13:00 IST, Second day, First month, 3079 PV | Risia / Random Mountain Plateau
I sit on the mountain plateau. Thinking. After all, a lot of stuff has happened recently.
First, I was invited to take the trial of convergence by Itokin. Then, I was taken to a strange monolith and made to perform a ritual that gave me a PsiKit. And that's only the start.
Next I was put on an altar and shifted into the void, a space between spaces where time does not exist. I then wandered that space until I made my way into the sanctum. Another realm wherein the Itokin have been secretly residing for billions of years.
Oh, don't worry, that's still just the beginning. Next, I was taken to a chamber wherein I was to measure my affinity for Inae wielding. Inae, the extradimensional energy that is totally not reminiscent of magic you'd find in a story book. This Inae allows for many things, from mind control, shifting between dimensions, nullifying space and probably can be weaponized too.
Right as I was about to measure my affinity for Inae wielding, a girl appeared before me. This was none other than the transcendent. The leader of the Order of Convergence and the most powerful being in the universe. Oh, and she is a fairly short girl that looks around twenty.
She decided to proclaim that I would become her apprentice. I then proceeded to measure my affinity and demonstrate my abilities. Thus completing the trial. I was granted the rank of Acolyte for all of two minutes before the Transcendent swept in. She immediately declared me as her apprentice and granted me the rank of Ascendent of The Transcendent (which apparently makes me the second in command for the entire Order).
Next, the Transcendent, who told me her name is Initae, proceeded to go out drinking. The next day, she took me into the void to a place where she likes to think. And we discussed various things. Then I performed my vowing ceremony, which was personally administered by Initae herself.
After that, she brought me to this plateau and just recently left to go retrieve a ship so that we can return to Ray and my Crew.
All this happened in the span of six days. Ray is going to be so shocked at all that has happened. I can't wait to tell her once she is sworn to secrecy.
I've had a busy few days. My codex has grown in size considerably and I feel like my brain might just burst from information overload. Hopefully I can take a break for a few days and relax and chat with Ray about my escapades.
Well, I would like to, but in about three days time we have a massive party to attend for the New Year. I can never catch a break.
So that brings us to the present. I, a high school dropout, recently appointed second in command of one of the most influential bodies in the universe, is sitting on top of an alien mountain plateau. Patiently waiting for my friend, who just so happens to be a spirit with powers that have made people consider her a god, while she goes to fetch a ship.
Sitting on the plateau I can see for many kilometers around. To my left is a vast desert sparsely populated with brush. To my right, a large plains filled with massive herds of elephant-bison type creatures. Behind me, a massive jungle, filled with who knows what. It truly is a beautiful sight.
I sit for what must be around thirty minutes. Then I start to notice a feeling. It is as though reality itself is shaking. From past experience, I know this likely means Initae is about to arrive.
Correct, as always. Moments later a shuttle appears. It appears to be turned off yet is still floating in the air. Man, Inae sure is cool. I hear a voice come out over the speakers.
"Come on Ko, hop in. This is a great chance to test your Inae control! Create a bubble of raw inae around yourself and use it to lift yourself up."
"Sure thing, I'll get right on that, Mrs. Being with supreme control over inae."
"Oh dont be like that dear Ko, im sure you can do it, just give it a try."
Taking her at her word, I give it a try. Just like when I created the ball during my trial. I imagine the raw inae flowing out of my hands and forming a thin bubble around my body. I then imagine myself floating up into the shuttle.
Surely enough, it seems that It works. The inae forms around me and carries me up into the shuttle. However, I did fail in one part. Rather than slowly ascending like I envisioned, the inae carries me the distance in several microseconds. I create a sonic boom behind me which shakes the surrounding area. Oops.
Initae lets out a large laugh, "Well, close enough kiddo. At least you managed to get into the shuttle, though you didn't have to show off with a sonic boom."
"Ow, I think I broke my everything. But you are right, I did it!"
"Oh I'm sure you'll be fine, just walk it off, you mortals aren't as fragile as you think."
"Easy for you, an immortal spirit, to say."
"True enough, but the only way to become a better wielder is practice. I could sit and lecture you on theory like they would in the order all day long. But theory is mostly useless. The true way to learn is to just try things, and hope you don't accidentally destroy a building in the process."
"You know, that sounds both genius and extremely reckless. I like it, thanks for the valuable tip, dear friend."
"Of course, that is simply what friends do for other friends. Speaking of friends, let's return to your crew and dear Rayleigh. I am so excited to meet my new sister!
You might wanna hold onto something, instantly shifting something this size is a bit shakier than just a person."
At this warning, I instantly grab onto one of the seats nearby and sit down. True to her word, moments later I feel the now familiar sensation of her extremely fast shifting. In the space of a single blink of the eye, we go from the planet Risia to nearby my battleship, the Clak, which is moored in orbit.
"Yippee, I actually did it! It's been ages since I've shifted a ship, there isn't a need when it's just myself."
"Well, we have arrived. We should probably send them a message to let them know we are about to dock."
"Sure thing, shipy doo please open a communication channel with the Clak."
"Really, your ship's AI is named shippy doo? That actually fits quite well with your character. It's a great name!"
"I know! Back when I named it the convention for naming ships was much different. Perhaps we can revive that old convention now that it's been a few hundred million years."
"Well, you can try to do so if you wish. Though I doubt it'll be easy."
"Well, you know, if I wanted to I could just command reality to make it such. But I don't like doing that, commanding things always gives me the ick."
While we are having this conversation, the communication with the Clak is established. The receiver? None other than Beck Flap. "Greetings unknown vessel, I humbly request that you identify yourself."
