Wild Era 2, Ch 22: Meeting in the Stars

Kelin’s awareness gathered together and he found himself standing in a different place.

Stars stretched into the endless distance, their light shimmering with a thousand colors that created a sense of eternity, as if time and space were merged together here.

Rivers of flame and primordial mist of silver and grey light twisted through the stars, flowing through everything, both near and far at once.

After a moment, he made out towering pillars that rose up around him, stretching into the celestial vastness. They were made of a bright silver-white stone that shone with starlight, and they looked so magnificent and sturdy that they could be the pillars of creation.

Currents of golden flame wove between and around the pillars, bringing light and warmth to everything.

As he looked around, he saw more pillars extending into the distance and then an enormous table at one side that was as large as a mountain. 

As he gathered himself and comprehended the arrangement of everything, he realized that he was in a massive hall, one that was built on a scale for beings out of a myth, not for humans.

It had to be at least a thousand miles long and the pillars were a hundred miles tall or more. It was hard to make out distances, since his eyesight seemed to extend to the reaches of the universe, but it felt like that was the minimum they could be. 

Each of them was taller than a mountain, so large that it was difficult to comprehend.

After a moment, he felt a strange but calm force infuse his awareness, allowing him to see more clearly. The overwhelming sense of energy and space resolved into something that was easier to comprehend and the design of the hall became clear. 

His eyes were drawn toward the center of the area, where there was an enormous throne.

Seated on it was a figure made of golden flame and starlight. 

He was wearing robes that seemed to move with the changes of the stars, like the secrets of celestial bodies were woven into the thread, and wisps of silver-grey mist flowed around him, mixed with starlight as they took on the shape of profound runes. 

At the same time, space bent around him and gave rise to currents of the elements that looked like the sparks of fireflies. The sparks were calm and in a hundred colors, but each of them held a massive and destructive force, as if a single one could extinguish a sun.

The figure’s eyes were brilliant as he turned to look at Kelin. When his gaze settled on him, it felt like the universe was shaking.

Kelin’s eyes widened as he recognized him. 

It seemed like he was looking across hundreds of miles to view him, like a great mountain in the distance, but there was no mistaking who it was.

The Sovereign of Silver Chaos.

The defender of their galaxy and the Lord of the Path of Stars. 

Kelin had not expected to see him here. 

There were Truths and Laws flowing in every light and element around him, as well as what he could sense were Immortal Forms. 

There was also something else that felt like the beginning of everything, so powerful and eternal that it felt like a single speck could give rise to a new universe.

Primal Chaos.

It was the energy the Sovereign commanded and that was inherent to his name. Perhaps more than that, it was the energy that was the Sovereign.

At Kelin’s current level being that close to these energies should have erased him from existence, but there was a thin veil of the Sovereign’s power separating him like a pane of glass, allowing him to see without being destroyed.

Thoughts of the ancient battles where he had followed this god to war flowed through Kelin’s mind as he automatically held his right hand to chest and bowed in acknowledgment. 

“Sovereign,” Kelin said respectfully. His voice echoed out strangely in the space. 

Stars streamed past the sovereign’s head, like they were tangled in his hair, and a look of amusement flickered across his features as he studied Kelin. 

Then the sovereign raised his hand and the space around them warped.

Suddenly, the hall was no longer vast and celestial, and the sovereign was no longer a distant and towering figure. Instead, he sat on a chair beside a stone table. 

A silver flame burned in a fireplace nearby and a beast of some sort turned on a spit, slowing roasting. Pitchers of drinks and two golden cups were on the table. 

“Have a seat, Kelin Wildfire,” the sovereign said calmly as he gestured to the place across from him.

His words were so powerful it felt like reality was shaking and starlight was breaking through from another dimension, as if at any moment the current reality would tear apart under the force of each syllable.

It was exactly the same as Kelin remembered from the last time they had met. 

He was an Astral Titan, the last of his race in the galaxy, and his words held the same energy as the stars.

After a moment, the power of the sovereign’s words dimmed, turning to something that was easier to handle, but the feeling of starlight in them remained.

Kelin glanced at the table and the open chair beside it. Then he bowed to the sovereign again and took a seat.

As he did, he felt a sense of relief. 

If the sovereign recognized him, it meant his past was not completely forgotten. It also meant that perhaps his old connections still remained.

The sovereign didn’t seem to be in a hurry to speak. He only gestured at the table and the goblet there, which was suddenly full of a golden liquid.

Kelin picked up the cup and raised it in a toast.

