Divine Apostasy Book 11 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ruin sensed Rami use her Superior Telescopic Touch to absorb the contents of the book, and the new quest filled his vision.

Name: Harbinger’s Call 

Description: The Harbinger speaks for their Verse. 

Step: 2 of Unknown 

Step Description: Complete two of the following: 

1) Core Density > Rank 7 

2) Pathway Efficiency > 99% 

3) Essence Seed > 6 

Origin: System 

Allocation: 2 of 3 

Difficulty: Egregious 

Risk: Deadly 

Duration: Extended 

Restriction: Foundation equal to or greater than Tier 3 Level 2. 

Reward (Step 2): Faction-Specific Advanced Foundation Manual 

Reward (Final): Title of Harbinger 

Reward (Final): Invitation to the Spire 

Reward (Final): Prime recognition of Harbinger’s Verse with corresponding protections, processes, and rights for said Verse.

Ruin dismissed the notification. He didn’t recognize any of the items in the Step Description. ‘Core Density’ kind of made sense, but what did ‘Pathway Efficiency’ and ‘Essence Seed’ mean? The only value he remembered similar to these was Core Velocity. In his human body, he’d had a display for his Spiritual network, and he glanced down at the Inventory icon in the lower right of his vision.

Ruin pushed on the person cutout that usually showed his equipment, and it rotated, revealing his Harvester view. The display had changed significantly since he’d last looked.

The left side contained the Divine Circle with the twelve Meridians arranged like a clock. A sphere represented each Meridian, and currently they all contained the same information:

Meridian Fortification: Archangel 

Progress to Demigod: Peak 

Fortification Type: Destruction 

Capacity: 0% 

Rank: 1 

Density: 0% 

Purity: 0%

In the middle of the display sat a large circle, Ruin’s Center, and twelve smaller circles surrounded it, his Meridians. Two pathways attached his Center to each Meridian, one for the route into his Meridian and the other representing the return path. Each of these pathways contained details, and he studied the return pathway from his Air Meridian to his Center.

Scarring: 4% 

Inflammation: 9% 

Width Rank: 2 

Efficiency: 16%

All the pathways glowed yellow except for the four that connected his Dark and Chaos Meridians—they flared an angry red. Ruin looked at his returning Death pathway.

Scarring: 78% 

Inflammation: 60% 

Width Rank: 0 

Efficiency: < 1%

Information about Ruin’s Core filled the right side of the display. A black sphere that contained new details under it.

Core Type: Special - Apocalypse 

Energy Type: Destruction 

Core Rank: 6 

Density: 33% 

Velocity: 0%

Ruin had no idea how Core Rank was calculated but his had already reached rank six which meant he only needed to increase it two ranks to finish one of the Harbinger quest tasks.

Closing the display, Ruin considered all this new information. All the aspects of his spiritual network had revealed more complexity. The three tasks of the Harbinger’s quest didn't mean anything to him and would require research.

The Destruction Realm had already caused the book’s edges to fray, and Ruin quickly pulled it into his Apocalypse Core to keep it safe. He would need to figure out a way to read it safely. Hopefully, Rami would regain her ability to enter his mind soon, and she could provide him with a mental copy.

Varthon studied Ruin curiously but didn't ask any questions.

The Void Wyrm turned to Rami. “I assume that vibration I sensed was a Perception ability? Did you just consume that book?”

“I did,” Rami responded.

Varthon grinned. “Void take me. The Verses are not ready for someone like you. You might be the key to ending the war.”

Lalquinrial had revealed the never-ending war between the Creation and Destruction Realms. Was that the war the Void Wyrm meant?

“You mean the war between the Creation and Destruction Realms?” Ruin asked.

“No,” Varthon responded. “That eternal war has more to do with business, politics, and control than serious disagreements. The real war is with the creatures living in the Void.”

Rami’s eyes widened. “Something lives in that awful place?”

“Many things, actually,” Varthon responded. “Void Walkers, Nullborn, Netherspawn, Veil Reavers, Oblivion Fiends, Voidforged—the list goes on and on. If they discover you exist and the Collective turns its attention toward you, nothing in existence could save you. Not even Aeonrial.”

Rami didn't speak, and before the silence became too uncomfortable, Ruin asked a question. “Is there something we can do to make sure no one finds her?”

