Symbiotic Ascension : A Progression Fantasy Adventure

"Are you sure you want to stay there?"

Glenn gave Milena an insistent stare, clearly unhappy about having to leave her in the Sorenas' estate. Milena sighed and nodded.

"Yes, Glenn. Trust me, I'd love nothing more than to go fool around with you guys, but I need to set my family's affairs in order. Neither my father nor my grandfather is here. I'm the only one who can take care of it. I can't trust... You know, the rest of the traditional family," she winced.

Glenn scoffed and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "If you need more destruction, call us. And don't take too much time. You don't want to miss all the fun."

Milena chuckled. "Sure, I'll do my best." She took a wicked expression as she glanced at Liara, who was waiting on Lucian's flying ship. "Now, I see your girlfriend watching for you. Are you going to keep her waiting?"

"W—Who?" Glenn choked, the tip of his ears turning beet red. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yeah, right. Have fun, Glenn—" Milena flinched as her robotic arms suddenly deployed from her back.

[Glenn, I need you to stay here with Milena. I'm returning in a few ticks, I just need to clear myself of a few curses.]

Exan's digital voice rang from the robotic arms, leaving no place for negotiations. Glenn's eyebrows creased, but the robotic arms folded back before he could say a word.

"Is he serious?" he muttered. "Now is the moment Exan chooses to meet me?"

'I love how you have the choice to say no,' mocked Diamanes. Glenn ignored him and turned back to the flying ship, yelling.

"Go without us! Exan wants to see me and Milena!"

Lucian's eyes widened. "Are you serious? That's the first time I've invited people home. Why does the old coot want to ruin the experience?"

"Just tell him to go fuck himself," laughed Nelg, his armor rustling under the sun. "He's only a Seventh-Circle, after all!"

Sahro rapped the fingers of his mechanical prosthesis against the pommel of his sword, grinning. "I can wait and duel for him. I'll stay here in your place, don't worry, Glenn!"

Glenn grunted as he slapped his forehead. "That's not how it works, you dumb bastard. We'll meet you at the Royal Tower, don't worry. I'll ask Exan for a lift!"

Liara creased her eyebrows before throwing her silver hair back and leaving for one of the ship's private rooms. Lucian shrugged.

"As you wish, Glenn! We'll see you there!" The ship rose without them, flying off into the sky. Glenn grabbed the back of his neck and sighed heavily, his expression sour.

'I'm not sure I like seeing that look on Liara's face.' He froze and bit his lips. 'Damn it, I say I like her and now she's the only thing I think about. I can't keep this up, damn it."

'That's it, huh?' Diamanes's disappointed voice rang in his mind. 'You found a new girl and now you don't think of me, huh? I'm hurt, Glenn. Very hurt.'

'...Shut the hell up, Diamanes.'

Milena clicked her tongue. "Sorry about that, Glenn. Grandpa often forgets how to properly... interact with people."

Glenn waved his hand dismissively. "He's literally a living legend and one reason I'm still alive."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

Glenn shrugged. "You know how Court Nobles have ways to unlock their potential early on for faster growth? I think Exan called Body Enhancement or something."

"...You know about that?" Milena's eyes couldn't possibly widen more. "H- How? And when did he tell you about it?"

He rubbed his chin before chuckling. "Remember back then when you destroyed a book I was reading? It was hidden inside it."

Milena chuckled in awe. "Are you kidding me? This is a well-kept secret within the Court, and he just divulged it like this?"

Glenn frowned. "You didn't know about it? Isn't that why you burnt that book to ashes?"

Her cheeks reddened in shame as she remembered her past mistakes. "I-I was just worried the book would have information that would allow you to oust me as a Noble! I know the book was banned in the Fringe and the Bourgeoisie because it contained dangerous information about the aristocrats!"

"If you say so. Hmm..." Glenn pressed his lips together. How had a book banned in both the Fringe and Bourgeoisie ended up in his hands

'Maybe it's fate?' Diamanes suggested.

'Maybe. But too many coincidences fill my life for me to simply accept it as fate.' Glenn clenched his hands, thinking back on the strange memories he experienced and Doyle Malory's words.

'The Gods... Every day that passes makes me think they're not as holy as everyone would like to think. Damn it, I already have Epinos and the Fallen Mother on my back, do I need to be wary of Onnea and the rest?'

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'That's the true fate of a powerful man,' Diamanes declared powerfully. 'Defy everyone on Earth, so that only the Heavens remain your opponents!'

'Spoken like a true cultivator,' mocked Glenn.

Milena used her hand as a visor and pointed at the sky with a frown.

"Here he is. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind, I'm telling you!"

"You go, girl!" Glenn encouraged her as the ground shook with Exan's landing. The dust lifted, revealing a robed man in his mid-forties with raven-black hair and a serious beard. His right eye was gone, replaced by a myriad of small silver gears constantly working, while his left eye was of a deep marine blue. Exan didn't even spare Glenn a glance as he threw himself at Milena, lifting her clothes and touching her everywhere."

"Areyouokay? Wereyouhurt? Nobitefromthevampiresright? Justtellmeyou'refinepleaseMilena—" Exan spoke lightning fast, his worried eyes going over her time and time again. Milena gently but strongly pushed him away.

"I am fine, grandpa." She jabbed a sharp finger in his chest, angry. "I would have been even finer had my spine activated earlier! Do you know how it felt to be used as a tool in your machinations? And now what? Does that mean you'll be watching and listening for my every move?"

