Chapter 7: The Mythic Plate

Ajitha and Reginald strode through the darkened corridors of the Nebula Raiders' flagship, their footsteps echoing ominously. The remnants of the space pirates, driven by desperation and fear, charged at them in a futile attempt to defend their ill-gotten gains. But none could get within a hundred meters of the duo. As the pirates approached, they met an invisible force, slicing them to pieces. Their bodies crumpled to the ground in lifeless heaps.

Reginald had unfurled his pseudo-domain, a precursor to the true domain he would wield upon ascending to the status of Supreme Kin, a Demi-God. His domain was imbued with the power of blade laws, manifesting as invisible slashes that cleaved through any unauthorized intruder. To the remaining pirates, Reginald, at the Eternal Emperor tier, was an insurmountable force, a living tempest of death and destruction.

Blood and broken bodies littered their path, a testament to Reginald's unassailable power. The scent of ozone and iron filled the air as they made their way unimpeded to the cargo bay, where the pirates had stored their most valuable treasures.

Arriving at the heavily fortified storage room, Ajitha and Reginald found the door protected by layers of strong material and intricate arrays designed to repel any intruder. Ajitha scanned the door with his spiritual sense, detecting the complex web of incantations and defenses interwoven into its structure. He raised his hand to touch the door, only for a shimmering barrier to materialize before him, repelling his advance.

Ajitha knocked on the barrier, feeling the resistance and evaluating its strength. "This barrier is quite strong," he remarked, his eyes narrowing. "It can withstand a full-strength blow from a Divine Lord. Fortunately, I am stronger." He turned to Reginald, motioning for him to step back.

Reginald complied, retreating a few paces to give Ajitha space. Ajitha drew back his fist, channeling his energy. The front of his punch began to glow with an intense blue flame, a manifestation of his formidable power. With a mighty swing, he struck the barrier. The impact was cataclysmic; the barrier shattered into a thousand glimmering shards, dissipating into the ether.

Standing before the now-exposed door, Ajitha and Reginald prepared to enter. Reginald looked at Ajitha, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Why don't you draw your sword? Did you take an oath that whenever you draw your sword, it must draw blood?"

Ajitha gave him an odd look, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "No! Do you think I am some weird fanatic? The sword is special—it increases my strength manifold, and I didn't require such power for mundane matters."

He pressed his hands against the door, feeling the mechanisms within yield to his strength. With a grunt of effort, the door creaked open, revealing the treasures within. "Come," he said, stepping over the threshold. "Let's see what the Galactic Commerce Guild was so desperate to protect."

As they entered the storage room, the air grew colder, and the faint hum of powerful energies filled the space. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with chests and artifacts of immense value. Among the treasures, their eyes were drawn to a large, ornate chest sitting in the center of the room, emanating a faint, otherworldly glow.

Ajitha and Reginald approached the large chest, its surface gleaming with arcane symbols. Ajitha examined the lock, tracing the intricate runes with his fingers. "This lock is incredibly strong," he muttered. "I may have to use my full strength to destroy it. Let's take this and all the other items back to our place first."

Reginald nodded, opening his spatial ring and transferring all the treasures into its boundless storage. With a final sweep of the room, they returned to the Mothership. As they ascended, the main cannon fired, obliterating the pirates' flagship in a fiery explosion. The crew aboard the Mothership cheered as they set a course for the Sovereign Palace.

A few days later, Ajitha and Reginald stood in the grand hall of the Sovereign Palace. Marble pillars and golden accents reflected the light from the vast crystal chandeliers. Ajitha turned to Reginald, asking, "What's the report on our mission?"

Reginald pulled out a sleek slate, its surface lighting up with data. "The amount you mentioned to be collected from the 'mob' is not only being achieved but also—"

Ajitha interrupted, "Don't mention the funds. I want to know if any of my men were injured or if there were any losses."

Reginald composed himself. "We had no fatalities in either team. The first team, with us, faced minimal resistance thanks to your combat prowess. The second team encountered some difficulties while retrieving treasure from the pirate lairs. Some locations were hazardous, and others were heavily fortified. A few men were injured, but nothing serious. Just minor injuries, so there's no need to worry."

