CHAPTER 330 – BREAK THROUGH
The chosen came into land in the centre of the human formation. Tom exchanged a frown with Michael and Everlyn. Both of them had noticed that the middle was missing. Whatever the cause it must have been closer to the start of when they split off because Harry showed no distress.
“Harry!” Michael shouted, breaking the tension with a forced smile. The chosen were doing something to mitigate the wind, but it wasn’t perfect, but at least they could hear him. “You had us worried. Only nineteen hundred earth shards collected. I was concerned something had happened to you?”
The question was Michael’s roundabout way of asking about the middle.
Harry didn’t take the bait and just shrugged like it wasn’t his story to tell.
The elder clearly thought the same because it zoomed over to take up the conversation. “Healing one. The lack of progress was my choice. We decided you needed the experience, so we completed a third of the zone and then slowed down.”
Michael scratched his head in surprise at that. “Oh… well, that’s very thoughtful.”
“It is our pleasure, Healing Michael. We have had many chats with the Ritualist Harry and we’ve learnt many things.”
“What happened to the middle?” Everlyn interrupted unable to contain herself.
The elder, as they did moved to position himself in front of her. “Perceptive one, yes, that is on my back. I apologise I should have expected you to notice the missing middle and addressed it sooner There is no need to worry it was not lost in battle, but rather the first zone on this layer we tried to enter was unsuitable and not one we could complete. The middle did the testing to protect us.”
Her hand went to her open mouth… “Was the middle abandoned?”
“Insightful one, the quest was a bad one that required the execution of near sapients. No matter how much help is brought to bear the middle had no chance of completing the zone with his sanity intact. And nor could we if we followed. We only did the logical thing.”
“Easy Everlyn, the middle’s alive,” Harry interrupted.
“Do you mean for another eighteen days?” Everlyn asked. “Is it just sitting there waiting for death?”
Harry shook his head. “It left the trial.”
“No! Impossible! How did it do that?” Keikain asked.
The elder shifted its location once more. “Cursed one. We received some loot from a monster that contained a pass to allow one person to exit the trial without gaining rewards. The middle was in possession of that and applied it when it discovered it was trapped.”
“An item?” The earth mage pressed, grinning.
“Doomed one, that is accurate.”
“If we could get that,” Keikain said with excitement. “It means we could skip the dragon fight.” Then he froze a look of self-recrimination on his face. “But I guess if we’ve only found one to this point, then at most, we’ll find one or two before the end. We won’t be able to save all of us.”
“Which is an issue for a different reason,” Michael said immediately. “What occurs if the giant decides to leave or the wador attack one of us because they think we have a pass.”
“That’s…” Keikain paused as he thought it through. “Unfortunately, that sounds all too realistic.”
“We’ll deal with it if it happens,” Everlyn interrupted. “There’s nothing we can do about it, so let’s worry about it later.” She turned to face the elder. “Largest one. Thank you for thinking about our experience requirements.”
“Astute one. It was an obvious course of action once we had discussed things in detail with Ritualist Harry. In your terms, we are around rank thirty-five. In previous zones, the experience we have received for completing quests has been a tenth of yours. It is only logical to funnel experience to you.”
That ended the discussion, and then Harry sprang off the middle he was riding and started doing the rounds, greeting everyone. He was beaming and gave Tom a distracted one handed hug as he went past. The ritualist stopped in the centre a broad grin on his face as he spun on the spot to make eye contact with all of them. “This is so good.” He yelled to be heard over the wind.
“No need to shout,” Everlyn told him. “Everyone and the elder is on the chat.”
Harry took the hint and switched to using her ability as well. “Spending time with the chosen was interesting, but it’s feels amazing to be back amongst humans. I know it’s only been a week, but it feels like longer.” He stopped, looking straight at Rahmat. “Like, for example, is that a new spear. It feels powerful.”
Despite the howling wind, it was like they were at a party.
Harry chatted with everyone. His usually slightly reserved personality had vanished probably out of relief at getting back. His return energised them, and they got to work.
It was almost immediately obvious that the extra time the ritualist had spent in the current zone gave him a sixth sense of when attacks were coming and how many. He called out instructions before they saw a worm. Around every fourth of them dropped a shard, and while the caches existed Harry said not to rely on them to finish the zone. They were rare and only gave five to ten shards.
The current battle they were in was pretty standard. Tom had nine focused on killing him and a couple of latecomers running loose. There was a flurry of motion as one of them charged through the main group. Clare taunted it and as it spun to face her, Bao was struck. She was thrown to the ground and Thor instinctively leapt across the distance that separated them to stand guard over her. He stood defensively above her and used his hammer to smash away a worm that got too close. She scrambled to her feet and only then did Thor move away. These were monsters that you wanted space to dodge into when fighting them. Clumping against them was a bad idea.
Twenty seconds later the battle limped to a close.
Harry studied the two of them. They stood protectively near each other. “Are you two a couple?”
Thor got a goofy grin on his face and Bao flushed at their relationship being spoken about so plainly.
