There was a flip side of Yggdrasil.
A world similar to the physical, but belonging to the Spirits.
It was called the At'ama.
This was an unseeable world that reflected the Nie'mada, also known as the Physical World. Everything within the Nie'mada casts a reflection in the At'ama, but the inhabitants of physical reality are unaware of this.
Every structure and mortal living in the Nie'mada will be crafted by the collective unconsciousness to exist within the At'ama.
In this Metaphysical World, there are layers to divide its hierarchy.
At the highest layer was the Elysium; a world where all ideas and concepts exist in unison. Those who thought of mathematics, those who thought of certain magic, and those who made up some ludicrous idea; all of that can be found within this layer since it connects with the collective unconscious. The Alufray are known to exist here, representing ideas and thoughts of Yggdrasil.
But below that is the middle layer, known as the Penumbra; a world where the collective unconscious also resides, however, it is divided from Elysium. It must be known that fear is deeply rooted in the collective unconscious.
The fear of fire, darkness, or death, is embedded in a shared, inherited psychological experience across Mortalkind of Yggdrasil. It has been passed down through generations as part of the collective unconscious, allowing Mortalkind to instinctively recognize potential dangers without prior personal experience.
The terrors across the world are known to create the Elufray Spirits, who represent the fears of Mortalkind. They exist to preserve their fear and preside over it, similar to an Elohim with their authority.
But below all of that was the most fearsome realm of all within the At'ama.
It was Oblivion.
A nonexistent realm that housed the dead spirits of both Elufray and Alufray. It was a realm where all ideas, principles, reasons, and spirits were to go if they were to die. Nothing could escape its confines, not even the Elohim themselves. Powerful Spirits known as the Qlippoth rule this domain, ensuring that nothing can escape.
Some magicians say that Oblivion doesn't exist, considering its disconnection with the concepts of the world, but no one can truly know; as those who travel to Oblivion can never reach the center where all the dead spirits and ideas lie.
Those who try will only fall into an infinite abyss that is endlessly delving deeper into nonexistence, guaranteeing that no one will ever reach its center by any means.
However...
There is one person—
One who practically ruled over the At'ama itself.
It was Merlin.
As of now, she breached the Infinite Abyss of Oblivion and reached its center through magic alone.
At the core of this nonexistent realm was a floating dark mass with an ominous glowing face in its middle, tapered eyes, and a serrated mouth. It was an entity devoid of all that is good. Its voice sounded belligerent, and feminine, though Merlin wasn't afraid.
"Once again, you have come to see me from the Penumbra, Merlin, what is your purpose for being here?"
"Hello to you too, Dark Mother, I've come to chitchat for a bit. I'm sure you don't mind."
"Do not take me for a fool—something has happened—and you need my help."
"Well, I suppose you aren't wrong." Merlin chuckled. "It's about a certain someone. I'm sure you remember them."
"...?"
"The infamous Grimhild Yorgana."
The Dark Mother appeared displeased by the name.
"Ah yes, the Witch of Destruction, I remember her; she was the one I banished from the At'ama long ago."
"Yes. She was the one who taught me the magic to breach the Infinite Abyss by erasing its nonexistent structure."
"If you come seeking my help, then you're as foolish as you look, mage."
"Oh, is that so?"
Merlin lifted a digit, manifesting dark and purple flames above her finger.
It was a spell from Destruction Magic, known as Elguveria.
"I'm sure you remember this little spell, don't you?" Merlin smirked, menacingly.
"You wouldn't dare..."
The Dark Mother frowned.
"Your body may be one with the Infinite Abyss, but it won't stop me from destroying you over and over... until you beg for mercy."
The Dark Mother grunted in annoyance, realizing her place.
"What is it that you need from me?"
The Great Mage smiled, dissipating the flames from her fingertip.
"Grimhild Yorgana has discovered my whereabouts from a former spirit of mine who goes by the name of Chroliosa. This spirit will answer any question that Grimhild asks, and she won't hesitate either. She's even disbanded our contract." Merlin crossed her arms, her hood drooping over her face. "I need you to put a stop to her."
"Out of all the spirits you could've chosen, you've come to me." The Dark Mother cackled. "Pwa Ha Ha! Perhaps your fear tactics aren't as great as you imagined! If your own spirit has the guts to leave you for another master, then what does that say about you?!" The Idea of Evil could only laugh hysterically, mocking the Great Magician.
