These feathers of mine will uplift your sorrows.
These scales of mine will drown your disfavor.
Brian woke up to the sounds of bird chirping. He had simply leaned his head back on the log.
The log? Didn't I sleep in the DIVE chair?
He looked forward to see that the pond was still a bit rippling from a source in the center. A faint, fire shifting from blue to green and back in various shades and speed.
Wisp Fyre?
Brian looked behind him to see Verdandi and Diyandi bowing to him.
"Good morning Lord Nephilentines" They said in unison.
Brian was in shock. He did not know what to say, thus he tried to play it off.
"Raise your heads" He said, and they acted.
He ignored them as they came up and looked around. It didn't disturb him that they were talking and enacting actions. He and Viqtoria had wished for such things ever since they had been created, but he realized this was probably too good to be true. He was in an unknown land. The landscape still resemble the Forest Grove he was in yesterday, but he felt there were less trees and more flowers than usual. First, he had to check if this was a lucid dream. Pain. He bit his tongue, and sure enough, felt pain.
Not a lucid dream. And the twins are moving. If only you can see this.
Next, he pondered if this was a DIVE glitch. He came to the conclusion that he can't be suffering from a glitch. The DIVE helmet would numb any immediate pain, and any injury one suffers while in a DIVE state would only be noticed after the DIVE ends as a lingering sear, not an acute instance. He had imagined he was in a coma, but sensations like armor on his skin were too consistent to be a coma. Thus, one fringe possibility became an approximation to him. Brian slowly realized he was in another world.
To test this, he turned to the pond again and produced a shadow hand. The hand impaled the ground and curved underneath the pond, rising up to the surface to grasp the Wisp Fyre, a scene almost resembling a demonic kind of lotus blooming. But it is at this that Brian realized he truly was in another world. He felt everything the arm felt. Energy projections like the shadow hand in YGGDRASIL would only register sensations on the palm, as to reduce bandwidth consumption and data requirements. But here, Brian Felt every single root of grass that he dug through, and felt the sensation change from where the dirt gave rise to the bottom of the pond.
This is reality. I...
"Lord Nephilentines?" Verdandi asked. Brian turned to the two, who gave him curious looks.
"Hm. Just Neph will suffice" Neph said.
"As you will, Lord Neph." Verdandi and Diyandi replied.
Neph felt his sight linger on them for a bit. He never realized he and Viqtoria crafted such intricacy in to these two. His gaze going from one to the other, their eyes turned from curiosity to that of a mix between puppy dog eyes and embarassed ones, their faces turning red in unison. Realizing how he probably made them feel, he looked away.
"Does anyone know where we are?"
"No, we appeared to be transported while we were sleeping." Diyandi replied. She flew up on manifested energy wings to a height of about 60 meters and came down.
"There appear to be a settlement about a few hundred meters south from here, with smoke rising from it. Too large to be a simple fire, suggesting a cultivated action, perhaps a inferno." Diyandi added.
"I detected the life signs in that general direction as well, and they seem to be moving in a frenetic unorganized manner, suggesting a pillage." Verdandi added to her sister's investigation.
Wow. These two are incredibly smart. They resemble the descriptions we had put for them, love.
Overcome by a feeling that could only be described as a father's rising pride for his child's achievement, he simply stared amazed at them.
"Please grant us your will, Lord Neph." They both said and bowed in sync.
Neph pondered before replying.
"Hm, we are in a unknown land, and there appears to be a pillage happening a few hundred meters south of here. A pillage implies there will be people needing help. Let's head here and see if we can forge friendly relations after dealing with the situation. Our primary directive for the moment is to obtain as much information as possible about this... Brave new world."
Neph felt a little bit embarrassed saying "Brave New World". Right now walking south, there was nothing more he wanted to do than to know. Thus, taking the implications of a pillage going on near here, he presumed he can obtain information via barter or as a token of gratitude.
Neph and Viqtoria were level one hundreds. They were fairly strong within their narrow scope of talents. Not enough to destroy whole worlds, but perhaps enough to lead one to ruin. This was, of course, including the strength of the Gemini Twins Verdandi and Diyandi. He did not know the strength levels of the inhabitants of this world.
"Be on your guard. Activate [Phylacteral Link]." Neph commanded.
