ETREUM

Prologue

The Grail.

The one sought prized treasure. Each year, a team of the most powerful warriors would assemble to do bloody combat to win over the grail and fulfill one wish.

These battles would be great and mighty, but incredibly violent. Their violence spreading across the world. Causing massive catastrophe and disaster.

My name is Ethereum, Ether for short. I am what you can call an Etreum, a shadow based mage. I specialized in spy and reconnaissance missions. So upon hearing that the item I needed to complete my mission was a grail, you know what that means.

"You're going to steal the Holy Grail?!" Ashley yelped.

"Absolutely!" I said, standing tall and proud.

"How can you say that all high and mighty?! What happened to the grail being sought after by the most powerful warriors through bloody combat?" Jake asked.

"Well, you see..." I laughed nervously.

"I'm not exactly a fighter..."

Jake grabbed me by the collar.

"You idiot! But you said you were a damn Etreum with shadow magic powers. What do you mean you can't fight?!"

I suddenly dropped my airhead act. My grimoire materialized in front of me, opening and flipping to the page I wanted.

Shadow Magic: Umbral Bind

Black chains erupted from within the shadows of the room as Jake was tied up.

"Jake!" Ashley cried out, as she instantly burst into red flames.

"You dare attack my beloved, human?!" She snarled, as she leapt at me.

I reached within my trench coat and drew my Garrison M55. I took aim and fired, shooting her square in the chest and sending her crashing into the couch. Her wounds were already starting to regenerate. Made sense. I wasn't using Black Bullets. If I did, she would be dead. Which would instantly terminate my contract. Which would mean my sister was going to beat me up for failing to bring food to the table.

I broke open my gun.

"Let's not resort to combat!" I said, cheerfully.

I reached into my grimoire and pulled out several glowing dark bullets, loading them into my gun.

"I could easily kill you with my Black Bullets, succubus." I said, coldly.

Ashley calmed down.

I let go of Jake.

"Right now, what we're looking for is the Grail to turn her into a human. There doesn't exist magic that can change a succubus into a human. The only way is the Grail. And to speak the truth, I'm not a fighter. The only thing I can do is bind and shoot with regular ass guns. So realistically, the only way we can get a hold of it is to steal it!"

Ashley began to sob as she buried her head into Jake's shoulder.

"Oh Jake, I just... I don't want to be this thing anymore. What are we going to do?"

Jake stroked her head.

"It's going to be okay. It's okay. Ether is a moron, but he's a cunning one. He can help us."

"Hey, who are you calling a moron?" I asked.

I stepped into a shadow and began to dissolve, my body slipping into its subconscious as everything began to melt. Concentrate on that point. Concentrate.

Everything began to gain form, as my vision returned. I was in a dark closet. I creaked the door open as I peeked out.

No one in sight.

I slowly opened the wardrobe as I stepped out.

Shadow Magic: Shadow Walker

My feet became one with the shadows, lowering the sound of my footsteps as I snuck around the room. Suddenly, my foot got caught on a piece of fabric. I looked down.

"EEEUGH!!!" I yelped, nearly tripping over.

A bra! Oh god. Where the hell was I? Was this really the Grand Commander's Room?

Then it hit me.

The commander's name.

Oliviera Rentrace.

Oliviera.

I was in a woman's room!

Shit!

Calm down. Calm down. I can't let my shut in life get the hold of me. Just think that bra belongs to my sister. Not turned on anymore are you? Yeah.

Now I'm disgusted!

I cleared my throat, regaining my calm composure. I glanced at the door. I needed to keep watch of that door. The last thing I wanted was to be caught snooping around in a lady's quarters. I didn't even care if it was the Commander's. There are worse things than death. Like that time I Shadow Walked into my sister's room by accident. I had an ice pack on my face for a week.

I opened my grimoire.

Shadow Magic: Umbral Copy

The darkness in the room gained form, until a copy of mine took shape. The copy went to the door to keep watch. Drawing its Garrison.

I opened the cupboard. So where was her log. I sifted through papers as I tried to look for any intel on the Grail's location. Of all the factions battling for the Grail, Rentrace's faction was leading by a long shot. There had to be some kind of intel on the Grail's location.

