The Systemic Lands

Chapter XXIII – Day 351 – Another Visit

“Imbue Reform.” I used the skill after getting a restoration. I let out a sigh of relief. My monsters sensed a figure approaching. It was the Astrologer again. I hadn’t seen him after he had explained where to get the skill I needed and some useful level 3 monsters for hybridization. He also explained consumption and said he would be back later once I had built up an army.

I had been a fool and an idiot for missing something so obvious. Of course, there would be power trapped inside a hybrid’s flesh. I had overlooked it, since consumption didn’t work between hybrids only on humans. The Astrologer hadn’t explained why, just what to do. Still, it was a mystery I was exploring and would soon work out the nuances to.

I would take his tongue lashing for now, but I would get him back eventually. It had been a hassle, but I had already managed to make twelve level 3 hybrids with the last arrival. The lack of upkeep and their power, was something that would easily carry me to victory.

The Astrologer had pointed out a zone that had white cats. Now I had white werecats with powerful mind attacks. I had used those to kill giant red elephants. The ultimate tank with their regeneration and with their high level. Unfortunately, they couldn’t constantly be used for consumption. Monsters that healed over time, lost their power when consumed.

The red were-elephants stood ten feet tall, with tusks. I had given them massive clubs as an initial weapon and had my white werecats ride on their backs. Then there was my pride and joy. Combining a level 3 sword dervish with a human being. To make a were-sword dervish.

It was inspired! The human had swords for their arms and legs and could fly about. It was dizzying when I looked through their eyes, but nothing I was not used to already. A whirl wind of death. I had the core of my army of level 3 monsters. Ranged attacks, tanks, and flankers. I had been preparing to attempt a level 4 hybrid with the next arrival.

“Really? Trying to attack me with such weak garbage?” The Astrologer asked as he walked past the hybrids. Easily dodging a club swing that shattered the ground and ignoring the mental attacks all together. “Get your forces together, it is time to go.”

“So soon?” I asked through a werewolf as I retreated personally from the plaza. I was not about to be caught out in the open.

“Yes. I have far more important business elsewhere. Everyone thinks they are the most important person, when they really aren’t. You won’t easily make it to where you need to go without my help, even with these…things. And hurry up, I know where your physical body is, easily enough,” The Astrologer shook his cloaked head and pointed where my body currently was.

Just wait, soon I would unleash a level 4 summon and the Astrologer would be dead. He might claim, that it was a huge risk and wouldn’t work, but he didn’t know. I had figured out all the other roadblocks in my path, I would easily surpass the next one.

I just had to find and kill some level 4 monsters and make a level 4 hybrid. With that power, I would crush all in my path. Michael and this Astrologer. I knew the Astrologer would return and my personal cart was ready to go. It was strapped to the back of one of my red were-elephants. I got into it and was lashed down.

“So where are we going?” I had my werewolf ask the Astrologer.

“North and then East.” The Astrologer floated upwards slowly, so it wasn’t a leap, and landed on the head of the were-elephant near him gently enough that the hybrid barely felt him standing on top of it. “Ready?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Good, let’s go.” I set off and the Astrologer kept perfectly balanced on top of my level 3 hybrid, like he was glued there.

“So, what exactly is going to happen?” I asked after the silence stretched out for a while. I was hoping to get more information before I killed this man.

“North, through the forest, then the swamp. Then we go slightly West to go around that awful lake. Then we cut hard East, heading a bit to the North. Eventually we will reach the mistlands, where you got sword dervishes.”

“From there, we push through. I will shield you for a short period from the effects of the mist, but we must hurry. Once you clear the mist, you will be on your own. Make your way East. Past the cliffs and waterfall to the level 1 zone of the East Bastion.”

“There is only one real threat that will be a challenge for you. Uday. He must die no matter what. If you kill him, then consider the first favor repaid. He is a mixed fighter with a primary focus on Body, with minor skills to support him. Do not underestimate him,” the astrologer explained.

“I understand. Kill this Uday and take the city. And then?” I asked wanting to get more information out of the Astrologer.

“Leave the West alone. Diddle yourself with your toys. Research to your heart’s content. The East Bastion has only a singular route without an airship to reach it without traversing the nightmares that are level 4 zones and this is it. If you return, I won’t be pleased and will be forced to act. You do not want that,” the Astrologer threatened.

“Why has no one like you showed up for a long time? No one talks about you in Purgatory?” We had a lot of distance to cover, and I was curious.

“I have been keeping away the outside talent. But that will only last so long. Once she moves in force and truly commits to a battle, I will be unable to stop her in my present state. You. Hah! She would just look upon you and you would die.” The Astrologer shook his head.

