Domain refinement

“A few things are known since you haven’t hid them like your ability to shift your body, create items, your fire and ice and the newest known thing is the magic you used in the fight with Ottar as well as healing him. How much more could be left?” Freya asked curiously.

“Quite a lot actually. For example I have a proto divine domain already.” I said calmly.

“”WHAT!?”” they both exclaimed at the same time.

“Honestly I wouldn’t have told either of you if I didn’t need your help in particular to refine it further.” I said looking a Hephaestus.

“Me? Why would you need …. it’s crafting related isn’t it?” she started before seeming to figure it out with wide eyes.

“Well yes and no. See I will probably use it for strictly crafting but it does have combat aspects to it. I’d rather explain it in private. You’ll need to see it to understand.” I said careful not to say anything that could get me in trouble.

I had little doubt that there were some eavesdropping but the few nuggets of information I dropped weren’t enough to create a full picture, even a partial one really. 

“I am a goddess of war as well so I might be able to help with the combat aspects.” Freya chimed in but I shook my head.

“You’ll understand once you see it for yourself but I highly doubt that.” I said vaguely.

Once we left Babel Ottar joined us in stride to protect Freya but said nothing. Tsubaki also seemed about to do the same for Hephaestus but after the goddess point blank told her that between me and Ottar she couldn’t be safer the woman left.-

We drew attention as we moved through the city but ignored it to arrive at the Hestia manor. Ottar didn’t hesitate to throw a fierce punch at the barrier covering the property only for it to ripple and completely negate his attack.

“Told you.” I said with a grin and Freya just shrugged.

“Worth testing still.” she said shamelessly.

After that we entered the manor and I led all three of them to my workshop.

“What I am about to show you does not leave the confines of this room, understood?” I said seriously.

“I swear it on my arcaenum.” Hephaestus said without hesitation and and eager expression.

“I also swear it upon my arcaenum. Ottar won’t reveal it either.” Freya said and Ottar nodded in firm agreement.

My right hand rose perfectly vertical in front of my face with my pinky and ring finger curled flat and the last two fingers jutting up with my thumb curled like a hook. My left hand was pointed down under my right hand with the fingers mirroring my other hand in reverse.

“Domain expansion: Hell’s forge!” I spoke as my hands took position.

Inky blackness crept from under my feet and under their own before creeping up the walls and ceiling to fully enclose us. From the blackness red stone arose followed by hellfire in deep rivers leading to the massive anvil standing before me while a ghostly visage of Amphisbaena roaring in agony hung upon the walls of the domain along with many faceless screaming people as the flames licked at them. –

“Such a malicious place!” Hephaestus gasped in horror as she fully took in the domain.

Ottar was fully tensed up with sweat beading his face as he no doubt felt the sheer threat to his life this domain presented.

“It really isn’t possible.” Freya said with a disappointed frown but otherwise seemed unbothered.

“As you can see this is my domain. It is imperfect however, doesn’t include all of my abilities like it should if it were. That is why I needed your help.” I explained to Hephaestus as I purposefully held back the sure hit mechanic that all domains had.

“You said it was called Hell’s forge correct?” the forge goddess asked seriously and I nodded.

“Is that where all of that comes from?” Freya asked gesturing at the tortured “things” on the walls.

“Amphisbaena was the first thing to fall victim to this domain and is thus now an echo here forever but the others are more symbolic of mortal souls in hell, placeholders until I can fill their places with real souls.” I said honestly.

“A forge of souls, this is taboo Alex. You know that right?” Hephaestus says gravely.

“It’s not actually a forge of souls since I’m not an actual god and this isn’t actually a plane of hell. Until I am this is more a representation of that future than anything true. I can’t actually forge souls as you know, my technique works on materials from a living source instead. This domain is a sort of manifestation of that given extremity and physical presence. Not unlike the way a gods unsealed presence affects reality according to Hestia.” I explained making her visible relax.

“Still concerning but not strictly taboo at least. It’s good that you had Hermes swear that oath. This is far too close to encroaching on the realm of gods. If he spread word of it you’d likely be lynched by gods unwilling to see a mortal with such a power. Not even Ouranos would be able to save you, at the least you’d have your falna permanently stripped from you and at worse you’d be exiled to the dungeon permanently.” Hephaestus said gravely.

“Yes I have figured that part out on my own. Still it’s too useful to just never use and you are uniquely suited to help me refine it to it’s full potential.” I said with a shrug.

The idea of being exiled to the dungeon was unpleasant but not a death sentence in reality, just death sentence adjacent. It’s a close thing though as while water is no big deal in the dungeon food is kinda a problem. Sure I could eat monsters thanks to my technique causing their refined bits to remain as drops but an all meat diet isn’t very flavorful or ideal. –

That brought up the idea of the “pantries” in the dungeon which were small areas that grew edible plants for some reason nobody could explain. Monsters don’t need to eat to survive so why would the dungeon waste it’s time on something like that? Still if I had to live in the dungeon those places would be godsent without a doubt.

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