Moments during the ritual
In an abyss of endless darkness, someone awakens...
"I am called upon once again," a voice, eerie and imposing, resonated through the abyss.
A vibrant soul appeared where there was nothing. It pulsated with its saturated purple glow, stark against the pitch black.
"Let's see what vessel has been brought this time... Hopefully, one of complete compatibility and equivalent soul quality."
The soul sped through the endless abyss, searching for something that might meet its needs.
A glint of white light flickered in the distance.
"I see it," it murmured, its tone sharpened with anticipation.
Moments later, the soul reached its destination, only to find the vessel's soul shattered, a white glow surrounded by floating fragments, barely holding onto its existence.
"NO! It's another shattered soul!" she exclaimed angrily, her voice reverberating through the abyss.
"This useless fool! My soul will lose its longevity if this keeps up, and I will truly be gone if that happens!...."
Through her tantrum, her frustration grew, causing waves of purple mana to emit rippling across the abyss.
"DAMMIT!" she growled.
Unbeknownst to her, this soul... reacted to her outburst, absorbing the mana to reform itself.
Alana continued to complain about her situation, each emotional outburst sending larger amounts of mana into the abyss. The soul, awash in this mana, continues to mend itself, eventually regaining its form until it was whole, though faint.
"Mm? Did it just mend itself?" She said in surprise.
She was completely unaware that her own mana caused it.
"Whatever it is, doesn't change a thing. It's still of terrible quality. A fading soul is nowhere near compatible with me, nor worthy."
Her soul dimmed,
"At least it will give me a little more time... but not a lot." A hint of annoyance in her voice.
Her soul expanded and enveloped the now faded soul that was helpless against her will. Once she had consumed it, mana swirled around her, invigoratingly.
The soul now disappeared from view.
With a sigh, she contracted back to her usual size. "Now I must go into soul dormancy. That fool better bring me a compatible vessel, and quick!" Her soul slowly faded into the abyss…
Until suddenly an unknown, distorted voice interrupted her. "Hehehe... You can't erase me."
"HUH!?" Alana's soul trembled, shocked by the audacity.
From her side, a new soul emerged, growing rapidly, larger than her own, expanding at an unnatural speed.
She attempted to grow in response, but immediately the soul overtook her.
Soon its light shone across the abyss.
For a second, her soul staggered, struggling to comprehend the scale.
Then her soul grew even more matching the opposing soul.
"You're trying to overpower my soul's will, huh? Fine! Bring it on!" she exclaimed, her pride taking over.
A battle of wills took place; whoever won would dominate and take control of the other's power.
The abyss itself trembled as the two forces clashed, sending ripples through the darkness, disturbing creatures and spirits of the abyss who stirred at the disturbance.
The will of their souls intensified, one of mystery and one of sainthood.
"I, Alana, will win today! HAHA! This will not be my end!" Alana declared as she shone even brighter, pushing back the mysterious soul.
"THIS IS MY WILL!"
Their clash became ever more violent by the moment until a distorted voice reverberated out through the abyss "... It's been fun, but I'm done with the games," its tone cold and dismissive, as though speaking to a mere peasant.
The strange soul grew, filling the entire abyss with a blinding, chaotic light, consuming everything in its path, sending large streaks of mana through the darkness.
"This soul is so unpredictable... Who is this?" Alana said, but her perplexity was short-lived as she realised her predicament.
"I SUBMIT," she declared, finally recognizing defeat.
"Good."
The mysterious soul answered simply, its dominance undeniable.
Everything goes black as the souls shrink down to equal size.
Now, with a space between them, both souls disperse into a thick mist that forms two soul-like mortal outlines that were transparent.
One, a woman, who floated sideways as though lying on a bed mid-air, her head resting on her hand, one leg over her thigh.
Her long legs extended, her eyes narrowed, her lips pursed.
She wore nothing; her hair flowed around her; it was so-long it could cover her entirely.
"So, we meet, boy..."
Is this really the same soul? She wondered.
His soul held a great darkness, deeper and more rooted than even the abyss itself... Yet. Right now, I feel nothing. Nothing at all. And he looks.. Normal? She continued to think in her head.
The 'normal' boy she spoke of sat right in front of her, sat cross-legged, seemingly uninterested.
"Yeah, I guess we do... Do I know you?" he replied
"Did you forget? We just had a clash of wills? Moments ago."
"Nope. Just got here."
"Well, since you forgot, not only did you beat me in the clash of wills, but you spared me and decided to commune with me. I'm grateful for your sudden mercy," she explained.
He stared at her with a clueless look.
This fool really doesn't seem to remember anything.
"Hmm..."
A smile tugged at her lips, planning.
"So, le-"
"Question," the boy interrupted immediately.
"What is it?" she replied, her soul body twitching.
"Can you bring me back from death?"
Ah Perfect! Her face lit up slightly.
"Most certainly, you just need to make a binding contract with me."
The boy's interest piqued. "Okay, what's the contract?"
I have him now!
"Give me your soul, body, and I'll give you life," she said simply.
He looked at her blankly. "Are you trying to trick me?"
Her face falls. Was it that obvious? No, no, I still have him..
"No! Don't worry, no tricks. It's the only way. You'll be reborn, just under my terms." She waved her hands, trying to be reassuring.
"I want to live for real. No limitations this time," he said, his voice suddenly steady.
Alana's thoughts churned
He's not budging, but I can salvage this, I will just change my approach. She thought,
"Okay, how about this: I revive you, but you have to follow my way of life by living in utter chaos?"
When she said the word "chaos," something in him stirred; his interest sharpened, and with no hesitation, he spoke
"Deal."
"Well then, let's make a soul-binding contract. Take my hand."
