Althea sprinted down the roads, the fields blurring around her. Condemnable necromancer. Where she’d gone, no one knew, but it could not be good news.
Shooting past villages, cities, and forts, Althea approached the new line of defense and shot through the battlefield, a blur across the mud and snow.
Skidding up to the gate, she pulled back her cowl.
The soldier paused. “Wait here, please.”
Althea frowned and waited, drumming on the gate while her thoughts raced. Should I kill the royals, or would that just open the door for her? Her mind flickered, and she sighed. I need Riley for this. We need to leave this to the army and end that coven.
The captain of the fort poked his head out. Surprise rippled across his face, and he jogged to the gate. “Althea, shouldn’t you be up north?”
“We have a problem. The Queen of Shorove is alive. Her necromancers are alive, and they are planning something. We cannot have more blood fields added, but that is likely the plan.”
The captain grimaced. “I agree. What do you need?”
“I need to find Riley and Roger.” Althea frowned. “I know the plan, but we’ll need her skills.”
“She’s at the blood fields, cleaning them. The northern one is the current target.”
Althea nodded. “Thanks.” She turned and ran, sprinting down the roads once more.
~~~
Riley watched the crystal pulse and drain into the boulder. The smoke above was ripped apart by her aura, which seemed to be getting stronger. A nearby wraith flickered forward and howled.
Spinning like a dancer, Riley directed her blades, creating a storm of psychic energy around her. A burst of cold air hit. Stepping away, Riley let the magic rip the wraith apart while she danced around the boulder.
The crystal surged, and the smoke coalesced. Riley shredded it, ripping it apart with her blades. I should have tried this earlier. A smile spread across her face, and she looked at the massive, purified crystal. “Oh, Beauty, I get to keep it, right?”
[You always have a choice. ~Beauty]
“That’s god for ‘no.’” Riley patted the crystal. It is a shame that I can’t keep it. She watched it rise into the air. It cracked open and a torrent of rainbow colored light blasted into the stone, coalescing into a familiar shape.
What is that? Blinking away the blinding light, Riley looked at the glowing woman that had appeared. A smile appeared on her face. “Hi, Beauty.”
Beauty pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for aiding, Riley. I know that you likely don’t see it as fair, but that will change.”
Riley looked up. “Why are they dropping crystals? Nothing does that.”
“Essence from the fallen god. He used it to make these places, and it’s still there.”
Riley nodded. “Why do you let necromancers exist? Why let them do these things?”
“Growth. People need to be able to choose,” Beauty replied, releasing Riley and surveying the area. She sighed at the mud, blood, and corpses.
Riley chuckled. “Regretting coming here?”
“A little. Now, you be careful,” Beauty said sternly. She patted Riley on the back.
Riley nodded. “Thanks for the hug, Beauty.” She paused. “He was lying, right? You didn’t shackle me or something?”
“He twists truths and lies. That was a lie. We do have our rules.” Beauty smiled, waved, and vanished.
Riley looked at the new place of power. I don’t feel chained. Pulling out a book, she sat on the stone. May as well get the student class before I go.
~~~
Roger jogged and studied the massive field of dirt. Nothing was growing. The snow was gone. That looks so strange. Did they purge the whole thing already? He picked up his pace, looking at Ivan.
“They did that? In a day?” Ivan whistled. “I need to meet the druids.”
“Me, too,” Roger replied, running toward the makeshift fort. Gods, protect her.
Running to the gate, he slowed and waved to the gathered soldiers.
“We really can’t afford to have many visits,” a soldier groused. “It’s still forming.”
“Is the field gone?” Roger asked, ignoring the strange remark.
“Yes. Several went inside to clean wraiths.”
Roger saw it flicker, and he watched a young woman appear. A small sense of relief passed over him.
Nicole stepped forward, smiling at Roger.
“Hello, Nicole.” Roger paused a moment. “How is she?”
“Riley got wrecked on the first one. This one went better.” Nicole turned and sighed. “But it looks like she’s still inside.” She frowned, worry spreading across her face.
Roger sat on a makeshift stone bench. Well, I’m not surprised. Riley was never one to waste them.
Nicole turned. “Hi, Ivan.”
Ivan studied her. “Well, well. I see that you are very good at hiding your true self.” He chuckled. “I’ve heard similar of little Miss Riley.”
Nicole laughed, the sound echoing around her.
Ivan turned his focus to Roger, raising a brow.
Roger chuckled. “You have no idea.” He watched the portal, his smile fading away. Where is she?
The question was met with silence. He sat there and waited. The sound of feet reached his ears, and he turned to see an elven woman racing to them. He waved, and she skidded to a halt. “Althea?” Roger asked, worry spreading across his face.
“Change of plan. The queen of Shorove is alive and forced an alliance. She’s allied with a group of necromancers. We need to end them now.” Althea frowned and shook her head.
Roger frowned and stood. “Do we know where?”
“Not at all. I’m hoping Riley can do that thing again, where she just finds them.” Althea paced with a growing frown.
Roger walked over and tapped her arm. “How bad is this Althea?”
“Very. She slaughtered at least a dozen royal guards without a thought.” Althea huffed.
“What if Riley can’t find them?”
“We need to find them.”
Ivan walked up. He whistled loudly. “I’ll send my hawk out scouting, but I can’t promise anything.”
Althea nodded. “I have mine searching, but that’s almost an impossibility.” She drummed her fingers on the stone.
Nicole clamped her into a hug. “It’ll be alright.”
“You know who they’ll target,” Althea whispered. She turned to Ivan. “Lucas?”
“On the front, negotiating terms with the other knights. Thalion is with him. I ran here with trouble.” Ivan gestured to Roger.
