"Well if you are sure about this then I have no choice but to agree." Speaking as if she had zero authority on the matter as I rolled my eyes at this avatar of the world will.
"Quit acting like you don't benefit from it. You haven't even entered the next phase to be reborn into the Golden Ages yet. You can keep playing dumb and keep hoarding everything. But do you truly think humanity will fight for you once we start ascending the ladder?" Keeping my eyes on the people below as I spoke. Letting her stew in silence for a minute before deciding to speak.
"What do you want? Be reasonable the more I can hold onto. The better chances I have at substituting the Age of Mythos as humanity as its Gods and Kings." Nodding my head to her words as I agreed with her. Our goals rarely bring one and the same.
"Nothing too big. Just give me the seed of a world tree and the primal flame of life." Turning my head to face her as I begin to smile wide as she lost all of her joy.
"No, those two items can directly give me a chance at creating my own God-King."
"Well if you wanted to lose then keep being selfish. I can always take these items later. It'll just be a bit of a hassle." Seeing her frown before waving her hand towards me. As a ball of pure white flames and a large seed that's as big as a child.
"You better produce better results then I can. This is the same as trusting you with my successor." Speaking with a grim tone as her voice carried the weight of the future death.
"I won't let you regress to far. You're more useful to me while still maintaining some rationality." Replying to her as I place my hand over the seed. Willing it to shrink to the size of a pill. Before tossing it in my mouth followed by the white flame.
If anyone ever saw this scene. They'd be called insane if they spoke out. A man eating a flame is still consider as impossible by the world.
"You have ten years to conqueror that world. Any later then that and I won't be able to direct the direction we'll be going in." Leaving these words in the air as it carried a hint of hostility. As she vanished using her authority across the earth to go back to her home.
"Okay let's begin the briefing." Seeing the last traveler take a seat as the holographic table we're seated at lit up.
"Less then two weeks ago. During a training mission conducted by the local travelers school. There was an incursion from verified Astral residents.
There were zero casualties incurred during the retreat. But one astral resident managed to make it through. Although from witness statements. It was a humanoid or human type species.
The head of the American Society Crystal Helstrong was in the area to inspect the local Society Branch and managed to make contact with said Astral resident. She's already order a team to thoroughly investigate Austin.
As you can see, she is still here leading the investigation into locating the target." Pointing his hand towards me as I nod my head for him to continue.
Clearing his throat after taking a look around the large council room filled to brim with the most powerful Travelers and Explorers in the world. Each of them carrying a reputation that countries would tread carefully around. Yet all united in one aspect.
"There was also four monster types sighted by the teachers who rescued a group of students. A harpy that is placed in the high A tier, a death knight who was low S tier, a orc who was high S tier and a lich King on the border of SS tier. There's been on one witness testimony of sighting a berserker who are reported to naturally be SS tier but no further evidence could support this claim.
All four monsters were sighted by the teachers and also witnessed the human type kill the Harpy and Orc. Shortly before they retreated with the students and escaping from the training dungeon." Pausing as he waved the hologram to turn towards another model. With information concerning the dungeon.
"As stated in the briefing paperwork. The dungeon has been cross referenced for similar situations but none could be found. This was a D ranked dungeon that average students in the schools would struggle with. With the highest tier monster being reported to be C tier.
Containing goblins and hobgoblin types. Rarer types being the goblin kings and shamans and the C rank being the Orc who wanders the grasslands. The dungeon has since closed completely and the breach in space closing behind it." Understanding the gravity of his words over a portal closing. As he allowed the room to stew in silence as everyone was in their own thoughts.
"As of now that's all the information we have and to keep the governments uninvolved. We are completely districting access to any identities of the ones involved in this situation. Furthermore we are restricting the information about the human type as well the escape from the portal. Any further information will come from Mrs. Helstrong and the Head of the Travelers Society Mr. Brout." Bowing his head slightly as he stepped off.
Watching as Simmons stood up and took the place of the Socoety agent. Still carrying his two swords as he looked at everyone with a bit of disgust. His distaste for this crowd showing clear as day.
"I shouldn't have to introduce myself but my sister will nah if I don't do this correctly. I'll be stepping up as the representative of teachers and students who were involved in this incident.
I am Simmon Helstrong, for the younger travelers who don't know me. I am an Astral Traveler who was apart of the rescue team that went after the original Astral Explorers.
