BOOK 2/ 38 - Together We Stand

[Author's Note: From First to Last we have Aseides, Nimueh, Haden, Novik, and Black Cat]


****


Ring - 2nd
Realm - TORHEIM

Rust golden pupils were exposed to the realm as lids parted. The Divine remained unmoving her senses searching for the Enthraller. She stiffened as much as she could to avoid any movements, or sound that would give her away. If she could kill the Enthraller before she focused on her then maybe, just maybe.

Her eyes took in the room. No, a tent. It was large and had a few other medical looking beds around. There was no one else in the tent but she could hear voices and footfalls from outside the tent. She was off the bed in seconds and heading for the exit that was parted a bit.

Poking her head out first she caught the haze of two familiar entities. A Celestian and an Aurelian.

"Where am I?". The plan was ditched. If the two made any moves that hinted at the Enthraller then she would not be nice.

The two guards as that was her assumption of their position outside her tent. Guards. They shared confused glances for a split second before one spoke. "At the meeting point. Wait My Lady I'll send for the Lords". Her hands twitched then paused. Lords. The Celestian was already marching off. Turning she appraised the Aurelian who eyed her back with a warm look.

"What happened?". The Aurenlians were the race she had brought for the meeting. They were a race of entities made of solid light and capable of light manipulation and fluid control of their bodies. Because the realm being divine was not obvious enough. Unlike others they spoke through telepathy having no organs and as such no vocal cords.

We do not know. One moment we were at the meeting the next we found ourselves all waking up in a battle zone. The two Lords, one who had come to the meeting and one that I didn't see before did not explain anything to us. Publicly atleast. They did take our lords with them into a tent. They should know what truly happened.

She nodded. It didn't tell her what happened after she was knocked out by the Lightning thrower but it was clear that the Divine somehow got past the other. Thinking back to the fight between both while her body had been Forced to protect the Enthraller she couldn't help but shiver.

She could sense it even from the dark room with her Mirror self. The fluidness of his controls the power he used, or did not use each time. The Lightning Thrower had gained his domain.

She looked back at the Aurelian. "What's your name?". He wasn't anyone she knew.

Argmioz

"Well Argmioz. Tell me. Did we lose any of your people". She knew she wasn't supposed to care but it was the way of her perk. To protect and guard.

No. The Thunderer held back against hurting us and the Enthraller did not harm us more than sending us to fight him. The Light held him back as the battled as he too was Enthralled. None of us were harmed more than getting knocked out.

She honestly didn't understand how a being of light got knocked out. They didn't have brains too get jumbled or nerve points to block. Shaking her head she smiled at him. "I'm glad. Forgive me for not..."

No my Lady. The Enthraller might have been weak but she was powerful in her own right. She titled her head at Argmioz words.

"What do you mean?".

We and the Darkness that Binds the light have been conversimg and have come to some conclusions.

"The Darkness that Binds the light?".

Celestians. Thinking back to how their form was indeed of the void with balls of light inside them she could see why their description was so.

"Okay. Go on".

Argmioz nodded. We noticed that each of the Lords and you my Lady have different powers. Well not powers, Ways or Paths. I doubt they are Paths though. You have shown to be a protector . A guardian. The Light is a menace and warrior. The Thunderer is .. worse.

"Thunderer?". Argmioz didn't seem to appreciate the interruption.

It is what The Light calls the one who fought us.

"And I'm guessing the Thunderer calls The Light as The Light?". Argmioz nodded. "Very well"..

My point my lady is that you would not be able to generate attacks such as the Light and Thunderer could..And they would not be able to protect like you.

"Yes". She nodded. "But against them I would be weak. The Thunderer has his domain you see, I don't. Even then he was holding back like you said". Argmioz looked forward.

True. Then get your domain and find out.

She blinked at him. Was it so easy and she hadn't gotten hers. How they hell or abyss did the Thunderer even gain his domain. Sighing she looked forward.

The Celestian was back. "My lady. We will escort you to the Lords".

