Dark Matter Ascension

The female Astral Demon replied, clearly irritated at giving out information of that nature. "You, leave," she said as she pointed at the Gyanv. "This information does not belong in the ears of Dreamers." She looked pointedly at Jace, "But this one is not just a Dreamer, are you?"

Jace blinked a few times, "I'm pretty sure I'm a Dreamer. I'm Wraith."

The woman scowled, "No. I saw that blast from the tower here. Your foes were all destroyed before the golden shockwave of your Psykinetics. You're a Dreamer Demon, aren't you?"

Ollie? Any help on that? Jace asked in his mind.

Not a clue, his Wayfinder replied. Press them for information.

Jace let his helmet recede and scratched the back of his head, "Never heard of a Dreamer Demon. Is there any way you can see my Astral System readout?"

The bulkier, male demon nodded, "There are such tools available." He stood up, pushed his way past Jace and Wraktol, and headed to another room. A moment later he returned, handing a flat, rune-covered plate. [Analysis] and [Reveal] were what the symbols translated to. "Go ahead and place your palm on that."

Jace willed his armor to recede and put his Anathema Arm to the tablet's surface. "I don't know if this will work," he stated as nothing happened. "I have prosthetic limbs."

"Touch it to your flesh," the male demon replied.

Jace put it up to his cheek, and a pink-on-black screen appeared in space before him.

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Name: Jace Seren (Potency 1)

Emotion [Class Level]: Valiant [Crusader 2]

Talent [Specialization]: Astral Adaptation, Astral Translation, Valiant Crusader's Might, Crusader's Bastion, Hero's Arena

Essence: 890

Infusions: None

Gear: <TPSB>, (Returning / Adaptable / Fulmination) Nethaldrim, (Medium / Snowguard / Burnguard / Repairing \\ Beacon) Reaper Armor, (Thrice Judged / Soul Tether) Anathema Arms, (Overclocked / Lightfoot) Anathema Legs, (Terrifying / Sealing) All-Seeing Dragon's Eyes, (Anathema) Primal Hide, (Flexible) Adamantine Skeleton, (Reactive) NICIF

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"See? Not a Dreamer Demon," Wraktol stated. "Now back off, Mrishk." He looked to Jace, "Hold onto that. It is handy for showing who you are to other Dreamers. To prove your trustworthiness."

Jace put the object into his TPSB. The female demon grumbled and sat down, leaning back in her chair with that deep scowl. "Then how did you do it? Hmm? Such powerful Talents to wipe out an army?"

"Something from my Universe," Jace stated. "I am uniquely capable of dealing with Astral Demons."

"Thank you," the bulky male replied as he sat back down, "For sating our curiosity. To answer your earlier question, a Dreamer Demon is a Dreamer who has embraced the use of Souls as currency within the Astral System. It increases the rapidity of their rise through Potency, but puts the same restrictions of being a demon upon them. Namely, having to push oneself to stay on higher Layers at higher Potency."

"More power for a more dangerous environment," Jace summarized. "Seems straightforward enough. And there is no way I'm doing that. Nothing is going to hold me down or control me." He walked up to the table and leaned forward with his hands on the surface, feeling the rough wood under his fingers before he quickly re-manifested his armored gauntlet. "Now…about the vault."

The female demon replied, "In some ancient, bygone era, when the Astral System was made by…whatever made it…they also created locations where powerful, emotion-enhancing Gear could be found. We call them Relics." She sighed and pointed to the map of the city hovering above the table, "Those were placed by these unknown creators into Vaults all across the Astral Verge – different layers, too, not just up here on the first one."

"Most cities are built atop a Vault," the bulky male replied. "And none are near the mountains that lead to the universes above. No clue why that is."

Jace felt reassured of this new learning, but also had a weird desire to go investigate this Vault. "If you live above it, have you tried to get whatever Relic that is inside?"

"We have," the female demon replied. "But all who enter died. They face challenges – ancient tests to prove their worth. Only demons have been allowed to enter thus far – we keep Dreamers like you far away." She growled, "The Relic belongs to us, here, at Richter's Repose."

Jace willed his helmet to re-emerge and turned off his external speakers. "Ollie, we have a map of where this place is, right?"

Since you interfaced me with that detection platform? Yes, Ollie replied.

"Then we can get down to this Vault ourselves and see what is in it. Some type of emotion-enhancing Gear means stronger Psykinetics, I'd imagine."

Relic, use the terminology, Ollie chided.

Jace let his helmet recede once more, "Apologies for that. Well, thank you for answering my questions."

He turned to leave, but Wraktol put a clawed hand on his shoulder. "Wraith…thank you for helping protect our city."

"Sure," Jace replied feeling that warmth spread through his chest as the golden glow suffused his body. A few of the demons recoiled away – especially the female one – but the bulky male just grinned. Jace left and entered the stairwell, making his way down.

The Gyanv was sitting on one of the stairs, and glanced up at him, standing as Jace approached. "You are Wraith, you said?"

"That's right," Jace replied.

They handed him a metal sphere with a flattened bottom so it could sit on a flat surface. "The Gyanv Alliance Coalition would appreciate you giving this to your universe's leaders."

