Amdirlain''s PoV - The Hunting Grounds


    A guarded passage beyond the first cavern led to the surface, with powerful wards to prevent teleportation and plane shifting. Three times she passed through defensive structures where goods were being ferried over walls to the warehouses beyond. Besides the Dretch and Schir performing that manual labour, she didn’t sense any non-succubi.


    She constantly ignored the hungry glances from succubi, intrigued by her unconcealed auras. The closer Amdirlain got to the surface, the more life she sensed ahead of her: a forest rich in fruits and lifeforms that seemed out of place against her expectation of another twisted Plane of the Abyss. Beyond those stationed at the fortress guarding the tunnel mouth, there wasn''t anyone close.


    A Succubus who could have once been Ebusuku''s twin but without the ridge of horns down the centre of her skull waved Amdirlain through the last secured doorway.


    In front of her was a clear sky, white sun, fluffy clouds, and the scent and sights of rich, green, uncorrupted nature. Among the thick undergrowth and trees, both predators and prey lurked. There wasn''t so much as a foot trail to show where the nearest settlement lay.


    "If you''ve not been here before, fly straight along the valley ahead. You''ll hit a town in half a day," advised the guard. “I don’t know what you’re here for, but we do not have many cities. We prefer places that don’t drive away the prey.”


    "Thanks for the information," replied Amdirlain. "I was simply looking to get clear of the wards."


    Stepping across their edge, Amdirlain teleported into the sky five kilometres ahead and brought up an image of Zozzuth. His surroundings weren''t the lavish retreat of the last plane but a rough stone hollow with no exit far underground. Concealments shut down her auras and turned her invisible before Amdirlain teleported close to where he was clawing at the wall towards the ceiling in an attempt to dig a tunnel. Between his frustrated strikes, she sealed him inside a skin-tight barrier that would let her reach through it.


    "Did I interrupt your trip to your next bolt hole?" asked Amdirlain as she let the invisibility drop. "Getting there must be difficult when you''re dimensionally locked and have no Mana, am I right?”


    Squeezed tight inside the form-fitting barrier, Zozzuth could only grunt, but his mind raged.


    Amdirlain moved him away from the wall and transformed into her Anar form. “It’s interesting how a Plane just spits you out in a random location when you’ve been killed. So much space above ground, and you appear in a remote underground location with no way out. Do you think Kismet or Nexus is annoyed at you? I mean, annoying the aspects of luck or gateways and portals seems like a way for this to occur. Or perhaps the Abyss itself?”


    ‘What do you want?’ Zozzuth mentally broadcast, and though his mind couldn’t touch hers, Amdirlain picked up his thoughts without issue.


    Amdirlain smiled coldly. "Your boss took someone I love from me, so I''m going to hurt you, and hopefully also him. I’m going to keep hurting him until he wishes he was dead. The reason for your selection isn''t even personal, rather, you''re simply the weakest link that will hurt him. Those servants slightly stronger than you are next on my list."


    ‘Titan’s Songbird.’ Aside from that reference, Zozzuth’s mind brought up a dozen names of other demon lords, and not all of them were known to Amdirlain. She seized the memory chains related to them and reeled in all the information he possessed.


    And there was Gideon, spilling details with that hole in the ground.


    “I’m glad he got so upset about his palace being blown up. I did the same to your fortress,” said Amdirlain.


    Putting a barrier around them both to stop the Abyss from objecting, yang flames rippled out from beneath her flesh again. Amdirlain let loose with a flurry of spear hand strikes, the nails on her fingers barely breaking the skin. Each time, the Ki in the blow carried the yang energies into the Oath Link bearing a new number and battered and burnt more of her target''s flesh. Amdirlain made it slightly past six hundred before Zozzuth exploded, and she got a repeat of the experience from the first time.


    Amdirlain listened until his theme faded across the planes and sent him a song to infuse his flesh with Celestial Mana. She dismissed another repeat notification a moment later and stopped at the achievement.


    [Achievement: Demonic Destroyer


    Details: You''ve destroyed a Demon of Named rank or higher.


    Reward: This Tier 5 achievement unlocks the Prestige Class: Demonbane.


    Note: Not that I expected you’d care about the Class, but I wanted to make it official. This isn’t an achievement that scales due to difficulty.]


