Moments later, another Tyrant appeared in front of Aavesh- one with Literal Elemental Energy crystallized onto his skin.
This being was a Half Elf, but all of his features seemed starved- grey, dull or lifeless - like Vitality was forcibly suppressed to the point it could only wither for as long as he existed .
But unlike others- he seemed far normal and didn't have malice towards Aavesh.
Aavesh could see a profound sadness within his eyes and a longing for freedom.
He then gazed at the faint mark of the Dream Goddess Desna on the so called Tyrants Forehead.
"You are an Azata- an Imprisoned Azata to be exact"
Infact he didn't have any aura of infernal Mythic Power but Rather he seemed to have the Power of the Nurturing Azata Mythic Power.
Unfortunately Imprisoned Azatas were Azatas who had been captured by Devils either Physically or Mentally - to undergo Infernal Transformation.
It was rare to see an Imprisoned Azata, as the Azata Mythic Power was one liberation - Meaning trapping them was usually a terrible Idea, After all Azatans are beings who chose Chaotic Good Alignment from the Everlasting Somnium- the Higher Dimension of Dreams.
They were naturally treated as personal children of the Dream Goddess Desna- she was one of the Oldest Goddesses in this Universe!
She was the First Azata! She was the first Mythic Being that Symbolised -Good and Freedom.
She was one of the few Non Human Goddesses that allowed Human Beings to follow her Band of Dreamers- She despised the very Idea of Religions as she didn't care much for Order- rather she embraced the light within Chaos, and wanted her People to be free.
But every Alignment had a Direct Opposition!
The Devils represented Law and Evil which made them and Azatas Mortal enemies!
A Devil would want nothing more than to Torture and Tear down Azatas.
No fucking wonder Khorramzadeh had imprisoned this guy...
The man seeing that Aavesh had recognised his Mythic Power, smiled sadly at him and spoke,
"I am Damien Vorlesh, You are quite admirable little kid- you can even see through my situation ", he spoke warmly to Aavesh but Aavesh immediately sensed something from his body and immediately exclaimed out in shock!
"What the Hell?!"
Damien smiled and removed the protective Fields obscuring internal sight into his body.
Aavesh's Eyes immediately turned pitch black- as of containing nothingness - and he observed Large Shards of Oblivion Energy had been placed within the all 3 Dantians while mini shards of Oblivion Energy had been placed across the Meridians - but he noticed the Oblivion Energy was filled with a stinking Infernal Magic!
Magic meant to Corrupt a Being into becoming an Infernal Slave!
This was too high level! He had never seen Oblivion Power used like this!
"Your body- you are resisting Infernal Transformation through sheer will! But why the fuck do you have Oblivion Energy Shards within your Physique? They- They seem extremely wrong! They are Nullifying - Nullifying the Powers of Somnium - Oh Man, No No No, this is impossible, No Mind Breaker would do this!"
'Coral what's going on here?, how the fuck is it possible to have someone do this?', Aavesh immediately asked Coral while still in disbelief on what he was witnessing.
'This- This is -! Aavesh this type corruption of Oblivion Powers- to instill Adharma into it- It can only be possible by Oath Breaking!'
' It is only Possible if the Mind Breaker has broken his sworn oath to Lord Kaal Bhairava upon full Pentamic Initiation! But full Pentamic Initiation requires me... to be fully... Assembled', Coral replied back in shock.
'Full Pentamic Initiation? Does This requires one to collect all 5 Astral Prisms and master all schools before recieve the Final Inheritance of Sitaraman ?', Aavesh asked but there was a dark feeling in his heart- a thought so impossible that he wished he never thought.
'Aavesh... Let me borrow your Mental Augmentations - I want to check... My memories', Coral replied in a Trembling voice filled with fear and uncertainty.
" You are already close to the Truth child, you have to accept it", Damien spoke softly to Aavesh who froze on the spot, his blood had gone cold.
Meanwhile the Audience were now seeing Damien Vorlesh- the Elemental Tyrant, but they all knew this was the only Easy level in all of the Ten Tests- as long as one did not kill an innocent child in the previous test, Damien would heal the candidate and then assess their control over Elements.
If it was bad, he would be a temporary teacher and even try to make a life saving Liberation escape Talisman which would send the Candidate's Soul to Somnium in case they couldn't pass the Requirements of the Elemental Test.
He was unlike a Tyrant in Personality but his Mastery over Elements was exceptionally Tyrannical!
A Pity such an incredible Cultivator was being forced as a Slave to King Khorramzadeh.