She floated upright as she altered her tall stature to equal his height.
"First, close your eyes and state your past after me."
Then say, 'I make a soul-binding contract with Alana Renfield.' I'll say it at the same time, and we'll bind as one."
"Oh, and what's your name?" she asked
"No idea," the boy replied, his eyes still shut.
Alana's soul body flickered; she gasped in shock.
"Well, figure it out! We're tight on time, well, for me at least. That fight we had earlier drained the majority of the life span I had left."
The boy's eyes opened staring blankly at her.
She sighed in frustration. "Names are tightly linked to your soul, so just dig deep and declare whatever comes to you," she said.
Impatient, she closed her eyes and recited;
"I am the great dark divine saint that turned the world upside down with the power of chaos by my side."
Now, the mysterious boy,
"I- I- I..." The boy delved deep within himself, drawing on lost emotions he once felt.
Nothingness.
"I am someone who simply didn't exist before... once restricted by someone else's emotions."
"I am... Zero." with this final recitation.
Simultaneously their eyes opened, and their souls intertwined.
Through the outline of their bodies, the connection is clear, as they say in unison:
Zero: "I make a soul-binding contract with Alana Renfield, following the path of utter chaos."
Alana Renfield: "I make a soul-binding contract with Zero, allowing and helping him to live a life without limitations."
Alana's soul merged with Zero's, but instead of becoming equals, like a normal soul binding contract, she became an addition to his being, a secondary current flowing into him.
This wasn't her intention.
"Hmph..." he grinned, looking down on Alana as she was sucked into him.
"How?!" she hissed
Zero doesn't answer instead his cackling echoed through the abyss.
If Alana's soul had merged with Zero's, she would have gained influence over his power. But now, that's no longer a problem.
Back during the ritual, Zero's body floated up. Violet light radiated and cracked the ground beneath him. Rays of violet light pierced through the magic circle, and the power surging from it shook the room.
The air grew heavy with dark mana.
Then, Zero's eyes snapped open, violet mana poured out of them as finally a wave of mana burst out; this blew the man who had been observing off his feet into a wall on the other end of the room.
Zero floated down, violet mana crackling around him.
His eyes slowly shifted to normal, his feet planted on the ground.
He was a boy who stood five feet four inches in height, with purple irises, white hair, and his face wore a detached expression.
Then suddenly he inhaled deeply, as took in the air for the first time; feeling it load up his lungs with oxygen then exhaling, his mind felt all the more clear.
Zero's eyes lit up
"I... I CAN SEE," he shouted, looking at his hands.
"I… I can hear," he lowered his tone for a moment as he listened to the rumbling of rocks, the sizzling of the magic circle.
"I... I can feel!" He picked up rocks, feeling their rough texture, then another, marvelling at how smooth it is.
"Haha, this one is smooth."
The man watched in disbelief as Zero, restored to a fuller state, marveled at everything around him.
"What in the chaos just happened?" he exclaimed in confusion
Zero, like a newborn experiencing the world for the first time, seemed unaware of the man's presence.
Seeing the altar was damaged completely, his face twitched as he stood up, dusted himself off and approached the young boy.
I'll end him for disgracing the mistress's altar. The man's thoughts, firm as a thin coat of blue mana, traced the outline of his body.
He raised his hand toward Zero.
Blue mana gathers in the air, coalescing into a crackling blue bolt of mana.
The man's expression twisted cruelly as he scrunched his fingers; the spell's erratic form solidified into a ball of mana.
Zero's eyes widened in amazement as he watched the spell form.
"This mana bolt should be enough to kill him. You will not hurt the altar anymore," he muttered.
Zero watched the spell carefully, the spell itself reflected in his eyes as he stood mouth open, completely entranced by the mana being drawn into the bolt.
"Wow," he murmured, his voice tinged with genuine awe.
Then, the man's expression shifted to disdain.
"I was sorry before, but now you've wronged the Altar of Alana, the Dark Divine Saint."
"Alana?" Zero repeated.
Suddenly, rays of violet light stretched out of his chest.
Zero and the man both look confused as they lose their vision for a moment.
Once they regained their vision, a wisp of dark purple light swirled in the air.
It hovered between them; shaped like a dark purple, ball of water-like mana, with one eye which was pitch black with a white center.
"Who summons the great Alana?!" the wisp called out, its voice both ethereal and commanding.
Her eye moved toward Zero, lingering on him for a moment.
Zero attention had already shifted back toward the stalled spell, which he grew increasingly bored with now.
Alana's form intensified, charging at Zero, "Come here you viper!"
Zero looked surprised as he jumped back, dodging out of the way, but she didn't stop as she redirected, charging at him again.
Zero slid back and wobbled, trying to keep his balance; clearly still trying to get the hang of this type of movement.
"What's your problem? You're the one who tried to trick me first!" Zero said while hitting his back against the altar.
"You will die for your insolence!" Alana retorted.
Zero cornered against the altar, couldn't do anything so he held his hand out, closing his eyes, as thin mana weakly coated his body.
But before he could do anything, Zero felt her hit his hand, and his eyes widened.
Alana's attack met Zero's hand with minimal force. Realizing her nature, she immediately sighed, "I'm a wisp, aren't I..."
"Well, if that explains why you're way weaker than I thought you'd be, then yeah."
Zero then grinned as he squished her wisp form in his palm,
"I have full control now. It's my turn!"
Her form she closed her eyes, a ghostly bead of sweat trickling down her form, "Please no…"
Zero winds up his arm and throws her to the ground. She then bounced off the wall.
She continued to bounce everywhere.
"HOW DARE YOU TREAT ME LIKE THIS!" she exclaimed.
