As the alcohol finally really hits her, fifty gallons of it taking effect on her human form, Farzhis mumbles, slurring as she attempts to speak, “Schi-hic, ism. I’m, I’m a mana, manip, manipulator, and a bzzzzish, bu’, bu’ hic. Ah wan’, I wan’, umm. Don’ wanna be alone. Bu’, bu’ no’ jus’ no’ alone. Wan’ all yous, prpy, preckly preppy, pretty faces ‘n’ stuff. No’, hic, koff, no’ askin’ for, fer sex. No’ sayin’ I don’ wan’ sex, jus’, jus’ no’ askin’ fer it. Ah meeeean, if youbodie or otherbody anybody hics up for sex, lesss smash. Jus’, jus’ wan’ sleep close, loved. You love me, righ’? You say you love us all. Includes me, righ’?”
Flashing Farzhis a furtive smile, I nod while agreeing, “Yes Farzhis, I love you dear. No sex though, like you said. Okay? Especially not while you’re in this state. I’d be honored for you to join our sleeping pile. Glp, um, well, koff, yeah. Do you—, have you ever really gotten to know Prinrin? Your, um, stepmother I guess?”
Farzhis motorboats her luscious lips as she responds, “Pffffttttt pshawre, psure, everybubby knows Prinny. Sep, sep maybe me kinda. Nice, always loo-hic-k after da’. Guess I can somma somma, hic, sometimes be sorta jealous. Mebbe bou’ stupid things. Maybzzzz didn’ give her much chance to get to know me. Wonder how someone who loved a mom tha’ look like me, could also love a almos’ flat-chested runt. Spoopid, jealous I guess.”
Oof, I wonder if there’s some sort of sobriety medication for dragons, or at least an anti-hangover med for their human forms. Fifty gallons of alcohol is way more than a humanoid shaped and sized body should be dealing with. I’m a bit worried about Farzhis’s blunt and brutal honesty that even analyzes herself and her past motives at the moment. I don’t want her to regret anything when she sobers up. Still, I think being surrounded by love is probably the best thing for her right now, since she’s open to it. Certainly no one who participates in our cuddlesome love pile would take advantage of her in this state. Plus, it gives her and Prinrin an excuse to be close during their first, likely most intense night of grief.
I so badly want to be comforting Prinrin as well, but thankfully my love, my—, wow, my *wife*, is handling that. It’s really sinking in. Reggie Shellcracker, actually married. What are the odds? Not just that, but married to Kinzul in a way that visibly mingled our souls. Uh oh, Farzhis is trying to walk around, and teetering all over the place. Offering a hand to steady Farzhis, she instead takes my whole arm, and then swings her legs into the air, forcing me to catch and carry her if I don’t want us toppling over. Farzhis burps loudly in my ear, and begins drooling on me as she starts to pass out only moments later.
Stealing out of the cloud of narcotics with Farzhee in my arms, I flash a helpless shrug to my inner circle and wife when I leave the hoard of our previous “The Blue.” It’s somewhere around nine at night at this point, so it’s not an awful time to head to bed, but I’ve a few other things to attend to. Still, it’s mighty awkward exactly which people are going to end up being in our bed tonight, in the states that they’re in. I still haven’t even asked if I have a quarters in Mount Solace to myself, though I suppose my vault in Mount Verdimenn is good enough in the long run.
Speaking of my vault, my mind drifts back to the potions I’d disassembled in my myconid form. I’m not entirely certain the ingredients grow on Rayileklia at all, at least not at the current point in Rayileklia’s overall history. I now know the composition of several abjurative potions, on top of the minor water walking potions, but we might never be able to make use of that fact. What else did we gain whilst in orb time in the process of our attempt to save Prinrin from the blight curses?
In the process of mastering dispellation, I’d also picked out a brainblast-blocking enchantment from Yisstendahl’s primary spellbook. That particular book doesn’t have either the meteor spell, or timestopping spell, or the various enchantments involving them, but rather something like thirty or forty other spells of all the tiers lower than ninth. Blocking brainblasts is a fantastic enchantment of course, and it even lasts for twenty four hours at a time! Though of course, its runic cost is rather high.
