Interlude 3 - Nessa - Serpent of the Frigid Lake

Interlude 3 - Nessa - Serpent of the Frigid Lake

The Cinder Colossus punched out, several Norse men and women taking its blow using [Shield Wall]. The magical auras surrounding the warriors shields held the monsters momentum back, allowing each warrior to stab into the massive creatures knuckles and arm.

Valkyries swarmed the large humanoid, piercing spears of holy flames and lightning into the monsters ashen flesh. Attacks from all directions rained down on the immense giant, the Battlegroup poised to defeat this Greater Rift together.

Nessas water spread out beneath the enemy, expending large quantities of her heavenly energy to produce the frigid lake in the large, flat arena. The stage generated was little more than a large coliseum, which she was thankful for. It made it easier to make her lake useful.

The heavenly energy of her bloodline didnt even steam as it made contact with the ashen monsters volcanic flesh, reducing the monsters heat and turning the bottom of its feet to stone. Her waters were well below freezing, only their mystical powers keeping them fluid.

Astalder, one of the strongest Norse warriors aiding Nessa in reclaiming Vanirland, cleaved into the creatures thigh with his large hand axes. A true norseman decked in armor, his rage-enhanced magical aura billowed off him in waves as he roared, and swung his other axe into the demons knee.

She grimaced as the reflections of all the warriors present in her lake entered her view. Her divine trait, [Hearts Reflection], showed the truth of these supposed allies.

Most of the valkyries present looked just as beautiful as they appeared, but many of the men they were attached to looked more grotesque and terrible than the same monster they were fighting.

Astalder was a warrior known for his strength, valiance, and talent. Like many maidens, Nessa had been excited to meet the stalwart warrior after hearing of his greatness. But the sight of his reflection in her waters bore the truth: his heart was tarnished.

Through his reflection, she could see it through even his armor. Envy marred his skin like painful scars along his body, while his excessive pride manifested a sickly color. His wrath billowed off him just like his rage energy, and his greed twisted and altered his face into that like a demon.

The manifestations on him were not actually that bad and far from the worst shed seen, but it was enough to turn her stomach.

Water rose from her forming lake, creating blades of water and ice and crashing them into the enemy. The water pierced the flaming demons flesh, reducing his health along with her allies.

A chuckle entered her ears, followed by a motherly voice. [You shouldnt be so picky, descendant of mine. To err is human, and to love a man requires you embrace their imperfections just as you do their strengths. Surely, you dont believe that you yourself are without flaws?]

Nessa sighed. Her bloodline familiar, her ancestor present in her spiritual sea never hesitated to point out those flaws. The woman, or creatures presence was entirely new, her father shoving Nessa into this strange new vessel.

She was originally born a Norse Cleric of her father, Tyr, but she had died during a war games just before a world was outright lost. Her father paid a price to rescue her, and for a change, she was meant to become a partner of a great warrior and fight to win a young Frontier Sector.

According to her father, that somehow fell through, and she was forced to start again from level one in that same Sector.

For some strange reason, her father wanted her to become a cultivator this time, despite being a strong proponent of the Framework itself. Sure, her mother was one, but born in a Core Sector as a Norse, Nessa originally had a mana core.

When Nessa awoke, she had no idea how to use this heavenly energy at all, and had to infuriatingly collect her first credits killing lowly creatures with a crude mace to buy her first cultivation manual.

Her father hadnt even left a note, and she was more than a little confused.

Thankfully, she received a not-so-subtle hint from a cultivator passerby that her father likely had her meet through machinations. Because of this, she picked up a bloodline unlocking pill, and that did wonders for her ability to level up.

Dusky Sky Sect? She never heard a name of a guild that sounded more ridiculous. Still, she couldnt help but be glad for it.

While her bloodline familiar was sometimes like a nagging mother, her wisdom and experience was tremendously helpful in masteringwell, everything that she needed to be successful. Shed be utterly stuck without her, and forced to use that first crummy manual she purchased.

Nessa shuddered. She would have been stuck sitting in a ridiculous cave for months and years if she had used that thing!

[Aw, that was almost like a compliment! You know, I am your Nana after all. If you just listened to my wisdom, then there would be no need to nag. That you see me as a nag is not my fault, but yours. When looking for fault between us, you should peer at your reflection a little more. Well, perhaps you do that a little too much already. I get that your appearance has changed, but just how much time should a girl spend in front of a mirror?]

