Book 2/39 - ...alone we...

[Author's Note: From first to Last. Athena obviously, Imaginara Cervus and Ernwes.

Sidenote - It kept turning Athena into a dragon so had to abandon the scales]

[I did like the horns from here but I guess it would frown on her Dragonic Heritage]


[This one. Demon Athena. 😂. Too cruella looking for me. A no]



****


Ring - 1st
Realm - SOL

Horkirk looked shocked and worried even for a golem. His burning eyes shook and shivered with some emotion as he dashed forward. The stomps of his stone legs rattled the ground. Behind them the large Worm retreated without a care.

Horkirk made a leap the moment he was close enough and sailed straight for the top of the spire.

"Let's follow". Thorin's voice wa commanding..

"You think something's wrong too?". Mera asked. Everyone nodded.

"Stryder. Get Mera up there. Hellion you're with Blaze". Stryder was gone in a flash of light taking Mera with her. The ground shook and heaved forming a swell beneath Hellion and Blaze then rolling forward.

Thorin grunted the. Bounded forward at a pace that was unusual for him. He discarded his hammer to the side and once he was just close enough, the same spot as Horkirk he stomped the earth. The reverberate of the stomp spread like a wave and the ground cracked. Lines darting around anf forward like a spiderweb. Then he pushed upwards.

Blaze and Hellion rolling in from behind watched the group crumble down as Thorin shot off like a bullet ascending high.

"Strength?". Hellion asked. Blaze shrugged. The earth that the rode rose and like a spire took them up and high.

Stryder and Mera were already at the top of the spire when Thorin shot over tjem and then fell back. A few moments later the other two followed, stepping off a literal pillar of earth..

The spire's top was larger than the expected, ahead was separated by a higher price of boulder. Own where two shapes were emtertwined. "Is that...". Stryder open and shut her mouth.

"Come. Let's get closer".

It wasn't hard for all of them to get up to the higher boulder. It was more like a giant piece of earth shaped out of the ground. Horkirk stood at the center crouched down next to a creature of immense size. While Horkirk was a Pyroclastic Golem he was no Behemoth. This meant he was of a tinier size. The Titans got close enough before stopping and watching.

"Horkirk?".

The golem's fiery eyes met Hellion's. It sighed smoke and ash escaping it's cracked line that wa sa mouth. "Ishthra.". It was weird to hear it whisper. He creature perked up and a single large eye looked at them. It felt wrong. Like the eye has been sucked off its colors.

The creatures head rose and the stared at the largest bird they'd seen. Ira beak parted a bit and it cawed weakly. Its wings pushed off the ground and they could see how full and uncoloured the feathers were.

"What happened?". Mera asked. For some reason she just felt that the color was wrong.

"Ishthra lost the Domain. A domain". It corrected on seeing their wife eyes. "Ishthra is a Phoenix and the domain she lost is one of Fire".

"It is okay Horkirk. I can speak for myself". The voice that came from the bird was low. Aged and yet wise. "I see you giving them answers means they are the ones".

Horkirk faced the bird with a nod.

"Very well". It pushed itself forward with a heavy sigh and a strained movement. It's head lowered slowly so slowly that the Titans saw no threat. Then it sniffed. Deep and hard. It's head turned just as slowly almost like it had little energy in its body. A single dull eye locked on Blaze.

"Titan of Fire. I smell the Primordial on you. The taste of ash, the heat in its energy, the brightness of your core". It sighed. "Your domain is one I lost. The Lord. He tricked me, not of his own doing , still a shame to me".

Blaze didn't look surprised and if he was disappointed his eyes didn't show it. " How?. Did it deceive you?".

The Bird stared. The single eye blinked once. " There are those. A rare few. Who ajev consumed or been touched by the blood of a Primordial. It's rare. Very rare. Especially when the Primordial has no blood". It shifted it's head away and sniffed again. More deeply. " I could smell the hood on it. Just like I can smell the void that is your skin".

The group gasped in shock looking at their bodies. " Void". Hellion murmured poking his flesh.

"I gifted him the domain as is his right. Or so I thought. But the domain is an anchor. A source of Life. A pulse. When gifted the Titan who holds it I am bonded to ".

"The bond failed". Mera and the rest could guess what happened now. The bird blinked once.

