Book 2/35 - Closer to the End

[Author's Note: Image of Rhal]


****


Ring - 6th
Realm - NETHERHEIM


The dragon looked less majestic and frightening with all its fakes and horns gone.Tje devils having done a thorough job. Not a single scale was left on the beast. Even it's claws the size of swords were gone. Its fangs were taken as well. A slot on its torso showed the tiny space Abel had sent Melody through to get the dragon's heart.

It could be important. Best not to wish we had it. Were his words. Both were eager to see the items that would be crafted from the scales.

The fairies rested on Melody's horns while the Spawns were hidden in their shadows as the left the still burning area behind. Abel and Melody didn't know it but that spot would never be the same. The essence the both released in the area turning it into something more.

The tip of the Black Throne beckoned to them from the distance. It didn't have to be said but both players knew that getting their domains had shown them a truth. One they didn't expect many of the other Elders to know. The Domains were theirs. Each one formed intrinsically from the parts of the Primordial but also to match the parts of them.

It made Abel wonder if the domains didn't just link to their forms but to their personal selves. He could only know if he could get Melody to tell him. But he knew enough for now. He had been able to summon hellfire and now had a Fire Domain. Melody had her darkness and now had a Darkness domain.

The fliers dipped through the center of a valley as the thought bounced through his head. Our domains are similar to what we can do or connected somehow.

"Those Wolves are down there". Melody flew closer and told him.

" How do you know that?".

" Domain". It was explaination enough. Something to do with her portfolios or the foaming as a whole he reasoned.

"Essence Orbs?". He asked. The expression on her face was confused.

"Yes and no. Its strange. Come". She dove down and he paused for a second before following in confusion.

The ground revealed itself as the got lower. The first thing that was spotted was the new kind of flora in this area. Their petals were dark but the center of the flower was a deep purple.

Melody hit the ground with a thump and Abel hung above in the air watching the girl stand in the midst of several of those Wolves. Grimcrusher was already in his palm, ready to smash anything that made a wrong bark or wrong step.

He frowned when the girl made the wrong step herself. Coming close enough to a large beast and ...he frowned. Petting it. Confused he watched as the wolves got closer to her slowly.

"Fear". He could see it in their mannerism, how they kept.rhiwt bodies low and their tails tucked between their legs. They were afraid of Melody. A sense of calm washed through him and Grimcrusher vanished. Hellfire appeared in his palm and he played with it , testing his control and skill while waiting.

She didn't take long to hover next to him. "I've sent them to.hunt for me. Anario will follow. As long as we have a shadow and Telemra he'll find us to deliver the essence the get.

" I thought the Spawns don't like the wolves".

" They don't. But the wolves won't harm the. I commanded it".

" Your domain?". She nodded.

"Very well. I think we should use our Shardoways now while waiting. I'm curious what it'll give us. Those fairies are too tight lipped on this matter for my liking".

Killing the dragon had earned them two Shardoways. Using both showed a Way of the True Abyssal Dragon, Path of the Abyssal Scales. At first it sounded common or weak until Anario dropped off sowm essence orbs. Using it he cultivated the Path. His once gray pallor took on a darker shade, his skin getting tougher and more durable. He felt more durable and he just knew if that wolf was to bite his wings again it wouldn't pierce.

Melody opened her eyes after finishing her cultivation and the rancid stench on both of them made her gag.

"What's your Path?". The girl glared but answered.

"Path of Abyssal Gaze". She shut her mouth and Abwl egged her on.

"Yes, what does it os?. Mine makes me more durable". Her glare deepened.

" Its much like domain but different in a way. First it improves my clarity and focus and second the difference, I can project myself not only see, into the abyss".

" That' sounds powerful but dangerous". She nodded glad to have her mouth shut. " Now, how do we get clean?".


****


Ring - 2nd
Realm - TORHEIM


Rgal's left eye twitched. For the umpteenth time in that moment. His gaze moved to his six houses and then across to his Mirror self's five houses. It was a do or die moment without the dying. He had to get a house now. The Thunderer was almost to the bitch now.

Mirror Self completed his move and stared back at him. Rhal didn't give him any attention his focus on the next move. His eyes flicked over the board as he sought his hail mary. He found it. Hope gripping his heart he made his single move from. House six to house five.

