Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Chapter 605: Old Blunder



Kieran stared at all the eyes on him, each gaze burning with the desire to know what had turned him into this dormant vessel of blood, death, and destruction that sat before them.

Recalling his experiences came easy, for they constantly replayed in Kieran's mind. The emotions were raw and gripping and sometimes addled him as if he were missing something from the experience.

The void he felt as he internally recounted the experiences was evident and unavoidable. He couldn't sidestep what he thought because although it was Valdu's story... the choices Kieran made dictated how he felt in the end.

The pangs of guilt he felt for being the one to survive, for being the one that the Flame cherished and placed exclusive interest in, condemning the survival of the Fiends - all of it belonged to Kieran.

Of course, he remembered Argexes had revived all the fallen creatures, using his authority as the Monarch of Ruin to manipulate its presence. Only... what came back could not be compared to what the Fiends once were.

They had become Thralls of the Maddened.

Kieran sighed and spread his arms, issuing a warning. "Brace yourselves. The way I tell my story will be a tad different."

The other didn't understand what he meant by that comment, giving an assortment of strange looks, confusion being the prevalent one.

"What do you mean?"

Rather than answer through words, Kieran conveyed the meaning through his actions. He could feel the Mystic Gate react to his beckon, beginning to churn and spew mystical essence from the opening in his Realm. Despite being subtly displaced, the Mystic Gate showed no change in effectiveness, and its flow was maintained or arguably better.

The Compendium felt its dwellings being brushed by Kieran's consciousness.

[Child, you are reaching out to Syllables and forms you have yet to deeply understand. Their profundities are partially lost upon you and risk muddying your future comprehension if you attempt to draw on them too early.]

Kieran suspected his actions posed a few risks, but he had indulged in riskier endeavors during the Trial. Risk, consequence, and misfortune had become intimate friends but a greater impetus when coupled with attentiveness.

'This isn't some sudden thought. It has been tickling my mind since I've returned from the Trial. My recollection of those symbols is clearer than ever... and Hekaina's actions remain with me. Though... I could use some help.'

A noise akin to a resigned sigh echoed inside Kieran's Realm. And the others patiently awaited the beginning of his story as he froze in position.

[Fine, child. What assistance would you require?]

'I want to breathe life into the words I speak. So that the others may feel what I'm saying.' [Hm, a bit ambitious for your skill. Such a thing demands fine control of essence and the manipulation of a Mind Construct you have no experience forming.]

The Furthered Scales of Balance was a construct Kieran had grown increasingly skilled at operating and weaving, but it was a static construct. It didn't require anything other than occasional repairs to ensure it functioned at optimal levels and didn't venture into dangerous, destructive areas of activity.

'You called it a Mind Construct? Is that what a Construct complete name is?'

[You must first understand the constructs you refer to are myriad by nature. As you saw from that glimpse into Enchantress' past, mysticism does not depend on hand movements to occur. Its main vessels are the eyes and the mind. An example of a Mind Construct is the Mystic Gate, which is now rooted in your Inner Plane - a naturally occurring one, but it still follows the same constraints.]

Kieran kept silent as the deep well of ancient knowledge imparted additional wisdom.

[A Mind Construct is powered solely by one's mind, and it is only as firm as a Runemaster's mind is vast. That rudimentary construct you made is an example of a Mind Construct. It was only as strong as how robust your mind had become. If you want to pull this off... I would suggest allowing my Ego to command your body. It is not something we should do, but considering the harmless nature of your actions, we shouldn't upset the order too greatly.] Allowing another ego to operate as your own left Kieran feeling conflicted.

Would the Compendium return command over his body once done? Kieran didn't know, but his brush with faith inside the Trial made him understand that sometimes, taking a step riddled with uncertainty was the only path forward.

With an exhale, Kieran acquiesced.

'How would we do this?'n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

[Calm your mind, open your Realm Door, and I'll do the rest.]

Kieran did as told, utilizing his heightened awareness to delve deep into his mind and hold the Realm Door open. For a time, there was no reaction, only a serene silence, and strange stillness.

Then, it all changed.

An ancient and boundless presence seeped out of the Realm. To Kieran, it seemed like endless strings of mystical words, but soon, it mummified his head and hijacked control.

In the conference room, Kieran opened his eyes. These set of eyes appeared unnatural, deep and flecked with luminous starlight as if they had become two universes worth of understanding.

"The child's storytelling skills are not up to par, but I shall step in where he falls short. You will come to learn the story of Valdu - human turned Monarch, but shall hear it from your companion's point of view."

"Um..." Bastion murmured, looking around. "Is somebody pulling my leg here? Is that not the boss?"

"It looks like the boss..." Nemean muttered. But he shook his head. "But that does not feel or sound like the boss. I feel like prostrating to this motherfucker."

Bastion nudged Nemean but leaned in toward everyone. "Hey... you guys think the boss has, like, multiple personality disorder? Like, it wouldn't surprise me. He's pretty insane if we

look back on everything."

Altair frowned, his brows knitting. "I don't think it's something as silly... well, not silly. I don't think he's that kind of nutcase. He may have come in contact with something that

transcends common sense."

Strangely enough, Kieran could hear all that his teammates said, but he couldn't reply directly. He had to relay messages to the Compendium, who then spoke on his behalf.

"Who or what I am is of no importance right now. Instead, we should focus on what I'm about to show you. The past, after all, has a lamentable habit of rearing its head at odd times." The Compendium didn't allow a chance to respond; instead, it coaxed Kieran's psyche to channel the Fiend's Carnage. It didn't flare uncontrollably like when Kieran opened the floodgates himself. All of the energy was concentrated in his mind, fueling the clarity of each image the Compendium formed.

Kieran sat idly by but wondered how the Compendium was doing this. And when he asked for insight into the technique, he was declined. Like everyone else, the Compendium stressed the value of understanding the meaning of Ascension and mastering one's arsenal rather than seeking answers elsewhere.

Moments later, everyone was suddenly stricken with fear, spasming and convulsing, until they floundered on the ground. The culprit of that reaction was naturally the Compendium, who concocted a potent dosage of terror.

"Silly old me. Child, I may have made a blunder. I concentrated too intently on what you desired. What they see now... are emotions that even you have yet to settle. Luckily, it is only images and not a product of Actualization; otherwise, I would have permanently ruined their minds. When they awaken... well, they should view you in a new light."

With that, the profundity within Kieran's eyes receded, and he assumed control of his body

once more.