **************** ************* "Damn..." [Foothold of Guluan Mountains] [Dome of Myriad Tribulations] "They sealed up this place.", sighed Akelus, while he perched up on a tree, observing the situation. "This really makes it a bit difficult for me to escape. So they expect to trap me, while defending against their competitors, huh. Killing two birds with one stone." "This doesn''t work for me at all, not one bit.", he continued. "I have to get out of here, before the Unorthodox Sects and the Demonic Cult arrive. Before this whole thing blows into a three way war, or things will get nasty." [Pathfinder] His eyes shone brightly. Several arrows appeared around him. A single Gold one, while the rest were either red or black. "Things are not looking too good for me.", Akelus'' face darkened and his gaze became sharp. He dived from the tree and landed on the ground, stashing his loot into a golden space ring. Akelus then summoned two draconian gauntlets [Fudan]. He cautiously walking towards the Translucent barrier, following the trail of Golden Arrows. When Suddenly- A dagger wrapped in purplish-black energy, shot at him. Akelus lifted his arms and deflected it using his gauntlets. "It seems that the young masters have finally caught up.", mused Akelus, he was being surrounded by a platoon of soldiers. "This is as far as you go, Akelus.", declared Kai Sheng, his sword unsheathed. Xie he and Bao hu behind him. Xie He wielded a blade, while Bao Hu readied his mace. "You have a good sense of humor, Young Master of Mt. Hua Sect.", sneered Akelus. "For this is exactly what you said last time, and I still got away. Though I must say that, seeing all you clowns gathered together to capture a lowly thief like me, it is truly an embarrassment." Kai Sheng''s expression turned stiff, his veins popped out. "Even in this situation you just have to run your mouth don''t you, you scum.", he retorted. "You only have your own incompetence to blame.", Akelus grimaced, his eyes shining. "You can''t even catch a petty thief like me, heh." [Pathfinder] A Golden mark was etched where Akelus was standing. "So it''s favorable for me if I hold this spot, huh.", thought Akelus. "All of us are gathered here to make sure that you don''t slither away.", hissed Chen Mo, Hand of Huashan, as he crept out of the shadows. Akelus tensed up a bit. "Surrender our treasures now, and we may spare your miserable life.", warned Kai Sheng. "Your treasures?... your ignorance is through the roof. These are my spoils, Kai Sheng.", glared Akelus. "And I won''t be parting from them any time soon." "That leaves us no choice now does it, I''ll just strip them off your corpse.", mocked Kai Sheng, as he strode forward, as reddish-pink Qi wrapped his sword, advancing towards Akelus. The platoon prepared for battle. Remaining Dragons circled around Akelus like vultures. "I''d like to see you try.", chuckled Akelus, while he took on battle stance, reinforcing himself with Ethereal golden Qi. ########### ########### ########## Mundane Lives: Akelus Twang... Clang... [Foothold of Guluan Mountains] Kai Sheng swung his sword at Akelus. Akelus turned his arm to block the strike. BOOM!!! Most of the soldiers lost their footing as they got swept away by the shockwaves. While the three dragons got pushed back a bit. Akelus flipped backwards focusing his golden Qi onto his fist. While Kai Sheng swung his blade yet again, wrapped in reddish-pink aura, shearing through the air. Akelus twisted himself mid-air, nearly dodging Kai Sheng''s blade and launched himself at him. The reddish-pink aura arched forward into a crescent, cutting everything in its path, soldiers and trees alike. While Akelus lunged at him, his fists reinforced with Golden Qi. BANG!!! [Fudan] crashed onto Kai Sheng, flinging him away. BOOM!!! Xie He dived for Akelus, while Bao hu and Chen Mo swooped in from the sides. Xie He dashed forward shrouding himself with a bright white Qi, his blade gleaming brightly, scorching everything in it''s path. Bao Hu readied his mace wrapping it with grey Qi, crushing everything in his path. Chen Mo gripped his daggers harnessing it with a purplish-black Qi, shrouding everything in darkness. [Pathfinder] Akelus'' eyes started shining brightly, four arrows appeared around him. Three of them were red, while the fourth one was black. But the whole area was etched in gold. "Huuu...", sighed Akelus, as he bolted in the direction of the black arrow. Akelus covered himself with Golden Qi while he bolted forward, three warriors were charging right at him. When suddenly- Kai Sheng struck his blade forward, concentrating his Qi to the tip of his sword. Akelus twisted himself, dodging Kai Sheng''s attack getting behind him. Kai Sheng quickly spun back, whirling his blade. Akelus raised his arms blocking Kai Sheng''s attack and jumped back. Xie He quickly followed up, as he swung his blade at Akelus. While Bao Hu, lunged from above, crashing his mace down. Akelus deflected Bao Hu''s strike with one hand, while parried Xie He''s sword with the other. He quickly spun around punching Xie He right in the face, simultaneously hitting Bao Hu with a back kick. BOOM!!! CRASH!!! Both of them were sent sent flying backwards, crashing into the trees. [Pathfinder] Two arrows formed around Akelus. One was black, while the other was a trail of golden arrows. Ethereal green [Aura of Nature] spread across the forest, healing it. Vines started sprouting, wrapping itself around dead trees, reinforcing them, making them stronger than ever before. Forest''s lush greenery returned, corpses of dead soldiers were being consumed by the land. The forest darkened, the shadows became sharper. Chen Mo crept out of the shadows with his daggers ready, lunging at Akelus. Akelus quickly climbed up the vines following the golden trail of arrows, nearly dodging Chen Mo. Charging himself with golden Qi, Akelus jumped from one vine to another, from one tree to another, while the rest kept barraging him with their attacks crushing, scorching and plundering everything in their path. The Dragons went on warpath disregarding everyone, with their sole objective of subduing Akelus. Akelus kept swirling, flailing and whirling his arms, as he blocked and deflected every attack coming his way, while he followed the golden trail of arrows. He lunged up, concentrating his Qi onto his fist. Spun around facing the Four Dragons and released his Qi in the form of a fist. [Heaven Defying Fist] BAM!!! The entire area was flattened, as golden shockwaves spread everywhere. Soldiers fell apart as they got swept away by the shockwaves. Xie He, Bao Hu got knocked out, heavily injured. Chen Mo got flung to the sky. Kai Sheng lay flat in the center of the crater, bleeding, his sword shattered, his arms pulverized, hanging by his body. "Like I said, all of you are just clowns, dancing around for attention.", sneered Akelus, as he landed on the golden mark etched by [Pathfinder]. "All it took was one well timed attack. Heh." Ethereal [Aura of Nature] returned the forest to its lush greenery, making it stronger than before. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "I still have to hold this spot to get out, huh.", thought Akelus. [Pathfinder] Two arrows appeared. One black and another a golden trail of arrows. SWOOSH... BANG!!! A bright beam of light shot from the sky, scorching the land. Akelus quickly concentrated his Qi into a shield. "Such cruel slaughter.", sighed Feng ren, Sect Leader of Wudang Sect, as he descended. "Huh, those soldiers were slaughtered by your own Young masters.", retorted Akelus healing his burns with a pill. "A pathetic attempt to shift blame, thief.", said Sect Leader Ren, he unsheathed his sword. "First, I am not a thief. I am the one who searched for the [Ruins of Sheng He], I am the one who found his treasure. These are my spoils. You just followed me here." said Akelus. "Second, it really was your esteemed Young masters who slaughtered their own soldiers, despite of how it looks. "I am not here to be lectured brat!", thundered Sect Leader Ren, Ten bright white swords formed behind him. "I am here to bring you to justice." "Yeah... right.", grimaced Akelus, as he took battle stance and charged [Fudan]. Sect Leader Ren slowly advanced towards Akelus. The white swords turning behind him and pointing at Akelus. Sect Leader raised his blade, charging it with white Qi and struck down. The white swords shot forward along with a crescent shape arc. "Fuck.", Akelus charged up his Qi forming a shield, as he retreated back. BOOM!!! The swords struck and crescent slashed, shattering the shield and flinging Akelus back. Akelus, his eyes shining brightly, formed a Qi construct and used it like a foothold to jump higher and retreat. [Pathfinder] A golden mark was gleaming brightly on the ground, while a red arrow formed above. A sword struck upon Akelus, slashing him. He fell down. A man peered from above, floating in the sky. Dongfang Zhang, Murim Alliance Master and Sect Leader of Mt. Hua Sect. "Going somewhere?.. cowardly cur.", He said. Blood gushed out of Akelus'' wound. He stood up pale and weak. Sect Leader Zhang descended. "Surrender.", his voice thundered. " And I assure you that your life will be spared. There will be justice. You will be given a chance to redeem yourself. Considering your feat of finding the elusive [Ruins of Sheng He], the Murim Alliance will use your skills for the righteous cause and betterment of millions." "Thanks, but no thanks.", chuckled Akelus, as he chucked another pill into his mouth.. Dongfang Zhang strode forward not saying another word. His aura grew heavy and sharp, spreading violently. Akelus became tense. Feng Ren readied his sword, shrouding it in white light. Everything went bizzarely silent. Just the sounds of approaching footsteps were heard. Tap... Tap... Tap... Akelus lunged backwards randomly not following any arrow, the golden mark etched by [Pathfinder] gleaming brighter than ever. Several red and black arrows surrounded him. Sect Leader Ren charged at him, while Sect Leader Zhang swung his blade. Several bright pink petals of cherry blossoms spread across the forest, cutting everything it touched. Hundreds of Bright white sword appeared in the sky raining down, burning everything in its path. Akelus raised his arms up, using [Fudan] he formed a shield around him. He formed a Qi construct as a foothold and lunged even higher to the sky. Dongfang Zhang, focused his Qi, and concentrated the pink petals into a vortex, shooting it at Akelus. Feng Ren assimilated all the swords he formed into a single mighty sword and launched it at Akelus. Both the attacks combined together, resembling cherry blossoms swept in a gust of wind, shrouded by blinding light. [Heaven''s Mercy] BOOM!!! The attack struck Akelus, who further reinforced his shield, tanking it. He spun around grasping momentum, redirecting the attack. "No.... No, He isn''t-", stammered the flustered Sect Leader Ren. When- Red draconian attack came from outside the barrier, while Akelus redirected [Heaven''s Mercy] onto the the barrier. BOOM!!! After a thunderous shockwave the barrier shattered. "AKELUS!!!", three voices thundered. Mundane Lives: Akelus "AKELUS!!!", three voices thundered. [Edge of Guluan Forest] There were two figures hovering high in the sky. Demonic Cult''s Arch Demon Dongfang Kongbu and the leader of the Five Great families of Jianghu, the patriarch of The Mighty Tang Family Tang Jieshu. Sect Leader Zhang roared at Akelus, who was flying away. "STOP HIM!!!". The warriors of Murim rushed forth. Rushed forward with keen battle intent. Determination burning in their eyes. They unsheathed their swords, assimilated their aura. Charging towards Akelus. They leapt to the sky like a human wave of swords and aura, engulfing Akelus. [Pathfinder] Several arrows appeared around Akelus. Most of them were grey. There was a single red arrow. The Golden mark etched below fizzled out. Akelus charged [Fudan] with golden Qi, and clasped his hands together. [Fudan] [Wraith of Dawn] Ten golden beams of light formed thoroughly clasped by Akelus, as he spun around. any murim soldier who was exposed to this light just disintegrated. That wave of human warriors was getting immensely reduced, with multitudes of experts just dusting away, devoured by the light. Patriarch Jeishu shot a purplish-green beam. It left a trail of pungent air, shooting straight at Akelus. Akelus formed a Qi construct mid air and jumped aside, while activating the golden Qi shield. The green beam grazed the shield, as Akelus barely avoided the attack. [Pathfinder] Akelus'' eyes shone brightly. Several arrows formed around him, most of the grey arrows were rapidly turning red. There were no golden arrows, nor a golden mark. "Tch...", grimaced Akelus, as he became extremely tense. He started getting anxious. Patriarch Jieshu glided along the wind, surfing it. He constantly shot purplish-green beams of poison at Akelus, and each beam left a trail of pungent air. Akelus kept avoiding the vicious beams of poison, while slaughtering the orthodox hoard. Intensity of Tang Jieshu''s attack kept increasing along with his speed, as he spiraled around Akelus. Sect Leader Zhang shot forward, leaving a trail of blossom petals. These petals dispersed into the surroundings forming a pink dome around Dongfang Zhang. [Cherry Garden] There was a turbulent flow of blossoms around Dongfang Zhang with an extremely dense reddish pink Qi wrapped blade. He charged at Akelus, roaring. Arch Demon Dongfang Kongbu quickly lunged forward. Carrying a long sword, shrouded in dark red Qi. Holding the blade high he crashed down. Blocking Dongfang Zhang, putting him in a deadlock. "What!?!", Sect Leader Zhang was furious, while Patriarch Jieshu continued with his onslaught. Blood red liquid flowed out of Demons Kongbu''s pores, immensely spreading around him. A river of blood trailed behind him. It started squirming, spiraling around the Arch Demon Kongbu. [Bloody Gallows] The trail of squirming blood clashed with the turbulent cherry blossoms. The blossoms cutting down everything in it''s path, while the blood containing everything. "What are you doing?", said The Arch Demon Kongbu, in a calm, resolute tone. "Are you trying to kill him? He is better captured alive than dead." "Do you think I don''t know that?!", thundered Sect Leader Zhang. "Get out of my way!!!" Aura of [Cherry Garden] intensified, Sect Leader Zhang''s gaze became very vicious. Aura around him started getting more and more heavy and dangerous. The blossoms started moving even more wildly, cutting the very air itself. Dongfang Kongbu winced a bit, pressured by Sect Leader Zhang''s onslaught. [Bloody Gallows] was slowly getting devoured by [Cherry Garden]. Arch Demon Kongbu grimaced, assimilating and concentrating more Qi, stabilizing the situation. "You are doing this despite knowing that. Come to your senses Zhang.", reprimanded Kongbu. "If you kill him, all of us will be losing a decade worth of research. Without him, we might not be able to enter the [Ruins of Sheng He] ever again!!!" "That does not matter.", said Dongfang Zhang coldly, as he swung his Qi condensed blade. Twang!!! The collision resonated throughout the battlefield. An immense battle had started. Experts of both Murim alliance and the Demonic cult clashed while their leaders fought above. The human wave around Akelus dispersed, now attacking the Demonic Cult. "Charge!!!", yelled Patriarch Jieshu, looking at the receding wave of Murim warriors. "Don''t let him escape!!!" Soldiers of the five great families got into formation, and targeted Akelus. They threw various attacks at him. Draconian Canons were fired, arrows were launched, poison was deployed. These soldiers constantly changed their formation, moving in an unpredictable manner. Their attacks well coordinated. Trying to effectively cut off all paths of escape for Akelus. "Not good... not good...", huffed Akelus, as he frantically tried dodging the relentless barrage. His eyes shined brightly. [Pathfinder] Several arrows appeared around him, some were red, while most of them were grey. Akelus charged himself with golden Qi, as he rose higher and higher into the sky. He formed an Ethereal Qi fist and launched it at Tang Jieshu''s forces. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. [Heaven Defying Fist] BOOM!!! Soldiers quickly broke ranks and dispersed, nearly dodging the [Heaven Defying Fist]. Though there were some casualties. But that didn''t hinder them and they rejoined for a pincer strike. Akelus was now surrounded on both sides, with Patriarch Jieshu constantly restraining his movement using the poison beam barrage. The area was now covered by a tinge of purplish green mist. Jieshu''s army barraging Akelus with canon fire, arrows and poison. Most of them were blocked by Akelus'' Qi shield, while some got through. Cannon fire burned and charred him, arrows impaled him, while the poison festered on his open wounds. "Cough", Akelus coughed up some blood, it had a dark tinge of green. Tang Jieshu stopped, blankly staring at Akelus. His face betrayed no emotions. He raised his hand as a signal for his army to stop. The soldiers stopped in unison, even dispersing their ongoing attacks. "Damn, Tang clan''s Patriarch is as sharp as ever.", sighed Akelus, while popping a healing pill. His wounds got healed superficially, while the poison inside him got temporarily suppressed. "It seems he really is in a bad mood. Didn''t expect him to let me off after the [Excavation Hall] scam.", he thought. His eyes shone brightly. [Pathfinder] Several arrows formed around him. Most of the grey arrows in front of him started turning red. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck. Tang Jieshu slowly gliding towards him, his hands forming a gaseous orb of grayish-blue poison. Akelus instinctively backed up. Jieshu''s army below prepared for any unpredictable event. Cannon''s ready, arrows knocked to their bows and of course there was poison as well. [Pathfinder] Grey arrows were rapidly turning red. There were no golden arrows, nor a golden mark. [Pathfinder] Same results. [Pathfinder] [Pathfinder] [Pathfinder] ... Akelus got extremely tense and anxious. He instinctively ran back to the [Forest of Guluan] in order to reduce the pressure on him. To get Tang Jieshu and his army off his back. Tang Jeishu glided after Akelus, who shot multiple rays of Golden Qi at him. Akelus assimilated Golden Qi onto his palm and clasped his hands together. Ten beams of Golden Light formed. [Wraith of Dawn], Akelus held the beams above his head, while flying towards the forest. He arched his hands sidewards, and the ten beams started spinning rapidly. [Wraith of Dawn], form two, [Dawn Chakra]. Akelus flung [Dawn Chakra] at Patriarch Jieshu, who nearly dodged it. Still, Tang Jieshu, faced someone impact form the attack, which temporarily threw him off. [Dawn Chakra] turned and twisted targeting Jieshu''s army, who quickly set up their defenses. Akelus flew even faster towards the forest. Patriarch Jieshu tried to balance himself. While his army had their frontlines decimated. Most of the cannons were destroyed by [Dawn Chakra], there were some casualties among the archers, while the poison users were mostly safe, with few minorly injured here and there. The Patriarch frowned, glaring at Akelus. Akelus was still bolting towards the forest, when- [Pathfinder] A pitch black mark formed over his head. Akelus felt a chill down his spine. The intense scent of death. A pure ethereal white blade shot at him from below, pouring intense heat and dazzling white flames. A dark red eel of blood flew at him from the right, while a flurry of bright pink blossom pincered him from the left. Akelus formed a Qi construct to jump forward, trying to evade this deathly pincer. BOOM!!! The scorching blade charred him, his flesh burning. The eel''s body grazed his legs draining it of it''s blood. While the flurry of cherry blossoms immensely cut through his flesh, leaving an open gushing wound. He was flung into the sky. "Aauurgh!", groaned Akelus, as his mind got muddled by the pain. He was alive, but barely. He quickly stabilized his Qi, he was breathing roughly. Still rising high up the sky, flailing around randomly. He formed a Qi construct below him stabilizing his footing. He slid across the construct, His left arm hanging loose by his side, bleeding extensively. Blood with dark green tinge oozing out of his body, dripping on the bright gold Qi construct. But still he kept retreating, he kept running backwards to the forest. Patriarch Tang Jieshu was the first one to charge after him, followed by Demon Dongfang Kongbu, Sect Leader Dongfang Zhang, Sect Leader Feng Ren. Akelus started sweating profusely. The situation was extremely dire. He popped another pill, though it had meagre effect, forming clot around some major wounds temporarily closing them. His breathing steadily stabilized as he flipped backwards, diving into the forest. "Damn!!!", yelled Sect Leader Ren. "There is no other choice, our forces shall pursue him through the forest. While we survey from the skies.", said Patriarch Jieshu, calmly. Four of them shot forward in the direction that Akelus ran, while their forces charged from below. ########## ######### ######### Mundane Lives: Akelus shf... shf... shf... [Forest of Guluan] "Haah... Haa... Huuu... ", Akelus dragged his bone dry leg, dark green blood gushing from his bleeding arm. Sweating profusely, his robes drenched. Parts around his clot were turning green, rotting. His face partially burnt and his hair slightly charred. He took a pill, which just seemed to have lost it''s effects, other than seemingly controlling some of the green poison''s spread. His open wounds were not closing. There was a pink aura cutting at his wounds. Akelus took out some bandages from his golden ring and started wrapping it around his arm, to stop the bleeding. "There he is!... GET HIM!!!", yelled a Murim Warrior pointing at the bushes. The rest of the platoon readied their weapons. Akelus leaped forward, limping at an incredible pace. His eyes gleaming and bleeding. The platoon charged forward, blowing a warhorn. BWROON!!! A powerful roar rumbled across the vast stretches of the [Forest of Guluan]. Several platoons were signaled. They charged forward towards the source, while blowing more warhorns. BWROON!!! BWROON!!! BWROOHN!!!... "Found him." Tang Jieshu said with a cold glint in his eyes. "Right then, Let''s get on with it.", Sect Leader Zhang declared. "No, you will stay, and... that''s final.", said Dongfang Kongbu." You will intervene, only when Akelus refuses to co-operate, because then we would kill him anyway." Dongfang Zhang just glared at both Demon Kongbu and Patriarch Jieshu, then sighed. "I will tail that thief. Demon Kongbu will take to the skies, while presumably Sect Leader Ren will help me trap Akelus, but Feng Ren do remember no killing, till he is co-operating." said Tang Jieshu "Yes, Tang Patriarch, Sect leader Ren will help you", assured Dongfang Zhang, with a smile. ********** ********* *********** BWROON!!! [Forest of Guluan] "DAMN IT ALL!!!", yelled Akelus, as he kept limping through the forest. "This is exactly the opposite of what I wanted!!!, Where did it go wrong?!?, he thought." Things are bad as it is, good thing the Forbidden City is not involved yet. WAIT!!!, what am I thinking... positive thoughts... positive thoughts. I can get through this. Yes, I can." His eyes gleamed. [Pathfinder] Several arrows appeared around him most of them red, some grey spots, but fortunately a grey string of arrows leading a path out. "Not great, yes...", Akelus grimaced." But!.. I have worked with worse." Akelus turned assimilating his Qi to his fist, and then slammed it into the ground sending a shockwave of golden Qi, momentarily dissipating the relentlessly charging horde. Trees were uprooted and soldiers were sent flying away, the ground beneath crumbled and quaked. "The sovereigns are immensely enraged. DON''T LET HIM GET AWAY!!!", yelled a Tang clansman, rallying his people behind. "YAAARGH", everyone charged towards Akelus unhindered and determined. "Fuck", grimaced Akelus, as he limped away, shooting golden beams of Qi at the mob. The horde still, rallied on with it''s relentless charge. Some got hit while rest rushed forth unrelenting and determined. A dark green [Aura of Nature] started spreading across the [Forest of Guluan]. The shadows grew darker and murkier. The aura festered on the wounded soldiers. "What the...", a soldier wondered, as the aura patched his wounds with green tissues. Delighted at the sight of the patched up wound, he exclaimed, "THE HEAVENS ARE WITH U-". Suddenly, thick vines sprouted forth rooting the soldier and the people around him. The green tissue grew and festered, sprouting on him, draining his life force to a husk. Vines entered the festering green tissues, drawing the soldiers to the ground, eating them alive. [Pathfinder] Lot of the red arrows around Akelus started turning grey. A extremely Magenta mark on him. "What is happening...", as Akelus looked around, he could see a dark Green Aura trying to surround him. {An intense sense of dread} He quickly surrounded himself with ethereal golden Qi , warding off the Dark Green Aura. "Just focus on getting out of here, Akelus.", he thought, as a dark-silver shadow loomed over him. He bolted forward, hopping on one foot. Leaping and rolling all the while evading the murky green aura surrounding him. Patriarch Jieshu swooped from above, gliding along the wind, forming two vicious pale blue orbs on his palms. The orbs spun into a vortex spraying murky white-blue fluid on the forest, leaving behind a trail of corroding trees and soldiers alike, eroding the very land beneath. Infesting the forest. The forest started to rumble and wail loudly. It''s ground grumbling and shaking. A vicious green aura surrounding it, violently containing the spread of the poison. Demon Kongbu assimilated dark red Qi, aura around him started getting heavy. Condensing his demonified Qi into an Orb, dyeing the sky red. He flung it to the ground. BOOM!!! Pulsating red waves of energy rampaged through the forest, uprooting trees, burning the ground, flattening the entire area. Huge gusts of wind and mist blew past the forest. Akelus staggered against the roaring winds, his eyes gleaming. His face pale and his body exhausted. Cold dread reflecting on his eyes, fearing the outcome of this situation. One last time- [Pathfinder] The entire area was pitch black. A black mark had appeared on Akelus. "Hahaha... That was quiet a chase you gave us there, Akelus, I am Impressed!!!", exclaimed Dongfang Kongbu. "You almost got away." he smirked sarcastically. