Black Magus

Executor Muirenn Snyder.

First Officer of the 7th Legion.

Species: Half-High Elf/Human.

Age: 29.

25th of Trescia, 1492.

Rhar Kingdoms, Rharian Mountains. Altitude: 2,605 m.

06:30.

***

We found the end of the divine path set before us with righteous diligence. Hundreds of us, there were. But only a hundred were needed to fill the Order's ranks if that. The rest would come once new paths had been revealed to them. Thus the rest of us were not of the Order as Lady Nyella was. On the contrary, we were of the Legio Noctis, orbiting the Silverskin Lady faithfully. Yet still, we worked on the other side of our world with righteous diligence.

As The Order's purpose was to use Mani's light and the creatures born from it to guide the lost on their path through life; ours was to use Mani's light and the creatures born from it to do as the World Weaver did and uplift the oppressed.

The Order's members who had grown close to the many types of divine deer became leaders, both in the sense of leading acolytes to the Order and teaching others of leadership. Ours became the Silverhorn Herd- a Holy Army of knights, dames, clerics, paladins, monks, and others.

The Order's members who had grown close to Mani's Moths became councilors who gave guidance to the lost who found the Order; ours filled the staff of our Oracles- divination-focused divisions of bards, clerics, paladins, wizards, and seers for all of the Legions.

Those of the Order who had grown close to the Cetaceans became educators of all things social, political, and economic; ours became the Blue Pod- a force of might that could operate in the skies and seas alike.

The Order's members who bonded with the Cephalopods became healers and therapists for both those they found and the liberated who found them; ours became the Weavers- a divinely arcane group of casters, witches, wizards, sorcerers, and mages-to-be, gifted with the powers of the World Weaver.

The Order's members who had grown close to the Luna Wolves, such as Grace Duffy, comprised the Bloodmoon Pack. Holy Destroyers made from barbarians, rogues, and rangers mixed with clerics, paladins, and artificers; made all the more divine by our union with those divine beasts.

It was as if time had frozen; yet it all happened so quickly. A single wave from the World Weaver's hand sent the woven worlds cascading into a line above the Mortal Plane. Then the Silver Eye blinked, releasing from its pull, a deluge of divine energy, matter, and beasts. They were before us in an instant. In my case, my eyes were drawn to a massive moose with light blue fur, midnight black eyes, and horns as radiant as Mani itself; where they remained for what felt like days until I realized a sudden change- I could now see myself from on high- from this divine creature's eyes.

With reverence, it looked, and so did I at a high elf of 29 years. Still a child, as our God was, and yet my rich brown skin was riddled with the scars born from a life of bondage beneath the heel of gray dwarves. I was still lean and lithe despite my now-enhanced health, but what was more noticeable was my light blonde hair had the same silver hue as my eyes; my eyes and the horns growing from my skull.

In an instant, that divine creature was gone, but through Mani's light, we knew what was to come before the ritual, and by his light, they remained with us afterward.

So it was that when the Silverskin Lady ascended and our God's Troupe descended, the Order of Worlds dove into a frenzy of documentation. In vivid detail, they used Moonlight to extract memories onto canvases of stone, paper, and entire landscapes. Holy tomes were added to as new hymns were composed. Offerings were made, rituals were performed, and through it all, we the Blooded of the Moon, joined our brethren in prayer as we witnessed this moment of legends.

We witnessed Mani's tears cascade into Crater Lake without producing a single ripple. Yet, Mani's glory spread all the same, preparing perhaps the universe itself for the glorious change to come. There was no telling how far it spread, for the silver light flowed into the very essence of the realm, feeding everything from the waters and stone to the creatures, the citizens, and of course, the Legionaries who explored it.

We witnessed Mani's tears run dry and thus we watched the world ease itself from beneath the others to resume its dance in the sky, and for a while, even the humanoids saw the virulent web of blue, slushy mana that persisted across the realms. On the outside, we watched that slushy mana compress and harden into the same sheen as the ice beneath our feet and grow to hold the polish of a fine gem. On the inside, we felt that crystalline energy be compressed evermore until the polish of our mana wells cracked and the energy within became a vibrant tempest of power incarnate. In the beyond, we looked through Mani's light to see thousands of similar arcane signatures pouring off the scattered Legionaries, and so too could we feel something divine radiating off of our prestigious commanders.

As if the woven worlds themselves reacted to such energies, they began descending in much the same way as Mani. Rather than infuse the realms with their essence, they released their matter, energies, and creatures onto the Mortal Plane, as if to ensure they didn't get left behind by the turning tide.

The first was a banded world of blue, black, and silver gas, perpetually tormented by storms brewed by the legendary Tempest Griffon. As the Jovian World of the 1st Legion, Ruthica Prime descended to look down on the Mortal Plane, spindly fingers of cobalt blue lightning flexed and spasmed as it reached out to touch the heart of Ligin. Her thunder shattered the very skies, forcing the nearby clouds into a flight that chased them far away from Bodhi Shores, almost as if she demanded every pair of eyes have an unbridled view of her sister world's prominence before departing to dance through the skies.

