Nether Feast - Chapter 11

“She thought I was a suitor, yes.” Serena asked as she led me by the arm down and out of the house, then through her backyard and into the next property which I quickly learned also belonged to them.

“I’m not entirely sure,” I replied.

“What of Arusha?”

“I don’t think I should see her again.”

She nodded, mostly to herself. “I think that’s wise… It sounds like you went to see her already.”

I responded with something between a smile and a cringe. Then I told her that I snuck in to leave her resources to help her and her family advance then got distracted when seeing a little girl run through the house that looked like her. “She thought I was one of your grandchildren.”

Laughter rang out. “Oh dear. So that’s why you want to be addressed as Niam. Poor Arusha. But I’m not surprised at her reaction. Don’t tell me she tried to set you up with Enora?”

“She thought I was a suiter, yes.”

Her smile remained but she sighed through her amusement. “That girl of hers is a force of nature. She’s much like Arusha was in her younger years. Even more talented than her grandmother as well. If you could get past the age difference, she would make an excellent wife.” She nudged me in the ribs.

The look I gave her was enough, for she replied with a huff. “Fine. Fine. Just remember that with your realm you will live a very long time, big brother. Choosing a young bride and bearing through her early immaturity might be for the best.”

Looking for any excuse to change the subject, I replied. “There is one thing I’ve committed to since I’ve returned.” I proceeded to tell her about my visit to the Grayson Tower and the deal I’ve made with the Eorith Clan.

When I was done, her response surprised me. “You’re not allowed to bring this demon princess into my home until I’ve met and personally approved of her.”

“Of course… I wasn’t sure they could be trusted. After my time in the Netherplane—I was surprised when I saw her protect her father. I didn’t know they were capable of such things.”

“They wouldn’t be the first clan to submit to a greater force. They can be loyal, and even friendly, but usually only in the context of dealing with someone they respect. That means someone that they can’t afford to take as an enemy. You must take care. From what I’ve read of the kingdoms that deal with them, their loyalty is quick to change hands when a stronger force appears.”

“Then things should work out better than I thought.”

“Oh?”

I didn’t want to say what I was thinking. Was it shame or fear that my sister still might reject me? “They consider me to be a demon lord.”

“But they know you’re human, right? Is it because of the Demon Lord Mind and Body traits?”

“Yes. When I spoke with their queen, I mentioned the same thing. She considers me both, and it doesn’t seem to matter.”

“Then you might be right. It would still be safer to leave the girl with her clan.”

I looked my sister in the eye to reassure her that I agreed. However… “Serena, this is something I must do. I have to know.”

“Okay.” She grabbed my arm again and led me on. We’d entered the adjacent property, and I noticed the barrier as we passed through it. There weren’t any buildings inside it or well-kept gardens. It was little more than a massive courtyard uncommon this deep in the city, and the grounds were half torn up from magic scarring.

“This is?” I said, interested to know what she was scheming.

“This is one of the perks of being a fourth realm adventurer. Your little sister has earned quite the fortune, big brother. This is one of the finest training arrays money can buy. It can withstand sixth realm magic, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the surroundings. I thought you might want to show off now that you’ve returned. Maybe we could spare a little…”

Seeing her smirk, I knew she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” I said, beginning to take off my robe. My level restricting gear was in my inventory and my robe was added to the pile. I soon stood in the courtyard in nothing but a pair of shorts.

Unexpectedly, I became rather anxious as my sister examined me. She was my sister so I was under the assumption there could never be any real attraction between us, but I was obviously wrong.

Seeing her wet her lips and not turning away made me feel completely naked before her eyes. She noticed my reaction, and instead of taking steps to make me more comfortable, she got closer. I then watched her grin turn sinister as she reached up to run her fingertips down my shoulder and bicep.

I immediately thought of the Demon Queen who had admitted to trying to seduce me. I had no idea how to respond. This was my sister. I’d do anything to keep her safe, but what was this?

Suddenly there was a loud smack, and she spun away snickering. “You should see your face,” she teased. “It’s the duty of a sister to help nurture her big brother. This will not do.”

I relieved the tension in my face wondering at the echo of pressure from her slapping my butt. “What was that?”

