Chaos World

Chapter 2: Immortal Body

"This is my master, Ohm the Justified." Ordeus proudly introduced.

 He told me that 500 years ago, a powerful man capable of annihilating everything existed on this world. That entity was Solaiman. He was more powerful than an overlord. He wreaked havoc in all of the continents of Chaos. Ordeus told me that to defeat Solaiman, his master, along with four other world travelers, was summoned to fight.

“He was summoned too? From where?” I asked.

He nodded his head, “According to him, he was from a world called Earth.”

Earth! That man is also from my world! “What happened to him? Did Solaiman kill him?”

“No. Solaiman didn’t kill him. In fact, they defeated Solaiman.” He revealed.

Okay! That’s good. They defeated Solaiman, someone who was said to have been able to destroy everything. So, what does this have to do with me?

As if reading my mind, “You were also summoned here. My master and the others were summoned in dire times. They were needed here. That means, you being here tells us that something big and horrible is going to happen.” He said.

That got me thinking. If that is true, couldn’t they summon a much healthier person than me? I am dying! Whoever did the summoning, I wonder what could have been in his mind to pick me? What can I possibly do to save this world, when I am already dying? But wait, I am immortal now, right? Maybe he’s got a point!

Ordeus continued his tale. “There were 16 overlords at that time. All 16 of them fought Solaiman but only 3 of them came back alive; Overlord Treia of the Heaven race, Overlord Argus of the Human race and Overlord Kaazam of the Demon Race.” 

He said they were pushed in a corner. Argus made a suggestion to seek help from somewhere not of this world. He was a summoner and in his research, he found out that there are different worlds from Chaos. The other 2 overlords agreed to this solution.

Argus spent months to prepare the materials needed for the summoning. And when he finally collected enough, he immediately laid out the summoning circle. He poured every bit of his magic power in that summoning. Light came out from the summoning circle and after, there stood five people. Argus succeeded in his summoning but at the cost of his life.

The five heroes were namely, Kzech, Arden, Zu Yuan, Yoon Jae Ri, and Ohm. They were then called 'world travelers'. Along with them came forth five familiars from different planes. Ryuu of the dragon spirit plane, Prix of the Firebird spirit plane, Darin of the Tiger spirit plane, Gin of the Woodbeast spirit plane and Ordeus of the Fairy spirit plane.

“Their names sound familiar. They might be from the same world as I am!” I mumbled.

Ordeus quipped, “I do not know if the other travelers came from the same world as my master.”

 I nodded. Yeah, he said that there are other worlds, maybe they are from parallel worlds? That could be possible.

“The world travelers possess tremendous and unique powers. That was Overlord Argus was hoping for.” He said.

“Hey, doesn’t that mean I have tremendous and also, unique powers now?” I asked a bit excitedly. Powers, who amongst the people in the world never dreamt of having super powers? I still have my superhero fan days with me.

I am starting to think that maybe, things are not as bad as it looks. This may be a blessing in disguise, hopefully.

 “I do not know. Anyway, the two remaining Overlords took the liberty to train the world travelers for the upcoming battle with Solaiman.

When all of them rose at the level of overlords, they sought Solaiman. They fought with all their might until they defeated him. All of Chaos celebrated the death of Solaiman.”

“Wait, I am confused. Your master and his friends became overlords and they defeated, the all-powerful, Solaiman? Didn’t you say Solaiman is much more powerful than overlords? How did they defeat him exactly?”

 Isn’t it confusing? Right? That doesn’t make sense at all.

“You forgot, they also have us, familiars.” He replied. “We performed a skill that elevated their powers temporarily. That is how we defeated Solaiman.” He added.

“Oh? You have skills like that? Wow! By the way, why don’t I have a familiar summoned along with me?” I asked. Come on, if they have a very powerful skill like that, I want a familiar too!

“I told you, the way you were summoned is different. That may be the reason why no spirit familiars came with you.” He said.

“So, what happened after you defeated Solaiman? Did they all went back to their worlds?”

He shook his head, “No! Argus died. There’s no one else left to send them all back.” Ordeus wore a sad smile.

It must’ve been difficult for them. They must have felt lonely and sad; they left their families and friends in their world and was suddenly sent here.

“They must have felt so devastated. They left their families in their original world and they can’t go back.” I said sympathizing with the travelers.

“Oh? No, no! All of them, except for my master, did not want to go back to their own worlds.” He revealed.

What? Are all of them orphans? Didn’t they have friends back in their original worlds? They are a weird group.  

“The four traveler companions of my master made Chaos their home. They found families and clans that until now exist somewhere. In fact, Hero Arden’s clan is a well-known merchant clan now, you know!”

