Chapter 36: Subterfuge

“You’re not listening to me,” Vina grouched.

“I believe you encountered a powerful creature, Vina, but there's no way for you to know if it's the same one you previously saw on a random island,” Haco countered. She gestured to a nearby guard, prompting him to disperse the crowd that had gathered around them. “Your title is a real hindrance. I keep Carda busy, so I don’t have to deal with crowds like this.”

“I’m telling you, I saw a creature and a swordmaster named Amaya. I fought Amaya both near Randar and at Prosit. The only way she could have been in those places was through a portal ring. Stine knows how to activate them,” Vina insisted, waving a hand at the wide-eyed onlookers.

“Of course The Darkness knows how to use the portal rings. It has taken control of enough rune carvers to have learned the skill. That doesn’t mean it's capable of traveling through them,” Haco retorted. “If it could, it would have already invaded the eastern continent, and Lampasa would be in the same situation as Termily and Randar.”

Vina shook her head as Tressi and the rest of Prosit’s people trailed behind them in a procession. “You’re assuming its only objective is to kill us. It’s not. It wants to teach us, and when we stop learning, it kills us. There’s a longer game at play here, and to ignore the fact that it is strategically using the portal rings is a significant mistake.”

Haco fell silent, and Vina sneaked a peek at her. She was studying some screens in her vision. Finally, Haco’s eyes snapped back into focus. “So, you're suggesting The Darkness has been covertly using the portal rings for the last several hundred years without The Watch noticing? But it exposed that capability to you just so it could teach you something?”

Vina hesitated, not quite seeing where this line of questioning was heading. She cautiously nodded.

“And despite Tacey severing its ability to talk to you, it is still trying to teach you,” Haco continued, turning her head over her shoulder to look at Tressi. “Mayor, did it talk to you?”

Tressi hesitated but eventually nodded. “Yes, Lady First.”

“And would you care to share what it said with everyone?” Haco pressed

Tressi swallowed hard as she looked at the portal ring they approached. “After my people are safe, I’ll share.”

Haco smiled broadly and gestured toward the portal ring. “Asharaina, show us how it is done, in blood.”

Vina stepped up to the portal ring, intent on using the least flashy method to infuse her blood into it. She pricked her finger and placed it against the nearest rune, beginning to feed the entire structure. The blue runes flickered and died out before being relit with the red of her blood. After feeding enough of herself into it, she began to dial the sequence that Tressi had requested. For her effort, she received a window notification:

You are restricted from traveling to this destination through portal rings.

Vina cursed and felt the eyes on her back when the portal ring didn’t activate as expected.

“Hm…” Haco intoned as she bit a nail, watching Vina intently. “Your sister has restricted you from this destination as well, I presume.”

Vina shot a look at Haco. “Gij told you?”

“The information made its way to me,” Haco said nonchalantly.

Vina looked at Tressi. “We have to choose somewhere else. I can’t take you to this location right now. I know someone else who is learning Blood Runes who might be able to take you to this place later. I can power the ring, and they can dial it. For now, let’s just get you out from under The Watch’s influence.”

“Vina… the agreement we had specified for this location…” Tressi started.

“No it didn’t.” Vina interrupted her. “It said you could select from locations that I was able to activate provided they didn’t conflict with personal restrictions. This location is a personal restriction.”

“I thought you meant Halos!” Tressi raised her voice, visibly upset.

“The provision allows for multiple interpretations,” Vina said quickly, her eyes flicking over to Haco, whose smile was becoming progressively wider.

“Vina!” Tressi shouted, losing control of herself.

Vina activated her blood cloak and grabbed Tressi around the neck, pulling her close. She wrapped the cloak around them and whispered into Tressi’s ear, “I’m sorry. My sister is travel restricting me, and I’m not getting notifications when she does it. I know a safe place I can take you. It’s covered in barriers with a single portal ring. Don’t say anything about this; I’m certain they’re listening by now.” Vina reached into her backpack and pulled out the Valanire figurine, handing it to Tressi who looked at it in shock.

“Where is this?” Tressi asked in fascination as she turned it over in her hands.

“It’s best if you don’t know,” Vina said, relieved the mayor didn’t recognize the perfectly sculptured city. “The important thing is, it’s safe. I can travel to Halos afterward and get the person I mentioned. They can activate the portal ring and try to take you where you wanted to go. This place can be a temporary destination.”

Tressi’s eyes snapped up to meet Vina’s, suspicion etched in her features. “Why don’t you want us or The Watch to know where this is?”

Vina gritted her teeth in growing frustration. “Take it or leave it, Tressi. You can trust me to keep you safe, or you can trust The Watch.”

Tressi peered deeply into her eyes. “Are you really worthy of being Asharaina?”

Vina’s face and tone softened at the question. “I’m trying to be.”

The mayor let out an exasperated sigh and slowly nodded her head as she looked back at the figurine. Then she closed it into her fist. “I’m keeping this. Temporarily.”

