Teleport carried her to the hideout that she’d shown Torm, and Julia set to work destroying it. Once it came crashing in, the burning wings vanished, and the bracelet’s vines wrapped around bronzed skin. The energy within her rippled in time to her fiery gaze as she gathered herself. After a moment focused on Planar Shift, reality folded around Julia, and she found herself in woodland. A breeze carrying the delicious freshness of wilderness rustled through her shoulder-length hair as light filtered through the canopy and white silken clouds above. The Spire soared through them, so far away from where Julia stood that its kilometres’ width looked like a needle.

[Planar Shift (Self) (1->2)]

A thought towards the bracelet pulled the vines away from her feet, and she wiggled her toes in the grass. Julia knelt to brush her hands through it, the soothing sensation bringing forth unnoticed tears. It was only when they turned to streams did she notice their presence. Things hidden within the woods listened fearfully as she cried in relief and pain, her very presence freezing them in place. Finally, with emotions spent, she tilted her face towards the breeze and let tears dry before standing and stretching. The bout of crying had left her emotionally spent, but it was a comforting ache.

“One step, many more to go,” Julia declared as she felt the Sigil’s energy.

To True Sight, it seemed far weaker than before, though with its curves and sharp edges tangled within her, Julia wasn’t sure how to remove it without risk. She set aside the concern, not locked it away, simply acknowledged to act when it was time. Setting her direction away from the Spire, Julia ran towards distant sunlight beyond the trees. The creatures in the undergrowth fled or hid as the scenery blurred past. The Plane’s ground against her feet, the scents in the air bringing back memories of games, laughing with friends and times of joy.

As the woods turned into open wild spaces, she continued to run. After so long in bleakness, she found herself amid abundant life, that and memories of her past life recharged her. She wore a smile as she moved, running purely for enjoyment. Breaking out into the sunlight, air rushed past her as Ki Movement pushed her still faster. The Plane held the warmth of a pleasant spring day, promising so much potential, a sense that only grew stronger the further she ran.

Her Time Sense, even without guidance, let her know she’d journeyed for hours before she felt any urge to stop. Not guided by Danger Sense or apparent foes, but rather the vista laid out below a ridgeline. A river valley was a deep cool blue that spoke of swims, picnics, and time spent with family and friends. A memory of cool water sliding from her, as she gulped down fresh orange juice; while her mother chided her for rushing prompted a smile.

The valley was a tapestry of shadowed glades and copses of high trees, broad canopies forming concealing woods with fields of wild grass scattered in between. Though the trees certainly weren’t those she knew, and amid those that appeared natural, others were ethereal and strange, though regardless it was a beautiful vista. The thought of establishing her Domain here tempted her, though she had no reason for an immediate decision. Instead, she focused for a moment and her bones pulsed as she activated Planar Beacon.

[Planar Beacon (1->2)]

“It’s got potential, but I should look at more listings,” Julia murmured to herself, her smile broadening when Viper’s snark remained absent. “I’m sorry, the Wicked Witch of the West can’t come to the phone anymore.”

Casting Planar Attunement, she sensed its energy anchor her to the Plane, and Profile showed Outlands as her home Plane. Practice and studying made her far more aware of what the spell actually did as its energies shifted through her form. The spell’s tuning fork ran through her as the essence of the Plane mingled with her energies.

[Planar Law - Planar Attunement [M] (2->3)]

As her will focused on notifications Julia set those for spells permanently off.

Planar Shift warped reality again and the glow of a fungus lit cavern of Ternòx manifested around her. The dank stone was normal compared to the weirdness of Pandemonium, but she’d appeared amid chaos. Clashing weapons and screams of fury filled the air as the scent of Demonic blood hit her.

Demons, their expressions contorting in rage, threw themselves carelessly in her direction. Yet the raking claws of a Dretch caught only air. For as fast as their startled reactions were, Julia was already in motion. With Zen State wrapping her perceptions, its claws seemed caught in molasses as she responded in kind. A step took her inside its reach as it struck towards where her face had been. A spear hand strike drove up from her hip and impacted through its throat. She was already twisting as the back of its neck burst open, and the Ki energy sheathing flesh finished its decapitation. It staggered in death, but she’d already swirled under the reach of its failed strike.

