Chapter 32: Return to the Surface

I set out from Redcoomshi my spirit high with excitement. My mind was on what happened at the end as I quickly moved through the field going out of a different gate than the one, we originally used to enter the city. My route had been planned out almost to the exact detail as I spent copious amounts of gold on acquiring maps and various resources to make the journey smoother.

A rumble shook the earth as I passed in a direction leading to the Wild Jungle, I spent two years in, and my pace only increased. My new speed was courteous of my new aspect.

‘Aspects.’

Aspect: Starlit Harbinger

(20%)

Effect: Increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength. When under starlight gain a 20% greater increase. Gain the skill Perfect Recall, allowing you to recall special moments with perfect clarity. Increase combat damage output by 15%. When calling upon your bloodline all powers and effects are concentrated and strengthen within a range of 20ft.

Perks:

Ashes Fall [Beyond] (Tier I): Summon ashes from [Beyond] which will drain vitality/mana and sap mental endurance (Minor). Only affects living objects.

Starlit Eyes (Tier 2): See in the dark without light interference. Can see through illusions (Minor).

Dragon’s Health (Passive) (Tier 2): Passively regenerate vitality and mana (Average). Increase mental endurance (Average).

Aspect: Adventurer

(10%)

Effect: Fortification of all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength. This allows user to draw more upon their physical body without using as much resources as before.

Perks:

Adventurer’s Insight (Tier I): When activated allows the user insight on all viewable items within sight. Providing detail information based on the knowledge user already has and making structural weaknesses more obvious.

Adventurer’s Grit (Tier I): When activated fortify and turn your physical body into steel. Damage taken during this period will be negated by 15%.

Survivability (Passive) (Tier I): Increase regeneration of physical and mental stats.

Looking over my aspects I felt the strength in my body swell up. My first aspect had not only increased in strength, but the tiers of my abilities moved along as well. My new aspect however was a gift that I would be taking full advantage of. It did exactly as it said and fortified all my physical traits. Before if I could run a mile on a single burst of energy, I could now run two with the same burst of energy without further consumption. Allowing me to do more with less. Part of the reason I was so confident in returning to the surface early. The perks were nothing to scoff at either. I now had double regeneration of both my physical and mental state at any time. I couldn’t fully tell how much the increase was, but I believed it was something around 20% with both abilities passively working on my body.

I hadn’t figured out what exactly aspects did but they changed something in the magic of the body. With more time and research, I’m sure I could gain an insight or two. My thoughts drifted towards my waiting army.

I could also use the two active perks seeing as they didn’t expel mana from my body, and everything happened internally. I was itching to cast spells, however. With my abilities and increase in strength meant I needed less spell in general. I’ve been moving nonstop for two days covering almost 500 miles. Only stopping to shit and eat. My shadow coming out during those periods. We were on a much better status than when I left.

Adventurer’s Insight was a godsent ability. Although I still didn’t know what most creatures where Adventurer’s Insight allowed me to have a closer guess to the family of the creatures I encountered. It also made it easier to identify traits such a if they were venomous or things along that line. This ability also worked for plants as well.

The greatest thing about it was the weakness detection. On beast I could see where hitting them would hurt the most and with plants I could see where their roots where the weakest if I wanted to harvest them. It appeared as a glowing red-light when the ability was activated.

My path back to the surface would take me to where I was originally supposed to come from… the Red Barren Labyrinth. A twisty area full of natural traps and caverns. Fortunately, the best paths to travel had been marked and laid out. Showing where underground rivers and dangerous beast lairs usually were.

Three weeks passed and soon I would be at the Red Barren Labyrinth. My speed was faster than I initially thought. Surprising even Shadow. She knew I had upgraded my bloodline into an entirely new level, but my strength should not have allowed me to travel this quickly. I needed to run some experiments to see the average strength of a tier 6 as because of my aspects my physical/magical strength would increase with every level.

At the end of every third day of traveling I would rest before using the next day to hunt and prepare food for the week. This would be my pattern as I made my way to the surface. Although I was in a rush, I would be still taking a few weeks out to enjoy the scenery and capture new and exciting things to bring back to the surface with me. I had plans, big plans especially when it came to my own forces. I didn’t know what they would be used for, but they would become the greatest army this world would ever see, or my name wasn’t Aegis Kan.

