Chapter4
The Trip
Sylas embarked on his journey to retrieve his loyal servant, Vampire Duchess Medivere, he rode in his carriage towards the location known as Fitr, the land of champions. The trip was relatively short, given the proximity of Medivere's location to the House of Hidden Fog.
Fitr, a barren expanse of dunes and hills covered in sand, stretched out before him. The desolate landscape, marked by the scorching heat and dry winds, resembled a no man's land. Unclaimed and untouched by any country or state, Fitr presented itself as an ideal starting point for Sylas to begin his conquest.
With his carriage moving steadily through the desert diorama, Sylas contemplated the strategic significance of Fitr in his overarching plan.
As the carriage continued its journey through the barren expanse of Fitr, Aguina broke the silence with a question directed at Sylas.
"The new body you chose was a nice choice, my liege. But may I know why you chose a human body as your substitute for your real body?" Aguina complimented, expressing curiosity about the decision behind Sylas's chosen appearance.
Sylas, now inhabiting a human form, looked different from his original demon dark elf self. The once pointy ears and slanted pupils were replaced with human features, and the demonic aura that once enveloped him had been concealed. The only things remained was the skin color and overall appearance, which retained the same dark and alluring qualities.
Sylas contemplated Aguina's question for a moment before responding, "In this new world, blending in is crucial. A human appearance allows me to move unnoticed among the inhabitants of this realm. It's a strategic choice to navigate this reality without drawing unnecessary attention to myself."
"As you might know, I'm being cautious of the presence of other supreme beings. One of the few methods that I can use is to inhabit an empty husk, such as this fake body," he began, gesturing to his human form. "This allows me not only to hide from the eyes of the players but also to blend in with the people of this realm. From what I reckon, the inhabitants of this place are not so fond of demons."
In his mind, Sylas acknowledged the importance of caution. He understood the risks associated with cruising the mortal realm while disguised in his current form. While he sought to avoid confrontation with other players, he remained mindful that they could observe everything unfolding from the safety of their own domains, isolated from the mortal realm. Aware of these dynamics, Sylas remained vigilant, determined to navigate this new reality discreetly and avoid drawing undue attention to himself.
As Sylas calmly explained his strategy to Aguina, internally, he was grappling with intense frustration and panic. Figuratively, he was gritting his teeth and seething. The reality of his situation had left him in shambles, and the urgency of the challenges he faced was taking a toll on his composure. Despite the turmoil within, Sylas maintained a facade of calmness and collectedness in front of Aguina.
He felt a severe disadvantage, having awakened in this new world only to find his guild members and servants scattered to unknown locations. Additionally, he lacked substantial information about the events that transpired 3000 years ago during the merger. As the last player to be awakened, he felt late in the race to become the strongest.
Sylas yearned to release his pent-up frustration, to scream and grapple with the overwhelming problems ahead. However, the character he now inhabited, that of the original Sylas Oakenheart, possessed a cool and collected personality. Always calm in the face of adversity, this demeanor seemed enforced, as if something within him suppressed his emotions, keeping him steady and composed. While challenging, this internal restraint allowed him to maintain authority and dignity in the presence of his subordinates.
Sylas, sitting in the driverless carriage as it traversed the desert, continued pondering the challenges ahead. However, a sudden interruption in the silence came from Aguina, who sought permission to pose another question. "Master, this servant has an inquiry. If I may..." Her request carried a serious tone, signaling the importance she placed on the upcoming question.
"Of course, Aguina. You may speak freely," Acknowledging her request, Sylas gestured for her to proceed, giving Aguina the permission to pose her inquiry. The carriage continued its journey through the arid expanse, with Sylas awaiting the impending question.
Aguina then started to speak, “Pardon my rudeness my liege. May this servant be suggested to also have a Fake Body? it will certainly be a benefit for you to have a helping hand right now.”
With a thoughtful expression, Sylas considered Aguina's suggestion. Having an assistant with a physical form could indeed be beneficial for him
With a decisive gesture, Sylas accessed his inventory through the system window, ready to fulfill Aguina's request. He navigated through his inventory, searching for the necessary components to create a Fake Body for his loyal servant.
Sylas carefully selected the Fake Body item from his inventory, considering its potential applications and benefits in the challenging circumstances they found themselves in. As he made the decision to provide Aguina with a Fake Body, he initiated the process to create this essential substitute. The system window responded to his command, and a series of prompts appeared, guiding him through the customization options for the Fake Body.
Navigating through the menus, Sylas tailored the appearance and features of the Fake Body, ensuring it would serve Aguina's needs in their quest for supremacy in this new reality. The creation of the Fake Body unfolded within the system interface, and soon, a shimmering form materialized—a vessel for Aguina to inhabit in the mortal realm.
