Divine Contact

Amun.

25th of Trescia, 1492.

Eotrom, Mani. The Eternal Void (Amun's Domain)

Mortal Time: 7:31.

[The Eternal Path: Step 3 - The Mission: Complete.]

[Step 3 Reward: Transformation - [Demi-Eternal Physiology] - Due to your growing divinity, your being has matured enough to awaken as an Eternal Demigod. While still not a full-fledged Eternal God, your station remains higher than the Ascended Deities. However, your power is not yet equal to them. Like any Deity, your Divine Mana now radiates from your body, acting to effect the world around you in ways that would displease Deities and Mortals alike. Due to your natural aspects of Freedom and Exploration, however, the Planes of Existence remain open to you. Conversely, your aspect of Change has caused such reactions to your presence to be magnified.]

[Lvl 3 Reward: Transformation - [Diadem of Empyrean Facultas.] With this Diadem of divine energy and eternal flame, any event related to your divine profile that involves enough members of your faith is opened to your senses. Simultaneously, your awareness is expanded to Omniscience of all that transpires within ten kilometers of anyone who utters your name, presents your holy symbols, or any place in which your devoted faithful roam.]

[Lvl 3 Reward: Evolution - [Divine Sea] Your growth as an Eternal has enlarged your Divine Pool to that of a Divine Sea. With its growth comes a tap connecting to the Eternal Creator, filling your Sea with the energies of Mana and Arcana. Through this, you can funnel Arcana sourced directly from the Creator into your Clerics, Paladins, Warlocks, and Clergy. And so too can you funnel Mana sourced directly from the Creator into your devoted faithful to increase the densities of their Mana Wells up to the Diamond Tier.]

[The Eternal Path: Step 4 - The Spread.]

[With the ranks of your twin clergies filled, you must continue your path towards perpetuity by putting your clergy on a path to test the teachings of your faith and spread your glory. The Order of Worlds, your religion most aligned with Chaotic Goodness, must mimic your actions of liberating and uplifting the oppressed of the surface worlds. Meanwhile, The Black Plume, your cult most aligned with Lawful Evil, must recreate your tyranny and appease the dark one aligned to you by spreading Gloom throughout the Darkworld. Both must build new temples or sanctuaries in the wake of their travels. Thus they must be graced with sacred relics as rewards for their trials]

***

"Welcome home. Welcome to my divine realm of Eotrom."

As one, they all gazed upon the strange environment of darkness and glimmering light. Awe and wonder on all faces. Save Blude's mafia and the twin werewolves. Even then, though, only Etan and perhaps Wilson could truly understand the realm's nature.

It had grown in my absence. Or rather, with my evolution. What was once a binary system comprised of a metallic star and a barren world with many planets was now a star cluster with that barren world at its center. Only now, the Inner Mani was like a white dwarf in appearance. A point of brilliant blue-white light but a solid world still.

Only a few worlds bathed in its pale light. The worlds of Doyle and Olga. those zealous moons belonging to Opal and Zakira, the gas giant of floating islands: Bithisarea, the world of the people. Ilium, on the other hand, was the closest star to Mani. Followed by the star-systems of Imperators Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, Lucia, Peter, Hogaz, Duke, and Elijah. Thus it was they who'd be given a special task once the Troupe had been addressed.

As for the many uninhabited stars, many of them were aged to trigger supernovas in order to forge an abundance of elements for the Troupe's worlds.

"Some of you will be here longer than others," I said, giving a pointed look to Etan. "Some." I turned to Reina. "Significantly less. You all, however, will spend ample time with me and with each other throughout your years here. Because here, I am omnificent, omnipotent, and all the other omnis there are.

"Now, first thing's first." I snapped divine Wise Rocks before the Troupe and their many subordinates. "Your homes. They will be worlds woven within this system. In turn, your subordinates are to weave moons around your worlds. For it is those worlds that will become your domains.

"The materials and creatures within will take on your essence. Moreover, whether they be your enemies, casualties of war, victims of collateral damage, or anyone else you kill, they will be reborn in your worlds with no memories of their past. On the contrary, whether they be your allies, subordinates, strangers you've befriended, or those you blessed, they'll be resurrected on your worlds.

"You will learn more about the specifics in time. For now." I clapped, releasing some divine mana to birth a clone for everyone minus Iris and Etan. "Go and raise your worlds. Rest. Relax. Learn. We'll begin training in a few days."

With waves and nods, they were led off to the various nebulae concentrated in different corners of the system, clutching their rocks to pour their energies within as they drank from the Divine Sea.

Into empty space they were thrown, those stones that bloomed and bloated into worlds that put the likes of Jupiter, and dare I say Saturn to shame. Water worlds. Brown giants. Volcanic worlds of subterranean cities. Pestilent worlds with hollow cores made organic.

Fascinating worlds, the lot of them. But alas, they were worlds that had to be explored vicariously through my [Metaphysical Forms]. For there was much for me to do.

