Chapter 4

Destruction stood alongside Joel, Kraeyuk, and Rakle. Behind them a decent sized crowd of onlookers had formed too and while Joel and Destruction talked, they all gawked upward, marveling at the towering black temple which now stood out as prominently as my own in Far Reach.

“Who’d have thought it once upon a time,” Sania said as we flew over. “Not only is a demon living in the place of my birth, but the actual goddess of demons. Of Destruction itself! If we judge our lives by what we achieve rather than years under the sun, then Truly, Clive, if we were to die tomorrow I would have few regrets. Life has certainly been entertaining with you.”

“You’re not wrong there,” I agreed. “And when it is our time, I don’t think there’s a person here who won’t be able to stand proudly at the end. Everyone’s given there all for this little town of ours.”

“They have,” she said and despite the dark topic I could feel that pride and the happiness it brought across our bond.

I felt it too and smiled myself as we came in to land.

Those gathered sensed our approach and the crowd quickly cleared a spot for us to land next to Destruction and Joel.

The first thing I noticed was that Destruction looked slightly embarrassed, which matched the emotion I was getting through the bond. “I apologize for its size, Clive. We reduced it so it would be smaller than your temple, but… it's still far more eye-catching than I'd anticipated.”

“It looks great, doesn't it?" Joel added. "I think I like it better than your temple back on Earth. It’s more nuanced and yet really carries through that threat of danger."

I grinned and nodded. "It does look great. And Destruction, seriously, don't worry about the size of it. You're part of the team now, and I'm honored to have your temple here."

"There's more than just a temple,” Joel huffed. “In fact, we were just discussing exactly what this does mean as we can now  add Destruction’s Sphere of Influende to our own. We could expand for miles and miles in all directions. Hell with the expansions that I’ve not used yet for our Sphere we could probably go as far as  Faray in the west, Laurel in the east and third of the way to the Palathi Peaks in the north.

“If we need more space to protect people, then it's definitely worth thinking about. Mind you, we should warn Ekstrom and Grimstrom, because it would encompass Nuinaer without a doubt.”

“It sounds like a solid plan Joel. But for one thing. Hakan was able to get through Destruction’s Sphere with ease. The only thing stopping him getting in here is that I’m an Alo-im. This Sphere uses all the Neumas and actually offers us a defense. Will the addition of Destruction’s Sphere weaken my own? If it doesn’t then I’m all for it. Otherwise it’s not a risk I’m willing to take at the minute.” They were both nodding their understanding as I spoke, and I was disappointed to have to say it as we could use the extra space. “You can definitely use our own expansions though Joel,” I added quickly. “We’re definitely going to need more space and if we can bring more settlements into the Sphere so we… sorry you, don’t need to make them, then get it done.”

It was Destruction who was first to reply first. “Weakening your Sphere was my biggest concern too. I’d like to offer Joel access to my temple and Sphere menu as a Sphere Manager too. With that access, he should be able to figure out if there is a danger. She turned to Joel. Would you accept the role?”

“Hell yeah I’d accept the role,” he replied without hesitation. “And not only will I find out if your sphere would affect the integrity of ours, I’ll work out how to correct it.”

She smiled a devilish smile. “I see why Clive puts so much faith in you. I have my own Sphere manager back on Onnekus and I will grant him access again as he is very useful. I think if he was to come here, you would both get on very well and he would be able to offer you many insights you may not have discovered yourself yet.”

We both saw the look of concern on Joel’s face. Destruction’s reaction to it was as swift as a viper. “He will work under you while my temple remains in Clive’s Sphere.”

Joel’s head bobbed, placated with her words.

“Will they still be able to access your temple if they’re not your followers?” Sania asked. “I’m just curious as to how it could work.”

“It’s a good question,” Destruction replied. “And one I will have to attend to. I will free all of the secondary plane followers right now, but I must leave the bonds I still have active on Onnekus intact until I have them all to the safety of either the Admin Hub or here. I imagine at least ninety percent of them will become Clive’s followers, so I foresee no problems in the long run.”