Another banded world followed. However, the world of Naubuuru was banded with forests, mountains, deserts, tundras, and ice-caps that made homes for spiritual beasts of an Origami nature. As she blinked, Naubuuru saw fit to exchange her energy, creatures, and the Legionaries sent to train there with that of the high-elven Vrurian Empire, focusing them on the western region of the exotic woods.

The third world had the most complicated name, for its weaver was most complex, as was his divine duty to the Legions. So it was that the Planetary Resource Extraction, Engineering, and Manufacturing hub- or Preem, released the second-largest deluge behind Mani. From the world of industrial spires covered in dense smog came a wave of divine energy flowing into various kingdoms. Its ripples washed away the old of everything, changing their roads, shifting their cities, and altering their wagons in real time. From the mechanical ring encircling the world, however, came a stampede of colossal undead animals bearing machine natures. Without words or orders, they flowed to the north, south, east, and west, positioning themselves to be found by those who would inhabit their spacious interiors; including us.

We sent prayers to the industrial world and its weaver as it ascended, increasing both his and our mirth as a massive moth with a metallic carapace of divine metals fluttered to the mountain beneath us; even as it rumbled, shook, and awoke with a feral roar. But our Uma was not to be celebrated this day, so we looked up to see the world of rich forests, sprawling oceans, vast lava lakes, and towering volcanoes releasing a torrent on the realm that saw the magma within the Plane roil. That molten rock, deep below, was like a cluster of rogue waves chopping beneath the bedrock. The surface groaned from the tension, giving a short warning to all attuned to the stone before it seized, buckling from the force of every volcano on the peninsula erupting simultaneously. Through Mani's Eye, we saw a deluge of crimson matter and energy spitting at the surface as if to object to the lava and ash clawing through the skies, and once such an insult had been unleashed, the volcanic world of Edinda ascended to her place in the sky with a satisfied glint.

As the 5th world, Brunhilde, descended on the realm, a golden glow was seen alighting countless individuals who met her gaze. On one hand, those few souls whom the world saw worthy saw versions of themselves heralding the dead to populate these glorious worlds; whereas on the other hand, those who already held such a title were pointed to the countless newly released souls scattered below; unworthy though they may have been.

Following the world of bronze clouds came Pangaea, a marble of blues, greens, beiges, and whites that sowed chaos in the realm below. From the world of elemental mana, ki, and divine energies came a wave that saw Extreme Mana Zones awaken across the lands. Zones of air and earth, of water and fire; steam and magma; mud and dust; metal and lightning. Exacerbated, these things were, by the massive Uma belonging to the 6th Legion, as it seemed to spawn more and more such zones as it dove beneath Crater Lake and disappeared beneath a colossal whirlpool of its own making.

At the most auspicious time, the world of our leader descended to shine her radiance on those below. The vibrant blue waters, the forests of holy silver, and the crimson essences of the beasts of our world saw to soothe their hearts; not by virtue of a sense of protection, but by a sense of wonder- a sense of inspiration to dream and follow the ambitions of their hearts, knowing Mani's light would show them the way. Moreover, we knew it would inspire the oppressed, giving them the strength to take action; or at least the resolve to follow Mani's guiding light.

As our Lolea ascended, our sister organization's world descended to shine her dark radiance on the realm. Occluded in a veil of dark clouds Nue Dracule was, but those clouds absorbed light and emitted it as an incandescent glow that left a beautiful aura around the planet. From those gilded clouds came a tendril of radiant-lined darkness that became corporeal as they descended through the radiant dawn to burrow into places both pure and corrupt. Bakewia, Brybs, Knighilia, Nevstan, Mazi, Kasia; Shujen, and more saw the slightest hints of Gloom masked beneath a radiant veil fall on their lands, opening pits that reached the furthest depths of the Plane so those much darker things may egress.

The 9th world was a place of turbulent oceans that were pushed and pulled at by the absurdly dense but breathable atmosphere that kept the surface of Oceania hidden from view. As its weaver was the second to be touched by Mani, the world ejected a miniature rendition of the Silver Eye and sent it hurdling into the distant Eastern World Sea off the coast of Rhar, where it impacted with an explosion of silver that flowed into the sea as much as it did himself; causing the waters to glow with a beautiful vibrancy and heed his words zealously.

Valoo, the final world of turbulent skies followed to bring back the clouds scattered by the first world; albeit at much higher altitudes. From those clouds came creatures of the air, land, and water alike. Birds adapted to long flights, mammals, and even reptiles with mutations to glide or fly. Colossal fish, squid, and whales swam lazily through the skies around them as if amused by their game of predation and prey.

The final woven world saw the divine moment end in confusion for the Bodhi Peninsula's natives, for all they saw was a world of golden hills holding itself above Crater Lake before it unceremoniously ascended. But anyone close enough would have seen a cloud of darkness fall from the surface of Nocturne. They would have witnessed that cloud of darkness avert its trajectory and skim the waves, crossing the lake to impact somewhere, or someone, in Shujen. If they possessed the means to see through magical darkness, they would have seen the meteor of darkness impact and release a horde of vampiric, umbral, and draconic creatures upon the realm. But few could sense such things yet, and so they witnessed the divine hour end with the world's ascent.

