The Lady of Chains used to be content basking in the warmth of faith, but now she found her attention constantly being drawn to this soul. She couldn't seem to pull her eyes away from such an interesting being, even if currently said being looked more like a bed ornament. The Lady could see how his body was developing, and it completely fascinated her. The notion that there are worlds without magic was a foreign concept to her. It changed nearly every aspect of life.
Magic tied the soul to the body; Magic is what the soul used to manipulate the body, so how could a soul still move its vessel without it? As The Lady watched his nervous system grow even more complex by the second, her interest only continued to grow. "He's still an infant and his vessel is already more intricate than the world's most advanced golems!" She cried out in frustration. This boy was a complete enigma to her; she couldn't make heads or tails of his body.
"No God of this world could come close to creating something this complicated. Not even Fate…" The Lady muttered. "I need to gain his trust; this one soul could change the world vastly. He might eventually be capable of subjugating the other Gods, a useful pawn to have…I will dedicate all resources to ensuring his growth." The God decreed. The Lady then realized she still owed her devoted a hero and cursed, "Slimy bastard won't take another one of my spirits."
With considerably more effort than the last one, she created a spirit and sent it on its way. This hero won't be stronger than the Oceaness's hero, but they will be smarter and have a greater understand of warfare. "That should buy me some time." The Lady said to herself as she found herself drawn back to her fascination. The boy just turned one month old. 'I didn't account for his differing biology; I will need to adjust my curse to limit the boy's reaction speed after he wakes.'
The life of Pernthas evolved with magic aiding their bodily functions, mostly their 'nervous' system. The thing was, they didn't have one, or at least a normal one. Nearly every creature has a mana system that concentrates magic throughout their veins that 'pump' information to the brain. Inputs such as the touch or pain were recorded by special magical receptors.
The boy will be stronger and faster than everything else but will burn out if he uses too much magic at once. "I must find the perfect familiar for him; but what to pick?" The Lady pondered for a bit and started looking for nearby candidates. It didn't take her long to notice a small outbreak of ant monsters at a nearby village. At first glance it seemed like her devoted wouldn't require any help. "An Ant queen would be nice but they're too stupid for my champion." The Lady haughtily declared and then ignored the minor disturbance.
Unbeknownst to The Lady of Chains, this particular queen was abnormally intelligent. The queen was only conducting a probing attack, to decide whether or not the surface world was worth invading. So far, she concluded it would be too costly for her and her brood. "I would suggest not using your brood then." Her master said. "How would anyone conquer without brood?" The queen asked. "There is more than your brood down here; maybe use them?" The master suggested. "The other creatures brood are weak, not worth the effort herding them to the surface." The queen answered logically. "If they are weak, why not make them stronger? No matter how strong one creature is, it can't withstand your brood within your domain." The master suggested.
"Hmm, that would be effective against the humans, and it wouldn't be too difficult, but it would be costly to feed them. The food these other creatures eat would be hard to gather and couldn't be stored for long. I still don't see the benefits outweighing the cost." The queen stated. There was a lull in the conversation as the master pondered a solution and then answered with a question. "Who said you need to use them as they are?". "I don't understand." The bewildered queen said. "Make them into your idea of a perfect weapon, if eating meat is an issue for logistics then create a creature that can eat more than just meat. You have the power to do whatever you wish with these weaklings, use them." The master answered.
"I'm starting to understand, but I wouldn't know where to start." The queen stated. "Start at the beginning, like everything else born in this world." The master said like it was obvious. "Thank you master, I have a few ideas. I will begin immediately." The queen declared with growing enthusiasm. "Wonderful! I have a few errands to run so I'll take my leave. Good luck." The master said before the space bent around him, and he vanished. 'Master is so smart, I am so happy to be one of his acolytes.'
In an ancient tomb near the southern border of Breigerton; space bent and a hole in reality formed. After a moment the space returned to normal leaving a man standing next to a throne. The ancient throne made of stone had a human skeleton that appeared to be made of some sort of dark metal with golden swirls resting on it. Within each eye socket of its skull a small pale green flame alighted, and with a deep ethereal voice, the skeleton asked the man, "What do you want Klaus?". "Soon all of my acolytes will be ready. I want you to join the slaughter of Breigerton. You would profit the most if you decide to join." The metal skeleton pondered on the offer for a few minutes before answering.