"He was touched of the void, but not Blood of the Primordial". It heaved it's head up and then moved setting its beak on Hellion's skull". The Titan stiffened for a second before his eyes stared into space.

"I can only grant one domain to you now". The Bird moved back now and settled itself back in the ground it had risen from.

"Everyone stared at an unmoving Hellion and then back to Blaze".

"Is there a way to regain the domain?*. The Bird opened its eye and looked on the Titan who asked. Stryder fidgeted a bit before holding its gaze.

"There is. The Lord must relinquish it's hold on the domain".

"Consensual". The bird's throat shook in a vibration.

"In Life?. Yes, not in death".

"What now?". All eyes were on Blaze except Hellion's . "What do we do?". Mera directed the question to Horkirk.

"Without the Bond. Ishthra is like any other creature of the realm. Mortal. We must retrieve your domain and set the bond". He looked to the resting bird. " If you will still have her?".

"An error is an error". Hellion suddenly spoke light spilling into the room and filling up the entire area. It was so bright it hid everything for a moment. Everyone backed away from him asthe shield their eyes. "It would be appreciated if she were one of us". The light dimmer right back.

Everyone looked around in surprise and shock.. Horkirk frowned, unbothered by the light. " Join our Pantheon". Blaze spoke this time with a shake of his head. Hellion smiled glad Blade understood once again before looking back into space to check his domain.. If I'm right then she'd be a boon for us.

Horkirk said nothing neither did he frown more. He sumply turned to Ishthra who had popped open an eye eyeing Hellion." You would seal me in servitude". Thorin had a frown as defended Hellion's suggestion quickly.

"No". Her eyeball looked to the large Titan.

"Join or not. Blaze will complete the Bond". Mera added. "You're a powerful creature. Having you in our ranks would be an honor for us. You as well Horkirk". Looking around to confirm her words she was relieved on seeing the nods around her.

The golem had a pensive look now. "What do you say Ishthra?".

The bird shut back her eye. Hellion finally looked away from his table and suddenly a boade of light formed in his right hand. It was similar to his sword and looked very solid. Stryder was drawn over to him and she poked the light.

It surprisingly did nothing to her. " Your domain is light then". Hellion nodded.

"Luminous Constructs and Manipulation, Illumination, Radiance and Enhancement. Damn you guys have it good. You have it good". He aimed the last words tat Stryder and she chuckled as he formed another short blade and a scabbard of light. He handed it to her.

"Hold this. Let's see how long till it fizzles out. If it does".

The blade vanished into her storage and he was already focusing on another object. Turning back to the others discussion she listened. Thorin was asking why the domains were held by guardians and Horkirk was saying something about not needing to reach the guardians to connect.

Stryder lost interest turning back to watch Hellion experiment with his domain. He was so focused she turned to look at the only one of their Pantheon without a single domain. Mera. She didn't look one but disgruntled or envious. If anything she was quite interested in the ongoing conversation. Stryder found it surprising and interesting how all of them had been so calm and comfortable with one another.

"Hmmh. Interesting". She looked back at Hellion. He held a single pair of glove.

"What?". Stepping close she tried peeking from his angle.

"I made it thick and flexible. Now the materials has become some weird solid material. It's still light, but different". She nodded poking her glove. It felt rubbery and soft.

"I guess you can create things with your light then".

"Let's go guys". Thorin cut off their conversation. Hellion looked up at the Titan.

"Did she agree!". He nodded.

"As long as we retrieve the Domain, then yes".

"Easy enough. We judt need to get the last domains then head for the cities". Hellion agreed with Mera though he wondered if Blade would be so patient. He wasn't the only one though as Stryder looked at Blaze as well.

"I think it's best we head there last. If it works out we can march in the Eye of Sol from there".

The concerned Titan nodded and stepped forward. "True. We do as sakd".

"And Ishthra. She seems too weak for momich movements". Stryder didn't like the idea of taking the bird with them when it could barely move.

"She won't be following. Ishthra will come when summoned and only after the domain is reclaimed". The golem clarified with none of its former boisterous enthusiasm.

Stryder was at its side, palm on the golem's rocky exterior and speaking before she noted it. "She'll be fine. I can somehow feel that she remains strong*.

"Can you do something for her?". Mera asked. Simultaneously it was like everyone remained the Titaness had indeed gotten all two of her domains and vene better there was a chance of one or both helping here.

