"You need to enter my realm and become me."
Bulkathos glanced at Rorschach, speaking casually.
"I don't quite understand."
Rorschach flexed his new body, feeling it brimming with power.
"You will. By the fortieth realm, you'll understand."
Bulkathos's tone dipped, heavy with melancholy. His memories of the fortieth realm were blank, but he knew it held a truth.
And the reason he became the strongest.
"Bulkathos? What happened?"
Ancient One's voice accompanied her steps as she entered the Elders' Temple, her bright yellow robe draping her tall frame.
"Nothing, just a game with Volusk."
Bulkathos replied offhandedly.
Outside, the ancestors stared at Rorschach.
A recruit contested by Bulkathos and Volusk was worth watching.
Even Sonya hadn't stirred Volusk this much.
With their keen eyes, the ancestors saw the reason in Rorschach's blazing aura.
Battle Rage and Blood Feud!
Two talents in a newborn barbarian—nothing could be more extraordinary.
Bearing Bulkathos's Stag Tribe bloodline, Rorschach had the potential to surpass Sonya.
"Looks like I need to visit Asgard again."
Ancient One rummaged in her pocket, pulling out a can of sparkling water.
Popping the tab, she inserted a straw and sipped slowly.
"I bet that sandbag will either dodge me or just take my word for it."
Bulkathos beckoned Rorschach and strode out of the Elders' Temple.
Behind him, Kanai's Cube wobbled, as if expressing discontent.
"Your aura even reached the Vishanti. They're contacting me…"
Ancient One shook her head, muttering, pressing her ear like a Bluetooth headset, communing with the Vishanti.
With the Dark Dimension under her control, her status rivaled the trinity's.
But respect was due—she'd been enlightened by the Vishanti as a mage.
Agamotto, Oshtur, Hoggoth.
"With Hoggoth's ancient form! Oshtur's primal name! Agamotto, hear us!"
Ancient One chanted softly, summoning the Vishanti's power to Earth. The incantation was necessary.
Speaking of which, Agamotto's form wasn't pleasing…
As Sorcerer Supreme, he might've been a dashing middle-aged man, but as a Vishanti, he resembled a grotesque worm.
Hoggoth looked like a great tiger, while Oshtur was the only human-like Vishanti.
Born of Earth, Oshtur remained protective of it even as a Vishanti.
The trio's energy forms materialized beside Ancient One. After a brief prior contact, they wanted to witness the Bulkathos she spoke of.
And discuss the alarming news of the Seven Demon Kings and Malthael's arrival.
"When did this place appear on Earth?"
Oshtur murmured, floating to survey the surroundings.
Bulkathos had left with Rorschach, leaving only Volusk, drained of power, and Kanai's Cube in the temple.
Oh, and a sleeping Constantine nearby…
"This is an unprecedented change."
Agamotto, the first to wield the Time Stone, marveled at Harrogath.
"That cube! It's a treasure beyond imagination!"
Hoggoth's gaze locked on the floating Kanai's Cube.
Crafted by humans to combat the Prime Evils, the cube surpassed mortal comprehension from its creation.
"Honored Hoggoth, restrain your greed. Nothing here is yours to claim."
Ancient One spoke calmly. The Vishanti's power was vast, but it paled against her now.
Hoggoth didn't represent the entire Vishanti.
Knowing Bulkathos's strength, she didn't want her mentors to meet a tragic end.
"Hoggoth, curb your desires. We're here for greater matters."
Oshtur and Agamotto's voices mingled, sounding awkward.
Hoggoth fell silent.
Volusk shot up from the floor, grabbing his Stonebreaker hammer.
Harrogath lifted its blockade, restoring his power.
"Three spirits? Kinda like us ancestors. Strong enough to beat Araneae, maybe? Impressive, I guess?"
Volusk slung the hammer at his waist, slumping back onto his battered throne.
His nonchalant arrogance shone through—unreliable unless the matter was grave.
The Vishanti arrived with only part of their power, but Volusk saw their limits.
Entities tied to a domain, like Araneae in her lair.
"Who might you be?"
Oshtur stood respectfully before Volusk. As an Earth-born deity, she sensed all on the planet.
Volusk's power, tied to Harrogath, told her even the Vishanti's full might couldn't shake him.
"Volusk, once the Immortal King."
Volusk glanced at Oshtur, suddenly intrigued.
If he differed from other barbarians, it was his "fondness" for beautiful women.
"Honored sir, what caused the aura we felt?"
Oshtur bowed gracefully, addressing Volusk.
Harrogath hosted perhaps a dozen ancestors rivaling the Vishanti's combat prowess, those with battle-forged legends.
