Luke passed the black arch gate that kept the Defier’s branch within the guild. He’d taken off the mask right after. His form returned to normal, which, without his equipment on, looked similar to a farm boy with a sword hanging from a belt. As well as a conspicuous compass, of course.
Along the way to the back of the lobby, Annika questioned and podded him incessantly, and he became exasperated. His image of Defiers built up from Iona and Musai, shattered to pieces.
“Stop touching me. How many times do I have to tell you?” He said.
It’d been quite a while since Luke met someone with a complete absence of understanding the meaning of personal space.
Annika lifted her head from Luke’s shoulder, puffing out her cheeks, “What’s one little skin sample? Or blood from that heart of yours?” She whispered to his ear softly, “I’ll give you a special treat…”
“I’m only going to be around you if your weapon can help Xera. Stay away from me. My body is not for sale.”
“Cedric dear, you’re going to have your work cut out for you. After Lukey here enjoys his morning sessions with Musai, we’ll have to pamper him and his weapon together, okay?”
The spear-staff rustled on her back, “As you wish, Madam Annika. Ms. Xera, it shall be a pleasure to elucidate you the idiosyncrasies instilled within our two-form species. I look forward to speaking with you further in the future.”
“What does that mean? Master, this guy is confusing me.” Xera said.
“Think he’s going to help you, Xera, as for how exactly, I’ve not the slightest idea.” Pushing Annika off from his back when she tried to piggyback him, Luke continued, “As you can see, she’ll be around. And with her comes the talking spear.”
“Master Luke, if I may, you can refer to me as Cedric or spear-staff; either term is completely acceptable.”
“Right, sorry, Cedric.” Luke scratched his shoulder with a thumb.
“Not at all, sir. It was my lack of communication.” Cedric assured.
Xera trembled at the idea for reasons beyond Luke’s understanding. He tried to pat the sword wand reassuringly. Wayfinder remained silent. The compass rarely spoke now with others around unless circumstances demanded otherwise.
Iona grasped Annika by her wrist, dragging her away from Luke. Annika said, “Iona, where are you taking me? Bring my new toy with us! How can we leave him all alone like a scared puppy? It is too cruel!”
The Beastmaster turned around and flicked Annika in the forehead. “I know you can’t help who you are, Annika, but give the man space. He’s received unfavorable news. Have respect. You’ll have your chance again tomorrow.”
Luke heard Annika loudly complain as Iona dragged her down to the spiral stairs to his left. Timber, as usual, stayed in the entry room. When Luke sat at a series of tables and chairs in the back, a monic man servant approached him.
“Is there anything you require, Defier Luke?”
“Give me a second to think.”
“Of course, take your time, sir. I shall be at your call.” The servant stepped back one pace and kept his hands to his sides.
Is Lulu still keeping Sooty busy? Iona really must’ve meant it when she said the entire day. Beginning to feel uneasy we’ve been apart this long.
Luke felt the connection between the two with Reaver’s Link. Sooty currently felt upset and dissatisfied but not in any danger. His earlier outbursts probably worried her.
He felt a twinge of guilt at that thought. An idea came to him.
“Is there a library around here?” He said to the monic attendant.
“On the second highest floor up the passageway, a respectable library is on the other half of the enchanters’ platform, Defier Luke.”
All this interference from Iona and taking in the profession book is giving me brain fog, but I can’t bring myself to sit still—not after what I learned.
“Could you take me there?” Luke asked.
“Right this way, sir.” The monic man flattened his red and black suit and dusted his white gloves. He confidently rode toward the stairwell.
Luke rocked himself out the chair, stretched, and went after the servant. The two ascended the steps up the spiral. Red gemstones lined the brink inner layer of the tower. They ascended past one platform and stopped at the rest.
The monic man stepped to the side of the entryway. He gestured with both hands, “In here is both the enchanting quarter and the library, separated by an inner wall. Shall I guide you inside?”
“Is it overly complex to figure out?” Luke said.
“The layout is relatively intuitive.”
“I’ll see myself in, alone. Thank you for your help.” Luke offered a hand, which the monic man shook with surprise.
“Defier Luke, this is only the most basic requirement for service to those like yourself who protect us. Think nothing of it.” The monic man left, Luke watched him descend the spiral stairs. Once he was out of sight, Luke stepped onto the floor.