"Hello Beck, it's your Admiral, Kovon Ducker. It's been a few days hasn't it. Please open hangar bay 4 so that we may dock."
"Admiral! What a pleasure, it sure has been a few days. I shall open the hangar right away."
The hangar opens and Initae effortlessly leads us into the hangar. All without using the engines a single time. Such a showoff. Although it may simply be because they no longer work, I can't imagine there are too many mechanics that know how to work on ship models from hundreds of millions of years ago. We easily dock and prepare to disembark.
As we step out of the shuttle, the hangar is empty. To be honest, I expected a welcoming party, but I guess our arrival was a bit sudden. We start to walk towards the bridge when we hear someone running around the corner.
"KO!" Rayleigh shouts as she runs at me at top speed. She makes a grand leap of ten meters and I catch her. She then proceeds to wrap me up in a very tight hug. Without the augmentation kits I'm pretty sure I would have broken ribs right about now. She stays that way for about five minutes, then she creates some distance (still in a partial hug though).
"Who do you think you are, you just casually walk into a very strange looking alien shuttle with a very suspicious alien. Then you disappear for six whole days! Not even a single word. Then you return, seemingly materializing out of thin air in a shuttle that is millions of years out of date! Not only that, but it seems to move without even turning on its engines!"
"Well, a lot of stuff has happened. I shall be happy to tell you about it." At these words, she steps back away from me and gains a very puzzled look. Probably admiring my various markings and new insignia.
"Youve changed."
"That I have, I've been quite busy these past six days. Also, I have brought a new friend that shall be joining us on our journeys."
I then motion my hand for Initae to leave the shuttle. She seems to be suppressing her presence quite heavily. She walks up and stands next to me and addresses Ray.
"Nice to meet ya, names Initae. Ko and I happen to have become best friends. I am also serving as his mentor. Ko thinks about you quite often, so I have been dying to finally meet you. I hope that you'll take me adventuring to a bunch of fun places!"
"Nice to meet you, Initae. What exactly do you mean by mentor?"
"Oh, well it just so happens that Ko here has completed his trial of convergence, and that is as far as I can tell you unless you swear a vow to never share secret information. I can perform the ritual right now if you should wish, I bet Ko would love to share what he has learned with you."
"A ritual, vows? Secrecy? What the klack have you gotten yourself into now Ko!"
Ray then proceeds to punch me several times in the arm, playfully.
"As I said, I've not been lazing about for the past six days. Unfortunately it is as Initae said, I cannot disclose anything to you unless you take a similar vow of secrecy to the one I have."
"Well then get on with it, Mrs. Mentor, let's do this ritual so I can pry this info outa Ko."
"Alrighty then, all I need is a bit of your blood, here, take this blade and slice your hand for me please." She then manages to make a very large sword appear out of thin air.
"Uhh, Sure." Ray then proceeds to take the blade and slice her hand as asked.
Initae then seems to focus for a few moments and Ray's blood starts to float around her. Then it quickly merges with the insignia on her forehead. Turning the Star surrounded by a ring with eight dots into an insignia with a star surrounded by a double banded ring and eight dots. Apparently this is enough to impart the vow onto a non-wielder.
"Congrautlations, Rayleigh Inan, you are now officially an associate of the Order of Convergence by the power vested in me as the Transcendent. Do be aware that you will be unable to share anything relating to Inae with those that are not affiliated with the order. You will also not be able to wield it, unfortunately you possess none of the potential required. As for the rest, you can have Ko explain that. Ima go hit the mess hall, I hear you have a great Potain chef!"
With that, she teleports away and I am left alone in the hangar with Ray. I can feel her eyes digging into my very soul, obviously dying to know what the klack is going on.
"Why don't we go sit in the lounge, this is going to be a fairly long explanation."
"Alright, Mr. Worthless piece of junk NEET and Jerk."
We then proceed into the lounge and sit down for a long discussion. We talk for many, many hours. Once I am done explaining all the crazy stuff that has happened to me, Ray's first question is:
"So, you mean to tell me you are now a techno-magician. You travelled to another plane of existence. That tiny girl just so happens to be the most powerful being in the universe. And you are also the second in command for one of the most influential organizations in history!"
"Yep, that's more or less it."
Ray lets out a large sigh, then (she is sitting right next to me) she seems to crumple and lays her head in my lap. "Well, show me what you can do Mr Jerk Magician."
"Well, I've only just started my training. The last time I tried to use it I kinda threw myself into a ship at several times the speed of sound."
"You're unbelievable. You better learn fast and show me around the Sanctum! It's not fair that you get to see another plane of existence before I do."
"Dont worry, I have a feeling we are going to be spending a decent bit of time touring the Sanctum and its various bastions. For now, let's just rest and relax, I'm kinda tired."
"Fine then. I'm just going to stay here for a few hours, you better not move Mr. Magician-Jerk."
With that, my grand return to the Clak Battleship is over. I suppose this means that it is time to continue with my primary journey, the trial of ascension. First though, it seems I will be attending a gala. So, bring it on.
End of Chapter 21
A/N: Greetings o dear reader. It is I, the author once again. I hope you enjoyed Ray and Ko's (second) grand reunion. Ray was a complete and utter mess while he was away. Ko sure must've had a rough time explaining all that. I can assure you, you won't want to miss what is coming in the next few chapters.
As always, if you are enjoying it, be sure to follow/favourite/comment/rate/leave a fun joke, it's always appreciated! Until next time, o magnanimous reader.
Cathrix