Dark Matter Ascension

It had been a few days since Xera advised her that the ground team of Signers would be heading to Harkon Secundus. Quinn had been doing her research and putting together a dossier. She had a map of the world and had been doing research on where these various Delves were located. Six vaults, these Delves, all around the enormous world.

It was a large planet – incredibly large. There were four major population centers placed approximately equidistantly on the ovoid sphere along the equator. The temperature was mild across the globe, and it was filled with all types of creatures. The world was rated at Tier 8, and the remaining creatures were powerful magic users and capable of something called 'cultivators'. She found maddeningly little information on that term, and so asked Priam as he seemed well versed in magic stuff.

As Priam put it, "They raise their soul energy coefficient by meditating or taking drugs! I could, too. But it is boring, and I keep my body as clean as a temple." He put a finger to his chin, "Although, the fact that animals can do it is weird. They must be really in tune with their world, whether it's the gods or something like the World Pillars Jace encountered. They might be somewhat intelligent, but under the threshold of what would qualify in The Cosmic System as sapient."

Quinn shook her head as Priam's excitement for visiting another magic-heavy world permeated the atmosphere of their short meeting. The little guy is enthusiastic, I'll grant him that.

Of more concern was what Jace would be up to. Xera had put together a list of creatures and where they lived. Creatures that were, to put it mildly, extremely dangerous. She only had information from the Cosmogenic Merging, as the world was so dangerous that almost all Aspirants or Ascendants who went there did not return. And the two that did survive sold off their new Anathema items for a huge profit. Xera was able to get her hands on the arm, which Jace now had, but one eye had been bought by a private bidder – they knew now it was Deckard – and another was gifted to Star Father.

But it's gone, Quinn thought. Shame. It was a powerful prosthetic item. Well, there's a third eye on the world. Maybe we can get that. She sighed as she finished compiling what she referred to as Jace's "Hunt Log", uploading it to Ollie for easy reference. She got his small affirmation message, and breathed a small sigh of relief. Now, she thought, all that's left is final checks.

Quinn booted up the comms, "Attention Dark Between Stars Signers. It's time to get ready."

She heard each person give an affirmation, and then she set to checking their readouts and sending them each a small purchase list to fill up any missing needs. Survival meals, general supplies, and for the trio who would be doing Delves, some dungeoneering gear.

Well, they're as prepared as they can be, Quinn thought as she checked a few auctions she had going for some of the items that Jace had scavenged from Poltor Six. Most notably was the Starheart Steel. And there is my buyer. She confirmed the transaction, sent the package from Xera's automated warehouse, and a few seconds later the Stardust came flooding in. Broker's Fee (Rank 16), she thought, as she felt her energy drain precipitously and she slouched in her chair with her eyelids fluttering. But, the massive infusion of Stardust was worth it, and she took the extra fifty percent, combined it with the sale amount, and split it off to each member of the faction.

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[Stardust Acquired: 75,000]

[Stardust Split: 15,000]

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And I'm going to hold onto my Stardust to level up in a pinch, and get new Skills if necessary. She grinned as she stood up, then staggered briefly from the energy lost. Tagging her comms, she advised the group, "I need a quick nap. Get supplies – lists are with your Wayfinders – and level up."

Dee looked at Priam. Both were sitting in his study, as Quinn's message finished off. She got the notification on the amount of Stardust. "Well, that's three level's worth," she stated. "I know what I'm getting.

Priam began to reply, "More blast-"

"More blasting!" Dee said with a grin. "Let's do it!"

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Name: Deasyl 'Dee' Luna (Aspirant, Tier 7)

Power [Class Level]: Nebula [Blaster <Artillerist> 100] / Flux [Demolisher 39]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Demolisher's Devastation (Rank 40) [Blast][Beam][Cone][Eruption][Cloud][Trap][Broadside], Artillerist's Acumen (Rank 6), Artillerist's Discipline (Rank 5), Spinal Laser (1/day), Desert's Shield (1/day)

Stardust: 763

Equipment: Desert God Guard, Artillerist's Ingram

Boons: 2x Uncommon (Variable), 2x Rare (Variable)

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Demolisher's Devastation (Rank 40) – As any lesser Rank, but increase the damage inflicted.

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Priam frowned, "Just going to keep going into explosions? Nothing defensive?"

"Nope, that's why I've got you," she said the last with a slight boop to the top of Priam's head.

He looked at his Wayfinder, who was near the fireplace. "Oh, good idea. Yeah, share my screen with her."

