Arwintar Capital of the Baharuth Empire
Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix sat in his private lounge surrounded by his trusted aides. It was an opulent room with lush red carpet and fine wooden furniture. He was sipping a glass of the finest wine his empire could offer. His empire was a young nation, the youngest in the region. However that did not mean it was the weakest, it fact it has the largest professional standing army on the continent. The Empire's military doctrine revolved around quality over quantity, where most nations relied on conscription the empire relied mainly on career soldiers. Citizen militias were only used to defend never to attack, all offensive operations were done by the knight legions. The armies of the empire struck hard and struck fast leaving little room for the enemy to recover. Or at least that was the general idea...
"My emperor the stalemate at the Katse Plains continues to incur a heavy burden on the Empire's finances, I fear even if we are to win on the field we will not have the resources to sustain the siege at E-Rantel." Vermillion said
Jircniv gazed at his trusted secretary as he sat across from him. He was glad he had such a man that dared to say such things to him. The last thing he wanted was a court full of yes men, most would fear to be hung for treason for even mentioning the possibility of defeat without even a major battle occuring. This however was why Vermillion held his post, his job wasn't to tell him what he wanted to hear, it was to tell him what he needed to hear.
"How is the situation at the front General Nimble." Jircniv said
"The troops are getting restless my emperor, furthermore we have reports of a large creature lurking amongst the fog in the plains. The troops say they hear loud screeches in the night, it isn't an exaggeration to say the soldiers there are afraid." Nimble said
"Have you heard those noises yourself?" Jircniv asked
"Yes I have my emperor, I must admit it is quite the chilling sound. " Nimble replied
Nimble looked down to his report in his hand and gazed once more at the words on that parchment and felt the familiar chill run down his spine as he read the line of text.
I'm glad it's on our side
"My emperor I have one more thing to report with your permission." Nimble said
"Go ahead." Jircniv replied
"There has been rumors trickling down about four individuals and certain beast that has visited the Re-Estise." Nimble said
"Ah yes the girl with the glowing eye correct?" Jircniv said
"Yes my emperor, the rumor's say that they are followers of the old gods." Nimble affirmed
"The old gods… ancient and powerful entities of that I am sure, the evidence is all around if you would just look. Isn't that right gramps." Jircniv said as he glanced at Fluder
"Indeed my dear Jir, evidence of their power lies just below our feet after all." Fluder said as he stroked his beard
"They are an evil power, one that does not belong in the realms of man." Baziwood said a look of distaste of his face. Baziwood was one of the knights in charge of the Emperor's security along with Leinas.
"Don't let religious dogma cloud your judgement Baziwood, I understand that you were raised under the teachings of the six but remember religious teaching only get you so far in this harsh cruel world. It is right to fear them of course, people fear what they do not understand, especially beings as ancient as the old gods." Jircniv said
"Our emperor is correct Baziwood dono, a fire when controlled in our hearth gives warmth and comfort but an inferno can claim a city. Power is power there is no morality behind it, only the will to wield it." Fluder said
"Couldn't have said it better myself gramps." Jircniv said with a smile
"Yes, that place below us holds power beyond our comprehension. The power sleeps and waits perhaps just as the old gods are sleeping and waiting for when the time is right." Fluder said as his eyes gave off an ominous glint.