***

Amaya was excited. Today her cousin would be returning to the family after 4 long years. Amaya had grown into a beautiful young lady during this time period with her curly red and black hair becoming a wild mane like a lions. She had grown tall as the Magi Human magic worked its way through her body. She wore a sundress with floral patterns woven over them and her golden irises constantly paced back and forth while her body did the same.

Rue put a hand on her shoulder and Amaya calmed down smiling at her teacher. Roan was enjoying a flask and watched the young lady pace around the Kan gardens.

“Do you think he will be surprised? Will he still recognize me? Will he… still be the same?”

She asked out loud to no one in particular.

Aunty Keala had informed her just around a week ago that she sensed her first born. The entire castle had gone up in a roar and various maids and butlers worked nonstop of the celebration that would commence. It would be private with more of their family showing up and a few cousins Amaya and Aegis had yet to meet.

“I’m sure he couldn’t miss you and knowing my ever-curious student he won’t have changed much,” Rue answered the young lady. A smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Two figures burst into the garden and Amaya face lit up in happiness as the twins came into sight. The three of them had grown strong in these past four years. Amaya after hearing that Aegis would only have access to the Path of the Body chose to focus on the Mind bringing her tier to a high five almost six. With the help of her aunt increasing her understanding of fire and earth was exceptional. The twins decided to differentiate from each other after a disagreement a few years ago. Tara was tier 3 in Path of the Body while Akash was the same but in the Mind.

“Mother said brother will arrive on the surface within the hour!” Akash said almost shouting in excitement.

“Well, we better be prepared to meet him,” Amaya said.

She took a deep breath before heading over to the barracks the little army was stationed at. It would not do for the Young Lord to not be properly greeted by his force. Although it was their day off after being informed that their lord was returning, they practically begged Amaya to show them off and show them off she would.

Her aunty appeared in front of them without a sound.

“He’s here on the surface she said excitedly.”

Her mother appeared not a second after and rolled her eyes and Amaya felt all the tension and stress leave her body at their presence.

Ahana looked at Amaya deeply and the girl grew a bit uncomfortable at her mother’s sight.

“Your father will be coming to meet you soon, and I am pregnant with child.”

The tension that just receded came back with force and Amaya’s hand went to her forehead. A laugh rang out and soon the entire family was laughing.

While Amaya thoughts raced on finally meeting her estranged father. Asrealt, the Shinning Sun and probably the greatest adventure the Empire had even seen. So great in fact that he didn’t bother to be a part of his young daughter’s life. Amaya decided to withhold judgement until she met the man.

***

My second conversation with the Gatekeeper was extinguished from my mind the moment I stepped onto the surface. I looked up at the blue sky and two suns feeling the heat on my skin and the breeze in the air.

I cried.

I cried at the taste of the air and the feeling of the heat. It was so good to be back on the surface. At least until three masked figures appeared in front of me.

“Fuck.”

The words were out of my mouth before they could even say a word and the man with the smiling mask burst into laughter. The other two turned in his direction before all three were laughing.

“Are we that scary?”

The woman with the mask that was half smiling half frowning asked as she removed the mask.

What is it with me and getting in trouble with beautiful women? Her hair was like Amaya’s and Ahana’s with a mane of red curls that held black undertones being revealed the moment she removed her mask. The two men did the same and looked exceptional as well. Then it hit me. These guys where ranked at least a Land God. Their physical appearance was so far removed from the norm.

“I am Agni, your aunt.”

“HAHA, you’re in the presence of Brog your father’s cousin but you can just consider me an uncle for the age gap.”

“And I am Lou the same as Brog,” Lou said with a wink.

I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t expected my would-be kidnappers to be part of my family. Let alone ones so close. I truly began to realize the journey was over at the sight of the three. I began with them and ended all the same. My eyes avoid Agni as the memory of that night hit me and more laughter rang out.

“If I survive, I will treat you as you’ve treated me.”

A perfect replica of my voice came from Lou, and I turned around and walked away. My face hot. The group burst into laughter.

“The carriage is in the other direction,” Agni called out.

Wordless I followed the group to the carriage. A few horses with eight front legs and two back ones pulled the carriage just one of the many fantastic creatures the same but different from earth. It was good to be home.

“You have completed your journey Aegis Kan. Men of Kan will not fail.”

A strange sensation overtook my body as all three spoke in union and my body finally relaxed.

