The thing about the magical gate that was used, it took a little of his mana. The rest came from the World itself. It took them three days to make it to the location. It took the others 5 to make it. They survived it unscathed for the most.
For the last day Tietra avoided him and spent her time with Mileuda. Azul spent his time talking with the others before they left. Only Jaina remained. Bishop was excitied to go as he felt this place didnt suit him much. Lettie was still inside Azul learning from Inferna, Zelda and Dyshana.
Azul was propped against the outside wall looking over the church. The residents were all half demons. Used as forced Apostle for the church to do there bidding. Which was to get the Zodiac Stones and restore Ajora. They spent some time freeing the place. It was easy with Azul just spending his time releasing the influence with his magic. He wasnt allowed to fight.
"Should I use this thing or no?" Azul said as he twirled the Zodiac Stone around. "I mean I have Devil blood in me. Way more powerful than this thing. Or its presnce inside." Pocketing it when he felt a presence moving his way. He reached for an apple from the tree. "I still love these things. I am still me."
Devil: Yes you are. Just need to unwind before you pop.
Dragon: I agree. Your being toyed with. If they dont want you then so be it then.
System: Willpower Check 26 Pass Intelligence Check 31 Pass
'Your right.' Azul thought back. "Tch," Azul flexed his powers sending through out the whole area. He felt the presence of Gaffgarion again. He would come by every few days delivering food to a group of boys. Turns out they were his sons. 'You dont have to sneak Gaffgarion. Takt the note from your sons pocket and read it. I will await your answer.'
'I understansd.' Gaffgarion thought back throught the link. He was strong but not strong enough to resist this. He spent the time with his sons and prepare to make a decisions that will change there lives. Hopefully for the better.
The Princess walked out with a few others in tow. She spent the last few days wanting to meet Azul. To talk with him and find out his attentions. Despite Alma, Tietra and Mileuda speaking about him. They mostly said he could help that was it. They didnt speak of the mans character. They went out of there way to avoid that topic actually.
"Who are you?" Princess Ovelia asked. "Are you really a friend? Are you a Knight?"
"Yup," Azul answered calmly. "Just gonna make sure people dont kill you or manipulate you. Your choice if you want to lead the people or live your life as a normal person."
"Then why do you not kneel?" Agrias said. "Show some respect she is the princess!"
"She is a walking corpse. Doing better cause of my people. Or did you forget that already child?" Azul continued leaning against the wall not really caring about the etiquette. "I have blood that holds more power in my veins than if you and her both pissed and puke in it, it would still have more value in it then her."
"You insolent cur." Agrias growled.
System Check: Command Check 25 Pass
"Sigh, respect my authority." Azul's voice came out as a command as the magic engulfed Agrias and forced her to bow at the waist. Then her back bent more as her head went to touch the ground. Followed by her knees buckling and touching the dirt. "My authority is above all others. Do you understand me, child?"
"Guh, how powerful are you?" Agrias asked. The other Knights behind her were scared. Agrias was the strongest of them. If she was forced like this, they didnt stand a chance. They moved to protect the princess though.
"Please stop!" Olivia said.
"I am strong. I use to be stronger. Much stronger.." Azul just watched and bit into an apple. "Crunch," two good chews and he swallowed. "Gulp, taste great. I use to kill and used force more. It is good to do so again. I dont want to stop. It is .. fun. Better than what I have been doing."
"Why not?" Tietra asked. "What purpose it serves hurting them like this?" She came out with her Honor Guard in tow.
"For them to know there places. You all have talked to them during your travels, yet they act so insolently to me. You would think they would be grateful. I could wipe my hands with this and leave. Only reason why I am here is for you and the others." Azul gave her a sad smile before shrugging his shoulders and continuing. "Everything else really does no matter. Not the War of the Lions.. Not this princess... not this Holy ghost in the dirt... Not a damn thing else."
"Tietra... I think we should actually leave." Mileuda said. "I dont think this is worth it."