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Name: Priam Westerfold (Aspirant, Tier 7)

Power [Class Level]: Pulsar [Priest <Seraph> 100] / Gigastar [Exarch 39]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Exarch's Ward (Rank 17) [Multi-Target], Exarch's Seraphic Soothe (Rank 11) [Contingent][Regeneration][Stored][Recursive][Overheal][Ward Mending][Chaining][Wave][Full Heal][Gravewaker][Viral], Exarch's Blessing (Rank 3) [Enduring], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Alternate Source], Wrath of the Gods (Rank 5), Heavenly Smite (Rank 11) [Marking], Fount of Energy (Rank 5) [Multi-Target], Ishtar's Embrace (1/day), Energy Drain (1/day), Rapturous Release (1/day)

Stardust: 763

Equipment: (Light) Archpriest Vestments, (Conservation) Soul Warden Writ, (Insightful) Dad's Hat, (Light) Venture Pack, (Overcharged) Argent Reservoir, Resplendent Reservoir, survival meals (x35), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, Godheart (Corrupted Crab), Power Hammer

Boons: Common (Information), Uncommon (Variable)

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This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Exarch's Ward (Rank 17) – as Rank 16, but the amount of damage that can be absorbed increases.

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"More protection?" she asked.

"We are going to a place a whole Tier higher than us. That's scary! I want to make sure we are super, super safe."

"That's fair," she said as she stood up. "Come on. You've gotta go buy some stuff at the Star Market."

Priam hopped off his father's chair, "Yup! Let's get to it."

"Hon, you okay?" Missy asked as she sat down on the couch next to him.

Greg hadn't moved since the wedding was crashed, save for getting up to go to bed or use the hygiene station. He had just cuddled with Missy and wept. So many had died. Friends, family, people he cared about and had semi-regular contact with over his decades of military and intelligence services. All gone in the blink of an eye.

"Greg," Missy said as she wrapped an arm around him. "You need to get out of your head. Go vent some of your frustration and anger. Your friends need you."

She's right, Greg thought as he stood up. "I…I'll get over-"

"You don't need to," Missy said as she stood up and embraced him. "Jace said we can get everyone back. No need to get over it. This isn't something you should just get over…take your time…but your friends need you."

"You're right," Greg whispered. "You're always right."

"Damn right," Missy said with a grin as she pulled away turned him around, and slapped him on the rump. "Go get ready! I'll pack lunches." Greg was about to ask what kind, but she anticipated the question, "PB&J, your favorite."

He gave her a smile, and then headed to the bedroom, acquiring his gear and armoring up. "Darrin," he said as he finished putting on the power armor. "Remind me how this tech stuff will work on a magic world."

The spider-Wayfinder popped into existence next to him. "Technology won't work on a magic world, and magic doesn't really work on a technology world. Magitech can facilitate the use of both. Well, when it comes to Equipment."

"Then how come Jace's works differently?"

"The NICIF. Those nanites are magitech and infused with The Cosmic System. They are bridging the gap between what should be possible. Xera has more of the CIF, courtesy of Jonsar. But we have no more raw form of that super soldier serum. She has scoured magitech worlds for such an item, but it appears to be a side effect of those nanites integrated with Jace's CIF whilst he was on the verge of death. They…evolved, for lack of a better term."

"That guy…getting all the cool stuff." Greg picked up the rifle, slinging it on his shoulder. "What about getting all of us a TPSB like he's got?"

"Xera's already got them waiting."

Greg nodded, "Good. When do I get it?"

"Already integrated into your armor! Everyone has one now in the Dark Between Stars."

Greg checked by tapping his sniper rifle to his forearm, and saw a small HUD appear in his visor showing an inventory space for the TPSB. "Nice. What about this Beamblade thing?"

"That is technically a sword. The function is the same, and with some slight…tinkering with what its ID tag registers it as – do not ask me, that's a Xera thing – it is now functioning as magitech."

"No range, then. Only melee."

"Correct."

"Then let's level up. I have…seven?"

"Yup!"

"Then let's spend them. All seven into Indomitable Juggernaut."

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Name: Greg Bhastal (Aspirant, Tier 6)

Power [Class Level]: Planet [Warrior <Eternal Bulwark> 100] / Supermassive [Juggernaut 19]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Weapon Training (Rank 10), Armor and Shield Training (Rank 5), Power Strike (Rank 10), Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Series of Strikes (Rank 10), Aggravating Presence (Rank 10), Ceaseless Vigil (Rank 4), Bulwark's Defenses (Rank 20), Eternal Guardian (Rank 10), Planetary Panacea (Rank 3), Indomitable Juggernaut (Rank 20)

Stardust: 763

Equipment: (Channeling) Devastator Sniper Rifle, (Heavy) Exo-planet Power Armor, Beamblade Emitter, TPSB

Boons:

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Indomitable Juggernaut (Rank 20) – The user reduces all damage they would suffer at all times by 40%

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"How high does that Skill go?" Greg asked.

"Up to Rank 50, which caps it at 99% damage reduction at all times."

I'd be basically unkillable. Heck, with that, I bet I could jump right at Troxanir and just beat his fucking face in. He grinned at the idea of being able to join Jace in taking the fight to that bastard who put that plan in motion that killed his loved ones.

He was drawn out of his thoughts as Missy walked into the bedroom, "Well, look at that hunk of space soldier."

Greg tapped his gauntlet and the helmet receded, "You know it. This hunk is off to go smash some skulls."

She stood on her tippy-toes and kissed him on the cheek, "Come back safe."

"Of course. Always for you."

