My Little Overlord: Harmony Desync

The void beckons, once again consuming Jonathan’s entire being, yet it allowed him to drift down into the abyss in peace. His eyes were open, staring up above at the glowing blue sparks glistening in the endless sea of darkness. It felt cool, a stark contrast from the humidity of the endless forest he had been forced to trudge through. He blinked once to organize himself, then leaned forward so he could slightly spin himself so he was standing upright..

His bare feet touched the cool void grounds with the familiar blue ripples expanding from his point of contact. ‘Here again…? What did he call it…the mindscape?’ Now that he was here for a second time Jonathan could really observe his surroundings. Many things were different than before, so many alterations were made.

The environment which had once been an endless flat expanse seemed to have an almost grassy texture between his toes. Upon further examination, tiny blades of black grass were visible through a thin, bright, glowing blue outline. If it weren’t for that then the grass would have likely blended in with the endlessness of the mindscape void.

Jonathan walked forward, mindlessly exploring this oddly peaceful place for all its empty glory. The further along he went, the more the mindscape gradually changed for the better. Purple trees with blue leaves, blue bushes, and even a few stationary bluebirds were frozen in the air mid flight. ‘Strange…it's all different now…’

“I know right? You would be surprised with the amount of creative freedom you have in this place HAH! Makes me wonder what you might do if you spent a little more time in this place, Mr Author~” Dezmond spoke suddenly and loudly, seemingly appearing from behind a tree next to Jonthan giving him the shock of his life.

“JESUS FUCK! Damn it Dezmond! Don’t fucking do that!” Jonathan clutched his chest, breathing while trying to slow down his rapidly beating heart. After adjusting himself slightly he turned to face his other half, his aqua blue eyes burning into the vast violet sea of Dezmond’s amused gaze. The man stood at eye level wearing a pair of casual khaki shorts, and a floral amethyst shirt that complimented his snowy white hair.

“Ugh…I’m guessing when you say creative freedom over this place you mean the ability to change the environment? Everything seems a little off though, and from what I could tell it's limited only to three colors, black, purple, and blue…” He crouched down and plucked some of the mindscape grass. Rolling it in his palm Jonathan watched as the blades gradually broke down, turning themselves into glittering blue particles that floated into the air like fire flies.

“Yep, that's not even the coolest part, don’t get mad but I’ve been sifting through some of your memories. I found your old moments taking a trip to 6 flags, really cool stuff y'know?. Currently my latest project is raising an ENTIRE themepark to fuck around in, though its rather difficult programing attendants and stuff.” Jonathan watched with a raised brow as Dezmond waved his hand around, conjuring a stick of purple cotton candy.

“This lawless realm has few rules, however implementing or creating other sentient life seems a lot more…tricky, hence why those birds are rather awkwardly designed.” Dezmond lightly plucked one of the stiff and frozen birds, squeezing it in his palm until it shattered into purple particles. He did this all while munching his fluffy, cotton, park treat, he finished it all before tossing the stick into a bush.

“The hell…? Wait, you can look through my memories…?” Jonathan’s brow furrowed, raising one sky high with a nervous look. Dezmond smirked, shrugging his shoulders slightly while flashing a playful wink.

“Indeed, I can also observe your progress while you're awake through the actively generating memories, it's more or less like a livestream. Gotta admit that courage booster really did wonders eh? You took those wooden mutts down like kicking down a house of cards. Though I do believe there is one thing that you can do to improve…” Dezmond leaned up against one of the trees.

“Oh…? What might that be, oh wise master?” Jonathan asked with a sarcastic snort. He rolled his eyes with both arms folded across his broad chest in a huffy manner. The memories of his triumph over the birchhounds were satisfying to say the least. It further boosted his confidence more than he ever thought possible. The fight was exhilarating, even though he got sloppy towards the end with the alpha’s sudden projectile barriage.

“Variety, you weild my power yet you're thinking too small…you were on the right track when you created that implosion weapon skill, but what you need is more skills at your disposal. In order to do that you’ll need more mana, and for that…well…I might have just the thing.” He snapped his fingers, causing the environment around them to warp. The trees crumbled and grass retracted into the ground. The scratchy blades of black nature became hard and solid, like that of wood.