Vina hesitated. She hadn’t taken any time to look at the figurine since Gij gave it to her. Every time she considered examining the message it represented, it brought on undesirable memories. She finally nodded and felt the satisfaction in Tressi’s vibrance at her reluctance. She canceled her blood cloak and let Tressi turn back to the crowd while she faced the portal ring.

“How to do this without anyone shouting Valanire…” Vina thought to herself. She heard Tressi addressing the people behind her, but she ignored them for the moment. She pulled at the blood in her necklace and swept it over the entirety of the portal ring, holding it in place like a liquid curtain. Then she dialed the runes once more, dipping her entire hand into the blood to obscure which runes she was activating. The ring flared into existence and cast a warm red glow around them. She felt the cringe of vibrances around her but gestured welcomingly toward the portal. Slowly, reluctantly, people began to move toward the portal ring and through it at the encouragement of Tressi.

Some individuals held back, lingering near the edges. Haco moved closer to Vina, distracting her from the scene. "Quite the ultimatum, 'take it or leave it.' An interesting negotiation strategy." She looked at the portal ring, her gaze lingering, causing Vina a moment of worry. "The Darkness has launched its offensive. Some of our agents are delaying its progress, buying time for the evacuations. We’re bringing in the refugees that are outside the walls."

“Good. We’ll be out of your hair soon, so you can focus on that.” Vina responded tersely. “Actually, why are you even here? Prosit can’t be that important to you.”

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Haco turned back to her with a smile that made her golden eyes shine. "Even I cannot resist the allure of an Asharaina." Her smile fell as she absorbed Vina's scowl. “I’ll be clear. I am here to ensure your commitment to our agreement. You don't leave until the last person is through the portal ring. We cannot operate it now, so I need you to fulfill our agreement and assist with the evacuation. You're free to leave afterwards."

"Why can't more of The Twelve come here to fight off The Darkness? Save Termily?" Vina asked, the note of suspicion clear in her tone.

Haco shook her head in negation. "We're all engaged elsewhere, Vina. This is happening across the entire continent. We're consolidating our defenses, but the safe zones are shrinking. The only reason we haven't abandoned this part of the world is because we know Trina is here somewhere."

Vina studied Haco, a new realization dawning. "She actually cares..." A notification window appeared in her vision.

In accordance with the Provisional Cooperation Agreement, between Vina Esca and The Watch, represented by Haco, The First of the Watch, it is hereby requested that you engage in evacuation services for the people of Trina as stipulated under the agreement's mutual aid provision insofar as you are not placed in personal danger. Non-compliance may be interpreted as a breach of the agreement, potentially resulting in nullification of the agreement and reactivation of concessions previously granted. Your immediate attention and compliance are requested.

Vina closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Alright. I’ll stay, but I’m going to need some food.” She moved all of her infusions toward Hemogenesis, catching Haco's intense gaze. "What?"

Haco blinked, focusing her gaze looking into Vina’s body. "For a moment… I thought Kaliq…” She blinked again and looked away. “I'm monitoring a conflict map. The Nelidredar are positioning themselves. Soon we'll have a host of creatures to deal with inside the city."

"No, it will start with a shadow rain," Vina corrected her.

"It’s called a shadow fall, and no it won’t happen. Not this far from the glooms at least." Haco turned her scrutiny back to Vina.

"Shadows fell in Prosit just before the creatures started landing inside the town’s walls," Vina clarified.

Haco’s eyes went wide, she quickly seized Vina and Tressi's arms and ushered them away from the portal ring, out of earshot. "Is that true, Mayor? Was there a shadow fall in your town?”

Tressi nodded cautiously.

"The Darkness is here,” Haco whispered, her gaze darting rapidly across unseen screens. "I need to know what it told you, Mayor. Now!” She saw the hesitation in Tressi’s eyes. “Tell me, or I’ll melt the damn portal ring!” Haco insisted, raising her voice slightly.

“It...it said it was sorry that it didn't have an opportunity to teach me in life but that my death was going to be used to teach Vina.” Tressi confessed.

Haco studied her for a moment before responding calmly, "Mayor, The Darkness could still be targeting you. To mitigate that risk and to ensure the safety of my city, please join your town's procession through the portal ring.”

Tressi did not hesitate this time. She cast an apologetic glance back at Vina before merging into the crowd.

Haco turned her attention back to her. “Why is it after you?”

“It’s personal,” Vina replied tersely.

"Stop dodging my questions, Vina! It's not just about you anymore! It's hunting and killing others in its pursuit of you." Haco's frustration was evident. "This is reminiscent of the situation with Shan and Priya, only you're not nearly as clever as they were. Your actions will get more people killed!"

Vina's temper flared at the mention of her parents. "Don't forget that you have blood on your hands too, Haco! I haven't forgotten the innocent life you took when you banished me from Termily!"

"I am saving more people than I am killing," Haco retorted.

“Saving lives by taking others isn't heroism, Haco, it's a bloody trade-off. Real heroes find ways to save lives. Your justification is nothing but a weak excuse for cruelty."