    Not sure what to make of that news, Amdirlain considered the thick forest stretched across the ground above her. From tiny bugs, spiders and rodents to large wolf-like creatures, it possessed a natural feel to its orchestra. Amdirlain could hear the balance of life and death in its wilderness and, given all she''d seen in the Abyss, it didn''t fit in.


    Did Naamah influence the Abyss to keep the Plane this way? A hunting ground? Her father might be the principal Aspect of Death, but he knew he was part of life’s cycle, so it''s possible.


    Knowing that it wasn''t something she would get an answer to soon, Amdirlain opted for what she could do. Planar Shift took her first to Limbo and then to the demi-plane with the freed slaves and prisoners. The crystals had already purified their flesh and healed wounds, but their experiences had traumatised most and broken others. She sent a crystal spire to hop between planar sites to a location high above the abyssal city. It evacuated the remaining slaves while demons reacted to the fortress’ destruction. As the facility filled, Amdirlain created more rooms.


    Her mental touch was as the gentlest brush against each and offered a choice.


    ''Would you prefer to forget what you endured or for me to find someone to help you move forward?''


    Those who chose the first option or were too broke to make the choice fell asleep. Amdirlain sealed those who opted for the second into a stasis supported by the crystal in their rooms. Changing back to her Wood Elf form, she scrubbed her fingers through her hair as she considered possibilities.


    I''ll only send them home once I’ve got someone to accompany them and ensure it''s safe.


    "Sarah, I need a hand. Do you know some gem dragons I can bribe to help deal with some traumatised mortals I''ve freed from the Abyss?" asked Amdirlain. Dispatching the Message, she included the name of the demi-plane and an image of the building for opening a Gate.


    Sarah''s confirmation came quickly, and Amdirlain reached out to Silpar through the pendant.


    ''Silpar, I''ve got some freed slaves I rescued who''ll need escorts. They ended up in the Abyss through various means, but I want it checked if they’re safe, not just punt them home. Where is the best place to pass them along to someone with information about their home worlds?''


    ''Am, is there much left of that Demon Lord''s city?'' returned Silpar.


    ''It''s only got a hole where the fortress used to be, and I rescued a thousand-odd mortals while passing by. While lots want to forget, others need help, and about fifty-odd want to get home to stand independently. I need an escort for them as they come from different worlds.''


    ''You wish to avoid others seeing the demi-plane,'' responded Silpar. ''However, if you''ve made a hole in a city, I''d suggest you don''t share this with anyone from the cloister. The people you''ve freed tie you back to a release of slaves around the same time as the event if they learn of it later. Though Moloch’s holdings are vast, looking for dramatic events is manageable if you pay the right sources.''


    ''You’re right, I’ll get them help through other channels,'' projected Amdirlain.


    Silpar appeared where he''d waited while Amdirlain had made the facility. Waving to Amdirlain, he walked over. "If they live upon worlds we don''t need a summoner to reach, I could help take them back and investigate their situation."


    "The ones we''d need a summoner for aren''t among those wanting to move forward alone," replied Amdirlain. "I better prepare some payment for my other helpers."


    Mounds of mithril bars started growing across the ground before the buildings.


    "Why do you need a dragon''s hoard?" asked Silpar, and he huffed. "I thought you were oath sworn to your Dragon ally."


    Amdirlain smiled. "She''s going to bring some friends who are skilled at psionics. I figured I could at least prepare a humble payment. I’ve got the option to see if they’ll hire on to get them home, and that should come with extra thanks."


    Silpar eyed one of the many mounds of ingots. "Humble?"


    "Depends on who she brings, but regardless, none of the mortals I rescued are their concern," clarified Amdirlain. "I''d prefer to inspire the dragons to resolve their nightmares and get them home safely rather than pick up new servants."


    "Where will she be bringing help from?"


    Sarah appeared nearby in a slender Human form dressed in a black top that matched her hair, red leather pants and mid-calf boots.


    Taking in the mounds of mithril, she snorted. "Are you expecting you''ll need to bribe the dragons not to eat them?"


    As she approached, Amdirlain gave a helpless shrug. "Silpar, this is Sarah, Sarah, this is Silpar. My cloister mentor. Bahamut recruited him and over-shared."


    "He didn''t tell me who you used to be until after I''d made various promises," advised Silpar.