Great! So, there are descendants of the world travelers here! It would be cool if I meet one.

“What happened to your master? How did he end up like that?” I said, pointing at the floating corpse.

“Well, he never lost hope. He told me that with his current power, he will be able to help his world.” Ordeus recounted.

“I came from Earth, too like your master. Is our world in trouble back then?” I asked.

“Oh!? You are from the same world?” Ordeus was surprised. Well, I forgot to tell him before when he said his master was from Earth. Sorry.

“My master told me that his world was at war. With his power, he can stop it.” Earth was at war? Let’s think, Ohm was summoned here 500 years ago, is there a world war going on Earth 500 years ago? Wait, maybe time flows differently in different worlds?

“He traveled across the world, searching for ways to travel back to his original world. He helped many people in his travels and he gained the title “Justified”.

“By the looks of it, he didn’t find it, right?” I said.

“Yes and no.” Ordeus replied.

What do you mean yes and no? “??” He clearly saw question marks on my face because without needing me to ask, he gave me the answer.

“He didn’t find a way back to his original world but he found his true world.” He said which made me more confused.

“During his journey, he stumbled upon a human girl who uses a different type of mana manipulation. The girl called it 'alchemy'. Curious, Ohm learned alchemy from the girl. The girl's name was Zusanne. They journeyed together until they both fell for each other.” He said.

Well, I guess finding his true love equates to finding his true world. Hm. I get it. I am single and never had a girlfriend. I think I will not understand Ohm. But anyway, good for him.

“My master no longer yearned to go back. He married Zusanne and they lived happily together for years but soon after, she got sick.” He continued, “Master Ohm used every means to save her. Magic nor Alchemy did not save her, though. He lost his mind for some time and in that period, he decided to use alchemy again, but this time to bring Zusanne back to life.”

“He didn’t succeed, I take it.” I guessed.

He affirmed with a nod, “Her body has rotted after months of trying, but Ohm had never succeeded nor her body showed even a slight sign of revival.”

That’s sad. Finding his world and then losing it again. Ohm is pitiful.

“Years passed, her body turned to ash and without the body of Zusanne, he can no longer use alchemy to pull back her essence. He secluded himself in a cave. During his seclusion he made stone sculptures of Zusanne. Eventually, he thought of using his sculptures as medium for Zusanne's soul.”

Poor guy, he truly lost it back then, huh. “Did he succeed?” I asked.  

Ordeus shook his head. He said Ohm made a doll out of [Brigarin Crystal], the hardest crystal in all of Chaos. Once again, Ohm used alchemy but failed once more.

“For years, he tried and tried, tirelessly, again and again. But none of it succeeded. Then he discovered a new method. He melded alchemy with magic and brought forth “Sorcery”.” Ordeus continued his tale.

Isn’t sorcery and magic the same? I am puzzled.

“He tried sorcery and finally succeeded, but the essence that came inside the doll was not Zusanne. The doll became the first of the Automaton race.” He said.

 Wait a minute, “He created a race!? You telling me that he created a life form out of sorcery?” That was a total surprised. I am truly not in my world!  

“Boy, you are, a little bit, annoying me! Could you let me finish first?” Ordeus snapped. I am not annoying you. I was just surprised.

“Okay!” I complied.  

“Master tried his last attempt. This time he used his own body as sacrifice for the life of Zusanne.”

Damn! Ohm is so brave to exchange his own life for the woman he loves. She’s a lucky girl.

 “I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I did try to stop him.” He said seeming to have read my mind. Sorry, that’s not what I thought just now. But it’s good to know that you did try stop the man.

 He continued, “Unfortunately, I came too late; Master Ohm has died. When I came over, all I saw was the lifeless body of my master with runes inscribe on it.”

“Did he succeed then? He couldn’t have just wasted his life for nothing, right?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“He succeeded, in sorts. Master didn’t really bring back Mistress Zusanne’s life but I think he found her.” He said.

I got curious, “How can you say so?”

“I told you, I am a fairy spirit. Spirits have this special connection to the spirit realm. And that time, just moments before I entered master’s cave, I felt a spirit’s aura. Although, it didn’t come from the spirit realm but it was clearly a spirit’s aura.” He said.

 I thought and guessed whose aura he felt, then spared a peek at Aria. Ordeus must’ve notice as he affirmed, “Yes, it was, exactly, Aria. I felt her aura just moments before my master died.”