There it was. I opened the logbook and skimmed it. One of the great skills I learned in high school. Correction. One of the only skills I learned in high school. Reading tons of stuff and picking out only the details I cared about.

The Grail was being kept in a room, sealed by a ton of traps. A guardian blah blah blah. I took to the location with Shadow Magic.

The Guardian was huge. He looked like one of those angels from Diablo. If anything, fighting that guy was essentially suicide. There was also no evading him. In fact, I wasn't the only one who had found this location, obviously. Rentrace's troops were already there, engaging the Guardian, being slaughtered left and right.

I hated up front fighting. It was never my style. In fact, being hasty is the stupidest thing ever. Guts and manliness, one of the core traits to a meathead, are also core traits to a fool.

I made sure no one could see me, as I slipped through the skirmish. These guys could hold off the Guardian for me. I was getting my hands on that Grail.

The room was elegant. But ethereal. Decorated with golden drawings of war and myths. My boots knocked on the ground as I approached the Grail. A golden cup, suspended in thin air.

I guess this is it. Job well done. After what seemed like weeks of stalking Rentrace's army, her generals, and even going as far as checking the barracks, I had finally achieved what numerous warriors would have only dreamt of having.

By cheating.

I held out my hand, as my grimoire materialized in front of me.

Shadow Magic: Umbral Copy

A clone manifested in front of me, as I melted into shadows, becoming one with the darkest parts of the walls.

The clone stepped forward and held out its hand to touch the cup, when suddenly, a spear appeared, piercing him. My clone shattered into a black mist.

"I guess it wasn't gonna be that easy." I muttered.

"Ethereum, to think you would go so far as to use us for your own personal gain." A woman's voice appeared from my side.

Rentrace approached the cup.

"I know that wasn't you. You sneaky little shit. Come out and face me."

I sighed. I guess this was unavoidable.

I stepped out of the shadows, my hands in my pockets as I regarded the commander.

"Mi'lady."

"Oh shut up. We both know you are a traitor." Rentrace took out her sword. Six feet of murderous steel.

"I'm going to cut you down. My army has no place for traitors like you."

Oh yeah. By the way. I may or may not have enlisted my services to help Rentrace. I guess she didn't like my treason too well.

"I don't suppose it's too late for us to talk this out?"

Rentrace walked to my direction, her face full of disdain.

"Um, new hairstyle? Looks good on you. Makes you ten years younger!"

"That means you think I'm old."

The hell? Sis, you told me that worked on women!

There was no way around it. I had to fight. I usually didn't like fighting, I'm more of a laid back kind of guy. But Rentrace wasn't giving me much of a choice.

I held out my hand as my grimoire manifested.

Shadow Magic: Shadow Moon

A black orb appeared above me, as my surroundings began to darken. Dimmer and dimmer, until I could barely make out our figures in the everlasting darkness.

"So, the traitor has some tricks up his sleeve after all. But nonetheless. This battle is decided. For you are just a mere scout. While I am a commander. A warrior!" Rentrace shouted, as she charged.

Shadow Magic: Umbral Bind

Several chains erupted from the shadows of the ground, as Rentrace was pinned down.

I calmly closed my grimoire as I walked up to the grail, and plucked it off its pedestal, throwing it into the shadows. Contract completed. I guess it was time to dip-

CLANK

"Heh?" I turned around, narrowly dodging Rentrace's sword swing. That was too close!

I put my hand inside my trench coat, pulling out my Garrison. I took aim and fired. The high penetrating round soaring in the air and cracking Rentrace's sword.

Rentrace scowled, as I leapt backwards.

I took aim again and fired, but Rentrace was already charging forward, deflecting another bullet.

I fired again, and again, the bullets deflecting off of her sword.

Damn.

I reached into my coat with my other hand, drawing out my sidearm. My FN P90 submachine gun, as I took aim and fired a stream of bullets in her direction.

This time, Rentrace couldn't block them all, as some of the bullets hit her square in the armour. Although not as powerful as my Garrison, the P90 was still a gun. Rentrace slowed down, as her face contorted in pain.

