Well, if you're here that means you found out Webnovel had a character limit at the same time I did... you want to hear a Joke? No, ok well moving on...
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The voice in my head:
I lie in a tree injured and exhausted, not that I did much tonight. However with my eyes closed I could still sense what was around me. Then I heard a loud mechanical voice shout into my mind, "Subject Eight in critical condition, New directive created "Recover" lost health." I have no idea what the hell that voice is, but it's so unpleasant to the ear. The voice sounds like someone learned to speak by scratching a fork on a plate. Then the voice prattled on, "Analysis complete, Detected missing ranks, previous rank Blood God, current rank Hornless, Secondary directive created "Recover lost power," Estimated time required 145 years"
Then a voice rang throughout my being it was the voice of Michael. He had shouted at the mechanical voice, "Enough! You're going to remain silent you damn experiment!" The voice ceased immediately at his words giving me quite the relief. "Argent are you okay? The system Azazel implanted in you... It wasn't really authorized, You were supposed to receive one that made you stronger by overcoming adversity and growing your faith, but he gave you one of his learner systems," I didn't understand the question or anything about some ridiculous system. However when I tried to respond he simply didn't hear me.
While Michael was trying to get me to respond I heard the voice from earlier in the night, and Michael's voice became quieter and quieter until it fell silent. "Awakened is damaged stimulating healing... Success, Awakened has four Inheritances available... Injecting awakened into Subject "Areal" please hold... finalizing... complete," Then my all black vision lit up. I was in a field surrounded by high walls as if I was in a fortress, no I was here before but not in my body. Then I noticed my body felt off.
I looked at myself and realized I was in Areal's body again. However this time I heard the voice again, "Awakened this is the tutorial, Here you will be briefed on my functions and you will learn your objectives in the inheritance," I was startled but not completely thrown off like last time. This time my mind wasn't swallowed and conformed into someone else, but I remained me. Then a small, square panel appeared before me saying press accept to install "Hud". Annoyed I prattled "What the hell's a "hud" is it some Demon bullshi-" it cut me off saying "Hud is a vital feature I have, "In other worlds the residents are willing to replace their eyes just to hope to have one,"- Azazel" I was stunned this weird thing just used Azazel's voice, but there were no comms or anything else in here and he was off on a mission. I don't know what a hud is but if it's bad Michael might be able to remove it.
I pressed the accept button and my eyes stung. The pain was worse than anything else I had ever experienced. It was so bad it made me fall to the ground, but it finally stopped after what seemed like an eternity. When the pain stopped I tried to climb to my feet once I opened my eyes once again. My vision was now tainted with odd symbols and bars, and then another wave of pain surged through my head but when it stopped I understood everything that the symbols meant.
I could see various representations of intangible things such as mana capacity, health, and endurance, but all of which were greyed out. I said dejectedly, "I guess I can't really tell my real health in here." Then the system spoke again, "Accept the following features at your leisure, but it isn't recommend for you to accept them all in your current state." All kinds of glowing panels appeared before me all reading with amazing features such as the ability to receive strength from feeding on the cores of mana beasts. "I know the system told me that I shouldn't slap every button but..." I thought to myself. I got up and started spamming accept on every panel near me then I lied down expecting a wave of unbearable pain, but it didn't come. A grin took hold of my face as I felt like I could be a mischievous child and take all that was lying before me. I bounced to my feet and continued my spam quest until I walked up to the final panel on it it said finish section.
Author's Thought: "that mechanical voice is different from the system" -Ah that is very clear isn't it. Like "will smith Will Smith smith, only when he will smith." it's correct but, no.-
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I should have listened:
I was startled by the plate's words, but I thought about what it meant. "If I pressed accept and it kicked me out, wouldn't I have wasted my time?" I thought. I turned around and noticed that time was frozen, or at least looked that way. I turned back towards the plate worried that it could disappear trapping me here forever, but I decided to explore to see what I could learn.
I set out to see who was inside the walls, but it wasn't too hard as the inside was only ten square kilometers or so I found. After some exploration I found someone who I assume was a fellow succubi of Areal's. I approached slowly, because I was unsure about how the system truly worked. However, when I faced her, I quickly noticed some key things. She was completely frozen, although she was positioned as if she was practicing an overhead swing. But that was nothing compared to the face. There was nothing there at all no eyes, no mouth, no nose, absolutely nothing. I fell back in horror as I hear the words promptly blow by me, "I don't know them." It was said by what sounded like an unentertained little girl. Her voice shocked my mind and i felt my mind sear at her voice.
Shocked I quickly walked in another direction until I ran into Enda. She was completely frozen but I noticed some things. For example, she was shorter than me by an inch or two, had brown hair, slightly more masculine build. However, she had a gentle and trusting look in her eye. Then I heard Areal's voice chime in while I was focused on Enda. "Enda, Enda, Enda, You were always a good and loyal friend to me, Hell even when THE Demon King offered you a promotion, You shot it down, and instead suggested I receive it instead, All I can say is thank you." It wasn't said like a real conscious person, but a vague recollection of her thoughts.
This made me think about what just happened, a voice spoke to me, as images and foreign memories flooded my mind. But I wasn't taken over much less overwhelmed with the ordeal. I then thought to myself, "I wonder, do I learn her memories, by focusing on things she lives around?" I stepped back and looked around ready to test my theory.
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After a few hours of testing, I found out my theory was only partially correct. I can only use it sometimes, but that only made me more confused. So, I tried to test the boundaries of this system, but I kept encountering these invisible and invincible walls. "What are these things, I can't move past them!" I shouted in protest. It was unnatural, but at this point I don't think I can say it's too bad. I wanted to know what was outside the walls, but they are easily thirty meters tall. In an attempt to circumvent this, I tried to jump over the walls, but my body simply wouldn't leave the ground. Then I tried a ladder yet it was to no avail.
Alas I had nothing I could do on the surface. But this realization brought me to no conclusion that I must find the library, at least it could give me some common sense in the real world
After further exploration I had scanned everything, I believed possible. "I wonder how stupid I look, Starring at everything I could for several seconds, yeah..." I said aloud as my eyes drifted to a map posted onto a board by a steel door. I was hit with memories and images which told me that's the entrance to the inner fortress.
_____(Just a bit of extra info that may interest you)_____
Inside the fort was a series of underground tunnels, but that was nothing new to me. Not that Areal's memories didn't help with navigation, but that I've razed many forts solo. I knew that about a kilometer underground there's a massive stone, known as a core. "It contains tons of mana almost as much as one of my horns... I don't have those anymore," I said to myself with a frown. "Why am I thinking about things like these? It's not like like it's going to make me move much faster." I have no reason to think about these things, but then again it makes time go by faster.
I then thought about other thing that's been bugging me, how the hell have I not had an issue moving around in Areal's body. In real life it took me four or five days to fully adjust to the size, strength, and proportion differences between my two bodies. However I didn't even blink once before I could move in her body.
Areal's like six, eight, a full four inches taller than me in my old body, and like three feet taller than my new body. -I was so lost in thought I almost fell down a flight of stairs, not that it's going to make me stop thinking intently.- It's not like she was masculine in her physique either, she was actually attractive by most standards and pretty feminine. But things like breasts only weigh around one to ten kilos so it ain't important at her level, but the proportions of the hips are very important for walking. -I smashed into a wall and got "my" horn stuck in it.- "I think it's that there could be up to a two inch difference in the width between the pelvis of a male and female, Even with a sex limiter removed the skeleton doesn't change, I think Alex told me something of the sort." I stopped my rant as I approached a massive gate that had what I assumed was library plastered on the top.
_______________________(Again unnecessary detail but practice make perfect if I like writing like this it's going to appear more often)_____________________
I stepped into the large room and was astounded at what I saw. The floors were far nicer than everywhere else in the fort, at least in my opinion. The floors were a nice clean matte black that absorbed most of the light from the ceiling, and felt heated so you could read without having to shuffle your feet around to keep warm. The tables were carved out of wood and were polished and smooth but were still a rich color, that wasn't too dark nor too bright. However the ceiling and walls weren't going to fall behind and were a beautiful wood frame with a stone wall and ceiling in-between the wood. The entire place gave off a very cabin like vibe, a place where you could be comfortable and relaxed.
Honestly it doesn't seem very fitting of a military facility to be so informal with it's architecture. Our forts had archives but they were small and contained manuals for equipment, techniques, and HR logs. And attached to it was a small reading room with a small, uncomfortable, metal bench.
The library had five levels each with dozens of bookshelves made in a similar fashion to the tables. I approached the nearest one unsure of what anything was. "I just realized that I can't read," I face palmed as I came to the realization. "How did I not notice," I said as I realized that there was no formal text in the village. I was lamenting my inability to read as I approached the nearest table. On it was a stack of books and an open book sitting beside it. When I saw it I felt a wave of pain go through my head. It was on the same level as the Hud's installation, but I didn't get the feeling that I was getting stronger. My vision was fading and I grew light headed as I fell to the ground.
Author's Thought: N/A -Sheesh, I've been here for seven hours... I wasn't lying when I said I was slow.
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I should have listened part 2
Pain gripped me as I was buckled on the floor, and I could hear the voice of the system once again. "Awakened undergoing feature installation process, please hold." I had no idea what the hell it meant by "Please hold" "Please hold? Hold onto what, this pain?" I said as I lie on the ground slowly crawling towards the bench. "Installation que complete, 1 of 50 features installed, estimated time until completion is 2 days."
My faded vision began to turn red and I was losing consciousness. I guess I'm going to die in a dream. The body I was in didn't have anything wrong with it, but I doubt it was real in the first place. I know I can't just lie here and die like that, so I fought to crawl onto my feet. Alas I was far too weak to do anything and I am at the system's mercy. Then suddenly I felt as if someone had grabbed my soul and began to pull on it with a death grip, and my vision goes white. As I am being dragged through the void, I see the fabric of the universe shuddering at whatever has a hold of me. I thought to myself that if I die here may I go to heaven, since I'm already in the void. I was torn from my thoughts as I humanoid shape was above me and I was quickly soaring towards it.