A stomping front kick broke the leg of a Hymadan, and as its hyena-like snout opened, she moved towards it. Its arms grasping desperately, Julia spun within their curve. The whirling motion added momentum to her elbow strike that smashed against its lower jaw. Arcing forward to allow an arm to pass over her, she drove a back kick through a Hümsi’s visor and crushed its skull. As the Hymadan beside her died to a shattered spine, she dropped, and an arrow passed over the falling corpses. The swirling sounds of battle around her registered on her awareness, but knowing she’d arrived in the middle of a fight didn’t slow her.

The emblems of five or more Demon Lords decorated troops in the middle of the brawl. Even as she took them in, she reacted to motion behind her. Sliding to one side, she slapped the Hymadan’s stab into a Dretch’s gut. Spinning along its outstretched arm when her back pressed against its forearm, long thorns bloomed from her flesh to run it through. Plates of armour shattered as Ki Infusion filled with yang energy’s heat, and the undisguised Jade Court Mana incinerated it. The bright purity of the Celestial flame pulled more combatants’ attention towards her through the fray.

Oops.

Teleport set her clear of their immediate focus, and Julia fashioned the next spell carefully. Lightning Mastery settled in place within her, setting Lightning Law ready to respond to her will. As soon as she set it in place, a mere shape of will rained lightning from the cavern’s ceiling. The spell’s force crackling around her, she set Lightning Armour over her form and dove into the battle again. The Demons, enraged, charged at the Elven Fallen, somehow using Holy energy in their midst. A Giant’s halberd cut Julia’s next target in half and pulped her arm to the elbow, though it suffered in return, as Lightning Armour ripped along its weapon’s haft. Her maimed arm healing, she flowed beneath another sword. Seizing the wielder’s hand, she used its blade and their combined momentum to kill an attacking Dretch.

The body was dragging the blade away as Mana smashed down, and flames burst around her from an enemy’s spell. Though the flames rolled harmlessly off Julia, they killed a swath around her. Their deaths clearing enough space to allow Julia time to spot the caster’s elevated perch. When the giant’s scorched halberd came in again, Julia teleported. Its swing cleaved others unchecked as Julia landed past the casting Succubus. The Succubus’ next spell was still forming as she spun to find a black shelled thing behind her.

As its claws grasped her shoulder, the Succubus felt Mana smashed from her control as Julia suppressed her Skill. While the Xenomorph ate her face, Lightning Mastery’s continuing effect let Julia effortlessly set loose a Lightning Storm within the cavern. The mass of electricity within shattered the Giant’s flesh as its weapon conducted a flurry of strikes. Before the Giant had fallen to the cascade of thundering blasts, Julia had already dropped the headless Succubus and teleported further into the cavern’s battle.

She’d only killed a fraction of the combatants before leaving the fighting in the blood-soaked cavern behind. With how much time she had unknown, Julia reappeared in the chamber she’d found by chance long ago. The natural stone walls of the cave and crossed initials were just as she remembered. Still, Julia took care to ensure no one was present before relaxing at all. The bracelet had clung to her shattered flesh despite being secured around the wrist the Giant’s halberd had pulped. Brushing charred demonic remains from her clothes, she considered the combat summary. The notification of the Demons she’d quickly slain giving her reason to smile.

[

Least Dretch x38

Lesser Dretch x14 (50%)

Lesser Dretch x23

Lesser Hymadan x15

Lesser Hümsi x8

Dretch x9

Hymadan x11 (25%)

Hymadan x14 (50%)

Hymadan x30

Hümsi x20

Cambion x1

Succubus x 3

Xhaliáma x5

Abyssal Stone Giant x 1

Total-experience gained: 313,042

Fallen: +156,521

Scion: +156,521

Fallen Levelled up x 14!

Scion Leveled up x 14!

Attribute points currently pending allocation: 112

Angelic Aura (10->12)

Suppress Target (1 -> 3)]

I knew the first levels would come fast, but after months to gain one level, that’s a crazy rush. Though since that last level of Monk was five hundred million, it’s just as well. Need to plan what I take next and not just grab them. Monk is a given for one slot, but I need something to push my defence, and I’ve seen classes useful for that I’ve not unlocked. Fighter increases defence but it gives the largest benefits from equipment.

