Book 2/37 -A bit more

[Author's Note: The images of the Emissary of Desolation- Adam, The Accuser - Cain, and The Deceiver - Eve]


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Ring - 7th
Realm - RACK OF LIFE


Rackel or Racolith as the dear people of Frierwood called him enjoyed the sensation of power that flowed through his veins and the control his mind had on his surroundings. His eyes travelled over the runic symbols he had etched into the ground and then to the center where hw would stand. His head shook as his memories took him to the early day. Gaining all three ways was a massive boost to his cultivation that he couldn't explain. With it and Fate points he had a larger chance to increase the damage and effectiveness of his spells.

Unlike 99% of the Elder base he had taken a different approach to gaining power. Thanks to Tora's help and Anatilda's reward for helping her with the Behemoth he had been more control over his elemental spells, was the proud owner of both a Panther soul which he was planning on empowering and was now the master of an Akashic dragon.

Her choice to bind herself to him was one born of pride and the desire to rise.far past her station. Racolith didn't mind. And his acceptance had paid off. Both had taken to hunting and trying to gain the rest of his Shardoways which had worked splendidly.

It was during such fights that his domain came to him. An Elder Magi's domain was different in that it was more than just authority, it was knowledge, an acceptance of a way.

His First domain had shown itself with each modification he made to.his grimorire spells. Each twist he added and new feature he figured out. Akashic Knowledge opened a vast library of mystical energies, spells and runes. It was vast and each knowledge he gleaned was useful. His grimoire had changed facilitating the domain gained and getting thicker and more heavy with the knowledge it now possessed of his domain.

Racolith fixed one of the runic symbols before sending his Willow cane away. He knew them off the top of his head now. Each shape , each element, sub elements and effect. Now he went round pouring in essence into each runes. The circle was large and the essence needed to power all the runic symbols was vast.

"Fortunately it's not the activation".

He was just done with the last part when a roar echoed through the flat lands. "Here she comes". Stepping away from the circle and pulling out his cane he readied himself.

"Please work". He rechecked everything from his spot. The blood of Anatilda to let the circle know his bait. The glass looking sphere which was the main purpose and all the runic symbols. Nine were smudged or written wrong , each one had a subtle ripple of energy from.tbe essence ready to power it.

His gaze returned to the distance. Anatilda's form was clear, writhing and curling through the air like a dragonic serpent as she lef theit prwy towards him. The prey was quite the sight. When she'd told him about it he'd doubted. After all the Behemoth should have been rough enough, no way Hildelith would go about creating even more difficult entities.

The ground shuddered beneath him even as he stared. For a second he was afraid the rumble would ruin the circle. Checking and seeing nothing getting smudged he remembered he'd set a stability spell on the earth on Anatilda's insistence.

The prey was more a predator. It was just a large as the Behemoth he and Anatilda had taken down with a difference. It was a deep red, traced of heat and locks of fire rolling across it's hard skin.

'Fire won't be cutting it then'. He marked this as a disadvantage in ritual spells. 'Everything was planned down to a tee. If he'd not died essence into the rune then he could go erase and set the one he felt would work. But that wasn't the only problem. Unlike his other spells, Tora didn't give him any guidance here. The ritual spell has to be activated by an incantation he had to work out. The wrong word in the incantation could change the very fabric of the spell..

"The last thing I need now is to empower that thing". The fire would have to work. At the least it would be a good distraction for the other spells to make a cut and create some force to.

He took more steps back patiently. Crouching next to a rock he waited. He had to time.his incantation right so as not to warn the Behemoth rushing at him.

His portfolio told.him.the ritual spell would be quite a light show. Another roar came from Anatilda and Racolith exhaled. That was the signal roar. To start the incantation.. Learning a bit of his Occultic power had helped both to plan out the timing and considering he needed incantation to activate a bit of space.

This was it. 'Its now or never'. Staying in hisn place his lips parted, Akashic Essence tughwd tonhis throat like he'd practiced and whem he spoke the Force flooded his voice. A splash of embarrassment hitching his breath for a second as the words tumbled out.

"By the vitae of the lure, this ensnarement remains still,
No affliction shall touch the initial passage, it remains the will.
Yet upon the second, the binding shall be ensnared,"

The dragon was closer now, the giant's footfalls and roars shaking both the ground around and the very air.

"To confine, to fracture, with no clemency spared.
Eldritch sigils, heed my entreaty,
Constrain this creature with a might unyielding and free.
Elements ascend—Ignis, Aqua, Terra, Aether,
Impose your wrath with unrelenting tether.Essentia, commence your drain".

Anatilda's large reptilian eyes locked on me as she dove into.the spell circle even as the first of the glowing began. All.tbe runes I had motioned already igniting and waiting for.tje end word.

"Absorb the vitality, the force, the arcane.
In this vessel, its puissance shall abide,
Until only a mere shell does reside".

Racolith was on his feet, stepping out from the rock as he felt the power of his essence push through and grip the circle.

"By my sovereign decree, this invocation is tied,
Let the second beast be ensnared with no divide.
Until I lift, this formation shall persist".

