Chapter 15

Darkness. Complete and absolute. Not the familiar darkness of night or shadow, but a void so profound it seemed to consume thought itself. Violet floated in this nothingness, stripped of all physical sensation. No heartbeat, no breath, no touch of air against skin. Just existence, raw and isolated.

The silence pressed in around her like a physical force. In the material world, true silence was impossible – there was always something: breath, heartbeat, the whisper of air. But here? Here there was nothing, and the absence of sound became a presence unto itself, maddening in its totality.

A pinprick of light pierced the darkness, growing slowly like a distant star. As it expanded, a figure began to take shape – humanoid, but wrong somehow, its edges too sharp, too precise. Yellow eyes blazed from its face, the same piercing gaze she remembered from the swirling demonic fog at God's Altar.

"Hello?" Violet called out, her voice seeming to fall dead in the void. The figure remained motionless, watching. She tried to move toward it, but distance had no meaning here. The harder she pushed forward, the more the figure seemed to recede, always maintaining that same unreachable distance.

Frustration built inside her like a physical force until it exploded outward in a scream that should have shattered worlds. But in this place, even that primal expression of rage was swallowed by the void.

Suddenly, the figure was there – right there – its yellow eyes boring into her with ancient malevolence. Bahumura. The name echoed in her mind like a curse. He had taken her body, she knew that much. But why did her consciousness persist? Was this the fate of all his vessels? Had Valmir experienced this same helpless awareness, trapped in darkness while his body moved to another's will?

The figure dissolved like smoke in wind, replaced by a shimmering portal of light. Violet approached it cautiously, finding herself looking through her own eyes – eyes she no longer controlled. Trees whipped past at incredible speed as Bahumura drove her body through the forest they'd glimpsed through the gateway at God's Altar. She was a passenger in her own flesh, forced to watch as an ancient evil puppeteered her through the world.

When Bahumura's presence returned, it came with a voice like grinding stone. "Such wonderful plans," it purred. "And you, my dear, have made them possible." 

Violet spat, or tried to – the gesture more metaphysical than physical in this realm of thought and shadow. Bahumura's laughter rolled through the darkness like thunder.

"Such power hidden in this form," he continued, almost dreamily. "Power that will soon be unleashed. Power that will serve my true purpose."

"What purpose?" Violet demanded. "Killing Noma? Is that still your grand plan?"

But Bahumura only chuckled and faded away, leaving her alone again in the pressing darkness. She drifted, time losing all meaning, occasionally returning to the window to her own eyes, watching helplessly as her body moved through a world she could no longer touch.

Then – something new. A tiny flame flickered in the darkness, barely more than a spark. Violet approached it, drawn by an inexplicable familiarity. Though she felt no heat when she held her hand near it, something about its essence called to her.

"Hello?" she whispered to the flame.

A voice whispered back through her mind, achingly familiar: "Violet, my dear..."

"Mother?!" The recognition hit her like a physical blow. This tiny flame – could it be what remained of Queen Velora's soul after the Dark Avatar consumed it?

"Yes, my dear, it's me." The voice was weak, like a echo of an echo.

Violet's emotions crashed over her like waves. "Oh mother, I'm so happy to know you are still here..."

"I am fading quickly, Violet." Her mother's voice grew fainter with each word. "I don't have much time left... but you must stop Bahumura and his evil plans, or there will be no home to return to. I have seen what the Dark Lord plans, and it is nothing good. He wishes to destroy the Nomaverse entirely, and rebuild it in his image after consuming the power of the All Father, Noma."

Violet's mind reeled. Was this real? Or was Bahumura playing some cruel trick, using her mother's memory to torment her?

"If you do not..." The flame flickered dangerously. "...stop him... everything you know and love will go away forever..." The light guttered and died, perhaps taking with it the last fragment of Queen Velora's essence.

"Mother!" Violet's cry echoed in the void, met only by Bahumura's mocking laughter reverberating through the darkness.

Questions stormed through her mind: How could she fight back from this prison of consciousness? Was Chris safe? Could he help her? Would he even know where to look?

The darkness swallowed her once more, but this time, something burned inside her stronger than fear or despair – rage, pure and clarifying. Somewhere out there, wearing her face, Bahumura plotted the destruction of everything. And somehow, she had to find a way to stop him.

***

Morning light filtered through the windows as Chris stirred awake, surprised by the absence of pain. No splitting headache, no lingering effects from Obel'jon's "gift," and remarkably, no hangover. The sounds of the Sunfire Tavern drifted up from below – the clatter of dishes, morning conversations, the general bustle of a new day beginning.

He sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath as thoughts of Violet flooded back. The memory of her face, the sound of her laugh, the way she'd roll her eyes at his Earth references – all of it felt so recent, despite the fifty years that had passed for everyone else.

After gathering his belongings and making himself presentable, Chris headed downstairs. He settled his tab with Arngrim, exchanging quick farewells with the blue-skinned bartender before setting out across town toward the Market District.

The Titan's Forge was already alive with activity, the rhythmic clanging of metal on metal echoing through the morning air. Gremlock stood at his anvil, all four arms working in perfect synchronization as Chris approached. The massive Gorgon towered over his forge, his unique stature among his kind matched only by his reputation. While most Gorgons were known for their brute strength and simple approach to problems, Gremlock had earned respect throughout the realms for both his martial prowess and his masterful craftsmanship. His fellow Gorgons viewed him with particular pride – here was one who showed the true potential of their race when strength met wisdom.

Looking up from his work, intelligence sparkled in Gremlock's eyes as recognition dawned on his broad features. "By the Builder's grace!" His booming voice carried over the forge's din. "Chris? After all these years?" He set his tools aside, wiping his enormous hands on his apron. "Where's your demon princess?"