The camp they were in was large. Tents spread in all directions forming a cube. The Celestian led her to a tent at the middle of the camp surrounded by other tents. Behind her Argmioz followed.

Stlpping outside the gray flap the Celestian spoke loud announcing her arrival. It al felt so mediaval militarilistic. She thought about it now. The Celestian was a being of darkness or the void. Lacking organs and all that. It shouldn't have been able to talk. But it could. Which meant the Aurenlians could to. She eyed Argmioz as a voice from inside ushered her In.

The flap was held aside by both of them revealing the inside as she stwp ahead. There were light crystals brightening the tent interior. A lonf table sat at the center with six chairs around it. At one head sat The Entity the now called The Light. His eyes were as she remembered when she first saw him. A golden yellow that seemed to stare through her. It had an edge and a firmness she didn't remember from before. His long golden hair draped down' his shoulders and back as she leaned back on his chair.

Three beings from the three groups that had ridden here sat to the sides. The First two were Celestians she didn't know. One looked grim and the other looked oddly relieved. The last figure was Lord Juirkioz of the Aurelians. He was already on his feet too and approaching her with what she had come to know as a relieved and glad expression.

"My Lady. You look well". His eyes, or where his eyes should have been just like Argmioz were so white that it blended into his face and was hard to differentiate if not for the dull shape of it.

"Lord Juirkioz. I am sorry for the day. Your people...".

"Got to spar against the Divine. Today has both frightened and given many a tale to spread amongst themselves". She said nothing but her face did. The relief she felt was obvious. "Come". He left her back to the table where only half of them were watching her entrance. One being a pair of stormy eyes.

She didn't know how but she could sense it. This Divine had gotten not just one domain but both. Argmioz words reached her again. He'd been holding back from hurting anyone. So what could he do if he wanted to hurt them and most importantly if he went all out

Her elven ears twitched when she heard the first name being mentioned and she focused.

"He is the Elder Divine, Lord Rhal. The Light". She could hear the pride in his tone. Considering he was a Divine of Light and his people were Light based, his pride at having a Divine like that was clear. Juirkioz was already speaking about the next person as she jerked her head at Rhal. The golden eyes regarding her didn't move though.

Was it suspicion she saw in them?.

"Lord Ulmr of the Almironz accompanying Lord Rhal". She smiled at the Celestian who tipped his head at her. " Lord Leuil of Faquera city accompany..."

"Enthralled Juirkioz. Enthralled". The Celestian screeched in anger. Juirkioz nodded and even with his features hard to see she could note the hardness that settled in from that reminder. "Finally..." She followed his hand to the last figure. "The Elder Divine, Lord Ghar, The Thunderer". His Stormy eyes regarded her just like Rhal. She could see bits and flashes of lightning in them.

"Storm".

"Eh".

Turning she blinked in surprise at the eyes staring at her. I said that loud.. Mentally grimacing she repeated herself.

"Stormbringer sounds better".

"Ahh". Juirkioz had a confused expression but nodded nonetheless. "Well, everyone. She is Isis, The Elder Divine of..." He paused to stare at her. She shrugged.

"I protect".

Rhal scoffed and she turned to him confusrf at his reaction.

"Take a seat. Do not take Rhal's actions to mind. He is simply displeased we will not be killing the Enthraller".

The news was both shocking and surprising. Shocking that they were considering killing and surprising that they kept her alive. Ignoring the first part of her curiosities she asked the second. "Why keep her alive?. I mean she's better off dead right. Do we have a way to stop her from enthralling us again?".

Isis didn't notice the narrowed gaze that Rhal had leveled on her soften. Ghar did and he gave Rhal a knowing look. "Please. Sit".

There was some way to his mannerisms that Isis couldn't place a finger on. It was like he'd commanded and directed before. He just had a vibe to him". She took the offered chair with him to her left and Juirkioz to her right. Leuil was opposite her and he still had a despondent look.

