BOOK 2/48 - Fire and Freedom

Like I suspected the floor was annoying. Shadow creatures hunted us through the large obsidian spires. In the cover of the dark the sneaked through cracks in the spires, underneath the rope bridges that carried us deeper and into the black reflective surface of the spires.

Unfortunately for them and me , they were no match for Tora. I trotted along behind, filling my boredom with the mandatory practice of my spells. There was a just too many and the fact it was good for my universe and not Akasha's warnings stopped me from getting Tora to slow it with the spells.

The list of spells looked a lot. It was worse considering the spells were Tora's version of all her siblings capabilities or other powers. Powers which I could use with just a snap of my finger and will. Why did I have to learn the magic equivalent of it?.

I sensed the Obsidian Fiend split from the spire surface it traveled through. I heard it's claws clack against the ground and it's low rumbling as it darted for me.

Test Subject.

Akasha was hellbent on me using the spells. My lips moved. Torain repeated through Akasha spilling from my lips.

[Touch of Reality - Unreal Twist]

The fiend appeared just as grey mist shot from my fingers. The ball collided with it but did nothing as it barrelled on to meet me. It leaped claws and fangs bared.

"The things i do". I let it reach. Claws slashing fangs digging in. "Huh". The claws simply phased through me and I swear the fangs felt like plastic. Normally it could actually draw blood from me if I let it but the spell was fuckin up the Fiend.

How long will it last?.

As long as it has Akashic energy.

"Isn't this spell the same thing as that skill that Daughter of Chaos got?".

It is the same yes. But where yours uses Akashic energy that one taps into Force and chaos.

I scratched my forehead. I didn't want to know how both energy were needed for something only one energy could do. "Alright. Enough". I grabbed the Fiend and tossed it off the bridge.

You could have shown more patience.

"The spell worked".

Yes. But I was hoping to change from me to pure Reality Energy.

I blinked. She wanted to test the energy from the Reality Cube in powering a test.

Right now, the spell was simply powered by me. But what if we use its energy. Was the difference in effectiveness. Power or quality of the spell count go up or decrease. Am I by extension more suitable than other energies?. While other energies can be considered either mystical or a realm energy. Reality, Time and Fate are outside those categories. Literally forces of the universe. Shouldn't the effects be different?.

I sighed. She was right. It was something we needed to know. "Wait though. I've not seen any fate spells yet".

She's not had a reason to make any.

I nodded. It made sense. They'd been with me all through the years after the initial creation and the Ozai/Freyr saga. Tora had no need to sway or move anyone's fate or destiny yet.

That would have to change though. Geez am I really planning to have more spells created.

I sighed.

You forget you've not gone about to learning your own actual magic, you've not made it yet.

My mind went to the Racial Skill she was talking about. Balance Aspect and Spell Casting.

There are energies Tora can't dabble in yet. Or maybe never. Nothingness for one. Aether comes next.

"But they can already feel for the Primordial. So why can't she tap into Aether?".

The same reason mortals can't use divinity. You breathe aerherz your very celss are formed from aether and generate aether. They can only ever touch upon the Primordial and that is because you made them to do so. The only way she or the others would be able to dabble with nothingness or aether would be for them to remake themselves.

"Wait. Doesn't that mean the players won't...".

The players would have to do the same thing. Get to the stage where they need to remake themselves.

"You're talking about evolution aren't you". A hum of acknowledgement was her answer. Makes sense. " So the kids need to evolve and change themselves. I'll see about that. The players too. Makes sense".

It brought me back to the main topic. Creating my own magic. And from Akasha's words, I was guessing that meant with Aether and Nothingness. Probably Primordial Chaos too. Ahhh. Balance. Aether and Chaos.

The bridge shook drawing my attention back to Tora. She was huge now, her arm joining to a spire in what I could see had been a blow. I caught her eye and she chuckled awkwardly.

"Sorry". Her body swiftly shrunk as she mutttered Torain.

I shook my head and kept walking. Okay. I guess I'll see about my magic. One of the many things I had to do.

Actually, apart from Cole you don't have anything else to do. Unless the Alpha finishes now, you're actually free.

More reason to finish up with this Dungoen.

"How fast do you think the Elders can clear Aswingnir and find the things?".

Depending on which realm Elders I believe thejr chances are actually high. But due to the unknown, I'd say the speed is questionable. Still I give most realms an over 80% possibility of a good run.

That was a relief to hear. Now all I had to do was simply finish this dungoen, create my magic and then prepare for the Beta.

"How is the plans for Beta going?".

Good. The Aeus Ascension will trigger the thing as planned.

I shivered at the image. Oh well, I'll have to make another Core run to have them spread out.