The giant spotted him just as its right foot stomped into the circle. Its second foot entering as well as it turned with a confused and yet angered expression at the sight of him.

"The creature bound by my mystical fist".

It was like almighty hold gripped the giant. But even more powerful. A ripple of energy and power rolled through the runic scripts and circle. The giant was frozen in its postion as ethereal Akashic bonds snapped into place around it. At first both prey and caster were stunned.

Then the rest of the runic sigils flared with even brighter light. The Fire Giant seemed to snap out of its stupor and roared in fury and confusion. The runes began their bombardment.

Waves of fire washed over the giant and it hissed and heaved with rage. The sky darkened as storm clouds gathered above. Racolith watch ef the essence of the circle float into the sky from the Runic symbol of storm and lightning. The bolts that descended were thin and small but still rocked the giant.

It raised its head to the heavens and roared a challenge. The earth answered with jagged role and boulders that rose and smashed into it. It shook and vibrated in place unable to stagger as the Akashic bonds held it firm. The projectiles grinded and pulverized against it cause deep and painful impacts.

Even as the Earth struck, the lightning rained down, rain and sheets of water followed drowning and freezing against it. The intense shift between hot and cold produced steam that blinded it.

Blades of wind sliced and cut as deeply as it could into its parts. Whilw it suffered through all this, the glass transparent sphere in the center of the circle had been at work slowly and yet quickly draining its essence.

The Fire Titan struggled and fought to release itself from its binds. Anatilda prowled far from.the assault but close enough to aid if something failed.

Racolith noticed when the Titan felt its essence draining. It roared and doubled its attempts to be free. Unfortunately for it , weakness had permeated its body. Even if it hadn't it was standing in a ritual born of an Elder Magi's portfolio. If that wasn't enough, Racolith already had gained a Shardoway from Anatilda that sharpened his Mind and improved his Will. The Way of the the Sphinx improved his essence veins which meant the quality of the essence he refilled from orbs was improved. The same essence fueling his ritual circle.

The Fire Titan moaned and shivered as a chilling sensation swept through its once hot veins. It's knees weakened and only the bind holding it in place kept it standing. It set its eyes around but was unable to pierce the mist. Ina. Final gambit it utilized Elemental Resonance. Its solid form melting and breaking down into liquid magma that rolled to the ground. The binds that held it failed against the liquid structure of its form.

Unfortunately and fortunately for Racolith, it last gambit was too late. The Orb at the center rod the ritual receiving the results of the ritual pulsed with a bright fiery glow then dimmed back to normal. Magma splashed to the ground ruining and obscurity the circle. The storm fizzled out and the clouds cleared. The sheets of water remained as puddles and the earth and ice strewn about gave the area a war torn aura.


"You did it". Anatilda carried her form through the air and next to him.

"We did it". Correcting her he stepped into the circle, his scant fur pricking as the leftover mystical and elemental energies faded away.

Crouching and picking up the orb he inhaled sharply at the hot temperature. Steam rose from the red orb and he hd to bite back a whimper as he got it out of the circle and dropped it back to the ground.

The main purpose of all this appeared on his shoulder. Its little green eyes staring at the orb with obvious desire. "This better work". He scolded the creature. While he didn't mind testing and checking out his ritual spells he also could've done a relatively easier and safer one. Alas the Nightshade Panther he'd been gifted needed the full essence of a powerful being to grow. As it was.still a cub it couldn't hunt itself and Racolith couldn't exactly get a full essence from killing.

Full essence has a touch of a beings spirit, of done right the entire Spirit would mix with the essence and form a very powerful essence. But it also has the risk of.carrying the fallen's will.

A gamble even now.

Setting the Nightshade Panther next to the core he watched it look up at him with adorable green eyes before pouncing on the orb. Tiny as it was and huge as the core was the panther entered a playful struggle with the orb. Rolling over it and to the side.

"No play. Absorb. In you".

Its shadowy form with tiny sparks flashing over it constantly stopped and looked at him. Then it knocked it's head to the orb.

The panther yowled and kicked as the rob cracked. Hot essence, red and visible flooded through the panther. "Woah". Anatilda's claws blocked his advance. Racolith glared then faltered as she shook her lok scaly head
So they watched.

It kicked and struggled. Rolled about and thrashed as the essence clouded and surrounded it like a cage. For a good half an hour the panther's cries made his heart break. Then it stopped. The cloud of fire and steam was sucked into the panther's body leaving nothing outside.

His cub was now bigger. The size of a house cat.

Racolith smiled lifting the animal in his arms. A few more orbs and he should be as huge as he was once was. Even bigger.

"We did it. It worked".

"Yes. Now what?".

Rubbing the back of the sleeping cub he smiled. "We'll see how many more rituals and cores we need to get him bigger".

"And wait for your final Domain?".

"And wait for my final Domain. I can feel though. It won't be long. I just ... know".



***


Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL


Athena hit the side of a rock hard. Grumbling she forced herself to her feet. " Focus". She threw a spear at the Storm King, the boss of the fifth floor and watched it dodge. Side stepping closer her Bastard Sword swinging down like am executioners scythe.