They could sit this one out for now- Aavesh would only face danger of he passed this Trial, if he didn't- his soul would be sent to Somnium where the Inhabitants would try to protect him against Khorramzadeh's contract, though this seemed doubtful.
But Aavesh currently was facing a terrible shock.
Khorramzadeh.
He - he was - a - Mind Breaker?
Aavesh let Coral use his Augmentations to check her Memory Logs immediately to confirm this.
Few moments later, both of them discovered a shocking aberration - Coral's Memories had indeed been tampered.
It was actually easy to find the Tampering, like someone had intentionally placed it for them to find - they could have erased all traces but did not do so at all.
The bad feeling got more intense within Aavesh's heart.
'Your Memories were Tampered for Years- but then suddenly stopped at a specific Year- The Year the Adhi Clan was decimated by Him- It's the Year Khorramzadeh started the Ritual!'
' The New Reckoning of Divine Blood Ritual', Aavesh spoke mentally as his face became Paler and Paler, his heart turned cold and a cold anger now pained his mind.
Suddenly, he remembered his Ancestor Sitaraman speaking of a disgraceful Descendant, wanting to kill him for defiling this Power...
'Khorramzadeh - YOU FUCKED UP PIECE OF SCHEMING SHIT LARD! FUCKING DAMN IT DAMNNN YOUU TO THE PITS NARAKA - YOU PUTA DE MADRE!', Aavesh roared out in his heart while not speaking anything, his fist had dug into his palm while his legs had fallen down as a sense of defeat filled within him- He was being played here from the Start!
Khorramzadeh knew everything about the Mind Breaker Schools, hell he even managed to somehow cultivate the Oblivion Power Again even after it was taken back by Ancestor Sitaraman!
Who knows he may have even created his own Oblivion Arts...
Khorramzadeh was already aware of him Cultivating the Yama Arts, he was already aware of Coral's existence and even managed to collect all 5 Astral Prisms.
He was already a Mind Breaker, Aavesh should just be a monkey showing age old tricks to an old Fox like him who had already mastered everything!
So he was the clown here- He was the one in disadvantage from the start!
Should Khorramzadeh reveal this to the Infernal Factions, they would hunt Aavesh down till his Soul was Burned in Hellfire eternally!
Blood dripped from his right hand as he knew why Khorramzadeh had easily agreed to that Pact - Of Course he Fucking had other Cards!
Khorramzadeh chuckled in the void, and spoke in an amused manner," Heheh such heartbreak, you want to escape my control but you end up being in my grasp deeper and deeper... If you are already pissed so much at this, I wonder how will you react to my other schemes? It's nothing Personal, just a Devil following his nature..."
He shrugged nonchalantly - Everything was going to According to the Causality he had manipulated - no,he simply planned.
Damien placed his weathered palm softly on Aavesh's trembling shoulder and adviced," Protip, whenever Devils easily agree to a Pact, they always have the absolute advantage over you"
"In my case,in short he betrayed me-My Lover Arueshalae and my Havoc Dragon Sister Aivu were the leverage he had..."
"He would not release them Unless I agreed to become his so called Tyrant - until the day a Maledict can remove these Oblivion Shackles from Me or on my death, I become an Infernal Abelith- as you can see this deal was for naught, No Maledict has ever been able to free me... "
"I can only take comfort that my lover and little Sister visit me in my dreams while tirelessly finding ways to free me off these bindings, but I know - "
"it's near impossible for any New Maledict to remove them- maybe if you can retain these powers if I send your soul to Somnium, Maybe you might become stronger to break this Prison of Mine", Dimalchio stared at Aavesh with hope - hope that he could free him...
"I can send you to Somnium, but your mortal body will be destroyed in the process, if that is not your choice you can try my Elemental Test - if you pass, I'll let you face the next Tyrant, I will never impose any choice upon you, follow your heart my friend ", with that he smiled warmly at Aavesh.
Aavesh saw this and simply sat down while attempting to process everything that has transpired.
This Test- was the Test of hope and Despair - to break his spirit, his will- He knew how powerful the forces of Naraka were- after all the Devil God Asmodeus, had decreed death to all those who Cultivated the Yama Arts...
Suddenly a terrifying conjecture filled his mind, he immediately spoke to Coral,' Do you think Khorramzadeh had been Manipulating this? Can you sense the Location of the other Astral Prisms Coral?'
' I think it is very likely that he has done this - Devils don't mind playing the long con! But the other Astral Prisms- they are ... Urgh, I am sure- They... Argh! Ahhhh It hurts! I - I can sense- the...m bu..t They - ... They are changing locations... Ahhhh!', Coral howled in pain as Aavesh's Augmentations had suddenly overshot the limit!
