Hyades City, Exterior Ward
Spring Court
Hidden world, Terra
Gaea solar system
Milky way Galaxy
Neutral Free zone
March 10th 2019
"You're finally here," Sophia Sinclair said, her voice trembling with emotion as she reached out to pull Sam into a hug. But Sam recoiled sharply, her eyes burning with fear and anger. Memories of that night surged forward, vivid and unrelenting, filling her with a storm of emotions—anger, distrust, confusion.
Sophia hesitated, her arms falling to her sides. "What is it, Samantha?"
Sam's voice cracked as tears streaked down her face. "You… You're the reason Father's dead."
Sophia's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "No, Samantha. I wasn't responsible for your father's death. I tried to take you back from him, but you need to remember what happened that night. Think, Samantha. Who else was there?"
Sam faltered, her breathing uneven as Sophia stepped closer, her tone laced with urgency. "It was the same force that tried to kill you at the beginning of this year. The same force that attacked Cedar Lake. The same force that has my sister in captivity." As Sophia placed her hands on Sam's shoulders, a vivid memory surged back to Sam. She remembered what had driven them off the bridge—a figure cloaked in white emerging from a swirling portal. Its presence was suffocating, its aura lashing out violently. The force of it struck the car, injuring her father and nearly killing her.
"An Abomination," Sam whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Yes," Sophia replied, her tone grave. "And not just any Abomination. An Accursed-rank Abomination." Sam's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding as Sophia continued. "Just as Ascendants have ranks in their cultivation, Abominations follow their own hierarchy—a dark progression along their path of corruption." Sophia's voice took on a measured tone as she began to explain. "The first rank is the Lesser rank. At this stage, corruption consumes the minds of the Fallen, leaving them hollow shells driven only by an insatiable hunger. They are mindless creatures, stripped of ego or personality, and they are the weakest among their kind." Her grip on Sam's shoulders tightened slightly as she pressed on. "Then comes the Mid rank. These Abominations possess fragments of intelligence and cunning, though their power is still limited. They serve as foot soldiers for the more powerful ones." Sophia's expression darkened. "Above them are the Greater rank Abominations. At this level, the corruption evolves. They gain not only immense power but also intelligence, wisdom, and a formidable ego. These beings are dangerous beyond measure, their strength matched by their purpose." Sam's breath hitched as Sophia's next words sent a chill down her spine.
"And then," she said quietly, "there are the Accursed. Rarely do these beings manifest in the physical plane. Most are trapped within the Infernal Plane, warring endlessly for dominion over its damned territories. But when an Accursed crosses into our world..." Sophia's voice dropped, heavy with dread. "It is said they possess the power to bestow corruption upon others, cursing their victims to a life of eternal darkness."
The weight of the revelation settled heavily over Sam as her mind reeled, piecing together the horrors of that night and the grim reality of what they were up against. Her legs trembled, and the only thing keeping her from collapsing was her mother's steadying arm. Sophia gently guided Sam toward the bed, helping her sit down. Sam's mind raced as she tried to piece everything together. The questions weighed heavy on her chest, pressing down until she finally spoke.
"But why me?" Sam asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why come for me? I was just a child then, not some great warrior who had slaughtered its kind. Why does it keep coming for me—and why does it keep hurting the people I love?" Sophia's expression darkened as she exhaled slowly.
"I do not know what drives the Beast King, Samantha. Trying to comprehend the mind of an Accursed being will only drive you to madness. They are Fallen, cut off from the Odyllic. There is no redemption for them. Putting them down is the only mercy we can offer." Sam's eyes filled with desperation.
"There has to be a way to save Aunt Stella," she said, her voice breaking. "Surely there is."
Sophia sighed deeply, the weight of her knowledge evident in her eyes. After Rosa Chávez had been brought into their fold, Sophia had sent out her forces to track her adopted sister, Stella. Their search led them to a place that had become dimensionally encroached by the Infernal Plane. It was a phenomenon not unlike what had occurred at Cedar Lake, though not as severe. This time, the encroachment was confined within an abandoned mall, but the place was still the domain of an Accursed being. Rescuing Stella from such a crisis would require an Immortal-phase Ascendant—someone far stronger than anyone in the lower Immortal realms, including Rex.
"There is a way," Sophia said finally. "You can save her."
