Creation Online

Ring - 7th

Realm - Rack of Life

RACKEL'S POV

I had the mind to resummon that woman or girl and give her a piece of my mind. While I had overlooked her words as humility it still failed to encompass the extent of what she had done here. And I wasn't just referring to the landform.

For the long distances I had traversed, there was mist in most places and none in others. Towering tablets engraved with runes and symbols that I found both familiar and Eldritch, vines splayed and overgrowing on them.

Accidentally touching the vines sent me flying away and subsequent tests proved the same. Wisdom vines they were called. They how or why they worked refusing to come.

I crossed a field of flowers that formed circles and spirals. Timeblooms. Elder wisps tinier than even fairies flitted between these flowers. Past the field, I found a cliff with a crooked tree. Its leaves were large and had scribbles like texts on it. A ringing sound and blurring hit me each time I attempted to read from the leaves.

Down the cliff was simple rocky ground. No mists and no flora of any kind. Finding a way down I traipsed through this environment with my eyes open. There was no single design here. It was plain and open. Like a desert but better. There was no unbearable heat which gave it a plus.

I met the first life form there. A bird flew past with speed. I watched amazed by its feathers, colored and beautiful, a sight notable even from my distance on the ground. Then a screech tore through the air and I turned sharply.

It was a resplendent bird. Its wings were rainbows of color that dwarfed the other tiny bird. With each beat of its wings, I could sense and see the Akashic energy-like air get beaten away and drawn in. A trail of flames was left in its wake. Like a jet, it shot past overhead and caught up to the smaller bird.

A screech, a sharp attempt to duck away. It was useless as in the next moment the bird came away victorious. From here I couldn't identify it as it flew away with its meal.

I watched it become a for on the horizon before turning to continue walking forward. Xenon had been silent all these while letting me take in everything and only speaking to make sure I was on the correct path. The path to what he called the Monument.

I noted that I must have been in some deep bowl-like place when I finally found another ring of mountains that I needed to climb to escape this desert-like place. I tested my speed at that moment as I took off in a run. My staff was held like a spear in my right hand. The fear of what would happen if I forgot to use it when casting an Akash made me always hold on to it.

The base of the mountain was close. Just within view. I had a focused look on my face as I pushed myself to run faster. I felt little to no fatigue, felt no muscle burn or strain. Nothing. Just energy that I used to pump myself farther. My cheeks slowly stretched up into a smile as I surged faster and faster. The sensation of speed and power rushed through me. The wind beat my face and rolled off me.

I was almost at the mountain base, the tip towering high up. Even as I neared I wondered how to climb. 'If I'm this fast can I also make long and powerful jumps?'. The thought brightened my smile.

That was the moment it happened.

The tip of the mountain exploded in debris dust and rocks. Energy blasted in all directions while projectiles flew downwards and headed straight at me. My smile was gone, my eyes wide. The ground quaked as a large boulder, torn from the mountain crashed behind me.

"Fuck!".

Another quake, another. IT became a rhythm of vibrating ground. Then a shadow loomed over me. My mind spun through countless thoughts and ideas. 'Wizard Fire will just blast it apart and possibly wound me with shrapnel pieces. Alrighty Hold should work but...'.

The very large piece of earth was almost on me. My thoughts were not fast enough. My heels skidded through the earth bringing me to a halt, my left hand darted out and my palm faced the earth.

"**Almighty....". The weight shook me, my mind burned with intense high-paced calculations and I realized that even if I succeeded in catching it, the weight would wreck me. My Omnipotent Hand still followed the rules of force, action, and reaction. And as long as I was above the effects then my Almighty Hold could squeeze anything or carry anything. It was why the backlash of using it was greater than any other spell Why the ascension the demon had used to flee had knocked me out.

At this very precise moment, I realized something. This wasn't the mortal realm. There was no time slowing here, no invincible overpowered sensation. Here we were another set of people. It seemed the fast-paced movement or temporal slow we had was only a Vaustaris thing. We were just another race in this realm.

"...Push**". In that single second, I decided. My hand turned sharply and aimed at the ground between my feet.

BOOM!!