I was inserted into another body this time it was my current body and I was tired beyond belief. Then I heard Michael speak to me, "What were you thinking Argent? I know Azazel is an insane bastard but he always gives his stuff some real polish when they function, SO WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO!?" He spoke with power and as I heard his words and it made my soul tremble. Before I was unaware of how much power is in those words they speak, but now I am fully aware of it. "I-I I was just trying to get the best features possible-," I stammered as I was cut off by Michael, "Are you retarded! I told you that he makes whack systems and it had malfunctioned just ten hours ago, I literally just reoptimized it so it would work right, and you thought you could take it all right now!" There was a tinge of annoyance in Michael's voice but not anger, so that meant I could possibly make him tell me how it all works. With my newfound determination Michael's words no longer made me scared so I snapped back, "S- So what if you had to fix something, you winged guys never told me how it works, nor what a "System" is in the first place!" Michael fell silent for a second, then spoke in a serious tone, "Boy, Did you think I wouldn't know what you're trying to do? Do you think we are as limited as this world's pitiful gods?" Unconsciously I began to shake and I tried to speak back but my body simply wouldn't.
The world began to shake as if it was crying in pain and I could sense a fatal tension in the air that was still calm. Then as I lay in my branch, I could feel my heart struggling to even beat and my lungs refused to be filled with air. The air was suddenly filled with an energy of untold proportions, and a right hand formed before me. The hand was glowing a white as it tore through space and time then it suddenly froze, no it slowly tilted until it was orientated vertically, then it flicked up and down creating an explosion of untold proportions that was both present and distant. From the explosion a six-winged man stepped through the hole he had made and with, as he looked in my eyes, he lifted his left hand and quickly closed it into a fist and everything reverted into its previous state. The glow around him dimmed and I could see his face and garb clearly, it was Michael floating before me and he knelt down to my tiny paralyzed body, and grabbed my face and picked me up lifting me to his level. Then he whispered, "DON'T test my patience, because I could, on a whim erase your entire world frame," My ear began to bleed and my body was giving in to his sheer power, but he then looked in another direction. "Gabrieal what do you think you're doing?" Michael inquired. A gold man was floating above us both and staring with a judging eye, then he said, "Mike you gotta go back, this world is gonna shatter if you don't..." Michael grunted and threw me to the ground and they left the dimension in a blink.
Author's Thought: N/A
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Alas what is the strife of man to a god: -There was originally way more stuff in this chapter, but i forgot to save it and had to redo it all over…-
In an isolated space where only some can be, sat Azazel, Michael, and Gabriel. But above them all was a being that existed in all places and all times, knowing all things and holding all power, His name long forgotten, now known as the All Maker in some passed down legends in places few and far between. They were only known by the summons of the world, and as such only the summoners can hear the stories of this God. They summoned before them the representative god of Axis, Ferros the patron god of blood.
"Do you know why you have been summoned this day," a voice said with all power. Ferros shook with fear and gently yelped, "NO!" Michael then leaned forward with a spark of annoyance in his eye, "Are you sure, Ferry, was it? I don't know nor do I care who "you" are or what it is that you do, however something beyond your wildest-" Michael was cut off by Gabriel, "I see Michael wants to belittle your pitiful existence, however we simply haven't the time, Azazel you explain for you have the most experience with this kind of thing."
In his seat Azazel laughed uncontrollably, and then sighed. He then stood up and collapsed his wings and leapt down to Ferros. Azazel initially dwarfed Ferros, but he adjusted his height so it wasn't too intimidating, and spoke in a gentle and understanding voice, "I'm sorry about all that, it's just a foreign god is fuckin' with your world right under your nose," Michael interjected, "Language! we are in the presence of the Lord!" Gabriel chuckled but Azazel, continued regardless. "Back to what I was saying have you heard about a foreign god? Never mind I'll just be blunt, a being more powerful than your entire universe is about to invade your world, so that leaves you with four options, first you all die, second your universe gets eaten, third you guys fight back and are left with a ruined universe, or fourth you stop fucking around," With the last option Azazel's voice went from cheerful to dead serious. Ferros was shivering with fear too terrified to respond, "Tell me why did you deny the most powerful thing to have lived in your world godhood? Did you think she'd repeat the same things that-that Argent did, or have you still not gotten over the fear of the Asterals? Regardless we gotta go back, all thanks to your mismanagement..." Azazel said in an annoyed voice, while grasping his forehead, "We're going back when I say we good, so before I do... meditate on this!" Azazel thrust his index and middle fingers through Ferros forehead and sent a surge of information, and Ferros saw the future that awaited them. Azazel removed his fingers from ferros's head as he watched ferros be flung to the ground, "W-wh-who was he?!" Ferros blurted in terror, as he broke out into a cold sweat. "That was a man known as Zeke the "God eater", he's already swallowed several worldframes and it would seem that you're his next target, so do you understand?" Azazel said while looking down at the terrified face of ferros, "Father! we good to go!" The All Maker nodded his head in acknowledgement and they were sent back through time.
Author's Thoughts: N/A
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The fall of an empire pt.1: -This is where it begins to pick up somewhat…-
In the capital of Huma, Argent, the Emperor sat at his war table discussing the actions he and his country would take from there.
"My lord, we have no idea when the capital could come under attack, so we must ensure that the imperial bloodline is continued, we can't lose your dragon blood!" Etta Frostborn said as she slammed her fist into the table, "Just because your wife died doesn't mean you shouldn't have an heir to the throne!" Zan Ironblood, stood up beside her putting his hand to his lips and made a shh sound, then he spoke gently, "Let's not discuss who the heir shall be in the case of Ar-His Highness's untimely death as it stands Jeffery is the only one who has imperial blood, so he would take the throne unless Argent had a blood descendant," Zan then let out a breath of minor annoyance as he turned towards Jeffery as he transitioned his speech, "Now let's turn our focus to how we shall win the Battle of Gorga, as it stands, we have intel of The Demon King being on scene, Jeffery please explain what Thomas had discovered."
The focus of the room shifted towards Jeffery a man slightly bigger than Argent, and the only other one with dragon blood in the room, his horns pulsated with pride as he stood and opened his mouth to speak, "I have been informed that several high-class demon nobles will appear there, in the Stone man's forest including Enda the bloodied, followed by both the Incubi and Succubi orders, I have reason to believe that they are going to ambush our main force from behind..." Suddenly Argent stood up his energy surging with his rage, darkness seeping from his body, his horns began to creak and his clothes began to rattle, "I will kill them all, Etta, Zan you'll be coming with me, we mustn't let them flank us, Jeffery you will take Thomas to the front and cut through the Demon King's forces, I know the Demos kingdom's backwoods like it's my own land." Argent spoke with both Authority and power, but his voice was tainted with wrath, enough that his war party was trembling. Argent left his seat and headed towards the door, but he stopped right before he fully exited. "Write an Imperial summons to all able-bodied vampires, beastkin, and ather; tell them that we are enlisting them, and for every single head the take they shall receive 10 units of gold." Then Argent stepped out, and headed to his chambers.
Author's Thought: "To clarify why they were arguing about Argent lacking an heir is supposed to be some future tense foreshadowing that they want Argent to ordain Jeffrey as rightful heir to the throne. They want someone with dragon blood because it means he has similar potential as Etmata ¹ and as such could rival the Demon King. Dragon blood simply won't thin so that's very important so remember that."
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The fall of an empire pt.2:
Argent walked towards his room rage swelling inside his soul, for all the pain that this war had caused and all the demon king had taken from him. He threw open his chamber doors with enough force that they flew off their hinges and approached his balcony, as he began to let out a whimper which slowly transformed into an enraged weeping. As he wept, he remembered many things and let his mind wander.
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It was ages ago, or at least it felt that way, I was Running around Demos, treating it as my playground, not because they didn't discriminate, but because all my friends and I could demonize freely so we could explore with little suspicion. On top of that Uncle Del set us up with a bunch of Hunter branch ID's so we'd go around the country and slay Mana beasts' and train together... That was the initial thought, but as we entered the first city, we were told that we- no I was undergoing the training to become a holy man and that my trials would be many. I thought that it would be some sort of religious ceremony but I was sorely mistaken.
For the first 'trial' I was sent into a dim room, only lit by a handful of candles, wearing some sort of ceremonial armor, and my skin was painted with glyph like markings and then I was surrounded by priests in black robes, and mysterious glyphs who began chanting and summoning their mana to imprint me with their grand 'blessing'. As they chanted, I was lifted from the ground and the glyphs on my skin began to glow and the armor began to shine, and I felt something began to grow in my chest and whatever it was tugging at my soul and becoming one with me as if I had regained something important that I had lost long ago, then in that moment something changed within me. My darkness had run wild with my other mana types and changed them, and they all molded each other into something else, something grander than they were before and then it exploded outward and a 'Domain' had formed around me and I felt myself grow stronger and my mind became clear, then just as it began, I fell back to the ground and I swiftly lost consciousness.
Author's Thoughts: N/A
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The Fall of an Empire pt.3
Shortly after I had fallen to the ground the priests had surrounded me and carried me to another location, because when I awoke, I was in a different chamber. Unlike before I now had a real sense of what was all around me, both its mana quantity and flow, as well as location, but before all I had was a faint feeling of where mana was concentrated and roughly how much there was. I now had great sensitivity in both my horns and tail, which used to only store massive amounts of mana now told me how it flowed within me, around, me, and through me. I could liken the state I was passively in to the 'Great Mastery' that Great-grandmother had told me about, how a dragon could achieve total awareness of their mana after great focus. However, it wasn't long before i had noticed the difference in the room.
