Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain's PoV - Outlands - Domain

Her warning about the danger of the Outlands had the Enyalië overhead exchanging glances, and some of them landed closer to her.

"Does that mean stronger deities could breach your Domain, Mother?" Irini asked, tucking her hands behind her back.

She liked the songs about plants the best.

The question caused more to freeze and land nearby to listen.

"Potentially. It would cost them energy and, even after they force their way in, their weaker forces can't get inside, so they should be reluctant to try. Still, it's a risk we'll have to manage."

A red diamond pillar grew from where the water geyser erupted from the now-submerged ground. When it reached the surface, it expanded into a multi-tier fountain, and white flying phoenixes circled beneath each rim.

My imagination liked the thought of an actual spring.

"You spoke with Lerina about others who wished to enter your service if you achieved Primordial status. We agreed to let them know when you contacted us. Is it okay for us to contact them now?"

"That sounds like a plan. It will save me from repeating myself. Though my apologies if I come across as distant in a large gathering."

"We remember you do best in small groups or one-on-one," Tinu said reassuringly. "We enjoyed our time with you. Would you be able to do that again sometime? We'd love to talk about our personal experiences and the interests we've developed while you were getting free."

"That I'll most certainly agree to," Amdirlain smiled, and reached out to cup her cheek. "You're all still so bright and merry."

"Rachel and Noltar have commented on our songs. They say it's because we've focused on creating new life and staying away from mortals, yet we believe it's because we want to add to the realm."

"You stayed away from mortals? With your questions about the concerts, I thought you'd have sought to meet some."

"Not with you away," Tinu shrugged. "It didn't seem right."

"I'm planning to go visit Qil Tris when I can. Would you want to come with me?"

Tinu grinned from ear to ear. "Is it possible?"

"I'll figure it out."

"We're so glad you're back."

Amdirlain smiled warily. "Sarah caught me up on the big details, yet there is so much meaningful nitty gritty over which I'll need you to be patient with me. I heard some of your work on biomes."

Irini bounced happily. "Did you like the planet you stayed on? Did we do a good job?"

"It has rich and varied ecosystems. All who worked on it did very well. If your other planets compare well to it, you've set yourself high standards."

"We put in a lot of practice before we started on full biomes," Irini responded, as the others murmured happily. "Will Cereberus be coming to live here, or is he staying in Atonement?"

"He sounded like he enjoyed having a post in Atonement, especially with the big woodlands he gets to romp in. When did you meet him?"

"We've only met him once when Lysandra and he visited Hestia. He's so cute, his ears are so fuzzy and soft," Tinu gushed.

I wonder what she'll think of the Catfolk.

Amdirlain was about to say more when a group of fifty-six solars in golden armour with six gleaming white wings appeared among the Enyalië; their armour bore no divine symbols.

All the former Lómë succubi are here except Noltar. Erwarth's new name still feels weird, but I'll get used to it. A name meaning teacher suits her better.

While most remained airborne, their attention towards the Domain's boundary, Sírdhem and Nûr landed near Amdirlain. The Enyalië made space for them to exchange hugs and greetings.

"Are you all sure you want to join me?"

"We discussed serving you with Lerina long ago. We've not changed our minds, Amdirlain," Nûr declared.

"Though I hope you don't mind if we stick with the names we picked when you first removed our Blood Monk classes," Sírdhem said, casually waving off nearby Enyalië, who had immediately grumbled in protest.

"You want them as reminders that things can go wrong?" Amdirlain clasped Nûr's wrist lightly.

Nûr nodded slowly. "Yes, especially as a reminder that arrogance can lead to dark choices and vile places."

"Change isn't always good, and everyone should know the impact of their choices," Amdirlain smiled sadly. "We can improve, and I hope you find one day that you can let go of your pasts."

"Time will tell. In the meantime, we'll protect your Domain until you have more help."

"We know how to use blades, but we're better creators than fighters," Irini offered shyly.

"I don't need you to fight." Amdirlain winked and opened a Gate to a barren Demi-Plane. With it was one of her armies, and the Enyalië inhaled in surprise at the construct's melodies. "They should stay in there unless needed, but I'll give you and the other solars command modules so you can open gates and issue orders in times of need."

"The trap you and Gilorn set lured many demons seeking True Song crystal to their destruction. Do you think they'd come after another site offering more crystal?"

The Gate slid closed. "I don't know, but it's better to play it safe until we're stronger. We'll have lots of souls in our care shortly. I can collect more souls from the Qil Tris region of Judgement than just those who came to worship me."

"You'd give a home for all of them?" Tinu's gaze gleamed with delight. "We'll get to sense old souls reincarnating?"