Ajitha's eyes softened. "How can I not worry? These people have been with me since I first became a Transcendent and began exploring the galaxy."

Reginald's gaze grew distant, his voice tinged with emotion. "I remember that day well. We were all created in a lab, humans called us Androids. We were just meat shields, designed to delay threats while the humans escaped. When I was assigned to you and chosen as your butler, I assumed you were like the others. But you always faced the dangers head-on and did everything in your power to keep us safe."

Ajitha's expression darkened. "But I couldn't save everyone."

Reginald placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That wasn't your fault. They trusted and admired you. That's why, when your life was in danger, they stepped forward willingly to protect you."

Ajitha sighed, the weight of past losses heavy on his heart. "I owe them everything. They deserve a leader who values their lives."

"And they have one," Reginald said firmly. "Your actions have always proven that. Now, let's focus on ensuring their sacrifices weren't in vain."

Ajitha nodded, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "You're right. We have much to do."

With renewed resolve, they turned their attention back to the chest, now safely stored in the Sovereign Palace's secure vault. Ajitha's mind raced with thoughts of what secrets and treasures it might hold, and how they could use them to further their mission and protect those they held dear.

Ajitha and Reginald stood before the grand vault, its heavy, intricately designed doors reflecting their determination. Ajitha's eyes scanned the intricate carvings on the doors, symbols of power and protection.

"Maybe the items inside will be of use to us," Ajitha mused aloud. "If not, we can sell them to gather the necessary funds."

Reginald cut in, a hint of frustration in his voice. "That's what I was going to say first, but you interrupted me. We've not only achieved the amount needed but also exceeded it by ten times. It's more than enough to buy the items necessary to take back in time for the humans."

Ajitha raised an eyebrow, surprised by the mission report. "It's good that we've collected enough funds now we won't have to worry for some time period, but don't forget we destroyed many pirate fleets and took their treasure to get this money. We also provoked the Celestial Commerce Guild. We can't be careless now. The pirates are something we can handle, but we have to keep an eye on the movements of the Celestial Commerce Guild. Report any unusual activity."

Reginald nodded solemnly. "Understood. What should we do with the excess funds?"

Ajitha pondered for a moment, his gaze intense. "The items we got may have some useful things in them. Keep them separate. Sell any items that are of no use to us, but don't let anyone know how we acquired them. From all the gathered money, use ten percent to buy the necessary items for the humans' cultivation and forty percent to buy cultivation items for you and our men. Keep the remaining half in our storage."

Reginald accepted the order and was about to leave when Ajitha stopped him. "Wait. Let's first check the chest and see if the things inside are of any use to us or not. If not, you can take them to dispose of."

They approached the large chest, its surface shimmering with powerful incantations. Ajitha placed his hands on the lock, feeling the energy coursing through it.

Reginald stepped back to let Ajitha use his full strength without worry. Ajitha summoned his inner power, a blue flame flickering around his fists. With a focused breath, he struck the lock with all his might. The incantations glowed brightly, but even with Ajitha's full-force fist attack, the barrier didn't even tremble. Ajitha smirked looking at the intact barrier and tightened his fist, which now glowed white. His eyes turned a brilliant white, a steam blew from his mouth, and his gaze locked onto the chest as he unleashed his attack. This time, the barrier flickered, and its glow dimmed, but it still did not shatter. The aftereffect of the punch created a powerful energy blast that caused the palace and the entire planet to shake for a few seconds before it subsided.

Reginald, caught in the energy blast but shielded by Ajitha's position, regained his footing and said, "Lord, if you attack it one more time, our palace may get destroyed, and this planet will suffer significant damage."

Ajitha nodded in acknowledgement. "True, but don't worry. I will open the barrier without causing such commotion." He placed his hand forward, and suddenly, space cracked open. A sword emerged from the rift, flying to Ajitha's hand. The sword was the Abyssal Conqueror, a weapon Ajitha had discovered in the Mystic Rift.