This room was well lit, bright even, although the walls were a mute grey and the floors a plain stone that gave no reflection. There were no holes in the ceiling to let in sunlight, nor mages to light it up, no lightbulbs, or torches, it was just a stone room with nothing in it, save a single stone door in the corner of my vision. Then I thought to myself "Did my cover break, what happened to my transformation!" I turned my focus inward to feel if my darkness was still active... to see if i still had the desire to kill all who approached me... to devour them. But that yearning simply didn't manifest, and I panicked, but in that moment a black strain flowed from my body, and immediately i recognized it. "Darkness! But how? This is mine but I feel calm and at peace inside?" I thought to myself praying no one was within this stone room to see my embarrassment. Then the scary thoughts began to run into my mind; "What about my friends? Was there cover blown? Are they going to be taken away? How will we escape, ARE WE GOING TO DIE???" thoughts like that ran wild and soon i acted.
It was late to look around in depth but I was still unsure of what was happening and how everything fit together. My eyes shot open and glanced around the room desperate to see where i was, only to be greeted by the same information I had already known... that I was in a pitch-black room with no light what soever? I blinked and rubbed my eyes but to no avail it was darker than i had ever expected. "But how could i see with my eyes closed, wait how did I not notice I had my eyes closed!" I thought to myself as my two visions slowly fused into one as if they were that way all along. Then I tried to stand but instead felt my toes graze the ground as I rotated over and found me once again in a predicament that makes no sense.
Author's Thoughts: N/A
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The Fall of an Empire pt.4:
As Hung there for several minutes i wondered what a 'Holy Man' even was and why they existed. For example, why did Uncle Del tell me to become one, why are they all named argent, what are these trials for, who came up with this ritual and process? Was it a god who designed this ceremony or was it one of their apostles? Also why are they choosing children with the same name as the 'devil' human or no? Why do the ather worship and revere my founding ancestor like a god, was he one of those holy men? If he was how was he a human, an oppressor converted into a god, of the race that he himself oppressed? My thoughts were endless and questions innumerable, however they did distract me from the fact i was slowly rotating just an inch away from the ground as if one of the gods were mocking me. Grandmother always told me they were ungrateful and petty bastards, that's why she only acknowledged the All Maker, she taught Grandfather, who taught mother, who taught me that "Dragons will never give a shit about the gods, and the gods about the dragons"
In that moment it dawned upon me, why should I obey this stupid floating 'curse' I'm a dragon (and a human) so why don't I just use my absurd mana stores to create a floor for me to walk on so i can move about. I then concentrated on my mana into the shape of a wide and smooth board for me to walk on, but as soon as i pressed my feet into it i shot straight into the floor face first. That was my eureka moment, I had realized that that was a 'domain' a miniature realm of infinite power and possibility. "Oh! I had unconsciously formed a domain while i was asleep, and since i gave it no properties it just had me float there!" I blurted out as if i had been using this power since i was born, but i was already numb so I just accepted it as truth.
I picked myself up from the floor and headed straight for the door and opening it with a simile, greeting the receiver who was waiting for me to leave the room. But little did i know that the first trial was the last time i would feel joy or happiness, for a long, long time.
Author's Thought: "The dragons are decended from the ancients whose powers were unimaginible within the limits of 'godhood' within the series, but that dosen't make them unique in that aspect, because all of the 5 races (6 if you want to include vampires as their own thing) all born of the same blood. The dragons are a very prideful people and that is due to their sheer stupidity, and raw strenght... Simply put a dragon is a human in their true form, but with their absurd mana capacity build a vastly stronger and more intimidating form as their main body. It's due to their general stupidity that they are excluded in nearly everything and as such are labeled as being cursed by the gods" -Scuffed it forgot the dark elves were a thing, there are seven races if you include the vampires, even more if you include all the cross breeds.-
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The Fall of an Empire pt.5:
When I exited the stone room I had a grin on my face, proud of my accomplishment, but the priests observed me motionlessly, as if they were disappointed. I looked to the priests and thought of speaking, but I stopped myself. I was told nothing about the customs, save a sheet of chants I should utter when queued, else I had no permission to speak and I wasn't in the mood to be skewered.
While I stood there observing the closest priest my grin slowly faded and was replaced with anxiety. He was taller than me by a few inches but if you included his horns, he was almost 50 cm taller than me. Not only was I astounded by his height but also his face and garb, before my 'transformation', if you could call it that, he appeared to just wear a plain dark grey robe, and some faint tattoos. But Now I could see his robes glowing in patterns, but his tattoos were his most notable feature, they were made up of thousands of tiny glyphs, all processing mana and glowing a gentle gold.
Then the priests held out their right hands and they glowed as a staff was summoned to their hand. I fell back startled by their sudden movements, as they slammed the bottoms of their staves into the ground and began chanting. Their chanting was in comprehensible and made my mind spin. The chant was simple and just three words, but it was if they were hammering my soul into shape and reforging my every cell and soon, I collapsed in agony.
I had experienced near unparalleled pain three times in the span of a day, but this time it was just a brief lapse in consciousness. I awoke in the same spot I had fallen but i could see a man in white robes slowly approach my destination. I looked upward towards the man as the two priests stepped aside for him to pass and briefly say "27," with a respectful nod, as he knelt down to my level. "Ah 28, I hope our friends here been hospitable and have shown you your gift I presume?" I had no idea what was wrong with me but as i stared into his eyes i was filled with both awe and terror, not because i hadn't met with powerful beings before but because of my newfound senses telling me that whatever lie dormant within him mustn't be disturbed. After a few seconds 27's face slowly turned sour and he finally hit his breaking point, he grabbed the collar of my robe that was under my armor and lifted me off the ground as he looked me in the eyes. "Speak Damnit! I don't start a conversation just to do all the talking!" 27 screamed at me at the top of his lungs with his eyes glowing as if he's about to do something drastic. I franticly spoke trying to calm him, " Uh- Hi? I'm Argent!" it was inane rambling but it got him to laugh. Then 27 said "That's more like it!"
Author's Thought: "thanks for reading next chapter is an intermission" -oh really now? Does this mean I get to take a break!? NO! Aw-man. -
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The God of Blood...(intermission):
While Argent's mind wandered within his chamber the world around him moved onward at its normal pace. But far from the planet where the demon king reigns supreme in the outermost reaches of space there was a disturbance where the dimension quivered.
"Ah damn! Why did we get sent to such a bumfuck universe this time, doesn't Zeke already have enough garbage worlds under him?" a voice spoke in a land where sound is seemingly impossible. It was neither masculine nor feminine but its vulgarity remained the same, and then another voice spoke, ";;:: be quiet both your voice and your name could fragment this entire world frame, so silence your pointless whining! Zeke has entrusted us with the task of breaking down this world and bringing him the fresh corpses of its gods." The second voice had a masculine tone of annoyance and confidence but still had goals unknown. "So, who's our primary target?" the first voice asked in a hushed tone, to which the second responded, "Our target is the god of blood Ferros, he should be the most powerful of the gods and as such once he's dead they will have lost a major force," Then the first asked, "Any threats, or interesting beings?" And the second said, "Only a few, for the gods there's the Dark God not much is known about him but he is a fourth-grade god in the same league as Ferros, and watch out for the god of nature he walks among the mortals but he was once revered as the most powerful god. Now for the mortals there's a man known as the Demon King would be our biggest threat among them because the limits of his power are still unknown and according to our sources could have powers rivaling a direct servant." "Hot damn! a direct servant! are you sure? because if that's true I know we can't bring this world to Zeke!" the first voice interjected.
A long silence ensued for several minutes before they began speaking once more. "What about 'Them' those worshipers? are they here?" the first voice said in worry, as the second responded, ";;:: even you know our information is vast, but that doesn't mean it is omniscient, if they are here that means there's a champion and if there's a champion we are to run to our superiors and plead that 4 or more direct servants are sent out to stop them... else we can never touch this world and Zeke must feed on something else..." The voices quivered at a thought of a death incomprehensible to them and the thought of the crime of failing to feed Zeke...
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One year prior: God's realm outer edge.
Azazel appeared in the past with Ferros limply dangling in his hand. "Come on wake up!" Azazel screamed as he ferociously swung Ferros into the ground until he woke up. Ferros looked upward with blood in his vision as he saw Azazel standing over him with an annoyed look in his eye, and Ferros quietly squeaked out "don't kill me, please?"
Author's Thought: "intermission part one"
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The Fall of an Empire pt.6:
I looked 27 in the eyes in a cold sweat worried that I may have to fight this man, but I kept a forced and nervous smile.
"So you weren't the smart type, or whatever. Let me tell you what your parents somehow didn't, everyone here is named Argent. You, me, those priest dudes, and Argent himself all share the same name." 27 said as he dropped me to my feet.
"I-is that so... my parents died when I was real young, so I've been with my fellow outcasts..." I said hoping he would buy my story and leave me alone, but instead he laughed.
"Now that makes no sense any real ather would've taught you to run to the city if anything went wrong..." 27's laughter began to slowly stop once he noticed I was completely serious. Sweat began to drip down my back, and I was nervous of what was to come. 27's looks grew grim as he stepped closer and whispered, "Could you repeat that?" I swallowed down my fears and slowly said, "I lived among my fellow outcasts, it's as simple as that."
27 glanced back as the priests leaned in, and their mana began to soar, as they listened in great interest. I was just beginning to glance behind him, but I heard his voice in my head, "Don't look! To me they're just pests, but you still have trials ahead before seating you. Can you use telepathy?" I stood there and thought for a second before saying "probably" aloud. 27 raised his hand and motioned for the priests to back away.