Stryder's head shake rushed the hope. "Her nerves lack energy. Giving it to her won't be possible since I believe the said energy is the revitalizing force of fire". Her face scrunched in a frown. "Her cells and shrinking and closing up slowly. If I heal herz the cless will be opened back up and then the cycle will begin again. Since she lacks energy, it will be faster and even more painful".

She turned her gaze back to Blaze. "We need to get the domain back. Its the only way".

"Then we move immediately. Horkirk. Lead us to the next Guardian. Point the way. Blaze, you'll transport us. It should be faster". Thorin turned to Stryder. " Scout ahead in the direction Horkirk points. Take out any easy beasta or monsters in our way and tell us if there is any troublesome one".

"Hellion...". The Titna looked up, his gaze distracted.."... please focus". Knowing the need to experiment Thorin turned to Mera and nodded at her. " You'll take point".

The Pantheon got moving.


****


Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL

ATHENA'S POV

Four floors, four boss treasures. Four of this black crystals. The one thing that is similar on all floors when when the essence are if different elemental or realm attunement.

I eyed the black shards I held for a moment. Now was not the time to be distracted. The Storm Lord was dead. The Sykerians harvesting it's parts for what the called important weapons and gear. I guess I don't care since I can make my weapons and probably gear too. I doubted anything to be stronger than what my Will could make.

I sent the five shards back to storage and formed the tenth glass vial from my will. Taking my time to do this meant I could regenerate and recuperate the damages to myself. I formed the syringe of pure will and drew blood. Ejecting it into the vault, I repeated till the vial was full. I had down the measurements checking just how much blood filled the vials before my wound healed as it did with the deer.

Shutting the vial with its stopper I stored it away. That's done. .

Across the peak was the beginning of a final rope bridge. One that led into a wall of clouds. The final floor. Something nudged me from behind. It was soft yet firm. The deer. No. It wasn't any of those. It was completely new. Reforged by my blood. Scary and yet impressive.

The deer's new form after the fight with the Storn Lord was more than interesting. It was both unexpected and beautiful. I looked into its vacant eye sockets, replaced by green glows. Its body was made of strings of abstract, weaves that twisted and cpiled on itself to form the Cervus complete form.

I ran my hand over its snout and down it's neck. It was soft to the touch. Like the best of silks. Its antlers twisted and reshaped themselves as I watched and the tiny green and yellow star lights hidden within its strands of abstract self gave it a noble look.

I had been too busy fighting the Storm Lord to properly look over it, and now I needed to finish the last floor as well. Feeding it my blood had been completely experimental. An idea born from my epiphany in the first floor after my attempt to heal the Sykerian the first time.

I had expected the change, an empowerment maybe. I had expected to either use Memory sculpt on it or find a way to make it nicer to me. Surprisingly, evolution with my blood was an all in one package. It completely changed the deer into this, while making it powerful and favourable to me.



**Welcome to the Akashic Records, Elder 40**
**Records of the Imaginara Cervus, Null**

**Name:** Null
**Abstract Rank:** Imaginara Cervus
**Abstract Essence:** Fledgeling (500/500)
**Title:** First of its Mind, Beast of the Weaver
**Achievements:** First Evolved

**Power:** Base (1)
**Wisdom:** Base (1)

**Racial Abilities:**

**Reality Sculptor**: With this ability, the Imaginara Cervus can reshape the very world around it. By channeling its imagination, it alters the terrain, creating landscapes, obstacles, or even structures that serve its needs. These creations can be as solid as stone or as fleeting as a mirage, designed to deceive or ensnare enemies, or provide strategic advantages to allies.

**Innovative Flash**: An enhancement of its previous Blinding Flash ability, the Imaginara Cervus now emits a radiant burst of light that blinds foes and simultaneously inspires allies. This flash bestows a brief surge of creativity and insight upon its companions, sharpening their minds and enhancing their problem-solving capabilities, which can be crucial in turning the tide of battle.

**Cervid Conduit**: Imaginara Cervus acts as a channel for latent potential, both within itself and in those it wishes to aid. By focusing its energy, it can temporarily grant new powers to its allies or amplify their existing abilities, adapting to the needs of the moment. This makes the Imaginara Cervus not only a powerful ally but a versatile one, capable of adjusting its role in any situation.


**First Evolved:** The Imaginara Cervus holds the prestigious title of being the first life form in MURHIL to undergo evolution. This marks it as a trailblazer, a symbol of what is possible in this world.