It ruptured and exploded in dust and sand leaving cracks. Yet it remained unmoved. Per the rules of push and pull when the object remained unmoved, the force affected me. I was thrown up and into the air just as the boulder smashed down in my location with an earth-rattling tremble.

Mid air I spun as best as I could to face the sky and not get smashed out of the air by a stray rock. Fortunately, there was nothing close enough to hit me. Unfortunately, I found what caused this trouble.

Two Behemoths. One was a colossal figure of grey, black, red metallic skin and markings that I recognized as the runes I'd been seeing everywhere. It was half standing on the scattered mountain large lumbering arms holding back the rageful wrath of an eastern dragon.

White and gray scales littered its body, each seeming to momentarily take on a different color and then dulling back as the dragon writhed and moved, white crystalline claws digging into the humanoid behemoth. The behemoth was silent weathering the attacks and dodging. The dragon seemed to be the enraged one spewing mist from its mouth like a dragon's breath. On touching the behemoth the mist sparked into flames roaring over its body.

Surprisingly, there was no damage as the flames burned and got sucked away leaving red glowing runes on the behemoth's body.

'Well, shit'. My mind trying to understand what this meant returned sharply to the fact that I was no more ascending. Gravity had gotten its teeth on me. My eyes searched around frantically. I don't want to know if I could survive such a fall.

Atleast not the hard way.

My eyes found another piece of debris. "The opposite should apply". With a smirk, I pointed my arm at the debris. "Almighty Pull".The tug as hoped backfired and I was sent soaring through the air and straight to the debris. The moment I was close to it I reused another pull and landed on the rock. It was hurting downwards taking me with it

'Almighty Push'. I shot off the rock gliding through the air like an arrow. I found the next debris and with a joyful smirk began a series of pulls and pushes.

I was as close to the two Behemoth as I could possibly get when the debris ran out. 'Shit'. I searched frantically for a way when I locked on the Dragon, its long rear end of a tail swaying violently behind it. I reached out with my left hand again and pulled.

I shot forward body aimed for the tail. A roar rent the air and I risked a sharp glance. The dragon was still fighting the Behemoth, but its left eye was turned, locked onto me Watching with its reptilian slits blinking unnervingly as I shot for its tail. My eyes widened. It blinked again then turned back to its foe. I exhaled in relief.

Something hard struck me from the air.

*

Ring - 1

Realm - Sol

The Realm of Life blazed with not only Primordial Fire but all other flames as it slowly rotated within its ring casting the brightest of glares across the universe and all 8 realms. Past the atmosphere of rusted red skies, and smoldering lava clouds, and down to the surface of condensed Sol Fire ground, the realm was a beauty. A hot and smoldering entity of immense power, energy, life, and destruction.

It was through this energy and heat that the five Titans waded, and above their heads buzzed their fairies. To Hellion the realm felt like an energy reactor, to Thorin, it was like his hikes up the mountains but with 10x the gravity. That is if he had been in his human body. Each time they would catch one all the other pinching and rubbing their skin, tapping the ground, or just inhaling.

The place was just too realistic it felt hard to get over. The five were spread out in a very common party position. Thorin dead center, Blaze covering their rear, Stryder was a good ways ahead but close enough that all had their eyes on her. Hellion had his left and Mera his right, each one a good space apart. Their eyes when not shaking with the excitement and wonder peeled the realm apart for the danger they sought.

To gain domains each one was supposed to act and behave in a way that would show qualities each domain would accept. But to showcase such qualities they'd first have to battle creatures. Everyone was eager to do so, none more than Hellion and Thorin who kept stroking their scabbard and hammer-head. Fortunately, their hopes soon came to fruition. In more ways than expected.

"Can't fathom how you can carry that thing Thorin". Mera eyed the large hammer propped on the equally large male's shoulder, its handle held firmly in his hand.

"Not to even get started on Blaze over there".

The clang of chains as Blaze followed from behind reached their ears and all three turned to look at him. "Hahaha. I believe I could have carried something a bit similar in the real world. Just not this exaggerated". Thorin chuckled patting his hammer.

