Trouble and Plans

Max spent the next few days just learning to read, speak, and write the language all at once, which was a lot harder than being able to speak the languages on Earth since Max, the original owner of the body, already knew the Ancient version of the language, thus having some sort of reference. 

It was like knowing Shakespearian English, just more extreme, and then trying to learn modern English… a lot easier than learning a completely new language. Still, he kept at it, gradually being able to at least read it. Reading a language was a lot easier, since he could mentally translate each word he read, and then approximate the meaning of each sentence using that roughly translated mess.

August 19th, 1349 of the Fifth Epoch

Max felt like he needed a break from just reading underground, so like always, he just dug his way out, and then began exercising. 

 Compared to Earth, where he would have his thoughts constantly being invaded by some unknown entity, Max found this peaceful planet a lot better. He even had thoughts of just settling down here and living out a nice and calm life. 

Until he remembered the law of Beyonder characteristics which meant that once the other transmigrators finally landed in the bodies of people from the Earth, and as long as they reached the True God level, they would definitely come for him. Not to mention that the Mother Goddess would also come for him, or maybe just let a certain deranged king of angels loose on him.

Bringing his thoughts back, Max continued to perform the basic exercises, and then proceeded to perform the close-combat skills and moves he had been taught, gradually forming droplets of sweat all over his body.

Only then did he stop, and return to Earth for a shower and a change of clothes before coming back here and continuing his isolation of reading underground. He had a plan on how he would take over and spread his religion, and for the plan to work, he could not have variables like others realising he could not speak their language from the moment he arrived.

As such, he did not take any risks.

…

Meanwhile, back on Earth, in an abandoned warehouse in Pritz harbour…

Ademisaul opened his eyes groggily. The surroundings still blurry as he took a few moments to wake up, trying but failing to stretch his arms. Almost immediately panic overtook him as he recalled the events of a few hours ago…

"Give it back! It's mine!" Ademisaul exclaimed as he followed the pickpocket who had taken the iron bracelet that Mister had given him only this July, and it also was the item that kept his powers at bay.

"Hey kid! Tell ya what. If you can get that golden-lookin' pen from the fat pig over there, I'll personally hand over this useless bracelet to you. What do ya say?"

Ademisaul naively turned to where the man was pointing, only to not see anything, and instead hear a bunch of swift footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw the elbow of the silver-tootherd pick-pocket about to the side of his head before passing out, and waking up here, with his hands and legs tied to a pole, and his mouth gagged.

'Oh Unity… I need to get out of here!' Ademisaul exclaimed. At that very moment, however, Ademisaul felt an intense darkness cover him as he blanked out for the second time today, only this time he woke up instantly after the experience, and found himself in a dark hall where everything was black in colour, and the only source of light were blank flames all around the large pillars near the ends of the hall.

It felt odd being given white light from black flames, but Ademisaul was more worried about where he was rather than the light. He knew, from what the Mister had taught him, that strange and unexplainable things could only mean one thing; Beyonders.

He looked around and noticed that there was a sea of black below the floor, and only then realised that the floor was not entirely black, and instead translucent, revealing the white stars flowing in the black ocean, like an artificial night sky.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice and turned around to see Tom. Though he had his face covered by a black mask of solid crystals.

"Ademisaul? What are you doing here?"

"Tom! It really is you. But why do you have a black mask on your face?"

"I do?" Tom frowned as he reached over to touch his face, only to feel nothing. Ademisaul saw in confusion as Ademisaul's hand passed right through the mask as though it did not exist.

"No, I don't but you do." Tom pointed over at Ademisaul.

"I do?" Ademisaul frowned and mimicked Tom's actions, for the latter to see.

"Beyonders." Tom's frown deepened, but Ademisaul could not see it. Still, he could hear the grimness in Tom's voice and nodded.

Suddenly, they felt the very air in the place tremble in excitement as though welcoming the return of their king and noticed a figure of pure darkness had appeared in the hall at some point.

"Who are you? What do you want?! Send us back please."

The figure in black did not respond and instead put his hand that appeared to be made up of the black liquid as some of it fell to the ground in the process up to his chin. His face did not have any features other than a mouth, and the symbol of Unity the mister had taught them.

"Well, you should ask that question to little Ademisaul over here. He was the one who called out to me."

Tom turned to Ademisaul, who was just as confused as Tom was, only for an idea to strike him and his expression brightened up. Max could almost swear he saw a light bulb appear above the kid's head.

"You are… the Primordial Unity?

Tom looked shocked at this question but then looked over the symbol on the face of the figure in front of them and fell into deep thought. He also gradually noticed the minute details of the walls, pillars, and even floor and noticed that the symbol of the Primordial Unity was everywhere.

"The one and only," Max smirked, before extending his hand over to Tom.

"I think you might want to explain something to your friend here."

"Oh! Yes! Tom! I have been kidnapped by a pickpocket. He had taken the bracelet Mister had given me for managing my powers and then distracted me before knocking me out. I am currently tied up and gagged."

"I knew it! I had a feeling this would happen. This was why I told you it was a bad idea to explore Pritz Harbour. Damnit! Tell me, where have you been taken."

"I- I don't know. I think it is some sort of abandoned warehouse. Oh yes, there is also this very bad smell coming from somewhere, like a rotting animal corpse or something."

"Anything else? Do you even know how many abandoned warehouses there are in Pritz Harbour?!"

"Hmm… There is no light within the warehouse, but there is a bright light that comes and goes every now and then. If you can find the swinging light, you should be able to find me. But Tom, we have to also get the bracelet, no matter what."

"Don't worry, we'll get it back. A swinging light huh… a lighthouse?! Yes! It can only be that!"

"Alright, little kids. Let me tell you a few things. As long as you take my name, you can come here, here being Castle Black. But remember your body will be defenceless so do not use it unless your body is safe. Also, you might not be the only people coming here, and not everyone comes here only to talk with each other. Nothing that happens here will be private from anyone unless you take a private room beforehand."

"As for what they do other than communication. Well, they make deals, both of information and physical items. There is also a mission board over there where people come by and put up things they want or want done, and a reward. This is set up in case people do not have all the time in the world to wait here for the perfect trader."

"Though it is empty for now, you can put up stuff here for others to read. Before putting it up, you will need to hand over the reward to me for security concerns. I suppose my follower should have taught you how to wield your spirituality, chalk and candles to make a sacrifice to me. That is how you send and receive rewards."

"Also, make sure never to reveal your true identities. I made those masks specifically for preventing that, so don't call each other by name or your locations. Alright, for now, that is all. You two can leave."

Alex waved his hand and both had their visions covered in darkness once more only to find themselves in their original location before they entered Castle Black, with a mix of confusion, stunned, and excited emotions running through their minds.

Max smirked as his plans to create his organisation in Backlund had finally sprung into action.