**Beast of the Weaver:**Bound by blood and will to the Elder Athena, the Imaginara Cervus serves with unwavering loyalty. It is the living embodiment of Athena's will, a beast crafted for purpose, with a destiny intertwined with the Weaver herself. The Title grants Sire's Bond.

**First of its Mind:**As the only one of its kind, the Imaginara Cervus is unparalleled in its existence. It stands alone, unique and unmatched in its abilities and potential. This title offers a 50% increment of the mind.

**Sire's Bond**
**Granted by the Title - Beast of the Weave**
**Type:** Legendary Trait:** The Imaginara Cervus, as the blood-bound beast of the Elder Athena, is endowed with a powerful connection to its sire. This bond grants the Cervus and Elder several unique abilities, reflecting their deep connection and the potent influence..

**Effects:**

**Weaver's Presence:**
The Imaginara Cervus can communicate telepathically with Elder Athena at any distance, as long as they are on the same plane of existence. It gains advantage on all saving throws and cannot be surprised or ambushed. Additionally, when within 1 mile of Athena any magical effects cast by her can be channeled through the Cervus, effectively allowing her to extend the reach and influence through the beast.

**Aegis:**
As a reaction, the Imaginara Cervus can transfer damage taken by Elder Athena to itself, reducing the damage Athena would take by half and taking the remaining half itself.



"That's amazing". I could already see how the deer would help me in my fights. Having it hang around the Sykerians would remove my need to equip them with spikes. It could also defend them and create things when needed.

With my thoughts on the Sykerians I felt a bit of doubt. Was what I was planning necessary. I rubbed my fingers through the threads of the Cervus. It is. Besides. I'm giving them the choice to decline. I didn't want to think about it so I ignored the thought and focused back on the bridge leading into the last floor. A few moments more and the Sykerians would be done.

I don't really need them though. I shook my head. I might not need them. But they need me. If anything defeating the boss with them around helps them with better rewards as well. They should see me in a better light and hopefully choose not to stand against me even if the don't side with me.

It was the best I could ask for. I did know not doubt that Gordorik would try to kill me but I hoped they wouldn't join. Trying not to kill Sykerians was something I didn't know if I could do. Not because I was sadistic it something but because I wasn't skilled enough to control a fight or something like that and keep them alive.

It was something I would have to figure out later. For now, I had a final floor to clear and a boss to kill.

The group finished with the dragon's carcass soon enough and gathered back to me with will forged bags filled with scales and dragon parts.

Ernwes stood to my left his eye going over the Cervus with unhidden awe. He'd seen it before like the others but it seemed once wasn't enough to get an eyeful.

I cleared my throat. Ernwes gaze snapped back to me. "My Lady. We're done and ready to move on".

I nodded then faced the last floor. It was time.

I set my head against the Cervus. The Sire Bond helped to connect our minds and I could feel its mind that way. I didn't need words to communicate with it. If it understood words was something I didn't know. I sent a sense of safety for the Sykerians to it. Protection. Images of them cowering behind it's shields and antlers.

I got back an image. One of a large Cervus standing tall over the Sykerians and stomping down on Dragons. I laughed, shoulders shaking and sent back a sense of pride. The beast snorted.

"Ernwes. Stay with the Cervus". I patted its neck then rubbed its lower jaw. "It'll keep you safe and resupply the spikes too". My hands slipped off its body after a minute of enjoying the softness. I walked past the edge of the peak and to the final bridge.

The bridge swayed like all the others did beneath our weight. Slowly but confidently we moved till we got to the wall of clouds.

The last floor.

I stepped in. It was like walking through a fog of white. It impeded my sight but not my senses. I could hear the Sykerians behind me. The snort and breaths of the Cervus as it kept an eye on everything. The white vanished just as quickly.

The last floor was a large mountain peak. A single one. For miles I could see the rolling terrains and spires growing from it's peak. There were no other mountains. No dlrope bridges. Just this one. I took a deep breath. There's something in the air.

I couldn't just smell it. I could feel it. Prickling against my skin. A gasp from behind drew my eyes back to the group. All of them had stwpped out and were on their knees.

"Pressure". It was the only words Ernwes could say. I could see nothing, but I did feel it. Prickling my skin, like the warmth of light.

"Luciv. What is this?".