Still that particular spell for blocking brainblasts screws with telepathic bonds while it’s up, so I’ll need to figure out a process for determining when to apply it. Perhaps it’ll be as simple as placing the enchantment on myself the night before going to a battle, since it’s an expensive spell at a hundred thirty two S P. Similarly, during the process of learning the runes for those spells, I’d also mastered a spell that allows me to control water in a wide area for ten minutes at a time. Not only that, but I managed to learn a plethora of runes that apply to a host of spells other than the ones I’d mastered.
Similarly during the process, those of us that took part gained the ability to conjure anywhere between six, and a dozen mini comets, meteorites. The manifested space-rocks can be unleashed at will, though they can only be conjured once per day. Conversely, as opposed to the once per day abilities, we’ve a slew of abilities that work three times per day each. As far as spell-like abilities that can be manifested thrice per day, we can create slowing fields, or cones of frost, or shadowy evocations, or shadowy conjurations.
Though, thinking back to a particularly potent single use per day ability that we picked up, we each have an ally we can conjure for less than three minutes. That ally takes the form of an eighth tier monstrous mana construct. Well, with that ability some of us can technically summon three to four monstrous mana constructs of a lower tier, or at least I can, but for the most part, it’s best to stick with the eighth tier one that comes for each of us based on some hidden natural affinities.
Let’s see, which were the affinities again? Ahliyuri, can conjure forth a radiant triceratops for exactly one minute, while his sister Ahliyui can create an umbral t-rex for the same duration. It’s almost cute that each of them can conjure forth their twin’s Spellknight element in a nearly draconic dinosaur form. Atter can call a radiant dire bear for a hundred thirty two seconds, while her brother Shiz can summon the same, for only ninety seconds. That marks more sibling similarities.
Iylynila funnily enough can create a hellcat for a hundred twenty six seconds. Such an affinity says so much about her personality in some ways. Similarly, and also funnily enough, Prinrin can conjure the exact same thing for the exact same duration. The two having a similar innate affinity for their mana constructs speaks volumes about the depth of their friendship and shared personality traits.
My beloved Kinzul can manifest a Liltivilend as a mana construct. That’s a sort of winged, angelic, platinum-scaled naga woman. Moreover, Kinzul can manage the manifestation for almost three minutes. I think she can hold it for a hundred sixty two seconds exactly. Miraina, in a twist similar to her mother Prinrin, can conjure a fiery dire tiger for eighteen seconds. I assume as she ages and becomes stronger, its duration will grow, and it might adopt the same hellish properties that Illy and Prinrin’s mana constructs have.
Speaking of age, Vylon, one of our greatest fighters, and oldest combatants can summon a fiery ankylosaurus for a hundred forty four seconds. Another older fellow, Kagired, Sponge, has a bit of tough luck. He can call forth an umbral eight-legger that’s between thirty and sixty feet tall, for ninety six seconds. I suppose if he really needs some silk to make bandages for binding wounds, he could certainly get some. Yeesh.
Me? I myself can call forth a single greater elemental of one of the four basic types, or three huge elementals. Either conjuration only lasts for exactly two minutes. Teuila similarly can conjure a greater wind elemental for exactly two minutes. The eight strategists have it a bit odd, as theirs are a mixture of bugs and bears and tigers for durations from twelve to thirty six seconds. Lucky’s affinity is also a bit of a weird one. Lucky can conjure forth what appear to be three male harpies that themselves are quite capable with spell-like abilities, and his summoning duration is exactly one minute.
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All of these summons and this host of new abilities shared between so many of my allies is a massive boon. I regret not awakening the other Order members, or bringing the wounded down to partake in sharing the process, but I wanted to save Prinrin above all else. Everything else was just an experiment. Sadly, now all those tomes are spent for centuries to come. Centuries, minutes, seconds, accelerated time spent learning, time is certainly a concept that pops up a lot in the process of Reggie Shellcracker living their life, making plans. Plans that I make often derail in a matter of seconds from their initial implementations, but oh well.
