In the ethereal expanse where the Astral and Material Realms converge, there existed a Luminary of unparalleled grace – an astral entity shaped like a rhino, but one that bore the resplendence of sunfire. It roamed the celestial pathways, a guardian of its corner of the cosmos. Though nothing but a relatively medium sized star back in the Material Realm, the form of its astral consciousness wore a hide shimmering like a sun-drenched ocean; with eyes that held the depth of galaxies, it was the first to witness the anomaly. Deep in the Astral Realm, a stick of light, thin as a reed but radiant as a star, emerged, piercing the fabric of existence. This stick of light, unknown and unheralded, was a harbinger of chaos yet unseen.

The Luminary approached the phenomenon with a blend of curiosity and caution. Its massive form, usually so imposing, seemed to tread lightly, as if aware of the delicate balance it was about to disrupt. As it neared the stick of light, the air around it shimmered with an unnatural frequency, and a sense of foreboding washed over the astral guardian. Suddenly and without warning, the stick started vibrating, sending out waves that the Luminary discovered to be disrupting space - a split second later, the cosmos ruptured. From the fissures around the stick of light, a horde of outer beings, akin to a swarm of locusts, burst forth. These creatures, neither fully astral nor material, were like shadows given form – insatiable, relentless, and utterly destructive. They descended upon the Luminary in a frenzied storm, overwhelming it with their sheer number and ferocity. The Luminary, though mighty in its power, was nevertheless taken by surprise, with the relentless onslaught of the horde being unlike anything it had ever encountered before.

It fought valiantly, its astral horn goring through the shadowy masses and, occasionally, firing rays of searing light that pierced through the dark tide, leaving disintegrating ashes in their wake. All the while, Its sunfire hide torched those that came too close, protecting it in the process. But it was like trying to hold back a flood with a single hand. The outer beings were relentless, relying on quantity over quality as they tore away at the Luminary’s form, shredding its astral essence piece by piece. Very quickly, the battered, screaming and fragmented consciousness of the Luminary was dragged through the portals created by the stick of light, pulling it out of the universe it had sworn to protect.

From afar, other Luminaries watched in horror. They had sensed the disturbance, but none could have foreseen the ferocity and speed of the attack. These celestial guardians, each a master of their domain, now faced an enemy that defied their understanding. With urgency born of desperation, they united, forming a coalition unlike any before. Luminaries of all shapes and forms – Lyrissa, a leopard whose starry spots flickered with ancient wisdom; Cygnor, a celestial hawk with wings spanning the width of nebulae; and Serpegor, a serpent that slithered through the voids of space – came together. Their collective light, usually a beacon of hope and guidance, now shone as a warning signal.

They clashed with the invading hordes, their astral powers crashing against the dark tide. Through this maelstrom of light and shadow, each Luminary rose as a beacon of resistance against the encroaching darkness. Lyrissa, agile and fierce, leapt into the heart of the fray, using her claws, imbued with the essence of starlight, to slice through whole platoons of dark entities. [b]"We must hold them back!"[/b] she roared, her voice a rallying cry amidst the chaos. Cygnor, soaring above, dived through the swarms with a majestic grace; each beat of his cosmic wings harnessed the surrounding Lumen to send out ripples across the battlefield, disintegrating outer beings by the masses. [b]"They are endless,"[/b] he called out, his keen eyes surveying the onslaught. [b]"We need a strategy, or we shall be overwhelmed!"[/b]

Serpegor, weaving between the astral currents, struck with precision. His ethereal fangs sank into the very essence of the invaders, sapping their strength and life-force. [b]"Our might alone is not enough,"[/b] he hissed, his voice resonating with an ancient power. [b]"We mussst reach beyond ourssselvesss…”[/b]

As they fought, their emotions ebbed and flowed like the tides of the universe. Anger at the violation of their realms, fear for the fate of all they protected, and a deep-seated determination to stand against this strange and unknown foe. Yet, beneath it all, there was a growing sense of desperation – with each passing moment, the Luminaries found themselves pushed back, their efforts seeming more like a delay of the inevitable rather than a path to victory. The outer beings were not just numerous; they were unyielding, a tide of darkness that sought to engulf everything in its path.

