BOOK 2/49 - Here is Anarchy

Ring - 2nd
Realm - TORHEIM


"Welcome to the City of Boeorsa my Lords and Ladies". The Aurelian leading the way slowed down as they crested the green hill. On top there, they followed all the Realm Dwellers gazes. Nestled into the mountain was a huge white city.

None could see where the walls began or ended. The gate they were looking at itself was forged into the very mountain's base.

"It's a fortress". Hanna pointed out.

"It's beautiful". Isis argued.

"What can you tell us about this place?". Ghar asked.

A Celestian sighed. "Nothing much, my Lord. The bloody damned birds in there are stingy, stuck up, and proud. I believe they'd give the dragons a run for their money".

"Dragons?". Rhal's eyes widened finding the Celestian speaking. "There are dragons...on this realm?". He added.

The dark void head nodded, white stars that formed eyes showing confusion.

"Anything else". Ghar prodded, eyeing Rhal, who gave him a wide blinking gaze like he didn't get why Ghar wasn't acting like him.

"Well, they're called Seraphims. Believe their forms are the closest to the children of the Primordial".

"The children of the Primordial?. Us?". Isis spoke. Ghar already had a furrowed brow while Hanna paused her eyes rampant gaze to listen.

"No. Well everyone knows the Primordial made his first children Aeuses ago. The tale is popular".

"Divines like us?". Hanna asked. There was a rad but worry in her eyes that only Ghar picked up on. He has the same worry after all.

"No. Celestials. The real deal. No one says it but we think all the realm dwellers here are pieces of their design". The Celestian made a face. "It is why the birds think themselves the best and closest to the.".

"Why?*.

"Dark damned wings".

Ghar's mind nearly short-circuited as he locked on what was being spoken of.

"Say, do these children have large wings on their back?". The guards all nodded.

"They're well in our image in a way." Ghar waved his hand around not wanting to say humanoid as he doubted they'd get it.

"Yeah. They got heads, limbs, and a torso".

"They're rarely seen outside their realm". An Aurelian added.

"What realm?". Isis asked.

"Aetherheim".

None of the Divines knew where that was. Shaking his head Ghar waved them forward. They still had a Divine to meet. Join the Pantheon and then march for the center of the realm.

The ride down on the horses was uneventful. It was hard to make out anything from the gates of the fortress when it was shut. Ghar noticed the lack of fields around, which meant somehow, these folk made their food within.

Ingenious.

"So how do we get them to come out. Knock?". Rhal quipped as they took in how the gate was sealed tightly.

"How does it even open?". Isis queried in confusion.

"I doubt it does My Lady". Someone spoke. All eyes turned to him. "We've never heard or seen the gates of Boeorsa open".

"Well, then, how do we get them to come here?".

An Aurelian was walking to the gate
Halfway to it, everyone noticed riots and words on the ground lit up, and then the gate's scripts and words lit up as well.

"Blasted birds. Of course they use Torain. So much for the venerable ones".

"What's Torain?". Rhal asked.

"Those symbols". Isis turned to the Celestian. "What does it mean?".

"That's what I asked". Rhal huffed.

The Celestian answered with a chuckle. "It's the tongue of the Primordial Magi. See what those birds won't admit even while using it is that Divine Essence is not the prevalent essence".

"That was obvious". Rhal spoke up. "With Nine Realms there won't be just one energy".

The Celestian nodded. "Back at the mountain we got attacked at, I am certain there's a Gate."

"A gate?*.

"A spatial locked terrain where the essence in the air is different. The creatures there, monster, there are changed or reborn with these energies and..."

"And let loose when the terrain is overfilled?". Hanna added sharply

"Yes". The Celestian was still on edge around her.

"Dungeons". Isis and Rhal mutttered.

"There are nine of them spread out in the realm. Large and dangerous places but filled with rewards beyond reasoning. These places are prime examples of what the realms hold. But something it doesn't hint at is the other essence in the air".

The Celestian raised a palm and the Divines watched as Divine Essence flooded to his grasp.

"That...".

"How are you doing that?*.