"Me?" Sam's voice rose in disbelief. "How am I supposed to save her?"
"Yes, you, Samantha," Sophia affirmed.
"But I'm just an Adept!" Sam protested, panic creeping into her voice. "I can barely hold my own against a Greater-rank Abomination. How could you expect me to fight against an Accursed being?"
"Because," Sophia said, leaning forward, her gaze piercing, "you are the Asha'Yee, Samantha. You are no ordinary Demihuman. You are far more special than you realize. The rules of cultivation do not apply to you."
Sam frowned, confusion clouding her face. "The Asha'Yee?" she repeated. "I've heard that term before. What does it mean?"
"It means the Vessel of Asha," Sophia explained. "It's an ancient Aurenidril word, used in a distant past to describe those who awakened without the power of a god."
Sam tilted her head, trying to piece it together. "But don't other races awaken without the blessing of a household god?" she asked, thinking of Lance, the Beastman club owner who was also an Ascendant.
Sophia shook her head. "Even the other races, Samantha, those who awaken without a household god, still receive gratia—divine favor—from their ancestral gods. The only difference is that these gods lie outside the Annunaki religion, which is why Starlight and her followers label them as heretics."
Sam's thoughts churned as she tried to grasp the implications of Sophia's words. Her identity, her power, and her destiny were more complex than she'd ever imagined.
"But I received Gratia," Sam insisted, her voice firm. She thrust her right arm forward, displaying the intricate markings etched into her skin. "I received a blessing from Asha. What do you say about this?" Sophia studied the markings for a moment before shaking her head gently.
"That is not Gratia," she said. "It is a sign—the Odyllic's recognition of your accomplishments. It's proof that you're more extraordinary than even you realize. I wish I could reveal the full truth of what you are, but there is a time and place for every revelation. For now, what you must know is that I believe in you. With Leon and Rex at your side, you have the strength to succeed." Sam's lips trembled as she wiped away her tears, steeling herself against the fear and uncertainty that had plagued her. Sophia continued, her voice softening. "I wish I could go with you. Stella is my sister, after all. But my responsibilities here in Hyades demand my attention. There are matters that require my immediate focus." Sam nodded, her resolve beginning to solidify.
"How do I save Aunt Stella?" she asked, her voice steadier now. Sophia's expression turned serious.
"First, you must train," she said. "Your growth as a Mystic artist has been remarkable, but your Arcane potential is still underdeveloped in comparison. Those who practice both Mysticism and Arcanism often face immense difficulty because cultivating the two disciplines together slows progress. But for you, it is different. As you grow stronger in one, the influence of that strength enhances the other." Sophia's gaze shifted to the stack of books Sam had been reading.
"I see you've already familiarized yourself with some magical theorems," she remarked. Sam glanced at the tomes, thinking of the knowledge she had gained mysteriously after destroying the Infernal Engine. The Gaea spell system, in particular, had provided her with a wealth of unexpected insight.
"Good," Sophia said, nodding approvingly. "Rest now, Samantha. Tomorrow, I will test your knowledge and begin your training in earnest." Sophia turned to leave, but Sam caught her arm, her eyes filled with concern.
"What about Leon?" she asked. "Is he alright?" Sophia hesitated for the briefest moment before responding.
"The Haravok boy is fine," Sophia said evenly. "I've assigned my best healers to him." She chose not to elaborate, unwilling to burden Sam with worry over something she couldn't control. Instead, she gently placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Focus on resting. Tomorrow, there will be no time for rest." With that, Sophia left the room, leaving Sam alone with her thoughts—and the enormity of the task ahead.
****
The next day, Sam was brought to a serene location by a pond. Towering trees stretched their branches above the water, their leaves forming a natural canopy that dappled the area with sunlight. The air was fresh and crisp, filled with the scent of nature, and large leaves floated on the pond's surface, some with Aquatic Mythical Beasts gliding gracefully beneath them. Nearby, Sophia Sinclair, Sam's mother, sat cross-legged on a flat stone by the pond's edge, her posture poised yet relaxed. Sam still found it surreal to be standing here with her mother—alive and well. As a child, she had dreamed of moments like this, longing for her mother's presence. Now that wish had come true, though under circumstances she could hardly have imagined. Sophia turned her attention from the pond to Sam, a gentle smile brightening her face.