"You little-"

Shadow Magic: Umbral Bind

Rentrace was once again wrapped in chains. Even with the dark boost of the surroundings amplifying their strength, I knew it wasn't going to be enough to keep this beast caged. I put my P90 away.

Gun Magic: Black Bullets

I reached into my grimoire's pages, retrieving a handful of obsidian bullets. With my other hand, I opened my Garrison, loading the bullets in. Even the power of the Garrison M55 wasn't enough to completely shatter her sword. I'd have to resort to my black bullets to take her down.

I took aim, just as Rentrace snapped the chains, and fired. The bullets shattering her sword and hitting her square in the chest. I fired again, taking out her arms. Then her legs. I lowered my firearm as the Great Commander fell to her knees.

I turned around and melted into the darkness. But not before hearing Rentrace's final words.

"Ethereum. You truly are... the scum of this world."

I smiled.

"You're damn right."

After all, to these guys, I was the biggest asshole in the world. Someone who only cared about myself.

But in reality, I was Ethereum. A magus who specializes in shadow magic and gun magic.

Taking on jobs, unseen. Untouchable.

Infiltration, subterfuge.

The Recon support, to Captain Dekani Price of the Lotuscraft.

Champion

I left a now human Ashley to Jake. I didn't bother asking Jake for the crown just yet, since it didn't feel right to tell him to fork over the goods after everything those two went through.

I guess it isn't my style to pry into other people's businesses. But since I was hired by Jake, well actually. Deka was hired by Jake, that made his business our business too. Ashley Barnes was initially a succubus, who was thrown out of the underworld because she was "different" from her kind. Jake took pity on her, and the two became a couple.

Or something like that.

Ashley hated her nature, and wanted to become human. Jake sought the Grail, but after failed attempts, and nearly getting himself killed, Ashley convinced him to seek for other help. Deka and his crew happened to be around at the time, and Deka, the good natured tool he was, volunteered to help, offering his services. But after realizing that his gear and Lance, Umbra, were vulnerable to magic, Deka tasked me with retrieving the Grail.

I watched as the two embraced, crying tears of joy.

Meh.

You could say I have a cold heart. But I've seen so many of these already. Wholesome moments, that it's almost become cliche for me to even bother describing. Long story short, Ashley became human, and Jake now owes us.

"Ether, about the reward..." Jake handed me his necklace.

I took it, glancing at Ashley, who was hiding behind the door.

"No point eavesdropping. Especially when you're so bad at hiding." I said. Ashley opened the door and stepped in, embarrassed.

I looked at Jake. He looked kind of sad. I guess that would make sense. The Crown was one of his most cherished possessions. And I happened to be that guy who said the reward of turning his girlfriend into a human was just that. Deka didn't want to go that route. But we needed the Crown for the Lotuscraft. This was the only way.

"Thanks, Jake. We won't let it go to waste."

Jake smiled. "Yeah. You better not. I guess this is goodbye."

I waved as I stepped into the shadows, putting on my hood.

"Yeah. Look after Ashley. Starting now, you two have a new life ahead of you. Go and make that slice of life anime a reality."

"Did... did Ether just say anime?" Ashley asked.

I shadow teleported to the Lotuscraft. The place was bustling with life ever since Deka had recruited more people onto the ship. I kept myself dissolved in shadows as I looked around. But no one was there.

But just to make sure.

Shadow Magic: Stalker Sense

My eyes inverted colour, as my scleras darkened. I sensed two presences from behind the walls. Marked by dark trailing wisps.

Flippy the Doggo, Umbra, and... a little girl?

How long have I been away from the Lotuscraft? Who's kid was that?

Whatever, I just needed to drop off the crown.

I emerged from the shadow of Deka's pedestal. I took a walk around, admiring the decorations. The place still had the good old spaceship feel. Even after recruiting Shane Mayen, and expanding his crew, some things stayed Valian. Good on him.

I approached his desk and put the Crown on the table.

For a few minutes I shadow walked around the Orbiter, my footsteps obstructed by the shadows in the ship. I hadn't fully mastered the Total Eclipse spell yet, so as of now, it was Half Eclipse, which makes the spell caster half invisible. Which is useless.