“That makes sense,” Sania agreed. “I’d be interested to see if you can forge any kind of natural bond with others of demon kind once you sever the follower bonds. I discovered that with my Ardumis evolution I can still have a connection with all of my old followers. All Beast-kin on this planet.”

Destruction was visibly surprised by that statement. “You’ve shed them?”

Sania smiled and again I sensed her pride. “I have. Though I’ve retained them through my evolution and… through love, I believe.”

Destruction looked thoughtful. “You’ve given me much to think on, Sania. For now I must act, and sever the bonds, but I will look into the kind of bond you’re talking about should I ever have time.” A vacant look passed her face like a dark cloud skiting over the sun before she turned to me. “Clive, I would appreciate your assistance on Onnekus. I cannot risk going alone.”

“Of course, Destruction. Do what you need to do here while I go get Mal and we’ll meet back here in a couple of hours?”

“We shall,” she said looking the most confident I’d seen her since Hakan returned.

“Imagine if we could link your temple and mine, if you expanded enough,” Sania said as we passed through the portal ring to Earth. “If we had one unified Sphere that was strong enough to keep out Hakan, and cover most of Falritas.”

“That would be amazing,” I agreed. “And something to push for if it’s safe. With the Administration hubs and the Headquarters, there’d be enough space to house a lot of the people we need to protect while we deal with Hakan.”

Sania nudged me with a beaming smile, “It’s been a while since I’ve heard you say we, and mean it. Do you really think we can become powerful enough to face off with him?”

“Just like all the other seemingly impossible situations we’ve been involved in before. We won’t stop till we’ve won or we’re dead.”

“Always,” she said with a loving shoulder barge. “And forever.” Then she nodded at the approaching Sophie.

A barrage of relief filled words came with the elegant mathematician. “Clive! You’re back. Are you okay? How is everything?”

“I’ll not insult your intelligence Sophie, it’s pretty fucking bad. The god of Creation is already back.” I saw the shock on her face and held up my hands. “He’s not coming here. He’s already bypassed the great barrier and now he’s stuck inside of it rather than out.”

“Oh… does that mean we’re safe?”

“No fucker’s safe, Sophie. But for now you’re okay. The only way for him to get here is through my portal in Far Reach. So until I die, Earth is safe.”

“I see.” She mused. “So do we not need to prepare Earth for his arrival as I have complete faith that you will never die!”

“Ha! Okay. We can go with that. But what you do need to do is prepare Earth for the arrival of Neuma in a strong enough concentration to gift powers. The Great Barrier is allowing Neuma through and I’ve removed the corruption to it.

“I need you and everyone here to stay ahead of the curve.”

“We will,” She replied. “Those in power that we’ve already spoken to have already proven they’re not going to listen to us, so it will fall to us to manage the change.”

“Exactly. And if you need any help with them being arseholes just let me know.”

“Will do, Lord Clive. It’s going to be interesting times, but I’m excited to see Earth gaining these powers.”

“Definitely,” I said absently. “Now, do you know where the hell Mal has gotten off to? I need to take him back."

“I’m not actually sure,” she said, looking around with an inquisitive expression. “I do know he’s not on the farm. Oh, and that he was looking at gaining followers so he could become more powerful.”

The scowl was on my face before I could stop it. “Shit. Looks like I’m going to have to go hunting for him.” I cast out my senses and found him quickly. “He’s a few hundred miles west of the farm… he’s in bloody Ireland of all places.”

“Does he have friends there?” Sophie asked.

“Theres one lad we know from a mucky trip to Spain, once upon a time. Big Bri. He might have gone over to see that pisshead. Give me a minute and I’ll go get him.”

Not waiting for a response I used teleportation to arrive directly in front of Mal. Appearing on the other side of a table filled with Guinness glasses, empty and full. My sudden appearance had tables clattering, pints spilling, and shouts of exasperation.

