“He’s been up there for a while,” Astrid said as she looked to the sky.
“Better up there than on the ground,” Uhtred said from beneath his cloak of shadows. “At least until those rocks start falling.”
“Yeah, but I can’t see the fight from down here.”
“You could see them fighting towards the end?” Uhtred asked perplexed. “They were moving too fast for my eyes. I felt like a damn side character in an epic.”
“No,” Astrid admitted. “But the explosions were cool.”
Without warning, the connection both strikers had to Brand was severed. It seemed only natural seeing how far above the clouds Brand was fighting. Astrid realized her assumption was wrong as the sky brightened with a red light that caused the clouds to vanish.
She beamed at the amazing light show. “Is that the big bang spell? What’s its name again, ark-”
A blast of wind slammed into the strikers like an angry fist. For a moment, Astrid thought someone had attacked her with a spell but after seeing several far-off buildings suffer under the torrent she recognized it as Brand’s doing. He was farther off the ground than most could survive and still had the power to shake the city below.
Astrid laughed as the storm ended and the sky lost its color until her rivalry was interrupted by Uhtred. “We might have a problem.” His somber tone made Astrid not want to listen. They had just fought a god and probably won. She simply wasn’t in the mood for bad news but heard Uhtred all the same. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t feel Brand anywhere. By the amount of mana we all share and store in empty beast cores, I should feel him up to a few dozen miles.”
Astrid facepalmed. “How far do you think the explosion sent him.”
Uhtred shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. We just have to survive until he gets back for the next part of the plan, but with all the noise we’ve made that might not be easy.”
“Making noise is an understatement,” Nadia said coming up behind them.
Uhtred didn’t bother looking at her, his shadow tendrils grew to the size of massive tree trunk washing over her like a title wave in the blink of an eye. Unlike their first encounter, there was no chance of her breaking free. Uhtred’s shadows were now imbued with mana equal to that of an apex mage. Both strikers had more than enough raw magic power to no longer fear a single Dreyark.
Uhtred walked up to Nadia as she struggled in vain. “And you’re a fucking idiot if you thought facing us again was a good idea.”
“I’m not here to fight you little monsters,” Nadia said, giving up on freeing herself. “That woman Brand was fighting was Vara, wasn’t she.” Uhtred just smiled giving truth to her words. “You don’t know the shit storm about rain down on us. You fought a god.”
“We killed a god,” Astrid corrected. “There’s no way Vara survived that.”
“Regardless, the Aesir will retaliate.”
Astrid floated inches away from Nadia’s face without a care in the world. “The Aesir don’t know us and even if they did, they can’t find us.”
“No, you’re worried about what they might do to the city,” Uhtred added. “But if we didn’t step in today, the south would have burned anyway.”
“Vara was only summoned because you attacked!”
“We only attacked because you couldn’t smoke out the traitors in Tanya’s court!”
“Enough!” Astrid shouted. “None of this matters. The strikers are coming for us. The gods are coming for us. Does that change the plan?”
“I guess not,” Uhtred said a bit surprised and gave Nadia a smug grin. “By the time this is over you’ll be thanking us.”
Uhtred’s then fell into his shadow as if the ground disappeared from under his feet. Astrid followed after him vanishing into a pitch-black room filled with neat rows of magical weapons on shelves higher than could be seen in the dim light. The floors of the shadow space were somehow tiled with white stone to contrast with the dark atmosphere and for the moment the air was breathable thanks to smartly done magic.
Uhtred walked past his collection of misshapen artifacts taking a look at his most recent acquisitions. Like the weapons, dozens of corpses were stacked on shelves. Each was encased in glass coffins with runes carving meant to preserve the bodies. The blood had not even dried and wouldn’t until the glass was broken. But there were two who were not counted amongst the dead and to Uhtred’s and Astrid’s surprise, they were awake.
Uhtred walked over to the two women encased in glass knocking against their crystalline cages. “How are you awake?” He asked Mildrith.
She glared back at him in rage but said nothing unlike her friend caged next to her. “Let us out you son of a bitch!”