The Mystic Rift is a legendary and enigmatic place in the universe, opening only at rare, unpredictable intervals. Born from the violent clash of titanic forces on an ancient battlefield, the Rift is a tear in the fabric of space-time, leading to a separate dimension teeming with otherworldly treasures and perils. Within its boundaries, the laws of reality are distorted, creating a surreal landscape filled with floating islands, shimmering portals, and ethereal ruins. It is whispered that the Mystic Rift also serves as a gateway to other universes, each harboring secrets and artifacts of immense power. Adventurers who dare to enter the Rift seek glory and fortune but must navigate its treacherous terrain and confront formidable guardians that protect its hidden wealth.

Ajitha had entered an unknown rift in search of treasure when he became an Immortal King. He didn't know how the sword got there or what material it was made from. The only clue was the sword's name, inscribed on its scabbard: Abyssal Conqueror. Ajitha didn't even know what or where the Abyss was. When he first found the sword, he was critically injured and being chased by void monsters. Ajitha fought them for days without rest, his body covered in wounds. One day, his sword broke, forcing him to fight with his bare hands. As he was close to dying from blood loss, his vision fading, he spotted the sword. He tried to reach it but collapsed before he could, his hand and eyes fixated on the weapon. He thought he was going to die, but the sword pulled itself from the ground and reached Ajitha's hand. Then he saved himself with the profound increase in his strength due to the sword.

Ajitha gripped the Abyssal Conqueror once again, the familiar weight of the sword grounding him. Its blade, a void of darkness, thrummed with a deep, ominous hum. He drew the sword with a deliberate motion, the pitch-black blade cutting through the air with an eerie resonance. As he approached the chest, he pointed the sword at its barrier. The moment the blade touched the barrier, a shudder passed through it, and it shattered into crystalline fragments, falling away like broken glass.

With a satisfied nod, Ajitha sheathed the sword, its hilt resting comfortably against his waist. He stepped closer to the chest, his breath steadying as he placed his hands on its surface. The chest thrummed with a subtle pulse of power, almost as if it were alive. "Let's see what secrets you hold," he murmured, his voice a whisper of anticipation.

He lifted the lid slowly, and a faint, phosphorescent gas escaped, curling into the air like wisps of forgotten dreams. The glow from within bathed Ajitha's face in an otherworldly light, casting strange shadows that danced with the flickering luminescence.

Inside, nestled among ancient velvet lining, was what appeared to be a simple coin. Yet, as Ajitha's gaze sharpened, he realized it was far more than that. What he had initially taken for a coin was, in fact, a round metal plate. His fingers traced the intricate engravings that adorned its surface, and the plate responded with a sudden surge of energy.

As he removed it from the chest, the coin began to expand, growing larger and larger until it transformed into a floating disc. The plate hovered in the air, suspended by an unseen force. Its surface was a tapestry of mythical beasts, each detailed with masterful precision. The engravings seemed to shimmer with life, as though the beasts were poised to leap from the plate at any moment.

Pyrodrake: A dragon of molten lava, its scales glowing with an inner fire. Flames curled from its mouth, and the depiction showed scorched earth in its wake, radiating intense heat.

Aquamare: A sea serpent, its bioluminescent scales casting an ethereal glow over crashing waves. Its powerful tail commanded the ocean, the waves recoiling at its mere presence.

Terragolem: A giant of stone and soil, its form resembling a living mountain. The engraving showed it manipulating the earth, creating fissures and causing tremors with effortless ease.

Zephyrix: An elegant, ethereal bird with feathers like a stormy sky. It soared amidst turbulent winds, its plumage shimmering as it controlled the very air around it.

Thundraon: A beast wreathed in crackling electricity, its mane ablaze with lightning. Bolts arced from its body, and the thunderous clouds overhead spoke of its immense power.

Frostwurm: A serpent of pure ice, its scales glinting with a frigid blue. Frost emanated from its breath, encasing everything in a chilling embrace.

Luminara: A radiant, glowing creature whose light seemed to pierce through the darkness. Beams of luminescence flowed from its form, illuminating the surrounding shadows.

Nocturnox: A shadowy, elusive entity, its form blending seamlessly into the darkness. Dark tendrils stretched outwards, cloaking the surroundings in a veil of mystery.