Hearing this Arche who sat next to Fluder gave off a shudder as she listened to her masters words. Recently she has been getting nightmares especially after she visits that place. It was always the same nightmare she would be standing in utter darkness with an all consuming cold surrounding her. She would stumble about looking for a way out, this would go on for a while until finally she would see the pedestal that was in that room. It would be lit by a strange blue light shining from above, making it the only visible thing in the sea of dark. She would always approach it with a lack of a better choice, once she touched the pedestal suddenly a pair of red lights will appear overhead and dye the world red then around her she would see the coffins all of them open and empty. Then the twin red lights would blink momentarily plunging her world into darkness and when the red light returned she would be surrounded by unspeakable horrors of rotted armor and eyeless emancipated faces with maws spewing white mist. The horrors held large blades in their hands that flickered with black flame, she would scream then the horrors would pounce on her and strike her down. She would then wake up drenched in sweat and fearing for her life…
"Are you alright young lady?" Jircniv asked brows furrowed noticing her pale face
"Ah yes my emperor, my apologies I was just remembering some things." Arche said quietly
"Gramps what are you doing to this poor girl? You say she has gone down there what seven times already?" Jircniv asked right eyebrow raised
"Eight my dear Jir, Arche here is very talented, she is the only one besides me to have visited the mausoleum more than five times." Fluder said with pride in his voice
"Maybe you should give her a short vacation Fluder sama, the moment you mentioned the old gods she started to look ill." Nimble said with a frown
"Yes, perhaps that might be best, I heard that place requires constant concentration lest you be consumed by the power of that place. The last thing we want is for someone with potential such as her meeting an untimely end due to over work." Jircniv said as he pinched the bridge of his nose
"My emperor, my lords, thank you for your kindness, I am fine really. I may just be tired from my meditations." Arche said hastily
"You do these meditations everyday?" Jircniv asked
"Yes my emperor." Arche said
"Very diligent of you, take a week off, I'll have a sum of gold to be sent to you for your leisure." Jircniv said
"There is no need my emperor, I have much to do back at the academy." Arche blustered
"That is a royal decree girl." Jircniv said in mock rebuke with a smile on his face
Baziwood walked over and placed a head on Arche's head and ruffled her hair.
"I was once like you, I was once young and felt I had to do my best at all times. I had to be perfect in all things, as you get older you learn to understand that everyone needs some well deserved rest. Go home for the week girl, spend some time with your family, I am sure they miss you." Baziwood said with a smile
"I…" Arche said as she looked uncertainly at her master
Fluder looked at her and gave a nod.
"Rest is important, for any mages development. I have been meaning to pause the visits to the mausoleum while I work on a more effective version for the anti negative energy spell. I think now is as good a time as any." Fluder said
"Good now that our young prodigy here is no longer hell bent on working herself to death we can move on with the meeting." Jircniv said with a laugh
"Yes my emperor as I was saying previously of the four individuals that have appeared they came with a magical beast. The descriptions is that it is an extremely powerful scorpion about as big as small sized villa. It is known to emit loud screeches in battle. This description matches the creature that appeared in the Katse Plains. In addition we have sent infiltrators into the enemy lines and have discovered some interesting and unsettling intel. " Nimble continued
"What is it?" Baziwood asked with a frown
"It appears that the creature is indeed the one that has appeared in the kingdom. The infiltrators have overheard some talk amongst the kingdom's troops we have discovered that the creature is what is known as Croxilisk it is creature from a faraway land. It is currently controlled by a pair of high elf twins known as Solanna and Quacey." Nimble said
"High elves… that is problematic…" Jircniv said as he bit into his thumb
"Yes… high elves essentially immortal as far as the shorter lived races are concerned… they possess high physical and magical capabilities easily eclipsing those of the major races with the exception of the dragon lords… almost extinct in the region thanks to the dragon lords… the high elves had a war with the dragons, the dragons won but just barely leaving just handful of dragonlords remaining… they use old magic of a different system from the other races… known for their nature and light based magic… extremely proficient archers and swordsmen is the standard for their race..." Fluder said as he rattled off the facts about the race
"Yes thank you for the lesson gramps." Jircniv said as he cut him off knowing how long his mentor's could drone about the various facts regarding a subject.
"Well that could be problematic if the Kingdom has a pair of High Elves on their side." Leinas said
"Yes there are stories but it sounds quite fanciful so I am unsure how accurate they are, they sound more like soldiers exaggerations." Nimble continued
"What do they say?" Jircniv asked
"They say the girl Solanna can fire arrows in numbers that can blot out the sun, the creature she commands barreled into a siege tower smashing it to splinters like stack of toothpicks, she moves faster than her arrows and can outrun her own shots. The mage Quacey can conjure earthquakes and vines to tear entire divisions to pieces… among other things." Nimble said as he read the report before him.
"That sounds like something a bard would sing about to a tavern of drunks." Baziwood said
"Well all great tales start from a grain of truth, if what they say is even half true we would be in trouble. Gramps you think you can beat those two?" Jircniv asked
"If I knew what abilities they had and how they fight I may stand a chance against one of them but against two it's unlikely I would win. I would like everyone to keep in mind that in the war against the dragon lords the high elves were actually outnumbered and they still managed to inflict so many losses towards the dragon lords." Fluder replied calmly
"Hmm not possible then, dammit why don't i get this kind of luck. How I wish such exceptional individuals just fell into my lap…" Jircniv said through gritted teeth
"You know Jir we could always sue for peace I heard the Golden Queen is quite the compassionate figure. I am sure she would be glad to end the war, it is costing both sides dearly financially speaking." Fluder said
"Yes I am hesitant to admit it but I feel the troops aren't eager to charge across the plains with the creature lurking about." Nimble said with a sigh
"Yes the way I see it the cost of victory if attained would be high, what's more I heard the kingdom just suffered a short civil war and a demonic incursion I am sure they are weary of fighting." Fluder said
"It pains me to say it but I think you're right gramps, it just doesn't sit well with me to have sacrificed all those troops for nothing." Jircniv said through gritted teeth
"It's the best we can do now Jir." Fluder said as he laid a hand on JIrcniv's shoulder
The Furt Residence (The Next Day)
Arche got out from the carriage as an attendant helped to unload her luggage and she walked in the front door. She saw her mother sitting at the lounge drinking tea daintily from a beautiful ornate tea cup… she had never seen that cup before… or that tea set for that matter… and the engravings… is that gold? At the sight of the extravengent tea set Arche felt her blood pressure rise and a headache soon formed at her temples.
"Arche dear, welcome home." her mother said airily as she put down the cup.
"Where did you get that?" Arche said coldly as she dropped her luggage on the floor unceremoniously
"Arche?" she heard her father call out as he turned the corner wearing a brand new set of clothes that she had never seen before.
"Hello mother, father." Arche said through gritted teeth
"Arche sama is something wrong?" the attendant said from behind her still standing outside the door carrying her luggage.
"Ah it seems that foolish boy empe…" his father began
"Thank you for your help!" Arche immediately shouted as she turned around and snatched the luggage out of the attendants hand and threw them into the house. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a fistful of silver coins and shoved it into his hand.
"THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU MAY LEAVE NOW!." Arche half shouted her voice going up a pitch as she slammed the door.
Arche stood facing the door pale as death as she listened to the carriage pull away. She only allowed herself to breathe once she could no longer hear the sounds of the carriage. Arche let out a sigh of relief before rounding and facing her parents with murderous eyes.
"ARE YOU INSANE! HOW CAN YOU INSULT THE EMPEROR IN FRONT OF OTHERS!" Arche shrieked
"Don't take that tone with me young lady." his father said as his lips turned to a scowl.
"Do you know what will happen if word gets out that you are insulting the emperor? I could lose my position and with it all of our income. Then how will we get money? Who will pay for Kuuderika and Ureirika's school fees? Who will pay for our food? Who will pay for your stupid extravagence? AND SPEAKING OF THAT HOW MUCH DID THAT SUIT COST?" Arche shrieked
"This it's nothing, merely 200 coins." his father said dismissively
"Gold?" Arche asked on the verge of tears
"Yes, now you watch your tone I didn't raise you to behave like some rabid dog." her father said sternly
"We aren't nobles anymore we can't afford to keep doing this father… where did you get the money to afford that… I only sent back 400 gold coins last month… " Arche asked shakily
"WE ARE NOBLES! THE HOUSE OF FURT HAS EXISTED FOR FOUR GENERATIONS NO MATTER WHAT DAMNED BOY SAYS!" her father shouted now red in the face
"Where did you get the money?" Arche said icily unphased by her father's outburst
"You will show me respect young lady or gods help me I will…" her father began
"You will what? Spend our family into ruin?" Arche replied tone laced with disdain
At those words her father face turned purple with rage as he struck Arche across the face toppeling her to the ground. She tasted blood in her mouth and felt her lip was stinging. She looked up and saw her father approaching with his hand raised intent on striking her again. Then inside her something snapped, she raised her hand and cast her spell. [Force] she intoned as her father was knocked back and flew into the dining table collapsing it.
"Arche!" her mother screamed as she looked at her daughter rise to her feet. Arche's eyes were glowing with an ominous red glow. The red light flickered like a flame within her eyes, all around her the air felt heavy as some unseen pressure emanated from her. The lamps that held the [Continual Light] spell that were scattered around the house started to flicker. Arche felt a darkness cloud her mind, the whispers from that place were now in her head. They whispered to her telling her to do unspeakable things, how she hated her parents… The fools, even a dog doesn't bite the hand that feeds it and here her father was acting like some rabid dog. Yes… rabid dogs need to be put down… what spell should she use? Perhaps a [Fireball]...
