Martial Arts Vs Magic - Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Inheritors and Invitations

"Cease your preparations for battle, children.” The Leviathan Remnant's voice rolled through the dark cavern like thunder from the deep. “I have no quarrel with the last of my blood."

I'd already begun channeling what little Qi I had left into defensive formations, there were enough reasons to, but the spirit's words made me pause. The massive serpentine form undulated through dimensions I couldn't quite perceive, its purple energy casting dancing shadows that seemed to move independently of their source.

"You're not going to try eating us?" I asked, lowering my stance and turning off the Ring but keeping my Phantom Hand ready. "Because in my experience, ancient spirits tend to be less conversational and more 'consume your soul for sustenance' or test the younglings."

A sound like distant whales singing filled the chamber—the Remnant's laughter. The ancient thing looked into the depths of my eyes. "Were you not protected by the blood of my kin, perhaps, odd little demon. But she..." Its vast head turned toward Lailah, who stood frozen beside me. "She carries the legacy of depths untold, destined to reclaim her heritage.”

Lailah found her voice, though it came out smaller than usual. "Uh, greetings great serpent… But I don't understand something. My mother was a Jinn, yes, but... Leviathans? How does that even work?"

"Your ignorance is not surprising," the Remnant said, not unkindly. "The mortal realm has forgotten much. Tell me, child, what do you know of the Devil race?"

"They're... demons?" Lailah ventured. "Beings from the Underworld who—"

"Simplified nonsense," the spirit interrupted. "Devils, Jinn, Demons—all names for the same diverse race. We are as varied as the stars themselves. Some take the form of great evil dragons, goats, and bats, while others manifest as beasts of nightmare. Among us, many grand Clans exist, and Clan Leviathan is one of the four ancient ones who must have lost their glory by now, if my predictions are correct. I’m not certain since I have not left this cave for a long time…”

“I see…”

“Regardless. During my living days, we served the Great Devil of Envy, though she has long since perished by now. Along with the other three Great Devils. I think the modern Underworld must be ruled by the 72 Devil Pillars and a new generation of Great Devils, unrelated to the four clans, given the politics of the past. Still, the serpents of the abyss are probably a prominent Clan even today.”

“How can you be certain?” I asked. “Since, as you said, you’ve been locked here.”

The Leviathan’s eyes fell upon me. “I’m certain, given the purity in this girl’s blood. I theorize that since her mother, someone who carries the Leviathan blood, is strong enough to enter the mortal realm despite all the restrictions, our clan still holds much power in the underworld."

That is interesting. Also, doesn’t that imply she fled the Underworld? And even had to go into hiding by marrying a human farmer, spending nearly two decades with him. I was seeing some odd lines here. How much of her death was the Baron’s fault, rather than a larger force, or maybe… by her own choice?

I filed that information away, noting how some of it aligned and some of it went against what I knew of this world's lore. I didn’t know much about the Underworld. Still, I knew from the game’s starting cut-scene that at the beginning of creation, there were two Primordial Gods and seven Primordial Sins, who later branched into the modern Twelve Gods and Seventy-Two Devil Pillars.

However, now I just learned that there were four prominent Great Devils separate from the Seventy-Two Devil Pillars. Definitely, a cut-scene could only capture the basics of this world’s creation and history, and I didn’t know a lot more.

My eyes flicked to Lailah.

Blood of a Great Devil, eh?

Someone like her definitely should be a prominent figure in the game, unless… she was nipped at the bud by the Baron or some other secretive force in the game. Or, she did appear at the end of the game, but since I never reached the end, I have no idea.

The game had hinted at demon diversity but never explored it deeply. "So her mother, as a jinn, was somewhat of a sea monster? Like Devil Dragons, she was a Devil Leviathan?"

"Crudely put, but not inaccurate," the Remnant agreed. "I haven’t met her, so I can’t be sure what her agenda was, coming to the mortal world. However, she was definitely a powerful devil."

"Yet she got killed just like that…?" Lailah's voice hardened. “By a 7th Ascension Warlord…” The temperature in the cavern dropped several degrees. 