“Who is this person?” I asked.

“I will not speak her name. For while the danger is small, there is still danger. Consider that a free lesson for all those times you cursed me out. It was quite enlightening.” I paled at that. He had heard me?!

“And you still want to work with me?”

“You are a dog. No, worse than a dog, a slime to be scraped off my boot. Hah! I sense your impotent rage. The hate. The anger. The futility! But you are the only tool I have to kill Uday before he makes a move and upsets my carefully laid plans. And don’t think about getting ideas and make me snap my fingers,” the Astrologer said.

“What happened to you?” I asked, trying to change course with my questions as rage simmered within me.

“A minor accident. A setback. Nothing you need to worry your little head about, least it explode or melt. You have a job and you will do it.”

“Why don’t you teach me then? What you can do?” I asked hoping for more breakthroughs, like the skill and consumption. I hated the insults and how cavalier he was, but he had knowledge. I would take it no matter what.

“You? Teach you? You are but a frog in small well, destined to be a stepping stone for the more important game pieces. You are scum Ritualist. You have already broken your spirit. The path to the higher levels is not simple or easy. But, I am always willing to change my mind. If you manage to make a level 4 hybrid or summon, and not die horribly. Then we shall talk again. But that is a threshold you will not cross, So I Predict!”

I felt all my tethers shake minutely at the last few words the Astrologer had shouted. A shiver raced up my spine. “What was that?”

“That dear Ritualist was a bet. A gamble if you will. Prove me wrong and you will hurt me, but earn my respect. Prove me right, and you will be no more. Now silence. I wish to conserve what little time I have left without your incessant yapping.”

I grit my teeth. I hated this man so much. I would prove him wrong just like everyone else. Who was he to look down on me both literally and figuratively. With my level 3 hybrids, we quickly plowed through any obstacles and kept traveling during the night.

The next morning we reached the mistlands. I could also tell there was a void zone nearby with how the energy was shifting. I had been observing the Astrologer, but he had no energy emissions. It was odd. “Through the mist, quickly, keep heading Northeast. Your summons will have to fight. I will shield them as long they remain close.”

The last time I had lured the sword dervish monsters out of the mistlands. Sending a summon into the mist, would leave it confused and disoriented and that would effect myself and the other summons. The more summons caught up, the more effect compounded.

As we reached the mist, the Astrologer acted. “Hah!” He raised up both hands with palms outwards, slightly to the side and the mist was pushed away. “Hurry! I can’t maintain this for long!”

My monsters rushed forward. A sword dervish came rapidly spinning out of the mist. My werecats incapacitated it, while two of my were-elephants without human passengers smashed it. I had one of my lesser summons quickly scoop up the crystal. It was useful material for future hybrids.

We raced forwards barely slowing down, only when a monster appeared. “Ahead will be purple monkeys. Don’t let them attack me, or my protection will fail. They use vibrational attacks. Your were-elephants should act quickly, don’t give them a chance to build up,” the Astrologer said. There was a weakness in his voice.

The monkeys came and I had my summons quickly eliminate them. The combination of mental attacks and massive tanks to smash them, was impossible to stop. “Beyond them are the metal cubes. Your mental attacks won’t work. Focus on overwhelming physical power, don’t let them build up time to attack, it won’t be good if that happens and you will probably die,” the Astrologer said.

We broke free of the mist and the man let out a long sigh. “This is my limit, good luck killing Uday. You will need it.” The Astrologer was there one moment and then he was gone. There was only a small lingering trace of energy shifting about where he had once been and that too disappeared in second.

“Astrologer you are a fool,” I said aloud, not caring if he heard me. “I will kill this Uday and make him a level 4 hybrid. And with that, my power will be unstoppable. I will rip your face off and make you scream for the humiliation and insults you have heaped upon me. You heard that Astrologer. I am coming for you.”

There was no response. I didn’t expect there to be any from the pretentious man. He had a lot of tricks, and was good at dodging, but little real power. He had failed somewhere, why else ask for help? Failures were not to be admired, but learned from and stepped on.

I didn’t make the treaty with Michael because I was winning. I was losing. This Astrologer was doing the same thing, he was clearly in a losing position and had to give up quite a bit to get my help. Soon, he would be nothing more than a smear.

The first step was to capture this Uday. Then to transform him into a level 4 hybrid. Then kill Champion Michael. Then find and kill the Astrologer. A metal cube rose up from between the boulders. One of my were-elephants jumped forward and smashed it over and over, deforming the monster until it turned to dust.

The pitiful projectiles it used were nothing against my tanks. The mental attacks had done nothing. Immune to skills, why thank you. That will be the perfect addition to my growing army.