Mirror Self pushed from house one to house two. He moved house five to house four. Mirror Self moved a seed from his house four to houe five. He paused and checked the back. A move from Mirror seed could disrupt his plan.

He picked house six. Used it to pick house two then set one in house three. Picked house four and made house five two, before picking house six. Dropping it in house one and picking house two, he set it house three and stopped at house four.

Mirror Self picked up house three, used it to take house four and then doubled house five picking up one in house six. He watched him set one in his house one and house two. He frowned. The wrong move from Rhal would see him disrupt his own game. I can win this if I'm careful. Anything apart from taking house three would ruin this game. He picked it and set it in house four.

Mirror Self just moved house one to house two. Rhal frowned and watched carefully. He shivered at the trap his Mirror self hoped to see him.fall into. By picking house two and setting it in three to be careful he'd use the double marbles in his house five to pick Rhal's house one and then grab house three to share off the double marbles he had in his house five as well.

He went all in. Grabbed the marble in house one I moved. The moment I set it down in house six mirror me shook. His form distorting and cracking.

Rhal's eyes widened but he said nothing. Mirror self moved this two marbles in house five, one to house six and one to my house one. I moved house three to house four.

Hjs form shook even more, cracks spread through the mirror before him and he edged back confused. This time his mirror arm had cracks and distortions.

Rhal's heart beat faster as he noticed. He could win with a move into house five from house two. Curious as he was to see what would happen next his hands moved. Picking the marble from house two he set and grabbed house three's marble. Dropping one on house four he stopped in house five

The sound of glass breaking echoed, followed instantly by a bright pulse of light.

_

Around the enthralled Elder were countless knocked out entities of various races. Above the sky was dark, the massive celestial ball.that was the Sol blottef out by thick clouds. The only reason there was even weight in the realm was due to the flashing currents of lightning up there and the Elders glowing body and eyes.

The Thunderer was enraged. He'd wasted several essence orbs in a bid to get the Son of Light. It would have been so easy to kill him, but he could. He wanted to buy he knew it would be a big loss.

For the umpteenth time a killing blow crossed his mind. Ending the Elder Divine who caused this. But he refrained for the same reason.

Rhal's blade of light cut through his postion mission him by milliseconds as he became lightning and vanished into the clouds. His attempts were clear enough. Lighting cracked down on the fleeing Elder Divine. A shield of light blocked the blow, sparking and zapping as the attack fizzled out.

Ghar and Rhal clashed in a flurry of blows and evasions as he reformed. The Divine if Light keeping up with him in sheer speed. Lightning rocked Rhal just as light burned Ghar. Yet another essence orb was drained on both sides. A bolt of lightning was fired crashing with a beam of light.

The center sparked, tore and shook with a ripple. Reality b4ant and twisted in their midst. Ghar vanished in a flash of lightning. This time he didn't just go for the Elder Divine. A thick bolt of lightning conjuref in his grip was aimed for her.

Her eyes widened in fear as the bolt descended for her. Rhal appeared in a flash of light between them his palm catching and holding the blade of lightning in place. Electricity rushed through him in volts.

Ghar collapsed the bolt letting all the energy run through the divine. His lips parted in a pain scream shocking Ghar. The light inhis eyes dimmed down till only golden pupils stared back.

Ghar stumbled back surprised. The Divine didn't even stare at him as it raised the sword of light he'd been using to hold off Ghar and vanished into a blast of light.

"Nooo!". Lightning rushed though him tripling his senses and improving his reactions. He was gone in a flash racing up to Rhal as the blade descended on a very confused Elder Divine. Hanna stumbled to her butt as Ghar caught the Blade of light in his palm. It sunk for a millimeter and stopped. The thundering him his ears reduced a bit to allow for communication. A risk.

"Don't!".

"What?!. You've been trying get past me and kill her all these while. Why stop me now?. You want the kill?. I deserve it. She...".

"Enough!". His voice clapped with thunder shook Rhal's eardrums. "No one dies here". Releasing the sword he stepped back .

From.tj3 corner of his eyes he saw her move. Her lips parting.

"You will...". He didn't hear the words as much as he read her lips. His left hand rose with the speed of lightning and clapped her across the face. Lightning surged through her brain knocking her out.