Much had changed. From what I heard while I was away, Deka had recruited some girl who was also a Valian. At this point, he might as well have held a daycare for defective people of the Star System on the Lotuscraft. Because apparently, the girl didn't know how to fight, despite being a Valian.

I glanced at the new living quarters that Folock had made for her.

Cute.

CLACK CLACK

I quickly dissolved into a shadow as I watched Deka and some girl, who I presumed was the defective Valian emerge from the Landing Craft.

"Good work on today's excavation, Rinne." Deka said, as Rinne stretched her back.

"Thanks. I'll see you in the meeting room."

I watched as Rinne walked dejectedly to her living quarters, while Deka resolved out of Umbra and approached the Foundry.

"No point just staring at me, Ether. I know you're there." Deka smiled.

"Ah, you got me!" I said, cheerfully, as I emerged from the shadows.

Deka watched as my body melted out of the shadows and gained form.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt to come visit us more often. You're still a member of our crew. I'm sure you'll get along great with Rinne."

I readjusted the collar to my trench coat.

"I'm needed in the field." I replied, bluntly.

"I know, it's just, you're kind of family to me now-"

"We're not family." I replied a little too quickly. Deka jumped in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." I said, as I walked across the Orbiter.

But it was true. The only family I had was my sister. Ruby is all that matters to me. The only reason why I took on Deka's offer to become his Recon support was because I needed the money.

"It's fine." Deka replied.

I followed Deka to his room as he inspected the crown.

"Damn. I didn't think you would manage to get this thing. How is Jake?"

"He's fine." I replied.

Deka sat down as he continued inspecting the gem. I glanced at a busted up mask that was sitting on his desk. It was Shane's version one Toron mask.

"Where's our little Javlok?" I asked.

"Shane? He's with another Valian right now. But lately, I haven't been able to contact him, don't know why. Maybe it's static."

I clenched my fist.

It sure as hell wasn't static. I knew everything.

Shane Mayen wasn't what these people believed him to be. The gutsy kid who would charge his enemies head on with big guns and big swords. I was there when that Severen monster SHADE slaughtered the Valians. I was going to report to Deka right away, but then the biggest plot twist happened.

Shardis Licita. Shane Mayen was no Severen. At least not now. But what everyone didn't realize, was that this kid and SHADE were one and the same.

People can't escape fate. No matter what you do. No matter what you say or how you warp the story.

This kid was going to grow up to become SHADE. We were literally nurturing a monster that would kill us all in the future.

Of course, I didn't feel like telling Deka this. He grew real fond of Shane during the years. I didn't wanna break that bond.

I picked up a little bobblehead of an Excalibur off of the table.

"You're into bobbleheads now? Cap?"

Deka laughed. "No, it was a gift from Quorra. She loves collecting those. Thought it would be a funny joke on Umbra."

I put the bobblehead down as Deka continued fiddling with the crown. We were silent for a few minutes.

"Captain, I'm going to the Severen mothership to investigate Nero."

Deka stopped fiddling.

"Come again?"

"You heard me." I gave him a thumbs up.

"I'm the only one in this crew who can do it."

"But... if you get caught, it's over for you. None of us are equipped to fight Nero. Even with Quorra's help I couldn't beat him. I forbid you from doing something so reckless."

I smirked.

"Yeah. Which means I have to add some more spells to my grimoire. I'll be taking a pit stop to a special place first. Don't worry. I'm not going in without a plan."

Deka still didn't look satisfied.

"Look. Just go in, get enough intel, and extract as soon as you can. Promise me that, at least."

I nodded.

"Hey, Deka. I was just-" Rinne's voice appeared from behind me as I heard the doors slowly open. I quickly melted into shadows as I dissolved into the corner of the room.

Rinne paused. "What was that just now?"

Deka raised his eyebrows. "What are you talking about?" He said, nervously.

"I could have sworn I saw someone... nevermind."

I resurfaced from behind the building of Mercy Hospital. Champions Universe.

If it meant finding spells. There were a couple of people I could ask. But by far the best and largest variety of spells I could locate in a single region would have to be Millennium City.