Zero crossed his arms as she bounced about the room laughing, "haha you better get used to it, princess!"
Yet the man stood utterly mesmerised; his earlier expression had shifted to great surprise. his thoughts racing, It's not her full form, but it bears the unmistakable aura of the Dark Divine Saint.
"Aha, is that you, Mistress?" the man asked
The wisp responded in a tone of disbelief, "Zero, who is this guy?" Her voice muffled slightly by the motion.
Zero had long since stopped his laugh and had already retreated to something else and didn't even think to pay her any mind.
"You're hopeless," Alana sighed, as bounced around, she looked around trying to piece together the mess Zero was in.
The man dispels his spell completely, lost in his overwhelming grief, he starts crying, his voice breaking.
"Mistress, I am Augustus Oleander. I've followed your teachings for years, studied your spells, and I am the one who brought you back!"
Alana's form flickered as realization dawned on her.
She stopped bouncing, and her disgust was palpable.
"Oh, so you're the fool who's been sending me those faulty souls...", her voice dripped with disdain. "And now, when you finally bring me a decent vessel, you try to kill him. Your really are pathetic."
Her words cut through Augustus like a blade, and he faltered, his heart shattering as she continued berating him while she shook her wisp body in irritation.
Augustus collapsed into a broken heap of despair, realising his fault and failure in not being able to bring Alana a worthy body.
Zero at this moment looked from the stone desk, attention on Augustus, who's now in a stupor on the floor; he found the emotional breakdown quite amusing.
His focus quickly shifted back toward the stone desk, placing his hand over the Book of Deluxe, which reacted to him instantly; a soft glow emanated from the sapphire, almost as though it recognized him as its new master.
The light caught Alana's eye. She tilted her body toward it, curiosity replacing her earlier irritation.
Zero leaned closer, his interest piqued.
He spoke in a low voice,
"Open."
The book compiled without hesitation, flipping open to the last page, an intricate index of diagrams and spells, each with glowing symbols and page numbers.
Augustus stared, stunned by the ease with which the relic obeyed.
Alana then gasped, "Wait...The Book of Deluxe?!" she said, as she floated toward it.
She desperately clung to it, rubbing her wisp body on its pages.
"Maybe you're not as pathetic as I thought, Augustus…" she mused, her voice dripping with the faintest trace of approval.
Augustus stood there, utterly transfixed by the moment of praise.
It's a tiny sliver of validation in an ocean of failure, and it caused his heart to flutter.
"She acknowledged me… she said my name..."
Zero's eyes darted between Alana, blocking his view of the book and Augustus' cry, with a mix of detachment and mild amusement.
Augustus might be basking in his rare moment of validation, but it was clear to him that the situation was more about Alana and the book than anything else.
Zero's attention shifted back to the book, realising Alana was blocking his sight he grabbed her with a flat expression and threw her wisp body to the side.
"WOAAAA." She flies through the wall.
As he scanned the pages, one diagram glowed faintly, its symbols pulsing in rhythm with his breath.
Before he could speak, the book flipped on its own.
At first, Zero felt surprised but quickly regained focus.
"Staff summoning," he read.
Hearing this, Alana promptly returned; zipping back.
"Did you complete soul resonance with it already?" She asked, incredulity in her voice.
Zero simply shrugged and said nonchalantly,
"No idea. I just felt the connection when I touched it, then a flash of light. Guess that's it."
Alana shook her form, confused by the situation. "Soul resonance is supposed to be difficult, especially with artefacts at the relic stage." she muttered. "It only works when the two souls are compatible, but Relics are picky, much more than beasts, so they won't settle for less, than they're worth, just because you treated them right. For example, you could create a relationship with a beast to tame them over time, but with relics, it's an immediate yes or no based on an assessment of your soul; this headstrong attitude caused me a century of headaches." Alana said, exasperated at the thought.
Zero nodded, listening while still fixated on the staff summoning page; clearly not paying attention to the intricacies of her rant, he grabbed the sacrificial dagger from the stone floor and walked to the middle of the room.
The book floated beside him, flipping to the correct page displaying an intricate diagram of a summoning circle that Zero followed.
Blood was required, and Alana immediately instructed Augustus to draw it for her.
But Zero interrupted her, saying flatly, "I already got it."
With a swift motion, Zero plunged the dagger into his own hand, the blade sinking deeply into his palm.
The pain made him sweat, but his expression remained frozen. "Pain feels… interesting," he muttered, not shaken; he pulled out the blade and tossed it into the blood bowl.
Alana watched in shock. "Are you mad?" she asked, her eyes squinted, repulsed.
Zero doesn't even spare her a glance, instead stared at his hand popping and flowing with crimson.
"Won't be doing that again," he said dismissively, as though the act was nothing.
He positioned himself; Zero felt his hand go slightly numb as blood continued to flow profusely.
Then he swung his hand through the air with practiced precision as his blood splattered everywhere, chaotic and messy, yet the blood continued to land exactly where it needed to.
After only moment
The chamber and everyone in it were untouched by the blood.
The diagram on the floor is now complete.
Alana and Augustus stand stunned as Zero finished the ritual.
The Book of Deluxe hovered before him, glowing with power, and Zero slapped his bloody hand down onto the circle.
A ripple of mana spreads out across the entire circle, and the blood crusts away and turns the circle violet.
"Come to me, Staff of the Abyss. Staff of Deluxe!" Zero commanded.
A moment later, the staff appeared, breaking the ground underneath with overwhelming force while letting out a loud ring that shook the building.
The impact cracked the stone beneath it as the immense weight of the relic caused the ground to tremble, its pointy tip embedded in the ground.
"Hey before I touch this, can someone stop the bleeding?"
