Thin Line of Sacrifice

Arthur's been practising a lot with smaller and greater animals alike- some even bigger than humans, and with mana capacity requirement just as large as some of them. Although, to actually revive the sentient life, the human being? That's a wholly different level of Necromancy.

There was no time wasted once Arthur made his way inside the facility. With Cho tailing him, he's commanded several undead to bring them the bodies of those that were yet to be revived- obviously, the dead were coming in day by day, and it's not exactly an easy task to sustain everyone as revived individual. In fact, with the limited numbers of Necromancers, it was almost impossible to do so.

With time, he planned to change that.

"Your principles of Necromancy helped a lot, Lady Cho."

"Today, I was going to attempt to resurrect three people at once, see where that brings me. It's no easy task, but ah-- I want you to only oversee for potential mistakes in my performance, and do not assist me in terms of mana or anything like that."

"I'm certain that my own resource would be enough, anyway."

Soon enough, the undead carried in the bodies of recently dead. Placed on the tables carefully, it was the bodies of two women and one man- two Gehennan, and Jianghuren respectively.

"Let's begin?"
(Arthur Rowan)


 She had always been curious of what the lot of them would do now that she's no longer in charge. She can say, however, that they way she would have handled things would have been similar to say the least - establishing a meeting, perhaps, getting to a cornerstone that might be able to 'mark' some sort of temporary truce...Or maybe, even being able to draw 'war' upon those that would dare to attack. In the end though, the woman does nothing more than raise an idle hand - waving it carefully as she speaks. "I suppose that they are the only good 'things' that might've come out of the Brubeck family..." she hated to admit it, but, on the extremely rare occasion that Tarquin Brubeck had decided to be 'competent'...He could make things work.

 But still..

 "If that is what you desire - then very well..." She didn't mind watching, although, attempting to resurrect three people at the same time would be interesting. "It'll require extreme focus for a beginniner of some sort...But if you feel as if you're prepared, then begin when you desire. As long as you remember the most important to the least important, then you should be fine." It is like corruption, spreading the chaos through one's circuits- irrevocably changing them.

 "Begin when you are ready. If I see that there is trouble, I'll chime in when needed." She says, nodding - but intent on keeping her own hands away from the project.
(Cho Grauhimmel)

Like the hands of the Maker, the hands of Creator and Lifegiver, his own hands extend towards those placed on the tables, but there's no touch- by now, he's already known what sort of process is necessary in order to bring someone back, and knew how exactly it's done. The practice on smaller and bigger animals did exactly just that, but this one? It's a bigger challenge. It's a greater scale. It's something that he would need to overcome on his own, if he ever wishes to acknowledge the art of Necromancy as a whole.

Brain.

He remembered very well that this were the main point in resurrection, along with plenty others. In brain, there were memories, the personality, the very core of what defines people as people - without it, the said memories were destroyed and lost, perhaps forever. It's something that he must focus on.

Drawing upon the desire of greatness, of power, of Chaotic nature welling upinside of him, the Symbolic casting was employed, as its rich source of mana could not be rivalled with any other casting process. The flow of mana in the room was apparent- but much like its typical for Necromancy to do, it was spreading out the chill, the corruption, the negative energy in this room.

The very same energy he sought to recycle.

"I remember the parts that are important, although I assume I would need to take care of all circuits eventually."

He was taking it one step at a time. There's no need to simply blow up the corpse anymore by overcharging it with mana, is there? That's not something that would let him master the Holy Art of Azrael.

"Have you heard the news?"
(Arthur Rowan)


She takes her seat on the other side of the room. And in all honesty - she feels as if she's half-n-half about the entire situation. Was it wise of her and Nyphadora to take a step back and see how well the future generation will take care of itself? Or is it better if she were to place her hand within political matters every now and then to be certain of the outcome? All in all, her feelings surrounding it are...Trivial. But to make them known would be like stating her own doubt. - And it's not that she has any within them..