Argentum Titan: A formidable metal beast, its body depicted with a myriad of metallic textures. The plate illustrated its ability to shift forms, a living forge of weapons and armor.

Sylvathorn: A towering, sentient tree, its branches and roots extending with purposeful grace. The engraving showed its control over the natural world, nurturing or destroying with equal force.

Beneath these intricate engravings was a designated space for a bottle. This bottle, Ajitha realized, was no ordinary container. It was meant to hold the pure blood essence of these mythical beasts. The plate seemed to respond to the very thought, faint, shimmering auras swirling around the empty space as if in anticipation.

The plate pulsed with elemental energies, its engravings coming alive with a magical glow. Each symbol interacted with the essence, the ancient creatures' powers converging in a mesmerizing dance of light and energy. This was no mere artifact; it was a conduit of extraordinary might, a relic imbued with the essence of legends and the strength of the cosmos itself. Ajitha felt the weight of its significance as he held the plate, knowing that it held the key to unimaginable power and secrets yet to be unveiled.

As Ajitha held the metal plate, Reginald approached and watched from a distance. The plate floated in the air, its large size commanding attention. Reginald, who had previously only grasped the basic principles of metal laws with Introductory Insight, now felt a surge of understanding as the presence of the elemental energies began to resonate with him.

Reginald, being an Android, had always been limited in his comprehension of laws compared to naturally born beings. It was a remarkable feat for him to even sense laws at an introductory level, but the elemental energies seemed to unlock a deeper potential within him. His understanding progressed from Introductory Insight to Intermediate Understanding, a significant leap that caused the metal energy around him to converge in a visible, swirling aura.

He drew his blade, an intricately forged weapon of sleek, metallic design. Channeling his newfound understanding of metal laws, he focused his energy into the blade. The metal began to shimmer, glowing with a subtle, ethereal light as its sharpness and strength were enhanced. Reginald's excitement was palpable; he wielded the blade with skillful flourishes, the weapon now a perfect extension of his will.

Ajitha, watching the display of metal manipulation, cleared his throat to draw Reginald's attention. Reginald, momentarily caught up in his joy, blushed under his metallic plating as he realized he had been showing off. He sheepishly returned his focus to Ajitha, who was now examining the floating plate more closely.

Ajitha walked around the plate to see its backside, his eyes narrowed with intense curiosity. His expression shifted from concentration to astonishment as he took in what he found. The details on the plate caused his eyes to widen, and a sense of shock crossed his face. He stood there, momentarily frozen, unable to tear his gaze away from the revelation.

Meanwhile, on the distant world of Elsinore, the Elven Kingdom's palace grounds buzzed with activity. Althaea, the newly crowned Queen of the Elves, disembarked from her sleek, silver spaceship, her royal attire flowing elegantly in the wind. Before she could fully settle into her role, a familiar voice cut through the air, filled with reproach.

An old woman, her silver hair tied in a tight bun and her face lined with countless wrinkles, brandished a gnarled wooden stick as she approached Althaea. The old lady, once Althaea's nanny, struck her lightly on the head.

Althaea winced and rubbed her forehead, her regal demeanor faltering as she glared at the old woman. "You old hag! What will it take for you to leave me alone? You may have been my nanny when I was a child, but now I am the Queen of the Elves. Show me some respect!"

The old lady chuckled heartily, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You may be a queen, but to me, you're still that mischievous brat who used to run around causing trouble. Now, tell me, what took you so long to return? With your speed, you could have arrived days ago. Where have you been?"

Althaea huffed, crossing her arms in defiance. "Hmph. I was helping someone."

"Oh? And who might that be?" the old lady prodded, her curiosity piqued. "And what help did you provide?"

With a sly grin, Althaea leaned in closer, her voice dripping with playful mischief. "A fool. I helped him by destroying the Galactic Commerce Guild."

The old woman's eyes widened in surprise, her stick momentarily forgotten as she took in Althaea's words. The implications of such an act were enormous, and she regarded Althaea with a mixture of anger and concern. The galaxy was vast, and the ripples from such a bold move would undoubtedly be felt across many worlds.