CHAPTER 65 - A POWER THAT COMPELS
"Luke Hodges, it is time."
I didn't bother to look over, instead my eyes only stared at the night city with its bright golden lights. I was sitting on the edge of the clock tower when the entity appeared.
The presence could be felt in its entirety. Yet, I didn't bother to look over my shoulder. I knew what he was like and his description of his appearance but that still wasn't enough to make me look over this asura soldier.
As my eyes stayed looking over the floating city, I could hear footsteps get closer behind me until they reached right beside me.
"Is it like this in Epheotus?" I asked.
He took a moment to answer, perhaps not sure whether or not it was wise to give information so simple like this to a lesser person. Finally he spoke, "Yes, the land of the asuras is more beautiful than this specific scenery."
Moments later I felt mana rile up. "This is what you asked for, right?"
It was a device that I requested along with my words towards the Indrath. The device itself was coined-shaped but three times bigger, almost big enough to be held with two hands of a teenage boy like me.
"What is it that you plan to do with it?"
Staring at the teleportation device, I said, "This might be our only ticket home when things get rough."
The single eye of the asura opened more. "You really think that Agrona knows about this plan?"
I nodded.
"Nevetheless, if he were even to know, his death would be certain and peace would fall before us."
In a lowered voice but still audible to the great being I said, "I just hope you are right."
I got off the edge and walked behind Aldir. His structure was higher than mine and even well built. What was I expecting? He is a warrior and was honed as one for many years. It was still chilling when I would sense his aura around the atmosphere.
Almost like a scythe being brought to my neck and ready to chop off my head if I were to say something stupid.
That was one half of my mind saying that, the other half was astonished at how much power one could possess in the many years he was alive.
Aldir placed his own teleportation device on the ground and spilled blood on it, it activated the sequences and opened a gate through the fabric of reality. "Follow closely."
I, again, nodded and followed his order. Though it was a bit harsh, I understood what he meant by that. I was going to be in fact the first ever lesser human to enter the domain of the "Gods". That alone is scary towards both parties if you were to ask me.
Crossing through the portal, the sense of discomfort fled and overcame me, my insides felt like they were being torn apart. My sense of direction went off the normal path and lost complete acknowledgement of direction.
I tried moving my foot, trying to ease my feeling of dread and discomfort by finding some solid ground just for my balance to recouperate. Finally I was able to feel something of solid ground and I was able to pull myself out the portal.
When I did, my lungs protested for more air as the air before was sucked off my own body without my command or normal breathing procedures.
"I-I'm n-not getting u-sed to -t-this."
The words that came out of my mouth sounded like I was some foreigner with little to no knowledge of English along with an accent.
Aldir did nothing aside from watching me closely and decided to continue our journey.
After feeding my lungs with fresh air, my eyes were finally able to adjust to the light provided from the sun. "So this is Epheotus?" I managed to say after witnessing the grand castle of the Indrath.
Two giant golden dragon statues were placed on the side of the giant white castle. In the middle of the castle was a golden crest, perhaps the Indrath family emblem. This was something that the novel had described and I swear they were on point with this.
Yet… Now that I think about it, how did the novel end? Or was it in its last chapters? I don't seem to remember.
"Follow me."
The simple instructions were sent in cold words and I obeyed.
I could only stare at the surroundings with pain and worry. Something told me that I was being watched but I didn't believe it. It was a habit of mine not to believe my gut but now it was another thing, I needed to believe it and advance for this mission.
However, every time we advanced towards the doors, no dragon or other being was there. Magically, the doors would open like they had motion detectors. Creepy.
Then, we arrived at the only spot where there were two dragons. Both wore their uniform with honor and elegance. "Aldir, is this the human with the Linage of our enemy?"
"Silence, he has no way to learn now. Open the doors, Lord Indrath is waiting."
Once again the asura with three eyes had gotten colder with his words and expressions.
I was going to open my mouth and ask for this information but I quickly stepped short. The mana behind that giant golden door was set free and it brought fear to me, something that I didn't possible with mana.
The room was vast, multiple pieces of what seemed to be like treasures and trophies. I don't remember anything like this being said in the novel, perhaps Arthur never paid attention to his surroundings.
Nevertheless, I understood why he didn't. Who would pay attention to their surroundings when there was that being sitting on the golden throne?
I knew who this was and didn't have the utter courage to even imagine myself fighting him or deceiving him.
His sole aura of just sitting down was enough for me to comprehend the differences in our strength. Indrath Kezess was on a plain entirely to his own.
I wonder…
Did Arthur get to fight this being?
"Lord Indrath, I've brought the lesser before you."
A deep bow like it was described in the novel happened, just that this time it was done by Aldir and not Windsom.