"Now tell me what do you mean outcasts? Don't tell me you lived with Halfkin?" 27 said straight to my mind. "Yes... they're beastkin..." I responded. "That's not good, not good at all..." 27 stepped back and grabbed his head in what seemed like stress, "Do you have their tags? Please don't tell me you brought them into the city." He messaged me but didn't respond because he already knew the answer to that. "Fine I'll take care of your friends, but you better truly become '28' or you'll pay a price you can't bear."
I don't know what made me trust him but I beleved that if I had been told that he would protect my friends, not even the demon king could touch them.
Author's Thought: "trying a new format... idk if i like it or not"
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The Fall of an Empire pt. 7:
Argent lies in his chamber reminiscing on better times, but the gears of his world turn evermore.
On the other end of his castle near the edge of the volcanic quarter the nobles gathered all preparing to make their move. Deep underground they gathered like rats, and spoke in hushed whispers. There were over one hundred different members of their faction gathered around a small circular table, and at the table there were seven chairs. At each seat there was the six elders and their elected leader, Jeffery. But to see the full impact of what is to come you must see through Jeffery's eyes.
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"I know that you all are nervous, but our time is drawing near! Soon we nobles shall rise again without rivals once more!" I shouted my horns pulsing with energy and my tail swinging with intimidating force. They know I'm powerful and I am willing to remind them anytime, not just because I love flaunting my power (which I do), but because this is the most cut-throat place, you'd imagine. I walk among seventeen-thousand-year-old monsters so how could i be anything less?
My face contorted into a smile as my inner monologue ran on but I was sadly interrupted by Thomas, oh he's always such a kill joy. "Your Highness, You've stopped talking and did that smiling thing again." I looked at him and he was silenced, "Thomas you're killing my mood; do you want to sound like Argent? One day he'll live up to that name and it will be dreadful indeed, if he lives that is." I said with a laugh as I looked at him in disgust and annoyance, but like the dog he is he still obeys my every word.
Then Elder Pyrus said to me, "Sir, are you sure he can even be killed via normal means, both his mother and your grandmother weren't easy figures to topple? You must have a solution, no? or are you just stroking your own ego? Either way he is still "28" and has a few favors left." This man always is an annoyance, just because he's the eldest of our cause he believed that he should take lead when Argent is finally felled. How laughable he is; though he knows he needs royal blood to take the throne because of the entire nonsense with slavery and whatnot. "Hey Blaze balls, Shut up! or do you want your beloved daughter 'committing an atrocious act' tomorrow?" And how lovely a sight his face became as he was enraged, "You wouldn't dare!" Pyrus spouted as flames spilled from his eyes. And I simply responded with a cold, unforgiving, and beautiful smile. The sight of his soul dropping was priceless.
"On that note you all should believe me when i say no one group, person, or thing shall stand in our way. Now as far as the annoying clans go our Lesser's can take care of them, correct?" I asked my posse of 'servants'. Then a nobody in the back said, "How will we deal with the clans that ascended into houses, surly they will do something right?" They spoke with a quaking, but their voice, it pierced my ears... Death, yes death to the nobody, I thought to myself. I pointed at the poor lass as a beam of mana erased her left arm and most of her ribcage and she fell to the ground in a bloody mess. "Ugh, her organs spilled out, wait is she still struggling... Whatever, anyhow, we'll have our Lessers move only after Argent has been confirmed dead. That nitwit is still naïve enough to believe that I am his slightly arrogant adoptive brother." My eyes returned to the nobody as she writhed there on the floor, heart beating without a ribcage, a single lung struggling to fill itself with air, and her face all contorted in pain. Absolutely disgusting. "Somebody be a dear and clean that 'rag' up she's ruining my mood."
"Anyways our information is only so-so and these 'succubi' that Argent always prattles on about may or may not actually be present. However, our focus will be on the majority of the Demon King's forces, as we all know you can't own a country if there's no country to own. So, all of the elders excluding Zan shall fight with all they have, and I will not fall behind you in efforts spent. My fellows please do your best in the upcoming fight ahead! Alrighty now Dismissed!" as soon as I finished speaking, they tried to leave, before i remembered something, "OH I FORGOT TO MENTION!!! THAT THE DEMON KING HIMSELF MAY APEAR! BUT NEVER FEAR BECAUSE WITH ME THERE, you better not desert, because death by Demon King will better than what I do to you.
Author's Thought: "I wonder what kind of character you guys thought Jeffery was before now, and if he was something similar to this new version. Well just know we'll see from his eyes again..."
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Thomas's Log #37 (intermission 2):
I waited until the rest of the members of His Highness's organization had left. Then he finally spoke to me, "Thomas, I presume you have already prepared my armory, and had the dark elves prepare me some anti-dragon countermeasures, no?" I bowed down in reverence of his immortal majesty, although his planning is obscure at times it all has a purpose, "Yes your Holiness, and I-" Jeffery put his finger on my lip and said in a disgusted tone, "Ugh, stop it. Don't call me that, call me your Highness, or Jeffery, it's sad Thomas You are technically my father-in-law yet You still don't have any self-worth." Then he stood up in all his glory, was he going to give me the retribution I deserve for spoiling his mood twice in one night, yet he had walked away without doing anything.
HOW could he do such a thing I a mere ant, had ruined a god's mood and yet he tolerated my continuous actions. HOW UNWORTHY OF THIS MERCY I AM, I bowed down at the very ground he walked upon and trembled before it. I stared at this newfound holy ground and found a hair that had fallen from his head, "Oh-no, Such a sacred object can't be left here abandoned and forgotten like the rest of the trash lying on the floor!" I picked it up and headed towards the exit. But on the way I saw Janessa, the girl that annoyed His highnesses earlier and gave her a swift kick in the head. How dare she force him into using his energy to remove her from this world.
When I got home I put his hair into a vial and worshipped his holiness and then began to update his file. They don't understand why I worship him, HE doesn't understand, but soon he will. Jeffrey has the perfect potential to become a god, it's as if he was built from the ground up to stand above the gods, and now it's time. I have built him up enough devotion that he will become a god within days, and then and only then will humanity be completed.
Now as I'm writing this is the file as it stands:
Jeffrey Rayza: The lord I serve with utmost reverence, soon He shall be the true "Human God" dragon blood aside. He is Etmata's grandchild born of her second daughter.
Strength: Grade 97 with his strength being so high it places him in the realm of nigh-unparalleled Only surpassed in this aspect by his grandmother, Etmata, Zan, and his "brother" Argent Rayza.
Magic: 145th Circle. On this front he has only two rivals barring the demon king and his fallen relatives. Argent and Etta are the only two who are stronger in that regard. Yet with time they will know to dread his magics more than anyone else in history.
Argent Rayza: The strongest "Human" to currently be alive, although his talents lean towards god-like, or devil-like in his case, since his name and relations with the church of Argent. If it weren't for that, past me would have chosen to serve him in His stead. I regret nothing. Argent is the great-grandchild of Etmata born of her firstborn.
Strength: Grade 98 his strength is just barely a grade above Him, but still far weaker than Etmata, and Zan. Best he could do is beat a high ranking beastkin barehanded.
Magic: 387th Circle. Simply the strongest in this regard of all humanity, that is enough power that if he willed he could destroy every nation on the continent barring Huma, and Demos, in a single breath. Much less destroy other planets that have no mana. Yet his power is again much less than half of his grandmother Etmata, and about 170 circles behind what the demon king is projected to be.
Zan Ironfist: Not many know his personal history, nor the state of his House, but he has both enough power politically and physically to earn a spot at the table of elders. As far as rankings go he scores a solid third in His faction. There are rumors about his monstrous tendencies, but the issues are that he treats commoners with uncouth levels of respect, allows the elves to achieve any significant status, and that he tolerates the various clans that dot his territory.
Strength: Grade 275
Magic: 55th Circle.
Etta Frostblood: Honestly I don't like her, but her skill as an assassin is highly valuable. However my distrust of her stems from her severe sadomasochistic tendencies, It is believed that she is the reason Zan has his occasional fits as a monster. (These fits kill our own guys) Even though he is rather kind in most regards, and gentle toward everyone who's met him he still seems to go ape leaving only her alive but with severe injuries. Fine I can accept that she may be an off switch, but when she calls her injuries euphoric, and orgasmic, I draw the line.
Strength: Grade 24
Magic: 196th Circle.
Elder Pyrus: His name is literally Elder Pyrus. Pyrus has 7 wives and 8 concubines, 17 legitimate children (soon to be 16 unless Argent interferes), 14 illegitimate children that are used as servants. Favorite child, Lydia fourth born daughter(she will die in less than a day) she is also his heir. Pyrus owns 3 estates in the capitol and has his primary estate in his own territory. He will be disposed of after Jeffrey takes the throne.
Strength: Grade 75
Magic: 99th Circle.
Author's Thought: "This was just so i would have the oppurtunity to give you the standards the world uses for measuring strength, and a little insight on Thomas and his obsession with the royal family. Also there's a reason that the royals got more detail than the others." - Just so you know some of these characters have been nearly completely reworked, that includes Elder Pyrus
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The Fall of an Empire pt. 8: -At this point I noticed that it has been nearly 8 chapters since I made the MC do anything in the present what is this, Noblesse?-
While people were fleeing the meeting room Zan remained in his seat neither entertained, nor bored, but waiting for an order or request. But beside him was his second in command Etta, she typically made the decisions but when Zan moved it was absolute that she followed.
"Hey Zan we gonna leave soon?" Etta said while sitting on the floor. Zan looked over an gave a gentle nod, before turning his attention to Jeffery, "Jeffery, I am awaiting total instructions on how we shall deal with Argent and his innate draconic abilities." Jeffery looked at Zan in surprise and said, "Wow! You can actually speak more than once per day?" However, Jeffery noticed that Zan had no patience for this as he motioned for Etta to continue this exchange. "Cool man! Just go and leave me here. Not like I had something I wanted to do tonight." Etta said in a sarcastic tone as she walked up to Jeffery to discuss how they would fell Argent later.