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
"Breakfast was brought to my room," Sam replied. She glanced around, taking in the tranquil surroundings. "This is a nice place."
"This facility is one of several owned by Octagram," Sophia said.
"Octagram?" Sam echoed, her brow furrowing.
Sophia smiled again. "I'll explain it later."
Sam nodded and inhaled deeply, savoring the clean air. The Odic energy in the atmosphere here was unlike anything she had felt before—denser, purer, and far more potent. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the energy flow through her. It was like the air itself was alive, teeming with vitality. Sophia observed her daughter closely, noting the way Sam's Odic force naturally interacted with the energy around her.
"You're familiar with the concept of Odic energy, I assume?" Sophia asked.
"Of course," Sam said, opening her eyes.
"And what about the types of Odic energy that exist?" Sophia questioned.
"There are two forms of Odic energy in the universe," Sam said confidently. "The first is World energy, produced by a planet. It's also called Natural energy. Like the energy here in this place."
"Wonderful," Sophia said with a nod, encouraging her to continue.
"And the second form," Sam went on, "is Cosmic energy. It's found in outer space, produced by celestial bodies like stars, Moon and planets."
"Exactly," Sophia said, her tone approving. "However, only Higher-Tier Immortals are capable of utilizing Cosmic energy. For anyone else, attempting to draw upon it would lead to severe poisoning, sometimes even death. For now, we will focus on World energy—the energy that surrounds and sustains us here on this planet." Sophia paused, studying Sam's expression.
"Tell me, what do you know about the Arcane Star System?"
Sam tilted her head, considering the question. "The Arcane Star System," she said slowly, "is a framework developed by the Mage Association to give the Pleiadians power comparable to that of the Faes and Elves."
"Correct," Sophia said. "The Faes and Elves are beings born of Nature's will. Unlike Mages, Wizards, or Witches, they do not require an additional core or circle to wield magic. Their natural-born cores allow them to channel magic instinctively as if it were a part of their very essence."
Sam's curiosity was piqued. "But… there must be some kind of drawback to that, right?"
Sophia nodded. "Of course. In all things, there is balance—an inherent cost to such advantages. But that, Samantha, is a lesson for another time. For now, let's focus on understanding your potential." Sam nodded.
"You know that we Ascendants can absorb and accumulate Od from the atmosphere," Sophia began.
"Yes," Sam replied.
"Unlike the non-awakened, who are only aware of the mana essence within their bodies through their Odic force, they remain oblivious to the presence of their soul cores," Sophia continued. "This is because they cannot perceive their souls."
Sam tilted her head. "Then how do they form a Magic circle in their soul if they can't perceive it?"
"When they use their Odic force to form a circle, they do so within their soul realm—the mental space within their minds," Sophia explained. "The act of creating a Magic circle binds their soul to it, allowing them to wield magic. It's somewhat similar to the Arcane Star System, but far inferior in many ways. We Ascendants, on the other hand, don't form circles. Instead, we use our Odic force to stabilize mana and condense it into an additional core within our minds."
"The Star Core," Sam said.
"Exactly. The soul possesses the Soul Core, the mind holds the Star Core, and the body has..."
"The Vital Force Field that contains vitality," Sam finished, her voice growing confident.
Sophia nodded. "Yes. Cultivating all three of these aspects—soul, mind, and body—determines the true power of an Ascendant as they ascend the ladder of cultivation. A Mystic artist focuses on cultivating their Soul Core and Vital Force, but their progress is limited at higher tiers of Ascendence. Similarly, a Mage cultivates their Soul Core and Star Core, but they too face limitations at the higher levels."
"So, in other words," Sam said thoughtfully, "Mystic Arts focus on cultivating the body, while Arcane Arts focus on cultivating the mind and magic. Body cultivation versus magic cultivation."
"Precisely," Sophia said with a smile. "True mastery comes from understanding both paths, even if one specializes in one over the other. But for you, Samantha, the potential lies in something far greater—an integration of the two."
"Is that possible?" Sam asked, her tone filled with curiosity and skepticism.
"Of course," Sophia replied with a confident smile. "There are many Ascendants across the universe who have achieved such a feat. I am living proof of it. As I ascended to the higher realms, the distinction between my use of spells and Aura techniques became negligible. It reached a point where it almost felt like I was wielding an innate Ability Factor."
