Black Magus

25th of Trescia.

***

The best thing about godhood was that I could see. Through my Legions; through the animals in my portfolio; through the uncountable souls doing things that amounted to faith and worship, I could see and thus live vicariously through the people I've met and the places I've been. That, however, was only the beginning. That was not what it meant to be omniscient.

Omniscience meant I could feel and think alongside my followers in ways that felt like stepping into another body. A frame left on autopilot, leaving a mobile movie theater with a truly immersive perspective. In that way, I was with Hogaz when he found another curiosity spotted by Mani, feeling everything he did. Even if he didn't know it. The sound of his feet seemed loud to his ears. Louder than any steps had ever been before. He knew not if it was from the ancient limestone, his armor, him, or the divine link in his mind that allowed us to perform these feats. Perhaps it was all of them that made him feel so… lost.

Yes. Lost. And yet Hogaz knew precisely where he was. The western cliffs of Rhar, with the choppy blue waters of the Bodhi Sea behind him and the churning clouds of the sky far to his front. White stone stretched beneath his feet, reaching to the left and right for thousands of kilometers. He knew that. Yet Hogaz also felt as if he was… elsewhere. That he could not focus on, however. All he could focus on was what my silver eye spotted beyond the edge of the cliffs he was stepping over. All he could think of was the second to last monolith I spotted on the Bodhi Peninsula. And it was right over this edge.

I looked over the vast coast as Hogaz deftly took a knee at the ledge and hung his other leg over the side, then shifted his weight forward to turn what was the ground into a sheer cliff, canting the sky back to bring a sprawling forest of legendary proportions into view. Hauntingly thick, it was, with nary a path to take through the house-sized brambles and thistles. Not that it mattered, for his objective was standing in a ray of moonlight just before him. And the means to document it had become as advanced as he had.

The shrunken skull on his hip released one of its eyes to orbit the structure as he paced around it, emitting grid lines of moonlight across every square nanometer of the obelisk and its surroundings. In turn, Hogaz saw his vision light up with an illusory rendering of the object and watched its characters form in real-time as the scan continued.

I felt a strong sense of anticipation burn from Hogaz like a star and I 'looked' into his mind to see him preparing mental walls to defend against the waves of lunacy he'd grown to expect. But it never came. Not in the way he expected, at least, for those waves were but training wheels for the Imperial Lunarian Crown he was recently bestowed. That was not to say my Seeker was not rewarded, however. On the contrary, the powers of the divine worked subtly. A sourceless wind saw the passing clouds overhead shift the moonlight away from Hogaz's skin, enabling him to see the vibrancy of his tattoos and the blue-green skin around them shine before dispersing into nothingness. His armor disappeared, and soon his very presence faded from the senses of all things not divine. To be returned whenever moonlight graced his skin; or until he deactivated his invisibility spell.

There were still lingering traces of his lunacy, however. The crown of lunar tattoos wrapped around his head birthed imaginations in his mind that were neither his nor my creation. They egged him to do bizarre things like leap off the cliff before him. And so, he dove, thinking he was going to crash into the white waves slamming into the cliff. Yet, he simply passed through. With no resistance, Hogaz breached the water's surface and continued falling as if nothing had changed. But of course, everything had changed for the Lunarian Imperator.

The dark abyss of the sea was spread all around him and growing evermore as he descended to the rolling hills of the sea floor in the same way I descended to the Mortal Plane after leaving Eotrom - free falling. Fields of coral buried in marine snow were spread all about like the winterized meadows in the lands above, swaying in the waters that were more like heavy winds that bled a piercing drone into the eternal night.

Hogaz landed on the sea floor with a great crash, releasing plumes of dust that had been settled for ages to drift about him in a cloud despite the roaring winds the crown convinced him to hear. The moment of reflection allowed him to realize the similarity between this maddening sea and Mani's surface. Like the world above, it was a silent expanse with an eternally dark sky speckled with countless lights. Only the lights he saw were fishes. Fish and the Noctis Fleets. My 9th Legion, the Lunarians.

They appeared across the net as stars in his augmented vision. Clusters of stars that, if focused on, would balloon in size and emit streams of words and images that told him all about those inside. Other gray stars showed creatures just minding their business. But a cluster of red stars - the only ones of their kind - showed a potential enemy. And it was headed his way.

"Who goes there?" called a familiar voice. Yet, even I was surprised to see a blue humanoid in the waters above Hogaz; his kelp-like hair drifting lazily through the waters that I could not feel. "You?" He recoiled just as Hogaz and thus I did, yet otherwise relaxed. "What are you doing here?"

***

Zohnos Lagunath.

***

After the madness that transpired yesterday, I thought nothing could surprise me. Only to find the merfolk had migrated from the deep to the continental shelf, making my journey around the Peninsula that much harder. And now, my old companion in Apple Party was before me, standing on the sea floor, breathing as if he was on the surface.

It was not something I could make sense of.

Blue orcs dwelled in and near water, both salty and fresh. That much was true. But that was limited to coastal shores, lakes, bogs, and swamps. Not the open sea, and certainly not the sea floor.

