Book 2/42 - Entry

There were many interesting places, sights and things in the Star Rings. Hildelith knew most of them and while she didn't have them ranked she subconsciously knew which was better and more awe-inspiring.

One thing Creation Online had shown her was the sights, graphics that were both intense, fantastical and still not lacking in realistic features. One such sight was the Aether- Primordial Chaos boundary.

It was tug of war. A dance between creation and life. Also the perfect torture zone. Unlike the Nothingness -Aether border which was just a clash of darkness and light , thisbspot showed thr perfect cycle of reincarnation.

Hildelith wasn't here for the sight though. Re-entering the dungoen was her prerogative. Her mind when to the tree cycles and how it each affected her.

Depending on her form Nothingness was either uncaring or addictive. Her Nothing form in the Nothingness had blended seamlessly. Only her idea of the difference between her and he4 universe as well as Akasha kept her from mixing up with the nothing.

There was the aether. In her Nothing Form it affected her as something without life or dead. Basically just ignoring her. In hr Godform it was a whole different matter. Aether was like life, hellbent on filling you to more than the brim. It made her wonder how the denizens of this cycle killed or fought.

The Primordial Chaos was the opposite. As powerful as she was Hildelith has not even began cultivating it. Control, yes, but resistance to it in her god form was a no no. If not for her sleep after creation she would have found Cole for the training.

Appearing in front of the dungeon gate she watched the chaos rat up her handd and skin even as her divinity fought it off. Considering the Elders have not completed their ascension I can't send them in for whatever Cole's side of the bargain is.

[Checkpoint: Floor 5]
[Entry Point: Floor 1, Floor 5, Floor 6]

"Mother!".

Hildelith froze, her mind forgetting to channel and ward off the chaos for a split second. Turning she found Tora standing on a disc of Torain sigils and glaring.

What did I do?.

"You said you would take me along".

Ah. I did.

"Yes. I...". She paused lips parted. Her head swiveled to the side as a feeling rushed through her. Her left eye emitted a gray light and Hildelith frowned.

"Mother?".

Hildelith remained silent, watching. A minutes passed and then she turned back to Tora eyes dimming. "It would seem your little brother's creation have accepted one into their ranks".

The gears turning in her head were visible as she pondered. "The Leghna?. Who did the accept and why?. Theu didn't even care for any of Freyja's and they all possess domains related to...ahh".

Hildelith nodded.

Tora's curiosity spiked and faded in a moment. Her interest was in what lay beyond the black gate her mother was visibly about to enter.

"Are you sure you wish to come with me?. I know I invited you along but it's dangerous in there. Well not for me but maybe for you".

"I'm sure". Nodding regally she kept her eyes on her mother.

"Very well. Stay close and ask if you need help".she waved he forward. "Use divinity to keep away the energy.

" I know ma".

She smiled but said nothing. Tora floated closer, golden mist surprising her. Once she was close enough Hildelith touched her shield and selected the option for the Sixth Floor.

----

RING - 2nd
REALM - TORHEIM

A single carriage pulled by a contingent of five Wild Horses made its way across the rocky terrain at the base of Mount Hergau. A Celestian held the reins while an Aurelian sat next to it hands on a spear forged literally from light.

Thr carriage rattled and shook as it rolled over rocks and stones, holes and bumps. Within sat four Elders. Of the four only three had a comfortable sitting.

Isis eyed the Enthraller again. She still didn't like the idea of taking her with them. A simple slip up, a wrong move, a forgetful movement and she could have them all on their knees.

Who am I kidding?. I'm the only liability here. Ghar can block her aura with his domain, Rhal can free himself. I'm the only one who's in danger of her.

It didn't help that she had to sit opposite her and stare into those blue eyes. It was something she'd noticed about all of them. Their eye colors. Rhal had golden bright pupils. Ghar had stormy gray eyes with hints of silver. Rhal had told her she had a deep green gaze.

The thought of what the last Divine would have for an eye color helped take her eye an mind off the danger.

"Have you decided?". It was Ghar talking to a gagged Hanna. Isis and Rhal eyed them both. Ghar had chosen to sit next to the Enthraller and block off any attempts with his domain. A domain that Isis and Rhal were still not clear on. They'd not asked and he'd not offered.

