4 Crimson Sky and Soul Reading
To the denizens of the capital city, the activation of Crimson Sky would be similar to that of the apocalypse of the 21st Century, signs of a metaphoric hell breaking loose.
As the command for Crimson Sky is issued, the surrounding space begins to shift with a spiritual intensity. Warning sounds blare throughout the capital, signifying a citywide disaster is upon them.
Speakers, set up at 100-foot intervals, issue instructions to the denizens of the Supremea Kingdom capital city, Kul'Tu, to head to the nearest disaster bunker.
Wisps of crimson energy spiral upwards from hidden emitters embedded in the ground, taking on intricate patterns in the air like heavenly artwork.
Above, the once serene sky transforms into a swirling maelstrom of deep crimson hues, tinged with pulsating veins of vibrant energy.
Billions of small hexagonal, robotic drones fly into the air and begin to connect with each other: their metallic bodies glinting flashes of light in the reddish sunlight as they move with precision and purpose.
With synchronized movements, they interlock with one another, creating a unique pattern that pulsate with life.
Gradually, this pattern coalesces into massive hexagonal nodes, each one expanding to cover the sky in a mesmerizing display that stretches as far as the eye can see, from one horizon to the other.
In the spaces in between each node, a crimson energy began to cover both the fronts and backs of the drones.
A colossal dome of crimson energy begins to surface, shimmering and pulsating with magical effects. Its surface appears to ripple like a red sun lava, casting a mesmerizing play of light and shadow across the cityscape below.
The dome stretches high into the sky, enclosing the area within its protective protection.
As the drones continue their directives, the crimson energy intensifies, which then creates an impenetrable barrier that hums with untold power.
The clouds themselves twist and contort, who take on an ominous crimson glow that casts an eerie, dark red shadows across the city below.
At the horizon, arcs of crackling energy spark along the edges of the sky, casting flickering shadows that move across the terrain with a sort of sway.
The very air thrums with power, vibrating with the raw energy of the defensive protocol that has formed the impenetrable barrier around the kingdom.
From afar, the sight of Crimson Sky would inspire both awe and trepidation, a display of power that belies the era of formidable magic and technology of the 31st century; or as a shield against threats of all kinds that dares to provoke its domain.
Though this took a short while to explain, it took about more than 30 minutes for the drones to cover the 2000-mile perimeter of the kingdom. So, cut me some slack. I had even used my Celestial Appraisal skill to identify it's capabilities.
—
[Item: Crimson Sky
Description: In the 31st century, Crimson Sky stands as the pinnacle of defense, blending ancient mysticism with advanced technology. This dynamic shield, woven from crimson energy, forms an impenetrable barrier against all threats. Operating through a network of energy matrices, it adapts in real-time to repel attacks with precision. From ethereal wards to localized disruptions, Crimson Sky ensures the safety of kingdoms, embodying innovation and protection in an ever-changing world.
Abilities:
1. Energy Matrix Integration: Crimson Sky operates through an intricate network of energy matrices spread across the kingdom. These matrices are interlinked through advanced quantum technology, allowing for real-time coordination and synchronization.
2. Dynamic Field Generation: Upon activation, the energy matrices rapidly converge to generate a dynamic field of crimson energy. This field extends high into the atmosphere, enveloping the entire kingdom in a protective barrier.
3. Adaptive Shielding: The Crimson Sky shield is not static but adaptive, capable of analyzing incoming threats in real-time. It employs advanced algorithms and predictive models to anticipate and counter enemy attacks, adjusting its defenses accordingly.
4. Ethereal Warding: Embedded within the energy field are ethereal wards, mystical constructs infused with ancient magic. These wards serve as additional layers of protection, warding off both physical and metaphysical threats with equal potency.
5. Energy Dissipation: Any hostile energy directed towards the kingdom is met with immediate resistance from Crimson Sky. The shield absorbs, dissipates, and neutralizes incoming energy attacks, rendering them harmless before they can breach the perimeter.