Alda rained down as many punches as she could in the limited space doing no damage to the warded glass.
“She can probably metabolize drugs faster than most thanks to her focus,” Astrid said in french, the striker language of the week. “I bet these two share mana so both woke up early.” She switched back to Vellian. “Let them out, I’ll put them to sleep in one punch.”
“Bring it, bitch!” Alda challenged.
“No need for that,” Uhtred said. “We’re sending them back now anyway.”
“Who do you work for?” Mildrith finally asked speaking calmly.
Uhtred raised an eyebrow in amusement. “You don’t really expect us to answer right?”
“You don’t need to,” she said smugly. “You want us alive which tells me all I need to know. Fenrir would definitely want me dead so you’re not with them.”
Uhtred pointed to the many filled coffins. “Or we need living subjects.”
“Living subjects wouldn’t be held in such comfort. We’d be bound and gagged if none of you cared but at least one of does, so you’re not with Fenrir. There’s my brother, but he doesn’t have a copper to his name and my father wouldn’t bother with this. I’m guessing the only reason Tanya isn’t here is that Bitarr couldn’t break through the wards he placed on her. And he, well, it couldn't make a plan with more than two steps.”
“So, we’re working for?” Astrid said in a questioning tone.
“Brand,” Mildrith declared.
“Who’s Brand,” Uhtred asked, his oath already tingling the edges of his mind. He turned to Astrid but she just shrugged, her mind also threatened by the oath if she gave any information. “And here I thought you were clever.” He went to a nearby shelf taking hold of a small corked bottle and opened it. “Now I’m going to put you both to sleep so I don’t have to listen to any more wild conspiracies.”
About an hour later, Uhtred’s shadow wormed its way through large cracks and collapsed walls in South Bastion’s castle. No one noticed as it slipped by defenses and entered the throne room filled to the brim with nobles and priests who fled the battle that threatened to destroy them all. The castle was the most fortified building through mundane and magical means so that’s where people hid even if it wouldn’t stand up to a god's might.
The crowd only focused on a single girl who shook from painful spasms brought on by spell backlash. With her summoned creature holding her with its soft cushion-like pink arms, there was only one explanation for her pain. The few remaining priests were especially shocked seeing how most of them were present for Vara being summoned and now had proof of her temporary death.
After taking in the scene for a moment, Uhtred made his way to a makeshift infirmary. Ironically not one person being treated was harmed by Brand or Astrid. They’d wounded themselves with misfired spells and being caught in the large scale spells of their peers. Finding two empty beds, the shadow flowed over them leaving Mildrith and Alda in a drug-induced sleep.
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******
“You were in contact with him and didn't tell me!” Tanya raged throwing a punch through Bitarr’s cloud-like body. “Turn into something so I can punch you!”
“Well he could only send me messages by adding more tattoos to his skin,” Bitarr said. “And that only started a week ago. Besides, If I told you about his plan you may not have gone along with it."
“Of course I wouldn't have. The city is in ruins and dozens of nobles died under my watch!”
“Those nobles weren't worth the air they breathed. Any Brand killed were your enemies in one way or another. He did you a favor.”
“Then where is he?” Tanya said on the verge of crying. “Why can't he just tell me this himself.”
“He can't,” Bitarr said softly. “The group he works for enforces some pretty drastic rules. I didn't want to say anything before but now that most of our problems are in the ground he part of-”
“He works for my house,” Nadia quickly said appearing out of nowhere as she banished her focus.
She'd been listening for quite some time and would have continued if Bitarr hadn't threatened to reveal every dark secret of the Dreyarks. If the stupid cloud was going to reveal them anyway it would be best to paint them in the best light possible.
Nadia saw Tanya’s eyes drift to her burnt hair and sleek black armor that had been torn to ribbons. Her eyes widened as she saw patches of newly formed skin letting everyone know Nadia was unharmed but was not too long ago was a bleedinf mess.