A few seconds to a couple of minutes for a powerful ally to appear on the field of battle might not seem like a lot, but at the very least, it could intercept a blow meant for a loved one, or oneself. Those conjurations do have another weakness beyond their time limit though too. They’re susceptible to dispellation, since they are literally constructs of mana, walking spells. Still, an eighth tier mana construct takes eighty eight runes, or S P to dispel, so it’s not a bad use of an ability to make an enemy archmage focus on such a construct in order to wipe out a potent pool of their magic. It’s only mildly ironic that I happened to learn dispellation while also doling out an ability that can be easily dispelled.
I obviously wouldn’t be dispelling our own mana constructs, but as I’d feared, I’ve been meeting more enemies capable of casting spells as my journey on Rayileklia wends ever onward. I suppose it’s obvious now, in retrospect, why I hadn’t ran into many mages during my earlier journey. Terrorzin had had them all killed, or conscripted, to make sure that he held the most magical might across the entire world. Hell, one of the few archmages he let exist in an enemy faction was secretly an agent of his too. Anyway, my point being that I’ll likely be facing spellcasters who are more potent and capable as we drive our conflict towards the center of Terrorzin’s domain, and they’ll likely have the ability to dispel magics.
I’m rambling, trying to distract myself from the loss we’d all just experienced. I don’t have the right framework of mind to process grief for the kobolds we’d lost today, the three volunteer dragons from Mount Solace, or Farzhee’s father. I’m not exactly numb to the losses, but they don’t hit me as hard as I feel like they should. I move on too quickly, easily able to distract myself from them while pressing forward with my plans and projects.
Speaking of, or rather, thinking of distractions, Atter and Boetah aren’t out here. I assume that that means they went off to perform the Conjugation in an attempt to save Atter’s remaining viable eggs. Along that line, according to Prinny, Ahliyui should be expecting to lay a clutch of viable eggs sometime in the near future, which sort of blows my mind. I hope we haven’t ruined their viability due to the duel and damage from earlier. I don’t think Te could live with herself, or forgive herself if that came to pass. Thinking of someone else that has clutched, whether or not they will ever clutch again, Zayzi wanted me to stop by to share sweets tonight, I wonder if they’d still like that.
The affirmative nod along my telepathic wavelength as Xayla answers, “Yes please, sweets, sharing,” is straightforward enough.
Hm, do I bring Farzhee along, sleeping in my arms, or set her sleeping in the bed we’ll be using? Or something else entirely? Thankfully Kinzul offers, “Let me bring her to our den my love, my Schism. My dear old friend and I will catch up while remaining close. I am weary from the day’s battle, as is she, and we could do with the rest. We’ve accomplished much this day. Please retire with us when soonest you are able. We’ve much to discuss, to share, to confide and comfort one another with and about.”
Nodding to Kinzul, I hand Farzhee over. As Kinzul is awaying with Prinrin and Farzhee, Teuila spooks the crap out of me and several of the other gathered Order members by exclaiming, “Got the sucker! Finally!”
Te blushes as she mutters, almost mumbling, “Was trying to get this rune-clip thingy out without breaking it for hours now. Here’ Lu, now you can fly, do some windy lightningy magic and stuff, and lightning won’t hurt so bad. Keep that bangle thingy on Spootalu, okay?” More audibly Te adds, “Lucky, Dragbutt, we’ll find some of these clippy thingies that work for you two too later, when stuff calms down.”
Flashing Teuila a smile, I nod appreciatively. I need to hit up my vault later, dig out some things I’d wanted Kinzul to try, now that our souls are bonded so tightly. While there, hopefully I can find some clips that make sense for the triple L squad’s bangles, and maybe a bangle for Kinzul. Hm, speaking of stuff from the vault, this ensorcelled robe is too amazing to just put away in some pile of clothing. I’m going to have to put it in the sixth slot in the quick change ring, replacing the suit of Valkyrie armor. If I’m taking hits, I might as well be taking them on the Wyverium or Necrometal chestplates, or on my own adamantite body form.