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "You have nowhere left to run, cur. Surrender now.", said Tang Jieshu, hovering in the sky. "Cooperate and we will spare your miserable life." Akelus looked back at the forest, he was near the edge. Freedom was just few miles ahead. "Don''t even think about it.", warned the Wudang Sect leader Feng Ren, stepping out of the shadows with his sword gleaming white. "Today is the day you will be brought to justice." "Hahahaha!!!", Akelus roared. "Justice!!! Justice, you say. There is no justice here. All I see is the ever righteous Orthodox sect siding with Demons and the ever pompous Great Clans ganging up on a lonesome wanderer, a vagabond. There is no Justice here, it''s all a farce, a hoax." Akelus sighed, anxiety and fear overwhelming him, he said, "I will never surrender." The tension rose, and Sect Leader Dongfang Zhang, strode out in the open. "We should have killed him a long time ago, there is no use reasoning with someone who is this far-gone." he said, as he readied his blade. But before anyone could act, Akelus quickly threw out a silver ring to the ground, and lunged up high. And as he was running, he yelled, "I might be far-gone, but I am not crazy enough to fight all of you at once!!!" "He is lying!!!", exclaimed Tang Jieshu. "There is no way he would abandon his spoils, AFTER HIM!!!" He dashed after him, but then stopped. Dongfang Kongbu, Dongfang Zhang and even Feng Ren, all were rooted, not budging an inch, never taking their eyes off the silver ring. "With Akelus, we can never be sure.", said the Demon Kongbu, with a grim look on his face. "He maybe telling the truth, or not." continued Alliance master Zhang. "There is no harm in confirming things." "He will get away by that time!", exclaimed Patriarch Jieshu. "So you can go after him. We will stay here and check this ring.", said Alliance master Zhang, never taking his eyes off the ring. Tang Jieshu swallowed his anger with bloodshot eyes. As he dashed after Akelus. The forest started rumbling loudly, a very dark and murky green aura started surrounding it. Pale grey mist started blowing from the ground, several corpses crawled out of it, growling and screeching. The had pale grey skin with wood bark covering their hands, face, and backs. These corpses turned their head, surrounding all the five warriors. They howled in unision as they charged wildly towards all the five warriors. The forest swayed as it''s ground started to rumble, as if it were roaring and mocking. "The Jiangshi!!!", yelled Dongfang Kongbu."Hold your ground!!!" Alliance Master Dongfang Zhang and Sect Leader Feng Ren readied their blades, holding them high. All the three struck simultaneously, sending forth waves of pure Qi and destruction, slicing, cutting and butchering everything as they made their way towards the silver ring. The land beneath them rose and rumbled. Their feet sunk within the ground rooting them, several vines sprouted forth binding them, while the Jiangshi surrounded them cackling, growling and howling. Patriarch Tang Jeishu chased after Akelus, roaring in rage and fury. "STOP COWARD!!!" Akelus just kept limping forward ignoring the Patriarch''s Temper. Straining his eyes, which were gleaming bright, desperately trying to find a way out. [Pathfinder] Nothing, other than a black mark over his head. There was a similar mark over the Tang Patriarch''s head as well. The land beneath rose and rumbled. The ground became muddy like a swamp. The trees around came alive, shrubs started to grow wildly, the grass grew into sharp spikes. The forest raged and whirled. More vines sprouted, spreading wildly binding everything it touched. It surrounded Patriarch Jieshu, restraining him and dragging him away. He sunk into the land as the forest devoured his life force to a husk. Akelus kept leaping forward, hopping on one leg. Forest''s edge was a few miles away. The forest of Guluan was viciously trying to surround him. Trees swaying wildly, shrubs were growing violently, the grass blades sharp as ever. The sprouted vines furiously trying to bind Akelus. It was as if the whole forest had come to life. A mighty green aura tried to surround Akelus, while he desperately held on to his life by warding it with his own Golden Qi. His eyes were gleaming, only this time with a bright azure light. [Pathfinder] A line of Azure blue arrows appeared in front of Akelus, leading him out of the forest. Akelus instinctively followed it, jumping over the shrubs, skidding across the vines, swinging by the trees. All the while having a dark-silver shadow looming over his head. The forest was closing in, the exit was being blocked by it. Akelus bolted forward, leaping. Ignoring the lashes from the shrubs, the sharp edges of the grass and the swinging trees. He was desperately running for his life evading every vine trying to hold him back, and avoiding being devoured by the land beneath. He crossed the edge, leaping forward getting out of that blasted Forest, just as it closed off the exit. Akelus stabilized his Qi, and calmed himself down. He checked his golden ring. Everything seemed to be in order. "AHA!!!, I am free!!!", Akelus roared, as exhaustion hit him. He staggered a bit and then fell. A man descended, clad in the robes of a monk. It was one of the seven Dragons. The Divine Lotus Haoqi Xin. As Akelus'' conscious was fading away, he heard the monk say: "Amitabul" ############# ############# ############ Mundane Lives: Akelus Ting!... [Shuijing Senlin Temple Shaolin] Wind Chimes were clinking along the blowing breeze, a soothing metallic sound. There were few lit lamps, with some incense sticks lit, providing a calming and comforting fragrance of lotus. A man lay on a bed, with the moon shining brightly on him, and the wind ruffling his hair. His well-tanned face calm and serene. Blank with no emotions on them. His glistening snow white hair, slightly charred yet shining brightly in the darkness. Akelus was sleeping, heavily injured as he was, his arms bandaged and his right leg plastered. All the open wounds on his body were stitched and a green paste covered them. There were a few monks beside him, some tending to his festering wounds due to Patriarch Jieshu''s poison, while the rest were feeding him with pills and potions. Divine Lotus Haoqi Xin was supervising, with his arms crossed as he leaned against a wall facing the unconscious Akelus. "Graaurrgh", groaned Akelus as he woke up, startled. He was greeted by the monks who were tending him, with a smile on their faces. "Where am I?", Akelus questioned. "You are in the Crystal Forest of the Shaolin.", replied Haoqi Xin, as he walked towards Akelus. Akelus grinned, as he said, "Are the Shaolin confident enough to face backlash from every faction of Murim, Just for Helping me?". "No", retorted the Divine Lotus Xin. "We are not, if not for the high priest requesting us to save you we wouldn''t have done so." "Ouch, that was harsh." Akelus smirked. "Isn''t compassion what you monks always preach about.". "Forgive me, Golden Boy of fortune, I feel no compassion nor sympathy towards you, only disdain.", replied Haoqi Xin. "It might be due to my inexperience, that I cannot understand you or your intentions like the High Priest does." Addressing to the monks, The Divine lotus Xin said, "Elders, it''s about time. He is awake now. The High Priest would like to meet him." The monks nodded, completing dressing Akelus up in bandages, covering him in a monk''s garb. They gave him a wooden cane to help him walk. It had a Taijitu symbol etched onto it. Akelus held onto the cane and stood up. Haoqi Xin led Akelus to the glistening crystal verandah, as Akelus limped behind him. At the center of the place, sat an aged monk, with a serene smile on his face, sipping tea. "Elder, he is awake now." , said Haoqi Xin. "I can see that apprentice, you may leave now.", replied the High priest Juda Lijie. The Divine Lotus bowed and departed. The High Priest Lijie gestured Akelus to sit down. Akelus stood for a bit staring blankly at the monk, and then sat down. "Tea?", asked The High Priest. "No thanks, Old man.", said Akelus. "Let''s get to the point, why did you save me?, Do you also want "your" piece of the treasure?". "Oh no no, young man.", chuckled the Old Monk. "I may not have enlightened myself as much as the Great Buddha did, but I have aged enough to understand the significance of desire and the essence of irony." "Whatever, do you want it or not?", sighed Akelus. "I have made myself clear, I do not.", said The High Priest Juda Lijie. "As for why you were saved, let''s just say, your intentions as pure as they may be, they are misguided. You are special you know." "Why do you monks have to be so cryptic, huh, can''t you just say things bluntly.", Akelus said. "And what was that about my intentions being misguided, are you here to have me embrace the ways of Buddha." "No, the essence of Buddha''s teachings are to live in Irony, embracing both chaos and order." said The High Priest. "The middle path is not one for you, Oh Golden Boy of Fortune. You are attached to this world and that is noble. That is good. You cherish this world, and you want to live in it. You have no intention of breaking through the cycle of reincarnation." "If not sermons, then why am I here, why did you save me?", asked Akelus. "To guide you, Akelus.", said The Great Monk Juda Lijie, with a stern look on his face. "You want to live in this world yes, but you are very frivolous. You relish this world, wanting live in it with utmost freedom, Akleus. That, is a noble ambition." "Don''t speak to me as if you know me, old man.", reprimanded Akelus. "I am not, Akelus. In fact even if you tell me about your whole life, I may barely know who you truly are.", said The High Priest Lijie, with a smile on his face. "But one thing is certain you want to relish this world don''t you, you want to cherish everything it has to offer don''t you. Be genuine to yourself Akelus, what is it that you truly want from this world?". Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "I want it to leave me alone.", said Akelus. "I want to do whatever I want, whenever I want to." "You yearn for freedom, from the society, from the people suppressing you, you want to truly live in this world, don''t you. With no shackles, nor any obligation, binding you holding you back.", said the Smiling Monk Juda Lijie. "I...", Akelus grimaced. "You don''t have to answer me Akelus, you just have to be genuine with what you want.", said The Great Monk Juda Lijie. "Living the path of Buddha is difficult, Buddha preaches of having no desires, yet sometimes people pursue Buddhism with the desire to be enlightened, to break free from the cycle of reincarnation. The middle path is a path of irony, Akelus. You may desire nothing from this world, but you must cherish everything it has to offer including your own life, your friends, your family, your people, the world around you. You may detach yourself from this world but you must learn to live in harmony with it." ''So you are basically asking me to make some friends.", said Akelus. "... Yes and no.", said The High Priest Lijie. "What I am telling you Akelus, is that you should cherish every relation you make with another person. You yearn for freedom Akelus, yes. But detachment from the world is not the way, it will only isolate you. Akelus cherish everything that you create, and give the world a reason to cherish it as well." "....", Akelus stared at the monk, deep in his own thoughts. "Even Buddha himself didn''t detach from the world, after being enlightened he returned to his world. He lived the path of Buddhism to it''s truest sense. Something I have not achieved, but I am striving towards it. I just need to understand my desire to be enlightened.", said The Great Monk Juda Lijie." "Akelus yearn for freedom, but don''t forget yourself in solitude". The monk continued. "Remember this Akelus, you are not alone in this world, there are many like you, who yearn for freedom and cherish this world. They genuinely love this world." "Thanks old man.", Akelus stood up with help of the cane, bowing to the great Monk. "You should go back to the [Forest of Guluan], Akelus. There is nothing left for you in this world. You have achieved what you should have. I hope you do the same in your next one. You have my blessings.", said The Great Monk Juda Lijie, as he got up, raising his palm forward and placing it on Akelus'' head. The Taijitu mark on the cane glowed brightly. "And don''t worry, you have quite the Humble Entity looking after you.", said the Old Monk, while smirking at the Dark-Silver Shadow looming over Akelus. Akelus, with tears welling up his eyes said, " Thanks... Old man. Thank you." ******************* ***************** **************** Whoosh... Tssshhhh... Whoosh... [Forest of Guluan] It was stormy and windy, with rain gushing down from the heavy clouds, and thunder crackling with it''s heavenly might. It was as if the whole forest was crying, lamenting and wailing in pain. A young man limped towards the forest with the help of a cane. Tears rolling down his face. His magnificent white hair flailing in the wind, as he strode forward. The moon shone brightly on him. He looked at his golden ring, and entered the sentient forest. He kneeled on the ground surrendering to it''s might. The vines sprouted forth binding, dragging him along with his cane to his muddy coffin, where he finally rested in solitude. The forest wailed, and cried and rumbled. ************** **************** ************** [Unknown Space] "Ahem, Akelus it''s about time that you wake up.", said a Dark-Silver Shadow, it had a human face, and wore silver shades. "Huh, where am I?", said the startled Akelus. "Well, you see, you died.", answered the shadow. "But good news is that you ascended, you got close to your origin. And have successfully qualified to become a part of [MYRIAD]. The culmination of all creation. Here''s the Invitation. And it also means you are a part of the noble cause of warding off Ragnarok. The end of all realms. So, I humbly ask you will you join this grand cause or will you continue with your-" "I''m in.", said Akelus. "W-wait, what, I have not explained-", said the Shadow. "I''m in, Culmination of all Creation, a grand cause, this is like it''s straight out of a fable!.", exclaimed Akelus. "I am not passing that up. Like the old man said I am going to live my life to the fullest, cherishing everything that I create." "Very well then.", smirked the Shadow. "You have my good will." The Dark-Silver Shadow tore the invitation apart. And the space around Akelus distorted and warped. ########## ########## ########## Mundane Lives: Vulkon "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!" [Miasma-Hell] A soul was falling down the abysmal layers of hell. Bright and burning like a flame, a strong shade of orange with a silhouette magenta. Yelling and roaring in agony due to the vile, treacherous machinations of hell. It disappeared onto the ninth layer, and then it reappeared only to continue falling down the abysmal layers of hell, writhing and roaring in the same agony over and over again. "Such a pitiful sight of one as great as yourself.", sighed a demon floating in the [Miasma] of hell''s sweltering heat, rot and carnage. The soul kept falling writhing in pain and suffering, immense darkness shrouding it. The demon hovered around it, flapping his wings, looking at it. He was a bulking figure, jet black with a tinge of purple. Huge horns jutting out from the sides of his head. His wings huge and strong. He had dark red eyes, with narrow purplish-black slits. His face marble white, shining in that immense darkness. He was a newborn, immensely powerful and mysterious. Not even his fellow demons knew about his origins. He was Vulkon-[The Demon of Prejudice]. "It was a long time ago. Well, not that long", continued Vulkon, perching on a pillar of flame. "Just one cycle of [Ragnarok] has passed after your demise." "Yes, indeed.", another demon rose from the sweltering heat of [Miasma]. This demon looked magnificent. Four horns arching over his head to the back. He wore a priests attire, much like a pastor. His mouth was slit wide till the back of his jaw. Golden eyes with extremely black iris. His hair glistening white. His face pale gray, with a tinge of light. "One cycle of Ragnarok is not long for us demons, but it is for the sentients.", continued the demon, hovering towards Vulkon. "I am surprised you know about Ragnarok, it hasn''t been long since you were manifested." "Satan.", sighed Vulkon. "What brings you here?". "Making sure you are comfortable in hell. You are anomaly after all.", Satan grinned. "Will you still not tell me from whom do you originate?". "Well no, I won''t. His life is treacherous as it is, I pity him.", Vulkon replied. "Hmmm, a demon sympathizing a sentient. Now that''s another weird thing about you." mused Satan. "You have not evolved like the others, you are aware, you can keep your desires in check. You even know how to influence Yggdrasil with your nature. The more I look at you, the more curious I get about your sentient. Anyway, it looks like you have adapted well in [Miasma], you will be guarding this place for sometime." "The angels are getting restless.", said Vulkon, peering over the vast expanse of hell. "More so than before." "Ahh, yes. It''s the ninth cycle Ragnarok, after all. There are chances, that one of the Three Supreme factions of Yggdrasil, may fall. You know which one I am taking about, right?". Vulkon took a deep breath, and said ,"Yes". "Don''t worry about the angels, with every cycle of Ragnarok, we have been growing stronger.", proclaimed Satan. "What about [MYRIAD]?", questioned Vulkon. "Well that realm is strong and impregnable, but Ragnarok is it''s biggest bane.", replied Satan. "So they are the least of our worries." "That''s a very vague response.", said Vulkon. "Well neither of us trust each other yet, isn''t that right.", replied Satan, his eyes glowing brighter, and the darkness around them becoming bleaker. "Not at all, it all ends up on how you treat me.", said Vulkon, warping his surroundings to puplish-red strings. "...." Satan turned around and drifted away. "He is an interesting one, but very dangerous. Seems as if he has not yet abandoned his sentience.", he thought. "Well, For now it''s better to just keep him in [Miasma]. The factions will soon be at war, there I will make sure to meet his Sentient. There is a chance that we may gain a fallen among our ranks through this Demon." Satan plunged into the darkness and disappeared. Vulkon perched on the flaming pillar, saw Satan plunge into the darkness. "He has still not given up on probing me.", thought Vulkon. "Satan, The pride of Lucifer, is truly meticulous." Vulkon snorted, and then went back on observing the nine layers of hell, where the condemned spend rest of their eternity. [Xyrak: Unless they redeem themselves, of course.] ************** *************** **************** Whoosh... Tap. [Miasma-Hell] {Few Days Later} "We have descended to hell.", said a mysterious being. "Remember, you owe me one." Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. "I am grateful, that you considered my request.", said a middle aged man wearing robes. He had long flowing hair which had been neatly tied back and a beard. "Why did you come down to hell anyway?", questioned the mysterious being. He had an ethereal physique, which showed stars and galaxies within it, one might even say, he carries a universe within himself. The being had very bright and majestic wings on his back. His silver-white hair flowing in the immense darkness of [Miasma]. He was an angel. "I have work here. Some things to take care of.", replied the middle aged man. "Whatever you have to do, better do it quickly before some demon arrives.", said the mysterious angel, while casting an array. "It won''t be long before they realize your presence." "He should be here, right about now.", said the man. Just as he said that, a demon descended from above. BOOM!!! With his towering bulking mass, powerful horns and his blood red eyes he loomed over the intruders. He flapped his huge wings, dispelling the dust around him. "Jesus.", said Vulkon, recognizing the middle aged man. "Oh great. We already have our cover blown.", said the mysterious angel. "Wait here, I''ll get rid of it." The Angel strode forward, with the aura around him turning dangerously vicious, his body turning dark, the cosmos within him churning and becoming brighter and more vibrant. "Angel''s are surely becoming more and more reckless.", Vulkon smirked, as he started warping his surroundings into purple strings. "Wait! Throne Ciel.", exclaimed Jesus. "We are not here to start a war." The Angel halted, looking back at Jesus. "I am here for the demon.", sighed Jesus. Vulkon arched his brow, smirking. "You better have a reason for this.", grimaced The Angel Ciel, his aura becoming more cold and vicious. "I don''t know how, but he has received his calling.", declared Jesus. "He has an invitation to [MYRIAD]." "What!?!", exclaimed Throne Ciel. Astonished he glared at Vulkon. "Don''t worry Throne Ciel.", said Jesus. "The Deities have approved, and he will be considered as [HELL''S] ambassador to [MYRIAD], just like you are for [HEAVEN]." "Oh, Demon of Prejudice Vulkon, you have ascended by realizing your origin.", proclaimed Jesus, raising his hands making a grand gesture. "Therefore, you have been invited to [MYRIAD], a realm with many names, where you shall fight alongside sentients, for the grand cause averting Ragnarok for good. Will you or will you not accept your calling?" "Yes, I shall.", declared Vulkon, with a resolute gaze. "Very well then.", replied Jesus. "We shall depart before Nephilim Lucifer, discovers our presence." Jesus tore the invitation apart and the space around them started to warp and distort. ***************** *************** ************** ZZZWOON... [Pristine Chapels-MYRIAD] Two beings warped onto a huge platform within the immense halls of the Chapel. One a man and the other a demon. There were many souls gathered at the platform, who had warped there at the same time as Vulkon and Jesus. There were several other [Incarnations] dressed in priest robes managing the proceedings. They hovered above as they guided souls through different corridors leading outside the Chapel. There were some [Incarnations] seated before the platform, witnessing the whole ceremony, observing and scouting. "HaHa!!!", exclaimed Vulkon, laughing. "This world is magnificent and pristine." Jesus smiled politely, saying, "You have a vivid perspective." There were a few shocked and anxious glances among the [Incarnations] upon seeing the arrival of Vulkon, a demon. Two souls caught Vulkon''s attention, amidst that staggering crowd of thousand souls. One had a striking black face, laced with bright white fur resembling a wolf, while the other had a striking white mane, a white face and black stripes resembling a white lion. The three looked at each other. "...." "...." "...." "Well, we are all set.", spoke Jesus, with a bright smile. "Let''s brief you up and get you ready for [MYRIAD]. St. John, has agreed to lead us to the [Sanctuary]." Vulkon nodded, while thinking, "Could it be them, for a moment they resonated with me." "Before, we leave, Vulkon. I need you to do one last thing.", continued Jesus. "I want you to tell me what name is shown to you." Several warped letters were floating around Vulkon. These letters swirled around, forming a word. Vulkon proclaimed- "[Walpurjis]" ######### ######### ######## Mundane Lives: The Grand Scheme of Things ZZZWOON... [Pristine Chapels-MYRIAD] Space warped and distorted on the huge platform. A humanoid black wolf appeared, dazed and disoriented. There were thousands of souls around him. All in different shapes and forms. Some in the form of relics, beasts, humanoids, while most in the from of wraiths. The Chapel was towering, with blue tinted windows. The platform was fenced and gated like a dome. Several [Incarnations] hovered around the platform, dressed in dark hoods or pitch black suits, with grey vests. Some of the [Incarnations] carried sickles, while some carried Scythes, the rest were bare handed. The hooded figures handled the wraiths, guiding them through corridors leading to a sanctuary. Entities in pitch black suit handled the [Manifestations] leading them through aisles outside the chapel. The wolf gazed around, a bit overwhelmed. Observing everyone and everything around him. "This realm is comforting yet ominous", thought the wolf. He was Gazeera, who had just ascended to the realm of [MYRIAD]. "Three lives huh,.. I have incarnated thrice." As he was looking around, another [Manifestation] caught his attention. He was a White Lion, with striking white mane, and black stripes, adorning a monk''s garb. The lion had shining gold eyes, gleaming brightly. Suddenly the space around them warped again, bringing forth a Demon, and a Priest. The Demon was towering with huge horns jutting out from the sides of his head, he had a pitch black body, marble white face and blood red eyes. His huge and powerful wings resting on his back. Beside him stood a middle aged man, with a neatly trimmed beard and long flowing hair which was tied back. "Hahahaha!!! this place is magnificent and pristine", the Demon laughed. Everyone looked at the Demon, some were scornful, while the others were anxious. Gazeera was intrigued. "Even Demons end up here, huh.", he thought. The Demon then cast an ominous gaze on both Gazeera and the Lion. As if responding to the Demon, Gazeera''s pitch black eyes turned a shade of blue, while the Lion''s eyes gleamed white. {[Frames]: Multitudes of memories and realities colluded together as the three embarked on a conquest, to end [Ragnarok] once and for all. Their battle raged throughout Yggdrasil, facing every adversary in their path.} The three continued staring each other till the middle aged man beside the demon escorted it through the corridors, along with some [Incarnations]. The Entities in black suit started segregating the remaining [Manifestations], guiding them outside the chapel through different aisles. Each aisle had an emblem associated to it representing different factions, pantheons, etc. After the segregation, only Gazeera remained on the platform. The lion went through the aisle with the emblem of a cloudy hourglass. Tap.. Tap.. Tap.. A man approached Gazeera, he was extremely tall and lean. His footsteps sharp and clear. He had an extremely pale skin. Ruffled greyish-silver hair, narrow slitted yet bulging eyes. His bony hand held a huge Scythe. He wore an ashen-grey suit, with a black lapel, a navy blue bow tie. He had a red belt tucked onto his pants. "I am Thanatos, Herald of [Erebos], the God of Death.", Thanatos introduced himself, in a cold and raspy tone. "I am here at the behest of Lord Hades, Sovereign of [Erebos], The Deity of Afterlife." "Lord Hades has requested your presence in [Paradis].", continued Thanatos. "You are to follow me. Lord Sovereign wishes to get some answers from you." Thanatos then turned, gesturing Gazeera to follow him. He led Gazeera through an aisle, with the emblem of a warping eye within a mist. It led to a corridor outside the chapel. The realm was immense and vast, with towering buildings, constructs, pocket dimensions. Far at the center of the realm there was an orb, where the entirety of the realm colluded. Several []Incarnations], zooming around from one construct to another, across several pocket dimensions, gathering resources, managing souls and monitoring timelines. "Welcome to the Dawn of Creation [Paradis].", proclaimed Thanatos. "The orb that you see is the [Nexus], or as we call it the [Record]." "And that''s [Eden].", Thanatos pointed at an isolated realm, resembling an island. "That is where newborn sentients are formed. Our first home." Gazeera saw the gleaming island. Several vortex of light surrounded it. Glimmering like stars. "If you ever fly around it. You would be able to listen to their laughter and joy.", continued Thanatos, with an empty look in his eyes. "It will make you feel a bit nostalgic." This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. There was a door at the end of the corridor. Thanatos flung it open and led Gazeera up the stairs to a cabin. There was a nameplate on the cabin-door that read [Hades-Ministry of Paranormal Affairs], below that [Paradis]. "Aha! there he is, our celebrity.", said the man with a deep and gruff tone, seated on an armchair. His face resembled a mannequin, it was grey and cloudy. He wore a Bowler hat, an overcoat, he wore braces for trousers and had a butcher''s apron. He had a well built and well toned physique. This man is the [Sovereign of Erebos], Hades. The cabin itself was nothing too fancy, there where several cabinets made out Cypress. A big shelf containing many books, cassettes, cd''s, some drives, etc. A desk near the window. And a seat right beside it. "Don''t be so stiff, make yourself comfortable.", continued Hades, gesturing Gazeera to take a seat. Facing Thanatos, he commanded, "Leave us for a moment." Thanatos disappeared, dispersing to thin air in shades of black. "I assume Thanatos has briefed you on why you are here.", said Hades. "Yes.", replied Gazeera. "Good, don''t be nervous. This is but a trivial formality.", chimed Hades, leaning forward rubbing his palms together. "I am just trying to clear out some coincidences. So, we can start by you telling me what name is shown to you?" Several letters warped around Gazeera, forming a word. "[Walpurjis]", Gazeera declared. "Huu..., another one of those cases, huh.", sighed Hades. "You know this is the first time this is happening, you are not the only one who was bestowed with the name of [Walpurjis]." "What do you mean?", asked Gazeera. "It means that there are more like you, [Incarnations] who perceive [MYRIAD], in the same manner that you do, or at least have a worldview that is similar to yours.", replied Hades. "What does that have to do with me?", asked Gazeera. "Nothing much, actually", Hades continued. "It''s just a bit of a novel and weird occurrence. You have nothing to worry about. By the way, it doesn''t seem that you ascended normally, it seems like you were recommended to us. Mind telling us about the Deity that recommended you." "You mean the shadow that warped me here.", questioned Gazeera. "Shadow...?", mused Hades. "Yes a dark shadow, shrouded in bright gold flames and emanating in dark green light. He briefed me up on somethings about [MYRIAD]. And went on about [Ragnarok] and the glory in stopping it.", continued Gazeera. "Hmmm... a shadow, no one really comes to my mind. Do we have a deity like that?..", thought Hades. "So your briefing was only about [Ragnarok], did he mention which faction should you be joining, or have you already decided one?" "Not that I know of, he said I should take the first offer I get.*, replied Gazeera. "Is he rogue deity?.. a forager probably. Considering the fact he doesn''t mind his recommendation getting taken by a different faction.", pondered Hades. He continued ,"Since you don''t have any factions in mind, would you consider joining us?" "Well if it is a formal offer, I will join you.", replied Gazeera. "He won''t be a bad recruit, considering he managed to repel the invasion of Monster Queen Echidna, back in his realm.", thought Hades. "What bothers me is his patron, as well as his worldview? Well I will deal with it when the time is right, for now I''ll just keep a close eye on him." "Well then we have scouted you.", said Hades, with his face warping into a smile. "Charon!", Hades commanded. Wisps of mist assimilated, forming the shape of a man, who was neither too young nor too old, seemingly ageless. He wore a sooty-grey cloak, and had pale blue hair. He had misty-grey eyes. He held an oar in his hand. He stood before Hades, bowing. "Take our new recruit to his quarters and familiarize him with the realm.", continued Hades. "Take him to the armory and then guide him with his duty. "As you command, Lord Sovereign.", replied Charon. "Follow Charon, young wolf. He will guide you well.", said Hades, gesturing Gazeera to follow Charon." Gazeera left along side Charon. Thanatos warped into the cabin assimilating shades of black. "His recommendation is too suspicious, my lord.", he said. "A Deity who even I don''t know about.", mused Hades. "Investigate his recommendation, someone might be deliberately targeting our Supreme Faction [MYRIAD]. Either that or he is planning to unite all the realms by producing these many [Manifestations] of the same name-|, "[Walpurjis]", he declared. ######### ########## ######### Mundane Lives: The Dreamers Coven ZZZWOON... [Pristine Chapels-MYRIAD] Akelus warped onto the huge platform, surrounded by thousands of souls. He had ascended with the humanoid form of a regal and magnificent white lion. His eyes were gleaming gold, adorned with sharp and striking black stripes across his pristine white face. He had grown taller, a bit buff, but his body was very toned, it seemed like it was chiseled from the very fabric of Yggdrasil itself. He was draped in a pale orange robe. He wore two bracelets made of beads on both his hands. One set bleak while the other glowing. He gazed around with wide eyes smiling brightly. "So this realm will be my home from now on.", he thought to himself, smirking. "Not too shabby." The inner walls of the chapels were domed. Adorned in pristine white marble, and spotted with pitch black obsidian. The inner linings between the tiles were made with brightly shining gold. The platform itself seemed to be made out of translucent pale green jade. Several [Incarnations] hovered around the platform in the shape of sacred beasts, fairies, espers, warriors, artefacts, treasures, etc. All of them were dancing around as they guided the souls through different aisles. He felt a keen gaze on his back. Turning around he met eyes with a black wolf. It was lean and tall, with sleek black fur. It wore a white tailcoat, with black threading and silver lining. It''s piercing black eyes staring down at Akelus. "What''s his deal?.. creep", shuddered Akelus. "Hahahaha!!! this place is magnificent and pristine.", laughed a monstrous and grim voice. Startled, Akelus turned around to look at the person laughing. He saw a towering beast, humanoid, with huge and powerful wings. It''s head was adorned with two menacing horns jutting out from the sides. It had a brilliant white face with blood red eyes. The Monster then cast an ominous gaze on both Akelus and the black wolf. As if responding to the monster''s gaze, Akelus'' eyes glowed bright white. {[Pathfinder]: Three bright white sigils formed over the head of the demon, the wolf and Akelus himself.