[A dimension without time]
Three beings stood in a ruined palace. The stone was cracked. Glass and rubble spread all over the floors.
Two entities were sparring, clashing, in the visible courtyard while their three spectators watched and occassionally passed commentary.
"Asura," Gabriel shouted. "It is my turn to train Inanis!"
Inanis was on the ground panting, an axe and shield lay before him.
Inanis had completed his physical evolution. He was now five foot eight, his hair had become longer and obsidian in colour. His skin was tan and his muscles, though powerful, remained subtle.
His eyes had become purple with flecks of gold and red, his previously crooked teeth became straight, white and strong fangs grew out.
His face become much more handsome. His lips were blood red and thicker. His mind was working faster and calmer.
His endurance, strength, intelligence and control over his emotions had reached heights that would have been impossible even if he were born a vampire.
This was the gift of Valerian's blood, although he was given a diluted version of the Demon Lord's sacred blood, its ablity was incredible.
Now the blood was doing its work on Inanis' innate talent and vital organs, strengthening them, increasing their abilities and reinforcing his heart by forming a crimson crystal shield around it.
The process was slow, it was painful and he still had war lessons with the Warlord, Lord Asura, alchemy and mathematics with the Mad Genius, Lady Lilith, magic, languages and art with the White Tyrant Lady Uriel then history, nobility, hand to hand combat with the Golden Knight, Lord Gabriel.
This was already torturous but added to the fact that he had to recall everything the first time he heard it and was never allowed to sleep but instead continously use magic to invigorate himself and still manage to battle off mental fatigue.
There was the possibility that he would lose his mind. He had broken many bones, been burnt, been scolded and made to study without respite. It was a daunting existence but Inanis loved it!
They wanted him to break. They wanted him to crack under the pressure but he would not allow it. The sooner he failed, the sooner the Princes of Abaddon could kill him and return to Lord Jata.
Though this dimension was called a world without time, it was technically a pocket dimension in the mountain where time moved slowly.
Inanis could learn three months worth of knowledge in a week. Inanis would have a year in the main world to be worthy of being a newborn, not an equal, not the heir but merely the newborn son of Lord Jata.
To them, this was an experiment taken by their Lord, they would give it their maximum attention but if the experiment failed because the subject was weak then they would not be at fault.
Lord Valerian told Inanis that if he succeeded, he would be worthy of being His son and receive a name but only if the four Princes acknowledged him.
Inanis smiled. His will was becoming stronger. He would make the four acknowlegde him. He would rise above all expectations placed on him. He would do it and the four generals would bow to him and call him 'Young Master'.
*****
"You have been doing quite well, Inanis." Gabriel spoke.
He stood in the courtyard watching Inanis who had taken a fighting stance.
"No, combat training today, we will discuss history but the history of the House of Jata and the legends that surrounds it. For you to be apart of the future of this House, you must understand the past and act in the present."