Sighing he turned to Rhal. The Divine stood listless, his eyes distant, his hands hanging to the side. 'No'. He'd forgotten not everyone could block off their ears like him. It was the best way for.hwr to enthralk Divines. Her aura working only on the others.

HE grabbed Rhal by the skull.ams and shook him. "Snap out of it!". He shook the Divine but he stayed motionless. Unmoving.

"Fuck".

_


Rhal found himself back in the theater. Stumbling in shock he looked around, the seated the dark room and the reflection. His reflection. It has a grin on its face as it watched him.

"Welcome back".

"No". Rhal shook his head. "No. No. No". Dropping to his knees he banged his head on the ground. He wanted out z he needed out. 'All.the Thunderers fault'. If he'd just let him kill her. Now he was stuck here. He couldn't accept, wouldn't' accept.

He looked up at his Mirror self. With a satisfied smirk watched on its face. I beat this place. I already beat it. I won't stay here. Can't stay here. There had to another way out. He had to find it. He smacked the ground with both fists.

"Tell.mw.how to leave!". His mirror self just stared with his smirk growing. "Tell meeee!!". The bright glare of his light illuminated the room and.his mirror self blinked wildly the smirk it had faltering for a moment. But it wasn't what Rbal noticed.

The brighter his light grew the dimmer the reflection got. He blinked z the light shutting for a precise moment. That's not how reflections work right?'.

His anger faded curiosity replacing it. Light glowed on his palm, on his other palm, from his body. The reflection twitched but remained in place. It got dim and dimmer. The room brightened z the reflection became a wall of light. His mirror self slowly fading into the light.

"No!". It screeched.

Rhal increased his light, it poured from all his orifices, his eye, nose, mouth, ears, his skin and when his hair. He was entirely light and suddenly he could see nothing but light, he could sense everything hisnligh touched. Except the reflection.

Moving forward he touched where the reflection was, ir where it should have been. His hand found nothing. Stepping further he found the ground beneath him vanishing.

All was light, and he was light.a hole appeared, a darkness in the light. He didn't move to it. It came to him. Frightened he stared unmoving as the darkness rushed through the light and swallowed him whole.

_


"Ahhhhhhhh". He bolted forward screaming. Stumbled and fell on his knees. His shoulders heaved and his eyes stared wide at text in his vision.

Legs clad in boots stepped into Rhal's view. "Are you okay?". The voice wa familiar. The Thunderer's. He looked up and away from the text in his vision The anger he expected to have didn't come. The Thunderer stared at him with eyes that were as gray as they were silver. He could see the storm in them. He wondered if the light in his eyes could be seen.

Why don't I feel angered? Is it because I got this in the end.?

"You look out of it. What happened?. How did you get out of her enthrallment on your own not once but twice".

He stared back at his text. His lips parting on its own accord. "Domain".

If the Thunderer was surprised x shocked, impressed, he didn't see. Busy reading what he'd already read he missed the flash of a smile on the Divine's face.


**You have gained Domain - Light**

**Domain - Light**
Embodies the purity, clarity, and transformative power of light. It illuminates the darkest corners, revealing hidden truths and guiding others toward wisdom. The brilliance of light heals, inspires, and can be harnessed as a formidable force to both protect and destroy. Its radiance shapes the understanding and essence of the world.

(Your Portfolio grants you authority over certain aspects within your domain. Depending on your location the authority shows you how much power you hold over a portfolio)

**Portfolios:**

Revelation:Banishing darkness and revealing hidden truths, bringing clarity and divine insights.

Enlightenment: Unveiling the true nature of all things, guiding others toward wisdom and higher understanding.

Healing Radiance: Channeling brilliant light to heal, renew, and inspire hope.

Lightforce:Wielding, controlling, and using light for all means and all purposes in defense or offense of what is believed in.


Rhal looked back to Ghar was now staring at the two females lying side by side. Rhal followed his gaze and he felt the anger return. He'd risen, sword of light forming in his right hand and about to take a step.

A hand smon his shoulder stopped him. Rhal's fury spilled as he whirled on Ghar. "Twice now you e halted me. Why?. You have the chance to end her now before she becomes a problem. What's your reason?".

