Chapter 235: 227: A Plague of Phantoms XI
"We took care of the assassins." I said as I walked back into the underground nest.
After dealing with the assassins and Voodoo's temporary insanity I quickly changed into a spare change of clothes that I kept in my void pocket. I kept a eye trained on Voodoo while I was changing because while I didn't think Voodoo would attack me again I wasn't going to take a chance on him taking a opportunity.
"Thanks Boss…took you two a minute. I was beginning to worry." Sin said.
"I was changing. One of their assassins blew off my clothes." I said dismissively then glanced at Voodoo out the corner of my eye. The Djinn Signifier stood straighter than before and seemed to treat me in a form of reverence now.
"That explains yer change in shirt." Grandpa Seamus said then walked over to me and patted me on the shoulder. "Let's get out of here. It seems the young'un needs some food."
"Yeah! Hungry!" Indy exclaimed. He stood next to his father while clinging to his leg. Sin looked down at his son, smiling once again then looked to me.
"Let's go. Voodoo, come back. You earned a rest." Sin said then recalled his evo. Once Voodoo was back in his farm crystal I felt a little more at ease.
Sin picked up his son and started towards surface. Chad and Grandpa Seamus all followed after him with me leading everyone.
***
Now back on King's Glaive, I had the mana train set to take everyone back to the apartments. We were set to arrive in about thirty minutes. Grandpa and Indy were in the luxury car playing with Colossus. Well Indy was playing with him, Grandpa was watching and making sure the little guy didn't accidently get too rough with the evo. Sin, Chad, and I were in the engine car standing around the navigation basin.
"So…when were you going to tell me that the Djjnn Signifier could cast spells spontaneously?" I asked looking at Sin. Sin looked away sheepishly.
"Yeah…um…sorry about that Boss." He mumbled.
"It would have been nice to know that fact before your evo attacked me." I said. Sin's head snapped back to look at me.
"Voodoo did what?!" He bellowed.
"He attacked me after we dealt with the assassins. He was worried that I would become a threat to you and Indy later. I took care of it." I said nonchalantly. It looked like he checked out mentally for a second before a look of primal rage appeared on his face.
It only took me a few seconds to realize that he was having a mental conversation with his evo. The myriad of expressions that appeared on his face told me that it was a-heated one at that.
"Umm boss, if that evo attacked you why did you let it live?" Chad asked, a look of confusion on his face.
"Because the evo thought what it was doing was right. It wanted to protect Sin and his son. He saw my power as a threat, so he sought to eliminate that threat. Protective instincts are something that can't be taught. You're born with them." I said. Chad frowned at me and my answer.
"But it's a evo and it defied you and it's master. It could pose a danger to someone further down the line. It's safer to get rid of it." Chad said.
"Not necessarily. One thing you'll have to realize Chad is that the evos I shape are far smarter than your average evo. It's safe to say they're on par with ascended at base form, and they will only get stronger and smarter as they evolve and achieve transcendence. We'll have to judge them by intent instead of action." I said.
"It intended to kill you!" Chad exclaimed.
"To protect his master and master's son. All that Voodoo needs is re-education. Teach him the difference between friends and foe." I countered then pointed to Sin.
"Besides Voodoo is not my evo. He's Sin's now. I can't decided what to do with another splicer's evo."
"And I decide to teach him a lesson. He can spend a little time with one of your evos a little later on. Given how…protective they are of you I'm sure he'll learn his lesson." Sin said, now checking back into our conversation.
"If that's what you want…They're pretty pissed right now so I'll have to make sure they don't kill him…but before that how is he able to cast spells?" I replied.
"It's kind of a process Boss. First he needs to see you cast a spell then he makes some sort of blood ritual and poof he can cast a similar spell." Sin explained, albeit missing a few important details.
"What do you mean blood ritual?" I asked. Sin scratched his head while he searched for the words he wanted.
"It's a blood ritual. He cuts himself and then starts writing nonsense in blood on the floor. I thought it was runic language at first but it's all scribbles. Once he finishes the scribbling he channels mana into the scribbles and a spell sigil forms. I can't really explain it better than that boss…" Sin elaborated.
"I see…" I muttered and scratched my chin.
'Could Voodoo have his own language that's linked to the runic language? Or is like blood casting?' I thought.
"Well enough of that for now…we'll need to focus on the important issue: those Solidarium assassins." I said dismissing my train of thought.
"I'm guessing you have a plan Boss?" Sin asked.
"Less of a plan and more of a counter measure…" I replied. I channeled mana into my void pocket ring and reached inside once the pocket opened and pulled out my tools along with a ring and bracelet. "…I can make enchanted items that'll make it easier for us to keep track of him and even disguise him for the Solidarium. That'll hopefully keep him safe until we can get to the Solidarium assassins stronghold and take them out."
"That will be…easier said than done. Their stronghold is in the ruins of a ancient splicer ruin. It's enchanted with a weird spell." Sin said. I arched a brow at him, I could already tell I wasn't going to like where this was going.