Hanna glared at the Thunderer for a moment before looking away. Isis and Rhal weren't there enough Ghar had spoken to Hanna after she woke but both had an inkling of what was spoken on.

If Rhal was being honest he wished she wouldn't accept. While he couldn't kill her when she agreed he sure could end her if she was antagonistic to them. Even Ghar wouldn't, shouldn't stop him then.

So he watched.

"Delaying this won't change the end". Ghar didn't have a sense of fatigue or any inflection in his voice. He spoke straight and without hesitance. "YWe both know you can't be trusted to not come after us if we let you go. Besides we need to be Five to take on the coming war. Stop making the decision hard when you know what the choice should be".

No one said anything after that and the ride onwards continuef in silence.

Rhal controlled his expression but within he didn't mind her decision.

The carriage rattled as the three divines turned back to do their own thing. The only one not actively busy was Ghar who simply stared amount the window. Still, Isis even while manipulating her divinity into shapes could see the slight trickle and bolts of electricity that ran up and around the male. It looked like a mere effect of his power but each time it got to his fingers he twirled and spun them like he actively controlled it.

It gave her ideas and thoughts on possible ways to use her own perk.

The thundering of hooves next to their carriage alerted everyone even the bound Hanna. An Aurelian rode on a Wild Horse next to them, his feet pushing the animal to keep pace with her carriage.

Isis had forgotten there were more realm dwellers following than the drivers of their carriage.

"My Lords and Ladies. We're being pursued".

"Bandits?". Rhal asked

" Bandits. What are those?". The Aurelian looked confused. " Is that a dangerous predator?_.

Isis chuckled and Rhal shook his head. "Never mind". The Aurelian got even more confused as he blinked. A hard to catch action.

"What pursues is?". Ghar took over drawing the Aurenlian away from his confusion. The guard seemed to have a level respect as he answered quickly a d briskly.

"Realm Touched my lord". Isis understood though. She too had been on the receiving end of Ghar's lightning. If nothing else his power commander respect.

"What's a Realm Touched?".

"I don't think we have time for that?. I guess these things are dangerous".

"Very My Lord".

"From whch direction?".

"A group from the rear and another from the Mountain Top".

Ghar nodded to the guard and waved him away. The Aurelian pulled on the Wild horse reins and dropped back.

"What do we do?".

"Fight of course". Rhal was already forming a sword made of light in his hands. Isis glared then turned her gaze to Hanna. The blue eyed witch rolled them.

Ghar understood ht concerns though as e turned to the player. Gray eyes and blue clashed in silence contemplation and defiance.

"Expecting her not to act while we fight is stupid". Rhal had a smile. "I got one hopes she tried something". He ran a palm over the light blade. His gaze locked on her. Isis sighed and Hanna just glared.

"There'll be no killing her Rhal".

"Even if she tried to escape?".

"She won't". Ghar kept his gaze on her. Hanna glared right back. "Cause she knows the moment I as much as feel her a touch of her Aura she'll meet her end. Permanently".

He turned away leaving that said. Hanna still had a defiant glare but Isis knew she understood. There was no talking, no warnings. If she misstepped then Ghar would end her.

"The roof. We figured from there". He eyed me as he spoke before looking at Rhal. "You can fight from the roof or help the guards".

"I'll see those things first". Ghar nodded ten grabbed the side of the carriage. Tugging he gripped the roof's edge and pulled himself in a smooth move out of the carriage and on top the roof.

Rhal went next without a glance in the girls direction. Isis moved after them and just as she grabbed the roof she turned to Hanna. Blue eyes stared.

"We need you. You might think enthralling us is the best way to win but it's not". The roof creaked as the third divine pulled herself out and swung up on the roof.

Hanna kept glaring. After a second she eyed her lightning bonds. Trying to feel herself was impossible to atleast very hard. Ghar had shown to have an improved sense for his powers. She could feel it too, his aura, gripping the carriage tightly. Like a stretched bow string ready to release at the slightest hint of her Aura.

With a sigh she leaned back. Not now.