Amidst the tumult of battle, a silent communion unfolded between the three Luminaries, their minds intertwining across the astral expanse. Lyrissa, her spirit a beacon of resilience even as her form battled tirelessly, reached out with a thought tinged with urgency. [b]"I agree, our valor alone cannot hold back this relentless tide. We must beseech Him. It is only through the creator's intervention that this assault may be quelled."[/b] Cygnor, gliding through the cosmic maelstrom, his essence dimming with each exertion, resonated with her sentiment in the shared mental space. [b]"Our entreaty must be both immediate and unequivocal. The very fabric of the cosmos is fraying, and without divine intervention, we edge ever closer to oblivion."[/b] Serpegor, his serpentine form weaving through the chaos, his scales less luminous yet still defiant, added his voice to their collective plea. [b]"Our call must resonate as one, a singular cry for deliverance. In His wisdom lies our sole refuge from this engulfing darkness."[/b]

United in their resolve, the three Luminaries focused their energies, sending a plea across the astral plane. Their message, borne of desperation and hope, traversed the cosmos, seeking the attention of the very deity whose hands had sculpted their home. As they awaited a response, the Luminaries steeled themselves, ready to defend their own realms to the last, against the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume all.

[i][b]"To Ull'yang, creator and custodian, we send our plea,"[/b][/i] they roared, their voices echoing through the cosmos. [b][i]"The fringes of our universe are torn, and we falter against this unknown foe. Grant us your wisdom, your strength, or we shall be no more."[/i][/b][hr]Somewhere in the Material Realm, there stood a castle atop a nondescript volcano. One particular spire, overlooking the mouth of said volcano, housed two individuals currently engaged in a strategic staring contest. Of relatively short stature and bipedal in nature, with spherical torsos made of rock, these beings sat on a table facing each other. On the table in-front of them, a grid-like stone board laid, with various pieces akin to mini sculptures placed in seemingly random positions on the grid. The two used their stubby fingers to move said pieces around with thoughtful precision and surprising dexterity. The game - should it be called one - they played involved the tactical movement of various uniquely powered pieces across the board, each move a silent battle of wits and foresight. The aim was to corner the primary piece of the opponent, rendering it unable to escape without being captured.

Amidst their game, the beings conversed in deep, philosophical tones. One argued fervently for autocratic rule, a singular, unchallenged authority to guide and decide. [b]"In the hands of one, decisions are swift and absolute,"[/b] it proclaimed, moving a piece forward with a clack. The other being, advocating for egalitarianism, countered with a serene voice, [b]"True strength lies in the many. A ruler must listen, and power must be shared for a kingdom to truly thrive."[/b] It advanced its piece, setting a subtle trap.

As the game progressed, the egalitarian being skillfully maneuvered its pieces, eventually declaring a decisive victory. It opened its mouth, perhaps to jest about its triumph, but suddenly its expression shifted. Its eyes glazed over, staring into a distance unseen, its body going rigid with a sense of profound realization. The autocratic being, initially irked by another loss, began a dismissive retort, but it stopped short, noticing its companion's distant gaze. It waved its arms frantically, trying to snap the winner out of the trance. [b]"What now? You've won, no need for dramatics,"[/b] it grumbled.

Abruptly returning to the moment, the winner stood, its demeanor solemn. [b]"My apologies, I must attend to something of great urgency,"[/b] it said, its voice carrying a weight that belied its small form. It walked away, leaving the room, and as the door closed behind it, the being vanished from the hallway, as if it had never been.

Meanwhile, in the Astral Realm, the scene was one of chaos and desperation. Suddenly, the being made of rock materialized amidst the turmoil. It stood still for a moment, an aura of contained power surrounding it. Then, with a burst of divine energy, the rocky exterior shattered, revealing the immense and awe-inspiring form of Ull'yang. Surveying the battlefield with a divine gaze, the deity quickly assessed the situation, recognizing three main important points: The erratic stick of light, ripping through reality; the, worrying, absence of the Luminaries that had collectively informed him of the events that were transpiring; and the sheer number of invaders that had managed to claw their way into his realm, challenging his, evidently unfounded, belief that the Astral Realm would be of lesser interest to a potential invading force.

Without hesitation, Ull'yang sprang into action. Raising a hand, he harnessed the power of Lumen from his surroundings and, enhanced by his own divine essence, created imprisoning bubbles around each portal and tear in reality. The invading armies, emerging from these portals, found themselves trapped, crashing against the unyielding barriers. Wasting no time, the deity then swiftly teleported next to the stick of light. Erratically as it had been moving, it was beyond the capacity and reach of a Luminary. Ull'yang, however, faced no such issues; the deity brought both his hands around it, clasping it firmly in between, his divine power conjuring ropes to bind the bizarre object. [b][i]“What do we have here…”[/i][/b] he mused, bringing the struggling stick of light closer in order to take a look.