 It's moreso involving the world that's around them. But to digress, the woman merely keeps her position, hands lightly pressing against her cheek - hues fluttering in thought. "Eventually, yes - Although it requires concentration as of now, the more you master it...The easier that it becomes. It'll be akin to muscle memory." But does she inform him of the hunger that she held?- the need to aggress others and assault them? No...No. Everyone deals with Necromancy differently-...Even Drew, out of all people, remained calm.

 But still.

 "I'm afraid not...I assume though, that more people have been attacked by Vampires? I often hear that livestock and things of that nature are being taken but I've yet to actually 'get' the report myself." She says while eyeing him...Nodding for him to continue on with the process.
(Cho Grauhimmel)

It was no easy, certainly.

The corruption that Necromancy caused was not only the external, but internal as well, and Arthur knew that very well. There's a thin line between sacrificing your own mind, subjecting it to such corruption, all for the greater good as you believe it - and a fall, one where you become an uncompromising monster, one that you sought to battle when you were different, and yet--

-- all that you managed to do is become one, instead.

But his mind was not held back by such thoughts. Much like he managed to establish the connection to the mystical leylines of Arcane, of the otherworldly energy that crossed the entire Eternia, he created a 'web' of energy that was sprung all across the bodies infront of him. Through the process of Cognitive casting, the fuel was distributed accordingly, and even then, he knew that his work only began.

The heart.

The other important organ, one that oft pumped not just blood, but the mana he sought to fuel the deceased ones with. Gladly, their circuits seemed to be far from burned out, which means there's a chance of second life to them.

"Mm..."

"As for vampires, they've threatened our people and apparently wished to take our resources as well, but ah-- I'm handling it. I have no intention to kneel to these vile animals."

"I'll de-escalate the situation through assertion and intimidation. If needed be, I'll show them just who they're dealing with."
(Arthur Rowan)


 She was never meant to be like this, in all honesty. She was never meant to be within this position, nor to ever come to this amount of power. Within her life, she imagined that she would have retired by now. Or perhaps, some Gehennan would have gotten tired of her being a 'merchant' that went across borders and killed her. But...Matters forced her to fight. And sometimes, the heart does unpredictable things to the mind. She can only hope that he doesn't allow that same corruption to consume him just as it had done her. Because there are still things that she thinks about- times, memories that replay over and over within her mind....Of people that she will never get back. Of times that were not just about happiness...But about the bodies.

 It's all so strange, to be exact.
 But still, she keeps herself out of her mind and focuses upon the project that is at hand. Steadily, does she watch - the brilliance of mana easing around the body, the pumping of magic capable of bringing the first breath.

 "I'm sure that it's already been expressed to you.." she says briefly, hands folding within her lap. "Vampires are...And will always be a trivial matter. One, in which, will pose as a constant threat. Giving them a truce is may be a dangerous thing..especially if they obtain connections and power at an alarming rate." she says, nodding.

 "I would prefer to end them immediately, but if you feel as if you can bring them down and make them subservient...Then I see nothing wrong with your plan. Just be careful and be weary."
(Cho Grauhimmel)

At times, he already felt the amounts of corruption consuming him. These outbursts of Chaos Arcane that he experienced, that boiling anger under his skin, that selfish desire to reach Divinity and change the world as he sees fit... it's nothing short of truly sinking himself into the same corruption he wishes to combat, and yet, his mind persists that he's doing the right thing.

Because things cannot be done without sacrifices being made, right?

While the mind of virtue may view ascension to Divinity and changing the world as 'sacrifice', the reality was the fact that his heart ached for more than he currently had- way, way more. It's the selfish desire of power that drove him to do things he does, but alas, with all that he's achieved, this is just the beginning of his journey.

"I know that they are. They are pests, quite... annoying ones at that."

The web of circuitry he forged begins to settle into undead-to-be under his fingertips. Obviously, there's still work to be done, even now, but he remembers the essentials he needs to do in order to bring them back.

The spinal cord and stomach.

Last two important nodes of mana, and then he can proceed with the spread of the energy across their entire body. The Reflexive casting of his style allowed him to perform several tasks at once- to be precise, to spread the said mana across all three individuals at once.

