Chapter 34 - Meddling

“You know why I’m here,” Isaac crossed his arms and stared at the Artificial Goddess of Light.

Lux walked over to her throne and took a seat, staring at him. “Well, that would be your monster of the guild, I imagine. Took offense to my little Rickard trying to kill him?” She snapped her fingers and a small yellow orb floated to her hand from a chamber. She held it up and Isaac saw a face within, trapped, seemingly begging. “Your monster inflicted grievous harm.”

Isaac scowled, “You know that the Divine Pacts prevent you or your angels from descending to Heimfold, save for the Conflux at the appointed time.”

Lux smirked and put the soul of Rickard into the crevice of her bosom, “This is true, my siblings and I do have a Pact.” She lifted her finger to her lips, “But…what if I were to tell them that a monster was on Heimfold wreaking havoc? They might just take offense at the perversion of their creation, as I have.”

“None of them hate monsters like you. Undead and Void-Corrupted aberrations? Sure. But not monsters. Why else would Terra have told Malvir to make more of them? She wants her followers challenged.”

Lux frowned and stood up, “So, you know some of our politics. I suppose you aren’t a hulking brute.” She walked down to Isaac and stood opposite him, yellow-gold-white energy flaring around her as she projecting her power. “I will send every one of my paladins against your monster. I will crush him. I may even come after your precious adventurers.”

He responded in kind, flaring his power as reality warped and shattered around them. They were in a deep, green nothingness in space.

Lux’s face went white with fear.

Cut off from her power entirely, she was at his mercy. 

Isaac’s voice resonated violence. “You dare come at my guild? I will personally empower every one of my adventurers if you try, and we will invade your precious Sun and kill you.” He released his power and space restored itself around them. “You won’t do a single. Damn. Thing. To my guild. Got it?”

Lux regained her composure as several angels looked on at the confrontation. She nodded curtly. “Fine. I won’t interfere with your Adventurer’s Guild. And the pacts remain in place with my siblings. But those monsters will be targeted. By my will.”

Isaac smirked, “Good. Your followers are welcome to try themselves against those two.”

Lux returned to her throne and regarded him with concern, “Why would you harbor such a perversion of our creation? My creation?”

Isaac opened a rift and stepped through, glancing at her, “Because everyone deserves a home. Even monsters.” The rift sealed behind him as he stepped into his office.

Three days passed as the two monsters lounged about in the apartment: eating, resting, and sating their Evolution Instinct with violent, passionate sex.

But there was still an undercurrent of sorrow at a lost ally that permeated the atmosphere, and Echo only shook it off when he was actively doing something.

Such as decorating their much larger apartment, ensuring that it felt like home. And when they were not doing something specific, they channeled their Quintessence into the Brightsteel-laced armor and rings; rebuilding their stockpile of stored power.

Fumi made one trip that stood out to Echo, saying that she wanted to go talk to Pomentar at the arena. But, she came back safe, and that was assurance enough.

Narya made delicious food every day and forced Echo to recount their travels thus far, though he did feel the sadness come on once more as he spoke about Rose over their meals.

"Nyah! That sounds scary. So much stuff happened! The City of the Dead sounds cool. And Moonsorrow Bay! ...I'm sorry about this Rose person, she seems nice."

"She was really nice. And smart. I'm sad she's gone."

"...She kept us in check," Fumi said solemnly. “I’ll miss her.”

" Her presence was oddly…comforting. Like a concerned parent," Echo replied.

"Hmph! Good, you two needed a babysitter,” Narya quipped.

Fumi stood up and glared at her, "Don't call us babies."

The two engaged in their usual verbal sparring and light insults, which at this point was a commonplace occurrence when all three were present.

Echo couldn't help but wonder if these two disliked each other, or if this was just how some women communicated when they were friends.

There was a rip in reality and both monsters jumped up instantly, preparing for a fight as they activated Alacrity. They relaxed as Isaac stepped through the portal.

He spoke in Gori/Japanese, "Ah, you two look much better."

Echo swallowed the last bit of his bacon and nodded, " We are both feeling better, and stronger."

He put his identification on the table, as did Fumi.