Jace rolled off the couch and Shhiv, going to the hygiene station and then gearing up. She cornered him in the hallway, leaning up on him and giving him her approximation of a kiss given her physiology, "Go out there and get stronger."

He brushed a hand along her face, "Will do." He slipped past her, equipped the rest of his gear, and then headed downstairs to the lobby. First to arrive, he thought as he sat on one of the couches.

Ollie popped into existence, "You've got enough Stardust for two levels," the otter Wayfinder stated as he began flying in circles around Jace's head, leaving phantasmal, starry nebula streams behind himself.

"I want something that protects my soul."

"What do you mean?" Ollie asked.

Jace interlocked his fingers and rested them behind his head as he kicked his feet up. "Those Astral Demons tried to hurt me by hurting my soul. Well, it didn't do much because of my low soul energy coefficient, right? So if I were to fight them again, after having my soul energy boosted up by interacting with that weird crystal on Poltor Six…"

Ollie's face went stern at the realization, "I hadn't thought of that. I figured we wouldn't see any more Astral Demons for a while, since the reverberations of sympathetic incursions had ended. But…Troxanir could bring more like he did on Poltor Six to try and kill you."

"I need a way to prevent that."

"Well, nothing for it but finding out! Here we go!"

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Name: Jace Seren (Aspirant, Tier 8)

Power [Class Level]: Dark Matter [Swordmage <Wrathblade> 100] / Void [Edge 53]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Swordmage Stance (Rank 3) [Astral Annihilator], Dark Matter Dart (Rank 4) [Exploding], Dark Matter Cloak (Rank 3) [Group], Dark Energy Mine (Rank 3) [Distant], Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10) [Innervating], Dark Matter Mending (Rank 4) [Vampiric], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) [Siphoning], Void Brand (Rank 1), Wrath's Embrace (Rank 10) [Focused], Ruination Razor (Rank 3) [Wrecking], Raging Cleave (Rank 10) [Echoing Cleave], Aura of Wrath (Rank 11) [Voidflame Vestment], Void Blade (Rank 5) [Rending], Void Shield (Rank 6) [Reflecting][Wall][Sphere], Void Beam (Rank 3) [Limited Range][Horizon-Splitter][Piercing], Edge's Intuition (Rank 5) [Danger-Sense], Edge of Possibility (Rank 3), Void Counter (Rank 10) [Storing], Void Step (Rank 10) [Burst], Symbol Shift (Rank 1), Void Removal (Rank 9), Voidsoul (Rank 2), Arbiter's Anathema (3/day), Hope's Edge (1/day), Steel Gale Stride (1/day), Primalist's Command (1/day), Reaper's Shadowstep (1/day), Archmage's Admixture (1/day)

Stardust: 3,765

Equipment: (Returning / Adaptable) Nethaldrim, (Medium / Snowguard / Burnguard / Repairing) Reaper Armor, (Thrice Judged) Anathema Arm, (Overclocked / Lightfoot) Steelstalker Sabatons, (Terrifying / Sealing) All-Seeing Dragon's Eyes, Primal Hide, (Flexible) Adamantine Skeleton, (Reactive) NICIF, Guatch Grappler, TPSB, survival meals (x28), enhanced canteen, (Restful) Wildercloth tent, Devilsram wool bedroll, Blood-Infused Holy Water (x3)

Boons:

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Voidsoul – (Rank 1) - The user's soul energy coefficient is treated as being 0% for the effect of any incoming, hostile effects.

Voidsoul – (Rank 2) - As Rank 1, and the user may absorb a single hostile effect each day, recovering energy commensurate to the amount spent. If energy was not spent, then this effect will not trigger.

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"That's handy," Jace stated as he read through his status screen. "Wait, where is my Sliver Arc?"

"Oh, that was integrated into the armor. You can do that weird hover-slide as long as you are no more than two feet above the surface of…something. You cannot fly with it, but it will be far faster than running. In combat, the ability to push the excess exhaust from your feet will enable more agility with jumps, sprints, and let you set a grapple point while you propel yourself on the anchor."

"That is awesome," Jace whispered. He lifted his Guatch Grappler, tagged the top of the large entry hallway, and then pulled himself halfway up so he was suspended. "And now how do I activa-"

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[We got you, boss!]

[Just think it, we'll read your intent in your brain, and activate it!]

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Jace thought about moving forward, and his feet almost rotated on their own – he still felt in control, but it was almost second nature. And the jets on the bottom boosted him forward, letting him swing up to the ceiling from his hanging-slack position. Kicking off, he swung the other direction, testing the mobility.

"Looks fun!" Priam shouted as the elevator opened. Him and Dee emerged, and Jace dropped down as the elevator doors closed.

"It's a neat upgrade," Jace said. Ollie flew over and 'sank' under his armor, wrapping himself around Jace's neck like a fuzzy scarf. "Where's Greg?"

"I'm here," his voice replied as the elevator doors opened. His power armor made him even more imposing and intimidating, but his voice sounded sullen. "Let's get this going."

"To the shops!" Priam said as he led their small procession towards the doors.