Exan took a step back at each condemnation, slowly raising his hands defensively in front of him. "I- !"

"I don't care, grandpa!" Milena exploded, furious. "This was horrible! I almost fell victim to some sort of vampire gang-bang, do you think I enjoyed that? And you even let my mother do it? Why didn't you stop her? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I was—"

Milena pushed him back, tears welling up in her eyes. "NO! Where the hell were you even? Where's Dad? Why am I dealing with this bullshit all by myself?"

'Oh wow.' Diamanes couldn't help himself. 'You don't know how much I'd like to share my imaginary popcorn with you, Glenn.'

'Shut it.'

Exan drew a deep breath, grabbing both of his granddaughter's shoulders with a sympathetic expression. Milena's lips fell shut with a sniffle.

"Believe it or not, I was saving Munirp, sweetie," he muttered. "Your father is holding the fort for now, which is why I'm here. I'm sorry you had to endure all of this, my dear."

Milena bit her lips before giving her grandpa a good hug. Glenn smiled tenderly at the sight before clearing his throat awkwardly and looking away. It felt a little too much like intruding on their privacy to his taste. He certainly wouldn't share the same vice as Diamanes, damn it!

'It starts with one peek...' Diamanes said dejectedly.

'I'm not like you, you pervert!'

Milena pulled herself away from Exan and wiped off her snot. She froze and glared daggers at Glenn, pointing a threatening finger at him. "You didn't see anything!"

Glenn raises his palms to the sky, confused. "Why? What's wrong with hugging your crusty grandfather... who doesn't look all that crusty?"

"What are you saying—" Milena paled, but her grandpa interrupted her with a chuckle.

Exan nodded in agreement, holding his chin. "I have to admit, despite my few hundred years old, I'm rather well preserved."

"You—!"

Glenn and Exan exchanged a knowing glance, and both laughed. Exan patted Milena's back before holding a hand toward Glenn. "If you mind, I believe we'd best have this conversation elsewhere."

'Careful of the old men who offer you to go somewhere, Glenn! That's how most kidnappings happen!' Diamanes exclaimed warily. 'You told me he wanted to get rid of me, after all! He's not trustworthy!'

Exan groaned and waved his hand, a blue bubble appearing around Glenn's purple hand. A horrified mouth appeared in his palm, screaming.

"AAAHHH! HOW DID HE PULL ME OUT?! THIS GUY IS SCARY GLENN RUNNNN!"

"That was my mistake," Exan muttered as he flicked his fingers. Diamanes' screams turned into a muffled groan, his voice magically muted.

"Now, Glenn?" Exan insisted, reaching out. Glenn shrugged and grabbed the extended hand. His feet lost contact with the ground in less than a moment. Glenn felt the wind crash against his face and whistle in his ears, until his feet found the ground again.

'That's one way to do public transport,' he thought. Milena, seemingly used to such a situation, blinked at Glenn's left hand, her eyes widening. She turned to Exan with a shocked look, who was dusting off his hooded magician's robe.

"You knew about Diamanes?"

Exan frowned. "You too? How did your perception grow so powerful—?"

"I just told her," Glenn interjected plainly. He wasn't that surprised with Exan pulling something on Diamanes. After all, the first time they had a discussion, the Omniscient had already shown skills to hide from Diamanes and hide his presence from him.

Exan looked at him in disbelief. "You did? That's... a very dangerous thing to do. Most people would keep the demon in their hands a secret."

"He did," sighed Milena. "But you see, unlike you, Glenn believes those close to him have the right to hear about his secrets, not just figments of their past."

Exan flinched at the accusation. "To my defense, I mostly forgot my time from another world. You know my memory is faulty!"

Milena squinted at him. "And I also know you devised a spell to dig through that old brain and watch... what did you call it, the Game of Crones?"

"Thrones!" Glenn and Exan corrected. Their eyes widened, and they pointed at each other in recognition.

"Tell me you watched the end of GOT—wait." Exan took a large inspiration, regaining his composure. "Let us enjoy tea by the side of the fire. Welcome to the Royal Library, Glenn."

Only then did Glenn get an opportunity to take in the surroundings. An ancient yet majestic castle stood before him, built of white stone and stern black tiles. Banners bearing Munirp's setting sun hung from every wall, scholars going in and out through the large steel gate. The gate, shaped like a book and engraved with countless runic words, some of which Glenn recognized, stood there. Mundare, Aqua, Lux... The rest was completely unknown to him. He had to admit, he never really took the time to deepen his knowledge of runes.

'The Draconic School makes it a little useless to learn, after all,' he thought. 'Just a thought, and I make stars fall. What's the point of learning this shit?'

"You're more than happy to use Mundare, aren't you?" Diamanes mocked aloud, his temporary magical gag gone. Exan's eyebrows creased, and he aimed his finger at Glenn's left hand.

"NO, NO, please, Sir Exan the Omniscient, let me retain the right to speak, I beg you!" Diamanes pleaded. "I have terrible memories connected to not being able to communicate... Pretty please?"

Exan sighed as Milena laughed at Diamanes' pitiful show. Glenn stared down in disbelief. "I never took you for one to beg, Diamanes."

"And I thought you'd never get a girlfriend," grumbled the entity. "We all have our misconceptions, don't we?"

Exan shook his head before turning to Glenn with gleaming eyes. "Let me welcome you in. We have a lot to talk about."