} The three continued staring at each other till the middle aged man beside the demon escorted him through some corridor, along with other [Incarnations]. "That... has never happened before.", Akelus grimaced. The fantasy like [Incarnations] started sorting the souls through different aisles and corridors, adorned with different sigils and emblems. Most of the souls... more like pale wraiths went through a huge corridor leading to a sanctuary. Whoosh... One of the [Incarnations] approached Akelus. In a whisping cloud of mist, she materialized right before him. She had a pristine body with pale white skin and a jovial bright face. She had pitch black hair and dense red eyes. She wore a white gown with greyish-blue sleeves and a black bodice with a reddish hue. The world around Akelus started swirling and shattering, replaced with endless void and a plane of crystal clear water. His eyes went blank, as he meandered into an aisle with the emblem of a cloudy hourglass. The saintly [Incarnation] strode forward, water rippling beneath her feet as she approached Akelus, ["You are an interesting one."], her serene voice resonated across the endless void. Her red eyes gleamed brightly in the dark void, with a bright jovial smile adorning her face. Akelus became tense and startled at the sudden shift in environment. His eyes gleamed bright gold as furiously looked around into warping purple void. The pale water beneath shifted increasing it''s depth till it became ankle deep holding Akelus in place. ["Now.. Now.. there is no need to be this anxious, my dear"], continued the mysterious [Incarnation]. ["Nothing is going to happen to you here, at least not in [MYRIAD]."] "If we could be a bit more civil about whatever you are trying to do here, then maybe I would not be this startled.", grimaced Akelus, still looking around furiously. He tried to break free, but the pale water beneath kept him rooted in spot. ["Oh... I didn''t mean to startle you."], the [Incarnation] replied to Akelus, as if she were reading his mind. ["Make yourself comfortable, this is nothing but a trivial formality. Don''t mind the water just try to calm your mind and relax."] Akelus closed his eyes and took deep breath. The water around him rippled into circle, freeing him. He opened his eyes with a tranquil expression. He was standing on a sturdy cliff. The moon shone brightly above. Starry navy blue sky, lush green trees surrounded the cliff. A bustling city was visible down below the cliff. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Akelus gazed upon the city, breathing in the immense nostalgia overwhelming him. Whoosh... He turned around and saw the mysterious [Incarnation] sipping tea while holding an embroidered blueish-grey umbrella. "Who are you?", he questioned the aloof lady. ["I am your perception of desire, ambition, so on and so forth. But!.. you can call me [Hypnos]."], said the [Incarnation] with a bright smile "Why have you brought me here?", asked Akelus. ["Welcome! to the [Dreamer''s Coven]."], replied Hypnos. ["And like I said the reason I brought you here is just a trivial formality. We can get this done quickly. Can you tell me the name that is shown to you?"] Several letters swirled around Akelus forming a word- "[Walpurjis]", he declared. ["Hu Hu Hu... I knew it! You are an interesting one."], Hypnos grinned. ["Remember this place?"] "I do.", replied Akelus. ["Nothing better than some good old nostalgia, isn''t that right."], continued Hypnos. ["This is where you started it all, your ambitions, your dreams, your resolution.] Akelus just silently stared beyond the city at the vast mountain range in the horizon. ["The tale of the legendary [Mountains of Guluan]."], proclaimed Hypnos. ["Do you know where you went wrong?"] "I sought for solace in isolation.", replied Akelus. ["Not just that you started losing faith in yourself, had you trusted your abilities a bit more things would have ended differently."], said Hypnos with a sigh. ["Well that is in the past now.], Hypnos continued. ["What do you think about your new home?"]- "Well, so far it''s not that bad.", replied Akelus. ["That''s good to know you are adapting to this realm."], said Hypnos. ["Do you have any factions in mind?"] "None that I plan to join.", replied Akelus. ["That''s alright, let me see you out."], said Hypnos, as she snapped her fingers. The realm around them distorted back into the dark abysmal void. She teleported herself right in front of Akelus, and placed her palm over his head. [Pathfinder] His eyes turned azure, a prominent azure line formed piercing through the void as it dispersed. ["Shame, you truly were a Genius..."], mused Hypnos as her voice trailed off. Akelus found himself in the center of a bustling market. There were several realms floating high above like stars in the sky, where many [Incarnations] of all shapes and form were trading goods, most of them were zooming from one realm to another, carrying resources. Some [Incarnations] dressed in black suits, hovered over the market supervising it. "That went smoothly.", thought Akelus, as he exclaimed. "I am finally here!!!" **************** *************** ***************** [Pristine Chapels : Sanctuary] Vulkon entered the sanctuary ,along with Jesus and St. John. His towering figure strode into the room. At the far end of the sanctuary, above a flight of stairs were five thrones. There were four [Incarnations] waiting for them, seated on four thrones. On the pure white throne, an [Incarnation] with regal silver white hair, adorned with a magnificent white crown was seated. He had an extremely well toned and chiseled body, wearing a cloudy grey toga with blue linings. On another throne made out of oak branches, sat the one who wore an oak crown over his head, he was draped in Nordic armor. He looked like a child, with long flowing regal golden-brown hair. The third throne was pitch black, and formless. It was occupied by the [Sovereign of Erebos]: [Hades]. His palms clasped together, as his cloudy mannequin like face stared down at Vulkon. He wore a shirt, braces and a butchers apron. He had two cleavers holstered on his waist. The fourth throne was shrouded in a cloudy mist, and it only had warping white eyes glaring through the mist. This [Incarnation] was the [God of Dreams-Hypnos]. And lastly the empty fifth throne. It was made out of obsidian, with it''s frame shrouded in bright orange flames. The flames burnt brightly in desolation. "It seems everyone is in session.", spoke the child like [Incarnation], with a grim expression. Everyone seated, nodded in unison. He gazed upon Vulkon with indifference, and commanded. "Let the ritual commence!" ####### ######## ######### Mundane Lives: Vulkon of Corzox [Pristine Chapels: Sanctuary] "Let the ritual commence." the child like [Incarnation] commanded. His voice boomed across the sanctuary. There was a platform at the center of the sanctuary, engraved with various sigils and runes forming an archaic formation. There were four smaller circular platforms surrounding it, Several priests guided Vulkon to a platform, where his bulking figure stood at the center of an archaic formation. Several reapers dressed in black suits surrounded the platform, with their weapons ready. Many saints flew into the sanctuary and hovered above the platform, chanting in chorus. The robust [Incarnation] with magnificent silver-white hair, descended upon platform. His piercing blue eyes staring down at Vulkon with intrigue. He knelt and placed his palm over the archaic formation. Several sparks flew out from his palm revving the formation into action. Then he went and stood on one of the four circular platforms lighting it up. Runes and arcane sigils spun in circles, revolving around Vulkon. The Silver haired [Incarnation] levitated spreading his arms in a grand gesture as several sigils sparked to life, glowing brightly. These sigils vibrantly spun around Vulkon, moving closer and closer to him. The saints were chanting in the background. The [Incarnation] then swirled his hands creating a vortex, assimilating some of the brightly shining runes together. These runes culminated to form the sacred rune of inspiration [Dagaz]. Then he pointed his finger at Vulkon. "Where do you hail from?", inquired the Silver Haired [Incarnation], in a grim tone. "The [Dragon-Keep: Corzox]." replied Vulkon, as the rune of [Dagaz] revolving around him latched onto his back searing into his skin, resembling the shape of a soaring eagle. "One of the extreme sectors, huh. Never expected those rift-borne to a sire a demon like you.", said the Silver haired [Incarnation], smirking. He unleashed huge charges of lightning across the archaic formation, aligning a new set of runes and sigils, as the saints increased the tempo of their chants. He swirled his arms around separating the sigils into two groups, one group was shining brightly while the other resembled the bark of an oak tree. He raised his hand forming a fist and assimilated the bright sigils in the shape of a lightning. The lightning struck Vulkon''s back, charging the incantation of [Dagaz]. The child like [Incarnation] hovered above the archaic formation, occupying one of the three remaining circular platforms. He stretched his right arm forward, as he summoned a golden spear with the left. Several wooden vines grew out of his arms binding the sigils together forming the symbol [Walknut]. He stomped his spear on the circular platform, sending forth waves of golden light. The oak runes responded to the golden light by assimilating into the great rune of wisdom [Othala]. He pointed at Vulkon, and spoke with a grim and childish voice- "What value does [Yggdrasil] hold to you?", he asked. "Home.", Vulkon replied, as the rune [Othala] latched onto his right arm, binding onto his skin like a bark of a tree. It took the shape of a raven. The saints further increased the tempo of their hymns. Sonorously chanting louder and faster. "Where does the supreme faction [MYRIAD] stand in your heart?", The child like [Incarnation] inquired. "Friends that I can trust.", replied Vulkon, as the symbol [Walknut] sent forth huge waves of Golden light charging the incantation of [Othala]. The child like [Incarnation] got startled for a bit, but then was intrigued by Vulkon''s answer. Glaring at Vulkon, he grinned. "Very well then.", he mused, as he stomped his spear yet again. Huge waves of golden light gushed forth across the formation, clashing with the powerful lightning storm. He then raised his spear high and swirled it over his head. The saints hymned at a steady pace. The symbol [Walknut] became more vibrant and sturdy, as it got assimilated with more sigils. The saints began to chant at a steady pace in a flamboyant tone. The white haired [Incarnation] aligned a new batch of runes and sigils. These were formless, shrouded in grey mist. The Deity of Dreams [Hypnos] descended upon the third circular platform, shrouded in a formless, swirling mist. The sigils started warping and runes glowed softly, as mist slowly shrouded them. The Saints steadily rose their chant to a high treble. Their voices resonating together, echoing across the sanctum. [Hypnos] shrouded Vulkon within the mist, as he assimilated the softly glowing runes into the grand rune of persona [Laguz]. The sigils accumulated in a formless grey vortex. The mist solemnly gazed upon Vulkon, as it spoke- "What do you desire, demon?", a raspy voice resounded across the platform. "To reunite with myself.", declared Vulkon. The mist completely wrapped itself around him, as the rune [Laguz] shrouded his arms formlessly drifting like a cloud. [Hypnos] grabbed the vortex of sigils as it latched onto the rune [Laguz], shaped like a string. The sigils softly glowed white within grey mist, charging the Rune [Laguz] Suddenly, the room started becoming colder and colder, as [Hades] the [Sovereign of Erebos] descended down a flight of pitch black stairs. The Saints voices became grim and their tone grievous. They whispered their chants, it echoed across the walls of the sanctuary. Resonating and reverberating. The shadows of the sanctuary became darker, the arcane formation became bleaker. The white haired [Incarnation] shone brightly amidst the darkness, and prepared a new batch of sigils and runes from the archaic formation. Black suited [Incarnations] hovered above the platform pointing their weapons at Vulkon. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "Chant the final hymn.", commanded the child like [Incarnation]. The priests surrounding the platform joined the saints along with the Black Suited Reapers. They chanted in unison as their voices sonorously sang the hymn. The chorus increased their tempo, the whispers becoming louder and louder. [Hades] occupied the last remaining circular platform and snapped his finger. Shadows crept out of archaic formation, dousing the runes and sigils in darkness. The pitch black runes assimilated to the pristine rune of death [Eihwaz]. The sanctuary grew even colder. The chill crept into Vulkon''s spine and seeped into his mind. The sigils combined to form a cold dark blade, which struck Vulkon and stabbed him in the chest. Vulkon smiled in ecstasy, overwhelmed with anticipation over the final culmination of the ritual. [Hades] pointed at Vulkon, and said- "Who is your sentient?". Vulkon''s face turned grim and serious, he glared at [Hades] viciously. "I am not telling anyone his name, you will all know when the time is right.", he replied to [Hades]. "That... is not the answer I am looking for.", [Hades] said, as he cast an ominous and vicious gaze upon Vulkon. The dark blade glinted, and further impaled him. Vicious shadows crept out of it, into Vulkon''s spine. The shadows seeped into his mind, forcefully trying extract answers from him. Vulkon tried pull the sword out of his chest, when several strands of darkness grabbed hold of his hands, as the reapers tried to anchor him in place. "AAAURRGHH!!!", roared Vulkon. "I will ask you one more time, name your sentient. Which entity sired you, NAME IT!!!", [Hades] bellowed over Vulkon''s loud and tremendous roars. Vulkon kept roaring. As he tried to fight back the shadows, as he tried to remove their presence. The reapers strained as they circled around him, tugging the strands of darkness to restrain Vulkon. The chorus chanted with a ominous and grim tone, with their voices heavy. Their whispers weighing down on Vulkon. "Cooperate.", said the child like [Incarnation], with a grim and annoyed expression. "Tell us what we want to know and this will be over." "I told... I told you what I had to, you will know the name when the time is right!", yelled Vulkon. "AANNDD... When will that auspicious time arrive, demon!", roared the white haired [Incarnation], with an intrigued smile on his face. The chorus further raised their tempo, increasing the pressure exerted on Vulkon. Vulkon''s eyes turned blood red, as his purplish-black slits warped. Several strings of dense purple color appeared, as it ensnared the shadows within it. Purple waves resonated across the sanctuary, echoing at anything it touched, the sanctuary started distorting, vibrating in huge disproportionate waves. Everything inside the sanctuary became warped and wavy. [Symphony] Vulkon''s eye slits gleamed bright purple. Vulkon started tugging the strands of darkness, flailing the reapers along with it, throwing them across the room. He grabbed the dark blade with one hand and pulled it out of his chest. His chest healed, as the wound got sealed. He cast an ominous gaze upon the four gods, grinning wildly as dispelled the blade. The four gods sighed as they struck forth. Lightning, arcane, mist and darkness surrounded Vulkon. He stared at them indifferently as he struck out his right palm, the sanctuary warped and distorted. The purple waves rebounded across the sanctuary targeting the four gods, who got wrapped within an avalanche of kinetic waves. Lightning and mist distorted going everywhere inside the room, arcane phased through Vulkon who stood unphased from the attack, and he immediately warped away from darkness. Vulkon raised his left hand over his head and clenched it. The purple waves across the room resonated as they concentrated on his fist. His fist started phasing vigorously and a violet crack appeared in space, he almost broke through [MYRIAD] when- "Let us all stop here.", said Jesus as he stepped in, raising a wall between Vulkon and the four gods. "We have no reason for resorting to such drastic measures. Some answers should not be forced, let his mystery reveal in due time." The archaic formation shattered and drifted apart. The purple strings dissipated as well as the lightning, mist, arcane and darkness. Everyone calmed down, as the chorus ended. Silence, complete silence. No one spoke a word. The four gods glared at Vulkon, who just kept grinning at them. A group of priests led him out of the sanctuary. Everyone else soon followed, saints and reapers left as well. Only Jesus Christ and the four gods were left. "Vulkon has hidden nothing from us, he answered everything truthfully.", Jesus continued. "The last question is very personal and sensitive, but he didn''t lie." "He still denied answering it.", said the Silver Haired [Incarnation]. "He also said everything would be revealed in due time.", replied Jesus. "Trust has to be mutual not one-sided, we should trust him as he is trusting us." "Brother, the results of the ritual are clear.", said [Hades] talking to the Silver Haired [Incarnation]. "The demon has no ill- intentions regarding [Yggdrasil] and genuinely trusts us as allies, more than that as friends." "What bothers me is that he has the same worldview [Walpurjis], some of our recent [Incarnates] have the same worldview as well.", he continued. "And the most intriguing thing about him is, unlike the other demons he has not been abandoned as a flaw, but still has his sentience." "That explains his ambition to ''Reunite with himself''.", chimed in [Hypnos]. "So all of us are in agreement then.", said the child like [Incarnation]. The other gods nodded. "So it is decided then, Vulkon is accepted to the fold.". ######### ######## ####### Mundane Lives: Responsibilities [MYRIAD-Paradis] "Right along this aisle is the armory, [Overseer].", said Charon. There was a long aisle in front of them, looking dark and bleak. It had several gargoyles adorning the walls. At the end of the aisle stood an ivory door. It glowed softly in the darkness. "Weren''t you supposed to show me to my room first, and what do you mean by an [Overseer]?", asked Gazeera. "The armory is along the way, good sir. [Overseer] is the role assigned to you by Lord Hades himself, you along with some other [Incarnations] are collectively responsible for monitoring the [Record], and notifying the reaper units of any unforeseen or threatening situation, like apocalypse, rogue spirits, captured deities, etc.", replied Charon, as he walked towards the armory door. "You play a very important role in warding off threats from [MYRIAD]. "Who are the other [Overseers]?", enquired Gazeera. "Hmmm... Not as many as the reapers, but there are a few.", chimed Charon, as he worked on the locks, opening the armory door. "The [Incarnations] you will be working with are [Deimos], [Phobos], [Aminon] and [Hecate]. Then there is the [Retired one] as well, but don''t worry about him." "Welcome!.. to the armory.", proclaimed Charon, gesturing Gazeera to enter the armory. "This place has nearly everything in creation. Legendary equipment built by the cyclops themselves to normal tools used by [Manifestations] across infinite timelines. Not to mention, there are a few select weapons, armor and tools from Hephaestus'' forge itself." Gazeera was awed by the immense wealth and resources stored in the armory. Volumes upon volumes of jewels, technology, heritage, inheritance, history all stashed in a single room, that seemed endless. There were countless realms and pocket dimensions that were constantly pouring in even more resources to the already surplus inventory. The armory looked like an illusory void, with a bleak navy blue dome covering it''s vast expanse, studded with numerous stars. It''s sparkling floor was made up of carved white bones, that resembled ivory. "Let''s find you something useful.", said Charon, as he roamed around in the armory. Gazeera quickly followed behind. Charon summoned an oar and snapped his finger. The armory started readjusting itself, with it''s shelves shifting, chests levitating. The floor started warping to concentric circles, as the sky dome caved in on Gazeera. Charon swirled his oar as he started realigning the inventory. The multitudes of shelves started moving randomly while chests started zooming across the room. The realms and dimensions contained within the room started flickering and warping, distorting violently. The resources inside the armory, every piece of armor, every weapon, every tool started flowing viciously. The ceiling completely caved in. "Don''t be anxious, young lad.", said Charon, as he casually directed and oriented everything in the room to a constant flow. "Just heed to a voice or a calling, it should guide you to your belongings. You will know it when you witness it." He then swirled his oar at the caving sky dome, turning it into a warping vortex of sky and stars that engulfed Gazeera. The stars studded across the sky dome latched onto Gazeera, while the navy blue sky shrouded him. The stars glowed brightly resonating with the sky shrouding Gazeera. His surroundings began to shatter and warp, into a solemn navy blue void. As Gazeera drifted in the void, the stars that had latched onto him twirled, forming an immense beam of light. A dark shadow emanating golden flames loomed over his head. It gazed upon the vast expanse of the void, as it entered the beam of light aligning the stars across the sky-dome creating a celestial formation. The void started to shift and warp violently as the stars rapidly moved inside the celestial formation. Gazeera''s black eyes turned navy blue, as his white iris took the shape of a clock. {[Frames]: A memory of the past: "(I hope you will return someday, Old friend.)", said a mysterious deity, standing over desolate realm devoid of life, warping and dying, dissolving into oblivion. He gazed upon [Yggdrasil], as grief and loss overwhelmed his sentiments.] Gazeera was shocked for this was the first time his visions had materialized. The forlorn deity was standing in front of him. The stars swirled into a vortex, paving a way between the Deity and Gazeera. He followed the stars towards the Deity, and just as he was about to speak- "AAAARRRHHH!!!", the Deity roared in rage as the void shattered. "Welcome back!", exclaimed Charon. "What just happened right now?", asked Gazeera, he was extremely tense and anxious. "Relax, kid. This is just a defense mechanism. Just to ensure everyone who enters the armory only takes what belongs to them.", Charon shrugged off, grinning. "But look at you, your armor radiates the prowess of [Continuity], while your weapon personifies [Singularity]. Even I didn''t know we had treasures like these." "Doesn''t look that bad. Heh.", Gazeera smirked while gazing upon himself. He looked at his weapon, it was a radiant blue staff studded with a dull grey pommel. It had a murky silverish-blue palisman contained in an obsidian black owl head, shrouded in pale blue crystal like feathers drifting around it. He then looked at his hands. He was wearing black gloves, his arms covered by peach white sleeves. There was a chest plate on him, adorning an abstract sigil. He wore black boots with a navy blue Hakama tucked in. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Well, we are done with this place. I will show you to your room now. Rest well, it must have been a bit hectic for you.", said Charon. "Yeah... it was.", replied Gazeera. Charon nodded, and stomped his oar over the bony platform. A great ethereal white river flowed from it''s bony surface, piercing through the sky dome paving a way forward. He then summoned a ferry, and got on board. Gesturing Gazeera to board it, he then started rowing the ferry forward. They passed over the vast expanse of [Paradis], where several reapers were zooming around with paperwork and records, handling spirits, souls and newly ascended [Manifestations] across different pantheons. At a far distance there was a tall spire over a dome like structure. It was made up of gravel and had blue tinted windows, over it was the [Record]. "That was where you were inducted to [MYRIAD].", said Charon. "The place is called the Pristine Chapels, it''s right under the [Record] at the center of [MYRIAD]. The ferry approached a realm that resembled a navy blue dome. The realm had some clouds of greyish-white fog drifting around it. "Well this is your new dorm, young wolf.", said Charon. "This realm is solely assigned to you no roommates, so don''t get messed up by your seniors over it okay." Gazeera nodded. "Off you go then, get some good sleep. Relax yourself, synchronize with [MYRIAD] and when your done lord Hades will summon you. Don''t take too long though. Nice knowing you... Nasim Shabir Gazeera.", continued Charon, as Gazeera got off the ferry and waved Charon off. He entered his realm through the blue dome, which rippled around him. It was a cold and dim place, with an island at it''s center, it had a pale white glow to it. There was a small cottage at the center of the blue domain, it had marble white walls with blueish hue and blue tinted windows. Gazeera landed on the island, as it glowed brightly in the void. He entered the tiny cottage, opening it''s wooden door. It was warm, there was a hammock hanging by the window and a hearth near the door burning in pale white flames. There was a mirror on one of the walls, embroidered in silver. Gazeera saw a tall, lean and regal black wolf looking back at him from the mirror. He had sleek black fur, with a pale snowy white hue. Pure pitch black eyes with piercing white iris. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [While in a warping node to [MYRIAD]] "Well I have recommended you to [MYRIAD].", said the Dark Shadow, shrouded in bright yellow flames. "More like I helped you skip a few steps and directly ascend." "Why do you insist that I should ascend?", asked Gazeera. "I already told you this is a misunderstanding, I would rather return to my original life." "Haa!..", the scoffed the mysterious shadow. "You are a very special case Gazeera, and I would rather not lose this opportunity. Your accomplishment in your third life is quite remarkable you see, you will garner a lot of attention." "I exorcised a demon nothing more, nothing less. It''s no different from what I had been doing for a long time...", replied Gazeera, a bit annoyed. "Wait what do you mean by my third life?" "You ''exiled'' the mother of all monsters not some random demon-spawn, but whatever, you have been incarnated thrice Gazeera.", said the Shadow, as he flicked his wrists. Multitudes of timelines gushed over Gazeera as he was flooded with countless memories. In some he was hailed a hero, in some he was sacrificed, in some he lived a normal life, so on and so forth. "Ahhh!!!", Gazeera gasped in pain, as his memories kept overwhelming him. "So you see Gazeera, I helped you skip any further reincarnations and directly ascended you to [MYRIAD]", said the shadow with a smug expression over his warped face. "If you decide to go back now, you will keep reincarnating over and over again, never being able to properly ascend as you would be constantly disrupted by angels, haunted by deities and hunted by demons." "..." "But don''t worry for I am here.", continued the Shadow. "Just accept my recommendation and ascend to [MYRIAD], don''t worry about factions. Just accept any faction that makes the first job offer. Stay in [MYRIAD] for a while, help me defeat [Ragnarok]. And stop the apocalypse from reaching your world." "But when will I return?..", asked Gazeera. "You will be able return to this universe... eventually.", said the Shadow. "So what do you say, will you accept?" "Haaaa...", Gazeera sighed, exhausted. "Fine, I am dead anyway." "That''s the spirit, my friend.", grinned the Shadow. "Off you go then." A bright golden light shrouded Gazeera, when- __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gazeera shook his head, as he snapped back to the present. Standing in front of the mirror he let out another sigh of exhaustion. He hopped onto the hammock by the blue tinted windows, laying in it- "It seems like I will be gone for a while... Margaret.", he murmured, as he drifted to sleep. ########## ########## ########## Mundane Lives: Legacy [Paradis: Gazeera''s Domain] Beep... Beep... Beep... The embroidered mirror was beeping in the background. "Yaahhahh...", Gazeera yawned as he got off the hammock, scratching his head. He wore a loose silver robe with black linings and navy blue pants. Blue light shined brightly over his back. The cottage looked brighter, more vibrant and jovial. The mirror clicked and warped, projecting Lord Hades'' cloudy mannequin face. "You look well rested, young wolf.", he said. "Not bad, we are briefing all the [Manifestations] at the courtyard." "Yeah!..", yawned Gazeera, stretching his arms. "I''ll be there, shortly. It was a long day." "Okay, don''t be late. We will be assigning duties and portfolios to each one of you today.", replied Lord Hades. "Wait!, how do I get to the courtyard?", asked Gazeera. "I will send a beacon to the courtyard, to your room. You can figure out a way later on, as you explore more of [Paradis].", replied Lord Hades. "Once you are ready just enter the mirror." The mirror clicked again and the projection disappeared. Gazeera walked towards the door, opening it. He strode outside, gazing upon his domain. It was no longer dim and cold, but was bright and warm. The navy blue void, was now a light shade of blue. The island itself illuminated brightly, shining white. Feeling refreshed, Gazeera couldn''t help but smile. He walked back in, humming a tune. Snapping his finger, he summoned his staff. There was a name written on it. "[Bailka- The Shepherd''s Ward]...-", mused Gazeera He then shrugged his shoulders summoning his armor. Peach colored armor draped upon him, with an abstract sigil on it''s chest plate. It also had a name. "...