"Now, before we begin I'll catch you up to speed". He looked around as if seeking any opposition. No one spoke and Rhal had leaned even farther back if possible in his seat. "Very well. First, Hanna, The Enthraller is tied up in the tent adjacent to us. Her mouth is gagged and her ears are bound with lightning. If she so much as releases a wisp of her aura which is how she sinks her hooks into your minds before she even speaks, I'll be there to fry her. Secondly, no one was hurt, at least by her. If anything, I did the most harming".

"And we've reiterated that it would have been best to die than remain under her grasp". Leuil barked, his eyes filled with rage.

"Indeed. Free will is something all life deserve and desire". Isis didn't get why he was subtly advocating for Hanna. Does he like her?. Or know her in reality?.

She didn't understand. "Hanna's actions have caused a certain level of distrust. Not just in her but for us three as well". He looked to Rhal who eyed Ulmr in curiosity. The Lord didn't look at him though.

"But it doesn't change my request. We can't kill Hanna". Leuil was about to say something when Ghar raised his hand. Isis didn't miss the sigh as the man sat. "I've heard you. But first let's fill her in as to the why of my thoughts. May I?". The Lord seemed visibly pained to have been asked for permission like that. Like a child whose parent had to beg them to do the chores felt pained.

He nodded and Ghar turned back to her, his Stormy eyes searching for something on her face before speaking. "We found Aurora after the battle". Her eyes peckef up and she turned just as a little thing crashed into her face with a squeal. Of all the Elders Isia was certain she was the only one or one of the best in taking excess care of her fairy. Aurora looked happy and sad at the same time slapping her face with tiny arms that surprisingly hurt.

Little mumbles and warnings to never scare her like that again were heard as the fairy cried. A bit tearful and embarrassed she turned back to the table. Everyone looked both impressed and full of smiles. The mood had uplifted with the fairy's actions.

Ghar's lip had a slight uptilt. "Can you ask your fairy...". He told her what to ask and he and everyone sat back as Isis in confusion asked Aurora. Everyone listened ad Aurora sole almost robotically. When she was down she turned to Ghar.

"That's why you want to spare her". He nodded. Leuil has a look that told Isis he was more angered at fact that he wouldn't have Hanna's head than he was at the prospect of a war breaking out between the realms.

Ghar accessed everyone's expressions. Years of following the patriarch to meetings, getting counseled as tutoredon people helped him see what he wanted to see. Juirkioz didn't mind since his people had been relatively unhurt. Ulmr was a tad paranoid. Maybe for his position. Leuil was botherine vengeful. For his people who had been mostly unhurt physically, or maybe the mental hostage was a grave crime, or for his pride that had been tarnished.

But what pride. Any who expected him to win against a Divine was spilling trash.

"We need to head for the Silver Palace soonest". Rhal spoke up. "But I still need one more domain and she needs whatever number of domain she still doesn't have".

"Two". Isis muttered. Ghar hid his disappointment well.

"We still are unclear on Hanna's domain and we would need to ask her".

"I'd feel safer against an undomained Hanna". Rhal murmured. Ghar felt the same but their domain was wa their power. He knew it all too well himself.

"Of all of us. You're the safest around her".

"That's actually you. I Amy fall and get out. You keep yourself from falling totally".

"With disadvantages*. He pointed out. Rhal paused , thought back and nodded. Ghar had to deafen himself visibly to keep her words away from his hearing. How he stopped the aura though was beyond him.

"If we all get our domains then it'll handle her aura. With her domain though it might be a closer battle but it shouldn't be too much. I have an idea of how to control her".

"Like she loves to control people?". Leuil asked his eyes too obviously eager. Ghar nodded.

"Very well. I'll be accepting then".

The Divines and other row lords exchanged glances. Definitely vengeful.

Ghar didn't bother with thinking of a way to settle Ulmr's paranoia. For now he had to hope the Celestian would hold himself back from doing anything stupid.

"We still have to find the fifth one of us. If five of us are as important as said. Then it is very necessary to get him or her to us".

