Tiamat, Richard, and Rexford inside Hector's Internal Space-
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Tiamat floated above the Primordial Sea a few feet from the new residents. It was rare seeing such young ones adhere to the rules in keeping balance, but Tiamat, as the one who had of the strongest Aspects among Deities, which was Chaos and Salt Waters in conjunction had a hand in Creation long ago could also act with a different set of rules. Through those Aspects and the Primordial Sea that Hector was able to grow and develop the young Champion was developing the same Aspects as her other Champions with a small twist.
His Chaos contained the living giving properties associated with water by destroying and changing what was dropped into it. Of course Chaos cold only be guided and not contained for one so young. The rules of the Dimension Hector was currently in provided the creation of the powerful items that boosted stats permanently. Hector's years of his life and his passion for architecture allowed him to build fortifications and buildings from blueprints thanks to his study of magic here as well.
After speaking with Richard and Rexford, Tiamat could understand the overlap between some of their likes and dislikes. For Rexford had the Black Gold Vortex powered with the Aspect of Space in terms of proportions or filling of occupied areas, which allowed him to devour anything into it and recreate a version of it with better materials he had consumed already. As long as he had the material in whatever form or fashion, he could do so thanks to that. Richard, thanks to his Aspect of History and the Magic and Ki development in his first Dimension, was able to create anything he understood and had details of.
Both were influenced so heavily by what they had that Tiamat was starting to see why Destiny had it's eye on them and allotted the time for them to live pass their intended years on Earth. Then again, they also had a different connection that Tiamat could care less about as she drew on the Chaos energy released from the two occupying the place inside Hector.
With her increased recovery, the fragment was no longer needed to take long periods of rest and could stabilize in a few weeks. Going from stabilization to actively guiding her Champion. With the one Richard, she could create a cycle of him feeding from her History to increase his power and recovery to then provide what Hector needed in desperate situations. Not to mention having him become a provider for teaching to increase the technological gaps once the chance arrived and Hector crossed those thresholds of power.
She was very interested in Richard's Aspect of Longevity, which could help fix the large gap of Hector's understanding in Anima and Light magic. Hector was in favor of the technical part of magic, and the dampening of his Dark Magic to keep him from going haywire was taking it's toll still.
"Haa, a time of respite." Tiamat sighed as she dipped her toes in the Primordial Waters. Kicking them as she peered into the growing depths caused by the Deity Flakes of Rexford. "Such a Pity Hector was unable to finish his studies on the Morph Project. One of those bodies could have held Rexford in place longer."
Richard kept his hands outstretched over Rexford's Soul. The body part fragments fell down, increasing the depth and length of the Primordial Sea by leaps and bounds with every touch, while winds stirred above the surface in some areas.
"Who is the one that comes and tempts him later?" Tiamat asked, after looking away from the changes taking place in her home, inside her Champion. 'I rather not throw him into war that is against his tenants of belief so early.'
"Your brother Bahamut.. I am sorry. He teamed up with your true adversary, Marduk."
Tiamat's face turns ugly and violent. Her eyes radiated malice that could kill mortals while stunning Deities. Yet Richard did not stop his task of taking in the History of Rexford.
Rexford does not look away from Tiamat as it was a chance to temper himself as well. His Divine Sense went around the Internal Space to check for any problems. Yet none happen despite the power the Deity let loose within.
Tiamat did not harm Hector in the least, that was reassuring to him. So many Champions he came across butted heads with the Deity's they were under even after parting paths to do their own thing.
"What happened in the end?"
"Hector.. he cut down Marduk and was jailed by Bahamut and his followers. The Pantheon War that took place was one of the worse at that time." Rexford's voice started to get lower. Exhaustion came around again. "Myself, Richard, Clark, and even Jamal lost a few Aspects during that time. Scattering them into different dimensions to keep the duty of Champions fulfilled even though we finally made it to being Deities."
