Book 2 / 20 - Battle Royale 14

The Star Rings
The Atlan


The Atlan was nothing like the other 9 realms. There was no huge terrain to traverse. No monsters to slaughter and no need to journey miles for a set of domains that the players didn't know how to get. The pillars landed dropping them into the golden liquid.

Ithraes knew that was their very first challenge. Beating the sea. Not all of them knew how to swim and it didn't matter. Some fought with 4hbsea, others swam to the land they could see and others learned skills forcefully. It was all about Will, imagination, and desire.

The Atlan was a huge island floating on the sea. One of many that the players scurried across. Unlike others from the 9 realms, their quest was not the same. Ithraes found the Island to be empty and devoid of any sapient life. From the beach to the center of the island he found himself crossing paths with only a few Infant krakens which he promptly took out.

His arrival at the center of the island paired him up with two other players, Corvus and Henrik. The three discussed everything they'd learned and appraised their features. While all three were muscular only Corvus was the leanest of them. Their lower bodies were made of golden, green, and grey scales from the tip of their toes to the sides of their hips. Their arms and chests had a splattering of scales on them for protection. All three had long white hairs with pointed ears, their fingers had claws which was ways to figure out and their necks had four vertical slits that were sealed up.

Corvus was sure the slits were for underwater breathing and the others seemed to agree since they remained not choking or suffocating underwater when they came. All three together continued their journey ahead. It was not hard to know where they were going thanks to their fairies.

It took longer than expected though for them to arrive at the center of the island. A large pot yawned showing a drop that would normally be lethal. The fairies assured them their objective was down there. So they leaped.


*


Matehla and Akari both chuckled in frightened relief as they realized they didn't die from the jump. Both girls stared up into the large ring from which they'd dropped down here. Finding the ring and each other had been simultaneous. And now they were here.

Their location was covered in water, knee-high. Huge walls with crystals, gems, and rocks that reflected the water surrounded them. It wasn't a four square wall but there were walls in all directions. Still, their eyes were on the singular piece that called to them.

"Is that it?". Matehla asked her fairy Korian. The tiny green thing nodded. Exchanging glances with Akari she stepped forward. Akari followed.

"Five thrones on a raised dais". Akari murmured.

There are five of us. It makes sense". Matehla replied.

"Yes. But why is there only one of that". Akari pointed. Matehla found a very beautiful piece of art. It was like the thing called to her. Urged her to draw closer and take it.

"You feel that too?". Akari asked. Matehla nodded. "What is it?". She asked Berios her fairy. It shook its head. "You don't know or you won't tell?". Clicking her tongue in annoyance she turned to find Matehla already close to the thrones. "Hey Matehla, stop. It might not..."

"I must have it. I will have it!". The girl frowned. Something in her didn't like the idea of Matehla taking the spear.

"Don't you dare!". She dashed forward. Matehla was closer, too close. She grits her teeth in frustration and panic.



**Celestial Drift - Star Dump**



The ground beneath the water vanished and she dropped. For a split second, all she saw was gold and light then she was standing next to the dais panting. Her mind didn't even register how she wasn't used to that skill yet, her eyes finding the item and fashion for it.

"Nooo!". Matehla screamed behind her and she felt a blast of cold energy. She grabbed the shaft before her the coldness and ice seeping into her skin just as Matehla appeared next to her. The girl grabbed the shaft above her hand and kicked out with her foot. "Mine!".

She ducked to the side and changed hands, making sure she still held the shaft as she punched out. The girl cocked her head to the side and stumped. Cold blueish energy with gray and gold accents smacked into her sending her flying.

"MINE!!". The girl roared then grabbed the shaft with her free hand and pulled. Akari popped out of the water with a scream and scurried to her feet. Her eyes found the girl as she pulled the shaft up and put off the dias its head was embedded.

SPLASH
SPLASH
SPLASH.

The sound of something heavy hitting water made both girls turn. Three forms splashed out of the knee-high water spitting and coughing. Matehla froze panic erupting on her face. Akari ignored the three and leaped for the dais.

"Get away from it". A loud shout came from the three. Matehla and Akari hissed in tandem. More thieves had come for their possession. Both glared at the other and snarled like beasts.