6. Continuous Monitoring: Crimson Sky is constantly monitored by a dedicated team of magical and technological experts. They oversee the shield's operation, analyzing data feeds and making real-time adjustments to optimize its effectiveness.
7. Redundancy and Resilience: To ensure uninterrupted protection, Crimson Sky incorporates redundant systems and fail-safes at every level. In the event of a malfunction or breach, secondary protocols are activated automatically to maintain the shield's integrity.
8. Localized Disruption: In addition to defensive capabilities, Crimson Sky can also be configured to emit localized disruptions. These disruptions interfere with enemy communications, navigation systems, and magical incantations, further thwarting any attempts at infiltration or sabotage.
—
I was quite shocked at how descriptive and informational the Celestial Appraisal skill is. It gave me more details about its inner workings than even Terra knew. Even with him having the second highest authority in the kingdom, he hadn't known its intricate details.
I didn't waste time watching the sky turn red as if the Devil was on his way back to Earth from Hell. No, I intended to make my way with Zara to her personal research and development lab after dealing with Zani.
Apparently, she has armor upgrades that are much better than the armor I designed for myself. Which, I obviously knew will knock my designs out the park based on Terra's memories.
I can conclude that Zara is the scientist that designed the protagonist's Instant Requiem armor. That piece of armor carried his entire career as a protagonist.
It not only had almost the same destructive properties as Terra's, but it also had the same defensive measures.
'So, his armor was of Supremean origin. Noice!!!'
After Zara relayed the information I'd given her to our father, she began pacing around the room. Not knowing what to do.
She would occasionally thrust her arms down at her sides, an obvious sign that she was highly upset.
I just stood back, letting her vent her frustration in whatever way this is.
Zara paused, turning her gaze towards me.
"Terra, how did you know she was poisoning you?" she inquired, her tone filled with puzzlement and curiosity.
To her, she's the smartest person in the universe.
That's facts.
However, no matter how smart you are, you can't trump plot knowledge and Regression and Transmigration at the same time. And neither of which she is even remotely aware is possible.
"Zata, my newly updated AI, and all the knowledge in the kingdom's entire scientific records could not identify even a strand of the poison in your body. How did you know? We were clueless about why you suddenly fell out. You were unconscious this entire time."
Quickly, I conjure up a bullsh*t answer, albeit one that's has some truth. Though, there's a twist: in the original timeline, it was Terra's father who fell victim to that poison.
In this timeline, the events leading up to Terra's regression, I found him unexpectedly "poisoned". I'm not sure how it happened.
Perhaps, Terra was caught in the middle, unintentionally taking the hit intended for his father. Regardless of the reason, one thing remains certain: it was me and not him.
Despite the uncertainty of the situation, I'm okay with the fact that the burden of the poisoning is on me, which spares Terra's beloved father from harm.
Because in the original timeline, Terra had come to find out that it was Zani's father who had poisoned and killed his father; a drunken revelation given to him by her. A weird love confession addled by guilt.
It was then that the traditions of the Zal'Karan people sprang fourth from his saddened state of being. His entire being wanted one thing: Vengence.
It was then that he learned the true meaning behind his people's name and what came with it.
Thus, his crusade of vengeance began; only avenging his father and killing his murderer would Terra's heart be calm. That is the Zal'Karan way of making peace.
Thinking about those times made Terra's, now mine, body tremble. A quick tremble that left as fast as it came. Back to the topic at hand, the poison.
"The reason none of you were ever able to identify the 'poison' within me is because its origins aren't found with us. It comes from 'them'," I reveal to Zara, hate filling my voice now as I continue to explain.
"During that unconscious time, my soul left this world and went to another where I battled with Demons to stay alive. I'm not even sure if it was real or if that was just a metaphorical way my soul and body depicted what battling that 'poison' was like, but every time I was close to winning, more would come. Luckily, I triumphed and was sent back here.'