Moving on, the four monsters were mainly attacking the human type. The key points I saw were the noticeable lack of undead monsters. Whether it's zombies and banshees from the lich or skeleton warriors and archers from the knight. Both known for their summoning of lesser undead.
None of them were present but the distinct innate abilities of both were verified as exclusive abilities to both species. The bone spears that are common to Death Knights and Ice magic paired with an above average intelligence for the lich." Pausing to take a sip of water as he swiped through the various monsters that were seen.
"If I may interrupt. Are we sure that these monsters were working together to capture this human type or is that just an assumption?" Raising a hand as his low voice rumbled out across the hall. The guild master of the Top European Guild. His golden armor the only visible aspect of this man due to the lighting for the holograms.
"You're allowed to tell them." Speaking coldly as I shot down the brats attempt to undermine Simmons reputation. Being one of the main suspects who target Simmons in an effort to recruit him. No matter the cost.
"The lich King spoke after seeing the fury and Orc killed in a short time span. Whether you believe me or attempt to discredit my statement. This incident has occurred and with the absence of certain individuals. I can assume this isn't a small matter to ignore." Grinning slightly as he retorted and hinted at the seats that lacked the largest individuals in this circle of travelers.
Causing the younger travelers who were going to use that moment to argue. Although a majority don't qualify in the eyes of veteran Astral Travelers. These brats still inherited very large guilds from families who invested heavily into the societies.
"Don't worry about them. They have their own meeting to take part in. Is that an issue, Adamas?" Lacing his voice with mana from the center away without looking back at the young man who had streaks of lighting flashing around him. As if responding to his rage. The head of society spoke from the center of the room.
"No sir." His voice dripping with barely contained fury. Angered by the fact that he's been openly placed in a lower take then Explorers and veteran travelers.
"Why can't I find that damn book when I need it most!?" Barely containing my frustration as I chewed on my nails. Completely focused on finding the indentity of the "Him".
My patron God already given up on convincing me to stop. As hypocritical as it sounded coming from the God of the chase. Bearing another divine title of the "The hoarder of Secrets".
If I stop chasing the truth concerning those black flames. Then he'd have to offer something of equal value since our deal is based upon him viewing the world through my eyes. In exchange for his divine protection and blessings.
"I found it!" Screaming to no one in this empty library in my school. As I found the target I've been searching for all week. Although other books grabbed my interest to research them
As additional material in my investigation.
"A complete guide to the horrors of the Astral Sea - by Odin." A rare book among Travelers and the best guide to preparing for any monsters one could encounter.
Written by a man of many secrets who was clearly an Explorer. Compared to the travelers like me who stand on the soldiers of giants. Each explorer bearing stories worth their weight in gold. Although this book has been refined into an easier to read version and mass produced version.
This could be described as a Holy book for those researching the Astral Sea. Compared to its smaller and less informative versions. This one carried the marks of being handwritten with spots of blood and water marks. As it's held together by thick threads that's keeping the hard cover book together.
"If I'm not wrong the types of flames should be in spirits section. Found it. Hmmm a majority of these flames are similar in nature." Reaching the types of flames as the only distinguishing mark being a drawing of a flame.
As several paragraphs marked by dots to identify the beginning of an explanation of a different flame. Yet within the spirit flame section. A lot of them bearing similar features. Such as burning only spirits or being able to pick which things are burned.
Flames like the white flame of life. Being incapable of harming anything that's living as it burns away illness and impurities. The purple flame of the demons which can burn every entity that isn't a demon kin. Who is naturally immune to the flames of their world. Or the green flame of envy. A flame from the devil of the sin of envy.
Capable of killing any creature who has any hidden desires they wish to keep hidden. Yet the closest flame I can relate to the one I witnessed.
Is the flame of the undead. Which after skimming over it. I paused as I begin to read aloud to make sure I'm reading it correctly.
"Caution: if this flame is sighted then retreat at full speed. This flame will only be seen when coming across a world that is being cleansed of the undead. This flame is capable of burning and corrupting anything it touches.
It is capable of killing the living without any effort. The only reported sighting of a monster wielding this flame was the Horned Grim Reaper.
*refer to the undead chapter. The section containing monsters who've practiced laws over death." Flipping the pages rapidly as I found the chapter I was looking for after flipping through half the book. Almost at the end of it.