Volusk and Reko stood above.
"A fight. A step above play."
Volusk never lied. His words were truth—or what he knew as truth.
Oshtur bowed again, stepping back silently.
The alarming news wasn't for Volusk to answer.
…
"Master Korik, what happened?"
Bruce Wayne asked Korik, just returned, about the sudden quake.
"Bulkathos and Volusk fought. Looks like a new barbarian will set the standard."
Korik meant Rorschach, Bulkathos's chosen.
A barbarian with two talents from the start would face few early hurdles.
Especially with Rorschach's synergistic talents.
"I've decided. I'm going for this chance to grow strong."
Bruce's eyes flashed with resolve, meeting Korik's gaze.
Eye contact showed his determination.
Korik liked those who spoke eye-to-eye—emotions shone there.
"Then let's start basic training."
Korik led Wayne to Rasuk. Unlike Orak, guarding weapons left by fallen recruits, Korik began with fresh ones.
Though Bulkathos forged better weapons, Korik wouldn't disturb his joy.
Elsewhere, Orak strolled back to his training ground, spotting Luke talking with Jessica.
His massive frame sat opposite them, silently staring at Luke.
Jessica, of the Big Bear Tribe, was the last living member. Orak felt extra care.
His demeanor resembled a father guarding his daughter from a suitor.
"Ancestor Orak, hello."
Luke, uneasy under the stare, greeted awkwardly.
"Hello."
Orak turned, gazing at the dying fire.
He'd made his stance clear. Jessica's choices were her own.
He'd signaled to Luke: don't be foolish, or face a beating.
Jessica smiled, glancing at the stiff Luke.
"When are you taking me to dinner?"
Her tone was as casual as discussing weather, but her eyes held expectation.
Orak stayed silent. Love was foreign to him; his longest companion was War God's Blade.
The single-handed heavy weapon looked like a mere sword on his massive frame.
His longest "living" companion? Probably Banar.
Maybe Hamelin, the giant rat?
Women were scarce in Orak's life, despite past admiration.
"Monday sounds good?"
Luke pondered. He had little cash for a meal.
Living at the bottom left no savings.
Though he'd scavenged gold coins in a group trial, he needed to exchange them.
"Deal. Bring liquor."
Jessica laughed loudly, perhaps influenced by Orak's bloodline, more open now.
Or freed from her shadows.
Matthew ambled over, catching the exchange.
He sought Luke. Their sudden arrival on Harrogath prompted him to ask about returning.
They weren't born here and had city lives.
Training on Harrogath during breaks, living in the city, was ideal.
"Progressing well?"
Matthew remarked, bowing to Orak.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Luke grumbled, annoyed at the interruption.
His muttering was quiet, but Matthew's keen ears caught it.
"I can't see, but I can still say 'see,' right?"
Matthew grinned, and Jessica laughed, eyeing Luke.
"So, Luke, when are we heading back? Better to move together, or we'll bug Bulkathos multiple times."
"Forget it. You're the bother. I'm staying at Bulkathos's forge as his apprentice."
Luke rolled his eyes. The forge looked unprofitable, and wages mattered.
He didn't grasp Bulkathos's vast wealth.
"Bulkathos will likely stay on Harrogath, training his heir. That'll take days."
Orak's voice rumbled.
Seeing Bulkathos fight Volusk for his heir showed his investment.
"How do we get back?"
Jessica cared. Harrogath felt comforting, but city life was hard to leave.
"You should learn magic."
Orak addressed the trio:
"Barbarian magic's simple—portal, return, identify. Druid magic's mostly lost since their elders died."
Orak stared into the distance, lost in thought.
"Magic?"
Luke blinked. He hadn't considered barbarians using magic.
"Not hard, I hear. Reko said Nephalem blood makes it quick to learn."
Matthew nodded. Learning magic was a plus.
No more troubling Bulkathos for portals.
He'd get a beating if he treated Bulkathos like a taxi.
"Hope my mule-like brain can handle it."
Luke mocked himself.
Maddock's jab stuck with him.
He planned to read Vidia's storybook to learn more about Maddock.
Jessica's edge as Orak's chosen showed here.
Seeing Orak's life spared her needing to learn about him.
"Remember that line?"
Maddock appeared nearby.
After leaving the temple, he meant to resume Luke's training.
Finding Luke gone, he tracked him down.
"You saying it was a joke?"
Luke perked up.
"I'm saying with Nephalem blood, even a mule could learn portal and return."
Maddock grinned mischievously at Luke.
"I knew it…"
(Chapter End)
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