And the entire orchestra of magic makes for Mixed casting.

"I would prefer to end them too."

"But I think that Gaiar are already allied to them, which will corner us with even more people piling up against us. Moreover, Gehenna may take advantage of our weakened state, and attack."

"It's a risky affair to advance first just now."
(Arthur Rowan)

She imagines them to be rodents that spread disease and plague amongst the world - much, much moreso than what summoning the undead could possibly ever do. Everything that they stand for goes against the Valmasian intiative - especially, since they are capable of controlling and taking over people for their own sadistic purposes. But perhaps, these ones are different. Wherever this 'Apropryia' is....It might've caused some type of change. But in the end, the woman just simply sighs. Her own ignorance to the new vampries is a block of some sort that she might not be able to get over...

 But still..

 "Gaiar Aetherius will always be a problem of some sort. I expect the one named Willow to do something nefarious once more." she adds, nodding her head. "Eventually, the demons may become our enemies...It might not be now, but I'm sure, soon enough." Or maybe, she was just a little 'antsy' because they aren't the ones that are being attacked. However..

 "What I suggest as of now is to ignore the Gaiar alliance with the vampires - it doesn't have much manpower....And as far as Gehenna goes, I don't expect them to target us either. We've stayed out of their mess for long enough, but in the event that they do attack...Then perhaps, using the 'vampires' in this way might be good. But if you want my true thoughts, I feel as if we will get no assistance from Gehenna at all, despite me sending others there. This fight, if one breaks out, will most certainly be between Valmasia and the Vampires themselves, and whomever comes out ontop while have claim to the northern 'part' of Agartha." she adds.

 "However, you're right. Although, I fear that it might be a risk to do both, especially since these vampires are terribly, terribly unpredictable. I just think that it just depends on how much of a risk you are willing to take."
(Cho Grauhimmel)

Just how much risk he's willing to take?

Anything. Anything that would earn Valmasian freedom, Valmasian strength, the growth of their nation. But, the trick is actually assessing what things are really worth such risk, to actually reach their final goal. Was it worth attacking the vampires and likely the Demons as result as well, and thus weakening the Valmasian forces enough, for Gehennans to invade right away?

Obviously not. That's not worth it, not by a long shot.

"That they will. But, in my opinion? The time of Gaiar is passing. Many of the Archons have departed, fallen into slumber, have been slain, and their armies have been scattered ever since."

"I have no doubt that Vampires will eventually fall apart to similar causes too. Neither of the groups have identity of their own, other than pursuing some selfish, lofty goals."

The four main points in each body were fuelled by now. Despite his conversation with Cho, most of his attention, in fact, remained upon the ritual he's been performing. Now, he had a task to actually spread the energy of mana across their circuits as a whole, and thus feed them enough to make sure that they would be able to stand up.

As Arthur's loyal undead, that is.

"I'll bid my time, for now. I want to see them for what they are. See what they can and what they can't do."

"When we're all ready, we'd strike."
(Arthur Rowan)

"Feel them out, Arthur." She starts while beginning to nod - approving of his methods. "Get an idea of what it is that they are here for - what it is that they are aiming for and if it falls in line with your own goals and prospect. If they fall against it, you already know what to do." One leg crosses over the other - her fingertips lightly tapping against the bottom of her lip. Mercy is not something that is easily give now, especially in times like this. With the betrayal of the Wvelvens and Gehennans that came to Valmasia for 'teaching'....She has learned that in some strange way, it has caused much, much more trouble than expected. In the end though, the woman moves steadily to a stand..

 "Do not think that they do not have a cause though - their own identity is found within their curse. And from the way that they've washed upon shore...Almost in the same manner as 'rebels' and more, I can only imagine that they simply wish to spread their influence but, we'll see." she says, nodding carefully.

 "If you can, please keep me informed. And...I suggest that if you have any runewriters, that you begin having them enchant the areas around the caverns with fire and holy rituals. Although..." she says while trailing off. "I'm uncertain if we have them at our own disposal." Runewriters are rare...For obvious reasons.

