Lateral Movement

by Alzrius

898 - Picking Up the Pieces

Lex watched as the portal closed, taking Kryonex’s body with it.

He’d recognized the silvery void on the other side of the dimensional aperture as the Astral Plane, having previously been there during his own brush with death. That Kryonex’s body had been drawn there was only mildly surprising; the Libram of Ineffable Damnation had – in its coverage of the known planes of existence – mentioned that as being where dead gods went, apparently under the aegis of some unknown guardian.

Even so, Lex spent almost a full minute scanning the skies where Kryonex’s corpse had vanished, as well as the surrounding area, making absolutely certain that there were no further unpleasant surprises waiting to reveal themselves. Every visual spectra he could think of was examined. Multiple investigative spells – including several drawn from his cache of diamonds – were used. From the movement of the air to the shifting of the earth, he analyzed everything around him, disregarding how his foresight continued to tell him that nothing would happen in the next few seconds.

Eventually, however, the absence of any threats grew too overwhelming to disregard. According to everything he could perceive, Kryonex was truly dead and gone, and no other imminent threats were waiting to take his place.

It was over.

He’d won.

What had begun as an expedition to subdue a wayward Siren had escalated beyond anything he could have imagined – an army of monsters which had turned into another undead horde, followed by a demigod, and then some sort of void monster that even Kryonex had been almost completely powerless against – but somehow, he’d still managed to overcome it all.

But that didn’t mean his work was done.

That sentiment earned an angry growl from the beast inside of him, but Lex shoved his recalcitrant instincts down. Just because the battle had concluded didn’t mean that there weren’t important matters that had to be attended to, and since he required neither food nor rest, there was no reason to delay seeing to them.

The first of which was Belligerence.

Eyeing the absolute blackness of its form – the quill’s ebony length marred only by glowing blue runes that decorated its body and the remaining length of azure flame that resembled a wire around its head – Lex turned his deductive powers on it instead.

The effort was only a limited success, however, serving largely to confirm what he knew. The weapon was now replete with the Night Mare’s power, admixed with his own. And while his spells could affect the weapon now, that didn’t mean that they were able to make sense of the creature that was bound within it. As it was, he wasn’t even sure that “within it” was the proper characterization for how the creature and the quill were interacting now.

There was, however, one test that Lex didn’t need any magic or special powers to perform.

Releasing the quill – which hovered in midair, as unaffected by gravity as it was by almost everything else – he took a few steps back from the weapon, eyeing it carefully.

Sure enough, the blue fire decorating its length dimmed. The change in luminosity was so small as to be imperceptible to a mortal’s eyes, and even then he only caught sight of it because he knew to look for it, having observed a slightly more pronounced effect when he’d thrown the quill at Kryonex during their last exchange.

Just as importantly, when he’d retrieved it then, the azure flames had regained their brightness. And so it was now, the brilliance of the runes and fire-shaped wire returning to their original intensity as he teleported the weapon back into his grasp.

There was no way to be sure what the significance of that was, but in his mind’s eye Lex could still picture the long strands of blue flame wrapping around the void creature, constricting its form down until it was one with Belligerence. A weapon which had been made with his own blood, and with which he’d sacrificed a leg – along with a fragment of the trace amounts of divinity that he’d claimed – to plunge into that monster, all while covered in the Night Mare’s power in the form of azure fire. That fire had then become the markings that the pitch-black quill now bore, markings that faded whenever they were away from him.

The result was a weapon with the same properties as that monster, able to annihilate anything it touched.

Except me.

Lex didn’t have enough data to form a complete answer, but by that same token, he didn’t need to have every last piece of the puzzle in place in order to see the picture.

However the Night Mare had bound that creature to Belligerence, it would remain sealed only so long as he kept the quill close to himself.

When taken from his presence, the prison would weaken. Exactly how far removed from himself it would need to be before it crumbled entirely, or how long that would take, was uncertain. For that matter, it might not collapse at all; Lex couldn’t imagine the Night Mare creating something so weak that it would rely entirely on him to maintain its form. It was entirely possible that it would manage to persist enough to at least restrain the creature in some limited capacity.

But even if that admittedly optimistic scenario was the case, it seemed clear enough that proximity to himself was somehow reinforcing – or entirely maintaining – Belligerence’s ability to keep that monster imprisoned.

Which makes me the prison’s warden, likely for eternity, Lex realized grimly. Meaning that Belligerence must never be separated from me under any circumstances.

In theory, that was a simple matter, since the weapon could be teleported back to his grasp with a thought. All the more so since no one else could safely touch it, and its ability to destroy anything besides himself likely meant that even anti-teleportation wards would be ineffective against it. But that didn’t mean that nothing could keep Belligerence from him; whatever rules Kryonex had set when he’d made the valley into his realm had proven that much.

And if the loss of his powers that Lex had experienced during the brief time that he’d been dead – slain by Hvitdod – was any indication, he wouldn’t be able to summon the quill after dying.

Which meant that if he was killed, there was a very real chance that monster would be unleashed in short order.