“Any thoughts lately, Wayfinder? I know you’re more restrained by the circumstances than Xera. Although, Xera, you’ve been holding yourself back a lot,” Luke said, slowly surveying the room.
He noted this part must be the area sectionalized for enchanting. He saw mystical lights float and wander the floors. Two humanoid golems with no faces walked mechanically through the area. Red cloth flooring trimmed with yellow became the walkways. Black stone covered the rest of the floor, similar to marble.
“I’ll keep me shiny clasp shut for now, lad. You process things as you will. The lassie is likely wanting to give you time to yourself. Never had a da, unless you count me maker, you must be keepin’ back an angry tsunami, even now.”
Xera spoke from her sheath, “You can come talk to us about it whenever you want, master! I’m sorry for my prank earlier today…I…I didn’t know.”
Luke sadly smiled, “I didn’t know either, Xera. Your mischief had nothing to do with that; your fine. We’ll talk more on it later. For now, I wonder if there’s some books on the three organizations.”
Xera happily swung slightly at Luke’s assurance. Wayfinder rested calmly from his chain once more.
The Reaver further analyzed the details of the room, brands, runes, and weaving mana came to life on the metallic walls. What looked like a repository of materials was stored on several shelves that were several feet high. In the corner, an elf man hunched over a mystical forge with a white orb pulsing down its middle. Wax candles burned on its top, the elf used a thin tool to inscribe a symbol onto a cloth robe.
Judging by his appearance, Luke was confident this elf wasn’t a servant. He came over to introduce himself quickly: “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Defier Luke.”
The elf kept his concentration on the robe he worked on, “I apologize Defier Luke, but this piece requires my utmost concentration. I am Eldacar. Should you come here more often, I hope I’ll be in a position to better greet you.”
Observing the man’s outer appearance, Luke noted sweat steadily came down his temples. He appeared to be repeating a weaving or waving pattern over the robe. Eldacar’s eyes retraced every action he took on the robe. The Reaver realized he’d gone and introduced himself at an incredibly inopportune time.
Luke nodded, “I’ll leave you to it then, Eldacar. Good luck with whatever it is you are doing.”
Eldacar neglected to give a response, absorbed in his work. After Luke spotted a blue crystal door, he went over to open it. As he thought, the library was in here. A tora woman maid kept the books in order and cleaned the place with a broom and a glass spray bottle. Luke saw the bottle and felt a sense of recognition.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
He snapped his fingers, “That’s the same type of bottle the tailor sold me earlier. Is magic bleach fine to on use bookshelves? Or is it a different liquid in there? Ah, never mind, that’s not important.”
After reading the signs around the library, the place seemed organized well enough. In the back corner to his right, an Interface platform stood by its lonesome. The floor held the same design as the enchanters’ half. Light, however, came from crystals embedded within the bookcases throughout the quiet room.
Skimming over the dozen bookshelves, the collection was on the smaller side but large enough to justify using the catalog function of the platform. Luke came to the platform and a screen linked to his vision. Using visual command, he began to search through the cataloged books. He noticed a small section was grayed out, likely in use by another Defier.
Luke considered three names: Red Gorrids, Golden Lions, and The Velvet Hand. In the search function came one book aptly titled Sylen’s Decay.
A superimposed vision overlaid the bookshelves after he left the Interface linked platform. A blue-white undulating glow came from one book on the bottom of the closest bookshelf.
Touching the book, the effect vanished, and Luke’s vision returned to normal. A similar situation occurred on his visit to the Lorcan Pyrite Library. Which, if its name was any indication, was a place he’d no longer be welcomed. Pushing the bias aside, Luke retrieved the book.
He came to a clean wooden table with lightly padded chairs. Sitting down, he opened the book. Skimming over, he stopped on a summary of each group.
Red Gorrids: The oldest criminal group native to Sylen. Consists of a Red Overlord and Five Barons. Multiple tier 3 associates, and famed for their underground arena, black market, and assassination services. Rumored to be strongly supported by a particular noble family in Sylen.
Gliding a finger down his face, Luke said, “Hate to admit it, but Iona is right. If these guys are responsible for my dad’s disappearance, then to take them down, I need to reach higher and more desperately for strength.”
