Chapter 51 – The Seven Above, The Seven Below
The gates of Asher's territory creaked open as his armored horse trotted into the familiar fields. Soldiers saluted as he passed, recruits paused their sparring, and maids ran to prepare the mansion. But Asher didn't stop to bask in their admiration.
He rode straight to his study, tossed his cloak to the side, and slammed the sealed letter onto his desk. He broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment.
> To Lord Asher, Noble Defender of Region 3,
You are hereby summoned to join a select expeditionary force under royal directive. Your mission: infiltrate the outskirts of the Vampire Continent and retrieve classified quantities of the magic Power Stones. You will be stationed alongside nobles from Region 2, Region 5, and Region 7. Success will ensure the survival and military superiority of the kingdom.
Failure is not an option.
—The Royal Council
Asher read it twice. Then a third time.
"Of course they're sending me," he muttered. "And right into the fire."
His eyes narrowed at the mention of "nobles from Region 2" — Region 2 was known for its manipulative politicians and subtle poisoners. This wasn't just a mission—it was a trap disguised as patriotism.
Just as he folded the letter, a dark aura slid across the floor and coiled around his legs like a serpent.
"YOU'RE TAKING THIS RATHER CALMLY,"said a voice that echoed without sound. "NOT EVEN ONE CURSE?".
Asher rolled his eyes and looked up.
From the shadows behind his desk, the misty form of Stee'zz, his inner demon, emerged. Tall, with a jagged crown of black bone and tendrils flowing from his back like liquid shadow, Stee'zz hovered silently behind him.
"I figured you'd show up," Asher said. "You've been too quiet since the throne room."
"QUIET?" Stee'zz grinned, rows of silver teeth flashing."I WAS FEASTING ."
He sat on the desk without weight, crossing one leg over the other.
"WHILE YOU WERE READING THE LETTER THAT SELF-PROCLAIMED PRINCE BABBLE,I WAS DIGESTING MEMORIES OUT OF THAT FOOL LYSAR LIKE WEEDS FROM A CURSED TREE."
Asher folded his arms. "And?"
"AND... YOU MIGHT WANT TO SIT DOWN"
"I am sitting."
"GOOD."
"BECAUSE I SENSED SOMETHING WHEN I ABSORBED LYSAR IN THAT BRIEF MOMENT."
Asher narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
The demon's form flickered.
"HE IS IN CONTROL OF SELENA AND IS PLANING TO USE HER AGAINST YOU. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY GET WHAT HE PLANS TO DO SINCE I ONLY ABSORBED A FRACTION."
Silence.
"What do you mean?" Asher asked slowly, already feeling the dread form in his chest.
Stee'zz growled. "LYSAR HAS BURIED A CONTROL SEES IN HER MIND
HE'S WATCHING YOU THROUGH HEE. LISTENING. MAYBE EVEN INFLUENCING HER EMOTIONS."
"No," Asher said coldly. "I knew it. I knew something was wrong right from the beginning . That is why I couldn't share secret information with her cause I feared this might happen."
Stee'zz nodded. "HE HASN'T ACTIVATED FULL CONTROL. BUT IT'S THERE. DORMANT. IF HE FEELS THREATENED.... HE COULD USE HER AS YOUR WEAKNESS OR WORSE."
Asher stood from his chair.
His shadow stretched unnaturally behind him as his inner power surged.
"I don't trust Lysar. I never did. That's why…"
He turned, eyes burning with resolve.
"That's why I'm taking her with me on this mission. I'll keep her close. Observe her until I find a way to revert her control. If Lysar dares activate her… I'll be ready."
"WHY CAN'T YOU ISE HER AS A BAIT," Stee'zz said, pleased.
"No," Asher replied. "I'm planning to free her. I can't afford to put her in trouble again."
The demon chuckled. "Soft. Calculated. I approve."
Asher walked to the open window, looking out over his courtyard where his recruits were training.
"And I'm taking Fin with me," he said.
"Ah," Stee'zz purred. "THE FRIGILE TASTY BOY. HIS MISTERIOUS POWER MIGHT COME IN HANDY."
"Fin's connection to the ancient relics might help us find a way to free selena. There are other artifacts in the Vampire Continent. Things even Lysar doesn't know about."