"Why such excitement?"

Tinu waved upwards. "We've heard them leave Lerina's Wellspring. It sounds so pretty, bright with hope. Though maybe that's just because of that aspect of her faith."

"Well, there are billions for me to sift through to find those interested in coming with me."

"Go on, Mother. We'll monitor the Domain's growth and yell if anyone comes calling," Irini reassured.

"Bossy daughters," Amdirlain muttered good-naturedly. "I need a few more moments."

She created control modules for her constructed armies and distributed them to the solars, along with details about the storage demi-planes.

Nûr passed them along until all others had crystals. "We'll get things organised. Should we keep your location a secret for now?"

"I'll send the details to Gilorn, if you would contact the Lómë and Anar. I've a project on Vehtë that I'd like their help with," Amdirlain said.

"We'll do that. I swear to serve your interests for as long as I endure." Nûr declared.

Amdirlain felt her Oath beckon, but held up a hand. "No."

Nûr's theme stung.

"Since I can make mistakes, I won't accept unconditional loyalty. If you swear to work with me, call out when I screw up, and always look to keep worshipers safe and uncorrupted, then you've got yourself a deal."

The group laughed gently, and Sírdhem nudged Nûr. "You should have known she'd never take a bond that kept us forever tied to her."

"We walked away last time. I didn't want to show any doubt," Nûr explained.

"Doubts are natural and important. I'm not perfect, and sometimes I need to sanity check things so I can improve. An Oath is a solemn and binding promise, yet promises can change you unexpectedly and sometimes unpleasantly. I hurt myself and others by swearing open promises too quickly. Offer one that has safeguards for both of us."

Nûr sighed. "I've experienced too many situations where someone fulfils the letter of an Oath but abuses its spirit."

"I swear to serve you as long as neither of us abuses the trust of the other, and we're striving towards positive endeavours," Sírdhem offered.

Amdirlain felt their oaths beckon and accepted them all. The enchantments within the solars' armour reacted to their oaths and gained the crest of a phoenix with wings arched upwards. As their armour changed, the Enyalië clapped excitedly and offered their own oaths. Their plain outfits gained phoenix crests at the cuffs and throat, and they trilled excitedly.

They're still wearing the same clothing they came out of the Wellspring wearing.

"I'll be hopping to Judgement repeatedly until I've gathered all the souls waiting for a home that deems me suitable," Amdirlain advised.

"We'll let others know you're still settling in." Nûr smiled mischievously. "If they show up before you're ready, they can earn their keep."

I'm glad her time with Lerina provided some healing.

Amdirlain laughed and hopped to Judgement. Soul Haven's activation caused those who'd lived their lives by different principles to move away in clumps. Despite not worshipping her in life, others looked up curiously. A projected offer of safety and the chance to reincarnate started souls open to her perspective towards her at different speeds.

The milling among the crowd drew a hum of consideration from Amdirlain. As she approached to collect those interested, some who'd moved away took to the sky and fled in a desperate blur.

If I have to wait for them to come to me, it will take centuries to transport them all to the Wellspring. I could handle this via True Song, yet improving this Power might ensure I can tend to other souls later.

She pondered the theme that souls reacting to her aura experienced and eyed the still airborne souls fleeing far away. Amdirlain lifted into the air and, once clear of all souls, millions of Human-sized gates opened a metre short of the limit of the Power's reach. With the other end of each positioned before a different Soul, she either jumped the Gate to another if they recoiled or allowed them time to fly through towards her. She kept Sarah and Livia updated on her progress as she methodically worked through the regions of souls. Each time she reached her capacity to hold souls, she'd return to her Domain. As the days of rescuing the souls from the numbing embrace of Judgement went on, her Power steadily improved, allowing her to reach out to more souls simultaneously, speeding up the process.

As the far side of the host of souls drew near, she paused when a Soul she knew flew towards her. Neither their white fur nor the silver flecks through it were a sign of age; Cla'nes had a youthful demeanour, looking the same as when Amdirlain had last met her. Her ears and whiskers lifted high, and the cuffs of her apparel showed a pair of curled tails entwined.

"Hello, Am. You've got your seduction completely controlled now."

"Thanks to you, Lady Cla'nes."

Cla'nes's delighted laughter filled the air. "Shouldn't I be using that title for you, Am? Or is the correct title Goddess Am?"

"I'm just a being of power that folks threw prayers towards. Is it my fault I didn't chase after them, so people kept throwing more?" Amdirlain brushed one of her embroidered cuffs. "You as well?"