An action that soon proved to have been quite the mistake, as a rip in space appeared right in front of the deity’s ethereal visage. Immediately a chilling sensation like no other suffused Ull’yang’s whole being, a feeling of utter dread and despair unlike anything he had ever felt. [i][b]“What… is… this?”[/b][/i] He thought, perplexed and somewhat caught by surprise at the sudden surge of emotions. In fact, he had been so absorbed, once again, that he’d failed to notice the subtle flecks of divine power breaking off from his form and being sucked straight into the portal. By the time he’d snapped out of it, numerous small black holes had been torn open across the length of both his arms. More akin to gaps than wounds, neither divine ichor flowed from the holes, nor flesh showed through.

Ull’yang quickly teleported backwards, away from the portal and, with a flash of his eyes, willed another bubble around the new addition. [b]“Ugh, things are moving quite quickly. Surprising that my power failed to stop a new one from popping up…”[/b] Despite its unknown and, seemingly, powerful origin, Ull'yang found himself wanting to experiment with the bound stick of light. However, he would not exactly be able to do so with it creating portals to who knows where without any warning. So, in the end - and much to his displeasure - decided to use brute force. [b]“Hmm… if you won’t cooperate willingly, maybe you will after a few… modifications.” [/b]

The deity clutched the bound object within his hands more tightly, eventually covering it completely. And then he went a step further and pushed with all his might, pushed until an audible crack was heard. His hands, akin to celestial grindstones, crushed the stick, its power merging with the divine essence in its bonds, taming it. 

Ull’yang put more bubbles around the stick itself, protecting his hands from any potential new portals, inadvertently causing the essence in those barrier bubbles to also leak into the crushed object. No further vibrating sensation coming from between his hands was the sign Ull’yang sought, and very soon after the cracking sound had reverberated outwards, he got what he wanted.

[b]“Oof, there we go,”[/b] the deity sighed. [b]“Half the work is done. Now to get rid of these peeping holes…”[/b] Ull’yang thought, turning his attention towards all the bubbled-up portals brimming with outer beasts. It was the first time his realm had invaders barging in, however he witnessed their destructiveness first-hand - and his creations had probably felt it too, even more intimately. [i][b]“How about you atone for your deeds, little spark?”[/b][/i] He mused at his - still clasped together - hands. 

Slowly, the deity made a small opening, right where his thumbs joined together, took a huge breath in - an action that sucked in an enormous amount of Lumen - and then blew right into the small opening, releasing all the Lumen he’d inhaled back out. In the moment between exiting Ull’yang’s mouth and entering the opening between his thumbs, the exhaled Lumen-divine essence mix immediately lit up the surrounding Astral Realm in white, hot radiance, akin to a solar flare given liquid form and jettisoned right out of a geothermal vent.

[b]“Whew, that was something alright. You better turn out as I hoped…”[/b]

Just as he thought that, he opened his hands and a small, rectangular object emerged from within, spinning around slowly but seemingly in a deliberate manner. Sometimes it spun faster, sometimes slower, and sometimes it reversed its rotation. 

Ull’yang watched it spin around for a few moments - almost as if it was trying to get the hang of moving in this manner, something which it very quickly succeeded in - and then followed it with his gaze as it whizzed towards the various bubbled up portals. Upon reaching one such portal, the object stopped and started spinning on its axis, a new type of spin. Ull’yang moved closer and waited for a few seconds, yet nothing happened, apart from the object spinning, of course. [b]“Hmm…”[/b]

With a wave of his hand, the Lumen within the bubble imploded, immediately crunching up every outer beast inside into gorey paste. Upon this happening, something clicked within the object; detecting the absence of nuisances, the object moved closer to the bubble, touched it and was immediately sucked into it. 

As if having finally found its purpose, the object moved in a straight line towards the rip in the fabric of the Astral Realm, coming to a stop right in front of it. The object had neither thoughts nor emotions, nothing but the singular purpose of mending. Fixing that which had been broken, patching up that which had been torn. Returning something, in this case the Astral boundary, back to its original form.