    The muscles in Sarah''s jawline bunched briefly. "That makes it only slightly better."


    "Going to tell him off?" asked Amdirlain.


    "Yes," hissed Sarah. "I don''t mind recruiting someone to help. I object to his over-sharing since you do so much of it yourself. You don’t need him seeding the ground ahead of you."


    "I''ve been getting better. Though Rahka had heard about Balnérith''s book of names and tied it to me from the information I did share and my mental defences," admitted Amdirlain. “I used the truth about my evolution to kill accusations that I’d used True Song to destroy it.”


    “The angry Fallen from the ghost caverns?” asked Sarah, and she continued when Amdirlain nodded. "What''s her full name?"


    "I didn''t risk learning it. Her song sounds old," replied Amdirlain.


    Sarah frowned. "Record her song in a crystal for Roher. If something happens to you, I want to know who to grab and pull pieces off."


    Amdirlain smiled and gently touched Sarah’s face.


    Sarah’s frown deepened, and she snatched Amdirlain’s hand from her face but didn’t immediately let it go.


    "I agree," said Silpar with a sharp nod, and his ready agreement matched his melody. "Not all the members of the cloister keep to the path. Rahka has been trying to follow it since the Anar were destroyed. You''ve experienced how little progress she''s made in letting go of her anger. Also, give them my song so they can get in touch if they expect to hear from you but don''t."


    The offer had Sarah regard him with a stern gaze. "A Song can do much more to identify you than a Use Name. Use names you can change. Someone''s song means they have to change dramatically as a being to escape the melody''s reach."


    "Why did you warn me?" asked Silpar.


    "Informed consent," replied Sarah. "You don''t know Roher, and you''ve barely started to get to know Am, even if Bahamut vouched for her."


    Silpar gave a satisfied nod. "I''m fine with my song being available to Roher. Perhaps I might be the one in need of rescue one day."


    That gave Sarah pause, and she nodded. "Help Am get free, and I’ll be eternally grateful.”


    “I require no reward,” demurred Silpar.


    “That doesn’t change how I’ll feel,” replied Sarah.


    Amdirlain created a crystal and put the melody of Rahka, her conspirator, and Silpar inside then handed it to Sarah.


    "What else happened on your first day at the school of naughty children?" asked Sarah, and she motioned to Silpar. "Besides finding a local to show you the ropes?"


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Naughty children?" laughed Silpar.


    "Dragon bloodlines mean lots of accumulated memories," replied Sarah. ‘I see Bahamut didn’t completely spill the beans.’


    In a quick mental exchange, Amdirlain filled her in on the details, and Sarah grunted.


    "Thoughts?"


    "Don''t have any sympathy for Rahka. She made her bed," huffed Sarah. "I think I might know the bitch, and she can just fuck off. You should read those texts if they''ve gathered any for you yet."


    Silpar''s tail swished energetically. "About forty so far, but there should be a few hundred valuable resources in that section."


    "I can ensure all your stray cats get home," offered Sarah. "Or did you want to collect them all?"


    "Ha," barked Amdirlain. "Very funny, Buster."


    From Silpar''s expression, he was lost, but Amdirlain could see him mentally shrug it off.


    "Though am I stealing your opportunity to get some brownie points for the path?" asked Sarah, directing the question at Silpar.


    "My progress will come when it does," responded Silpar calmly.


    "That''s very relaxed and philosophical of you," said Sarah, and she looked at Amdirlain. "You should introduce Silpar to Cyrus. Maybe the pair of them could beat you in the training demi-plane you made. However, there is a question: will you use that place now? After all the work the dwarves put into it, I certainly hope so."


    "Yes," grumbled Amdirlain. "They''ve loaded it up with traps so I can use it for Perception training and developing other skills."


    "It, and the options you found at the cloister," agreed Sarah. "You might be able to figure out how to hide your crystal from other people."


    I might get there in time if I practise listening to the dying whispers of those deities inside the dome.


    Sarah stored the memory crystal away and shooed the pair off. "Go on, you''ve made enough mithril for me to hire an army of dragons to heal them. You''ve got reading and combat training to take care of, and I won''t tell Cyrus you''re seeing someone behind his back."


    "Gee, thanks," grumbled Amdirlain before she opened a Gate to Limbo.