“The Destruction and Creation Realms contain secret magic that allows communication and possibly travel between these temporary realms and the real ones. It's the only explanation that explains the assassin or assassins that murdered the Val’dor Queen and the Tower leaders. I’d sense if the killers traveled through the Channel I created to this place.”

That gave Ruin pause. “Are those assassins still around?”

Varthon shrugged. “I haven't seen any, but then again, if they're good at their job, I wouldn't see them, would I?”

Rami turned to Ruin. “That's another reason we should leave. I still think Lalquinrial is going to come back.”

“Is that the Destruction-contaminated deity that worked with the Havoc Sovereign and is now traveling with the Inquisitor?”

Ruin nodded, and a surge of hatred pierced like a spear through his thoughts. The sudden emotion felt wrong. Why had he experienced such an intense reaction?

The Inquisitor had been a prisoner in the Black Pyramid for thousands of years. Blapy had called it the Dark Priest as her and Pen had found the creature in the Darkness, trapped in what looked like a chapel. The Crossing Ring explosion Ruin had captured had damaged the Black Pyramid and allowed the Inquisitor to escape.

Varthon looked confused. “That group entered the Death Tower an hour ago.”

The statement caused Ruin to reevaluate his earlier conclusion that the Infernal Lord wouldn’t return. Lalquinrial had destroyed Ruin’s body and believed him dead, but the real purpose for the god’s arrival here had been two-fold.

First Lalquinrial had wanted a few of the Destruction Resistance elixirs Ruin had created during the Muse alchemy challenge. He’d wanted them to help him in his transition into a Destruction Realm creature. The second reason related to the Soul Power immunity elixirs Ruin had created. The Inquisitor required immunity to overcome a barrier related to the ocean of energy surrounding this island.

Lalquinrial had also given Ruin the impression he wanted to use this stored energy to destroy the universe, which he considered a lie. The Infernal Lord had not come here for Ruin and had, in fact, been surprised by Ruin’s presence. So why had Ruin so easily concluded that he and Rami were safe to remain here on the island and leaving was unnecessary?

An uncomfortable realization manifested, and Ruin spoke to Overlord, Uruziel, and Sivart.

I think whatever controlled the Scarecrow Aspect is still here. In fact, I think it's stronger, as it more than likely influenced my thoughts at least once without me noticing. Until Rami can re-sync with my mind, we need to search for that entity ourselves.

We’re on it, Overlord responded.

Ruin focused back on the Void Wyrm. “How long do we have before they can blow everything up?”

“I doubt the Inquisitor wants to use this energy for an explosion. I think it's more likely the mechanism to return to the original Destruction Realm is located down there, and they plan to use this sea of energy to power a return home. They are just using the god to help them reach the tower’s bottom.”

“Why return home?” Ruin asked. “The Inquisitor spread the Darkness and Pen outsmarted it and its kind. Won’t going home get it in trouble?”

Varthon grew serious. “The Inquisitor is leaving to gather reinforcements.” The void wyrm pointed at Ruin’s silver armband. “When word gets out about that band’s location incomprehensible forces will rush to find it. The Inquisitor is trying to give his Tower and his Clan a head start.”

Once again Ruin glanced at the silver band. “That all sounds crazy. It’s just a piece of jewelry.”

“Someday,” Varthon said gravely, “if you somehow survive what’s coming, you’ll understand the incomprehensible ignorance of that statement.”

“Enlighten us, then,” Rami replied.

“Opening Nodes is difficult, and finding compatible magic to make them worthwhile is hard. The Val’dor are one of the original families. They are born with an Inheritance, which is what makes them so powerful. Long ago, the Val’dor used that power to claim a royal heritage, unlocking a second Inheritance. Incomprehensible power flows in their blood.”

Rami turned to Ruin. “Do you know what he’s talking about?”

“I have an Inheritance display, but I haven’t had a chance to open it,” Ruin responded. He turned to Varthon. “We need to stop that Inquisitor’s group,” Ruin said.

Rami repeated Ruin’s earlier question. “How much time do we have?”

Varthon laughed. “A month, maybe two, but unless you have an army, following them into the Death Tower is suicide.” The Void Wyrm pointed at Ruin. “You’re level one and even with your Inheritance you’d last less than thirty seconds in one of those towers. In fact, you don't have the strength to even open a tower entrance.”

Varthon turned to Rami.

Ruin pushed his will outward, letting it crash across the island like a tidal wave.