"You?" was all I could muster. At first. Followed by a succinct "What are you doing here?"

The half-orc relaxed, shifting his weight on his heels while he chortled lowly. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I am going to Redagh to rendezvous with my... sister," I said, scanning the waters before continuing. "The mermen have been making that difficult as of late. And you?" I turned back to him.

"Ah." He rocked back on his heels; an impossibility in the water. "I'm going to the island off the coast of Chaulort to see if the pirates there want to become something greater."

"Pirates?" I recoiled, then took a moment to look him over more closely. Specifically, the silver caps on his tusks and the many tattoos covering his body. The most prominent of them was a band encircling his head like a crown, cutting through his hair and all to form a silver circle on the center of his forehead. "You look the part, I admit. However," I gestured to the large mark on his armor - the infamous leafless tree. "Is that what you are now?"

"Yes." He nodded. "And within these legions, I am whatever the situation calls to prevent needless fighting. We are the same as what exists in these waters. Pirates. Because only they can gather the pirates who plague these waters and turn them into those who explore and protect the World Seas."

"Protect the World Seas." I gasped. "Why, I'd never heard a surface-dweller say such a thing! Knowing your history, however, I know you are nothing but serious. It is a noble endeavor, Hogaz. The same endeavor we Tritons pride ourselves on. However - and I mean no disrespect - are you certain you are up for the task? There are more than mere Kraken who dwell in the deep. Storm giants. Sea elves. Atlanteans. Leviathans of old."

He turned his gaze to the west, where the rolling hills of the continental shelf stretched for several thousand kilometers before dropping off to depths many could never conceive. Yet, there was something strange in his eye. A glint of… silver.

"What did he do to you?" I found myself asking.

"Everything." Hogaz chortled weakly. "I wanted power in exchange for my service in the Legions. He obliged. Moreso than I could have ever imagined."

"I see," was all I could say. I could feel the radiance of his spirit, after all. That, and his connection to the great seas. Moreover, I knew Hogaz to be filled with goodness. Still… "I heard the rumors, of course." Pausing, I swam down to an outcropping and sat, staring up at the distant surface. "But to have witnessed them to be true is…" I shook my head. "I know not what it means. But I am not without understanding. It is like I said when I first met him. I am relieved he is a man worth respecting, and not a tyrant."

"Why'd you duel him then?" Hogaz asked.

"Pride." I chortled weakly. "I suppose Zarzok got a wonderful feast in that regard." I chortled. "Our initial interactions were not favorable. He is impeccable with his word and cannot help but hold others to the same standard when conversing with him. Any discrepancy, lie, or logical fallacy will be laid bare. Especially to those who call themselves nobles or royalty. Or rather, especially when they hold such titles. It was something I had never experienced. I was..." I sighed. "too prideful. Too protective over the seas, thinking he would tarnish them like many surface-dwellers. He pointed out my hypocrisy with painful accuracy. And so, I tried to teach him the very lesson that had slipped my grasp."

I turned to meet his silver eyes. "There is always a bigger fish."

"I see." Hogaz nodded slowly, his eyes fidgeting madly as he fit the pieces of my words into his mental puzzle. Then he turned to face me. "So then, what happened in that pool of darkness that made you grow so cold?"

"Heh." I chortled weakly. "It was only around a month ago when I realized it." I looked away- above to the towering cliffs to the east. "It was only when I recounted Winston Epeth's defeat and subsequent growth that it became obvious. However, it was not until I arrived in Rhar that I accepted it. Word had gotten out that Amun challenged Winston to a duel because of his bullying habits, whereas only my sister witnessed the challenge. Everyone saw Winston's defeat whereas no one saw mine, save maybe the Headmaster. Not only that, Winston was defeated by Amun himself, whereas I was defeated by his minions - his rat and elephant of darkness, and his undead. Winston drew his blood whereas I could not scratch him."

I paused, waiting for this silver gaze to fall back to me so he could feel the words as much as he heard them. "Either way, it was no contest. My pride as High Prince of the Ettrainyar Dominion would have been shattered had Class 999, the denizens of the Peninsula, and beyond witnessed such a thing. I probably would have taken up the crown and devoted myself to war, becoming the very tyrant I did not want to see in him. Had I not seen Winston turn himself around after experiencing those very things, I believe I would have. It was not until I met the Rharian King Corym that I accepted it, however." I found myself sneering at the sound of his name. "The elves of Rhar are sick with prejudice, pride, and paranoia. I saw what Amun said there as well. Those who would use a person's species, birthplace, or abilities as a reason to hate them without ever coming to know them. Everyone from Duccec to Jaimess was looked down on by all of them, including our classmate Zaos, only because they wore the mark of Amun."

Taking water through my gills in a sort of sigh, I calmed myself and looked into the infinite blue. "I admit, I did as well. Initially." I said after several moments. "Then, I realized I was the exception, given preferential treatment only because I did not join your Legions. They treated me as if I was an honored guest while they all but ignored the rest of them - ignored the fact we were all rangers of the Bodhi Tree. It was sickening. So much so that I wish I had joined the Legions, at times. Especially when Jaimess left King Corym with a rather satisfying warning. But," I sighed, "that cannot be. I have a responsibility to my Dominion."