"its Divine Essence*. He blinked in confusion. "It's everywhere. We can tap into it".

Rahl didn't look surprised, though, as the Celestians had shown him before.

"Within all the realms, we have Akashic Energy. The essence of the Primordial Magi, but it exists everywhere".

"For what reason?". Rhal questioned.

Hanna turned to him with a dead eye. "What do you think. Primordial Magi. Magi. Magic!".

Rhal just glared back.

"Guys. The gate". Isis called their attention back ahead. The scripts and runes had died down. At the center of the gate, a large hatch was open. It was enough for them to see a head within. A very avian-like head.

"Who trespasses on Boeorsa?". A voice, thin and birdlike yelled out. Everyone exchanged looks.

Before any of the guards could reply Hanna stepped forward with a warm smile on her face. " Hanna, daughter of Ozai the Primordial. I and my siblings are here for our sibling. We believe they are here".

The bird squeaked for some reason and the hatch slid shut with a scraping sound.

"Way to go. You scared them away". Isis hissed.

"It's what she does. Well, the reverse,".

"Enough!". Ghar barked and gave Rhal a side eye before turning to the Celestian they were talking to. "What now?".

"I don't know. Like I said, they've never opened those gates before. at least none that I've heard of".

"I say we just scale the mountain. Drop right into their city". Hanna muttered.

"That won't work". The Celestian argued. "The city is built into the mountain. Not in the mountain".

"Well, there has to be some way to get ventilation".

"Ventilation?".

"Air. To breathe".

"Why would the breath?". The Celestian looked confused.

The Divines paused then shook their heads. " They're semi-divine beings. No need for air". Everyone frowns now.

"So that leaves no way in but the gate and that parapet". Ghar pointed up.

"That should be locked from within".

"Maybe we take down the gate. With your light can't you...".

The sound of the hatch being slid back open caught their ears. An avian head behind stared at them. Then the hatch slid shut.

"What happened?".

No one answered as all the scripts and runes lit up again. Ghar noted how the colors were a mix of grey and gold. Then a sound echoed, a clang and a ring. The runic symbols glowed even brighter.

"By the Primordial". The Celestians backed up shock and awe in their expressions. "It's opening".

Sure enough, the gate rumbled, and the point connected to the ground rose slowly, sand dropping from the jagged spikes at the base. Ghar furrowed his brows as he noticed the lack of dust or any aging signs.

Either the Torain runes negate that or one of us has entered here.

The gates, a combination of metal and stone rose higher and higher. He could see the legs of the creatures within. Armor was visible from the very legs. The Seraphims were lean creatures, their armor light and their faces avian-shaped. Two pairs of eyes stared at them from avian heads.

Ghar's gaze snapped to the one figure that was very different from the Seraphims. A long gown of golden that trailed behind her. Sandals, golden hair, and golden eyes. The hue was different from Rhal's. Where he bore the brightness and edge of his light, hers were warm and soothing.

It was the aura that wrapped around her that told him what he needed to know.

"It seems we need only bother for Isis and Rhal's final domain now".

****

Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL

Ernwes couldn't believe his eyes. He'd never seen anything like it in his life. The Throne Guardians, Seraphic Knights, and dead Sentinels all rose their wrecked all damaged parts mended.

Ernwes would admit the dread he felt at first as the numbers were just too much now. Then he felt the aura. Saw the army turn towards the temple and rush for it.

His heart returned to its position, and his shaking hand calmed.

"Captain". Lysandre stood next to him.

"Gather those who can still move. The Elder Force has drawn this army for a reason". He watched as the Impera Cervus, a beast once a deer that the force had made more than it once was bound ahead of the running army. "Make haste".

_

ATHENA'S POV

I had left the Temple behind. My senses were drawn by the flow of energy that led to an inconspicuous-looking pedestal behind the temple.

It was white, with an equally white orb on it. I reached out with my palm and touched the surface. Smooth, crystalline. I probed it with my mind and energy.

The dungeon vanished, and I found myself in a white room. In front of her was a floating blueish-white wisp.