Both Alana and Augustus deadpanned, "Augustus.."
"Right away." Augustus readily walked up to Zero and placed his hands on Zero's palm, surrounding it with mana, then his wound began weaving back together skin,muscles and bone, healing it completely, only leaving what was now dried blood around the former place of the injury.
Zero eyes widened as he waved his hand around, "It's healed, thanks Augustus!"
Augustus nodded, backing up.
Alana's eye, was already inspecting the staff in disbelief.
Its sharp bottom tip embedded into the ground, it was 171 cm tall, it was sleek and smooth until at near the top were two jagged hands wrapped around and at the top on either side palmed a moderate sized magical crystal ball within it a purple vortex chaotic mana.
There's no way he can lift it, Alana thought, making a smug expression with her eye.
That staff was forged from Ceridian; the most durable metal in the world, which makes it considerably heavy, but it was not much of a problem for me to lift considering my power at the time.
But to her horror, Zero effortlessly swung the staff as if it were nothing.
"This staff is awesome!" he exclaimed, clearly enjoying the feeling of swinging it.
Alana shouted "Don't swing it like that!" she snapped, her voice sharp. "I doesn't like it!"
Zero, unfazed, tilted his head, still twirling the staff. "Why not? Seems fine to me."
She glared at him, her anger growing as she recalled past instances where she had wielded the staff herself. "When I swung it, it got mad and took it out of my castle!" she growled, irked.
Zero looked at her, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about?"
Augustus watched the exchange, his jealousy growing.
When I was with the book, it barely paid attention to me, and when I wanted to make use of it by learning from it or looking up diagrams. It would be hard to cooperate with or would just stay shut. He thought bitterly.
As Zero twirled the staff and the book flew around him,
But Zero? It's like he's the centre of its attention.
He couldn't help but ask, "How did you do that? How did you make it listen to you?"
Zero glanced at him and shrugged. "Soul resonance, I guess?" he said simply, not thinking much of it.
Augustus, still trying to understand, pressed on. "When I tried to resonate with the book, it never budged. It ignored me entirely."
Alana spoke, a hint of frustration crept into her voice. " Well, if you were listening to Augustus, I already said it's about compatibility. For example, the book and the staff, even as artefacts, never really liked me because my affinity for Chaos is average. But it's clearly drawn to you, Zero, that means… "
She eyed Zero thoughtfully, her tone now reflecting some begrudging respect.
"His connection to Chaos... must be so strong that it bypassed all soul quality. Even high-tier affinities wouldn't make relics of this calibre react like this…"
Zero playfully swung the staff at the book as it kept dodging while his swings made scars in stone below.
"They actually like him... which means his affinity with chaos is far above what I expected."
Zero heard this and stopped mid swing "I guess I got lucky!" he shrugged, not really understanding the full depth of what she's describing. However, Augustus understood the depth of what Alana was saying as he contemplated her.
"I am forever grateful for your enlightenment, Mistress Alana," he said humbly, bowing his head.
Alana, however, is already refocusing. "Now, let's not waste time and get to what really matters. We need to know the current state of world affairs."
Augustus, still in the same position of gratitude, said nothing…
Alana rolled her eye and let out an exasperated sigh. "Augustus!"
Augustus snapped out of his reverie. "RIGHT yes!, let's go upstairs. This room is not in good shape anymore."
She hadn't realized it because of her earlier deep thinking, but Zero had destroyed the room, crushing the stone table, scarring and raising the stone floor, and cracking and crumbling the altar and walls.,
"True"
They both left.
Zero was still wrecking the chamber, caught them leaving over his shoulder, and ran after them.
"Hey don't forget me!"
As he ran toward them, he thought to himself,
These two have been pretty fun to be around. I wonder what's next.
…
They all headed through the long cobblestone corridor, past the magic door, and upstairs to the vast living room.
As they sat at the elongated dinner table, each of them found their place comfortably on the sides, Zero's relics floated behind him.
Augustus sat at one side and Zero and Alana sat opposite.
"Zero, are you hungry?" Alana asked, glancing at him.
"Yeah," Zero replied, his expression unchanged as if he felt his stomach, though he wasn't actually hungry.
He just wanted to try some food and experience it.
"Wait," Alana suddenly said, her tone sharp. "How long have you been naked, Zero?"
Zero paused, realized with a slight shock that he indeed had no clothes on. Augustus noticed this as well, and they all looked at him, waiting for an answer.
"Uh, yeah... I was wondering why I was so cold," Zero muttered, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Augustus, get this man some clothes right away," Alana said, her voice laced with disappointment. "This fool..."
Augustus didn't waste a moment and quickly left without saying another word.
Two minutes later, Zero received a new set of clothes.
He stepped away to change into them, and when he returned; clad in a black cloak, black leather pants with boots, and a matching belt, all concealed beneath the cloak.
"It's enchanted," Augustus explained. "It will keep you warm no matter the weather, and It will help you blend into the darkness and shadows."
"Feels great," Zero said, clearly pleased with the outfit.
"I'll be back soon. Augustus cook dinner," Alana added. "I'm going to roam your abode for a while."
"As you wish, Mistress Alana!" he bowed.
They both left Zero, as he sat down fully clothed now, he read the book of deluxe and experimented with his mana, as he read the book of deluxe his thoughts, twisted like his mana forming dark ideas he wasn't yet ready to speak aloud.
Minutes later, Augustus returned with food, setting it down on the table.
"Mistress Alana, food is ready!" Augustus announced.
Alana phased through the ceiling, floated gracefully next to Zero.
"Mm, times have really changed. Everything is so advanced now," she mused, her eyes scanning the room.
"This home is also very spacious, Augustus."