It took Zara about 10 seconds to figure out who "them" were. She drops to her knees after my explanation ends, her head bowed as tears begin to fall down her cheeks and onto the floor.
"I- can't be-believe this. Y-you mean, she's o-o-one of them? Brother, please don't tell me. I've known her my whole life. She wouldn't go to that side," Zara begged and pleaded with me not to confirm what she is thinking.
"I'm not sure. While in that soul world, I was able to learn a new skill called Soul Reading. If this goes right, I should be able to read her memories from the past few months. How long have I been unconscious?'"
"Four months. She visited you once a month, but saw me every week. Brother, please try," Zara asks, desperation in her eyes.
"Alright, I'll try. Know one thing, if she's one of them, I will kill her eventually." She nods in understanding.
With that, I walk over to where Zani was unconscious on the floor. Not really caring for her much, I grab her by the neck. Zara smacks my arm.
"Why are you grabbing her by the neck? Do it the right way!" I chuckle at Zara's reprimand.
For me, she might be a traitor. Plus, I don't care for Zani too much, especially after learning about the things she did in the future just to survive the massacre of her family after Terra had broken through to become a Mythril Knight. She's more or less lost my respect; she's just neutral in my eyes.
Activating Soul Reading, I place my hand on her chest. Memories flash before me like a video on 3x speed until I stop at a scene of her taking a small object from her father.
'Bro, is this thing on? Where's the audio?'
As if on cue, the audio from this memory plays. I rewind about five minutes. She had just been summoned by her father. He greets her and engages in small talk. However, I notice his expression is a bit too… eerie? Almost like he's talking to a lackey rather than his own daughter.
Zani's father then asks when she would visit Zara again. Zani replies she would that day as she has some news to share. He then hands her a syringe.
He smiles at Zani and tells her that the syringe is a prototype healing drug and could potentially heal me of whatever disease I might have had.
Her father then instructs her not to tell anyone until I am healed, even hinting at her using this as a way to get closer to me. I would then feel grateful to her for healing me and not Zara, possibly using it as a small bragging right in the future.
I then search the rest of her memories leading up to her visit today and conclude that she is being manipulated. She thinks she is helping me, but she's almost damning me.
All in all, Zani isn't a traitor and can live peacefully. But, she will definitely not be spared from shame and ridicule wherever she goes if this gets out into the empire.
Satisfied, I turn and look to Zara, a relaxed expression on my face. It's a stark contrast to her pensive and worried face.
"She's not a Traitor. Unfortunately, her father is. He's the one who kept supplying… whatever that was to me. Take this syringe. It has the substance. Analyze, experiment, I don't care what but we need an undeniable cure for this. Also, she may need to be healed."
I then take the syringe hidden in her coat pocket and give it to Zara. With Zani being taken out and in the bed, I can rest knowing one problem is over.
In a matter of five minutes, I successfully solved the mystery behind Terra's ailment and who the source of it is. I would still need to figure out how her father had become a Traitor and for how long.
With Soul Reading being done on her father, I could potentially gather leads on other Traitors in the empire. I know they are not just independent but a small, cohesive group.
Everything was in order, now it was time to confront Zani's father. Though, Terre, Terra's father, should have began to battle Zani's father. Explosions and quakes have just begun.
"Zara, you said that you upgraded my armor right? Take me to see," I say to Zara, who was very relieved at knowing her friend isn't a traitor.
However, nothing could make Zara more happier right now than technology. Her eyes lit up after hearing my inquiry.
"Brother, you don't even know the amount of effort I put into your armor. In the event of you awakening, I wanted to gift you it. And now I can. Let's go," Zara exclaims in glee, quickly grabbing my arm in haste. I stop her but smile.
"Alright, alright, Zara. We'll go."
I activate my Dimensional Shift skill and a rift opens mid air. The opening showing Zara's research lab.
'Damn, this is so cool,' I say to myself.
"Can't wait to see what you've done this time."