Roger nodded and frowned, looking at the portal. Where is she? This one is wild.
~~~
Riley finished her book and looked out at the noisy scavenger. They barked, chirped, cawed, and generally made a massive racket while feasting on the bodies. “You are really loud, you know that?” she shouted at them.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Chuckling to herself, she stashed her alchemy book and walked out of the portal. The world flashed around her.
[Your base level has advanced: 360 → 368!]
[You have unlocked the Student class, but are at max slots.]
Riley willed it into Alchemist.
[Alchemist (D) has advanced to Alchemist (C).]
[Spirit Blades (C) has advanced to Spirit Blades (B). You may telepathically control the blades and have up to five _at once.]
Riley smiled and stepped through the portal.
Two dozen heads spun.
Nicole pulled her into a hug. “You had us worried sick!” She groaned. “What were you doing?”
“Getting the student class.” Riley blushed, returned the hug, and looked at the group. “Althea?”
Althea walked up with a growing smile. “Well now, isn’t that interesting.”
Riley turned and looked at her father, pausing as she contemplated his reaction.
Roger pulled her into a hug. “You look good.” He patted her on the back. “Like your mother.” He smiled and pulled back, studying her.
Riley smiled at him. “Thanks, Dad.” She turned and saw Nicole in Althea’s embrace. She does like her hugs.
“And it looks like you’ve been busy,” Roger said. He turned to Althea. “Althea?”
Althea broke off her hug. She sighed. “I hate to ask this, Riley, but we have a problem. A real problem. Some necromancer has taken over Shorove—”
“Where are they?” Riley hissed. I’ll kill them.
“I was hoping that you could help us with that.”
Turning inward, Riley embraced the roar of her spirit and rode out on her aura of healing. She felt every injury. Pain and emotions rolled through her.
Reaching the edge, she pushed, willing herself outward in an attempt to find anyone.
“Gods, please don’t let them suffer.
Help me find the cause.
Don’t let them kill the innocent.
Help me find the lost.”
She felt the world shift and found herself in the place she meditated.
Looking down, she felt tethers form with distant people who were crying out to the gods. Studying each, she flickered through them, searching for anyone in need. Prayers rolled through her head, growing like a storm.
It built, slamming against her mind. Gasping, she jerked back. The connections broke, and her connection to the world snapped with it.
She fell. Stars flashed around her, and she slammed into something, her head throbbing.
Laying on the smooth floor, she grimaced. Okay. That was a horrible mistake. She looked at the stars, and platinum hair blocked the stars, dangling down.
S stood above her with a smile. She winked. “Hello, Riley.” Reaching down, she plucked Riley from the ground and stood her upright.
“Time?” Riley asked, regaining her balance.
The goddess smiled. “I thought I’d visit. Yes, you have enough innate psychic magic to reach out, but be careful. You are still weak, and you are pushing far.”
Riley blushed. “Sorry.” She swallowed. “Did I die?”
“No.” S patted her on the back.
“Not Beauty?” Riley asked in surprise.
“I stole her moment.” S laughed and kissed Riley on the head. “Be careful, and I’d advise searching the old fashioned way.” She paused. “And if you wish to save some time, go where any power hungry, enraged widow would go.”
Her old home. Riley smiled at the goddess. “Thanks. Can I get your real name yet?”
S leaned close. “No,” she whispered and laughed before vanishing.
Riley sighed and fell. The stars blurred, and she landed in her body, the world snapping back into view. She blinked and looked up. Nicole’s happy smile greeted her.
“Welcome back.” Nicole kissed Riley on the nose and propped her back up.
“Sorry. I tried, it sort of pushed me out of my body.” Riley shook her head. “She’ll be near the Shorove capital somewhere, and I need to get closer.”
Roger nodded. “Up for a run?”
Riley sprinted. I’m not letting them kill more people. Not this time.
Riley Milvsky
Level: 368
Music's Paragon (S)
Level: 322 + 5
Dominating Presence C +1 level to the assigned class. Enemies within 100 meters of you lose 20 strength, 20 dexterity, and 20 speed. You may expend bardic inspiration to increase the effect. Heavenly Refrain C +1 levels to the assigned class. Use this skill to have the heavens join your song. Grants +100 charisma for the duration of the song and may only be used as long as the gods are willing. Restoring Presence B +2 to the assigned class. Subjects regain 1% stamina and 1% mana every 30 minutes; their healing is augmented by 50%. Allies within 100 meters count as subjects. You know of injuries and may use mana to heal allies within fifty meters. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect. Empowering Presence C +1 to the assigned class. Your subjects gain +20 strength, +20 dexterity, and +20 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.
Psionic Assassin (B)
Level: 272 + 12
Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight. Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute. Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant. Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.
Spell Thief(B)
Level: 277 + 4
Focused Sight B +2 to the assigned class. Your perception and insight are boosted by 50, increasing to 100 when studying the same target for over a minute. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for ten seconds. Spirit Blade B +2 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy you may manipulate. You may have 5 active. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.
Purifier (A)
Level: 294
Psionic Storm C +1 to the assigned class. Conjure a storm of void or psychic energy. Variable cost.
Pretty C Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty. Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.
Noble (C)
Level: 56 Inactive. Enchanter (E)
Level: 320 Inactive. Alchemist (D)
Level: 242 Inactive. Infiltrator (D)
Level: 55 Inactive. - -
Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies. Conjure Potion C +1 to assigned class. Conjure a potion that you understand. You may add an additional minor healing effect to any potion. Cost varies based on the potion and potion duration. Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.
Dexterity 2548 Strength 736 Speed 1506 Intelligence 1296 Charisma 1418 Stamina 1020 Mana 3820 Inspiration 1020