"I am grateful, Mistress. I'm glad you like it," Augustus replied.
Zero, who had put the book aside, looked up as Augustus set the plates down, noticed him using telekinesis to move the dishes, cutlery, napkins, and a teapot with two cups.
"What are you doing?" Zero asked, his voice flat but with an intense focus as he watched as they floated in the air.
"Oh, this? Ha-ha. It's called telekinesis, but it's a rather weak version. With it, I can move light objects at a short range," Augustus explained casually.
"Pretty useful, even if it is weak." Zero remarked, focussed on the magic.
Alana's eyes riveted on Augustus "You're a beginner mage?" she asked, scrutinizing Augustus with a critical gaze.
"Yes, I am, sorry if this disappoints you, my lady. I can't do much with my soul quality." Augustus replied, his voice sheepishly apologetic.
"A pathetic excuse,"
Alana snapped. "You can still train and improve. Even a low soul quality doesn't completely limit you. It may be harder, but not impossible. Strength lies in persistence, not just potential."
Augustus trembled under Alana's glare, realizing she had exposed his laziness.
"Pathetic..." she muttered, casting a dismissive glance at him.
At that moment, the dark purple mana quickly overtook the blue mana of Augustus.
"AH!" Augustus gasped, pulling his hand back in shock. The teapot crackled with violet mana, which fully coated it.
As he raised his hand, Zero yanked the suspended teapot toward him, and violet mana also seeped from his body.
Zero spoke with a smirk forming, "Mine now."
"How…how did you understand it so fast? Are you some kind of hidden genius with comprehension?" Augustus asked, awe in his voice.
"No idea, I just understood it," Zero replied.
The teapot remained intact, despite the force used to wrest control from Augustus.
Not only did he comprehend it fast, but he also twisted it with necrotic power, which was very interesting, Alana thought, intrigued by Zero's abilities.
"What are you going to call it?" she asked.
"What?" Zero replied, his voice indifferent.
"The spell, obviously," she said, clearly irritated by his lack of response.
"Oh... right." Zero thought for a moment, placing the teapot on the table, then stood up with one foot on the chair and the other on the table. "I'll call it 'Dark Telekinesis!'"
"Generic," Alana said, her expression disappointed.
"What? I thought it was perfect!" Zero said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"I agree with the Mistress," Augustus added, shaking his head. "You just added 'dark' to telekinesis."
"Yeah, it's pretty boring," Alana agreed.
Zero, taken aback by his poor naming skills, pondered further. Then, an idea struck him.
"AH! This move will be called... 'Grave Pull,' aka Dark Telekinesis!"
"Better," Augustus said with approval.
Alana nodded in agreement. "Back to the pressing matter."
Augustus grabbed the teapot and poured Zero's and his cup, then sat down with his cup of tea in hand, focusing on the conversation ahead.
Zero did the same but with cutlery in hand, ready to enjoy the meal, which was melted beast egg on top of fried rice. While listening to the conversation upcoming.
"Augustus, inform me and Zero of the current state of world affairs, especially after my reign. And explain to Zero how this world works," Alana ordered.
"Uh... well, where do I start?" Augustus said hesitantly.
"Well, since you don't know, after your death, the world became somewhat peaceful. Races started to merge and mix with each other. There are no longer purely human settlements, orc villages, or even dwarven fortresses.
Everything is integrated now. Elves' forests are home to all kinds of races now.
The result was the birth of five lands, each controlled by an empire, which comprised multiple factions holding a variety of ideals. Threat levels classify these lands, which everyone is aware of. This rating is based on military might, the number of B-S rank individuals, and wealth. When a threat level reaches above A rank, it becomes a global superpower."
Augustus continued to explain the state of the world, his tone serious.
"Number one is Kam, a global superpower. They've been preparing for war for years, training elite soldiers and developing mana-based weaponry. Their entire land is a stronghold, and their magical technology combined with military might makes them a force to be reckoned with."
"Number two is Sornerois, known as the merchant heaven. Unlike other lands focused on war, Sornerois dominates through economy, politics, and espionage. They produce the best arcane scholars, traders, and mercenaries. They are a threat level of A, not quite a superpower."
"Number three is Oreme, a land where only the righteous thrive. The strongest mortal land it boasts masters of various weapons, divine mages, warriors, and archers. Their society is governed by the Seven Divine Pillars of Order and Inquisitors of the Divine Light, who hunt down heretics and govern society. This faction will definitely come after you, Zero, if they learn you are involved with Chaos as anybody or anything associated with chaos to them is seen as an abomination and must be annihilated there also rated S rank there are bound to be your greatest enemy Zero."
Zero didn't flinch, but his fork paused just short of his mouth.
"Sounds fun," he said quietly, face unreadable, as he scooped mouthfuls of golden fried rice into his mouth, each grain laced with rare beast egg and infused oils. He chewed slowly, not out of politeness, but intrigue.
"So, this was food," he murmured.
"Beast home, rated S rank. This is a land ruled by apex predators, not by humans or other two-legged races. I am not well acquainted with the history of Beast Home, but I know that their political system is unlike any other, and I forget why they were truly classed as a global superpower. Maybe due to how big the land is, it's about twice the size of any normal land which is enormous anyway I am getting distracted…"
"Then there's Viscura," Augustus said, tone crisp. "Where we are now. It's a small, independent land, often called 'The Last Peaceful Land'.
He said mockingly while scoffing to himself
"Anyway It has no alliances or political entanglements. The people here live in peace, mostly by choice. Its threat level is B-ranked, but don't let that lull you; there are powerful figures scattered throughout."
He rested his hands together, fingers interlaced.
"The land is divided into three regions, each governed by a regional master who reports directly to Alcon."