Spell after spell, Julia worked along and through the chamber’s walls. When all the spells she wanted to set were complete, the stone glowed in True Sight. With Destruction Mana lacing the stone in waiting spells, all keyed to Viper’s presence, Julia vanished. Broken stones resting underfoot reminded her of a prize she’d held onto for years. Enjoying the tones of the Grotto’s Song humming over her skin, she hoped the lessening of discomfort from it was her changes and not an issue among the Lómë.

In moments she was looking into Tras’laqì’s resting place; the muzzle restraining his maw held the Demon in temporal stasis. Within the steel box, he looked as wounded as when Usd’ghi had first offered him to her. True Sight showed her the Mana binding him in place, and unsure if tampering with his bonds might alert Usd’ghi to her location, Julia decided on caution.

First this though, it was your misinformation that got Livia killed. I had planned to ask you questions about the Sisterhood before I killed you. Really no point, I couldn’t trust anything you said. Hopefully, Ebu has information she’ll share.

Touching a finger to his ear, she cast Planar Attunement and pressed its energy into him. When Analysis showed his Home Plane changed, she picked the box up and headed towards the Grotto. She’d barely rounded the first bend, with the power of the Song still a light itch across her skin when the box of Abyssal steel and all its contents flared into ash without even a sour note.

[Combat Summary:

You have executed a helpless prisoner. Well done!

There are currently three open Class slots available to you.

Do you wish to select the previously unlocked Executioner Class?

Do you wish to select the previously unlocked Grim Reaper Class?

]

No! No! Such a fucking troll still.

Though she rejected them, Julia smiled in satisfaction; glad that at least one enemy should be permanently behind her.

“I’ve still got the full payment for the last shipment of Souls. You can take your share from my valuables stored in the Treasury’s vaults. Good bye.”

As the Spatial energy leapt away, taking her message to Usd’ghi, Julia turned her attention to shifting Planes again. When she focused on the Outlands, she felt the beacon there, though already weaker than when she’d set it. Acknowledging it as the Planar Shift activated, she suddenly stood within the valley. While the beacon had brought her close, it was still over a kilometre distant, the sense of it having faded further still.

Right. Time to stop procrastinating.

A glance found her what she needed and Inventory carved the initials into the boulder’s face. One message after another, she sent Verdandi, Yngvarr, Torm and Rana the details, hoping at least one of them would take the chance to meet.

I was paranoid and warned them, can only hope they’ll want to talk to me.

Julia had settled down to wait, and despite the hours or bells that passed to her time sense, the sunlight hadn’t shifted. The wind through the trees brought varying scents and sounds; the faintest sound of something chewing came to her on a breeze with sweet honey, and buzzing of angry bees. As the time passed and the breezes brought more noises to her, the heavy silence surrounding her weighed heavier. Telepathy’s net could feel minds nearby; the simpleness of their thoughts made touching them elusive.

The figure that appeared near the boulder wasn’t among any of those she’d expected. With Amrúngwen arriving with her glowing shield and ice rimmed sword already out, it wasn’t a promising start. Julia tensed, ready to flee, but as Amrúngwen’s gaze rested on Julia, the sword tip lowered slightly, though the glow from the shield remained a wall around her.

“There is so much rage coming from you Julia,” Amrúngwen said, her tone cautious. “What have you done to yourself since last we met?”

“Rage?” Julia said, her puzzled tone and expression setting Amrúngwen back.

“It burns the surrounding air, even your eyes and skin blaze with it,” replied Amrúngwen, her expression easing into curiosity. “Yet your voice is calm.”

“My eyes have been flames ever since the Titan’s curse changed me into a Fallen,” stated Julia, clearly confused. “Oh!”

Is it that?

Mentally touching Angelic Aura, she willed it off; in that same moment, a rush of energy crawled across her skin, settling into flesh, a sleeping beast ready to awaken. The silence in the valley also lifted, and wildlife nearby came to life.

“What did you do just then?” Amrúngwen asked.

“I’d gained a new power, so I turned it off,” Julia explained. “What changed?”