A bolt of lightning, struck her side and char few of her scales there. The force sent her flying. It was hard to focus. The evolution she'd made the Deer undergo was still on her mind. She could help but wonder if this was the chaos and.xhamge she was meant to bring..

Chains formed and stopped the large part that came down to squash her. The rolling links holding the arm up and looping around the large peaks to their left and right. The Storm King roared, its ashen scales rippling and the weather, rhe storm thundered ans rumbled.

There was no rain of spikes to buy her time. The Sykerians ammunition long finished. A jolt or telekinesis here and a rock hitting the dragon was the only sign of their attempted aids.

They were the root of her lacking focus. All through the floor shed been thinking of what her answer to Gordorik's attempt on her life would be. She'd fought8it off course but she'd been more.interested the how of the matter. Removing a Lord from his throne wasn't going to be so hard. She just felt it. Not with th Shardoways she now hard to leam from. Not with the Deer or it's new form.

No, her queries lay with the tema in here with her. From the beginning they'd been the fodder meant to die with her. Unaware and yet accepting just for the thought it was the better way.

Athena hated to admit it but she wanted their loyalty. Fighting alongside them had made her softer towards them. Killing them afterwards would leave a sore taste in her mouth.

She dipped low avoid the large tail, then punched down fuelling her arms with Will Infusion. Reality Sculptor was activated as well. The peak rumbled and spikes kitted from the ground smashing into the beasts under belly. White chains, her new trade mark skill shot out of the holes and ensnared arms.

Athena was losing focus as she contemplated accepting a decision she had come to. She wanted the Sykerians loyalty. Atleast the ones I'm here that had proven themselves.

The deer had given her the idea of how to get it. At the end of the day, it would be their choice. She would not force them into it.

She tugged the chains down and leaped simultaneously. Her fingers folded into fists that rammed up into a punch that rocked the storm king's jaw. She had made her decision.

'Now I just have to finish up in here'. The Sykerians would have to make theirs.


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Ring - 6th
Realm - NETHERHEIM


The Monolith of the realm stood silently, uncaring and watching. At their base locked in a brutal fight we're the ones meant to rule. The black clouds and purple sky blotted out light, nut failed to hide thw vibrations of the airz rockw ans streams as the land shook and quivered.

Shockwaves rolled through and splashed off the Monolith as the Emissary of Desolation clashed with Thr Accuser. One brought ruin with his strength and the other was a whirlwind of savagery and skill. His long black sword guided by an instinct born of his domain.

The Juggernaut smashed and as Always missed. His punch tearing reality and crushing the land. His left arm blocked the chip of the Accuser's blade and moved letting it scrape against his scales..

The Accuser slipped into the shadows, becoming one with the depths of the realm. Skipping right out behind the Behemoth his blade pierced the thought scale but was stopped by the sheer muscles.

The Emissary laughed and his eyes lost their darkness filling with purple light. Two beams of condensed chaotic flames tore through the Accuser and ripped the land asunder.

The Accuser flickered then blurred like a hologram. The Juggernaut grutnwf in anger before whirling around, ignoring the obviously fake blade in him. Both arms were raised and then brought down with immense force.

Strength, domination, physical might flickered as he activated his domain. Like it wasn't enough he flipped on the other domain as well. Destruction, ruin, cataclysm.

His fists buried into the ground and the realm tumbled. The Throne stood unbothered as cracks split around it. Past its ring of influence the damage was anything but mild. The ground was gone. The Accuser flew through the air from the force of the blow wondering and cursing at just how powerful the devil's Domain was. Rolling midair he caught himself with his wings and took to the sky.

There was nothing to stand on. The sound of the ground shattering and the explosion of force from below had him swerving and jerking around to avoid the calamity.

The sharp toothed grin the Devil flashed him as he tore past made.his heart skip a bit. The scream that followed confirmed his worries.

"You fucker". HE turned in chase. But it was too late. The devil held the Deceiver by her wings. A horrendous smile.on his cheeks as he tugged to both sides. Her cry of pain was cut short as the sound of squelching and ripping made everyone but the perpetrator shudder..

The Deceiver hit the ground in a crumpled heap. The pressure from her back blinding her to the incoming missile that was dropping with her. Unlike the rest of the devils, the Emissary of Desolation did not possess wings.

Not that it mattered.

The Accuser dive in grabbing the Deceiver and rolled them both out of the way. The ground shuddered and collapsed behind him. A grunt of annoyance following. Holding the Deceiver in his arms the devil glared..

"You fucker".

"Hmmh". The ground shaking was the Accuser's only clue that the calamity was.the coming..

"Cain". The devil looked down and he found himself suddenly gone. Kneeling on a high mountain far off. "No!". Looking up he caught the exact moment the Calamity grinned. His fist punching down with a force born of destruction.

Then the two were gone.

"Eve!!".

He blinked in confusion. 'Did she take him away?'. He didn't know. His eyes trailed up.the large pillar. 'She'd be pissed, but she knows I tried. Plus I believe this is what she wants'. Convincing himself he flapped his wings and took off flying for the pillar.

His eyes locked on the Pillar, on the Throne sitting on top it. The Black Throne. His throne.