"Each region contains two provinces, and every province comprises a handful of villages, towns, and cities. None of them are especially large, at least by global standards. What they lack in size, they make up for in structure. There are check-in points at each settlement. Villages report to their towns. Towns report to their cities. Cities answer to their Warden, who speaks to the Council, and from there it reaches the Regional Master."
"Councils are what you'd expect: noble bloodlines, inherited power, and stale ideology. But the Wardens are something else entirely. Most are former legends, criminals, generals, mercenaries who follow Alcon's vision for peace. They're respected not out of fear, but gratitude. People trust them."
He paused, then added, "This structure is why Viscura remains so peaceful, not because it is passive, but because it is tightly managed."
"We receive no news from beyond its borders. But that isolation is a double-edged sword. Nothing comes in, and nothing gets out."
Zero swallowed, then leaned forward. Now halfway through his meal, he spoke confidently.
"That works in my favour"
Alana was deep in thought, murmured softly, "Yes…"
Zero spoke up again, mid-chew this time. "Can you explain another thing?" with rice flying out of his mouth.
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Augustus asked.
"What's the deal with soul quality?"
Augustus nodded and began explaining the soul system.
"Everyone is born with a distinct soul quality, and that quality determines their potential rank, along with that, it's your overall quality as a being, so mana amount, talents, and attributes." Augustus started, his voice steady and informative, "It doesn't limit you, just gives an estimate of where you're most likely to fall. Though it's possible to rise above your estimated rank, it's extremely difficult. The lowest is called a Fading Soul potential, which is E Rank. These are souls with little potential. They can't hold much mana and struggle to improve, often found among peasants, common folk, and expendable warriors."
"By the way careful of the tea it's hot," Augustus warned
Zero listened intently, finishing his meal. He grabbed the tea and drank it all in one gulp. "mmm...Hot," he said, sticking his tongue out.
"The food was great, thanks Augustus!" he then *burps*
Augustus sighs in disappointment. Is this really the vessel chosen by Lady Alana? He's so childish and truly hopeless. I should've offered myself as a vessel for the lady. I would be much better..
He glanced at Alana, eyes fixed on Zero.
His face tensed as he looked down at his tea,
If I could just take him out, she would see me, maybe she would grant me power, even if only a little, I could take him out of the picture… Am sure she feels the same way about this brat.
He raised his head, narrowing his eyes and looking directly at Zero, forming a plan.
Zero was cleaning his plate as he felt the intense stare and waved his hand in front of his face, "uh Augustus you there?"
Augustus snapped out of his train of thought "oh! sorry where was I!" he said with a big smile on his face.
"You barely started? You left off on fading souls," Zero reminded him, confused at Augustus' weird behaviour.
.
"OH sorry," he apologised
"Anyway then! We have the lesser soul quality, D Rank. These people have weak talent and slow growth, though they can improve with effort. But it's rare to see someone with this soul quality reach the highest ranks. These are typically foot soldiers and low-tier spellcasters. This is where I am," Augustus paused for a moment, making sure Zero understood.
"Next is the Stable Soul potential, C Rank. These are average individuals with a decent life expectancy on the battlefield and training potential. Most adventurers, knights, and regular mages would fall into this category."
Zero's eyes swayed on his seat as he listened closely, his mind processing the information.
"Then comes the Greater Soul potential, B Rank. These are individuals with natural talent, solid potential. You'll find them among elite soldiers, skilled mages, and mid-ranking powerhouses, warlords and generals."
Alana's eyes darted between Zero and Augustus
"After that, there's the Mythic Soul quality, A Rank. People born with this quality are prodigies. They have massive mana and experience rapid growth. They're often the strongest mages, war sovereigns, or high-ranking combatants."
Zero tapped his fingers on the table, mulling over this information. "And the highest? S-rank?"
"Ah, yes, the Divine Soul potential, S Rank," Augustus smiled, somewhat enjoying Zero's curiosity. "This type of talent is once-in-a-millennium. They have nearly limitless growth potential, found among saints, top-tier heroes, or legendary figures. They're the ones who change the course of history."
Zero's interest piqued further. "So... how does my soul rank?"
Alana, who had been quiet until now, sighed and shook her head. "No idea. I've tried countless times to read your soul, Zero. But there's something... distorted about it. Every time I get close to the heart of it, it feels like something ejects me out."
"Distorted?" Zero raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How so?"
"It's like there's a massive block in the depths of your soul," she explained. "I can't get through it. It's... unsettling, to say the least. Either way something is blocking me from seeing it clearly."
Zero leaned back in his chair, clearly unconcerned. "Mmmm. Whatever. Go on about the ranks, Augustus."
"Ah, right!" Augustus straightened himself, continuing enthusiastically. "Ranks go from F to S. F being the lowest, terrible rank, and S being the highest, the ultimate. But really, it's just a basic classification system; people with higher ranks can expect better opportunities in life. Those born with higher-ranked souls are naturally stronger, more capable of holding mana, and able to grow faster. But even someone with an E-rank soul can still become strong through sheer effort. It's just harder."
Zero nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
"Ok, what about this chaos thing then??" Zero asked, his voice cutting through the conversation.
"Tell me about that."
When Zero spoke, Alana's eye seemed to light up as she had been waiting for him to ask that question.
She hesitated slightly before answering.
"Chaos magic doesn't follow traditional laws like elemental magic or any other forms of magic. Even the mana involved is different. " She began. "It's the manipulation of entropy, disorder, and raw destruction. The principle behind Chaos is to bend the laws of reality, to destroy. What makes it so dangerous is that it doesn't behave consistently. It's wild, and that's why Chaosmancers dominate in battles. It's incredibly hard to predict and counter."