Ghar and Rhal nodded simultaneously.

" This fifth Divine might actually be in the last two cities". Juirkioz suggested.

"I've been past one and I felt no Divine there".

"Which one?".

"Etria". Juirkioz nodded.

" That leaves Boeorsa". Leuil sighed. "If there is any one that needed Enthralling it's the Necrotic Birds".

Ghar and Rhal looked interested while Isis looking Aurora's dress over looked up. Ulmr noting their curiosity spoke.

"Seraphims. Dastardly proud and powerful".


****

Ring - 4th
Realm - FAYHEIM

A tiny space within two mountains leading into what would it should have been a cave shook and vibrated. The air twisted like whirlpool and a figure was theon out like th4 foam of a mouthwash.

The player groaned as he pushed to his feet. His left palm held his side where a large stab wound leaked blue mist through his fingers. For the nth time the player cursed their physique. Unlike the other Elders he and his siblings we're well different. And it all lay in what they were. Right now it was another a curse and an advantage. More of a curse of you asked him.

IncorporeallCorporeality was the state of the Elder Spirits body to exist and not exist. It was a confusing mode where they didn't exactly phase through walls or couldn't hold swords. It was a confusing thing. Like a human course breath or not breath an Elder Spirit could chose to be fluid, light or heavy.

It was advantageous. Until you met Spirit weapons. Forged from the ores and minerals of this realm l, they were sure a banker on True Damage. Which was the curse for Elder Spirits. Any damage the received was always True Damage. If you found yourself able to hurt them of course.

Rising to his feet he stumbled away from the entrance eyes seeking a cover to hide from his pursuers. The player felt disappointed, angry. It was the greed of players over again. He'd expected it. With just five of them he'd expected it to be impossible to at least rare.

I knew I should have been careful. He had shown them the items though, Black Car that troublesome sport has seen and she just couldn't keep her mouth shut. Wonder how in the realms she got the Guide Domain.

He leaned against a rock keeping his eyes on the space he'd come from. An eye on his wound and he has a long ways to fix it. All of which cost essense. "More reason I can't and won't let them have it".

On his knees he pulled out the five objects he'd painstakingly worked on. It annoyed him that he had to use them here, against his fellow players, siblings in their reality. He snorted. Planting each object into the ground atleast half an inch he stumbled away.

The space where he'd come from shook at that moment. With a grimace he spun around. " Forest Guardian. Come". He couldn't imagine the creature he wanted as the domain took from the terrain to create a guardian. The ground shook and heaved. He stumbled past in a grunt even as the first shouts and cursed came from behind him.

The ground moved like liquid and rolled into a large Molve. The thing regarded him with purple gems that must have come from the earth.."Go. Stall". He could have asked for it to kill but he doubted it would win. It was a delay.

He turned and ran. Five foot away the space blurred and blue mist tugged together to form a circular ring. Its center was transparent showing him what lay beyond. From it jumped out Black Cat. He'd been expecting this. It was the only reason he'd not used the other authority.

"Aseides. Running is useless. We....".

"Get your own". He raised his right hand. The bastard sword made of wood, gems and iron strapped to his back jiggled. Mist leaked from the arm pointed to the sky.

"No. Stop him". Behind, the sound of battle and flashing told him they other two now were occupied. Any less would not work to hold his spirit back. Novik and Black Cat launched spectral bolts at him. Pushing off and spinning on his right leg he turned and slammed the energy gathered in his right hand on the ground between them

"Ignis!. Lord of the Flames. Come". Even as the ground shook and magma spurted from around he was already generating more energy. Black Cat leaped back into her portal unseen by Aseides and Novik shot forward. Blue mist surged around and towards.

"Don't be greedy Aseides. Aren't we a Pantheon". She leaped. The magna surging around them rolling and bubbling towards the spot he'd slammed the energy. Bolts of blue struck his chest and he rolled backwards.

The air behind him twisted and Black Cat popped out arms stretching out to grab him. Quickly she lunged herself back into the portal just as Novik landed and rolled in after them. The Magma solidified and a Titan of Fire and smoldering black rock reached out for them.

