Chapter 118: A Bold Request
The sensation of being hauled by his collar at breakneck speed was anything but pleasant for Crelos. The moment they stopped, Darius released his grip and the mage collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The world around him spun, his vision swimming as he tried to gather himself.
Breathing heavily, he managed to choke out, "What're you doing?!"
"Giving you perspective."
Crelos blinked, his head clearing as the wind stung his face. He realized the ground beneath him wasn't ground at all. The familiar terrain of the farm was gone, replaced by the sloping rooftop of the towering pagoda. The sheer drop surrounding him sent a chill through his body.
Turning, he spotted Darius now standing atop the central spire, his posture calm, hands clasped behind his back. The faint glow of his purple aura arcing with lightning.
"You asked why you're here," his voice carried easily over the distance. His piercing gaze locked onto the mage as he stumbled to his feet. "Seems like a silly question to ask, considering I'm sure you already know. You're smart, Crelos. So tell me—why are you here?"
Crelos's eyes wandered over the farm, the lodge sprawling in the distance, and the cascading levels of the Pavilion. His chest tightened as he searched for an answer. Finally, he muttered, "I'm here for you to experiment on."
Darius's laughter broke the stillness. In a blink, he appeared beside Crelos, his hand clapping firmly against the mage's shoulder. "Not the words I'd use," a faint grin tugging at his lips. "But you're not wrong."
Walking to the edge of the roof, he lowered himself down with ease, his legs dangling over the side. The wind tugged at his robes as he gazed over the farm below. "You want to know the plan?"
He waited, his silence deliberate, until Crelos groaned in exasperation. Rolling his eyes, the mage carefully joined him at the edge, sitting back with his hands braced behind him, a noticeable tension in his face.
"Bit dramatic. A fall like this shouldn't bother you."
"I have a fear of heights, okay?" Crelos snapped, glaring at the open sky. "I know it's irrational, so just get on with it."
Darius's shook his head, but he let it go, his tone shifting to business. "It's pretty simple, actually. With Barrond and the Kings providing sanctuary, I'll start building my force within the farm. After finishing preparations, the first step will be buying slaves."
Crelos's brow furrowed. "Makes sense. But you know that's going to spark future conflicts with the elder races, right?"
"I'm aware," Darius replied, his mana sense reaching out instinctively to the lodge, where nine distinct internal auras pulsed. "But convincing free members of the elder races to join would take far more time. Buying, then freeing slaves is a far more immediate option."
Crelos nodded, the logic undeniable. "Then after using me to create a way to bypass the mage system, you'll use that to attract mages and knights who've reached their limits. Eventually you'll combine them with an army of elder race cultivators. But... how do you plan on acquiring these slaves? And how will humans even access the farm?"
Darius paused, "those are parts I'm still working out. However, we have contacts in Floeur d'Alene for slaves. It's as good a place as any to start."
Crelos leaned back, staring up at the false stars. "Fine. What do you need from me?"
Darius turned to him, his expression thoughtful. "I was going to wait until my plate wasn't so full, but it seems you need something to keep you occupied." Touching his pouch, he pulled out a heavy tome, its cover glowing for a moment. "For you, a memory tome is better. I want you to fill this with everything—every step you've taken in your training from the beginning. I'll also need your full comprehension of the runic language in your system, every detail."
Crelos took the tome, frowning as he inspected it. "This better have some serious storage space."
"It does. It's a full-life tome."
The mage stored it in his pouch, his lips thinning. "So what's the purpose of this, then?" He slapped the roof beside him for emphasis.
"Unlike those kids," Darius said, gesturing toward the lodge, "I have no intention of crafting personal techniques for every person who joins. I intend to fill the Pagoda's nine levels with a library of manuals. The first floor will hold basic techniques, while the ninth will house my most powerful creations."
His gaze shifted to the Pavilion, his voice softening. "And that will be the place where future disciples train. The arrays you and Haku inscribed—those weren't random. I adapted them from the Ling Xu Sect formations I created back in Penglai. The ones you've finished are already active, gathering mana and powering arrays that will test and strengthen anyone who cultivates there."
Darius's voice took on a tone of quiet determination, his eyes narrowing. "This isn't just about building a force, Crelos. It's about building something that lasts."
"All of this, will eventually embed itself into the very foundations of Gaia. Once Arcane Cultivation becomes available to humanity, its superiority will be undeniable."
Crelos froze, his amber eyes widening as the weight of the plan sank in. His thoughts raced, the implications coming together with startling clarity. "Then, given enough time…" He shot to his feet, his excitement overriding caution. "The systems we have today will become obsolete! The towers, the strongholds—they'll lose their influence naturally. And humanity's destruction of mana will solve itself!"
Darius chuckled, watching him with an amused expression. "I can't claim that part was intentional, but yes. Eventually, mages and mana-forged knights will become relics of the past."
Crelos's excitement burned brighter, his hand suddenly gripping Darius's shoulder. "But can you really increase human potential? What if your path isn't any different? What if a person's limits remain the same?"