Her newfound power stirred, responding to her emotions. "Easy," I murmured, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's already paid for that particular mistake."

She took a breath, centering herself with admirable control. "You said something about reclaiming my heritage. What did you mean?"

"The blood in your veins is not pure enough, as only one of your parents had Leviathan blood," the Remnant explained. "I… am going to bless you with my existence, this little remnant of my prime self. It shall fully awaken your power, and also grant you some of my own. Once you’re in the outside world again, you must seek those who remember the old ways. The Cult of the 72 Devils maintains a presence in your world, hidden but active. Or, if fortune favors you, the more specific Cult of Leviathan may yet survive. They’ll take you in, and they’ll respect you."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "Ah yes, another series of cults. Of course. Because my life wasn't complicated enough with just the one I'm building."

Lailah shot me a look. "You're building a cult?"

"Long story. I'll explain later." I turned back to the Remnant. "Before we discuss grand inheritances and mysterious cults, might I make a request? My body is, to put it mildly, falling apart. I was hoping these waters might offer some healing."

The spirit's amusement was palpable. "You may try, young demon. You are a really interesting existence. If I were alive, I’d have loved to dissect you.”

“I’m glad you’re dead.”

“H-hey!” Lailah shouted.

The spirit laughed, “Go on, get into the oasis. Though I suspect you will find the results unsatisfying."

I didn't need to be told twice. Stripping down to my undergarments—modesty seemed pointless in front of an ancient spirit—I waded into the nearest pool. My body submerged into it, and I felt the thrill of magic rush down my spine. The water was unlike anything I'd experienced, simultaneously ice-cold and burning hot, heavy as mercury yet flowing like silk.

Power saturated every drop. I could feel it seeping into my skin, rushing through my bloodstream, reaching for my damaged channels. For a moment, hope flared.

Then... nothing.

The water's power hit the scorched remnants of my Qi pathways and simply... stopped. Like trying to pour liquid into a shattered cup, the container couldn't hold what was offered. To use a more modern term, my hardware and software weren’t compatible.

"Damn," I muttered, sinking deeper until only my head remained above water. "I was afraid of that."

"The water cannot heal what is not truly broken," the Remnant observed. "Your body and spirit are misaligned, not damaged. I think you already know that. You carry power your vessel was never meant to contain."

"Helpful," I grumbled. "Any suggestions for fixing that particular problem?"

"Evolve or die. The universe rarely offers other options."

"Charming." I rose from the water, droplets running down my chest as I returned to my clothes, getting dressed again. I wore a frown, staring at the floor while Lailah observed me from the side. Evolution, that’s not an impossible solution. The Soul Fire in my core flickered weakly, a dying candle in a storm. 

“You’ll figure out a way, Alex- Iskandaar,” she said.

“I think so,” I agreed. I already had an idea. I looked back at the serpent, nodding at it with respect. "Thank you. Well, it was worth a—"

My words died as the Remnant's form began to shift. The purple energy condensed, growing brighter, more solid.

"It’s difficult to maintain my sanity for long, I might end up attacking you children. The time has come, let’s get this over with," it announced, intense eyes flickering on Lailah. "Child of the depths, prepare yourself."

Lailah stepped forward, her silver eyes wide. "Prepare for what?"

"Your inheritance."

The cave thickened with aura.

The spirit exploded into motion, its massive form dissolving into a waterfall of pure abyssal energy. The torrent crashed down on Lailah with the force of a tidal wave. I didn’t make any motion to stop it; it was not an enemy. Lailah screamed—not in pain, but in overwhelming sensation as power flooded every cell of her being.

I watched, fascinated despite myself, as the numbers above her head went mad.

[Level 32... 35... 38... 40...]

The ascension barriers shattered like glass before the onslaught. Fourth Ascension passed in a blink. Fifth followed moments later. Without caring about the Ascension Quests? Crazy cheats.

[Level 45... 50... 55...]

[Level 60... 65... 66]

[Level 66, Lailah]

When the energy finally settled, the cave became incredibly darker. The titanic serpent was gone, having turned into the aura that tripped around Lailah. I popped back my Photon Ring to light up the area. 

