92 20 Years (2/2)

The one who halted Clay explained.

”Regardless, my name is Toka. I am captain of the patrolling squadron behind me. Please identify yourself and where you come from.”

Hearing him introduce himself. Clay could not help but also introduce himself cordially.

”My name is Clay. I come from Evernight just two planets over from the same Solar System. How do you do?”

!!!

Hearing Clay's origin, the captain calling himself Toka was surprised a look of admiration flashed in his eyes.

”Amazing!” Toka exclaimed.

”We shall hold you under monitoring, but you are welcome to enter our city of Shingle. I welcome you on behalf of our people.” Toka gave Clay a warm welcome and commanded one of his subordinates to lead Clay into the city of Shingle.

”A small city, from its name, Shingle. Hope I can find some clues here on this planet.”

***

Hearing that a foreigner came who originated from Evernight, a lot of big names in the city came to Clay to ask him about his origins and how Evernight was these days.

Clay answered them positively and told them that humans in Evernight had been given back the Sun and that they were thriving to survive even during constant danger from the undead at night.

After answering their questions, Clay also asked his own.

”Do you have any idea of other planets in this galaxy where I can travel? I am on a journey to find myself and want to go beyond my limits in traveling. It would be great if you can point me in the right direction.”

After his question, the bigwigs of this city were thinking. Then they gave him their answer.

”We have to admit, even we are clueless as to other civilizations in the galaxy. As you may have already gathered from our inquiries, we are but former people of Evernight who escaped from there before the whole world was fully engulfed in darkness. That was some hundred years ago.

”We have been here for many generations already and our struggles to survive in this world was arduous and mind-breaking as well. Some even regretted coming here but look at us now.

”To answer your question. We are not aware of any other planet that may contain life in our Solar System as you put it. We are not as knowledgeable as you may think we are.

”After all, we come from the same origins. What we know, you may also already know. I'm sorry to be unable to give you the answer you're looking for.”

Clay listened to them and started to contemplate. After waiting for the speaker to finish in silence, he said,

”No, don't apologize. I only had some hope you would be able to point me in the right direction. However, to thank you for your hospitality, I wish to grant you a gift. What I am giving you, is a way to go back and forth from Evernight to this place you now call home. You can decline if you don't want- ”

Before Clay finished speaking, some of the bigwigs already jumped at the offer in fear of Clay changing his mind!

”No, no, no, no! Of course, we would gratefully accept your gift, oh generous one! We accept! We Accept!”

Hearing them accepting his offer. He immediately asked for an appropriate place he can make a magic array on.

”A grand hall, would be preferable.” Clay added.

Hearing his advice, the bigwigs immediately brought him to what looked like a place of entertainment. Like a grandstand. The place was big, and the surrounding area was a bit secluded.

Without further ado, Clay started engraving a runic magic array using the Olden gods Language.

He finished the elaborate and intricate work after 3 hours of meticulous engraving. Then finally, the finishing touch was to set a cost for each use.

This array would open a gate in Evernight's largest human city. At the center of the training grounds. He did this so that the people there would be able to fully educate their visitors of the rules that they had to follow as well as be received properly.

Before activating the runic magic array, Clay warned them to keep quiet about who made it possible for them to travel between planets. He told them that they can study the runes and copy it later but did not recommend it. After all, it was dangerous. Saying their thanks, Clay went out of their well-built city where not even a speck of water can come inside through the vacuum-like environment inside.

He swam out of the water and started to contemplate what he was supposed to do now. Lost in thought, Clay tried to refocus and flew out of the planet in mere seconds only to find himself out of the current solar system and into another one. This time, he stayed inside the Sun of a new Solar System.

There, he contemplated his next moves. Being without direction was after all not ideal.

***

Clay was at a loss where to go, when he remembered that he could also ask some other beings about gaining more power. For example, the spirits!

Spirits were what made spirit magic possible for anyone with affinity towards them like Isaac.

”Damn! How could I have forgotten about the spirits! Even the Spirit King, Agni, invited me to have a feast with him a long time ago!”

”Let me just summon him again then?!” Clay exclaimed.

After doing the ritual summoning, the flames of the Sun and its heat seemed to intensify under the influence of Spirit King Agni. When he saw Clay looking up at himself, he was surprised and indignant, because he clearly remembered something unpleasant!

”How dare you human! You dare to renege on the promise we made when you first summoned me?! I ought to kill you right now!”

Angrily shouted Agni as he brought his giant face closer to Clay's.

Feeling the anger of Agni, Clay thought about their agreement that he had clearly forgotten as well.

”I promised him to bring him a contract worthy of his power. I had in mind to let Mor have him as his spirit, but I forgot about it. Shit!”

Clay thought hard and almost face palmed himself.

”I apologize King Agni; I seem to have forgotten about it. However, today, I can fulfill your requirements and become your contract! What do you say?” Clay wanted to at least alleviate the King's temper by offering himself.

”You are indeed adequate, but why did you take so long to realize this?” Agni clearly wasn't questioning Clay, rather, he was mumbling to himself like a pouting child.

”Please accept my sincerest apologies and please make a contract with me. This way, we can converse properly!” Clay proposed and hoped that it was not too late for them both. After all, they were alike in the sense that fire and heat were their affinities.

”Damn you! Fine! I shall make a contract with you now. After which we will have a feast! After all, it had been so damn long since I could fight to the fullest! Har Har Har Har!”

The Sprit King, Agni laughed out loud and immediately started the contract forming ceremony for him.

Each Spirit King had some form of ceremony to accept others as their contracted. Kings were lofty after all and not just anyone can gain their favors. Agni's contract ceremony was the most lively of all as he would take his potential contract to the Spirit Realm and fight with the potential contract.

Once the fight is started, it had to be finished by either one surrendering. The type of contract formed then would depend on who won the battle. If Agni wins, he'll be the master and he'll keep Clay in the Spirit Realms, however, if Clay won, he'd be the master and he can keep Agni at his beck and call wherever I the mortal plane.

What Clay had yet to notice, was that Agni was made in contact with on Alleucanth's universe. Evernight was not on the same dimension, as he confirmed with the Space-Time Magic he had mastered. The moment he realized this; he would flip on his head.

Without warning, Agni waved his arm and caught Clay in his grip. Clay was relaxed and not at all alarmed as he knew Agni had no ill intent. He let the giant spirit take him and transfer places, to the Spirit Realm.

When Agni changed the venue, Clay had not closed his eyes, but it was as if he was shrouded in fog which disabled his ability to sense or make sense of where he was.

After a second of staying still, Clay had found himself in another world.