Ghar sighed. "Lylene come. Call your fairy as well". He urged Rhal.

Confused by seeing this as a possible answer he followed. "Feris, come". Both fairies hugged and twirled in the air between them. For a moment his anger dimmed as he smiled at the cuteness. Feris and Lylene held each others cheeks and tugged affectionately.

"Okay. They're cute but I know you didn't call them out to distract me".

"I wish". Ghar mumbled. "How much has your fairy told you. Of everything. Tell me what you know".

Rhal frowned but went along. Apilli5all he knew and had been told both by the fairies and the Celestians.

Ghar nodded. "it's similar. But specific things are missing. Things you'd not think to ask and your fairy won't bother to tell you. You know they can't lie, but they also won't tell you what you don't ask".

Rhal was frowning nowz his mind deducing there was something bad killing the divine birch.

"I'm going to ask a question. Listen to the reply. Lylene". The fairy turned away from Feris and buzzed closer.

"Tell us what an Elder should do and not what they expected to do".

The fairy looked from Rhal to Ghar then spoke. " Gain their domains, learn skills, gather the realm dwellers and commit the Primordials in their Monoliths".

" And what were we expected to do?".

"Kill each other?".

Rhal blinked. Ghar looked at him.ans back to the fairy.

"Why?". The fairy tilted her head, looked around and then drew closer. Like she was about to spill a secret. Rhal noticed the thundering divine didn't look surprised.

"Because the Primordials think their children will be obedient and and good but the Madi knew differently. Instructions or not the Elders were expecting act on their own*.

" Why not just tell us what to do?. Why leave us to do as we wish?" Rhal spat and Ghar said nothing. The fairy turned to face him.

"To teach you a lesson". Rhal's face darkened.

"And what lesson would this be?".

"Actions have consequences, paths have a destination. Behaviors and manners are reacted to in positives or negatives".

Rhal couldn't help glancing at Hanna.

"Tell him. What the consequences of killing ourselves is". Ghar spoke. Then he missed his hand. "Wait". Turning to Rhal he spoke. "Ask your fairy what the consequences of killing ourselves is".

"Why?".

"It'll be more believable from.her mouth than my fairy's".

Feris stopped before then and looked cutely at both Elders.

"Feris. What is the consequences of killing ourselves?". The cure expression faded.

"Gems and gold litter the realms. Tools.of war needed for a cause. The Ascended are here. The pillars are open. Light will find the Dark and the Physical will beseech the Abstract". Her eyes focused on Rhal as her next words sent chills down his spine.

"The Pentheon will stand. The Pantheon will fall". Her little head turned and she faced Ghar this time. "Despair will reach across the realms, but only the one who has been to the universe before will bring Change".

The silence at the end of her speech was disturbing.

"That sounds like a prophecy to me". Ghar nodded.

"It is". He waved his fairy away and turned back to Rhal doing the same. "What does Pent mean to you?".

"Five?".

"How many are we on each realm?".

"Five".

"How many could make up a Pantheon?".

"More than two or three. Not necessarily five".

"So who would fall?".

"Ah". He turned to look at Hanna. "Those who are not five".


****


Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL

ATHENA'S POV

On one hand I was filled with hate for this floor. On the other hand, it did push me to think out of the box. That was the only reason I found I could even use Will forged plates for temporary grounds while in mid air. Fromy vantage point I took on the aerial foes and kept an eye on the Sykerians as the fought their way across the rope bridge.

This floor didn't let up at any point. First was the Celestial Yetis. Their fur so thick that the blades of the Sykerians could hardly cut through. The spikes did but the damage was minimal. The dungoen of course kept me from helping thanks to sky elementals. Hard to see but definitely easy to know when they were attacking you.

I had tried trapping one with egg spheres. They were fast. Too annoyingly fast. Even my Reality Flux wasn't quick enough to catch them. Atleast I had to assume that given it twisted reality around me a lot of times and I found nothing it kil or got no notifications.

Frustrated I left the air for them , Mins Stepping down to the bridge. My spear rammed through the first Yeti, flung him of the bridge and then speared another through the feet. It howled in rage.

A shield formed in my.left hand and I caught the blunt of another's blow. Bad idea. I staggered on the rope bridge and had to use a side step to get back balance. Simultaneously I formed a short sword and cut through the Yeti next to me. Bone and meat parting around my blade.