So it was, that I teleported us to the ninth level of my layered world. An expanse of emptiness, filled with floating islands, big and small. It was on one such island that Zakira stood before a modest home overlooking some rolling plains. Waiting for Iris to jump into her arms the moment her scanners spotted her.

I left Kira undisturbed, allowing her to coo over Iris and her endless questions while I entered a spacious but hardly decorated living room. Only boasting a sunken U-shaped couch sitting before a coffee table overlooked by a Silver-shroom that was promptly activated once we all got seated.

Within moments, digital renderings of Eotrom's leaders were seen sitting or standing atop the table as miniature versions of themselves. All holographic, yet with such high resolutions that only their unnatural glow of light coupled with the magic radiating from the shroom revealed them for what they were.

Still, Iris thought they were adorable. Making for a more than awkward situation as the council, Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, Lucia, Letta, and Giorno came to terms with my new appearance. Of course, the awkwardness only increased tenfold once I introduced Iris, Kira, and Etan to everyone.

"So, uh," I muttered once everyone reclaimed their wits. "I've reached the next step of my Eternal Path. Now, divine magic radiates from my body, changing whatever is around me. I know not the extent of that yet, and I won't until I return to the Mortal Plane. In this case, however." I paused, showing a dozen different perspectives of the morning event to the channel. "A beam containing energy from each of my domains is heading towards Maru. I know not what it will do."

"If here is any indication. Arcana will fill the realm and a lot of animals are going to change." Jaimess chuckled. Not from his words, but by virtue of the small tengu ramming his chest repeatedly.

"I can safely say our mana problem is over and done with. Nearly everyone here has arcana now, thanks to you." Rodin grunted. "The ones that don't are up to diamond."

"That was a conscious effort by both yourselves and me." I nodded. "Your faith was what allowed me to give you all mana. More faith equals more mana, for better or worse. Regarding this beam, though. If it's anything regarding my ambitions, I imagine it's got something to do with the Marulean Tree of Life."

"Your ambitions?" Etan asked.

"Yeah. One of them, at least." I nodded. "The Marulean Tree of Life is long dead."'

"Of that, I know. And so too do I know it is not my place to tell you who destroyed it. Although, I am sure you can imagine."

"I can." I nodded, begrudgingly so. Fuckin' know-it-alls. "What I don't know, however, is why Zefroth destroyed it. Neither is that what I'm curious about, however. I'm most curious about how it was killed, and the effect of its death. Aside from that, I intend to resurrect it. That was the main reason for my deal with the Headmaster. I needed a second divine tree seed."

"And that is why you wish for us to excavate." Silas surmised with a mad cackle. "Well, I can say with the creatures you sent over, that's easier done than said. The giant badgers, ants, and termites have nearly finished the job. Now, they've taken to building lairs for themselves with the extra wise rocks while the undead workers tend to the infrastructure."

 "I see. I imagine many of those creatures may change as Jaimess said. That means magical, sentient, undying, or even biomechanical creatures. Or, it means a world will be woven above Maru." I nodded thoughtfully. Then turned to him and Rodin both. "Do you need more undead? We have new types. Monastic fighters and a few of the magical variety."

"Yes to both." Rodin quickly answered. "Our borders have increased more than our personnel. The troops have taken to guarding the creatures. It's served to boost morale greatly. Something they'll need here in a few months."

"That they will." Toril offered. Eliciting a cruel snicker from Etan that set many of the council on edge. Much to Etan's chagrin.

"I'll be sending over some Umas, vehicles, and infrastructure in the next shipment," Ed mentioned, flicking a data packet of manuals and blueprints to Silas and the engineers of the Council. "I've made plans for proper roads and waterways to connect with the settlements we've made contact with. That, as well as some network towers and a sky port inside the mountain to reconnect us with Odissi and Deapou."

"Related to that." Roheisa leaned forward. "I'd like to propose our borders be open to trade and immigration between those two lands and ours. Specifically by constructing embassies for both parties. Not to mention I'd like to recruit Deapouan and Odissian natives into my Legion."

"Very well." Silas nodded with an excited glint in his eye. "I suppose the time to meet the House of Cole would come sooner or later. Anything else?" He then asked, looking around the council before eventually turning to the sound of Toril's baritone voice.

"Only regarding the Legions and those attending training." He paused to allow Rodin to peruse the data packet he just received. "This is our standard for the Initiated- those who have sworn in but have not begun their training. You will receive the infrastructure detailed within this packet once Amun and the Troupe complete their manufacture."

"Naturally, anyone attending training at the mid-year will need to be initiated as well. More so." I paused to start a recording to send to the other soon-to-be commanders. "Every Legionary can expect to obtain a warlock class, given they made a pact to join. Based on what I've learned, that will happen to those who are already involved once they drink the sap of our divine tree. To that end, I still have to finalize the class. Thus you should expect a clearer picture of what that should entail here soon. Assuming the Troupe will be no different."