Boom A blast of energy threw them off the dais their hands attempting to hold on to the shaft slipped off and both splashed into the water. Corvus rising to his full height took a gander around. Seeing no one on he grabbed the shaft himself and held on tight The other two males, their minds darkened and desires engulfed by the shaft calling to them were already dashing for the dais.

Corvus had his eye on Ithraes The one amongst the two whom he saw to be dangerous. Just as expected Ithraes was already gone. A blur was all that was left of his presence right before the male materialized on the dais. He barely heard the whistling of the air as the man's fist shot for his head.

The blow was powerful and brought pain and pressure to his skull. He vanished with a splash into the water. Henrik was already there to meet Ithraes. No word was said as he punched. Ithraes dropped and palmed at Henrik's chest. A burst of water drove the male off the dais.

"Aahhhhh".
"Ahhhh".

Twin roars heralded the return of the girls. One appeared with a wave of spectral energy and the shooting spat out from the water. "Stay away". He'd not even touched the shaft yet. His forehead rumpled as he flickered. When he reappeared his fist buried into Akari folding her. Matehla reappeared by his side with another burst of energy and he flickered.

He was next to her fist descending when a whip of water grabbed his arm and flung him as far as it could. Matehla smirked and rushed the shaft. The water whip sunk back into the water. Matehla pulled at the shaft and Akari with a growl seized the shaft as well. "Let go!. Mine".

A wall of water rose from behind them. "No!. Mine". Then it struck. Like a wave, it justled them and almost shook them off. "Hah. Try harder". Matehla screamed into the air. A gift socked her face throwing her head back with force. Akari kicked at her knee throwing her off balance. With a quick move, she let go of the shaft grabbed the girl, and spun dizzyingly fast flinging her into the sea.

She grabbed the shaft with a joyous smile and pulled again. The head scraped against the stone it was imbedded into and she could see now. There was a wide base the shaft was connected to. 'Maybe it's...'.

BOOM!!

Too focused she failed to see the ball of golden water with a white core that pulsated unstably next to her head. When it detonated the force shook her skull. A ringing sound clouded her mind and her fingers loosened. Like it had been waiting another wave of water crashed into her washing her of the Dais.

Corvus stood on one side hand raised a ball of yet another golden water floating in front of his palm. Henrik stood to the other side whips of water curling and twisting around him.

"Stand back Corvus. It's mine". Henrik looked like he'd rip his hair out of his head.

"No it's not. It calls to me not you". The other spat back his ball of water becoming bigger.

"Don't drool over what is mine you dogs". Matehla shrieked watching the two. Her eyes were maddened. Around her blueish energy oozed rippling the water as she watched the two.

The cavern trembled. All three turned to look behind Mahtella and froze eyes wide. A large wave of water crashed through the room. From where was unclear as it smashed over the walls and drank the water already at their knees to get to them.

"No!!". Henrik screamed and dashed for the Dais. Mahtela snarled and followed vanishing in a spectral burst. Corvus turned to the wave with a challenge in his eyes. The ball of water in his hand shooting into the wave. It vanished, swallowed like a light in a maw of darkness.

Then the wave shook, and the water erupted and splashed to all sides hitting everyone in a torrent of rain. The ground water rose sweeping them off their feet and past the Dais.

Ithraes stepped on that Dais with a mad smile on his face. "Mine". Grabbing the shaft he pulled. The scrape of metal as the shaft rose filled the others with an impending sense of failure. Corvus threw a water bomb, Mahtela appeared next to Ithraes without a care and grabbed the shaft pulling as well. The detonation rocked both and their fingers slipped.

Henrik's whips rose to throw them when a fist struck him hard. Splashing face-first into the water he gasped as he was dragged out. Akari lifted him via his legs her eyes once a bland grey was now a bold blue with a ring of gold within. With a yelp blue, grey, and gold liquid running down her body, she threw the male at Corvus.

The two bashed into each other and she dashed for the Dais. Her eyes locked on the two ready to take them down when they grabbed the shaft again. There was another scraping sound and her thoughts of attack vanished. Grabbing unto the shaft below Matehla's hands she pulled as well.

"Thief!". She growled and Matehla snarled back at her. The shaft rose even more and this time it was clear what they were pulling. They could see the beginning of the prongs.

"Noo!". Corvus appeared next to them in a splash of water. It was so quick they missed the water just forming midair and spitting him out. Like a portal. His hand rose to knock them off with a bomb when another screech from the prongs shook his heart. Discarding his attack he grabbed the shaft as well.

Henrik arrived and his face screamed murder as he eyed Akari. And yet he could do nothing as he had to follow them. The prongs were visible. Threw of them dug into the dais. The more they pulled the more rose. The realm began shaking as colors floated around them.

Outside the pit, right above the Atlan dark clouds gathered. The five pulled and gritted their teeth as the last of the prongs refused to budge. Akari glowed brighter her skin like reflected sunlight as she channeled her star water into her body. The shaft rose more. Seeing her actions all of them began using skills on the shaft.

Whips helped tug, spectral energy flowed into Matehla while Corvus and Ithraes formed watery appendages to help them pull.

CREAK!!

The tip of the prong rose from its confinement only an inch left.

CRACKLE!!

Outside the clouds got heavy, and lightning rushed through them and gathered at the center right above the hole. The five tugged the shaft once more. It snapped free, the world turned white.

CRACK!!!
BOOM!!!

Lightning crashed into the pommel of the shaft, volts of power rushing through and I to the five with speed. The power and light of the blast blinded the five and turned the pit white.

CRACK!!

A loud breaking sound echoed. The lightning fizzled out and the five dropped separately their hands still held tightly around thick shafts. Above the dark clouds rumbled with lightning and thunder. Below the five lay floating in water their heads bobbing outside and their hands grasping their prize like a lifeline.



****


Ring - 6th
Realm - NETHERHEIM

ABEL'S POV



Flexing my power a bit seemed to be the right option. The abyss was ruled not by kindness but by strength and power. There was no room for mercy and kindness in this realm. Showing any weakness. Not that it mattered to us. I didn't register how long I spent with the Shadowspawns until a day change showed in my notifications.

For us, it was the second day, and, for the universe, it was just another day in its long time of existence. The Shadowspawns showed us a lot. Not out of some kindness or desire to help. Mostly due to fear. They taught me and the kid a lot. She finally told me her name. Melody.

For the Dark On, that was quite the name.

We learned that power and progress came in different ways. There was the most basic way, leveling or as they called it breaking through the ranks. This gave meager upgrades to their Power and Wisdom. What we knew as the threshold or bottleneck came in three places per rank. We learned this was done this way to help pace those using the second way of power as well.

The next way was proper cultivation. By killing something of greater power or rank to you a Shardoway was gained. The cores held the most important or used cultivation steps of your dead foe. The Shadowspawns refused to tell me more. I needed to have and be using a Shardoway to learn the rest.

The third way to gain power was of course the one we knew learning new skills. I found out the advantage there. Unlike the realm dwellers and possibly the mortals it wasn't just easy to think up a skill or spell. You had to be taught or have a skill crystal or spell tome. The best way was to gain a Wizard's Grimoire or learn from a Shardoway.

It put me and Melody on the task of finding something powerful. Something we could kill to gain a Shardoway. It wasn't going to be easy.



***


Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL


ATHENA'S POV



The Sykerians were angelic. Their gratefulness next to nothing. They were like those of the old times or stories who took favors to heart and hated to owe a debt. To them, I was owed a favor and nothing I said could change that. Gordorik told me a lot of things. From how cultivation worked to how I could gain new skills that were beyond the rules of my personal perk. I suspected that some skills may have a blockade to be learned.

Gordorik told me of the nine realms. Back in the day, the Pillars were used by all citizens to traverse the realms. No reason or problem cropped up before the pillars stopped working. To use a Pillar one had to get to a gateway. These gateways were located close to the center of the realm.

"We believe it is why no one can use the pillars again". Gordorik shook his head. With none able to cross past the fog created around the center of the realms it meant reaching the gateways was next to impossible. "There were those who risked it. Entered the fog to find the cause. They were lost and none returned".