    Silpar followed her through the gate, but he opened the next in the series, and they were soon high up the valley from the fortress.


    The view had the cloister’s fortress a mere line in the distance. From here, the sheer cliff face looming high above looked like a mere child''s step compared to the mountain range beyond. They were positioned so that some distant nebula framed the mountains'' peaks.


    "Any reason we''re so far away?" asked Amdirlain.


    "Perspective," said Silpar, and he waved towards the fortress. "I come here sometimes to remind myself of the enormity of the Abyss."


    "I try to focus on the short targets in front of me so I don''t lose my sense of urgency," replied Amdirlain. "Having a long perspective on time can be a trap, letting you think you have aeons available only to learn there is none left."


    "An insight most celestials don''t understand," agreed Silpar. "You said you might be considered impatient, always rushing into things, which I’ve found true."


    "I shared that with Dagrast?r. People really can hear everything said there," observed Amdirlain. "Now I know why so many were just chatting through their pendants."


    "Most have evolved Perception," admitted Silpar.


    "As to your question, I don''t consider the time available. I take the first task I need to accomplish and push towards it, as I would rather resolve everything before I need to than regret not having acted," explained Amdirlain.


    "Are you forever finding more work for yourself?" asked Silpar.


    Amdirlain laughed. "And then some. I''ve gotten better at handing tasks off to others."


    Silpar lifted into the air. "I''ve let them know we''re returning. Try to push your speed and keep up."


    Though she set out to do that, Silpar stayed ahead the whole way down. Every time Amdirlain''s speed picked up, he flew faster. They landed well beyond the wards, and Amdirlain heard Xarlon''s voice through her pendant, giving them directions to come in. The blue troll-like Fallen was standing on the mid-point of the fortress wall at the same ballistae, making Amdirlain wonder if he''d even taken a break since she''d left.


    ''Have you been on duty all this time?'' projected Amdirlain.


    Amusement came through the pendant from Xarlon. ''Indeed. I''ll ask someone to take over when I wish a change.''


    Standing around looking at the countryside; celestials are more patient than I am.


    As Silpar led the way, Amdirlain focused on listening to those about the complex. The Fallen she''d heard talking to Rahka wasn''t in range, and those hostile melodies she heard made Amdirlain wonder whether it was directed at her or just the individual''s usual state of mind.


    When they got to the library, they flew up to the top ledge and found a table had been placed at the end of the planar section. Stacks of texts had been laid out on it, and beside it was a container the size of a 10-gallon drum with a seam running end to end. Opening the latch, Amdirlain peeked inside and confirmed what Resonance had shown to be tens of thousands of metal sheets. Slipping one of them free, Amdirlain took in the primordial script that tried to twist her gaze away from its complexity.


    "Does this count as one of the forty?" asked Amdirlain, and she scanned over the engravings.


    Silpar nodded. "It''s all one text, the metal sheets you could consider pages."


    "I''ll keep them in order," replied Amdirlain. "What do you plan to do while I am reading?"


    "I''ll be nearby reading as well," replied Silpar. "Among other reasons, I can make sure you take breaks to get in weapon training as well."


    "That works for me," agreed Amdirlain. "Though I don''t think I''m up to your level for sparring."


    Silpar smiled. "I have billions of years of practice teaching those younger than I am to develop their skills. As I can restrain myself enough to challenge mortals, I can also pace myself with you. A mentor''s role is to challenge and provide guidance and support. I would hardly be a good fit if I could only handle one."


    "I hadn''t considered that," admitted Amdirlain, and she gave him a nod of appreciation.


    Looking at the markings on the drum, she turned it on its side and opened it so the two halves rested on the ground. Taking the first sheet from the series, she flipped it over in her hand to consider the tiny, tightly spaced characters that covered both sides and found it listed the species of The Endless Ocean.


    The conceptual implications inherent in each complex character would have been impossible to follow when she''d accidentally learned the language. Now, however, her eyes raced along the tiny markings even as she pushed Resonance to reach through the noise within the dome. Not trusting the text at face value, Amdirlain used Analysis on every species and region name as she went. She ignored the first progression notifications and the spike of pain that pierced her layered mental hardening.


    After observing her steady progress, Silpar took a scroll from a nearby shelf and started to review it for useful material.