She turned to me, crossing her arms over her chest. “So normally, a brother teases his sister, but we’re going to have to switch things up a bit. It’s for the best. Boys have a tendency to think things like pestering and practical jokes are an acceptable form of courtship. It might be cute coming from a cubby five-year-old, but any pestering from you, a ninth realm mage, could quickly turn deadly.”

“I was courting Arusha before you were born,” I replied, exasperated. “What makes you think I’d… do such things.”

“You forget Arusha is one of my best friends in the entire world. Even with your disappearance, she was there the day I was born. You know how she is. She determined she would be a big sister to me and so she was. A little girl wants to know about what her brother was like. She was happy to tell me. I know all your ‘courtship tactics’ by heart.”

“She and I grew up together. At least half of those things don’t count.”

“Just don’t show up at her home dressed like this or she might forget everything in a moment of passion and ravage you,” she said, patting my chest. After a pause, she placed her hand firmly on my chest and gave it a nice feel.

Taking a step back, she gave me a flirty giggle, before laughing fully at her own response. It seemed her teasing me had only begun.

“Duncan?” I said, not exactly sure how to ask.

Serena knew what I meant. “He’s a good man. Amongst the best, though a little loud for my taste. He and Arusha make a fine couple.”

I felt another presence coming from the direction we’d come, so I looked back to see Bren joining us—with his shirt off.

He gave me nod as he stepped up to stand beside me as if nothing was awkward.

Serena glared at him, and he inclined his head said. “Since you’re bringing home shirtless men cut like finely chiseled marble, I thought I’d remind you why you married me.”

He stepped up next to me and pushed his chest forward to try to look as big as possible. Seeing his wiry physique left me impressed. His robes hid his physical strength well.

I felt my tension that had built as my sister had been played me like a stringed instrument melt off of me. The absurdity of it all left me relaxed and amused.

She stuck out her tongue. “Remind me? You get distracted with all your experiments and forget your wife is one of the most attractive women in the world. You’re the one that needs the reminding. Isn’t that right brother?”

My mouth chose that moment to stop working.

Bren leaned into me and whispered. “Just agree with her or she’ll sneak into your room tonight and torture it out of you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I quickly agreed.

“Good boys.” She drew near to Bren, runner her fingers eagerly down his arm and back. Evidently this spat was just an excuse to flirt. “Now, how about we spar?”

Realizing this was a chance to change the topic, I made a suggestion. “How about you take turns attacking me and I’ll try to break your attacks. I admit I’m excited to see what you can do, little sister.”

Our places switched and she became pensive. Seeing something pass between them, Bren said, “Don’t take this the wrong way, brother-in-law, but Serena’s afraid, we both are really, that even with your realm you might get injured. Your sister has unlocked master rank magic and is already touching upon grandmaster concepts.”

My face lit up as I looked at her in a new light. I found myself starting to become genuinely excited. Master rank magic transcended realms. It was generally unlocked in the seventh realm from my experience. Grandmaster was the eighth realm and only mythic rank was higher. She was that skilled? “And you’re only in the fourth realm… Well let me reassure you with a little demonstration.”

Walking past them, I took a number of paces before turning to face them. With a call to my inventory, I removed a dagger as long as my arm as dark as a starless night. “This is a mythic rank obsidian blade.”

I didn’t give them time to admire it. With a swift slash of the blade, I severed my arm just below the elbow and was quick to inventory the dagger and my arm so that none of my blood was left behind. I didn’t know if they let their grandchildren play here. I wasn’t willing to risk one of them coming in contact with it. If I was present, they wouldn’t be in danger of death, but if I wasn’t? I still wasn’t sure how potent my blood was in comparison to the corrosive nature of demon blood.

My sister and brother-in-law reacted with far more composure than I would’ve expected. They immediately went into emergency mode and were ready to jump in to do what needed to be done. The scream came from the sidelines behind the barrier. Theia was there with a man I expected was her husband. He would also be told of my real identity so she wouldn’t have to lie to him, but with less detail.

“You mustn’t worry about causing me injury. This is the regeneration rate of a demon lord,” I said, holding up the stump left of my arm for them to see.

Both Serena and Bren had been hurrying over to my side, but they stopped short when I held it up. It was like blood was rushing out of me, knitting my forearm back together before their eyes. It would take half a minute for it to completely regrow.

“If that’s not enough, this is the effect of mythic rank healing magic on a missing limb.”