"I've grown tired of war. What would I gain from this ordeal other than more servants?" The metal skeleton asked with reluctance. "Have you ever heard of a 'Godless soul'?" The God of Chaos asked instead of answering. "Only some whispers." The skeleton answered and then added, "If I remember correctly, every God of Chaos before you have attempted to summon one and all have failed." The skeleton said with a little spite.
"Not entirely accurate, you see there have been successful summons before; it's just that all the souls that have been summoned were disposed of. Until now." The God said leadingly. "Until now?" The skeleton parroted. "I have managed to summon a Godless soul to this world, but not just any ordinary one. No, I went to the source, and now that wonderful soul is in Breigerton!" The God exclaimed with pride. Only after the God said something of interest did the skeleton decide to look at him. "You have said enough. I will act." The skeleton declared as it stood from its throne.
…
Five winters later
…
Maria had diligently watched over her son's body as he slept. She never left the boy's side for more than a week, and for the rare occasions she wasn't there for more than a few hours, she would assign a servant to watch over the boy. "I can't wait to meet you. I just know you're going to be someone great one day. My Alaric." Maria said with some sadness. She caressed his little face with a smile on her visage before returning to the chair at his bedside. Waiting; waiting for her son to wake from his slumber.
"Heartbreaking." Lyda whispered to the other servant watching through the slightly opened door. "I hope he wakes. She doesn't deserve this." The other servant whispered back. The kind words about his wife made Benard change his mind about the punishments he was going to give the two unruly servant girls, especially Lyda. "Ahem." Benard made himself known to the girls. Both of them flinched and grimaced upon seeing him, definitely understanding that they're in trouble. I grabbed Lyda by the ear, flicked the other girl on the forehead and proceeded to drag Lyda into the room by her ear.
"My love, Isabella wishes to see you. You also have an audience, again." He said the end with visible annoyance looking at Lyda. Lyda looked suitably chastised so I let her go and she took a step back and stood behind my right shoulder waiting for a task. "I see, Lyda watch Alaric until I return, and make sure to wash him." Maria ordered. "It will be done." Lyda complied. "Right this way, Isabella is just in the garden." Benard said while accepting his wife's arm.
When they reached the garden, they spotted another servant watching over a little girl. "Mother!" The little girl cried out in happiness upon seeing Maria. She ran over and gave her mom a tight hug. "My flowers are growing!" The girl said with both happiness and pride. "I can see that soon they will grow into strong and beautiful flowers; just like my little Bella." Maria said while booping Isabella's nose, the little girl only giggled in response. "Isabella, do you still want to learn magic?" Benard asked. "Yes!" The girl replied immediately.
Benard grimaced slightly hearing her answer, 'Proper schooling is expensive' he inwardly lamented. "What kind of mage do you want to be?" Maria asked curiously. "I want to grow plants!" Isabella exclaimed. Maria smiled and said, "Plant magic is very important. If you learn to grow magical herbs you could help or even save people." "I will start looking for a magus that suits our needs then." Benard said with some reluctance.
Benard left the two in search of a plant mage. "I can't wait to learn magic." Isabella said in excitement. "When the time comes, you will need to do your best to learn. Ok Bella." Maria cautioned. "Yes mother." Isabella said, her excitement not dampened in the slightest.
…
Two winters later
…
It took a winter to find Isabella a magic tutor, but when they finally found one for her the Greywood's learned that their daughter was fairly talented. In only one winters' time she could accelerate a plant's growth and make them bloom in any season, as long as the plant wasn't sentient. "Very impressive Isabella." Benard complimented the girl after she made a flower bloom out of season. "My tutor said it was impressive too, I just wish Mother could have been here to see this." Bella complained. "I understand how you feel Bella, but you know she has a duty to uphold on top of taking care of your younger brother."
"I know, I wish brother would wake up so Mother can be happy again." Bella said with sadness in her tone. They were currently inside of an alchemist shop in town, and the owner of the shop was Isabella's tutor. Benard was about to try to calm his daughter's worries, but before he could the door burst open and one of his servants ran up to him.
She looked haggard and was clearly out of breath from running all the way here. She said through heaving breaths "Mr.Graywood… Alaric has… awoken."