- and [Koharun- The Fold''s Sanctuary], my trusty weapon and armor." After pacing around the room for a bit, he entered the mirror putting on a confident smile. ************** ************** ************ [Paradis-Courtyard] Gazeera stepped out of a warping grey rift that opened at the entrance of the courtyard. The courtyard was a huge place. Many [Incarnations] were huddled together at it''s center, while several of them were still entering through several aisles, corridors and veranda''s connected to it. It had a gravel floor and was shrouded in a blueish hue. The place was surrounded by a forest of pale white cypress trees. There was a platform hovering above it. Gazeera made his way to the huddled group of [Incarnations]. Everyone present was staring at him, murmuring and whispering. A few more [Incarnations] joined the briefing. Lord Hades arrived, warping over the platform hovering above the courtyard. He occupied a formless throne that had materialized on the platform. He was followed by [The Three Furies], [The Three Sovereign Judges], [Thanatos] and [Aminon], who stood in front of him facing the [Incarnates] within the courtyard. "Greetings, former [Manifestations].", addressed Lord Hades, with a deep booming voice. "Firstly, I would like to congratulate you all for successfully ascending to an [Incarnation]. I welcome all of you to [MYRIAD], the culmination of every life you ever lived, every timeline you experienced. The realm that holds the very fabric of our existence!" "And as the [Incarnates] of [Paradis], it is our duty to protect this realm and the sentients inhabiting it.", he continued. "For we are the ones who maintain the delicate balance of life and death, we are the ones who reward and punish. We ensure redemption and reincarnation. We bare a grave responsibility that shall and will be carried out meticulously. A mistake in our efforts, might spell the demise of every sentient alive. [MYRIAD] has survived eight cycles of [Ragnarok]. And we the [Sentients] have established ourselves as one of the Three supreme factions of [Yggdrasil], through immense turmoil and by our sheer will to thrive. [Paradis] ensures all of us have a home to return. I commend each and every one of you for performing remarkably well, in your time as a [Manifestation]. Now it''s time to take on the mantle of an [Incarnation], bringing glory and prosperity to our realm [MYRIAD]." Everyone in the courtyard stood rooted at their spot, unmoving and determined. Their eyes fixed on the man addressing them. Lord Hades then gazed upon all the [Incarnations] summoned in the courtyard. He continued- "As new members of [Paradis], all of you have been assigned a role based on your merit and nature as a [Manifestation]. Reapers, Apostles, Heralds and Overseers. Make note that, these roles are not permanent and will change according to your merit and performance. Remember when assigned a role you will ensure that you do your duties meticulously. [Reapers] ensure that the delicate balance of life and death is not disturbed, [Apostles] aide in the judgement of souls and their reincarnation, [Heralds] deliver the will of [Erebos], while the [Overseers] ensure the very safety of all sentients. Do not under any circumstance deviate from your duty. Always remember the weight of the responsibility you bare. All it takes is one crucial mistake, and everything falls apart. Now the sorting shall commence!" First, [The Three Furies] descended on the courtyard. They were covered in an armor of feathers and fur. They wore bestial claws as gauntlets. Wild but luscious black hair braided with bones. Their faces covered behind a dark, formless veil. Huge vulture wings rested on their backs. They walked through the group of [Incarnates] pointing at different [Incarnations], who followed the [Furies] as the rest made way for them. These were the chosen [Heralds]. Then, [The Three Sovereign Judges] drifted down to the courtyard. They had neatly trimmed oak brown beards and their hair was braided inside a laurel. Each wore a different colored toga, one blue, one yellow and one red. Each of them simultaneously waved their hands, as mysterious sigils appeared over some of the [Incarnates], these [Incarnates] followed the [Sovereign Judges]. These were the chosen [Apostles] Thanatos jumped down the platform and took in all the remaining [Incarnations], the Grim [Reapers]. Well all but one. Gazeera stood alone in the courtyard. Wearing the peach armor [Koharun] and wielding the blue palisman [Bailka]. A grim frown formed over Lord Hades'' cloudy face, as he gazed upon Gazeera''s armor. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. [Aminon] jumped down the platform, and walked up to Gazeera. She had a beautiful marble white face. She was wearing a vintage red tail coat, and a white blouse with a bow tie. She had luscious caramel brown hair, and wore a Kubanka over her head. She wore khaki pants for trousers and black boots. "Well hello, I am Aminon [The Gatekeeper to Afterlife].", greeted [Aminon], as she shook Gazeera''s hand. She had a dainty, calm and soothing voice. "I look forward to working with you, Gazeera-[The Bane of Monsters]." "[Bane of Monsters]?..", mused Gazeera. "Well you have become quite famous you see, after your recent victory over [Echidna- The Mother of All Monsters].", replied Aminon, with an excited and joyful smile. "But don''t worry about that, it''s been a long time since we had another [Overseer], let me show you your workplace. [Cerberus] would be so excited to meet you." Aminon entered one of the verandahs, as Gazeera followed behind her. "Sir, that armor.", whispered Thanatos, as he teleported right behind Hades. "I know, but let''s just wait and see. And make sure no other faction or pantheon knows about it", replied Lord Hades, as his expression became more and more grim and dark. Thanatos nodded and whisped away in shades of black. ************** *************** ************** [Paradis: The Lighthouse] "Well,.. what do you think?", asked Aminon, smiling brightly. The lighthouse stood before both of them in all it''s glory. It was surrounded by a great ethereal white river, which was torrentially flowing beside it crashing against it''s walls. There was a huge obsidian door at it''s entrance, with a gravel bridge leading to it. "Not bad, not bad at all.", replied Gazeera, awed by it''s towering structure. The Lighthouse was an immensely tall structure. With it''s pale white walls arching across the sky. It was lined with black obsidian, with several runes glowing brightly on it. At the very top of the lighthouse was a warping vortex of ethereal strands, where the light from the lighthouse shined upon them. "Welcome to the lighthouse, buddy.", said Aminon, as she walked towards the lighthouse on the gravel bridge. "This is our base of operation, and also sort of our second home as most of us reside here anyway." "So I presume, the light house is used to guide souls?..", questioned Gazeera, who was walking right beside her. "Not really, Grim reapers guide the souls and the Apostles are responsible for their reincarnation.", replied Aminon, with a bright smile over her face. "In fact, we barely have to interact with any souls, or fragments. The purpose of the lighthouse is more like recon. We watch out for enemies, look after our allies, monitor everything happening across [Yggdrasil] that concerns us and our well-being." Aminon walked towards the obsidian door, knocking it thrice. "So we are more like a relief unit.", replied Gazeera. "Yes!.. though in very rare cases we might have to personally deal with some problems.", Aminon said, as the door opened. "But that really depends on the urgency of the situation." She gestured Gazeera to follow her, as she welcomed him to the lighthouse. Both of them entered a gated lift. The lift had several keys on it. Aminon pressed the zero key and the lift whirred, as it shot up. After traveling in random directions within the lighthouse, it came to a halt. Ting... It''s gated door opened and both of them walked out. The floor they were on was a huge pavilion, where several ethereal strands converged to form a formless spectral portal. There was a ginormous monster at the center of the pavilion. A three headed beast, with huge bestial wings, scaly talons and a serpent for a tail. "Welcome to the [Gates of Erebos].", chimed Aminon. "This is where the souls guided by the Grim reapers, are summoned to the [Three Sovereign Judges]. And, then there is [Cerberus], our guardian.", she continued, pointing at the beast resting at the center. "He is huge!", exclaimed Gazeera. Just as he said that, the beast rose it''s three vicious wolf heads gazing upon him, then it went back to sleep. "See, he likes you, or at least he seems interested.", grinned Aminon. "You know what, next time you are here bring him something to eat, something sweet. The two of you will get along just fine." They returned back to the lift. This time Aminon pressed the key with an hourglass sigil on it. The lift started zooming across the lighthouse. "There are two units among the [Overseer], one monitoring the [Record], while the other monitors [Yggdrasil].", Aminon spoke. "First one led by [The Retired One] while the other is led by [Heimdall]. We work with [The Retired One]." "And who exactly is [The Retired One]?.. even Charon mentioned him.", Gazeera asked. "Oh, we don''t talk about that.", Aminon replied with a smile. Ting... The gated door opened to a grim and bleak room, that was chilling cold. "Oh well, that''s my cue to leave Nasim. Seems like the big man himself wants to speak with you.", she said, saluting off Gazeera as he entered the bleak cold room. Gazeera stood at the entrance of the room. There was a desk at the far end of the room, occupied by a teenager. He was a bit large compared to other [Incarnations] Gazeera had met so far. He had sharp black eyes, sleek black hair and was draped in dark black robes. With an extremely boyish face. "Nasim Shabir Gazeera.", he called, in his sharp and raspy tone echoing across the room. "You are a prophet?" "Huh?..", Gazeera spoke, a bit startled. "You can see visions, right.", replied the boy, a bit annoyed. "A-Aah... yes." "Good, you will be directly working with me from now on.", said the boy. "You will be our [Eye]. Your duty is to personally traverse inside the [Record]. Do you understand?" "Yes.", replied Gazeera. "Then for your first task-", the boy was interrupted, his eyes became distant, and then annoyed. "It seems Hades has summoned you again, well not that I am surprised.", he sighed in annoyance, shutting his eyes and snapping his fingers. Dusky-gold sand shrouded Gazeera, as he was teleported away. He was back in Lord Hades'' cabin. "Hello again, young wolf.", he greeted Gazeera, with a smile warping on his cloudy mannequin like face. ######### ########## ########## Mundane Lives: Calamity [Paradis: Hades'' Cabin] "Hello again, Young Wolf.", Hades greeted Gazeera, as a smile warped over his cloudy mannequin like face. "Lord Hades.", spoke Gazeera, as he bowed before him. "Firstly I am sorry for summoning you again, right during your orientation.", continued Lord Hades. "I presume, Aminon has briefed you about your duty as an [Overseer]. "Aminon showed me to the lighthouse and told a bit about it''s uses.", replied Gazeera. "She was going to show me my workplace, but it seemed like [The Retired One] wanted to have a word with me. In fact, he was about to assign me my first task, that''s when you summoned me." "Well, [The Retired One] is known to be patient.", grinned Hades. "I have a task for you instead." Gazeera nodded. "You haven''t ascended through reincarnation, but through a recommendation. Though, weirdly we cannot pin-point which Deity recommended you.", said Lord Hades. "But that is not an issue. Since you have been recommended, you have skipped a few steps, necessary steps to understand the way our realm functions. And for that reason, I think it would be good if you get some field experience. "Field experience?..", questioned Gazeera. "Having you witness the whole process from death to reincarnation.", replied Lord Hades. "And there is no better way of achieving it than handling an apocalypse. Nothing as calamatic as the biblical end, just handling the end of one civilization and ushering the beginning of a new one." "So all I have to do, is witness the whole process?", said Gazeera. "Well you can get involved if you want to, but mostly yes. You just have to witness the whole process.", replied Lord Hades. "Okay, when do we start?,", Gazeera agreed. "Right now.", said Lord Hades, as he snapped his fingers. Thanatos appeared in front of them, wrapped in shadows. "Go and summon [Deimos], he will be joining us on Sector [SF-5101].", Lord Hades commanded. Thanatos nodded and dispersed in shades of black, reappearing alongside another [Incarnation]. This [Incarnation] was pitch black, with red engraving and markings running randomly across his body. He had huge sharp canine protruding out from his mouth, bulging gold eyes with red iris. His hair was a cloudy combination of jet black and grey. [Deimos] bowed in front of Lord Hades. "He is Deimos, The God of Terror.", spoke Lord Hades, turning to [Deimos], he continued- "You are to accompany Gazeera throughout this expedition and guide him along the way. He is a newborn and a fellow [Overseer], he might not be familiar with certain things, so I urge you to be patient." "As you command.", responded Deimos, curtly. He had deep, commanding voice. "Sir, the reaper units are ready.", spoke Thanatos. "Tell the [Furies] to prepare the [Heralds]. I will be personally overseeing this calamity.", commanded Lord Hades. "Yes, my liege.", replied Thanatos. **************** *************** *************** [Paradis: The Lighthouse] Cerberus stood guard before the [Gates of Erebos], the mighty spectral portal surrounded by a vast array of ethereal strands. He was a towering beast, with his three wolf heads held high. Before him a group of [Incarnations] dressed in black and grey suits were waiting. These were the Grim [Reapers]. And right above them flew a flight of bestial creatures, riding them were the [Heralds] led by [The Three Furies]. The [Heralds] were adorned with the carcasses of several abominations and monsters, appearing domineering and powerful. They landed right beside the [Reapers]. The spectral portal was pulsing softly. Suddenly a grey rift opened in the pavilion, and out from it strode Lord Hades followed by Thanatos, Deimos and Gazeera. "Is everyone ready for the convergence?", Aminon''s voice reverberated across the pavilion. "Yes.", affirmed Lord Hades. "Alright then, initiating convergence in 10.. 9.. 8.." "We are about to fuse with the laws of the realm.", Deimos told Gazeera. "It''s your first time right, you might feel a bit whoozy." "What do you me-", as Gazeera was about to ask Deimos. BOOM!!! The pulsing spectral portal opened. The ethereal strands around the portal started spinning vigorously, wrapping themselves around it. ZWROON!!! The portal started flickering viciously and a beam of light shot forth, shrouding everyone within it. It started pulling everyone towards the portal. Gazeera looked at his hand, it was warping and distorting as he got sucked into the [Gates of Erebos], stretching like a string. SCHING!!! Gazeera was suddenly thrown into a void of space, where he flailed randomly zooming across the spectral abyss. Mesmerized, he gazed upon the abyss, the space was black shrouded in purplish violet hue. Here he could see countless timelines converging and diverging, warping around round and round, over and over again. He could see several universes dissipate and form. And above all that he could see waves of souls and wraiths, zooming across the abyss, an ethereal cloud jumping from one universe to another. Warping around different timelines. He was still flailing around, when a hand grabbed him. "Stay close to me." , said Deimos. "Where am... I?,", asked Gazeera, still mesmerized. "Welcome to the Multiverse.", replied Deimos, with a smile. Where are the rest?,", enquired Gazeera. Deimos pointed at a group flying above them. A magnificent army of [Incarnations] led by Lord Hades himself, who was surrounded by [The Three Furies]. Followed by Thanatos and his [Reapers], racing across the abyss like a trail of jet black shadows. And right alongside them the domineering group of [Heralds] riding their mighty beasts, roaring along the way. "Don''t leave my hand.", said Deimos. "Can''t have you getting lost here." They made their way towards the group. "Commencing convergence.", Lord Hades transmitted his command to all of them. "Brace yourself.", Deimos told Gazeera, who tightly clutched [Bailka] his palisman and held it before himself. The beam of light around them started dissipating slowly. Gazeera distorted as if he was being warped and churned. The beam of light led towards a universe, which was pulsing under the influence of the [Gates of Erebos]. "AAAARRRHHH!!!", Gazeera roared. Just then- All of them were brought inside the universe. ************** *************** **************** [SF-5101: Variant 10E] It was a desolate realm, with few sparkling galaxies moving in it. The universe was rather new and small. The [Incarnations] were just drifting around in the empty, desolate space "Are you alright?", asked Deimos. He was flickering and translucent like a projection. Shrouded in a murky dark red hue. "I am fine.", replied Gazeera. He too was flickering like a projection, shrouded in bright cyan light. "Really, you aren''t feeling concussed or disoriented?", said Deimos. "No... as you can see, I am fine.", said Gazeera. He raised his arms high and stood tall. "If you say so.", shrugged Deimos. "Now you might be wondering about what I meant by fusing with the laws of the world?", spoke Deimos. "Yes.", replied Gazeera. "So as you can see, even though we entered this universe we have not incarnated in it.", said Deimos. "We have descended to this realm in our true form." He pointed at different [Incarnations] standing alongside them. All of them were flickering like projections, shrouded in different colors. "But we can''t directly interact with any universe in our true form, primarily because it will cause more harm than good.", he continued. "So in-order to interact with a universe we inhabit the laws that govern them." "So what happens if we do involve ourselves directly with the world?", questioned Gazeera. "We would reshape the world in our image. It won''t be intentional of course, our presence would just alter the universe to accomodate us.", replied Deimos. "And, what exactly are we waiting for here?", asked Gazeera. "We are synchronizing with this realm.", replied Deimos. And just as Deimos said that, every [Incarnation] in the premise stopped flickering, with the colors shrouding them forming a sleek silhouette around them. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Get ready.", said Deimos, as the group raced across the universe into a galaxy. There were several ships zooming around shooting one another. Great mother ships hovering about star systems destroying satellites, planets, etc. The whole galaxy overrun with mayhem, destruction and madness. Fleets of starships clashing against one another. Booming and bashing, blasting away each other as they left behind a wake of ruin and doom across the galaxy. Gazeera was shocked by the level at which this war was being fought at. Looking at his face Deimos smirked- "You should see the look on your face.", he remarked. "This much is nothing compared to the biblical apocalypse or even some of the major catastrophes I have witnessed. In front of them, this is just a minor skirmish." "What are they even fighting for?", asked Gazeera. "It is a war for dominion and authority between the remnants of a dying civilization looking for a new home and a newly bloomed galactic empire defending theirs.", replied Deimos. "Too bad neither of them are going to survive." "Well then, let''s get to work.", said Deimos,. "Don''t wander away, kid. Just stay close to me and capture as many spirits as you can. Leave the souls to the [Reapers] and the [Heralds]." SCHRINNG!!! Lord Hades raised a pair of dark glinting cleavers, as he grinded them together. Every [Incarnation] rushed forth including Deimos. who was followed by Gazeera. As they were rushing forth towards the battlefield, Deimos turned back and gestured Gazeera to observe. Everyone got to work, the reapers zoomed across the galaxy like whisps of black smoke, wielding their sickles and scythes, reaping every soul that fell in the battle. Soon the entire battlefield was shrouded within an encirclement of dark mist, trapping every soul inside. The [Heralds] circled around the reapers wielding a wide arsenal of weapons, crashing into pocket dimensions, destroying domains which unleashed waves upon waves of spirits and trapped wraiths. The [Heralds] guided the wraiths back into the same universal timeline, while some of them were sent to other variant timelines. Deimos summoned a scimitar, as he prepared for the rushing wave of spirits. "Follow my Lead!!!", he told Gazeera, as he flew towards the monstrous mob of spirits who were gushing at him viciously screeching and cackling. Gazeera followed right alongside him, zooming across the galaxy, ignoring the mayhem and chaos around them. Deimos swung his scimitar, striking at the horde of spirits swarming him. A dull grey crescent shaped arch shot forward at the horde, devouring them in terror and dismay. Deimos circled around the mob cornering them from all sides slashing and stabbing any spirit that got too close to him. The spirits tried to run away, they tried to retreat but to no avail as they could not escape the grasp of terror. The Few that managed to rush out in panic got struck down by Gazeera''s Bailka, as he sent them straight back to Deimos . Deimos spun around, zooming across the galaxy slashing and striking every spirit in his way. Gazeera followed quickly behind him, hitting any spirit that managed to escape Deimos back to him. After scouring the whole galaxy for spirits, capturing any that they could find. The duo finally stopped their onslaught. Containing every spirit at one place in the shape of a murky dark grey cloud. Schling..! Deimos sheathed his scimitar. "Not bad, kid.", he told Gazeera. "Great job on keeping up with me." "Thanks.", replied Gazeera, with a smug smile on his face. "Let''s join the rest. They must be almost done on their side.", said Deimos. "What do you mean, the war is still going-", spoke Gazeera. "No it''s not.", interrupted Deimos. "Look around you, it just ended." Around them the galaxy was left in the wake ruin and doom. Planets obliterated, mother-ships torn apart drifting in solitude, mangled remains of imploded corpses floating in the cold and desolate space. Several star-systems had collapsed, with huge nebulae strewn across the galaxy. Deimos raised his hand, pointing his palm at the murky grey cloud of spirits. Pale grey waves shot forth from his hand, shrouding the cloud. The spirits within shuddered, as most of them got purified. The ones that were purified shined brightly, while the ones that were not remained grey. "The white ones are [Fragments] of our souls, while the darker ones are spirits that are too attached to this universe.", explained Deimos. "But don''t worry about them, [Aminon] will tell you about them later." They made their way towards Lord Hades. The [Reapers] and the [Heralds], had already assembled before him. Thanatos appeared behind Lord Hades, as he assimilated himself in shades of black. The [Furies] circled around Lord Hades menacingly. "Release the [Fragments] back into [Yggdrasil].", he commanded Deimos. Deimos obliged by opening a grey rift and forcing all the purified [Fragments] into [Yggdrasil] through it. "What are we going to do with the remaining ones?", he asked, pointing at the darker spirits. Lord Hades summoned a box, it had several spiral patterns engraved on it. It faintly glowed with a copper glint. Everyone except for Gazeera was taken aback by it''s presence. "My liege, Pandora''s Box, why would yo-", Thanatos spoke up "I promised him that I would show him the whole process from death to reincarnation, didn''t I?..", said Lord Hades, pointing the box at Gazeera. He then pressed one of the spiral patterns on the box activating it. All the engraved patterns on the box started glowing faintly, as it hovered over his palm. The remaining grey spirits got sucked into it like a vortex. The spiral engravings turned red. The insides of the box started to churn and grind. Lord Hades opened Pandora''s Box by pressing it gently at the sides, and out from it came a gushing wave of dark spirits shrouded in bright light as they unleashed themselves upon the universe entering different dimensions and timelines. The space around them started getting bleak, as several timelines started warping and flickering. The galaxy started spiraling and distorting under the influence of unleashed horde of dark spirits. Suddenly, an immense pressure was exerted over the universe. A calamity was approaching it. It had the form of draconian cloud shrouded in spectral strands. It approached the universe in an erratic manner, growling and roaring. It crashed into the universe cracking it''s space as it forcefully opened a huge purple rift. "Everyone!, GET BACK!!!", Thanatos yelled. Every [Incarnation] present started retreating. Trying to get away from the dragonic figure. "Stay close to me.", Deimos told Gazeera, with a grim expression over his face. Lord Hades glared at the raging draconian cloud charging at him. He stood rooted at his spot as he readied his cleavers. Pandora''s Box unleashed the bright white [Spirit of Hope]. Unphased the draconian cloud charged at the group of [Incarnations]. The [Spirit of Hope] dispersed across the bleak and dark universe spreading light, as it entered the warping and flickering timelines. The universe slowly returned to it''s original state and the timelines stopped flickering. The dark spirits eventually disappeared.. Lord Hades charged at the raging dragonic calamity ready to strike it, but it brushed past him completely ignoring him. He got startled, as he turned back to see that the dragonic calamity was targeting Gazeera and Deimos as it was viciously chasing them at an immense speed. "HOLD ON!!!", Deimos bellowed as he unsheathed his scimitar, ready to face the immense and vicious dragonic calamity. Deimos struck his blade forward at the draconian cloud, but it completely phased through him. The dragonic calamity rushed after Gazeera, as it''s roars reverberated across the universe. It opened it''s huge and mighty maw, and gulped down Gazeera in one go. Gulp..~ "GAZEERA!!!", Deimos bellowed, desperately. ########### ########### ########## Mundane Lives: Commitment [SF-5101: Variant 10E] "GAZEERA!!!", Deimos bellowed desperately. The draconian cloud swallowed Gazeera through his huge and mighty maw. Gulping him down in one go. Gazeera roared as he fell down a spiral of spectral strands, as each strand kept lashing him. His head throbbed and his vision blurred, as his mind was muddled with pain. He opened his pitch black eyes wide, as they turned navy blue and his white iris took the shape of a clock. He looked around desperately trying to find a way out, through those torrential spectral waves. He tried to claw at the cloud with one hand and was swinging his palisman [Bailka] with the other, but to no avail. He was pushed deeper and deeper into the torrent. "AAAARRRHH!!!", he yelled in rage. His armor [Koharun] gleaming brightly. [Frames: Anxious and alert, Gazeera approached a hollow wooden door. He nudged it a bit. The door opened as he cautiously entered the room. It looked like a prison. Domed and sturdy. At the center lay a dragon adorned with resplendent and magnificent gold scales, a luscious red mane. He looked like a wraith, translucent. Chained, with his neck restrained by a barbed collar. He rose his head facing Gazeera. Gazeera froze in his tracks, as the Dragon''s spectral eyes stared down at him. The Dragon said, "Release me."] Gazeera''s eyes shone brightly within the spectral torrent of the cloud, as a dark shadow loomed over him. The insides of the cloud started to shift, it started to whirl. The spectral strands latched on to Gazeera dragging him along with it, marking his forehead. "Hrrrmmm...", Lord Hades frowned, as he gazed upon the draconian cloud. The cloud started shifting and warping, it''s form distorted and swirled. At the edge of the cloud Gazeera''s head popped out, still latched on by the spectral strands holding him down. Deimos quickly rushed towards him. "Aaaaahhhh!!!", Gazeera gasped in pain. Lord Hades'' cloudy face twisted with a smile. The dark shadow looming over Gazeera glared at him. The spectral strands that had latched onto Gazeera pulled him back inside, as the draconian cloud recoiled and shot him out. Gazeera was flung into the dead and dim space. As he was flailing around, Deimos grabbed him yet again. "Well,.. it''s good that you weren''t carried away by that.", he sighed in relief. The Draconian cloud rammed against the space again breaking it, as it rushed out from the rift it just formed. "That was quite the venture.", remarked Lord Hades. "I-it just swallowed me in.", replied Gazeera, flustered. "Don''t worry about it.", assured Lord Hades. "There are many entities like that. I am actually glad that you got to witness one. Know this we are not the only entities in [Yggdrasil], be careful and cautious." "You did well.", commended Deimos. "But yes, it helps to stay cautious." Gazeera nodded as he took a deep breath grasping everything that happened so far. Lord Hades raised his hand emitting a bright white beacon across the universe, which shrouded every [Incarnation] present. They got sucked into the light and were transported back to [MYRIAD]. ************* ************** ************* [Paradis: Lighthouse]: Cerberus the mighty beast nestled beside the Spectral portal, peacefully sleeping. The portal pulsed and a group of [Incarnations] arrived. Cerberus peeked through one eye and went back to sleep. "Welcome Back!", chimed Aminon, as the cohort of [Incarnations] arrived at the [Gates of Erebos]. The [Furies] led the [Heralds] out of the Lighthouse, while Thanatos dispersed the [Reapers]. "This was quite an eventful journey.", she continued, approaching Gazeera and the rest. "Take him to the Shrine of [Lethe] and Temple of [Mnemosyne].", told Lord Hades, pointing at Gazeera. "Have him witness the reincarnation for both the cases." Aminon nodded and bowed, gesturing Gazeera to follow her. "So how good is he?", Lord Hades asked Deimos. "He can keep up, does not fuss around. I might say pretty decent.", replied Deimos. "Hmmm...", pondered Lord Hades. Turning to Cerberus he asked- "What do you think about him?". Cerberus grunted and went back to sleep. "Really? You barely take a liking to anyone.", Lord Hades remarked. "I will take my leave now.", Deimos curtly spoke as he disappeared. "Thanatos.", said Lord Hades. "My lord.", Thanatos appeared in shades of black, bowing. "Monitor the outer sector for anything unforeseen.", Lord Hades commanded. "Something big is going to happen soon." "Yes, my lord.", replied Thanatos. "Sir, here is the list of rogue deities and entities you asked." "What about [Durmungar]?", asked Lord Hades. "How far have you reached in finding it?". "Sir, we are making progress. It seems like the demons are planning on using it soon. That''s when we will retrieve it.", replied Thanatos. "Okay, just keep me posted about it", said Lord Hades. "Yes, my lord.". Lord Hades dismissed Thanatos who disappeared in shades of black. He got out of the Lighthouse and made his way to his tower. He went to his cabin, where he fiddled around with some cassettes, DVD''s, albums, etc. He was working on the list that Thanatos had given him, when- "Hello, brother.", a majestic [Incarnation] arrived. This [Incarnation] had a fair complexion. He had magnificent Cloudy White hair and sharp blue eyes, adorning a splendid white crown. He wore a cloudy grey toga. His robust figure leisurely resting over an armchair. "Lord Zeus, brother. What brings you here?", inquired Lord Hades. "Oh ho ho ho!!, you already know why I am here. Why did use it? Why did you use Pandora''s Box?", replied Lord Zeus, amused and gleeful. "I thought we had agreed on not using it anymore." "I had to confirm certain circumstances.", replied Lord Hades. "Oh, do tell me your reason, brother. I am just curious to know what made my stoic brother break his own rules, and trust me I am not the only one.", said Lord Zeus. " ''He'' has made an appearance.", said Lord Hades. "I used Pandora''s box to force ''him'' to show himself." "Seriously?", Lord Zeus became grim and grave. "Yes, my suspicions were correct. By producing these many [Incarnations] of similar world-view, someone is planning on unifying all the realms together.", replied Lord Hades. "And I think it is safe to assume that ''He'' is behind it." "So you risked using Pandora''s Box over a hunch.", Lord Zeus frowned. "But that hunch happened to be real, brother.", replied Lord Hades. "I witnessed him." "Then it seems we should be vigilant.", said Lord Zeus. "I have already sent Thanatos to monitor the outer sectors. He shall keep us posted once every month.", assured Lord Hades. "I will inform the other sovereigns.", said Lord Zeus, his eyes grimly glinting. "Find ''him'', scour the entirety of [Yggdrasil] if you have to." "Rest assured, brother. We will find ''him''. And when we do, we will be prepared.", replied Lord Hades. "Just one last thing, ''he'' seems to be drawn towards [Incarnations] of the name [Walpurjis]." "Good to know, I will keep them in check.", replied Lord Zeus, as he got up and disappeared in sparks of lightning. Lord Hades went back on working over the list of rogue deities and entities. *********** ************ *********** [MYRIAD: Nexus Zone] Akelus wandered amidst the hustling bustling crowd of [Incarnations] in the market. It had been a week since he arrived in the Nexus Zone. He made his way towards a tavern named [Dawn], it resembled an old wooden shack. It had a rusty iron door. Akelus knocked it thrice. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. The door creaked open as he entered. The tavern was dim and cold, pretty spacious. There were several [Incarnations] seated inside, talking and whispering to one another. There was a band of nymphs and sirens serenading in the background. Akelus made his way towards the bar, his white robust physique illuminated in darkness. His nemean figure draped in an orange tunic, his hands adorned with spectral and light beads. "The usual?", asked the bartender, he was an old man with the head of a humanoid serpent. Akelus nodded as the bartender served him a cool glass of spirited mint water. "Was anything put up recently?", Akelus inquired, after he gulped his drink down. "Most of the bounties have already been reserved by the pantheons.", sighed the bartender. "Really?, It has been a rough week, can you just do me a favor for now, please?", Akelus requested. "There is nothing much I can do about the major expeditions as they are issued and auctioned among the pantheons themselves.", explained the bartender. "But there are some escort and recon missions." "I have been doing the same bounties for a over a week now.", Akelus groaned in annoyance. "Aren''t there any better missions than these?" "No there are not.", the bartender curtly replied. "You were personally recruited by [Hypnos], but you just had to refuse the offer. Well this is the issue with running solo Akelus, you have no one looking after you." "Whatever, old man. Just give me a heads up when something good arrives.", spoke Akelus, as he got up to leave. "Akelus remember to go through the list I gave you. Since you are running solo, it''s better to know which factions are active in [MYRIAD] and the trades they specialize in.", reminded the kind bartender, with a benevolent smile. "And, don''t worry about the missions for now. I will do my best to get something good for you." Akelus smirked as he left the tavern. He made his way through the crowd bustling in the streets. He walked up to a junction. Here there were several stores and workshops, exchanging goods and resources. This junction was a crowded place with several [Incarnations] huddled at different stores. Akelus walked through a crowd making his way to one of the [Exchange Units]. The [Exchange Unit] had the symbol of a cloudy hourglass. It was supervised by an [Incarnation] that looked like a Lyre*. Akelus opened his golden ring, and took out some resources. These included weapons, minerals, ores, etc., from different universes and their timelines. The Lyre scanned through the resources. After sometime it spoke rhythmically. "Do you not have any resources from the prime universe?", it inquired. "Hahaha, no.", Akelus chuckled. "You can''t expect me to have such valuable resources every-time, but the current batch of resources are not bad either, they are from the SF and WU zones. And a few of them are from the SN zones closer to the prime universe." The Lyre sighed in rhythm, it spoke- "What do you expect in return?". "Few [Dreamscape] augments, Ethereal augments and spectral mule [units].", replied Akelus. "Okay.", the Lyre agreed as it summoned a few orbs shrouded in dark grey mist, glowing faintly white along with some ethereal white cubes, and a pack of spectral steeds, with glowing smoky eyes and a spectral cloudy physique. Akelus stored the augments in his golden space ring and led the Spectral Steeds by the noose to a workshop. As he entered the workshop. "What can I do for you?", asked an extremely huge and gruff entity, he had a single eye on his face. He was a Cyclops. "Just augment my golden space ring and my gauntlets.", Akelus spoke, as he gave the Cyclops some [Dreamscape] augments. The cyclops doused his hammer into the augment till it was completely shrouded in dark mist, he then fused the augment to his hammer and held his hand forward. Akelus placed his ring over the Cyclops'' hand. The Cyclops hammered the ring with the [Dreamscape] augment, a faint glowing light covered the ring as the mist dispersed. The ring resonated for a bit and then calmed down. Akelus wore his ring and stored the Spectral Steeds inside it. Next he gave the Cyclops some Ethereal augments and his gauntlet [Fudan]. The Cyclops held the gauntlets in one of his palms, while he warped the ethereal augments with his other palm into an orb. He then shattered the orb and transferred the ethereal essence to the gauntlets augmenting it. Akelus took his gauntlets and stored in his golden space ring. He exit the workshop back into the crowded streets. [Pathfinder]: His eyes gleaming brightly with a single golden trail of arrows forming a path in front of him. Following the golden arrows he made his way out of the market. Still inside the [Nexus Zone] Akelus flew, following the golden trail of arrows to a pocket dimension. The dimension had a violet outline and was constantly shifting from one point to another. Akelus had named it [Elusive Shrine]. He made his way to his [Elusive Shrine] and entered it. The dome enclosing the [Elusive Shrine] rippled around him. Inside the domain was a very fertile and prosperous plane. The realm was dim and dark. Several stars studded across it''s dome. Cool breeze blowing across it''s expanse. There was a huge field, a decently big house and several nodes both ethereal and spectral leading to several other sub-domains and timelines. Some of the nodes had resources falling out of them periodically. Akelus summoned the spectral steeds and led them to a barn. There he put those steeds into a stable. It was spacious space close to a spectral node and had an ethereal node on top, that periodically chucked a warping black orb while the ethereal node released stocks of ethereal strands. There were few other animals kept near the barn. A big black oxen, a yak covered in golden brown fur, several ethereal blue roosters. Akelus smiled upon his accumulation and left the barn. He visited his field supervising it. The resources on the field were abundant but they were growing all over the place. "I need to find someone to manage this place, the yield is too low right now.", Akelus thought as he sighed. He entered his house. It had four rooms, all of them were furnished properly. "Master.", entered a spirit in the shape of a Dice. "Prepare my bedroom and synchronize the new mule unit.", commanded Akelus. "As you wish, Master.", spoke the Dice, as it disappeared. "Today was an utter waste.", he sighed, as he went to his bedroom. "I hope Old Man finds me something good tomorrow." He opened the door and fell on his well made bed. "Shou.", he spoke. "Yes master", the Dice shaped spirit reappeared beside him. "Don''t wake me up tomorrow.", Akelus told the spirit. "Yes, master." the spirit named [Bangshou] replied. [Next Day] A zither played in the background. Akelus groaned and woke up. "Shou, I had told you to not wake me up.", Akelus spoke annoyed. "Master, Old Man [Agathos] is calling you.", replied [Bangshou] the Dice. "The bartender?", asked Akelus. "Yes master." Akelus snapped his finger and a voice was transmitted to him. "You didn''t report in today.", [Agathos] communicated. "You know what, never mind. I have got a job for you. It''s high profile. One of the minor pantheons has requested for it. I have recommended you. And, don''t even think about refusing the offer, payout is better than what you are getting right now." "When should I meet them?", enquired Akelus. "Right now.", replied Agathos. "They are already here." ####### ####### ###### Mundane Lives: The Covenant [Nexus Zone: Dawn] Knock.. Knock.. Knock.. Creak... Akelus entered the dimly lit tavern. Welcomed by it''s cool air and the chatter of the [Incarnations] seated inside he made his way to the bar. The Old Man Agathos was standing by the aisle cleaning a goblet of wine. "Where are they?", enquired Akelus. "Follow me.", replied Agathos, a stern look on his serpentine face. He walked down the aisle to a backdoor, Akelus followed behind. Agathos opened the door and walked down a spiraling flight of stairs, into a cellar. There were a group of [Incarnations] waiting inside. Two [Incarnations] were seated while the rest stood guard beside them. At the center sat an [Incarnation] sporting a light beard and a leather cowboy hat. He wore navy blue jeans and magenta boots, a light brown poncho with red and blue patterns. He was wearing a gunslinger''s glove and his hands were draped in white sleeves. He had two hand-cannons strapped on his waist. He flicked his hat and nodded his head, greeting Akelus. Sitting next to him was an [Incarnation] who was awfully familiar to Akelus. He was intently staring at Akelus. He had luscious black hair and wore pitch black wuxian robes with red lining. His eyes glinting as he was grinning wildly. "Dongfang Kongbu?!?", exclaimed Akelus, shocked and flustered. "What are you doing here?". "I have already told you, Akelus.", spoke Agathos, as he snapped his fingers creating a transparent dome around the cellar. "These are the clients." "I believe that''s not what he is confused about.", replied the nonchalant Dongfang Kongbu. "Long time no see Akelus." "Oh, so you are acquainted with another, that''s great.", said the [Incarnation] wearing the poncho. "You can call me Adrian by the way." Akelus became tense as his expression became grim. "You don''t need to be this apprehensive Akelus.", Kongbu continued. "I ascended from the same world that you did. That''s how I got here." "I am not being apprehensive, Kongbu.", said Akelus, as he seated himself before them. "Just making sure all of us are on the same side here." "I hope you can keep your differences aside for now.", Adrian spoke up. "This mission is very sensitive and significant." "I can be professional about it.", Akelus curtly responded. "So, what do you want?'' "What we want is for you to secure a package and bring it to us.", said Adrian. "The package is high profile and you are not supposed to expose it''s existence under any circumstance." "That''s it? that''s all you are going to tell me about?", inquired Akelus. "You should at least tell me the zone I am going to be working in." "It is in the outer sector, hence there are no known zones.", replied Adrian. "And before I can share anymore details, I have to be sure that you will do this job. So, are you in or are you out?" "Look man, you are not giving me much to work with here", Akelus sighed, as looked upon Agathos. Agathos gave Akelus a stern look, as if telling that he better not turn this down. "Okay fine, I am in.", Akelus declared. "So, what''s the expedition?" Adrian gestured his men to leave along with Dongfang Kongbu. Even Agathos left along with them. Outside, in the aisle Dongfang Kongbu summoned a zither and started playing it softly as he sang. This cast an distorted illusion around the cellar. "Okay, we don''t have much time here, so just listen to me.", Adrian told Akelus, as he handed him out a contract. "The package is in the outer sector. I cannot disclose it''s identity right now, but it will be revealed once you secure the package. And we are not the only ones that know about it''s existence so stay cautious and vigilant. Do not under any circumstance surrender the package to anyone, even if they are [Incarnates] from [MYRIAD]. Be wary of the forces from the outer sector. And don''t worry we will be instructing you on how to traverse with the package in a safe and secure manner. Now, it would be good if you sign this non disclosure form on Styx." Adrian handed a quill to Akelus, who took it and signed on the contract. "Now you have taken an oath on Styx.", spoke Adrian. "So if you violate the contract in anyway, terrible consequences will befall upon you." "I understand.", replied Akelus, as he nodded in agreement. "Great then, let''s get to work.", Adrian spoke with a friendly smile on his face as he held his hand forward giving Akelus a firm handshake. ******** ******** ******** [MYRIAD: Nexus Zone] A cohort of [Incarnations] were marching at the outskirts of the Nexus zone, inside an undisclosed node. At the center of the cohort were three [Incarnations] Adrian, Akelus and Dongfang Kongbu. "How did you obtain a human form?", Akelus questioned Dongfang Kongbu. "I had reincarnated over a million times, I had already built enough experience to envision a proper human form rather than a humanoid or relic form. I accumulated all my experiences to build an ideal physique for my ascension.", replied Kongbu with serene smile over his face. "Though some gods prefer being a humanoid or relic. Each form has it''s uses." "Where are we going right now?", turning to Adrian, Akelus asked. "To our base of operations.", replied Adrian. "We will have you geared up for the mission. Your identity also has to be kept secret." "You have a base of operation in the outskirts, why not in the inner city near the market?", mused Akelus. "Because, outskirts makes the work easier. Keeps us safe and hidden.", Adrian sternly responded, glaring at Akelus. "Hahaha, Adrian relax.", laughed Kongbu. "This has always been Akelus'' prominent trait. He is way too curious." The cohort of [Incarnations] halted, standing before a domain. The dome around the domain rippled as they entered it. Inside the domain was a huge and towering obsidian fort, surrounded by a moat of vicious flames and lava. An obsidian draw bridge lead to a towering Iron gate at it''s entrance, with it''s obsidian walls lined with bloodied red spikes. An immensely powerful vicious orange flame burning brightly at the top of each of it''s towers. Skulls of various beasts, monsters, giants so on and so forth mounted on spikes beside the ever flowing moat of lava and fire. An [Incarnation] stood guard over the gate. Upon seeing Adrian''s cohort, he sounded a signal. BWROON!!! The gears of the gate started grinding and gate creaked as it moved up, clearing the way into the fortress. "Stay behind me.", Dongfang Kongbu flicked his robe, as he told Akelus. Akelus'' white nemean physique got shrouded by a warping red cloud. "Welcome to [The Covenant].", proclaimed Adrian, as they entered the fortress. Inside the fortress there was a huge courtyard, which had several pocket dimensions and sub-domains drifting over it. There were dark magenta strands holding them together, keeping them connected to the fortress. Several [Incarnations] surrounded the cohort, staring at them intently. The group entered the main tower. Every Incarnation other than Adrian, Kongbu and Akelus, stationed themselves at the entrance of the tower. "Fancy place.", Akelus mused. Adrian and Kongbu ignored him as they walked down a spiraling flight of stairs, Akelus following right behind them. The stairs lead to an alley. At the end of the alley was a burning obsidian door. Adrian walked up to the door and unlocked it by placing his palm over the flames. The door led to a pitch black room. He went in and brought out a mask that resembled a jester. This mask was intricately designed and was split in two halves, one half smiling while the other crying. The smiling side was plated gold while the crying side was lined with pale green jade. Adrian handed over the mask to Akelus, saying- "This will keep your identity safe from prying eyes." Akelus wore the mask. Suddenly a black robe unfurled from the mask and draped around Akelus. It had intricate purple patterns that were glowing softly. The robe had a hood which covered his white mane. "Nifty.", he commended. "The robes will help us communicate with you across realms.", spoke Kongbu, then pointing at the purple pattern on the robe, he continued. "But the formation cast on the robe is a bit fragile so don''t overexert it. If the pattern gets destroyed we won''t be able to communicate with you properly." This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "You cannot use your personal weapons for this expedition.", Adrian spoke. "Which weapon are you proficient with?" "Gauntlets.", replied Akelus. "Other than hand to hand combat.", said Adrian. "We can''t have anyone tracing you through your prominent martial arts." "Then... double edged swords would do.", responded Akelus. Adrian nodded as he went back inside the pitch black room and brought out a black blade with intricate silver markings, it''s edge had a bright shade of silver. The blade glowed faintly amidst the bleak darkness of the alley. The handle had threaded leather straps, with an emerald pommel. "This blade is made from stygian iron.", said Adrian. "It is extremely valuable, for it was forged by the giants in the pits of [Tartarus], when they rebelled against us. This is a war spoil, a trophy. We are gifting this to you. Hence, I presume you understand the significance of this expedition and why it is necessary for you to succeed." Akelus nodded, for he too knew the value of this blade held. Even if it was not a war spoil, just the material used, Stygian Iron, was valuable enough. This ore was heavily monopolized by [Paradis] and was immensely powerful. It could be only found in [Erebos] and [Tartarus]. Dongfang Kongbu cast a flame. He gestured Akelus to place his palm over the raging fire. As Akelus placed his palm over the flame, it engulfed his palm. Kongbu then assimilated the flame and contained it in a lantern. "We have invested much to this venture.", continued Adrian. "But, the reward is worth the investment. When you find the package then you too will understand why this mission is so valuable. Our hope lies in you now Akelus, you are our final piece. Do not fail us." ******** ******** ******** [Outer Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] It was a dark and desolate space with spectral strands warping and slithering around it, alive. The strands winded around one another threading across the outer sector. There were debris and asteroids drifting across the empty void. A figure flickered onto one of the asteroids. He had a tall and buff physique. He wore a Jester''s mask and black robes with faintly glowing purple patterns. This figure was of Akelus who had descended upon the outer sector''s. "I have arrived.", Akelus communicated telepathically. "Good, what you have to do now is follow the trail of [The Purge].", responded Adrian. "It''s a giant warping cloud of ethereal and spectral strands in the shape of a dragon. But be careful, do not provoke it under any circumstances. The consequences will be devastating." "I got it, where do I start?", asked Akelus. "Just connect to any spectral strand threading across the outer sector.", Adrian told Akelus. Akelus flew towards one of the warping and slithering spectral strand surrounding the outer sector and grabbed hold of it. Then he seeped his primeval energy into it, the strand reacted to his presence by pulsing softly. "Now expand your presence within the strand.", continued Adrian. "This is a weave left behind by the draconian cloud. More like a by-product. But don''t expand your presence too much, otherwise it will sense you." Akelus started directing his energy inside the spectral strand. His energy outlined the strand as it travelled along it''s length. "Good, you have got proper hold over the strand now.", Adrian spoke. "Now try to trace the cloud''s movement back to a source, the starting point of it''s weave. The [Source] should look similar to the [Nexus] in [MYRIAD]. That''s where you will intercept the package." "What would the [Source]''s energy signature be like?", enquired Akelus. "It would be an extremely condensed and heavy zone, with several ethereal and spectral strands stacked and weaved together.", replied Adrian. "Basically look for a large presence of Spectral energy. Also send us a beacon of the spectral strand you are holding, we will use your energy to trace the [Source] even faster." "Alright then.", responded Akelus, as took out his Stygian sword and thrust it into the spectral strand. The silver pattern on the blade glowed softly as the emerald at it''s pommel shined brightly for a moment. The spectral strand started pulsing rapidly as it started stiffening slowly. "Quickly! Synchronize.", Akelus urged Adrian. "Wait... Got it. We are good to go.", Adrian sighed, as the spectral strand pulsed rhythmically and loosened, waving and slithering around. "Stay here for a moment. We are setting up a route to the [Source]." After waiting for a minute or so. Adrian responded- "This is going to be a bit tricky. The [Source] is situated at the heart of [Corzox]. A place the natives call the [Ancestral Planes]. I had hoped we would not have to interact with the outer sector. But it seems like you have no other choice but to infiltrate. We have charted a course to the inner city of [Corzox]. You might have to find a way into the [Ancestral Planes]. Either that or wait for us to formulate a way in." "Send me the co-ordinates, I''ll infiltrate [Corzox] and try to find a way in.", replied Akelus. "Okay.", Adrian replied. "I have sent you a beacon. Trail the Spectral Strand to get in." Akelus flickered and then warped into the spectral strand moving along it''s length towards the co-ordinates that Adrian had sent him. Akelus zoomed across the void of the outer sector, reaching the Kingdom of [Corzox]. He flew past the vast expanse of diverse biomes, drifting islands, sub domains, pocket dimensions so on and so forth. Trailing the spectral strand he reached a barrier. This barrier guarded the inner sanctum of [Corzox]. As he got past the barrier, the patterns on his robe flickered rapidly and then got zapped. "Akelus, wait!-", Adrian spoke telepathically, a bit alarmed. "What?", Akelus enquired, hovering high above the inner city of [Corzox]. "Adrian?" Akelus looked at his tattered robes, the patterns on it were charred. "Shit!.. I am on my own now.", he sighed in frustration. [Pathfinder] Multiple trails of gray arrows formed around him. Leading to several Islands and sub domains. "The [Source] is truly elusive.", he thought to himself. "But before that I should fix my robes." The gray arrows slowly shifted and warped, as several silver arrows formed around him, with a few red ones. There were two golden arrows. "Hrrmmm...", Akelus pondered. And as Akelus was contemplating on what to do next. Two new figures warped in the void of the outer sector, at the outskirts of [Corzox], over a floating Debris. Both were [Incarnations] from [MYRIAD]. They had arrived at the outer sector through a portal opened by the [Gates of Erebos]. One of them had an extremely pale face, with long canines protruding out of his mouth. He wore silver robes with a silver scarf wrapped around his neck. His skin had a faint grey hue and was shrouded in pale white smoke. He had smoky grey eyes, with a distinct circular white Iris, resembling a halo, shrouded within a dark circle. He had a clean, sooty face. He had cloudy a combination of grey and white hair. He had black eyelids that arched sharply towards his brow. This [Incarnation] was the God of Fear-[Phobos]. Next to him, stood an immensely powerful deity. He is one of the twelve Olympians. The God of Journey [Hermes]. He wore a white flat topped feathered helmet, along with a white overcoat lined with gold. An obsidian black vest. He wore sleek white pants and shoes with a copper hue and feathered wings. "This is the place.", spoke Phobos. "This is where [Gazeera] traced down [The Purge]. This is where we might find the [Source] of the weave." "I am here to solely get things done quickly.", said [Hermes]. "As long as you know what you are doing, I can pave a path forward for you. Other factions are getting restless, they too will raid this place. We may have the lead for now, but we are running out of time." Phobos nodded, as both the [Incarnations] flew across the void of the outer sector. Scanning the entire outer sector for clues about the [Source]. ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: Deliverance [MYRIAD: Lighthouse] Few days ago... It had been a day since Gazeera witnessed the apocalypse in the universe [SF-5101]. After the expedition he was briefed by Aminon, about the reincarnation of sentients. There were two types of reincarnates, souls and wraiths. Souls were reincarnates that retained a substantial amount of a sentients presence while the wraiths were fragments of different sentients who broke off from the main existence. These have a smaller amount of presence. His whole day went in exploring and understanding the Shrine of Lethe and the Temple of Mnemosyne. Lethe is the river of lost memories. Here in the Shrine of Lethe, newly born manifestations were bathed by the [Apostles] during their early incarnations, depending on the life they led and the impact it had on them. The life of every [Manifestation] was judged by [Minos], rewarded by [Radhamanthus] and punished by [Aecus] of [The Three Sovereign Judges]. The Temple of Mnemosyne was used mostly by older [Manifestations], the ones who had reincarnated seven times or more than that. The purpose of this Temple dedicated to the Titan of Memory Mnemosyne was to allow any [Manifestation] to selectively tailor their memories of their countless lifetimes as per their requirement. This was done to provide adequate progress and improved efficiency, to all [Manifestations]. {Xyrak- This was one of the reasons why Dongfang Kongbu could manifest an ideal physique for his Ascension.} Aminon guided Gazeera back to the [Lighthouse], where he was summoned by [The Retired One]. "Aminon tells me you had quite the eventful journey.", [The Retired One] remarked, smirking. "I was swallowed by a cloud and almost got lost inside the multiverse.". Gazeera sighed. "Deimos commended you. You did well for your first apocalypse.", spoke [The Retired One]. "Though this apocalypse was one of the milder ones. The truly devastating ones are that which pan across timelines." "You have quite the aptitude to become a reaper, Gazeera.", he continued. "But your nature of an Oracle is quite useful as an [Overseer]. I have decided to assign you the role of my assistant. Your duty is to help prevent truly devastating phenomenon like the one you witnessed before. The draconian cloud that swallowed you is one such phenomenon." "What exactly is that cloud?". questioned Gazeera. "There are many rumors about it. Some say it''s a foreign abomination invading our world while others say it''s long forgotten fallen deity.", [The Retired One] answered. "We call it [The Purge]. It''s an obscure and elusive entity that has been roaming around [Yggdrasil] for a long time, weaving it''s spectral strands into the fabric of [Yggdrasil]. Right now we are here to locate and capture it." "So what''s the plan?", enquired Gazeera. "First we have to locate the [Source] of it''s weave, and destroy it. That will halt whatever [The Purge] is trying to weave around [Yggdrasil].", [The Retired One] spoke. "Once it''s weave is destroyed, [The Purge] would be exposed. Then we just isolate it, and seal it within the outer sector. After that we formulate a way to exile it out of [Yggdrasil]." "Gazeera your role here is to track down the [Source] of it''s weave. You are an Oracle, you see visions just like me.", continued [The Retired One]. "The issue here is, that abomination is familiar with my presence and hence can elude me. But you, not only are you a [Newborn], it seems that [The Purge] is drawn towards your existence. You might have a higher chance in finding the [Source] than I do. All you have to do is follow it''s trail and retrace it back to it''s origin." "Where are we going to start?", Gazeera asked. "[Hades] has recently used [Pandora''s Box] to draw him out.", [The Retired One] answered. "We will retrace his steps from there using the [Nexus]." [The Retired One] rose from his seat and clapped, warping both him and Gazeera to a construct built around the [Nexus]. The [Nexus] was a highly condensed orb of ethereal energy, with several ethereal strands and timelines warping around it "Time is of the essence Gazeera, we have to get this done quickly.", [The Retired One] spoke with a sense of urgency. "Other factions are on the move. We cannot let them get their hands on [The Purge]. I will send you back to [SF-5101] using the [Nexus], right when [The Purge] spit you out." "All you have to do latch on to it and use your vision.", continued [The Retired One]. "I will handle the rest." [The Retired One] summoned a scythe, with it''s vicious blade glinting as he slashed at one of the timelines warping around the [Nexus]. The warping timeline tore open with a faint blue hue. [The Retired One] then gestured Gazeera to jump inside the timeline. Gazeera jumped in, with his presence warping across the timeline. As he traversed along the timeline, it responded to his presence by shattering into multiple frames. [The Retired One] placed his palm around the [Nexus] as ethereal blue energy of time seeped into it. The constructs around the [Nexus] faintly glowed blue and was flickering. The frames inside the shattered timeline started moving rapidly, pulling Gazeera along the flow of the timeline. [The Retired One] twisted his hand slowly, reversing the movement of the frames. "Keep jumping from one frame to another.", he instructed Gazeera, telepathically. Gazeera instinctively jumped from one frame to another pushing his presence through the timeline till he reached [The Purge]. The frame showed an image of [The Purge] spitting out Gazeera. The ethereal blue energy of time shrouded that particular frame shattering it''s surface. The timelines slowly and steadily restored itself as Gazeera''s presence seeped inside the frame. He entered the universe as a flickering projection. He saw a familiar scene play out in front of him. RRRRRAAAANNNGRRRH!!! A deafening roar reverberated across the universe as the Draconian Cloud recoiled and spit out Gazeera. "Your presence has been projected into the timeline, you don''t have much time here. Find the [Source] before you get booted out of the timeline.", [The Retired One] told him. Gazeera saw his past self being flung across the galaxy as he hurried towards [The Purge] grabbing one of it''s spectral strands latching onto it. The mighty draconian cloud, [The Purge], rammed against space breaking open a rift and entered it. Gazeera got dragged along with it. "Use your vision on it, NOW!!!", [The Retired One] commanded. Gazeera''s pitch black eyes turned a shade of blue, with his pure white iris taking the form of a clock. The draconian cloud sensed his presence. It started flying in a very erratic manner, becoming wilder and wilder, as it sped across the multiverse. The draconian cloud, the mighty [Purge] swirled and spun around, as it''s ethereal and spectral strands lashed viciously at Gazeera. Two spectral eyes warped over it''s body as it glared at Gazeera. Enraged, [The Purge] started warping and shifting, it''s Spectral strands started spiraling around Gazeera. The strands wove around Gazeera trapping him in. At the [Nexus] construct, [The Retired One] waved his hands as he sent forth a wave of deep blue mist into the timeline sealing it up. Blue smoke started pouring out of Gazeera''s navy blue eyes, as he grimaced in pain. [The Retired One] started directing and orienting the blue smoke completely shrouding [The Purge] inside it. [The Purge] started swirling viciously resisting the blue smoke, trying to clear it away. But the smoke coiled around the Draconian Cloud like an unrelenting serpent hunting it''s prey. [The Purge] started to falter as it slowed down a bit. Gazeera''s eyes still kept pouring out large amounts of blue smoke. [The Purge] kept slowing down as the blue smoke tried to hold him back. [The Retired One] grimaced as he tried to bind [The Purge]. While still holding the vicious draconian cloud back, some of the blue smoke started converging at one point, slowly warping a time portal in front of [The Purge]. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. This enraged the draconian cloud as it let out a tremendous and deafening roar across the multiverse. RRHHHAAAHHRRRHH!!! [The Purge] formed many tendrils around it''s body by coiling several spectral strands together. It spun those tendrils around, viciously cutting through the blue smoke. [The Retired One] strained as he kept using the blue smoke to restrain [The Purge]. "Jump into the portal when I tell you to.", he spoke to Gazeera, telepathically. Gazeera nodded as he climbed [The Purge] by grabbing hold of the spectral strands of it''s body and mounted on it''s back. [The Purge] ignored Gazeera as it kept slashing at the blue smoke with it''s vicious tendrils, slowly and steadily clearing it away. Alarmed [The Retired One] tried to hasten the portal''s formation. [The Purge] continued to slash away at the blue smoke as it made it''s way towards the warping time portal in front of it. It then produced a huge spectral tendril and slashed at the portal, cutting it. Then it wrapped the portal with it''s spectral strands, as it unweaved it. "WOARRH!!!", [The Retired One] gasped in pain, with a grim expression on his face. Gazeera panicked as his surroundings shattered into countless frames. These frames did not move in a linear pattern but were rapidly circling around [The Purge]. The draconian cloud grunted as it whirled and recoiled, flinging Gazeera off it''s back. It then formed a huge dragonic arm by coiling many spectral tendrils together and grabbed him. It then threw him up high and flicked him with it''s tail. Gazeera''s presence shot across the multiverse, as more and more frames surrounded him, spiraling around him. The mark on his forehead gleamed brightly. He shattered through one of the frames circling around him. His surroundings started getting bleaker. He was frantically looking around for something to hold on to. But there was nothing in that bleak void of space. BOOM!!! He crashed onto a floating debris. Weirdly the debris was pulsing softly, there were still some spectral strands weaving around it. "Urgh...", Gazeera groaned as he got up. He gazed around around and found the surroundings a bit familiar. The same bleak and cold desolate place that he had witnessed in [The Armory] of [Paradis]. He saw a man standing before him. "I hope you will return someday, Old friend.", said the mysterious man, as grief overwhelmed him. With his back facing Gazeera. He had luscious black hair, broad shoulders, a tall and well toned physique and a tanned skin. The man knelt to the ground, wailing. His hair turned red as he wailed in rage and frustration. His cry reverberated across the dead and desolate space like a mighty roar. He kept crying and roaring, wailing in sadness. The debris around him pulsing vigorously, as the spectral strands responded to the mysterious man''s presence. Gazeera stood back in awe, as he saw the man slowly turning into a dragon. The spectral strands seared into the man''s skin and slithered inside it. The man groaned as he slowly started warping into a draconian cloud, growing in size. The draconian cloud let out a mighty roar. RRRHHAAAANHHRR!!! The spectral strands spread wildly across the dead and desolate place, weaving across the bleak and cold realm. The strands weaved new lands, floating islands, domains, sub-realms and finally in the end life-forms. These life-forms were later on called the Rift-borne. At the heart of the realm, was a bleakly glowing spectral orb, there was some mysterious entity incubated inside it. The Draconian cloud swirled around the spectral orb, as it created the first life-form of the realm. It was a young boy, a child. A child dragon. He looked upon the draconian cloud with his innocent eyes, full of wonder, curiosity and a bit of anxiety. "Don''t be afraid, child.", spoke the mighty draconian cloud, nimbly caressing the boy''s face with pride. "This realm is a safe haven for you, me and our people. Since you are my firstborn, I shall name you Valheji ''The Golden Spark''." The draconian cloud then marked the child''s forehead by rubbing it. "Valheji", the child dragon innocently recited his name as he smiled at the Draconian cloud. He then transformed into a dragon and roamed the newly produced realm exploring it with curiosity and wonder. "There will be more to inhabit this place.", mused the mighty draconian cloud. "I shall give this realm a name, ''Corzox''. A haven for the lost, weary and hopeful." ZWOOM!!! Gazeera was suddenly pulled out of that realm, from that point of time and warped onto the construct around the [Nexus]. "Did you find it, did you find the [Source]?", questioned [The Retired One], he looked extremely tense and weary. "Yes, I found it.", spoke Gazeera, though he couldn''t understand the pain he felt welling up in his heart. "It is in the [Kingdom of Corzox]". ******** ******** ******** [Outer Sector: The Kingdom of Corzox] At the heart of the inner city of [Corzox], was a magnificent and towering gold palace. Inside the palace was a huge throne room where eleven entities were seated. These were the sovereigns of the rift-borne inhabiting the outer sector, also called The Sentinels. There were a set of five thrones each on two opposite sides of the throne room, facing one other. Each Sentinel occupied a throne. There was a flight of stairs at the end of the room leading to a platform with a powerful and regal throne on it, facing the seated Sentinels. Occupying the magnificent throne was an extremely powerful entity, called ''The Dragon King Varcielle''. All the Sentinels present inside the throne room were mighty dragons and each one had a grim expression on their face. "Someone has breached the barrier.", spoke one of the Sentinels, with a hostile glint in his eyes. "That is not an issue here.", replied The Dragon King Varcielle, in a deep and grim tone. "The [Source] is not apprehensive and hostile towards the intruder''s presence. The real issue is that gods have descended from [MYRIAD]." "We know what they are here for.", another Sentinel spoke up. "We cannot let them unravel the [Source], but showing too much hostility towards them will ensure their wrath upon us. It would have been better if our guardian was with us right now, but now we have to go with our initial plan. We have to stall them inside the newly woven worlds." "Yes that would have been our initial approach.", said The Dragon King Varcielle. "But it seems we have underestimated the number of factions that are interested in our realm. It''s not just [MYRIAD] we have to worry about, if the situation prolongs [HELL], [Tartarus], [The Jotuns], will invade us as well. They too have shown inclination towards possessing the [Source]." "Stalling the factions will not work.", Varcielle continued. "We have to turn this situation to a full blown war. All the factions may work together till they get their hands on the [Source]. We just have to make them apprehensive and impatient." Pointing at three Sentinels, Varcielle spoke- "Sherpa, Balrog and Genma, you are responsible for keeping the ancestral planes hidden.", he commanded. The three dragon sentinels nodded. "Malgus and Typhon will protect the inner city.", he continued, as he rose from his throne. "While the rest will defend [Corzox] in the frontlines alongside me. Rally your armies for we are going to WAR!!!" ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: The Pariah [MYRIAD: The Covenant] Inside the mighty fortress of [The Covenant], in a dimly lit cabin, two [Incarnations] were present, Dongfang Kongbu and Adrian. Kongbu was pacing around the room with a grim expression over his face, while Adrian, seated before a table, was trying his best to keep calm. "AAAHH!!!", enraged, Adrian swiped at the table shattering and breaking everything on it. "Fuck!!!" "Calm down!", spoke Dongfang Kongbu, as he carried a lantern containing a dazzling gold flame. "Akelus is still alive." "That makes it even worse!", yelled Adrian furious and frustrated. "I didn''t know the [Olympus] would get involved. They have sent [Hermes]!!! We can''t have him get captured by [Hermes] of all people. Fuck, I should not have listened to Agathos." "Be a bit optimistic, Adrian.", chided Kongbu. "Akelus is not one to get easily captured, especially his ascended version." "You know what, I would have agreed with you Kongbu, if we were dealing with any other [Incarnation]!!! They have sent an Olympian God over to [Corzox].", replied Adrian, extremely tense and anxious. "If Akelus breaks down and confesses everything, we might get dissolved and exiled." Kongbu could not refute Adrian, but he shrugged while still pleading Adrian to think positively. "Haaa...", Adrian sighed. "Have we at least formulated a way into the [Ancestral Planes]?" "About that... no. The rift-borne have hidden the [Ancestral Planes], and we lack the resources to break through their defenses.", Kongbu sighed in defeat. "All we can do is trust in our sovereign''s prophecy." "Haaa...", Adrian sighed in frustration, holding his head. "We just can''t seem to get a single thing done right, huh. Things were way better when our sovereign was still active." Dongfang Kongbu just gazed upon the glowing lantern in his hand with empty eyes. A look of defeat. Just then- Adr-... Adrian... There was telepathic static crackle. It was Akelus'' voice. "Adrian can you hear me?", Akelus spoke telepathically. "Yes, Yes, Yes we can hear you", Adrian replied as he frantically sighed in relief. "I have a way in.", Akelus said. Adrian was grinning madly, barely able to contain his joy. "But there is an issue.", Akelus continued, with a frustrated tone. "For some reason I am fighting Hermes." ******** ******** ******** [Outer Sector: Kingdom of Corzox] Few Hours Ago... Akelus was following a golden trail of arrows, flying towards a group of five floating islands. These islands hovered over the vast inner city of [Corzox]. The colossal draconian palace of Dragon King Varcielle was at the center of the city. From the palace, the city branched into four sections. Four islands hovered above each section, with the fifth island floating over the Draconian Palace. A very bulky weave of spectral strands held the islands in place, constantly supplying resources from and to them. The city itself was surrounded by great mountains, and was over the clouds. The mountain peaks were lush green, with several tree like vines sprouting all over them. Entire place was domed by a golden sky making the inner city shine brightly. The golden arrows pointed to the island hovering above the north-east sector of the city. Akelus looked at it from afar. The island looked industrious, with several factories, industries and forges. It had several fortresses built out of gravel, iron and obsidian. Akelus flew closer to the island, he could see several guards stationed at it''s perimeter. Upon seeing Akelus approach them they readied their weapons, preparing for battle. A dark shadow appeared behind him, it wore silver shades and had a devil''s face. It gazed upon the keen and vicious draconian guards putting them under a trance. Akelus slipped past wondering why did they not attack him. The guards just stared blankly at him. The island was a bustling territory with rift-borne inhabiting it. They worked in mines, factories and forges present on the island. The streets were filled with the rift-borne who were transporting resources and goods across the island. Still following the golden trail of arrows, he swiftly walked past several factories and forges, till he reached a small cottage. It had a thatched roof and was made up of brick walls. In front of the cottage there was petite little garden, growing several herbs and plants. Akelus walked up to the oak door. There was a lantern with dazzling gold flames hanging by the doorway of the cottage. Knock... Knock... Knock... Akelus knocked the oak door thrice. "Who''s there?", a voice was heard from within the cottage. It was the voice of a young child, meek and innocent. "A weary traveler.", replied Akelus. "I am here to fix my robes." "One moment.", replied the childish voice. Faint footsteps could be heard from within the cottage as if someone was running inside. [Pathfinder] Akelus desired an aide. The next second, the child opened the door letting Akelus in. The child was a young boy, he had a faint golden hue. The boy looked at Akelus and meekly pointed at another person seated inside the cottage. This person was wearing a black vest and a hood. He was seated before a table and was surrounded by bamboo shelves containing several books and records. The person had pale green eyes and slit iris, a marble smooth face and a scaly frame. He spoke, "Hello weary traveler, I am Adanis and he is Xylus.", he told Akleus pointing at the child. "How can I be of service to you?" "Fix my robes.", Akelus spoke as he pointed at his tattered robes. "You are not from around here are you?", questioned Adanis, he had an ironic mix of a chirpy and raspy tone, unusually persuasive. Akelus tensed up, almost readying his blade for battle. "Oh, don''t be this anxious my guest.", replied Adanis. "This is not my first time trading with outsiders. "How did you know that I am not from here?", Akelus said. "With a disguise like that anyone can discern that you are not from here, especially with the way you communicate with us. Almost similar to how gods communicate. Are you from [MYRIAD]?, questioned Adanis. Akelus was getting more and more apprehensive of the person sitting in front of him. But he did not act rashly as he was deep within enemy territory. He tried to diffuse the situation by pretending- "It would be wise not to lie about your faction.", spoke Adanis, as if he read Akelus'' mind. "And don''t worry this is not the first time I am trading with [MYRIAD]." "Yes I am from [MYRIAD].", Akelus sighed, calming himself down. "These are sensitive times my guest.", Adanis spoke, with a broad smile forming over his face. "Rift-borne are apprehensive towards your presence especially the Sentinels. But since you are my customer, I will take good care of you. Xylus hide us for a moment." "Oh... oh!, oh! I know how to do that.", the young boy spoke as he happily rushed outside, with much eagerness. Outside the cottage he drew some patterns and erected a translucent barrier around it. "Hmmm... the barrier is a bit flawed, but no worries we won''t be needing it anyways. It was just a bit of practice for the boy.", mused Adanis, as he looked at Akelus. "Now let''s get down to business." "Like I said before.", Akelus spoke as he seated himself before Adanis. "I am here to get my robe fixed." "And that I can do.", replied Adanis, still smiling. "How much are you willing to pay?" "I can pay you generously.", Akelus said, his eyes glinting bright gold through the jester''s mask, as he leaned back on a chair leisurely. "Say will this be enough?" [Pathfinder] Akelus desired for an answer, on how he would be able to enter the [Ancestral Planes]. And this small cottage shined bright gold. This meant he would be able to find an answer here. He took out a pencil case from his golden ring and presented it to Adanis. The smile on Adanis'' disappeared replaced with a look of awe and shock, his expression becoming more eager and gleeful. "Is that what I think it is?", he asked Akelus. "You can open it and see for yourself if you are not that sure?", replied Akelus. Adanis opened the case and saw a pencil inside, but there was something peculiar about it, the aura around the pencil was extremely dense as if it were warping and twisting the laws governing [Corzox], an extremely powerful artefact. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Adanis quickly closed the pencil case sealing the pencil inside. "It''s a sample straight from the prime universe.", Akelus spoke. "It''s quite difficult to procure, but you see I am quite resourceful." "Well, I graciously accept your humble offer my friend.", replied Adanis, nodding his head. Akelus placed his palm over the case, he said- "The price I am offering is way too high for a simple robe. You seem just as resourceful as I am. You know how to discern a god''s tongue from others. Say what other services can you offer for this price.", Akelus grinned. "I presume you would have a pretty decent network of information." "Oh, my guest you think too highly of me.", replied Adanis, with a scoff. "I am but a humble merchant." "Most entities in any faction wouldn''t even realize a god''s speech, one needs to know about god''s tongue to discern it from other languages.", Akelus scrutinized Adanis. "And that kind of information does not lie around, you have to dig out god''s language to learn about it and identify it. So tell me, my friend what other services are you willing to provide me for the price that I am offering you?" Adanis'' face turned stiff as he broke into brief smile. "What do you want to know about, my guest?", he asked Akelus. "I want to know about the [Ancestral Planes].", replied Akelus. "I want to know about it''s purpose, it''s creation and the means required to enter it." Adanis hesitated for a bit. "This pencil is not the only sample I can procure from the prime universe.", told Akelus. "We can establish a more favorable trade in the future since you are so open about dealing with me." After thinking about it for sometime Adanis spoke- "You have to promise to me on Styx that you won''t reveal anything I tell you to anyone.", said Adanis. "I make a solemn oath on Styx that I will not reveal to anyone about what you will tell me right now about the [Ancestral Planes].", Akelus assured Adanis. "Good, the [Ancestral Plane] is like our holy ground, our sacred abode. Built by our patriarch, the first Dragon King Valheji''s father. It''s purpose is total speculation, even the current Dragon King Varcielle doesn''t know why it was made, other than the fact that it houses the dead. More precisely the dead rift-borne as well as former Dragon Kings who fall in the [Trial of Ascension]. It is impossible to directly enter the [Ancestral Planes] unless you are an entity of a Dragon King''s caliber. The only other way to enter it is by dying as a rift-borne.", Adanis explained. Akelus remained silent, blankly staring at Adanis. "In that case, is there anyway to interact with it?", asked Akelus. Adanis nervously looked around, fiddling his thumbs. "Why do you want access to the [Ancestral Planes]?", he asked. "Inside the [Ancestral Planes] is something called the [Source]. And you see there is a powerful artefact or entity residing inside that [Source]", Akelus replied, he raised his hand gesturing Adanis that he had not finished speaking. "And don''t misunderstand me, I am not claiming that artefact or entity for [MYRIAD], neither do I plan to unravel the [Source]. I am simply here for what''s inside the [Source]." "There is something inside the [Source]?", Adanis questioned. "Yes, and I am not the only one after it.", answered Akelus. "There are other factions as well targeting it. I am here to safely extract the artefact or entity. And unlike me they will all invade [Corzox] without hesitation." "I am sorry but I really don''t know a way in.", Adanis sighed. "Huuu...", Akelus sighed in defeat. "Well this was a waste of time, I guess I should just have my robe fixed now." "Well, thanks anyway.", he told Adanis, as he removed his mask and placed it in front of Adanis. "Just fix my robes for now." Adanis took the Jester mask in his hand and snapped his fingers, summoning a sewing table. He then unfurled the mask into a robe and placed it under the machine. He then summoned a yarn made out of paracausal threads, and began to sew the robe. "But my ability would not have led me here for no reason, there has to be a way in, there has to be an answer here.", Akelus thought, as he rubbed the temples of his forehead. "Think, Akelus think." "Your patriarch, the one who created this place can you tell me more about him.", said Akelus. "Though his name has not been recorded in our history, he has been mentioned in the first Dragon King Valheji''s records as his father and creator.", Adanis spoke as he kept sewing the robe together. "That''s all there is written about him. In fact the current generation would have forgotten about him if not for the guardian he left behind for us. Because of that he is a very prominent entity in our society." "Guardian?..", questioned Akelus. "Oh, he is an immensely huge Draconian Cloud, built purely from ethereal and spectral weave. It roams across [Yggdrasil], expanding our realm. Our salvation, our savior. We call him [The Pioneer].", said Adanis, as he finished weaving the pattern into the robe fixing it. "[The Purge]!!!", thought Akelus, his face twisted to a smile. "I found a way in." "Well it''s all done now.", Adanis spoke as he returned the jester mask back to Akelus. Akelus handed over the pencil case to Adanis. "Pleasure doing business with you.", Adanis spoke saluting Akelus off. Akelus wore the Jester mask, robes unfurled from it draping him in it. As he got out of the cottage he was surrounded by several Draconian Guards pointing their weapons at him. "Surrender now, intruder.", spoke a Rift-borne hovering high up in the sky. He was the Sentinel Typhon. Akelus just sighed in frustration. ******** ******** ******** [Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] Phobos and Hermes approached the barrier of spectral strands around the realm of [Corzox]. Phobos hovered behind Hermes, who created an orange construct. Hermes made several hand signs resembling different arcane symbols. The orange construct spun rapidly as Hermes slammed it against the barrier. The barrier started warping and shattering, revealing a dim, dark and desolate place. There were several towering and humungous islands floating inside the realm, viciously held by grim, daunting chains. The islands were bound to a huge arena covering the base of the realm. Hermes and Phobos were welcomed by an army of Rift-Borne hovering above the arena led by Dragon King Varcielle. Hermes raised his hand as a gesture of peace. Dragon king Varcielle nodded as he instructed army to descend below to the arena. "What brings [MYRIAD] to the [Kingdom of Corzox]?", Varcielle questioned Hermes. Hermes scoffed as he spoke, "We are here to end [The Purge]. We have reason to believe that his [Source] is housed in your realm." "The [Source] is responsible for our realm''s existence.", replied The Dragon King Varcielle. "We don''t know where it is hidden." "Why do you insist on making this difficult?", mused Hermes. "Surrender the [Source] to us. Or do you really insist on getting your kingdom wiped from existence?, If you are worried about losing a potent realm, don''t worry, The Sovereigns of [MYRIAD] shall generously provide you with a kingdom to rule. Do not insist on keeping this realm, save your people from our wrath before it''s too late." "My people are safe under our guardian''s benevolence.", said Varcielle. "You have nothing to offer that our Guardian can''t. He will ensure our existence, our survival... you won''t. We won''t let you unravel the [Source]." Hermes grimaced. "Hmm... I was quite generous with my offer. I will say again, Surrender the [Source] or face our wrath.", He said, in a grim tone. "Keeping the [Source] will do you more harm than good. [MYRIAD] is not the only faction after it. Accept our asylum [Dragon King Varcielle]." Glaring at Hermes, Varcielle retreated back along with his Sentinels, as he prepared for battle. His armies below charged towards the two intruders. "Hahahaha!", Hermes laughed maniacally, as he gazed upon the charging horde of Rift-Borne with a vicious glint. "Then you can die alongside that banished Pariah you call your ''guardian''." This snide remark immensely angered the mighty rift-borne army. Enraged, Dragon King Varcielle along with his Sentinels morphed into vicious dragons, roaring in immense wrath and anger. The battle for [Corzox] had commenced. ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: Commence [Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] RRAAANRRGH!!! The mighty roar of Dragon King Varcielle and his six dragon sentinels resounded across the battlefield, as the war commenced. Hermes and Phobos hovered, rooted on their spot. They observed the roaring dragons and their rift-borne armies approaching them. Hermes sighed and Phobos groaned as they prepared for battle. The horde of rift-borne swarming them from all directions. Hermes sped towards Dragon King Varcielle slaughtering any rift-borne who dared to stop him with extreme precision and gore. Heads were torn, hearts were impaled, necks were snapped and bodies were ripped apart as Hermes made his bloody path towards Varcielle and his Sentinels. BOOM!!! Hermes struck a powerful blow to Varcielle right on his face. Crack!!! Dragon King Varcielle''s skull cracked upon impact, as he flung in the opposite direction. Varcielle''s blood red eyes opened wide with a vicious glint in his slit iris, a bloody aura shrouded his existence. [Reconstruction] Dragon King Varcielle''s draconian form started morphing and warping with his back bulging. His chest broke open and hands turned into vines grabbing hold of Hermes and dragging him away. The bulge on Varcielle''s back morphed into an identical clone, who charged alongside the Sentinels towards Phobos. "I will stall Hermes for as long as I can!!!", Varcielle roared across the battlefield as he dragged Hermes away from his army. "Repel Phobos with all your might." The Sentinels nodded as they followed Varcielle''s clone, speeding towards Phobos. They charged their breaths. Surrounding Phobos, together they unleashed an immensely powerful beams of energy aimed at him. Phobos''s face broke into a wide, unnerving smile. His grim and creepy white halo iris gazed upon the Dragons and their armies. He opened his vicious fanged mouth wide pouring out pale grey mist. The mist crept across the battlefield surrounding the armies and shrouding the Sentinels along with the clone. The rift-borne army was completely trapped inside the mist along with their dragon Sentinels and Varcielle''s clone. The beams of energy they had unleashed warped around Phobos and dispersed inside [The Mist]. His eyes started to glow with an unusual shade of gray and white, glaring through [The Mist]. He took out a metal Aulos ,(Xyrak: It is kind of a flute, but has two pipes instead of one), it was obsidian black in color with shadows emanating from it. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath. [The Mist] spiraled around him in a serene and Harmonic manner. He played a serene tune with his ominous Aulos. Entrancing the army trapped inside. Fear crept in their spines, making their skin crawl, gnawing at their deepest and darkest secrets, their insecurities as they ran rampant inside [The Mist]. The Sentinels dispersed trying to get out of the illusion, but several apparitions of Phobos appeared surrounding each one of them. Hidden by [The Mist] these apparitions appeared as bleak shadows, drifting around the rift-borne army. Varcielle''s clone blasted a powerful beam of energy at the apparitions and roared a command to his Sentinels- "FIGHT THE ILLUSIONS, PROTECT OUR PEOPLE!!! LEAVE PHOBOS TO ME!!!" The Sentinels nodded as the rushed towards the frantic rift-borne army, preventing them from killing each other in fear and anxiety. [Reconstruction] [Reconstruction] is an intricate ability that allowed Varcielle complete dominion over his existence. It allowed him to shape himself to whatever form he desired to be. Varcielle''s Clone expanded his head, duplicating his brain constantly. He kept transmitting information to the duplicated brain from his original brain. This is how he countered Phobos'' illusion and maintained his sense of reality. The memories that got tampered by Phobos'' illusions got stored in the duplicated minds, while the original kept tailoring the clone''s memories to keep them free from influence. The clone rushed past several apparitions of Phobos while producing more clones of Varcielle. These clones kept roaring inside [The Mist] weakening it''s effects over the rift-borne army to some extent. Some of the stronger Rift-Borne snapped back to their senses and actively helped the Sentinels in protecting their brethren. The clones banded together at one point still multiplying in numbers, as they charged their breaths. BOOM!!! An immensely powerful beam of light shot forth dispelling a portion of Phobos'' mist. The Sentinels rallied their armies as the six of them rushed out of [The Mist]- "A WAY OUT! FOLLOW US!!!" The rift-borne army followed The Sentinels outside. Varcielle''s clones remained inside helping those who could not escape. Still multiplying in number, occupying the entire [Mist] of Phobos'' illusions. Phobos shot forth from [The Mist] confronting the Sentinels and their armies. He dismissed his Aulos, and summoned a baton and a leash. "Hmm...", mused Phobos gazing upon [The Mist] he had cast, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. "These pesky clones have rendered [The Mist] useless." The Sentinels charged at Phobos yet again from all the directions, swarming him with their armies. Phobos deftly dodged them with great elegance and poise. He grabbed the tail of one Sentinel and flung him away, while smashing the head of another with his cane. Two extra arms popped out of his back. One carrying a leather bag, while the other carried a bell. The rift-borne swarmed Phobos endlessly, as he kept bashing, thrashing, whipping and flinging them around. No arcane used, no power exerted, just pure brute strength. With pure brute strength he kept overwhelming the mighty rift-borne army. Laughing like a maniac he kept killing one rift-borne after another. Smashing their heads in with his cane, choking them using his leash, flogging them in his bag, always ringing his ominous bell. "Hahahaha!!!", he kept laughing as the rift-borne were being slaughtered by his hand. Eerie bloodlust emanating from his eyes. RRAANRGH!!! The Sentinels roared in rage as the six of them desperately fought back. Their bodies bruised and battered, bloodied and in agony. But Phobos did not relent, he kept bashing and thrashing them. It was a bloody battle. The rift-borne kept falling down to the arena below, while some lost their heart, their will to fight. Phobos did not shed an ounce of his ichor. The army retreated back inside only the Sentinels remained. Looking at their dwindling numbers Phobos could barely hold in his laughter. "This is what your might amounts to, Hahahaha!!!", he mocked them. "Your arrogance is astounding, you cannot handle two [Incarnations] of [MYRIAD], and yet here you thought you could have survived the onslaught of our supreme faction." The Sentinels groaned as they hovered above the dull, gray arena. Their eyes burning with rage as they charged up their aura. Their bloodlust soaring as it shrouded Phobos. They circled around him, slowly. Their huge draconian forms bloodied and bruised. They lunged at Phobos with their arms outstretched. Phobos just sighed as he prepared to strike them again but this time The Sentinels deftly dodged his strikes as they started cornering him with vicious coordination. The Sentinels relentlessly attacked Phobos with arcane magic and powerful beams of energy. Circling around him with immense speed. Their attacks became more and more precise and deadly. When Phobos struck one Sentinel down, four of them surrounded him trying devour him whole. Their vicious maws, their ferocious jaws biting and snapping at Phobos. Phobos was still unphased. He kept evading them gracefully. And even when an attack landed on him, it didn''t seem to hurt him. Not a scar, not a wound, not a single drop of his ichor was spilt. Dismissing his weapons, Phobos grabbed the maws of the two Sentinels snapping at him, and hurled them away. He simultaneously he bashed the skulls of two other Sentinels together. Grabbing their horns he lunged at the remaining two Sentinels who were charging at him together. One of the Sentinels swiped his mighty claws at Phobos, slashing him. Skrrrt!!! That did nothing to Phobos, who just smiled brightly at the attacking Sentinel. Phobos flew over the Sentinel, stomping him right on his face, sending him crashing down. Right then, The last Sentinel lunged at him. Phobos turned his head to face the final Sentinel, only to be met by a flaming and ferocious draconian fist punching him straight in his face. BOOM!!! Phobos was sent whirling across the battlefield. His face still adorning an eerie smile, as he stabilized himself. "Do you need my help?", Hermes asked Phobos. "No.", Phobos curtly replied. "Suit yourself", Hermes said as he resumed his fight with a furious Dragon King Varcielle. The Sentinels hovered at a distance, helping each other up as they prepared to fight yet again. Phobos immediately flew back towards the Sentinels, once again engaging them in a vicious battle. "You could have saved yourself and your people, had you just surrendered.", Hermes taunted, backhanding Varcielle. Tanking the attack with his face, Varcielle swung back at Hermes from all directions with several mutated claws. Hermes just glared at Varcielle in frustration as a golden glint appeared in his eyes. Next moment, Varcielle''s the mutated claws pulverized only to be healed again and relentlessly strike Hermes. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Varcielle kept conjuring new mutations to target Hermes and Hermes kept destroying them. The two were stuck in a frustrating and infuriating stalemate. And so the ferocious war continued. ******** ******** ******** [Kingdom of Corzox- Inner City] "Surrender now, intruder.", commanded Typhon, a mighty Sentinel of [Corzox]. He hovered in the sky glaring at Akelus who stood below. Akelus frowned with a grim expression on his face. The guards surrounding him grew tense as they gripped their weapons. "It would be wise to co-operate with us, my guest.", spoke a raspy voice, it was Adanis. "We would prefer not to make things difficult in these sensitive times. Surrender." Typhon perched over a tower at some distance from Adanis'' cottage named [Phalaris]. (Xyrak: I am taking the liberty of disclosing the name of Adanis'' cottage, though the big guy doesn''t like it when I do this.) Akelus turned back facing Adanis and casually unsheathed his sword. The guards promptly wielded their weapons closing in on him, but none of them engaged Akelus in combat. They closely circled around him. [Pathfinder] "An aide to break into the ancestral plains.", Akelus thought as a golden arrow formed around him. Pointing him towards the cottage. Akelus took a deep breathe as he calmly opened his eyes. With a swift movement, his nemean body lunged over the platoon of rift borne soldiers standing between him and Adanis. Adanis was caught off guard as Akelus spun himself mid air swinging his blade with precise motion, slashing Adanis. "Gaaahhh!!!", Adanis groaned and fell down. There was a clean cut slashed across his abdomen with green blood gushing out of it. Typhon dove down, chasing after Akelus who deftly dodged him sliding across the pavement in front of the cottage [Phalaris]. His muscles bulged as he got up and sprinted towards the cottage door. Charging his stygian blade with pure gold qi, sent forth a crescent arc towards the door. The door was cut in two, as Akelus rammed himself inside [Phalaris]. Typhon gently landed on the pavement before an agonized and injured Adanis. Adanis ignoring his pain and agony turned back. Reaching his hand forward he formed an arcane sigil shaped like blue slit eye doused in shadows on his palm. He twisted the sigil. [Phalaris] rapidly began reshaping itself into a dome trying to seal Akelus in. Akelus charged his blade with golden qi and wedged it against the ceiling creating an opening, preventing himself from getting trapped in. Adanis strained his hand trying to turn the sigil with all his might, but the blade refused to budge and the domed cottage remained stuck. Frustrated, he smashed the sigil against the pavement, unleashing torrents of violet arcane magic, shrouding [Phalaris]. The interior of the cottage enlarged as it roared to life. The bamboo shelves inside uncoiled itself slithering across the cottage in a bizarre and random manner, as it started coiling around Akelus. Akelus quickly let go of his sword and grabbed hold of the coiling bamboo shoots. He tore them apart with shear strength while following the golden trail of arrows. The furniture inside the cottage started assaulting Akelus as well, harassing him with a flurry of harmless yet annoying attacks. But he kept going deeper into the cottage while constantly tearing down bamboo shoots that endlessly regrew, flinging and bashing every piece of furniture that attacked him. As more time passed inside more vicious [Phalaris] became. His eyes glowed bright gold. [Pathfinder]: A golden trail of arrows were pointing at a bright ethereal orb that kept zooming across the cottage hall. The ethereal orb was safeguarded by the ever-growing bamboo shoots. Akelus kept dodging the furniture, sliding across the room. But, everytime he got close to the bright orb it would swiftly fly away from him, this would be followed by several bamboo shoots lashing out at Akelus only to be torn down by him. Akelus relentlessly chased after the Bright Ethereal Orb, grabbing and lunging from one bamboo shoot to another, darting across the room with immense speed. He kept marking the room with several sigils shaped like a Dice, simultaneously drawing lines of Golden Qi connecting the sigils across the room as he chased after the Bright Ethereal Orb. Meanwhile, the stygian blade remained remained stuck in the ceiling consistently charging itself with golden qi, which got stored inside the pommel of the sword. Outside the cottage, Adanis patched his wounds and drank a healing potion. "That should hold him for a while.", he muttered. "Why didn''t you warn us about him sooner?", asked Typhon. "Because he bought my silence and partly my support.", replied Adanis, as he showed Typhon the pencil case that Akelus had given him. "He was trying to stall for time and reason with me." Typhon took the case and opened it, his face broke into an expression of shock and awe. Quickly closing the case he looked at Adanis with wide eyes. "He managed to procure it from the prime universe, Archangel Michael''s universe.", Adanis sighed. "The least I could have done was hear him out. We need to detain him, we need him alive." "Did you disclose anything to him in exchange?", enquired Typhon. "No, nothing of value. Even though he had a lot of questions.", replied Adanis, pointing at the cottage. "We will detain him after [Phalaris] is done processing him." "As expected of our spymaster.", commended Typhon. Inside the cottage. A bloodied Akelus was still fending off the arcane magic of [Phalaris]. The furniture kept tripping him over and knocking him down and the bamboo shoots lashed at him trying drain his Qi as they slithered around his body. The ceiling started caving in trying crush Akelus, but the Stygian blade held it in place by unleashing torrents of Golden Qi. Grunting, Akelus pulled himself away from the bamboo shoots. Staggering, he dragged himself towards the Bright Ethereal Orb. His eyes twinkled and his face broke into broad smile as he clenched his fist charging it with Golden Qi and struck the floor of the cottage. The furniture and the bamboo shoots got swept away by the shockwaves as Akelus sent immense waves of pure Golden Qi. While the furniture were getting smashed and shoots were getting uprooted Akelus snapped his fingers. The Dice shaped sigils that he had marked across the room whirred to life as they started surrounding the Bright Ethereal Orb, binding it with the Golden lines of Qi anchoring the Orb in place. Akelus casually walked towards the Orb, Gold ichor dripping from his bruises. He held the Orb in his hand as his wounds quickly healed. The Stygian Blade that he had wedged to the ceiling was still charging itself with Golden Qi. "Shou, decrypt this.", he commanded. "Yes master.", replied Bangshou, his assistant. A die shaped spirit. Bangshou appeared beside Akelus and latched on to the Bright Ethereal Orb, shrouding it in a tangerine aura. "Master this orb seems to be a commune connecting several realms together.", said Bangshou, as it''s aura gently pulsed across the Orb, decrypting it. "Which realm would you wish to interact with?" Bangshou meticulously shattered the Ethereal Orb which created several spectral threads leading to different sub-domains. [Pathfinder]: "An aide to help me break into the [Ancestral Planes].", murmured Akelus. One of the spectral threads shined brightly. "So this is where you were hiding boy.", Akelus sneered as he instructed Bangshou to suppress the sub-domain while simultaneously entering it. The sub-domain was a vast and seemingly endless plane, with a deep navy blue sky. No stars, no clouds, just a subtle and serene shade of navy blue light. A trail of golden arrows were pointing at a young boy, some distance away from Akelus. He was Xylus, the kid who was raised by Adanis as his protege. Cowering in anxiety as he saw Akelus'' nemean form approach him, snarling and growling. Bangshou appeared behind Akelus raising a translucent orange barrier across the whole sub-domain. Akelus summoned several spectral steeds around him. Xylus quickly got up crawling away from Akelus, transforming into Dragon flying away, trying to escape from the sub-domain only to be blocked by Bangshou''s barrier. Akelus'' spectral steeds chased after Xylus taking the form of a shadow surrounding him. Xylus frantically tried to escape from them, only to be knocked down and pinned against the ground. "Get away from me!!!.", he screeched at Akelus, who was ominously walking towards him. "Don''t come any closer!!!" Akelus ignored his frantic cries as he got near the boy. He pointed his golden ring at the boy and stored him inside, his cries fading away. "Shou, let''s return.", he ordered. Bangshou promptly warped Akelus back inside [Phalaris] the cottage. The Stygian Blade was pulsing vigorously with it''s pommel brimming with Golden Qi. "Unleash.", Akelus commanded. BOOM!!! The blade unleashed an extremely powerful and magnificent beam of light, tearing through [Phalaris] which wheezed in agony, startling the rift-borne army stationed outside [Phalaris]. Akelus grabbing the stygian blade jumped out of the opening flying away from Typhon''s rift-borne platoon. The rift-borne army along with Typhon and Adanis were stumped for a moment, grasping what just happened, then- "AFTER HIM!!!", Typhon roared together with Adanis as they chased after Akelus. ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: Survival [Kingdom of Corzox: Inner City] "AFTER HIM!!!", Typhon roared along with Adanis as they chased after Akelus. Akelus zoomed across the island at an extremely high speed with Typhon and his platoon of rift-borne soldiers giving Akelus a relentless chase. Adanis had a frantic expression over his face as he desperately led the platoon after Akelus. RRHEAANRGH!!! Typhon roared, rallying every guard and soldier on the floating island. The rallied rift-borne army promptly responded by swarming after Akelus. The civilians frightened and startled by the commotion, frantically ran amok on the floating island. The forge-masters, industrialists, and the workers helped evacuate the civilians off the island. The entire island shut-down, factories, industries, forges everything. All that remained was Akelus and a ferocious rift-borne army swarming him. Ignoring the angry mob of guards and soldiers behind him Akelus kept speeding towards the edge of the island. The rift-borne guards behind Adanis dispersed increasing their pace as they charged after Akelus, who was grinning mad. He gripped The Stygian Blade preparing for battle still flying towards the edge. Typhon raced before Adanis. Leading the charge of the rift-borne army against Akelus. The rift-borne army unleashed arcane magic and elemental powers on Akelus. Adanis dove down, landing on the island and unleashed his power. Several tree like vines and roots sprouted from the ground targeting Akelus trying to bind him, but to no avail. Akelus meticulously maneuvered around the rift-borne army such that they got in the way of Adanis'' vines and roots. And the ones that even managed to get close to Akelus were just torn apart by him. "AAAHHH!!!", Adanis let out an immensely powerful cry. Unleashing torrents of arcane magic, every inanimate object on the island sprung into life, chasing after Akelus along with the rift borne army. Akelus kept deflecting all these attacks wielding his Stygian Blade. The whole island was consumed in a flurry of sinister arcane, flames, ice, water, lightning, thunder, so on and so forth. And amidst that ferocious storm of magic, right at the heart of the battle was Akelus pummeling the rift-borne army. He would refrain from fatally wounding any of the rift-borne. He would not chase after them relentlessly. He did not brutally slaughter them. He just kept defending himself while making his way towards the edge. Silently enduring their onslaught, and yet the mighty rift-borne army could not falter Akelus. His eyes gleaming bright gold. [Pathfinder] Several grey arrows formed around him. And in that cloud of grey arrows an ominous black arrow manifested. " Mijar Al ValToruk (I invoke the Guardian).", proclaimed Typhon, as he unsheathed his sword. A sigil of a blue eye doused in shadows appeared over his head as a spectral aura shrouded him. Amidst the swarm of rift-borne, he charged forth striking at Akelus, plunging his sword forward. The ominous spectral aura engulfing his blade. The sword plunged close to Akelus'' face but he promptly deflected it using the Stygian Blade. He then spun around and kicked Typhon on the back of his head, striking him away. Groaning Typhon turned around facing Akelus with a smug smile on his face. There was small clean cut on Akelus'' neck with gold ichor dripping out of it. Akelus glared back at Typhon grimly, slightly stunned. He thought as he rushed at Typhon- "How are these people injuring me!?! Something is wrong here, seems like I have underestimated them." Typhon was prepared as he swung his sword again engulfed with the ominous spectral aura, sending forth an arc. Akelus casually ducked, gracefully dodging the attack. Charging his fist with pure Golden Qi, he struck Typhon''s gut with immense might. BOOM!!! Typhon was sent crashing down, striking the island. The impact formed a crater. Typhon''s stomach was caved in and he was bleeding from his eyes, with blood pouring out of his mouth. Akelus ignored him as he dismissed the Stygian Blade, lunging down towards the inner city. Typhon groaned as he climbed out of the crater simultaneously healing his wounds. Adanis rushed towards him. "SOUND THE ALARM!!!", He roared at Typhon, rage burning in his eyes. Typhon nodded as he shot a beacon of spectral energy towards the sky. BWREEN!!! As the beacon distorted and blew itself apart, the entire Inner City of [Corzox] shuddered. Every rift-borne was running amok in the city. Frantically looking for a shelter to hide in. The forces of [Corzox] became active. The soldiers flew over the city led by the Dragon Sentinel Malgus. They charged at the plummeting Akelus. The guards quickly circled around the city, while quickly guiding people to available shelters and making sure there were no civilians out in the open. As Akelus dove down towards the inner city below, he morphed into a magnificent white lion with golden fangs. He was huge in size with mighty claws. His head adorned a regal white mane with a menacing face having black stripes across his eyes. The Jester Mask covering his face adjusted to his transformation by neatly layering across his face completely hiding it. The robes that draped him unfurled even further covering his regal lion body with large pieces of obsidian black fabrics, properly sewn together. Gazing upon Akelus'' huge nemean form, magnificent but terrifying, every rift-borne was left in awe and shock. The suffocating presence that Akelus unleashed across the battlefield made everyone shudder in fright. The civilians started praying in their bunkers. The guards gulped in anxiety, tears forming in their raging eyes. The soldiers charging at him, flustered and fearful. "[Corzox] will not fall today!!!", roared The Dragon Sentinel Malgus morphing into a mighty Dragon charging forward undaunted. Rallying everyone, boosting their morale. "We shall repel this God from [MYRIAD] and prove our might!!!" "YAAARGH!!!", the rift-borne army yelled as they swarmed Akelus, trying to barricade him. Akelus ignored them shrouding himself with Golden Qi, as he rammed through their barricade, crashing down on the inner city. BOOM!!! He unleashed torrents of pure Gold Qi. Sweeping every guard and soldier in the resulting shockwaves from the impact, overwhelming them with his Qi. RAAAANRHH!!! Typhon roared as he descended from the island in his dragon form, followed by his army. Malgus casually flew towards him. "So are we repelling him or killing him?", he asked Typhon. Typhon ignored Malgus and spoke in a deep grim tone ,"Invoke the Guardian." "INVOKE THE GUARDIAN!.. MIJAR AL VALTORUK!!!", Malgus roared. "!!!MIJAR AL VALTORUK!!!", The rift-borne army chanted in a terrifying chorus invoking their Guardian, their chants reverberated across the inner city. Several sigils having a blue eye doused in shadows appeared, shrouding the whole army including their Sentinels in an ominous spectral light. Akelus'' eyes gleamed brightly. [Pathfinder] There was a shocking amount of ominous black arrows that appeared around him, with a very few red ones. A single trail of gray arrows leading a way out. An ominous spectral aura engulfed around the armor and weapons of every rift-borne soldier, guard. Led by their brave and unrelenting Dragon Sentinels Malgus and Typhon as they charged at Akelus. "FOR THE GLORY OF OUR ANCESTORS!!!", roared Typhon as he unleashed his presence. The mighty rift-borne army rallied behind him unleashing their presence as well alongside Malgus. Akelus stunned and a bit fearful, his eyes gleaming bright as he witnessed a huge wave of ominous black arrows approach him from all sides. He charged himself with more Golden Qi shrouding him in Golden light but hidden by his robes. He temporarily countered the presence unleashed by the rift-borne. Small sliver of this light kept leaking out of his robes. "That lizard has tampered with my robes.", he thought, his eyes searing with hatred for Adanis as he retracted his aura, the shining golden light. "It was as expected, he was not one to be trusted. At least I got what I wanted from him." He gazed upon his golden ring as he prepared for battle. Arching his body upwards he slammed down on the ground sending forth shockwaves in all directions. He lunged along the gray arrows leading to a way out. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Relentless, the soldiers chased after him barricading his escape while surrounding him. Akelus shrouded himself in a Qi shield still bolting towards the barricade. Malgus and Typhon dove down in their draconian form lunging at Akelus trying to pin him down. Akelus hopped and slid across the pavement of the city, lunging from building to building as the two dragons gave him an unrelenting chase. Their claws glowing ominously. Malgus swiped at Akleus almost slashing his ankles while Typhon tried to tackle Akelus from above. Typhon grabbed Akelus by his stomach and tried to flip him over by lifting him up but Akelus quickly turned his head facing Typhon as he charged his breath with pure Golden Qi and unleashed a beam of golden light at Typhon. Typhon quickly let go of Akelus but could not avoid the attack. It charred his skin and burnt his face. The Spectral aura around him protected him from the full brunt of the attack helped him survive. It healed him. Ignoring Typhon, Akelus bolted towards the barricade of rift-borne soldiers ramming into them, following the grey trail of arrows leading outside. The barricade did not fall, the soldiers held strong. Akelus with his patience wearing thin started bashing and thrashing the soldiers, tearing through their ranks in his huge white lion form. Malgus quickly rushed in to defend his soldiers from Akelus'' onslaught, facing the brunt of his attacks. The spectral light shined brightly over Malgus'' bruised body healing it, as he relentlessly fought against Akelus not giving him any ground. It was bloody and brutal fight where both of them snapped at one another, slashing each other with their claws, biting and tearing with their maws, barraging each other with terrible, horrifying and powerful blows. Sonic booms reverberated across the inner city as their fists collided. Both of them fought like feral beasts trying devour one another. A cesspool of ichor and blood around them. Malgus eventually began to falter as Akelus started dominating the fight, his army left aghast. Akelus repeatedly pummeling Malgus with his blows, blasting him with his beams of energy, bashing his head against the ground. Using his maw, Akelus grabbed Malgus by his neck. He dragged Malgus'' bloodied body across the floor and flung him away, for all to see. BOOM!!! Malgus crashed into the pavement of the city, where he lay tired and defeated. The spectral light was shining brightly upon Malgus, healing him. He weakly glared at Akelus who broke through the barricade and escaped the inner city. He heard Typhon roaring his name and saw his army charging after Akelus with rage and hatred, as his conscious... faded away. ******** ******** ******** [Kingdom of Corzox] Akelus raced across the vast expanse of [Corzox], chased by the enraged rift-borne army led by Typhon. Typhon was seething with rage and shame. Anger because he let a God run rampant inside the capital city of [Corzox] and shame because of his inability to help his friend Malgus. He furiously led his army after Akelus. Adanis was flew beside him. "Why don''t we unleash all our forces on him.", he spoke, searing with hatred towards Akelus. Glaring at Akelus, Typhon replied in an eerily grim and calm tone- "That would be excessive. We are not just fighting a single God. There are two more [Incarnations] from [MYRIAD] at war with our king on the frontlines.-" Increasing his pace gaining on Akelus- "And there are other factions waiting at our frontiers, biding their time. All waiting for the right opportunity to strike and overwhelm us all." "Tsk... ", Adanis grimaced. As the army closed in on Akelus. Typhon warned Adanis- "Don''t be reckless, if you are worried about the boy-" "Xylus will be fine.", Adanis spoke in disdain, interrupting Typhon. But his eyes betrayed him, filled with apprehension as he thought. "He has to be... for he knows a way to summon our Guardian, he knows where his tomb lies." Typhon sped towards Akelus without sparing Adanis a glance. "Adanis... Return.", he commanded. Adanis sighed in frustration as he made his way back to the inner city. Akelus continued flying along the gray trail of arrows which was slowly turning gold. His sole intention right now was to escape. Glancing at the approaching rift-borne army, he steeled his vision, boosting himself forward. Summoning the Stygian Blade. But the rift-borne army was relentless, slowly gaining on Akelus. The ominous spectral light shining brightly over them, as they engaged Akelus in battle again. Another battle ensued as the rift-borne army converged around Akelus. This time Typhon personally engaged Akelus in combat. "Shou... Project my conscious into the ring.", Akelus instructed as fended off against Typhon and his relentless army. While Bangshou simultaneously produced a construct inside the golden ring resembling Akelus. The domain inside the ring was very distorted and warping, with several golden constructs drifting around inside it. Each construct had many valuable resources stored inside it. Jewels, minerals, ores, weapons, utilities, animals, creatures, etc. There was one construct that remained rooted in place glowing faintly blue. This construct had the shape of a truncated octahedron, behaving like a prison. This prison held the child dragon, Xylus. He was whimpering and shivering, shocked and frightened. The spectral steeds revolved around the octahedron construct in the form shadows. Akelus'' conscious approached the prison. The spectral steeds morphed back to their original form, still revolving around the construct. Staring at the approaching Akelus, Xylus cornered himself further into the prison. Akelus hovered before the prison construct gently tapping one of it''s surface, making it disappear. Mustering his courage Xylus lunged out of the prison, trying rush past Akelus. Akelus effortlessly grabbed Xylus by his throat, holding him in place. Staring at Xylus menacingly, he spoke- "Do not be afraid, child.", his voice thundered within the warping and distorting void of the ring. "I will not hurt you, nor will I let any harm come to you. I need your help." Terrified, Xylus cowered within Akelus'' grasp, not daring to look at his vicious and menacing nemean face. "Your realm will soon fall at the hands [MYRIAD], [Jotunheim], [HELL] and countless factions of [Yggdrasil] unless you help me.", Akelus continued. "I promise to ensure your survival, even if [Corzox] falls." "Adanis t-told me t-that you are e-evil.", Xylus stuttered with an innocent but afraid tone, mustering all the strength he could to speak. "T-that you would bring an end to my home." Outside the golden ring, Akelus was fighting a ferocious war against Typhon and his army. He kept rushing towards the border of [Corzox], following the gray trail of arrows. Battered and bruised, riddled with many wounds and scars, Typhon was desperately trying to contain Akelus, but to no avail. Akelus sighed, as he assured Xylus, "I have nothing to gain by destroying your home. I cannot ensure [Corzox]''s survival, but I can assure yours. Help me, Xylus. Help me find a way to summon your Guardian [The Pioneer]. Help me and survive. It will all be good as long as you survive to live the next day." Xylus still shuddering, remained silent. Akelus sighed yet again. He placed Xylus back inside the Octahedron prison. Snapping his fingers he locked the prison construct. "Think about my offer.", he told Xylus, as his construct within the ring disappeared. Akelus finally broke through the relentless rift-borne army, escaping [Corzox]. The rift-borne were about chase after him yet again, when- RRREEAANRGH!!! Typhon roared in rage halting the rift-borne. "Retreat!", he commanded his army, with frustration and disappointment. "We cannot expose ourselves this early." He went back towards the inner city of [Corzox], his army following behind him. Akelus rushed outside immediately crashing into a gray arena. He gazed above seeing two [Incarnations] from [MYRIAD] locked in a vicious battle seven huge dragons. Recognizing one of the [Incarnations], Akelus quickly hid himself. Startled and anxious, he thought- "[Hermes] of all people... Shit!, the invasion has begun." ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: Ferocity [Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] Akelus observed the ferocious battle between the dragons and the [Incarnations] from the gray arena. His heart thumping rapidly, his eyes widened and his pupils constrained as he saw Hermes tearing down at Varcielle. Their battle was bloody and gruesome. But what truly scared Akelus was Varcielle''s tenacity. No matter how many times Hermes ripped Varcielle apart, tearing his limbs, impaling his heart, disemboweling him. No matter how devastating an attack was Varcielle recovered at a terrifying rate, and every-time a piece of his body got torn apart a new clone emerged from it. Akelus quickly used his claws and burrowed a hole inside the arena and hid himself there. "[Hermes] of all people... Shit!, the invasion has begun.", he thought. He was not the only one to witness this gruesome battle. There were many eyes hidden across the vast stretches of the [Outer-Sector], gazing intently, contemplating their next move. Their actions relied heavily on the outcome of this battle. "An Olympian.", mused a mysterious entity, he was feeling very giddy and ecstatic. He had an extremely succulent and bloated voice. An utter monstrosity. A bulging stomach, a mutated face, a body riddled with disease. This creature had many mouths. Every-time he spoke, he spoke from a single mouth. It is an unnerving sight. He is the [Demon of Pestilence], Aerico. "||Situation is very tricky.