The fairy didn't move her postion between my horns but her voice came down to my ears. "Aura. The final boss is powerful. More powerful or just as powerful".

Aura. What is aura?. "What is Aura".

"Your presence. Your self. It is the exposure of your existence. The definition of your power. When released others feel it to. The lower a lifeform the more sagged down your takes them".

I looked up the ascending mountain and understood immediately. The final boss was definitely powerful and it's aura was doing this. An attempt to weaken us for its mobs. I focused on the group.

"How do I stop it?".

Silence. "Luciv".

"Eh". Her voice didn't come from the top of my head. It came from the group. Particularly from the Cervus. The fairy was floating around the beast's head. "Its so beautiful*.

I didn't have time to ask it how it was only seeing the Cervus now. "Luciv concentrate. How do I stop it?". Then fairy Dave me a look then seemed to remember I didn't know this things before sighing.

"Aura beasts aura. But dependent on the event. Now, you need an encouraging aura. Your presence given ...hope?".

She clearly didn't know how to explain it more. Now I have to think of ...

An image filled my mind. Looking at the Cervus, I need to name her, him. Its antlers shifted, reforming. Then a sense of power flooded the area. It's skin lit up slowly, a kaleidoscope of lights that not only glowed off het skin but floated through th3bair ans touching everyone around it.

I saw their eye gain a bit of color and their skin dazzle with rainbow lights. I watched them slowly rise to their feet.

What did you do?. Luciv said aura was needed to combat it but the Cervus just sparkled and the stood. Innovative flash.

An image returned to my head from the Cervus and I understood. Aura was morre about an existence bearing down upon a weaker or lesser being. But it was less physical as it was mental. The body, their body didn't get weighed down but their minds felt themselves miniscule and as such grew heavy.

You improved their mental strength to handle the weight of the aura. A chortle and snort was the Cervus reply. Ernwes looked frightened for a moment. His eye taking in his surroundings before he found me. The Sykerian walked up.

"That was frightening my lady".

"My apologies. I did not expect...".

"No my Lady. We knew things would be different. Something like this was not unexpected". I noddedd before eyeing the others. The looked okay.

"Let's go forward. Have them stick close to hin". I decided to keep it as a he. The Cervus was too handsome to be female. "Luciv".

The fairy was perched on the Cervus head now and from how he was stomping his foot and at times chortling both were having a conversation. I furrowed my eyebrows wondering what a fairy had to tell an Evolved Beast. "Let's go Luciv". The fairy spared me a glance then turned back to the Cervus.

Rude.

Sighing mentally I sent an image of moving forward to the Cervus and turned around. It was time to find what mobs filled here and what could send out an aura capable of crippling the Sykerians..

The journey was an incline. Frustrating for the Sykerians and a practice for me. I wasted essence orbs practicing using my Reality Sculptor to either shape the ground or form plates and hand holds around me. The journey should not have been easy for the Sykerians but the Cervus helped with their path.

The first trouble came when I got a notification.


**You have stepped into A Sacred Land**


"Eh".

The ground looked normal, the terrain was the same. Up ahead the only change was that we suddenly would not be able to see ahead. The mountain leveled up there as the edge cut off the view.

Thinking of ambushes I called out behind me. "Stay close and keep an eye open". Sending an image of spikes held by the Sykerians to the Cervus I moved on. The took a good moment before rushing after me which was good as I got to the edge first and leaped up to it. The Cervus would be a ks ti manage

The terrain ended there. Past the edge was a large and long golden stairway traveling further up. It was wide enough for double my group to walk side by side. But it was the entities standing around the stairway and even outside of the stairway, perched on rocks, and by cave sides that caught my imterest.

Warriors. They were humanoid entities clad in resplendent golden armor, from head to toe. The long swords at their sides still sheathed made it clear that they were yet to see us, well me. I took a moment. There was a lot of them and while they looked less scary than the Storm Lord and the Yetis, but I was sure they were more dangerous. Maybe not to me. I doubt. But definitely to my Sykerians.

Twenty meters in will get them susceptible to Reality Sculptor directly unless I used some ranged attack. Reality Flux could also be triggered. The first of the Sykerians climbed the edge.

They might not notice with just one or two but a lot of us gathered here would be obvious. Especially if they are meant to be watching this spot. "Stay here and fire off the spikes. Advance when you can and stay away from them when possible". The Sykerian looked to be Zarek but I wasn't yet sure on who was who since jazz always facing forward.