Mal barely moved, his sour expression telling me he wasn’t amused with my unexpected arrival. "Really, Clive? You just teleport straight into a bar without warning me first? What the hell are you doing here?"

While he spoke, I gave a wave of apology to those around us as they recovered. Then I pulled out a gold coin from my void storage and flicked so it landed dead on the bar counter. “It’s real gold. Two ounces,” I told the gray bearded barman. “For the drinks I spilled and for drinks all round. The coin should net you a grand easy. More if you sell it as a rarity.”

Quite a few of the patrons scrambled over to get a look at the coin before it disappeared into the barman’s hand. He took a bite of it, and then nodded at the indentation he’d clearly made.

With a satisfied grunt, he waved his hand in a shooing motion at the chattering crowd. . “Two drink limit, ya set o’ gobshites. And one of ye at a time.”

I turned back to Mal, but it was Bri who spoke first, completely unruffled by my appearance. He raised his glass to me. “Good to see yer, Clive. It’s been too long yer big shitehawk. You care to join us for a social one?”

“No, Bri, I…” I looked around the cozy pub again. Raucous fiddle music played quietly from speakers and a fire crackled in the hearth. “Actually, I will take a minute.”

“Harold! A pint her for my friend, Clive if you will.”

As he shouted across the pub Mal spoke. “What do you want? I know you’re not here for a drink.”

“I need you to come back, mate. There’s work to do and it’s quite desperate.”

“You know I’m busy. I’m not…” he side eyed Bri. “I’m not your follower now, I’m trying to build something of my own.”

I shook my head. “Stop being an ass. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need you now, would I?” I fell silent for a moment as one of the servers came over with my drink, plonking it down between us.

“What the hell can I do?”

I ignored him to take a long drink of the cool, smooth black liquid. With an ahhh of appreciation, I turned my glare back on Mal.

Bri was in first, ignoring the tense atmosphere with a cheery smile. “How’ve you been then? I hear you two have had quite the grand adventure.”

“We have, Bri, yes. We’re in the middle of a battle with the God of Creation at the minute. Which is why I need to pull Mal away.”

“If he really killed the other gods that easy, then what the hell I do against him?”

“Become stronger gods. Destruction's just given up all her followers so she can access Neuma directly and stand a chance at surviving against him if they meet again. If you've taken followers, then I’m afraid you’re going to have to let them go mate.”

It was as if a light turned on in Mal’s mind that I could see through his eyes. “Is that what happened? I thought I had performance anxiety earlier. I was trying to show this lot a shield and while I can still make the ones I already know I was trying to make one that could warm up a cup of tea.”

“Now you know. Don’t worry though, I intend to remove the requirement from the Ethereal Stages and I’m going to gift you all with Mortal Neuma when I can. But we do need you mate. You, Sania and Natom are the only ones among us who have experience in manipulating Neuma directly. You need to train the other Chosen and Destruction.

“Did you just say train Destruction?”

“I did. Now drink up and let’s get you back.”

He did as I asked this time and drained his pint before turning to Bri. “Well sorry mate, looks like no powers for you just yet.”

“Actually that’s not necessarily true. I opened up the great barrier. Neuma will be filtering through to Earth now in much stronger quantities. Keep an eye on it Bri. You can always go to my Sphere in the Pacific or the farm in Sunderland as well, if you want to learn.”

He raised his glass. “I’ll certainly think about it, Clive. A Pacific Island sounds nice. No offense to Sunderland. But for now, I think I’ll just enjoy a quiet afternoon here. Good look with the Universe ending threat though. Let me know if I should hide under a table or something when the time comes.”

“Will do!” I agreed as I opened up a portal back to the Pacific Sphere. As Mal moved alongside me, he paused. “Hang on. You said you’ll change the way the Ethereal Stages work. Does that mean you have a Divine Core now?”

“Ding, ding, ding, ding. Got it in one.” I replied, stepping through the portal.