"What kind of spell?" I asked.
"It protects the sanctum. While it's active nobody can get in or get out. It's not something that can be activated or deactivated at will either. It's on set time intervals." Sin explained. I frowned at him.
"So I'm guessing it should be locked about now?" I asked. Sin nodded and looked over to the door of the luxury car as if he was looking at his son through the door .
"It should have been sealed off again four days ago and won't be unsealed again for a month…at least according to Yafier." Sin said.
"Yafier?" I asked softly.
[The progenitor of Lord Sin's offspring. My lord.] Empress told me.
"I see…Indy's mother…thanks Empress." I said. Sin nodded absent-mindedly then after a moment looked back to me.
"Yeah…she's stuck there with her father. Who knows what he 's doing to her now…." Sin muttered softly. He clenched his fists so tightly his arms shook from the force.
"We'll then it looks like we have yet another enemy to take down…God's what does that make….three?" I said then went to work creating a locator bangle for Indy. "Once we get to the apartment building I'll see about making a spell to better secure the place…maybe a axiom spell that bars entry for anyone who doesn't live there. No…maybe a field that prevents people from getting close. Either way I'll figure something out."
***
"We're here!" I exclaimed as I walked into the luxury car with Sin and Chad on my tail.
Grandpa was sitting on the couch nearest to the door watching Indy run around the room, laughing and chasing after Colossus who was running at a slower pace so that Indy could keep up with him. It was honestly was a very touching scene. On hearing my voice Indy and Colossus both skidded to a stop and turned to look my way.
"PAPA!" Indy exclaimed and then ran over to his Sin. The young boy jumped and clung to his father's leg. Sin reached down and patted Indy on the head then smiled.
"Ah, so we made it already Starlight?" Grandpa asked. I nodded and pointed to the door leading to the outside of the luxury car.
"Yeah let's hurry up and get this little guy inside. I'm going to leave Bone-lasher and Alpa'nagia here for a few days to make sure their aren't anymore assassins wondering around." I explained. Grandpa Seamus suddenly looked a little panicked.
"You're not going inside are you?" Grandpa asked.
"Yeah..." I said as I flashed him a suspicious look.
"No laddie! They're planning your birthday party inside!" Grandpa Seamus exclaimed. I groaned out loud as I remembered that everyone at the shop was planning to throw me a party.
"Birthday?" Indy asked and looked up at his father. Sin looked at Indy and patted his back.
"It's the day that you were born. Outside of the Solidarium, people celebrate the day they were born with a party." Sin explained.
"What's a party old man?" Colossus asked as he trotted over to Grandpa Seamus.
"A right rowdy celebration!" Grandpa replied throwing his arms open and laughing loudly. A odd thought suddenly occurred to me and I looked over at Indy.
"Indy, have you never had a birthday party before?" I asked. Indy looked to me then shook his head.
"No, never." Indy replied. Everyone gasped collectively, save Colossus who didn't understand the ramifications of Indy's statement.
"Oh you poor munchkin…." Grandpa Seamus muttered softly. I looked to Sin then knelt down in front of Indy who was still clinging to his leg.
"Hey Indy, you know one of the traditions in a birthday party is to give the birthday boy or girl a present. You've never had a birthday so…." I held the enchanted items I created for him out to him and smiled. "…I think you're overdue for some birthday presents."
Indy looked at the enchanted bangle and ring in my hand suspiciously then looked up at his father. Sin nodded silently at Indy, giving him permission. The little boy let go of his dad's leg and rushed over to accept the items. He slipped the bangle on his wrist and the ring on his finger and laughed gleefully then turned to show Sin.
"Papa! Look it!" He exclaimed proudly.
"I see! Those are pretty nice. Now what do you say when someone gives you a present?" Sin asked. Indy frowned slightly and cocked his head to the side. His confusion was obvious.
"I…don't know…" He replied. Grandpa Seamus walked over and patted Indy on the shoulder.
"Ya say thank you, laddie." He told the young boy. Indy nodded then turned to me.
"Thank you Casey!" Indy exclaimed.
"Casey?" I muttered then looked to Sin and Grandpa. They were both chuckling at the boy's obvious mispronunciation of my name. I shrugged and smiled at the boy and suddenly another thought dawned on me.
'He's surprisingly innocent for a boy raised by assassins and groomed to be the next head…' I thought.
"Ummm shouldn't we get Indy inside where it's safe?" Chad spoke up. I looked to him and nodded but Grandpa Seamus quickly interjected.
"Sin and Chad can get the lad inside Starlight." He said. I frowned and crossed my arms.
"Grandpa…" I grumbled but he shushed me with a look. I frowned and crossed my arm, admittedly looking like a child that was being told no for the first time. "…Can I at least cast a spell on the apartment to protect the place?"