"Onee san?" a timid voice said
Arche hearing the voice of her dear sister snapped out of that dark rage. She stumbled back as she gazed at her parent's terrified expressions, she turned to Kuurderika who was gazing at her with a mix of fear and concern.
"Kurrderika… I…" Arche said at a loss for words
Arche saw Kuurderika look at the mess that was the living room and saw her look back at her before taking a hesitant step back. That little step back broke her heart, she was supposed to make her sisters happy not scared. Unable to bear her sisters fearful gaze Arche turned and bolted out the door. She ran down the streets and activated her flight spell and took off into the skies. Her mind was racing over what just happened, that place was doing something to her, of that she was sure. That darkness was now sleeping, however when it woke just now she almost lost herself to that power. That state was powerful she felt her magic abilities soar when it was active, she felt invincible the feeling was intoxicating. Arche decided to see her master perhaps he would have some insight to what happened. The academy gate was probably closed at this hour so she decided to enter through her master's window. It was rude she knew but this was not something that could wait. She flew up to the window and approached the window ledge…
Fluder was sitting in his room, opposite him sat the two high elf siblings. He had just told them of the success of persuading the emperor to accept peace. Then he noticed the elves suddenly turn their heads towards the window. The sister Solanna stood up and walked towards the window and calmly waited in silence. Then Solanna suddenly reached out a pulled a figure in through the window before pinning them to the ground dagger in hand. Fluder looked down to see a very flustered and confused Arche on the ground with a dagger at her throat.
"Arche?" Fluder asked
"Master?" Arche replied eyes wide as she gazed at the elf on top of her
"You know her?" Solanna asked
"Yes she is my star pupil." Fluder replied hesitantly
"I see." Solanna said as she got off Arche
Arche got unsteadily to her feet, she looked to the pair of elf children. She looked to their abnormally long ears and pale skin.
"High elves… you're the two from the kingdom. Solanna and Quacey…" Arche said in shock
"Yes we are, I hope you will keep that fact to yourself for your own sake." Solanna said coldly
"What are you doing here?" Arche asked
"I should be asking you the same question or is that how you always visit your master." Solanna asked her hand still gripping the ornate curved dagger
"No of course, I am here to see Master Fluder about something urgent." Arche said hesitantly keenly feeling that her safety was by no means guaranteed.
"What is it Arche?" Fluder asked brows furrowed
Arche took and deep breathe and began explaining what happened at the house. About how the whispers from the mausoleum were now in her head, about the nightmares she has been having, about how the power seemed to consume her and about how she almost fired off a [Fireball] in her own living room.
"Fluder how much do you trust this girl here." Solanna asked
"She is trustworthy, she is my best pupil and privy to the nation's secrets." Fluder replied
"I see, listen to me girl and listen very carefully. As far as anyone is concerned, my brother and I were never here. If the information leaks I will assume it is you that gave it away, if I find out there is a leak you will not be long for this world. You talk you die. Capiche?" Solanna hissed
"Ye… yes Ma'am" Arche said shakily
"Very good now can you show me what happened? I have a feeling I know what it is and if I'm right this changes things quite drastically." Solanna said as she took a step back.
"I don't know how…" Arche said hesitantly
"You say you triggered after you lost your temper… perhaps a fight or flight response will trigger it?" Solanna muttered
Arche looked quizzically at Solanna, then she felt a wave of killing intent hit her. It was like a million ice shards stabbing into her soul, she was going to die she knew it in her heart. Then from within she felt a surge of the dark power as her eyes began to glow red and the voices started whispering…
You are nothing girl…
You need us child, you are weak…
How can you protect when you can't even save yourself…
This power can be yours…
Relinquish your flesh…
"No… no…" Arche wept as she clutched at her head
You dare defy us?
You are nothing…
So young so naive…
Let us out Arche...