Sylas, satisfied with his decision, looked towards the grimoire, where Aguina's voice had emanated throughout their journey. "There you go, Aguina. Your Fake Body is ready for use. Make good use of it."
Sylas meticulously selected the Fake Body, taking great care to choose one that reflected Aguina's status and significance as the previous demon lord. As he perused through the options available in his inventory, he sought a body that would exude power, beauty, and reverence—a vessel worthy of Aguina's presence.
He settled on a remarkable form—an embodiment of ancient demon royalty. This Fake Body possessed an unparalleled allure, with features that captured the essence of demonic majesty. Its dark, purplish-black skin radiated an aura of authority, complemented by piercing red eyes that gleamed with intelligence and strength. Cascading from its head was a flowing mane of ashen white hair, a striking contrast against its dark complexion.
Sylas regarded the chosen Fake Body with satisfaction, knowing that it embodied Aguina's stature as a true ancient demon. It was a testament to her power and legacy, an embodiment of her significance in their journey through the merged world.
He ensured that Aguina's Fake Body would be a fitting representation of her formidable presence. As the form materialized within the system interface, Sylas couldn't help but admire its magnificence and its attractiveness.
Indeed, the Fake Body served a crucial function in the merged world, offering players a means to navigate perilous situations or explore enemy territories without subjecting their primary, real bodies to potential harm. It was a strategic tool, allowing players to safeguard their valuable items and equipment from being lost in the event of their demise.
In the original Arkadia, death came with significant consequences—the loss of possessions, equipment, and the risk of becoming loot for adversaries. However, the introduction of the Fake Body in the merged world altered this dynamic. Players could now descend to the mortal realm using their Fake Bodies, avoiding the permanent death or irreversible consequences that could accompany direct confrontations with other players.
This shift in strategy and mechanics led many supreme beings to adopt the use of Fake Bodies as a method to interact with the mortal realm. It provided a way for them to spread teachings, meet with their descendants, and influence events in the merged world without the inherent risks associated with traditional confrontations.
Sylas, having recognized the strategic value of the Fake Body, now extended this resource to Aguina, ensuring that she, too, could use it too for a different purpose.
Her soul, once the reigning demon lord, engaged in a fierce battle with Sylas over the title. Despite losing the battle, Sylas chose not to end her existence. Instead, he spared her life and made her a part of his loyal retinue by confining her soul within the grimoire. By doing so, Aguina became a valuable asset, bound to serve and carry out Sylas's commands.
Now, with the introduction of the Fake Body, Sylas had the opportunity to grant Aguina a tangible form once more. This new body served as a vessel for her soul, enabling her to actively participate and assist Sylas in various occasions, including battles and other challenging situations.
Having received a new body from Sylas, Aguina scrutinized her physical form, appreciating its contours. Subsequently, she positioned herself opposite Sylas and conveyed her gratitude once again. "Thank you, my liege. I am eternally under your grace," she expressed, inclining herself before him. However, Sylas dismissed the significance of the gesture.
"Don't make a big deal out of it. I provided it so you can fulfill your tasks efficiently. Now, regarding the matter at hand," Sylas continued with an indifferent demeanor, swiftly redirecting the conversation back to the topic of Medivere.
Their journey led them to a secluded spot where one of Sylas's servants had chosen to seal herself. This location remained unknown to many, and without the tracking feature provided by the system, finding his servants would have proven challenging for Sylas. The carriage, devoid of any horses, came to a stop in front of an ancient site.
"I believe we've reached the spot where she lies dormant," Sylas remarked.
The carriage had brought them to a location in the heart of the Fitr Desert, marked by an ancient tomb structure. This circular tower, resembling a noble's resting place, hinted at the existence of a deep chamber beneath it, with a set of stairs leading down from the front entrance.
The ancient structure appeared abandoned and forgotten, yet its enduring architecture stood firm against the test of time. As they approached, they noticed a car parked nearby. It was evident that someone had recently arrived at this desolate place.
"It seems we have company," remarked Sylas, confirming his observation. Strewn around the area were various excavation tools and climbing gear, indicating the presence of tomb raiders.
"We appear to have stumbled upon a tomb raider," Sylas quipped.
Aguina turned to Sylas, seeking guidance. "What shall we do, my liege? Should we proceed despite the intrusion?"
"We must proceed. Delaying any further could be detrimental," Sylas declared, resolute in his decision.With determination, Sylas decided to press on despite the potential threat posed by the tomb raider. The urgency of reaching Medivere outweighed the risk of encountering another person within the ancient tomb.