"As long as you don't step inside." Grandpa replied. I groaned then walked over to rhe door leading outside the luxury car and opened it.
The mana train had stopped in front of the apartment building in a way that the luxury car was directly in front of the building's stoop. Sin and Chad lead the young Indy off the train and up the stoop to the inside of the building.
I looked up at my apartment building, it was a nice four story building that was the tallest building on the block and one of the only four story buildings inside the silver city. There was more than fifteen apartments inside the building. With only six apartments being used by all my employees and the Orkands that Nate managed to keep all of my properties functioning. I sat in the doorway of the luxury car and thought about the best way to ward off the building when Grandpa suddenly tapped me on my shoulder.
I looked up and Grandpa Seamus handed me a piece of paper. I arched a eyebrow at him as I took the paper, it looked like it was old and had been folded up a bunch of times. As I examined it my eyes widened as I realized that a spell had been written on the spell. An axiom spell that was designed to create a small crystal that scans the minds of anyone that gets close to it.
"Wait…HOW THE HELL DO YOU HAVE THIS?!" I exclaimed and jumped to my feet. Grandpa Seamus looked at me smugly.
"Your grandma used to create enchanted items and spells. We used to have this spell cast on our house in the woods." Grandpa Seamus replied. I nodded as he spoke and then looked down at the spell script.
"That makes sense…." I muttered as I examined the spell again then froze and looked at Grandpa Seamus. "…wait…how did you and Grandma Lulu cast a spell on the house? You're both normies."
"True but me mom and grandma weren't. They were splicers." Grandpa Seamus admitted.
"WAIT WHAT?!" I bellowed. "Why didn't you tell me this before? My great-grandmother and Great-great grandmother were splicers!"
"Yeah…it kinda slipped me mind. And given how…risky it was for splicers back in America, they both kept that a secret…" Grandpa Seamus replied.
"I see…" I said. I had a thousand questions now but I also had a building to secure. "…how exactly is this spell used?"
Grandpa climbed down from the mana train and walked up the stairs of the stoop and stood in front of the door. He pointed to the space above the doorway and motioned for me to come over. I did as I was beckoned and walked over to Grandpa Seamus.
"Casting the spell creates a baseball sized crystal that can read the minds of anyone that gets close. Ya do a chant Starlight and you can make it so that thing will make a barrier when it sensed danger. It stick to anything so ya can just leave it there." Grandpa explained.
"Okay. What's the chant?" I asked. Grandpa Seamus scratched his head and shrugged.
"I forgot." He said.
"WHAT?!" I snapped then glared at Grandpa. "How did you forget?!"
"Cut me a break. Your great-grandma cast that spell more than sixty years ago." Grandpa Seamus replied. I groaned and shook my head.
"Fine…we'll wing it…" I muttered and channeled mana into the spell script. The page burned away as my mana started casting an axiom spell sigil. "…detect and divine, protect the consigned, let none beyond the borders that mean harm to those who reside."
As I completed my chant a second axiom spell sigil formed around the first and I casted the new spell. Green energy flowed from the spell sigil and formed into a ball the size of a basket ball. The ball then started to condense and tighten until it became the size of a baseball and crystallized. Once it crystallized the ball fell into my hand and the spell effect resolved.
I looked down at the small crystal ball and frowned as I turned it around in my hands. It looked exactly like the little crystal ball that Grandpa and Grandma had attached to the door knocker on their front door. Grandpa Seamus patted me on the shoulder and nodded.
"It looks like ya did it laddie." Grandpa Seamus said.
"Now I just place it somewhere?" I asked. Grandpa nodded.
"Yah. Somewhere on the building. Your great-grandma put it on the door but knock down the door and it's freakin useless." Grandpa replied.
I nodded and looked up at the building. I channeled float attribute mana throughout my body and flew up to a window on the third floor and places the crystal in a recessed scones below the window. The crystal glowed for several seconds and the brick of the building moved to encase the crystal and only let a little of it show. Seeing it secure I flew back down to the stoop and nodded at Grandpa.
"Well that's done…" I started then suddenly became dizzy as a unfamiliar feeling came surging through the mental link between me and my evos.
"Starlight?" Grandpa Seamus exclaimed as he reached out to grab me. I held my hand out to stop him and quickly righted myself.
[Star Boss…something feels…wrong…] Grimm-Guard said over the connection.
"I need to head to the lab. Something is wrong with my evo…."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hutexa_The_Djinn
Hutexa_The_Djinn HUTEXA_THE_DJINN HERE! EVO-LUTION SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT/SURVEY!
As you all know I have been writing through side stories from the point of view from the evos. I have been struggling with the idea of making that another novel or rather a collection of stories once this side story is done. Thinking of calling it Monsterous: Tales of Evo-Lution (working title). Just a idea, might just continue working them in with the regular chapters. Let me know in the comments what you think! Also can I please ask some of you to write reviews for my novel, it helps more than you know! Thanks for your continued support!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone