Divine Apostasy Book 11 - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Ruin pushed his Outer Mind into the surroundings as the ground approached. He flared his wings and glided away from the mass of Sandpedes that Vex had gathered. Altering his path, he flew parallel to the desert. He recalled what his Divine Domain had felt like in his human body. Falling like this reminded him he hadn’t activated the ability.

With a Core Velocity of five thousand Ruin’s chest already felt like it might melt. As he analyzed his memories of using his Divine Domain, he detected the subconscious use of Will merged with the energy he’d Fortified into his cells.

As a human, that energy consisted of Soul power. None of that remained in this Saraph body. He couldn’t even detect his Soul, though Uruziel assured him it remained. Instead, his cells were saturated with Destruction Essence. The same power that resided in his Core and surrounded him right now.

Ruin spread his Will in a bubble around himself and siphoned power from his body’s cells. It worked just like it had in his human body, and he felt the comforting bubble of control. Once again, he gained control of gravity.

Stopping suddenly, Ruin hovered inside his Divine Domain. The massive power radiating from his center spread into his body, easily replacing the small amount of energy his Domain required.

Ruin folded his wings and summoned the Ink Lord’s Wrap of Shadow. He manifested a Threshold Compass of Fortune in each hand. With his Core generating so much power it seeped from his palms into the swords and their etchings glowed a faint blue. In seconds, the thirty-two golems engraved on each blade stood out in stark contrast to the white grey of the surroundings.

The Threshold Compass of Fortune had received a new name when it merged with his Saraph body.

Name: Universal Key 

Description: Unlock the door to your enemies’ death by summoning the key.

The sword had kept all its other effects as well.

Effect (Passive): Karmatic imbalance (+50)

Effect (Passive): Scale – sword remains proportional to wielder.

Effect (Passive): Horizon’s Edge – effortlessly slice through any substance.

Effect (Activated): Key Compass – pulled toward selected key.

Effect (Activated): Lever of Ruin – expose the Forbidden Channel.

Effect (Activated): Fate’s Fortune – equipped key grants expanded options to view and defy fate.

Ruin was thankful the violent transition into this body hadn’t destroyed the sword. It was obviously important. The sword and the thirty-two golems that existed somewhere in the Universe worked together for some purpose he didn’t yet understand. Someday he’d have the time to research it and collect all the golems.

The only golem Ruin had associated with the sword was the Thieving Golem of Misfortune, Tarot. He’d provided a resurrection card to the sword that Ruin had, thankfully, absorbed. It would have been terrible to lose such a powerful ability.

Name: Eternal Toil 

Description: Resurrect all allies within range who have died in the last 60 seconds, raising them with full health and a shield equal to half their health. Range and cooldown based on level.

Ruin studied the mass of Sandpede Liquifiers a hundred feet away as he used his Divine Domain to land on the top of a dune. He didn’t trigger any attacks as his Domain didn’t create any vibrations that these creatures could detect. The disgusting things swarmed over each other, fighting over non-existent prey.

Dunes stretched in every direction. Ruin stood like a statue angling his two swords toward the sand. Icons, symbols, and words crawled across his armor’s wrappings. He noticed the sigils of the five towers now appeared randomly as well, proving his armor absorbed the knowledge he gained.

With the senses of an Arcangel, Ruin detected the distant vibrations beneath the sand. There were tens of thousands of these creatures hidden out of sight. His Outer Mind extended into a thousand-foot sphere. Every creature within it felt like a sliver stuck in his skin. His Divine Domain didn’t interfere with mind projection, but his Outer Mind felt the pressure of the Divine Domain. That probably meant he could detect other deities using something similar.

Overlord, Uruziel, and Sivart appeared next to Ruin using the enhanced Minions Uruziel had created. The Divine Domain kept their presence hidden from the Sandpede Liquifiers.

“What are the goals?” Overlord asked.

Ruin sighed. “Am I that predictable?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Uruziel asked. “When was the last time you did something for fun? Even things that are supposed to be entertaining, you turn into self-improvement.”

“Ouch,” Ruin replied.

“No, I don’t mean it as a reprimand,” Uruziel said quickly. “Although you really should learn to relax. My point is—”

Uruziel stopped suddenly.

“What? You can say it.”

“It’s just I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand Overlord. It won’t shock anyone that he’s a lot like you. Overlord suppresses the memories he gained from you in a misguided pursuit of independence.”

“Hey,” Overlord said. “How did this turn into a discussion about me?”

Uruziel ignored Overlord and continued speaking to Ruin. “Overlord lacks your depth of experience but retains the insane Intelligence that forms both of your identities.”

“Seriously, can we just go hit things?” Overlord asked.

“Without the complexity of so much life experience to hide his behavior, I uncovered what motivated Overlord’s choices. Only then did I see the same in you. I think Hamma figured it out a long time ago which is why she’s so supportive of you despite how irrational your choices look to others.”

“Can we please stop talking about me,” Overlord said.

Ruin swiped his swords in front of him. “I’m sorry, Uruziel, but I’m not following.”

Uruziel’s Minion clasped the hand of Overlord’s. “Your Intelligence is fuel for perfection. You’re so smart you notice everything that needs improvement. If that Intelligence is paired with a strong Will and a lack of sufficient Wisdom to moderate behavior, you have a recipe for relentless forward progress.”

“Relentless forward progress,” Ruin repeated.

Uruziel nodded. “That’s why we all knew you had a list of things you’d want to accomplish out here.”

Ruin frowned. “That seems a bit dark.”

“It could be, but not in you. Curiosity drives most of your choices, not power or control.” Uruziel stepped closer to Overlord, whose body language screamed discomfort. “Even then, those aspects are a recipe for looming disaster in almost anyone. It’s not a concern for the two of you, though, because the foundation of your identities is helping and protecting those you care about. The only real risk is if you only care about a small set of people. Think about that in the context of your most powerful ability. What does Harmony require to work?”

Ruin wavered on his feet as Uruziel’s words resonated within him.

“Uru, help me,” he whispered. “Balance within balance.”

“Can you clarify,” Sivart asked.

Uruziel turned to Sivart. “Harmony’s power is directly related to the balance of two things. Internal development from some type of self-actualization and the obligation, commitment, or responsibility, you can call it any of those things, that the wielder feels for the external world. Why is Ruin’s Harmony so devastating? Because he literally cares about the universe. A megalomaniac might have a desire that encompasses the Universe, but motivations of control, subjugation, and selfishness, would make Harmony all but impossible to use.”

Sivart thought for a moment. “A tended forest provides both lumber and fuel.”

“How do you do that?” Uruziel asked. “Distill things down to their essence so easily?”

Sivart bowed to Uruziel “I thank you for the kind words, Goddess.” Then with a slight smile he continued. “A drop of honey contains a thousand flowers.”

Everyone laughed at that.

“Harmony, by its very nature,” Ruin said thoughtfully, “keeps anyone from abusing its power.”

“Yes,” Uruziel said. “It takes someone almost exactly like you or Overlord.”

Overlord, probably sensing the conversation might focus on him again, quickly spoke up. “How about that list of goals.”

Ruin held up a finger for each goal. “Advance my core to tier eight. Perfect my sword forms. Learn to control my core output. Oh, and farm a lot of money.”

“I’ll use a few hundred Minions to quickly narrow down the best sword techniques,” Overlord said.

“I’ll circle the area and keep a steady stream of beasts headed toward you,” Sivart added.

Uruziel finished. “I’ll study how your spellcasting affects your core and Meridians. There must be a better way to harness all that chaotic movement.”

“I love you guys,” Ruin said. “Let’s go grind.”