Stee'zz nodded slowly.
""NOT ONLY IN THE VAMPIRE CONTINENT BUT THERE ARE OTHERS I BET YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF.?"
Stee'zz said with a dramatic flair. "BECAUSE YOU'VE ONLY BEEN SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD. THERE ARE SEVEN CONTINENTS ABOVE.... AND SEVEN BELOW"
Asher blinked. "Seven below?"
Stee'zz leaned forward.
"THE WORLD IS DIVIDED NOT JUST BY LAND, BUT BY LAYERS. SEVEN SURFACE CONTINENTS —EACH RULLED OR INHABITED BY A DOMINANT RACE.AND SEVEN UNDER WATER DOMAINS—RULED BY CREATURES LONG FORGOTTEN BY MOST HUMANS."
He raised a clawed finger and began listing them, images flashing in Asher's mind like visions burned into glass.
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The Seven Surface Continents
The Elven Continent at the south – A vast forest of living trees and floating gardens. The elves are deeply spiritual and excel in spiritual technology, fusing nature with ancient machines. Their cities grow instead of being built.
Then the Dwarven Continent at the south East– Buried within mountains and volcanoes. Dwarves are short, broad, and unmatched in crafting and metallurgy. They create relics and enchanted weapons like no other.
Human Continent at the east– The largest in population. Humans are versatile, quick to learn, and reproduce faster than any other race. Their strength lies in adaptability and innovation.
Giant Continent at the west– Colossal beings with stone-like skin and the strength to crush mountains. Few in number, but each giant is worth an army.
Vampire Continent at the northern-east part close to the humans continent– Shrouded in eternal twilight. Vampires are powerful but few. Their noble bloodlines have access to blood-ritual magic, shadow walking, and memory erasure.
Beast Tribe Continent at the north – Savage jungles and shifting plains. Beastmen dominate this land. They rely on raw strength, instinct, and clan-based warfare. Alpha dominance rules.
Fairy Continent which have a secured unknown location has a shimmering sky island, filled with floating temples and portals. Fairies are the most magical race, drawing power directly from raw mana and emotion.
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Atlantians – Ancient humanoids with gills and crystalized skin. They once ruled above, now hidden below. Their knowledge of liquid magic is unmatched.With advanced alchemy and taming of aquatic animals.
Mermaids – Graceful charmers and illusionists. Masters of emotion-based enchantments. Their singing can bend the will of even dragons and control of the seven seas.
Sirens – Cousins to mermaids but darker, aggressive, and warlike. Their shrieks disrupt mental focus and cripple spellcasting.
Titans – Colossal sea creatures with immense destructive power. Often hibernate for centuries, but when awakened, they cause tsunamis.
Aquarians – Fish-looking mages who manipulate pressure, water temperature, and bio-structure. Their cities are made of liquid that remembers.
Homunculi – Artificial beings thrown into the sea by their failed creators. They have evolved, becoming immune to most spells, and feed on magic.
Water Dwellers – various races like amphibious wolves, sea dragons, aquatic beastmen and intelligent jellyfish. Their alliances shift with the tides.
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Asher leaned back, stunned.
"How do you know all this?" he asked.
Stee'zz's face twisted into a sinister grin.
"I WAS ONCE WORSHIP A GOD CONSUMING SACRIFICES IN THOUSANDS.... PRIEST, SOLDIERS, SCHOLARS.... ENTIRE BLOODLINE SACRIFISED TO ME. THEIR MINDS ARE MINE.THEIR MEMORIES AND POWERS ARE MINE."
He stood, floating slightly off the ground.
"There is little in this world I do not know. And the more souls I consume… the more you learn."
Asher rubbed his temples.
It was overwhelming.
But before he could ask more, Stee'zz's tone shifted.
"
"Smart. The vampires never burn their old kings. They bury them with power. Forgotten tombs. Cursed libraries. Even blood relics—weapons that evolve with the user's life force."
Asher looked up at the red twilight in the sky.
"Then we leave at sunrise."
"Gather your tools," Stee'zz whispered. "Sharpen your blade. Because once you step onto the Vampire Continent… nothing will be the same."
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