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"I can't stand this place." I thought to myself, as I left the table with a wave. What would happen had little effect on how I would live, but I don't want to side with either group completely. I released my darkness and teleported to the surface and flew above the city.
I looked over the capitol and was hit with a sense of awe, as the moon and stars gently glistened down upon the city. This was the most unique city in the country, where you could see both elven, modern human, and dark elven architecture all in the same place. The plants interwoven with steel and glass towering into the sky and the ground sparkling with magic and moonlight. Human skyscrapers towering far above everything else made of steel and glass sustained by the elven root system, and the dark elves' deep underground complexes all within a twenty-minute walk from each other. On the outskirts of the city, you could see more primitive structures being slowly replaced with high quality cabins made of beautiful woods and up to code. Then i shifted my attention to the people who were still awake and thought to myself, "They have no idea what will happen tomorrow yet they have faith that they'll make it through it fine." I looked towards the volcano that was just a little way away from the city and beyond where the birthplace of current humanity, Raygene.
I teleported as far as I could and flew as fast as I could until I saw it. Raygene was burning in flames and soldiers poured into it, "The demons have taken them too. How much longer can we be obsessed with our own vanity?" I said aloud before hearing Etta respond, "Jeffery wouldn't be too happy to hear that now, would he?" I shook my head and said "Does it matter? what could he really do?" as I stared at the flames, "Come on Zan, do you really want to go down there? You know you won't be able to deal with them all." Etta said as she placed a hand on my shoulder, but I brushed it off as I shot downward.
I hit the ground, and a shockwave shook the city and the flames around me flickered in and out, the ground under me gave way cratered and cracked homes walls. But I turned and was almost immediately attacked by some demon, but I grabbed his sword arm and lifted him into the air and his face was that of shock but he wasn't my focus. I threw the soldier aside and looked down the street and saw a wave of demon soldiers pouring in all of which had so much killing intent that it was palpable. I charged my fist with mana and thrust it forward and in that moment the ruins of this city was filled with a bright white light. When the light had faded there were few buildings left in the same condition yet none had collapsed, the streets were cleared of all beings and the flames had been put out.
I began walking towards the nearest house and tore off the door frame to enter and bring out the survivors. But the soldier from earlier looked me in the eyes and quietly muttered the word, "Monster". I stared at him for a second before I went to continue with my rescue effort. The homes I entered were all in poor condition and the people might as well been dried out husks of humans and some other races. This country had fallen for a reason, they relied on violence to thrive but when another human country appeared, one far more powerful and far more prosperous, their prospects dried up. So far, they had survived off slavery but that can only get you so many resources. As I gathered people I was soon confronted by an incubi.
The man had no real fire in those eyes of his, but I had little care for their meddling. His mana was powerful enough that I could actually feel it, but he wasn't a threat to me. But that wasn't the same for the people I was rescuing. I looked to the demon as it dashed towards me and punched me through the walls of the city through the plains and through the forest, but he knew I hadn't died and kept up. His second strike was dodged but it had enough to destroy so much of our environment that it was saddening. I throw a punch and it simple slides through his guard and into his body. He spat out blood and fell to the ground, a hole the size of a dinner plate in his abdomen, as i teleported back to the city.
I continued onward cleaning up the city but i had nothing i could do for the dead.
Author's Thought: N/A
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The Fall of an Empire pt.8-2:
Zan looked upon the innocents with pity, they lived there with no way out, but it was their home. He took several deep breaths to calm himself, because even though Zan wouldn't acknowledge it using his darkness longer than thirty minutes affects him.
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The voices began to whisper to me. Their lies never change but the voices, they are another story. However I am grounded in the here and now, their lies are irrelevant to my current goal.
I was observing the small evacuation effort and couldn't help but feel that I could be doing more; I could go save more people; kill more demons; bring fourth my armies.
KILL MORE, KILL EVERYTHING!!!!
"NO!" I screamed as I shook my head. I can never let those thoughts take hold of me, lest I may lose everything I hold dear.
I teleported back to where the fallen incubi lay. I hated that I had to do this, filthy "ritual" every time I needed to get my darkness under control. A horrid practice where you slit your wrists with a channel blade and drink the blood of your victims until your wounds heal.
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Zan reached into his uniform and pulled out a small wooden handle to what resembled a carving knife, it was decorated in silver and gold with incantation shallowly engraved into the metal. Zan gently infused it with mana, as it began to glow under the gentle moonlight. He took a slow breath and listened to the forest; the gentle breeze; the swaying of tree limbs; and the calls of the insects. It all seemed far too surreal to him, too calm for what he was about to do. Yet the voices still prattled on, Zan took a breath out, and then he began.
Zan slit his throat with the blade without a sound and as blood sprayed he slit his left wrist and tossed the blade to it in one fluid motion, he slit his right and without hesitation planted the blade in his chest. Zan's eyes turned red and they began to dart around in their sockets, then they stopped looked down at the corpse laying before him and that is where Zan as he was lost control, and where the 'Monster' inside him awoke.
Zan's body shot downward, and like a beast ripped away the armor that remained on the 'corpse', and exposed the flesh underneath the armor. The man still had life in him with that level of darkness but it matters not, by the time he managed to struggle Zan's body had already bitten into his neck. Then Zan's fingers slowly grabbed onto his arms and began squeezing, and squeezing until it had torn though skin and muscle. Zan began tearing him apart piece by piece, bite by bite. Zan's wounds spurred his instincts to feed on pure darkness. His victim struggled under his grip, because the incubi's spine is intact he still felt everything and with his one remaining eye he pleaded for his life. One of Zan's bloodshot eyes rolled around in it's socket before locking in on its prey. It tore away the arms from the elbow down and smashed them against his head killing him in a single bloody strike.
Crazed Zan's body ate the arms that had been torn away, and reached into the hole in the incubi's chest, and pulled out a grapefruit sized organ and swallowed it up, like a wolf eating it's leftovers. With a roar he ran off into the night.
When Zan finally awoke he was holding up a teenage girl by the throat in one hand. She was missing her right arm, but it was soon found inside his mouth, the girl slowly and quietly uttered one word before going limp, "Monster." In the other hand was Etta choking but she was still relatively okay, and right now that's all that matters to Zan.
Author's Thought: N/A
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The Fall of an Empire pt.9:
Even though she was being chocked under Zan's crushing grip Etta had a childish grin painted across her face. Not that it didn't hurt, but because she was excited to see that Zan had finally let the 'monster' inside him loose. "That was awesome man!" Etta said with a laugh, "You should let loose more! It couldn't be better." Zan spat out the arm in his mouth and took a deep breath while letting Etta to the ground. Endorphins shot through Etta's blood as her face contorted into a grin.
Zan however collapsed his body was fine but the trauma to his mind takes its toll every time. Zan couldn't think, only lament. Lament all the deaths he caused, all the things he destroyed, all the lives he ruined. "Why! Why did this happen again!" Zan said as he slammed his fists against the ground hard enough to destroy his surroundings. "I absorbed the darkness why, what is wrong with me?" Zan said as he slowly began to sob, what did it matter him sparing his best friend, if everything else was destroyed.
Etta took a few deep breaths before kneeling down to Zan's level and whispered in his ear, "Well Zanny-boy, this time I would assume that at least four thousand died directly, at least two thousand died because of the shockwaves from your rampage, and at least eight grand died from the demons invading, so after my count Raygene no longer is a place with any people. You have a new record for you rampages, my little 'Monster'." Slowly her face was lit up by the fires of Zan's destruction, a disgusting smile painted her face accented with her own blood. "Thanks to your beautiful performance I get to experience euphoria once again, my monster." Etta thought to herself, but Zan had already fallen unconscious.
"Well so much for Feltleaf forest." Etta thought to herself as she walked towards the corpse of the girl that was pushed through the mountains by Zan. "Damn beastkin have some overpowered physical strength, She's not even got a scuff on her back." Etta thought as she rolled over the girl's corpse onto her face. "If I was the one to get hit by that it wouldn't be fun, just deadly... Well good thing she's dead cuz it means one less beastkin to purge."
Etta rolled up her left sleeve revealing a watch like bracelet bonded to her skin with a blue crystal in the center, it was her Comm. "Jeffrey could you come pick up Zan, We're over in the Feltwood mountain range, and it's going to be a long while till this area completely regenerates, believe me it's flooded in darkness." There was a long pause before she got a response from Jeffery, "Who are you addressing again?" Etta let out an exasperated sigh before repeating, "Your highnesses Jeffery can I beseech your grace to come and assist your poor vassals?", "Kay Etta I hear you loud and clear, please tell your beautiful Emperor your pitiful request." "Zan's over heated, and you know I can't move him when he's like that just touching him could fuck me up... worse." "Fiinne where are you two?" Etta was given a small jolt of relief from his acceptance. "As I said before we're stuck in Feltwood." There was silence for a moment as if Jeffery had to let it slowly sink in, but he responded, "I would ask you why you're in demon country, but ANYTHING I asked would just lead to more questions and I know you well enough that you would be an ass about it. I'll be there in an hour." And like that Etta waited excited for tomorrow, ready to put a blade in Argent's back.