The day passed soon enough and night came. The sky was not as dark as expected. Instead, the area got a little dim. Gordorik explained that night in MURHIL or any other realm happened when the surface of that realm crossed over a dark realm. For MURHIL it was NILHEIM.

I got the sense that Gordorik avoided that topic when he spoke of it. He'd told me a bit about all the realms exempting that one.

"What is NILHEIM?". Thr Sykerian sighed and looked at me.

"No one knows exactly. Its inhabitants don't travel much. But the ones we did see are beings not to be trifled with. Getting information on NILHEIM was hard then. The inhabitants were always reclusive and silent". He paused and glanced at me again like he was weighing something.

"I've tried seeing your records for myself but it is blocked". He began.

"You can do that? See someone else records". That was either identify or some appraisal skill.

"Aye I can. It's my Lord's skill. But you are a spot that remains blocked to me. No one, not even an Ascendant or Empowered can block a Lord's sight". Fingers tapped the table we sat at. "That's why I'll believe you". He stood and walked to a shelf pulling out a scroll and walked back to me.

I dropped the scroll I had been reading on Shardoways and Higher Ranked Essence Orbs. " This..." He set the scroll before me. "...is a record on an event thousands of years ago. The one who recorded it was a High Arcaenot. Jutlad the Trembler".

I picked up the scroll. It was old. Peeling apart the rods and unfurling it I found myself staring at scribbles and runic symbols that I didn't understand.

" I can't read this". I glared.

"So you weren't lying". He frowned. I glared harder. He shrugged. "Forgive my test my Lady. It's not every day one claims to be born of the Primordials". He rubbed his jaw. "Regardless try harder. The scripts are ones we know from self. The Enodlin call it Star speak. The language of the universe. It comes to us easily".

"Is it what we are using. Star speak? And who is Enodlin".

" Oh no". He shook his head. " The day Star speak is the language of the Primordials. We write it but we can never speak it". He paused. " Enodlin is not a who. It is a what". He tapped the table gesturing me to read on.

I frowned but looked down on the scroll. 'Stsr Speak eh. How many languages did that Creator player even make?'. The runes and symbols looked like squabbles to my sight. I frowned at them in it understanding how it was supposed to come to me.

"Don't force it. Just do it. If you are born of the Primordials it should be easier for you". Gordorik must have felt like he was being encouraging but I didn't. I wasn't sure how learning the written language would apply to us. Still, I went to the beginning and focused on the group of symbols. I wasn't expecting anything to happen, so the slight understanding in my head both surprised and scared me.



**Star Speak Learned -1%**
**Star Speak Learned - 5%**



It was the 3rd Realion of the Millennial. 45 Aeuses in and 7 months to go. The realm shook like a singular stone on the terrain of an Enodlin's clash. Our night became day. We were unsure at first of what had transpired. Death became an impossibility, life was abundant. It lasted till the 21st day of the month. Then death became a thing once more.


The rest of the script was unreadable no matter how hard I tried. "Okay. It worked. Kinda".

"What did it say?". He asked tensely. I eyed him but then repeated the text word for word.

He sighed. "Forgive me, my Lady". Gordorik stood from the table and bowed a bit. "I didn't want to believe. Understand that your claim was preposterous. If you wish for my head then I'll gladly give it. But spare my people".

I was both offended and shocked he'd think of me like that. It made me wonder if the Primordials were that ruthless. "I wouldn't do that. Would the Primordials?". He shook his head, a hint of a smile crossing his face.

" I never met one of them. But I heard the tales".

" Please stand Lord Gordorik your actions make me uncomfortable".

"Forgive this one your lady. But I believe you should get used to it. You are who you say you are. Once others know it I assure that they will do more than bend the knee. Infact. I believe you came here for this reason".

"What do you mean?". His words were not making sense but I had na inkling of where he was headed with this.

"I already sent a summon for the High Arcaenot Lord Huritn of Fritos. He will need to see this himself".

I frowned. "Was this before or after you believed my words". Gordorik blinked his singular eye then opened his mouth in a silent exclaimation of understanding.

