Battling Dr. Spirals

You know, it's sad that I can only blame myself for how my life has turned out. Though, realistically this is the same for everyone, I can definitely say there is one major issue that I would have changed.

Poof.

Like a dog summoned by the dinner bell, I arrived in the exact space and area that was requested of me, thanks to my Teleportation and near immediate casting of my Cosmic Anchor to ensure I didn't lose my landing zone.

"So, you have finally come," Robi the annoying wingless colossal pixie, and my ex, states the moment I fully emerge from my own portal.

Looking at him, I once again am reminded of how I ended up here. How I heard rumblings that Robi would try to finally divorce me, after he had been away for over forty years. The reason being that I was due a pension, and as my spouse for all that time, he finally decided that he was worth half.

The lawyers all agreed that he didn't have a leg to stand on, but at the time with failing knees I felt I didn't have any legs worth standing on. Thus, my decision to end retirement immediately and start over here with as many Merits as humanly possible.

Yes, in a way, it could be seen that I ran away from conflict. Rather than fight a legal battle, I just retired into the system and started over again, well outside his ability to bother or harass me. I thought I was safe, and for eight years I was.

Eight glorious years, where I got to grow on my own, meet my own friends, and even spend more time with my own daughter. It was great, possibly too great to expect it to last.

Then, the event happened, I was held as a prisoner for thirty days and nights, toiling away on a dead and dying planet, slowly trying to rekindle some form of life on the planet. All while trying to make it so Zero and I could escape.

Finally, I managed to get us both out, only to find out that Rob, my ex had once again taken the easy road. Trying to take what was mine, the only problem was he wasn't ready to be me. Which forced me to alter him enough to be a wingless Usurping Colossal Pixie.

Then as if doubling down on his namesake, he is here trying to Usurp what I managed to build here with my friends. Lands that took me months of working and toiling together with others to get here. A testament to the care and support, and most importantly, the belief that others had in me.

After my last month, I realized this place is wasteful. There are more economic ways of terraforming lands that I could use to take advantage of Blight covered lands. For a moment, I must admit that I did have the thought of giving up. Of moving on, of trying to start over with a newer and better spot.

But then, I felt the presence of everyone else around me. The life forces of everyone who believed in me, and my dream. Even those that didn't believe in me, they still believed in Mallory enough to follow her. Apparently, Mallory believed in me enough for all of them, which is why I still cannot thank her enough, for just being there and believing in me all this time. They were all here.

Well, they are not all immediately here, as only Robi, Mallory, and I are all here. But I can feel the others around. Feeling them, I know that all of them, they all expect me to preserve our lands.

Even the system seems to be on my side. Though I am certain that higher powers, that is rich people from the old world, are likely behind this process to cleanly steal what is clearly ours.

Odd, but when did I start thinking about the real world, as the old world? I have that thought, then just as I am getting distracted by my own musings, the system shows that it is still on my side by providing more information that pulls me to the current set of circumstances that I now find myself in.

Congratulations, you managed to enter the battlefield arena within the given time limit. Mythical Monster Battle Zone Initiated. New Mythical Grade Quest Condition (Automatically Accepted): First Mythical Monster Battle Zone: You have been challenged by a similar type mythical being (Colossal Pixie) for your territory. Conditions, now you must fight your opponent to the death to retain control over your area. Combatants killed (0 / 1). Rewards: Experience, Title(s), variable. Note: As the territory owner and noted mythical monster, you are automatically forced to accept this quest.

Warning: You have entered a Mythical Monster Battle Zone Area:

Wager Location: World's End and surrounding terraformed territories.

Battle Conditions: To the Death, cannot leave the boundary of the contested wager location, or contestant will die.

Current Opponent: Robi'dob'dob Usurper

Seeing this quest notification, I can feel its forced nature, as it is being thrust on me and the system. In fact, I swear that I can almost feel the system apologizing for forcing me to do this.

I feel sick.

The conditions are, either I kill, or I am killed. Worse, I would have to kill him, who despite all this time that has passed, and everything that he ever tried to do to me, he still gave me four great kids and ten great years. That should be worth something. It is with this last thought in mind that I decide to end this farse of a challenge quickly, that is the least I can do.