With this information backing Iona’s claim, Luke became more convinced of her intentions. Next, he read over another organization.
Golden Lions: Formed with a strong sense of making a ‘space’ in the underworld for toras, the organization has a minority of human individuals. Also locally operated in Sylen. Often stirs trouble in dungeons or the silver-black tower. Favors less direct tactics outside of dire circumstances. Marks targets for robbery, owns an extensive drug operation, and extorts for protection. Backed by most non-human nobility. Their confirmed leadership is a Pride Lord, served by four High Lions.
Whispering, Luke said, “Can’t be sure, but it could be these bastards who caused the Chimera round up. Makes trouble in the dungeon and prefers a hands off approach. Then again, the assassin also came to the dungeon, so who knows?”
Luke laid eyes on the last summary, breathing in slowly to calm his nerves—not of nervousness, but rather anger. Lately, he’d been flaring up. The constant setbacks grated on his mood.
The Velvet Hand: The most mysterious of the three major underworld organizations in Sylen. Known to carry out assassinations occasionally. They often occupy themselves with the unsavory trade of highly illegal companion theft, human trafficking, and smuggling in and out of the city. They are thought to have a presence in Sylen’s red-light district. Unlike the previous two entries, they are a national group. Their top leadership and ultimate backers are unknown.
“There were two guys in velvet chasing after me that night. And now that I think about it, one of the four making a barrier wore similar clothing. Were they in some kind of deal? They never touched me in the Beast Divide. Unless they did a damn good job covering up their tracks, guess I’ll have to remain suspicious of all three.”
Satisfied, Luke closed the book and returned it to its former holding place. He waved goodbye to the maid and steadily left the entire floor. He came down the steps, returning to the entry floor where the kitchens, reception desk, and quarters for Defiers and servants were.
Brain fog continued to worsen, likely exacerbated by the multiple spikes in stress today. He stumbled past the servant quarters, which were situated next to the Defier’s rooms he stayed at. Luke opened the door to the dorm hall. He trudged onto a door; on it hung the number 103. A placard with his name and title had been placed there while he was gone.
Opening the door, Luke plopped onto the black sheet bed. Feeling the comfortable fabric and smelling the softener, he could taste the dry air. At least it was fresh, as the window to the side of the bed was open from before.
“Probably should’ve closed that. How far up is it anyway?”
He plodded to the window and peeked outside. It was a solid fifteen-foot drop from where he was. Various dark-shaded plants grew in the small garden, clinging near the black metal walls.
“Never mind, someone strong enough to make that jump won’t be stopped by these windows unless they’ve got magic weaved in. I prefer the clean air anyway.”
Luke pulled himself back in and took off most of his clothing. He washed up quickly, and for once, he took off Wayfinder and set Xera beside him. The two started a conversation between themselves, and Luke tuned it out as they rarely addressed him.
A ‘heated’ sense started to pulse from the Interface. Surprised, Luke began to search for the source; the Inventory tab was highlighted in yellow. He tapped on it, and the sigil stone stored there flashed white.
He dropped it from the Inventory onto the bed he sat on, it plopped and sank into the soft material. Blue waves repeatedly lit up on it. Luke tapped on the sigil, and a voice sprang forth.
“Picked up finally, Luke Wallace? Too busy now that you’re a big shot?”
Luke scoffed, “Hard to call myself that when one of your arrows could do me in, Veyri. Strange, I don’t see any signs I’ve been called before. This isn’t the first time you sent a message to the sigil or whatever it does?”
“It hasn’t, Luke Wallace. Your elf girlfriend confronted me about joining my team, saying it’s ‘not time for you.’ You’re a grown man, so what is your decision? Will you join my tower team? If you’re worried, it’s going to be my personal pipeline and squad. Until you’ve reached the second tier, we will pause any plans on going to the tower.”
Elf girlfriend? Who in the world is she talking about? Don't have a girlfriend, let alone an elf one.
Listening to the ache in the back of his head, Luke sucked his teeth, “I’m going to bed. Got assigned a profession today. And I’m in no good mood, either. Let’s set up a time to talk tomorrow. Does the early evening work?”
“This isn’t some sort of delay tactic, is it, Luke Wallace?”
