Not everyone in the camp was clustered around the tents that had been salvaged from Hagain. In some cases, new teams or families were sticking primarily to themselves. The crisis wasn’t over since there may still be monsters between here and safety, but the primary obstacle had been crossed. Without that physical barrier in place, everyone was starting to think seriously about their next moves. Common goals had kept them together up until now.
It wasn’t unbelievable that fractures were already forming. Before the Upswell, the people at the foot of the Thormundz range had populated different villages and were far from one coherent unit. A rare few had just been visiting only to be cut off from the rest of the world. Now, they drifted apart.
That description was ill-fitting for Tlara. Too passive. She was parked far away and did not attempt to socialize. She didn’t even have one of her monsters out. Instead of preening over her remaining wyvern or attempting to exact vengeance on Gadriel, she was thinking. It wasn’t the brief moments she’d been controlled that disturbed her, it was Spinner.
Something was different about it, she couldn’t deny that now. Oh, it was what she could expect from a silk shocker in terms of physical strength and abilities. What she couldn’t explain was how it’d acted in the moments after the dragon had died. It had put her in danger! Instead of retreating or shielding her from the swarmlings, which she’d expect creatures loyal to her to do, it had moved to block the majority of the falling squids and put her in the line of fire.
The easy answer was Spinner was defective or stupid. Disloyalty was, of course, impossible. So was the monster incompetent? Not if the others were to be believed. Word had gotten to her of how Spinner had restrained both her and Thomas, of how it had taken initiative. If Tlara hadn’t had strange premonitions about the creature, or if its name hadn’t been sticking in her head inexplicably, she would have chalked it up to luck. As it was? She’d keep it in stasis and try not to think about what she had in her pouches.
“Tlara? I would have words with you.”
Oh great. “What?”
Gadriel looked at her, cape fluttering in the wind. It was completely undamaged and unstained. How? “A matter of honor. I understand you have an issue with my use of your wyvern.”
“Yeah, right. Let’s talk.” Tlara stood up, brushed herself off, and raised a fist in the Hero’s face. “You fucking owe me.”
“That is what I wish to discuss.”
“If you think I’m just going to ignore it because you’re some big goddamn Hero, then-” It wasn’t anything Gadriel said that made her stop talking, as he wouldn’t interrupt her tirade unless the intimidation turned physical. Instead, Tlara saw the patience on his face and cut off her words in fury. He was being patient with her? That’s not how this worked! But she’d mistakenly allowed him to tell her exactly where she could put her debt.
“I am going to Aughal with Lograve. I must know where you intend to go as this will affect when and how I can repay you.” She stared at him, and he continued. “I must confess I am unfamiliar with the worth of such creatures, though it is unlikely I have currency enough to simply give remuneration. Trade, perhaps, if I have something you would desire in kind. Ideally, I would assist in the capture of an equivalent creature, although as you are the wronged party I leave it to you to decide.”
“You’re serious?”
“Indeed.”
“What about the whole ‘you have to do this for the common good’ crap?”
Gadriel shifted on his feet. “Honor still demands a debt. On my second flight, I made use of an ability that endangered your wyvern. I ask again of your intentions.”
“Heh.” She scoffed lightly as her hostility became less blatant. “Dunno where I want to go. You serious about this?”
Gadriel nodded slightly. “Yes. If you need time to deliberate, I understand.”
Her immediate instinct was to insult his stuffiness, his demeanor, or just him in general. Sure, he was an impressive fighter, but he was as personable as a brick. She held it back because he seemed genuine. Honest as a brick too. “K. Huh. Alright, you’ve got a deal.”
“What would you like in return?” Gadriel said, a bit awkwardly after Tlara didn’t elaborate.
“I want you to help me dominate a dragon.” Tlara beamed menacingly at the Hero who took a step back.
“I-I don’t believe you are capable of such a feat. My assistance wouldn’t be meaningful.”
“Duh. The weakest dragons are level 5. When I’m ready for that, I’m calling in the debt.”
Whatever Gadriel was expecting clearly went more along the lines of emptying his coin purse. Tlara wouldn’t have minded that, but the surprise mixing with slight panic on his face was just as rewarding. “I, that is a, hmm. What if you are unable to reach level 5?”
He recovered quickly. That’s no fun. “Then we’ll figure something else out. Otherwise, I’m getting my fucking talons on a dragon, and you’re going to help me. Or is your honor not worth that much?”
For just a moment, the Hero stiffened, and Tlara reminded herself exactly how lopsided a battle between them would be. That only lasted a moment. “It is not exactly an equivalent repayment, but if that is what you wish then I will respect that. With the stipulation that, this request taking part in the uncertain future, reasonable accommodations be made with respect to my availability when it is time. In addition, that this debt not be passed to any among my class or blood should I fall in the meantime.”
Gods, so stuffy. People are really attracted to this kind of crap? “Fine. Fuck. Guess I’ll tag along with you then.”
“Then our business is concluded. Thank you for entertaining me.”