[Phylacteral Link] was a skill that split damage amongst members tuned in to it. It was developed from a need for the Skyaezaeir duo's lack of a tank. This thus was a patchwork option, but as their agility in game increased, this skill seemed better than a tank, as a tank would be quite slow to keep up with them. Naturally, when the two Soul Stones were molded into the Gemini Twins, they were given this ability as well. A form of "parental affection" to their represent twin daughters.
Each of the three cast this on the other two, and soon enough, they all had two bands on their left arm. Damage was now split at an even one thirds per person in this group. As an additional safely measure, Neph activated [Bond Of Chaos].
[Bond Of Chaos] was an evolution of the [Phylacteral Link]. This one gave an additional one thirds damage reduction to all members under the effect of the link. In addition, it caused a medium amount of poison damage to those between the holders of this Bond, signified by a purple thread extending between the bands.
"Get ready to-"
Neph stopped. He had forgotten something. What did he look like?
"Lord Neph?" The twins asked.
Neph paid no heed and instead produced a gigantic claymore, designed for single devastating blows out of his inventory. The width of the blade was a thing to behold. It was as wide as a grown man's entire chest, and likewise denoted that it required extreme amounts of strength to wield.
"I apologize, I simply need to see how I look right now" He explained.
"You look dashing as always, Lord Neph" Verdandi slipped.
"Yes, I agree with my sister" Diyandi interjected.
Oh man they're no help if they're just yes-mans.
Neph took a look at the face he currently wore.
Speaking of current faces, I am a Pure Thought Entity. Am I now permanently a Arch Devil? I'll need to test my abilities later.
He did see that the face was one that could be said to be "handsome", even by the standards of other men. Though it was not enough to swoon on sight, it was still a pleasant sight. His spiked ears and spiked teeth notwithstanding, he looked like an approachable guy. An approachable guy covered in layers of armor. He activated the shapeshifting class's [Minor Mold] to change his ears to be rounded, like humans, and his teeth to be like a human set too, as far as he could from memory.
I think this is enough to appear normal. I don't have to worry about Verdandi and Diyandi as they are both angelic based classes, so that's fine.
"Verdandi, analyze me and see if my classes have changed."
Verdandi activated [Billion Facet Lens] and reported:
"Your power is the same as always, my Exalted Lord."
"Your magnificence, but I am curious as to why you are second guessing yourself? You are the great and powerful Lord Nephilentines as you've always been to us." Diyandi blurted out. Neph looked at Verdandi on the side and she shared the same "it's you as always" expression.
"I was worried things may have happened in our sleep while we were transported." He said that honestly. But he was a bit afraid as well. What could have happened to send him to this reality?
The twins gave an understanding nod.
"Lord Neph, may I ask where Lady Alekszara I-"
A beam of light erupted in the direction of their leisure walking. Neph did hear what Verdandi asked. But he himself did not know now. So many new things have happened. He pushed it to the back of his mind.
"Let's hasten this." He ordered.
"[Aspect Of The Arch Devil: Fallen Heathen's Wings]" Wings sprouted from the back of Neph's armor. They appeared as two normal angel wings with a gray tinge. But upon closer inspections, one can see that each feather was a human finger bone, which at its closed resting position, gave the wings a sort of "prayer" look.
Neph jumped up and soared.
This... This is amazing! If only you were here with me.
He looked back to see the twins following him with their [True Manifest Wings].
"[Veil Of The Wicked]!" Neph shouted. A dark magenta enshrouded the three on flight route towards the forces near the beam of light.
If they are enemies, then this veil will be the last revelation they see.
"HUGGGHAAAAAAAAAAAA"
The clanging of metal could be heard.
"Give it up Gazef, you can't save these people." Nigun Grid Luin spoke in a cold tone.
"So long, as I posses breath within my lungs and a passion within my heart, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP! Martial Art: [Titan Blow]!" Gazef Stronoff roared in return.
Gazef leaped forward, perform a wide cleave which cut clean through three summoned [Angel Flames]. They dispersed the moment after, seemingly as if one were to part the clouds. Gazed stood there panting, holding onto life with a mortal conviction. He had made it here just in time that this staged provocation would not cost the lives of many of the villagers here. But now, as he slowly tuned in to the situation, it was costing more of his men, and soon, the same price he starved off will come back to him, the lost of these villagers, if he cannot stand. The blue light behind Nigun worried Gazef even more. He did not know of a way to stop it, and he did not know what it entailed. Six magic casters behind Nigun were chanting energy into this beam which towered over trees. Gazef realized that he needed to win this. He must.