"The horned Reaper is an emissary of Death. It's only been sighted during the cleansing process of Astral Worlds dominated by undead. If sighted-" Seeing the lights turn on as I'm awaken from my moment of intense focus. As a student could be seen by the light switch.
"Ms. Lily didn't Mrs. Blood tell you to stop coming here by yourself." Speaking up with concern in his voice as his brown eyes looked on with concern.
"Yes but I need to research something. I'm trying to piece together the latest prophecy from the prophet of destiny.
This also isn't consider a taboo book. In fact it's the first book any up and coming research should read to have a better understanding of the Astral Sea." Speaking up as I held my chest out high in pride as used the boys own goals against him.
"If you're talking about the book written by Odin then I have my own personal copy. The knowledge inside it isn't dangerous but the access to knowledge normal people would've never been aware of. Is the dangerous part that makes Odin's direct versions be classified as taboo text.
Access to information that could directly lead into madness. Such as this section that talking about the Death types. For a normal person when they find out that there are Death Gods of the Astral Seas. How do you think they'd react?
Pledge their allegiance to said Gods, or maybe they'll attempt to summon one of those Nameless ones who couldn't qualify for the title of Death. In an effort to revive the dead. Breaking the greatest taboos of the universe and astral sea." Looking up at him in shock as he explains why this books is dangerous on a level that skewers his grasp of the information.
"Well you don't have anything to worry about. I'm only concerned with finding out who the owner of the Black flames are." Seeing his mouth twist up as I meantioned the black flames.
"Well then you're really playing a dangerous game. The only one to use those flames are Death itself and his chosen Reapers. Like the cloaked Horned Reaper who has been sighted by Odin himself.
In a way you're playing an even more dangerous game than someone communicating with a Nameless God. Death doesn't have to handle the nameless ones because every place that has reported the black flames. Were also abodes of Nameless Gods, Eldritich Horrors or the Outer Gods.
The horned one could be sighted or his abilities were still burning away the corrupted Astral Residents. Anything that's come into contact or accepted deals with such entities are even considered as Kill on sight here on Earth." Giving me a load of information I would've never been able to find as I had to remind myself who this was.
Crow the star student of the entire American Travelers society. The biggest target for any large gulf aiming to recruit the best of the best. With this boy being the peak of what anyone would envision a traveler to be.
Connected to some of the scariest people within the Travelers World. As well as the underworld if his family connections wryd accounted for.
"Which uncle gave you access to such information?" Seeing him shake his head no. As I thought about his rumored teacher.
"Huginn, he's the one who took the pages out that humanity shouldn't see. The book was just a bunch of papers he collected from Odin. These were just things he wrote down to be able to find weakness of the monsters they ran into before it became an all inclusive guide for the astral Sea.
My copy is hand written by Huginn and he gave me the papers he kept out of Odin's copy. Don't bother asking for them. I can't give them away or allow anyone to read them without supervision. The odds of falling into madness is drastically increased by reading about entities who bring about death just by knowing a rough assumption about their forms or state of being.
The gods and those even scarier than them aren't subjects to research recklessly. One misstep and you'll be dead." Turning on his heel after finishing his words. Not interested in the giving me more hints.
"Okay this is gonna suck but it has to be done." Holding my hand out towards a portal. Ignoring the buzzing insects that keep pestering me instead of having their fill with the dead monsters in my environment.
Having cleared out an area that was overtaken by Astral Monsters from the portal. Although humanity hasn't advanced far enough to see the difference between a dungeon and a authentic portal to the world we're fighting with.
That doesn't stop the other side from invading the less populated areas. Paired with humanity's habit of living on top of each other instead of utilizing every inch of land. It's easier for species like goblins and random monsters to populate an area and causing a monster tide.
Although none of these monsters are anything to fear by themselves. Dealing with millions who can multiply themselves like rats isn't a great situation to deal with.
"My king, we've taken care of the surrounding areas." Kneeling with its head hung low. A cloaked figure carrying a silver spear as his skeleton hands held it upright. A mask covering his skeleton face.
"Good, once we're inside. I'll need to find that demon." Forcing my sun divinity into the portal as it forcibly opened ahead of its preset schedule.
Stepping through without second thinking as I'm greeted by the intense wave of Astral Energy. Causing a smile to grace my face.