“Besides no longer looking ready to burst into flames,” answered Amrúngwen, the blade and shield disappearing as she spoke. “You’re missing the feeling of rage, blood-lust and violence around you.”

“I, what now?!” Julia exclaimed. When her eyes widen, a smile crossed Amrúngwen’s scarred lips.

“I’d like to place protections to prevent scrying,” Amrúngwen stated, “If that is alright with you?”

“Like the blessing Rana used, a space in the courtyard looked covered in shadowy trees?” Julia asked hesitantly.

“A stronger version, in case of need,” replied Amrúngwen, nodding in recognition at Julia’s description.

Julia almost said no, but remembered the same glowing barrier that came from Amrúngwen’s shield once shining protectively above her.

“We’ve only met once, and given you came at Rana’s request to aid me, I’ll trust you. But why?”

“While you’re hard to scry, I don’t know what paths our conversation might take. I’d prefer to ask the Lady to hide us from observation than for either of us to have cause for later regret,” Amrúngwen said. The sadness Julia saw in her gaze was clear and stilled the arguments she’d mustered.

“I’ll allow your experience to guide us. Since I’ve been too reckless in who I’ve trusted,” admitted Julia, considering the oath Rana had offered. “Though while I have reason to trust you, I had thought that of others. Will you swear on your Lady’s name that is all you intend?”

“Cautious indeed. Wisdom comes with time,” replied Amrúngwen. “I swear on my Servant’s Oath to the Lady of the Forest, I only intend to set a Blessing of Concealment so we might talk securely. I swear it will neither hold nor harm you or any of those you care about; you’ll be able to leave the Tree’s Shade at will.”

Amrúngwen’s words came in Celestial, and as she spoke, the word’s inflections gained a certainty about them, as if a greater Power was bearing witness.

“I hadn't expected anything so formal. Where would be best to speak?” Julia asked, hoping her request hadn’t insulted Amrúngwen or the Lady.

“I saw the consequences of others betraying your trust and took no offence. Certainly, I would give you nothing less,” Amrúngwen said, reassuringly gesturing towards where the woods ran along the river. “Among trees would be best; the Lady’s touch is stronger there.”

When they found a suitable spot, Amrúngwen’s chant was a stream of Celestial that melted as Julia tried to understand the words. As soon as she completed the Blessing, the mottled shadows between the trees deepened as if dusk had come.

“Would you share with me what occurred while you were in the Abyss?” enquired Amrúngwen, her posture relaxed as she offered her first question.

“When I got to The Treasury, I found Usd’ghi already had plans in place,” Julia stated. Taking her time, she tried to recount the years concisely while still missing nothing of importance. Amrúngwen kept her questions to a minimum, and when she asked any, they were merely for clarification, rather than questioning Julia’s choices.

“Millions of Souls freed from their curses. Well done indeed. Likewise, I hope the rest no longer suffer, but you did more than any other could,” Amrúngwen said, after listening to Julia’s tale in full. “After hearing from Rana about Torm’s first meeting with your friend Sarah, the fact you are a maiden still is quite surprising.”

“What happened between Torm and Sarah?” Julia asked, her tone rising in alarm.

“Peace,” offered Amrúngwen, gently reassuring. “there was no violence between them. At least nothing beyond heated words, though I’m very sure Sarah was far different from what Torm was expecting. As for the rest, I’ll let him enlighten you. Personally, I found the tale quite amusing.”

“Alright,” grumbled Julia, her twisting nerves easing at the mirth in Amrúngwen’s gaze.

“You look far more comfortable in your Elven form than you seemed when last we met,” Amrúngwen stated, bluntly changing the topic. “I have another question for you if I might.”

“Ask away. If I’m not comfortable answering, I’ll let you know.”

“You reached the Tier seven classes at level ninety. Why didn’t you take the initial Scion of the Sun when first offered it?” asked Amrúngwen curiously.

“A few reasons: adjusting the Soul scape was still in progress, the Necropolis hadn’t collapsed, so there were Souls to rescue, plus I’d been told years ago the Titan rewards hard work. Even with the experience for each level growing so fast, I’d been considering pushing to level 110. Even without attributes increasing, it was pushing my Skills and Powers along. After the Necropolis’ end, I ended things with Usd’ghi and tried to get rid of Viper for good,” Julia declared.