Author's Thought: "just a chapter" -In a way with this chapter the story literally came full circle. And guess what it didn't do: put the reader far enough into the past to give them an understanding of what's going on. -
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The Fall of an Empire pt.10-1:
Back in the Walls of the royal palace, deep within the archives, there was a man named James. As he was born a commoner, he doesn't have a surname, nor has he been part of any clan. However, James has no need for a fancy surname for he has something far more dignified than that, his loyalty to the crown. Long ago when Etmata II was the ruling emperor of Huma, and now three-thousand years later he works the same position as the 'Head Keeper of Records'. No one in the history of Huma had kept this position remotely as long as James, nor the same recognition that any citizen would even be able to hope for, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
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"Man, this work is tiring." I said aloud while hauling some of the more recent 'collections' that I had been stocking up on. I know it's back-breaking work... for me at least, but this is what I do best. I'm not a soldier, nor a hunter so it's kinda reasonable its hard. At least I get to work at the best Archive in the nation. I placed the books down near the scanner and booted up the machine. As it whirred to life, I grabbed the book of the top of the first stack and gave it a look over, "The Playtime Adventures of Mary the Sheep". I used to read this book to the younger children in the slums district, it was the vampire kids who loved it the most because it was just so jovial as Mary and friends found new games to play with the rules included. Honestly it made sense why they loved it, it let them find new nonviolent ways to play, and since the kids from other races excluded them from everything it was a welcome addition indeed. "So welcome that I made nice with one of the single women there and it took off from there!" I thought to myself with a chuckle as I gently caressed my wedding ring. It's sad that it sold so poorly that they didn't even renew the patent even after the two-hundred-year grace period, but at least it's now public property so any child who wants to read it can for free. I placed the book in the scanner as it was dissolved and uploaded to the 'Royal Domain'.
I was doing this for a while but it's not like we'll get any visitors anytime soon because of the time. One book at a time the pile slowly went down, until I cleared the first stack from the desk, "Just two-hundred more to go." I said with a smile. But while I was working, I got a staff request for a book, and even better I get to choose! My eyes lit aflame with passion, as I ran towards the nonfiction section and grabbed the "Summarized History of Era Two's 37th Dekos" It was an epic biography of the 37th Dekos, of well... Dekos. Sure, it's old but it's a legendary tale of love, passion, war, drama, and espionage. I tossed it into my satchel and ran towards the elevator. I pressed the open button repeatedly but it took seemingly an eternity for the doors to open. I dashed through the small opening that was made and slapped my hand on the mana override and filled it to the brim and shot upward so fast I was thrown to the floor of the cabin. Ten seconds of neck-breaking speed later I had arrived at the fated floor to deliver this precious, precious book. I checked my NuComm HUD and saw that the target room is 326. "IT'S GO TIME BABY!" I shouted as I sprinted through the halls, I was running so fast that I felt like a cartoon character. And then I arrived at room 326, the door looked to be made of a heavy oak, just like all the other staff doors on this floor, and every other floor, and every room, save the 'special' chambers. But that wasn't important, all that stood between me and my book depraved contemporary was this door, and with three simple knocks this problem would disappear.
I lifted my hand up to the wooden plank, and struck it once, twice... twice? I felt my balance be interrupted, why I wondered for only a moment, because the answer was obvious. THE DOOR HAD OPENED TWO STRIKES EARLY, my mind reeled as I fell forward unsure of what has happened. A dull thud resounded in the hallway, or was it more of a thud... Hmm i'll note it later on what it was. Nonetheless I had fallen onto the requester and an awkward silence ensued. Until I broke the ice that is! I quickly hopped back a step and lunged forward kneeling down with my hands reaching into my satchel, ready to unsheathe the greatness that was the "Summarized History of Era Two's 37th Dekos". "YOU POOR BOOKLESS FELLOW, I have brought you a book of greatness that had gone nearly unsung is now beckoning for you to read it! I now beseech you sire do you have the strength to handle..." I was saying as I revealed the book to his eyes and then I got a look at him. "This book?" I said with a puzzled voice.
My NuComm Immediately pulled up his information on file: {Name: Mappo} , {Age:4600}, {Hight: 1.55m}, {Sex: M}, {Weight:200kg}, {Primary Rank:AdvanceHuman}, {Secondary Rank: confidential}. Mappo looked to be some sort of mix between a human and an elf, but his tapered genes mattered little for his... recent lifestyle. He weighed at least and additional one-fifty kilos, from his info. His skin seemed to be greasy, his garb was decorated with a girl in suggestive clothes, and splotched with his own sweat, and his headband screamed other-worlder. At least his hair looked nice. I should write about him in great detail later, he might make a somewhat interesting side character in my anthology.
"Are you just gonna stare, or are you going to give me the book?" He said in a congested voice, with labored breaths in-between the phrases. I didn't notice my staring was obvious, but it was probably pronounced by my theatrics. "Oh yeah... Here." I said quietly as I lifted myself to my feet holding out the book. Quickly he ripped it from my weak grasp, and read the title raising his left eyebrow at its name. "Is it good?" Mappo asked as he flipped the book over. "Oh, why yes, it is. It one of the most riveting reads in the entire royal archive, so good that it remains a bes-" "I didn't ask for a history lesson." I was shocked at how little he cared about the history of the book he was about to read.
BUT THEN he landed another figurative punch in my gut. Mappo opened the book and glanced through-ought the entire tome, before closing it and giving me a look of disgust and disappointment. Then Mappo said words that were far too graphic for me to bear, "I meant doujinshi, when I requested you pick me out a good novel or manga." NOOO my poor lad had fallen into the darkness and I could reach him with the classics no longer. A single tear fell from my right eye as I gave the Kid a Send-off-salute before his image dropped off into the darkness. "Old man I don't wanna read this book, so can you bring me a good one or no?" Alright enough antics for now. "Yeah I can, you kinda get a taste for everything after being there so long," I said with a chuckle. I leaned slightly forward and queried, "So what kind of story do you like?" When he heard those words, he and I both broke into a smile as I pulled out my headband from my satchel.
Author's Thought: "Just in case you don't read DKR the Dekos is the king of the dark elven nation Dekos, both the title and the nation are named after the strongest of their founding ancestors Dekos. The name has no known meaning, because he renamed himself Dekos after all the spirits said it whenever he drew near." -let's get this out of the way, Mappo is a spy, Dekos was just called rock guy in my head so I made Dekos just mean rock guy. Moving on, this is just so I can calm down the dark and overly serious tone of the story.-
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The Fall of an Empire pt. 10-2:
James sat in the halls talking with Mappo discussing recent pop culture and their recent work life. "So who's your favorite character in "Sakura High" mines Lilly too bad she isn't the main heroine!" Mappo said with a laugh as he poked James trying to get him to say his favorite. "Ok, Ok, I'll spill it's a little clichéd but Masaki is my favorite." James said with an embarrassed grin taking over his face. "Oh come on man really, Masaki she's your favorite character, the rivals girlfriend?" Mappo said with a intrigued voice. Then James got a notification that someone was at the inner archive, "Oh, Shoot I forgot I'm still on the clock! Got to go Mappo, hope you can recover from surgery soon!" James said as he began to run down the hallway, and Mappo silently waved with a grin on his face.
James arrived at the elevator and pressed the override once again. The doors snapped shut and he was thrown to the ceiling. Unlike before James now was composed and unexcited, because he knew it wasn't good when anyone arrived at the inner archive. The elevator came to a stop and James landed on his feet immediately heading towards the door.
James walked through isle after isle until reaching the old, decrepit, logbook section. It had towers upon towers of military logbooks some so old that it was feared they would simply dissolve. James stopped before an empty panel in the wall and hit it in the center. For a moment the wet thud of his fist hitting the concrete block echoed around the archive, but soon silence fell if but for a moment. A series of clicks resonated from the wall before it slowly began retracting from its position. The moving of the stone revealed a small set of stairs and a rope, both of which were descending into a dark pit. The stairs were a trap stepping on them would seal off the room and drop whoever was intruding straight into the abyss. James jumped to the rope and slid down deep into the darkness.
The only people who could access the inner archive were the Imperial family, James, and the assassination unit. But James knew that his 'customer' wasn't in either of the groups. As James drew nearer and nearer to the bottom, but his sense of discomfort only grew as he sensed the mana on a whole other level. "Whoever is down here isn't to be trifled with." James thought to himself as a dim light slowly became more and more visible, until he finally reached the bottom.
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There I saw a cluster of people and two other individuals. There was a large muscular man wearing a cloak that hid his face but he wore the traditional garb of the imperial guard. The armor's plating was made from the wood of the World Tree dyed a golden brown, and the under suit was a distinct greyed-out Old-Human rig from the era of the 'Devils'. In their presence I could barely feel the man, all because the person on the right. Demos Roseblood, Archbishop of the Church of Argent next to the Demon King, and Emperor Argent, he's the most powerful person humanity has knowledge of.
"Ah James! Good to see you! Hey I kinda need to get to get something out of storage. You know grand revelation from Argent, ha." Demos laughed as he spoke but he seemed completely serious. "What is it you need Sir Demos?" I meekly responded to the archbishop, before being interrupted by the Imperial guard dude. "How unobservant could you be?" he shouted as he began walking toward me. "Maybe you should see what each of your 'customers' is 'packing' before you go and fucking sell yourself to the one with the bigger mana pool." The guardsman now stood just inches away from me fuming and letting his mana go haywire. He slammed his large hand into my collarbone breaking it instantly. My eyes went wide as I buckled to the floor in pain, it was so bad I felt nauseous. I looked up and saw him grinning, that bastard undid his concealment magic just so I could see his sick grin. He bent down and grabbed me by the neck then lifted me up to his eye level pointing towards the group.
What I saw simply made me be taken over by rage, and the darkness began to consume me.
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James heart raced and raged inside his ribcage even though he had a broken shoulder he grabbed the Imperial guard by the throat with one hand and tore off the cloak with the other, revealing his ugly face. He had a pompadour haircut that was interrupted with several scars making bald spots in his hair-do. He had a nonfunctioning left eye that was sealed shut with scar tissue with a tattoo under it saying daemonium comedenti. His right eye was filled with glee and he had a grin plastered right below. James could feel his consciousness waning as darkness was slowly leaving his body, He scanned the man's face one last time and saw 47 tattooed on his right cheek.
Then James ceased to be who he was, and Demos took the light.