Name   (Race / Rank): Echo Asheron (Monster / S)

Strength: 10,710

Agility: 10,710

Fortitude: 10,710

Defense: 10,710

Offense: 10,710

Magic Resistance: 10,710

Magic Potency: 10,710

Equipment: Brightsteel-Kevlar Armored Clothing,   Titansteel Shield, Skysteel Bastard Sword, Pocket Dimension Ring

Active Abilities: Alacrity [Overcharge], Bulwark

Innate Abilities: The Dragon God's Blessing, Damage   Immunity (Cold, Sonic), Damage Resistance (All), Darkvision, Detect   Abilities, Detect Magic, Disease Immunity, Eternal Youth, Evolution Instinct,   Far Sight, Feral Senses, Perfect Casting, Perfect Defense, Poison / Toxin   Immunity, Regeneration [Regrowth], Tideborn, Wallwalk

Affinities: Transmutation, Fire, Poison, Protection,   Sound, Water

Name   (Race / Rank): Fumi Medrana Soju (Monster / S)

Strength: 9,710

Agility: 11,710

Fortitude: 10,710

Defense: 9,710

Offense: 14,710

Magic Resistance: 9,710

Magic Potency: 9,710

Equipment: Skysteel Katana, Brightsteel-Kevlar   Armored Clothing

Active Abilities: Alacrity [Overcharge], Spatial   Sever, Resonating Thrust, Waveblade

Innate Abilities: The Dragon God's Blessing, Damage   Immunity (Cold, Sonic), Damage Resistance (All), Darkvision, Deathless,   Detect Abilities, Detect Magic, Disease Immunity, Eternal Youth, Evolution   Instinct, Far Sight, Feral Senses, Perfect Casting, Perfect Offense, Poison /   Toxin Immunity, Regeneration [Regrowth], Tideborn, Wallwalk

Affinities: Air, Space, Fire

"How'd you gain new Affinities?" Isaac asked.

“We ate monsters," Fumi replied.

Isac chuckled, "You two." He pulled up a chair and sat down, "You may want to check inside your pocket-dimension, Echo. You'll be surprised."

Echo cocked his head quizzically before channeling Quintessence into his ring, opening a silver rift that was covered in crackling red sparks.

"About time! I thought I'd be stuck in there forever," Rose squeezed her way unceremoniously out of the pocket dimension, falling on the floor for a moment before straightening herself and brushing her hair into place.

She looked over at Echo and Fumi who were in shock. "Ah, yes. That ring is something called a Phylactery. As long as that ring isn't destroyed, I can't die." She looked at Isaac, "Good day. I assume you're an ally?" Isaac nodded as she excused herself.

“Reforming is harrowing, even in darkness.”

She walked to a new set of doors near the main entry - a sliding door that was carved with a rose outline - her appended apartment.

Echo stared after her as the door shut before it finally clicked, and he could form words. "You're alive!" He shouted after her in Common.

Isaac turned, still speaking in Gori/Japanese. "You have a knack for finding odd allies."

"How'd you know she was in my pocket-dimension? I didn't even know," Echo said in the same language, staring at the closed door with so many questions.

Isaac smiled, "I'm a God of four things. Forests, ranged combat, animals, and space." He explained that Gods had powerful versions of Affinities, called Domains, which meant they could fully control every aspect of the element of creation, instead of just manifesting the effects or having lesser control as mages did.

Echo nodded, "These Domains determine what all you can do?"

Isaac sighed, "Yes. We may be Gods, but we aren't omnipotent…well, except for Kalinor…I think. Being Arbiter is weird."

He looked up, his voice becoming stern. "I talked with Queen Eleanore in the Kingdom of Cruxia. She has pardoned your crime, but every religion dedicated to Lux – all of whom have main complexes in that capital - have insisted that the two of you be banned.”

They could never return to Crux Omega, but their rewards and status as allies of Queen Eleanore remained secure.

“And with what you did...I would not be surprised if a fanatic of hers comes after you two. They might even be brazen in the attempts," Isaac as he stood and smiled, "But, worry about that another time. They won’t dare attack today, and I hope you both have a great Fantasia."

"What?" Echo asked.

"Ah, right. It's a holiday dedicated to performing arts. And there will be a spectacular fireworks display put on by my ally, Professor Slate, once night falls." A glint was in his eye, "You'll find him…eccentric."

Echo stood and bowed deeply, "Thank you. We will spend some time here, but then we are going to The Krekyo Dominion to try and track down Fumi's old clan."

"The Soju? They’re a Greater Clan. I’ll reach out to them. Oh!" He pulled out a small slip of paper, "Liam has tracked down some monsters within The Holy Empire's borders if you are interested. Here’s the info-"

A golden circle opened in space; bordered by black as a regal and imposing figure stepped through space.

"Ah, Vythin! I wasn't expecting you to show up," Isaac said in Common.

Vythin clasped arms with the Guildmaster and pulled him in for a hug - the larger Gori dwarfing the still-imposing figure – in height alone.

Fumi looked up at him, "And you are?"