Amrúngwen paused for a time, as if considering Julia’s response before she spoke again.

"Only your symbol was visible on the Titan’s wall to the Lady previously; now both yours and Viper's are visible."

“Ugh, I’d set traps in case, but I hoped it had destroyed her,” Julia growled, scrubbing at her face.

“Now you know you’ll need to take care,” Amrúngwen replied.

“Hopefully, those traps in Ternòx get a bite out of her,” stated Julia, rapidly accepting not everything was as she’d hoped.

“If you are fortunate,” said Amrúngwen. “The time the Hags spent pushing your capability as a Wizard has assisted you.”

“I’m sure they had reasons of their own to push me. After three hundred thousand Souls, every time I brought a new set of them back for processing, one of them would grill me on something. When I didn’t know the answer or had a gap, they’d make me study or practice during my next gathering. Though when I first got there, Usd’ghi seemed purely determined to wring everything she could out of the situation.”

“Perhaps Usd’ghi planned for Viper’s benefit if she took you over. I wonder if she’s kept a memory of those lessons,” Amrúngwen pondered.

“I sure hope not,” Julia said vehemently. “It was my time and effort that went into learning them, and she’d contribute nothing but bitchy remarks. When I sent her on her way, I focused on keeping everything I had worked hard to learn and my memories. I didn’t want her stealing all the knowledge of my lifetimes.”

“Including this one?” enquired Amrúngwen.

“I’m not sure about this lifetime. She waved her access to my memories in my face so many times. When I kicked her out, I didn’t want her stealing them. I can’t get at them, but the boxes glimmer like stars where it was just darkness previously.” Julia replied, pausing for a moment. “While I’d like to think I kept even my own memories from her, I can’t assume that’s the case. I destroyed one hideout and set traps in another, thinking she’d know about them.”

“Hence why you isolated yourself,” stated Amrúngwen.

“If she took over, I didn’t want her having recent knowledge of people to bring them harm.”

“You’d be still better off not meeting the people you care about,” Amrúngwen stated, the simple words striking Julia.

“Why?!” Julia exclaimed, the years of absence crashing on her.

“Considering the force of your presence, it would jar them. How high is what you call Charisma?” asked Amrúngwen.

A moment’s glance at her Profile and the jump Charisma had gained, knotted her inside. The thought of her friends reacting the same way some townsfolk had, made Julia wince, and Amrúngwen nodded knowingly at her pained expression.

“The increase is huge, and it jumped higher than I had expected after killing those Demons,” Julia sighed.

“Celestials don’t need a Class to grow in power,” Amrúngwen explained. “Some don’t take a Class but rather focus on serving their Patron in whatever aspect they formed.”

“What am I going to do?” whispered Julia in shock.

“You need to learn to accept who you are now. When you do so, you’ll be able to control what you push into the world,” reassured Amrúngwen.

“There goes that daydream,” Julia grumbled, giving a head shake when Amrúngwen looked at her enquiringly.

“By the way, Yngvarr tried to tell you I was coming and received no response,” Amrúngwen explained.

“I stripped all names except Eakcï from my Profile over the years. It has got my True Name hidden again as well after I transformed, so hopefully, that screws the Lady up,” Julia stated. “It certainly weakened the Sigil; could you remove it?” The smile started broadening, dying at Amrúngwen’s expression.

“Even weakened, it would be dangerous and require more than merely trust between us. Safer for you to gain enough skill to remove it yourself,” Amrúngwen stated firmly. “Yngvarr’s heard you pronounce Eakcï; hopefully that’s sufficient for his spell.”

“I’ll let him know and see if he can send me a message in return,” Julia stated. A quick casting drew a pleasing response from Yngvarr, and Julia smiled in relief. “Not the outcome I had hoped, but better than I feared yesterday. Would you do something for me?”

“If I’m able to,” Amrúngwen responded at once, her gaze gleaming with delight.

Julia made the two bags of storing appear from her inventory and offered them to Amrúngwen, who wrinkled her nose at the smell of the Abyss clinging to them.