Aavesh bled from his nose and immediately killed that operation to stop his and Coral's pain.
'Coral- it's a Trap- He's placed them in a place where the Location shifts every single time you ping out- Khorramzadeh has the Other Astral Prisms...', Aavesh felt hard to breathe as he knew this - was the right guess, his instinct had tingled on this thought.
'That Bastard - what did he do to me! Aavesh I am going to Do a Full Memory Scan- Incase he left anymore tricks Within me', Coral immediately decided, she couldn't risk Aavesh's life with what hidden things Khorramzadeh had placed within her.
' Use my Augmentations - I'll be fine, Just get rid of anything he left within you', Aavesh agreed and just condensed another water ball to clean the blood on his face .
He also stopped his bleeding and observed Coral's Progress on checking her code and Digitized Soul.
He then thought about what Damien said, Somnium or Pass the Test? Actually fuck that, he now wanted to spite Khorramzadeh using that fuck face's own rules!
The Azatan could only be free if a Maledict like him pulled out those Oblivion Shards? Then he would fucking do it!
He would really fucking do it! He wanted to break Khorramzadeh's Game!
But first he would wait for Coral for a little bit.
Not long after, a Mentally exhausted Coral finally let out a sigh of relief,' It's done, I found several hidden traps left behind by the Bastard- It's all gone- but this hatred must be reported, Aavesh From now onwards Khorramzadeh is the Enemy of all Mindbreakers! We must find a way to get back the other Astral Prisms from thid inhumane Bastard!', She gnashed her teeth when she thought how smug Khorramzadeh was probably now!
She had never felt so violated and useless! To think she may have been used to commit atrocities or even help Khorramzadeh - she shivered at that the thought!
She truly wanted nothing more than Khorramzadeh's death now!
Aavesh agreed with Coral's thoughts- but he now forcibly calmed himself, right now Khorramzadeh was expecting him to do mistakes after such a revelation - So how could he fall again into his hands?
" I want to- No I am going to help you ", Aavesh stood up and spoke to Damien who looked at him in a surprised manner.
" You only saw the Infernal Oblivion Shards within me- you didn't see what's keeping it all inside of me", Damien then tore his half rotten chest to show a cold, unbeating heart.
"Look Carefully ", hearing this Aavesh stared at heart- the blood moved around it strangely- it then transformed briefly into an Infernal Inscription - Aavesh recognised the Inscription, the inscription was covered in Oblivion Energy, tendrils from it briefly spread across the body.
"Have you ever read this Inscription?", Aavesh asked Damien who shook his head.
"No- the other Mind Breakers did but they never told me what it was, what it meant- they had the same look of pity and horror that you are currently showing me", Damien replied with a knowing wry smile.
Aavesh then spoke out reluctantly," Do you want to hear the Truth?"
"Tell me- you are the first to offer the Truth", Damien spoke with a bit of relief as he could sense that Aavesh wanted to let him know - atleast something about this Curse!
'Aavesh - are sure you want to do this? The Agony will be -',Coral worriedly asked him but Aavesh replied back that it would be fine.
"It requires a Mind Breaker to Master all Nine Primal Elements and fuse it carefully into the inscription- then it would break and release you from your restraints- just the amount is ridiculously high", Aavesh replied back wryly, but in his heart- he held back saying about the last part of the Inscription .
"So that's what's holding me back here for thousands of years , No one should be capable of that at all- Even I have only managed to Master 8 Primal Elements- I was going to go Somnium to master the Last Element long back- maybe I should've listened to Arueshalae and left... But I trusted him so much when he said a Terrifying Threat from the 9th Hell was about to arrive- but he- my Mentor, My Captor- My Jailer - My Torturer - KHORRAMZADEH! betrayed me!", Damien spat out each word with pain and rage.
The Elements around him became a little unstable as his Emotions had fallen into Turmoil.
"No one- No wonder no one was capable of freeing me! Khorramzadeh played this well! I can't increase Elemental affinity in this state- kid the offer stands - you can go to Somnium if you want and leave this Torturous life behind! You don't need to be his Plaything! As for me- I'll figure something out", Damien however did not call into despair immediately as the Preconditions to removing this inscription that inhibited his Demigod Cultivation had been revealed - Now that the Truth was out, the Great Dreamer would find a way to help him.