It fell with a cry. I moved and my steps became light. Bloody elementals. Reality Flux activated and I was released. I side stepped quickly reappearing on a Yeti's sholder. My shield was gone allowing me to thrust down with both arms. Blood burst from its next and I vanished. The notification came a moment later asi reappeared beneath another. Spear first I thrust up.

This one was fast. Catching my spear it kicked out. I Mind leaped to its left leaving the spear with my mirage. Its brain barely registered the spear dropping to the rope bridge and my mirage scattering when I sliced open its side.

I sidestepped reforming my short sword mid way. The spear forming twirled in my fingers. A shout from the Sykerians pulled my eyes. Without a care I found the threat and I flung my arm forward releasing the spear. A bellow told.me my strike hit.

The Yetis were powerful, burning was stronger. As I moved, struck, evaded and teleported around it left a mirage I slowly found myself doing it better. Knowing when to leave a mirage. When to side step, where to side step or appear, where or strike.

I was mid air dropping when the elementals came. I had been thinking hard even as I fought z about how to handle this creatures. How to beat their speed. I formed a wider sphere this time, enclosing the very 20 meter in all directions. Unfortunately for my foes that was way beyond my Sykerians.

"Burn".

I ignored the Yetis bellows as I listened for the hopeful news.


**Sky Elemental x2 - Slain**
**Wind Essence Orb x2**


Side stepped to the midst of my Sykerians just as one of them tripped a Yeti, and another tugged it forward with telekinesis. The Sykerian who'd been taken by the spider thread before impaled it. Kaelen was his name.

"The Deer". I asked Ernwes. It was the very ans only reason everyone here was fighting defensively. Not that they were strong as the Yetis but I knew and they knew they would have spread out when better if not for protection the deer I was experimenting on.

Fortunately the deer had stopped shaking and now lay silently. It was going through a weird thing that I knew to be evolution but for some reason had paused.

"I don't know. It suddenly stilled". He didn't ask what I wanted to do with it as he'd seen me feed it my blood in the previous floor. I could see that just like me he was curious for.th3n2md result.

I didn't have time to check it personally. There were still several Yetis. I spawned an Essence Orb and drained it. I exhaled. The Sky Elementals would likely stay away for a while now I finally caught some of them. Or not.

Either way. I had my targets. I dashed forward. A Yeti punched and I leaped to the side., grabbed its hand and formed instant chains that lipped around the punching arm. I formed a plate of will beneath me and stepped off it. Spinning I hurled the Yeti at it's kin and jumped forward.

Landing on another plate I leaped over the tumbling mass of yetis. A good spot to blow their asses up but can't risk the bridge. Bloody design .

I landed behind them and turned. Forming chains I grabbed those I could and hurled them off the bridge. Sowm I pulled closer to me and cut their throats. Harder done than said. I stabbed a joint, twisted around the Yeti and dragged it with the chain by its neck on my back. I turned with a twist on my platw of Will and hurled it off.

I turned just in time to catch one about to pulverize me. "Stop". Suggestion gripped it tight. "Throw yourself off". It obeyed and I watched fear enter the other Yetis.

I never really thought I could do that. The boss of the First floor had made me think suggestion would just stagger them. I didn't even see the lovely grin I had as I made6.nwx5 suggestion. "Let my party end your lives easily".

It was an execution after that. Each Yeti stepped forward and presented its neck. Each Yeti was killed without a slight hesitation. The Sky Elementals didn't show up as we made the run for the peak.

The Sykerians, my party rested while I accessed my notifications. Yeti kills and an improvement to my Reality Sculptor. I hadn't been using Will infusion as much given my strikes and defences had not falered and I'd not had any explosions to defend against yet.

Don't jinx it.

Another notification I found was a curiosity.