“Up to you to decide; I’m hanging up.” Luke tapped the sigil, but the damn thing remained connected. He remembered what he did last time, “If I can figure out how to do that…let me see here,”
Before Luke could cut off the essence drain powering the sigil, Veyri said, “Good to see you’ve retained some of that manhood, standing your ground. I’ll be at the hunter’s branch in the early evening.”
Taking control of his essence, the connection to the sigil stone was cut. Luke tossed the item in his hand for a moment before thinking of something. He powered essence into it and saw various lines written within a purple dot next to each one. Luke pressed one of the dots, and a message played in Lilly’s voice, the priest girl from Cassandra’s party, “Hey Luke, I know I said I would only send messages, but I’d love and appreciate a reply. You don’t even have to bring Sooty. Let’s hang out, please. I owe you after saving me.”
“What’s she referring to?” Luke wondered aloud. He pressed through other messages, all from Veyri or Lilly. Veyri’s were recruitment efforts, and Lilly’s at first were asking to come visit him and Sooty. Later, messages by Lilly changed in tone, saying she wanted to meet again as thanks for saving her life in the Beast Divide; no Sooty required.
Does she think I’m offended or something? What does she actually want from me? Wasn’t she fawning over Sooty?
Deciding to push away the questions with action, Luke put essence into the sigil stone at first beside wave runes appearing with stored lines scrolling; nothing happened. After fiddling it for a bit, he said, “Connect me to Lilly, damn it.”
The intent spread to the sigil, and an Interface prompt flashed in silver.
[Use sigil connection to Lilly Bethlar? Y/N]
“That’s how it works? At least I’ve got this thing mostly figured out now.” Luke put his finger to the yes portion, and after a short static, a young, womanly voice pierced through, “Luke is this you? I don’t recognize this sigil sign. Why is it a hooded man with blue eyes and a bird?”
“Couldn’t tell you, what do you mean by sigil sign? I don’t…oh wait.” Luke tore the sigil away from his mouth and observed it. On it, while they were speaking, was an image of a priest girl drawn very close to Lilly’s appearance.
“Did you get the sigil message I left for you? I’m sorry if it looked like I was only interested in Sooty. After some time, I realized you saved my life. Could we meet again?”
Luke became confused, “I saved your life? When?”
Lilly laughed softly, “You forgot already? When you stood in front of me and used that manly arm of yours to block that Chimera while slashing another one with your sword. I couldn’t get up at that time. Without your help, that would’ve killed me.”
Luke rummaged through his memories. I was on battle autopilot at that point. But she’s right. The area behind her had no one. If I hadn’t stepped in at that time, those chimera would’ve torn her apart.
“I remember now. You don’t have to thank me, Lilly. You’d do the same for me if you could. You can go on living your life. Forget about me, okay?”
The priest girl sadly complained, “Am I not pretty enough? Or did I bother you a lot? I’m sorry if I mistreated you or Sooty. Why are you pushing me away?”
The familiar words evoked a repressed memory. Why are you always pushing me away, Luke? What’s making you become so cold? What happened to you?
“Katie said the same thing…” Luke whispered softly.
“What was that, Luke? I can barely hear you,” Lilly said.
Feeling the sheets beneath him and the exhaustion of the day getting to him, Luke’s social barriers shut down. “Alright, Lilly, I can give you an hour or two late tomorrow if that works for you. Did you have a place in mind?”
Lilly’s elated voice came through, “You’re a hunter too, right? We can meet in front of the guild, where the gate is at the walls around the building!”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Luke said.
Another voice filled the background behind Lilly, sounding precisely like Cassandra’s, “Our innocent little healer is trying to make her move. Let’s cheer her on, guys!”
The sound of glasses clinking together and muffled noises ruled over Lilly’s response. Luke muttered, “Goodbye, Lilly,” And shut off the sigil stone.
His eyelids felt heavy, but he made a short plan before giving in to sleep.
Need to sort out the training with Musai, get updated on this profession thing, give Xera time with Cedric. Can’t forget to pick up my crafting order, too, then meet Lilly and Veyri after that.
As his consciousness drifted off, some last groggy thoughts bubbled up.
Where is Sooty? Is she okay? I hope Dad is safe wherever he is.