87 Return of the Emperor (1/2)
In an unknown piece of land where miasma was abundant, Clay and Ryan appeared in a flash of bright light which dissipated in an instant as they appeared.
Clay was holding Ryan in his arms just as usual, however, the moment that Clay took a breath of the air in Alleucanth, something unexpected happened.
Clay could feel that something was trying to restrain him but was unable to do so. It may have been a law of physics in this world or another type of force, however it could not bind Clay at all and instead moved on to Ryan instead. In alarm, Clay exerted some of his authority to protect Ryan, however, it was to no avail.
He understood that this force could not bind him, however, he also could not interfere with it. Which meant that he was no where near the level where he could restrain this unknown force.
Having no power to do anything, Clay could only look in worry as Ryan was brought into the air, floating while the force had him completely wrapped. Slowly, Ryan started to wake up and the moment he did, he started to feel unimaginable pain. His bones felt like it was being crushed and grinded, stretched and remade. His insides were burning as if he was being cooked in an oven. Right after that, he felt as if he was being stir fried along with his bones.
Countless cracking noises resounded on that spot in that unknown piece of land. This lasted four days and nights and Ryan were clearly in pain, however Clay could not do anything else than watch over his son as this force was doing something to him.
On the first day, he was so worried that he even hurt himself from holding himself back from throwing a fit of anger against the surroundings. However, on the second day, he noticed a change in Ryan's body. It grew a few inches taller and his limbs grew less plump. Ryan was also screaming less and less from each painful sensation that he was experiencing.
Finally, at the final and fourth day, Clay held Ryan in his arms. Yes, his arms. Ryan had grown to the size of a typical toddler. He was unconscious but his vitals were normal, merely asleep. This gave relief to Clay as he sat down, however, as he was in the motion of sitting down towards the ground, the earth itself moved and caught his butt and shaped itself into a nice-looking chair complete with engravings.
Snap
Clay snapped his left hand's fingers and instantly, there appeared a golem that looked familiar to Clay. This was one of the household golems that he created to keep the Apollo's Lair clean and livable even when he wasn't there.
”Dammit! What was that force?!” Clay was not feeling as good as he looked. He was unaffected by that force, however, the moment they breathed as they got back, it came and put Ryan in so much pain to transform him according to some sick rule. ”I have to figure this out, or else I won't be able to sleep properly. For my son's sake.”
”Analyze all my skills and develop skills aimed at creating creatures through magic energy, spirits and miasma. If possible, create an energy reactor for miasma as well. In addition, I've been sensing the people of Claiomh since we got here and been hearing their thoughts regarding me and their requests. Sort this out and put it in a more manageable format.” Clay was talking to himself, however, his Ultimate skill put itself to work and did what was ordered.
”I can't move from here until I know fully what has happened to me since my ascension. Too many variables can lead to me walking blind. I'll have to revisit Evernight to meet with the Lich god again soon. I'll have to delay that for a while to understand myself more.” Saying that in a whisper, Clay closed his eyes and meditated. This way, he was able to visit the space in his consciousness where he could interact with his Ultimate Skill: Ultimate Comprehension – Akashic Query.
*Ping*
[Host has acquired Method of Ascension]
[Method of Ascension fully integrated]
[Development of Skill: Energy Reactor – Miasma is in progress]
[Energy Reactor – Miasma lacks component (Negative Emotions)]
[Requests permission to tap into the Host's Rage and Killing Intent to fuel Energy Reactor – Miasma]
[Permission Granted. Proceeding]
[Energy Reactor – Miasma developing.]
[Energy Absorption - Miasma merging with Dark Magic success. Integrating. Success]
[Energy Reactor – Miasma developed. Integrating. Success]
[Enhancing Creation Magic. Adding Coreless Body Production derived from Earth Magic – Golem Creation]
[Coreless Body Production skill developed. Integrating. Success]
[Creation Magic, Coreless Body Production and Necromancy merging process in progress]
[Artificial Lifeform Creation skill developed. Integrating. Success]
[Artificial Lifeform Creation lists the following basis for creation: Artificial Magic Creature, Artificial Spirit, Artificial Miasmic Creature, Artificial Solar Based Creature]
[Analyzing Contact with Unknown Force]
[Unknown Force shows traces of known energy – Divinity]
[Host has yet to develop or control Energy – Divinity]
[Host has developed the Stat: FAITH. Integrating. Success]
[Energy Absorption – Faith has been created. Integrating. Success]
[Analyzing Energy – Divinity in progress]
[Energy Absorption – Divinity can be developed from Soul, Faith and Light Affinity Magic Energy. Proceed Y/N?]
Clay abruptly opened his eyes from the shock he got. He was startled so much that he had retreated on his chair as if getting up.
”Divinity? Damn. If I'm successful in developing that, could it be that I can proceed to truly being a god? I wonder if I'll have to undergo another ascension ritual to ascend into being one. In which case, I don't have that means. No use thinking about it then. Proceed.” Clay sat properly again and closed his eyes to meditate. Inside his consciousness, he saw the line of words that his Ultimate Skill was processing again.
[Energy Absorption – Divinity created. Integrating. Success]
[Analyzing Energy – Demonic in progress]
[Energy Absorption – Demonic can be developed from Soul, Miasma and Dark Affinity Magic Energy. Proceed Y/N?]
[Permission Granted. Proceeding]
[Energy Absorption – Demonic created. Integrating. Success]
[Host's Physical body can be enhanced. Proceed Y/N?]
[Permission Granted. Proceeding]
[Body Enhancement Failed. Retry.]
[Body Enhancement Failed. Possible cause: Lacking Stats in STR, INT, MGC, DEX]