"How can you say that? This is our home? These are our people." Tietra said staring.
"He is our husband. I care more about him than them." Mileuda shook her head. "The Corpse Brigade is doing better now. He financed them well. My brother is leading respectfully and fairly. He can accomplish this and with the help of the others.. I believe he will succeed."
"He was our husband!" Tietra said with force. "Not anymore." Ovelia's Knights looked a little weird at what was said. They thought it odd that they were all divorced already.
"Thump," Ovelia took a knee. She stared at Azul resolutely.
"I implore you to help the land. Please, I dont have the strength to do so on my own. I cant have Agrias risk her life all the time. I cant keep pushing the others pass there limits like this. The last few days, it has been the most rest they have received since taking me as their charge." She then looked at her friend being forced to kneel and bow. She then copied her. "I will do everything it takes."
"Your highness.. stop," Agrias said forcing her self to turn. It took everything she had to do so. The magic force only kept her from rising. Usuing her face she pushed the dirt away. "You cant do this! You are royalty!"
"So what. It is just a title that means nothing to people with power as you can see. I have to appease him no matter the cost. If I want to act like royalty, then I must do what real royalty does. When your people need you, I must at least do this much. We need to humble ourselves more if not... I could wind up like the Dukes, as well as the church."
"I understand," Agrias said as a little time passed.
"Good," Azul said. He waved his hand out engulfing her in his excess magic flow. "Do well little princess."
A light engulfed the princess. The world was rewriting her just a bit. Giving her more strength to succeed and fight against the scenario that was for her. In an hour she stood up. A stronger pillar of power then before. She stared at Azul and saw the power in him. She also saw the Renagade energy inside. The Paragon energy was thin and circulating around his body.
'So much anger. Is he just keeping it all inside bottled up? What a violent man. This could have turned out much worse.' Ovelia reigned in the new magic and stopped her thoughts. "Thank you. But can you release my friend?"
Azul pulled his hand back and Agrias could now stand. The remaining magic he used it to wash her then others and the princess again. They were all linked in a way.
"Ugh, thank you, your majesty." Agrias said standing before her keeping an eye on Azul.
"It was my fault for being weak. But I will change that. So will you." Placing her hand on Agrias, Olivia shared some of her power with her. Agrias was bathed in light and received new job abilities.
"My armor and knowledge has changed," Agrias said shaking her head. "I .. am .. a Holy Royal Knight now. Thank you, your majesty."
"You are welcome." Ovelia then turned to the rest. "I dont have the power to force you all to that level. It would kill me. But I can offer you something else instead." With a wave of her hand the others had a path opened to them. Olivia then looked to Azul's followers. "Tietra, Mileuda, Argath, and Rafa. You four will you serve as my knights? As well as my friends and help me protect this world?"
"Thump," Argath kneeled first. "Of course your highness."
"Thump," Rafa followed suit. "It would be my pleasure."
"Scrch." Tietra leg moved against the ground scratching the surface. She did a courtesy. "My pleasure."
"Scrch," Mileuda followed suit when she and Azul finished having a mental conversation. "Happy to oblige."
A power washed over them each. They all then received attire like Agrias. The magic mostly ame from Azul.
"We have a lot of work to do," Ovelia said smiling. "However I am exhausted. I will go recover. Please take care of your selves." With that said, she started walking back into the church.
Argath, Rafa, and Agrias followed after her. The Knights went for a walk around the area togethor.
"Was that necessary truly?" Tietra turned with her cheeks puffing a little. "You could have been more gentle with them both."
"The strands from this place sucks." Azul said destroying some of the psychic residues nearby. He gritted his teeth in disgust. "Filthy." Waving his hands, the place was clear. "Also so did the ones from both of them. Neither one of them had the strength to do what will be needed as they were. Her Knights had more determination than them both. I cant baby them. Or do you plan on staying here and doing everything for them?"