Darius paused, his expression thoughtful, "it's not about increasing the inherent potential of an individual. It's about raising the potential of the system itself."
Crelos blinked, his hand dropping as he took a hesitant step back. "So... the potential doesn't change, but the results do?"
"Exactly. Even if a person's limits don't shift, the strength they can achieve within this new system will. And that," he said, his gaze sharp, "is something no one can afford to ignore. And you will lead it."
"Lead it? What do you mean?"
"What, did you think I'd help you rise without expecting anything in return?" Darius laughed, his expression almost exaggerated. "I haven't forgotten your potential, or the day you shamed me—Lord of the Nine Rings."
A faint blush crept across Crelos's face, but he quickly fired back. "You can't blame me for being amazing. But I kind of like that—Lord of the Nine Rings."
Snorting, Darius rolled his eyes. "But if this succeeds, you'll become Gaia's first... Hmm." He paused, frowning for a moment. "True Ascended is already taken. Arcane Ascended? No, I use 'Arcane' too much."
"Does that really matter right now?"
'I like naming things though.' Darius's lips twitched into a faint scowl before refocusing. Clearing his throat, "once we're ready to bring this to humanity, you'll be the guidepost for mages to follow."
Crelos leaned back slowly, the realization settling over him. A grin tugged at his lips as he backed toward the edge of the roof, his fear of heights momentarily forgotten. "It's bold," he admitted. "But I can't deny it's brilliant."
"Watch out."
Crelos glanced over his shoulder, a casual look that quickly turned to panic as his balance wavered. He lurched forward, dropping to his hands and knees with a pale expression.
Trying to shift from his embarrassment as he crawled forward, "every tower master in Gaia is going to curse your name to their graves. They'll probably be the last ones to join you, but I highly doubt they even would."
"Even one who's reached their peak?"
Crelos shook his head, his voice sharp. "Give up a tower to get a little stronger? Not a chance. A tower is more than a symbol. It's an extension of the master's very essence. The territory it covers becomes their domain—tied to them in ways you can't imagine, well... you probably can."
Darius frowned, folding his arms. "How large are these domains?"
"For example, Crowley's tower grants him control over the entirety of Rancito Cordoba. Most tower masters tailor the size of their city to match their domain. If they ascend to a higher grade tower, their domain expands with it."
Darius's expression darkened slightly, the gears turning in his mind. Seeing this, Crelos's tone shifted, almost apologetic. "That doesn't mean it's impossible to kill him! You'd just need to lure him out of the city. I'm sure we could—"
"No need. I'll wait until I'm strong enough to defeat him at his peak. I have time."
Crelos raised a brow, studying him for a moment before squinting. "Can I be honest with you?"
"Strange request. I'd prefer it if you were always honest with me."
"You know what I mean," Crelos grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Since you separated from Daemen, you've changed. You're... older. Like, more 'grandpa in the corner' than 'mysterious teen'."
Darius chuckled with a flat eyes. "Careful…" His gaze flickered inward, his senses brushing over Daemen cultivating near his Dantian. His voice softened, almost teasing. "I am the same as I've always been—no more, no less."
Before Crelos could respond, Darius took a step behind him. The mage barely registered the motion before Darius inhaled deeply and exhaled a gust of wind that sent Crelos stumbling into open air.
Crelos hovered for a moment, disbelief etched on his face, before gravity took hold. "Bastard!" he shouted, fumbling for his wand as he plummeted.
"Gáeth Tene!" Flames erupted beneath him, the spell slowing his descent into a controlled landing.
Darius leaned over the edge, a smirk tugging at his lips. Leaping down with effortless grace, he landed beside Crelos, the gust from his landing scattering embers across the ground.
"You're an ass!" The mage barked, brushing soot from his heavy robes. "For someone your age, your skin's as thick as paper!"
Laughing, Darius began strolling toward the lodge, his hands clasped behind his back. "Come now. Aren't you ashamed? Panicking like that over a little height. It's embarrassing."
"You're embarrassing!" Crelos shot back, chasing after him.
Their banter echoed between them as they entered the lodge. Settling by the fire, the tension eased, their conversation eventually flowing into discussions of runes, cultivation theories, and the potential paths ahead. For the first time in weeks, Crelos's shoulders felt surprisingly light.
----
As the artificial sun began to rise within the beast-farm, Darius stepped onto the lodge's landing, the faint warmth of the light brushing against his face.
'So much to do.'
Descending the steps leisurely, he paused as his boots touched the ground. His hand brushed his pouch, a fleeting thought crossing his mind.
'Wouldn't hurt to let them stretch.'
With a flick of his wrist, he twisted the lid off a small red barrel and tossed it lightly to the ground. Beams of light erupted as three monkeys emerged, their energetic forms darting about with unrestrained curiosity.
The largest of the trio glanced at Darius briefly before leading the others toward the fruit trees he'd recently planted for them. Watching them disappear into the dense grove, Darius retrieved the barrel and headed toward the lake, his pace unhurried.