The hour had ended, leaving us with great boons. Yet the work was not done; we could not reflect on them.

I turned to Lady Nyella at once, only to find she was of the same mind and already approaching me. "Mani has blessed us greatly." She beamed clasping her hands together. As did I. "Boons aside." She continued. "It has created the most auspicious opportunity for us. I will be going to the Principality of Chaulort at once. An acquaintance of the Silverskin Lady is there- another Vampyre."

"It should be easy for her to see the glory of Mani's light then." I mused. "As for us, we'll be going on liberation missions in various locales around the Peninsula. Our priorities are Mazi and Kasia, followed by Brybs and Rhar. Before that, however, we must get acquainted with our Uma."

"Indeed." Lady Nyella hummed. "I too am excited to see how Sir Edward's work has improved. I'll be sure to stay in touch."

After ensuring our connection over the network was secure, a quick prayer to Mani saw us go our separate ways. By the time I arrived in our portion of the world, the Legionaries-to-be had already gathered our items and Lady Nyella had already descended on her Moonrunner. Thus we followed, leaving the barracks and other structures for our counterparts in the Order, like my mirror, Lawrence Griffon.

Entering the Uma was like returning to a childhood home. A massive one, shaped like a colossal moth. Stairs built into the leg brought us into the city-sized entrance at the thorax, wherein a homely foyer and staging area waited to greet us, overlooked by a temple and witch hut in the distance. We took to exploring at once, finding a district with our quarters and all the other essentials scattered throughout the abdomen to the rear, with access points to the hangars, spell-launching pods, and other military structures in the wings.

Post-tour, we took some time to make our claims on real estate and become attuned with the technology crafted for our Legion, our newfound arcane power, and the divine gifts we'd been given to bring us closer to our soon-to-be Goddess, the Silverskin Lady. When all was said and done, mere minutes had passed in the realm outside. Yet every one of us was refreshed and primed to continue our work. Thus we gathered in the great temple of our new home for a sermon before relocating to the docking bays deep in the wings for the final inspection.

Comprised of members from each denomination within the Order, our Legion's corps' were carefully selected to provide support to the other Legions in times of war while retaining the means to wage wars on our own; simultaneously, if need be; not to mention to facilitate our overall purpose. Thus I gazed upon our units with the most pride I'd had since my liberation almost a year ago. I looked them each in their eyes, radiant with silver fire, as I inspected their gear, offering words of encouragement and scriptures from our God as I went down the line. And with a final salute, they were on their way, needing no words to convey their conviction to face the trials ahead.

The 1st Corps was that of the Crescent Bloodmoon. Led by Vilis and Riordan, members of the Silverhorn Herd like me. They were a standard light combat unit comprised of every class in the book, and like every Blooded of the Moon, they had been trained to be exceptional at everything, and bad at nothing. Of course, we all had a long way to go before we were true Legionaries. Yet they understood that this was one of our last trials before that ultimate test. With praise, they gathered in their round pods of metals and ceramics and were launched out to the lands of Kasia to liberate those taken by orc war bands or goblin scavengers and those unjustly imprisoned by the humanoids they shared their lands with.

The 2nd Corps was that of the Full Bloodmoon. Led by Alya and Fortuyn, members of the Bloodmoon Pack. They were a standard heavy combat unit that favored larger, heftier versions of the Moonrunner Lady Zakira received months ago. So too, however, did they have a burlier version of the 'powered armor' worn by many of us; modeled of course, after the legendary armor worn by the Silverskin Lady. With reverence, they eased into their vehicles and descended to the lands of the Mazi Council, hidden under a misty veil until the time came to strike.

The 3rd Corps was that of the Half Bloodmoon. Led by Volodya and Gail, members of the Blue Pod. They were a rapid response unit that favored weaponized variants of the Moonrunner. With them, they favored striking fast and striking hard, leaving our enemies with not a clue as to where they would strike next whilst also supporting the other corps with reconnaissance, overwatch, and surveillance. With pride, they mounted their vessels and raced to Rhar, using their divine machines to outpace and outmaneuver the wild elves and bring the humans they left to suffer to greater heights.

The 4th and final Corps was that of the New Bloodmoon. Led by Sanford and Castilla, both Oracles, they were a mage support unit who weaponized the arcane arts of divination and often merged them with other spellcraft, creating spells that attacked the mind with illusions and dreams rather than the body with arcane fire and ice. With humility, they took to the skies, flying to Brybs with the utmost haste to bring those who wished for a better life out of the sinking country and through the warring kingdoms to safety.

With worship to our Eternal God-Emperor, we saw them off and had our Uma take to the skies while we relocated to the Silverblood Chamber in the head of our vessel, wherein we gazed upon the boundless glory of our God, spread across the Peninsula until we were interrupted by a familiar voice and turned to see our Goddess, not in the flesh, but formed from water, stone, and air animated with Moonlight.

"Look what I can do now!"