Vythin disengaged from Isaac and looked at Fumi, "I'm Vythin Goldenscales, Arch God of Haven. And you," He stared at Fumi confused, "Somehow have my Blessing. I don’t remember giving it to you."

She shrugged, "I got it from Echo."

Vythin looked at Echo and a wry smile crossed his lips, "Isaac told me a bit about what happened with Malvir's disciple. My condolences for your suffering."

"Thanks. Why are you here?" Echo asked.

"Let's just say that when things having to do with Lux occur, I grow interested, hence my visit."

As he sat down Isaac clarified, "Vythin here is a God of dragons, light, and wealth."

"You have the same power as Lux," Fumi stated.

"That's right. I'm the only God of dragons or wealth currently in existence across The Universe, but Lux also controls light, just like I do." He stated, bluntly, that he was stronger than Lux because he was the sole being worshipped in a world full of hundreds of billions. The first world in The Universe. Haven.

Echo looked at the figure with a newfound level of awe.

An entire world worship only him? And if each person's worship gives him power…

He knew he lucked out big time when he was reincarnated. If he had died just a minute later, he may have no obtained Vythin’s Blessing. Whatever it did must be powerful.

"What does your Blessing do?" Echo asked.

Vythin seemed to stare into his soul, "I looked through your life-scroll. I saw you never found love…I thought you deserved it. A true, lasting, deep love. Just like what I found with my Kalinor."

He looked at Fumi, "My Blessing was meant to help Echo find that. Light can lead you to a destination, and thus, this fell within the scope of my powers. You two were destined to be together; two souls intended to find each other, one day. It was delayed for some time due to The Void and the cycle of souls being broken. But now it has come to fruition. If not for my meddling, it could have been millennia until you found each other – either in this life, or another.”

Echo and Fumi sat in rapt attention as he explained that soul mates are a real thing in The Universe. Part of Kalinor's job is figuring out the best way to bring them together to speed up the process. They clasped hands as he finished his explanation, and both felt immense warmth fuzziness towards each other as their feelings were validated in the most powerful way possible.

He looked back at Echo, "There is more to my Blessing, other effects. But they must remain hidden for now."

Echo grinned and looked at Fumi who was also beaming with delight, "You've given us a great gift, sir.”

"Please, just call me Vythin."

Echo nodded, "Thank you, Vythin."

Fumi stood up and hugged the Arch God.

Her voice cracked with tearful joy, "...Thank you for ending my loneliness."

Vythin smiled and patted her head, "Of course." He waved a hand as a pulse of Heat emanated from him and the golden portal opened, "Until we meet again. Stay safe and get stronger. You’ll need to, if you want to survive Lux’s wrath."

He vanished as the portal shut.

Isaac shook his head before addressing the two monsters, "Take care. I'll see you two at the celebration tonight!"

Another flash of Heat and he blinked out of existence as well.

Narya stood up from her smaller table and fluttered up, "Hmph! They didn't even talk to me! Talk about rude!"

Rose's door slid open, and she walked out, joining the others at the table, "I'm glad I was out of sight when that Arch God showed up."

"What happened?" Fumi asked as she sat next to Echo, holding him tightly.

"I was disintegrated. Good thing you two moved so fast, it was quite a painful experience.” Undead were especially susceptible to divine spells. Light Affinity especially so.

She smiled softly, "Thank you for grabbing my ring. Reconstituting in the open would have been a harrowing experience. Instead, I woke up in sheer blackness…quite pleasant, much like a tomb."

Echo grinned, "That ring that makes you look normal keeps you from ever dying?"

Rose held up her index finger, and upon it were two rings - the one Echo had made for her to store Quintessence and another which was a polished white metal band. "If it is destroyed, I'll move on to the Last Light Temple for judgment…But if it isn't destroyed, my soul can force my body and mind to reform."

Fumi smiled, "Good. We don't have to protect you."

"Oh, I still feel pain. And that beam of light was incredibly painful. Echo's Ability to take blows will be handy...Did you kill him? The cleric?"

"Yes,” Fumi said with a grin. “He was strong, but we were stronger.”

Echo leaned back in his chair. "It’s good to have you back.”

“Good to be back,” Rose said softly.

Tiberius finished his expansion project and had reinforced the tunnel network.

“Ah, come here.” He gestured as a group of his monsters dragged more of the beaten bodies of captives.

“Tsk!” He slapped one of the monsters, “Don’t damage them so much! Now I need to wait for them to heal.”

Good help is so hard to make.

He turned aside as his monsters strapped the new subjects down. “Grant me sight beyond sight, Greater Seeing.”

He quivered in fear. Primal panic as he saw Echo and Fumi talking to arguably the two most powerful deities in existence.

This…could be a problem.

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