“The Dreyarks have teams of magi helping us with information gathering and other tasks like any noble house. Brand was recruited four years ago and was stationed in North Bastion well outside of Vellia’s laws. And before you throw a fit princess, I didn't tell you where he was because you didn't need to fucking know.” Tanya was about to shout but was overpowered as Nadia's power flared. “I don't work for you girl, don't make the mistake of talking down to me like I’m some servant.”
Tanya made sure to keep her voice measured as she broke into a cold sweat. “So you ordered this attack?”
Nadia took a seat on some rubble looking at Tanya with a bit of disappointment. “Your schoolgirl crush has gone rogue. He's been missing for the last few months and I've been unable to find him. I guess somewhere in his twisted head he thought killing all your enemies would do some good but it's only going to lead to a bloody war. And then that idiot had to pick a fight with a goddess guaranteeing we all get fucked one way or another.”
Bitarr's cloudy body shuddered as it laughed. “Yeah, some of the Aesir might try to cause trouble, but Vidar needs this city too much to let that happen. But Vara getting her ass kicked by a mortal makes any price worth it.” Bitarr continued laughing, the sound causing everyone near to shudder.
“Where is he now?” Nadia demanded. “And none of your lies.”
“Why does everyone think I'm a dishonest god?” Bitarr huffed. “I only get information relative to what he knows but no context. I can tell what he knows but that's as far as my nature goes. And finding him might not go well for you anyway. I'm pointing at your burnt hair with my nonexistent fingers by the way.”
Nadia growled at her implied weakness but knew Bitarr spoke the truth. Uhtred might have caught her off and later received a large influx of mana to overpower her but Brand was another story. His mage craft was simply too strong. Nadia couldn't hope to harm him with magic or produce a powerful enough strike to overcome his Ironsides easily. Thankfully, capturing Brand was not her top priority right now.
“Get back to the castle,” Nadia said, deciding to ignore Bitarr’s words. “We need to make sure the city's defenses aren't damaged. This would be a perfect opportunity for the north to attack especially if they think Brand is on their side. As for what to do when the Aesir show up, we’ll see when they get here.”
“What do you plan to do with Brand?” Tanya asked.
Nadia moved in a blur lifting Tanya by her neck just barely keeping her oath from stabbing into her mind with pain. “I’ll do whatever I please to that crazy bastard! How about you stop drooling over the boy you like and do your fucking job!” Nadia threw Tanya to the ground biting back a scream as her oath spread a burning sensation from her skull onto the rest of her body like fire in her veins. “H, He’s killed dozens, but you think he’s the same boy you met back in the Hall but he’s not!”
Nadia’s aura grew dark as she let her bloodlust and emotions reflect in her magic. Keeping her magic free of such things was essential if she didn't want to cause anyone she walked by to fall to their knees in terror and relieve their bladder like the hangman's noose was wrapped around their necks. This is how Tanya felt as Nadia glared at her. Leo appeared as a reflex born of fear but the large werelion backed away like its summoner. Despite the numerous spells strengthening his form, Leo lacked the murderous intent of a striker. How could he; an animal killed to feed while a person killed to simply kill.
“Keep in mind,” Nadia warned. “Brand is more like me now than the person you remember.”
*******
Makarov tossed the report he’d gotten from Nadia across his desk for Cull to read for himself. “That confirms it. Those three killed a fucking god.”
Cull answered without bothering to read the letter. “That makes sense if you consider Brand’s mage craft.”
“No,” Makarov said definitely. “There is no making sense of fighting a god, much less defeating one. Have you ever been on a divine battlefield because I have, three times? Each nearly got me killed when a god sneezed in my direction. Yet these three fought her.”
Cull shrugged, showing he was unimpressed. “Vara is a goddess of fire so she never stood a chance. If she simply cut them down without trying to burn them, she’d have won like I always did.”
“So you’re certain you can still win?”
“Against Brand, sure, if he still hasn't reached the sixth or seventh gate. He can defend against just about any magic but can’t do shit against a solid bone-breaking punch. Shadow boy and that crazy fey can just run away though.”
“Two quads have already been sent that can handle them, but I want you in charge of capturing Brand.”
