Alright. Briefly, I have some time to think to myself for a bit. After talking with Samuel and rewatching our duel over, I was left alone in this illusory space. I can leave at any time, and the outside has time flowing as normal.
I can feel my body despite being in such a space- it's tired and aching, and I've been laid on the hospital bed next to the Angel. I smell it nearby, and I can only presume it smells me. Angels and Monsters have that sort of relationship, where we can easily find each other- so we can rip each other to shreds.
Scarab was nearby as well, monitoring my condition with the medical Automata aiding our recovery. Liquid Karma and Ulma was being injected into me, and it feels so good inside me- like a warmth within my belly.
Right, I better put this to good use.
On the outside, I'd probably look like I've passed out from exhaustion- which gives me the perfect excuse to stay in here for a while and train.
I can focus on controlling Mana, Karma, and Ulma from within this space. I remember long ago I read some texts about how some martial artists can train to enter their own minds. A space that reflects who they are.
This, obviously, certainly isn't it- or anywhere close. But if I recall… the main purpose of entering such a state was to be in a trance-like meditation where you could focus entirely on yourself.
I suppose I'll do that now, then. Ambition, if you can hear me, make sure to record this.
Let's see.. What's my body truly like beneath the surface?
I reached out with my hand, and closed off my senses completely. Complete deprivation of all Noise, Sight, Taste, Touch, or Smell.
Even so, I did feel one thing. A lingering pain from within my body.
Exhaustion.
My body is so… decayed. Despite it's appearance, I'm practically a ghoul at this point. I wonder if that's because these rotting old parts have all been around since the dawn of the gods.
This Angel portion of me… feels like an empty abyss, pulling away at the rest of me- sucking away my Mana and Ulma… but producing Karma.
The Demon portion is the opposite, producing Mana while sucking away Karma and Ulma.
My Dragon portion seems to be sucking away at everything. Nothing produced from that, unfortunately.
The Human portion is doing absolutely nothing. Not producing nor consuming. How delightful.
My body has a balance between all of my forces then… but I'm lacking Ulma production. That's likely why I strain myself so badly when I use Alchemy or Void.
… Speaking of Void, I'm lacking a Void Core- which is another issue.
Void is a dangerous element to access, since it's extremely volatile and has the unique effect of 'Deleting' something, almost like taking an erasure tool to something in a paint software. White Void is kind of like the paint brush then, in that regard. However, it requires deletion to be able to paint.
What not having a Void Core means, is that the Void I've been using up to this point is in an 'Unstable' state. Despite this, I managed to operate it smoothly… but in the future, if I want to use Void without risks- I should try and form one.
Not at this level though. I'm an energy negative being, if I don't produce energy naturally- the Void Core will consume me eventually since I'll never have enough to feed it.
Problem is, without Void- I can't alter the state of my Ulma situation. Mana simply won't cut it in this case, so I'll have to find another outlet.
Perhaps common electricity, if redirected, could manifest a change in my body. In some texts, I heard that alterations to 'pathways' in your veins can significantly hurt or help you… I can only assume it means electricity, since I recall those kinds of people being struck by lightning quite often.
Mm… what else then…
There are seven total energies in this world, four of which I'm using right now- I'm banned from using Divine Energy due to being within my Avatar… damn you Atlas and your stupid commandments…
Perhaps then, I should try and form a 'Spell Core' first. Something simple, enough to refine my Mana in a productive way.
Spell Cores are like a small crystal ball within your body, they can be formed by any mage who has access to the weave, which is the source of magic power to mortals.
When making a spell core, you simply must draw upon the threads of the weave, and bring them into your body. Once inside, you have full control over them. After that, you must simply weave a unique pattern to represent the effect you which to produce and infuse it with the intent behind your actions in a literal manner.
You must give a portion of your soul to the Spell Core in order to fully activate it, a secret many Magus do not know.
With the Karma I have right now, perhaps it might end up stronger than usual?
Hopefully.
Initiating Spell Core process…. Now!
Connection to the weave… stable, alright, everything is good there… it seems that nothing has changed in that regard! I reached out with my soul towards it, and with a flick of my proverbial wrist, grabbed a whole thread of it simply.
Holding it and containing it within my body was a chore, it felt painful to do so… gah, everything hurts to do nowadays. Maybe I'm just old.
Now to weave my own pattern.
Let's see… my first spell should be something simple, something I can use for any occasion… mm, how about… Flame of Chaos?
It was a signature spell of mine- or, rather, spell type. There are many spell types as there are stars under the sky, but many species, groups, or even rare individuals can develop their own unique series.
The Chaos series is mine, which, despite its name- it's mostly just a palette swap of the normal spell types- Fire, Earth, Wood, Metal, and Water. It's got one unique thing about it though, it has weird side effects on the body. I'm trying to understand it more, but it's difficult.
Chaos fire is just a purple flame with some black accents really. Though it burns practically anything and can't be put out without my permission, in effect it's as powerful as regular fire magic.
Though, it's a classic.
And, with a few lines of string, it was mine. 'Flame of Chaos' was now developed and swirling around with its lovely little spell core.
Mm… how amazing, it feels so nostalgic. With this, I can produce simple bursts of the flame on command- and with just a little bit of chanting or magic circles, I can produce the effects of leveled spells with it. Though, that may take up too much energy…
Mmm… what next… I got the cliche ability archetype down, now I need something new and original…
Let's see-
[ Access Denied ]
… Oh, well, isn't that nostalgic…
This is the power of Atlas, the titan that holds up the divine planes of existence. Within his grasp is all realities, and beneath his feat are the divine realms.