When she was alone again, Tlara didn’t worry about Spinner or the faint memories she had of being controlled. In her mind, she was sitting atop a true king of the sky. For the Beastmaster, the future got a little brighter.
…
The mortals split into two groups a little over a day after they began moving. Passage into the adjoining regions was fairly open and they could march together for some time before they’d have to separate. The wounded among Murdon’s group changed that. For their sake, they needed to take the shortest path. To Threst, Janice, Quala, Claire, and William joined the draconoid Knight.
On the side, the much smaller group to Aughal included Lograve and Gadriel at the head. Tlara reluctantly followed for the distant promise of the Hero’s assistance. Thomas just as hesitantly chose friends over his mentor. Of most interest were the gestalt who to a man, or person, chose Aughal. The Druid who could speak with them did likewise. It was a curious thing, but then again those strange people did stick together.
It was peaceful that day. Hunter’s senses were just as strong in his awakened state, allowing him to detect threats and avoid or scare them off. From his Map function, Daniel could tell they were getting close to one of the large lines that bordered the region. It was strange how this half of the Thormundz looked like a hexagon, whereas the shimmering white line of the Crest that was slowly taking over the opposite end smoothed over those boundaries. What would happen when it reached the edge?
The map held two questions that Daniel had found no answers for, despite everything that had occurred. What took Eido, and what was the Crest? The people here had an answer for the second question, but not a satisfying one. From all he’d read it was described as an amorphous force of evil that no one could survive within, but that didn’t explain anything.
Camp was made that night and Daniel started counting the days until they’d reach the city they were heading to. Sure, he was warming up to monster fighting. By all accounts, it was the best way to level. If he’d survived this far then threats appropriate for his level should be easy. It was how he’d find formulae for more magical items to make, and get the money he’d need to enchant them. It was what his friends, well, what most of his friends wanted to do. It seemed right, even after everything that happened.
But not at first. No. The past, both of this world and his home, continued to haunt him. The times he had talked to Quala had helped, and seeing her part with his group felt similar to being cut off from his family. At the very least he wasn’t alone, and every day he woke up with the people he trusted was a better one. Still, Daniel didn’t need or want to face an enemy as terrible as the lake monster. Not now, not ever again if he could help it. He’d stick to giant rats and take things the slow, easy way.
The following day, they reached the boundary between Aughal and the Thormundz. Which, as it turns out, was literally a line in the sand. “Woah.”
“Yeah, this always gets me, Guy. The sense of scale!”
Daniel and Thomas looked ahead as the group of just under a hundred villagers and their guard reached the border. On one side were the plains they’d been walking through. On the other, desert. There was no gradual transition, other than the sand spilling across the still obviously unnatural merging of the two climates.
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“How far does that go?” Tak asked, pointing to where the break in plains and desert became indistinguishable.
“One hundred kilometers maybe? We’re near the center of the crossing.” Evalyn scratched her head and looked in distaste as she found the wind had already carried some sand into her hair.
“That far?” Thomas was right. If the region was shaped like a hexagon, then the area would be large. Daniel couldn’t do the math offhand, and Quick Mind was being slow since he’d forgotten the equation and was trying to estimate from circles. “Are you sure we can make it to Aughal in a week?”
“Yeah, shouldn’t be much of an issue Guy. They built it close to the center so we’ve just got about that far to go.”
“That’s hundreds of kilometers.” Again, Daniel hadn’t memorized hexagon math, but Quick Mind was giving him an estimation of about the same distance to Aughal as the length of one of the region’s sides, though it would be shorter if they were starting in the middle rather than at one of the edges. Call it 180 kilometers, or over half a marathon every day to get there by the end of the week. He might be able to handle it with improved endurance, but what about the regular people?
“It is a good distance, but nothing will be trying to kill us on the way. I’m sure the occasional village wouldn’t mind us resting there either if it meant having Blessed nearby,” Evalyn commented, oblivious to Daniel's mental math but coming in with excellent points. “Everyone ready to cross?”
“Yep!” was the general response from their group, save for Daniel.
“Is there something that’s going to happen?” He asked, uneasy now that they were paces away from the break.
“Guy, did you forget? Oh, wait, I guess you might not know. If you’ve got anything heightened or any active powers, it’ll reset here.”
“What? Why?”
Thomas shrugged. “Just the way it works.”
“Well, that sucks. I’ll have to up the Map and Regeneration again.” You too Hunter.
Hmm.
“Don’t blame you for it. I’d keep that feature as high as I could get it if I had it.”
“Crossing!” Khare called out, more to the other gestalt than the team they were with. They were ahead of Daniel and shuddered slightly as they stepped onto the sand.
The Artificer grew wary after that. Ten steps away became five, then two, then one, and then it happened. A feeling like a small earthquake jostling him, just for a moment. His phone buzzed.
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???