Walls emerged from all sides, a ceiling, windows, and familiar sights flooded Jonathan’s senses on all angles, memories of the past given tangibility. This place, in all its warped, nostalgic, and heart pumping glory. ‘This is…my old kyudo dojo…?’ The place was almost exactly as he remembered it, down to the last chink in the wooden support colums where he had incidentally misfired an arrow. His Hanshi was so mad at him that he forced him to stand with books on either hand as punishment.

“This…” The cold chill ran down Jonathan’s spine, plunging his lingering mind back to the old days of when he used to live outside of the states. Back before his life as an author he was nothing more than the bastard child of a rich American man and a middle class housewife from Japan. Life was hard, and living it was even harder, even with all the money coming in.

Even with the highest form of education available through boarding schools…it never brought him or his mother true happiness. Jonathan was nothing more than the bastard child of a rich foreigner…and no matter what, he would always be considered an outsider. His one joy during those hard times was the time and friends he made during those kyudo classes.

“I do hope that you find everything accurate to the memories, sadly I can’t accurately replicate the colors. I was able to at least somewhat replicate everything down to the general appearances…” Dezmond said rather confidently while flashing a cocky smirk while Jonathan moved his way over to the equipment closet, sliding the door open to reveal its contents.

The equipment used in kyudo includes a 2.21-meter ( 7.2 feet) bow, arrows, bowstrings and a glove fixed to the handle of the bow called a yugake. The bow combines wood and bamboo, while the arrow is mostly made of bamboo. From among the bows he removed one in particular, his master’s bow. It towered high, feeling heavy within his grasp. The onyx black bamboo wood bow was perfect, balanced to perfection just as his master showed him how a bow should really feel. “You even got his bow right…” The human man whispered.

“To find power within, you must dig deep, using all the memories you have available to take advantage of. Any skill, no matter how big or small, no matter how old, trivial, or buried in the past it might be will come in handy for your training. I must say, I was rather surprised when I found out that you are a Kyudan, a 9th Dan, one level beneath total mastery..” He chuckled, rubbing his chin.

It was a strange thing, rather ironic for both sides…Dezmond, a master of close combat engagements, getting wrist deep inside his opponent. Then there is Jonathan, nearly a master of the ancient arts of Kyudo archery in all its olden glory. “It's nothing that special…my uh…mother, she had high expectations for me, so she more or less pushed me into the sport. It's been about maybe 4 years since I last touched a bow, at least before all of this world jumping nonsense.” The man muttered, lightly hugging the bow close to his chest.

“Regardless of how long it's been, you are one rank beneath being a master of the arts…making you very capable if you were to wield such a weapon. This will be the template for your training in the arcane arts…” Dezmond folded his arms, motioning to the archery range. Rather than targets stood the stationary forms of what looked to be living monsters pulled from Jonathan’s memory. The manticore, the birchhound Alpha, and a cluster of parasprites floating in a controlled swarm.

“You mean to tell me I can practice magic and exercise my mana through archery…?” Jonathan mumbled, staring down at his master’s bow, tilting it from side to side, examining it top to bottom. Even the string was perfectly tightened, roped by the hands of a TRUE master of the kyudo arts. He could practically feel the firm hand of his master placed upon his shoulder, squeezing him with guiding authority.

“Indeed, position yourself at the range…lets start with the bigger target, polish off that rust yea? Don’t worry about time by the way, it flows differently in this world, hell…if you wanted to, you could make a day here only an hour outside the mindscape. Seeing as you're planning on going to that mysterious resource cave those bandits have been hauling ass to loot.” Dezmond snapped his fingers, now wearing an instructor’s kyudo uniform, as was Jonathan who now wore a student’s uniform.

Jonathan nodded, gathering the glove, quiver, and bow before making his way to the range only for Dezmond to click his tongue in disapproval. “Ah ah ah…you won’t be needing those arrows. We will be training your magic, not just your fancy bow job kid…” He snorted, his lips curled into a cheeky grin. Jonathan bore a confused look, questioning the method but discarded the arrow quiver off to the side.

When he finally took his stance at the firing range he awaited further instructions from his magic instructor. Dezmond nodded his head before motioning to the large birchhound alpha. “Kyudo involves meditation, up until the release of the arrow. Originally used for hunting, war, and contests, but now Kyudo will be used for strengthening your mana.” Dezmond approached, placing a hand gently on Jonathan’s shoulder and another on the hand gripping the bow.