Lailah stood transformed. Her bronze skin held an opalescent sheen, like scales catching moonlight. Her silver eyes had deepened to the blue-black of ocean trenches. Power radiated from her in waves that made the air itself feel heavy.

"Holy shit," I whistled. That was more than Solara, I think. 

She looked down at herself, flexing her fingers as if seeing them for the first time. "I feel... different. Incredible! Like I could drown the world if I wanted to."

"Please don't. I'm rather fond of breathing."

That startled a laugh from her. "After everything you've done, you're worried about a little water?"

"I contain multitudes of contradictions." I glanced around, noting how the cavern had begun to deteriorate. Cracks spread across the walls, and the pools were evaporating into mist. "We should go. This dungeon won't last much longer without its source."

This time, there was no need to exit by the water. Because the water had dried up, and the portal had vanished. The two spaces slowly merged together, and the dead bodies returned. 

I held her by the waist again and, with the use of the Photon Ring, propelled ourselves through the path. We made our way back through the passages, now crumbling into glittering dust. 

****

We emerged from the crumbling cave into the embrace of desert night, and I found myself momentarily stunned by the beauty that greeted us. The moon hung like a silver coin against velvet darkness, casting everything in ethereal light that made the oasis shimmer like a jewel. Palm fronds whispered secrets to the wind, their shadows dancing across pools that still reflected starlight with mirror-perfect clarity.

The cooling effect remained intact, a blessed reprieve from the day's scorching heat. 

I turned off the Ring, looking around. Beyond the oasis’ verdant border, sand dunes rolled away like frozen waves, their crests touched with moonfire. It was a scene from some ancient poet's dream, beautiful enough to make a man forget he was dying.

"Gods," Lailah breathed, her new power making the very air around her shimmer. "It's magnificent."

"Maybe it's time to stop saying ‘Gods’ after what you heard about your lineage. But yes, Desert nights have a way of making you believe in magic," I agreed, though my eyes were already cataloguing our assets. The Sand Drakes we'd ridden lay drowsing near the water's edge, alongside the larger, more impressive mounts that had belonged to the Baron's expedition. Eight drakes in total—enough to outfit a small army.

Or enough to get us back to civilization in style.

But even as I watched, the oasis's magic was fading. The water in the pools grew less luminous, the cooling effect weakened by degrees. Whatever force had sustained this place for millennia had finally died, after all.

"The magic's leaving," Lailah observed, her enhanced senses picking up the same decay I felt. "Will it all disappear?"

"Not disappear. Just become ordinary over time." I knelt beside the nearest pool, my eyes narrow as I watched the last traces of phosphorescence swirl in the water. "But ordinary won't heal what's wrong with me."

Thinking quickly, I pulled out a small vial from my travel pack—one of the few things I'd salvaged from the Baron's men. The water that remained still held traces of power, faint but potentially useful. I filled the vial carefully, sealing it as the last glimmers of magic weakened from the liquid.

Lailah laughed, the sound carrying new harmonics that reminded me of waves against distant shores. "You're hoarding magical water like a miser hoards gold. You know you can just ask me if you need healing now, right? My blood carries the same properties."

The casual way she said it made my blood run cold. My eyes turned to her, and I glared in warning.

"Never," I said, my voice sharp enough to cut glass, "say that to anyone else. Ever."

She blinked, startled by my vehemence. "W-what’s wrong? Why—"

"Because the moment they realize what you are, they'll turn you into a living elixir." I stood, meeting her confused gaze with deadly seriousness. "They'll chain you up, bleed you daily, and tell themselves it's for the greater good. Trust me. I've seen what desperate people do for healing. And your blood is more potent than just healing."

The reality of her transformation hit her then, the curse hidden within the gift. Her face paled and her shoulders sagged slightly. "I hadn't thought... I mean, I just gained all this power, and already..."

"Power always comes with a price. Yours just happens to be particularly extractable." I said, gentling my tone. I watched her grow more nervous. The two of us stood in silence for a moment, the weight of her transformation settling over us. “But, uh, I have a clan of vampire… friends. You can probably sell them your blood for a high price.”