"You could have been a little more lenient, dear husband," Mileuda said moving and leaning against him. She froze when he showed her the Mission details. "Oh, dear."
"It cant be that bad," Tietra said walking over. "Oh, crap."
"Yup." Azul felt himself calm. It was only a moment though. The two had a little weird energy between them.
System: Mission Protect or Eradicate the half demons. Convert the church of Glabdos or destroy it. Rewards: Vary
Quest: Ovelia is kind but weak. The people want her to become the queen. Bring her to power to allow Ivalice a bright future. Prevent her heart from breaking as well.
Quest 2: Rafa needs to take over her foster father's land.
Quest 3: Argath needs to move up to a higher position of ability. Chain quest.
Quest 4: The Corpse Brigade must not be destroyed. It has to become a pillar of support for the people.
Reaper Node: Finding the lost technology of this world. Rewards vary. Failure: Tech decrease.
"So yeah.. this place became a lot harder. Other me could do this easier. However.." Azul stopped and let them think about it. "The current me will have a tough time of it. Especially since my Nether World cant work here like last time. Blasted thing is on the fritz or something."
"Cant you by something else that is the equivalent?" Tietra asked. She was feeling a little ticked off stuff was harder. She stepped back and looked at him.
"Currently there is none in stock. Well, there is one option but then I would have to go to that world and help it as well."
"I say do it then," Ciela said appearing from his shadow. "Come on big brother you can save so many people here as well save the people in that world."
"I think we should do it just because of the power," Liette said appearing next to him. "They all are to soft big brother. I liked the old you better. These versions of them lack your aggression. I didnt think Paragon meant less killing."
"That is not completely accurate. Just having to deal is all." Azul said thinking about it. "I will do it though Liette. I know how much you loved it here this time. I defintely want to leave a happy safe place for you and the others."
"Heh, thanks. Just dont keep me from the battlefield and everything will be alright." Liette had a devilish grin on her face. "I say we rule with an iron fist but I can defintely be persuaded big brother."
"Oh, and what will it take?" Mileuda questioned. "It better be what I think it is."
"I want brother to rule the church of Glabdos. That way if any other people are born like us, they won't go through the pain we did. I dont want them to be changed into something else. I like being half demon. Well half Devil now. What a great upgrade."
"That is dangerous sister," Ciela said shocked at her. "We can have normal bodies once brother regains some of his power."
"Pass. You can do it. But I am staying like this. Besides brother has a Devil in his body and he is not complaining."
"That is true... You have a point." Azul then thought about it a little. He didnt see a reason to change it up like that this time. "Lettie you can stay like this. So will I. No one is forcing you to change Ciela."
"Eh.. if you two are staying like this so am I."
"Brat," Liette said laughing at her. In response, Ciela just stuck her tongue at her.
"Haha, you two are silly." Azul laughed.
"So we will stay and help then yes?" Tietra asked a little expectantly. "We dont want to leave at all really."
"Speak for yourself," Magna said. "I want to travel with the Overlord." She gave Azul a wink. The others groaned at her antics. Except for Tietra and Azul. They knew what she meant. She was loyal to Azul, above Tietra. She protected Tietra because she was assigned to her. Because her Overlord told her to. The others would resist if Azul ordered to kill Tietra. She wouldn't.
"We are," Mileuda said smiling. She looked at the twins. Specifically Lettie. "No way after you got them to smile like that are we leaving. Come on we have bigger duties to attend to now."
"Stop," Azul said. They did so and looked at him puzzled. "Remember who you are. You bow to know one unless you believe they deserve it. Understood?"
"Yes, We know," Tietra said with Mileuda just smiling.
"You two can go with them as well. Dont destroy the church ok?" Azul said eyebrows raised.
"No promises." Both twins said before walking off. Lettie ran back.
"Muah," Lettie planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodbye for now brother. In case you shift somewhere else while I am gone. When you go to a dangerous place, come get me. I want to travel fully. Not leaving a part of me here." She then ran to catch up with her sister.