"What are you?. Where am I?".

Dungeon Core.

The voice echoed. Everywhere.

You've cleared the dungeon. Congratulations. Now leave.

Athena paused and then shook her head. The thought it was trying to frighten her made her sigh.

"I'm Athena. I'm here for your aid".

I do not grant aid.

"Forgive my words. I meant I am here to make you work for me".

The wisp seemed to shrink and Athena ignored it. Reaching out she realized her aura still worked. She bore down on it. And the wisp shook.

What are you doing? I'm a dungeon core. One of the nine of the realm. You can't harm me.

"Fortunately. I don't intend to do such a stupid thing".

I reached into its mind. I stood once more at the banks of a river. I watched the pools. Memories of its start. The first was hazy and showed a blurry figure looking down on it. The next showed it working on its mobs. Watching as realm dwellers challenged it. As it lost or won sometimes.

The memories stopped with me and I pondered what to do. There was nobody to give my blood who would mind scalping even work. It was my domain, so it had to, right?

I left all the memories and simply went back to the very start. Erasing the obscure figures and making them clearer. Myself clearer.

I filled in little parts when I came to check in. Parts where I left with Throne Guardians and others. With that done, I left its mind.

The wisp floated in a daze for a minute as I waited. When it came to the voice it spoke with was mellowed but still all around me.

Athena. You're here.

"Yes. I came to see you".

Thank you. Have you received the soldiers?

"No. You seemed too busy, so I was waiting".

I'll get right on it.

I exited the dungeon core in a thought. Standing there I noted the pulses of light pushed from the Crystal in rhythms. Turning back to the temple I watched the battle coming to an end. Tepes must have felt me as he shouldered his way out of the shrinking melee and galloped around the temple to me.

The glow in his eyes was brighter, and he kept neighing as I rubbed his neck. "We did it" both spoke and sent thoughts. "We best the Dungeon." I didn't add the second part in my mind though.

Rubbing his neck one last time I crouched to one side. Tepes bumped his nose on my back but I ignored him to form glass corks from my force using Reality Sculptor.

I made sure there was enough then summoned the bastard sword into my right hand. The balance and weight made me struggle a bit but then I got it under control. Hand above the first vial I slit my palm.

The golden liquid flowed out of the wound and into the vial. I repeated it for the other vials as my palm kept healing. When all ten vials were full I placed their stoppers back on and sent them to inventory. De summoning the sword I stood and patted Tepes.

"Let's head down. It's time to get out of here".

_

His boot sank into the space within the helm, ending the enemy. A sharp glance around told him that was the last one. But where was the Elder Force?

"Loot and take anything useful". He commanded. The floor and already been cleared. He'd gotten the notification for it. The lack of a force around, though, stumped him.

Did she go looking for something?

"Captain. No sign of The Force". Miltrendi informed. He glanced at the army all standing in their last combat spots. They were not attacking them yet, so he marked that as a good thing.

The sound of Tepes galloping caught his ears. Turning his single eye locked on the approaching Impera Cervus and the Force seated on its back. The Impera darted through the broken walls, and its moves clopped over the stone ground as it came to a stop at the center. The Force looked over the room.

He noted her eyes locking on each of his Sykeri before a look of, was it relief crossed her eyes. Her gaze turned to him.

"When you're ready, we leave. I hope I speak for all when I say I'm tired of this dungeon".

For the first time, a grin split his cheeks, and a chuckle rose from his throat. The thought of a force being fatigued from climbing floors was amusing.

"The Boss is under my control. Have it arranged and lead the dungeon troops. Organize everyone for our exit". The Impera kept stepping back and forth like it was dancing.

"And I see you're already doing it, so have what you will. Your Sykeri all fought well. Take enough for those of you not here, too".

Ernwes nodded and turned to Miltrendi who hurried off. Turning back to the Force he could see her eyes glazed over and staring into space. He just couldn't put a finger or an eye on what was different now.

Denser. More here. He could feel the folds of her aura had doubled and thickened, wrapping around her like curtains.