“To the silver stars,” he said quietly. 

He took a sip of the drink and it exploded across his palate like elemental suns rising, flooding his entire awareness with golden light.

The sovereign acknowledged the toast with a nod, and then he spoke.

“You have a new body,” the sovereign said as he studied him, “and even your soul signature is different, except for that one fragment, but I still recognize you.

“I knew you were reborn and I have waited for you to recover enough to speak with you. This seems like a good opportunity. I did not want to interrupt your chance to form a new Path by bringing you here too early.”

Kelin’s mind was full of questions tumbling one after the other. He knew that of all the beings in the universe, the sovereign was the one who could answer almost anything. 

He wanted to inquire about the laws of magic, the future of Irian, and more, but he forced himself to focus on the most immediate one.

“How did I die?” he asked. “What happened?”

“Your use of soul magic garnered attention,” the sovereign replied. “There were thirteen attempts at once as Seventh Evolution Immortals attempted to break through Chaos Gates. I blocked those but the existence behind them also acted and his attempt was better hidden. It managed to get through. It was my oversight.”

As he spoke, information flooded Kelin’s mind, showing him scenes of the galaxy. 

There was the place where he had been resting and the distortions as Chaos Gates opened throughout the stars.

Thirteen gates opened at once, creating dark ripples in the Void as their force spread outward. As they began to brighten, a wave of starlight swept over them.

At the same time, a flash of soul magic appeared in a different location in the Void, close to Kelin. It was a dark rainbow of light that seared through the stars and it moved so quickly that it was hard to track.

Kelin could tell that it was only the sovereign’s effort to slow it down that allowed him to see it.

It was like a spear that fused into the darkness and when it reappeared it was just behind where he was resting. Its tip glimmered with force as it slammed into his heart.

There was an all-encompassing explosion as his body disintegrated under the impact and even the entire area around him disappeared, all of it falling inward as it turned into a black hole that rippled with prismatic light.

“You were the true target in that attack,” the sovereign clarified. “The gates were a distraction. Until then, I didn’t know that they considered you such a threat.”

“Who was it?” Kelin asked. 

Based on the soul magic he could see, it felt like the answer should be right in front of him, but he didn’t have enough information to say for sure. That magic was completely unique and he knew now that he’d seen it, he would never forget it.

“The answer to that question is tied in with how you reincarnated,” the sovereign replied. 

“I suspect that fellow didn’t think it would happen, and now he has created an even greater problem for himself. 

“Now that you’ve seen his magic, remember it. It will be important to you in the future.”

“I won’t forget it,” Kelin said. “But I still don’t know who it was.”

There were a few possibilities on his mind, but the largest one seemed impossible and claiming it seemed arrogant. He didn’t want to look foolish by claiming the one that seemed most likely.

The sovereign nodded lightly.

“Do you know who the greatest Lord of soul magic in the universe is?” he asked, smiling slightly. “The one who felt challenged enough by your presence that he reached out preemptively to erase you from existence? I suspect you even chose your current class and your hobby out of an instinctive rejection of his power.”

Kelin’s thoughts raced as he put the pieces together. The name was on the tip of his tongue, but he could barely believe it.

“The being called the Sovereign of Undeath,” he said slowly. “If that is actually his title.”

“Yes,” the sovereign confirmed. “The Sovereign of Undeath, one of the three most powerful figures in the universe, counting myself.”

A map of the galaxy sprang into existence above the table, between the two of them. Kelin identified the Great Divide, a wall of starlight that separated the galaxy in two, dividing the settled and the wild halves.

The map was in perfect detail and motion, with worlds spinning, suns burning, and even meteors flashing through the empty space with a trail of fire behind them.

Kelin was very familiar with that map and he found the location of the human domain quickly. His gaze narrowed as he locked onto the location of Lareth, off on one obscure side of that domain. It was a small world on the edge of things. The next largest world was a good distance away.

Before he could pay much attention to it, the map began to change. The galaxy swiftly became smaller as it turned into a speck of oblong light in space, while thousands of other specks showed up as well.

Their home galaxy turned blue, while two of the other specks turned a different color, one red and one black.

“These are the locations of the other two,” the sovereign said. “The Sovereign of War and the Sovereign of Undeath.”

The distance between the three lights was almost impossible to comprehend, but Kelin’s attention was fixed on the black one.

“How could I threaten him enough for him to take action personally?” he asked, shaking his head. 

“Do you know what a sovereign is?”