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Alert: You have entered a new Region. Due to this transition, actively heightened Features have been reset to their base Level. Any Creature benefiting from Designation benefits or penalties will have those effects removed. Active Cooldowns have been reset to their maximum value. Powers that are ready to use are not affected. For information on additional effects, consult the Encyclopedia.
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Alert: You have entered Region: Aughal. You do not possess a map of this region.
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Alert: Creature: ??? has remotely triggered Ability: Moment of Clarity by use of Etheric Manipulation. Your Defense: Charisma attempted to resist this but failed to overcome the aggressor's Offense: Intelligence. In addition to triggering this Ability, the aggressor has selectively screened out other Creatures who may normally be affected.
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Wait, what? The world suddenly froze. Hunter? Tak? No response. As he was looking at his phone, he saw the next alert too.
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Alert: A Creature has remotely triggered a sustained Ability and has chosen to continue prolonging its effects. The associated Mana costs will now be withdrawn from the aggressor.
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He was under attack. How had they forced him to use one of his abilities? What was going on? Daniel couldn’t move, thanks to time slowing down.
Then the impossible happened. From nowhere, a man appeared. He was human, old, with light skin and no hair. He was wearing the closest to actual wizard robes Daniel had seen so far. They had a collar that rose above the neck to about halfway up the back of the head where it ringed around to above either collarbone. The colors within the robe were iridescent and shifted impossibly in what should have been a frozen moment.
That was what was most concerning. Both the colors of the robe and the man himself moved. Slowly, it had to be said, but he moved closer towards Daniel. What could he do? He tried to cancel his ability but found he couldn’t. There was something metaphorically holding the button down.
Apologies, Artificer. A voice in his head. Not a relatively new experience, but terrifying in this instance. The voice was as old as the man and resonated with magic. They were powerful, this most evident in their mental presence. That was what dominated Daniel, holding him in place with his power. This will take no time at all. A hand, wizened but strong, reached for him. It fell short of his body and instead lightly tapped his phone, new notifications appearing on it despite the active power.
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Alert: A Creature has attempted to affect one of your Powers through Etheric Manipulation. Fundamental Law: Immutable Soul has attempted to prevent this, but has failed. Your Defense: Charisma was unable to overcome the creature’s Offense: Intelligence.
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Alert: Your Feature: Focus Enhancement has been affected by an outside source. Function: Encyclopedia has been lost. Function: Divination Aegis* has been acquired. Function: Divination Aegis* has been set at Level: 2 for no additional Mana cost due to the means of its acquisition.
-
???
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Why did you do that? How?
The man smiled, not unkindly. You would do well to keep your Focus on hand at all times, Artificer. He took a step towards Hunter.
Don’t touch him!
His captor eventually paused when he was within reach of Hunter, though it didn’t feel like he’d heeded Daniel’s words. The man looked at the ringcat for a long time, the measure of which was meaningless given the circumstances. Eventually, he acted. One finger brushed against Hunter’s nose. Nothing seemed to happen, but Daniel didn’t relax.
What did you do? What did you do!?
So, that is what created this anomaly. The man gave him what was probably meant to be a calming smile. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but be reminded of times far gone. It was a thought in the moment, nothing more. A gift. I have to remind myself you aren't a willing participant in this, and it seems you truly have traveled a long road to come here.
Do you know where I come from? Daniel asked with combined dread and hope at what this man might say, but he just ignored the question.
Shortly after, he strode out of his field of view, but the presence was still there. We may speak again, we may not. Your future and ours are uncertain now, and I believe you are one of the reasons why. Continue on this path and you may find the answer you want the most, but ask nothing from the Gods. You cannot trust them. No one can. What Daniel could only describe as a timeless rage surfaced, though only like the periscope of a nuclear submarine. I should know more than anyone how they treat those they claim to love.
He almost fell as time resumed. People commented, apparently not having seen what he had, but Daniel didn’t care about them. Hunter, are you alright?
The ringcat looked at a paw in introspection. That habit was now permanently acquired through the daily, small blasts of the Empathic Link. The consistency there was reassuring, but what had changed? Hunter had an answer. I can understand. It is sudden, but I understand. Was it from us crossing?
Understand what?
How to make myself stronger.
You… you can advance?
Yes.
Despite what happened, he had to agree. That was a gift. The planning around the dragon fight hadn’t provided Daniel an opportunity to ask how normal people improved their attributes, no less a ringcat. It'd been that or make the armor after Hunter awakened, and Tak's own attempts to help had proved fruitless. Removing that block would be a true gift, so long as no strings were attached.
“What’s going on?” Lograve appeared from the front of the procession.
“Something with Guy. He just fell and stopped moving.”
“I’m fine,” Daniel said quickly, “But…” He tried to think of how to explain what just happened. His Encyclopedia was gone! Someone had directly manipulated his powers. Was that a god? But then why did he say not to trust them?
There’s something else. Hunter had a strange look on his face. Even with its more feral aspects, Hunter had a kind of eyebrow to furrow.
What?
The ringcat’s jaws parted, ever so slightly. “C, can you understand me?” Hunter asked.