Cull raised an eyebrow. “You still want him captured and not dead? I know you want a cure to the oath even if you can’t look for one yourself, but they don't have it. They harmed no Bryers during the attack, so the oath is still in place. Those three are simply insane and overconfident thanks to their skill.”
Makarov relaxed back in his chair deep in thought. “All three are invaluable. They put most strikers to shame, especially Brand. Until someone can use his mage craft without dying, we can't afford to lose him.”
“We could just force some new recruits to learn it like in the old days.”
Makarov chuckled riley. “You have no clue what it takes to become what Brand is. When he left with his fourth gate open he maybe a sixth of the mana most with one gate has. I’m not saying it was painless, but his small mana pool turned years of pain into months. Forcing mana channels to open is just too much for anyone to bear if they’re average. And I’d rather not imbue someone with the means to kill a god after torturing them.”
Cull cracked his knuckles sending the popping sound echoing through the room. “Forcing me worked out well.”
A shudder ran through Makarov as he remembered his painful attempt at casting Ark Blast. “If I didn't have what it takes to endure that spell, no ordinary child does. Anyway, take whomever you need along with a tracker. The information is a few days old so you’ll need one.” Makarov then stood stuffing his deceptively lavish cloak with weapons. “In the meantime, I have to brief the king.”
*********
Makarov was grateful the oath forced his obedience but not his honesty. He could feed the king whatever lies he wanted, giving the truth only when he felt like it. And today was not a day to reveal anything close to the truth.
King Elbert slammed his fist on his throne leaving a pronounced dent in the metal frame. “You don't know anything!”
Makarov cleared his throat. “All we know is that a blue-skinned jötunn , fey kin and beast kin with divine blessings most likely from Amra attacked and then killed Vara. And it's already been confirmed that they were mortal.”
Elbert looked to the prophet he’d called from Vara’s church. He was the best source of information thanks to his divine blessing. Whenever something noteworthy accord around a deity, his or her prophet somehow had visions of the event or just knew of its details.
Prophets gave birth to many stories surrounding a god with knowledge the god themselves sometimes couldn't see. But this prophet was not here to tell the story. He was here to confirm his god’s weakness.
“They were mortal,” the prophet confirmed in a shallow voice. “But two were human. I can't see any of their faces but the jötunn and shadow wielder were in disguise, but they were mortal all the same.”
“So two humans along with a fey, fought against a human goddess to protect a beast kin city.” The king seemed to wonder if his own words were true then continued. “There’s no fighting this enemy on our own. It's time for a gathering of the gods.”
********
Brand struggled to keep his lines straight as he shivered under the freezing cold wind. The cave he found gave him some protection, but surviving the night would be impossible thanks to the blizzard raging outside.
The battle with Vara left him bareback and without a deep enough mana pool to keep himself warm. Brand was forced to take shelter, but even that wasn't enough. He’d just die slower if things stayed as they were. That’s why he was busy carving spell forms into the cave wall with the last bit of his mana shaped into a spearhead.
“F,f,f,f finally,” Brand shivered as he finished.
Breaking down his blade he infused the spell circle with the last of his mana and immediately felt relief as the temperature rose. The spell circle gathered mana quickly while the wards surrounding it kept it from escaping and heated the air. After an hour the cave felt warm enough to sleep comfortably for the night allowing Brand to move onto his next project.
Rubbing his hands together, Brand project the soul trapped in his chest following the intricate design already laid out for mana to build upon. Like he’d hoped the avatar appeared in front of him slightly translucent with the blue hint of mana coloring her pale skin.
Her hair was red stopping just below her shoulders and her eyes were blue. She wasn't the most beautiful woman Brand had seen, but her freckled face was striking enough to turn more than a few heads. Her muscular physique and scars told the story of a true warrior without the need to see her armor or weapons which Brand could not produce. In fact, all he could conjure was the avatar’s nude body that she frantically tried to cover with her hands but under the light of a fire Brand had started there was no hope of hiding herself.
Brand looked the woman up and down before speaking. “So what’s your name?”