"Understood." Jaimess laughed- at his Tengu. "Likewise, however. My input is for the Legionaries. We've decided that the pay for the Initiated should be reduced to six gold, two silver, and five copper per week. Likewise, the Unranked, or those in training, will be increased to twelve gold, five silver per week. From then on, those in occupational training, or the Brains as they're called, will receive the standard 25 gold per week. And the pay shall hence double with each increase in rank."

"Very well." I nodded. "Let's put that into effect for everyone who joins after this first class." Pausing, I then looked around to those who hadn't yet said anything. "Letta,Giorno, Zakira, Iris?"

"I'd like to awaken my affinity cores and evolve, if possible. But I…" Letta paused, looking down at the children she took under her wing. "I don't want to join the Legions."

"I don't expect you to." I gave her a reassuring smile. "You're better suited where you are. That said, you and Giorno, or anyone else in the Council can come to awaken your cores and evolve when the others come to train as well if you so wish. The skills you will learn there have just as much use in the civilian world as they do in military life. Not to mention, you may need them for the coming tide."

I ended my words with a pointed look at Kira. Who only shrugged. "There are no worlds raised in Maru yet. But if anyone wants to become a cleric or something, just let me know. If not, I'll send someone over when a world is raised there."

"It may not take as long as you think." I teased. Then looked at the little one on her lap.

"Um." Iris leaned into the table. "My creatures are made of metal and they eat scraps and stuff. Is there a place they could live?"

"I'm sorry, but there's no place like that here. We can dump things meant for recycling if you'd like?" Silas offered.

"Well, I don't want you to do that!" Iris groaned. "I'll find somewhere else."

"Sorry, I couldn't be of help." Silas bowed.

"It's okay!" Iris hummed.

"Hmm." I chuckled at her kicking away atop Zakira's lap and turned back to the chat. "Now, before we go, I'd like to tell everyone here of the behavioral changes we'll soon see in our citizens. In short, this technological revolution of ours will bring about a second shift in the dynamics of life.

"Currently, the citizens are in a state of prosperity," I explained to Iris, Etan, and the Troupe remotely. "No longer do they have to spend their lives toiling as farmers and smiths. They can accumulate wealth and assets, going from mere workers to esteemed merchants and scholars. Not out of need. But from want.

"The reason being, technology has resulted in the automation of skilled labor," I said, turning back to the Council and the others. "In the same way the undead are used by the construction workers to haul materials, these sophisticated machines will fulfill technical roles. They'll measure and cut materials and construct buildings while the construction workers take on the role of supervisors or adopt more technical roles.

"Others may be so freed by this technology that they can run their businesses remotely and branch out into other artisanal crafts or fields of research. Many more people will take up seemingly mundane hobbies or begin adventuring and taking up sports. Perhaps most unsettlingly, we may see a sudden or gradual decline in birth rates. Especially as the life expectancy increases and more opportunities are made available as the Empire expands.

"All of this is to be expected," I assured them. "Unless our birthrate drops too low and we simultaneously have no influx of immigrants, it is not a problem.

"Most importantly." I continued after a short pause. "Our citizens are now connected in ways like never before. As we are doing now, we can communicate and share both materials and information between the realms instantaneously. It helps you members of the Council share information and manage the lands with no need to gather physically in that room.

"It will help you, Rodin, in keeping our territories secure and our assets protected." I looked to the grizzled Captain. Then to my vassals on the home front. "It will help you two, Giorno and Letta, in finding ways to help people and spread your businesses to lands you've never before been. Toril, Jaimess, Ed, Roheisa, it will help you address the needs of your citizens while you fulfill the duties of the Legions. Above all, it will help our citizens become paragons of themselves.

"Part of the training for the Troupe, you see, is to have their subordinates create entertaining and educational programs to be distributed across the various networks." I excitedly explained. "Recorded plays meant to inspire, educate, or entertain. Narrated pieces, depicting wild animals in their natural environments or a nation's history. Technical lectures detailing some type of marvel or simulated practices meant to teach their viewers a new skill.

"Through these programs, our citizens will be able to learn and experience the greater realms from the comfort of their homes, in turn making them just as cultured and educated as well-traveled merchants. But let me make one thing clear. We are not creating a utopia. Each of our domains will have varying degrees of peace, war, law, and order.

"Whether it be the peaceful worlds woven in the sky, the chaotic pits carved in the Darkworld, or the natural expanses of the surface, everyone is free to dwell in the place that best aligns with their morals."

"Understood." Silas nodded, looking at his data slate with keen interest. "If that is all there is, we shall continue forward with our construction. Seeing as how this beam will be here by then, I assume we should begin intent to be complete come time for training?"

"Naturally." I nodded. "The explored realms of Nonus are already aware of my divinity. This coming beam will see to it that Maru does too."

"Very well." Silas nodded. "Until then."

One by one, they disconnected or disappeared, leaving me with my little family of a vampire and an augmented little girl whom I suddenly didn't know what to do with.

Luckily, someone did.

"Come on, Iris." Zakira heaved the girl off her lap and into her arms. "Let's give you the tour. Then, we'll weave your world."