Author's Thought: "Oh did i mention i got a new collection recently, so if you're still reading please rate, comment, and add to your collection/library" -Speaking of which Add to your library-"
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The fall of an Empire pt. 11:
"Oh my! It appears James clunked out; I wonder should I help him?... Nah he'll be fine," I thought to myself. I looked over towards the small group of people that '47' guy dragged down here. I teleported them to me so I could look them over, and gave a quick glance towards the Imperial guard. I shot up a wall of mana and made sure it was clear, before seeing if he noticed or not. "Obviously, he didn't notice the oaf is far too infatuated with James to care all that much about this group," I thought as I illuminated their faces. There appears to be five individuals three of which are of the woman kind, two of my fellow men. I wonder why did he got so mad, I pondered as I scratched my chin staring at the group of frightened children and half-dead woman. And then it hit me like the sunlight on the moon... oh, how I like the moon. The sun and the moon could be looked at like some family of sorts too, "Wait, I'm getting off track," I said as I softly pounded my left fist into my right palm, "Ahh his family! That's who you guys are!" I said with a smile as I leaned over. I peered into the eyes of what appeared to be his youngest son's eyes. They were filled with a mixture of emotion, that's quite astounding honestly. His eyes were filled with wonder, excitement, pain, and unbridled joy, normally when someone locks eyes with me, they only show fear, not the look of a predator who had encountered their most invigorating prey yet.
"Wait, don't tell me." I said as I slowly reached past the children and touched the woman on the face and said, "Perceive." Immediately I was shown her history, she wasn't just your ordinary freak she was one of those genuine monsters. Model: Ten, Number: 8790, Name: Gaia. "A second-generation vampire, who would've guessed a model ten could be fertile!" I said as clutched my head with my right hand as I laughed hysterically, before looking back at the children. I jerked my hand away from Gaia, she'll just grow too strong if I leave it for long enough. "What a damn-near impossible anomaly you all are." I said to the children with a smile creeping up my face. as they were all being roused from their slumber by my dormant mana, absorbing it into their bodies and making it their own. Even Gaia was making a very strong recovery. I turned to see the fuss behind me.
My attention was now focused on James and this '47' fellow. This '47' He surely wasn't in the church, there are only 28 vessels. The royal guard has codenames like 'Prophet', and 'Jester' they don't use numbers as identification, gives away their numbers. So the question now becomes, who is he. I looked towards them and saw James bleeding on the cold ground, while 47 had James's right arm from the elbow down in his hand. 47 turned to face me as a smile broke out upon his face. Sure, James did a number on 47's face, but there's not much an unarmed Low-rank can do against that Old-Human gear, it may be old but there's a reason it was popular in all the human nations... until now that is.
"So, mind telling me where you got that spec ops gear, stuff ain't made like that no more." I said to the man. His eyes were locked with mine as he blew the blood from his nose. Then he began a sprint towards me, and slammed into my invisible wall.
Thud, thud, thud, I could hear 47's fists hammering away at the wall of mana I placed between us. Honestly it was rather hard to concentrate with all the thrashing about he was doing, but that ends now. "YOU PRIEST BASTARD!!! Since when could you Ather use magic like the dragons!?" 47 shouted, face red with rage, as he slammed his fist into the wall hard enough to crack it. "Huh, it seems you're more than powerful enough to make knight..." Then I put on my best Hadvar face and said, "Who are you?" I asked the man. 47 staggered back before uttering something along the lines of "bendith zeke"? Whatever it was, it was something unnatural he spoke, before his power suddenly shot through the roof like I could almost detect it was there if I focused.
"Oh, Shoot! hey um I can't have you waking everyone up. Especially Argent, he took a bit to lull into a deep dream." Oh wait, maybe this exact line may be repeated in a biography, "Alas, before me, the Demon King, this is nothing at all." I said with a cheeky grin. "Fracture." I continued on as his head falls to the ground and his power dissipated. I summoned his head to me and tried to analyze it, but his history was gone not covered up, there wasn't any history to find, this man was literally just born yesterday. "Odd, really odd." I said to myself as I summoned 47's body to search for clues but all I could find was some dinky headband, those otherworlders made all popular. I picked up James's arm and walked towards the divine archive that held Argent's headband... Well, it's more like a crown but whatever.
Author's Thought: "story go brrrr, JK basically the demon king acts like some sort of grandpa figure for Argent, slowly prepping him to fully take the Mantle of Argent, the Devil Slayer" -Fully true and cannon.-
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FINALLY, I'M DONE!!! 32,232 WORDS TRANSFERED AND READ. For reference a full novel is typically in the range of 45-75 thousand words. It shouldn't deserve any celebration normally, but this was ultimately like a max level self-control test, because it was inexplicably difficult to avoid explaining every single chapter or rewrite it all together… But I'm not done yet so stop celebrating, and get back in your seat!
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DRAFTED CHAPTERS: -These were the chapters that I almost published, started but decided against, or had a concept and didn't want to open a new google doc.-
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In The Void 1:
Argent's soul was dragged into a place known as the Void. It was in-between all existence, only accessible to higher beings. Simply put the gods beyond the gods of Axis. Argent arrived here for one purpose and one purpose alone, to be appraised as a guardian of sorts; A Champion.
"So this is supposed to become a אלוף יהוה can it even use Aura, no below that KE or Mana?" said the voice of the Judge of Untold Might.
"Sam don't look down on him that much, he could still stand among us one day. We shall judge his ability truthfully and he shall become a אלוף יהוה." responded the voice of the Fairest Judge.
"Let us confirm though his past and give him a test and if he shall pass we will make him one of us." The General of Three Hundred stated with a smile creeping up his face, "Do you all agree?".
The space went quiet for a moment before the Judge of the Unknown said "Call for the Star King."
The space rattled as the six pointed star appeared before argent and an eye opened from the center. It stared for a moment and calmly said, "Send Him to the Auctioneer." The twelve Judges gasped in unison startled by the sudden arrangement. "Are you sure?" The Fairest Judge asked in surprise. "He has such qualities as yourself, why would you throw that away?" She pressed further confused by his action. "Argent had already been confirmed, but it mayn't be enough to suppress Zeke alone. He will receive support from the Auctioneer, then we will pass him to our lord. A judgement is in progress. Finish your jobs and give him official status as אלוף יהוה and proceed as normal. Then the void fell silent as the Star King receded into the heavens.
Argents soul shook, before it was thrust into a recreation of his past, to see if he is worthy.
Author's Thought: "Big brain moment right? panic and flail to fill in the gaps of my story because I didn't do it right the first time but in reality I should have made chapters like this loooooooonnnnnnnnggggg ago so Sorry for giving you an unfinished product. Oh well you get to grow along side me." -Honestly I have no idea where this went, but if I had to guess where it was supposed to go it should be right after the prologue/prelude area.-
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The storm that began with four words:
Trillions of years ago, at hell's deepest layer there stood three immensely powerful beings. They were three brothers, all born from the one above all, however One was more broken than the others. The first two were those who believe that one-day they would overthrow their father, and take all creation for themselves. Their names Lucifer, "The first Betrayer" and Beelzebub "Lord of carrion" they were the original devils who had betrayed not just their father, but even their own brothers. However the third brother Azazel, "The Gatekeeper" didn't share in their ideals, he had followed his brother's not because he knew what their plans were, but because he was simply too innocent to deny his brother's request. Azazel had fragmented himself into three, one shard in the protection of Michael, one in the hand of God, and the third was he.
These three were surrounded by the armies of hell, and tensions were rising fast. Azazel had grown sick of Lucifer's lies and is ready to retaliate.
"Azazel, you little bastard, You're really going to betray me, all because of a little ittty-bitty white lie?" Lucifer laughed out while staring Azazel in the eye. Azazel stood there with his Aura rising instantly, and Lucifer realized that he was serious in his rage.
As after just seconds, Azazel had released his Aura and looked into his brother's eyes, originally he deeply cared about all of his brother's however that time has long passed. Now he looks at the armies of hell in disgust and his brothers in hated. "I am going home, it first I'm going to put all of your heads, on a fucking pike," Azazel said with immense rage, as his energy spiked. Immediately Lucifer called out for his army to charge and Beelzebub had already began his attack.
Azazel brushed off their attacks, readying himself to cause mayhem. Did he know he was wasting his time, yes, yes he did. He knew that no matter how many times you kill a soul, it will simply revive within a day. However Azazel was enraged, enraged that his older brother would lie to him, hurt people, and hurt God, his father's feelings. All for a defunct rebellion. Azazel threw himself forward and punched Beelzebub through his throat, as Azazel realized something, he could have his fill of combat before he left for heaven to repent. A sickening smile took hold of Azazel's face and his foes were terrified.
Beelzebub stared in horror as Azazel's face contorted into a demonic smile, but where could he run, he was stuck on a hand of Azazel. Then he heard four little words that were more terrifying than anything else, "May You Be Cleansed." His eyes went wide for a split second and he gave one final push in an attempt to break free. Azazel was going to use one of Beelzebub's erasure techniques. Beelzebub let out one last cry as he was evaporated from existence. Azazel looked toward the rest and motioned for them to bring it.
This was the beginning of the greatest battle done by anyone less than God himself, a rampage between the three throughout the dimensions. A fight with so much energy that it swallowed entire universes, and broke dimensions, a battle so with so much power Zeke shuddered at the thought of breaking into their world.
However now we approach the end, the end of the hellion forces and Azazel's victory. But he didn't walk away unscathed he still was hungry for more combat.
Author's Thought: N/A -I have no real explanation for anything here, but I'll have to let you know this is almost as old as the first ten chapters, I wanted to make them as a backstory as to how everything tied together and why azazel was there, but I don't think I should even bother as it gets way too convoluted
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Fourth Era 7th year first attempt: Recalled
As Argents soul crossed through spacetime he could hear the cackling of the gods and their summons. "What is happening with this idiots soul," "Hahahaha, watch him struggle against the void!" and a plethora of other sayings. The voices he heard numbered in the thousands, and each shook his soul with every syllable. In Confusion he cried out which only resulted in mockery.
