The Weystone Altar

Yanmu led Kairo, Genie and some pirates to the island's rocky shore.

The stench of seaweed, squawking birds, and uneven feel of rocks underfoot stirred Kairo's memories of Earth's beaches. He gulped when he saw a lot of green leaves moving with their own will.

The pirates forged a path uphill, hacking through 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 was a rolled up parchment scroll: placed it on the altar's central star symbol 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 drone. Kairo's eyes widened when his magic burst through him to make his aura swell with cosmic power.

"Alien, come here."

Kairo sighed as he stood next to Yanmu.

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

Genie fretted when Kairo drew blood from his hand. Blood drops splattered the rune meteorite seal keeping the scroll bound.

Electricity sparks jabbed Kairo's hand, foreign magic rushed through his body to pull him into his spiritual sea.

The familiar woman's voice rebounded to stir waves to his waters.

Weystone Jump Point: activated.

Cosmic Seed: enabled.

Rezenens 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. His aura was a burning supernova, as his consciousness traversed two galaxies until he saw the planet Earth.

Weystone Jump Point: Canis Minor activated.

Star Jump Port: Pending Star Crystal activation and cross-system checkpoint.

Cosmic energies and star systems continued to bombard his consciousness at an overwhelming rate, causing a shattering effect to his soul body.

"Kairo!"

Kairo felt Genie's spiritual consciousness and his cosmic power flow through him to stabilize the stream of star systems. A soothing warmth washed through his soul body to stop the shattering and heal the cracks.

The pain eased and Kairo opened his eyes to the physical world once stabilized. He felt Genie's hand lift off his back.

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.

"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 and activated 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 maniacal gloating.

The light poured out of the compass opening, and was absorbed by 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, seeing his aura vivid white and void of curse 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 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 new curse is from my brother. I feel his energy signature!" 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. 

"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. Instinctively, Kairo activated his stasis spell around him and Genie to momentarily protect them from oncoming impacts.

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, which 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.