We are your salvation…
"No I am not your puppet…" Arche screamed as she tore at her face with her nails drawing blood
Such will to resist…
Is it enough…
No not nearly enough…
Your parents hate you…
Your sisters fear you…
Look at your master he is jealous of your power…
Of our power…
Arche pried open her eyes and looked at her master, Fluder was gazing at her in a mixture of shock and envy. What he would give to have a taste of such magics. Fluder watched as his apprentice writhed before him. He looked on in mute fascination as his talent showed her magic aura now tinged with black fluctuating wildly between the tiers. Previously she was able to cast spells up to the fourth tier now she could see her mana surging out in bursts at times even eclipsing his own abilities. Fluder looked on as the veins near her eyes started to be tinged black and her skin turned pale. Blood started to drip from her nose and lips as the power threatened to consume her. The whites of her eyes started to turn red as the blood vessels burst and fingertips turned black as the flesh died.
You feel that girl…
That's the feeling of you dying…
You are dying because you resist…
Relinquish your flesh and be free…
[Sleep][Restore] Quacey intoned as he cast his spells on Arche
Arche felt a warmth as the pain started to disappear.
NO DO NOT INTERFERE…
HER FLESH IS OURS…
The voices screeched as they receded from her mind and she let the darkness of sleep claimed her.
"Hmm so it's true then, who would've thought…" Solanna muttered to herself
"Solanna sama may I know what just happened?" Fluder asked eyes alight with excitement.
"I suspect your apprentice here is abyss compatible. An extremely rare blessing. It grants great power at a terrible cost as you just saw… but I am not the best person to explain this… perhaps I should get an expert on the matter…" Solanna replied as she put a finger to her ear and began speaking
"Maeve are you free now?... no the thing is I stumbled onto this girl in the empire, I think she's abyss compatible, could you come and take a look?... uh huh ok see you soon…" Solanna said as she took her finger off her ear
As soon as she was finished a portal opened next to her and Maeve stepped through. Maeve looked at Arche was sleeping on the floor.
"Is this her?" Maeve asked
"Yup." Solanna replied
"Are you Maeve dono?" Fluder asked
"I am and you must be Fluder Paradyne." Maeve replied
"An honor to meet you Maeve dono, but I must ask your equipment it is obviously items of peerless magical power… however I can't sense anything from you… " Fluder asked
"Ah yes your talent, the ability to see mana signatures. I have an item that blocks all scrying magics." Maeve replied calmly
"If I may make a small request... I wish to see your power." Fluder asked excitedly
"No, you have not yet earned the right." Maeve replied coldly
"Yes of course my apologies." Fluder said hastily as he bowed his head
"Now then wake her up." Maeve said
Quacey nodded as he cast a spell and Arche began to stir.
Arche opened her eyes and saw a pair of mismatched eyes gazing down at her. One as black as coal the other glowing like the sun. In the back of her mind the shadow of a memory started to stir and she remembered who the eyes belonged to.
"You're the…" Ache exclaimed as she reclined back
"I am but a servant of the 41." Maeve replied
"You what are you doing here?" Arche asked
"I heard something is happening to you, something you can't control." Maeve said
"I… yes." Arche replied hesitantly
"I can teach you to control it but let me ask you this. What will you do with that power?" Maeve asked
"I… I don't know." Arche said her mind was reeling. So much has happened in such a short span of time.
"You don't? Well that's ok for now." Maeve said as she reached into a hole in reality and pulled out a necklace. It was a simple metal chain made of a strange dark metal, there were no adornments the only thing was that there were strange glowing cracks on the metal.
"This will help you control it, but first I need to see what is going on inside your mana core." Maeve said
"What?" Arche asked perplexed
"Your mana core I need to see if you have truly been touched by the abyss." Maeve said
"The abyss? How could I have been touched by the abyss?" Arche asked getting more and more confused
"The abyss works in strange ways, it is chaos descended into the realm of creation, it is a fire that burns endlessly as it consumes all around it. If we aren't careful it will consume you. " Maeve said
"So you need to see to make sure?" Arche asked
"Yes." Maeve affirmed with a nod
"Will it hurt?" Arche asked hesitantly feeling like a frightened child
"Yes." Maeve replied dispassionately not a trace of emotion to be found in her voice
"I see… it will help right?" Arche asked softly
"Naturally, I don't enjoy inflicting suffering you know." Maeve replied
"Ok fine… how will we do it?" Arche asked with a gulp of apprehension
"Just sit down and close your eyes, but first [Bastion of the Abyss]" Maeve said as a bubble of purple energies surround the group.