    * * * * *


    [Abyssal Lore [M] (97->98)


    Planar Biology [M] (53->54)]


    Even Gideon''s Analysis came through conceptually most times instead of in English. There are sixty layers beneath this Plane from the regions named in this series; Bahamut''s information was correct. Pity it was just a discussion about the creatures and their strengths and weaknesses.


    Amdirlain pushed the last notification aside, returned the last sheet to the case, and closed it. Once she''d secured it, Amdirlain brushed her fingers across the metal surface. "Are there any more texts by the Fallen that wrote these?"


    "I didn''t know there was an author attributed to that work," replied Silpar. "You didn''t take long to read through those records."


    No name, and if I ask for them by name, it gives away I know.


    "They seem written from the perspective of a Fallen exploring to determine if anything from beneath might pose a risk," replied Amdirlain as she provided the complex name to Silpar through the pendant.


    "When you put it that way, that does sound like some other texts I''ve read. Did they write in primordial to practice the language or because of the nature of the entities they were observing?" mused Silpar.


    "I''d say the second," proposed Amdirlain. "The nature of some crosses too many dimensions to use most languages."


    "More reading, or time to give your brain a break after reading that much primordial?"


    Amdirlain nodded and rose. "Time for some sparring, but I''ve not heard Te about the place."


    "She''s off clearing out demons causing problems for a Mortal settlement in Pandemonium," replied Silpar. "You''ll have to handle my claws for a few weeks."


    I’m not sure I want to know why mortals would live in that place. I found the wind and darkness bad enough for the short time I was there.


    As they flew down to the library''s lowest level, Amdirlain found the reading tables that ran the library''s length nearly entirely in use, some with five or six members clustered around in silent conversation that had their pendants abuzz.


    Amdirlain heard five Fallen arrive in the valley, and among them was the individual Rahka had spoken to in the forge. Silent notes brought the valley into view, and Amdirlain took in the male elven form of Rahka''s ally. Their dull slate-grey hair draped across their face, hiding their once fine features in shadow. Thick white ridges of scar tissue crisscrossed their face and continued down their throat into the neckline of their full plate armour the hue of dried blood. In one hand he carried a spear with a wavy blade like a Kris at its tip, the blade and haft made of black adamantine. Despite the age of his song, she focused on Analysis to give her select information on the potential enemy with two Tier 5 prestige classes.


    [Name: Gurgarachon


    Species: Fallen, Arch Profaner


    Class: Chaos Reaper / Siege Striker / Battle Wizard / Chaos Knight


    Combat Skills: Blade-Lord [G] (423), Spear-King [G] (12); Various spell lists and affinities.


    Immunities: Death, Fire, Lightning, Magma, and Negative.


    Details: Having worked his way up through celestial ranks, he was once a Solar in service to a local Pantheon. He fell when his deity perished in a Gods'' War they started over a border dispute. Unlike Silpar, he didn''t stop at laying waste to one city; he destroyed the war-ravaged ''winning'' nation utterly. Though not involved in the situation with the Anar and Lóm?, he''s spent much time listening to Rahka talk about the puppet master she perceives Orhêthurin to have been. He has replaced his prior allegiance with worshipping the concept of Chaos.


    Analysis [S] (64->65)


    Mental Hardening [M] (31->32)]


    Transformed Fallen explains why his song feels so strong. I think his age impacts Analysis heavier than his classes.


    [Blade-Lord


    Details: This Skill is an evolved version of Short Blades.]


    So watch out for his use of daggers, short swords and the like.


    [Spear of Slaying


    Attack Power: +3,500


    Details: Foes struck by the weapon must resist Death Mana to avoid perishing when any critical injury is inflicted.]


    If he comes at me, destroy his spear as the priority. Rahka calling Orhêthurin a puppet Master is a bit rich, given that she should see Balnérith''s influence. And Gurgarachon, all his Pantheon had to do was not go to war and work things out between their worshippers. His name is Death''s red brother if I use the High Elf tongue, and his armour looks like a Red Cap has been at work.


    Cutting off the scrying melody, Amdirlain gritted her teeth and suppressed a frustrated head shake. When they arrived, the vast training hall was nearly empty, with most of those present in the library or busy in workshops on the higher levels. Silpar moved along and tapped the edge of four platforms in proximity, and the stone platforms merged to provide one larger sparring area. Amdirlain caught a compressed note of True Song from the library''s direction that adjusted the stone.