"Well, at the very least, we can start over as friends." A voice that was not Hogaz's said. Yet it was just as familiar.

I was speechless but not shocked when I turned to see the phantasmal form of Amun, positioned awkwardly above the coral to peer into a hole. I was shocked because Hogaz didn't seem to notice him turn to face me. He only stared at me with a curious look while I shifted my gaze between him and his… God, holding his hand out to me.

"Or, perhaps allies."

"Perhaps allies." I nodded slowly, reaching out my hand.

"Then, I'll see you in Redagh after the midyear ceremonies."

If Hogaz was looking at me curiously before, he had to be looking at me with a sense of amusement once I reached out my hand to shake what he surely saw was water. "So you've seen him?" He then chuckled.

"And we see you!"

I turned towards Hogaz with wide eyes, seeing a coral-wreathed trident rising from behind him. Focusing on my own, I grasped onto the surrounding fluid, condensing it into a glowing point before sending it past Hogaz's ear like a tidal harpoon; and in less time, Hogaz drew a gleaming sword and spun, bringing his weapon down with a deftness I'd never seen from the likes of him.

Yet, it was not enough.

The gleaming metal of his sword twanged against the enemy's spear just as my tidal harpoon narrowly missed the merman's head, and in the next moment, the water beneath me began roiling.

I reacted on instinct, releasing my voltage to arc down my spine before stabbing my spear behind me, striking only water, for something struck me. Searing pain erupted from my side and I screamed, sending a stream of voltage down my ribs while my hands snapped to the needle embedded therein, releasing a cloud of blood into the surrounding waters.

The rich arcana around me flowed into my wounds at once, working alongside my bodily functions to where I could vividly feel - almost see the bloodied waters churning in the wake of my fleeing target.

Clutching my trident to my chest, I took hold of the surrounding water and drew it around my waist, forming it into a rapidly spinning ring before I let the tides take me through the bubble of red and into a writhing body of rough scales. Dull pain rippled down my helm, but I pressed forward, charging voltage through my trident as I swept the filth from my blade, leaving it to drift to the sea floor below while I stripped some nearby kelp into fibers to stitch my wound.

I was thankful for the witchcraft I learned at the Bodhi Tree, for it was an invaluable tool, just as Mrs. Licht said. Thankful, until a sudden realization grasped my heart and dragged it down to the depths.

The other merman was gone. As was Hogaz.

I wasted no time concealing my presence with my newfound perk, releasing a cloud of ink to swim up and survey the area. But alas, there was nothing to discern other than the merman I felled. A beast of a specimen with tiger shark traits and fins longer than my entire body. He was already being claimed by the bottom feeders, and…

I swam down at once, spotting a glint of silver where the battle had taken place. A strange earring with the same luster as Hogaz's tattoos.

"I was wondering if you were actually going to wear it." Came a tiny voice in my ear a moment later.

"H- Hogaz?" I nearly shouted, turning about. "Where have you gone?"

"I let the merman capture me," he playfully said. "Hopefully, he's bringing me to a party."

"They are from the Mob, Hogaz! The MerMob! You cannot take them alone!"

"I'm not alone."

"Y- you know what I mean!" I stammered. "The two of us c-"

"Look up."

"Wha-" the words escaped my tongue as my gaze fell upon a giant silver turtle with a bubble for a shell. And surrounding it were… "orcas?"

"That's the Moontear. My ship. Climb aboard. My crew is expecting you."

There was a mix of old and young faces across several species aboard the exotically luxurious ship; all dressed like pirates and all boasting the same silver tattoos as Hogaz.

"My name is High Prince Zohnos Lagunath of the Ettrainyar Dominion. We have been ambushed by members of the Merman criminal syndicate known as the MerMob. They seek to collect a bounty on my head. Will need to hurry if we are to help Hogaz."

"The Admiral will be fine." A stern-looking half-orc approached, nonchalantly waving off the situation while palming her stomach with her free hand. "I'm the Quartermaster of the Moontear, Janestra Briggs."

"Well met. However-" I lowered my head and was subsequently interrupted by her pointing to a vibrant pane of glass or a moving painting showing a small coral hut; an obvious safe house.

"He's already at the merman's base. We're just waiting for the order."

I shook my head. "What order?"

"FIRE!"

When the window screamed with Hogaz's voice, a deep thrum could be felt reverberating through the ship not a moment later. It seemed to concentrate above us before an exotic wail pierced the silence, ejecting a thin pillar of silver light to slam down on Hogaz's position. Utterly destroying it.

As insanely brutal as it was, I understood the tactic immediately. "It's no different from having someone rain lightning on me." I cackled madly. "How crazy you are, allies of mine!"

"You ain't seen nothing yet," came a familiar chortle to my rear. And I needn't even turn to see the silver-tusked half-orc beaming behind me. "What say you we accompany each other to Redagh? We're headed that way anyway."