“Why must we use caution, demon-father?” Alex asked, flapping her wings hard enough to stir the paper world itself.
“Because everyone is gonna freak out when we get back,” Theo said, patting her on the side. “We need to parade down the causeway together, so they see you’re with me. That normally dispels most issues we have in town.”
“Fine. But I do this under protest,” Alex said.
Theo couldn’t accurately estimate how much time had passed on the mortal realm, but he figured only a few hours should’ve gone by. They had spent nearly a year in the strange realm, both of them cultivating more strength. The alchemist was at a point where he could confidently drink all the potions, but was now at a point where he wondered how helpful they would be. Unlike the system-based attributes, celestial energy was potent. The fact that Alex had grown even more was a testament to that.
“Just stay close,” Theo said. “We’re going to appear near the edge of town, and walk all the way to the arena.”
“Fine. But I would rather fly in like the glorious dragon I am.”
Theo nodded, dropping them into the void. He wanted to arrive at an exact location, so instead of piercing through the void, he’d travel. It was slower, but more accurate. As the do lingered in the darkness, the alchemist couldn’t help but look toward the heavens. He felt even more turmoil there, and tried to avert his gaze. But it was impossible.
Which was a mistake.
A light shone from Fenian’s world. At first, Theo thought it was someone trying to perform an interdiction event. But of course, that would be completely useless against his massive willpower. Eventually, he accepted it for what it was. An invitation. While the signature of energy was too vague for him to assume a culprit, he had a feeling as to who it was.
“Short stop at Erradon,” Theo said. “Get ready with that fire. You never know.”
“Oh, hells yeah.”
Theo shook his head, angling them toward Fenian’s planet. The pale blue marble appeared moments later, and he directed them toward the shining light on the surface. A moment later, they pierced through the veil between the void and the planet and arrived onto a rolling rocky field. In the distance, there was a tower that shone with blue light. It took the alchemist a moment to put things together. Going between worlds, where each place had their own distinct regions, was often disorientating.
Theo eventually snapped his fingers. “This is Strelon,” he said. “A rocky region in old Iaredin, south of the old Kingdom of Perisart. Elrin wants to meet with us for some reason.”
“How can you tell?” Alex asked, her steps thundering alongside him as they walked.
“This place was important to Elrin. He made contact with the first Shard here, if his story is to be believed,” Theo said. “They also rallied for the first big fight against Kuzan to the north, just on the border of the Perisart Forest. That’s about all I know of the war, though… Other than the fact that the shade’s forces assembled even more north still, in a region called Calet.”
“Wow. Neat history lesson,” Alex said, blowing an impressive fireball into the air. “So, am I torching this guy right away? Or should I let him run.”
“Hold the fire for now,” Theo said, working his way to the border of the shard-town. A crumbling stone wall segmented the area, worn and broken from some battle that never actually happened. Erradon was a reflection of the old version of Iaredin, not the real thing. “Elrin? You in there?”
“Just near the tower,” the elf’s voice called back. “We need to talk.”
Theo shrugged, nodding to Alex. The dragon took to the air, wings spreading wide and creating a hurricane of wind below her. The alchemist shielded his eyes, eventually passing under an archway and finding his place inside the cloistered area. It might’ve just been a reflection of the real thing, but he could feel the history here. It was, without a doubt, extremely important.
Elrin stood, back against the wall of the stone tower. He nodded casually, pointing to the sky. “Nice dragon. When did your proto-dragon turn into a real one?”
“A few minutes ago,” Theo said, trying to strike an equally casual pose and failing entirely. It just wasn’t him. “What do you need? Didn’t expect anyone to summon me from the void.”
“Just an update,” Elrin said. “I don’t feel like talking to the other holders of thrones. They’re all very annoying.”
“Including Fenian?”
“Especially him. We successfully assaulted the heavens,” Elrin said, as casually as he would share the story of utter mundanity. “The only realm that evaded us was the Twin Realm. Fate and Omen are slippery, but… I’m not so concerned.”
Theo’s mind took a second to process the information. His mouth fell open as his brow creased. “You took over the heavens?”
“In about five hours,” Elrin said with a shrug. A devious smile spread across his face. “Even Death fell before us. You should’ve been there. It was hilarious.”
“Cool. Killing all the gods is a weird move, but okay,” Theo said, scratching his chin. His mind flashed to one side, trying to figure out how to beat Elrin in a fight. Even just considering it sent a shiver up his spine, activating his danger sense. “What does this accomplish?”
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Elrin laughed, a genuine smile of joy spreading across his features. All the dark parts of his personality retreated in an instant. “We didn’t kill any of them. I brought you here because I felt a flash of familiar energy. You figured out the primordial system, didn’t you?”
“Tresk did,” Theo said, feeling no need to hide anything. Right now, he was doing his best not to retreat inward, or flee from the spot. Even with Alex, he doubted he was a match for the elf before him. “We exploited some time-dilation realms, and she figured it out on her own.”
“Then she’s a once-in-a-generation genius,” Elrin said. “You know, that saves me a lot of time. After I taught the gods how to use it, you four were my next target. When the temporal barrier falls around the local sector, we’re going to be attacked. I need everyone in a position of importance at their best, including you guys.”
“So, we did a good thing?” Theo asked, looking skyward to spot Alex doing her thing. “Hooray?”
“Hooray indeed. I could’ve left it where it was, having you think I did something horrible to the gods. I hate Kuzan. I hate Leon.” Elrin paused for a long moment, that dark mood returning. “But they’re important. Once the barrier falls, I’m leaving. For good.”