"Pass the instruction to Ernwes". I didn't have time to ask where he was. The second Sykerian was climbing over the edge already. Mentally prepping my Reality sculptor I summoned my Bastard Sword. I dashed forward and on my third step I leaped.

I shot through the air like a bullet, curving and dropping into the midst of most of them. The warriors were looking anywhere but up. Several ideas, epiphanies rolled through me. Some would damage the terrain and make it hard for the Sykerians to advance. Sowm would take only a few.

I knew the best. Atleast I hoped it was the best. My Bastard sword ignited, the edge a fierce blue and the rest a flaming swell of gold. I hit the ground heels first, the bang rjnging out loud as the stair cracked. I swung in a 180 degree cleaving my blade forward while behind I formed and shot out thick white chains

The first warriors barely reacted when the flames swallowed them. The chains from behind snagged my rear opponents and squeezed breaking them.

The Crescent flame slash pettered out and I stepped back in shock. Wait. I looked at my sword. My mind went to the running theme of the dungoen.

Should have realized that. The fact other mobs fell to the blade didn't mean the final mobs, especially ones that were clad like golden, divine warriors would.

"It's their freaking element". I eyed the bastard sword and then the warriors as the silently rushed me. Their armor made no sound, and the spoke no words as the marched forward. I glanced back to be sure those ones died. They did.

My Bastard sword vanished, unsummoned. My Celestial Pendant vanished as well. While some of its uses would still be necessary against the Warriors I needed some of the effects from my other boss rewards. The new pendant appeared around my neck. Black vines that made the necklace and green with pink roses that made the jewel.


**Boss Reward:**
-** Forest Heart Pendant**
A pendant imbued with the power of the Sylvan Matriarch. It enhances nature-based abilities and provides a small but continuous regeneration effect for health and essese.


I felt the steady trickle of essence into my body and I wasn't absorbing any from a orb. The first warriors, two of them already had their swords slashing down at me, executioner style. Inhaling sharply my fingers twitched. Where I should have used chains, large and thick black vines the width of an arm broke from the ground and speared through armor and out their backs.


**Throne Guardian Slain""
**Throne Guardian Slain**


The Bastard Sword reappeared in my grip.

**Willpower Infusion**

Work. I Mind leaped to the left as one came barreling in from my right sword rising and cleaving through my former location and breaking my temporary mirage. I caught the blow of another warrior as the vines lashed out at the first.

Pushing it off I sidestepped behind it and slashed out wildly. It's head flew but there was no spray of blood. The notification told me it had died. I had feared that with it being a Seraph's sword, basically divine that it would work less on them. But with willpower infusion it was supposed to work.

It did.

I sidestepped another attack and let a vine have him. Infact. I raised my free left hand and vines burrowed out of the sides and began rolling forward, skittering like serpents. A glance behind showed the Sykerians just walking up the stairs.

The Throne Guardians came at me through the vines, cutting and battling their way through the thick forestry. "Tch tch tch". I clicked my tongue when the first got to me. "Didn't they ever teach you not to piss off Mama Nature". Divine warrior or not I was just faster. Perks of being an Elder maybe but I didn't mind.

It let me duck my head to the side escaping the stab to my face. I waved my left hand at it as another attempt came. Chains bound its torso and arms, a vine tripped it up and brought it to its knees.


**Throne Guardian Slain**


I caught the intent to flick my sword. There was no blood after all. Just the rolling head of a now dead Guardian. The next group burst through the vines charging at me. Their silent race was a bit unnerving. I'd watched movies and see stories where a charge like this was led with a roar or warcey. Their actions and movements showed the same. Yet silence.

The only sound was the vines breaking through the earth on boths sides of the stairs and in the stairway. Stone breaking and rubble flying.

Oh well . I shrugged attention returning to more important things. Should I sidestep to their backs and see how many heads I can take with a swing?.

The guardians were two steps from her when spikes rained from above. I knew they were telekinetically thrown as most struck close or hit their targets. Sowm Guardians fell back not dead but thrown from the force. Others who just got clipped or missed reached me.

**Mind Leap**

The barreled into my mirage before halting in shock. My sword swept off four heads.