"Weak excuse or not, Vina, it's reality. There's a price to every choice we make. Just like you running away from The Darkness, leaving it to consume all those who you left behind. You could face it, but you’ve constantly chosen to run, passing the burden onto others. At least, I'm making the hard choices upfront."

“I’m not running…” Vina’s voice trailed off as small spiky shadows began to fall from the sky. She activated her lantern in the intervening silence.

“In the name of Trina…” Haco muttered, waving her hand in the air, causing nearby torches to burst into life. “If you’re not going to run, then evacuate the followers in Trina’s closest refuge. Send them directly to Lampasa.”

“I’m not running,” Vina repeated, her voice firmer and more resolute.

Haco, her eyes moving rapidly as if calculating, finally focused on Vina. “I’ve instructed them to come to this portal ring if they are able.” She turned away, breaking into a run. “I’ll add the coordinates to the cooperation agreement’s notes!” As she dashed off, previously unnoticed torches along the road sprang to life, casting a warm glow as she passed.

Vina stood watch near the portal, her gaze steady and unwavering. As each member of Prosit stepped through the portal, she observed them, her presence a silent guardian. Few met her eyes, but every so often, someone would offer a quiet “Thank you,” lending her a moment of gratitude and connection.

In the distance, a slow procession of Stigandorian refugees approached, emerging from beyond the city walls. They moved deliberately, supporting the infirm and carrying the incapacitated as they filed in behind the Prosit citizens. Despite not understanding their reason for being within Termilly, the sight tugged at Vina’s heart. The weight of their plight was evident in their every step.

Among the refugees, Vina spotted Milly, the young girl she had saved from a pack of Pilidar when she first arrived in this world. Milly’s small frame was dwarfed by the chaos around her, yet she moved with a determination that belied her years. As she approached the portal ring, her eyes locked onto Vina’s, and she broke free from her mother’s grip to run over. “Vina!” she shouted happily.

Vina knelt down to meet her, offering a reassuring smile. “Milly, you’re safe now. Just a little further, and you and your family will be safe on the other side.”

Milly nodded, her eyes shining with trust and something else—admiration. “You’ll come with us, right? To keep us safe? Wow, your eyes are so red!”

Vina’s heart ached at the question, knowing she couldn’t promise to stay. “I’ll make sure you get through the portal safely. After that, I have more work to do, but I’ll be sure to visit.”

Milly reached out, her small hand patting Vina’s cheek softly. “You’re like Trina, you know. Always helping, always protecting.”

The words struck a complex chord deep within Vina, a mixture of pride and bitterness swelling in her chest. The comparison stung, despite Milly's innocent intent. Vina felt a surge of anger toward Trina. To be compared to the one who tried to kill her with the world’s system and burdened her with the care of Langternem was a cruel irony. The compliment from a child, pure and well-meaning, only made the bitterness sharper, the soft pat on her cheek feeling almost like a slap.

She forced a smile, squeezing Milly’s hand gently. “Thank you, Milly. I’ll always do my best to protect you,” she said, her voice betraying the sadness she struggled to hide and the weight of a truth Milly couldn’t grasp. She was almost relieved when Milly’s parents reclaimed her and guided her through the portal ring.

Once the final Prosit citizen had transitioned through the portal, Vina adjusted the activation code to Lampasa's coordinates and began assisting the refugees. Each grateful face was a poignant reminder of the valuable aid she was providing. A sense of accomplishment washed over her, a feeling of doing the right thing, as she helped ease their struggles and witnessed their smiles of relief.

Alongside the followers, guards and adventurers provided additional security, their eyes scanning the skies with vigilance. Despite her reservations about The Watch, Vina felt a surge of gratitude for their presence. The peace was shattered when the first black viscous blobs began to fall from the sky, signaling the onset of the creature bombardment.

Unlike Prosit, Termily was prepared. The adventurers around her reacted swiftly, their combat skills shining as they intercepted and incinerated the blobs before they could land. Those that did manage to hit the ground were swiftly scorched, their contents boiling alive with a sinister hiss.

Even with their impressive display, Vina knew that not every part of the city was as well protected. The sounds of distant impacts sent tremors through the land and the air, a grim reminder of the chaos unfolding around them. “It’s falling apart…” Vina muttered, her voice tinged with despair.

Suddenly, a window notification appeared before her, interrupting her thoughts:

Urgent Task Request

As per your role in the Provisional Cooperation Agreement with The Watch, you are requested to join an adventurer party in the rescue mission of one of Trina's Refuges. You will assume the role of the non-combat party healer. Your party leader is Anox. Your immediate attention and cooperation are requested.

Vina took a steadying breath. The crowd waiting to be evacuated was growing, and she needed to keep the portal operational with her blood. She moved to the portal ring, pulling more blood from herself to replenish its reserves. As she did so, a man approached her. He had long black hair and a muscular build, with a hand casually resting on the hilt of his sword. “Asharaina, we’ve been called on.”

Vina nodded, her resolve hardened. “Let’s go.”