The Weystone Altar

Yanmu led Kairo, Genie and some pirates to the rocky shore of the island. The stench of seaweed, squawking birds, and uneven feel of rocks underfoot brought back memories of Earth's beaches to Kairo. He gulped when he saw a lot of green ahead, some of the leaves were moving and not because of the breeze.

The pirates forged a path up a hill: cutting down plant monsters and laying powder to drive weaker ones away.

They climbed until they reached a circular clearing, which was a blue meteorite stone ring with a rune-clock altar in the middle.

Yanmu stood before the altar. He pulled out the Andes Power Scroll, which appeared like any other rolled up parchment scroll; placed it on the star symbol at the altar's center then activated the surrounding runes with magic.

The altar's stone shimmered: runes glowed and lifted off the stone. They moved in a precise motion, eventually forming a blue meteorite orrery of Lux and its star systems.

The circle activated with a steady vibration and a constant drone. Kairo's eyes widened with surprise when he felt his magic burst through him; looked at his hands and saw them glowing with his aura.

"Alien, come here."

Kairo sighed as he went to stand next to Yanmu.

"Drop some blood on the scroll. Keep your hand over it." Yanmu handed him a dagger to use for the blood-drop.

Genie didn't hide his concern when Kairo drew blood from his hand. It slowly fell and splattered the rune meteorite seal keeping the scroll together.

Electricity sparks jabbed Kairo's hand, foreign magic rushed through his body to pull him into his Spiritual Sea. The familiar woman's voice in his sea resounded around the space to stir waves to his waters.

Weystone Jump Point: Activated

Cosmic Seed: Enabled

Resonant Mage Level Increased by +1.

Cosmic Power Boost: +500 MP increase

Power and star systems rushed frantically into Kairo's mind making his head swell with splitting pain. He was locked into a position with his aura burning like a supernova. His consciousness was pulled through two galaxies until he saw the planet Earth.

Weystone Jump Point: Canis Minor activated

Star Jump Port: Pending Star Crystal activation

The flurry of cosmic energies and star systems continued to bombard his consciousness at an overwhelming rate; he felt his body slow shattering.

Kairo!

Kairo felt Genie's spiritual consciousness enter his Spiritual Sea. Another cosmic power rushed into him to stabilize the speed of the star system flow. A soothing warmth was gradually released to stop the shattering.

The pain eased and Kairo opened his eyes to the physical world once his power had stabilized. He felt Genie's hand on his back, feeding his magic into him to steady his flow. He looked at the scroll, which had transformed into an intricately designed fob watch of silver meteorite. Cosmic runes formed a star pattern across the surfaces.

Yanmu laughed joyously at seeing the Andes Power Scroll had become the Andes Star Compass before him.

Seeing that Kairo's body had stabilized, Genie removed his support.

"As agreed. One scroll unlocked." Genie soberly reminded the pirate leader.

Yanmu was stroking his prize with glee. "All in good time. First, we need to unlock the power within." He smiled wickedly as he and his pirates stepped out of the circle while activating the rune circle's restriction spell.

Genie sighed and Kairo growled with curses when magical chains shot out from the ground to bind their hands and legs to the ring. They struggled and used their magic, but the chains were made with a cosmic power stronger than theirs: it absorbed their attempts.

Yanmu let out another triumphant laugh as the Andes Star Compass hovered midair before him. He applied his magic to it, his eyes reflecting the silverish power that was being unlocked.

"Finally! I'll be free from the Demon King. Free from his Soul Bell bind! FREE!" His laughter transitioned to a maniacal gloating. 

 As the light poured out of the compass opening, it was absorbed into Yanmu's aura. The man's body glowed with a pure silver energy, drawing out smokey black chains that were severed and snapped before dissipating.

"My father also had a Soul Bells curse on him. Explains a lot," Genie whispered with a shiver.

Yanmu's smile was full of victory as his aura was a vivid and pure white power, void of impurities.

"The curse is lifted." Genie frowned.

Yanmu's expression changed to shock when energy from the Andes Power Compass turned to black and chains of a new curse rushed out to attack and bind him. He writhed and screamed with agony and anguish as he felt magic crawling under his skin to withdraw his lifespan and cause a nuclear reaction within him.

"Wait! That magic is from my brother. I feel it!" Genie gasped when he felt it resonated with his own.

The pirates looked confused then scared when they saw Yanmu was about to explode. They stumbled and fled when the ground quaked and fissures opened. Instinctively, Kairo activated his Stasis spell around him and Genie to protect them.

"Damn you Marsh Brothers." Yanmu pitifully cried out as he exploded.

The explosion negated the magic on Genie and Kairo, and the rune formation of the Weystone circle. 

But the hill was collapsing. Genie hastily activated a teleport array. They jumped through it and came out to the shore where the pirate ship waited a mile in deep waters.

Yanmu's explosion had created a fierce storm that stirred tidal waves to crash against the ship. Shriekers and gigantic octopus merman monsters rose to drag the pitifully screaming pirates and ship into the depths.

Genie cursed when he didn't have magic for another teleport. He led Kairo by the hand as they sprinted randomly into the island, and closer toward plant monsters that were riled by the sudden disruptions.