"Wait, you are like this in the real world?". Hellion asked an eyebrow raised, golden sockets fixed on the larger male.

"Yes indeed. Of course I wasn't literally on fire or strong enough to carry Thorin's hammer. Hmmh I wonder, did I get a hammer cause I chose that name or what?".

"Must be a coincidence or something. Maybe the hammer was generated the moment you picked a name".

"Sounds more plausible". He agreed.

"Mera!". Hellion called. The female turned to him. " Is this how you look in the real world?'.

"More or less. Like Thorin said actually". With her answer, he turned to look at Blaze who simply grunted in affirmation.

"Okay. You're on to something?". Thorin gave him a look. Hellion just shook his head.

"I'm unsure but you, Mera, and Blaze already prove it. This is similar to my real-life look. Meaning the game improved some aesthetic and made us just similar. But why?. Why not let us create characters or something?".

No one answered. With a shrug, he just tapped his scabbard. "Doesn't matter All was forgiven the moment I received this beauty".

"Hahaha. I know right. I'm not a hammer guy and thought I'd use a hammer in a game. I mean it's not like my first choice, but I just love this one". Thorin stroked the hammer again. Blaze snorted in amusement and Mera laughed.

"We get it Blaze. Not much of a talker, still you ...". A flash of light and Stryder was in front of them.

"Woah woah. How'd you do that?". Mera echoed rushing up to the girl. She wasn't the only one curious and excited as even a reserved Blaze inched closer.

"I just...I just wanted to get to you guys fast and back". She seemed equally confused for a moment. "I ran and just imagined it I thought it would be so cool and fun and then I got a notification". She looked off into space for a moment then suddenly they could all see a box in flames hovering for them to see.

**Photon Rush - Titan Flash**: Stryder moves forward in any direction with explosive force, propelled by solar energy. She can leap over obstacles, cross gaps, or close the distance to her enemies in an instant. To close gaps Stryder must see her destination in her mind, allowing her to move as quickly as she can see her target**

"First how did you make a skill? How does it feel to use? How did you activate it? How ..."

"Hellion!". Thorin patted his shoulder. "Be calm". The titan took a breath and then focused on Stryder who looked flushed.

"Eh. Well like I said, I just imagined what I wanted to do instead of just walking back and front. I felt it would be good for me since I'm scouting and it would help getting back and front. Also would be nice if I needed to take out something fast without it reacting". She motioned at the box we could see. "And I got it".

"Hey is this how we get skills?". Mera was looking at the fairies above us. "You didn't tell us anything about this".

"Indeed. Skills are shaped by your racial Perks and personal perks. Nothing one individual can do can be repeatable. But of course, it can be redone and similar to a different degree". Tirsti chirped buzzing left to right in a dance.

"What do you mean? Like If Thorin could defend, I won't be able to defend as well as him if I made a defense skill?'.

"Yes". Myrsi chirped landing on Stryder's hair. "But of course, this does not dampen your offensive power. If anything, it actually varies your offensive".

Hellion was tapping his jaw as he thought deeply. Blaze looked from one person to the next with a blank gaze. Mera kept her eyes on Stryder like she held the secrets to beauty while Thorin stroked his hammer.

"What did you see ahead?". He asked his eyes not leaving the ground. Stryder who seemed to be interested in something in her records looked at him.

"A stream. But it's kind of weird. I don't know how to explain it but I didn't like it. It was like I saw something that I felt shouldn't be".

All eyes were on her again. " I think we should decide if we want to make our skills now or atleast learn how to make them before heading off. This might be imperative for combat". Hellion pointed out.

"Train". Everyone looked at Blaze.

"Well, I agree. Wouldn't want us working into a fight without an idea on what we need to do". Mera pointed out before eyeing Thorin in his hammer obsession.

"I think so too. Whatever this thing Stryder feels. Best we are ready to face it than fall fumbling".

Hellion was the first to move away. Then he dashed back and asked Stryder some questions before he left again. Mera did so too and Thorin. Blaze looked at her then turned and sat down.