There was no discernable delay in my casting. A golden glow of light shown from where my arm and hand should’ve been. The light began to dim a moment later, and as it did, a completely restored arm appeared before their eyes.

“As you can see, there’s nothing to worry about.”

It wasn’t shock as much as sorrow that pulled at my sister face. Even with all the teasing, I’d seen enough to know not to underestimate her wisdom. Her mind had skipped past my impossible display of magic and loss of an arm. It was what I’d been through to get to such a level that had her concerned.

Bren once again was there to break up the tension. “I’ll go first,” he called out with sincerity.

I gave him a nod of thanks, which he returned. I wasn’t the only one who desired to take care of my little sister. He’d been doing it in my place for so long. The debt I owed him reached to the heavens.

Serena was still dealing with her own thoughts but was mindful enough to step aside.

The lengthy researcher grew relaxed. He slowly lifted his arms out to his sides. Something in his demeanor changed. It was like a high rank demon took possession of him. There was no killing intent, but Ailen had been wrong in thinking the man’s prowess laid in his intellect alone. This man was dangerous.

“Beware, brother-in-law. I’m about to attack.”

At the man’s warning, the elements around him intensified. There was no better way to explain it. The ground beneath his feet, the little vegetation left in the formation, the air surrounding them, and even the heat from the sun above began to radiate with power. It wasn’t master level magic, but he made up for that with the uniqueness of his spell. The elements gathered in what looked like a liquid mass. Runes shot out of Bren, surrounding him. The magic came.

I looked on in awe, unwilling to miss a single detail. It was like nothing I’d ever seen—or even heard of. There was a moment before the wave of energy connected where it crashed in on itself, condensing further into a compressed spearhead.

There was only one way to examine it to the fullest extent, so I bore its impact with my chest. It battered me backward. I lowered my stance. It burned and froze—pierced and pulverized. Even as I resisted the spell and it broke apart, the residual magic tore at my body as it washed over me.

I looked down to see a deep bruise already forming where the force had been focused. A large grin came to my face. It wasn’t one I had to fake.

There was a mixture of relief and disappointment on Bren’s face. His old demeanor had returned. “Not even a scratch.” The man chuckled.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” I replied. “I’m bruised and the ribs beneath have fractured. In my experience, there isn’t a third realm demon in existence that could do the same, nor a fourth. And I’ve never seen anything like your blending of elements.”

The man took on a contemplative look as he began to explain. “It’s a spell I’ve named Piercing Heavens. It only produces fourth realm magic, but it bypasses all elemental resistance.”

“It must be an extremely complex spell to control so many elements at once.”

“That is indeed the major drawback to using multiple elements, I’m afraid. Otherwise far more people would be able to adopt it.”

“Is this currently the most advanced multi-elemental spell you’ve created?”

“There is one more, but I always hesitate to use it. It’s more destructive and has a much larger range. It also drains me of most of my mana.”

“I’d like to see it. Could you show me?”

“I—” He turned to look to Serena.”

She gave her husband a hesitant nod before leaving the array entirely.

“I’m going to begin,” Bren warned. An instant later, his expression changed again. Similar runes surrounded him after leaping from his body. The environment began to churn next to him, but it spread rapidly. Soon the entire enclosed space was filled with rampaging elements. They didn’t form a wave or beam, but the moment the spell was cast, everything rushed toward their target.

It was too late. If I would’ve moved as soon as he started casting then I would’ve made it, but I was now surrounded with no way to escape.

The world collapsed upon me. The destructive force came from every direction. What I felt was undeniably pain.

When my vision began to clear, I could feel the bruising and small tears of skin all over my body. It wasn’t enough to hinder my movements, but his magic was far too powerful for a third realm mage.

“Was that master level magic?” I asked, then noticed he was slumped over with a knee to the ground.

“Brother,” Serena called out.

The tone of her voice was a cause for concern. I quickly scanned my surroundings then found my clothing had been destroyed in the attack. Turning away, I retrieved a pair of shorts from my inventory and put them on.

I turned back to her but found she had reentered the array and was hurrying toward her husband. Even if she looked like a woman in her prime, she was actually a great grandmother that had seen everything life had to offer. It struck me in that moment that I had missed her entire life—and heavens she had lived. I needed to spend time to learn everything about her. I wanted to know it all.