Ordeus said he tried to revive Ohm using every means he knew but alas, Ohm really died back then. However, just when he was about to stop, Ohm’s chest lit up and an entity came out. It was the little fairy with pinkish red skin and blonde hair, Aria.

“Aria was the one who told me about what truly happened to my master before he died.” Ordeus revealed.

“What do you mean?” I looked at Aria. “And how is this connected to his body becoming immortal? How does this all connect to me now?” I added.

“We are getting to that! Kids these days are so impatient!” He complained. “Aria told me that she is a Dimension Fairy. To be honest, I was surprised to know what Aria is! Her kind is just a myth to our people but it turned out to be true. Dimension Fairies exist and she is one of them!” he exclaimed.

“She felt my master’s soul wander in the dimension. Aria found him and helped him find Zusanne’s soul. She said that her soul was reincarnated and now living in a different body, in a different world.”

Souls wander in the dimension? I thought souls of the dead go to the underworld, or to heaven, or even hell! I have to ask, “Don’t souls go to a certain place after dying like the underworld, perhaps?”

Ordeus stared at me. I don’t know what he’s thinking but I can see in his face that his mocking me. Well, forgive me. In my world, I was taught that souls go to heaven, if they are good and hell, if they are bad.

“Souls go to the underworld after leaving their bodies. But before that, they have to pass through the dimension wall and then arrive at the underworld to be reborn. That is why there are souls wandering in the dimension. Some of the souls get lost in there, even.” He said. “That is where the myth of the dimension fairies started. They travel through the dimension and serves as guides to lost souls.” Ordeus added.

“There’s such a thing?” I wonder if it’s the same on Earth? Nah, it can’t be. And what could be that dimension is? The soul dimension? Soul realm, perhaps?

“Ehem! So, my master, at the last moment, finally found Zusanne with the help of Aria.”

“And then?” I asked.

“He couldn’t go there. They can only go to the underworld which is behind the only wall in the dimension that souls can pass through. Aria said master chose to stay in the dimension and watch Zusanne from afar.”

Then what about Aria, “How did she come to be here and how did Ohm’s body become an immortal elixir?” I pointed.

“Heh! Elixir, ha! That’s one way to describe his body. Aria came here by accident. She has a problem, in fact.” He said.

“She has? What is it?”

“When Aria found my master’s soul, she was wandering alone in the dimension, too. She said, she can’t remember much. The only thing she remembers is her name and her kind. Apart from that, nothing else!”

Oh? Fairies can have amnesia too? Amazing! I thought as I looked at Aria who was, calmly, sitting on Ordeus’ shoulder.

“When she left my master in the dimension, she wandered alone in there again until she found a c***k. That c***k was made by Master Ohm’s ritual. She went in it and came here.” Ordeus touched Aria’s little head after saying that.

“And about my master’s body, this is only my guess, I think the ritual he performed using sorcery is the cause of its immortality. When I found his body, the rune inscriptions were alight and pulsating; it was gathering so much energy. That is also when Aria came out from Master Ohm’s chest.” He revealed.

"So, in summary, by consuming the immortal body of Ohm, I became immortal like him?"

"Yes." Ordeus nods at my conjecture.

"And Aria, the daughter of Zusanne and Ohm is the keeper of his immortal body."

"…" Ordeus became quiet for a moment before exclaiming, “How in the world did you come up with the idea that Aria is the daughter of Ohm and Zusanne? Didn’t you hear my tale just now? She is a dimension fairy who only accidentally came into this world!”

I was just saying, “Didn’t she came out from Ohm?”

“She did but… fine! You can say it like that, in any case, Aria did say she found Ohm a bit like her father, or so she thought. She can’t recall anything about her parents.”

Is it me or Ordeus seems less dignified right now, he feels like an ordinary old man. I wonder… ah right, he did say he’s not a king.

“Pyon! Pyon-pyon, pyon!” She said loudly. Her voice was so cute.

“Ha!!” Ordeus sighed, “Fine, I get it. You also treat yourself as Ohm’s daughter.” He said weakly.

“See? I was right!” Haha, I could say “I told you so!” to him but I didn’t.

"You are his familiar, right? And you are connected to him. Are you immortal too?" I asked.

"No. Although, I did have a soul contract with Master Ohm, I did not share his body’s immortality. But I can live longer than you or most humans, Hahahaha!"

What's so funny about that? How rude! His dignity just went out of the window! Good thing I am immortal now, so, I can outlive you more! Ha! Ha! Ha!

"However, Mike Cole, your immortality is only temporary.” He revealed.

Nice counter! I can’t laugh now, can I?

“So, I can still die?” I asked dejectedly. My bubble really deflated after hearing that.

