Black Magus

Amun.

25th of Trescia, 1492.

Eotrom, Mani. The Eternal Void (Amun’s Domain)

Mortal Time: 7:31.

[The Eternal Path: Step 3 - The Mission: Complete.]

[Step 3 Reward: Transformation - [Demi-Eternal Physiology] - Due to your growing divinity, your being has matured enough to awaken as an Eternal Demigod. While still not a full-fledged Eternal God, your station remains higher than the Ascended Deities. However, your power is not yet equal to theirs. Like any Deity, your Divine Mana now radiates from your spirit, acting to affect the world around you in ways that would displease Deities and Mortals alike. However, due to your aspects of Freedom and Exploration, the Planes of Reality remain open for you to explore. Conversely, your aspect of Change has caused such reactions to your presence to be magnified.]

[Lvl 3 Reward: Transformation - [Diadem of Empyrean Facultas.] - With this Diadem of divine energy and eternal flame, any event related to your portfolio, involving enough members of your faith is opened to your senses. Simultaneously, your awareness is expanded to Omniscience of all that transpires within ten kilometers yourself, anyone who utters your name, presents your holy symbols, or any place your devoted faithful roam.]

[Lvl 3 Reward: Evolution - [Divine Sea] - Your growth as an Eternal has enlarged your Divine Pool to that of a Divine Sea. With its growth comes a tap connecting to the Eternal Creator, filling your Sea with the energies of Mana and Arcana. Through this, you can funnel Arcane energy, sourced directly from the Creator, into your Clerics, Paladins, Warlocks, and Clergy; and Mana, sourced directly from the Creator, into your devoted faithful. Effectively increasing the densities of their Mana Wells up to the Diamond Tier.]

[The Eternal Path: Step 4 - The Spread.]

[With the ranks of your twin clergies filled, you must continue your path towards perpetuity by putting your clergy on a path to test the teachings of your faith by spreading your glory. The Order of Worlds, your religion most aligned with your chaotic goodness, must mimic your actions of liberating and uplifting the oppressed of the surface worlds. Meanwhile, The Black Plume, your cult most aligned with evil lawfulness, must recreate your tyranny and appease the dark one aligned with you by spreading Twilight and Gloom throughout the Darkworld. Both must build new temples or sanctuaries in the wake of their travels. Thus they must be graced with sacred relics and blessings as rewards for their trials]

***

“Welcome home. Welcome to my divine realm of Eotrom.”

As one, they all gazed upon the strange environment of darkness and glimmering light, awe and wonder on all faces, save Blude’s mafia and the twin werewolves. Even then, though, only Etan and perhaps Wilson could truly understand the realm’s nature.

It had grown in my absence, or rather, with my evolution. What was once a binary star system comprised of a blue-white star and a barren world with many planets was now a star cluster, with that barren world at its center. Only now, the Inner Mani was like a white dwarf in appearance- a point of brilliant blue-white light but a solid world still.

Only a few planets bathed in its pale light. The worlds of Doyle and Olga were perhaps the closest. 'Perhaps,' due to their highly eccentric orbits bringing them as far out as the gas giant of floating islands: Bithisarea, the world of the citizenry. In reality, those zealous moons belonging to Opal and Zakira were the closest, appearing as polar opposites of each other; a Venusian world of dark clouds and a blue moon with oceans of blood. Ilium, on the other hand, was the closest star to Mani, followed by the star systems of Imperators Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, Lucia, Peter, Hogaz, Duke, and Elijah. Thus it was they who’d be given a special task once the Troupe had been addressed.

As for the many other, largely uninhabited stars, many were promptly aged to trigger supernovas to forge an abundance of elements for the Troupe’s worlds, prompting a mix of reactions.

“Some of you will be here longer than others,” I said, giving a pointed look to Etan. “Some.” I turned to Reina. “Significantly less. You all, however, will spend ample time with me and each other throughout your years here. Because here, I am omnificent, omnipotent, and all the other omni’s there are.