The joy in Gremlock's face faded as Chris explained what had happened in the Void Realm. When he finished, Chris pulled out his coin purse. "I need every advantage I can get. Whatever upgrades you can offer, I'll take them all – just need to keep enough for food and travel."

A knowing smile spread across Gremlock's face, his four arms already reaching for various tools with practiced precision. "Ah, love. The most powerful forge of all." He named a price far below market value, waving away Chris's protests with one of his hands. "Let's get to work."

The next hour was a symphony of metalwork as Gremlock enhanced Chris's equipment with masterful precision. Each piece emerged stronger, lighter, imbued with properties that seemed to blur the line between science and magic.

"Krauser might be able to help you," Gremlock said as Chris admired his upgraded gear. "He's still on Zetha Prime with Garr. They stayed behind after everything went sideways with Queen Yasmine and Shaogog."

"Queen Yasmine?" Chris asked, adjusting his newly enhanced armor.

"Still missing somewhere in the World Below after the war. But Krauser – he might understand what you're going through better than most. You'll need a Builder Temple to reach him though." Gremlock pointed east. "Builder Temple Alpha was recently discovered in the Kazarial Desert. Your AIDA can download the coordinates."

"How do I get there?"

"Any decent mage could port you. Try the Academy of the Magi in the Training District."

The Academy was an architectural marvel – a three-winged structure of sweeping lines and impossible geometry. The massive wooden doors swung open at his approach, revealing a young female attendant who directed him to Master Kwin Alexander Dark in the advanced magical arts wing.

The journey through the Academy's halls was like walking through a circus of the arcane. Students practiced their craft in various classrooms – objects floating in defiance of gravity, fruit flash-frozen mid-transformation, and in one memorable instance, a miniature tornado causing chaos among scattered papers and startled apprentices.

He found Kwin's classroom easily enough, waiting until the current lesson ended before entering. The mage cut an impressive figure in elaborate robes, but his demeanor radiated disdain from the moment Chris entered.

"Yes?" Kwin's voice dripped with barely concealed impatience.

Chris explained his need for transportation to Builder Temple Alpha, carefully avoiding details that might raise questions.

"The desert?" Kwin's eyebrow arched. "Rather desperate to die, are we? Sandworms tend to have that effect on people."

After several minutes of pleading and offered payment, Kwin raised his hands. "Fine, fine. If only to stop your incessant begging." Magic swirled between his fingers, tearing a hole in reality that showed sun-baked stone beyond.

Chris tried to offer payment, but Kwin waved him away with obvious irritation. "Just go. Your desperation is giving me a headache."

The portal snapped shut behind Chris as he stepped through, leaving him standing in the scorching desert air. Back in the Academy, Kwin returned to his desk, muttering, "Shame about the sandworms. Oh well." He turned his attention to preparing the next lesson, already forgetting about the strange man he'd likely sent to his death.

***

The twin suns beat down mercilessly as Chris approached Builder Temple Alpha. Even the air seemed to shimmer with heat, making the ancient structure appear to dance in the distance. The unforgiving landscape of the Kazarial Desert stretched endlessly in every direction.

"Welcome to the Kazarial Desert," AIDA chirped helpfully. "First visit logged."

"And last," Chris muttered, quickening his pace toward the temple entrance. His boots sank slightly in the soft sand with each step.

The temple interior offered blessed relief from the heat. Empty halls echoed with his footsteps – unsurprisingly, few travelers ventured through the desert just to reach Zetha Prime, a world shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. The gateway chamber lay untouched, a layer of sand dusting its floor.

Chris approached the central portal, now familiar with the ancient technology. "AIDA, coordinates please."

As she guided him through the activation sequence, his mind wandered to what little he knew of his destination. Zetha Prime remained largely unknown to most of Solaris's inhabitants – a world shaped by forces beyond understanding, where mountains wore crowns of strange formations and alien life flourished in otherworldly meadows. Somewhere in that distant realm lay Gearrr, its capital city built from metal that seemed alive with energy, inhabited by the shapeshifting Zethans who harnessed the power of something called zetherium.

The gateway hummed to life, its vortex spinning with unusual intensity. Chris took a deep breath and stepped through. The journey felt different this time – longer, as if crossing a greater distance than any previous portal transit. When he finally emerged, he found himself in a chamber that mirrored yet contrasted the one he'd left. Builder Temple Omega, the far end of an impossible bridge between worlds.

"Welcome to Zetha Prime," AIDA announced, then added with unusual concern, "Note: Current level 75 is below recommended threshold for this region. However, based on previous performance metrics, survival probability remains acceptable."

Chris paused, noting the deviation from AIDA's usual warnings about dangerous areas. Typically, she'd recommend immediate retreat from zones beyond his capabilities. This measured confidence was new. Perhaps Gremlock's upgrades made more of a difference to his capabilities than he previously realized?

"AIDA, what can you tell me about reaching Krauser?"

"Scanning regional data... The city of Gearrr lies approximately 20 kilometers northeast through the Zethan Wilds. Current local time suggests reaching the city before nightfall will require immediate departure and sustained pace."

Chris adjusted his upgraded equipment and started toward the temple exit, hope and uncertainty warring in his chest. Somewhere in this alien landscape, Krauser waited – and with him, perhaps, answers about how to save Violet from the darkness that had claimed her.

The temple doors opened onto a world unlike anything he'd seen before, and Chris began his journey through the Zethan Wilds, keenly aware that every step took him further from familiar ground and closer to whatever destiny awaited in the mysterious city of Gearrr.