Argent then saw a bright flash, and then he was aware. This time he was just a seven year old boy, and he sat in his mother's lap. Hanging from the castle ceiling were bright banners saying, "Happy Birthday Etmata-I" and various guests were wandering about the gathering hall. Argent looked about in wonder at his great grandmother's party, as his mother tried to catch his attention. "Argent...." Etmata-III said in a soothing voice, "Argent, Do I have your attention now?". Argent looked back at his mom's face and nodded to show he was listening to her, "Yes, Mommy?" he said as if he couldn't speak as himself. "Great grandma wants to see you during the party so when your father, grammy, or I call for you, We need you to hurry over as fast as you can, but no wings, Got it?" With an energetic nod Argent half screamed "Got it!" as he bounced out of her lap, and ran towards the crowd. Etmata called out once more "Your horns! Show your horns! That way they know who you are." Argent nodded and dispelled the light magic that hid his horns, as he walked into the crowd.
As Argent walked into the crowd he saw many people, some were beastkin, some were humans, and there were even some primal ather, but they didn't interest him. He climbed atop a chair so he could get a look at who was around him, and then he found his grandma. Etmata-I stood with pride as she socialized with those around her, and to Argent it wasn't very hard to find one of the only dragons in the country. She stood at six feet tall, had brown skin that was slightly tinted green because of her scales, she had horns protruding from her head, and a multitude of shallow scars covering her body. With a smile Argent jumped down and ran in the direction of his grandma. But as he was running he had accidentally smacked into another child, it was a small beastkin girl, and her brother a half ather. "Ouch!" they cried as all three took a tumble to the ground. Looking up at their assailant the ather boy shoved Argent onto his back, and tended to his sister quickly he saw there was a very deep gash where Argent had run into her. "Oh no! You're hurt, let me heal you!" Argent cried as he moved forward to attempt to heal them. But the boy pushed him away and said "Your gonna be ok Mary! I won't let this stupid horned vampire hurt you anymore!" He turned to Argent with a with a scoul and said "You stupid demon! I wish we didn't allow citizenship to you vamps!" then ran off in another direction.
Quickly Argent went over to the girl who was bleeding out and a small crowd began looking at us. "Mary? Is that your name?.... Whatever it is mine's Argent and I'm not a vampire, I'm a dragon!" said with pride as he helped Mary to her feet. "I know some elven magic, so I might be able to heal you if you want," With a pained smile she nodded in approval. Argent put his hands on the place his horn had stabbed and began to chant and concentrate mana into the wound. Mary groaned in pain once, then it was over, and the wound snapped shut.
Upon success the crowd began to leave for their little act seemed to be over. Mary jumped for joy that a wound that would take year to heal normally healed in just a minute and exclaimed, "Thank you!... Argent, is that your name?", "Yes!" Argent responded with a nod. Mary was now standing straight up and she was a head taller than Argent, her dress was a moderately frilly yellow one, with a hole the size of a grape below her collar bone from where he impaled her with his horn. "I'm sorry, I bumped into you, I just wanted to go see grammy, But now you have a torn dress and a sore wound, and I bloodied my horn," With a smile she gave Argent a hug and assured him it was fine, and said "Let's go say hi to my parents and clear up this entire mess, alright?" Although there was hesitation in his eyes Argent wasn't one to make messes without trying to clean them up.
He followed Mary through the crowd slowly, now afraid of the killing power of his horns. With a sigh Mary grabbed Argent's wrist and said, "What happened back there was a freak accident, so you don't have to worry about it happening again," She said with a smile "Lars also has horns, but he always covers them, He says it's because he doesn't want to look like a vamp, but I think he's scared he'll stab someone with them, Because when I was little he fell while trying to peek into my crib and his horns stuck to the frame of the crib," Argent laughed now knowing that, he's probably not going to hurt anyone else with his horns, and if he does there are always people who can relate.
After a short trek across the gathering hall, They had finally reached their destination. Nervous Argent hid behind Mary, appreciating her added height when compared to him. A red haired beastkin woman, stood there talking to Lars. They both sounded quite panicked, and for good reason, vampires lose some of their mental capacity when they see blood. "Mother!" Mary interjected into their conversation. The woman who is presumably their mother, turned around quickly and saw Mary standing there, and half fainted. "Mary! How are you standing there? Father want to find a doctor to treat you!" Mary gave Lars and their mother a hug and said, "I'm fine as you can see, all because he healed me!" as she pointed towards the now blushing Argent. Lars almost had an aneurysm at the sight of Argent, but was held back by Mary, long enough for him to explain himself.
With the entire situation now under wraps and mary's father returning, Argent can now go see his grandmother. Before he could go Lars grabbed his shoulder and said, "You, your a dragon right?" Argent nodded in minor Confusion. "Were you about to fly over to the old Empress?" Lars questioned To which Argent nodded. Argent didn't know why his family told him to never fly, he could form wings and other structures using mana, and he also had the movements pre instilled in his instincts. Whenever he had asked they said we'll tell you when you're ready, or something along those lines. "I can't believe they didn't tell you to not try to fly.... Say Argent do you know the story of your grandfather?" Lars grumbled. "No he didn't tell me," Argent replied. With a sigh Lars began, "Roughly 7000 years ago your grandfather was born, He was absurdly powerful, and was the first half dragon ever recorded, But Etmata had no idea if her children would be plagued with a common issue with the dragon race, the one where they can't control their form or magic until they reach king rank," Lars continued onward with his lecture and brought up many things that Argent had read before in his story books. However Argent left before Lars could finish to find his grandma.
Argent ran to his grandma and said, "Hey Grammy!" as he hugged her leg with a smile on his face. "Ha! There you are you little brat, give Grammy a kiss," She said as he knelt down and hugged the boy, she picked him up, and looked back at her guests. "Now where was I, oh It was as I was arguing with Rosalyn about how Erick would react about me being pregnant..., but I don't think our little boy has the attention span for that story!" Etmata said with a sly smile on her face. "No Grammy, I Have the Attention span," Argent protested, "Ok I'll continue Argent," Her friends laughed quietly at how easily he was fooled into listening to her story.
Author's Thought: "Still we have just a bit to go until, I hit the major meat of the story. So thanks for reading this and please share it so it gets more veiws, so I could get some input on the writing style."
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Areal?: Unreleased
Areal was going about her day and training with her squadron. She took pride in her order because it was one of three that the demon king paid any attention to. Its name was Succubi and was an elite all female order, who were the strongest in the entire army. They were so powerful most soldiers were scared of female soldiers entirely, even though they had a counterpart that was more or less the same.
Areal was working on her swordsmanship, when her supervisor, Charlotte, came to her and said, "Yo! Areal you've been ordered to go join the king's eyes on a scouting mission as a escort." "Yes Ma'am!" she said with a salute, and rushed to her armory. Areal was a melee fighter who disliked using her magic because it would slowly eat at her physical strength. As such her load out was light armor, a Greatsword, and a pair of daggers. Once equiped she set out for the rendezvous at mach speed.
By the time Areal arrived she still had about six hours before they had to meet up, so she decided to explore the area. But then she heard a loud crash and a a wave of darkness surged through the air. "Kya, Argent, Mary, Lars, We need to kill that Mana beast its core will fetch us about 300 gold!" an older male called out. Then a boy responded, "We're going do die for only 300 gold, my allowance is a thousand times that and you're pitting us against that for 300 gold!" Areal ran towards the noise determined to save the demons who were fighting a middle class Mana beast, and to see if there was a holy man there.
After spotting the group she leaped into the air to build momentum. Then Areal crashed down with her greatsword, lopping it in half instantly. After killing the beast she noticed that her instincts were going haywire. She looked at the group trying to see if there were any humans, but they were all demonized so they couldn't be. Then she saw a girl and her brother who had animalistic features, "Oh you're Halfkin!" she said with a sigh. The girl was Mary and her brother Lars. Areal began to approach them but a moderately tall man stood in her path, "Sorry miss, but could you please not harass my party members!" Areal stepped back and said, "I am Areal of the Succubi Order, Now who are you, and what's your purpose?"
The man pushed her back and said, "Miss.Areal we are a hunter party of the Demos Kingdom, I am Robert the party leader, We were given a job to come over her by this boy's uncle," Robert turned around and said, "Argent get over here!" Quickly a boy with reddish-pink hair walked over and said in a way that seemed annoyed, "Uncle Del, oh wait you're probably gonna want his full name, Delmos Roseblood hired us to hunt that mega deer and extract its core for payment, and I just learned I nearly died for nothing more than 300 gold," He began to walk back towards his group but stopped and said, "I have their tags, but if you touch them I'll kill you!"
To Areal it wasn't much more that an ant claiming to kill a wyvern, so she keeled over with laughter, "So, You said you- Ha- will kill me?" Argent walked towards her and she could tell he was rather serious, and he had a presence larger than all of his group. "Ohh, Lemme guess you're going to apologise?" Argent's energy sharply increased and he slashed across her neck with his dinky sword fully intending to cleave her head off. Somehow it managed to cut into Areal's flesh but the wound was only superficial. Areal was quite stunned that a weak boy would dare attack her, "Holy! Ow that really hurt, You're way too unbecoming to be a holy man!" Argent took a stance that seemed to line up with what humans used but was different. "Woah, woah woah, Calm down boy, I'm not gonna touch your friends!" Areal said as she threw up her hands not wanting to escalate this any further.
This was the first time Areal had ever encountered someone who didn't fear her or her order. "Hah, You I like you, let me teach you something, and we'll see
Author's Thought: N/A
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