"Now, first thing’s first.” I paused, snapping divine wise rocks before the Troupe and their many subordinates. “Your homes. They will be worlds, woven within this system. In turn, your subordinates are to weave moons around your worlds, for they will become your domains. The materials and creatures within will take on your essence and adapt to thrive in those conditions. Moreover, whether they be your enemies, casualties of war, victims of collateral damage, or anyone you kill, they can be reincarnated in your worlds with no memories of their past. On the contrary, whether they be your allies, subordinates, or strangers you’ve befriended and blessed, they’ll be resurrected in your worlds.

“You'll learn more about the specifics in time. For now.” I clapped, releasing some divine mana to birth a clone for everyone minus Iris and Etan. “Go and raise your worlds. Rest. Relax. Learn. We’ll begin training in a few days.”

With waves and nods, they were led off to the various nebulae concentrated in different corners of the system, clutching their rocks to pour their energies within as they drank from the Divine Sea. Into the vast emptiness they were thrown, those stones, arcing through space like forgotten comets to bloom and bloat into worlds that put the likes of Jupiter, and dare I say Saturn to shame. Water worlds. Brown giants. Volcanic worlds of subterranean cities. Pestilent worlds with hollow cores made organic. Fascinating worlds, the lot of them. But alas, they were worlds that had to be explored vicariously through my Metaphysical Forms, for there was much for me to do.

So it was, that I teleported us to the 9th level of my layered world- an expanse of emptiness, filled with floating islands, big and small. It was on one such island that Zakira stood before a modest home overlooking some rolling plains, waiting for Iris to jump into her arms the moment her scanners spotted her. I left Kira undisturbed, allowing her to coo over Iris and her endless questions while I entered a spacious but hardly decorated living room, only boasting a sunken U-shaped couch sitting before a coffee table overlooked by a Digishroom that was promptly activated once we all got seated.

As the mushroom shook, a ring of spore clusters detached and rained across the table, leaving a curtain of glowing haze to take on the form of Eotrom’s leaders. The resolution was a bit like a hologram, albeit with full opacity, no flickering effects or static, and such a high definition that only their unnatural glow coupled with the magic radiating from the shroom revealed them for what they were.

Still, Iris thought they were adorable, making for a more than awkward situation as the council, Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, Lucia, Letta, and Giorno came to terms with my new appearance. Of course, the awkwardness only increased tenfold once I introduced Iris, Kira, and Etan to everyone.

“So, uh,” I muttered once everyone reclaimed their wits. “I’ve reached the next step of my Eternal Path. Divine mana now radiates from my body, changing reality without my input. In this case.” I paused, showing a dozen different perspectives of the morning event those gathered. “A beam containing energy from each of my domains is on a direct course for Maru. I know not what it will do.”

“If here is any indication, arcana will fill the realm and a lot of animals are going to evolve.” Jaimess chuckled; not from his words, but due to the small tengu ramming his chest repeatedly.

“I can safely say our mana problem is over and done with. Nearly everyone here has arcana now, thanks to you.” Rodin grunted. “The ones that don’t are up to a density of diamond.”

“That was a conscious effort by both yourselves and me.” I nodded. “Your faith was what allowed me to give you all more mana. Regarding this beam, though. If it’s anything regarding my ambitions, I imagine it’s got something to do with Maru, our Tree of Life.”

“Your ambitions?” Etan asked.

“Yeah, one of them.” I nodded. “The Marulean Tree of Life is long dead.”’

“Of that, I know. And so too do I know it is not my place to tell you who destroyed it. Although, I am sure you can imagine who.”

“I can.” I nodded, begrudgingly so. Fuckin’ know-it-alls. “What I don’t know, however, is why Zefroth destroyed it. Neither is that what I’m curious about, however. I’m most curious about the state of Maru, what led to its death, and the consequences of its demise. Aside from that, I intend to resurrect it. That was the main reason for my deal with the Bodhi Tree’s Headmaster. I needed a second divine tree seed.”

“And that is why you wish for us to excavate.” Silas surmised with a mad cackle. “Well, with the creatures you sent over, that’s easier done than said. The giant badgers, ants, and termites have nearly finished the job. Now, they’ve taken to building lairs with the extra wise rocks while the undead workers tend to the infrastructure.”