It was too late. The portal snapped shut with a puff of air. Ignis raised his head to the sky and roared at his failure. IT paused suddenly as the portal appeared just a few meter from him.

Black Cat and Novik fell through with its King. It roared z smashed its fists into the ground like a furious berserker and launched forward.

Novik rolled to join the fight with the other row while shouting. "Nimueh!!!. Fire Golem".

Then she unlocked the gates of her domain on the Molve. It was already missing parts of it as Nimueh changed her attention. Haden punched the Molve so hard a dang made of crystals flew. His boys wreathed with blue mist.

Novik grabbed and bound the spirit of the Molve. If this was another creature it would be a work in the park. But this one wa sborn of an Elder's domain. She wamst8jaut gripping itz she was tearing through the foaming fighting her.

It was the same reason that Nimueh hadnm not already broken it down to etheric essence. Haden took the moment's distraction the wolf suffered too leap onto its back and punch down. She heard the crack.

Nimueh crossed Black Cat wrestling with Aseides moving to face the golem coming. Her mind stretched, latching on to its bonds, it's atomsx it's parts. Aseides domain fought her all the way. Still she wasn't a programmer in the real world for nothing.

Black Cat screamed and her mind latched on the Spirit falling back with her hand on her face. Aseides rose and she watched his eyes find her for a split moment before he suddenly strengthened.

He's used his authority. His eyes flicked up and above her. She didn't need to move as she felt and could still follow it. She grunted and snapped her finger.


**Ethereal Realms cast**
**Please' pick a premade realm**


She eyed the frozen golem. Eyed Aseides and then the rest. She couldn't move or do anything in this state if not it would have been the best to take him down and see what he was hiding in those blbowkc shards. Sighing she picked.

"Tundra". Since the golem was of fire it was good place to start.


**Selection made**
**Transitioning to the Realm of Tundra**


Cold. Biting cold. The wind moved aslnd the bellow of the golem behind her made her duck and roll to the right. The ground shook and the ice cracked.

**Time to eviction not set**
**Set time**

"Nine". She vanished.

Ignis the Lord of Fire stared at the empty space around him. Where was the Challenger.

Nimueh reappeared in the field and stared in shock. Haden ans the rest were on their knees bent from.an oppressive force.

She moved, her mind stretching. Or atleast it tried. The pangs of Essence starvation hit her. Hurried she grabbed an orb from her inventory. It didn't work.

"Welcome back Nimueh". Aseides smiled at her. She stared at his his side. It was healed. She grunted.

"You won".

"Aye. I did. Forgive the lockdown but I had to make sure I kept my hold". With a smile he threw one of the shards at her. Another a5 Haden and the last at Novik".

"All this ams.you still wlt us see it". He shruggef. She peerwd into the essence of the Shardoway and gasped.

It was the Way of an Akashic Dragon. One of the most willful creatures of the fairies stories on FAYHEIM were to be remembered. " So that's why you ran eh. Can't believe you don't trust us".

He raised an eyebrow while stretching out a hand. She threw it back. Haden thre his while murmuring something about tricksters.

"You keep complaining about Black Cat's mischievous ways but then you do this". Novik waved around them as best as she could while handing him the shard and feeling the pressure. He shrugged and suddenly the pressure was gone.

Nimueh quickly made an essence orb appear in her hand and drained it. As a Novice Orb it was enough to fill her up.
Haden had a glare on his face as he eyed Aseides and the Spirit in question just went around picking up his totems.

Once he was done he stood to the side watching them. Black Cat was back to her bubbly self quite quickly while Nimueh didn't seem to care as user. Haden has lost his glare and only Novik stared from.hin to the ground in patterns.

"Black Cat getting her Domain completes it for all of us. It's time to head for the Temple".

" What do you think we should expect?". Novik asked arms around Black Cat's shoulder.