Indrath Kezess waved his hand and Aldir stepped outside the line of his sight. Now Aldir and Kezess both looked at me like I was some prey they desired to eat whole.
"Wha–"
Before I could speak my mind and confusion. A strong wave of pure gravity was pressed against my human body. I'd kneel before the king of the asura.
I felt a fiery sensation on all my limbs, even my face. It was hard not trying to scream but much less worry about the reason for this. I pulled up an arm sleeve from my white coat and noticed dark purple runes all around my hand and forearm.
Those purple runes phased through my clothes and became visible without me taking my clothes off. Dread and confusion was pasted on my face. I faced the two asuran beings but Aldir was surprised and not Kezess. It was like he knew what I had, what my power was and just wanted to make sure.
"What is this?!"
"He was right. You have a power that compels those of the Indrath and the Vritra." Kezess finally spoke, though it was a tired tone. "But to think he would know."
"What do you mean a power to compel those of the Indrath and Vritra? I thought you guys were the strongest, how can there be another force stronger than yours?" I let out, no longer being able to contain the peer pressure of the mana surrounding my core and body.
I heard the Lord of the Asuras exhale and the runes came to a stop of their burning pressure. However, the runes still appeared unable to be turned off or even made invisible.
"You needn't know more than this. Leave the rest to us and fill your mind with the assasination plan." His eyes were no longer watching me, instead they traced something in his mind but it was unknown to me. "Now, Aldir, take Luke Hodges to Kodri and let him train him for the remainder of the time."
Kodri?
Aldir followed the Lord's orders.
"Wait! What do you mean to train me? I was just supposed to see the aftermath of the assasination! Not to engage in your own battles–"
"It is too late for that boy, you now uphold a duty with that power that you so freely use in the continent of the lessers."
"Wha–"
Before I could let the words leave my mouth, I was knocked out by something or someone. Perhaps it was Aldir, or maybe the guards behind those doors.
Nevertheless, I was now unconscious. Falling deep into a void without much to look at, the sensations of the arms and legs were to zero, and my thoughts began to dissipate one by one until there was no more.
Then, I had a dream of some sort. A familiar one with my sister, in the modern world where I had never aged and neither did she.
"I'm back?"
***
Kodri sent a punch my way but I was too slow for it. It landed straight on my jaw, breaking it and strong stings of pain coursed through me.
"Agh!"
In his own tone and expression, Kodri spoke, his eyes looking at me like I was some sort of insect ready to die by his foot. "You are weaker than I expected. Luke Hodges, your physical and mental strength are all below average. You fight based on your own style but that ends now."
I tried to get up but my body prayed to let it rest. I wanted to give up. I just wanted to leave this place, leave Dicathen to Arthur, for him to shoulder this burden. This was hard…Painful…Sad…Messed up…
Why would they leave all of this burden to a child?
Kodri used his fast technique to get close to me, his fist ready to strike my body with everything he was, perhaps even killing me and ending my suffering once and for all.
At least that is what I thought.
Instantly, Kodri's fist being two inches away from my face, stopped in place like there was a force field around me, protecting me. But I knew it wasn't, it was something else in place of the Force Field.
I knew this power very well yet it was unwillingly controlling itself, disobeying my orders like some ravaged beast thirsty for blood in a battlefield filled with its enemies and allies. I took a quick breath before getting up like I had just fallen from a twenty story building but still I got up like nothing had ever happened.
I moved outside the asura's area of attack and let the ability to cool itself down like it had always done.
The world turned to what it was before, bright with vibrant colors, showing me that the colors in this world are better than the only two colors that represented that world.
Kodri's sense of battle was sharp, his directed hit was instantly used to balance himself with a backwards kick headed towards me.
I tried to dodge but took the worst hit I had been given ever since I came here.
It sent me flying, perhaps more than twenty feet across from where I was originally but I didn't feel like knowing right now. I was tired, I didn't know how much time in the real world passed, everything I tried to remember seemed to vanish on that instant.
It felt like I was being reborn, without memories or feelings of the current or past me.
Everything was a daze, my powers and techniques. I would try to use some like they were a part of my everyday life but when I was ready to unleash it, it became unknown to me. I was afraid of losing something like this, something powerful that could help me fight these…
What were they called?
These people that invaded Dica…
I don't know the name…?
"You seemed to have reached the limits that your human body has." Ko– The unknown being in front of me cursed with power all around him. For a second, there was a thought of me wanting to be like him. Maybe it was the power that dwelled inside him or the motes of colors dancing around him like he was some sort of god to them.
I wanted that.
I needed that.
Amongst these monsters, I needed power, authority to survive and come on top of this hierarchy.
Many things were maybe the answer to this question but I realized and knew that the best solution to this was Power. Power to dominate those who are willing to disturb my authority. To crush those who interfere with my planning and vision. To make those who looked down on me during my stay here bow down with the sheer force of my power.