“If you think they're trustworthy, sure…”

I turned back to collect more of the water. The oasis had already weakened, but it could still be considered Healing Potions. Now that I’d lost my source of income from my Surging Blood Pill sales, I could at least sell these for a small fortune.

By the time I stood back up, the Soul Fire in my chest guttered like a candle in the wind. I had minutes at most before my channels seized completely, and then I’d back back to a weak cripple... The words of the great serpent reverberated in my heart.

Evolution.

It was a simple matter for me. 

The fifth stage of the Heavenly Demon Body was something special. It granted me great regeneration as well, perhaps surpassing vampires. Created by the first Heavenly Demon and perfected over time by the next ones, this body was a suitable container for the highest rank of Martial Artists, the Transcendents. It could hold Soulfire properly.

[Heavenly Demon Stage: At this final stage, the body is transformed into a true demonic vessel, capable of regenerating immensely fast and becoming impervious to nearly all forms of attack. You’re also able to break your body’s limits temporarily by tapping into powers greater than yourself.]

That was how it would look if it were a System prompt. It could help resolve this dilemma I was in.

Unfortunately, I lacked the necessary materials, time, environment, and everything else that was required for me to complete the ritual. I needed Nebula's help for the first ritual, and at the 4th Stage, I managed to brute force with the help of Solara and the fuel of the incredible Phoenix Essence.

For the 5th Stage, everything needed to be a few notches more perfect.

“Wait…”

My eyes lit up.

“What's going on?”

I just realized that I had access to Qi, even if briefly. So I had a connection. Faint, tenuous, but real. Nevaramis. An ancient city might have all the materials, and the android administrator could possibly prepare all the required procedures.

I saw the edge of a solution.

"Stand back," I told Lailah.

"What are you—"

I gathered every scrap of my fleeting and remaining Qi, channeling it into my voice. The effort sent spikes of pain through my skull, but I pushed through. This had to work. It was my only option left.

"Hey, NEVARAMIS!" The shout echoed across the oasis and desert, imbued with will and desperation. "Can you hear me?! Take me and my companion to you!"

Silence.

I tried again, but this time mentally. It was a difficult thing to do since I didn't have much experience sending mental commands outside Vyrn, but I tried.

I poured every last drop I had remaining, watching the Soul Fire reach ‘zero’ as I sent out a mental call. 

Android. Administrator. Whatever you call yourself. I invoke my rights as the finalist, the [Owner]. Bring us to you.

Still nothing. I waited, but no.

"Who are you calling?" Lailah asked, concern coloring her voice. "Iskandaar, you're bleeding—"

She was right. Blood ran freely from my nose, the cost of channeling Qi through damaged pathways. But I couldn't stop. Not when I was so close.

Please, I thought desperately even though I didn't have anything left. If you can hear me, respond. Respond, damn you!

Then…

The sky cracked open.

A pillar of golden light, brilliant as a second sun, crashed down around us. The sand beneath our feet turned to glass from the heat. Lailah yelped, grabbing my arm as the world dissolved into radiance.

"What's happening?" she shouted over the roar of displaced air.

"Salvation," I replied. "Or, um, there's a decent chance this is an elaborate suicide. If the United Church has successfully captured Nevaramis, and it's them who heard the call instead of the administrator… Well, I'll let you know in a minute."

The light consumed everything.

For a moment that lasted eternity, we were nowhere and everywhere, scattered across dimensions like dust in stellar wind. I felt Lailah's fingers dig into my arm, her only anchor in the chaos.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it ended.

We materialized in a chamber that belonged to no earthly architecture. Everything was sleek curves and impossible angles, white and gold surfaces that seemed to glow with their own inner light. It was a chamber of impossible beauty. Walls of white and gold stretched up to a ceiling lost in soft radiance. The floor beneath us hummed with subtle power, technology so advanced it might as well be magic. Or perhaps magic so refined it had become technology.

Before us, kneeling on one knee with her head bowed low, was the android administrator of Nevaramis. Her perfect features were composed in an expression of profound respect that looked almost alien on her usually neutral face.

"Welcome, my Lord and Master."

Salvation it was.