Bren came to his feet before she arrived. He obviously wanted to reassure her that he was alright. The man answered my question. “It’s borderline master level magic, and more destructive than many such spells because of its scope. Of course, now I’m out of the fight. Your physique really is amazing, brother-in-law.”

“Well, that one hurt. Not even an adolescent dragon could’ve escaped with their life. Thank you for showing me. You were a soldier?”

“In my younger days, yes. I was a battlemage. I fell into darkness. It was your sister that helped me out of it.”

“Well done, sister.”

As Bren was about to answer, Serena slapped him on the butt. “Get going. It’s my turn.”

The man gave me a smug grin as he headed toward the exit to the array. It was uncomfortable for me but seeing his old married couple flirt was also quite endearing.

Old… I looked like a teenage boy but was older than the both of them. Since I hadn’t been around other people for a century, it was taking me a while to get used to it.

“Are you ready brother?” She called with an ominous look. “You don’t think it’s just you two men in the family that know how to fight do you big brother? I won’t hold back.”

“Can this array handle master rank magic?”

“I won’t let it get out of control. If you need to move out of the way, please do so. And by the way, I’m a specialist. My fire magic is especially destructive.”

My eyes glistened. “Show me.”

As she smirked, flames seemed to spark in her eyes. Instead of runes, the mana inside of her billowed out in flowing trails that curved instead of bent. It created pattern around her like that of a grand flower readying to bud.

I felt the difference in her magic from her husband’s simply from the pressure it created. The spell built quickly into an inferno. I was very familiar with fire magic, but my career as an adventurer had been cut short, and so had my training. The advancement of my magic in the Nether Realm had been due to necessity, my imagination, and sheer amount of mana I possessed. Technically, I was a mythical level mage, but both Serena and her husband made the skill I possessed look like a journeyman at best. What would I be capable of if I learned higher realm casting and didn’t rely on the things I came up with on my own?

I took in what my sister was doing in awe, beaming back at her. Higher rank spells didn’t just magically appear when you advanced in rank. They were advanced uses of mana. Two mages could be at the same level, but one could completely overshadow the other due to the complexity of the spells they wielded. Serena’s fire built upon itself, intensifying. It wasn’t just throwing it all to one point to compress the energy either. It flowed like a living system, growing as it did.

When it seemed to reach its full potential, Serena unleashed it. The system she’d summoned didn’t falter but offered her its strength. A small ball of fire shot forward. It was the size of a small fruit.

I felt it coming. I knew its temperature and explosive capacity by instinct. It was indeed master rank fire.

Reaching out, I caught it with my palm. Its explosion peeled at my flesh. I didn’t burn.

Serena was watching me intently, trying to understand what was happening.

I help up my palm so she could see the bloody damage she had caused. It wasn’t something that could threaten my life, but this level alone had to make her a force in the adventuring world.

“Well done, little sister.”

She wasn’t finished. The space between us was soon filled with a burning inferno. I was then attacked from behind. A spike of stone emerged from the earth just in front of me. I dodged to the side and was immediately bombarded with orbs of master rank fire from every direction. Then the very earth beneath my feet melted and it was only lava at his feet.

I laughed out loud, but she wasn’t finished.

The lava rose up, surrounding me like a giant orb. Then it collapsed.

I burst out of the top of the inescapable trap. I was forced to use healing magic. “Amazing,” I cried.

The churning of her mana ceased. The fire in the area and lava beneath disappeared in a matter of seconds. To undo the effect of her molten earth spell was impressive in itself.

She called out, “You could have just stood there and would’ve come out unscathed. What’s so amazing?”

“I had to heal myself, you little terror.”

“Are you—”

“I’m fine. Your spell casting ability is far beyond mine, but you’ll need grandmaster rank magic before you can threaten me with fire. Mythic would be better.”

The relief on her face was clear. “Let’s never do this again. My heart almost failed when you disappeared in the Molten Tomb.”

“We’ve just begun, little sister, but let’s call it a day. I have every intention of raising your realm, as well as that of our family to the very peak.”

“You say that like I haven’t been trying to do the same thing in your absence.” She crossed her arms as if offended. I knew she wasn’t.

“I was your realm once little sister. You’re nearing grandmaster rank fire and you’re only at the fourth realm. I was at the seventh realm before I reached it. And I only know three spells. The way you use the aspects of light and heat is beyond me. And mixing fire and earth to create molten rock while still controlling it… You’re exceptional.”