“I see. Although my divinity has already evolved them, that doesn't mean they won't change with the other creatures, as Jaimess said. In fact, it may mean the opposite. What they have now may attract what's coming. They could become hyper-intelligent, divine, or anything else. Or, nothing. A world could be woven over Maru and nothing else. Or both, perhaps neither. I’m truly unsure.” I nodded thoughtfully, then turned to him and Rodin both. “Do you need more undead? We have new types. Monastic fighters and a few of the magical variety.”

“Yes to both.” Rodin quickly answered. “The troops have taken to guarding the creatures since there’s little else to do. It’s served to boost morale greatly. Something they’ll need here in a few months.”

“That they will.” Toril offered.

Etan snickered at that, prompting many of the council to shift uncomfortably in their seats, much to his chagrin.

“I’ll be sending over some Umas, vehicles, and infrastructure in the next shipment,” Ed mentioned, flicking a packet of manuals and blueprints to Silas and the engineers of the Council. “I’ve made plans for proper roads and waterways to connect with the settlements we’ve made contact with. That, as well as some network towers and a sky port inside the mountain to reconnect us with Odissi and Deapou.”

“Related to that.” Roheisa leaned forward. “I’d like to propose our borders be open to trade and immigration between those two lands and ours. Specifically by constructing embassies for both parties. Not to mention, I’d like to recruit Deapouan and Odissian natives into my Legion.”

“Very well.” Silas nodded with an excited glint in his eye. “I suppose the time to meet the aristocracy of the Twin Empires would come sooner or later. Anything else?” He then asked, looking around the council before eventually turning toward the sound of Toril’s baritone voice.

“Only regarding the Legions and those attending training.” He paused to allow Rodin to peruse the data packet he just received. “This is our standard for the Initiated- those who have sworn in but have not passed through the Legions’ evolution ritual. You will receive the infrastructure detailed within this packet once Amun and the Troupe complete their manufacture.”

“Naturally, anyone attending training at the mid-year will need to be initiated as well. Moreover.” I paused to start a recording to send to the other soon-to-be commanders. “Because the Legionaries make a pact to join, they can expect to obtain a warlock class post-evolution. Noctis Legionary. To that end, I still have to finalize the class. At the very least, however, it will be something akin to the blessings you've recently received. Our subguilds will be our subclasses, with your Legionaries adopting facsimiles of your power.

"Expect a clearer picture of what that should entail here soon. Assuming the Troupe will be no different.”

“Understood.” Jaimess laughed- at his Tengu. “Likewise, however. My input is for the Legionaries. We’ve decided that the pay for the Initiated should be reduced to six gold, two silver, and five copper per week. Likewise, the Unranked, or those in training, will be increased to twelve gold and five silver per week. From then on, those in occupational training, or the Brains as they’re called, will receive the standard 25 gold per week. And the pay shall hence double with each increase in rank.”

“Very well.” I nodded. “Let’s put that into effect for everyone who joins after this first class.” Pausing, I looked around to those who hadn’t yet said anything. “Letta,Giorno, Zakira, Iris?”

“I’d like to awaken my affinity cores and evolve, if possible. But I…” Letta paused, looking at the children she took under her wing. “I don’t want to join the Legions.”

“I don’t expect you to.” I gave Letta a reassuring smile. “You’re better suited where you are. That said, you and Giorno, or anyone else in the Council can come to awaken your cores and evolve when the others come to train as well if you so wish. The skills you will learn there have just as much use in the civilian realm as in military life. Not to mention, you may need them for the coming tide.”

I ended my words with a pointed look at Kira, who only shrugged. “There are no worlds raised in Maru yet. But if anyone wants to become a cleric or something, that’s totally cool. If not, I’ll send someone over when a world is woven.”

“It may not take as long as you think.” I teased, then looked at the little one on her lap.

“Um.” Iris leaned into the table. “My creatures are made of metal and they eat scraps and stuff. Is there a place they could live?”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no place like that here. We can dump things meant for recycling if you’d like?” Silas offered.