This place never ceased to amaze. Flying hover cars, high tech buildings. The place was brimming with life. Almost every civilian had some superpower of some kind. Meaning there were plenty of mages residing here.

And because of that, the ones who stand at the top, the ones who worked the hardest.

I could steal their tricks for my own.

First target: Bethany Duquesne. Codename Witchcraft (I'm not joking, that's really her codename).

Specialization in sorcery and flight, Witchcraft made a name for herself for her heroics. But really, I don't give a shit about that. The only thing that stood out to me, was that her family had experience in dark magic. Which is the progenitor of my shadow magic. If I could gain access to her grimoire, I could copy her incantations and possibly find ways to upgrade my current spell set.

The only problem was... what I'm doing is technically mage theft. If I got caught, I'd be labelled a villain and criminal.

So nothing out of the ordinary.

Shadow Magic: Shadow Walker

I dissolved into shadows as I travelled around the city, searching for magic residue.

It took a few hours, but I managed to track down the witch. I had two options. Either I take her down and obtain her grimoire by force, or I put on my airhead persona and let her teach me directly. Time-wise, the first option would have been better, but Witchcraft was a very well respected figure in this city, being an iconic hero. If I did that, I would risk making an insurmountable number of enemies.

I decided to go for option two.

I spent the next few weeks under the tutelage of Witchcraft. It was surprisingly easier than I thought.

"What was your magic affinity again?" Witchcraft asked.

"Dark magic. My mom told me not to pursue it, but I want to show the world that even if I use dark magic, I can still make a difference."

That really hit her in the feels. I did my research from infiltrating the PRIMUS archives. Witchcraft was born in a family who used dark magic. Ritualistic weirdos, she wanted to go into sorcery for the better of good.

Am I a scumbag to use her horrible past to get what I want? Absolutely. Am I bothered by it? No.

"Your magic is bound by your mana. Sometimes, keeping it simple is the best way forward. Take for instance, your binding spell."

Witchcraft pointed her stick at the chalkboard drawing of my spell. Obviously, when I showed her my magic, I only showed her a very small portion of it. So only one chain manifested.

"You don't have a lot of mana. So at the moment, you're bound by that one chain. Usually, I would advise you train to increase the number of chains to better its effectiveness. But in your case, I would advise something else."

Witchcraft opened her grimoire and summoned a spell, binding the training dummy with pure magic.

"Try going for a pure mana spell. Rather than expending your mana on a chain medium, try using pure darkness."

Pure darkness spells. This witch was good.

"Hey, Miss Duquesne, I prepared tea!" I bounced in, cheerfully, as Witchcraft smiled, taking the cup.

"You're such a sweetheart. Thank you, Terrance."

I joined Witchcraft as we sat together in her living room. Terrance was the name of my father. He died from cancer when I was six.

"I haven't had an apprentice for so long."

"Why's that?"

"I never wanted someone to carry the burdens of a superhero. But I guess with you, I just see so much of myself. Dark magic. A foul magic known for being evil. Yet, you strive to become a kind and gentle soul. Something that I wanted to go for as well. I will keep guiding you until you see it through."

For the next few weeks, I learned to hone in my Umbral Bind spell, gaining a stronger variant of it. This variant was dependent on its application. If I wanted to use it in a similar manner as restraints, it would require more mana than my usual binding spell, but in exchange, better effectiveness. If I wanted it to just grab things, it would be more efficient.

I gave it the name Prominence Umbral Bind.

But it wasn't enough. During those weeks, I discovered that Witchcraft was capable of something called "Anti-Magic". This power would essentially erase the magical powers of mages or even beings who used it offensively. I needed to learn about it, but there was no way I could ask her to teach me. The reason being, was because anti-magic was so powerful in the mage community, it was considered taboo.

One night, I had decided to sneak into Witchcraft's quarters, and learn Anti-Magic on my own. Eventually, I managed to figure it out, but at the cost of being discovered.

"Terrance, what are you doing?"

I paused, my face shrouded in shadows. I knew this day would come. There was no point in me trying to be all touchy feely.

We may have had what appeared to be a student master relationship. But there is nothing genuine in something that was built from a lie.