I laughed.
"These limits put on by Fate and Destiny are nothing more than a facade. I will go through these walls pre-set for me and show you the true meaning of power."
I activated the will, power surged from deep within me. The color of the world drained from a single point until there were no more colors left. Grey and black were simultaneously working together trying to make the world's vibrant colors come back, some parts were darker than others but it didn't matter.
On my left hand, I pushed the mana to the tips of my fingers, feeling a stingy sensation but it wasn't the bad feeling but rather one that confirmed what I wanted to know. The sole sensation of what this element was capable of doing, before I had lost it completely.
The fire elemental affinity danced all over my palm, hand and arm. It had changed colors though, it was blue with purple tips, it wasn't the usual full blue now. But something deep down told me that this was better, stronger than what it used to be.
This was perhaps something I was rewarded for keeping up this bullshit of a power system only applied to me. Losing elements just because I would use them in this phase was stupid.
I then took out the void colored sword, engulfed it in the element and got in stance.
"Whenever you are ready." I slightly said, my concentration already placed solidly on the element and weapon. Not only that but I had remembered that Kodr– this being in front of me had said no reinforcement of any type, yet I was breaking that rule.
The one in front of me understood and silently took out his sword and unleashed a death aura, rendering me unable to move but that didn't matter. As long as he was in my range anything could happen, to either him or me.
With my phase activated, I leaned forward, but I knew I had to wait here instead of rushing but he let no one move him. He stood still with no lesser movement as his eyes turned white. He was using the same thing during the novel.
I, leaning on pushing forward, was finally about to make my move if he didn't. The beast in front of me was thinking of the same thing before we were stopped by a strong voice.
"That's enough."
It was Aldir.
He had his white uniform on instead of his black clothes with purple lines all around. The asura was more presentable for something great instead of a battle. Like he was going on negotiations with the enemy leader.
"It's been some time, Luke Hodges. I am here to pick him up. Lord Indrath wants to see the progress of the boy before we head to Alacrya." His tone had authority and suspense. There was no sign of distraught or panic on his face, it was the same when he picked me up and left me here with this bastard.
"Aldir with all due respect, this boy isn't ready to head towards the traitor's land yet."
"That is enough Kodri. It is Lord Indrath who decided things like these and we have no authority over it." Aldir spoke, giving Kodri a cold stare. "Let us be on our way then, Luke Hodges follow me to Lord Indrath's chambers."
It was like before I trained with Kodri… Weird… Somehow I remembered Kodri's name but when I was inside it was foggy…
"You don't seem to be in your best spirits like before, did the training finally break you?"
Strangely, I wasn't really into his teasing or insult but rather I was engraved into my body, more less divergent, my own mana. It felt more potent and real than before, like it was alive, trying to tell me something.
Maybe this was the true power I had expected since I've been reborn or transported into this world.
Yes.
That needed to be the case, to defeat those who are on my level of power and then rise up without a limit to bring these asuran gods down from the hierarchy of power. Perhaps I could fight a retainer or a scythe without much problem, maybe even the wraiths.
No, that is overestimating myself there, I shouldn't just be content with only this version of my power. I need to be greedy and adjust to this and overcome this wall I am currently facing.
There is no limit to what I need. Whether it be power or knowledge in fighting styles, I need it all, I need to consume everything like an ocean, silently but surely.
"No, if this training were to break me then I shouldn't be going to Alacyra as I am right now. Perhaps I am able to keep one or two retainers at bay while you guys take care of the rest." I lightly said but deep down I knew Aldir had in mind what I had said was not a joke. His third eye stared at me like I was a beacon of light. Something that perhaps brought hope but it was entirely just pure lies and fiction.
Only those who dare to hope while the world is being destroyed in front of their eyes look at that beacon and still wish for the best.
"I hope you keep those words close to your heart when the time comes, Luke Hodges."
Soon before I knew it, I was still looking at my aura of mana ooze from me like my mana core had reached its full capacity and was wondering where to go. We had arrived at the castle.
More people this time were present and with their own respective armor and weapons of choice. There were multiple people from different races here in Epheotus. Yet I only saw Dragons and Pantheons.
Was this a secret plan? Or was it only this amount of people because in my prediction, they would only lose these less numbers?
Before I had another thought of how sketchy this was. The Lord of the Asura spoke in a menacing tone, his eyes glowed purple like he was using his ability, his presence was more heavy and unbreathable. This was perhaps the power that the novel described but it was still breathtaking to be here in person.
"Today marks the day we eliminate the sole traitor to Epheotus, our own brethren will bathe in glory when the task is completed. All of you will be praised as powerful warriors for this land when you come back with Agrona Vritra's head and mana core. So, here and out, I bid you all with luck of the Indrath."