“The meditation part will be the key factor in allowing you to cultivate the pool of magic swelling within your core. You command my body, but its core is weak, unable to withstand the full power that I once wielded…therefore it was locked away. The method you will be using is going to dilate, expand, and refine the arcane circuits within your body, funneling it all into your bow as you draw its string.” Dezmond hummed.

“I don’t get it…? How will using a bow do that…? Shouldn’t I be sitting down and meditating like a monk or something?” Jonathan asked softly, looking down the range at his stationary target.

“While it is true that this method can work, this way will be much faster right now. Think of meditation cultivation as doing situps and pushups, while THIS will more or less be like weight lifting. Right now we will be trying to draw out the first sparks of your arcane power, to break the dam so to speak…let's call it…Kyudo Cultivation.” He winked while backing off.

“Hmn ok…” This was all so new to Jonathan, magical circuits, channeling, mediation, it was one thing to geek out while writing about the stuff, but it was a whole other ball park to actually be partaking in it. His grip tightened around the cloth grip of his master’s bow to the point his knuckles turned white.

“First, you must close your eyes…empty your head of all thoughts, let everything fade into nothingness. In the darkness you must concentrate, search for a flickering spark, and follow that spark. Imagine it growing into a small flame, small, weak, and easy to be snuffed.” Dezmond commanded while wagging a finger.

Jonathan like so many times during his kyudo classes eased his mind, closing his eyes to concentrate on the man’s words. He cleared his head of all invading thoughts, all worries, doubts, and queries. He let it all fade from static to a calming silence that eased him. His eyes darted beneath closed eyelids, searching the darkness within his thoughts until he saw it, a spark, it was only a tiny prick, but it was there. He reached out to it causing his fingers to twitch as his gloved fingers gently grasped the bowstring.

“You must let the mana sparks grow through deep breaths, let each inhale increase the size of its flame, and every exhale shrink it. Keep growing it until you feel as if your body is on fire, burning you from within. That is you stretching and opening your channels to the magic circuits within your spirit body.” Dezmond grunted, relaying the next steps to his student of the hour.

“Magic is all about visualization, I want you to picture your bow as an empty glass…I want you to fill that glass up with your spark, your mana, all as you draw back the string. Feel the mana pour from your fingers, imbuing your bow string with all the power you can muster. While inhaling, draw back that power, let your mana manifest into that of an arrow, balanced upon the string and between your fingers.” The teacher hummed in delight, watching his student struggle to comprehend.

However much to the overlord’s surprise his pupil was making good progress, grunting and straining as he followed each step. Sweat trickled down the young man’s brow, with his breathing growing deep. Hestruggled to maintain a steady flame which caused blue sparks to crackle and pop all over his body.

With a very deep and slow inhale he gradually pulled the string back, feeling every muscle in his body screaming. It wasn’t the pain he was used to not in the slightest bit. He had drawn the bowstrings many times, but this was different, like he was pulling muscles in places he didn’t realize he had them. He wasn’t using his physical strength to draw the bow any more, he was using his will and spirit.

Blue arcs of power trickled down from his shoulder, coiling around Jonathan’s bicep before creeping down his forearm to meet his hand. The positioning of his fingers allowed the arrow to form. The arcane power swelling from within him was growing, circulating in the air into an elongating vortex. It continued stretching, growing, molding itself into the crude shape of an arrow. It was sloppy, but it was there, an arrow made from the crackling powers of Jonathan’s mana.

“Yes, YES! Very good, many people couldn’t possibly reach this stage without months or even years of practice. Being able to physically manifest your cultivated mana at this stage is a momentous feat. Now release that energy, open your eyes and let your power smite your target!” Dezmond commanded with a stupid grin spread from ear to ear.

Jonathan opened both eyes and with his legs in the proper stance he released the crackling arrow. It soared through the air like a bolt of blue lightning towards the alpha target. The arrow embedded into the beast core with a loud THUNK, the energy expanded into a volatile reaction. This caused the point of impact to explode into a shower of vibrant sparks, completely obliterating the entire wolf target. Its smoking black legs were all that remained, comically plopping on their sides like a table with its top removed.