“It is a state of existence. Each of us is indestructible and eternal. Our powers are no longer a Law or Truth, but a Dominion over all that falls beneath it. My own involves Chaos, the Elements, and Starlight. Wherever they are, so am I. Whenever someone uses a power related to them, I am aware.”

The sovereign pointed at the black light.

“His Dominion involves the Soul and Death, as well as the Undeath from which he takes his name. The necrotic energy of the undead is the essence of his Dominion, and it spreads according to his will.”

The sovereign raised his hand to indicate Kelin.

“Every time you used soul magic, you were unconsciously touching his Dominion and you made him aware of you. At first, it didn’t matter, since there are millions of such movements every moment, and despite the name, we do not control every aspect of those powers. They are forces of existence, part of us and everything else.  

“As your ability developed, however, you gained his attention more often. If you had been in a different galaxy, he probably would not have cared, but you were in this galaxy, which he is attempting to invade, and you destroyed more than one of his armies.

“Eventually, he took notice and chose to deal with the problem.”

The sovereign’s tone was grave, but despite that a brief smile appeared as he pointed at Kelin.

“However, something unexpected happened. As you can see.”

The sovereign paused for a moment.

“I noticed his attempt, but not in time to stop it. All I could do was merge a trace of my own Dominion and the energy of Primal Chaos with his attack. Chaos is the origin of all things, a force of creation.”

He gestured at Kelin, and his tone was warm.

“This is the result. So at once, I must offer my apology and also congratulate you on a new chance at life.”

As the words rang in Kelin’s mind, his eyes widened. 

It was hard to comprehend and he had no ability to trace the changes of chaos, but for the first time, he understood basically what had happened.

“Your rebirth was an infinitesimal chance,” the sovereign said, “one of endless possibilities that could have come from the merger of soul and death. Perhaps it was aided by your own mastery of soul magic and your desire to live. 

Otherwise, you might just have easily ended up as an eternal spirit floating through the stars or an undead yourself. Had those happened, you would likely have fallen under his command and I would have had to deal with you, but instead we have a much happier result.”

He chuckled and the sound spread like starlight through the hall

“You are the first case of reincarnation in our entire galaxy, and perhaps the first in all of them. But even after all the ages that have passed, the universe is still young. This is a promising thing. Perhaps it is the beginning of something new. 

“At any rate, you have my attention and I have high hopes for what you might become. That is why I’ve taken the time to speak with you, as well as to offer my apology in person.”

It took Kelin a few moments to wrap his mind around everything, and for a moment he wished the sovereign had managed to intervene in time.

But then he thought about it, as well as how he had been stuck without reaching the Seventh Evolution, and he discarded the complaint.

Now that he knew what had happened, if he had the choice in front of him, he already knew he would choose this life to try again. 

He would have just liked to plan for it better.

“This is not your fault, my lord,” he said immediately, shaking his head. “There is no need to apologize. It was my duty to be stronger, not yours to save me.”

The explanation had answered his question, but now a dozen more were running through his mind, most of them about reincarnation. 

“What now?” he asked eventually. “Is there a way to gather back the pieces of my old life, or the equipment that I had?”

“For your equipment, no,” the sovereign replied definitively. “Not only your old body, but everything within a sun’s radius of you was disintegrated by that strike. 

“The entire area turned into a pool of necrotic energy. Multiple dimensions melted together and were remade with dark suns, lands that could spawn only the undead. I had to spend a large amount of effort to eliminate it and restore the old balance. Everything that was left was reduced to core elements.

“As for your life, however, that is one of the reasons I brought you here,” the sovereign added, smiling warmly. “I see great potential in your current life, so I hope you can take advantage of this chance occurrence to become something more.

He pointed at Kelin’s chest, and somehow Kelin knew he was indicating the crystallized part of his soul.

“You have a spark of chaos and soul magic in you,” the sovereign said, “but it is neither my Dominion nor his. It is something unique, the beginning of a Path that you can make your own, if you are able to seize it. 

“I hope that one day I will see another Sovereign in this galaxy and you can stand beside me and defend our people.”

Thoughts ran through Kelin’s mind as his eyes widened again. He had dreams of reaching the Seventh Evolution in this life, but the sovereign’s intention was much greater. 

He had sometimes dreamed of rising to the sovereign’s level, but he’d never taken it seriously. Now, it seemed like the chance might be in front of him.

“Keep in mind that the chance is very slim,” the sovereign said, hiding a smile, “but it is there, which is more than most can hope for. Every Sovereign has to find their own Path. I cannot tell you where it is.”