“I guess that’s a yes,” Harry scratched the back of his head, reading the mixed body language. “Well, congratulations.” Then he pointed at a steep cliff they were about to pass. “That’s prime territory. I reckon about twenty will swarm from it. Largest, please be ready to intercede. This might be complicated.”
They kept going, killing as they went.
As they ate an afternoon snack, Everlyn’s nose wrinkled. “I crunched the numbers. It’s going to take us six days to get out of here. That would have been closer to ten if the chosen hadn’t finished some it of before we got here.”
“If a zone’s going to take ten days, I don’t think we should risk another on this layer.” Michael said.
Everlyn shook her head. “Nah that’ll be over reacting. It’ll give us over twelve days in the next zone and if the chosen was helping here we would split in two and it would only take five days.
“No. We can’t rely on the chosen. It’s possible they won’t be able to accompany us.”
Everlyn hesitated. “I was going to say the argument should be more about whether we can do another zone after the next one. We can’t be too conservative about these things. Unfortunately, not maximising our experience per layer is our biggest risk. We need to gather the strength to survive as we go deeper.”
Michael considered that and sighed. “Agreed. This bloody trial is grind, grind, grind. And you’re right, if we don’t get sufficient experience this layer, we’ll be toast in the next.” He snorted. “And that’s not even considering the reception we’ll get from Jenny and the Wador. This place is a nightmare. At least we have Tom’s shiny future carrot to motivate us.” ”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“His what?” Harry asked immediately.
“Everlyn will tell you later.” Michael answered.
“Plus,” Tom said. “We have to do the next zone to be able meet up with Selena when we move to layer six. We can’t do it from here. The only one we can both reach is that one Phils already confirmed that the chosen can’t use. However, if we go one across, we can meet them in the zone with fluffy clouds.”
“And the inventor too, probably.” Michael said.
Tom nodded in agreement, and Everlyn clapped her hands to signal the end of the break.
With the rest over, they kept fighting and as the sun dropped below the horizon, producing a dazzling sunset they decided to find a place to camp for the night. The chosen had been through the area and guided them to one of the earth shard caches. It was empty, because they had already collected the shards, but they had brought them to the crystal bowl that had contained the quest components for a different purpose.
“It’s not very big but it’s defendable.” Harry explained. “The worms are unable to sense you in there and even if they can they can’t hurt you. They can’t burrow through the crystal. It’s almost as good as a safe room and when you’re inside, it’s a decent wind break too.”
Tom stared at it doubtfully.
“It’s a bit cozy.” Toni said.
She wasn’t joking. It appeared a lot bigger from the outside than it was inside. The actual floor space was only slightly larger than a small bedroom. There was barely enough ground for them to all lie down.
Harry shrugged. “It’s a lot better than being out in the open.”
“What are we going to do about Tom?” Michael asked. “It’s not like we can quarantine him in his own space here.”
“He can sleep in the corner,” Everlyn pointed. “And I’ll take the risk and sleep next to him.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “We’ve done it before, and you’ve never lashed out at me.”
“Still, maybe it would be best if I get wedged between the chosen. They’re powerful enough that even if I stab or electrocute them, it won’t do much damage.”
“The chosen won’t sleep on the floor.” Harry told him. “There isn’t enough room. Of the half that will be sleeping at any one moment. They’ll do it hovering in the air above us.”
They all understood the point. The nice crystal bowl would protect them from the elements, but with fifteen of them, the four-sleeping chosen wouldn’t find a spot on the ground. It was going to be extra cozy with a human layer and then the chosen directly above them.
“Fine. Everlyn can sleep next to me.”
They ate cold rations, because the howling wind and the earth worms meant there was no way for them to create a fire. She set up her bedroll next to him as promised and when he went to lie down, she followed and slipped into her bed next to him.
“Don’t you usually stay up later.”
“For this, it’s best that I go to sleep at the same time as you. Hopefully, you won’t get a True Dream and be overtired, and you’ll wake up naturally.”
She cuddled up against him.
“What are you doing!” he hissed.
“Grow up. It’s not romantic, but if we have body contact the whole time, then I reckon you’re far less likely to go psycho on me.”
“It’s just uncomfortable given…”
“Tom, it’s only an issue if you let it be. We’re both adults.
With a sigh, he closed his eyes, tried to ignore her scent and her closeness… she was pressed right up against him, and his body was getting its own ideas. With a wrench of will, he used Instant Sleep to escape the situation.
Almost immediately, a True Dream swept him up.
He was not on Earth or Existentia. Building soared around him, fanciful constructs that seemed to defy physics. The mind he was in was impressed by the architecture, but more because it only appeared to disregard physics. It knew the truth and understood the massively complicated mechanisms that allowed the builders to create those effects. Some of them were truly impressive.
Its gaze flicked back to what it had personally created. A trunk that soared three thousand meters straight up and then branching stems that ended in elegant buildings that weighed hundreds of tons. It only worked because the building base had a bore that was drilled five kilometres straight down to extract the planet’s heat. Each of those buildings had super powerful jet engines venting air to help support the weight. Safety regulations for pedestrians then forced him to install counter jets that blew air from the ground up. They They were disguised by the four-story tall flowers. The complicated air currents generated meant that those coming to admire the construction wouldn’t even have their fabric ornaments ruffled by the wind.