Ready, set, go…

Before my mind fully acknowledged the go, I was already moving and casting.

SPLOOSH!

My goal had been to first Immobilize Robi in a tight and unavoidable Telekinetic grip that would hold him still long enough for me to land a critical strike.

The only problem was that I apparently overestimated how un-squishy Robi was. Which resulted in an effect similar to grabbing hold of a, overfilled water balloon with two heated to broiling pans to "capture" the water balloon from both sides. This of course resulted in an instant explosion of the internal contents, with leaving only flimsy skin particles behind.

I pause, as the world for the moment seems to slow down as it tries to process everything that just happened. Only after a moment of this odd system calculation and recalibration does the system finally spin back up and acknowledge that the event is now over.

New Mythical Grade Quest Condition (Automatically Accepted): First Mythical Monster Battle Zone (Completed): You have successfully defended your lands from a similar type mythical being (Colossal Pixie) and retain the right to rule your area. Similar Type Mythical Monsters killed (1 / 1). Rewards increased due to time-related bonuses for completion speed. Time taken to complete task: 0.0001 second. Rewards: Experience , Titles, Bloodline Evolution Perk. Experience Gained:

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer.

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer: You have managed to kill a mythical grade beast, making you a legendary creatures slayer. Effect: can generate an additional +50% damage to all creatures noted as Mythical rank and +25% damage to all creatures noted as being above Mythical above.

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Defender .

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Master: You were the first to defend your territory from a Mythical Beast. Effect: All actions to protect your land are increased by +50% when defending your territory from creatures noted as Mythical rank or above.

New Bloodline Evolution Perk: Territorial Bond: Your Arcane Geomancy power and effects are now doubled in territories that you have actively spilled the blood of your enemies in, while actively defending the territory from invaders or plunderers.

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Again, as expected there was an experience related error warning label, but that should be par for the course for today. Not certain I particularly care for the titles, as I don't really intend to continue to fight Mythical beasts, especially as so far there are only three of us here. I also get the impression that most Mythical beasts will in some way be affected by me, either directly with my helping to guide the evolutionary process, or indirectly looking at me for examples. The result would be the same, meaning, I would likely be relatively close to the Mythical creature that I would have to eliminate. Which is the case here.

Deep sigh!

I let out a breath, as I calm myself and begin immediately casting Resurrection on the moronic pixie. While I could go for a Perfect Resurrection, I hold off on that, mainly due to my not wanting to make Robi any more powerful than he already is, especially if he is acting stupidly.

Undeath rattle.

The minute Robi is fully Resurrected you can tell, as his lungs immediately gulp down a large breath of air, as his heart and body begin to activate and move on their own. Now that he is awake, I watch as he immediately sits up, and stares at me.

There is a look of fear that crosses his features for a moment, which makes me realize he might have more problems. Problems that followed him from the other world to ours. Seeing his concern and fear, I am about to ask him about it, when he begins to act.

"What is going…" that is all I have time for, before I am hit with a series of system messages.

Warning: The Second Mythical Monster Battle for Zone Supremacy Has Been Enacted. Everyone at World's End brace yourself as the control of your territory is now under contest.

New Mythical Grade Quest Condition (Automatically Accepted): Second Mythical Monster Battle Zone: You have been challenged by a similar type mythical being (Colossal Pixie) for your territory, for a second time. Conditions, similar to the first time, you must fight your opponent to the death to retain control over your area. Combatants killed (0 / 1). Rewards: Experience, Title(s) increases. Note: As the territory owner and noted mythical monster, you are automatically forced to accept this quest.

Ready, set, g…

This time I am automatically crushing Robi before he has a chance to get up to his feet.

As before, I got the same exact rewards, the only difference is that I didn't unlock a new bloodline perk.

Experience Gained:

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer (I) Increased to (II).

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer (II): You have managed to kill a mythical grade beast, making you a legendary creatures slayer. Effect: can generate an additional +60% damage to all creatures noted as Mythical rank and +30% damage to all creatures noted as being above Mythical above.

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Defender (I) Increased to (II).

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Master (II): You were the first to defend your territory from a Mythical Beast. Effect: All actions to protect your land are increased by +60% when defending your territory from creatures noted as Mythical rank or above.