"Humph, how many Deities were ensnared into the Unending Army at that time?" Tiamat scoffed angrily. Eyes narrowing on the future ruler of the enemy of every Deity that breaks the rules. "Surely you gained something form it or at least allow the restructuring of some Universes from it."
"Five Pantheons in their entirety, with 121 miscellaneous Deities. But that does not matter, for it will not happen again." Rexford started to drift into hibernation. His soul contains itself more. It would be a long time until he could emerge without trouble due to law. "I made sure the last of us will not be hurt."
"We will see." Tiamat thought about the fact that Hector cut down Marduk. 'He keeps his promise... Such a diverse bunch of loyal friends, I wonder about the ones who are disloyal? How did they turn out when given such power?'
Rexford turned into a large ball of Black energy with a Gold sheen on the outside. No different than an eclipse in certain view to a regular person. The orb floated to an Altar that would house it and nurture it to keep him from turning into nothingness now. In this way a Deity that tampered with the Aspect of Space and so much more could no longer actively cause any issue.
The Rich Qi produced by him had been used to bolster Hector's Primordial Sea and boost Tiamat. Nothing more but a shorring of defenses and toughness in layman's terms. The development of Hector's Aspect were on the cusp of breaking down into something else so it was good in that department as well now.
"Well, this is something." Richard looked over the changes to his body and marveled at the changes it started to exhibit. "I have grown taller and my tail is back fully healed. But my fur is gone, everyone else and looks to only be thick hair on my arms, legs, and chest."
"You look like some human monkey hybrid." Tiamat shakes her head at the thought horrible image. Hand outstretched, she fired a ball of Chaos energy. "Can't have that causing problems when you leave out of here, in case Hector's natural 'Resident' aura doesn't cover you."
As the Chaos energy hit Richard the tail receeded into him but thehair remained. He just looked to be a tall well-built man now.
"We need to begin on you learning from me so you can close the gap for Hector." Tiamat created a small place for them to sit. The chairs short enough to allow both of their feet to dangle in the Primoridal Sea. "But first tell me your view on Hector's state of mind."
Richard gave a nod as speaking with Tiamat would cover his need and desire in communicating with a Deity of another Pantheon. It was hard to speak with any of them until a level of power was reached that they recognized.
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The Spear of Ice-
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Hector had his forces set up camp outside the temple. Time for them to rest and relax. Not to mention meeting up with the others who were coming from different mercenary groups.
"Stay focused, and make sure you are ready in case a snowstorm kicks up." Hector stared at the entrance in amazement at the beauty of the architecture. "It has stood standing for a long time. I wish to make such things like this one day."
A few of his people whispered they would make sure to help him achieve that. But it was lost in the shifting winds of snow and ice.
Following orders, they went to work. As for Hector, he was tired beyond belief. Physically, Magically, and Spiritually he pushed himself hard to get this far and trained. It would have to be enough for even he needed to rest and recover after such actions.
Creating an ice tunnel downward with fire, he had no time to explain really. Pulling out a mattress and some bedding, the armor was not even removed while he collapsed. Such was the exhaustion he started snoring in a matter of moments. Two of his people stood guard not bored in the least.
The duo of guards couldn't quite understand how it was relatively warmer inside than outside. The concept of trapped heat was a little in their understanding but the snow didn't melt visibly to them either.
As the two guards stood watch with no issue at firs,t they slowly felt cold. In the are,a wind started to leave Hector of such a chilling intensity they had to guard their lives. Ready to get some mages to help, they were stopped by a voice.
*Shine!* The image of Tiamat appeared, and with a simple fingle gesture, she silenced the two. As both guards were Enthralled already, seeing her visibly only strengthened their devotion to her.
They bowed their heads and turned back to manning their posts. Feeling the presence of Hector vanishing, they knew he would return. For they had the utmost faith in the one who defeated them and the Deity he served.