"Willpower Infusion". I just felt it made the cut easy. A crunch of boots on stone alerted me to my antagonizer. I sidestepped instantly. No need to test my durability.

A vine sprouted from my previous postion skewering the guardian. The others already on their feets, packed together like sardines and dashed for me. So their not foolish. They were using numbers against me. Hoping I couldn't take them out when buncher up like that.

My fingers twitched, a thought to erase the ground and spare myself the fight itching in my mind when a bellow from my right hand me turning. I had felt his presence in my Sculpting space but I had not thought he'd leave the others to dash forward. The Cervus, my Cervus had its head bent low as it dashed forward. Its antlers, once beautiful and artistic, were still artistic z but this time painted s thorns and spikes of death.

It smashed into eh group, bowling most over, impaling few and using its legs to stomp a su5 went. A sword stabbwf up ansi and I was just about to move when the strands that made up the Cervus parted and the sword vanished into its body. It didn't come out from its back as a long sword like that should have done.

The strands snapped back into place and the warrior fell back thrashing in a silent scream as it's arm was gone. My vision was blocked s a Sykerian darted close up and speared the silent screamer. My Cervus charged on forward and behind it the Fri of Sykerians followed. Spikes flew, the fallen killed and telekinesis used to drag the ones spread out down.

The Sykerians telekinesis was even more powerful. Probably due to innovative flash or maybe that potential thing. I watched as the ripped rubbles from the ground and hurled them at the gathering army being filtered through my wall of vines.

I snapped out of my shock. The viens blocked the large group of guardians but it didn't stop them from going around as I watched.

I had to stop them. A part of me didn't want to dash back into the fray. I thought the Sykerians taking the lead even under the protein of my Cervus would gain them more rewards. The guardians spilling in from the sides were a bad presence.

My mind reeled as ideas came up. Burying them alive, drowning them. My eye snapped into place as I spotted something. A Sykerian. Malekai, Eithar or was it Doranis pushed a Guardian's sword away with telekinesis. The blade cleaved backwards as the arm snapped from the sockets and cut through its brethren's chest. Both guardians fell.

I did control the Yetis. I would see if I could do the same to the guardians. I sidestepped into the midst of those on the left first. Vines shout out and grabbed all seven of the Guardians. I dug into their minds and when to work with Mind Sculpt.

The fact that they have minds is even baffling. How does the dungoen control and use them?. A question for later. I erased everything while also scanning it before replacing it with false memories of them under my service. I made sure the armor difference was explained as them being my saboteurs within the ranks and for that I quickly found and left certain important memories to facilitate the memory.

I was out of the mind quickly hoping I had been fast enough. It was just as I entered. The mind working thing must affect time then. I grabbed the next one just as quickly. You don't have to actually touch them. Wait. Can't I do this enmasse.

For a split second I wondered how it would affect a player.

The Guardian was down and I backed off. "Hold hem off but try not to harm them". Two would be enough to cause disarray in their rank, but more...seven of them, would definitely help.

I found myself slotting into the first, second, third, until the last. I floated above pools of memories. Since time works differently while doing this then I might as well see what is in their minds.

The pools weren't that huge if I was being honest. So it didn't take long to go through their memories. It wasn't exactly boring or interesting. Like Ernwes had surmised the dungoen reacted to my presence. Or atleast to something.

The guardian was a mere soldier of light before. Guarding the stairs. Apparently few had ever attacked and gotten past the stairs. As creations of the dungoen were they basically undead or like undead. But better. Never tiring, never hungering, never resting or sleeping. So they stood silently in their positions, guarding and fighting off the Real dwellers that came when needed.

Untill I came of course.

There was a memory that I found that really tugged at my thoughts and morals. The creation of the Guardians. I went through it first and then I scrapped all the unnecessary memories. Refilling it with ones I deemed necessary.

I stood back in my body amongst the seven guardians. All of them turned and as one charged back at their brethren. I exhaled then turned to do the same onthe other side. I met Ernwes one eye. His thoughts and feelings were clear in his gaze and on his face. Fear. Worry. Doubt. More fear. But a tiny bit of hope was there.

I know Ernwes. I did know what he feared. It was the same thing I had feared the moment I saw the memory of the Throne Guardians creation. What if...a dangerous thought yet important.

I would have to decide soon. But for now....I sidestepped to the right side of the stairway and dug into all mine minds. Absent mindedly I thought. Nine is not my limit too.