Zero listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each word.
"And you want me to learn this...?" Zero asked, intrigued but wary.
"I want you to embrace it. It's not something that can be controlled easily, but you'll have to master it if you want to turn this world upside down, like I did," Alana replied. Her eye glinted with a mix of pride and a hint of madness. "Chaos is the most powerful force at your disposal. It will allow you to reshape everything."
"Chaos..." Zero muttered to himself, as if tasting it on his tongue.
"Interesting."
Augustus spoke again, this time with a sombre tone. "But be warned, Chaos is forbidden and despised. Most of the world sees it as unnatural and dangerous. They fear it. Even I, with my low affinity, can barely use it."
"Wait," Zero interrupted, eyeing Augustus. "You can use Chaos magic?"
"I can," Augustus said, a touch of bitterness creeping into his voice. "But only in minor spells. I've never been able to master it, not like Alana can."
"So, it's about affinity?" Zero asked, piecing things together.
Alana nodded. "Exactly. It's the same as elemental magic. Affinity determines how well you can use certain elemental spells and more. For example, someone with a high fire affinity can become a fire mage, manipulating fire at will. Someone with a low affinity, though, would be limited but spells with that element in them would be stronger. Same with Chaos, but the catch is if you don't have affinity to it, you can't use it.
Adding on, I only had a mid-tier affinity towards it, but with that, I could make two weaker versions which I could use to the fullest extent one being, Necromancy which is the act of raising the dead which you will be using. But due to the interaction with the relics, you must have a higher affinity than I. So you should be able to use both delegations effectively. While your real affinity needs to be awakened.
"How do i awaken it?" zero asked bewildered
Alana says reassuringly, "To put simply its understanding of chaos in its essence, to you though it will be much deeper for you as your connection to chaos is much higher. Don't worry about that though, right now focus on necromancy; it's simple and strong.
"I read about a second in the book, I didn't catch its name. "
"The second is called corruption, but it's not important nor do you need at this moment so until that time comes focus on necromancy and the other dark forbidden spells in that book. Which I am sure you have already become acquainted with." she said knowingly.
Zero gave a sharp nod. "So, where do I start?"
Alana smiled, sensing the shift in Zero's resolve, "well we need a place for you to raid first of all so you can build your army."
Augustus spoke up at that moment, eager to provide a direction. "Actually, there's a village I know of. Near a junkyard I visited, Arcaeus should know the way."
Alana happily said, "Let's head outside"
As they all went outside
Zero's aura shifted to something malicious and calculated, though no one noticed.
He was already scheming, his next move completely cloaked in shadows and secrecy, but it was clear he was preparing for more, far more than just the village raid.
Zero now stood, clad in his new gear. His book latched onto his side without a holder, and his staff clung to his back as if magnetized.
Arcaeus neighed wildly upon sensing Zero, thrashed as if sensing something was wrong. Augustus struggled to calm him, gripping the reins tightly.
"Whoa, boy! Easy now, it's alright, he's a friend!"
Even as the horse stilled, his eyes never left Zero, steam flaring from his nostrils like a war beast on edge.
Zero merely smirked, stepped onto the horse's back without a word. As Augustus climbed up, he barely had time to settle before Arcaeus bolted forward at full speed.
"Arcaeus! Slow down, I wasn't even on properly yet!" Augustus protested, gripping the reins tighter.
Zero placed his hands casually around Augustus's waist, but Arcaeus only ran faster.
They rode through open fields, the ground breaking harder beneath Arcaeus' nerved hooves than usual. Augustus frowned, sensing his mount's distress.
"Arcaeus, don't be stupid," he muttered, tuning out the horse's panic.
Now lost in thought, Augustus muttered under his breath, barely above a whisper. "Mistress Alana… whether you're listening or not, I've spent years trying to bring you back. And now that I finally have, I beg you, grant me power."
A soft chuckle filled the air. Alana materialized beside him, floating effortlessly. She took one look at him and burst into laughter, a purple shadow-like tentacle protruded from her wisp body, pointing at Zero.
"Oh, Augustus, that's adorable." She wiped a non-existent tear from her eye. "But I'm afraid that choice isn't mine anymore." She gestured dramatically toward Zero, her other tentacle covering her eye as she giggled. "He's the one with power now. Not me. Hohoho~"
Augustus stiffened, his grip on the reins tightening.
Zero, unfazed, spoke firmly. "We can talk about your desires later. First, we get there."
A familiar voice echoed in Zero's mind, Alana, now visible only to him.
Even with your necromancer spells and the few tricks you picked up from Augustus, you're still just one man. You'll need an army, or at least a handful of strong summons to take down a village. You're a mage, a necromancer, you shouldn't be on the front lines. What's your plan?
Zero grinned, his purple irises glowing ominously as an unsettling aura radiated from his body.
I have an idea.
Minutes later, Arcaeus neighed sharply, a signal that they were close. The clouds overhead swelled, casting a shadow over the landscape.
"We're almost there," Augustus said, pointing ahead. "Just beyond that forest."
"Stop for a moment."
"…Why?"
"Just do it."
Augustus sighed. "Alright, alright. Arcaeus, hold up!"
The horse skidded to a halt, its hooves digging deep tracks into the earth.
As they dismounted, Augustus grabbed a water pouch from an unseen pocket inside his coat, taking a slow drink. Arcaeus stood tall, staring ahead with an almost regal presence.
Zero, standing in front of Augustus, remained silent.
"What is it?" Augustus asked, wiping his mouth.
Zero's expression darkened. A malicious aura leaked from him as he slowly raised his hand. Augustus barely had time to react before he felt it, an overwhelming wave of killing intent.
