Name: Nil

Race: Demon

Type: Transformed Deviant Soul

Age: Immortal – 36years, 5months

Crystal Essence: [Blood Orange]- Lvl.10— 4320 Esq

[Available Essence Points— 5]

Strength: 56

Agility: 66

Wisdom: 66

Abilities: [Faithless Absorption], [Faithless Mimicry], [Faithless Essence Amplification], [Faithless Thievery]

[Available Trait Points— 30]

Traits: [Armored Form]- Lvl.5, [Mesmer]- Lvl.5, [Psychic Barrier]- Lvl.2, [Somatic Manipulation]- Lvl.5, [Full Mimic]- Lvl.3, [Fiend Vision]- Lvl.1

Ascension Perks: [Reais Fiend], [Aspect Thief] Aspects Harnessed: [Rock Prison], [Infernal Screech]

Spells: [Invisibility]- Lvl.3, [Greater Deception]- Lvl.1

Patron: Lumina au Hescaria

I leveled up again. Now I'm at Level 10 and what should be the final level of Blood Orange before Maroon tier. Yet, I haven't been so close and so far away from the tier as I am now.

King's little gift to my [Soul Crystal] makes it so I bleed out Essence faster than I can consume, or at least faster than I used to. Part of why I've leveled up now is my change of mind-set. A simple thing, but not to be underestimated, since everything has become much clearer to me—everything involving power and Demons, that is.

For some time now, I've avoided that part of myself—called it a "part" and thought of it as a slice of a greater whole—yet the truth is, Demon is all I am. Embracing that truth now and choosing to survive as a Demon meant some drastic changes to how I'd usually operate.

With [Somatic Manipulation], I've forgone the small, humanly stature I restricted myself to. Now towering over everything as my tier as a Blood Orange demands, I've adjusted my muscle mass and gotten into a healthy habit of consuming the Demons I rip [Soul Crystals] from to maintain the new demand. Consuming Demons and the like is something I used to do before I regained my memories. I can't say having regained them has been useful, but I'm grateful for the reminder of what was and what should be.

The latest [Hezzura] to fall under my Mesmerization moans, and I wrap my hand over its head, swallowing it entirely with it. "Shush now. We will hunt in time."

Although King's gift has my [Soul Crystal] leaking out Essence, one thing hasn't changed about my status as a Blood Orange tier—my abilities. Numerous and high powered, they're what I need to achieve Maroon tier and bring all of Kyis' Demons to heel before me. And with them at my beck and call, Jeriko and whatever Heroes empower him should be no challenge.

To that end, I have new points to assign and grow even stronger.

[Available Essence Points— 5]

[Available Trait Points— 30]

With only five Essence points to spend between three attributes, I don't give much thought to it and simply spend three in strength and two in my favorite, [Agility]. Now towering over a meter tall in height and quite broad as well, I figure I'll be a big walking target for my enemies as much as they'd be puny, pluckable desserts for me. With [Agility] as my highest attribute, I think it'll matter little though, especially once combined with [Invisibility] and [Greater Deception]. To begin with, I'm not all that interested in fighting the coming battles all on my own like I'm used to. No, that's what minions are for.

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There aren't many Blood Orange tiers present in Kyis, and those that are have established broad domain over their Crimson tier peers through force of will. With [Mesmer], it's as simple as spending and maintaining Essence to subjugate the minds of Demons I deem useful—minions.

That said, the Essence cost of subjugating minions is steep, and based on my current state with the [Soul Crystal] I can only maintain two at a time while giving space for other Essence or even ichoric uses. Even then, I sacrifice a good chunk of my concentration manipulating them into battle—it's not enough to hold their minds, I have to engage them with commands, or else they go limp and stand there, mouth ajar and drooling.

And casting [Greater Deception] over them falls flat, as their minds are already in my pocket—the effects of the spell are less important than the commands of [Mesmer]. Like most things, I'd consider enduring the inefficiency if Seeker were present—I can already see it complementing the chaos with a vicious haul of Crystals on its own.

If only. However, with a stockpile of trait points, I hope [Mesmer] evolves into something more efficient, if not more powerful.

[Mesmer]- Lvl.5 Maxed!

Evolve Trait? Costs 6 Trait Points.