Theo raised an eyebrow. “By choice?”
Elrin chuckled, shaking his head. “Nope. When the sector gets integrated into the Grand System, anyone who is too strong will be ejected unless they’re on Leon’s world. Even then, they’ll have extreme restrictions placed on them if they’re not working with the system. So, me and my warriors are being proactive. We’ll beat back the mortal invaders, then take the fight to them. At the same time, the heavens will be assaulted by another force. But they’ll be ready.”
Theo released a sigh, leaning against a wall. He was happy to see he was more prepared than the others, but this meant he had to teach Fenian and Khahar how to do the celestial thing. Well, Khahar likely already knew how to do it, but just wasn’t sharing the information for whatever reason. Khahar, Fenian, and Elrin were working together in some capacity, but how far that joint venture went was anyone’s guess.
“Seems like you’ve got it all planned out,” Theo said.
“There are many things we cannot predict,” Elrin said. “This plan is Meya’s own. She’s one of my companions and the first one to cultivate celestial energy back on Earth. Leon’s planet acts as the first line of defense, but after that it falls to you and the other throne holders. Can you defend this place?”
Theo gestured skyward. “I have a dragon.”
Elrin looked up, narrowing his eyes at Alex. “And an extremely powerful one. You taught her the technique?”
“Yeah, and we made up a new one just for her,” Theo said. “She’s braiding the celestial stuff with dragon energy to become, as she puts it, ‘the most dragon dragon around.’”
Elrin let out a labored breath, awestruck by her. “She’s almost at the level of a true dragon. You need to explain this technique to me.”
“Well, damn. If we’re gonna waggle chins all afternoon, let’s at least get some decent food,” Theo said. He blew a sharp whistle, drawing the attention of Alex above. “They’ve got a few good places on Tero’gal, if you’re interested.”
Elrin nodded. “Actually, that sounds nice.”
Theo smiled, wrapping each of them in his aura. An instant later, they were standing in Boar Hollow. Alex didn’t even wait to take to the skies, gaining a few frightened screams from the residents there.
“Oh!” Belgar shouted. “Just you. Should’ve figured… Why did she change so much?”
“That’s a long story,” Theo said, slapping the poor dronon on the back. “We’re gonna get some lunch. Wanna come?”
“Sure,” Belgar said with a shrug.
Elrin shot Theo a glare.
“He’s the leader of this world,” Theo said, shaking his head. “Cut the guy some slack.”
“I suppose that’s fine, then,” Elrin said.
The group worked their way through town. Boar Hollow wasn’t growing as quickly as it had in the early days, but it was doing really well. Most of the streets were paved, and a majority of the buildings had been updated. The amount of shops had easily doubled, and there were several attractive cafes dotting the main street. Belgar had a taste for a coffee-like liquor, so they went to a place curiously named Barrow and Elm. It seemed like a grim name for such a cozy place, but the alchemist shrugged it off.
Finding a seat near the back, Theo breathed in the strange scent lingering in the air. It wasn’t exactly like the coffee substitute he was used to back on Earth, but it was close. This version held sweet notes that overpowered the bitter dark coffee he was used to. Of course, Belgar ordered for them and three tall glasses of light brown liquid were served. Cubes of ice bobbed in the glasses, clinking against the edges.
Theo was the first to take a tentative sip, finding it to be a decent mixture of coffee and milk. He could taste none of the alcohol.
“Alex has a unique ability,” Theo said, continuing their previous conversation.
“This is good,” Elrin said, holding the glass up and nodding to Belgar. “We never had demons back in the day, but you guys are fine in my book.”
Belgar nodded, his cheeks going a deeper shade of violet. “Thanks.”
“Anyway, what’s her technique?” Elrin asked.
“She can consume energies and make them a part of herself,” Theo said. “I suspect that’s why we’re so good at assimilating celestial energy. Everyone in the bond shares knowledge, including experience. I think Tresk just stole the technique from Alex, trying it on herself in an attempt to become a dragon.”
“I can’t imagine Tresk as a dragon,” Belgar said, shaking his head.
“Well, good thing it failed.” Theo took another long sip of his drink, smacking his lips. The more he drank, the more the underlying sweetness of sugar or honey came through. “Instead, she came up with a technique to empower one’s self by disabling the system.”
Elrin’s brows rose in unison. “She can disable her system?”
Theo shrugged. “Each of us can. It cuts you off from the local system’s energy and makes way for all the energy. Wait, how are you guys doing it?”
Elrin grumbled, slouching. “The hard way, apparently. Think you can teach me?”
“Maybe. Tresk spent a few years working on it, and even then… I don’t want to say this to her face, but she’s a genius at figuring this stuff out. I learned it by just copying her, which is effortless thanks to the bond.”
“Still, we should try,” Elrin said. “That’s been our biggest blocker since the start. My people have been… Could you do the bubble?”
Theo waved his hand and his aura spread out. He reinforced it with every bit of his willpower.
“My people have been secretly training for thousands of years,” Elrin finished. “This would’ve been much quicker if we had your technique.”
“Well, let’s get started. I’m already missing the games… Well, I guess the last four fights will be the most interesting,” Theo said. “Oh, and the exhibition fights. Those are going to be peak entertainment.”
“Dispense with the knowledge, demon.”
Theo sighed. “Okay. You ever have a moment of realization that everyone else in the world is their own person, living their own lives. Maybe a sensation like you’re just an actor on a stage and the world isn’t real?”
“Not really.”
Theo shook his head. “Okay. This is gonna be hard.”