Eight small appendages emerged from the perimeter of the object, four from its corners and another four from the centers of its sides. Atop said appendages, and depending on which appendage it was, were located specific tools. For the ones sprouting from the corners of the object: a thin, fine needle - made from sheer divine essence given form - capable of omnidirectional movement as well as piercing through the astral barrier. 

As for the appendages emerging from the sides of the object: small pincers, equally capable of omnidirectional movement, and sporting a spout right in the middle. Said spout had the, much needed, ability to expel strands of light capable of withholding the fabric of the Astral Realm together - Ull’yang had turned that very same power, previously ripping holes in the Astral, into a tool through which said holes would be mended back together.

Moving methodically, he eradicated the outer beings trapped in the bubbles, then waited for the object to do its job, weaving reality back into place and closing the portals one by one. As he approached the final portal, however, the chilling sensation from before washed over him once again. There, on the other side, was a giant, bloodshot, golden eye, staring straight at Ull'yang, freezing him and the rectangle in place momentarily. 

A decidedly feminine voice whispered from beyond the portal, its tone laced with cryptic intent. [color=crimson][b]"Congratulations on solving your little problem,"[/b][/color] it cooed, the voice echoing in the vastness of the Astral Realm. [color=crimson][b]"And thank you for the gift of divine essence. It was... most nourishing."[/b][/color] 

Ull'yang, taken aback, focused intently on the eye. [b]"Who are you?"[/b] he demanded after a while, his voice resonating with the authority of a deity, yet laced with a hint of curiosity.

The voice chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the fabric of reality. [color=crimson][b]"We are many, and yet, we are one. You have managed to close these gateways, but do not fool yourself into complacency, starry one. There will be more incursions. You would do well to fortify your realm for the next time."[/b][/color] 

The eye then slowly closed, its golden hue dimming into the darkness, and the presence of the stranger faded away as the portal closed on its own, leaving no trace of the encounter, just an echoing silence in the Astral Realm.

Ull'yang floated there for a moment, contemplating the cryptic message and the fleeting presence of the outsider. He realized the gravity of the situation; the invasion was not just a random occurrence but a prelude to something far greater. He knew he needed to prepare, to strengthen his realm against future threats. The rectangle floated along with him as well. Now having lost its final target, it moved its little appendages around randomly in a futile attempt to close a portal that didn’t exist anymore. 

The deity could do nothing but chuckle at his little creation, before willing it to shut down, then storing it away. With the immediate danger averted and the portals sealed, Ull'yang's form began to fade, his task in the Astral Realm completed for now. As he disappeared, his thoughts lingered on the mysterious warning, the implications of which would require careful consideration.

[hider=Summary]In the Astral Realm, a Luminary, a guardian astral entity resembling a rhino with the brilliance of sunfire, encounters a mysterious and chaotic anomaly in the form of a stick of light. This anomaly unleashes a horde of shadowy outer beings that overwhelm the Luminary and other celestial guardians. In desperation, the Luminaries unite to form a coalition to combat the invaders. They send a plea to their creator, the deity Ull'yang, for assistance.

Change scene and we are in the Material Realm, where two beings engage in a strategic game of intellect and philosophy. One advocates for autocratic rule, while the other champions egalitarianism. After the egalitarian being wins the game, it abruptly leaves, revealing its divine nature as it disappears. This being later appears in the Astral Realm as Ull'yang, the deity.

Ull'yang takes action to address the threat in the Astral Realm, using his powers to mend the tears in the fabric of existence caused by the anomaly. He also confronts the stick of light, which he binds and attempts to control. However, the anomaly resists, and Ull'yang inadvertently lets it create more portals. He eventually manages to subdue the anomaly and begins using it to repair the damage, after first grinding it down and creating a tool out of it.

In the climax of the post, a giant, bloodshot, golden eye appears through the final portal, delivering a cryptic message and warning Ull'yang of future incursions. The presence behind the eye seems enigmatic and powerful, leaving Ull'yang to contemplate the ominous message.[/hider][hider=MP Summary]-1 MP to create barrier bubbles that imprisoned the invading hordes of outer beasts just as they left their portals. (1/8 MP towards Domain of Boundaries)
-1 MP to bind the stick of light in place using divine chains/rope. (1/8 MP towards Domain of Bondage)
-5 MP to crush, merge with divine essence and forge an Artifact from the remains of the stick.
-1 MP got succ succ by the lady behind the veil.

Final tally: -8 MP / Remaining MP: 5 MP

PS: I will write up a cs for the thing, I am just dead from lack of sleep rn can't...[/hider]