“Well, I don’t want you to do that!” Iris groaned. “I’ll find somewhere else.”

“I wish I could offer more help.” Silas bowed.

“It’s okay!” Iris hummed.

“Hmm.” I chuckled at her kicking away atop Zakira’s lap and turned back to the chat. “Now, before we go, I’d like to tell everyone here of the behavioral changes we’ll soon see in our citizens. In short, this technological revolution of ours will bring about a second shift in the dynamics of life.

“Currently, the citizens are in a state of prosperity,” I explained to Iris, Etan, and the Troupe remotely. “No longer do they have to spend their lives toiling as farmers and smiths. Anyone can now accumulate wealth and assets, taking our citizens from mere workers to esteemed merchants and scholars. Not out of need. But from want.

“The cause is technology. It has resulted in the automation of skilled labor,” I said, turning back to the Council and the others. “In the same way the undead has automated unskilled labor, for example being used by the construction workers to haul materials, these sophisticated machines will fulfill technical roles. They’ll measure and cut materials and construct buildings while the construction workers take on the role of supervisors, adopt more technical roles, or drastically increase the scale of their projects. “Others may be so freed by this technology that they can run their businesses remotely and branch out into another artisinal crafts or fields of research. Many more people will take up seemingly mundane hobbies or begin adventuring and taking up sports. Perhaps most unsettlingly, we may see a sudden or gradual decline in birth rates. Especially as the life expectancy increases and more opportunities are made available once the Empire is fully realized.

“All of this is to be expected,” I assured them. “Unless our birthrate drops too low and we simultaneously have no influx of immigrants, it is not a problem.

“Most importantly.” I continued after a short pause. “Our citizens are now connected in ways like never before. As we are doing now, we can communicate and share materials and information between the realms nigh-instantaneously. It helps you members of the Council manage the lands without the need to gather in that room. It will help you, Rodin, in keeping our territories secure and our assets protected.” I looked to the grizzled Captain. Then to my vassals on the home front. It will help you, Giorno and Letta, find ways to help people and spread your businesses to lands you’ve never been. Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, it will help you address the needs of your citizens while you fulfill the duties of the Legions. Above all, it will help our citizens reach their potential.

“Part of the Troupe’s training, you see, is to form unique industries. Etan, for example, plans to have his subordinates create entertaining and educational programs to be distributed across the various networks.” I excitedly explained. “Recorded plays meant to inspire, educate, or entertain. Narrated pieces, depicting wild animals in their natural environments or a nation’s history. Technical lectures detailing some marvel or simulated practice meant to teach their viewers a new skill. Through these programs alone, our citizens can learn and experience the greater realms from the comfort of their homes; in turn, making them as cultured and educated as well-traveled merchants or aristocrats.

“The other members will benefit us in other ways.” I continued. “Blude, for example, deals in… luxury. Fashion, entertainment, wellness, she does it all. Freki is on the path to starting an agricultural revolution. Iris will propel our technology to unseen heights. And so on, and so on. All of this will improve our citizen's lives so much that they could make an emperor jealous. But let me make one thing clear. We are not creating a utopia. We cannot create a utopia. Our kingdoms will have varying degrees of peace, conflict, law, and order; varying levels of strife and serenity. However, whether it be the relatively peaceful worlds woven in the sky, the chaotic pits carved into the Darkworld, or the natural expanses of the surface, everyone is free to dwell in the place that best aligns with their morals.”

“Understood.” Silas nodded after a few moments of contemplation. “If that is all, we shall continue with our construction. I assume we should do so intending to be complete come time for training?”

“Eh, sure.” I shrugged. “The explored realms of Nonus are already aware of my divinity- those who rule do, at least. This coming beam will see to it that Maru does too.”

“Very well.” Silas nodded. “Until then.”

One by one, they disconnected or disappeared, leaving me with my little clan of a vampire and a machine-girl that I suddenly didn’t know what to do with.

Luckily, someone did.

“Come on, Iris.” Zakira heaved the girl off her lap to guide her away from our home. “Let’s give you the tour. Then, we’ll weave your world.”