"I assure you, I meant no harm to you. Lord Huritn is no savage. My summon was for him to confirm your claim. Nothing more". I nodded. I had no reason to fault him. I believed it was right to confirm such claims.

"What you said about my reason for being here. What did you mean?".

Gordorik smiled. An excited smile that translated to his movements. I'd gotten bit used to the smiles of the Sykerians and their singular eye. Still it was a reminder here and there whenever one of them smiled or frown. IT just looked so different.

The Lord pulled it various large scrolls and moved to another table where he began spreading out the scrolls. They were large sheets that covered half of the table. I was already on my feet and approaching when he was done.

He said nothing as he watched me get closer. The sheets were maps. Maps of the realm.

"Is this...?". I just had to confirm.

"MURHIL my lady. Atleast what has been documented". I nodded as I ran a hand over the map. It was large. The tiny words and diagrams made it that much clear. The realm was over fifty times the size of earth. 'Ad maybe more'.

There were no continents. Just one large seat if land that extended from the north to the south, east to the west. It made me wonder if the realm was just flat or the free this to be like Earth maps.

North was various hills and mountains. South was a large plain. East had a thick forest and west looked like a desert. At the center of the realm was six cities.

"No...that's not a city". I lensed closer. The first five cities that I was sure of formed a pentagram around the center of the realm. But even they were not that actual center. Marked by a simple name was what I knew to be my destination.

The Garden.

"The Garden?". I traced my fingers over it. Gordorik took a step closer and cleared his throat.

"I believe that to be your destination my Lady". I nodded. Luciv popped her head out of my hair and flew down to the table. She'd been so quiet and non talkative I'd almost forgotten her.

"The Garden". She squeaked looking at me . I nodded. She buzzed up and flew south west perching on one of the five cities. "We're here". I stared at the city highlighted.

"Samnrea". Gordorik spoke. "The Fifth Star point". He traced his hand on the map back to the Gardens. It wasn't far. It was so close.

"That is where I believe you're headed my Lady". I nodded.

"Not yet". Gordorik stuttered surprised.

"N....not yet?. Why?". I took a seat. Luciv turned to him and explained.

"The Force needs her domain". He didn't seem to understand until Luciv elaborated a bit. His jaws parted a bit then shut. He nodded.

"I believe I might have a solution to that". He seemed unsure. Luciv though just buzzed to my head.

"What way?".

He frowned. " Dungeons my lady. If there is anywhere for these domain things to notice you. It has to be there". I smiled wide. 'I didn't think this game would have those '.

"Where?". Gordorik seeing the smile on my face seemed to calm. Picking another smaller map, he rolled it open and set on the table.

"The Tafiti Dungeon".


****


Ring - 6th
Realm - RACK OF LIFE

RACKEL'S POV


Anatilda flowed around me like a whip of scales. Her eyes locked on my seated position in evaluation. The mediation array I sat on was powered up to help me fuel the activation of the Shardoway. Anatilda and the Head had explained how to use it to me. The rest I was meant to learn on my own.

The meditation array drew in essence from. the realm toy location. Essence I poured into the Shardoway. It was a hard technique, channeling raw essence without having it flow through you. But it was necessary and also the reason as to why Elder Magis had Willow Canes negating our Akashic essence.

"Raw, untamed essence was volatile. Like a fuel with various impurities. When you cast an Akash with it the will and intent of your Akash is overloaded. There is no direction, no source and no control". Anatilda had said.

Channeling raw essence was about tapping into jrnrealm and pulling or manipulating the force around to your bidding. It was far too easy to draw it into one's body. " That is what makes learning Rae Essence manipulation harder". The Head had added.

Xenon had said nothing, simply buzzing from one side to the other while watching.

The Shardoway was a black crystal that swallowed all the light that surrounded it. It made it hard to examine it's features. All you could see was it's basic shape and feel its weight. Raw essence flooded into it as it sat on my palms.

It wasn't hard to activate once raw essence manipulation was used. The Shardoway cracked down the center, light trying to escape from the line. The crack feel to both sides and a bright light hit my face.

The light lasted for a few minutes, minutes where sounds ams others vanished. When the sounds returned I found it was weird. Different and warped. The light faded and I saw something entirely different.