“This is the power of mana...and we haven’t even begun to touch upon the fundamentals of the arcane elements. Though we won’t be touching on that subject for a bit until you master the ability of manifestation.” Dezmond suddenly sprouted a wry and almost demonic grin, sending a new wave of terror down poor Jonathan’s spine. He didn’t like that look, it reminded him too much of his old master’s face when he would end up punishing him with extra training.

“That means more drawing that bowstring kiddo! I think about 3 hours or in your case 3 WEEKS will be enough!~”

Even with all this courage bestowed upon him by the overlord, Jonathan still felt his stomach sink like a rock. His skin was pale, clammy, not even from the aches, pains, and warmth from exerting himself. It felt so familiar, but nevertheless it was a welcomed feeling at the same time. ‘You are your own worst enemy after all…’

The training was harsh, grueling, and unforgiving, just like how he had felt oh so long ago when he initially started the art of kyudo. Now he was performing a brand new form of the archery style, never once using a single arrow to strike his targets. Each time he would pull back the string he would feel as if life were being sucked from his body. Each day felt more and more difficult to go on, sometimes with his muscles aching to the point that he couldn’t move.

In this world the exertion of his body would be transferred outside, with his mana constantly being drained then automatically filled up again. Seeing as it's only being discharged in his mind, the energy released is simply returned throughout his entire form without the risk of suffering mana drain.

On the 3rd mental week within this place Jonathan drew back his bow, his breathing steady, body flowing with power as it exuded from his fingers, and snuggly around the bow string. The crackling blue light amassed, swirling around his entire body like water during its path along the bow string. Space distorted, and power circulated into a solidified arrow. The energized manifestation of his power was given a solid foundation to build on, unlike when he first began it was shapeless, unstable, and unrefined.

Releasing the arrow sent it piercing the heart of the alpha training dummy, then skillfully through the wall without explosions. He drew another mana arrow with faster succession than the first, piercing the heart of the manticore target second. Lastly he would take aim at the stationary swarm of parasprites.

They were small as floating baseballs, but he could hit them, he KNEW he could. With one final draw of his bow he released the glimmering blue arrow, watching as it split into a hail of energized projectiles similar to the splinter shot of the Alpha. Each arrow landed, hitting their mark with deadly accuracy causing both the arrow and the target to explode in a puff of white smoke.

“Good work Jona boy, remember that spells function on the same principle as what I’ve taught you during your time here. Focus on the spark within yourself, give it shape, give it a form that you can project outward into the physical world.” Dezmond spoke with a look of absolute calm, sitting crossed legged with what looked to be a blueberry slushy in his hands much to Jonathan’s bemusement.

“Yea yea…ugh…I definitely feel a bit different, hopefully we can continue this later…sorry to break it to you chief but I don’t plan on doing this shit every time I close my eyes out there.” Jonathan growled bitterly, huffing and puffing while taking a long swig of the water bottle he set off to the side. After squirting some all over his face he approached Dezmond who by this point had finished his drink with a visible struggle from brain freeze.

“Okay, okay, easy…next time how about we hang out? No training, no stress, just you, me, and a trip to 6 flags?” Dezmond winked, flashing the irate human the finger guns. Jonathan paused, letting the words really sink into his mind for a moment as if an anvil had been dropped on his skull…then his face slowly turned red.

“You mean to tell me…I’ve been busting my ass here, struggling, burning, and straining myself through this torture while YOU have been spending your time building a fucking amusement park?” Jonathan smiled a sickly sweet smile, grabbing a real arrow from the quiver. Dezmond spat out a mouthful of slush defensively holding his hands up with an apologetic smile.

“Okayhavefunouttherebye!”

Dezmond snapped his fingers and before Jonathan could knock an arrow a purple portal opened beneath his feet, sending the man dropping like a stone in a lake. The world faded to white, with the man screaming to the overlord from beyond.

“YOUR A DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!”

With Jonathan out of the mindscape Dezmond was able to turn and face down the smoldering wreckage of the birchwolf alpha. His playful and coy smile melted to one of emptiness and contempt. His voice came out cold, malice lacing every word, he had felt the tugging of old memories beckoning what came from his mouth.

"My Harbinger...what has this world done to you...what have you become after all this time? I only pray that this young soul can save you before it is too late. May the curse that these wicked ponies placed upon you be broken, so I may see your face In the glow of the setting sun....Just as I promised you"