Levi summoned the powerful Omnithar Genie to make a wish. He wanted it to create a permanent soul for contractual signings using souls from a special Lantern. However, the Genie became unresponsive, focusing solely on the Lantern. Levi used his violin to probe the Genie's emotions, discovering its deep desperation and a longing to enter the Lantern, suggesting it wished to be freed.
'No... I believe you may be onto something.' Ash'Kral narrowed his eyes solemnly.
'Is such a thing even conceivable?' The Titan furrowed his brow.
The Titan, though unaware of the OmniGenie race's enslavement—a period occurring after his demise—felt strongly that the CRS Platform would never permit any entity to liberate the Genies. They constituted the very core of the platform’s reward system, alongside the treasuries.
Given the understanding that countless beings would covet them for personal gain, it was certain that extreme security measures must have been implemented.
'To free them would be nothing short of a miracle,' Ash'Kral paused, contemplating his thoughts, before adding, 'However, I have a strong intuition that Levi might just possess the means.'
'The Lantern of the Lost Keeper...'
Levi lifted the ethereal Lantern, conducting a thorough scan, feeling as though he was truly perceiving its essence for the very first time. He was already aware of its extraordinary nature as an ultimate ability, a token of gratitude from the Nine Senses Ancestral Tree. Yet, never in his wildest imaginings had he considered it might offer him the chance to liberate a Genie!
'The Unburdened Wardens...' Ash'Kral murmured. 'I have always perceived your Lantern as bearing a striking resemblance to those employed by the Unburdened Wardens for the safekeeping and guidance of souls toward their final resting place...'
Upon hearing this, Levi felt a shiver crawl up his spine as the profound realization dawned upon him. He took a deep, steadying breath and inquired, 'Ash... are you suggesting that my Lantern is, in fact, a perfect replica?'
'Indeed... all matters of a spiritual nature fall under the purview of the Spiritual Perception Laws,' Ash'Kral confirmed with solemnity. 'Who could possibly wield greater authority in this domain than the Nine Senses Ancestral Tree? If a connection exists, it can be replicated with absolute perfection... that is simply the nature of things.'
The Titan offered a supportive nod. As the supreme authority over Terraform Laws, the Ancestral Tree's dominion over its related laws and aspects was unequivocal. The same applied to all other Ancestral Trees.
'The Lantern of the Lost Keeper... the name itself, so obvious in retrospect. Ah.' Ash'Kral rubbed his brows in frustration. 'I simply hadn't anticipated the extent of the favor bestowed upon you. The Lantern and the Soulleech already represent an overwhelming advantage, but a perfect replica? I never received such special treatment.'
Ash'Kral deliberately kept the last sentiment to himself.
'I grasp the immense significance of this discovery, but... how precisely can the Lantern facilitate the freeing of the Omnithar?' Levi knitted his brows together. 'If even powerhouses of Tier 8 or 9 failed to breach the system's firewall and secure the Genie's release, how am I possibly expected to accomplish this?'
Levi understood that while the Lantern was undeniably an extraordinary creation, his own strength and the manner in which he wielded it were equally crucial.
In this context, he saw no viable path to freeing the Genie. Furthermore, even if, by some incredible chance, he succeeded, how could he possibly evade detection by the system? He was convinced that the moment he achieved success, formidable forces would immediately converge to apprehend him.
This wasn't mere conjecture; he had encountered accounts of such scenarios. The CRS Platform maintained an unyielding stance when its foundational pillars were threatened.
'I entertain a few theories, but I fear that is a question only the Omnithar itself can truly elucidate,' Ash'Kral replied, shaking his head.
While he possessed some supplementary knowledge concerning the lanterns of the Unburdened Wardens, he couldn't yet establish a definitive link to their present predicament.
Levi remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the Omnithar. He recognized that only by making a wish could he elicit a response from the entity.
However, he felt it was far too imprudent to expend such a valuable opportunity on an inquiry that might yield no practical benefit and, worse, plunge him into grave peril.
Certainly, the prospect of liberating an Omnithar and securing its eternal gratitude was a universal aspiration. Yet, a fine line existed between a carefully calculated risk and outright courting disaster.
'I understand your reservations, and I strongly advise against any hasty decisions,' Ash'Kral cautioned solemnly. 'Securing the allegiance of an Omnithar is a dream I scarcely dared to entertain before. Do you comprehend the profound implications of possessing a personal Genie capable of granting your wishes? Admittedly, the cost associated with each wish is subject to various checks and balances that might prompt second thoughts, but having that option readily available is always an invaluable asset.'
'I understand, I understand...'
Levi gnawed on his fingernail, his mind a tempest of conflict.
He knew Ash'Kral spoke the truth; he stood on the precipice of a divine opportunity, one he hadn't even conceived of. Yet, he had merely a week to make his decision... or at most, two Boundless weeks.