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Little symbols to let our fellow worshipers know how we viewed you." Cla'nes laughed brightly and clasped her hand, melting into Amdirlain's body.

The latest group of souls didn't head to the Wellspring seeking reincarnation; instead, they drifted to the housing beneath the trees. Seeing the new arrivals' curiosity, some of Enyalië broke off from their gathering and greeted them, striking up animated conversations. From the latest arrivals in Judgement that Amdirlain's aura attracted were some who openly displayed various symbols that she knew they'd taken on to represent her: a feather, a lap harp, a curled tail, or a mote of flame burning unsupported by wick or other source.

When Amdirlain returned with the last group, she sought Cla'nes for her perspective, only to find her and a few others within the depths of Wellspring's frothing energy. The shifting themes highlighted the progress of the group's transformation.

"Are you going to take a break?" Nûr asked from near the pool's edge. "We can gather the newest souls for you."

"The backlog of souls from Qil Tris is all cleared now, but I'll accept your offer to gather the new ones. I've got a few individuals to contact," Amdirlain replied. "Could you also seek the souls from the smaller worlds?"

Nûr nodded. "If you give me the list of names, we just have to focus on them when we enter a pool leading to Judgement."

Amdirlain broadcast the list to all the solars before she moved to an overlook at her Domain's edge that sat above a forested slope. She almost spoke Danu's name, but a whisper of paranoia about the fickle gratitude of the fey tickled at her.

She teleported to a forest at the extreme edge of her senses, light years across the Plane, and created a gazebo with a few seating options. Mentally crossing her fingers that she hadn't misread the situation, she went ahead.

"Danu, have your priests told others about me?"

The sound of the wind through the forest became warm laughter. "Amdirlain, you removed a burden from one of my avatars and set others to worship me. How else could I repay such a debt?"

"You had nothing to repay." Amdirlain protested.

"You had no reason to make me known to the elves whom you gave life to," Danu countered. "Might I come and visit?"

"I'd enjoy speaking with you if you have time now."

Danu manifested by stepping out from the bough of a tree a few paces across as a muscular elven woman with shoulder-length hair. The loose strands matched the dark green of a shadowed canopy, and her skin displaying swirls of colour like wood grains. She nodded to Amdirlain before teleporting to near the gazebo's steps, her theme a mix of rustling branches and distant animal sounds.

"Welcome, Danu. I hope you've been well."

"I have been."

Amdirlain motioned to the furnishings. "Please sit wherever you'd like. I've some things to discuss."

"You didn't need to provide such civilised trappings. We could have just sat on the rocks or leaned against a tree." Danu glanced between a swing seat, a couch, and a small table with different chairs. With a shrug, she sat on a plain wooden seat, fingers stroking the lacquered golden oak curiously. "You sang this into existence?"

"Yes. I like the warm appearance of the wood grains." Amdirlain sat beside her on a cushioned chair and angled towards Danu.

"Rana sends his regards and is glad you're freed from your curse. He'll never forget you freeing him from that vile altar."

Why's she wiggling the conversation around?

"It's been a strange journey."

Danu leant forward and gently clasped her wrist. "That you've come a long way since those dark days delights him. My priests know that yours recently grew in strength. I wondered if I'd hear from you, but didn't wish to intrude. Have you recovered?"

"While there are still some issues to address, they're not pressing."

"You should deal with whatever you can in the present to set your roots deep in stable ground. Even after a forest heals from a fire, the scars linger for those with the eyes to see. I hope your growth continues for a long time."

"It was about some unexpected growth I wished to discuss. I learned I'm worshipped on seven worlds, yet five I hadn't ever contacted or been near. Your faithful are on all five worlds. Did your priests share my name?"

Danu's dark gaze twinkled with amusement. "Yes, under my instructions. Your Talon Goxashru aided my faithful upon those worlds when he travelled with Rana, so I thought it fitting. I'm glad I took care that it was only worlds where there are no other members of the Summer Court."

Another person I left behind while I focused on my goals. I should check on his world to see if they've had another incursion from the Formithian.

"How did you learn about these worlds if the Summer Court wasn't involved in making them?"

"Cuineth, the Aspect of Life," Danu replied, relaxing back into her seat. "She has pointed me to trillions of worlds during my time here."

"Is it common for aspects to do that? Introduce members of the courts to a world, I mean," Amdirlain clarified.

Danu braced her wrists on the table and steepled her fingers before her. "Not common, but not unknown. Some court members have never received directions to an unknown world. Why do you ask?"

"Aspects have introduced Livia to worlds, and I thought perhaps it was more common than I had expected," Amdirlain explained.