The ground was far beneath me like I was standing on the top of a great tower. Own that aimed for the sky. I felt myself shake and rumble. I tried looking down but was unable to.


"The Behemoth is a mighty, indestructible entity". A voice echoed around me. I felt it was speaking to me and yet not to me. "A creature of immense size, bearing a weight that threatens to sink the very ground on which the thread. A weight that would rupture their very self if not for their constitution. The Behemoth's growth is never enough, so it uses a very powerful cultivation way, focusing on physical strength and resilience. This way comprises three distinct paths, each of which purges impurities from the body and creating more space for Essence and increasing the cultivator's threshold whilst gifting other benefits.

This is the Way of the Behemoth. Completing all three paths allows the cultivator to reach the next tier".


The Behemoth I was seeing through it's eyes took a deep breath. It was air that rushed through it's nostrils rather it filled it's lungs with the raw, earthy essence that permeated the ground. Its eyes shut blinding me as it began to focus inward, drawing its consciousness deep into its own body. I followed.

The Behemoth's mind and in tandem mine delved deeper, seeing its skeletal structure, feeling every bone from the tip of its skull to the toes on its feet. The essence it was taking in began to rush down and through it's body, washing over the bones and leaking into it as well. The essence was burned up to push out the impurities that clung to its bones and the Behemoth breathed in more. The impurities began to dissolve, the Essence purging them with each rhythmic pulse.

The Behemoth flexed its mighty limbs, feeling the energy flowing through its veins like liquid crystal. It started channelling this energy directly into its bones, visualizing them hardening and transforming into an unbreakable crystal-like substance. With the impurities horn The essence dissolving into the bones remained. Light pulsed from the Behemoth, growing brighter and more concentrated around its bones. Its body trembled slightly as the transformation accelerates, the bones becoming denser and more resilient with each passing moment. The Behemoth roared, a deep, resonant sound that echoed like a shockwave and into the distance as the essence dissolved into its bone and surging through its form.

Finally, the light reached its peak intensity before gradually fading, leaving the Behemoth standing taller and more imposing than before. Its bones, now resilient, thick and larger. The impurities were completely purged, leaving behind a structure of unparalleled strength and durability. The Behemoth opened its eyes drawing me out of its consciousness.



**Path of the Crystal Bone learned**



The light returned and I found myself staring at the crack of the Shardoway. Slowly the thing sealed up, returning to its dark form. A soft growl from above my head caught my attention. Anatilda looked at me cocking her head as reptilian slits watched me.

"I did it".

"Good". The Head was standing just outside the array. "I believe you wish to increase your threshold. Complete the path and gain more benefits". I nodded to him, ignoring the way his silver hair ignored gravity and flowed like clouds behind his hair. He turned to go then paused.

"Word had come from.the beak of a Chrono hawk. More of your kind have been seen".

'More players'. I twisted my self to look back at him. "How many have been seen?". I knew we were fivez which meant there was four others. I wondered what their personal perks were. What spells they'd gotten. Or if we all had the same spells.

"Three of them. Complete your cultivation first. We will speak later". The Head walked away. I turned back to the array finding Anatilda still watching me.

"What?".

"I do believe your claims". I tilted my head in confusion. "Elder Magis. Progenies of the Primordial. It is quite clear". She eyed Xenon then turned back to me. "Not Amy know it. Those who do are far in-between. I wouldn't know if not for the knowledge that comes with my race. A Fairy follows and helps just no one".

I didn't speak as I still I didn't understand what she was driving at. I had helped survive and get revenge. She was yet to offer me my rewards for slaying the Behemoth.

"I know your thoughts. But first Elder Magi. Complete your Cultivation. Speak with the Head and then we will speak. I have a choice for you". She turned her head away and her long serpentine body shot up into the sky.

I stared after the dragon for a moment thinking about what choices she had for me. 'Doesn't matter". Shaking my head I pulled out the essence orb of the Behemoth. The large core the size of me sat on the array where the Shardoway had pain.

"Let's see". I took a deep breath just like the Behemoth did and then tapped into the essence within the Orb.