"Ugh.." Hector came to in front of the shrine in front of a figure. "..well shit." Standing up he was face to face with the Spectre of Barigan, the Knight and weilder of Maltet the Legendary Weapon he sought. "I don't take it you will hand me the weapon huh?"
Barigan didn't answer which to Hector was all fine and dandy he supposed. Hefting the Wolf Biel over his shoulder he entered into battle with the remnant.
*Crack!* The first strike was made by Barigan who had reach thanks to the spear. He took off the entire left side of Hector's armor with the prong of the weapon. A layer of frost permeated the area but was then blasted by intense winds from Hector.
*Schrrrk!* The sound of hard substance upon each other echoed in the temple. The Wolf Biel cut along the armor before rending off a piece. With his hand poised right at the mark in the free hand Hector poured all his magic into the spot.
"You.. monster.." Barigan muttered as his eyes focused on Hector. ".. you should not gain these.. weapons..." Gripping onto his weapon with grim resolve the specter swung down down with a twirling whirlwind to crush Hector.
"Tch!" Clicking his teeth in frustration Hector side stepped the Whirlwind strike and closed the gap immediately to prevent getting hit by the rest of the move. "Rahh!" Swinging the axe into the exposed section so quickly awarded him a hit but not a devastating one.
Barigan was a knight after all and he tanked the blow then stepped back faster than his frame would suggest he could do.
*Woosh!* With a devastating lunge, the spear Maltet was thrust towards Hector's midsection. Snow and ice formed all along the body in microseconds, preventing Hector from even reacting fast enough.
*Bang!* With a blow that destroyed his axe hastily put for protection, Hector felt the cold touch of the spear get through his armor and flesh. Smashed into the wall behind him the scene would have made his troops attack in madness.
"You ar more.. dangerous than.. the dragons.." Barigan took a few steps forward as he needed to finish the job. But he felt something tugging him backward. "Hmm!?" Behind the knight a small chain of connecting wind current tugged his feet and arms backward.
"Ha..ha.. ha.." Hector pushed himself out of the wall with a wild smile. His eyes blazed over in Dark Blue Magic. "It's not over just yet!" Drawing Mulagir, he focused his own life force with that of Anima Magic.
"AHHHHH!" Barigan felt a crisis take over him so he realised more power of the Legendary Weapon and broke free of the wind chains. "DIIIEEEE!" His voiced boomed through the temple and into the outside world as he lunged at Hector in desperation.
Outside, Hector's troop,s who were alseep, were stirred awake from the outburst. The winds could be heard in the snow tunnel before stopping abruptly. In fact, the entire snowstorm was gone.
"You.. will bring destruction .. in your wake.." Barigan's voice echoed outward as a dying warning to the people outside. "..this.. is not the.. what we wanted.."
*Pfft!* Hector grabbed the neck of the Legendary Hero and crushed it under his grip. Using Nosferatu to it's utmost he sent Mulagir away while gripping Maltet. The hole he blasted through Barigan mimicked the one he had as well.
"Kuff!" Coughing out blood chips, Hector was fighting a desperate battle for his life. Even leveling up barely abated some of the pain. "Damn it!" Forcing himself to remain upright with the spear he forced an elixer down his gullet with the weak free hand.
If not for his strong Constitution and the use of a legendary Weapon, this would not have even been possible. Hell, the eating of the dragon meat had to play a strong role in him even attempting to survive the strike.
Two strikes of a Legendary Weapon and he could barely survive. The increase to his stats was also well needed as the situation turn for the worse. In the Temple, several Spectres came out. Those who fought with Barigan were not happy, or they were reacting to his dying words.
"Just what I needed!" Hector dropped the remains of Barigan into the Primordial Sea while hefting the Spear Maltet. It's power was coursing through him to keep him standing and to help heal him. "This is dangerous but what can you do about it?"
Charging out he was not going to spare any of the Spectres that came to kill him. In fact, he was going to drop this entire temple into the Primordial Sea. Corpses and all be damned!