It was her eye, though, that made it click. The silver in them shone with a din that wasn't there before. The domains. She must have gotten them.

Ernwes wanted to think of what this meant for his people. I'll just have to wait and see. The more he looked at it, the more he realized that her plans with Lord Gordorik were seemingly getting harder to stop.

Her eyes focused, and she stared down at him. A brow raised then dropped. "I don't know what exactly you have in mind but I have an idea. We'll talk once we're out of here". She nodded to him and Ernwes realized something.

Whatever she meant to do, she wanted to keep him and his Sykeri either on her side or safe. It was clear that fighting with them had built a sort of affection for them on her.

Hopefully, it's enough.


****

Ring - 5th
Realm - FAYHEIM

Asides blew a breath of mist out. Just for the fun of it. He loved how to flow around. Loved the setting it created. He glanced to the left where the others lined up in a line next to him. Haden was standing at the other end, and he was on the other.

His eyes drifted from one face to the other hoping for an inkling of what they thought. Novik looked excited, Black Cat cautious. Nimueh had that blank look of hers and Haden just had a frown. Mentally shrugging he stared back ahead.

The center had not been anything like they'd expected. They'd not expected a tundra. Asides had the feeling the freezing landscape was a deterrent. Their test.

Lovely thing I picked up that phoenix shadoway.

"So we've been standing here for half an hour now. How exactly are we doing this?". Novik asked her eyes betraying her lack of concern.

"Walk right through?". Haden asked in answer wondering if he'd missed another path.

"I mean. The cold is a problem for some of us". Her eyes went to Aseides and Black Cat.

"I'll be fine". Asides waved her off. I'm more curious about how you lot will beat the cold. I'm sure Ignis would have issues with the cold here.

"Black Cat?". Novik turned to the girl.

She shrugged.

"Only Haden can shrug off the cold with his domain. Not sure how Aseides will work it out. Us girls don't have anything to ward of environmental changes yet. So let's just brave it*.

" And hope we don't freeze over?". Novik asked.

Nimueh nodded without looking her way. Black cat just sighed.

" I could have Ignis follow you for warmth but I doubt even he can bear this cold". Aseides offered

"We'll appreciate the effort". Nimueh nodded to him.

" If we're done planning and standing around let's go".

" Wait". Aseides pulled out a totem. Handing it to Black Cat he nodded to it. " Pour in essense q s it'll summon a fire Spirit". Handing another to Nimueh he gave the same instructions but for an air spirit.

" I'm not sure an earth spirit would do anything so...".

" It's fine I'll hang with Nimueh or Black Cat". Nodding he stepped back.

"Let's go then". Nimueh took a step but Haden was already shooting past her. The telltale after flow of spirit essence making it clear he'd already buffed himself.

One by one the Elder Spirits stepped into the tundra.

_

Deep within the Tundra space shook. Lightning cracked mid air with no cloud or storm in sight. The air suddenly turned black in straight vertical line. The line parted in the center like two palms had ripped it open.

The first thing that came through was a storm and sounds of lightning. Following it was a worm so large it dwarfed mountains. Across it's body rolled thousands of bolts, white and blue. Running and dancing along its body. The length rolling through the hole in space kept on coming and coming till finally the end slipped through. The portal snapped shut with a bang that sent wind rolling through the realm

The creature took a good scan of his surroundings and a breath of clouds escaped its maw. It had gotten away. The cold was a tad bit too much but it could sense that the energy in it surpassed ita capabilities.

This was good. That predator wouldn't think to find it in the cold. The ground trembled as it lay itself out. It was tired. Its storm depleted from that fight. It would rest for a while then recharge.

As it rested the winds of its shutting portal rolled through the tundra. Forming a blizzard that raged and raced around. At the edge of the Tundra, five Elder Spirits waded through the winds and cold.

Past the tundra deep within the center, the valley holding the circular shaped Soul Temple hummed in a crackle of energy. Ether rushed through the streams and bounced off the walls. Gathering at the center it coalesced into a shimmering blue female.

"Time to help". She giggled and hopped out of the stream.