Bribes from Hell & Consequences.

Netlight Runner advanced fast in Buddhism recently, which caught attention.

Thelema Hell in which Caty's Court / Mind Bastion is located reacted - it's Lords offered to bribe Runner with Rubies just so they increase advantage over him.

Bribes, Gifts & Loans have that effect - one loses freedom or advantage until he or she repays, reprociates or wins other way.

Hell's Lords didn't want Runner to emancipate too much from their place. Runner knew that they won't let him go so easily, he made in past an inner vow to help also in Hells, not only Buddhism & Heavens ... and another vow to not annoy Thelema too much. He could consider benefitting from this situation as well.

After considering danger & inner vows with his friends, he agreed to take - 9 bribes of 108 000 Rubies - his friends didn't want him to get more than 1 000 000 Rubies in bribes.

A number of 9 has the meaning of 'Greater Power', which also increased danger.

He arranged for 'insurance', for backup by his friends in Sangha for a parts of his earning. He spent little over one sixth (20 000 Rubies) of each of bribes for 'insurances', then a little extra as well.

Insurers at first wanted to focus solely on him, but he was too smart - opposition can strike at a friend after all, to gain leverage over him. Insurance thus covered mostly him, but also his Friends, Sangha & Chantry.

Then a duel challenge reached his mind, by someone very dangerous at least.

After consulting wiser, he agreed on condition that it'll be non-lethal long duel, lasting up to five years. His martial arts experience taught him this duelling strategy afterall.

Opposition agreed, stakes was just satisfaction & honor of the winner, but not honor of losing side.

A fairly small stake, but Runner still decided to take it seriously, to aim for a win.

At least he did not retreat, and he saw possibility of learning much along the way.

Bribes commenced, he was attacked as well.

Caty Purple was delighted to see this 'progress'.

She ordered her Court for caution, such 'advancement' usually invites unwanted guests.

Perhaps there will be casaulties again.

Hell Dojo & Time.

Credits: Steel Soul Dojo by noahbradley.


Advancements.

It was a long time of Magickal & Mundane chores for everyone.

Runner kept himself busy, maitaining mind contact with whole Chantry & doing his Way.

Caty advanced her Hell many times, collecting precious Rubies - a rare currency from her bald boss - instead of getting a better throne.

'Without proper furniture it's not efficient' - she mentioned. Runner helped her with this, others occasionally as well.


Time Crystal.

Another discovery was given to Runner by Black Mala, she did acquire technocratic device that looked like crystal, an advanced laptop-interface to it & a strange cube that proven to be the security key to the device.

For about 500 rubies that Runner spent, Hell revealed nature of the artifact - it was the 'Time Crystal' that allows up to 21 people in a given small area to experience time as slower, moving faster than the others around them, training faster as well. The confirmed magnitude of the speed up was up to 108 times - but the artifact probably had more powers than what they were told, as well.

Insights that he got for the price allowed him to decrypt strange symbols used in the interface, as well as to understand upper layer of software - enough to edit configuration files in most basic way. Device had security measures - without the cube key, or without Magick it activated 'alert mode', paralyzing those accessing it, switching to increase speed of guards around crystal & doing nothing else.

Runner did edit configuration files few times, but paradox backslash did warn & slow him a few of times.


Demon.

In a service for Caty Purple & her Hell, Runner had to learn a bit of Demonology & Curse Magicks.

Someone called a Lesser Disease Demon with escort, and Runner with a Buddhist Wisdom & Protection, as well as with Mint's help quickly subjugated it.

Mint & Caty then defeated it as well. They were safe during their fights, for the Demon was already a servant - unable to do real harm.


Slaves, Training Courtyard & Mists.

First part of 'the furniture' was building a walled training courtyard around Caty's Court, filled with sand, with weapon & armour racks - both modern & ancient, enveloped by magickal mist to prevent spying.

Slaves acquired by Caty for Rubies had to go at least basic combat training there, while Runner made steps to liberate them. Agreement with Caty was that once they earn it - they will be either left free - probably to be captured by other Hell's forces - or allowed to join her court as free men, fighting for her, advancing in her ranks, getting paid.

The Training Yard looked like ancient open Dojo, inner structure was similar to Martial Arts Schools. Grandmaster had 5th Dan, senior students 2nd Kyu to 2nd Dan, everyone else was a minor student. Every of slaves had to spend at least 3 years there for most peaceful trades (4th Kyu), about 6 years for average soldiers (1st Dan), 8 or more for elites (2nd Dan and above).

Subjugated Demon was given shape of the most common & worst threat to the Court - a hell hound on chains. It was a privilege for the Court, arranged by Caty's boss for Rubies.

Training included solitary practices, duels & group fights - with or without hell hound demon involved.

Later the Time Crystal allowed to train slaves & free people faster.


Guests & Fights.

One month, Caty had guests - it was Hue, Drake Black & Runner.

During an arranged show, Drake fought a big, muscular & armed in 30-centimeters-long dagger man, a combat master of 1st Dan - having no weapon other than a short yawara stick in his right fist.

Result would be grim if not Kalachakra-Dodge Practice that Drake expressed under a fast dagger cut, then a quick serie of atemi-nerve-strikes on opponent's chakra points at chest above heart. Paralyzed, big man fell on knees, dagger dropped from his hands, foam left his mouth. Drake was spectacular with his fast-footwork win, audience applauded him for quite a while.

Hue did a photo as a souvenir, Runner clapped as well.


Safety Measures.

Hells are not a friendly place.

A group related with the Time-Entropy attacks of a past was intending to invade Caty's Court, but she kept them at bay.

Instead of harming, she had plans for them.

They negotiated to build a hideout, she let them to do so at one day's distance - placing proper magickal wards, arranging patrols to protect Court's safety against constant threat of betrayal.

They also made a wish to be able to pray to the God in the Caty's Hell as well, without legal repercussions.

'Perhaps it's possible if i arrange it - but only if it's not against me', Caty said.

Oh well, ever more negotiations with them every week, it seems.

There were more ideas along the time - Magickal Wards to detect & strike enemies approaching the Court, a crystal garden with a pond, mirrors & mist to scry & obscure, incense to summon demon soldiers as invaders close, the raven spies to guard the roads, as well.

It's hard to guess every bit of Caty's plans, it's all interconnected & complex - thankfully.