Azul stood there for a while. He talked to the others for 10 minutes. Magna fed off him. She was only able to drain the magic for a minute before faining. It was to potent. Christine the now shortest in the group picked her up. The demoness disappeared into her. As another 10 minutes went by, he felt it. He focused on it and felt the person come over.
"So it was you skulking around. What is it Gaffgarrion?" Azul said not moving from his position.
"As dangerous as they say." Gaffgariion walked out of the tree line and walked up to Azul sword drawn. "Greetings Azul. Did you mean what you said?" Azul nodded. "Then you will have my blade at the ready."
"Are you sure?" Azul wanted to confirm.
Walking forward he dropped himself to the ground. He then placed his sword in front.
"I am. If you dont have a problem with me being a moneygrubber, then I dont have a problem serving you." Gaffgarion said determined. "I am keeping the money though." He smirked.
"Very well. I accept your service. Welcome, Gaffgarion. First HellKnight of my Order." Azul washed his power over the man and dragged him forward only a bit. Just enough that the man's hair turned from gray to black.
"Thank you, my Overlord. What is my first task?" Gaffgarion looked over himself. He felt more powerful than ever. "Have not felt this good in decades."
"For now we plan. If you have others you can trust, those that won't break the rules I shared with you, bring them here."
"I have only a small few. I will send word to them." Gaffagarion said thinking a bit. "We are really going to take over the church and put a princess on a throne?"
"That is the plan." Azul smiled.
"Lots of blood to be spilled," Gaffgarion said.
"Yup, but we will try to spare as we can. I rather just kill. But that is apparently bad for a person. Heh." Azul chuckled.
"A person yes, a devil no..." Gaffagarion was looking at his armor. It was completely new and looked less evil. It still carried intimidation but was not as ghastly looking. "I like the new look."
"Heh, let's go," Azul said.
-A few hours later-
"I duno.. Maybe the Order of the Earth. I have not really given much thought. Cant be called the Order of Hell. People would freak." Azul said speculating. They had traveled the entire grounds. Only thing of note was a giant cellar. It screamed dungeon. They both made not to put the toughest of fighters to watch over it.
"Heh, that is true," Gaffgarion said smirking.
'Order of the Dragon.' Alita said waking up. 'It will work the best considering your disposition now. How are you, my mate?'
'I am well. Yourself?' Azul waved Gaffgarion off and went to the mess hall to eat. A few of the others were there eating to. 'Lluvia anything weird going on back home?'
Lluvia: All good. Close to Fero's space. However, a change is happening. Nothing bad. Jane the User wishes to speak ahead of time with you and a few other Users. Apparently, she is the one the Administration has chosen to take down the Enemy. Auxiliary field is now functioning at low levels.
'Very well. Stay safe.' Azul put his third mind to start thinking on how to handle that situation with her.
'Doing great. It would be better if this was the old Nether World. But beggars cant be choosers. It will be a while before I can separate from you. As a dragon, it takes a little more effort.' Alita sound pleased it would take some time.
'That is fine. Just rest for now.' Azul grabbed some bread and started to eat it. It wasn't long before a few of the others came over.
"So everyone here besides Argath, Ovelia, Agrias, Tietra and myself are half breeds," Mileuda said. " No wonder the church has such a strong influence."
"Yeah. Makes sense. They went unchecked and did this in plain sight. Might be why there forces were so numerous." Mileuda said shaking her head.
"This will be harder than I thought," Tietra said. "But I rather not purge those who did nothing wrong."
"Haa, we won't. As long as we can help it." Azul said sighing. "The decision has been made, if anyone wants to back out, now is the time." Looking around he saw no one did so. "Alright then." Shaking his head, the others went back to eating. 'Do it now Lluvia.'
Lluvia: Very well then. Battle Ogre 64 auxiliary system and Tactics Ogre Let Us Cling togethor auxiliary System purchased. Upgrading and combining with Nether World.
