“Imaginary Domain - Night of the Nosferatu!”

  “Imaginary Domain - Misty Burial Procession!”

  Against Galenn’s Domain Izabella and Alan used theirs in turn. Normally, two Level 4 low Pathseekers versus a Level 4 high would not be called a fight; Level 4 high would be the clear winner based on the sheer difference in might.

  This case was one of the exceptions.

  Firstly, it was the way their Domain worked. Galenn, an experienced warrior himself, felt the uniqueness.

  When two Pathseekers fought using their Domain, their territory would push back against one another, imposing their distinct rules. When there were three Domains, it became a three-way struggle.

  It didn't matter if it was two against one, Domains canceled each other out. It was their nature. Even if the two were allies, using their Domains simultaneously would backfire instead. Reducing their overall potency.

  It was common knowledge to never use Domains simultaneously in a two versus one situation. If it was a three-sided fight or four or greater, then it was fine using your Domain since everyone else was an enemy, but when you had allies? It should be reserved until one battle was coming to a conclusion. When the enemy has been exhausted before using your Domain in the aftermath.

  Though Galenn felt the cultists were fools for activating two Domains simultaneously and felt the pushback against his Domain, he saw how there was no conflict between those two Domains. The cultists’ Domains were working in sync.

  Galenn berated himself for the misread. He should have seen it coming.

  Imaginary Domains that could complement each other were not so rare that they were unheard of but certainly uncommon. Those belonging to the same organization or learning from the same School had the highest probability of having a synergizing Domain with each other. Even so, since a person’s Imaginary Domain was highly personal, it wasn't a guarantee even for fellow disciples.

  There was another factor that tipped the balance: Izabella was not an ordinary Pathseeker.

  A Vampire Progenitor who held a high position in the Blood Church. If the news had reached the Silver Legion, they would have raised a crusade to kill her without a doubt.

  She was a Fire 3 affinity Pathseeker before. After her vampirehood she underwent an affinity shift. Her Fire 3 became Blood 5. It was her plan all along. Now, her way to Level 5 Pathseeker was clear. It was inconvenient to lose her fire since she had gotten used to it and was useful in enchanting so she learned fire Ixi Artes.

  Whilst still far from wielding the full might of her power, Izabella’s Imaginary Domain already reflected the vast potential that lies beneath.

  On one side stood Galenn, the strongest Executive of the Rupa branch Magisterium Tower. A fortress of steel lined with cannons and metal soldiers stood behind him. Undeniably, a mighty Domain of a powerful Pathseeker.

  On the opposite side were the cultists, Vice-Vicar Izabella and her right-hand man, Alan. For all intents and purposes her status should be the equivalent of a Magisterium Tower Master. She simply hadn't been nurturing and developing her organization for decades. The two stood on the edge of an eerie forest enveloped in thick mist. Unnatural animal sounds could be heard behind the wall of dark, brambled trees. The most eye-catching of them all was the blood-red moon shining in the sky, showering the night in a sanguine glow.

  Two Domains working in tandem against one, the equilibrium held. The first phase of the Domain battle had passed. If the enemy was unable to muster the strength to support their Domain, you simply overwhelmed and swallowed their Domain whole, forcing the enemy to fight in your territory where you had a clear advantage.

  Unless something extraordinary was in play, the fight was mostly over at that point. A Domain was the best defense against another Domain after all. If it could be taken down by the opposition by sheer strength, you were fighting someone out of your league.

  Challenged so definitely by two people weaker than him, irked Galenn. He tested the waters by sending artillery shots from his fortress. The mist user swiftly moved out of the way but to Alan’s surprise, Izabella stood in place.

  “Witch!” Alan shouted as the artillery landed on her position and explosions resounded.

  When the smoke was cleared, Izabella was missing a part of her face and an arm. Pieces of her body were also scattered here and there. A ghastly sight. A normal human would be dead.

  Izabella’s body parts became blood and flowed back to its owner, mending her broken body completely. Even her clothes were fully restored.

  It was her vampire heritage. Vampires couldn't be killed so easily.

  As Galenn braced himself for a draining fight, he felt something wet was touching his mouth. His nose was dripping blood.

  “A special effect...”

  Some Imaginary Domains possessed a special effect. This could be anything depending on the individual. Usually it was because of the Profound Codex. Codex that could lead to a Domain with a special effect was very precious and highly coveted.

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  Galenn didn't know what the vampire’s Domain special effect was but it wouldn't be anything good for him. His own Imaginary Domain, Steel Stronghold, had no such thing. It was a power-type straight and true, like his Metal affinity.

  It might just be a nosebleed for now but who knew what would happen if it went on long enough. Determined to end the fight, the Executive began his offense. The metal soldiers marched and the fortress came alive with artillery fire. The man himself, wearing a custom power armor produced from the Magisterium combining magic and technology, began a missile bombardment.

  “Shall we?” Izabella said to Alan.

  “As always, you lead. I’ll follow.” He said while melding himself into the mist. Izabella smiled, eyes glinting red.

  Arte - Blood Seraph.