||", many whispers echoed around Aerico, in a hollow and eerie tone. "||The rift-borne are putting up quite the fight. But... they won''t last long enough. Not Long enough to withstand us.||" Several demons hovered around him. But these demons had a singular conscious. These demons collectively formed the [Demon of Famine], Gaki. These demonic entities had hollow bones that rattled, were extremely thin, with their dry and pale cyan skin tightly clinging on to their hollow bones. Their stomachs caved in, spine hunched and their ribs protruding. They drifted around Aerico listlessly. "A shame.", responded Aerico. "Look at this realm, so much life, so much land. Just begging and asking to be plagued, to be consumed. Don''t you feel envious Gaki, envious of their abundance. Their banished god built a realm of great magnitude spanning across [Yggdrasil] like a layer of succulent bark around a tree. Mhmhmhm... So tantalizing,.. so delicious. " "||Stay vigilant. [The Purge] is yet to make it''s appearance.||", spoke Gaki. "Bah!, don''t worry about it. Soon we shall possess it as well.", replied Aerico with disdain. "It''s a shame that [Vulkon] left us for [MYRIAD], but we have another weapon to trap [The Purge]. Makes me wonder why didn''t we bring it along with us?" "||Have you seen the madness locked within that creature you call a weapon!?!, it''s beyond our control.||", reprimanded Gaki. "||Focus... we are here to possess the [Source], to control this woven realm, reshape it.||" "Bah!", Aerico grunted, shifting his gaze back to the battle between Varcielle and [Hermes]. Meanwhile, at the far reaches of the [Outer-Sector] were the [Jotuns]. These were giants from [Jotunheim], the last surviving victims of the Gigantomachy. Victims who had joined in the rebellion against the Gods of [MYRIAD], led by [Gaia''s] prime offspring with [Tartarus], Typheous [The Appalling]. After losing that gruesome war with the Gods, the [Jotuns] were left without a leader and without a realm capable of providing for them. They kept wandering across the vast expanse of [Yggdrasil], breaking into several nameless factions, drifting apart in numbers. Now they have a chance to conquer the entirety of [Outer-Sector] for themself as their home by claiming the [Source]. A giant named Lothaar led this final battalion of giants. He wielded a longsword and a sledgehammer. Towering in size, rippling with bulk and muscle. He had a rather sooty complexion, gray as ash. A magnificent mane of white hair. A chiseled and resolute face with a pair of pearly white eyes gazing across the vast expanse of the [Outer-Sector]. It was under his leadership that every scattered faction of [Jotunheim] had united under one banner. The giants were camped at the outskirts of the [Outer-Sector]. Their armies were accommodated within a cluster of debris, surrounded by a fleet of huge ships. One ship stood out from the rest, [Naglafar- The ship of nails], an extremely powerful artefact. It is a peculiar ship, but immensely powerful. Commandeered by Loki himself, when he sailed it to [Asgard] during every [Ragnarok]. The ship was rumored to be built from the nails of every existence in [Yggdrasil], sentients, demons, angels, giants, so on and so forth. It is said to have the capability to get anywhere it''s captain desired to be. The ship had a faint green hue shrouding around it. It was huge in size with it''s mast towering high. Here Lothaar convened his council. Leaders of every remnant faction of [Jotunheim] were present, along with an Oracle. Five leaders in total including the Oracle. Their names were, Goro, Nerjil, Phion, Junmei and Halibaard. There was another Giant, but he stood away from the group. His name was Mubong, the captain of [Naglafar]. "The time has come, my brethren. The time for our race to have a home once again.", Lothaar addressed his council, with a grim and deep tone. "The beginning of a new era for our kind. With a realm as potent as the [Outer-Sector], it is possible. If anyone has a reason to object, make your intentions known now." "Just one.", spoke the distant and lone giant Mubong, he had an aged voice. "How are we splitting our bounty?" "That has already been agreed upon by all of us, Mubong.", replied Lothaar, with a grim look in his eyes. "We split the [Outer-Sector] into seven parts, each for one member in this council." "But isn''t that a bit unfair?.. Lothaar. I am contributing more than any of you for this endeavor.", Mubong mused. "I have a preposition." "Why are we putting up with this pirate!?!", questioned Nerjil, slightly annoyed and enraged. "Let''s usurp him and take possession of [Naglafar] for ourselves!!!" "I am only presenting preposition, all I am asking is for you to listen.", Mubong meekly responded. "Fine, What do you have to say?", questioned Lothaar. "I want possession of the [Ancestral Planes].", declared Mubong. "Preposterous!!!", Nerjil was outraged by his demands. "Explain yourself Mubong, for I have to agree with Nerjil. Your demand is rather outrageous.", spoke Lothaar. "I have no interest in the [Outer-Sector], Lothaar, this council can have my share.", replied Mubong, with a nonchalant smile. "What interests me is how the [Ancestral Plane] functions, it is such a mystery. Is it realm of afterlife for the rift-borne, or is it a place for them to shield their souls?.. All I ask is for the [Ancestral planes]. None of you know how to use it anyway and with the [Source] in your hand you will not have much need for it. At least I will experiment on it, research for answers." "Nonsense!!!", Nerjil yelled, wielding a mace and charging towards Mubong, but the very next moment two blades were pointed at him. One was sheathed while the other was not. The sheathed blade was pointed at his neck, while the unsheathed one was pointing at his back. "You will have to bequeath a portion of your fleet to this council.", Lothaar told Mubong. "And Nerjil... behave yourself.", He reprimanded Nerjil as he sheathed his longsword. "That... is an acceptable compromise.", responded Mubong, as he withdrew his blade as well. Mubong''s weapon was a bit peculiar, it had an extreme shade of black, as if it were devouring the very light around it. "Now that is past us.", continued Lothaar. "We shall go through our plan. According to our Grand Oracle Halibaard, the [Source] will reveal itself soon. We are in no position to engage any faction in war, especially not [MYRIAD]. Once an all-out war breaks out, we make a break towards the [Ancestral Plane]. Nerjil, Junmei and I will act as the first line of defense. Mubong''s fleet will be at the center of the formation, protected by Phion and Halibaard. Goro will reinforce us by helping anyone who is falling behind. Be sure to not lose too many of your soldiers." The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. He took a breathe, looking at everyone he made sure everyone understood his strategy, He continued- "Remember this, once we start charging towards the [Ancestral Planes], we are not stopping for anyone. Even if I were to fall in battle,.. Do Not Stop. And once we reach the Inner City of [Corzox], everyone will encircle around [Naglafar]. And by that I mean all of us. Then Mubong, Halibaard and I will board [Naglafar] and break into the [Ancestral Plane]. The rest of you have to hold out long enough for us to claim the [Source]. Retreat is not an option. Do You Understand.", he spoke with a chill and grave voice. All the leaders nodded in affirmation. "Under no circumstance will any of you engage any member from any of the Supreme Factions, unless it''s absolutely necessary. We are not ready for another Gigantomachy.", Lothaar warned his comrades. "Salvation awaits us.", proclaimed Lothaar as he dismissed the council. And lo,.. the giants prepared for their invasion. Their fleets were mobilized, armies were rallied. The soldiers bantering, armor and weapons clanking, the priests chanting. And they were not the only ones, across the far reaches of the [Outer-Sector] several factions prepared themselves, armed themselves. Monsters, elves, dwarves, Fire Giants and several other sentient species rallying their armies for their invasion against [Corzox]. A grand conquest for the [Source]. ******** ******** ******** [Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] "Calm down... Calm down... Huu...", Akelus took in a deep breathe. He held his palm over his heaving chest. Akelus was scurried inside the gray arena, contemplating his next move. Staring at the glowing figure of Hermes. "How high profile is this job?..", Akelus thought. "I knew [MYRIAD] would be sending [Incarnations], but to deploy an Olympian... Isn''t that a bit excessive?" "And if [MYRIAD] has already begun their invasion, it means more factions have gathered. But why have they not attacked yet?", he pondered. "The rift-borne won''t last for long. If they fall, [MYRIAD] will have a greater advantage than the rest. They will have a head-start in the conquest for the [Source]. Especially with [Hermes], one of the fastest entities in [Yggdrasil]. I don''t think anyone would be able to keep up with him if he starts charging towards the [Source]. And I have reason to believe he is strong enough to breach the [Ancestral Planes] by himself. Triggering all-out war would be beneficial for every invader, as it would serve to slow down [Hermes]." Glaring at Hermes, Akelus continued contemplating- "[Hermes]... he is the reason, his presence deterring every faction from blowing this into an all-out war between every invader.", Akelus sighed in frustration. "I cannot retreat, the rift-borne are waiting for me inside [Corzox], and if I stay confronting [Hermes] would become inevitable. I have to maintain a low profile. This makes me wonder, why did the rift-borne recklessly divide their forces instead of protecting their frontlines with all their might?" Akelus burrowed his way away from the battle between Hermes and Dragon King Varcielle. "What if?.. the rift-borne were betting on an all-out war between the invading factions.", mused Akelus. "Confronting the factions with a portion of the rift-borne army on the frontlines, then luring them in. And after successfully luring the invaders, turning the whole situation into a race for the [Source]. When the situation escalates into a race for the [Source], then the invaders would have no other choice but to drag each other down, they would be forced to fight each other. There is just one hiccup in their plans, [Hermes]." Looking at his zapped robes. "I still need to fix my tampered robes.", he sighed. "Shou", Akelus summoned [Bangshou], his spirit assistant. "Project my conscious." [Bangshou] happily obliged as projected Akelus'' conscious inside his golden ring. Inside that warping space of the ring filled with golden constructs Akelus made his way towards the octahedron prison that Xylus was contained in. He tapped the prison opening it. Then he grabbed Xylus and pulled him out. He was still whimpering, avoiding Akelus'' piercing gaze. "Shou, give me the status of my robe.", he instructed [Bangshou]. "The runes and the sigils are zapped, master.", said [Bangshou]. "Communication is down, but the robes can partially hide your presence." Turning to Xylus, Akelus spoke- "Kid... Xylus, look at me. I need your help." Xylus refused to look at Akelus, timidly turning his head away. Akelus sighed in defeat, but then he put on a grim frown. "We do not have much time Xylus.", he told Xylus, as he showed projections of what was happening outside. He showed Xylus the battle between Dragon King Varcielle and Hermes. Xylus'' face became pale with horror, as he saw his king get torn apart, bathed in his own blood, heavily bruised and scarred. He witnessed their fight with terror rapturing his heart. He saw how his king and sentinels desperately fought the two [Incarnations] from [MYRIAD]. Xylus stared back at Akelus, his innocent face overwhelmed with fear. Akelus knelt and placed his palm over Xylus'' shoulder and with an assuring smile he spoke- "Don''t worry Xylus, for I am here. There might be a way that your home... that [Corzox] could survive, but I need your help. Your king has made a marvelous strategy to defend his home, but they won''t last long enough to see it through. Help me and I can help all of you survive." Xylus gulped down his fear, and rubbed off his tears. "Xylus, we don''t have time for you to think about my offer. Hide my presence with the same barrier that you used to hide Adanis'' cottage. Please, both of us are on the same side. I am Akelus, and I vow to keep you safe. Please Xylus, please trust me." Xylus didn''t say anything, he drew an arcane formation that raised a translucent barrier around Akelus, significantly hiding his presence. "What else should I do, Akelus?", Xylus asked timidly. Akelus sighed in relief, he instructed [Bangshou]- "Shou, give him the combination of runes needed to re-establish communication with the [Covenant]. Help him restore my robes. Xylus listen to Shou, he will help you fix my robes." [Bangshou] produced a schematics of the robe, and then procured the required combination of runes to re-establish communication with the [Covenant] from it. He displayed the combination to Xylus. "Okay...", Xylus replied. "Now follow, Shou.", Akelus instructed. [Bangshou] conjured an interface that displayed a projection of the robe. "Seep your energy into the sigils and runes that [Bangshou] highlights.", Akelus told Xylus. "Wait, you could have fixed your robes by using your own energy. Why did come to us to fix it?", Xylus questioned Akelus. "I was looking for you, since the beginning. Your help will be crucial in saving your home. And... my people from [MYRIAD] are not supposed to know that I am here.", Akelus curtly answered, as he disappeared from the ring''s domain. Akelus burrowed his way to the surface of the arena. "Xylus, can you hear me.", Akelus communicated telepathically. "Y-yes.", replied Xylus. "Good, this is how we will communicate from now on. Okay.", Akelus said. "Okay... what will you do now?", Xylus asked. Akelus put on devious smirk and dug his arms into the gray arena. He then lifted off a huge chunk of the arena and held it over his shoulder. RRRAAARRRGGH!!! With the deafening roar, he sent the chunk over his shoulder straight towards [Hermes]. Grinning madly, he summoned the Stygian blade. "Buying us all some time kid.", Akelus answered, lunging towards [Hermes]. ###### ###### ###### Mundane Lives: Confrontation [Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox] "Huff... Huff...", panted the exhausted Dragon King Varcielle. His body bruised and battered. His eyes swollen and bleeding. His hands were sore and his mind was weary. His chest heaved as his wings flapped tenaciously. He kept glaring at [Hermes] in his mighty draconian form. [Hermes] stood alone in their fight surrounded by Varcielle''s clones, grinning. [Hermes] was fast, exceptionally fast. Varcielle kept healing himself using [Reconstruction] but his recovery could not keep up with [Hermes''] relentless attacks. He lost count of how many time [Hermes] had ripped his heart out, how many times he had torn his wings apart. He could not keep count of how many times [Hermes] had struck his head, concussing it. [Hermes] was fast, too fast for him to keep up. But Varcielle had no choice. He had to confront [Hermes], for he was the only one among his people who could do it. Varcielle was the one who stood between his people and their utter annihilation. He desperately clung on to his life. To make things worse, many invaders had already gathered at the border of [Corzox]. But none were too keen to begin their attack. Varcielle knew if this continued, he would fall eventually. He knew if he failed to lure in the invaders, his strategy would fail and his home would be doomed. For this reason he continued to fight. Varcielle and his clones tried to encircle [Hermes], they tried to trap him in. [Hermes] kept evading them, tricking them with his afterimages. Varcielle unleashed several beams of pure energy, only for them to be deflected by [Hermes]. Several mutated arms sprouted from Varcielle''s body as he grabbed [Hermes], desperately trying to restrain him. His clones also grabbed onto [Hermes], as they successfully encircled him. [Hermes] looked at the pathetic state Varcielle was in, he sighed. "Just stop.", [Hermes] told Varcielle, with an apathetic tone. "Your struggle is futile. You cannot harm me, you know it. You have no means of harming a concept, of harming an [Incarnation] from [MYRIAD]. In fact, you have no means of harming any member from any Supreme Faction." Gazing upon Varcielle''s resolute face, [Hermes] sighed. He broke free from Varcielle''s grasp and grabbed his throat. The clones still held on to him. But [Hermes] just ignored them, for even if he killed them new clones would sprout from their dead remains. "I grow tired of this.", he continued, glaring at Varcielle. "I know you have sensed the presence of other invaders gathered here. I know you have sensed the Demons from [HELL] as well. Surrender yourself to [MYRIAD], tell your people to stop. And I shall ensure no harm will come to them or to you. In exchange, the [Outer-Sector] will no longer exist, the [Source] will be unraveled. But you and your people will survive. It will all be good as long as you get to live another day." Varcielle ignored [Hermes] as he charged his breath and unleashed another beam of energy upon [Hermes''] face. Varcielle escaped from [Hermes''] grasp by dislodging his neck and tearing it apart from his body. Simultaneously, Varcielle''s clones lunged towards [Hermes] with their maws wide open, snapping and biting him. Varcielle quickly healed his neck, as he saw his clones biting, snapping, slashing and grabbing [Hermes] as they encircled him. "ENOUGH!!!", [Hermes] roared, as he destroyed every clone encircling him with sheer speed. New clones sprouted from the dead remains of the old ones. [Hermes] heaved in frustration. As he was about to lunge towards Varcielle, he heard an immense roar. RRRAAARRRGGH!!! He turned his head only to see huge boulder heading his way. Clenching his fist, he casually struck the boulder. It shattered in a peculiar manner. The boulder broke into many slabs, held in place by by an array of intricate pale blue constructs. These slabs arranged themselves around Hermes, effectively encircling him. Right as [Hermes] had shattered the boulder Akelus lunged from behind, striking a punch on his face. [Hermes] crashed onto one of the stone slabs that encircled him. [Hermes] got back up, his patience wearing thin. He glared at the masked Akelus. "And.. who might you be?", he asked searing with frustration. "Kid Now!!!", Akelus instructed Xylus, telepathically. "Mijar Al Valtoruk!", Xylus invoked the Guardian. An ominous spectral aura shrouded Akelus'' robes along with his weapon, the Stygian Blade. The Spectral aura seeped into the pale blue constructs inverting their color to flaming orange. Akelus remained silent, hovering in place. He was waiting for Hermes to make the first move. His eyes were gleaming brightly. An azure silhouette outlined [Hermes], highlighting him- Akelus had used [Pathfinder] on [Hermes]: [Pathfinder] is Akelus'' innate ability that helps him perceive and analyze the influence that any entity has over him. This includes the influence of Gods, angels, demons, giants, so on and so forth. [Pathfinder] enables Akelus to see the world for what it truly was, a bunch of patterns and sequences. This innate ability revealed the collective influence [Yggdrasil] had over him. Akelus subconsciously perceived these influences analyzed by [Pathfinder] in the form of sigils, markings and arrows. The arrows demonstrated the path of how different sequences for a situation would play out. The sigils portrayed how a scenario would affect him. Markings showed which areas, spots or points would trigger the sequence. The colors define how favorable a situation or an influence of an entity is towards Akelus. Generally, gold would mean ideal, red means dangerous, grey means inconsequential, black means demise. The interpretation of these colors can be vague and outcomes are not absolute. The colors heavily rely on how a situation escalates or de-escalates and the outcome of a scenario highlighted by [Pathfinder] will only occur, if Akelus triggers the sequence of arrows, markings or sigils displayed by [Pathfinder]. Now, after his ascension Akelus could perceive how other entities got collectively influenced by [Yggdrasil]. He could read and analyze the sequence of their actions, he could see the outcome of a situation as well as the pattern it would follow. Akelus was the only one who could perceive these markings, arrows and sigils through [Pathfinder]. Hence, he could anticipate and prepare for an action before [Hermes] even considered thinking about it. That was his primary advantage over [Hermes], unmatched perception. Therefore, as Akelus used [Pathfinder] on [Hermes] several marks appeared around Akelus. There were many red marks and few were gold. The red marks showed Akelus where [Hermes] would have trouble escaping his formation, while the gold marks showed Akelus where [Hermes] would most likely try to escape from. And according to these markings Akelus rapidly kept re-arranging the stone slabs around him, in order to successfully encapsulate both him and [Hermes]. After the array of constructs had successfully encircled [Hermes], Akelus quickly rearranged them further into several concentric rings that were assembled together forming a sphere around the two [Incarnations]. The arrangement of each ring resembled a roulette wheel. Akelus and [Hermes] were at the center of the formation. Each construct had a corresponding sigil assigned to it by [Pathfinder] that constantly kept changing it''s color based on [Hermes''] intentions of attacking or retreating. Akelus kept moving the stone slabs accordingly, in a peculiar manner. Whenever a sigil turned gold in the formation, Akelus would quickly make a stone slab jump to that construct by warping it through a series of consecutive constructs. From outside, it appeared as if the concentric rings of the formation were rotating instead of the stone slabs. This formed the outer perimeter of the formation, which prevented [Hermes] from escaping. One thing to note about the outer perimeter of this formation was that, there were some empty constructs that did not hold any stone slabs. These constructs served the sole purpose of transporting stone slab across boundary of the formation, making it semi-permeable. Second part of the formation was the interior which utilized the reserve stone slabs that were not used at the boundary of the formation, a construct was assigned to every reserve stone slab. These slabs were held by the constructs in a periodic manner forming a lattice, which were heavily concentrated around Akelus. This acted as his primary mode of defense against [Hermes] within the stone slab formation. Each construct inside the formation was connected by an extremely thin yet visible strings of Golden Qi, all of them snugly coiled around Akelus'' body. There were some empty constructs in this lattice as well. Akelus set this formation up right as [Hermes] reoriented himself. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. The lattice of constructs within the stone slab formation sprung to life as they started moving in a bizarre fashion. The extremely thin yet visible strings of Golden Qi that connected every construct within the lattice together, started spinning in a circular manner. This caused each construct to revolve around each other in pairs. In one half of the revolution, the constructs would grab stone slabs from the previous constructs and in the second half of the revolution, delivering the same stone slab to the consecutive constructs. The Golden Qi String linking the constructs together elongated and contracted randomly. This action kept randomly rearranging the stone slabs that were held by the constructs around Akelus and collectively formed a protective layer around him. This formation was constructed within a fraction of a second and it collectively amplified the use of Akelus'' exceptional perception while limiting [Hermes''] speed. [Hermes] straightened himself up, keenly gazing at the ever-shifting slab formation around him. "How much more time to decipher the location of the [Source]?", he telepathically communicated with Phobos. "It''s almost done.", Phobos replied. Akelus unleashed his presence at [Hermes], shrouded and hidden by the ominous spectral light and Xylus'' primeval energy. He held the Stygian Blade against [Hermes], taunting him to strike. His eyes were gleaming brightly hidden behind the Jester Mask, his body brimming with anticipation. Akelus used [Pathfinder] on himself while simultaneously locking onto [Hermes] with it, an azure silhouette highlighted them both. [Hermes] glared at the arrogant figure hovering before him. He then steadily hovered towards Akelus. With a burst of movement he charged at Akelus, simultaneously unleashing his presence. Several sigils appeared around Akelus, each sigil was assigned to a construct of the lattice inside the stone-slab formation. Some were grey, some were red. There was a black trail of arrows between [Hermes] and Akelus. Ending with a sigil that marked Akelus, shrouding him in an extremely pitch-black hue. Akelus channeled his energy into the Golden Qi Strings that had coiled around his body, assuming control of the formation. The formation now directly responded to Akelus'' thoughts without any lag or delay. The inner lattice of the Stone Slab formation rapidly re-arranged itself, immediately swapping Akelus out with a stone slab in his place. Likewise, [Hermes] also changed the trajectory of his attack following Akelus'' switch in position. This caused the trail of black arrows between Akelus and [Hermes] to shift in it''s trajectory accordingly. Consequently, the colors of the sigils assigned to the constructs of the inner lattice of the Stone slab formation changed accordingly. Akelus through his mind, quickly re-arranged the Stone slabs of the inner lattice haphazardly along the Black trail of arrows between him and [Hermes]. [Hermes] tried to ram through these slabs but the constructs containing the slabs dispelled most of the impact from the attack, leaving the stones intact. [Hermes] groaned in frustration as he made his way towards Akelus while avoiding the slabs. "How long till communications are back up?", Akelus inquired Bangshou, his Dice Spirit. "The robes are almost repaired sir, Communications will be back up soon.", Bangshou replied. Akelus still had the pitch black mark hovering over his head, warning him of his impending doom. He calmly looked at his formation where the sigils constantly switched colors, he then looked at [Hermes] who was relentlessly charging at him. [Hermes] was well within the inner lattice of the Stone Slab Formation now. With all the stone slabs teeming around him constantly rearranging themselves to obstruct [Hermes], these slabs were effectively slowing him down. Under Akelus'' precise control and forethought, the slabs could be positioned to abruptly intercept [Hermes] by anticipating his moves before he even considered them. "Then Shou, you know what to do.", Akelus commanded, as Bangshou the Dice Spirit latched onto one of the Qi strings coiling around Akelus and rapidly made his way towards the Dragon King Varcielle. [Hermes] was slowly losing initiative in this chase as Akelus kept intercepting [Hermes] with slabs while distancing himself. Akelus kept moving in a irregular manner, while deliberately leaving an open trail between him and [Hermes]. [Hermes] consequently picked up on that trail in pursuit of Akelus. But, [Hermes] never managed to get close to Akelus due to the slab formation. Meanwhile, Bangshou managed reach Varcielle who was rooted in place catching his breath. "I am Bangshou, good sir.", The spirit spoke as He latched onto Varcielle, his voice echoing inside Varcielle''s head. "And we can help you with your current Dilemma. There is no time to spare now, My good lord Akelus is in dire need of your help. We can deliberate about the why''s and how''s later. Currently, all you need to know is that our interests align. So what do you say?" Varcielle gazed at the bizarre slab formation, his eyes turned resolute. Without saying a word he sped towards the formation. "I presume that we have agreement, then.", mused Bangshou, as he relayed a message back to Akelus. "The Dragon king has locked onto [Hermes], oh Great Master." "Good, monitor him in battle. Intervene when necessary.", responded Akelus, who was still being chased by [Hermes]. But, [Hermes] was struggling to keep track of Akelus who kept evading him in a peculiar manner. He felt as if his movements were being directed by Akeus. He couldn''t seem to power through the stone slabs that kept abruptly obstructing him, they simply dispelled the brunt of his attack. And, it seemed as if these slabs could anticipate and prepare for any move he would make. All he could do was fly along the open trail left behind by Akelus, and this frustrated him a lot. Even though he could chase after Akelus, he simply could not lock onto him. Meanwhile, Varcielle and his clones had almost approached the Slab Formation. Akelus calm and resolute, allowed Varcielle and his clones to enter the Slab Formation. [Hermes] was fuming in frustration. "Fuck...", Hermes groaned, as he saw Varcielle glaring at him. "This is bad." Once inside, Varcielle vigorously generated a huge amount of clones, while lunging at [Hermes]. His clones spread across the formation, as they kept multiplying in numbers. [Hermes] was getting desperate. He was losing his grip over this fight. He was getting countered by Akelus and Varcielle. He wasn''t able to suppress Akelus who had him trapped within the Slab formation and fighting Varcielle was a deadlock because of his clones and terrific vitality. Akelus opened the shortest paths for Varcielle and his clones towards [Hermes] within the slab formation, while simultaneously impeding [Hermes''] movement and speed. Varcielle and his clones intercepted [Hermes] and locked him down in battle. With this [Hermes] couldn''t keep track of Akelus anymore. He couldn''t see Akelus, he couldn''t chase Akelus. Heaving a sigh of relief, Akelus quickly moved out of the inner lattice of the formation. "Sir the communications are back up, the robe is fixed.", Bangshou prompted. "Re-Establishing commune with [The Covenant]. Established. We are good to go, oh Great Master." With a devious smirk, Akelus spoke in pure ecstasy: "Good, Good... All pieces are falling in place." "Adrian", Akelus spoke in a resolute tone. There was telepathic static crackle, but no response. Akelus took a deep breath and spoke again. "Adrian can you here me?" "Yes, Yes, Yes we can hear you", there was a response. Adrian frantically replied, as he sighed in relief. "I have a way in.", Akelus replied, pausing for a moment. "But there is an issue.", Akelus continued, with a frustrated tone. "For some reason I am fighting Hermes." ###### ###### ######