Arche obeyed and sat down crossing her legs. She took the pose she always did when she meditated. She tried her best to relax and not think about what was to come. Fluder watched as Maeve approached his apprentice and knelt before her. Maeve put her right hand on her head and pressed her thumb against the spot of bone between Arche's eyes. With her other hand she pressed her hand to the base of her neck where her windpipe ended and her chest began. Then he felt it the air started to feel thick she saw dark wisps of fog start to flow off Maeve's body. He saw a strange mask made of bone started to form covering her face. The mask covered the left side of her face completely in a layer of perfect ivory. However, the right half of the mask was filled with patterns and cracks. The cracks glowed with a red light giving it the appearance of blood vessels. Where her eye socket was however was what looked like a crater with a red fire that blazed with an ominous light. The bone at the eye socket was ridged and deformed as if the bone has been melted by the fire within. It was a strange thing to behold the left side of her face was plain and empty made of the most beautiful bone fluder had ever seen. It was a blank slate in the purest sense no eye no mouth just a sheet of pure ivory. Her right side could be considered the personification of rage and chaos with it's cracked surface and burning eye socket. There was no mouth to be seen on the mask of bone just a plain half and chaotic half.
Fluder then saw dark tendrils made of a black fog extend from her back and started to surround Arche. Off to the side he heard a clicking noise, he turned to see his negative energy measuring device clicking as if it was detecting something. Fluder walked over to the table it was lying on and picked it up. He felt his knees go weak as he looked at the reading, it was at 30 000 and climbing… 45 000… 60 000… then it maxed out at 100 000 before the was a cracking sound and the meter broke. Fluder looked around him at the air around him and saw that there was something akin to a heatwave effect around him. How was he still alive? Then he remembered Maeve had cast a buff right before she began whatever it was she was doing. He looked down at his hand and saw a faint purple glow surrounding him. If he could learn this spell he could examine the pedestal at his leisure…
Arche was sitting at the dinner table as her mother laid her favourite meal before her.
"Where am I?" Arche thought to herself as she looked around the room.
She saw her parents but younger… Then she felt a tug from below and she looked down to see a toddler Kuurderika pulling on her pants with a goofy grin on her face. She reached out to try and pick her up but found her hands to be too short. She looked down and saw that here hands were tiny and she realised that she was shorter. She looked to the mirror on the wall and saw her younger self gazing back at her.
"Kuurderika what am I going to do with you, one moment you're here, the next moment you're gone." her mother said exasperated as she walked over and picked up the giggling Kuurderika and placed her in the baby chair.
Arche looked on blankly as her family enjoyed their dinner. It looked so peaceful, she had almost forgotten what a peaceful home felt like. Everytime she went home it was always coin coin coin… Could they afford to eat? Can her sisters keep schooling? Can her parents stop spending unnecessary money?
"What's wrong Arche? You don't like the roast?" her mother asked
"Ah no mother, it's very good." Arche said as she took a hasty bite.
"What a peaceful core this is…" a voice said from beside her
Arche turned to see Maeve standing there looking around the room. She immediately turned to look at her parents wondering what they were going to say at the sudden appearance of the girl.
"They can't see me, don't worry." Maeve said
"What is this place?" Arche asked
"Your mana core, a person's mana core's hold the most important parts of them. In your case it appears to be your family. What a kind core you have… it's rare to see a core about others… most of the time it's self centered, a crowning achievement, their deepest perversions… stuff like that." Maeve said calmly
"Thank you I suppose... but why did you bring me here?" Arche asked
"For this." Maeve said as she waved her hand and the scene before her changed. The sudden change knocked her right off her chair and she fell onto a bed of sweet smelling grass.
Arche looked up and saw her family's summer home or what used to be their summer home. Her family had sold it off to make ends meet, she looked up to see her family enjoying a picnic under a tree as the summer sun shone down on them. She looked out over the beautiful lake that was beside their summer home and she remembered when she would swim in the lake as a child.