  One of the three treasured Blood Arte, the peak of the art. With it, Izabella’s blood mastery reached an unprecedented level. She transformed herself into hundreds of blood-red bats and flew.

  The blood bats were impervious to explosions, reforming themselves when destroyed. When they landed on the metal soldiers created by Galenn’s Domain, they melted into rusty red soup.

  “Not bad, but you are greatly mistaken if I’m so easily bested, bloodsucker.”

  With composure, Galenn made his next move. An explosive battle between three Level 4 had risen in intensity.

  ***

  While it was always the individual to determine a Domain’s power, everybody would want a Domain with a special effect but most were left disappointed.

  Jessica, Alan, and Galenn had a ‘normal’ Imaginary Domain. This did not mean their Domain was weak in the slightest. Just like people with dual affinity, it was the person who determined the victory or defeat, not their tools. Special effect or not, every Imaginary Domain gave an advantage to their user. Every Arte they cast inside the Domain was greatly boosted. It was Level 4’s trump card.

  Besides, it wasn't as if the normal Domain couldn't be upgraded to possess a special effect. Improving one’s Imaginary Domain was the core concept of Level 4 Path of Power. The secret that most Pathseekers didn't realize, a knowledge that those in the know guarded, was the importance of the cultivation of body, mind, and soul.

  These powerful organizations didn't spread the knowledge so they and their kin were above the common people. Not surprising. Secrets were valuable because few people knew about them. Not at all surprising that those with monopolies didn't want to relinquish their hold.

  Humanity’s Path of Power, the Intio Magisterix, was a masterpiece created by sages of the past. It allowed the species that was unable to use mana to transcend. It was an outstanding energy-based cultivation but it needed to be supported by the trifecta of existence to show its true potential.

  Becoming Level 6, a step above mortal existence, required a degree of body, mind, and soul cultivation. Level 4s could already use some soul techniques, such as leaving a person with a sliver of their soul, allowing them to sense if the subject was in danger and protect them in a limited manner.

  The difficulty was finding the techniques that allow people to cultivate their body, mind, and soul. Pathseekers with one of the three affinities would have an easier time cultivating their aspect earlier but they still needed to seek the others.

  Those in the Arcanum Club already got initiated on the soul cultivation side, the hardest to train according to some people. Their soul training was facilitated by the arcana card that Viers gave them, which also served as proof of membership, communicator, and locator trinket. The effect wasn't clear in the first place since they couldn't use their soul to put people to death like Viers did but it was slowly budding.

  Izabella and Jessica's Imaginary Domain was strong according to Level 4 low standard. One had body and soul cultivation plus qi, the other had peak vampire lineage and soul cultivation. Should she keep going on her path, Jessica’s Domain would be having a special effect sooner or later.

  As for Viers’ Imaginary Domain, of course it had a special effect!

  ***

  A black masked man, wearing black armor with a samurai sword on his waist, was standing proudly on a sea's surface. The sea was blue and full of life energy. Flowing into the sea from above like waterfalls, were green rivers. The rivers exuded death. If one looked closely they would see the faces of the dead.

  This was Viers’ Imaginary Domain: Sea of Life and Death.

  Viers didn't know how but the green rivers of death were connected to his soul prison, a soul space where he kept loads of dead souls. They manifested like tributaries of the River Styx.

  Viers liked it. Since he became a Water and Soul Pathseeker the famous river of the afterlife was never far from his mind. He never thought it would manifest this way, before he made an Arte about it.

  Meanwhile, Tower Master Baharir was looking down on him from his Imaginary Domain. A landscape of earth, wind, water, and fire. The person himself was surrounded by the four elements and was hovering in the air.

  He knew from the rumors, the soul searches, and the four-colored cloak he had were a dead giveaway. The Tower master was a Pathseeker capable of wielding four elements.

  Viers hypothesized that Baharir could only wield all four inside his Domain. What else? Bending reality in the Imaginary Domain was the name of the game.

  “...What’s so funny, cultist?” Baharir asked, seeing Viers chuckle.

  “Khufufu. Just imagining that today you must be going about your day, thinking all is well and in harmony... But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Ghufufu. Yes, a very appropriate line for posterity.”

  “Fire Nation? That’s what you call yourselves?”

  Technically it’s Chaos Undivided but why should I correct him?

  “It doesn't matter,” Viers said. “So, element master, are you ready to die?”

  “I see. Another crazy cultist. Die.”

  A Level 4 low like him against a Level 4 peak? Baharir wasn't wrong.

  In his Avatar state -entirely a coincidence, Viers was sure- Baharir sent an attack made of the four elements. Backed by his cultivation and Domain, the power of the Arte was immense and destructive.

  Undaunted, Viers met it head-on.

  Arte - Riverstar Strikers!

  The third of the Jojo Arte series!

  “Come out, Mercury Platinum!!”

  A macho ‘Stand’ manifested in front of Viers. It had a liquid-metal color theme. Without delay, Mercury Platinum let out a barrage of fists against the four-element meteor.

  Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora !!!

  Viers, laughing in fervor excitement, was reaffirming how he loved his Imaginary Domain.

  Isolated from outside prying, he could use his Fable-inspired Artes without restraint!