Jace held the weighty object in his hand, and Ollie began analyzing the device. It is an inter-universe communication device. Goes through the Astral Verge, using micro-tears in reality. Xera would not use this in our Universe, as The Cosmic System prevents such rips and tears. But we could mount it at the bottom of the funnel.

Jace nodded and replied, "I will give it to my leader. Peaceful alliance, eh?"

The Gyanv's mandibles clicked together, and it made a near-purring noise. "Indeed. We seek allies. Stronger together, a united hive."

"Fair enough," Jace said as he continued his descent and the Gyanv went upstairs past him. Now, he thought, I want to go down to this Vault. Heading out of the tower, he activated Void Stalker (Rank 1) and slipped through the city until he was right above the Vault's location. In front of a large stone building with a metal, circular roof. If I was a betting man, I'd say a way down is in that structure.

The doors were locked with a chain across the door. No windows were apparent. Guess I would have to cut my way in, he thought as he drew Nethaldrim and sliced through the chains. They clattered to the ground with a small puff of dust, and Jace went inside, shutting the doors behind him.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The circular building was empty. A completely empty room. Save for the single, circular staircase going down. But then he saw the faint engraving of runes around the room. [Forbid], [Danger], [Ruin] were repeated in a consistent pattern, and Jace tried to walk forward but found that he could not. Some invisible force prevented him from pushing forward. Fine then. Sword still in hand, he thrust it forward, and the invisible barrier shattered into thousands of glittering fragments.

Striding forward, he began descending the stone steps into the darkness.

Riscarn scowled. Arrogant insects, he thought, trying to go against me? With a wave, he dispatched another army. They cannot kill us in large enough numbers to make a difference, he thought as he stood up. Going to the window of his tower, he stared out over the expanse of his infamous city. The sounds of carnage echoed up to reach his ears, and the sweet, sweet sound of screams and agony filled his mind with visions of ripping flesh and bone.

The brood pits were operating at full capacity, churning out thousands of Astral Demons every few minutes. And this insolent species, these Gyanv, were plentiful fodder to added to the biomass.

Off in the distance, he saw the ships on the horizon. Familiar, and irritating. Tapping the Psy-Speaker on his hip, he spoke calmly. "Prepare all of the defenses. We have company. New flesh to rend."

Various affirmations came over the communication network, and he leaned forward against the railing, feeling his wings rustling – eager to drive him forth to join the fray. No, he thought as he pushed the desire to rip and tear out of his mind. I must be strategic here. No surrendering myself to the bloodshed, this time.

Jace reached the bottom of the spiraling staircase. He had activated Void Shield and Void Blade at their usual Ranks and Evolutions, delving deeper into the blackness which gave way to the white-grey of his augmented vision. The stone was rough hewn and had cracks, bulges, and was roughly worked over. He saw no further runes as he reached the bottom of the stairs, and before him he could see a short, stone hallway. Also rough-hewn.

At the end was a door. [Vault] was the only rune inscribed upon it, and there did not appear to be any means of entry. "Right…any ideas?" Jace asked.

Get up next to it and touch it, Ollie replied. I can see if it is interfaceable.

Jace approached it and placed his palm up to the door – but before he touched it, a pink-on-black screen appeared in his vision.

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[You have encountered a Vault.]

[Touching the door will transport you within.]

[Reward: Relic.]

[Suggested Potency: 3.]

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Jace pulled his hand back, his ultimate goal ringing back in the recesses of his mind. Save Chroma. Get to the afterlives. He took a step back and frowned. I don't need whatever this Relic is, he thought, my goal is to get down those Layers, find this Nethershift, and get through it.

But another part of him wanted to acquire whatever this Relic was. It had to be powerful, useful, or somehow good for his future goals.

Hey, Ollie stated. Do not get cold feet. This is just like a Complex back up in our universe.

Jace was about to reply, but he heard noises behind him and turning to face the stairs spotted that female Astral Demon with a group of soldiers – underlings. She couldn't see him, at least he assumed that much, as she just stared down the hallway.

"Damn. Already went inside." She sounded more frustrated than anything, and she let out an exasperated sigh. "Dreamers taking what is rightfully ours. We live here! They just showed up!"

There were mutterings of affirmation from the soldiers she had brought with her, and turning, she ascended the stairs.

She's right in a way, Jace thought. I'm just some random no-body to them, from an unknown universe, who saved their city and then vanished to steal whatever this Relic is. There was a sense of unease there; these people had this powerful Relic beneath their feet, had tried to get it, and failed.

At the same time, he reasoned, they are too weak to get it. What good is it doing sitting in a vault for who-knows how many thousands of years? It would be better put to use than collecting dust.

His mind made up, Jace touched the door. There was a sucking sensation all around him, and he felt something push him from behind – some phantasmal force that shoved him fully off of his feet. He passed through the stone door and was standing in a huge, square chamber. There were runes around the exterior walls, reading [Reinforcement], [Durability], and [Alter]. The chamber was smooth stone other than the carvings on the exterior surfaces.