Seeing the messages, I pause before taking a deep breath to once again begin the process of Resurrecting my stupid ex.

"What is he doing?" Mallory finally asks, a voice of logic and reason in this otherwise absurd spectacle. Apparently, there is a domelike effect that comes up when Mythical Beasts challenge each other for dominance, which has been forcing Mallory away. In a sense this makes sense, as it would protect any unsuspecting civilians from being inadvertently caught up in the full powers used by legendary grad mythical monsters. Fortunately, I am nowhere near being that powerful, and Robi is far squishier than even I am. Still, the dome did protect everyone and even forced Mallory to stay away for the second duel. Especially considering how quickly I was once again challenged.

"I don't know, I think he has a death wish, that or likely…" I trail off not sure if I should speak my speculations that I currently have at the moment.

"Likely what?" Mallory presses.

"I'd swear he has gambling problems from the old world."

"Old world?" Mallory questions, her mind trying to catch up with the new term that I can't quite shake for what I previously referred to as the Real World.

"Yeah, you know the place where our kids and progeny still reside?" I manage to get out.

Fwoosh.

Then just as I finish making that statement, my Resurrection spell is complete, and I have brought Robi back to life so we can finally get to the bottom of this, and find out why he is trying to take my lands from me.

Quivering.

This time Robi trembles slightly upon being reincarnated. It is clear that he realizes that he is outmatched, and I'd swear he was just trying to take advantage of my generosity, knowing that I could never leave him to die.

"Now then, can you kindly tell us why…" That was as far as I got, before I felt the weight of the system bear down on me. Eight words this time, a lot more than the three I got out previously, so that should be considered a success, right?

Warning: The Third Mythical Monster Battle for Zone Supremacy Has Been Enacted. Everyone at World's End brace yourself as the control of your territory is now under contest.

A dome comes up, and this time I get to see Mallory being forcefully pushed back a few dozen meters in a second. It's kind of odd seeing someone so powerful being pushed back so effortlessly by the system, which makes me realize there are likely a few universal powers that are undeniable thanks to the system.

My mind blanks out, trying to figure out what will happen next. I need to figure out why this is happening.

Ready, set, go…

SQUISH!

Just like the other times, I obliterate Robi before he can even realize his mortal shell has exploded from external forces. Again, I get the same system messages.

Experience Gained:

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer (II) Increased to (III).

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Slayer (III): You have managed to kill a mythical grade beast, making you a legendary creatures slayer. Effect: can generate an additional +70% damage to all creatures noted as Mythical rank and +35% damage to all creatures noted as being above Mythical above.

New Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Defender (II) Increased to (III).

Title Gained: Mythical Beast Battle Zone Master (III): You were the first to defend your territory from a Mythical Beast. Effect: All actions to protect your land are increased by +70% when defending your territory from creatures noted as Mythical rank or above.

As soon as I acknowledge the update, the protective dome drops and a blur of a Mallory charges forward to be next to me. Simultaneously, I feel the long since dormant form of Zero twitch slightly. It is an odd feeling, but one I quickly dismiss, especially as I being to react to what happens next.

Snatch.

This time it is Mallory who acts before I can. Reaching out one glowing hand that is able to reach through the barrier between realms and grab hold of Robi's free floating spirit. The look of shock is clear in his face. I am about to protest, but Mallory just holds up one finger and stops me. "No, you have had your chance two times before, now you will answer to me."

That's when I saw Mallory fully tap into the full extent of her Valkyrie powers, as her eyes glowed with a thunderous luminescence that spoke of pain and suffering, even beyond the realm of death.

Quivering.

If I thought a quivering Robi from the ground looked pathetic, I never expected a dangling spirit version of Robi to look even worse. But here we were, and once again I was reminded of the raw power and brutality that resided within Mallory's mythical body and class. Seeing her glowing hand and eyes, I was reminded of much of my inspiration for many of my earlier spells to deal with spirits, and in particular how I learned to weave spirits back into the bodies of their hosts to form the initial Resurrection spells.

Seeing her interact with and hold the dangling Robi I couldn't help but be inspired by her power and how I could still likely learn more about spirits and Spirit Magic from watching her.

"Tell me, what is it that you want?" Mallory hissed out, shaking the flailing Robi as she spoke.