“Could you get these to Yngvarr?” Julia asked hopefully

“The materials in them fine but not those bags; they smell Abyssal made,” retorted Amrúngwen. “I have my storage items. I’ll use them to pass your things along, and it lets you keep... those.” The distaste in Amrúngwen’s voice made Julia’s lips twitch, but she bit the playful words down and just nodded her acknowledgement.

“Could you give me advice about classes?” asked Julia. ”Oh, and Domains.”

Amrúngwen’s smile was understanding, and as it twisted her scars, Julia couldn’t help wonder what caused such horrendous scars to remain with a Celestial.

Guess I was transparent about wanting company. No offence Laodice.

((None taken Julia, I sensed what you meant.))

“Of course. What would you like to know? You’ve picked a delightful spot for a Domain if you intend to set it here. It’s well away from any gate I know, and with Judgement above, you can reach it easily.”

“Judgement is above us?” Julia asked in astonishment, glancing up at the same white clouds above, remembering the first time she’d stepped out in Judgement.

“Yes. Some believe it’s so the patrols can see predators trying to intercept Petitioners heading towards the heights.”

“I need to learn so much more,” Julia stated sincerely.

“Tell what you need to know about classes, then we can discuss Domains afterwards; I’ll need to commune with the Lady regarding useful information on that subject.”

The sense of the Plane under her fingers was close but remained distant regardless of what she had tried; the energy was but mere wisps of sensation to Harmony’s guidance, no matter how she offered her hand to it.

You need to focus the energy of Faith onto your perception of Domain.

Amrúngwen’s words were clear in Julia’s mind, but the explanation she’d passed from the Lady made little sense about what it actually involved. Julia took an unneeded breath, and instead allowed the sense of the valley to sweep over her. Some animal sounds were so familiar, yet others were alien. Though bird calls echoing through the valley reminded Julia of the first glimpse from the ridgeline.

A beautiful natural valley, so similar to when she first saw Kangaroo Valley; seeing it had evoked so many memories from there: family camping trips, the games, time together, laughing with Mal as he’d pulled the rope swing higher up the riverbank. It had earned a scolding afterwards yet it had been so worth it. That time of connection, that sense of home.

With the thought of those memories, the ground under her fingers Sang through Julia’s bones. The reservoir of Faith inside her flooded into the grass, the earth, and yet cycled to her again through the air itself. Julia realised why the Lady’s advice had been so vague; how can you tell someone what safety or home should mean for them?

Feeling the empty shell within her new Domain’s boundary, Julia flooded it with Ki and Mana, the wave of power leaving her splashed hollowly within its limits. The sorrow and loss the memories brought forth left with the departing energies. It hollowed out her insides with the departing energies and left her aching within as she wrung out everything she had for the Domain. It added to the anger, fear and sorrow she’d endured since emerging, a massive bonfire within her mindscape, Harmony turning the emotions’ energy into gifts of warmth instead.

[Achievement: Home again, whole again?

Conditions:

Domain Formed

Two hundred or more Faithful having died in service to your goals

200,000+ Mana deliberately placed into Domain’s reserve

Reward to be selected:

Promote one Petitioner to Outsider

Evolve the Species of one Outsider that has agreed to your Servant’s Oath.

Hidden condition:

Celestial Energy, of any type, deliberately placed into Domain’s reserves during establishment.

Reward:

Condition Goddess’ Touch applied to all Faithful for next moon.

All Faithful will receive a vision of Domain during their next dream.

]

The achievement’s conditions seemed like a twisted joke until she suddenly became aware of Souls who were waiting in Judgement for her to bring them home. Each name and accompanying life pressing into her awareness was far too familiar to Julia.

Oh, Solveiga!

When her focus settled on the platoon Leader’s name, she felt herself experience the last moments of her life. A Sahuagin trident ripped through her spell shield, and its barbed tips punched all the way through her. Still, her body slowed it enough, so the platoon’s second escaped injury. A blast of flames turned it to ash, even as her next breath refused to come. Death coming in sunlight with the ocean’s brine clashing with blood instead of the darkness she had feared for so long. A disjointed jumble of images led to an intact moment with sunlight around her and a calmness filling Solveiga as she waited.