Book 4. Chapter 33: Highlands Transformation

Book 4. Chapter 33: Highlands Transformation

Storms raged across highlands, as the world changed forever. Tectonic activity lead to massive waves in the oceans as the world grew, the main continent rising higher above the turbulent waters.

With each beat of the worlds heart, the world danced to the conductors song. Pulses of auril energy traveled through rock, through water, and through air changing the world.

The Heart of the World did her best to make her changes to her body with the least impact to her inhabitants, but it was impossible to do something on such a grand scale gently. Hundreds of years of progress were made each day, each beat of the heart restoring her towards her former glory.

Volcanoes above and beneath the water erupted. Hurricanes raged above the ocean, and turbulent winds formed tornados.

New continents and islands formed rising above the water. The earth of Highlands rose, and the mountainous plateaus rose even further in an attempt to protect its beastkin inhabitants.

Massive deserts spanning hundreds of miles were created, salt flats void of all life appeared, and underwater reefs establishing deadly formations of turbulent water drawing the living to their doom developed.

Life was enhanced, but as was required, death flourished. Life and death became more, to continue the cycle of rebirth. Life with struggle and conflict lead to evolution, experiences leading to being reborn, either through parentage or the wheel of reincarnation.

The beastkin of Highlands suffered difficult weather, but even Tartarus had to halt its machinations while the storms raged. Families huddled together, protecting each other and weathering out the storm.

A wise mans voice echoed in the void. Ai, the world prospers defeating the ancient curse, but evil still lurks. A storm brews, and even this one cannot read the raging currents. On one side, opportunity and luck, on the other, calamity and doom. This world is more valuable than we thought. Both for us, and our great enemy. Brother Guan, we must find a way to tip the scales.

Apparitions of three men and a Qilin floated over the world of Highlands, overlooking the changes. Two of the men were warriors, and the other that of a scholar with a feathered fan.

Guan Yu nodded. Life and death, balance and harmony. A peoples life and will becomes one, and through conflict their resolve and weakness tested and eliminated. If evil and death conquers the life, it will release a formidable power. But if good conquers evil, it will be reborn, stronger than ever.

Zhang Fei, the man in the red martial armor, laughed. Just let me send my avatar, and Ill cleave the enemy in two!

Guan Yu shook his head. You cant be everywhere at once, brother. If we make our move, so, too, will the enemy. They would pay a hefty Price to overwhelm you and claim their prize.

Zhuge Liang chuckled. Our enemies lie in wait, hoping well overextend ourselves. Swift battles with skill lead to swift victories, but patience to seize the moment avoids calamity.

Guan Yu looked at the happenings in the world, and his gaze moved to that of the rest of the Sector. They had their victories, and they had failures. The struggle continued, with trillions of souls in the balance.

The three brothers had fought long and hard, suffered from enemies and allies alike. It was only thanks to their meeting of Skanda, the Hindu deity, and the Bodhisattvas, a sort of Buddhist demigod, that they found valuable allies they could count on.

Skanda joined Hestias Pantheon and after Guan Yu had found success in this Sector, relieved him of his duty to attempt to claim it for his own. While any of the gods could attempt to claim the Sector for themselves, their gain in power would be marginal when compared to a new ally rising up.

The Bodhisattvas refused joining Hestias Pantheon, and instead remained as friendly or allied figures. They instead chose to remain neutral, focused on their compassion and protection, alleviating the suffering of all beings.

Looking over to Earth, his former home, Guan Yu smiled. Only a little longer, and hed be able to visit, all thanks to the void child. Its Trial would soon be completed, and Earths true initiation into the Framework would begin.

A Tier 0 world was not worth a lot, but it would be to him. The Framework should raise it to Tier 1 as a result of the Trials success, infusing the world with Mana.

He still venerated his first Lord, only joining the Great War at his behest. Guan Yu would visit his grave, his shrine.

Guan Yu made his decision, firming his resolve. Hestia believes in her Champion, and so does Odin. We must trust in his familys ability to achieve victory. Now, and when it matters the most. Let us prepare. We shall accept being their mentors.

Brother Zhuge chuckled, fanning himself with a mischievous smile. But you havent met them yet, have you? So faithful and trusting of the words of those you hold high. Which will you take? The void child and the dragon can benefit much from me. The blimps, pills, and other advancements have been quite impressive, the spirit of innovation among them

Brother Zhang interrupted, Ill take Echidnas girls! Theyre the biggest, and theyll be the strongest. Ill make sure of it!

Guan Yu nodded. That leaves the Valkyrie and the Ravenwolf for me. We shall meet them soon, but training cannot begin until they complete the worlds Trial. Well have to push hard, so we can give them the attention required.

Brother Zhuge let out a breath. Even Heimdall cannot read these stars. Still, are you going to take on the Valkyrie as your first Champion? If she were to fall

Brother Zhang chuckled. Without risk, there cant be great reward! Their family will draw in many threats, but they will just have to crush them to ascend. Things may be different, but in the end, they are the same.

Guan Yu shook his head. Even we barely pulled out a victory when teaming up with other Champions. When five Champions are together, the difficulty can be insurmountable. Don't underestimate it. He looked to Brother Zhuge. She is young, but her loyalty and devotion are strong enough that I can feel it, even from here and so limited. She lacks Valor, but there are other means.

He took out an ancient vessel. An almost metallic urn-like container, it was filled with mysterious scripts and designs. Asura statues and symbols of both Buddhist and Hindu origins graced the odd item, their visages vengeful.