"Look closer. Ignore what you want to see, look for things you usually ignore." Maeve instructed
Arche looked at her confused but obeyed. What would she usually ignore, she looked around and saw a peaceful scene everywhere she looked, she instinctively started to look at those things that she remembered the most clearly. The flowers… the lake… her family… what does she always ignore… the sky… she never looks up, Hekkeran always chided her on that. She never had a habit of looking up even in combat. Arche looked up at the brightly shining sun, the clear blue sky and the pitch black clouds… Arche felt a chill run down her spine as she saw the clouds as dark as coal floating in the air, the clouds… aren't moving… they were still as if they were in a painting… she could feel the wind so why wasn't the clouds drifting… Arche looked down at the gently flowing grass and grabbed a fist full before ripping it out of the ground and saw a pitch black tar under the lush grass. She used her hand and scooped up some of the tar it was sticky and it reeked…
"What the hell is going on?" Arche thought desperately to herself
"The abyss is starting to corrode your core." Maeve said with a look of sympathy in her eyes
"What what does that mean?" Arche asked in panic
"See for yourself." Maeve said as she waved her hand and the scene changed again
Arche now stood in an expansive white world, she looked ahead and saw four dark figures crowded around something. Surrounding them was a ring of white fog cutting off the centre circle from the rest of this world. The figures were two tall and two short, she recognised the silhouettes immediately it was those of her family…
The figures turned to face her and she recognised the dark twisted bastardisation of her family. Their faces were filled with malice and hate, Arche took an instinctive step back.
"Hello child." the dark twisted version of her mother said
"You grow bold enough to dare to leave the safety of your core." her grotesque father said
"You even brought a friend to play." chorused the wicked apparitions that was her sisters.
"Hmphh lesser creatures." Maeve sneered
"Tough words girl but here in this place we rule." her twisted mother said
"Do you? I wonder how true that is." a deep eldritch voice said as a massive dark shape appeared from within the fog.
Arche looked up and saw a dark scaled dragon with rotted webbed wings approach. It had purple gems for eyes, it's maw was rotted she could see its ebony coloured fangs through holes on the side of its snout. It's scales were a dark purple hue and a dark aura emanated off it's body. Dark crystals grew on it's hide like a mass of twisted barnacles and the crystals thrummed with a haunting purple light. As it approached the ground shook and she could feel the temperature start to fall around her. She saw her breathe start to form mist as she gazed up at the massive dragon.
"Midir it has been awhile." Maeve said
"Indeed it has mistress, are these snacks for me?" Midir said with a draconic laugh as it opened it's massive maw and towered over the four dark figures.
"No Midir, where's your brother?" Maeve said nonchalantly
"I am here mistressss." hissed a serpentine voice as a massive serpent appeared from the fog. The serpent was massive purple scaled monstrosity. On its spine was a long spiked fin that ran the length of its body. Arche couldn't see it's entire body the rest was obscured by the fog. It had similar rotted scales and the strange crystals were also growing on its body.
"How are you doing Jormungandr." Maeve said with a grin
"Bored mistressss." Jormungandr hissed
"Things will get fun soon, just hang in there." Maeve replied
"As you wish mistresss." Jormungandr replied with a bow of it's massive head
"Now then you four cretins stand aside before I make you." Maeve said coldly
The four dark figures took quick steps to the side and gazed at the pair hatefully. Although their hate felt like a knife on Arche's skin she felt strangely safe with the two giant monsters hovering over her. She saw a blue sphere hovering above a pool of black tar. It was about as big as a melon and as she approached she saw it was cracked and surrounded by small black vines.
"That is your mana core, you see those dark cracks and the small vines?" Maeve said
"Yes." Arche replied
"That is the corrosion from the abyss, you must learn to master this power before if overwhelms you and shatters your mana core." Maeve explained as she gestured to the dark vines that have wrapped around the sphere.
"What happens when the core breaks?" Arche asked shakily
"You go hollow, your soul dies but your body remains, so those four take the place of your soul and you become a hateful abyss creature." Maeve said
"How do I stop them?" Arche asked
"For now I will give you an item that will hold them at bay and help you control the apparitions. Remember those apparitions are the creation of your deepest darkest fears, that parts of you that you hate the most. Master yourself and you master your core." Maeve said
"How do I master myself?" Arche asked
"I will teach you or have you taught but for now just sit tight and try not to get too worked up. Empty your mind and master your emotions, be clear and do not let your emotions rule you. Meditate and understand your character that is the first step." Maeve said
"I see, thank you for your help." Arche said with a bow
"You are now a child of ash it is hard a path, most do not survive it. I wish you good fortune in the battles to come." Maeve said
"Thank you but I was wondering…" Arche said unsure if she should continue
"What is it?" Maeve asked turning to face her
"What does your core look like?" Arche asked
"HAHAHAHA, be careful what you wish for girl." Midir laughed
"I can show you but first do you know what determines what your core looks like?" Maeve asked
"Natural talent?" Arche asked
"Partly, your mana core is a vessel that holds all your mana energy. Some are born weak with spoons as vessels, others are stronger and are born with cups, then there are talented ones such as yourself with vessels about the size of a bucket. There are those who have oceans as vessels and then there is me… there is no one like me." Maeve said cooly
There is no one like me…
An extremely arrogant statement, it spoke of vanity and pride. Somehow Arche couldn't make herself doubt the statement. The way she said it was done in the way that someone would say that the sky is blue. A simple statement of the facts, leaving no room for doubt.