**Radiant Deer reacting with Lifeblood Elder Force**
**Physicality and Abstract evolving**

**Divine Stag another falls under the purview of Elder 14**

**Please select a Racial Evolution option**

**Luminous Stag**
The Radiant Deer evolves into the Luminous Stag, a majestic creature with a more intense, controlled radiance. Its fur becomes iridescent, shimmering with the full spectrum of light, and its antlers grow even larger, adorned with intricate, glowing patterns that pulse with energy.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Radiant Shield:** The Luminous Stag can manifest a shield of pure light around itself and allies, absorbing and deflecting incoming attacks.
- **Psyche Flash:** In addition to blinding light, this flash now disrupts the minds of those caught in its glare, causing temporary confusion or mental disruption.
- **Reality Bound:** The Luminous Stag can momentarily bend reality within a small radius, altering the environment to suit its needs (e.g., creating barriers, warping space).

**Astral Hart**
Evolving into the Astral Hart, the Radiant Deer's form becomes more ethereal, partially merging with the abstract realm. It glows with a celestial light, its antlers resembling constellations in the night sky. The creature's presence radiates calmness and wisdom.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Astral Step:** The Astral Hart can phase in and out of reality, allowing it to teleport short distances or become intangible for brief periods.
- **Mindweaver:** It gains the ability to subtly influence the thoughts and emotions of nearby beings, calming hostility or inspiring awe.
- **Wisdom's Beacon:** The Astral Hart emits a calming light that enhances the cognitive abilities of allies, improving their decision-making, insight, and focus during challenges.

**Illuminary Wapiti**
The Radiant Deer transforms into the Illuminary Wapiti, a towering, resplendent creature whose light is so bright it can pierce through the thickest of darkness. Its antlers now crackle with abstract energy, and its very presence seems to warp the air around it.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Manifest Light:** The Illuminary Wapiti can solidify light into physical objects, creating barriers, weapons, or structures out of pure radiant energy.
- **Willforce Charge:** This evolution enhances the Graceful Charge with a layer of manifested willpower, allowing the Wapiti to smash through both physical and metaphysical barriers.
- **Radiant Dominion:** The Wapiti can establish an area of influence where its light enhances allies' powers and weakens the resolve of enemies, making it difficult for them to maintain focus or resist its influence.

**Akashic Stag**
The Radiant Deer evolves into the Akashic Stag, a majestic being that embodies the wisdom and knowledge of the Abstract Realm. Its fur shimmers with ethereal light, and its antlers are now inscribed with glowing symbols of ancient knowledge.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Manifest Reality:** The Akashic Stag can now manifest objects or environmental changes from its thoughts into the physical world, shaping reality according to its will.
- **Wisdom Burst:** The Akashic Stag releases a burst of concentrated wisdom, disorienting enemies and revealing hidden paths, traps, or secrets in the surrounding area.
- **Light of Insight:** The Akashic Stag can project a beam of light that pierces through illusions, revealing the true nature of beings and objects in its path.

**Mentalis Cervid**
The Radiant Deer evolves into the Mentalis Cervid, a creature of unparalleled mental prowess. Its body is now surrounded by a shimmering aura of mental energy, and its eyes glow with a deep, penetrating light.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Mind Over Matter:** The Mentalis Cervid can manipulate the thoughts and emotions of others, calming aggressors or inciting confusion and fear in enemies.
- **Psychic Charge:** Combining its original Graceful Charge with mental energy, the Mentalis Cervid can now dash at high speed while projecting a psychic force field, both damaging and disrupting the minds of those it impacts.
- **Aura of Fortitude:** The Mentalis Cervid generates an aura that bolsters the mental defenses of allies, protecting them from psychic attacks and enhancing their focus and clarity in battle.


**Imaginara Cervus**
The Radiant Deer evolves into the Imaginara Cervus, a creature of boundless creativity and possibility. Its antlers now twist and weave into intricate patterns that shift and change with its thoughts, and its fur glows with a kaleidoscope of colors.

**Racial Abilities:**
- **Reality Sculptor:** The Imaginara Cervus can alter the terrain and create illusions or constructs based on its imagination, using these to confuse or trap enemies, or to aid allies.
- **Illumination:** Enhancing its Blinding Flash, the Imaginara Cervus now releases a burst of light that not only blinds but also imparts brief flashes of inspiration to allies, increasing their creativity and problem-solving abilities for a short time.
- **Cervid Conduit:** The Imaginara Cervus can channel the latent potential within itself and its allies, temporarily granting them new abilities or enhancing their existing powers based on the situation at hand.


I took a good look at the deer lying silently almost asleep and back at the options.

My blood did this.