Speed Is King

“Yes. Ascendant Realm. Have you heard of them?” Primal Alexander asked in surprise.

Elliot turned to glance at Jessica Sands, whose responding shrug seemed to say “I had no idea where the Ascendant Runes came from. Ask gramps!”

“Ehm. No we haven’t heard of the Ascendant Realm before. But the Gaming Commission have in our possession an advanced set of runes which are called “Ascendant Runes”. We assumed they came from an area we call “new universe”. But it could be that they come from this Ascendant Realm.” Harold Sands explained rather sheepishly.

“You guys have such a marvelous thing, and didn’t say a single word to us about it?” Primal Baltang growled.

“Of course. Would you have said anything?” Harold Sands promptly scoffed in reply.

“Fair enough. And it doesn’t really matter why they kept quiet about it. What matters is that they have that ascendant rune, which would be crucial in defeating the Seven Demon Gods of Sin if they invade.

Even if they don’t, having an upgrade to our power is something we desperately need if we want to have a fighting chance against the Shadow Realm.” Saint Dul’Akharat said even as his eyes brightened slightly with hope.

They may not have Gods, but if they could somehow harness the power of the Ascendant Runes, they might just be able to stand their ground against them.

It would mean the difference between annihilation and survival.

“May I take a look at this Ascendant Rune?” Primal Alexander asked Harold Sands quietly.

If it truly was what he was looking for, then his long search would be over. He would be free to return to his multiverse, and defeat his enemies!

“Of course.” Harold Sands took out a psionic gadget and passed it to Primal Alexander.

As soon as Primal Alexander sank his mind into the information contained within the gadget, he instantly knew that he had hit the motherlode!

It was exactly what he was looking for!

He couldn’t help but smile widely as he studied the humongously complex Ascendant Rune.

“This is exactly what we need. The amount of power a series of runes like this would allow us to bring forth would definitely be enough to penetrate their incredible defenses! There is only one here. Where are the rest?” Primal Alexander asked as he looked at Harold Sands hopefully.

“This is the only one we found.” Harold Sands shook his head with a rueful smile.

Chairman El’Taras, Jessica Sands and Elliot did not miss his specific use of the word “found”.

It was true that the Ascendant Rune was the only one they found. It’s just not the only one they have.

Information was power!

Jessica and Elliot did not wish to reveal all of their cards in public.

“I see. If that’s the case, I might have to pay the Ascendant Realm a visit then.” Primal Alexander sighed. “Please show me the spot where you found the Ascendant Rune.”

“Of course, Primal Alexander. Would you like to do it now?” Harold Sands asked.

“Yes. No point delaying. I have told you all of the information you need, and I will give you the coordinates of the critical production facilities of the Shadow Realm when I get them. It is time for me to continue on my mission.” Primal Alexander said to Elliot and Saint Dul’Akharat.

Saint Dul’Akharat nodded in agreement.

“Do not forget about us if you succeed in finding the full set of Ascendant Runes.” He said to Primal Alexander.

“Of course. I owe you guys a great deal, after all.” Primal Alexander said.

They quickly said their goodbyes, and then Elise Sands brought Elliot and his group away with a wave of her hand.

Space shimmered, and suddenly, Elliot found himself back on familiar ground.

The blue sky was beautifully dotted with fluffy white clouds, and the air was so refreshing that Elliot couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

He was back on California, Earth!

“There truly is no place like home.” He sighed.

However, the rest were in no mood to discuss the philosophy of home and its perfection.

“So, now that we are far away from the rest of the universe, can you tell us your secret? How many Ascendant Runes do you have?” Primal Alexander turned to Elliot and asked excitedly after he had created a dome around them to ensure that they were completely safe from prying ears.

“So you know.” Elliot smiled at Primal Alexander.

“You’re a hundred years too early if you think you can fool me. I had my suspicions the moment I saw you glowing before I took you to the tournament.” Primal Alexander said with a slight smile.

Elliot didn’t bother replying, and instead went on to trace out the Ascendant Rune which he had mastered in the air.

“This is the first Ascendant Rune. It is wood-based, and I call it, Death by Life Overload.” Elliot said with a straight face despite saying such a corny name aloud.

With fluid and practiced movements, both his hands were a blur as he quickly recreated the Ascendant Rune in segments which were easier to understand than the complete rune.

He laid them out neatly and in an ingeniously arranged manner which served as self-instructional learning curves.

Around him, the ten Dragon Apostles, Primal Alexander, Primal Lilian, Lady Balastiera, Jennifer, Jessica, Elise Sands and even Jessica Sands opened their eyes and mouths wide in awesome wonder as their minds rapidly absorbed the brand new and universe-shaking knowledge laid out neatly before them.

In complete silence, Elliot spent the next few hours “teaching” them about the mighty Ascendant Rune.

All seventeen pairs of eyes studied his energy markings hungrily like a pack of wolves gobbling up huge chunks of meat being thrown out by a galloping caravan.

Some of them were slower, some were faster, but all seventeen were undeniably exploding in strength as their understanding on how to manipulate energy transcended every single technique the known universe had ever produced!

As soon as he finished, Primal Elise closed her eyes in satisfaction and her body started to glow.