“What do you mean you only know three spells?”

“When I entered the Netherplane, all that I had unlocked was Mend, Mana Leech, and Fireball. I’ve been able to advance them all in rank, but I still haven’t learned any spells except for those I developed on my own. They are but manipulations of my base spells. I’m limited in what I can do. I’m not even sure you’d call what I’ve created new spells at all.”

“Wait. What rank are your other spells?”

“Mythical.”

“All of them?”

I nodded.

Taking advantage of their silence, I pitched an idea that had been simmering in the back of my mind.

“Are there any high rank dungeons close by, or dungeons known to be dangerous to adventurers that need clearing? You asked me what I want to do now. I’ll stay here for a couple days, and there are a few weeks until I need to return to the Grayson Tower. I’d like to gather some resources for the family to speed everyone’s advancement.”

Serena responds with a grateful rebuke. “I know you’ve just come back, but there’s a reason I’ve been able to reach the fourth realm, and Bren the third. You’re not allowed to start doting on me and spoiling me silly. We have our advancement planned out and are very capable.”

Ailen was suddenly very quiet. “I don’t doubt that, Serena. Really, but…”

“But?

“But I won’t obey you in this. I can’t let you reject my help.”

“Look,” Serena began sternly, but Bren stepped up and stopped her.

He asked, “Why?” He sensed it in the tone of my voice.

“There’s one other thing I didn’t mention about what the Demon Lord told me before I returned. I didn’t want to dampen your spirits when we first met. He told me that there are other Demon Lords with plans for this realm and it is only a matter of time before they make their way here. Even if you don’t fight them, I want you strong enough to defend yourself if what he said was true. Even if you hate me for it. I’m sorry.”

She glared at me momentarily before responding. “Fine. You’re letting me take care of you, so I guess a little sister has to swallow her pride and let her big brother do the same in return. Now that I think about it, there are a couple towers easily accessible by portals that fit your description.”

“Thank you.”

“What about you? Are you planning on taking on a bunch of demon lords by yourself while we sit by?”

“Kiafer said I need to get stronger. Are there any ninth realm dungeons?”

“No. A few seventh realm ones, but…” Serena said, obviously not happy about the prospect of me venturing into one alone. “There might be another option. What about attending the academy? You said it yourself that you only know three spells. Learning to make full use of your magic shouldn’t be difficult and advancing them should be far faster than normal. You’ll even be able to unlock new uses of magic, possibly other elements, if you fully commit yourself.”

My face lit up. “That might work.”

“It’s a fantastic idea,” Bren said. “Can you imagine rare spells that are also mythic in rank?”

Then I saw Serena smirk. “My mentor just happens to be the headmistress at the best academy in the entire kingdom…”

***

Serena and Bren spoke in private after the conversation was over.

“He’s not a broken man, or one lost to the darkness of violence,” Bren said. “That’s very possibly the scariest thing about him.”

Serena replied. “I hope he decides to go to the academy. You know my mentor, the headmaster, never married. She believes her duty is too important to do anything for herself. After meeting Ailen, she’ll have to reassess.”

“You think him a monster?”

“Of course, he’s a monster. You and I are as well. Anyone that makes it to the second realm is monstrous in their own way. But he’s the right kind, I think.”

“Me, a monster?”

“She just gave him a look.”

“Fine. Fine.”

“I know and hate to bring it up, but if he’s right, you might have to unleash the monstrous part of you again. Are you ready for that?”

“If it’s to protect what we’ve built here, I would slaughter worlds to keep you and the kids safe.”

“You’re trying to complete with your brother-in-law now, aren’t you?”

“Just a little.”

They both laughed.

Serena said. “Can you imagine the monstrous babies those two would produce.”

“And there it is. Always the matchmaker.”

“This isn’t just for me you know. I have to find someone that Arusha would approve of to marry Ailen. There’re very few people in this world that would make that list. My mentor is one of them, and I see no reason why that woman shouldn’t find happiness. Her sense of duty be damned. Ailen seems to remember her fondly. She is only slightly older than he is and was quite the celebrity back then. If anyone could be worthy of her, it’s my brother.”

“Just don’t push him too hard. He’s not one that will be controlled. After what he’s been through—he might be persuaded—but if he decides to do something, he’ll do it—and I fear no one in this world could stop him.”