She couldnt help but look in her mirror, seeing her changed state. Her hair and eyes were blue now, and her skin was a pale white. Now, she was the spitting image of her mother, and she couldnt help but look in a mirror fondly.

Groaning at her nags recrimination, Nessa began creating mirrors of ice, and creating a mist surrounding the boss. Her allies continued to pummel the enemy, holding him in place as she prepared her most powerful attack.

Her katana was ready to be drawn, as she gathered her Qi into it, and they reduced the bosss health further.

It was still a shock that the Framework aided her by connecting to her dead grandmother. Her mother had become a spirit of an ancient frigid lake before meeting her traveling father. She rolled her eyes every time her mother told the story of meeting her father, the Norse gods really were sluts that would have sex with anything.

Nessas ancestor, the one speaking in her mind, was a sort of water serpent. How one could become a spirit of a lake from that was beyond Nessa.

Her ancestor chuckled, [With much time and much effort, I assure you. That said, do you think this warrior your father is setting you up with will be any different from these you see here? You should lower your expectations a tad, and just let your bestial instincts take over. When I met your grandfather, I wouldnt say he was exactly good-looking, but when he swept me away in his powerful, unending coils]

Nessa mentally groaned, I dont need to hear about two snakes getting it on! Its not just looks, but the feeling I get, and you know that. Then, ever since I was reborn in this body

Her ancestor paused. [It is true. Us serpents of the frigid lake seek and value purity. Both for ourselves, and our partners. Still, this warrior your father seeks to set you up with, how can he be any different? Didnt he tell you he already has several mates? Just how pure could he be?]

Nessa felt a mental smirk coming from her serpent familiar. [Surely, youve met other warriors pure of heart? Well, once weve won this world, we should be able to communicate with your fathers contact once more. Im curious, what does my son-in-law, Tyr, look like in the reflection?]

Father looks like most Divine that allow me to seean embodiment of his Eternal Essence. He is the personification of truth and justice, of strength and war. Divines forms are perfection, or just as they choose them to be. The rest obscure themselves, but father and his allies are all the same. Regarding warriors pure of heart, they do exist. But they are either too weak or already taken and monogamous, or otherwiseincompatible with me. Father assured me this child of the void would be passable under my gaze, and properly strong and heroic to match his number of wives.

[Passable like that odd fellow in the Battlegroup that likes to position himself behind you, like that somehow obscures him? He wont even stand in your lake, his distrust of you is obvious. That one feels dangerous.]

Nessa was well aware of the interloper. As a daughter of Tyr who inherited a portion of his essence, a permanent War Games from his enemies made her ever-wary. Her first death was a stark reminder, and now she was ever careful.

It was clear this man wore an artifact, which blocked her trait and made him seem without flaw. However, the artifact wasnt perfect, and she could feel something about him was wrong.

She knew that the man had positioned himself and his allies to take her Merit for this Greater Rift, otherwise, he wouldnt bother joining.

Rising through Foundation Establishment rapidly thanks to her ancestor, her Guild had paced itself to take ownership of this Contested Fringe World.

However, Loki, Ares, and their allies had a vendetta against Tyr for never backing down on their wrongdoings. They would doubly move against any of his actions and interests, denying him any resources within the Sector.

After all, each world obtained was a part of the grand games war chest. Recruits, research on equipment and magical technology, resources for crafting, and most importantly: planets for leverage in War Trials brought guilds and alliances to higher stages of the conflict.

Without many worlds or more powerful ones, Nobles would be relegated to following under anothers banner. Then, they would not be able to obtain the main prize, ownership of the Sector itself.

The mans presence bothered Nessa. Even if he somehow could slay her and take credit for the Greater Rift, it was against the accords. If any of her people survived, they could call for judgement from the council.

[Looks like you have some turncoats in your midsts, or perhaps you might call them fence sitters. If the interloper slays you, they will side with him and murder the rest. It appears that your allies arent as trustworthy as you once thought.]

Nessa grimaced, as her mirrors finished forming underwater. Could Loki and Ares really be holding something over enough of the people present?

She had carefully selected warriors to join her Guild from among the Norse here on Vanirland, and the idea that enough would go along with an attack so blatant was more than a little concerning.

Unfortunately, even doing so, she couldnt come up with enough strong warriors for the Greater Rift, and this was why he had to take the extra party.