"Integration," Sam murmured, her mind racing. "The fusion of the soul, mind, and body into one complete entity."
"Exactly," Sophia said, her voice steady. "Now, let's return to the Arcane Star System. When Ascendants absorb and accumulate Od, their cores have the ability to break it down into the six fundamental elemental energies. Do you know what these are?"
"Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, and Darkness," Sam recited confidently.
"Correct," Sophia said with an approving nod. "These six elemental energies form the essence of mana itself. They are also the primary components of the World Energy that surrounds us, along with Nature's Will. As Ascendants, we use our Odic force to dismantle the will of nature, replacing the planet's will with our own. Our Odic force enables us to manipulate the shape and form of mana, allowing us to create Star Cores within our minds."
Sophia paused, letting her words sink in. "By forming a Star Core, our Odic force is enhanced—not only in strength, intensity, quality, and quantity—but also in purity. The process refines our presence, cleansing impurities and scars from the mind."
Sam's eyes widened as she processed Sophia's explanation. It sounded eerily similar to what she had experienced when her Star Core had formed. Memories of her childhood, once blurry or forgotten, had returned with clarity sharper than ever before. The trauma that had haunted her was still present, but its strength and grip over her had weakened. Her anxiety, once a constant shadow, now felt almost negligible. Sophia noticed the look on her daughter's face.
"You've felt it, haven't you?" she asked gently.
Sam nodded slowly. "When my Star Core formed, it was like my mind had been reborn. Everything became clearer... sharper. Even the things that used to hurt me—they're still there, but they don't hold me the same way they used to." Sophia reached out, resting a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"That's good to hear," Sophia said with a smile. "Once the Star Core is formed, the next stage is the creation of a ring around it. The ring represents the Realm to which a Mage belongs. The more rings around the core, the stronger their Odic force becomes, making the casting of spells significantly easier. Now, when it comes to casting spells, there are five steps involved. Do you know what they are?"
"Step one is the emission of mana from the mana nodes through the Odic force," Sam began confidently. "This can be done through hand signs, gestures, or chanting magical words—"
"Hand signs and chants are not necessary when using the Arcane Star System," Sophia interrupted gently. "The Magic Circle System is a much more rigid framework that requires precise hand movements in proper order and chanted words to stimulate the mana within the circle. This rigidity is why it's considered inferior. Anytime you see an Ascendant using hand signs or chanting, it's either because they are holding back or, in some cases, adding extra power to their Odic force. It depends entirely on the situation. Continue."
"The second step," Sam continued, "is to convert the mana into the specific elemental energy required for the spell. This is achieved by using Odic force to break down the mana into the corresponding elemental energy."
"And the third step?" Sophia prompted.
"The third step is to control the form, movement, and potency of the elemental energy," Sam explained. "This involves shaping it, determining its size, range, and purpose. The fourth step is to alter the properties and characteristics of the elemental energy into physical matter by using one's Odic force to transmute the energy. The fifth step is to calculate and determine the intended effect the spell should achieve."
"Excellent," Sophia said with an approving nod. "You've grasped the basics well. Mastering these steps is the foundation of any accomplished mage, and it's clear you're progressing quickly. Let me demonstrate a step-by-step formation of how spellcasting works."
Sophia flicked her finger, emitting a colorless light that took the shape of a glowing rune. The rune pulsed and shifted, turning aqua blue as she transitioned to the second step, converting her mana into elemental energy. The rune then began to twist and morph, its shape and size shifting seamlessly under Sophia's control. Next, it transformed into a blob of water, completing the fourth step of transmutation into physical matter. With a simple flick of her finger, the blob of water shot forward as a focused beam, piercing cleanly through a nearby rock.
"Now you see what I did," Sophia said, turning back to Sam. "I used my Odic force to weave the runes by emitting my mana outward. Then I converted the mana into elemental energy. After that, I shaped and sized the energy, transmuted it into physical matter, and finally used my Odic force to visualize and determine the effect of the spell." Her calm yet precise execution left Sam marveling at the seamlessness of the process. Sam noticed that Sophia had barely projected her Odic force outside of her mind, instead relying on the Odic force within her consciousness. She suspected that the Star core had enhanced Sophia's mind, enabling such refined control over her Odic force. It was also a testament to how exceptional her mana control was.