"I'm not sure. But I doubt the route would be easy to follow".Nimueh's questioning gaze turned on Aseides. A perfectly sculpted black brow arced up.

"I'll have Skyshriek scout ahead".

"I'm never gonna get over that naming sense tho". Black cr giggled. Novik tied her long black hair into a pony. It was another feature they all shared. Long black hairs, contrasting their blue skins

"Haden?". Nimueh turned to the muscular Spirit who nodded.

"I'll start prepping them".

"Aseides. Will it be okay for you to leave some Guardians here?. I'd prefer we use this point as a fall back position if we have to run". Nimueh queried. He shrugged and moved away to follow her instructions.

"And Aseides". He paused right eye looking behind him without turning. "The wound. It was...".

"A mistake?. I know". He made to move.

"If you did, why run?". Nimueh asked. Aseides didn't bother considering the question or answering. His shoulders simply moved in a shrug and he continued walking.

The Spirit sighed turning back to the other two. "What do you have for us boss?". Novik had a playful and easy going smirk.

"Try to understand and learn about your new domain till we head out". She nodded to Black Cat. The Spirit nodded her purple eyes flicking to Aseides and back. "And also remember this spot. Let your portal take us back here when needed". She nodded again.

"Will he be okay?". Black Cat asked nodding in Aseides direction. Nimueh frowned.

" What Cat is trying to ask is...will he be a problem?". Novik's smirk didn't falter which Nimueh found even more unnerving.

"No". She turned her gaze to Black Cat who glared at Nimueh like she'd asked the wrong thing. "He won't".

"The. I'll prepare too". Novik patted the spirit on the back and struttef off.

"He doesn't really like us. Does he?'. Black Cat spoke before Nimueh could flee. Her head shook in honest answer.

"I don't think that's the thing".

Behind them the earth shuddered, vines sprouted from the ground binding together with rocks and stone to form a Molven. The purple eyed beast mopped at the Elder before running off to one side. Two more of the Guardians were made before Aseides turned to Nimueh.

She was already seated attempting to understand her own Shardoways. Aseides eyed the black shards in her hands as she came forward. The creatures they'd gotten the Shardoway from was weak. It was why they all wanted to see his own Shardoway.

Aseides was certain that if not for their fear of whatever traps lay around and Nimueh's lack of interest in the Shardoways they would have attacked him for it.

"Aseides". His name dragged him from the thoughts of the various ways he could kill them. Realizing he was already in front of her he spoke.

"Ignis". At first Nimueh showed confusion. Then realization dawned.

"That would cost me my whole...". An essence orb dropped into her palms joining the shard. "Novice Orb". She eyed him. Bringing back the golem wasn't a problem though, infact it could act as a rank in place of Haden or Aseides. Raising a hand she returned back to the Tundra.

The biting cold and the prone form of the golem made her sigh. Focusing on the Golem she returned back. Aseides turned as the sound of the golem hitting the ground caught his attention. He eyed the frozen stuff golem and turned back to her.

"Tundra. Really?". Without waiting for an answer he walked off. Ether gathered in his hand as he approached the golem.

Whoosh. The enter became a burst of fire that spread up his arm and stopped at his elbow. Nimueh furrowed her eyes. He didn't tell us about that. Thinking back she realized that knowing about it would have made the trap he set for them obvious.

Sigh. I'm both impressed and disappointed. . Maybe it Haden didn't accidently stab him then this wouldn't be happening. She turned to eye the Spirit who was focused on his shards with concentration. Black Cat as the last to receive her final domain was the only one figuring out how it worked. The red tof them were focused on what their Shardoways could give.

A bellow turned her eyes back to Aseides. Ignis was awake the frost around him already turned to steam a she raised and pummeled his hand to the earth. Aseides looked to be calming him though.

She turned back to her Shardoway.

It was evident when the four began cutlitvating as their gritting g teeth and glow of essence over and within their blue skins made it clear.