Ready to launch her attack, Nessa smirked. While she was wary from her previous death, she had some pride in her strength now. If she faced her previous self, she would have no difficulties defeating her easily. This child of Loki or Ares would underestimate her, and

Her ancestor chuckled, [Be careful, child. You have grown, and you have every reason to be proud of your strength. But betrayers are cowards, and only attack when they are sure of victory. You have held back and hid your strength, but you are not the only one with special means. If youll listen to this old nag, pretend any opening is a trap.]

Properly chastised, Nessa finished channeling her frigid energy into her blade. Despite the ground being only a thin layer of water around their feet, her body began sinking into the water.

Within a moment, her entire body was submerged within her lake, a separate space. Feeling at home and as one with her lake, she closed her eyes and took one breath of time to gather her focus.

Ever since awakening her bloodline, she had felt truly at home within the water. Nessa knew it was some water serpent thing, but it being a part of her felt truly special. Something about it resonated with her, and she desired to explore the feeling further.

Before, she had lived only for justice as her father desired and ordered, and her lake she cultivated was like a sliver of heaven she carved for herself.

I already know your trick, so come out with it.

She smirked. He hardly knew anything she was capable of. Three larger serpents of ice congealed and rose from the surrounding lake, enhanced by her bloodline. Surprised, he dashed in one direction to retreat, but she already had him surrounded.

One shifted into that of her, the clone she invested in.

Got you, he said with a sneer as he planted his feet. With a flick of his spear, the spear of light pierced her clone right through her chest, where her heart would be.

But her form was still connected to the water, to the lake. It shifted, its body still fluid like water. The serpent continued, even as his leg and shoulder were bitten by the other frozen serpents. He had a look of shock on his face, as she swung her Qi-infused katana to behead him.

Just as her strike was about to land, reality appeared to twist. Something changed as if by his will, and a woman appeared in his place. It was one of his girls that was just as shocked as Nessa was, and the teleported woman was beheaded instead.

A beam of light from Avarons spear collided with her other mirror, shattering it. Her clone started losing its form, falling into the water.

Astalder looked over doubtfully at the dead valkyrie, then to Avaron. He looked more than a little unimpressed. Wow, that was close, huh boss?

Avaron looked pissed, likely having to activate either a divine trait, or an artifact to accomplish his feat. If it were the former, he would likely be unable to use it again for weeks or months at this tier, with something so active. The latter, she doubted he had more than one, the item likely being single use.

Frost was spreading on him, but her lake was about to fall apart. From her space with no mirrors, she could not see wellbut she had prepared. Her scattered mirror shards allowed her to watch from underneath his allies, which he appeared to have swapped places to arrive at.

He was now standing in her water, and something within her stirred. She wanted to bring him to justice. Just as much, if not more than that feeling, was wanting his tainted body out of her pristine lake.

Nessa would defend her home tooth and nail against her enemy, for disturbing the purity of it.

She gathered the last of her Qi, a serpent of water coming at him from the front. Unsurprisingly, his allies moved to block, while one healed him and removed the frost digging into his body. Additionally, a layer of light covered his body from Avarons magic, as if protecting him.

Nessa infused the power welling up inside her into her weapon, her will to purge this evil weighing against reality, altering it. She stabbed her blade out with a jet of water from one of the shards beneath him, piercing through his barrier and into his heart from behind.

His face twisted in shock and hatred, and despite a blade through his heart with frost spreading, he still managed to speak. You! I will have you slain at every turn, you will suffer for

He scattered into motes of light, and she could tell that she was successful. Other blades pierced from her mirror shards at his original party members, not waiting to find out if they would honor their part of the deal.

It would tax her heavily, but her blade moved with conviction. They tarnished her lake, her home with their treachery, and she would bring them to justice. Their actions defending Avaron made them viable targets for her.

She sneered. So, nothing will have changed. Got it.

Her lake congealed around her, as she exited her space. While her blade had pierced and froze the remaining three allies, they were far from actually dead. The archer, warrior, and priestess still remained, though they were exhaustedjust not as tired as Nessa.

Huh, the kid actually lost. Not bad, princessI had no idea you had it in you. Astalder seemed impressed, but he raised his axe.

Then struck out at the archers head with his axe, killing him. Nessa was just as shocked as Avarons party members. You wont

Astalders valkyrie lashed out with a strong thrust of her spear, killing the other man. Finally, the two warriors quickly bested Avarons warrior, sending him away in motes of light.

The other party which had switched sides frowned, put in a precarious position. They had done what he had bidden, but now he was dead.

Nessa looked at him in question. He chuckled. What? He lost. Im not going to follow some weakling.

She frowned. Something still wasnt quite right. He didnt send you a guild invite before he died, did he?