'The one marked with This- shall be bound in Infernal Chains dipped in Oblivion - The Price for Freedom is burden -shall you take this burden instead with the Nine Elements or leave fate be?Be wary O Maledict, show me your resolution O Maledict, make your choice Maledictus', Aavesh reread the Translated Inscription in his mind.
It was almost ambiguous, but Aavesh knew that this fucking trap was placed by Khorramzadeh himself to deter All future Mindbreakers.
'To actually achieve Victory - One must be prepared to bitten viciously instead, So be it', Aavesh had already accepted the outcome regardless.
As for why ? This is a conversation between him and Khorramzadeh.
'See this- my trap for you'
'But it's the only way you won't have guilt'
'Choose'
Aavesh closed his Eyes briefly and reaffirmed his choice as he his instincts told him, this was him, his nature, despite everything that could go wrong - despite knowing that he would step into the Abyss, he would do it.
'For my own sake- For My Sanity', Aavesh mentally chanted this as he calmed the conflicting feelings within his heart and revealed the Truth to Damien Vorlesh.
"Actually I have affinity to All Nine Primal Elements - Don't Blame yourself ",Aavesh immediately spoke and immediately send out a Wisp of Cosmic Origin into the Inscription before Damien could even process his statement.
He didn't lie to Damien regarding the Quantity - but the Quality of his Cosmic Origin was enough to substitute for Quantity.
*BURST!
Orange Flames Erupted from Damien's heart as the Inscription was being erased on fulfillment of Conditions-
Suddenly All the Oblivion Shards left his Body and condensed into a Hellish Infernal Vortex made of Infernal Mythic Power that Surrounded Aavesh.
It was a sight out of the Apocalypse -A Blazing Red Vortex had engulfed them both.
The Elemental Crystals on Damien's Body ripped out in a painful manner as he looked on with a mix of horror and Astonishment.
He then saw Aavesh's Firm Eyes gazing back at him with reassuringly.
*Ssssss
He the saw the Infernal Mythic Power sink into Aavesh, and he tried to raise his hand to stop this but Aavesh shook his head.
Aavesh's very essence Burned with Extremey Agony as he endured the 'Burden'- lines of Blood Inscription formed around his body from the Pure Flames of each Hell Later within Naraka, radiated by the Vortex.
"Ahhhh", It was too hot like having someone poke your soul with a Hot Poker, unlike the Physical pain he had felt before.
His face was soon covered with a Blood Red Infernal Pattern - making him look like a Diabolical Cultist.
The Rest of the Infernal Mythic Power sank deep within his Blood, hiding for who knows what reason.
The Elemental Crystals on other hand condensed into a Black, vile substance that had merged into where his left hand used to be and formed into an abnormally large Black Crystal hand.
Aavesh could sense the Vile Evil hidden within it- it was trying to influence his mind even now but he simply resisted it for now.
"KID! What did you do?!", Damien asked bitterly while supporting Aavesh who had collapsed on the floor.
Aavesh felt a bit feverish, like a fire had been out suddenly within him.
"Freed you- Sorry, - huh - it - took so - long', Aavesh spoke with exhaustion in his voice.
The Blazing Red Vortex had now died down.
"It's not your fault - But children shouldn't pay the price for Adults", Damien was so moved within that a drop of Year fell from his Eyes.
He then used his Remaining Energy to try and heal Aavesh, maybe even remove the Taint that had Infiltrated the poor kid.
Masterful Elemental Energy, diffused into Aavesh's body and soul that were writhing in Pain, healing the Damage brought by the Infernal Mythic Power.
But it was no use against the new Left arm or the Blood Inscriptions.
Whatever this was- It was something maybe the Great Dreamer could help solve.
Damien suddenly felt a bit of a chill- His Rebirth Tribulation had suddenly come now- of all times.
Aavesh who was already feeling better sensed this as well thanks to the Tribulation Element he had been trying to incorporate.
He stood up with Damien's help and spoke,
"You don't have time now- I can sense it as well- Good Luck Damien Vorlesh"
Damien nodded and then immediately Infused a Somnium Rune into Aavesh," It's the Song of Elements- it will keep you refreshed and Fully heal you at the moment you Desire, It's all I can do now for you- I won't forget what you did and neither will the World- My Friends will come soon and I promise to help you find the cure for whatever he did to you!"
Aavesh nodded at this and Damien retreated back from him.
He had to face the Rebirth Tribulation now- in his most worst possible state, but it was fine- As long as he was free!
No More Infernal Mythic Power to corrupt him!No More Prison!
No More Hesitation!
For Arueshalae, for his Mother Areelu, for everyone he must survive this no matter what!