“You must continue to consume Ohm until your body becomes truly immortal."

"Huh? You are saying, I have to eat all of him to be a true immortal?" I looked at Ohm who has only missing a foot and a foreleg. That’s a lot of cannibalism to go. And… oh my… I also have to eat “that” part? Yikes! Nah! I can’t!

"Right now, mana is being absorbed by your body at an incredible speed. If you cease to be immortal, you will explode from over absorption. So, if you want to preserve your life, consume my master." He said.

"Pyon!" Aria floated up from Ordeus’ shoulder and touched his cheek.

"Aria, you are strong.” He said to her, then he looked at me, “Mike Cole, I would like to request a favor from you, is that okay?"

"Ah...y-yes." I have a foreboding. I hope it’s not an impossible request.

"Please take care of Aria. When Ohm will be totally consumed, my connection to this world will be gone." He told me his request.

"Oh? So you will go back to your own plane?"

"No, I have become an overlord. A spirit plane is fragile and cannot contain such power."

Really? There are that kind of rule in the spirit plane, too? Just like what I’ve read in the novels before. A world that restricts the power of its residence.

"Then what would happen to you?"

"I will become one with this world." He smiled at me. 

"Pyon-pyon!" A sparkle of tear formed at the corner of Aria's eyes. That I knew, Ordeus will die if Ohm's body will disappear.

"You know; I am fine if I die. But are you okay with it?" I reasoned to him.

 I already died so what's the point? If being a temporary immortal can give me an extension to live, that is enough for me.  

"I will become immortal but in exchange of someone else’s life. Thinking of that, it’s a hard thing to swallow!” I said.

He glared at me. That's a bit scary. His power oozed out. No killing intent but the pressure is heavy.

“This is my decision! My master is already gone! I have nothing left to do here.” He said heavily.

"Besides, I have lived long enough. But you? You haven't. Treat this as your second chance at life. If you are uncomfortable with this, then just think of it as my long time vacation." He proposed.

"We've only just met. How can you trust me? How do you know that I would take care of Aria?"

He smiled at me and then he said, "You are a good man."

I don't understand him. How can he say that I am good man? I don’t know him, we just met!

“Don’t think about it so much! Think of this as a welcome gift.” He added.

Seriously, I'm thankful. But this is just way too sudden.

"Aria." He called and Aria flew towards me. "Raise your hand, Mike Cole."

Although I do not know what will happen but I followed his order. Aria hovered in front of my palm. She murmured something but all I heard was “pyon-pyon”. Light shone in my palm as runic symbols danced on it. It was tingly and prickly feeling. Then Aria was sucked in.

"What the...? What happen?" Did my palm absorb her just now? I shook my hand frantically.

Then the next instant she came out from the back of my hand. 

"Nice to meet you, master."

A small voice rang in my head. It was a woman's voice. 

"Is that you Aria?"

She nodded while making a “pyon-pyon” sound. It seems that she can't speak any language other than pyon~ but she can talk with me in my mind.

"Aria is now your familiar. She will grow strong together with you. She now shares your immortality." Ordeus said.

“Wait, she willingly formed a contract to be my spirit familiar?” I am happy, but again, this is too sudden. I didn’t even agree yet!

"Hold up, you said she shares my immortality? How so?”

“Unlike me and Master Ohm, you formed your soul contract when you are already an immortal, at least, half of it. So she is able to share that ability with you.” He answered.

"But keep this in your mind, although you are immortal, you can be killed. Your immortality means you will not age and you will have outstanding recovery. In time you will learn to regenerate but as for now you are not capable of that."

I can regenerate. Wow like if I lose my hand I can grow another one. It feels reptilian but cool ability.

“Does that also mean, if I stop eating Ohm, his body will also regenerate? His body immortal, right?”

“Do you think a corpse still has a functioning body?” Wow, that’s sarcasm! Where has his dignified aura earlier go to?

"Now, Mike Cole, what you do with your second life is yours to do. But I hope you would choose the right way."

"..."

I only nodded. Of course I am the master of myself. I will cherish this life and live it the way I want.

"Alright, I’ll do as you say. I promise, I will take care of Aria. But I will help you, I will find a way.” I pledged.

“Thank you, Mike Cole.”

I shook my head, “Don’t call me, Mike. He’s already dead.” I said. I am living a new life in a new world. I guess I should give myself a new name.

“- _ -” Ordeus’ face.

“Call me Newheart. Loran Newheart!” I declared. I feel awesome! He! He! He!

“=_ =” Aria’s face.

 That day on I started to live my immortal life as Loran Newheart of Chaos World.