He masked his aura deliberately, not wanting to disturb Ursie. The faint sounds of rustling leaves accompanying him as he approached the shoreline.
The water stretched before him, painted in colors of orange and gold by the rising light. Darius paused at the edge, his eyes settling on the rippling surface.
'Once this is over, I need to spend some time on my own gains.' He picked up a smooth pebble from the beach. 'Hopefully, Barrond won't disappoint.'
With a flick of his wrist, the pebble skipped across the water, bouncing effortlessly across the mirrored surface until it vanished beyond sight.
His thoughts wandered, turning to Agarttha. 'If I can gain permanent access, I won't need crystals anymore. And if I could somehow transfer the farm there... the Sect's foundations would be secure.'
Reaching out, he twisted his fingers slightly, drawing a thin stream of water from the lake. It curled and twisted like a living thing, coiling around his hand.
'I should focus on my runic language first,' he thought, his brows knitting. 'Finish deciphering the remaining letters. If I can manage that, I might finally begin to unravel the Vault's secrets. Something tells me the Valdene's were just scratching the surface.'
Darius leaned closer, his piercing gaze focusing on the water's surface. The microscopic runes embedded within its structure came into view, billions of intricate symbols flowing together in an endless dance. It was the same runic language as the Vault's—a complex, elusive code that still refused to yield its meaning. Even though he could now view it without the searing pain that once plagued him, comprehension remained frustratingly out of reach.
With a quiet sigh, he clenched his hand, releasing the water back into the lake. "That settles it then. After the kids advance, I'll enter closed-door cultivation until I've fully comprehended my runic language."
Turning from the lake, his thoughts were already shifting to the tasks ahead. Vanishing from the spot, he reappeared in front of the farm door. Entering the All-Room, he moved with purpose toward the center.
"Exit."
At his command, the familiar starry portal expanded into existence. Without hesitation, he stepped through, emerging into the quiet meeting chamber. The room was unchanged—silent, empty, save for the central table, its surface still covered with the shifting sands.
"I wish to speak with you if you have a moment."
He clasped his hands behind his back, waiting. The moments stretched, the stillness broken only by the faint hum of mana in the air. Then came the familiar sounds—roots twisting and wood creaking as Barrond's massive body emerged from the wall.
"I was wondering when you'd show yourself," the world-bear rumbled, his tone curious but guarded. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
Darius studied him carefully, his mana sense tingling with unease. His eyes drifted to a nearby section of the wall, a spot strangely devoid of mana.
'Even dead wood holds traces.' Clearing his throat, Darius spoke, his tone steady. "Would you mind giving Barrond and me the room? This is a private matter."
Barrond frowned, his embarrassment unmistakable. Darius hadn't voiced any accusations, but the unspoken weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
"Very impressive," came a sudden voice, smooth and layered, from the seemingly lifeless section of the wall. "Even Labrys struggles to detect me when I wish to remain hidden."
The wall seemed to shiver, then burst to life as vines and flora erupted, revealing the smaller form of Siaer. Her presence exuded grace, though there was a subtle tension in her movements.
Darius turned to the new arrival, his tone polite but edged with disapproval. "Verdant Guardian Siaer. It is an honor to finally meet you, though I must admit, I did not expect our first encounter to be under such circumstances."
Barrond clicked his tongue, his massive body sitting heavily, shaking the room. "Who told you to do this?" His voice carried an obvious exaggeration, his frustration dramatic. "Have you no faith in your master? Or in our guest?!"
For a brief moment, Darius and Siaer exchanged a glance, the mutual exasperation in their eyes unspoken but clear: Some company is harder to keep than others.
Darius stepped forward, his posture calm. "I take no offense. I can sense that your intentions held no malice."
Siaer's antlers twitched slightly, her expression unreadable. "Thank you, young lord. Forgive my brief intrusion, I will respect your request for privacy." Her hoof dragged across the floor, leaving a faint scar as she seemed to melt into the earth itself, vanishing as quickly as she'd appeared.
When the room was still once more, Darius extended his mana sense, ensuring they were truly alone. 'What was that about? He'll tell them everything anyway, so why risk offending me?' Straightening, he turned his full attention to Barrond. "Can we proceed?"
Barrond coughed lightly, his massive paws adjusting against the floor. "Of course," he said, though his tone betrayed lingering awkwardness. "Don't mind them. They worry about me too much, that's all."
"It's always difficult to find good help," Darius replied smoothly. "But let's get straight to the point." His tone sharpened, his gaze locking with Barrond's. "I want exclusive access to Agarttha."
Barrond froze, his massive body stiffening before he nearly toppled backward. "You what? No, wait—" he shook his head, trying to process. "I'm sure I heard that wrong. Say it again?"
"I want you to give me Agarttha," Darius repeated, his voice unwavering.
The world-bear stared, his ears almost numb from disbelief. The weight of the request finally hit him, and this time, he truly did fall over.