"You keep doing things for me, Amdirlain, offering things, giving aid, freely answering questions. When you were a Fallen, I could see them as gifts of supplication from a lesser, but it is an issue now that you're again a Primordial. There is no balance between us, and even worse, I've old debts you never claimed Orhêthurin." Danu pushed her steepled fingers hard to the left, creating an uncomfortable tension. "Do not allow this unbalance to persist."

Again a Primordial. How does she know? And how much did she owe Orhêthurin?

"How did you know?"

"The feel of your essence makes it clear who you were all along. When you arrived on Vehtë, my Avatar was present but no longer bound in slumber. You have changed from when we first met in a different realm. You'd be best to stay clear of the rest of the courts. The Summer Queen has long held suspicions about Orhêthurin's nature."

"What suspicions?" Amdirlain asked innocently.

"You fought with the grace of an old fey warrior and used the same weapons as Nicholaus's child. Don't you have a saying about coincidence and enemy action?"

"Once is an accident, twice is enemy action."

Danu snorted. "We should not speak of such matters unnecessarily, but I'm sure you understand my implications enough to take care. I wish to correct the imbalance between us. If you let yourself be destroyed, that won't be possible. There are some now high in the courts whose betrothed were with the Autumn and Spring courts' assault."

If Mab holds the same suspicions, it would explain why she kept trying to get into my memories while I was at the monastery. Rana knew I had remembered the name Orhêthurin at that point, but who else had he told among the Summer Court?

"Will you continue to pay me with information?" Amdirlain asked.

"Some place minimal value on an exchange of words. Do you believe information would appreciably lessen the debt I owe you?"

I need to recover Ori's memories about what she did for Danu.

"Yes. Information is a valuable commodity. While I've received some advice about getting through a Planar Barrier, would you provide your suggestions?"

Danu straightened in her chair. "It would be a valuable starting point if you hadn't already got that information from another."

"All perspectives help develop an understanding, which improves skills and powers."

"I suggest using imagery that works with the most elements of your natures and lots of repetition until you master it. If you need worlds to practice accessing, I know some worlds where dark powers have a chokehold on the inhabitants. That way, you don't need to worry about adversely affecting the inhabitants."

Amdirlain blinked. "That would be helpful. Is this going to worsen the balance between us further?"

Danu sighed in frustration. "Yes. Part of my nature is balance, and I need something to force these worlds back into balance. Yet I cannot pass through a Planar Barrier without instinctively balancing my energies; thus, my entry never causes a surge."

Hearing a creature change could help provide insights into my life and transformation natures. All these questions I'm asking her feels like an interrogation. No, not interrogation—repayment.

"Would you tell me how ley line surges would benefit you?"

"Few species can live in balance with the forest. Surges of monsters destroy less than most civilised species, and slow their advance for a time. If slowed long enough, sometimes destructive species mature enough to understand their world needs forests." Danu sighed deeper still. "I know from Rana who you'd wage war upon, and their dark mistress is my enemy as well. This does not bring a balance; it simply enables a combatant against mutual foes. You count the tyrant and her liar as more than an annoyance, don't you?"

"They're my enemies, and I'll also use your aid to visit worlds he'll never be on. Also, helping you against him does far more for me, as I need places to refine my natures and new abilities."

"Do you believe that travelling to Mortal worlds will provide you with useful insights?" Danu shifted in her seat, and fresh sprouts from the wooden chair wrapped around her body.

"Yes."

Danu's gaze weighed on Amdirlain. "Opportunities to refine one's natures are valuable, and you were always driven by your training."

"That is true." Amdirlain spread her hands.

"Then, while not a perfect repayment, it eases the imbalance. The forest harbours predators and animals that are their prey. While both live, the forest provides opportunities without condemnation, as they are part of nature's cycle. I'd hope you first practise where nature's cycle has failed, but that is my bias at play."

"Do you know any worlds where the situation is dire? I've grown best under pressure. I'd want one with our mutual enemies involved. It annoys me having to avoid using his name."

"While I can easily block their awareness, it's better for you to be in the habit of not saying it. There is one highly industrialised world that he and his mistress dominate with a few of their ilk. It is a world where my name is myth, yet I can still see it. There are a few surviving 'forests' within domed enclosures for the enjoyment of obscenely rich families. Cities cover their continents, and the oceans are mere farms to create the pastes that feed the masses. Within their enclosed cities they wouldn't even feel a polar vortex, yet a big enough Mana surge would be beyond their ability to harvest and cause animal growths."

"What animals even remain to react to a Mana surge?"

"Pests like rats and sewer-dwelling vermin. The slum inhabitants know how to fight, and giving them foes that aren't guards would allow them to survive gaining strength. At present, they grow strong, killing each other for scraps."