Brother Zhuge chuckled, as he fanned himself in satisfaction. One might say it is wasted on someone of her Tier, but she will play an important role if she accepts. After this world rises in Tier, it will be eligible for the [War Trial]. When the winds of change blow, some build walls. You would build a windmill, Brother Guan. I approve.

Im not young! Tara grumbled. She had come of age already!

The veiled woman chuckled. Im afraid there are only a few on this world that I would not consider young, please do not be offended. But we now stand in the presence of Betrayers. Sinners of the highest order, it would be a travesty for them to die without penitence.

Grayson spoke up, These men and women are filled with taint, yet it feels weaker, less malicious now. Something has changed, Morwen.

Morwen nodded. It is related to what Chief Jake has done, no doubt. Its likely the taint, the curse, will be much weaker or slower to spread. The life of the world increases, but so, too, must death. The undead will flock to the areas with high death, but will have a harder time invading the life. Bedwyr, bring this one to me, she pointed, then turned to the robed casters. Begin.

The many casters began their chants, a few of them continuing to lock down the auril beast mounts with ice. They railed against their bindings.

Release me! You will never escape the wrath of our god. Greed will consume everything, all will suffer at his hand!

Bedwyr gestured with his armored fist, which seemed to cover the man with more frost, his breath coming out in puffs of fog. He screamed as Bedwyr picked him up, and tossed him in front of Morwen.

His voice was filled with recrimination. Tartarus is the greatest evil weve ever known, and you stand against your brethren joining it. For each of your people you slay, you aid it in killing countless more. You have committed the heaviest sin, and for that there must be repentance. To find absolution, you must serve.

We will never serve you! We only serve our God

Morwen smiled underneath her veil. Your desires are not required. You served the enemy in life, so now your body and soul shall serve the Alliance in death. When you find absolution for your sins, you may ascend to Annwyn.

Taras breath caught in her throat, and something within her heart stirred at the mention of this place. Even the struggling beasts and reptile beastkin stilled. Their hearts longed for this Annwyn, yet Tara had no idea what it was.

Something ingrained in their very being understood what Annwyn was, and knew that it was the greatest reward.

Morwen knelt in front of the beastkin man that was bound to the ground, as a large circle of light was drawn in magical symbols Tara couldnt begin to understand. It wrapped around the trapped reptile beastkin, and they appeared to break out of their stupor and start attempting to escape once more.

Now, the mind is a fragile thing. Id hate to lose what you know as your body and soul transition into their service. Be still. She placed her staff against his head, and a glow was emitted, the man becoming dazed.

Lord Arawn, your servant calls for your aid. Judge these tainted beastkin, and bind them into your service if their sins require penitence, their hearts seeking Annwyn.

An apparition with chains and a golden scale rose from the ground, as if from the underworld. It was a man covered in a billowing black cloak exuding frost, with the skull of a deer placed over his head. The man gave off an aura of wisdom and righteousness, but also frost and death. On the scale in the center was a golden hound.

The eight reptile beastkins chests were then wrapped in the chains, and the scale in his hand tilted to one side.

Deathly energy was pumped into the eight beastkin through the chains, and their auril was overwhelmed quickly, their bodies injured as they were.

Their bodies converted to unliving flesh, their souls wrapped in chains, as the golden light of the Framework appeared to layer itself over them.

The ice bindings were released, the now undead beastkin joining their ranks. Morwen now directed the beastkin, and questioned them a bit away from where Tara was standing in a stupor, while giving them all a sort of necklace. She blanched at the implications, turning to Grayson.

Theycan turn beastkin into slaves? What is going on?

Bedwyr chuckled from atop his bone horse, answering instead of Grayson. Do not worry. Lord Arawn has properly judged them. There were many requirements necessary for us to make them into our undead servants. To become a permanent servant down to even their soul, they must be betrayers to their own people. On some level they felt guilt, felt remorse for their actions to seek absolution. Their soul absent their memories longed for Annwyn.

Tara thought she understood what he was saying. She, too, desired this Annwyn, to the point where her heart and soul stirred. Perhaps since the reptile beastkin felt the same thing, their soul desired this Penitence.

Bedwyr continued, Otherwise, we can only raise their bodies as undead, something that while useful, isnt the same thing. Those seeking penitence are capable of individual thought, and advancement using their own powers. We can empower undead, but it requires much more resources than it is worth, and often there is not much difference between humanoid corpses. Now, these beastkin can use deathly auril.

Tara was shocked. Very few creatures in their history had been able to use this special auril, only living in special areas where deathly auril thrived. There was a desert a few days trek away from where they were currently located, which had odd buzzards, scorpions and more. Few would hardly ever reach the first Tier.

Grayson stroked his chin as he spoke to Tara. I wonder how this world will change, after the storms. Now tell me, how did you come about this situation? To be fleeing during a storm, with betrayers chasing after you. Just what happened?

Tara told Grayson about the threat. It was too late for her village, she was sure of this. But perhaps, they could prevent more of her people from being slaughtered? These people were strong, but they were few.

Grayson shook his head. The rest of our people are at a nearby village. Our forces got split up from the storm. The blimps cannot handle the heavy winds. They had to be stowed away.

That they had more than the few dozen people made Tara sigh with relief. The Framework seemed to supply her with what a blimp was in order to translate, but she didnt fully understand what a slow flying device was. Blimps. Your peopleflew?

Grayson laughed, his smile wide to his eyes. Thats right! The people are changing as well as the world. Even after Tartarus is defeated, Highlands will never be the same. We will be reborn anew!