'To have a skill one needs to imagine or will it. Must coincide with our racial abilities and personal perk, which means I can't do shit with water. I should be capable of using fire or light. Let's see, my perk says. Light Supreme - Hellion has the ability to control and manipulate the light lumination of the sun, its intensity, temperature, and even its other utilities'.

"We control solar energy. So I think I need to first learn how to use Solar Energy". Shutting my eyes I tried to sense or feel for something.

Hellion sat there for quite a while before he realized he wasn't learning anything. 'Okay. How about just using the skill? Let's see...uhm...". His mind began thinking of things he could use solar energy to do. How he could utilize fire or light. His mind stopped at the memory of the Solar Flare he'd watched when he arrived. The burst of energy and power.

He imagined himself doing it. Letting the energy go the sun rip through him or around him.

**Skill - Solar Flare - Gained**

" Eh". Hellion blinked. Opening his eyes he found a prompt for the skill floating in his vision.

**Solar Flare**: Hellion channels the intense power of the sun into a concentrated blast of searing solar energy, unleashing a devastating wave of heat and light that incinerates everything in its path**

'That's okay. So thought, knowledge, and willing your want is a requirement'. Looking at his right hand he tried using the skill. He felt it then, the feeling he'd sought earlier. Everywhere. He could sense energy everywhere. 'Direct it or just let it out'. He was unsure but decided not to risk anything.

Watching his arm he tried to direct it Light and energy flowed through his right hand and up to his palm.

He felt the searing heat and pressure from it. It didn't burn him that much, it was like warm water but it was the pressure that brought problems. It felt like holding a wild child. Facing his palm away from the Pantheon he willed the energy out and then thrusted his hand forward instinctively. A bright torrent of fiery brilliance streaked from his hands and to the distant ground.

Even from a distance, he could sense the rumble of the ground and the multi-detonations of force and pressure as the energy struck.

**Solar Flare - Sunfire Surge**: Hellion gathers solar energy in his hands, releasing it in a sudden burst that creates a fiery explosion upon impact. This skill deals damage to enemies in a small area around the target, scorching them with intense heat**

Hellion eyed the description and then looked to the vanishing mushroom of flames in the distance. "That, is small?".

Hellion wasn't satisfied though. Quickly he decided to try something else. "If I can use that for an AOE attack, I need a single attack. My use of the sword is poor so making sure a hit ends an altercation would go a long way'.

The scraping of steel against the scabbard sent an excited jig in his heart. The black steel with fiery cracks was pointed upwards and held in two hands. Hellion shut his eyes visualizing what he wanted while still keeping the abilities and his perk in mind. It was like earlier, the energy rising within him. Directing and guiding it through his arms and up to the blade. He saw the blade accept it, visualized it, and willed it.

WHOOSH

BOOM!!!

'The hell'.

**Blazing Sword**: Hellion imbues his sword with fiery solar energy, enhancing its cutting power and range. He unleashes a torrent of blazing light that goes through enemies and leaves them scorched in its wake**

'Okay'. The sword was wreathed in golden red fire. Hellion could feel the heat and warmth from it so close to his nose. 'A burning sword is good but not that good. The fire will simply burn them a bit. Wait...if we're on the Sol and everything around us is ablaze won't our enemies have some sort of fire resistance as well'. He didn't understand it but he didn't want his attacks dependent on just flames. 'No'. While it was unclear how the realm worked he had the thought that either fire strength or something like that would determine a winner from a loser.

'So, I want a brighter, harsher and hotter flame'. Shutting his eyes again he imagined the blade hotter than anything he could imagine. He saw the blade as not just a wreath of fire but like steel fresh from the forge, yet to be cooled but unaffected by the hes6 it held and he willed it.

The flames around the blade were sucked into the steel. Then a blinding light replaced it. The light spilled from the cracks and made the sword seem more radiant. He could sense the smoldering heat around the blade, especially the edges.

**Blazing Sword - Solar Blade Strike**: Hellion infuses his sword with solar energy making the blade have a powerful slashing attack that cuts right through anything like hot knife through butter due to its intense light heat This skill deals a single lethal damage to enemies upon slash, stab or nick, leaving them with lingering burns or fatal wounds hard to heal from the blade's searing heat**