 "You're doing good.." she says, nodding while beginning to speak. "Sometimes, it might take a little more energy for them to awaken. I usually do incantations to make it thorough, but if not...Just a simple 'spark' might do. Imagine a light 'tap' upon their brain and heart when you're done fixing them. The gentle jolt should waken them."
(Cho Grauhimmel)

Before they'd charge into the fray, it's a good idea to find out what they're here for, what sort of vampires he would need to look out for the most, and what they're capable for exactly, indeed. For such purpose there were meetings and conversations to be held, but alas- even then, there's a threat to fall victim to their ravenous nature in the future, something that he always keep in mind.

"The cause that revolves around subjugating others is bound to last for as long as they have strength to actually combat others. When they no longer don't? They will die out. In my eyes, that's not exactly an identity of their own, merely a natural trait that they glorify as their purpose."

A sigh.

His gaze focused upon the bodies infront of him. While at this point they were as good as repaired, their mana circuits full of mana once more, there's something that he lacked to resurrect a sentient being- and then, came her advice. A simple 'spark', a tap at their brain? It made sense.

Within the single moment, he sent out the surge of mana across the room, aimed at each and every corpse infront of him. No doubt that they would take a while to actually wake up, but-- there was a twitch, two, three... slowly, but surely, the bodies of two Gehennan women and one Jianghuren male began to awaken.

They didn't look quite properly awakened. Their eyes half closed, their minds still hazy and in mist, it's obvious that they would take a while to awake.

"Ah--"

"I'll... hm... they actually woke up?" - Arthur crooked a smile over his lips, a thought passing his mind, - "I'll name them... Lee, and the other two will be... Yama and Yana."

A single gesture to the undead that brought the bodies.

"You, take them somewhere to get dressed properly and arm them, then direct them back to me once they got situated."

A beginning of new chapter, it seems.
(Arthur Rowan)

Hands clap together lightly in idle delight. For the first time in what seemed to be years - something akin to an innocent, child-like laugh would have spilled from the woman's lips followed by a wave of intense darkness and decadence. It seems sincere for the most part - the promise of yet another necromancer that would soon overshadow the failures of those that are within Eidolon. In the worst way, she finds that this revenge is sweeter than what she would have expected. A bide of time, a bite of the tongue - she kept herself still and watched the enemy fall apart violently from the inside out. Good riddance, Eidolon. A star that burns twice as bright lives half as long...

Fitting.

 "It may take you some time to bring them back and have them fully alert for battle. However, when it comes to true 'magi' and not just random bodies, the grogginess will simply be their souls trying to adjust. Continue working on the bodies that you discover, both living and dead. Get accentuated with different races to make brilliant things...And when you're strong enough, perhaps, you may even learn how to transfer one soul from a body to the next. I've done it, mmh...Multiple times. It causes strain but it's a kind that you'll relish. The colors." she describes it as. "You'll see." A sigh.

 "Is there anything else that you may need though, Arthur?" She almost felt compelled to ask, after all, having someone learn this art meant that it would not die with her. That much is enough to excite her, especially, if they follow the Valmasian cause.
(Cho Grauhimmel)

On his face, there's a certain trace of delight as well. To finally grasp the Art that was elevated by Valmasians so much for centuries meant not only he could use it for his own purposes, but if anything, this would help to establish the identity he's spoken about so much in the past.

Him, a Master of Storm, of Arcane, of Necromancy.

So many titles. Does he mind, though? Obviously not. All of these titles seemed respectful enough to revere with certain tone, and these titles were enough to warn any potential enemy just how badly they can mess up by doing the wrong thing to Arthur.

And that's good.

"I can't wait to learn more in the future, then."

"But ah-- for now, I don't think there are any questions, no. I think it'll take me a while growing my potency of the Art before I can do complicated things like that."

"It's no matter, though. I've managed other things, and I'm sure I can manage this one too if I devote enough time for it."

A pause. He turned his head to Cho, dipping his head- it was more than a nod, but less than a bow.

"Thank you for your teachings."
(Arthur Rowan)