"It's behind us." Maeve said as she gestured behind her with her thumb
Arche turned to see a massive purple wall of roiling energy before her. The wall spread out all the way up and to the sides going on for a s far as the eye could see. The fog had cleared showing the wide world in its entirety.
"You can't tell from here how about we get some distance." Maeve said as she waved her hand again the scenery changed
Now when Arche looked she saw a massive sphere with roiling spinning purple clouds. It was the largest thing she had ever seen. Then she realised the reason it looked to be a wall was that they were too close. If a sphere was large enough the curve of the surface would seem flat…
"We are about 50 million kilometres away now." Maeve said
Arche struggled to parse the information as she gazed at the massive sphere before her. Wordlessly she turned to look at Maeve, on the outside she just looked like a strangely dressed girl. Such power was the providence of the gods…
In a place with no name
There was a beam of late and within floated a small pot that held a little tree. The tree glowed with a soothing green light. Surrounding the plant was 40 orbs of lights of differing colours as they gazed at the small little tree. The surroundings were pitch black the only source of light was the little tree and the 40 orbs.
"It seems to be growing well." said a pink orb bearing the voice of Bukubuku Chagama
"Yes it is, Chagama san." said an orb of pure white light bearing the voice of Touch Me
"I hope this one can last…" said a cerulean orb bearing the voice of Blue Planet
"Yes it's tiresome to redo it again." said a green orb bearing the voice of Punito Moe
"Yes it is, isn't it Momonga san?" the pink orb said again
"Indeed it is…" reverberated a deep voice from all around them as the darkness stirred around them.
"See I told you having some light would be fun." the white orb said
"Yes light is good, it's lonely in the dark…" the darkness said again
Around the table on the floor made of darkness an observer would be able to vaguely makeout some shapes strewn across the floor.
"We should probably head back in." the white orb said
Without a word the other orbs all transformed into motes of glowing light shot and into the tree. Leaving the darkness alone to gaze at the tiny little potted plant which now sat in amuch darker world.
"Please last this time…" the darkness muttered
"I grow so weary of destroying, I wish I could create…" the darkness said again
"Thank you my friends, for bringing light into existence…" the darkness said
"Please last my dear Yggdrasil…" the darkness said in a hushed whisper
The darkness stirred as a single dark spot flew from the darkness and entered the tree.
All around the table on the ground was strewn shattered pots and dead trees…
They lay forgotten on the floor carelessly discarded…
Millions of them…
Or perhaps Billions…
Maybe Trillions…
But the number doesn't matter…
After all no one is counting...
Author's notes:
Shorter than previous chapters I felt this was a good place to end it. I have been reading the past chapters and I feel pacing is a big problem now so I'm gonna be trying something to fix it in future chapters. I'm still rather new at this whole writing gig and balancing it with my irl commitments has been challenging. Although that is part of the journey I guess, people say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. However, I think the best thing about writing a fanfic is you get to decide when the journey ends and make your own destination. I may rewrite this entire thing when it's done and turn it into a giant 200k word chapter but that's something for the future.
If I am being completely honest I never expected anyone to actually like this story, Primordials was originally going to be another Momonga +1 type deal with Maeve as another supreme being but I guess there's a lot of those on FFN and you readers won't get much out of my sloppy attempt at it. So I tried something different, it's hard definitely seeing as the scope is as large as it is but it's been goddamn enjoyable so far let me tell you. So to those that stuck around so far through this personal adventure as a writer I can't thank you enough. To those that spent that time to write a review to encourage me and to those that spent the effort to tell me how it could be improved, I am and will be eternally grateful. I'll try not to disappoint you guys so… see you guys in the next chapter! :D