"Guard me Ignis". The golem looked at him and thumped it's chest. Aseides tried sitting in a lotus position. It was something he could not do in reality but this body was just flexible. So flexible sometimes he was scared he broke something. The three Shardoways appeared and one by one he peeked through.

Even as he went through then Aseides knew what he wanted. What he needed. Compared to the others he was weak. Not racial or physically. But his domains were nearly like summoners.

Bringing up his domains he stared at the words reminding himself of what he had. In the grand scheme of things his domain looked even more powerful than the others.


#### Domain of Nature Spirits
**Forest Guardians**: Protectors of natural landscapes.
**Elemental Entities**: Spirits of earth, air, fire, water and more.
**Fey Folk**: Mystical beings connected to nature's forces.
**Totems**: Sacred symbols embodying natural spirits.

#### Domain of Reincarnation
**Cycle of Life**: The continuous loop of birth, death, and rebirth.
**Karmic Balance**: Influence of past actions on future lives.
**Soul Transition**: Passage of spirits through lifetimes.
**Ancestral Memory**: Inherited wisdom and knowledge from past lives.


And it was, just not in a fight and his safety. Against his 'siblings' it was all useless. His fight now just proved it to him. If Nimueh had been intent or actually wanted to kill him then no planning would have saved his ass.

They Pantheon were all friendly with each other except him. He always kept himself aside. Getting friend convinced into spilling his domain secrets would not happen. He eyed the ground where he left a single totem just in case. Its not like they don't know a bit about my domain now.

Of all of them Black Cat was the weakest domain holder. Maybe stronger than him or weaker he wasn't sure. He found her domain over Gates and Guides weird.

Her authority over Thresholds let her set boundaries, forcefields too. Wherever she wished for it. Aseides remembered her saying something about boundaries between realms not holding or stopping her.
I doubt it matters with her Portal Creation.

It made her the most useful and important of them. Opening and closing pathways between anywhere, even dimensions. Her last test to enter one of Nimueh's realms had proved that it also depended on her essence, power and the owner of the realm. If Nimueh was weaker she didn't need her permission to enter.

Guardianship let her pootect sacred or forbidden entrances with Ancestral Spirits. And she could also set this places it they places she chose as transition points creating Moments of crossing between life, death, and the afterlife. Aseides remembered her scream when she tried to test the transition from life to death.

She never explained more than winged entities. Scary Winged Entities. The rest of her explaination had given Aseides a good idea on how the things worked. Somehow the spirits got into the River of the Dead and were guided to FAYHEIM. It was where her second domain assisted. Guides.

Still it feels so similar. Guides, Reincarnation. Aseides knew his domain allowed him to control the flow of souls from one life to the next and he knew that unlike Black Cat he could remove a soul or put it in. Black Cat was like a watcher to inform him while he actively controlled ans wsrchef the process. Of course there was more to it.

Karmic balance and all that.

This domains are less like power up and more like duties. Aseides could see it now. Haden's domain looked like power but when you thought closely of it it was far from just power. It was a duty, a job in this game.

His first Domain of the Dead looks like power but it's more of a duty now. Soul Harvesting to to make sure he receives all the souls that Black Cat's guides to him. Oh and he also can take them at their time of death. He wondered if that was why Black Cat could not affect the transition from life to death as that was Haden's authority.

Her's was too just guide them up here.

Afterlife governance. It's god he got that domain after we left Omiori city. I don't want to think of what he could have commanded the souls to do.

Aseides paused. Actually I could have just reincarnated them. Hmmh. Looking through his and the others domains simultaneously seemed to be showing him more than he thought.

Still it would be his job to control the cities of the Dead. He is more the ruler here than any of us. He stared at the Elder still cultivating. Looking at him now Aseides couldn't ignore the sort of regal presence he had. Scoffing at the thought he looked away.