Amdirlain smiled. "What about all those fish?"

"They're genetically engineered to negate their reactions to Mana. After all, they needed to keep a safe and regular food supply for the peons."

"What's this planet's name?"

"Kragashin. I know you have ways to get information, but from my perspective, it's a sickly overpopulated Orc world kept from falling into ruin through brute force alone. No matter how big old-growth trees get, they can still die when you remove what feeds them."

Amdirlain had already checked on the name.

[World: Kragashin

Age: 5.1 billion years

Sun: G-Type (yellow dwarf)

Landmass Type: Assorted-sized continents

Average diameter: 14.2 thousand kilometres (Earth-type)

Planetary Orbit: 372.9 days

Tilt: 23.1%

Environmental range: Semi-temperate to permanent ice packs

Status: Stable

Local civilisation advancement levels:

Cultural: Continental Oligarchies

Technology achieved: Interplanetary spaceflight, habitat domes, graviton drives

Magical advancement: Blessing paths. A large variety of Spell lists (arcane training controlled by Oligarchies).

Local primary species (averaged population percentage of total sapient species):

Orc, local variants (100%)

Population: 2.1 trillion

Incursion Status: None current.

Local Pantheon Status: Deities

Classification: Primarily Dark

Priest Types: Priest, Blood Cults]

"Do you know where I can access that world?"

A predatory smile slid into place. "Would you like something challenging? Perhaps we should go through rifts at different points along a stretch of ley lines and cause massive surges."

"I want to see a minor surge's impact on the planet first," Amdirlain responded.

"The ones I know best connect to the Elemental Plane of Water, but there are some that touch the Elemental Plane of Fire, and the Para-Elemental Plane of Magma. Those later ones appear inside thermal energy plants, which might be risky for detection."

"I'll take the water route first. The others might be a way to test myself against their wards once I've gotten used to crossing over."

"Shake up their confidence. Their rulers have their fist around the people's hearts and souls and are far too smug." Danu patted her wrist again. "No matter the imbalance between us, I'm glad you made it through your early challenges. As for the world, listen to my surface thoughts for the details of the rifts."

Images of places on the world, and on Parra-Elemental planes, rumbled through Danu's surface thoughts. After the details of Kragashin's rifts, she shared more information on scores of worlds, most of which were closer to a medieval population density and technology.

"I know I invited you here, but is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"

"Let me know if you want me to add to the confusion, on the worlds of your foes or among the Summer Court."

If I request that help, she's doing me a favour, and thus repaying past debts. I need my memories of Ori back before I let her fully clear the debt she feels.

"What about the risk of going to worlds in person?" Amdirlain asked. "I had someone make it clear they weren't to be taken lightly."

"They exist, but some are more paranoid about risk than others. A Planar Barrier's strength depends on the extent of the civilisation. Kragashin is so bloated with 'civilised' life, it will be a challenge. I would suggest not going into their cities. They're heavily layered with wards to control the populace."

"I appreciate your time and suggestions."

Danu smiled, an edge of tension leaving her before she vanished without even standing.

Amdirlain ventured back to the Domain and fed half her replenished Mana into the Wellspring. Checks with Analysis confirmed Danu's information, and she used the details to hop directly to the rift in the Elemental Plane of Water.

Its threshold manifested as a rippling stretch of water several hundred metres across, the energy balance ebbing and flowing to the Material Plane. She moved to the threshold, and, as the pressure flexed away towards the Material Plane, Amdirlain crossed. The Planar Barrier caught at her essence, and Amdirlain tried to smooth its flow across the surface of her skin. Moving with the tugs, she twisted many back into herself; still, a significant chunk of essence converted into Mana and surged wildly through the surrounding inland sea. With the churning surface of a ley line within reach, she pulled on the converted Mana to reduce the surge.

[Greater Mana Drain [Ad] (17->19)]

A stained grey outer wall climbed two hundred metres above the waterline at its lowest point and stretched across the surrounding continent. The foundations featured thousands of thermal and graviton power plants to keep the jam-packed masses alive.

On the dock fronts along distant shores, the labourers grabbed for make-shift weapons to deal with dozens of rats grown to the size of grizzlies. After a brief but bloody battle, the breathing apparatus required by the atmosphere outside the domes muffled cheers celebrating the fresh meat. Workers who the fray had swept over found themselves miraculously intact. Despite the pain they'd felt and their outfits being ripped, there was no blood or wounds, just a reassuring warmth far different from the blessings of the temples.

The crush of orcs living here makes New York City appear like an open parkland.