He tore through the void, and travelled into the Chaotic Space between Dimensions, his Target, To leave the Material Universe so that it wouldn't come to harm due to his Tribulation.
His speed increased as the ominous feeling if the Tribulation grew stronger and stronger.
Somnium was extremely far now, so where could he even go?
'Great Dreamer- I am lost in this night sky, show me the way- Please ', He prayed as his eyes began to feel fatigue.
*Blizzt
His ravaged heart had suddenly begun to beat faster and faster as Beautiful Wisps of Green Mythic Power began to slowly sparkle around his figure.
His Mythic Powers that had been suppressed for Years and Years had suddenly become renewed with an unwavering sense of Vitality -
A Flute appeared out of the Chaotic Void, next to Damien -it was his natal spirit - that had been ripped by Khorramzadeh when he was captured and thrown into the Deep Void.
'Old Friend, I thought I'd never see you again ', A drop of a tear streaked across from Damien's Eye and Evaporated the next moment as his flying speed reaching incredible levels.
Damien then suddenly felt something and saw a Beautiful butterfly suddenly fly beside him, matching his speed with ease.
His Eyes widened and his mouth almost opened but stopped as he could clearly the starlight imprint on the wings of the butterfly.
The Butterfly then sat on his Flute, a familiar Magical melody began to play from it- Her song, the Great Dreamer's Song!
His Dull Eyes began to suddenly shine with Iridescent Vital Green Light!
'You're here'
'Silly Boy I never left'
Upon hearing this, he smiled as an unprecedented Determination Surged from his heart!
'Follow me to the Dream Realm of Starry Nights- there you shall seek salvation from Tribulation that is to come'
Her material and soothing voice comforted Damien and he followed her deep into the void, now more or else determined to Defeat this Tribulation.
'Dont worry Aavesh, I will not be long now- I will come back for you!', saying this his speed even increased at even more terrifying levels reaching a limit.
*Burst!
But He then exploded into Starlight and closely followed the Butterfly and Flute into the Chaotic Void.
Meanwhile back on Planet.
The Audience watching this were confused, what was happening here- why couldn't they understand what was going on?
Things happened so fast that they couldn't even understand what has happened.
They saw a Vortex engulf Aavesh and Damien, but after that Damien had abruptly left, while Aavesh had a new arm and a new hideous Diabolical look.
So what's the Verdict?
* Clap * Clap * Clap
Khorramzadeh had arrived in his familiar shadow form and seemed to be applauding Aavesh.
Aavesh didn't say anything and simply stared at Khorramzadeh wordlessly.
The Bastard was here to provoke him into doing something regrettable.
"I am impressed that you've already begun forming Origin, This Trial you'vepassed it with flying colors, It was never about Elements but whether you had the Tenacity to bear the Burden of your actions"
"But Aavesh- as your Elder, let me give you an advice, you were too emotional now after your discovery - you tried to suppress it in, you almost managed to retain your cold rationality - but you didn't, you wanted to spite me and freed my Former Protege- too bad he didn't become a Devil even after my Deception, his freedom imfrim your hands is actually in line within my expectations, I - wanted - you- to free him"
"Surprised? You said it yourself, what Good I do can be Evil, but what Evil I do can be Good as well- Don't be Naive Son, think- understand, process this information and do with it what you will"
"I on the other want to see whether you can still retain your Morality or lose it to actually stand a chance at beating me", as he heard this, Aavesh could sense the hidden smug smile within Khorramzadeh's shadow.
Aavesh then spoke up," But does that mean being Evil is the only way to beat you? To be like you?"
"You need to be a bigger monster to kill monsters- do you have the appetite?", Khorramzadeh asked sharply.
"But then again - Me being Evil is already within your calculations - Causality you say, Either way you already know the path to victory "
"But you want to me go to a certain path, why though? Is it not convenient to manipulate me using my existing weaknesses?", Aavesh asked curiously.
"You are probing me well- you did learn to manipulate after all! But don't think I will spoil the Gift I prepared so Easily - have patience, all in due to time", Khorramzadeh spoke with a rather amused tone, upon seeing Aavesh's actions.
"Heed my advice, I tell for your sake only, Now Go- finish the last 2 Trials", Khorramzadeh then stepped back into the Void after ending their conversation.
A serious look appeared on Aavesh's face, this Inscription on his body- even he could not decipher it , neither could Coral- for now atleast.
But he already accepted one fact - this little battle against Khorramzadeh, he had to see through to the end!
*Clench
Aavesh then gazed at his abnormally large Black Crystal hand and clenched his fist hard.
'No matter what- I will Live!'