*

The trip consisted of me telling the story of my travels to the three eager listeners. From my experience in the very first level to me meeting Malix. The worm was still wrapped in a slightly glowing cocoon. Hopefully she would wake soon. Tales of my adventure and capture of the drops in the Everchange Forest and everything since then. The horses rode on the wind and soon Ashburn itself was in sight. A massive sprawling city with an equally massive river next to it. Exporting and importing various goods bringing trade and resources to the vast city. To my home.

Arriving at the castle I was awed and taken aback by the warm reception.

“WE GREET THE YOUNG LORD.”

***

Arva along with Rirrypha gazed at the small entrance that led into the realm of the Star God. Located in the upper portion of the Lowest Heavens just like their own domain. Except as a pantheon who polled a bit of their power and resources together, they were at the very peak of the Lowest Heavens where the concentration of essence was the strongest. Where all energies melted and combined.

“What do you know about the star god?”

Arva looked to Rirrypha for a moment before returning her attention to the entrance and speaking. At times Rirrypha would appear to be a young girl barely a woman depending on whose standards you looked at. With flowing golden blonde hair, golden color skin and bright white glowing eyes. Today she held a youthful but mature appearance standing all in her Ego. The same as Arva. A gods Ego form was when they came truly representing their domain. It was a form mortals could not comprehend as it displayed a god’s achievements throughout their life. It also served as a battle form but in truth it was a sign of respect for a god to arrive Ego dawned. It showed respect for the other god’s power.

“Star God is well… an anomaly. They’re strong enough to establish a pantheon and I’m more than certain several free gods would join at a moment’s notice.

I… I’ve heard they’ve been at the threshold for millenniums now. Looking for that single opportunity to write his name into the universe. You already know their bloodline flows through the Aegis veins as well as the entire kingdom of that Hukku clan.”

“Come in.”

A neither masculine or feminine voice echoed from the entrance to the realm and Arva and Rirrypha entered without hesitation. It was dangerous to enter another god’s realm even with permission as it would be like fighting them inside of their own house, yet Arva and Rirrypha weren’t worried as this was not an unannounced visit. There were plenty of courier gods to hire.

They stepped into the endless night sky and for a moment Arva believed they had been teleported outside of Gaia and into space. Only for a moment however as massive palaces came into view molded by the very fabric of the realm itself.

A body made completely from starlight appeared at the gates of the largest palace and Arva and Rirrypha followed the angel into the building.

“I think we should modify our angels a bit for our people. I like the glowing look this one has,” Rirrypha said as she studied the angel who they dwarfed by a large margin.

“This one would be honored to become an example for all other angels to follow.”

Rirrypha smiled and patted the angels head like you would a child.

“Focus, today we are here for business.”

They enter a large chamber that was obviously designed to show off the Star God’s prowess with heads of void beast, some still living, mantled upon the wall. Various feats of the Star God were on display and Arva and Rirrypha stopped to admire some. Commenting on things they approved or disapproved of.

There was a slight simmer in the air and the host of the realm appeared in all their glory. Star God appeared in their Ego form as well except as this was their realm a significant amount of pressure was applied. Both Goddess took it in stride and their own Ego forms glowed even brighter. Showing that they were step weaker than Star God. Weaker but with the strength of a pantheon to back them up they were not cowed.

Arva and Rirrypha gave a slight bow to their host who returned the gesture. The presence eased as the formalities where given.

“A blessing to you and yours,” Arva said while exuding a bit of her divine power to create a gift on the spot. Showing off her mastery of her domain. A small moon formed in her palms and grew larger and larger dwarfing the gods as it grew before finally settling as it was thrice the size of any god within the room.

The Star God made a grabbing motion to the moon and suddenly one of the many stars in the ceiling of the palace grew brighter before splitting as a new star was formed. The moon vanished as the green star took its place and Arva smiled as her gift was accepted.

“What brings goddess from the Pantheon of Arrgonton to meet humble old me?”

The Star Gods voice came out neither masculine nor feminine but somewhere in between. It was the same for their Ego. It was a flat humanoid form giving off a soft glow with no physical descriptions to really describe.

“We’ve come to conduct business. You see the son of one of your followers is planning an expedition to a low world and we would like to have our priestess and followers accompany him.”

Think of the Anti-Spiral from Gurren Lagann for a representation of the Star God.