"I needed to take the land by any means necessary," Robi finally managed to hiss out.

"You realize you couldn't win, and you still tried?" Mallory asked.

"Yes, I figured eventually Cass would grow tired, and hopefully stop," Robi admitted.

Hearing him speak, I was reminded of his favorite movie. One where his hero did the same exact thing.

"Wait, were you trying to do the plot to that Dr. Spirals movie you were always raving about?" I ask, cutting in and trying to see if this was in fact the case.

Blink.

Everyone turned their attention to me, and blinked at the same exact time. The action would be quite comical normally, an overly tall Valkyrie with glowing eyes of punishment activated, holding the spirit of a dead colossal pixie that was being pixie-handled by his neck both looking at me in confusion.

"Dr. Spirals?" Mallory asked, confusion evident in her voice.

"Yeah, I realize that isn't the name," I begin, as I really can't think of it at the moment, but he was possibly the most relatable of the superhero franchises for me, other than his one flaw. Well two flaws. "Yeah, the guy that was supposed to be a master magician but could only cast spells in golden spiral form?"

There was a pause as Mallory tried to understand what exactly I was talking about, though it was clear she might remember something to that effect.

"Oh, it was played by the guy that was in that space movie?" Mallory asked.

"Yeah, the Cucumber guy," I pressed trying to think back to that movie that was very old by now.

"Cucumber guy?"

"Yeah, Cucumber-bushel or something," I press trying to remember the actor's name but failing miserably. I don't know why this is so hard for me, normally I am much better with names.

"Okay, I think I know the movie that you are referring to, but why bring it up now?" Mallory pressed.

"Isn't that your strategy, to follow the Dr. Spiral guy and try to annoy me by Resurrecting until I gave up?" I asked.

Robi paused, blinked, and then replied. "You know, that sounds a lot better than what I had planned. I was hoping that eventually you'd let me die, then I'd be done with this frail body and all its problems."

"But you'd still come back?" Mallory asked, turning her eyes on Robi as it was clear this was some sort of truth compulsion power from the dead. An interesting Valkyrie power, and one that I might want to learn in the future. That looked like it would be so beneficial, while I wouldn't want to force others to speak or think a certain way, which was what this power seemed to be doing. I still couldn't help but wonder about the mechanics behind such a power. How did it work? Did it work because it was a being of a different type or consistency? These were the questions I had during this process.

"Yeah, I'd probably have to come, back, but at least I wouldn't be forced to do this claim for land, like I am being forced to now," Robi answered truthfully.

More twitching.

Again, as this was going on, I felt Zero actively shift his bodyweight. He went from a completely flat and resting state to a slightly raised coil.

"So you are saying, it would either be us killing you over and over, even in your next lives, or just giving you this land?" Mallory pressed.

Her comments were interesting, and for a moment, I wondered why, only to realize that not just me, but also Gwen would likely be impacted by the decision to keep Robi alive. There was a moment of resistance, where Robi tried to turn his head away, to break contact with those powerful spirit eyes that Mallory was using. Only for his face to be snapped back by a quick flick of Mallory's wrist.

Once their eyes were locked again, Robi again answered truthfully, "yes."

At that Mallory just nodded to herself, as a wave of resolve filled her. Then turning to me, she asked, "would you mind leaving us for a moment?"

Weight.

Hearing that comment, I felt an unbearable weight crash down on me. It was clear from her tone and why she would ask me to leave, what she would do, when I in fact left.

"I, I can't…" I stammered out, knowing that my leaving here would be the same as willing this person to die. Worse, I could tell that Mallory was going to do this for me. Kill for me. Meaning the weight of this soul would be on my hands. "I can't let you do that…"

Mallory looked like she wanted to argue, but before she could, I felt an eruption from under my skin. As a sleeping dragon finally arose from his deep slumber.

Zero erupted out, instantly changing his size from his normally condensed form, to that of a curving monstrous dragon that was hundreds of feet long, built like a coiling serpent that swam in the clouds.

"Then let me do it!" Zero rumbled, his voice filled with rage and anger on my behalf. Before I could think, or stop my familiar from moving he launched forward, striking out at the dangling Robi.

In that moment, I was too petrified to move, and for that, I will forever be sorry.

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