[Mesmer]- Lvl.5 Evolved!

Trait [Thrall Maestro]- Lvl.1

Interesting. At the moment of its evolution the mental link between me and my minions strengthens. They have no thoughts beyond hunger, but now I see what else they possess—the power, traits, and even spells within their knowledge are mine to command.

"Bone whip. Web net." At my utterance, the [Hezzura] leaps out, manifesting Essence throughout its bleached skeleton figure until a rattling chain with a sharp bulb end whips out of each wrist.

The [Pavushka] hurks and spins a net between the building ahead and branches downward, all faster than I can handle Meira's blade. A grin finds my lips as I spend another six trait points, and again I sense a change in the mental link, but one I understand will be best exercised on the enemy.

Best to keep their Essence and mine in spares.

[Available Trait Points— 18]

Mesmer is the only trait due for an evolution. Jeriko's fists of holy and radiant flame are still fresh in my memory. If I'm intent on ending this takeover with his death, then I should be able to take a punch and not get trapped.

[Armored Form]- Lvl.5 maxed!

Evolve Trait? Costs 6 Trait Points.

[Armored Form]- Lvl.5 evolved!

Trait [Titan Crust]- Lvl.1 attained!

I immediately feel the improvement throughout, rippling through as my skin and muscles morph and harden, taking on a steel-like sheen and minute hexagon shape. Unfortunately for me, the sensation of new strength comes with a sore drain of Essence—in my larger, more imposing form, the Essence it takes to keep everything at the standards it ought to be is more tasking than I realize.

Still, I don't forgo the form. I understand too well that Demons respect size and the scent of power more than most. If I intend to subjugate Kyis and its Demons, then becoming Maroon tier may not be enough. I'll need strength to earn the respect and natural obedience that Calridian seemed to command with only his words, or sometimes even the lack of them.

Among my other traits, I ponder which deserves an upgrade next. [Psychic Barrier] is one like [Mesmer]—[Thrall Maestro]—that King improved on, her fears being that Lumina's and Valery's magics would pierce our minds and decipher her plans. A waste of good points, I'd say.

At Blood Orange tier, the natural psychic defense put out by the [Soul Crystal] should be enough to deter any with brave ambitions to look into a Demon's mind. Besides, I haven't come across many Demons dappling in said peerage as I do. Most satisfy themselves with [Telepathy], and even then some refuse to use it.

Taking [Titan's Crust] to level two, I'm left with only six trait points. Between what few traits I purpose, I choose [Fiend Vision] to level. If I can understand more of the colors and patterns the trait shows me, then I can better use it to attain even more unique abilities. [Fiend Vision] Lvl-1 —> Lvl.2 Costs 6 Trait Points.

It costs a whole six points as well to level, but that's alright. The next trait and Essence points I'll get will be from my [Soul Crystal] when it takes me to Maroon Tier.

With all points spent and a number of new effects to test with my minions, as well as on myself, I'm almost ready. I'd gone back and retrieved Meira's blade without Jeriko taking note—too busy crushing daring Demons—but still, I miss Seeker's reliability.

King never relied on it like I did. In fact, during my time locked up in the Crystal she mostly used it as a paperweight for her maps and sometimes as a conduit for her spells. Rarely as the powerful weapon it was crafted to be.

I have a vision for Maroon Tier, and Seeker is included in it. I want it back, and the only way to have it without passing through Jeriko first would be, well, to ask for it.

Lumina may have forgotten our pact, that her end still lies unfulfilled, but that should change.

[Pact]

[Lumina au Hescaria— Unfulfilled/Undetermined]

[Nil— Sainid Empire Fallen; Pact Fulfilled]

[Set Condition for Fulfilment— Nil]

It's time I determined the conditions for fulfilment. Reaching out with my [Soul Crystal], I grasp the ethereal binds of contract and speak, "My weapon, whole and strengthened. Bring it to me, Lumina au Hescaria."

Through the ether I can sense her, everything about her. Where she lays in slumber now, tossing and turning as my will weaves into the pact.

"Return to me, Seeker."

[Pact]

[Lumina au Hescaria— Strengthen and return 'Seeker']

[Nil— Sainid Empire Fallen; Pact Fulfilled]

[Set Condition for Fulfilment— Nil]

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