Azul felt his magic run wild as it reshaped inside him. His Nether World had only Zelda and Alita currently inside. The Aeons were in a separate places the same as the soul pieces that he carried. But Alita said they would be fine. The magic moved and turned for 30 minutes before stopping.
Two things then happened. The people all submitted to Azul and a notification popped up. His senses went outside alerting him about a force coming. It was late at night and the first demon made its appearance.
System: Overlord chain quest initiated.
Part 1: Establish a base and gain followers. Clear.
Part 2: Defend your territory. Ongoing.
Part 3: Defend the opposition. Ongoing.
"We have company," Azul said getting up. "Lettie with me. Tietra go and help guard the princess. The rest guard the church and the residents. They should be here in an hour or so." Pulling his senses back he relaxed on that part.
"Right." Most of them said as they moved off. All but Mileuda obeyed. She an Tietra looked at him. "We need to talk." Tietra and Mileuda headed in a direction. Lettie returned to his shadow.
"What is it?" Azul asked.
"Why didnt you come for me sooner?" Tietra spoke up. She touched against her damaged arm. Azul reached his arm out to heal it. A small zap of magic went to work.
"Your kidding right? This is how you wanted it. You wanted to confront Gustav and his men on your own. I told you to let me deal with it." Azul finished healing her arm. "There good as new."
"But the twins and yourself have been living togethor all this time," Tietra said.
"You wanted to stay by Alma and your brother. You could have stayed with us." Azul countered.
"The mission required me to. I had a few tasks to complete myself." Tietra said frustrated.
"And you are mad at me? I dont know about any of your tasks unless you tell me." Azul said. "I cant be everywhere. Your decision, not mine." He shook his head trying to wrap his head around this.
"What?" Mileuda asked.
"Your stuff, your tasks are not tied directly to mine. Auxiliary is for each of you. If any Operator gives you something, thats between yall. Why in the world would I know about any of it?" Azul shrugged.
"Because your the User. Your suppose to know these things." Tietra said angrily.
"No, I am not. I have my stuff. You have yours. I am not that controlling. I also dont want to micromanage. We would never get stuff done that way." Azul said shaking his head. "Oops, wait I am the User but still.. ah you know what I mean."
"So we are on our own then!?" Tietra said. A little snide in her voice.
"Tell me what you need. I will do my best to help." Azul said. 'A little help here anyone.'
'I have nothing really.' Zelda said.
Lluvia: Um, smack some sense into her. This was her idea.
Galtea: JUst try to be understanding. More understanding.
'Pin her down and fuck her. Exert your dominance!' Alita said. She meant it. 'Hehehe, that will fix her. It worked for Sophia.'
'She is not Sophia!' Zelda yelled. 'Be quiet stupid lizard.'
'So .. yeah.. there is all that.' Azul shook his head in wonder. "Why are you so blasted.." He was cut off.
"Stay here! Fight with us!" Tietra yelled.
"It doesn't work that way and you know it. I have to go to the places and switch. It's not like I won't be back. You can come to visit me in the Nether World if you dont like the me that remains here." Azul shook his head. "But the me here is me just a little less."
"You will get hurt if you leave. Your not strong enough. You could have died against him." Tietra said. "Just stay here and live your life with us."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Azul said rolling his eyes. He was hurt by her words but left it alone. "I have my word. I have to go and do my part."
"Screw your word!" Tietra yelled again. "You are weak as you are now. You will die on this path. I won't watch it. I won't watch you become so injured you could barely stand. You gave everything! I mean everything and it wasn't enough against him!"
"Tietra that's enough!" Mileuda said. SHe tried to console the angered woman. It didnt work.
"He was 20 levels higher than me," Azul said looking down. "Better geared, better planned, and had more on his side than me. I stopped him long enough for what mattered. To set Galtea free. I would do the same for any of you."