    She made some quality-of-life improvements but kept the path the same.


    "You hoping to avoid me punting you from the circle?"


    "I figured you might like some room to run," countered Silpar. "No shapeshifting. Focus on using your combat techniques alone. I will push you to the brink since I''ve seen how fast you can heal."


    Amdirlain nodded eagerly. "Bring it on."


    Silpar contemplated her, and Amdirlain heard a projection through the pendant. ''I propose we alternate your training between sparring, reading to acquire more knowledge, and whatever work you need to undertake for those training facilities.''


    ''For how long?'' enquired Amdirlain.


    There was an amused twitch of Silpar''s tail. ''I''d say for a few centuries, but I doubt you''ll wait that long.''


    Amdirlain kept her face straight and considered the others busy training. ''I can learn fast when under pressure. I''ve also got to make time to push my resistances.''


    Silpar''s hand blurred and, though Amdirlain blocked it, the force carried through her raised arms and knocked her across the area.


    "Don''t stand still," instructed Silpar, not moving to pursue her. "I''ve seen enough to know your strength is in your speed, not brute force. You have your Willpower hardening your flesh and blows, but being knocked off balance will still disadvantage you."


    Giving a wary smile, Amdirlain moved towards him. "I''ll try. You''re pretty fast yourself."


    "You''re a dancer; think of the fight as a dance. Try to move around your partner''s motions, not get run over by them. Dancing with partners relies on moving in time with them, does it not?" asked Silpar.


    Ori moved to the tempo of the obstacles in that training room. This is a reversal. I taught Jul’iane to turn her dancing into a fighting style, and now Silpar wants to turn my fighting into a dance.


    "I''ve done most of my dancing solo," admitted Amdirlain, and she raised her hands.


    "Time to branch out then," laughed Silpar, and he flexed his talons before he struck.


    Amdirlain moved with the strike the first time, but his follow-up still knocked her to the ground.


    Moloch''s PoV - Culerzic


    Moloch glared at the Gil?glp Demon, who had peaked his thin snout above the top book in the stack. "What did you say?"


    "There is no trace of arcane energies in your wounds. It is a divine energy I''ve never seen before," repeated the Demon. "You can kill us all, but it won''t get you different answers. If you annoyed a divine being of such power to get through your defences without a trace, you’ve little choice left. You can await the time of your destruction or try to gain enough raw strength to block them."


    "How do I go about gaining that strength?" demanded Moloch.


    The Demon raised his hand helplessly. "You''d have to become a deity, but unlike other demon lords, you don''t even have a cult to use as a starting point."


    "Others have done so in the past," snapped Moloch.


    "True. They gained divine rights after being viewed by mortals as a being of such strength that they deserved worship. You don''t have that connection to any Mortal species," repeated the Gil?glp.


    Moloch''s lips twisted into a snarl, and he felt the burn marks that crossed his mouth split the skin.


    "What are the words on the brands?" asked Moloch.


    "There are some that are obscured by overlapping feathers, but it appears they''ve tallied a court to six hundred thirty-seven," replied the Demon.


    Moloch spat. "Find out how it struck through my defences without leaving a trace and find me a divinity starting point. I''m not waiting for a God to kill me if I can kill them instead."


    The Demon peeked around the side of the books, his obsidian eyes glinting in the chamber’s light. "You''re talking about a being billions of years old. Given the name you provided, they might be only the Titan''s pet, but the Titan sealed himself and all his servants away before demons even existed. It isn''t an Aspect if it can attack without a major breach against the Titan''s rules.”


    "There were no breaches of his laws by me," snapped Moloch.”They are so few they’re easy to work around.”


    "Then that means it wasn''t sealed with him, and this songbird predates that event, Lord Moloch," replied the Gil?glp, his words muffled by the stack of books as he hid. "Fragments of legends I''ve found recorded by the hags say a songbird guided the devils into the realm to balance the demons."


    "Given my representatives never returned, the dragons aren''t willing to sell any information. What contacts do we have among Hell''s legions?" asked Moloch.


    “Why would they deal with you?”


    Moloch gave a shrewd smile. “That is for me to determine, isn’t it?”