Kelin nodded slowly in response, and then an idea suddenly occurred to him.

“Is that why the Path of Stars hasn’t been speaking to me like before?” he asked suddenly. “So it wouldn’t interfere?”

“Yes,” the sovereign confirmed. “When I discovered that you had been reborn, I initially thought to help you recover your strength as quickly as possible, but then I noticed that crystallized part of your soul and your potential.

“After that, I ordered the Path not to interfere with you. I did not want it to influence your choices.”

The sovereign paused for a moment as he gave Kelin a long look.

“It is unlikely that you will ever have a second chance like this again, but if you wish it, I can grant you elemental elixirs and other blessings that will dramatically increase your strength. You will still need to level up through each Evolution, but my gifts would smooth the way and allow you to quickly reach your old height.

“The choice is yours.”

Kelin was silent as he gave the idea some serious thought. His initial urge was to accept and jump back up through the Evolutions as quickly as possible, to regain his old strength. 

Then most of his problems would disappear.

But then more considered thoughts reached his mind, as well as why the sovereign was offering it now, after he was already on his new path.

If he accepted, the result would still be the same.

He would probably reach Level 699 and be stuck there, without any chance of advancement, and one day someone like the Sovereign of Undeath or a Seventh Evolution Immortal would kill him again.

It seemed unlikely he would reincarnate again, but even if he did, he would be back at the same spot, after who knew how many years dead or unaware of his memories.

No...the sovereign’s idea was the right one. It was the same plan he’d already developed to try and reach the Seventh Evolution in this life, just more advanced.

Nonetheless, a slight smile appeared on his lips as he debated how best to take advantage of the offer. 

Since an opportunity like that was in front of him, how could he completely pass it up?

Perhaps not for himself...but he knew two kids who could use all the help they could get.

“I agree with your plan,” he said as a spark appeared in his eyes. “But if not for me, then how about some gifts for my two apprentices?”

The sovereign’s laugh filled the hall with amusement and made the stars shake.

“Fine,” he said. “Take these as an apology for your death.”

Two spheres of multicolored elemental light appeared in the sovereign’s hand and he flicked them toward Kelin. As they flew, they disappeared and merged into his awareness.

“The next time you see them, give them those,” he said. “It will upgrade their potential and help them on their Path.”

Kelin spent a moment examining the spheres, which were completely contained within his spirit. As he studied them, information sprang into his mind.

Each of them was something like an elemental elixir that would rebuild the kids’ constitutions and upgrade their affinities. 

It wasn’t a gift that would spoil their advancements or make things too easy for them, it was just something that would give them the best chance.

And as an added benefit to rebuilding their constitutions, it would also allow them to unlock their classes early.

Kelin nodded in satisfaction.

With that, he began to ask more questions, mostly about reincarnation, but before long, the sovereign shook his head.

“I am gratified that you did not perish, but the laws of reincarnation are not ones I comprehend. Until now, I do not know of anyone who has. This might be your Dominion in the future, if you are able to become a Sovereign.

“Bear in mind that soul magic is the closest to Undeath’s dominion. He is the one who will feel the most threatened by your rise, since you will be encroaching on a territory that until now only he has held.

“However, now that I am aware of him, you do not need to worry. You have my backing. I will shield you from him and give you the opportunity to grow. 

“At the same time, I have to walk a fine balance between helping and interfering. To become a Sovereign, you must find your own way. I cannot shield you too much. So for enemies below the Seventh Evolution, you will have to deal with them on your own.

“Seize this chance of your rebirth to fully understand what happened to you and use that insight to build your Path. I believe that it will lead you to a new height. 

“Perhaps one day you will join me in guarding our galaxy from those who would destroy it and stand as the Sovereign of Souls and the Lord of Reincarnation.”

The sovereign smiled as he finished speaking.

“Now, you have an Evolution to complete, so I’ll leave you to it. If you wish to speak to me in the future, you can find me at each Evolution, like you did here. Other than that, I’ll leave you on your own. 

“The Path will also not interfere, but with each Evolution, I will order it to give you back some of your prior authority.”

Kelin stood up and bowed. Then he glanced down at the table beside him and realized that he still hadn’t drunk the rest of the mead in the goblet.

“Take it with you,” the sovereign said, chuckling. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t run out. A small gift, although I will limit it to just the flavor, not the other effects it usually has.”

With that, the sovereign raised his hand and the starscape around Kelin dissolved into currents of golden flame.