It was a sobering thought. Lex had known for some time that he had a responsibility to continue living, for the sake of everyone who depended on him. But it was one thing to know that Solvei and Nenet’s lives were tied to his own, or that his followers on Equestria were counting on him, or that everypony else in his homeland needed his guidance even if they didn’t realize it.

Being guard over a monster with the power to slay gods was quite something else.

Risking his life had been something that Lex had never been afraid to do, even before he’d pledged himself to the Night Mare. Although he’d never treated the prospect of dying casually, death hadn’t terrified him the way a life without meaning had. The result of which was that he’d always been willing to put his life on the line when it mattered, repeatedly coming to within a hair’s breadth of dying again and again, to say nothing of aforementioned time that he’d actually perished, a situation that had been undone only because of what had essentially been a cosmic fluke.

That was over now. While Lex couldn’t see himself eschewing fighting when it was necessary, a life-and-death battle against foes with the power to kill him was now something that had to be avoided unless there was absolutely no other choice, regardless of how unpalatable the alternatives were. Even then, he’d need to have measures in place to restore himself to life as soon as possible in case the worst happened.

Although, given his status as an immortal titan – one who had that void creature’s powers at his command – the pool of potential foes who warranted such caution was likely to be exceedingly small.

It wasn’t as though he had any intention of picking another fight with a god.

Snorting at how the prospect of engaging deities in combat was something he had to take seriously now, Lex placed Belligerence back into his pocket dimension, making sure to use his supernatural senses to monitor its glow. Fortunately, the blue fire remained undiminished. He’d expected that would be the case – the enclosure was a subdimension, being a folded portion of the space around him rather than its own plane; hence why that void creature had been able to break it open, rather than needing to teleport inside – but confirming it meant that transporting Belligerence, as well as keeping it from prying eyes, would be much easier.

A moment later, he placed Kryonex’s eye in there as well, casting a preservation spell on it just in case. If what the demigod had said about that “Aesir” pantheon was true, then he’d need to make good on his vow to have Solvei fulfil whatever role Kryonex – after he’d absorbed Hrothvitnir – played in their prophecy. But whether or not Kryonex’s eye would be sufficient for that was something he’d have to research.

Later.

Although...

When that time comes, this might prove useful, Lex decided as he picked up the caparison that had fallen from Kryonex’s lupine form after his death.

Even at a glance, he could tell that the cloak was laden with powerful enchantments. Alone, only a few of them were all that impressive, but layering so many on top of each other was a feat that Lex felt sure would have left most of Everglow’s magical artificers awed. Indeed, the cumulative effect was enough that most mortals would have damaged their eyes if they’d beheld it in the magical spectrum. Lex was made of sterner stuff though, and could make out multiple layers of defenses, augmentations, utility powers, and more, all tied to the cold. All of which, he felt sure, Kryonex had benefitted from, even though none of his manifestations had shown the caparison to be there.

But there was a limitation built into the icy cloak as well.

For all that it could do, its powers would only work for the one whose names were scrawled on the outer portion of its icy plates. That it had so many listed seemed to be redundant security measures, verifying the wielder’s identity by examining the different facets of their existence that that those names corresponded to, as though each one identified a different part of who they were. For anyone who didn’t meet all of those criteria, it was simply a cloak made of ice...albeit one so freezing that it would quickly kill any mortal that wasn’t a creature of intrinsic cold.

Not long ago, such an artifact – one mighty enough that he could have replenished his thaumaturgical magic with it – would have impressed Lex deeply.

Now he simply tossed it in his pocket dimension, to be dealt with some other time.

Which is also when I’ll figure this out, he noted idly, glancing at the wires that made up his left foreleg now.

For whatever reason, the tangled mass of metal was no longer writhing around itself, the individual strands now at rest. He had no idea why that was, or if they would all eventually vanish like his full-body transformation had, or what had caused that, or any of a dozen other questions...but those could wait for the next time he communed with the Night Mare.

Right now there were more important things that deserved his attention.

Nenet and Solvei being foremost among them.

With one last glance at the shattered valley – the ground pock-marked with numerous craters and deep trenches, one mountain split in half and the other with its peak blown completely off, dried lava everywhere, and numerous other signs of devastation ensuring that it would likely remain a desolate region for a very long time, even without taking into account the effects of Kryonex’s death – Lex headed back inside Adagio’s mountain redoubt.

The place had not escaped unscathed from the battle.

Several areas had collapsed, lining the hallway with rubble and dirt. The latter was already turning into freezing mud, mixing with ice-cold water that had previously been collateral snow and frost from Kryonex’s presence and frequent attacks, now unable to solidify due to the effects of his death. In a few places, the ground had split apart, the damage to the region causing fissures to open up.

Lex ignored them all, changing into shadow where necessary as he walked through the walls, debris, and other obstacles that stood between him and Nenet, who he could feel stirring but still nowhere close to consciousness. I’ll treat her first, then Solvei.

It took him only a second to emerge into a small, dirty room, solidifying as he came out from the wall-

And immediately received a blast of lightning to the face.