Arcaeus sensed it first, rearing up from behind with a furious neigh and lunging at Zero. But Zero moved effortlessly, sidestepping and releasing a bolt of withering mana point-blank into the beast's chest. The deep purple mana struck, and Arcaeus let out an agonized screech before collapsing to the ground.
Augustus' eyes widened in horror.
"WHAT—ARC—!" He reached with his mana.
Preparing to fire.
But Zero's right hand flicked through the air. "Grave Pull."
A sickening crack echoed as Augustus' arm twisted unnaturally, yanked out of its socket.
"AAAAAGH!" He collapsed to his knees, clutching his useless limb, eyes filled with pain and disbelief.
Zero loomed over him, grinning wider, his expression dripping with sadistic amusement.
Augustus gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face. "You… monster…" he spat.
"Ah?" Zero leaned in closer, pressing his boot against Augustus' dislocated shoulder. "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
Augustus trembled, his head bowed. "…I said… you're a monster…"
Zero's grin widened. "Not loud enough! Haha!"
"-I SAID YOU'RE A MONSTER!"
Zero cackled. "Hahaha! I am the monster? And what about you? Were you not killing people for your so-called noble cause?"
"You wouldn't understand, you delinquent! Alana is everyth—"
Zero's foot pressed harder, cutting him off with a sharp cry of pain.
"Either way, I don't care," Zero said flatly. "What I do care about… are my needs and wants." His voice dropped, menacing. "And right now? You're nothing but useless fodder. Trash that's long overdue for recycling."
Augustus, head still lowered, swallowed hard.
Zero leaned in closer, gripping his chin and forcing their gazes to meet.
Eyes that gleamed with twisted delight met dread-filled ones.
"You do understand what I'm saying, don't you?"
Augustus clenched his jaw, rage boiling beneath his skin.
Zero sneered. "Why the face? Didn't you say you wanted power? Am I wrong?"
Augustus refused to answer, his entire body trembling with fury.
Zero's voice went cold. "Then become my soldier. Serve only me."
Augustus' fury burned.
Zero's grin became crazed that only widened as Augustus's fury deepened.
He spat blood in Zero's face. "Go to chaos, you sick delinquent!"
But the blood never touched him. A shadowy barrier flickered, disintegrating it before impact.
Zero sighed in disappointment
"A barrier? I didn't even show you that one yet." Augustus' eyes widened in realization.
"you used it earlier…" Zero said confidently
A voice inside Zero worries in her head.
Augustus only activated it for a second… How did he master it so quickly?
Alana's voice echoed again.
He's evolving. And fast.
Zero shook his head. "I tried to make this an easy conversation, but no, you had to make it difficult."
He stood and stepped away, raising his right hand as deep purple mana swirled in his palm
Augustus tensed, trying to move
But his body refused to respond.
"Wha…? My body… I can't!" His vision blurred. "My mana… where ?!"
Zero chuckled. "Oh, by the way. I've been draining your soul this whole time." He rolled his shoulders lazily, the withering bolt still charging in his palm. "Since we got on the horse, I've been siphoning it in tiny amounts, so small, you never noticed. It was easy."
He smirked, stretching one arm behind his head.
Arcaeus was right.
"I'm… finished…" Augustus realized, a hollow acceptance settling over him.
"Sorry… my mistress… Alana… I am no longer… worthy to be your servant."
Zero fired.
The necrotic mana consumed Augustus instantly, decaying flesh and cloth, leaving only a perfect skeleton behind.
"He should've listened to the horse," Alana commented, as she flew out of Zero's chest, surveying the scene from above
Arcaeus' lifeless body bore a gaping hole in its chest, lay beside Augustus's skeleton as Zero used dark telekinesis to place them side by side on the grass.
Zero clapped his hands together. "Alright, time to bring them back."
The Book of Deluxe floated from his side, pulsing with violet mana flicking its pages.
"WAIT!"
The book halted at a page, and Zero looked at her confused
"What!"
"I forgot to say that there's a thing called Chosen undead, these are undead, which are the foundation of your army and of central importance within it they will hold one of your core values they are also connected to you deeper than any other undead could be and due to that they are naturally more powerful, now in total there's three, two being unavoidable but this one specifically is called the first undead, which is self explanatory.
Zero blinked, Alana flew next to him.
"So let me ask again, are you sure you want this being to be your first undead?"
Zero looked at Augustus' dead body and smirked.
"Definitely!"
Alana "Alright then, go ahead"
"Souls of the Abyss, heed my call. Rise, walk among the living once more… and serve me eternally."
Mana swirled around Augustus' remains. His skeleton trembled, absorbing the mana. A black cloak of shadows coiled around him, his eye sockets igniting with eerie blue flames.
"A mage skeleton still carries the weaknesses of a common bone walker," Alana explained. "Undead mages can only use warlock magic, with some exceptions. Since he was previously an F-rank, he should still have the basics down. But you'll need to provide him with a proper grimoire."
Zero smirked. "Book of Deluxe, if you may."
The book glowed violet before splitting off a smaller, reddish tome, which floated toward Augustus. The skeleton rattled its jaw in what seemed like appreciation.
"To add undead can't talk until they get around B rank latest; in some cases, they start talking around C rank, Latest A-rank if they get that far."
Zero nodded in understanding.
Arcaeus awoke moments later, now a fully reinforced bone steed. His crimson-purple sockets burned, his black mane flowing wildly in the wind.
Zero smiled as he gloried at this mighty steed
Alana's eye never left Zero,
Show me what else you've got, Zero.
Zero leapt onto his new steed, laughing as Augustus followed suit on the back of the horse.
"TO THE VILLAGE!" he roared, galloping into the forest ahead.