Since the Genie had not yet processed his initial wish, he retained the ability to summon it again within the allotted timeframe.
'The fact that the Omnithar has not yet processed your wish signifies that it is granting you the window of opportunity to amend it to a wish that can ensure its salvation,' Ash'Kral explained. 'Should you still choose not to embrace this risk, your original wish will proceed to fulfillment in due course.'
Levi redirected his attention to the Omnithar, absorbing its cosmic majesty and ethereal, indistinct form.
He sensed he stood before a creation that defied all comprehension. Yet, to witness such a mystical and potent entity bound in chains only intensified his apprehension regarding the forces behind the CRS Platform.
’Sigh... I cannot allow either avarice or timidity to cloud my judgment.’
Levi hardened his resolve, resolving to utilize these two weeks for dedicated research. His plan was to discover a method for communicating with the Omnithar without depleting a wish. If successful, he would entertain this audacious endeavor. If not, his original wish would stand, and the so-called "rescue mission" would be deferred.
’I shall see you in two weeks.’
With a final, decisive nod, Levi bade the Omnithar depart his chamber. Though the Genie remained as devoid of emotion as the abyss, it offered Levi a subtle inclination of its head before vanishing.
Levi interpreted this gesture as a form of salute for his courageous decision to offer it an opportunity; whether he ultimately proceeded or not, he had at least afforded it time—a consideration no one else would have granted in such circumstances.
***
Some time later...
Levi occupied the bed, a violin resting upon his knees. His finger tapped incessantly on the instrument’s lower bout, a profound sense of bewilderment washing over him.
Two full hours had already been dedicated to devising a means of establishing a communicative channel with the Genie. His most promising avenue lay in exploring the Melody Aspect, known for its profound capacity for emotional transference.
Given its partial success previously, Levi felt confident he could devise a novel approach to forge a bridge of frequencies that resonated with emotions—transforming those very emotions into a sophisticated form of code.
’The Omnithars are rigidly constrained by the platform’s statutes, destined for eternal confinement... yet, their emotions remain beyond such seals,’ Levi mused. ’If they possess feelings, it implies emotional wavelengths are being disseminated into the surrounding environment. My task is to formulate a code based on these emotions and impart it to the Genie... but...’
A wry smile touched Levi’s lips as he slumped backward onto the mattress.
’How in the blazes am I to compose a melody capable of deciphering this code while maintaining emotional neutrality?’
From his initial encounter with the OmniGenie’s shared emotions, Levi had come to grasp that his own mental fortitude was insufficient to withstand the sheer intensity of its emotional wavelengths.
It mirrored the predicament with his Origin Seeds; their emotions were natural to them, but when experienced by others, they were invariably twisted or even fatal due to their sheer power.
The sentiments of mortals could never equate to those of deities; their existence operated on fundamentally different planes.
While the Omnigenie might not have attained that divine status, Levi was certain he would not survive an onslaught of disparate emotions invading his mind, body, and soul over an extended duration.
’There must be a way to...’
Before Levi could complete his thought, a dimensional notification materialized before him, instantly chilling his expression.
Levi had designated the traitor’s communications with the highest priority, as he was the sole conduit to Bishop Va’ren. He had anticipated this D-mail’s arrival hours earlier.
’His arrogance, no doubt...’
Levi scoffed inwardly as he accessed the message, fully convinced that the Bishop would have instructed Wei-Lan to make contact immediately following the contest.
The instant he opened it, Levi was confronted with an extensive missive showering him with congratulations for his victory and expressing how proud he made the sender. It even included a jest about the fortunate absence of his son from the event, implying he would have been nothing more than a burden.
Levi did not find the remark amusing. He sneered as he continued reading, sensing that Wei-Lan had astutely recognized the wisdom in altering his demeanor, as antagonizing Levi now posed far too great a risk—especially given his current concealment within the Boundless Expanse.
After navigating the mire of insincere praise—for it was inconceivable that someone as self-important as Wei-Lan held genuine regard—Levi finally arrived at the crux of the matter: the scheduled date for the meeting with the Bishop.
"In two days... Immortal Sun Lotus Restaurant; Nocturn’s Heart City," Levi recited softly. "He likely presumes I’ll attend the meeting as a mere specter."
Levi surmised that Bishop Va’ren believed that, despite Levi’s presence in the Boundless Expanse, he was situated within a private enclave of the Void, not within a major urban center.
This implied that the only feasible method for their rendezvous was for Levi to participate in his consciousness form, akin to his initial entry into the realm.
Levi preferred to maintain this subtlety; there was no advantage in revealing his true capabilities. Nevertheless, he disagreed with the proposed date.
A moment later, he concluded the D-mail and dispatched a brief response.