"And the Templates?".

Looking good but still needs work. The system is a mess and I'd like to use this Beta to revamp it. The mortals won't notice much since the rate of the Akashic Records activating is still low but the Beta will habw it so best to prepare.

I paused amd turned. Another one was coming. This time it was an Obsidian Wraith. I watched it fade through a stone and then crawl beneath the spire to the bridge. Then it just stayed there.

I believe it's draining your life force. Or attempting to.

She slid a spell into my mind. For something like this it looked just right. My lips moved and Torain echoed into the air.

I don't really have to say the words you know.

Think of it as training for when you have your own magic rules. Follow them.

I clicked my tongue and finished the Torain.

[Force of Space - Well]

I felt and watched Akashic trickle out to the wraith's location. You know I can generate Reality energy now.

Akasha hummed and I clicked my tongue. The spot where the wraith was suddenly imploded. The underside of the bridge was dragged in the air around and the poor beast were all crushed into a spot forming a mini black hol. I cut off the Akashic energy the next moment and sensed the hole fizzle out.

The travel continued on with the only thing I had to do being talking with Akasha, trying out a new or old spell on any daring Floor mob and watching Tora pull out spells of different energjes.

The bridge finally ended, depositing us at the tip of the largest obsidian spire. A fiend tried another attack and I flicked my pinky. Divine Lightning cracked across my nail and pierced the creature.

"Mum. Boss". I looked ahead. The Floor boss seemed to part from the darkness.

"All yours". The sides of my eyes frosted over and a Throne of ice formed to the side. Sitting while ignoring both Tora's and the Boss surprised stare I then waved at them lazily. "Well get on with it".


****

RING- 1st
REALM- Sol


Five Titans followed the Golem inhabited by their father. The journey was both interesting, tense and eye opening. For a Giant who was supposed to not tell somethings the Titans found out just how free he was.

The journey didn't end but unfortunately the free information, powerful presence and aid stopped. The procession came to a halt at the base eif a mountain and the Giant turned to them.

While the stretched out stone skin of his face was in all ways creepy, they'd surprisingly not only gotten used to the smile but already began feeling a sense eif care from it.

"Your Final hurdle will be unlike anything the realms have faced. This realm, the people in it will need you. ". The red burning eyes in the stone head swept over them. "I believe in you five"

The ground shook , stones grinding as he stepped forward. Earlier they might have flinched. Now none moved. His hand settled on theeft shoulder of Strider. Even as a Titan and golem the size disparity was tremendous. Partly due to the giant inhabiting him.

"Little Judge, believe in your words. Trust your siblings. In good and bad..." His blazing gaze turned to the others. "... consequences come from all decisions. Do not falter at them, rise, meet this consequences in battle and show them the best of thy Sol".

His gaze paused on Thorin and sighed. "The weight, the might you carry comes with its pull, responsibilities. Keep your head up".

The golem drew up to its full height, fiery energy rushing out its chest and down it's palm. "I can only do enough to prevent the destruction of this being. Besides I have that overgrown lizard to poke".

Like a flood breaking free from a Dam energy poured from the palm and across them.Everyone staggered blinking harshly as the felt it rush through their body, weigh down their attire ans seep into their weapons.


**Boon - Haero's Vital**
-**All damages incurred are halved by 50%, regeneration on Sol is tripled. Energy use, quality and effectiveness is 5% higher. Your strikes will be 2x faster. 2x Lethal**
-**Duration - Till Ascension


The energy pushed them knees hard to the ground keeping them in place as it ravaged their bodies and gears.

Once it died Strider and Hellion were the first to look up. The golem was smaller, the eyes were duller and the fee the Titan gave was gone.

Everyone shared looks before turning back to themselves. There was no sign of the Giant's boon just like the other boons.

"Let's get going". Thorin ordered shifting on his feet.

" You okay Horkirk?". The golem shivered as Strider set a palm on him and poured essence through him.

His raspy stone voice echoed a bit duller than the giant's. "I. Am. Well". It was clear the possession was still affecting him.

"Can you walk?".

The Golem took a step forward and then another. The answer clear all five followed.
There was no cave opening at the base though.

"How do we get inside?". Mera frowned.

"Not in. Up".

The mountain was large, very large. Still everyone just shook their heads. They'd been so used to entering caverns that this was new.

"Blaze get us up there".

The ground flowed and gathered together beneath their feet as they inched closer to Blaze. The Titan's control and manipulation over the element was clearly getting better.

Raising his left palm up the base followed. Vibrations rippled through their feet as the base slid up the mountain's side like a shaft. Everyone watched as he worked.