But these legions of [Angel Flames] keep coming and coming. At the convergence of all these thoughts, Gazef shot a glance into the eyes of Nigun. These said that Gazef had let go of his mortal coil. His conviction now transcending the need to live. And this gaze was not one for superficiality, no. This look was burned in to the very soul of Nigun.
"Tch, very well. This is the end." Nigun said, clutching his fist to a white knuckle. Having been sent on orders to ravage, he was now going to kill Gazef Stronoff instead. Having put up more of a fight than expected, Nigun respected this man, even if on a basic level.
Nigun turned to the Six Divinitaries of the Sun.
Almost ready.
He thought.
"Hyrraaaa!"
Nigun turned just in time to see Gazef had closed the distance on him after making past a swarm of [Angel Flames] from the rest of the Scripture Strikeforce.
CLANG
Nigun barely managed to conjure up an [Angel Flame] to block the strike that would have beheaded him.
"Nice try, but not quite. Seems that attack cost you dearly." Nigun said, looking at the missing forearm from Gazef's right elbow.
"And now, it'll cost you more. Feast your eyes on the strongest Angel of the sun! [Grandis Lux]!"
A seven meter tall angel appeared in front of Gazef. Its armor, adorned with the ridges and plates resembling a texture of the shining sun, the angled gauntlets, boots and epaulets appearing like the waning of fading sunset, and a helmet with large upward thorns mimicking the crown of a rising sun. Brilliant wings shine on its backs, under the glow of an pearlescent halo.
And in it's hand was a blade conjured of pure solid golden light.
This is bad. No. Bad is an understatement.
Gazef thought. Gritting his teeth. He could hear and see the men under his command giving it their all as well. A battle of blades and spells span the entirety of this village.
Gods, if there were any wish I could make to you, then please, give me strength to get through one more day. And if it were not possible, and not possible to save the people behind me...
He looked at the people behind him. Villagers. Weak, helpless.
Then I hope you will take me instead, and have it be my selfish request that they be saved somehow.
His conviction made, he grasps his sword with his remaining arm and charged forward with a roar that shook the earth itself.
"UUUWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
CLANG
Gazef opened his eyes to see a faint magenta mist, and someone in ornate armor blocking [Grandis Lux]'s blade from killing him.
WOOSH
The seven meter Angel was knocked back considerably, far enough that it had to flap its wings once to return to the Six Divinitaries that summoned it. Every Magic Caster under Nigun's command stopped, stunned.
"It appears you require assistance." The warrior in front of Gazef turned to him. Gazef could see the man was wearing a strange mask. A white, mouthless one, with four short horns on both sides which bent upwards at the end. Atop his head, was three smaller horns, one in the center of the forehead at the front, bending to the back of his head, and two in the back near the tops of the side horns, bending forwards to the eyes. This arrangement gave off the appearance of a crown, and in combination with the horns on the side, gave one an image of a armored, mouthless lion.
It was after examining these features that Gazef noticed the slight inhumanity of the one in front of him. The eye sockets in the mask had no eyeballs, but only a pitch black void. And atop the crown of his mask, in place of where one would find hair as one wore a mask covering their entire front face, was a small white fire.
""Who are you?"" Gazef and Nigun both said in unison. They glared at each other.
"For the moment, to you, an ally. I have been watching this battle for long enough to know that you are the one with a disadvantage." The man spoke in a rational tone.
"I ask again, do you require assistance?"
"Tch, alright, I'll trust you for this moment." Gazef said begrudgingly, and took a defensive stance behind the strange warrior.
"You never answered my question! WHO. ARE. YOU!" Nigun yelled at the top of his lungs towards the new party, fuming with anger.
"First things first. There appear to be wounded villagers. Verdandi, Diyandi, tend to them."
"Yes Lord Neph!" Two female voices said in unison, and magenta mist blew away from behind Neph's back.
Stunned at the sight of two Angels suddenly appearing and flying towards the villagers that they were fighting over, both Gazef and Nigun's forces were stunned in silence.
"And now to answer your question. You could say that I am a traveler"