Eternium ~ 41!

While I wait for the Silverwood tree to accept me, or for The Master to kill off all of his people and deliver them to me, I do have a few other projects in the works. Eternium asked me to save as many Wisps and dungeons as I could, and I was really happy that he hadn’t made that request a few months ago. I’m pretty sure I took down most of the surface level dungeons that were connected to the surface of the planet, and that conversation could have gotten awkward. Obviously, he knew that I had done so, but now there was a swarm of Wisps and Cores being delivered to me via Eternium’s creatures.

<Dani, I'm confused.> My words got her attention right away, and she zipped over with Grace in tow. I had Bob toss Mu’s backpack into a chest. <So, wasn’t Eternium supposed to be really dangerous and murder-happy? You were so nervous coming here that I almost feel like my meeting with him was anticlimactic.>

“I was thinking about that, too.” Dani admitted, flying in slow circles. “I think that he originally didn't want to be bothered all that often. He seemed oddly happy to have company, so I think the eons of loneliness might have gotten to him. Otherwise, I think he turned off the fear that we normally should have had. He allowed us to feel fear toward things like the moon falling, and a few of his monsters while we could see them, but I couldn't seem to muster fear or outrage while we were focused on him, you know?”

<Huh. Now that I think about it… all I can really remember is slight caution when he wanted to scan my memories. I would have fought that tooth and nail before.> I shuddered, thinking back over the conversation in a new light. Eternium had done some seriously scary things, and I had just taken it all in stride. That was so much more terrifying in retrospect. He could affect my mind with so much ease that I didn't and couldn't notice at the time. It made sense; I suppose. He was apparently the oldest surviving dungeon on the planet, and he had created the Wisp race that guided all the dungeons that could be found. It would be stranger if he didn’t have some sort of hold on me.

<I’m going to go check on Aiden, and we should be getting a demand from Barry pretty soon as well. Since the portal is built, I’m sure they are going to be wanting to send people into me as soon as possible.> I started to drift away, but Dani started talking and I didn't want to be rude.

“Are you ready for that?” Dani had concern in her voice, and she was speaking in hushed tones so as not to get Grace worried. “I’m worried that an influx of people into your brand-new soul space might put a lot of strain on you. I don't want you getting hurt because you are trying to help people.”

<No fear there.> I promised her. <If at any time I feel like I am in danger, I’ll stop the process right away. Alright, gotta go!>

I zoomed my main focus over to Aiden, taking a look at the changes that had been wrought. He now stood about nine feet tall, was massively muscled, and covered in a thick coat of white fur. I had combined his body with that of a Warg, a powerful wolf-type Beast that had been sacrificed to me. I was pleased with the result; all of his senses had been enhanced, his body had been enhanced to an amazing degree… all that remained was to see how this impacted his day-to-day life. Would he need more food than normal to keep up with nutrition requirements? How would his cultivation be impacted?

I suddenly realized that I hadn’t intended to make his fur white. That was odd, what had happened there? Looking into his head, I found that his fur was white due to the massive pain and stress that had been placed on his mind and body. Drat. I had been hoping to get away from having to insert a backup, but his mind was ravaged. He was broken beyond repair; so, with a sigh I had a Core brought over and overwrote his mind with a copy from the start of this process. The General went limp, and didn't stir for a few minutes. I took that time to fix a few of the issues I was noticing, as well as increasing his pain resistance a good amount.

When his eyes opened, there was no beast looking out. There was a confused intelligence that was seeking answers. <Hello there, Aiden! Congrats on your new form! I hope you like the alterations.>

“What… how long have I been out?” Aiden was gently lowered to the ground, the manacles and chains keeping him in place slipping off and clattering to the floor. “What did you do to me?”

<I made you the monster on the outside that you are on the inside!> I cheerfully explained to him. <You know, most people really frown on hunting their own species. I made you this way so you won’t feel any qualms about doing what you do! Now, you can go out and be a monster to your heart’s content.>

“You are punishing me?” The ex-Northman realized with horror. “I was killing Amazonians to satisfy your hunger!”

<No, no you weren’t.> My voice took on a hard edge. <I pride myself on fairness and a way to succeed, always. You were placing people in traps that there was no escape from, then killing them slowly. The only chance for fairness in that scenario would be if they noticed the trap ahead of time. You made sure that didn't happen, and let's not pretend you weren’t doing this for your own personal vendetta. Now. Run along, and do try to enjoy your new body. I think you will actually like it more than you think once you get a feel for it.>

Aiden held up a massive paw-hand, looking at the thick claws that tipped his fingers. He scratched the razor-sharp edge over a stone, an eyebrow quirking in surprise as the stone gained a deep gouge. He stood up, and up… at his full height he looked around the small room and flexed, feeling incomparably powerful. He looked to the doorway, and dashed out of it to test his speed. “Ah-wooo!”

The Wolfman ran along the path, headed for the surface. With each pounding step, he found greater joy in the motion and speed he was able to achieve. By the time he reached the surface, all thoughts of this form being a punishment had vanished… though not naturally. 

I watched as the Wolfman ran from my depths, and I worked in real time to alter his emotions and memories. He would soon love me, and be incredibly thankful for his new body, no matter what his thoughts originally would have been. All that remained to be seen at this point was the reactions of other people as he - he just died. Who…? Looks like Odin hit him with lightning as he tried to leave. Alright, let’s try this again…

The Wolfman was spawned into the small room, we had a similar conversation, he tried out his claws and body, and raced off to the surface. Alright… this time he made sure to call out and speak to people before fully showing his body to the population. Good. He took my advice. Let's see how long he lasts this time.

I was chuckling about this development, all the way until he vanished from my senses, along with Dale’s friend Tom. They stepped through the portal, and… from there I am uncertain. Likely they went to the Northman homeland? I supposed that I could create him again if needed, but right now it was more important to focus in on-

“Dungeon!” Barry shouted into my depths, causing dust to fall from the first and second floor ceiling as they reverberated. “It’s time to begin the process! We are going to activate the new portal. Get yourself ready, and send along someone that can translate for you!”

I thought about it, then looked at my small escape portal below me. Should I just leave all this behind? It would be the work of an instant to save myself, Dani, and Grace. Perhaps a few minutes longer to grab all the things that I wanted to come along with me. Should I just make a run for it and leave all these things to their fates?

Should I leave the races, the S-rankers, the dungeon capable of swallowing the world… and run for it? Perhaps if Barry gets too uppity. If he tries anything, or attempts to enslave me, I'm out of here and they can all suffer the consequences. To prepare for that… 

<Bob, start bringing along the memory Cores. I think it is time to get everything ready for our miraculous escape.>

“Yes, Great Spirit.”