Mera crouched at the edge of the base eyes staring down at the ground which slowly made its distance with them. Strider and Hellion stood to one side both practicing their domains.

Mera tried not to be envious and focused on the possibility that atleast one domain would be hers from this guardian.

Thorin was the only one of all the Titans with a domain who couldn't actively test his domain. Well rest it as he wanted. Each of his portfolios was just that important that risking it was a bad thing.

The base shuddered to a stop and everyone stared at the opening of a cavern in the mountain.

There's always a cave. Hellion murmured mentally.

The cavern's ceiling was non-existent at the edge. A setting who's purpose became clear when it showed its head.

"Horkirk. Is that you I smell?".the voice was deep and ancient. Nothing like the Giant's but clear in its power.

"Agni. It is I". Horkirk lumbered ahead. No one mlsaid anything. Horkirk was the reason all their meetings with a guardian had gone well.

"Horkirk. My boy". The owner of the voice finally came into view. A large serpentine head with two large horns, two pairs of fiery sun torches and a maw filled with fangs. Grey scales littered its body from the head down the long neck. Large bat like wings that had obviously seen conflicts pushed out holding the weight of tmits forward body.

That was the best the Titans could get as the rest remained hidden behind it. "Wait". Its head snapped to the side. "Why do I smell that brat on you. Wait...on them too". Two large holes on the creature's snout flared , widening harshly as the creature seemed interested in breathing all the air in.

"Do tell, why can I perceive that washed up, sun boy on you lot. Especially you Horkirk?".
Its fangs were bared and the torches it called eyes fixed on all of them.

Oh boy.

Mera stiffened and sighed. " Am I getting a domain or not?". She asked. The large head swiveled to her much like Isthra's could move but much bigger.

"Domain?". Its eyes narrowed. It's nose sniffed harshly again. "Ahh. Of course. That boy always causing problems. Hiding the main scent I need". It raised its head up and glared up to the rust red skies.

"That's interesting and all but can we hurry this up". Mera grumbled.

The head swiveled right back to her. "Pride. Ah . Yes. I smell it". It's head dropped ignoring all the other right for her. It curved around her making the others rush away.

"Pride...". Its nostrils flared. "...yes. Yes. I small it. The warmth, the heat...". It paused its head behind her ignoring the alarmed looks of the Titans watching its neck twist. "You shall fly to close to the top".

It pushed off its wings and flapped them harshly. Wind buffered the group dm Blaze had to grab everyone's heels with stone to keep them on the mountain.

It parted it's jaws with a snarl. Thorin alarmed tried to take a step but Blaze gave him a look while tightening the stones. The beast dropped back landing on its wings. Jaws parted and fire spewed on the Titaness.

Stone shattered and Thorin was flinging himself across the space to the dragon In panic. Earth rumbled and rolled up grabbing his feet and turning him back.

"Its a guardian". Blaze glared.

"Its...".

"Giving her a domain". Hellion added with an amused but curious face.

The concern on the big Titan fizzled down. "Couldn't it do it sowm other way?".

"No". Horkirk received stares. "She challenged him with her pride and desire. To Agni, fire both burns and reveals". The Golem nodded back to the spectacle.

Agni stopped his breath of flame and reared back his head twisting it right back around the group. Mera was a statue of dripping molten lava. Lava that cooled rapidly as the dragon once more blew on her. Winds erupted and hit the lava cooling it rapidly and leaving a statue of Mera.

"That should do it. Now come Horkirk. Much is to be discussed". It turned back to the other guardian and then without a word retreated into its cavern. "Come. Come tell me why the Realm stomper has been angered. And it had better have nothing to do with that brats scent on you lot".

The four still standing looked at each and back to the statue. Strider took a step forward and paused. " She's in there".

Hellion raised a brow like it was obvious. Blaze just turned and joined Horkirk in walking in. Finally was Thorin and Strider who stood there for a while staring at the stone.

"What now?".

Strider shrugged. "I'm guessing she breaks free?". He nodded. The easy granting of domains had made them all forget that they their domains were rewards for winning the guardians. Shaking his head he joined Strider who was heading into the cavern.

They couldn't help but wonder what her domains would be. Seeing as the dragon spewed fire but Blaze was already supposed to have a fire domain. Questions. Questions.

Thorin thought back to the Giant as they stepped past the darkness of the cavern's edge. He wondered if past the realms was truly as turbulent as exciting as they giant as made it seem.

There would be dangers too. He just knew it. It was common sense. Still they adventures and possibilities of it all was something he knew he'd be looking forward to after their ascension.

For now, his gaze focused through the darkness, the flow of his eyes helping him forward. There was a possibly ancient dragon to converse with.