Judging could mean many things and I don't want to think of it. He might be in charge of deciding those who should be reincarnated or more. Aseides wasn't sure. For Soul Preservation I can see how Haden would need to keep the souls capable. Most of the beings of FAYHEIM were indepted to essence. From the Soulbound that vowed to protect the realm to the Wanderers, beings who like their name stated skipped out of the reincarnation just to hide or seek something, down to the Ancestral Spirits. A random example came to mind. Skyshriek. While he'd been given the choice to reincarnate he'd preferred to stay and guide his descendants through their choice.

All of them would need spirit/essence to stay. Spirit that was gotten from fighting and gaining essence ot Haden could give with his domain portfolio.

And he could use his Spirit Manipulation Domain to control those he wishes to remain or stay. Essence control was powerful in that way. Spirit Fusion and Spectral Energy served him more than it was a duty. With Spirit Fusion he could form a stronger spirit with two or more Spirts and with Spectral Energy he infused himself with it to fight . Essence Extraction is just powerful. He doesn't even need orbs. Just take it from any spirit he dislikes. Unfair.

Aseides was increasingly glad for his domain as without it his summons and creations, Forest guardians and the elemental spirits would fall prey to Haden.

He looked at Novik. She was the second most powerful of all of them. If Haden was King she was queen. Where one controlled and made the spirits or souls serve the other created them outright.

She's just as powerful as Nimueh in that regard. Haden wouldn't be able to use them against her if she just bound the spirits or manipulated them against him. Definitely the Queen of the Dead.

Her second domain didn't help matters when it was all about interacting and communicating with the dead. It was just unfair if you asked Aseides. All of them had communication with the spirits or souls as a racial ability. Giving it to her in a domain just made it clear it was her forte.

When his eyes found Nimueh he wasn't surprised to find her staring at him. The girl was just as cautious as he was if not more. It was staring into those eyes, eyes just like the rest of them, lacking pupils. Just the dark abyss that one could get lost in. It still creeped him out.

The light brown armor she wore with the long pants made their blue skin stand out. Like the rest of them her feet were bare. It just irked them to not sense the land beneath their feet

He nodded to her almost imperceptibly and she nodded back. Looking back to his Shardoway he reviewed her Domains in his mind. Ether and Psyche. One let's her forge souls like Novik, but with her Etheric Essence she is even better at it. Unlike Novik she can break down a soul just because she knows how the Etheric Essence works. She can also give souls consciousness just like Novik but, damn it's the last portfolionthat really hits.

Ethereal Realms. Aseides refrained from glancing at Ignis. It was what the golem had suffered. Banishment to her realms. She could just forge one. But not one that was already of the same make as the previous. Since she had Tundra which Ignis went to, she couldn't make another Realm of ice and snow again. Even worse was that she could made souls there which gave them some benefits Novik's could never get

If those two are king and Queen, then she's Empress. He chuckled. But it's not even the first domain that made her dangerous. It was the second. Psyche. It was what nade her defacto leader of their Pantheon. She'd not even tried. One thing Aseides was accepting of the group was their lack of stupidity.

The five had not been together from the start. If they had them he was sure Haden would have wrested control somehow. No. They'd all met in Omiori when Haden only had his Spirit Manipulation Domain.

Nimueh had told them all about her domains then and Aseides could still remember his disappointment. He didn't care for the leadership. He just disliked being weaker. In games like this power let players lord over you.

It was one of the many reasons he made sure to keep himself at a good distance. Not telling them all about his domain. Nimueh was not stupid. Just as she was not hotheaded. Attempting anything against him in ignorance of his domain was a bad idea for her. Luckily she wasn't interested and somehow understood his intentions.

Mind scape and Psychic Influence were the most threatening portfolios in her domain. The first made sure she was aware of everything within a certain range of her. The second made all beings with souls, fall under her manipulation of she wished.

It feels like the game just knew it made her overpowered and decided to water down the last two portfolios. Spirit Weave and Mental Barriers were both powerful and yet just basic. Nothing to groundbreaking like her first six Portfolios.

And yet she was untouchable. Aseides read out the Shardoways in his mind as he made his decision. Then I'll be just as untouchable. He glared down at his slowly healing stab wound then shut his eyes and concentrated.