It was pretty and functional and was a great place for the young to grow. a
His eyes then switched back to the large piece of flat metal that he held. It was painted bright pink and was a peace offering. The fact he had to do so rankled him. He hated the concept and then he stared in frustration at the other construction.
The complainant.
A twisting structure of mirrors that looked as incapable of being supported naturally as his own building. However, it used different approaches.
Lots of magnets that were bad for the health of the young. A wasted piece of work, but one that could be problematic. That same technology directed to sabotaging his creation would be disastrous. Unfortunately, he had not designed sufficient redundancies to cope with malicious attacks. The combination of high-intensity lasers and an electro magnet that could quadruple the weight of one of his buds was not something his construction would survive.
The pink peace sheet mocked him.
But he would wave it and force a conversation before things got ugly.
His building was for the young. He should receive extra leeway and it made him furious that the other builder was failing to recognise that.
He would talk, and they would come to an agreement.
The dream faded, and Tom put it out of his mind. The context was clear, and he would get Thor to send a note to Selena, so who ever met the inventor first would be able to convince them to join them.
He woke with being gently shaken. There was no panic or instinctive need to lash out, then he remembered what had happened. “Stop. I’m awake!”
“I knew you wouldn’t overreact. Maybe this is a good solution.” She hadn’t moved away. She was still close he could feel her breasts pressing against him.
“Evie!”
She pouted briefly and rolled to her feet. Everyone was up and had left the crystal bowl.
Everlyn evidently caught his expression and what had been a slightly hopeful expression faded. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Tom. I can see what you’re thinking and you’re partially right. If you wake late, then everyone can clear themselves from the immediate area and then we can wake you the normal way. But if we need to get you up in the middle of the night. Well, consider that scenario too before you decide anything to hastily.”
“Evie, I…” He stopped talking.
“Tom, we’ll do whatever you decide. As much as you don’t want to admit it, me sleeping next to you helps. You slept far more restfully than you usually do. But I understand why you’re reacting the way you are and it’s okay. What happened was my fault. I needed time, and that was unfair.” Her eyes watered. “Can we talk about this later… I can’t do it now… I just can’t.”
They kept going and that night he let Everlyn cuddle into him again but tucked his blanket tight around himself to give himself an extra barrier. He didn’t know what to think about the whole thing. This time he woke with everyone else and had breakfast in the safe confines of the bowl away from the wind until it was time to brave the surface.
Living Rock once more protected him and they kept going with getting their boring kills. Even without Crystallised Moment he found he could intercept one of the missiles and occasionally two. It was getting more and more intuitive, and he felt the skill was on the verge of evolving.
It was too close to transforming, Tom realised suddenly, and it was also pretty clear what evolution would be offered and it wouldn’t be the one he wanted.
A hundred fate immediately left him as he focused with a single clear image. The spells were not to evolve unless they were forming an earth domain. It might have been short-sighted or potentially even self-sabotage, but it was what he wanted.
“What was that?” Michael asked, looking straight at him.
“I used fate to stop my skills from evolving into a lesser ability. Domain or bust as far as I’m concerned. I don’t need a designated spell that makes my intercepting rocks be fifty percent more effective and an automatic trigger. Sure, less micromanaging would be great, but not at the cost of potential. It works fine as it is.”
“I’ve done the same every day since I’ve got this.” Rahmat held up his spear for them to see. “Those spectral spears I’ve been throwing would certainly have been a skill by now if I hadn’t invested fate to stop it.”
“It seems like a dangerous pathway,” Michael said doubtfully. “You might lose a valuable evolution for ever.”
“Hate to say it but I agree with the healer,” Keikain interjected. “You shouldn’t be suppressing evolutions because everyone of them makes you stronger.”
“Unless you get the wrong one.” Tom responded thinking of the regeneration evolution he had refused.
The earth mage waved his hand at that. “Yes, we all know about that. But that was you being dumb. You shouldn’t have refused it. Everyone agrees that regeneration would have been better than touch heal. Your decision was shortsighted to the extreme.”
“Clare’s alive today because I turned that down, along with a couple of others. Don’t pretend it was a stupid decision. In hindsight, I made the right one.”
“Believe what you want.” Keikain responded.
They kept going. With Rahmat’s confession, he watched what the other man was doing. He was definitely expanding on his spear skill set. Not only was he launching spectral spears he was stressing all of his other skills. Power Strike covered his hands instead of the spear tip, then enlarge was used in a defensive block. Lunge was given a dog leg as he usurped its natural expression to change direction mid charge.
Rahmat was obviously pushing, and Tom wondered if he should be doing the same. It was no longer a strain to intercept the missiles. He could now consistently do two without Crystallised Moment and if he used that trait it went up to closer to ten.
“Five from there,” Rahmat yelled and pointed at a shallow pit filled with sand, which was not the type of terrain they usually burrowed out of.
“Are you sure?” Harry asked doubtfully.
Then the first worm burst from the earth. Tom tagged it without thinking.
“I got it! I got IT!” Rahmat shouted exuberantly. “There was a ding.”