"Perhaps I need to put you in your place, once again." Merlin snapped her fingers, summoning a burst of flames around the sinister entity.
"Aaaaaaghhhh!!!"
Flames of Destruction would savagely consume the Idea of Evil, erasing their body from creation.
"Tsk tsk tsk. How pitiful." Merlin summoned a magic circle with thousands of complex runes and symbols. "Resulta." The nonexistent entity appeared once more in its incoherent form.
"H-How am I alive?"
"It's a new spell I acquired. It's called Resulta. I've learned it from my former teacher." A wicked smile spread across Merlin's face. "I can kill you over and over again until you know your place, as long as I have this spell in my grasp."
"You insufferable wench!"
Merlin snapped her fingers, consuming the Idea of Evil in Flames of Destruction once again.
"Aaghhhhhhh!"
"At this rate, the flames will consume and destroy everything, then you'll have no home." She cackled. "Submit to me, or face the consequences."
"I...will... never!"
"How annoying..."
The Alufray Spirit perished, but Merlin merely brought them back with Resulta.
"I'll say it once more. Submit to me, Dark Mother."
"Never!!"
Their voice was firm and resolute. It only pissed Merlin off even more.
"Very well then."
Thus, she proceeded to kill the Alufray Spirit repeatedly—
Only screams of agony filled Oblivion.
There was nothing the Dark Mother could do.
+
"We've arrived."
Grimhild and Chroliosa finally entered the threshold of the village. It was surrounded by large trees with thick branches that covered the sky, preventing an aerial view from the outside.
Goliath Village has little contact with the outside world, mainly to keep themselves hidden.
The village was structured around Goliath Mansion, around which a village square was built along with many residential buildings. Close to the village is Orc Keep, a large Mountain where the Orcs live, hiding from the citizens of Midgard.
The architecture appeared formal and elegant, with hints of advanced technology here and there. Chroliosa was intrigued, but Grimhild remained stoic as ever, having already seen this beautiful village in the past.
"Finally, my feet ache from all the walking. How do humans live like this?"
Chroliosa could barely stand, slouching over in exhaustion.
"Don't let your guard down just because we made it to the village."
"Wha- why? Didn't you say they were friendly to humans?"
Grimhild nodded.
"Of course, but we're still outsiders. For all they know, we could be here to destroy their village. Just because you're powerful doesn't mean you should act careless."
"...Ah, I see, you do have a point."
"Someone's coming."
Grimhild could see a tall, elegant man from afar, approaching them with a smile. He dressed in formal attire fit for royalty, and his hair was neatly done, complimenting the glasses on his visage.
"Ah, outsiders, greetings. Welcome to Goliath Village."
Chroliosa was jaw-dropped, realizing the appearance of these magical creatures.
"Hm?"
The elegant man faced the former spirit, realizing why she was so puzzled.
He couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, ahaha—yes—we golems do have the appearances of humans if that is what you're wondering. But it is quite rare. It usually depends on how our master created us.
"I-I see..." Muttered Chroliosa.
"I've come here to see someone." Proclaimed Grimhild.
"Hm? And who may that b—" The golem suddenly froze. "By the Alvamon... is that you... Grimhild!?"
The man caught the attention of nearby golems, causing them to glare in their direction.
"Where have you been?"
Grimhild smiled.
"Hello, Samuel, how have you been these last ten years?"
"I've been well." Said the golem with a gentle nod. "I see you brought a companion with you."
"Yes. She's a village girl from Wyvernwood. I took her under my tutelage."
"Your tutelage?" Said the bewildered Golem. "I thought Merlin was the only person in all of Yggdrasil who could endure your training of magic?"
"Unfortunately, Merlin is up to no good, so I need another disciple."
Samuel widened his eyes about Merlin but also understood the reasoning for having another disciple.
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry to hear about Merlin, I know she meant a lot to you..."
"Enough of that. I'm here to speak to Goliath. He has something I need."
Samuel nodded his head.
"Of course. Right this way, I'll guide you to him."
Chroliosa kept looking around the village until Grimhild grasped her wrist, pulling her along.