On the roof three divines stared at the crowd of monsters racing after them. The surged from the mountain and the path behind. Bipedal, and four legged all racing fast to get to us.

An Aurelian rode closer on a wild horse next to the carriage. "We can't effectively battle while in my.m motion my Lord".

Ghar frowned. Turning to Rhal his eyes asked a question. The Light shrugged somehow understanding the question. Ghar turned to Isis and she frowned not understanding the look.

Sighing he turned back to the rider. "There's a lot of those things. Will stopping be advisable?".

The rider looked unsure.

"Sounds good. We could have the Wild Horses behind the guards". Rhal pointed out.

"I could also help with protecting the horses and guards". Both turned to her. Ghar's eyes widened slightly, obviously remembering her shields. He turned to Rhal who nodded.

Looking at the rider still following close he nodded. "We stop. Have the horses encircled".

The Realm touched were still far away off but visible. It was enough time for everyone to get into the agreed formation and bring the Wild Horses to safety as well.

----

RING - 9th
REALM - MURHIL

ATHENA'S POV

"Tepes". I called for my Imperia Cervus. It'd bounded over hooves on stone, head held high even with the weight of a Throne Guardian impaled on its horn.

I grabbed and pulled the dungeon corpse off even as Tepes sent me a sense of wonder and curiousity for the nomination I gave it.

I sent images of strength, of its hooves stomping down on the enemy and the earth, of its horns tearing through wood, bone, stone and flesh. Off is Boyd rippling and energy coursing through it.

A neigh of acceptance and pride was my answer and then it turned and bounded forward, horn down and charging for the enemy.

I watched two Mind Sculpted Throne Guardians grab another and a third cleave through it from head down to the legs. The fight was over when Tepes trampled threw more and an Spike broke through one's head. The Sykerians eyed the ones left standing in my service but made no attempts to attack.

I crouched next to a Throne Guardian's corpse. My mind had a single vision. One created from my thoughts since I Mind Sculpted the Throne Guardians.

Grabbing the helmet I pulled. There was a crack and the thing came off. The armor fell in a clank.

"Nothing". I expected it though. After all the only thing powering these suits was the energy in the dungoen. There was a stray idea tomsee if my essence could activate them. I doubt.

I stood with the helmet still in hand staring into its hollow eyes.

"My lady". Ernwes stood to my right. I could see his confused glance between me and the helmet.

"Ernwes".

"I sent Zarek and Thiel to scout out the scope". His voice sounded questioning.

"And". I wondered if u had taken so long to think sn check out the Throne Guardian. "What did they find?".

"I think it's best seen".

Sykerians, Throne Guardians, Impera Cervus and I created the last stair and stood at the top of a shorter peak. That's a lot. The view was good, rolling plains of rocks and jagged tips that led to a higher peak.

Flying knights. Wings of light or was it fire, filled the air. There wete many of them.

"What now?". Ernwes asked.

My eyes followed the literal army of winged knights in the sky before sighing. This is going to be chaotic.


****

RING - 7th
REALM - NETHERHEIM

Adam stood still, palms free and unclenched. He watched Death get fussed over by the fire breathing Devil. Just like he felt a Kinship that went beyond their blood with Death he felt it with Fire breather.

Actually I feel it with all of them. Some more than the others. He turned to glance at the now one horned Deviless. His bond with her was there. Stronger than with the fire breather but nothing on the level of Death.

His eyes moved to the corpse. Burned mangled, it lay there unmoving. Its wings twisted and crooked. Turning he locked gazes with the fire breather. His purple orbs unmoving. Adam didn't feel fear but knew caution against this one was wise.

"What now?". It came from the least expected person. Eve. "Who's going to take the Throne amonsgt you three".

Fitting she knows she's out of the equation. Adam turned back to the two. He knew without a care that it was Death that would gain the throne. The question remained if the fire breather would let her.

Sure he might have fought with her, still doesn't mean he'll let her take it. Death and the fire breather were sharing a look. Then Fire breather nodded.

Was that acceptance. Interesting.

Everyone glanced up the pillar of black stone. It held strong the scent of burning land and the flickers of red flame catching eyes.

"Let's get this done". Adam grunted.