Ah, shit. Hoped you wouldnt notice.

Her face twisted in disgust. A true opportunist, he only switched sides once he knew that the greater rift would be hers no matter what he didand once she won it, she would have the rights to the Prime Instance for the Raid.

Astalder clicked his tongue. Look, my choices werent great here. Believe it or not, miss truth and justice, not everything is in black and white. Betrayal is shitty, but I knew youd have bounced back. This world would have been saved just the same, and at least Id have known my kids would be safe from his stupid shithead guild.

And youd have benefitted.

And that. But I still have my own lines I wont cross. Ill make you a deal. Bring me to the Prime Instance, and youll have a loyal warrior at your side. I dont expect you to forgive me right away, but Ill even sign a contract, and work hard to earn it.

The boss was still fighting back, though her loyal allies had managed to wound it even further. It was nearly dead.

Nessa was angry at Astalder, and she didnt just want to sweep his crime under the rug. She wanted him to be punished, for justice to be served

[It would be prudent to be flexible here. You could use more powerful allies, even if less trustworthy ones. As it stands, you barely scrounged up enough talent to fill this greater rift, what more of the Prime Instance? Law and justice may be unbending, but what happens in a greater rift stays in a greater rift, right? He hadnt actually committed his crime yet, even if he was willing.]

Frowning, Nessa didnt like this one bit. She responded to both at the same time. I will think on it, I give you my word as a daughter of Tyr that I will properly consider it. Let us finish this first.

Sure thing boss.

Astalders rune priest cast a runic enhancement spell onto him, empowering him slightly. Red energy began to billow off of him once more, as he roared before throwing both axes, one after the other, into the cinder colossis chest. The two axes slammed into the boss heavily, sending the boss stumbling back.

Astalders valkyrie and rune mage each then cast lightning spells, which struck down onto the embedded axes.

The monster was stunned, and a coordinated offense was mounted against it from her Norse men and women. The creature died shortly after, the greater rift completed. She had won, and against that son of Loki. She was proud, but she was exhausted.

Dealing with the five party members that swapped sides, she learned their children and relatives were all but held hostage through various means. Blackmail, threats, general extortion, Avaron was definitely a sickness that needed to be purged.

They had been compromised, so they were out of the party, but she decided she wouldnt punish them. Instead, she tried her best to aid them, with what little resources she had. Theyd be out of the fight until she succeeded, but she hoped she could earn their loyalty instead.

Returning to her cultivation chamber in her Refuge, she entered her private lake within. It would likely take an entire day or more to recover from how she stressed herself, but she gave out a relieved sigh as she submerged most of her body in the dense frigid lake Qi.

She cycled her Frostlake Purification technique, as she drew in the lake Qi, but also the Frameworks rewarded heavenly energy from the Greater Rift.

Then, she used the Sinbane Frost Sanctification Scripture, which rewarded her for defeating such terrible sinners. The bloodied ice within her lake held the sinners taint, and it was refined away with her purity, as if burned by the frost. Somehow, this process resulted in a greater purity than when she began, a cleansing of her own soul by ridding the world of others sins.

It brought her immense satisfaction, defeating that horrible monster.

[You did well, child. I know you wanted to punish those betrayers, but it seems they were put in a bad spot. To bring that scum to justice, you may have to get your hands dirty.]

Nessa sighed. If she only took those she trusted, she wouldnt have enough to win ownership of the Prime Instance. Even with having won the Greater Rift, Lokis Guild was close enough that they could snatch it from her if she waited until she had more reliable allies.

What would father do?

Her ancestor snorted. [That rigid old man would punish those people even if it killed him. But you are not your father, and you are not Eternal. You are your mothers daughter as well, and like the water, you must be fluid. To be unyielding like steel would have you shattering under your enemys blows. Flexibility and adaptability will allow you to bend without breaking. Fluidity will lead to fairer outcomes, as sometimes justice blinds us to the nuances.]

Well, he would say that it sets a precedent, that each avoidance of righteousness allows chaos to breed. The beacon of justice is meant to drive back the shadows

[Yes, and thats wonderful for him, standing at the top of his ivory tower. But those of us on the ground among the mud and the shit can see that not all is black and white, its a muddy, disgusting brown. Be fluid like the water, and youll leave the world a little cleaner in your rivers wake.]

She sighed. Fine. Ill contact Astalder, and well get ready for the Prime Instance.

[Good. Now, you touched on something during that battle. I think it best if we foster that feeling]