"That was a Tier One spell," Sam remarked. "For a Tier One spell, it packed a lot of power."
"That's because of my Realm," Sophia replied. "Spells are categorized into eight tiers. Tiers One to Four involve single-element spells, with each tier increasing in power and complexity. Tier Five introduces the use of multiple elements to create deviant elements or advanced physical magic with complex effects. Tier Six incorporates the infusion of Will Force to augment and enhance a spell's effects."
"Will Force?" Sam interrupted, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"That's a lesson for another time," Sophia said with a smile. "Tier Seven involves the casting of Ether Magic spells. Ether Magic, in simple terms, is pure mana manipulated to weave spells. It is incredibly mana-intensive but nearly omnipotent and versatile. This tier requires the caster to divide their mana into the six elemental energies, augment each individual element, and then use them to cast spells containing all six elemental properties.
"The same five steps used in the lower tiers of spellcasting apply here as well," Sophia continued. "However, instead of Step Two, which converts mana into elemental energy, Ether Magic requires one to isolate the six elemental energies from mana, augment them individually, and then proceed with shaping, transmuting, and visualizing the spell. Like Tier Six, Will Force can also be infused into Tier Seven spells, but doing so is extremely challenging and mentally exhausting." Sam listened intently, her mind racing with the possibilities such advanced magic could unlock.
"Wait... isn't projecting one's Internal Sense similar to Ether Magic? After all, Internal Sense is just a form of mana manipulation," Sam said.
"I'm glad you noticed that," Sophia said with an approving nod. "Yes, when we use our Odic force to project our Internal Sense, we're essentially projecting mana. This expands and strengthens our physical and mental perception. You can think of Internal Sense as a foundational application of Ether Magic. Even a mage's abilities like Telepathy and Empathy are considered basic applications of this principle."
"What about the final tier?" Sam asked, her curiosity deepening.
"Tier Eight spells are mostly hexagram-based," Sophia explained. "This involves casting all six elemental spells simultaneously, a feat that demands an extraordinary amount of mental focus and mana to sustain. Unfortunately, Ascendants in the Awakening phase are incapable of utilizing such advanced magic. A Novice realm Ascendant struggles to cast even Tier One spells, requiring significant effort. Acolyte realms can manage up to Tier Two, Adept realms up to Tier Four, and Warriors up to Tier Five. Masters are the only ones in the Awakening phase who can seamlessly use up to Tier Five and incorporate Tier Six, which involves the infusion of Will Force. However, to access Tier Seven—true Ether Magic—an Ascendant must reach the Immortal phase of Ascendence. Attempting to use Ether Magic before that level is impossible. Most Ascendants can use its basic applications, but to harness the full extent of its power, one must be at least at the Saint level or higher."
"Now that we've covered the fundamentals of spellcasting and their tiers, I want to see what you're capable of," Sophia said, her tone calm yet challenging. "You're at the Adept realm, but from what I've observed of your mana control, you're capable of fighting on par with Warrior realm Ascendants. With that in mind, I want you to learn this spell."
Sophia reached into the air, seemingly out of nowhere, and produced a scroll. She handed it to Sam, who carefully unfolded it to reveal intricate runic inscriptions. It was a detailed, step-by-step guide for casting Stormfall, a Tier Five spell. The spell required mastery over water, wind, and earth elemental energy to summon a storm capable of delivering both piercing and cutting attacks. Even for Sam, it was an advanced and complex spell.
"I chose that spell for you because of the abundance of its necessary elements in this location," Sophia explained. She gestured toward the environment around them—the tranquil pond, the crisp, clean air, and the dirt and rocks scattered nearby. "The resources here should help you in mastering it. Learn this spell, and I'll reward you with more Tier Five spells."
"Won't I be learning Tier One through Tier Four spells first?" Sam asked, slightly surprised.
"No," Sophia said with a small smile. "I believe those spells are simple enough for you to grasp with just one viewing. If you want to stand a chance against Greater-rank Fallen beings, Tier Five and above are the spells you'll need. Good luck." She patted Sam gently on the shoulder before turning and leaving, leaving Sam alone by the pond. Sam let out a sigh, rolled up her sleeves, and focused her mind. Determined, she began the painstaking work of learning the Tier Five spell, the scroll's complex instructions demanding her utmost concentration