"You weren't there for the battle of Terra! You weren't there when it mattered! We lost so many." Tietra said. Tears coming down her face. "You were suppose to be there!"
"I couldn't be there. I couldn't open a Rift there and go back to the Citadel if I did." Azul said looking at her. "I had to make a choice and.."
"You didnt choose us! You didnt choose Agria, Mileuda or the Sisterhood and the Gladiators or Eldar! You didnt choose me!" Tietra yelled. Her biotic strands hitting Azul full on. "You dont care about us. I hate you!"
System: Willpower Check Auto Fail
"Dont care about .." Azul finally lost it. He stared at her coldly. "Everything you lost, I lost as well. Even more, than you did. All across the different Worlds, I resided there are people I connected with. I won't see them again. I may even have to kill them this time around because they are different and on the opposing side. If you want to hate me, that is fine. But never say I dont care about..." Azul turned to walk away. "I dont have Tia here. I dont have Alistair I dont have Carn... Codis is dead.. and here you are giving me shit... I have to go to more worlds. and guess what? More people might not be there. I have more losses than you will ever have.."
"Azul wait!" Mileuda called out to him. He didnt however. She and Tietra where both his with his magic. He had used Mental Cleansing on them. "Why did you.."
"Since I dont fucking care I might as well make sure you fight with clear heads if the enemy attacks early." Azul sped up weaving his magic on himself.
A few minutes later he was in the grand hall. Thinking things over. He felt the black statue hadn't given him even a bit of his previous self. Everything he just experienced was himself right here and now. He needed to release and soon.
Mileuda had caught up with him. She approached only a few steps before stopping. Tietra standing behind her. Gaffgarion stood to the left of him. A strong tension was in the air.
"Are you sure you should just go with just her and him?" Mileuda asked.
"Hey what's that suppose to mean," Lettie said giving her a dirty look. As she popped out of his shadow. "I am a capable fighter thank you very much."
"Yeah, it will be fine. I need to gauge how powerful she is now. As well as test the strength of a few things." Azul gave her a look and then moved forward. "Teleport."
Gaffgarion, Lettie and Azul were gone. He spent the time spending jp. He could only get Teleport from the Time Mage. Purchasing also combined with some of his other magic that was the same as the spell. Reducing cooldown time, and mana cost.
Behind him, eight sets of three little soldiers appeared. They had little brown caps on there heads and carried spears. There armor and shoes were basic as can be.
"You are pushing him pretty hard." Galtea said appearing. "I suggest you ease back a little. I have adjust the points for you two. Good work." She then popped out as quick as she came.
"Wow, they are so cute!" Mileuda squealed. "I want some."
"Umm, you are just in baby mode is all," Tietra said shaking her shoulder. "You should tell him you want to have kids already. You can be the first one this time." She said leaning in whispering.
"Aye.. No, you right I do want that." Mileuda shook away the embarrassment and went to do her duties. Her Sister of Battle training already kicking in. "I am gonna chain him to the bed and lock the room to get him this time. No more waiting for me."
"Heh, better that way," Tietra said smiling. "Oh, hold on. Look there."
Three sets of the three soldiers walked up. They handed a note to both of them. One kept walking away heading towards Rafa.
"They are for us," Mileuda said reading it. "If they successfully do enough damage in battle, they will combine into something. But we have to keep them alive obviously. They are our squires.."
"Hmm, Husband has jokes," Tietra said. "But these people are completely neutral. How fascinating." She read the rest of the note. "Ah, if we let them fight those stronger than them, they receive positive power for themselves. Negative for beating people weaker than them."
"I like this new one," Tietra said as they walked down the hallways. "Better than the last Nether World. Well besides the people anyway. This one seems intresting. Hope Galtea knows what she is doing."
"She should. I mean he has LLuvia helping and the others as well. We just need to do our part." Mileuda said. "Your words hit him hard. You may want to try lying next time."
"It won't work remember. Not till I get stronger can I block lies from him." Tietra smiled.