Ignoring the attack – he’d seen it coming and known that it lacked the power to hurt him – Lex instead looked at the one who’d unleashed it. “Lengjing xialai. Ni xianzai anquanle.”

And from where it was crouched in front of Nenet, favoring its injured leg, the large three-tailed fox with blue fur yelped. Changing back into the pale-skinned woman he’d saved before, she shakily fell to her knees, bowing her head. “Zh-zhen baoqian! Wo-”

Cutting herself off, she didn’t raise her head as she switched to Ponish. “Forgive me,” she intoned in an accented voice, which trembled as she tried to control herself. “Would you rather prefer that I converse with this language?”

“Speak whatever language you like,” replied Lex disinterestedly, already crossing the room toward Nenet.

“Then, please allow me to apologize for showing such ungrateful behavior to you who saved my life,” she continued. “I did not realize-”

“I’m not angry.” Pausing, Lex looked Nenet over, seeing that she had no physical wounds on her thanks to the regenerative ring she still wore. But the same couldn’t be said for the fox-woman. “Hold still while I treat your wounds.”

“Please take care of Nenet before myself!” she protested. But in the time it took her to say that, Lex had already reached out, laying his claw on the torn flesh of her arm. Instantly, the blood and lacerations – deep even to a casual glance – vanished, with even her clothing being repaired.

Gasping as her pain suddenly vanished, the fox-woman’s eyes widened, examining where she’d been bitten as he released her. “That was...you used no magic!”

“I don’t need magic for such a minor task,” Lex murmured in reply, kneeling down next to Nenet. “You may leave if you wish. I’ve slain Kryonex, and there’s no one else out there to waylay you. Or you may stay here, and I’ll watch over you until you can be safely returned home. It’s your choice.”

“You...killed a god...?” Looking as though she was about to faint, the fox-woman pressed her forehead to the floor, flattening her tails – which were still present, despite her human guise – out on the ground behind her. “I am...my name is Pimao Xiang Xiaoxiang Yiyang Mei Li of the Pimao Jingzhi kumiho, and all of my gratitude is yours. May I know the proper way to address the benevolent god to whom my life is in debt?”

“I’m not a god,” corrected Lex, already using the Charismata to revive Nenet, the sphinx’s eyes fluttering as she groaned softly. “I’m a titan.”

“Xianxia,” murmured Mei Li.

“And my name,” he continued, “is Lex Legis.”

Author's Note:

Taking stock of things now that the battle against Kryonex has ended, Lex realizes that the void creature bound to Belligerence will be released if he dies!

Will he be able to avoid being drawn into another deadly battle? Or is it only a matter of time before he's forced to use Belligerence again?

Comments

[Alzrius]

Hey everypony! I'm going to be doing some traveling over the holidays, so there's going to be a slight delay in posting future updates. As of right now, the next chapter of Lateral Movement is scheduled to come out on December 26th. Please look forward to it!

[Booster Spice]

Lex Legis saw the realms of Gods, and found it beneath him?

Head straight off for Adagio, or clean up the vicinity, set up Solvaie, sort out the surroundings, the wolfes and the yetis, and the Adventurers towns to realign his thoughs and capabilities, so the Elves have somewher to annoy everyone yet again?

[Not so New Brony]

Sounds like Solvei/Akna are going to get some new powers(after learning how to do so safely of course) and gear down the line and the cloak might help with her issue of not having clothes on hand during inopportune moments.

For now, guess Lex has some downtime to rest and assess the situations at hand and get back to Solvei/Akna and the rest of the adlets before addressing the matter of resurrecting Adagio. Though if the pony pantheon had witnessed Lex's battle against both Kyronex and the ummortal, then who's to say that other beings aside from the divine haven't done the same. Though the question remains unknown if it will work in or against him later.

Regardless, hope you'll have plenty of fun traveling and stay safe!

[Alzrius]

11777948 I'd say that was Lex not wanting to claim a mantle he hasn't earned, which dovetails with the Night Mare's credo (though I suspect she has a lot of adherents who like to puff themselves up with grandiose titles that they aren't worthy of; that seems like something a lot of lesser acolytes with imperfect understanding of her faith would do).

As for where Lex goes next, there are indeed quite a few plot threads that he could follow up on! I suppose we'll find out which one he decides to take care of next very soon.

[Alzrius]

11778209 Presuming all goes according to plan, Solvei is indeed likely to get a power-up of her own soon. It's notable that Lex isn't looking to add to his own power here, instead looking to raise up his closest servant instead. Things like this showcase how he's living the Night Mare's tenets. Of course, with Kara volunteering to be the one to undertake the process of actually helping transplant Kryonex's eye into Solvei, things might get a little...complicated.

But that might not happen immediately anyway. My suspicion is that Lex is going to want to resurrect Adagio first, and we already know that will cause some problems. And of course, the elven pantheon needs to be dealt with; hopefully the Sun Queen can take care of that, otherwise Lex's newfound resolve to avoid life-or-death situations might not last very long if the elven gods decide that he's a threat they need to deal with.

And thanks for the well-wishes!