He is the final authority in anything due to his divine calling, and he is quite strict on his rules. I can't exactly recall, but somehow I pissed him off… he puts lots of restrictions on me now though, which is annoying.
For example;
Divine Autho-
[ Access Denied ]
It's perplexing.
Some days I wonder, what would life be like if I were to fully access my Divine Powers… mm, Ambition- if you are still listening, make sure to record this next bit separately…
So, in admittance, I am a God. I am known to be the holder of a few different domains, namely;
Monsters, Chaos, Change, Blood, Souls, Vermin, Beasts, Serpents, and Color.
This form I am taking… it's a mere Avatar of my true self, one with only a fraction of it's memories and powers. In fact, I'm so incomparably weak in this form- I've been killed twice now. Once by Samuel during our duel, and second… by that Hyper Angel.
Mm… alright, speaking of which… I guess it's now time to…
---
'Awaken' I mentally commanded myself as I brought his eyes open, my eyes displaying a welcomed sight- Scarab sitting nearby, happily playing with a small toy- entertaining the Angel that sat with her.
"Ah! Avery!" Scarab noticed, perking up and smiling. "Morning-!"
"Morning-!" The lesser Angel happily smiled, repeating her words.
"Mmm…" I grumbled as I unstuck my body from the sweaty hospital bed I was laying on, then placed my palm on my head and rubbed it lightly. "Morning."
"I can't leave you alone for ten minutes without you bringing an agender child here, can I?" Scarab joked with a smile. "It's day three and it's already become a trend, haha."
"I suppose it's just a coincidence." I swept away a tuft of my hair to the side, it annoyed me.
She moved up towards me, unhooking a small device from my arm. "Your hair is longer… and, mm, black?"
"...ah, my normal hair…" I sat up all the way. "Mm… perhaps, I'm finally…"
"Fused with those souls?" The Angel softly whispered, walking up to the other side of Avery's bed.
"...mm…"
"You… seem to be in pain?" It whispered again as it looked up at him, her eyes wide. "The King of Monsters in the flesh… I'd never thought…"
"What's your name?" I replied with my gaze bittered by an obvious, lingering pain within my forehead.
"Cecil." She simply responded. "Cecilia va Effulgence is my full name…"
Scarab scribbled the information down within her notes. "Who are your superiors-?"
"Do you mean my parents?" She giggled harmlessly, covering her face with her palm. "My Mom's name is Murasuma and my father-"
"Is Samuel, the Hyper Angel." I cut her off. Scarab quickly noted that down as she briefly looked shocked, the information presented meant…
"That bastard… fucked his own sword?" I gave a disgusted look to the child, who I now began to fully scan over.
She was a Lesser Angel, that much was certain, but with her body now fully recovered and pumping magic out once again… Fae Magic. The dealings of fairies, sprites, hags, and of the Summer and Winter courts of the Feywild… of course, only Samuel would be crazy enough to make a deal with one of those rotten species.
"Haha, yeah, dad told me you'd probably react like that… see, he made a deal with Baba Yaga-"
"Baba Yaga-!?!" Scarab yelled at she dropped her notes. "B-but, she's only a legend- a myth! A Hag like her couldn't exist, only those affiliated with the courts could possibly exert enough Karmic force to do her dealings… h-how?!"
"Hahaha~!" The kid laughed with a twisted grin, not unlike the crazy one that her father always gave.
"... Truly, you are terrifying." I completed my scan… my face was silent as I blocked away my thoughts. "But, now, give me an answer on this… why were you down within the Platinum Fields, within the old Angels of Order Citadel."
She looked puzzled for a minute before smiling. "I wasn't."
I frowned. "You are a lot like your father, now that I've seen your true face."
"Thanks for helping me out, Uncle~ hahaha-Haha!" She laughed sadistically, something uncouth for her age, and held out a small black pill. "Hahh~~ anyhows… I was busy hunting Demons to refine this pill, unfortunately I got caught by one of the Greater Angels- I escaped by hiding amongst the rabble in the Platinum Field, which my father told me would always be the best place to hide."
Cecil wedged open my palm and placed the pill inside, it sat comfortable in my hand- despite giving off an ominous energy.
"Father also said that… when you were to be revived, the first place you'd go to is there." She smiled, this time genuinely and softly. "He told me… how reliable you were. That even in the face of death, you smiled bravely- continuing on with determination, and facing whatever came at you with pride."
I confusedly stared at her for a moment, wondering if perhaps this was more of her mother's side, before smiling softly. "Knowing him, he probably didn't want you to tell me that."
"S-so…" Scarab mumbled. "Care to fill me in? Isn't Samuel supposed to be our…"
"He's a piece of shit." I responded. "And, perhaps, one of my best friends."
"Speaking of that… How's Arch? Word from humanity is that he was in distress the last few weeks before coming up here to The Vault." Cecil asked kindly.
Scarab adjusted herself a bit, picked up her notes from the grounds and backed away from the hospital bed as I slowly got up.
"He's been worried about the procedure, that being- reviving Avery."
"I need to meet with him again, and apologize for blowing him off on day one." I simply mumbled as I swapped my hospital gown for more typical clothing using magic.
"Where is he now, Scarab?"
"He returned to one of the main human citadel, Miriam. He's been invited to have dinner with the local lord, a man by the name of Richard Dusk." Scarab placed a picture of the man on the desk, which I swiftly picked up.
He was a short, fat, and older looking noble man with gray hair and a mustache. He had a simple and kind smile, despite his failing hairline, and held a short wooden cane beside himself. He looked like a nice person.
"Something of more pressing matters though, Avery…"