At the center of the chamber was a large, rectangle box with runes inscribed around it. [Power], [Enhancement], [Reliquary] were the dominant words that were visible. An Astral System screen appeared in the air above him.

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[Vault Challenge – Activated.]

[Defeat waves of hostiles in a variety of environments.]

[Waves remaining: 3.]

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Jace activated his Crusader's Bastion, Hero's Arena, and made sure he had a Dark Energy Mine on his chest, ready to be activated. The room began to shift – the stone all around altering as the reliquary at the center of the chamber sank into the floor. Within mere moments, he was standing inside of a large, underground cave. A small amount of light reached his eyes thanks to some glowing moss on the walls, and he saw his reflection in a very shallow pool of water beneath.

A black sphere appeared in front of him. Three times as tall as him, and easily fifteen feet across. It vanished a split-second after it appeared, and where it once stood was an enormous creature that sent shivers down his spine. A six-legged monstrosity, bristling with sinew and spikes of sharpened bone that jutted up out of the ragged flesh. There was a face – roughly humanoid, but mixed with some type of bovine creature with horns, permanently fixed into a look of horror and misery. There was a large, horizontal mouth under the head that was serrated with razor-sharp teeth.

A deep, guttural growl emanated out from the creature as it lunged forward – far, far faster than Jace could hope to keep up with. He barely had the edge of his shield in the way before the creature slammed him with one of its gangly, spiked limbs that bristled with neon-orange energy. It sent him careening into the wall. Thankfully, the impact was negated by the Void Shield, and Jace landed on his feet. But where that blade had slammed into his shield, it had been heavily damaged, and he had to commit energy to rebuild it.

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[Foe that is vastly superior detected.]

[Shattered Limits enabled.]

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Jace activated the Skill at (Rank 19) along with [Single-Minded Fury] to double it again, amplifying all of his statistics by two-hundred times their baseline. Perfect for a one-on-one encounter. Diving to the left, he was able to dodge the headlong charge of the horrific creature. It crunched into the wall with a sickening squelch, meat and bones spewing from the impact point as it left behind a crater.

Jace got to his feet just as it whipped around, bringing those wicked spiked arms to bear. He was barely able to keep up with the creature, and he felt panic rising up in him as the thing began to score blows – stabbing down through his armor like butter and piercing his flesh. The Psykinetic covered limbs penetrating right through his Void Shield thanks to its higher Potency. Jace let out a scream of pain as he was able to get a good, clean cut across one of the limbs – severing it and sending it flying. The Void Blade and [Rending] began to spread from the injury.

Detonate, Jace thought as he willed the Dark Energy Mine to go off. With gravity removed, he used the armor's integrated Sliver Arc to propel himself back. Dark Matter Mending (Rank 4) [Vampiric]. The wounds that he had suffered were sealed up and cured, feeding off of the constantly damage over time effects that Jace had placed on the creature.

It turned to him, and its limbs extended far beyond what their limits appeared to be. Using those limbs, it scuttled across the room at him, and he was barely able to get his shield in the way as it drove a single, sharpened limb forward like a spear, lancing towards him and trying to pierce through. Catching the strike, he pushed his shield aside and threw his sword with Void Brand (Rank 1) activated. The weapon stabbed into the torso, eliciting a shriek from the creature.

Summoning the blade back to his hand, Jace jumped straight up – dodging another strike that came in horizontally – and he chopped through another one of the spiked limbs. Flipping around in midair, he caught another blow on his shield that sent him tumbling through the air and to the edge of the room. Raging Cleave (Rank 10), he thought as the figure rushed at him once more. Releasing a horizontal sweep, the spectral extension of Nethaldrim carved through the middle of the creature, slicing it in half.

The two halves kept coming at him. I didn't want to burn a lot of energy, he thought as he raised his hand. But this is ridiculous. Void Beam (Rank 3) [Limited Range]. The beam of white-grey flew forward and obliterated both of his foes before stopping just at the wall.

He felt weak and slowed as he crashed down to the ground, the entire room shifting back to the square chamber.

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[Wave 1 – Complete.]

[You have ten minutes until the next wave.]

[All Talents have been deactivated to facilitate recovery.]

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Jace felt incredibly weak. He collapsed to the ground, sucking in breaths as his armor felt incredibly heavy, his sword dropping from weak fingers. His limbs felt heavy – incredibly so, and he could barely move. Ollie's panicked voice told him all he needed to know. It just tried to completely cut off everything! No Skills, no Cosmic System, nothing! Even NICIF was shut off!

Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10) [Innervating], Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Swordmage Stance (Rank 3) [Astral Annihilator], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Siphoning], Edge's Intuition (Rank 5) [Danger-Sense], Edge of Possibility (Rank 3), Symbol Shift (Rank 1), Voidsoul (Rank 3), Eidolon's Persistence (Rank 5), Power Through (Rank 2).

Jace reactivated all of his Skills manually – the ones that he normally did not have to worry about, at least. As they came online he felt better, stronger, and even saw a message pop into his HUD from the NICIF.

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[That was weird, boss.]

[We got shut down.]

[We'll try to keep that from happening again!]

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Jace took in a deep breath and glanced at the floating screen in the air above him. Nine more minutes to take a breather.