The Reign Of Eternal Madness

Chapter 7: The Ascension Chronicles

Damon made his way to a secluded cave, the air thick with the hum of Ætherion. The world around him felt strange, unfamiliar, and yet there was a pull, a resonance that called to him. He sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his mind reaching out, searching for answers. As he meditated, he felt the energy around him—Ætherion, the lifeblood of creation—flowing through the air, the earth, and even his own body. It was alive, pulsating, and it knew him.

With a deep breath, Damon extended his hand, pulling a strand of Ætherion from the air. His fingers moved with practiced precision, weaving the energy in intricate patterns. A skill from his past life, long forgotten but never lost, surfaced in his mind: "Weaver's Touch" . His hands rotated in slow, deliberate motions, pulling at the fabric of time itself. The air shimmered, and a golden light began to coalesce before him.

The light grew brighter, taking shape until an old man materialized, his form radiating wisdom and power. His eyes, ancient and knowing, settled on Damon. The old man's presence was overwhelming, a testament to the eternal wisdom he carried. He opened his mouth to speak, but then his gaze sharpened, and his expression shifted. His eyes widened as if seeing something far beyond Damon's physical form. Behind Damon, faint afterimages began to flicker—scenes of a distant past, a time when Damon had walked as an ancient god, traversing worlds and bending reality to his will.

The old man's voice trembled as he fell to his knees, his head bowing low. "Oh ancient one, who traverses time and space, forgive me for my rudeness," he said, his voice filled with reverence and fear. "I am deeply sorry for this disrespect. I did not realize who stood before me."

Damon's expression remained calm, but his eyes held a depth of knowledge that seemed to stretch across eons. He said nothing, allowing the old man to continue.

The old man's voice quivered as he spoke again, his tone pleading. "Great one, I beg of you... save me from my fate. I am but a fragment of the past, bound to this realm by the threads of time. If you will it, you could free me from this eternal cycle."

Damon's gaze softened, but he shook his head gently. "Your fate is your own, old one. Even I cannot unravel the tapestry of time without consequence. But I will listen to your wisdom, for it is why I called you here."

The old man nodded, his expression a mix of sorrow and acceptance. He rose slowly, his form flickering as if struggling to maintain its presence. "Then I shall guide you, ancient one, as best as I can."

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– Mortal Awakening –

The journey begins in the unawakened state, where the body is but a vessel, frail and unrefined. Here, the first sparks of potential flicker, as mortals push their physical limits, straining against the boundaries of their flesh. Most never move beyond this stage, their bodies breaking under the weight of what could have been. But for those who endure, the path to true power begins.

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– Ætherian Baptism –

The first true step into the unknown. The connection to Ætherion is forged, a bond that ignites the soul and awakens the mind. Energy courses through veins, raw and untamed, as the cultivator learns to harness it. Speed becomes a blur, stamina stretches beyond mortal limits, and the world begins to shift in ways it never did before. Yet, for many, this is where they falter, their grasp on Ætherion slipping like sand through their fingers.

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– Astral Vein Forging –

The body is no longer enough. The cultivator turns inward, refining the pathways through which Ætherion flows. The meridians burn like molten rivers, reshaping themselves into conduits of unimaginable power. Flight becomes possible, energy projects like a weapon, and wounds heal faster than they can be inflicted. This is the foundation, the bedrock upon which all future ascensions are built. Without it, the path crumbles.

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– Void Core Ascension –

The soul itself becomes a crucible, forging a Void Core—a sphere of condensed Ætherion that pulses with the rhythm of creation. Elemental mastery blooms, domains expand, and the cultivator steps into a realm where they can suppress lesser beings with a mere thought. This is the stage of rulers and warlords, where power is both a crown and a chain.

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– Nascent Divinity –

The soul stirs, awakening something ancient and divine. The Nascent Divinity emerges, a spark of godhood that grows with each passing moment. Spiritual avatars manifest, their presence alone enough to shatter mountains. Divine perception pierces through illusions, and mortal attacks become as insignificant as raindrops against stone. Yet, this stage is reserved for the chosen, the ones whose willpower and talent defy the heavens.

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– Sovereign Awakening –

The cultivator ascends to the rank of Sovereign, a master of Ætherion whose very presence bends the world to their will. Time itself becomes a plaything, and endurance stretches into the realm of the divine. World-breaking attacks ripple across existence, and the cultivator carves out their own Celestial Dominion, a realm where they are the undisputed ruler. Few reach this stage, and fewer still can withstand its trials.

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– Eternal Sovereign –

Near-immortality is granted, the soul tethered to the Ætherial Plane. The Eternal Warden becomes a force of nature, their comprehension of universal laws allowing them to bend reality itself. Domains are absolute, sealing techniques trap even the mightiest foes, and regeneration becomes a defiance of death. These beings are feared across worlds, their power a testament to the heights of cultivation.

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– Primordial Sovereign –

The mortal shell is shed, and the cultivator returns to a primordial state, becoming one with the essence of creation. Body, soul, and Ætherion fuse into an indestructible force, capable of rewriting reality and wielding universal laws without restraint. New Daos are born from their will, and the universe itself bends to their command. Only one in an age can reach this stage, their existence a beacon of what lies beyond mortality.

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– Void Deity –

The final ascension, where the cultivator transcends creation itself. The Void Deity is a force of reality, omnipresent and eternal, capable of reshaping fate and governing the cosmos. Space-time bends to their will, rebirth is infinite, and existence itself can be unmade with a thought. Those who reach this stage never return—except for Damon, the one who defied the laws of ascension and walked back into the world he had left behind.

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The old man's voice faded, his form growing fainter with each passing moment. He looked at Damon, his ancient eyes filled with a mixture of awe and sorrow. "Oh ancient one," he said, his voice barely a whisper, "I am honored to have stood in your presence, even for a moment. I wish I could spend more time with you, great one, but this is where I must leave you."

As the golden light dissipated, the old man's form vanished, leaving Damon alone in the cave. The weight of the old man's words settled in his mind, but Damon's resolve remained unshaken. The realms of power awaited, each one a step closer to the ultimate truth of existence. And Damon, with his Æth Mind and unyielding will, was ready to ascend once more.