Then again, I might rearrange the gear somewhat, and get under-armor padding for each set, especially if the rare-metals respawning warrens starts producing. I’ll be able to get some equipment forged from the legendary metals. I’ll be able to add an adamantite or orichalcum chestplate or greaves or vambraces to the various slots in the Q C R that don’t have appropriate equipment in those slots, and I’ll make them full outfits. Honestly though, having them compartmented separately has been nice. Mixing and matching the curse greaves with the different chestplates has been useful. I wonder if I could trick the ring into swapping various chestplates with various other sets that included different legguards if all of the slots were filled with entirely full suits of armor.
For now, I want to check in with people I care about. Casting out my telepathic bond to her, I ask Iylynila, “Illy, are you going to be okay? Do you want to talk about the hurt from earlier, or about the ceremony, or about what happened after? Anything?”
Through a long sigh across our mental wavelength, Illy replies, “I’m alright Schism, got some air, got some meat, cleared my head. Seeing Farzhee’s father, Prinny’s husband like that, just, just ending like that was awful, but I’m dealing, coping I guess. Farzhee’s one of my Dormie’s and she’s almost as old as me, so we knew each other pretty well. Knowing what she’s going through is tough, but it’s not like I haven’t gone through the same thing. When she wakes up with whatever godawful hangover she’s going to have, I can be there for her, I’m okay enough for that. Thank you, for caring. I don’t feel like myself enough yet to tease or whatever, but I’ll be okay, promise.”
Nodding along to Iylynila’s response, I do my best to understand and accept it. I of course sense the honesty within it, as deep as our own connection is. I still want to reassure Illy further, to let her know how much she means to me, to us, but she’s dealing in her own way right now. I’ll be there for her when she wants to open up about things, because I dearly love her. Hm, I should also really check in with the Spellknight twins. Today has been a hell of a day for them.
Approaching Yui and Yuri who seem quite discomforted with how out-of-place they are compared to the rest of the Mount Solace residents, I query, “Hey you two, is there some way I can help make you feel like part of the family, and at home? Obviously I’m done with the idea of keeping you at the prison. I brought you to one of our most vulnerable locations, and granted you half a dozen new powers that you could use against us. What can I do for you two to welcome you?”
Despite having normally seemed to be the brazen one of the pair, Yui scratches the back of her head, a mild blush coloring the flesh beneath her teal scales on her face. Yuri offers up, “Schism, today was a wild ride. I’ve no doubt you’re ending the Ice of Rage, our tyrant overlord. The fact that you even had the ability to create or share spells and feats and whatever the hell else you did leaves no room for doubt in my mind. It’s a lot to process. Seeing you bond, wed someone as notorious as Kinzul, and then witnessing an ancient’s light fade is, well, like I said, it’s just a lot to process. I think I’d be most comfortable sticking it out at the prison a bit longer, if that’s alright with you.”
Blinking in surprise at the request, I nod to Yuri, who guides his sister back towards the prison. I’m left stroking my chin thoughtfully when Shiz suddenly approaches, and claps me heartily on the back. The thunderer chuckles before stating, “Seems like I’ll be the first to say congratulations Schism, what with the dour mood set by the loss back there. You’re something else.”
More seriously, in an almost somber tone, he adds, “Thanks for saving my sister and her clutch. Getting to be an uncle, having family, it’s—. Well, it’s something that wouldn’t have happened under the Ice of Rage’s banner. Thanks for keeping my treasonous soul out of the hands of the Damnations back there too. There’s a long road ahead in this war, but I’ve got plenty reason now to want to fight it, and keep the people here at Solace safe. I’ll guard this home of yours, of ours I suppose, with my life Schism, I swear it.”
Taken aback at the congratulations, gratitude, and heartfelt vow, I can only think to offer Shiz a hug, and a pat on the back in reply. Apparently with Shiz having broken the tension over everyone having witnessed the loss of “The Blue,” the floodgates have opened. Apparently that’s what everyone all needed to begin bombarding me with congratulations, or playful jabs and teases.